Book Review: Search Engine Optimization for Dummies
May 10th, 2006
Search Engine Optimization for Dummies by Peter Kent is not, contrary to its title, just for dummies! Even though I have been studying the best SEO experts and search engine behavior for the last two years, I learned something from every chapter of this useful and visionary book.
Until now, my professional Web design projects have primarily focused on creating search engine friendly Web sites that are easy for search engines to index. This book has spurred me towards considering the counterpart to search engine friendly sites - intentionally crafted keyword rich (optimized) content. Though I had examined this in a limited way while creating client’s Web sites, I now see it as an even more vital component of Web design that requires client input or else a great deal of creative and strategic latitude and a content creation budget.
Ever wondered how your Web site could become more useful? SEO for Dummies includes ideas that may spark your imagination and open doors you don’t anticipate.
Kent does a brilliant job of presenting ideas for competing with content. The book is rich in brainstorming ideas. I found many new sources for content that I hadn’t previously considered.
Kent’s lucid discussion of the search tail helps me explain more clearly why my clients should not focus only on high volume keywords for which top rankings are difficult to achieve.
SEO for Dummies covers the often tedious and time consuming process of submitting your Web site to search engines and directories. This section is an absolute must for Web site owners who tend to fail to harness a treasure-trove of contextual links available with a little research and a lot of time, but no money.
Ever wondered how to get other Web sites to link to yours? You are your Web site’s best promoter whether you feel confident about the process or not. There are enough ideas included here for you to get a good start towards accumulating links from other Web sites.
Much of the book deals with techniques for Web site creation that search engines like and things to avoid. Most of this area deals with using frames, javascript for content, redirects, cloaking, clutter on Web pages etc. This is very useful but is also covered in other books.
I have already made one recommendation about a book that I feel every one of my clients should read (Search Engine Visibility by Shari Thurow). This is the second recommendation for every client of Design Delineations. In fact, I’ll expand it to a recommendation for every Web site owner who wants to use his or her Web site effectively. Unless they just want to pay an Internet marketing professional big bucks to handle all their search engine optimization for them.
I have barely scratched the surface of the themes discussed in this must-have resource. If you own a Web site and have ever wondered how to make it more effective, please consider buying this book, Search Engine Optimization For Dummies.
- Author: Peter Kent
- Softcover: 382 pages
- Publisher: Wiley (May 2006)
- Language: English
- ISBN: 0471979988
- List Price: $24.99
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2 Comments
1. mary | May 14th, 2006 at 10:43 pm
Hi. Thanks for the useful info. I could sense that this book is really full of suggestions. I guess that your review will help other marketers to purchase this book. Other books are very senseless and thanks for the info, we have a better idea on whether to buy the book or not.
Mary
http://onlinepr.gbwatch.com/
2. Harvey Ramer | May 14th, 2006 at 10:57 pm
Yes, this book is very practical and detailed about the process of marketing a Web site by optimizing content and site structure for search engines.
Of course, an added benefit of doing this well is that a Web site that is optimized for search engines will usually be more usable for Web site visitors.
BTW: I’ve often avoided purchasing these Dummies books because I hate the word Dummy … insecurity perhaps?
I didn’t have to buy this one because the publisher sent me a press review copy. However, I’m willing to overlook the title because of the utility of the content!