Google's Matt Cutts: Top 5 Things to do to Optimize Your Site
I asked a question to Matt Cutts through Google Moderator today at PubCon South. “What are the top 5 things you would do to optimize your site?” Here was his response:
– Starting out with a good URL structure is obviously important to both the search engines and users. There were a couple of things Matt mentioned that were intruiging. (1) Make sure your structure is very clean. (2) Matt mentioned DMOZ as a great example of good site architecture
– Make your titles relevant to the content on the page and make them compelling.
– Obviously important. If you don’t have keywords in your content, why should you show up? Also, it’s always good to have your keyword in the URL of the page.
– You can spend all day in your log files and analytics finding great ways to optimize, but today Matt mentioned finding the keywords you are currently on page 2 for and get them to page 1
– A great idea. Google loves fresh content. Matt said that fresh content isn’t part of the algorithm, but it almost always gets you more links than if your site is stale.
There is nothing new here, but it’s always nice to know that you have the same priorities for your site optimization as Matt Cutts does.
Nice to hear that some of the stuff I do frequently is paying off!
Nice post Nelson.
Like you say, not new, but good to be reassured.
I tweeted this post and Matt Cutts replied to say his answer was related to on-page optimisation only.
Mike
Nice simple punch list from Matt. Thanks.
Looking at what the top 5 things are, I would have guessed that it was about on-page optimization only.
Yawn.
“fresh content isn’t part of the algorithm”
?
Dry
Always good to know that you are on the right track.
Great post.
I am so glad to read that getting keywords on the second page up to the first is one of the best things you can do. I just told a client to not worry about a keyword that is currently on the fourth page drop a little but to focus on the the keywords on the top on the second and bottom of the third. Now I have a fresh reference to show them.
Bottom of the first is what I meant to say above.
Really nice post..after seeing this post i noticed Google moderator Usage.thanks.
What is Google Moderator? I clicked the link and saw your question however I did not see the answer I could only see whether people liked or disliked your question. Thanks for the confirmation on the top 5 pointers for SEO
Hi sir,
I have following your SEO steps which you have mentioned above.Really lot of improvements in my site.
thanks,
manickam
Some of the comments above actually surprise me, especially coming from “seasoned” internet marketers.
Them 5 top things are the building blocks of a successful SEO campaign, so unfortunately Matt, nothing new.
Good post Nelson.
I like your article
Excellent post Nelson.
Backs up everything we thought.
Richard
What about links building?! The more, the better? And how to define quality of inbound links?