On Wednesday we discussed search as it applies to marketing, because gone are the days when understanding its functionality can be left to the “experts.” Distinguishing between SEO and SEM can be confusing, especially when you need to use them to complement one another. Many marketers are most intimidated by SEO, since it relies less on money and more on smart content development and social sharing.
Luckily, there are a number of free online resources devoted to SEO that are very helpful, for the beginner or the seasoned professional.
Here are two of our favorites…
This one won’t surprise you, since Google has become its own verb synonymous with “search.” Their Webmaster Guidelines provide information that will help Google find, index and rank your site. It offers important help relating to design, content, quality and technical aspects of site maintenance. Users will gain an understanding of what will help their content pop up organically and successfully in Google search.
Moz has been in the business of search and content marketing since 2004, so they know what they are talking about when it comes to SEO. Their free Beginner’s Guide to SEO is useful for anyone looking to develop a deeper general knowledge of the concept. The guide is nice to look at and easy to use, and it highlights the following topics: discovery of the terms and phrases (keywords) that generate traffic, making a site search engine friendly, building the links and marketing the unique value of the site’s offerings.
(Image credit: Jessica Smith)
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