Many of you rely on your website provider to handle the search engine optimization of your dealership’s site(s).Others reach out to credible SEO professionals or consultants to achieve high organic rankings in search.There are a few of you, though, that are in charge of this step yourself.Whether it is something you’ve personally decided to take on or simply do not have the budget to pay someone for outside, it is the role that is carved out for you.

Here are just a few simple, quick steps to optimizing your website.I am not breaking ground here.I am not getting too specific.I also do not want to make this sound easier or less important than it is.It’s a science.However, here are just a few places to focus your SEO efforts.

1)Understand your target audience to determine what keywords you want to optimize with.In other words, “car dealer” alone will not get you thrown onto the first page of Google (or first 10 pages).Make sure to mention in your multiple keywords your location and your brand.Proper keyword targeting is imperative to achieving a decent page rank.

2)Content is king.Whatever the keywords are, your content throughout your site should correlate.The more valid, strong content on your website – that is supporting the keywords – the better.Make sure to have dense body content and a good practice is to make sure it is able to be viewed by all visitors, not just hidden as keywords for the search engine spiders.

3)Title Tags – This could be the most important SEO tags on your site.Google and Ask Jeeves for instance support 60 characters in the title.Only a couple support 120.Choose the most relevant, important keywords in the title and ensure that every page has its own, unique title.

4)META Description Tags – All search engines take into consideration what your description tags are and use this information to help determine your page rank.Write strong descriptions with no more than 200-250 characters. Descriptions tell them what your website (and individual pages) are all about.A strong pitch and summary, if you will.

5)Market Yourself.Make sure you have a few links outbound and some very strong links inbound.Beyond social networking sites, make sure you have your providers linking back to you in some way.This popularity will help drive your SEO page rank.The more popular you are with other sites and visits, the higher your rank goes.Start getting your name out in the multiple business listing sites and blog accounts available to you.

As I mentioned, most website providers will do this for you (except the final step – that is always up to you).If they are managing your SEO, call them immediately and ask if you can review all that is written about you (and chosen for you by them).Much of this can be found in the back-end, but some may be hidden from you.If you are unhappy with the amount of content or wording, ask them to change it.You understand the car business likely better than someone who hasn’t sold a car so you can give them insight.At the same time, always listen to a true SEO professional, but still look out for yourself first and foremost.When all else fails, find a consultant or SEO vendor that can assist you in this.

Is your website optimized?