There is no guarantee of results, however, the trick to achieving high rankings on each of the major search engines is to understand their algorithms and to tailor your site to meet them. Simply placing metatags, text within the document and correctly naming the image alt tags won't do it. For example, one of the key premises of Google is that you are considered more relevant if other sites on the internet link to you. Therefore, getting your site listed on directories as well as setting up reciprocal linking agreements or advertising can increase your relevance. Since each search engine has a different algorithm, how do you make a site which pleases them all? The simple answer is, you don't. Basically, you can choose one of the following methods to managing your site for SEO:

Least Common Denominator (LCD)

In this approach, you determine the tactics which seem to be common across all of the search engines, and tailor your site to these common elements. This is the easier of the two methods, since it only requires one set of pages for the site.

Custom Channels

In this approach, you develop pages on your site specifically for a particular engine, then channel their spider to those pages using robot includes and meta tags.

The approach that we would recommend would be a hybrid of the two, beginning with the LCD approach, and developing custom channels only if the site is not achieving the desired results.

7 Steps

Our approach to any new SEO project is comprised of seven basic steps, as follows:

1. Identify the top 5 engines which you want the highest rankings on. Don't limit your work to these search engines, but do target them in terms of overall approach and working to meet their algorithms.
2. Identify what budget, if any, you have for paid listings or accelerated listings. For example, the only way to get on Yahoo's directory these days (if you are a business site) is to pay for the listing.
3. Develop your keywords and meta tag descriptions, then review the site for SEO and make corrections to the code so that it supports your meta tags with the appropriate content. I would recommend varying your meta tags by page or section of the site, not using the same set throughout the site.
4. Initial site submissions, including requesting editorial reviews on web sites that rate or review other web sites.
5. Identify and contact related sites to request reciprocal listings.
6. Check targeted search engine sites sites for listings in 2-3 weeks and track your progress.
7. If the site has not yet been listed, resubmit. If site is listed, but has not yet achieved adequate rankings, adjust parameters to better meet algorithm and resubmit. Continue these last two steps every month weeks until desired results are achieved.

Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

Note: Yalia Technology Design offers a full range of search engine optimization and submission services at competitive rates. Click here to

Yalia Technology Design was formed to fill a specific gap in the marketplace, as a company that offers clients something more than a traditional web design company. Pulling from expertise in the areas of technology, project management, marketing communications and branding, Yalia provides a multi-disciplinary approach to web design and custom application development. More than just a technology company - we also offer a full range of marketing services including traditional collateral design, brand consulting, online and email marketing services, search engine optimization and search engine submissions.