The late Ken Giddens, who was a first-rate web marketing
genius in his own right, said 'If Content is King on the Internet,
then Keywords are Queen.'
That's exactly right. Discovering just one new pocket
of keywords that you hadn't thought of before
can double your traffic in 10 minutes.
One of the most valuable things you can do is get
a 'competition level' of various keywords. How many
people search? How many bidders? How many pages
are there on the Internet about this topic?
Before I start a Google campaign, I take a look to
find out how many bidders are bidding on my keyword.
If there's less than 10, it's going to be a day at the
beach. More than 30, we'd better sharpen our pencils.
More than 60: Only experienced web marketers should play.
Every conceivable combination of keywords represents
a market.
There's an infinite number of keyword phrases.
So there's an infinite number of markets out there
for you to tap into.
Search Engine marketing is all about niches. It's not
about being all things to all people, it's about being
a few specific things to a few specific people. The
profit is in areas where there's a lot of need and not
very many bidders.
Example:
There are 103 Google bidders on the phrase 'used car.'
But there are only 13 bidders on the phrase 'used japanese car.'
And there are only 24 bidders on 'san diego used car.'
It's always better to be a big fish in a little pond,
*especially* if you're just getting started. The narrower
the niche, the more valuable the click usually is, and also
the less that click normally costs you.
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Saturday, December 13, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
How to Build a Keyword List
Perhaps the most important task in any search engine marketing campaign – whether it is for organic search engine optimisation (SEO) or pay per click (PPC) advertising, is building a list of relevant and searched keywords.
Unfortunately, most people do not know what keywords are actually being used to find what they are offering.
Developing a list of keywords takes time and patience.
In order to develop a comprehensive set of keywords, plan on spending at least 8 hours of work if not much more. It could actually take days to develop your first list and from there on it is an ongoing process.
Here are the basic steps to conducting keyword research for either organic search engine optimisation (SEO) or pay per click (PPC) advertising:
READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE FROM BRUCE CLAY:
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Unfortunately, most people do not know what keywords are actually being used to find what they are offering.
Developing a list of keywords takes time and patience.
In order to develop a comprehensive set of keywords, plan on spending at least 8 hours of work if not much more. It could actually take days to develop your first list and from there on it is an ongoing process.
Here are the basic steps to conducting keyword research for either organic search engine optimisation (SEO) or pay per click (PPC) advertising:
READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE FROM BRUCE CLAY:
BACK TO WEBSITE PROMOTION AND SEO HOMEPAGE:
Importance of Keyword Selection in a PPC Campaign
Excellent advice from Bruce Clay.
To a large extent, search engine marketing is about choosing keywords for your Web site that will be most effective, and keywords in a PPC campaign are just as important as in an SEO campaign.
What is a keyword?
A keyword is a word or phrase that people (consumers or businesses) would employ to locate information on the products or services or topic that they are interested learning more about or purchasing.
For example: A professional bull rider is interested in purchasing new boots. He turns on his computer and visits his favorite search engine.
In the search box he enters the keyword cowboy boots. In addition, he may also enter men’s cowboy boots, western cowboy boots, or authentic cowboy boots.
Of course, since he is a cowboy, certain brands of boots are important so he might also enter designer cowboy boots, Justin cowboy boots, or Tony Lama cowboy boots.
Finally there are different styles of cowboy boots: round toe cowboy boots, crepe sole cowboy bots, and narrow or point toe cowboy boots.
The core idea behind keyword selection is identifying the words or phrases that are important to your target audience and therefore will be the most effective to use on your Web site.
When search engine visitors click in your PPC ad, they are sent to a page on your Web site. As an advertiser, you are only charged when a visitor clicks on your advertisement to visit your Web site.
Making sure you are bidding on keywords that people will be searching for is critical to the success of a pay advertising campaign.
Up front, it is all about visibility. The more eyeballs that see your ad – if it is relevant to what they want – the better chance you have of making a sale or getting a lead.
Bidding on the wrong keywords will only frustrate you and waste your hard earned money.
Bidding on the right keywords can bring you rich rewards but be warned, you will need to research the cost of bids for keywords because some good keywords can also break you.
Incorporate some niche keywords into your campaign that might not cost you as much. You will also want to balance the keywords that will bring you visitors at the short end of the tail or buying cycle as well as the long end of the buying cycle.
Learn more about how to perform proper PPC keyword research to identify what words are being used in searches today.
