Most Important On-page Seo Factors, What do you think are the three most important onpage SEO factors? Options

[Jimmy Johnson]

I've been studying SEO for a while now and it's something that really interests me. I'm far from an expert on the subject but at the moment I'm trying to craft the perfect highly optimized website. Something we see to much on the web at the moment is low quality content and people trying to game the search engines. That's not what I'm online to do. I want to build a business that adds value to other people.

Anyway, I'm really interested in learning what members here think are the most important on-page SEO factors that come into play when a search engine (Google and Yahoo are always my main focus) are ranking a website.

Your thoughts are very much appreciated.

[Randy]

Welcome Jimmy ! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hi.gif)

For the limited scope of your question.

1. The title tag content.
2. The words on the page.
3. How you link between your pages and the anchor text you use to do so.

You'll probably want to read our Tips for Newbies. All of the basic info in there to be had for free.

[Jill]

Yep, what Randy said.

I would alter his #3 slightly to say:

3. How you link between your pages, and how other pages link to yours, and the anchor text you use to do so.

[Jimmy Johnson]

That's very interesting that you both agree on the same three. I didn't actually think the title tag was that important anymore. How would you guys structure a title tag because I know just having a simple title tag with just the main keyword in isn't enough. I guess it's got to be catchy (to get people to click) and include highly related keywords. I guess it isn't that difficult really.

Very interesting stuff. I'm reading through a few of the other articles and posts here - looks great!

[piskie]

The Title tag (IMO) is still important and it should do what it was and still is intended to do. That is be a Title that reflects the following content. H1 that content is the whole of the page with H2 the subsections and so on creating a Document Structure with accurately Titled component parts. So that brings you down to integrating the Titles (at each level) with the text that they actually 'Title'.
IMO Google devalues drastically the importance of a Title Tag if it does not reflect the following content.

[Jill]

That's very interesting that you both agree on the same three. I didn't actually think the title tag was that important anymore.

Are you kiddin'????

[lenwood]

Another valuable resource for you may be the SEOmoz search rank factors. Several SEO experts, including Jill, contributed, and I've found it very helpful. It lists page titles as one of the most important, and my own efforts have proved that out. Just do a Google search for 'search rank factors' and you'll find it.

[SERPico]

Are you kiddin'????

Haha, i was thinking the same thing, for someone that has been studying the subject for while now (depends on someones definition of a "while" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) " it's a bit odd to think that, but i think Jimmy is confusing the Title tag for the keyword meta tag though.