I revel in finding others who GET IT! Yes, Flash websites are super pretty. And they have some awesome functions and abilities. But, hey! Google ignores your site (or at best gives it a low priority). Guess no one will be finding you unless they already know you personally.
By the way – this is Search Engine Optimization (SEO) at its most basic. If you need help improving your site’s search engine penetration and rankings give me call!
Hooray! A new #dmtweetup has been scheduled for March 3, 2009. For those of you who don’t know what a #dmtweetup is…it is a gathering of Twitter users in the Des Moines area. We like to get together, share a few drinks, share a ton of laughs, and get to know our fellow Iowans. It is also a great opportunity for networking (hint, hint, job seekers).
The March 3rd #dmtweetup is being hosted by Tina Johnson (@geturban411)of Re/Max Realty and Bobby Berry (@metroflooring) of Metro Flooring in Des Moines. She has graciously scheduled the event and asks that everyone attending please RSVP at her event site (see below).
If you aren’t a Twitter user, get on over there and sign up now! Check me out (@2GuysOnline) and hit the follow button to see my updates. And shoot me a message so I can get to know you!
This article is part of my ongoing series at 2 Guys Consulting exploring search engine positioning, online marketing, and website design. Visit the 2 Guys Consulting website or blog for additional resources. -Bryan
We are again winding down to the end of the year and for “Top 10″ lists. So I thought I would give it a go. Getting your website on Google, Yahoo, MSN, and other search engines is not difficult if you know where to begin. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is fast becoming an important factor in any website’s success. Here are a few tips to help give your site that extra boost.
Research your keyword phrases extensively. You may be surprised how people are finding your site on the major search engines. Use tools such as Google’s Keyword Tool, KeywordDiscovery, or Wordtracker to find your site’s optimal phrases. Create several lists of relevant phrases for your goals and choose a few for each page on your website. Try to avoid general phrases such as “car” or “engine” since they are usually not a great reflection of your overall site.
Search engines love unique content. If you are a retailer try to create your own descriptions instead of using the default manufacturer’s details (especially for your most profitable products). If your site is informational make sure you are providing something different. Google, Yahoo, and MSN are always searching for new content to distribute to their users – take advantage of this!
Provide an XML sitemap and help the search engines locate your content. The map is just that – a map to your pages. A sitemap is a simple data feed provided to engines such as Google and Yahoo detailing the location and importance of every page on your site. Don’t rely solely on the sitemap, though.
Check for canonicalization issues. Go to your website using the www and without. In other words, if http://www.domain.com and http://domain.com are the same page choose one and redirect the other to ensure you are not duplicating your website’s content.
Optimize for your target audience, not for the search engines. I know, this sounds counter-intuitive. The engines are looking for the most relevant keyword phrase when someone uses their services. If those people (potential customers!) are typing search words that relate to what you offer, then they are probably your target audience. You need to optimize to fit their needs.
First come, first served. Google and the other major search engines read webpages just like you – top to bottom. Put your content and basic navigation towards the top of your pages to give it more importance. Luckily, the wonders of web design allow you to place content were you want it visually, but still keeps it at the top in the source code (which is what the search engines look at).
Maintain a blog or write articles to create fresh, unique content. Web users are hungry for human interaction. Satisfy their needs with news articles or other interesting communications to your customers. The search engines are also trying to fill this desire and often give special ranking to sites providing fresh content. Better yet, get your CEO involved! CEO influence is incredible as it is the voice of your company.
Create unique page titles using your keyword phrases. Once again, the search engines crave unique content. If your titles are unique new traffic will be driven to your site.
Apply titles and labels (alternative text) to your internal links and images. Your site’s visitors and the search engines look at and read the clickable portion of your links (aka the anchor text) to help them know what to expect after they click on them. Don’t make them guess by using generic phrases such as “Click Here” or “More….” Be descriptive and make sure you use the landing page’s main keywords in the anchor text.
