Showing posts with label SEO. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SEO. Show all posts
Getting Your Site's SEO Right
You simply must get the SEO part right. Mainly because proper SEO (Search Engine Optimization) will boost your chances of obtaining those all important top rankings in the search engines. Besides, a well optimized site or page, will go a long way in weathering any abrupt changes on the web.
Google Instant is a perfect example of how things can change overnight. While it didn't change SEO per se, it did change how people use Google and how the results are shown. Searchers don't get the same chance to type in their long-tail keyword phrases because they are constantly and instantly being bombarded by suggested links... so much so that getting those top positions for shorter root keywords has gotten more important and this has increased everybody's competition because those popular shorter keywords have always been the most competitive. Probably every webmaster or online marketer knows that in order to get top rankings in the search engines you have to have quality one-way backlinks from other high ranked keyword-related sites. This will more than likely be the main determining ranking factor for most search engines, especially the all important Google. You simply need good quality one-way links and plenty of them to rank high.
However, there are many more SEO factors which come into play, especially if you're in a very competitive niche and targeting highly cherished lucrative keyword phrases which bring in the revenue. Then in these competitive situations, you must get all your SEO ducks lined up proper, if you want to be a player.
Some of these SEO factors may be minor but in very tight keyword races, it could possibly mean you get ranked above your competitor. Believe me, for some very lucrative keywords, just moving up a few notches can make a significant difference in your traffic and sales. The number one spot is what you're aiming for, but even landing or moving up to the top five positions can make a big difference. But you probably already know the significance of getting top rankings for your site and marketing. It can simply make or break your online endeavors. So here are some SEO on-page or on-site factors which you should have in place if you truly want to compéte in the ranking wars.
1. Place your main keyword phrase in your Domain Name and over time you will see higher rankings for that phrase and keywords related to it. With Google going to Instant Search, I believe you will see these keyworded domains playing a much greater role in what is listed first. You still have to get those quality back-links, but having a good keyworded domain will be half your battle.
2. Place your keyword phrase in the URL for your webpage. Place it in the title, description and in the H1 tags on your page. Also place this keyword phrase and variations of it throughout your page, including at the very bottom. As for keyword density, try to keep it under 6%, this is the limit that Ezinearticles puts on their contributed content, go above this percentage and they won't take it. I usually aim for around 2% to 4% but don't get too hung-up on this issue, just write helpful easy-to-read content for your visitors.
3. Place related keyworded interior links on your page. That is, keep all your content and links keyword-related to one another. This makes it easy for the search engines to index your pages and content. I like building keyword-related traffic hubs or sections on my sites, for example I could have a whole sub-directory just on all the "affiliate marketing" info pages on my site. These would be all linked together and back to the homepage.
4. Make sure you have an XML Sitemap which the search engines can use to quickly index your new pages. I also like adding an HTML sitemap which goes into more detail and lists all the pages and their content. This is not only for the search engines but to help your visitors more easily navigate your site; don't ever leave a visitor stranded.
5. Make sure all your pages load quickly. Reduce any large images that you have and break content/articles up into different pages to reduce load times.
6. Make sure your site handles 404 mistakes and your visitors are directed to your sitemap or another page on your site. If you don't know how to correct this problem, just do a Google search for "how to set up a custom 404 file not found page" or contact your web host support to fix this issue.
7. Don't have duplicate content on your site. Do a proper 301 redirect for the www and non-www versions of your site, since this may fool some of the search engines into believing you have two versions of your site, one with www and one without the www in the URL. For Apache servers I simply place this bit of code in the .htaccess file on my server.
Code example from non-www to www:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^www\.example\.com$ [NC] RewriteRule .? http://www.example.com%{REQUEST_URI} [R=301,L]
8. Link out to other high quality keyword related sites. I don't believe webmasters use this very much, but linking out to high quality sites have helped my rankings. Search engines, especially Google, want to see you're connected to quality content and besides, pleasing your visitor is what it's really all about.
9. Keep all your interior site navigation as simple as possible. Make it extremely easy for your visitors to find their way around your site. I usually don't have any pages more than three clicks away from my homepage. All main categories or sub-categories of my site are not only listed on my home/index page but also on every page of my site. Again, don't ever leave your visitors or the search engines stranded.
