Being at the top of a Google search is real advantage for any business, small or large, but getting there is another story.

There is a lot of advice out there about getting your website to the top of a search engine, so a considered and thoughtful approach will save you from being overwhelmed.

The SEOmozBlog‘s Danny Dover has made a comprehensive check list out of his experiences promoting the website of a local preschool. His major tips include:

1. Get to know your keywords and don’t just use the few that are most obvious to you. Sign up for Google Adwords and learn how to use the provided “keyword tool” and “ad text ideas” generator.
2. Add your company address and phone number on every page. The search engines are smart enough to detect address and phone number formats.
3. If your business has a local focus, hunt down local directories and sign your business up to them all.
4. Get more links from other websites. Consider your local chamber of commerce, local networking groups, and local complimentary businesses. Search engines like to see local links pointing at locally targeted websites.
5. Optimize your site from Google’s side by logging into Google Webmaster Tools and clicking on the Tools menu. You will want to set the correct geographical target and preferred domain.

There will be far more on search engine optimization and how it can have a positive impact on your business at the SME Technology Summit in Sydney on 1 December.