The First Step!

[gotlinks]

Hello all, I thought it would be interesting for us all to list our beliefs on what the very first steps to performing seo on sites is.

If we all create a resource like this then others can feed off it fast.

So here is my top 5 list!

• Research Keywords
• Research Competition
• Research Customer Site
• Suggest / Make Site Changes
• Get Links

This is my approach when starting SEO to a website, it has worked for me but that doesn't mean its the only way. Whats your list?

[Web Gazelle]

My approach has always been to...

First, review site to be optimized.
Second, research competition.
Third, research keywords for site.
Fourth, preform on-site optimization.
Fifth, build inbound links.

That is a simplified explanation of the steps. Check out my Squidoo lens on SEO to get more details. The link is in my signature.

[Dan Schulz]

And by "Fourth, perform on-site optimization" you mean build the site the right way in the first place, right?

[King]

1. Keyword Research, pay special attention to mid long tail keywords
2. Optimize Site Structure
3. Have meetings to discuss how the site is going to efficiently create new content (with social content in the mix), make sure webmasters implement systems to facilitate this.
4. Analyze top search results for link opportunities
5. Build links

[Web Gazelle]

And by "Fourth, perform on-site optimization" you mean build the site the right way in the first place, right?

If possible yes. With clients, many times the site is already built and live so then we have to review it and make changes to optimize it.

[yummytork]

My steps are:
1. Slap the client in the face for putting in so much Flash
2. Stumble the crap out of their site to get them an obscene amount of traffic in about 24 hours.
3. Read everyone else's posts about their top 5 things

(If anyone can't tell, I'm joking )

[SEODesign]

My steps are:
1. Slap the client in the face for putting in so much Flash
2. Stumble the crap out of their site to get them an obscene amount of traffic in about 24 hours.
3. Read everyone else's posts about their top 5 things

(If anyone can't tell, I'm joking )

haha number one is about right for sure.

[pbradish]

1. Review Website
2. Keyword Research
3. Competition Research
4. Initial On-Site SEO
5. Begin Off-Site SEO

[mrfifty]

Site Evaluation
Keyword Research
Competition Research
Adjust Site
Build Links

[Web Gazelle]

1. Review Website
2. Keyword Research
3. Competition Research
4. Initial On-Site SEO
5. Begin Off-Site SEO

Site Evaluation
Keyword Research
Competition Research
Adjust Site
Build Links

Woah! Do you guys work together?