10. Don't know if this is a ranking factor or not, but I like placing my YouTube videos on my content pages. Sure you will lose some visitors to YouTube, but it also connects your content with this very popular site which is owned by Google. We all know Google says it doesn't promote its own interests, but what publicly traded company doesn't? In that same light, I like using many Google products such as Google Analytics, Google URL Shortener, Google Profiles... and the list goes on. Completely inter-connecting all your pages and content with the countless Google programs will ensure your content won't be missed. By Titus Hoskins
10 Best Strategies to Massively Increase Your Visibility Online
Increasing online visibility is the goal of most online business owners. After all, without visibility, you have no traffic and thus no business. However, when you start to research how to improve your online visibility, you discover many options, but find that there is little time for research and implementation. Where does an online entrepreneur turn first to get the visibility (and traffic) to promote an online venture?
New tricks and gimmicks come out every day, but unfortunately, most of them are like so many recording artists and become one-hit wonders. In my business, I've discovered that there are a handful that are able to stand the test of time. Some have been around for as long as websites have been around, while others are newer kids on the block. Here are my 10 most effective strategies to massively boost your visibility online:
1. Press releases. Press releases are a well-known marketing strategy that have worked for years with print and broadcast media. In recent years they have found new life as an online visibility tool. Just like in the old days, your release should carry some newsworthy angle that has been optimized with a select few keywords by which you want your business to be found. Don't waste your time submitting your release to the free press release sites -- the release simply sits on the site and goes no where else. Instead, invest in a fee-based service (I prefer PRWeb.com), which will ensure your release gets the recognition it deserves.
2. Social Networking. A "johnny come lately" to the online visibility scene, social networking now ranks near the top in terms of attracting visibility to your business for a very low cost. If you don't yet have accounts on the two most popular social networking platforms, Facebook and Twitter, today is the day to hop on board and begin to network. Choose 1-2 social networking platforms where your target market hangs out, and then begin to work it by making connections, joining groups or networks, sharing resources, and asking questions. Dedicate 15-30 minutes each day to your effort to begin to see results.
3. Article Marketing. Writing and submittíng articles to major article directories has definitely stood the test of time for online visibility. Article marketing will drive traffic to your site, establish you as an expert in your target market's eyes, and give you valuable content to repurpose into information products. For maximum effectiveness, your article needs to contain a strong resource box (author's bio) that drives traffic back to your site, needs to contain useful content that solves a problem of your target market, and be written in a tips-based fashion, like this one, since it is the easiest format for a website visitor to read and digest.
4. Blogging. Business blogs (a web log or journal), have gained popularity over the last few years as an online visibility tool. Blogs use RSS feed technology to immediately get new posts and updates out to your blog subscribers through a feed reader. Unlike ezines or traditional websites, search engines index blog posts almost immediately, which help you generate traffic to your website. To use effectively as an online visibility tool, you need to post 2-3 times per week to keep your readers interested and coming back.
5. Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Optimizing your site or your blog for organic (naturally-occurring) searches has been around from the beginning of Internet marketing. Use a keyword research tool and create a listing of keywords applicable to your business. Don't forget to add things like "how to", "tips", or short descriptions of your target market's problems to your research. Then, take a look at your page titles, page descriptions, page headlines, and formatted text on a page (bolding, italicizing, underlining) and include your keywords in those areas, as well as sprinkling 1-2 keywords throughout the content of your page. Make the SEO appear to be natural, not forced, and the search engines as well as your visitors will love you.
6. Email Newsletter (Ezine). Regular publication of an email newsletter (weekly is most effective) will enable your prospects to get to know, like and trust you and have you be top of mind when they are ready to solve the pressing problems that fall within your line of expertise. If you make opting into your ezine the primary call to action on your website, you continually build your list with prospective customers. Best of all, if they like what you write, they are more likely to pass along the issue to their contacts, thus increasing your visibility yet again.
