At Pure Search Engine Optimization, we believe you can break SEO down into 3 major components:  SEO tasks that revolve around content, PR & Marketing efforts that build links and exposure and Social Media which creates excitement and opportunities for engagement.  

In a recent article, The Three Pillars of SEO in 2013:  Content, Links and Social Media, on Forbes.com, author Jayson DeMers seems to agree.  DeMers stated:  “In 2013, success in SEO hinges on businesses putting together a robust combination strategy that brings together an integrated web of great content, credible links, and social signals.  Each of these pieces supports the other, providing tremendous value to readers, building your authority and brand value, and distributing your content across new channels.”

Grant Simmons in his article Awesome Frickin’ Content, posted in Search Engine Watch takes a humorous approach at defining again what awesome frickin’ content is and how it is utilized across these same 3 components we believe make good SEO.  The bottom line is you must as Google has stated over and over again:

Pure Search Engine Optimization believes these tasks are crucial to building a strong foundation with your SEO.  

If you don’t know who this is then you can’t reach them.  You need to speak directly to them through your content.  Take some time to think about it.  Is your perfect customer a man or a woman?  How old is he or she?  Does he or she work?  What education level does this person have?  It may seem silly, but paint a picture of your ideal customer.  Give them a name and speak to John or Jane in everything you write.

It’s not just the words that appear on each page of your website. Content is everything you do from the content on your site to blogging, posts on Facebook and Twitter to the descriptions of images you post on Pinterest.  You have to know what content is before you can write great content.

You now know who your perfect customer is but do you know which words they will use to find your site and your products?  You may think you know but do you really?  Look at the data – it may surprise you. 

You know your customer and the words they’ll use to find you, now use those words!  Optimize your content across the board (i.e. on your website, your blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.).  Make your content speak to your customer.  If you speak directly to them, engage them in your content and inspire them to act then you will have developed a relationship that will build trust and ultimately result in sales.

Building a good foundation is key to successful SEO strategy.  If you start here, the only way to go is up!