SEO resources for those who are interested

If you want to learn more about SEO, better understand what WebStart SEO does, or even jump in and do it yourself, the following extracts and links will be worthwhile. Much of what you can find here we agree with but not all. Inclusion of this content must not be seen as an endorsement.

If you find any broken links, please let us know.

Lets Start With Google - "straight from the horses mouth"

• www.google.com/support/webmasters/
  "SEO is an acronym for "search engine optimisation" or "search engine optimiser." Deciding to hire an SEO is a big decision that can potentially improve your site and save time, but you can also risk damage to your site and reputation. Make sure to research the potential advantages as well as the damage that an irresponsible SEO can do to your site....."
  
  
• Google's Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide PDF
  "Search engine optimization is often about making small modifications to parts of your website. When viewed individually, these changes might seem like incremental improvements, but when...."
   
• Google's Webmaster Guidelines
  "..these guidelines will help Google find, index, and rank your site. Even if you choose not to implement any of these suggestions, we strongly encourage you to pay very close attention to the "Quality Guidelines," which outline some of the illicit practices that may lead to a site being removed entirely.."

Detailed SEO information sites

• Wikipedia - Search optimisation
  An excellent SEO 101 and some fascinating history.
   
• www.SEOchat.com
  One of our favourites. Info on every aspect of SEO from highly regarded authors. Everything from choosing keywords, meta-tags, page rank to "black hat" practices. Bookmark this one.
  
  
• www.SearchEngineWatch.com 
  "SEO strategy begins with the basics: search engine friendly site design and architecture, and the fundamentals of keyword research and content development. Take your SEO strategy to the next level by..."
   
• www.WebWorkshop.net
  What is PageRank? "PageRank is a numeric value that represents how important a page is on the web. Google figures that when one page links to another page, it is effectively..."
   
• www.vaughns-1-pagers.com
  Google Ranking Factors - SEO Checklist "There are "over 200 SEO factors" that Google uses to rank pages in the Google search results (SERPs). What are the search engine optimization rules?..."
   
• www.google-success.com
  What is Google Sandbox effect? "The Google Sandbox effect is an alleged restriction placed on new websites. The result is that a new site does not receive good rankings for its most important keywords and keyword phrases for few months."