First steps to SEO?

Would like to get advice from SEO experts, what are the first steps to make sure your web site is search engine optimized?

Add "alt" tags to your images.

Use semantically correct HTML. For example, use <h1> for titles, <h2> for sub titles. In those titles use keywords relating to the page or site, but don't use too many as their revelance decreases with the number of keywords added.

some other important factors, like link building, and buying a good domain help you as well

Start with the domain, the file-name of your page and it's title. Weight your keywords well - too many may be considered spam, too few and the term loses relevance.

Separate your content from your layout. Use header tags appropriately. If you use images directly in the page be sure to name them accordingly and to add appropriate alt and title tags.

Target key phrases rather than key words for a better chance of success.

Check that people are searching for your given words/phrases... It's all well and good being number one for "qualidigistical funknoramic designifications" (which I can guarantee you first place for with no effort ) but if nobody is searching for this then it's not that useful.

Check Sitepoints SEO FAQ thread by stymiee I believe.

Update your content regularly, use blogs.

Good content and good incoming links will help you the most.

You might even become Google's partner aned place its database on your site. Look here

Keyword research and get good keyword with high KEI. And also keep your fund level in mind. You may have a site about hosting, web design, stock market, etc. But these keywords are highly difficult to get ranking unless otherwise you are well funded and have a expert to do seo. After this, i totally agree with seen.to.