I’ve been doing some serious thinking and work in regards to site promotion and optimization. I feel it is an area that web designers should have at least a working knowledge in and have taken it upon myself to learn more.

What is SEO?
From SEOmoz:
SEO, a subset of website marketing, focuses on optimizing all of the aspects that affect rankings in the major search engines in order to maximize visitor traffic. Optimization involves researching the right terms to target, modifying the site to be search-engine friendly and marketing/promotion of the site to improve popularity.

6. SEO Chat
Think what you will about SEO Chat and its’ owners but this site has tons of information regarding Search Engine Optimization. So much so it’s to the point of being overwhelming.

5. Micro Persuasion
Steve Rubel’s online space where he shares his 15 years of experience as a senior marketing strategist. This site covers much more than SEO but well worth the visit and the time.

4. Search Engine Journal
Search Engine Journal serves up all the news that’s fit to print when it comes to search engines. The blog isn’t specifically geared towards SEO but knowing what the search engine’s are up to is always a good jumping off point.

3. Search Engine Roundtable
Search Engine Roundtable bills itself as the “pulse of the search marketing community.” They have enlisted some of the most recognized names to meet their mission—”to provide a single source for the reader to visit to locate the most interesting threads covered at the SEM forums. ”

2. SEO Book
SEO Book is home of Adam Wall who offers marketing tips and search analysis. I came across this site helping a marketing friend find a comparable Alexa toolbar for Firefox (I got her to switch from IE). Anyway, he offers a great extension for Firefox named SEO for Firefox and anyone who shows up on a regular basis, knows I love my Firefox extensions.

1. SEOmoz
SEOmoz is a Seattle based search engine optimization company. They provide SEO / Web Marketing services to companies around the world, and serve as an educational and news hub for the SEO/M Community. I have learned so much from their site. They write in a conversational manner that makes learning things easy to do. If you plan on brushing up on your SEO skills, I’d suggest this be the first place you head.