We have talked a lot about what improves your search engine rankings and how to help your website succeed.  But, there are a few things you should be aware of that can cause problems. 

1.  Link Farms – Be careful to not use these.  Get your own links the “old fashioned” way: request a link directly.  Link farming is seen as a negative because it is considered as a type of spam.  You want unique links that are from sites similar to yours – not just links that don’t have any relevance to your site.  Link farms are generally automated – avoid these.  Search engines like Google know what you are up to and it is not a good thing.  Resist the urge.

2.  Keyword Stuffing – There is a happy place in keyword usage where you walk the line between “stuffing” and under usage.  You need to find this happy place.  Most of the time, this is where someone who specializes in search engine optimization can help you.  While you want great content, you also want to make sure you get the keywords in your articles so that the search engines find you.  Using too much of the same wording is frowned upon in the search engine world.  The “spiders” that analyze sites will know what you have done and you will lose credibility.  This makes perfect sense because we have all seen those sites that just list the same words over and over thinking they are doing themselves a favor when we can’t wait to click out of their site. 

3.  Article Spinning – This is where content can get you into trouble if you don’t know what you are doing.  You need fresh and unique content that is well written but that is relevant and informative.  You don’t want a bunch of nonsense on your site just to get some wording in there.  This is just a case of doing good business.  If you wouldn’t want to find it and read it – don’t put it on your website.  We all truly appreciate well written articles that do not waste our time.  The bottom line is that when you are writing you need to keep your customers in mind.  Yes, search engine optimization is great but there is no use in being on top of the search engine list if your visitors can’t stand to be on your website.  It will be a waste of everyone’s time.

The bottom line is that you can get great search engine placement and good Page Rank by looking out for your customers as far as your content goes.  You also need those backlinks but do the work and get them yourself, not through an automated system.  And beware of companies that charge you for these links – back links should not have to cost you.

article spinning, back links, keyword stuffing, keywords, link farms, search engine optimization, seo, unique website content

Keywords, Check…Description, Check…Backlinks, Check…Reality, Check….Search Engine Optimization!

Increase your Local VISIBILITY!

As time goes by the science of search engine optimization has changed drastically.  It is far different today than it was just a few years ago.  Not only has the number of websites gone sky high so that there are more listings overall but even the most simpleton website builder knows some basic tools for search engine optimization.  This means the competition is astounding.

Because of the ever changing dynamics of what the search engine spiders are looking for when indexing sites, it is important for sites to always be updated and fresh.  You constantly need to be looking at trends, what keywords are being searched for and putting them into your content so that you rank as high as possible.  Even when doing this it can take years for a site to reach a good placement in search engine listings.  The key is to be realistic in your goals and BE PATIENT!

Search engine optimization is a great tool and we all know that when we search for something on Google we probably won’t be looking at page 20 of the listings to get what we want.  However, search engine rankings aren’t all that matter.  Yes, they are key but you also want to think about getting to your target audience.  You want to hone in on your true customers for your industry.  Websites are not just about rankings now, they need to be about converting your traffic into sales and leads.  One way of doing this is on your “contact us” page.  Make sure you have a box that will ask your customer about themselves and their specific needs that you can fulfill.  Not only will you then have key information on what your visitors are looking for but you will serve them better.

SEO is as important as ever.  We all want to rank #1 in the search engines and yes it will help your traffic but you also need to focus on what you will do with the traffic once you get it.  It is also important to be afraid of SEO companies or “specialists” who promise you the moon.  If the promises sound too good to be true or like a quick fix, you are not going to have success.  Many companies will tell you what they think you want to hear and why not?  We would all love someone to tell us that we would rank #1 in one month but it just won’t happen. 

Be patient, be very careful when choosing an SEO company or individual and always keep your target audience in mind.  Your customers are what gives your site purpose.

search engine optimization, seo, seo goals

Did you know Search Engine Optimization had emerged around the mid 1990′s where the first search engines where cataloging the early web or as we know the internet?

Some people have the idea that when you have a website develop that you get SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and that your online business is automatically posted on search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing. Good SEO will generate good search engine traffic and as a result also increase volume.  In most cases you are not told about search engines. SEO is a very important part  of your online presence especially if you want to get a high page rank organically.

A website without SEO is a lone ranger. Imagine your website saying to a search engine “I don’t need you as a friend”. It is rare not to include a search engine as part of your SEO Marketing.   A perfect example of no SEO or limited SEO would be where your business markets their products or services to an area where they don’t have a demand for it.

google, internet, optimize, search engine, seo, website