How to Get Search Results for Newbies

You've got your page up and running. You've hammered out some fine content. Now what? You can't just sit and wait. You've got to get the word out there. It's time to tell friends and family about your new project. Share it on Facebook and Twitter, and other social sites. But don't forget, you have to get the word out to the search engines as well. Here is how you can get your site and pages prepped for Google.

Learning how to get search results doesn't need to be too difficult. Using the right resources will take a lot of the work out of it.

I'm assuming you've started your own website and are set up on Wordpress.

First, make sure you've got a proper title and tagline for your site. Go to your Wordpress dashboard, Settings==>General and make sure your tagline describes what you're about. Don't leave it at "Just another Wordpress site"!

Search Engine Optimization

Getting prepped for Google is easier with a plugin called All in One SEO. Go to your installed plugins and activate it. (If it's not installed, go to "Add New," search and download.)

Once installed, go to its general settings and fill in your Home title, Home Description, and Home Keywords. You should at least have your keywords in the description, and preferably in the title too.

You don't need to worry about checking or unchecking anything else, just make sure you scroll down and save your update options.

When creating posts, use keywords in your title and fill in the All in One SEO title, description, and keywords spaces below your content creation section in Wordpress.

For every post, just work with one keywords phrase. That doesn't mean there aren't more phrases in your content, just that you are targeting one for the search engines. They will also pick up on others in your post once you're indexed and over time. To decide on the best keywords to use, try a tool like Jaaxy. It's simple and fun.

Let Google know you're out there

Create an account with Google Webmaster Tools and submit a sitemap to them. This is a way to let Google know you're on the air and it will significantly help in getting your site indexed.

Setting up a sitemap is an important way to improve page ranks. It's not the only way, though. Remember that content, consistency, and engagement is also important. And don't forget social sharing.

Content is King

You want your site to be readable. Make it easy to read, using conversational style and short paragraphs.  Break things up with subheadings and images.

• Use bullet points to help identify important ideas or steps.
• Don't stuff your content with all kinds of keywords. Write naturally and for people, not search engines.
• Be consistent. You don't need to blog every day, but shoot for at least once a week. Two or three times a week is even better. Being consistent lets the engines know you're active.
• Be engaging. Invite readers to comment or ask questions, and respond to them.

If you can get your content linked to other respectable sites, that's a huge plus. And of course, you can and should share your post links on the...

Social Networks 

Get the word out. But remember to be wise about this. You don't want to be known for over doing it. Remember to engage with others and don't spam.

Follow others who are interested in your niche.

Use hashtags on Twitter that will target your niche audience.

Use the social networks as a tool, and limit the amount of time you spend on them. I say this because I know how easy it is to linger and waste time.  Try not to get sucked in!  Use your time building up your wonderful website!

Where's my search results?

After all has been said and done, you might get frustrated finding no sign of your site showing up on Google. Remember, new sites will not rank right away. It takes time to build up a site that Google will list more prominently.

And this all is basic starting info. There's always more to learn. But focusing on content is most important.

Chime in below if you have any good search results tips, or even just to say hello!