The main goal of most webmasters is to build pages that rank high in search engines. The second goal is to maintain the high ranking over a period of time. Content optimization is one way of many to help achieve these goals. Keep in mind that content optimization encompasses more than keyword density and shared links. Three Often Overlooked Content Optimization Techniques
1. Separate headings. Do the articles and content on your website contain headings? If they don’t, you’re wasting a valuable content optimization opportunity. A heading is a sentence used to introduce the topic of a page or a subsection of an article. For example, "Often Overlooked Aspects of Content Optimization" is the separate heading for the current section of this article. Headings are usually bold and a larger font than other text on the page. In addition to a bold, larger font, headings can be italicized, highlighted, underlined, or colored differently. As long as the text is clearly set-apart from the other content on the page, search engines are likely to think the text is more important. This is why headings should be used with content optimization. Headings work in favor of content optimization when keywords are incorporated. However, there’s a fine line between headings and keyword stuffing. Your headings should make sense, and fit within the content of your website. Don’t throw a bunch of keywords in a heading position if the text doesn’t make sense. The purpose of content optimization is to make your webpage search engine friendly, but keep in mind that humans will be reading your page. If you focus too much on content optimization, but fail to produce text that’s pleasing to read, your visitors won’t stick around. Study your content and make sure it’s both search engine and human friendly.
2. Internal Links. Internal links are links within a page that link to other pages in the same website. This content optimization technique serves an important purposes as the keyword or phrase in the link is deemed important by the search engines. Many SEO specialists believe that internal links included within text packs a bigger punch than a stand-alone link. Of course this is debatable, but when it comes to content optimization, every little bit helps.
Internal links should only be used when they add something important to your page. Remember, humans will be reading your site. No one wants to read an article or webpage crammed with links. Your content optimization efforts will be wasted if no one remains on your website longer than a few minutes. Good content optimization results in websites that appeal to search engines and people. If, following content optimization, your website reads horribly, then you need to rethink your strategies. Never lose sight of the fact that you want to attract people to your website, not just search engines. It’s also a good idea to avoid questionable content optimization techniques such as white text on a white background, cloaking, and keyword stuffing.
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