Internet marketing is like the army: the higher you are, the better. On the web, getting a higher rank is much easier than in the military thanks to search engine optimization.

Most people pay for Google ads and other PPC placements, which is really a waste of money. You can improve your search engine rankings with some time-tested SEO tools and techniques. Here are a few things you can do right away that will increase your website’s search engine rankings right away:

1. Change your title – Most people try to come up with catchy titles and unique catchy phrases that they think will wow their visitors and get people to click through to their website. The truth is, website marketing isn’t about creativity, it’s about content. For example, to improve search engine rankings, change your website title to a general search term. If your website sells a new type of super-comfy slippers called “Fuzzables,” don’t put “Fuzzables” in your title. Why not? Because it’s a new term and probably people aren’t looking for it. Once you’re as popular as “Webkins” or “Bratz Dolls,” you can title your website “Fuzzables.” Until then, stick to a general search term like “furry slippers” or “novelty slippers.” The words in your title should match the terms that people will search for to find your product. This is one of the simplest and least used ways to improve search engine rankings.

2. Change your description – Search engines first scan your title and then your description. You should also include some popular search terms in your description. Continuing with the example above, a good description for your “Fuzzables” sales page might be: “Home of Fuzzables Furry slippers, novelty slippers, women’s slippers, men’s slippers, kids’ slippers.” (I left out the apostrophes on purpose. Most people don’t type them when they search.) You have loaded your description with about 6 different search terms. This is a fantastic way to improve your search engine ranking.

3. Write an article – An article like this will be picked up by hundreds of different websites and blogs. It will also give you the opportunity to add a link to all those websites and blogs. The more links you have to your web page, the higher your search engine ranking will be. Make sure you follow the same rules for your link as you do for your title. For example, the text of your article that links to your website should not be “Click here for Fuzzables.” Why not? Because while the Internet has over a billion users, I guarantee you none of them are searching for the term “click here for Fuzzables.” Therefore, when linking to your website, make sure your anchor text is “Furry Slippers.” A well-written article with an appropriate text link can get you on page one of Google or Yahoo faster than you can say “Fuzzables!”

4. Make a video – Making a video is a great way to improve search engine rankings. As for SEO tools, it is also one of the most fun and effective. Why? Because you can title your video the same way you would your sales page. You can then add a link to your video description that links to your sales page. Now, when people search for “furry slippers,” there are two pages that could come up, both of which will direct them to your slippers. If someone clicks on your video, they will probably click on your link and end up on your store. You just doubled your website exposure and hopefully your sales. Congratulations!

5. Blog – Regular blogging is less about blogging and more about creating new content to improve search engine rankings. Every time you post a blog, you will add a link to your site. Each link to your site increases your visibility. Yes, you’re educating the public on the importance of having a comfortable pair of slippers, but you’re also building bonds for yourself. It is helpful and selfish at the same time. I prefer to call it a win-win. Best of all, you can set up a blog for free. Free traffic! That’s much better than paying for expensive clicks!

These are, of course, the basic SEO tools that you can use. Search engine optimization is a science that changes every day. Really mastering SEO takes time (at least a few days), but here are some simple tools you can implement right away to improve search engine rankings. Don’t thank me. Once you start making wads of money, you can send me a pair of slippers… size 10½.