The following is a recap of the #smbiz Twitter chat on Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Robert Brady and Victoria Edwards were the expert panelists for the SEO chat. Robert Brady (@LotusJumpSEO on Twitter) is the director at Vizad, Inc., focused on SEO, Pay Per Click (PPC) and social media. Victoria Edwards (@TallChickVic on Twitter) is a specialist in SEO and online marketing at LinkShare.

Here is the chat recap:

@smbiz Ok let’s jump into the fun. Q1 Can you give a basic explanation of what SEO is and why it’s important? #smbiz

@ScottBradley @smbiz SEO is creating content that is “friendly” for the search engines to find it easier based on certain keywords typed into goog #smbiz

@LotusJumpSEO Q1 SEO involves creating great content and helping search engines find and understand it #smbiz

@TallChickVic @smbiz Q1: SEO are things done on & off ur site to get noticed by search engines #smbiz

@ScottBradley @SternalPR Q1 the reason it is important is because you get free traffic for keywords in your niche to your content/store #smbiz

@TallChickVic @SternalPR You want to do SEO so you are seen in Google and other search engines #smbiz

@TallChickVic SEO done right you will appear on Google& ur result is basically your ad so it needs to be optimized properly #smbiz

@LotusJumpSEO Q1 SEO is critical because people are going to the internet to find products/services and you want to be found #smbiz

@ScottBradley @SternalPR Did you see this article talking about google vs. facebook? http://tinyurl.com/mgb4qb #smbiz

@LotusJumpSEO Q1 “Tail” terms can rank 1st page in as short as 6 weeks. “Head” terms take months #smbiz

@TallChickVic SEO is keyword, customer, competitor research. Once your site is optimized, track results and start all over again #smbiz

@smbiz Q2 How long does SEO take? #smbiz

@TallChickVic Q2: It is a long term strategy! It never ends, but done right offers great results #smbiz

@SternalPR @lotusjumpseo Whats the difference between a tail term and a head term? #smbiz

@LotusJumpSEO Q2 Consistency is critical since algorithms change so frequently #smbiz

@LotusJumpSEO @SternalPR Tail terms have lower search volume. Usually are longer phrases. Head terms have more volume and are shorter #smbiz

@merylkevans Q2 SEO takes regular commitment just like exercising. Stop doing it for a while, and you’ll fall out of shape. #smbiz

@merylkevans Your name may be unique, but are people going to look for your business using your name? Does everyone know you before they search? #smbiz

@smbiz Q3 What are the important elements of SEO? #smbiz

@ScottBradley @smbiz Q3 I think it is a 2 part process…part 1: doing the research of the market part 2: figuring out where you want to place #smbiz

@ScottBradley @smbiz Once you know where you want to be placed…you create content that “fits” into your goals for SEO then let it fly #smbiz

@SternalPR @ScottBradley I suppose theres also something to be said for a 3rd step - evaluating and adjusting strategy, no? #smbiz

@ScottBradley @SternalPR Yes that too…testing and re-evaluating I think is really important as well #smbiz

@LotusJumpSEO Q3 On-page optimization (title tags, meta tags, alt text, headlines, etc.) for content is a great start #smbiz

@tmcconnon Q3 1) keyword research 2) on-page optimization 3) accessible, quality content 4) linkbuilding 5) social engagement #smbiz

@marcbitanga Q3: 3 Pillars of SEO = Code/Structure, Content & Links. #smbiz

@LotusJumpSEO Q3 After on-page you go off-page to get links, increase authority, etc. #smbiz

@TallChickVic Linkbuilding IS relationship building and linkbuilding done right will help your SEO efforts #smbiz

@marcbitanga Q3: If you have a poor product or a website that isn’t up-to-date, any amount of SEO won’t help your sales #smbiz

@pincock Q3 quick on-page tip: create a sub-page that centers around the primary keyword you want to target http://bit.ly/14SyC8 #smbiz

@smbiz Q4 Once you have identified a handful of keywords, how do you know which ones to use first? #smbiz

@LotusJumpSEO Q4 One way is to look at ROI. Find terms that get the best prospects. Also consider search volume & competition #smbiz

@TallChickVic @SternalPR Q4: I look at the site 1st and see what keywords they can rank for. #smbiz

@johnreddish @getresults Q4 - Check key word searches. Ones w lots of action go 2 front of line. Also, highly targeted key words 4 hi tix items. #smbiz

@stephaniethum @TallChickVic The Am Mktg Assoc recently did a webcast featuring @TheRobRose re: content. Archived webcast is available, I believe. #smbiz

@TallChickVic Q4; If a site is new, I would build out a longtail keyword strategy #smbiz

@TallChickVic @smbiz If the store has specific products like ’shoes’ the build around that #smbiz

@LotusJumpSEO @SternalPR PPC is also a great source of keywords and it will tell you how well they convert too #smbiz

@tmcconnon Q4 Pick a 2/3 ratio of tail terms to head terms. Tail terms can be a quick win while you tackle more difficult head terms #smbiz

@TallChickVic @ScottBradley put your url in websitegrader.com it will give you insight and outline on how to improve #smbiz

