Are There Things That Are Missing From Your Search Engine Optimization Plan?

Most search engine optimization plans start with the same basic steps. That only makes sense, as many business websites – and especially those that are more than a few years old – are missing some of the basic tools and pieces that make them more visible to Google, Yahoo, and Bing.

However, while nearly every SEO strategy might begin with similar goals, most end up in very different places. Obviously, some of this has to do with differences of opinion in style between search engine experts. More than that, though, is that your industry, geographic area, level of competition, and other factors will weigh in.

That does not mean that there are not some quality things you should look for. A good search engine optimization plan will go beyond the basics and add more than just optimized text and meta-tags into the mix. They merely compliment these in the same way that a world-renowned chef might use spices.

Here are some things you, or your search engine optimization partner, should definitely be trying to include in your plan:

Article marketing. Article marketing, when it is done the right way, works very well in two different ways: first, by adding valuable back links to your company's website; and secondly, by positioning you or your company as an expert authority in your industry.

Social media links and profiles. More and more, Google and the other major search engines are incorporating social media content into their rankings. That means the more you are saying on sites like Facebook and Twitter – in the more things people are saying about you – the easier your company will be to find elsewhere on the Web.

Video, audio, and other non-text files. In the old days, good SEO is all about the writing; now, you can help your business website to be more visible with other forms of media. As an added bonus, visitors love to see more than text and pictures, so this kind of content can boost your search engine rankings and your sales at the same time.

Reviews from industry sites and experts. The same principle applies to keyword-rich reviews by experts and customers. They create links and search engine-friendly content, while making your company seem more reputable at the same time.

There is nothing wrong with starting out your search engine optimization plan with the meat and potatoes. As you go forward, however, it makes sense to try some different ideas and see if they do not add a better flavor to your search engine optimization results.