Tuesday, April 29, 2008

On-Page Optimization

Based from my research, there are two basic elements of search engine optimization (SEO): On-page optimization and off-page optimization. This blog post will discuss on-page optimization. Alfredo Palconit on one of his blog posts, "Why is On Page Optimization Important", said that on-page optimization deals with on-the-page factors that are critical to the overall efficiency and effectivity of a website and once these factors are fully optimized, this will contribute to an increase in web visibility and thereby outdoing other less search engine-friendly websites.

Jiten Yadav posted an article that discusses the most important factors for on-page optimization. Here are the tips:
  1. Include your keyword in your domain.
  2. Enrich pages with content.
  3. Use different title tags for all pages.
  4. Have a relevant description tag.
  5. Do keyword research then select the appropriate keywords related to your products and services.
  6. Whenever you are linking to subpages or other pages of your site, make sure that your keywords are included in the clickable portions of the links.
  7. Put your keywords and keyword phrases in your file names.
  8. A site map is a page that has text links to all of the pages of your site. It helps users to find what they are looking for on the site by providing an outline summary of all of your pages as well helps search engine robots to land on the interior pages.
Both on-page and off-page optimization are important. However, since I am new with this topic, I have to learn more about all of these. That's why I registered in the SEO Philippines forum. I'm thankful that there are many SEM or SEO specialists who continue to share their knowledge regarding this field. Actually, this task has made me realize that maybe, someday, I could be one of them too. We'll see. :)

Monday, April 28, 2008

Es-Ee-Ow

Yes, I am back. Oh, Sharie was able to come at the iBlog4 summit with her classmates and the first thing she said this morning was, "Ang saya!" Inggit tuloy ako.

I have been researching about search engine marketing for the past weeks. Marami na rin akong natutunan kahit na medyo magulo pa ang aking research compilation. I'm sorry, Miss Aileen. :( Anyway, I have learned that search engine marketing has three major categories: search engine optimization, pay per click advertising and paid inclusion.

Hmmm. Search engine optimization? What is this all about? According to an article by Roy Sencio, "search engine optimization or SEO aims to achieve the goal of getting more visitors to a website by helping it get higher rankings in the search engines. This simply means that search engine optimization’s goal is to make a website appear on the first pages, if not the first page of a search done through the search engine."

Here are just some tips I have learned through research:

1. Identify which keyword phrases your site should target.
2. Know all the website elements and factors that affect your search engine rankings and learn how to optimize them all.
3. Learn how to write user-friendly, search engine optimized copy that would achieve top rankings and maximize conversion rates.
4. Check backlinks. Backlinks are all the links pointing at a particular web page. These are also called inbound links.
5. Provide relevant, creative, unique and regularly update content on your website.

Oh, these tips are from different sources: Webcredible, Jonathan Casuncad of SEM Pros, SEO Philippines forum and Elymar Apao. :)

Friday, April 18, 2008

K.A.Y.E.

After further readings, I now know why the first search engines were named Archie, Veronica and Jughead. Anu ba yan. Puro ganito na lang pinagsasasabi ko dito. Let's skip that first. Haha!

A while ago was Sir Hans' birthday surprise in the office. We prepared a video presentation with "production numbers" from us, the practicumers, and birthday greetings from the main people from the office. Hmmm. The first thing he said while entering the office (with lights off and no one in their respective cubicles): "I can see you there." Haha! Happy birthday Sir Hans! May you stay happy and successful. May you achieve whatever you wish for. And lastly, may you continue bringing Go Nuts Donuts for everyone to eat. Maybe it could be Krispy Kreme next time. Kidding! Haha!

Ok, back to the search engines. Vrooom vroom. I learned that "archives" was just shortened to Archie. Then Veronica stands for Very Easy Rodent-Oriented Net-wide Index to Computerized Archives. Also, there's Jughead which means Jonzy’s Universal Gopher Hierarchy Excavation and Display.

Maybe in the future there can be a search engine that can be named Kaye. Malay mo di ba? Nangagarap lang. Haha! And if ever that happens, what would Kaye mean? Hmmm. Isipin ko muna. Haha! :)

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Archie, Veronica and Jughead

I started researching about search engines today. Did you know that the first search engine was called Archie? Then after Archie there was Veronica then Jughead then the rest is history. It's just too long! I am wondering, why were they named after those characters? Hmmm.

I am done doing my proposed course content outline. Just no content yet. I need the books "The Google Story" by David Vise and "The Search" by John Battelle. Huhuhu. I need them now. :(

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Meeting the Subject Matter Expert

As a junior instructional designer for Blue Blade Technologies, one of my tasks is to gather information from the subject matter expert (SME) for the online course assigned to me. The topic? Search Engine Marketing. The subject matter expert? Miss Aileen Apolo, country consultant for Google Philippines.

Together with Ma'am Nadia, Ma'am Ces and Sharie, I met her yesterday to discuss the topic. I was nervous but then, seeing how bubbly she is, I felt relieved. She gave me the references that I could read. Also, she gave me assignments that I should do before we meet again next Tuesday. Medyo marami ha. Haha!

And on my to-do list are the following:
  1. Read about Search Engine Marketing from the references Miss Aileen provided. Apat na references yata yun.
  2. Create a blog where I can post the things I learn about Search Engine Marketing.
  3. Attend iBlog4: the 4th Philippine Blogging Summit on April 26 at UP Diliman. It can help me a lot with my topic.
  4. And search where the Search Engine Optimizers (SEOs) of the Philippines are "hiding". Haha! Do you know where they are? Patulong naman. Haha!

Ok, I have to do my assignments now. See you next Tuesday, Miss Aileen! :)