@swirleigh Q4 I would pick okeywords that are popular, below 10 mil google competitive results… and target location + Keyword. #smbiz

@smbiz Q5 How can you find out WHERE you rank for certain keywords? #smbiz

@LotusJumpSEO Q5 Tools like WebCEO or AuthorityLabs track for you. The RankChecker Firefox plugin or just manual searches work #smbiz

@swirleigh Q5 Fnd out where sites rank for certain keywords by doing manual searches… and using tools like Advance Web Ranking #smbiz

@TallChickVic Q5: HubSpot’s service lets you see where you rank and how much $ you save with your SEO efforts #smbiz

@smbiz Q6 What are the best SEO tools to use and how/when do you use them? #smbiz

@LotusJumpSEO Q6 LotusJump (self-promotional I know) will help you find relevant linkbuilding opps. in less time #smbiz

@TallChickVic @smbiz Google Analytics, Omniture, HubSpot, Raven SEO (cool stuff), SEO Moz #smbiz

@swirleigh Q6 One tool I use often to check how a server responds to a URL request is a Header Checker http://bit.ly/BntGg #smbiz

@LotusJumpSEO Q6 Some type of analytics are a must. Google Analytics is the best bang for your buck #smbiz

@marcbitanga Q6: SEOMoz & SEOBook have great toolsets. But working with a professional who knows how to use them is key #smbiz

@ScottBradley @smbiz How do you choose a SEO professional when so many people claim they know what they are doing? #smbiz

@pincock Q6 Google has great tools for small biz to help with SEO: Analytics, Alerts, External Keyword Tool are three I highly recommend. #smbiz

@LotusJumpSEO @ScottBradley Ask for references of companies they’ve worked for. Look at rankings. Can’t argue with success #smbiz

@smbiz Q7 Ho do you research what your competition is ranking for? How do you find this out? #smbiz

@TallChickVic @smbiz Q7: look at their meta, google their meta and see what happens. Also add their urls into websitegrader to get an overview #smbiz

@LotusJumpSEO Q7 Look at their site. Check their title tags, meta tags, headlines. Look for phrases they are targeting. Use Q5 advice #smbiz

@marcbitanga Q7: SpyFu, KeywordSpy, Compete.com + reverse analysis. #smbiz

@TallChickVic @ScottBradley..also does this SEO co. rank at all for terms THEY want to rank for #smbiz

@ScottBradley @TallChickVic Makes sense…question for you…how to you adjust with the eb and flow of google changing how they rank pages? #smbiz

@smbiz Q8 Should you use the same keywords your competition is using? #smbiz

@marcbitanga Q8: Helpful for research. But use what makes sense for your biz #smbiz

@TallChickVic @smbiz Q8: Depends if your site CAN rank for them, If they are too competitive, plan a longtail KW strategy and build ur way up #smbiz

@tmcconnon Q8 Depends on your ambition Maybe play ball with a few, but do try 2 own some unique ones that have a fair amount of search volume #smbiz

@smbiz Q9 SEO is a daily task. What are your daily action items to make sure you are optimized? #smbiz

@merylkevans Q9 Keep adding new content somewhere online… your site, social media or elsewhere. Every bit helps. #smbiz

@TallChickVic @smbiz use social media outreach to get content out. Look at analytics. I also do alot of industry research daily #smbiz

@LotusJumpSEO Linkbuilding and content gen. should be daily. Mining analytics and on-pages changes less frequently #smbiz

@tmcconnon Q9 be involved in the conversation surrounding your keywords and brand…build relationships, build links, build awareness #smbiz

@jazzcat Q9 I’d also keep up on major SEO blogs, keep an eye out for emerging trends that you can ride ahead of your competition. #smbiz

@swirleigh Q9 Daily SEO tasks include checking analytics, pushing new optimized content, checking blogs + twitter for any news or tips to use #smbiz

@smbiz Q10 How can a small biz start doing link building? #smbiz

@tmcconnon Q10 Lo-tus-jump! Lo-tus-jump! Guess who’s team I’m on? #smbiz

@LotusJumpSEO Q10 Use LotusJump (http://www.lotusjump.com) #smbiz

@marcbitanga Q10: Easiest links= Suppliers, vendors, partners, associations & charities u donate to. #smbiz

@jazzcat Q10 Use the link:{competitor website} search in Google to see competitor’s backlinks. Try to get links there as well. Usually fertile #smbiz

@smbiz Q11 How do you identify which sites you want to link to you & how do u ask them to link to you? #smbiz

@TallChickVic @smbiz Q11: Edu. sites. Gov sites….look for permalinks! Sites that have a strong PR and good content #smbiz

@merylkevans Q11 Don’t do the link exchange — smells like spam and 99% of the time, the other site is not a fit. #smbiz

@LotusJumpSEO Q11 Read prominent blogs in your industry. See who they cite. Offer to write a guest post #smbiz

@tmcconnon Q11 do competitive research! see where your competitors are getting links from with Yahoo’s Site Explorer tool #smbiz

@LotusJumpSEO Q11 Sometimes you only have to ask! #smbiz

@jazzcat If you’re interested in learning more about ranking factors, SEOMoz posted this the other day - http://bit.ly/y81a6 #smbiz