BACK THE WEBSITE PROMOTION AND SEO HOMEPAGE:
LEARN HOW TO:
Improve Search Engine Rankings link building pricing PPC Setup Seo Services Seo Specialist Service Web Solution & Internet Marketing Search engine optimization Better Rankings Web Marketing Advice SEO: Search Engine Optimization Google Adwords Management Search Engine Optimization And Link Building
To a large extent, search engine marketing is about choosing keywords for your Web site that will be most effective, and keywords in a PPC campaign are just as important as in an SEO campaign.
What is a keyword?
A keyword is a word or phrase that people (consumers or businesses) would employ to locate information on the products or services or topic that they are interested learning more about or purchasing.
For example: A professional bull rider is interested in purchasing new boots. He turns on his computer and visits his favorite search engine.
In the search box he enters the keyword cowboy boots. In addition, he may also enter men’s cowboy boots, western cowboy boots, or authentic cowboy boots.
Of course, since he is a cowboy, certain brands of boots are important so he might also enter designer cowboy boots, Justin cowboy boots, or Tony Lama cowboy boots.
Finally there are different styles of cowboy boots: round toe cowboy boots, crepe sole cowboy bots, and narrow or point toe cowboy boots.
The core idea behind keyword selection is identifying the words or phrases that are important to your target audience and therefore will be the most effective to use on your Web site.
When search engine visitors click in your PPC ad, they are sent to a page on your Web site. As an advertiser, you are only charged when a visitor clicks on your advertisement to visit your Web site.
Making sure you are bidding on keywords that people will be searching for is critical to the success of a pay advertising campaign.
Up front, it is all about visibility. The more eyeballs that see your ad – if it is relevant to what they want – the better chance you have of making a sale or getting a lead.
Bidding on the wrong keywords will only frustrate you and waste your hard earned money.
Bidding on the right keywords can bring you rich rewards but be warned, you will need to research the cost of bids for keywords because some good keywords can also break you.
Incorporate some niche keywords into your campaign that might not cost you as much. You will also want to balance the keywords that will bring you visitors at the short end of the tail or buying cycle as well as the long end of the buying cycle.
Learn more about how to perform proper PPC keyword research to identify what words are being used in searches today.
BACK THE WEBSITE PROMOTION AND SEO HOMEPAGE:
LEARN HOW TO:
Improve Search Engine Rankings link building pricing PPC Setup Seo Services Seo Specialist Service Web Solution & Internet Marketing Search engine optimization Better Rankings Web Marketing Advice SEO: Search Engine Optimization Google Adwords Management Search Engine Optimization And Link Building
Writing Effective PPC Ads (Creatives) for Your Pay Per Click Campaigns
Excellent advice from Bruce Clay.
For ad copy to convert readers to visitors, it must grab the reader’s attention.
Whether it's a print ad in a magazine, a pay per click ad on a Web page, or a sponsored listing on a search engine results page (SERP), your message must call out to the person reading it.
You may be advertising in the right place at the right time, however, without the right message, you will have a problem.
If you’re not appealing directly to the person who is reading your ad, you risk them seeing it without realising how it relates to them.
If the ad is a pay per click (PPC) ad, your potential customer has executed a search and is looking for something specific. If you write your PPC creatives to speak directly to them, there's a better chance they will click on it and visit your Web site.
So what characteristics do you look to include when writing ad copy?
First, be sure to use your keywords in your title and even in the description when you can.
If possible, start your title with the keyword or keyword phrase.
For the description, understand that people want to accomplish or learn something, be entertained or take advantage of an offer.
People are motivated by fear, money, hope, lust, despair, health, safety, education, appearance, status etc. (Although maybe not all at the same time!)
You will want to include a reason for someone to choose to respond to your ad and take action.
Care about their problem and create an emotional statement using action oriented language. Remember W.I.I.F.M. What’s in it for me?
For example, perhaps you are offering a health resort holiday package. You might appeal to potential customers about the opportunity to get in shape and improve their appearances. Or maybe they just need a holiday from the daily stress of home and work.
Appeal to their wants and needs and they'll be enticed to click-through.
Your PPC ads might look something like this:
Health Resort Special
Relax, Rejuvenate & Meditate.
Join us for a wellness stay.
Holiday Get-away
Pamper Yourself & Relax.
Join us for a stress-free stay.
Beach Holiday Rentals
Stressed, tired, need to escape?
Feel your cares melt away...
Health Resort Holiday
Get in shape today at our
private paradise holiday getaway.
However, effective ads are only a part of the campaign.
Once your PPC creatives persuades a searcher to click, your landing page must now convert them.
It should look professional and above all offer them what they were looking for in the first place. They will be more likely to convert into a customer or a lead if the page they go to gives them exactly what they were looking for.
Appeal directly to your target audience with both your ad and your landing pages and you will experience greater quality visitors and better conversions.
