Here is a very simple list of the most important things you can do in order for your website to rank well:
1. If possible, have your key phrase (example: acme widgets) in your URL. For example: www.acmewidgets.com.
2. Place your key phrase in the Title tag on your home page so that the top of the browser has your key phrase in it.
3. Place your key phrase in bold large text on your home page if possible. Using an H1 tag is the best way to do this.
4. Insure the copy on your site is both something people want to read, and is relevant to your key phrase.
5. Get many sites of very high quality to link to your site. About half the links should go to your home page, the other half throughout various important pages of your site. The links should include your top key phrases in the anchor text. This last step is by far the most difficult and time consuming. Do not use directories or mass linking schemes.
