How to optimize your website for targeted keywords

To rank well in search engines like Google, Yahoo and MSN, it's imperative that you optimize your website for your targeted keyword phrases. This guide will instruct you you to do so.

Things You Will Need

First, you'll need to be somewhat computer savvy. An understanding of HTML helps. You'll also need access to your website files. For some, this might be FTP access, for others, it might be access to your website's content management system (CMS). Once you have sufficient means to edit your website files, you'll want to make sure that your targeted keyword phrase is found in the following places within the architecture of your site:
Step 1 Make sure that your targeted keyword phrase is found in the title tag of pages relevant to that keyword phrase.
Step 2 Make sure that your targeted keyword phrase is found in the meta description of pages relevant to that keyword phrase.
Step 3 Make sure that your targeted keyword phrase is found in the meta keywords portion of pages relevant to that keyword phrase.
Step 4 Make sure that your targeted keyword phrase is found in alt tags of images that are relevant to that keyword phrase.
Step 5 If possible, make sure that your targeted keyword phrase is found in the URL string of pages relevant to that keyword phrase.
Step 6 Make sure that your targeted keyword phrase is found in the header tags (h1, h2, etc) of of pages with content relevant to that keyword phrase.
Step 7 Make sure that your targeted keyword phrase is found within the content of the site, especially on the homepage at least once.
Step 8 Make sure that your targeted keyword phrase is found in bold at least once within the content of the page, where appropriate.

Now it's not absolutely essential to implement all 8 of the above steps, but all 8 steps will help. The take home message is that your keyword phrase should be found prominently within the architecture of your site, as outlined in this how-to guide.

Tips & Warnings

Warning: Changing URL structures should only be done if you know how to permanently (301) redirect an old page to a new one. Even then, use caution.

Tip: Once you've optimized your website, you need to start building links to improve you chances of ranking well. Check out services like LotusJump's SEO software to get started on the right foot.