[daniull]

Ok, now that I have proven that I know how to get your attention, let me first say that I am a long time watcher of SEO chat/forums/blogs but a first time owner of a corporation who would rather learn about SEO than just throw retarded amounts of cash to some company who will not produce results for my site.

Now I know that some of these things might be basic to you, and I know there is so much SPECULATION about what works vs. what doesn't work that I just need to get to the bottom of where I am at with my site.

So, without further adieu, lets get started.

I started a site which sells certain musical products about 3 years ago and have never really explored the avenue of SEO at all. Although I do not consider my self a complete beginner, I want to be considered one while I talk on this forum so that those giving advice would not assume I know even the first thing. So please, treat me like an idiot here. Do not even brush quickly over the most SIMPLE issues.

Currently I am ranked #13 and #34 under the most popular keywords in my product range and I have never really tried linking or link exchange ever. I don't even know how to check who my inbound links are! To be honest i always thought #13 was pretty good. But obviously I want to be in the top 5 for all 4 of my keywords. The interesting thing also is that in the particular field we sell in....there are not any MASSIVE companies and those who rank better than I, probably don't deserve to be there. In all honesty I would think that the top 5 should be VERY easy for me.

So,

with all that said.....where would you start? Step by step would be the best for me....and not vague--well as specific as you can be although i know that you don't have the site in front of you. I know you all do not have the first hand knowledge of looking at the site, but there must be enough info to warrant a general discuassion about SEO for dummies.

Thanks and Kind Regards,

Daniel