Search Engine Optimization for Blogs

Search engine optimization (SEO) can be overwhelming for bloggers, but it doesn't have to be. Implementing just a few SEO tips can drastically improve your site's rank.

Onsite SEO Tips:

1. Choose a popular but not overly broad niche that you are passionate about.
2. Strive for at least 100-200 pages of content about your niche area.
3. Post several times per week (preferably once per day).
4. Write about popular topics, frequently asked questions, and tie-ins to seasons, holidays, and what is "in the news".
5. Use keywords in your post's title and in your copy, but don't overdo it.
6. Write content your readers would find relevant and valuable.
7. Have a unique perspective to differentiate your blog from others.
8. Use keywords whenever you link to other posts you've written.
9. Label your posts with tags.

Getting Links from Other Sites:

1. Make a list of key blogs in your industry that you'd like links from.
2. Read their blogs regularly. Leave comments and contribute to the discussion.
3. Write posts that their readers would find valuable. Then politely email them. (Don't spam!)
4. Submit your blog to directories.
5. Participate in blog carnivals.
6. Spread the link love - link to other relevant blogs.

Keyword Research Tools:

1. Adwords Keyword Selection Tool: https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal
2. SEO Book Keyword Tool: http://tools.seobook.com/general/keyword/
   
3. WordTracker: http://www.wordtracker.com
   
4. SpyFu: http://www.spyfu.com

Links to Blog Directories

1. http://www.aripaparo.com/archive/000632.html
2. http://www.masternewmedia.org/rss/top55/

Find a Blog Carnival:

1. http://blogcarnival.com/
   

Research What's Popular in the Blogosphere:

1. Popular: http://technorati.com/pop/
2. What's Hot: http://technorati.com/wtf/
   
3. Popular Tags: http://technorati.com/tag/
   

Monitor How People Find Your Site:

1. HitTail: http://www.hittail.com - Keeps track of the "long tail" of search results for your site
2. Google Analytics: http://analytics.google.com - Great, free statistics package.