Boy, I really hate it when this happens. Some *guru* will state something like “Install All In One SEO and you will be instantly found by Google”. What a load of horse-manure.

Let me correct this terrible misconception, before it destroys some small business blogger’s dream.

First and foremost, All In One SEO (AIE SEO) is a great plugin. I don’t want this post to sound like I am dissing the plugin itself. Only the guru’s accidental (?) misconception. Installing it is Step 1.

Step 2 is to actually use it.

The power of AIE SEO lies in it’s ability to override Wordpress’s default behavior, and allow you to:

  • Insert meaningful, keyword rich titles to the Browser Window Title
  • Insert post specific keywords to the Keyword Meta tag
  • Add a hand-crafted Description to display when Google lists your post.

However, you have to actually complete those fields. Once installed, AIO SEO add’s a new set of fields to the bottom of the *Add New Post* page like the one shown below:

aio-seo-post.jpg

If you will take the time to complete those three fields, you make Google’s job of serving your content to searchers, based on keywords. You do want to get found, right?

Title Field

Remember this is going into the Browser Window Title, not the Post Title. [The Post Title is displayed at the top of the content area] It should contain the Post Title, as well as your tag line, or site name, or a fuller explanation of the benefit stated in the post. This is also what Google uses when displaying the link to your post/page. This should be human readable as well as spider readable.

Example:

  • Post Title: 7 Strategies To Improve Your Blogs SEO
  • Browser Title: SEO Training : 7 Strategies To Improve Your Blogs SEO

Description

Once your post/page reaches the point that Google will serve it up when a searcher types in a keyword, you want a hand-crafted description visible. You only have a few seconds to reach out and grab your potential reader by the throat and convince them that clicking your link will give them the answer they are looking for.

Your description should be meaningful to the content, contain the primary keyword at least once, and convince the searcher that clicking on the link will deliver them the solution/benefit stated.

Keywords

Search engines will cross reference the keywords in the Keyword Meta Tag against the content being served, and the keywords used in the searchers request. Obviously, they should match.

A word of warning. Don’t include keywords that aren’t in your post, or inferred by your content. If your post is about gardening on a rooftop, don’t include the keyword “SEO Strategies”. It will confuse Google and limit the benefit of any of your keywords.

All In One SEO Settings

Normally, the home page of your small business blog contains the “Site Name” only. Sometimes just the URL. Zero benefit to you from an SEO standpoint. AIO SEO contains a settings page where you can define your Home Page’s Browser Title, Description Meta Tag and Keyword Meta Tag.

You should spend a couple of minutes completing these three fields as well. (Just the one time, unless you decide to make a change later).

aio-seo-title.jpg

Like everything else in life, there is no single magic bullet to SEO and getting your small business blog found by the search engines (and therefore by your potential customers or readers).

You have to work at it.

This particular technique only takes an extra couple of minutes on each post, but the long-term benefits are enormous. Do yourself a favor… if you have AIO SEO installed, use it.

Coming Soon:

AIO SEO is a great plugin for SEO benefits, but I found a better one. I will be discussing it next week so stay tuned.

About The Author

Cenay Nailor offers Online Marketing and Personal Branding Tips and Insights

Cenay Nailor is an Online Marketing and Blogging coach with mad technical skills she loves sharing with Videos. Visit her video tutorial blog and get some technical help. You should also snag the weekly injection of Tech-Based Marketing Newsletter, and have it sent right to your inbox. (Upper right corner)


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