Search engine optimization is something we all know we're supposed to be doing, but most of the time it's an afterthought (at best). This talk covers optimizing on-site content and using metatags to help your university's website move up in search results. Grab the example spreadsheet here: goo.gl/ZoDAN5

2. WHY YOU SHOULD BE THINKING
ABOUT SEO
87% of high school juniors and seniors find
university websites via a search engine.1
1 Ruffalo Noel-Levitz High School Juniors & Seniors E-ExpectaTons Report 2015

3. PILLARS OF SEO
1. Keywords & metadata (on-page)
2. Backlinks (off-page)
3. Site performance & structure (technical)

4. OUR FOCUS: WRITING FOR SEO
• StaTc page content
• Metadata: Page Ttles, URLs, alt text, page
descripTon, etc.

5. BUILD A FOUNDATION
StarTng with on-site content will help you build
the foundaTon for future SEO plans.

7. WHERE DO I START?
Start with a single academic program.

8. START SMALL
Find an academic program that:
• already has OK web content
• is a web content ally
• is willing to work with you

9. KEYWORD RESEARCH
Make a list!
Include broad keywords and niche or specialized
topics.

10. KEYWORD RESEARCH
Moz
Google Keyword Planner
Reddit
Quora

11. MAKE A SPREADSHEET
• List each of the pages
you’re focusing on (5-8 at
a Tme)
• Assign 2-3 keywords to
each page

12. MAKE A SPREADSHEET

13. MAKE A SPREADSHEET

14. WRITE YOUR CONTENT
Write your draf in a Google Doc or Word
document—not your CMS!
Content > 300 words

15. WRITE YOUR CONTENT
Include each keyword 2-3 Tmes.

16. GETTING YOUR CONTENT APPROVED
Tell your stakeholders and editors they’re
edi;ng for content and accuracy—
not style or syntax.

17. PROTECT YOUR KEYWORDS
Google Docs are your friend!

18. WHO HAS CMS ACCESS?
Tell anybody with access to the website that
you’re publishing op;mized content.

19. CAN I DO THIS?

20. THANK YOU!
Drop me a line:
elizabeth@louisiana.edu
@izrose8