BACK THE WEBSITE PROMOTION AND SEO HOMEPAGE:
LEARN HOW TO:
Improve Search Engine Rankings link building pricing PPC Setup Seo Services Seo Specialist Service Web Solution & Internet Marketing Search engine optimization Better Rankings Web Marketing Advice SEO: Search Engine Optimization Google Adwords Management Search Engine Optimization And Link Building
For ad copy to convert readers to visitors, it must grab the reader’s attention.
Whether it's a print ad in a magazine, a pay per click ad on a Web page, or a sponsored listing on a search engine results page (SERP), your message must call out to the person reading it.
You may be advertising in the right place at the right time, however, without the right message, you will have a problem.
If you’re not appealing directly to the person who is reading your ad, you risk them seeing it without realising how it relates to them.
If the ad is a pay per click (PPC) ad, your potential customer has executed a search and is looking for something specific. If you write your PPC creatives to speak directly to them, there's a better chance they will click on it and visit your Web site.
So what characteristics do you look to include when writing ad copy?
First, be sure to use your keywords in your title and even in the description when you can.
If possible, start your title with the keyword or keyword phrase.
For the description, understand that people want to accomplish or learn something, be entertained or take advantage of an offer.
People are motivated by fear, money, hope, lust, despair, health, safety, education, appearance, status etc. (Although maybe not all at the same time!)
You will want to include a reason for someone to choose to respond to your ad and take action.
Care about their problem and create an emotional statement using action oriented language. Remember W.I.I.F.M. What’s in it for me?
For example, perhaps you are offering a health resort holiday package. You might appeal to potential customers about the opportunity to get in shape and improve their appearances. Or maybe they just need a holiday from the daily stress of home and work.
Appeal to their wants and needs and they'll be enticed to click-through.
Your PPC ads might look something like this:
Health Resort Special
Relax, Rejuvenate & Meditate.
Join us for a wellness stay.
Holiday Get-away
Pamper Yourself & Relax.
Join us for a stress-free stay.
Beach Holiday Rentals
Stressed, tired, need to escape?
Feel your cares melt away...
Health Resort Holiday
Get in shape today at our
private paradise holiday getaway.
However, effective ads are only a part of the campaign.
Once your PPC creatives persuades a searcher to click, your landing page must now convert them.
It should look professional and above all offer them what they were looking for in the first place. They will be more likely to convert into a customer or a lead if the page they go to gives them exactly what they were looking for.
Appeal directly to your target audience with both your ad and your landing pages and you will experience greater quality visitors and better conversions.
BACK THE WEBSITE PROMOTION AND SEO HOMEPAGE:
LEARN HOW TO:
Improve Search Engine Rankings link building pricing PPC Setup Seo Services Seo Specialist Service Web Solution & Internet Marketing Search engine optimization Better Rankings Web Marketing Advice SEO: Search Engine Optimization Google Adwords Management Search Engine Optimization And Link Building
Landing Pages for PPC Campaigns
Excellent advice from Bruce Clay.
With a PPC campaign, content or Web design changes are not necessary, although in order to create really effective Pay Per Click Internet advertising, you might want to make some changes.
In fact, a Web site is not even really needed. A Web page that answers the searchers query and points them in the right direction for more information is all that is really required.
Compelling content that gives visitors what they are looking for and converts them into buyers or leads is what you really need.
Your PPC Campaing landing pages should load fast. This means you shouldn’t clutter them with heavy images and unnecessary information.
Don’t let your visitors wait too long because they are likely to get frustrated and go somewhere else. And all this after you paid for them to click to your site.
Create Compelling Content:
For the most part, visitors tend to scan websites, looking for the information or offer they saw in your ad. It’s best to leave out extraneous content that does not fit into your ad's objectives. A cluttered website can be confusing so it’s important to organize relevant information in a clear and concise format. Use a clear and compelling call to action to lead your visitor to your offer.
Use Easy to Follow Navigation:
Make it easy for your visitors to find what they are looking for. They are there to accomplish a task, be entertained, learn something or take advantage of an offer. Make it easy for them to do what they and you want them to do. A user-friendly website is an efficient website that maximizes productivity and minimizes frustrations. It values the visitor providing them with a positive & rewarding experience.
Follow Some Simple Usability Rules:
Consider what your visitors experience might be after they click on your ad. For example, if your target market is baby boomers or senior citizens, they most likely will have difficulty reading smaller text, so create landing pages with larger, easy to read fonts. If your demographics are mostly women, use language that appeals to women. Be sure your page loads quickly and there is a compelling and prominent call to action.
