Search engine optimization or SEO as it is more commonly known is all about ensuring that your website can be made visible to as many people as possible by obtaining a high ranking in the search engines. When we say search engines, more often than not this refers to Google as this particular search engine gets more traffic than any other.
If you have a website and you’re involved in any sort of commercial activity then the main purpose of your website is to attract visitors to go to your site and do what ever is you want them to do. You may want them to fill in a form, phone you or make a purchase. Whatever your aim is you need to ensure that when someone types in a particular keyword that is relevant to your business, then your website shows up on the first page of Google. The main function of Search engine optimization is to ensure that your site is set up in such a way that Google knows exactly what it is about and by using relevant keywords Google will bring folk to your site by giving it a high placement preferably on the first page.
If you are in Canada and your website is all about a local business, then you want to ensure that the keywords you use are using are optimized to attract visitors in your local area. By using SEO properly you can gain a higher position in the search engine for whatever local term you are using.
A lot of businesses have a website but have no idea how to attract visitors to the site. Having a website that is not properly optimized as much the same as building a shop in a desert. Your website will only attract visitors if they know how to find you. Very few people actually type in the name of the website i.e. www. Your website.com. If someone is looking for holiday homes in Canada they will type this into the search engine, and if your website is about holiday homes in Canada and you have done your search engine optimization properly then chances are your website will be one of the ones they find. If however, this is the type of visitor you want and you have not optimized your site for that particular keyword then the visitor will not find you.
Search engine optimization is now becoming a vital part of all businesses.