Monitor your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) success. As with any expense you need to measure your return on investment. Use tools such as Google Analytics or the Google Webmaster Tools to check your traffic and ensure the engines are browsing your site successfully. Analytics tools quickly provide clear results detailing your past SEO work.
Bottom line: Search Engine Optimization boils down to four important aspects. Text, Links, Popularity, and Reputation. Don’t be afraid to contact someone for help. We’ve just barely scratched the surface of all the SEO tactics – more is to come!
This article is part of my ongoing series at 2 Guys Consulting exploring search engine positioning, online marketing, and website design. Visit the 2 Guys Consulting website or blog for additional resources. -Bryan
I last spoke about several tips for getting your website ranked higher on the major search engines (Google, Yahoo, and MSN/Live). Since then I have received quite a few questions asking me about the differences between Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM). The two processes aim for the same end goal – more relevant and qualified traffic – but use very different means.
Search Engine Optimization is the use of techniques that make your website more search engine “friendly.” Adding titles, inserting appropriate content, link building, and uniqueness are all applications of SEO. When you optimize your website for the search engines you ensure that Google, Yahoo, and the other engines can “spider” (or browse) your web pages quickly and easily. SEO is an on going process, but typically is done during redesigns or during a large project. You do not pay the search engines to become optimized (although you may hire someone to optimize your site). You pay a larger sum once and receive the benefits for an extended period of time.
On the other side, Search Engine Marketing, or SEM, is usually defined as the utilization of the major search engines “Paid” or “Sponsored” listings. We have all seen the links on the top and right side of Google’s results – those positions were auctioned by interested companies. To use SEM you must first have an account at the search engine. Then, using their tools you will select the keywords you want your links (or “ads”) to be displayed for. Most SEM campaigns require you to pay a certain amount each time someone clicks on your Sponsored link. A lot of work goes into maintaining a competitive campaign. With Search Engine Marketing you pay individually for each visitor.
So, which is better? To be honest, neither. A truly successful website marketing campaign will include both SEO and SEM techniques. Use Search Engine Marketing for quick, short-term growth; and use SEO for long-term growth. The combination of these two solutions will provide long-lasting traffic and, if implemented correctly, highly qualified (willing to buy!) visitors.
There are some great online resources for learning about Search Engine Optimization and Marketing. Visit SEO Chat or Google’s Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide help pages for details regarding SEO implementation and tips. Each of the major search engines run their own SEM tools (Google’s AdWords, Yahoo’s Small Business SEM, and MSN’s adCenter); check out their unique tips and requirements.
Of course, it takes a lot of time (and money) to learn the extensive techniques available to increase your Search Engine Placement. If you have any questions or comments contact 2 Guys Consulting (515-257-8670), a leading Optimization and Web Marketing firm in Des Moines, Iowa.
Bottom line: Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing are two separate, but equally important solutions for attracting more customers to your website. Use both if you can – and don’t be afraid of asking for help!
Central location of Bryan's thoughts and ideas promoting business, free market thinking, and true conservatism. Or, a source of angry and disappointment for liberals. Hey, I'm entitled to my own opinions, too!
I revel in finding others who GET IT! Yes, Flash websites are super pretty. And they have some awesome functions and abilities. But, hey! Google ignores your site (or at best gives it a low priority). Guess no one will be finding you unless they already know you personally.
On the other side, Search Engine Marketing, or SEM, is usually defined as the utilization of the major search engines “Paid” or “Sponsored” listings. We have all seen the links on the top and right side of Google’s results – those positions were auctioned by interested companies. To use SEM you must first have an account at the search engine. Then, using their tools you will select the keywords you want your links (or “ads”) to be displayed for. Most SEM campaigns require you to pay a certain amount each time someone clicks on your Sponsored link. A lot of work goes into maintaining a competitive campaign. With Search Engine Marketing you pay individually for each visitor.
