Balancing - SEO to Friendliness

[mjm1905]

I am curious to some feedback on this. Since conventional promotion seems difficult with the internet, I been spending a lot of time trying to optimize my site. I have a received a movement in the google page rank, but this was not do to some suggestive readings. I found that the more I implemented some suggestions, the more confusing my site was becoming.

I tried using some SEO software two are online, the other was downloaded. Each seemed to suggest something different, in respect to higher rankings. For example, while one suggested that Keywords are not as important as they used to be, another suggested to include a large quantity of Meta Tags linke "Author".

Another thing I found to be a bit obscure, one suggested the placement of tags on the page (title= and alt=). I think the Alt tag is a good idea because it gives users some reference if the image does not load. However, I did not like the text poping up on mouse over, when using the title tag.

Primarily, I am curious to get feedback some more seasoned webmasters. How important are these things to Google?

[SVB]

meta tags like Author are totally pointless. Even tags such as Description arent used by Google. The most important thing to do is get as many links to your site as possible. that is what increases pagerank and gets you high in the serps.

[mjm1905]

I see this term "serps" on a lot of seo boards. What does that mean?

[John Scott]

SERP= search engine results page.

[mjm1905]

Thank you both,

I learned a lot in this forum in just a short period of time, glad I found it. Making some alterations to my site already.

Nice to have such a rounded forum on this subject.

[sem4u]

Description tags are used by Google and are shown in the SERPs if no relevant snippet of body text can be found.

[compar]

Originally Posted by sem4u

Description tags are used by Google and are shown in the SERPs if no relevant snippet of body text can be found.

Correct! A meta description tag should always be included on any site. Some search engines still also use meta keyword, so while Google does not, this tag should also be included.

In addition alt tags should be used on all images that are used as links. They are the equivalent of anchor text for these links. In fact while the search engines apparently do not evaluate non linking tags, alt tags should be used on all images for people who don't use graphics capable browser or for the handicapped.

But while on-page items should be user friendly and correct, backlinks are what will impress Google and increase your sites placement in the SERPs.

[Fruit & Veg]

For mjm1905 - http://www.searchenginedictionary.com

[mjm1905]

Its all starting to make sense. Thanks you for the Resource and the the descriptions.

I have been placing some thought on a couple things. One, is there any relevance to reciprocating a link to Google, somewhere on your site? I actually just submitted a subdomain for indexing to test this.

The other, I been going around to various webdirectories and purchasing inclusion on the site in an effort to increase the page rank and the overall Internet Presence. I halted this at the moment because I want to see the efffect on my site before continuing to invest large amounts of time and money.

From what I am gathering reading some of these posts, submitting just the home page is not the key element. For example, rather than just advertising Mjmls Classifieds all over the web, I want to find indexes where I can add a link to the variety of categories. Have each of theses link titles specify keywords for the category, "Sell yoru car online," for the Autos, "Sell your house online," for Real Estate, etc...

Would this provide faster and better results than just putting one link on multiple directories?

[awall19]

most directories only list home pages and it is far easier to get home pages listed. it is possible to get inner links to information heavy inner pages though.

when renting links I sometimes direct them to the inner pages with the proper keywords in them.