7. Signature Teleseminar/Speech. Have you created your signature speech or teleseminar that you can present whenever you're asked to speak to any type of group (face-to-face or virtual)? If not, design a signature speech or teleseminar that demonstrates your knowledge and expertise without giving away the store (focus on the what and the why but not the how) that compels your listeners to visit your website or request your client attraction device and get on your líst.
Then, begin to research groups that contain your target market both in your geographic area and online. Once you've landed a speaking gig, strategize your best call to action for the group -- do you want participants to sign up for your ezine, purchase a product, or book a consultation? Add that call to action to your presentation.
8. Videos. With the popularity of broadband Internet connections, it's much easier for almost anyone to view online video these days. And, with high-quality yet low-cost web cams, video cameras, and screen capture software readily available, anyone can make a video today. You might record a live Q&A session on UStream.com and post it on your site. Or, perhaps you want to record a "how to" tutorial using screenshots from your computer and upload that to your YouTube.com channel. Remember to include your call to action in your video so that you drive traffic back to your site. Just think -- your video may cause you to become the next YouTube star!
9. Expert question sites. Most people conduct online searches to find free information that answers their questions. Many online entrepreneurs are registering as experts on an expert or answers site, like Yahoo Answers or AllExperts.com, in an effort to get visibility online. To be an effective expert on these sites, you need to seek out questions that you can knowledgeably answer as an expert. Your answer needs to be very detailed and as specific as possible. The more thorough your answer, the better chance you'll have of getting chosen as the "favorite" answer, which is the one rated highest on the site and in the search engines.
10. Viral marketing. Viral marketing involves creating a marketing piece (ebook, video, software) that gets passed along free of charge from person to person. Publicity Hound Joan Stewart does this quite effectively each year when she compiles the best tips she's written about in the previous year in a "best of" ebook compilation that she gives away free of charge on her site. She also encourages her líst and website visitors to "regift" it.
You've got two options when you try to get online visibility: the "steady and effective over time" method or the "quick and short and probably get banned" method. I prefer to use methods that have stood the test of time and won't result in my site being removed from the search engines. Use one or more of these time-honored strategies to get you the visibility you deserve online.
By Donna Gunter
New tricks and gimmicks come out every day, but unfortunately, most of them are like so many recording artists and become one-hit wonders. In my business, I've discovered that there are a handful that are able to stand the test of time. Some have been around for as long as websites have been around, while others are newer kids on the block. Here are my 10 most effective strategies to massively boost your visibility online:
1. Press releases. Press releases are a well-known marketing strategy that have worked for years with print and broadcast media. In recent years they have found new life as an online visibility tool. Just like in the old days, your release should carry some newsworthy angle that has been optimized with a select few keywords by which you want your business to be found. Don't waste your time submitting your release to the free press release sites -- the release simply sits on the site and goes no where else. Instead, invest in a fee-based service (I prefer PRWeb.com), which will ensure your release gets the recognition it deserves.
2. Social Networking. A "johnny come lately" to the online visibility scene, social networking now ranks near the top in terms of attracting visibility to your business for a very low cost. If you don't yet have accounts on the two most popular social networking platforms, Facebook and Twitter, today is the day to hop on board and begin to network. Choose 1-2 social networking platforms where your target market hangs out, and then begin to work it by making connections, joining groups or networks, sharing resources, and asking questions. Dedicate 15-30 minutes each day to your effort to begin to see results.
3. Article Marketing. Writing and submittíng articles to major article directories has definitely stood the test of time for online visibility. Article marketing will drive traffic to your site, establish you as an expert in your target market's eyes, and give you valuable content to repurpose into information products. For maximum effectiveness, your article needs to contain a strong resource box (author's bio) that drives traffic back to your site, needs to contain useful content that solves a problem of your target market, and be written in a tips-based fashion, like this one, since it is the easiest format for a website visitor to read and digest.
4. Blogging. Business blogs (a web log or journal), have gained popularity over the last few years as an online visibility tool. Blogs use RSS feed technology to immediately get new posts and updates out to your blog subscribers through a feed reader. Unlike ezines or traditional websites, search engines index blog posts almost immediately, which help you generate traffic to your website. To use effectively as an online visibility tool, you need to post 2-3 times per week to keep your readers interested and coming back.
5. Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Optimizing your site or your blog for organic (naturally-occurring) searches has been around from the beginning of Internet marketing. Use a keyword research tool and create a listing of keywords applicable to your business. Don't forget to add things like "how to", "tips", or short descriptions of your target market's problems to your research. Then, take a look at your page titles, page descriptions, page headlines, and formatted text on a page (bolding, italicizing, underlining) and include your keywords in those areas, as well as sprinkling 1-2 keywords throughout the content of your page. Make the SEO appear to be natural, not forced, and the search engines as well as your visitors will love you.
6. Email Newsletter (Ezine). Regular publication of an email newsletter (weekly is most effective) will enable your prospects to get to know, like and trust you and have you be top of mind when they are ready to solve the pressing problems that fall within your line of expertise. If you make opting into your ezine the primary call to action on your website, you continually build your list with prospective customers. Best of all, if they like what you write, they are more likely to pass along the issue to their contacts, thus increasing your visibility yet again.
7. Signature Teleseminar/Speech. Have you created your signature speech or teleseminar that you can present whenever you're asked to speak to any type of group (face-to-face or virtual)? If not, design a signature speech or teleseminar that demonstrates your knowledge and expertise without giving away the store (focus on the what and the why but not the how) that compels your listeners to visit your website or request your client attraction device and get on your líst.
Then, begin to research groups that contain your target market both in your geographic area and online. Once you've landed a speaking gig, strategize your best call to action for the group -- do you want participants to sign up for your ezine, purchase a product, or book a consultation? Add that call to action to your presentation.
8. Videos. With the popularity of broadband Internet connections, it's much easier for almost anyone to view online video these days. And, with high-quality yet low-cost web cams, video cameras, and screen capture software readily available, anyone can make a video today. You might record a live Q&A session on UStream.com and post it on your site. Or, perhaps you want to record a "how to" tutorial using screenshots from your computer and upload that to your YouTube.com channel. Remember to include your call to action in your video so that you drive traffic back to your site. Just think -- your video may cause you to become the next YouTube star!
9. Expert question sites. Most people conduct online searches to find free information that answers their questions. Many online entrepreneurs are registering as experts on an expert or answers site, like Yahoo Answers or AllExperts.com, in an effort to get visibility online. To be an effective expert on these sites, you need to seek out questions that you can knowledgeably answer as an expert. Your answer needs to be very detailed and as specific as possible. The more thorough your answer, the better chance you'll have of getting chosen as the "favorite" answer, which is the one rated highest on the site and in the search engines.
10. Viral marketing. Viral marketing involves creating a marketing piece (ebook, video, software) that gets passed along free of charge from person to person. Publicity Hound Joan Stewart does this quite effectively each year when she compiles the best tips she's written about in the previous year in a "best of" ebook compilation that she gives away free of charge on her site. She also encourages her líst and website visitors to "regift" it.
You've got two options when you try to get online visibility: the "steady and effective over time" method or the "quick and short and probably get banned" method. I prefer to use methods that have stood the test of time and won't result in my site being removed from the search engines. Use one or more of these time-honored strategies to get you the visibility you deserve online.
By Donna Gunter
Is Your Website An Asset Or a Liability?
Remember back in the good ol' days when having a website was
something every company needed and wanted? Websites were the
wave of the future, and the dream of transitioning to conducting
business online filled our heads with visions of a revolution in
the way commerce was conducted. With a website, a company could
reach clients and interact with potential customers on a global
scale. A website was indicative of a company's technological
prowess, symbolic of the desire to innovate and evolve with
developments in the industry.
Today, this mindset has changed drastically. We all know that we
need a website, but many of us think that simply having one is
enough. In fact, there is research indicating that many firms
with an online presence haven't touched their websites in years.
They haven't spent any time improving functionality and
appearance, and they have yet to consider the basics of website
usability and the inherent potential of search engine
optimization. Of course, we all recognize by now that having a
website is an essential business asset, if it's done correctly.
It's easy to see that if your site is an outdated eyesore, it
becomes a liability that hurts you more than it helps you.
Conversely, a well-designed site can make all the difference.
