Web Page SEO – An Outdated Concept
It really bugs me when I get calls from internet charlatans claiming
that they can get TOP RANKINGS on Google, MSN or any major search
engine. What really sucks is enough people fall for it to keep those
people employed in the SEO business. 10 years ago it may have been
worth spending the time loading keywords into your page content, adding
them to ‘ALT’ tags and seeding search engines, but that stuff hasn’t
worked for years.
Search engines have evolved enough now that they can easily weed out
people trying to push their way to the front of the line for that new
web site they just created. Sorry pal, it just not going to happen.
Search engines are looking for the real players now. Players that have
been around for a while and have made many friends & admirers. Web
sites that have something good to sell, or are interesting and more
relevant to the users search queries. So much so that the web page SEO
can truly be said to have gone the way of the Dodo.
But enough trashing of a ‘has been’ web skill. What IS the best way to
get desired rankings on Google, etc? Good old fashioned brick &
mortar, pounding the pavement kind of work. Here’s what I’ve seen work
well:
The Long Haul – If you’re
registering a domain name for your web site,
consider registering it for more than 5 years. It doesn’t cost that
much more and it says that you plan on being in business for a while.
It's easy for search engines, or anyone to tell how long you've
registered a domain name for.
Link Popularity – Here’s where you need to go
out and make some friends. The theory behind “Link Popularity” is that
the more web sites that link back to your web site, the more popular
your web site is. So web sites with tons of links back to them will
always rank higher? Not necessarily. It's important that the sites
linking back to you have some sort of relevance to your content. So
don't go looking for reciprocal links with web sites that have
absolutely nothing to do with the content on your web site. You'll only
be wasting your time.
Email Marketing – The fine art of keeping
yourself in front of your customer. There's several companies that have
products for emailing your client base.
Constant Contact
is one of the better email marketing products which allows you to get
your message out to hundreds or thousands of customers with a click of
the mouse.
Web Site Branding – This one is
sooo easy,
yet is often neglected. Get that URL out there! Put it on your
business cards, stationery, signage, advertising, decal your car, or
whatever. Just get that web site URL out there everywhere you can!
Bid for Click –If you're really in a hurry to
get your web site on the front pages of search engines you can always
use things like Google AdWords. This is a way for you to pay for first,
second or third page placement by bidding on your key words. When your
keyword is displayed on the page and someone clicks on it...
KA-CHING! Google has done their job and your account is charged.
Understand that with so many people participating in this program, many
keywords are going to be highly competitive and will likely cost $200 per
click or more. Fortunately there's all kinds of tools for managing the
budget so you don't overspend.
The bottom line with web page SEO is… If it sounds too good to be
true… High search engine rankings are attained by working smart AND
working hard. There is no free lunch anymore.
Idiots Worth Ignoring
Would you really want an idiot who can't read doing your SEO work for you?
Idiot # 1:
Ken Lampton, New York NY
This peckerhead seems to believe that by soliciting me with
the following message on my website contact form, he'll get my business:
"We
would like to get your website on first page of Google. All of our
processes use the most ethical "white hat" Search Engine Optimization
Techniques that will not get your website banned or penalized. Please
reply and I would be happy to send you a proposal. In order for us to
respond to your request for information, please include your companys
website address (mandatory) and or phone number."
Well
Ken, I can see by your writing that you've barely mastered first grade
grammer. Do you really think anyone wants to work with an illiterate
like yourself?
Idiot # 1: Mark Conway, New York NY
Uuuh... No you're not reading that title wrong. Same
doofus, different name. Exact same message as above. Some loser at the
internet cafe in Amsterdam I presume.
Emails Worth Ignoring
The following are typical unsolicited emails from sleazeball SEO companies who should be avoided:
Dear Website Owner,
65% of people searching the Internet will never
find your web site unless you're ranked on first page of Google, MSN, or
Yahoo. If I help you obtain as much as 4 times more WEB traffic to your
online business by promoting you to the first page of the search
engines would you be interested?
Our company is on the first page when you search
on Google for our primary search term "SEO Company." We would like to
do the same for your web site so you can come up for your main keywords
as well?All of our processes use the most ethical "white hat" Search
Engine Optimization techniques that will not get your website banned or
penalized.
This special SEO program includes:
• No upfront fees
• A month-to-month program
• More traffic guaranteed
Please reply to my email and I would be happy to send youa proposal.
Sincerely,
****************
*******************
*******************
*******************
Simply reply with opt out if not interested to hear from us.
I can put your site at the top of a search
engines listings. This is no joke and I can show proven results from all
our past clients. If this is something you might be interested in, send
me a reply with the web addresses you want to promote and the best way
to contact you with some options.
Thanks in advance,
Jason Fitzpatrick
If you're interested in showing up as a first
page resultfor more search terms on google and yahoo, reply back with
all addresses you'relooking to promote and the best number to contact
you with details.
Sincerely,
Mike Preston