Advanced SEO Practices - Do's and Don'ts for the Advanced Shopkeeper
Do's:
Do use Alt tags for images that are precise and to the point. However, dont over use Alt tags.
Do use H1, H2 tags for headings and sub-headings.
Do use Bold, Italics and Link Text for the keywords you are optimizing.
Do use keyword-rich copy. Use keywords in strategic locations of your copy.
Do cross-link your site with a logical structure. This structure should be carefully designed after analyzing the Page Rank outflow versus Page Rank inflow.
Do use keywords in incoming links.
Do use good incoming links from high ranking sites in your field.
Do follow what the industry leaders are saying. Check Google's Guidelines for SEO.
Do use Google, MSN and the entire Web to check your back links from time to time.
The following URLs can be used for checking Back links.
Google: link: www.cafepress.com/YOURSHOPID
MSN: linkdomain: www.cafepress.com/YOURSHOPID -domain: www.cafepress.com/YOURSHOPID
All the web: link: www.cafepress.com/YOURSHOPID
Don'ts:
Don't keep any hidden text or links on your pages. This could get you banned permanently.
Don't try to cloak. This could also get you banned.
Don't over use keywords in alt tags.
Don't follow unsolicited advice.
Don't over use I-Frames, dynamic URLs, Image Maps, and JavaScript for navigation.
Don't use automated link exchange programs.
Don't over use the same keyword in the incoming links.
Don't use too many keywords in the description for Directories, they will not be approved; instead it would be changed completely.
Don't use links from bad sites. It's good to find out if that site is already spidered by Google before doing Link Exchange.
Don't trade links from highly cloaked and hidden text pages.
Don't include too many hyphens within your URLs.
1 Hyphen OK (www.prints-posters.com)
2 Hyphens Suspicious (www.music-prints-posters.com)
3 Hyphens Drop off (www.britney-music-prints-posters.com)
More than 3 Hyphens Not Indexed (www.britney-spears-music-prints-posters.com)
Don't include the official title of your company in your title tag. The title tag is one of the most important factors search engines use to index your pages. Instead include keyword phrases.
Don't try to trick search engines by using irrelevant words or redirects. Sooner or later you will be penalized and dropped. Spend more time on developing an informative site rather than multiple SPAM sites.