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For many, especially those who are not familiar on how the web works, search engine optimization is a very far-fetched topic and is only relegated to people who are tech savvy and into online marketing. As a SEO practitioner for over a decade, I make it my responsibility to explain how optimizing websites for search engines work to every prospect client in the simplest way possible. If you are someone who doesnt want to hear jargons and would just like to understand how SEO works in laymans terms, then you have to continue reading below.

What is SEO?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It is a process that involves a set of strategies to help a website be seen on top of search results (Google, Yahoo, Bing) and rank for a specific keywords. For example, if you are selling fondant cakes and you want to sell them to New Yorkers, then the best keyword that you can use so that you will be found by potential customers is Fondant Cakes New York or New York Fondant Cakes. SEO is designed to help searchers (potential customers) easily find your product or services on the web.

How SEO Works?

Search Engine Optimization is composed of two major strategies On-page Optimization (processes that needs to be done on your website so that it would be easily seen by search engines) and Off-page Optimization (processes that are done externally or on other webpages to help your website rank on top of the search results).

How On-page Optimization Works?

The very foundation of SEO is on how you enhances your website on the inside so that search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing can see it and rank it higher in search results. On-page optimization can be compared to rigging up your sports car. You need to make sure that every part of the machine is well maintained so that it can run fast and outrun your fellow racers. A website is like a sports car. You need on-page optimization to make it outrank your online competitors.

How Off-page Optimization Works?

Since getting the top spots in search results is quite important in SEO, off-page optimization must be paired off with on-page optimization to get desirable results. Off-page optimization can be compared to public relations companies to a politician. They need to create publicity using tried and tested media channels to uplift the reputation of the politician to increase the likelihood that people would vote for him in the upcoming election. In this comparison, the public relation companies and what they do are the off-page optimization process and the politician is your website. The voters are your potential customers.





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bKM_rphj3E

Not getting found on the internet nowadays is equivalent to brand suicide. Thus, you have the choice to remain invisible or reap more profits using SEO by attracting more paying customers.

By Dallas SEO Expert - Qamar Zaman

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1205488