It's the first place users go to research your products and
services, serves as a lead generator, a CRM tool, and even to
make purchases.
We've all heard the adage about first impressions, and it's no
secret that they're the most important factor in the way people
remember their first encounter with you or with your website. On
one hand, a well-designed, user-friendly website will showcase
your business and your brand, impressing clients. On the other
hand, an outdated and otherwise bad website can hurt you far
more than it can help you. Potential customers will eliminate
you as a possible vendor after interacting with your brand and
substandard website for only a few minutes.
I'll utilize a real estate analogy here to expand upon this
thought. You'll impress guests when they arrive at your home if
it's clean, well-kept, landscaped, painted, and overall
welcoming. But, if you arrive at a home that's dilapidated and
falling apart with chipped paint and an overgrown lawn, you'll
think a lot of less of whoever lives there. Are they lazy slobs?
Maybe. Or maybe they just haven't had time to take care of the
property. Either way, your first impression is less than
positive. We all try not to "judge a book by its cover," but in
an online atmosphere, a company's website is their cover, the
digital face they present to the world, so in that case you
can't not judge the book by its cover. After all, that's all you
have to go by.
So this must leave you wondering: Is my website an asset or a
liability? By answering the following questions, you can find
out if it's time for an overhaul or just some simple changes. Or
maybe your site doesn't need any work at all. Ready to find out?
Home Page
* Can visiting users tell immediately who you are and what you
offer?
* Is your site organized in a clear fashion that promotes
navigation?
* Is your home page an information destination or just a messy
landing page?
* Does your home page give a good first impression that entices
users to click through your links?
Performance Issues
* Do your images, videos, and pages load quickly?
* Does your site utilize clean, un-bloated code?
* Does your site have a "search" function? If so, is it fast
and useful?
* Have you performed quality assurance testing to ensure your
site looks the same across different browsers?
Content Is King
* Is your content written clearly and persuasively? Does it
speak to your target market?
* Have you included useful and relevant resources like case
studies, white papers, articles, or links?
* Does your content effectively describe your products,
services, and benefits?
* Is your content keyword focused to cater to users and search
engines alike?
Links & Navigation
* First and foremost: Do all your links work?
* Are your links clearly marked?
* Do your links utilize descriptive and enticing anchor text?
* Is your navigation menu or framework consistent throughout
your site?
* Does your navigation menu provide access to your entire
site?
Critical Pages
* Is there a top-level page that describes your products and
services?
* Do you have an "About Us" page to describe your company?
* Is the "Contact Us" page clear, informative, and thorough?
* Do you have a page where users can ask questions or answer
their own?
* Do you have a Testimonials section?
* Do you have a blog that you update frequently?
* Do you have social bookmarking buttons to take advantage of
Web 2.0 technologies?
Usability
* Is your site organized so that information is easy to find?
* Do you have a site map that wireframes this organizational
structure and links to all your pages?
* Is your site "user-friendly?"
* Is your type scannable, easy to read, and written for the
web?
* Do you utilize bullets, headlines, and other stylistic
elements to organize and present content?
* Do you have calls to action that prompt users to take
desired actions?
* Are you using Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to control the
layout of the site?
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
* Is your site search engine friendly?
* Have you optimized your site for specific and relevant
keywords?
* Have you acquired a network of high-quality, relevant
links?
* Have you utilized online PR or social media marketing for
its SEO benefits?
* Does your navigation menu provide access to your entire
site?
Now that you've answered all of these questions, you need to
decide what to do next. Start with some competitve analysis to
see what your competitors are doing and what you need to do to
catch up. Then, survey users to see what they think and act upon
that feedback; don't wait, evaluate and reciprocate.
So make as many changes as you can to improve your website,
turning it back into a business asset instead of a liability,
and watch as your web presence creates leads and ultimately
sales that impact your bottom line.
================================================================
Nick Yorchak is an SEO expert and Search Engine Marketing
Specialist at Fusionbox, a full-service Denver Internet
marketing (http://www.fusionbox.com/service/5/), web design,
and web development company. He can be reached at his Fusionbox
email (nyorchak@fusionbox.com) or at (303)952-7490.
================================================================
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Find us on
