Optimize Your Blog

Blogging is becomming more and more popular. Personal blogs, business blogs.. suddenly, everybody is a writer. :) I know some folks who have a dozen or more blogs they manage. I don’t know how they do it. Mine here seems to keep me plenty busy. Nonetheless, I wonder if you are taking time to optimize your blog? Sure, they come with basic optimizing right out of the box, but if you would like to go a step further, then use these guidelines and gain the title of “The Total Optimizer”. First off, let’s start with what you should NOT do with your blog. Getting those out of the way makes everything else a lot easier.

According to Google:
• Avoid hidden text or hidden links.
• Don’t employ cloaking or sneaky redirects.
• Don’t send automated queries to Google.
• Don’t load pages with irrelevant words.
• Don’t create pages that install viruses, trojans, or other badware.
• Don’t create multiple pages, subdomains, or domains with substantially duplicate content.
• Avoid “doorway” pages created just for search engines, or other “cookie cutter” approaches such as affiliate programs with little or no original content.
• Tricks intended to improve search engine rankings.

With that accomplished, move on to what you SHOULD do with your blog.

Use those permalinks.
In WordPress, it’s Options>Permalinks and select a permalink structure. I use /%postname%/ on this site, but you can do /%monthnum%/%postname%/ or /%year%/%monthnum%/%postname%/ , etc..

Use key phrases in Posts
If your primary key phrase is html help make sure that the word html and help appear in the title of each of your posts.

Use those Tags
Use Tags and Alt Tags to help with search engine inclusions

Stick with it and Update it
You created your blog, now stick with it. Don’t change the name, the focus, etc or you will lose readers. Update it alot! Those blogs that updated frequently, get top ratings.

Use Google Sitemaps
This is a helpful google feature for webmaster that will help index your site.

Validate Your Markup
Make sure your site Validates

Good Content
Post good, interesting, quality content. Check your documents for spelling and grammar errors before you submit and make sure it’s easy to read. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve left a site becuase the type was too hard to read or hurt my eyes. Why bother? I wouldn’t.

Backup Your Blog
Backing uo your blog is essential. You built up alot of posts, sometimes months or years worth.. you don’t really want to start all over, do you? I have a list of good, free backup programs mentioned here.

Finale: Submit your Blog
Well, of course, after all that hard work, you are going to want to show it off. I suggest getting your site listed at dmoz.org and other major search engines. Try my Advertising Mega List for some recommendations. Also, visit the 13 tips to get your blog noticed for further blog submit spots.

Want More? Check out these sources..
The Ultimate WordPress SEO Tips
WordPress and SEO
8 Simple Tips For Blogs
WordPress First Steps