Track Conversions:
If your Web site is not a product driven e-commerce Web site, you might also consider using a short form for your visitors to fill out requesting more information or to obtain a free product or sample. You can then use this form to track conversions at least at the PPC campaign level. If it is product driven, and they can purchase directly from your Web site, be sure to put some form of metrics in place for tracking conversions.
BACK THE WEBSITE PROMOTION AND SEO HOMEPAGE:
LEARN HOW TO:
Improve Search Engine Rankings link building pricing PPC Setup Seo Services Seo Specialist Service Web Solution & Internet Marketing Search engine optimization Better Rankings Web Marketing Advice SEO: Search Engine Optimization Google Adwords Management Search Engine Optimization And Link Building
With a PPC campaign, content or Web design changes are not necessary, although in order to create really effective Pay Per Click Internet advertising, you might want to make some changes.
In fact, a Web site is not even really needed. A Web page that answers the searchers query and points them in the right direction for more information is all that is really required.
Compelling content that gives visitors what they are looking for and converts them into buyers or leads is what you really need.
Your PPC Campaing landing pages should load fast. This means you shouldn’t clutter them with heavy images and unnecessary information.
Don’t let your visitors wait too long because they are likely to get frustrated and go somewhere else. And all this after you paid for them to click to your site.
Create Compelling Content:
For the most part, visitors tend to scan websites, looking for the information or offer they saw in your ad. It’s best to leave out extraneous content that does not fit into your ad's objectives. A cluttered website can be confusing so it’s important to organize relevant information in a clear and concise format. Use a clear and compelling call to action to lead your visitor to your offer.
Use Easy to Follow Navigation:
Make it easy for your visitors to find what they are looking for. They are there to accomplish a task, be entertained, learn something or take advantage of an offer. Make it easy for them to do what they and you want them to do. A user-friendly website is an efficient website that maximizes productivity and minimizes frustrations. It values the visitor providing them with a positive & rewarding experience.
Follow Some Simple Usability Rules:
Consider what your visitors experience might be after they click on your ad. For example, if your target market is baby boomers or senior citizens, they most likely will have difficulty reading smaller text, so create landing pages with larger, easy to read fonts. If your demographics are mostly women, use language that appeals to women. Be sure your page loads quickly and there is a compelling and prominent call to action.
Track Conversions:
If your Web site is not a product driven e-commerce Web site, you might also consider using a short form for your visitors to fill out requesting more information or to obtain a free product or sample. You can then use this form to track conversions at least at the PPC campaign level. If it is product driven, and they can purchase directly from your Web site, be sure to put some form of metrics in place for tracking conversions.
BACK THE WEBSITE PROMOTION AND SEO HOMEPAGE:
LEARN HOW TO:
Improve Search Engine Rankings link building pricing PPC Setup Seo Services Seo Specialist Service Web Solution & Internet Marketing Search engine optimization Better Rankings Web Marketing Advice SEO: Search Engine Optimization Google Adwords Management Search Engine Optimization And Link Building
Friday, November 28, 2008
Search Engine Optimization: 11 Basic SEO Strategies for Beginners
Fantastic Advice by Donna Gunter
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process getting your website ready to be found in organic webs searches. By organic searches, I'm referring to web searches that appear naturally as the result of a search for a particular keyword or phrase, rather than appearing in the sponsored links (pay-per-click advertising) section of a search page.
Frankly, for the first few years I was online, the thought of doing my own SEO made my eyes cross, and I was overwhelmed at where to start. I even toyed with the idea of hiring a specialist to do this for me, but never got around to it. However, over time, I slowly began to see a pattern emerging, and started to optimize some of my sites accordingly. One of the best days of my business was when I recently ranked #1 for a particularly competitive search term.
I'm not a search engine optimization (SEO) specialist, nor do I play one on TV. However, even a new business owner who creates and updates her own websites can implement some very basic SEO strategies to make her website appear higher in the organic rankings on certain keyword searches.
Here are the 11 strategies that I regularly implement on my sites for better SEO positioning:
1. Page title tags. This is the page information that you see in the blue bar of your browser in the upper left-hand corner when you visit a website. For best SEO, use your top 2 keywords in your title tag. The best way to do that is separated with a bar, as illustrated in this example: Internet Marketing | Web Marketing.
2. Domain name. If at all possible, use one primary keyword in your domain name. You will have a slight edge over your competition by doing so. If you already have a domain that you have used for some time, include a keyword in the name of files for your website pages. Example: http://www.yoursite.com/internet-marketing.htm if your keyword is Internet marketing.
