N.C. Aditya’s Blog

Off-page optimization deals with link building. Search engines work by analyzing not only the content but also the number of backlinks. The number of backlinks indicates the authority a web page commands. More popular sites tend to have more number of backlinks and this is why they perform better in search engine ranking positions (SERPS). You should note that off-page factors play a much significant role in determining your positions in Google. On the other hand, Live (MSN) and Yahoo! give more importance to on-page factors.

Unlike on-page optimization, off-page optimization never ends! You will have to continuously keep increasing the number of backlinks until you get to the top position for your chosen keywords. Even after you have reached the top, you shouldn’t stop as competing websites may displace your position. On the other hand, once you optimize the on-page factors, you won’t have to bother about them.

Here is a checklist for off-page search engine optimization:

Are you doing directory submissions regularly ?

Have you joined a relevant forum and added a link to your site in the signature ?

Are you commenting regularly on relevant blogs with a link to your site ?

Are you adding articles from your site to social bookmarking sites like Digg ?

Are you exchanging links with related sites ?

Are you submitting articles to article directories with links to your site ?

Are you buying links on related sites ?

Are you buying reviews on related blogs ?

Since off-page optimization is a never ending process, it is recommended that you check this checklist once a week and track the progress you are making.

I also wrote a checklist for on-page search engine optimization.

This entry was posted on Sunday, March 16th, 2008 at 8:08 am and is filed under Search engine optimization. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.