SEO is a giant topic and ultimately, just as large an undertaking.

Aside from the many ways SEO can be done wrong (let alone not done at all!), perhaps the hardest task in getting this important aspect of growing your online presence onto a productive path is understanding just what it is you should be trying to do in the first place.

An interesting article from Search Engine Land provides a good example of just how large the territory of getting SEO under control can be.

While the article How to plan SEO content that actually ranks covers just three somewhat disconnected core tasks that will help shape your SEO program, it also demonstrates just how difficult it can be to see the big picture of what an effective SEO program needs to include.

So while it may cause you to take pause before undertaking SEO for your website, it does provide insight into three important areas where your SEO program will ultimately need to address in order to be effective:

• Answer the key questions needed to identify measurable metrics to successfully define your content marketing goals
• Steps for effectively using prospect ‘personas’ in doing keyword research, and
• Don’t overlook the importance of having an editorial calendar for managing your ongoing SEO efforts.

Overall, this blog post offers a useful and fast read that will help guide you on the path towards answering each of these effective SEO program elements.

Now, you just need to tackle the many other SEO questions that need to be answered in order to get your SEO program on firm footing!