The Twitter-sphere is currently abuzz with news about the January 2011 Google update to the toolbar PageRank update, as are sites like the Digital Point forum.

PageRank is something webmasters and SEOs often watch closely, even though Google says it is not important.

Even in October 2009 Google’s Susan Moskwa  stated:

We’ve been telling people for a long time that they shouldn’t focus on PageRank so much; many site owners seem to think it’s the most important metric for them to track, which is simply not true. We removed it because we felt it was silly to tell people not to think about it, but then to show them the data, implying that they should look at it.

So, yes, it’s pretty to look at and can be used as a tool to market your SEO efforts to the uninformed, but really, there are bigger fish to fry than PageRank such as working on improving your SEO.

Google Bot loves good SEO

I manage a team of 20 copywriters and it’s been quite an interesting process recruiting and training the good peeps in the fine art of SEO (search engine optimisation). I am by no means a self-proclaimed SEO guru or expert, mind you. What is great about the copy team is that everybody has a ZEAL for SEO – they just seem to love it, as do I.

So what’s important for newbies to get to grips with first?

Well, perhaps some general comments:

1. SEO is not going to give you instant traffic overnight (at least not ORGANIC search – perhaps PAID search/PPC/Google Adwords)
2. SEO is NOT rocket surgery – anyone can do basic SEO just as easily as I can mix my metaphors
3. Newbies should read, and read ALOT, about SEO (some sites listed below)
4. Noobs should become familiar with the Google Webmaster Tools site, forum and help files
5. In SEO, as with life, PLANNING is everything – do keyword research, map out the content architecture, do a wireframe, and so on…
6. Ask people who know about SEO and don’t be afraid that your questions will be seen as stupid – nobody knows everything
7. Don’t be evil – remain in Google’s good books and don’t use “short cuts” or “tricks” – SEO is plain old-fashioned hard work
8. Measure, analyse and report on as much as you can so you can see what’s working – use Google Analytics (it’s free) or some other web analytics tool
9. Use Firefox or Chrome and use an SEO plugin like SearchStatus

Oh, and here’s a great SEO starter guide written by Googlers themselves to get you on the right footing with your website.

Sites about SEO that you should have a look at

These are my personal favourites – why not suggest more below?

http://www.seomoz.org/

http://www.seobook.com/

http://searchengineland.com/

http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/

http://www.webmasterworld.com/

I’d love for y0u to give your own tips for SEO newbies by commenting below, or share your experiences and ask questions.