It all starts with good content – interesting, compelling and relevant. Search Engines use semantic (what are you saying) and contextual analysis (who links to you and how they link) to figure themes and topics.

Here are Dave’s 10 Things (plus a Bonus Tip) to Know About Search Engine Optimization:

1. Importance of titles- is the title good enough to draw attention? Does it contain a keyword or concept about the post?

2. Keyword Density – think keywords when writing – use the keyword several times in the post and not “it” or other pronouns.  Don’t use click here – make the keyword text a link.

3. Smart image file names – Rename your images with relevant keywords for the particular post.

4. The alt and title attributes -Take the time to fill out the alt and title tags for your uploaded images and files – again with relevant keywords/concept.

5. More is definitely less – Reconsider the use of the Read More  in the post.  Change the link from “more” to the keyword heavy title for example.  Consider not using “Home” but the name of your Website in Navigation.

6. Use savvy permalinks -  Each blog post has it’s own unique URL – choose the most powerful words to describe the content of your post.  Wordpress has plugins to customize your URL.

7. Use HTML too, not just CSS – Search engines like HTML – All blog platforms have easy HTML editors (header tags <h1> <h2> for example).

8. Minimize exit links – scrutinize who and how many links are in your blogroll.  The more outgoing links you have increases possibility of visitors leaving your site.

9. Use internal links to cross-promote content – Use Related/Similar Posts at the end of your post (Use Wordpress plugin); Title of the blog post is the link.

10. Encourage easy commenting – Don’t require login or registering in order to post comments.

11. Bonus Tip:  Use Keyword Research Tools to see what combination of words and word phrases people use and how often people search for certain keywords.

Related posts:

1. Blogworld Expo Las Vegas – Search Engine Optimization for Blogging
2. How & Where to Find Blogs
3. Top 15 Tips for Blogging

Update from Blogworld Expo, November 7, 2–7 – SEO for Blogging session.  Panelists: Vanessa Fox, Stephan Spencer, Andy Beal and  Aaron Wall.

The four panelists presented a wealth of information and useful tips on the key topic of Blog SEO .  Vanessa posted each speaker’s powerpoint presentations on her blog – Blogworld Expo:  SEO for Blogging Slides.  Check out this video of highlights from the session from WebProNews:

Some highlights and takeaways for me…

* Research what your audience is searching for – use keyword tools like Google Adwords, Overture Keyword Tracker Tool or Wordtracker – and write your posts using those relevant keywords

* Check out Google Trends to gain insights into search patterns and trends

* Blog Post Titles and Title Tags are key for SEO.  Write short, attractive, enticing, descriptive and use keywords for your niche, buisness, market.

* Google Webmaster Central is an excellent resource center for all things Google as it relates to your website or blog functionality, traffic, analytics, questions and more

* If you have a Wordpress blog, consider using the SEO Title Tags plugin to optimize your blog posts

* Contributed content – guest posts, writing contests, blog carnivals, other writers

* Monitor your statistics/analytics; watch trends, traffic spikes; make adjustments in posting schedule and topics based on what you learn

* Stay on your topic(s)

* Use Google Alerts to have information come to you on the subjects you are interested in – get new post ideas

* Save your post as a draft and refine it before publishing

* Actively solicit feedback; reply to comments

* Write for others – syndicate your content

* Don’t be afraid of controversy

* Don’t monetize your blog too early

Related posts:

1. Blogworld Expo Las Vegas – Best Tips and Strategies (Nov 2007)
2. Ten Things Your Need to Know about Search Engines and Findability from Dave Taylor at Blogworld 2008
3. Blogworld Expo – Using Analytics to Measure Your Blog’s Performance