3. Meta tags. These are descriptions on a web page that are not seen by most visitors except when looking at the page source code in their browser. While the keyword and description metatags used to be the primary way that search engines indexed sites, that is no longer the case. However, you shouldn't ignore them entirely, as it is still worthwhile to include them as a part of your page description. For optimal SEO, your meta description and keyword tags should be no more than 150 characters each.
4. Header tags. Header tags are the HTML code that indicates a headline, like H1, H2 and H3 and show up as bolded headlines in your page content. The first 3 header tags are the only ones you need to be concerned about, and the primary header tag, H1, is the most important. Use your primary keyword one time in the H1 tag, 2-3 times in your H2 tags, and multiple times in your H3 tags.
5. Alt image tag. The alt tag typically describes an image in a floating text window when you put your mouse over the image if the image isn't able to be displayed. The best use of any tag is to use your keywords in your image descriptions.
6. Content formatting. Search engines pay attention to formatted content, as in when text is bolded, italicized, and underlined. Make sure that you are bolding your keywords in the content of your website.
7. Keyword density. Keyword density refers to the number of times a keyword or keyword phrase appears on a web page. Rather than trying to focus on the number of times a keyword appears in the content of your page, aim for a more natural density by keeping your keyword phrases in mind as you write the copy for your page. Optimally, keyword density should be between 2% - 7%. There are a number of keyword density checkers available online to assist you with determining the keyword density of a page.
8. Anchor text. Anchor text refer to links on a page that connect your visitor to other pages. So, rather than telling someone to "click here" in the content of your page, include a keyword in your anchor text, as in "click here for dog training tips."
9. Inbound links. Reciprocal link exchange (you link to my site and I'll link to yours) used to be a great way to attract the attention of search engines to your site. Now, search engines pay attention only to the quality and popularity of the site providing you with an inbound link that is not a reciprocal link. One of the best ways to get quality inbound links back to your site is to submit articles to high traffic article directories and submit press releases to paid press release services.
A second way to gain high quality inbound links is by listing your site in search engine-friendly directories in which humans review the listings. Google and other search engines place more credibility in the directories in which the listings are reviewed by real people than they do other kinds of directories. Consequently, these links are weighted more heavily and favorably in the inbound link evaluation process.
10. New content. Content is still king, so one way to increase your page rank for a search term is to write high quality articles containing one or two of your keywords in the title and posting those regularly (weekly is best) to your site. Search engines are always seeking good, fresh, content, so your goal should be to make your site into an information-rich resource for your industry.
11. Site maps. There are sitemaps that help a visitor navigate a site, and sitemaps that are expressly designed for the search engines. The two are not the same. To enhance your site, submit an xml sitemap to Google Webmaster Central and Yahoo Site Explorer. I use XML Sitemaps, http://www.xml-sitemaps.com/, to build search engine-friendly sitemaps on my sites.
Search engine optimization strategy is not a difficult as it appears. Take some time to do some keyword research for your site, and then spend another 15 minutes a day employing a few of these strategies until you have a well-optimized site. Why pay for visitors through pay-per-click advertising if you don't have to?
Online Business Manager and Online Business Coach Donna Gunter helps independent service professionals learn how to automate their businesses, leverage their expertise on the Internet, and get more clients online. To claim your FREE gift, TurboCharge Your Online Marketing Toolkit, visit her site at http://www.OnlineBizU.com . Ask Donna an Internet Marketing question at http://www.AskDonnaGunter.com Copyright (c) 2008 OnlineBizU.com
Improve Search Engine Rankings link building pricing PPC Setup Seo Services Seo Specialist Service Web Solution & Internet Marketing Search engine optimization Better Rankings Web Marketing Advice SEO: Search Engine Optimization Google Adwords Management Search Engine Optimization And Link Building
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process getting your website ready to be found in organic webs searches. By organic searches, I'm referring to web searches that appear naturally as the result of a search for a particular keyword or phrase, rather than appearing in the sponsored links (pay-per-click advertising) section of a search page.
Frankly, for the first few years I was online, the thought of doing my own SEO made my eyes cross, and I was overwhelmed at where to start. I even toyed with the idea of hiring a specialist to do this for me, but never got around to it. However, over time, I slowly began to see a pattern emerging, and started to optimize some of my sites accordingly. One of the best days of my business was when I recently ranked #1 for a particularly competitive search term.
I'm not a search engine optimization (SEO) specialist, nor do I play one on TV. However, even a new business owner who creates and updates her own websites can implement some very basic SEO strategies to make her website appear higher in the organic rankings on certain keyword searches.
Here are the 11 strategies that I regularly implement on my sites for better SEO positioning:
1. Page title tags. This is the page information that you see in the blue bar of your browser in the upper left-hand corner when you visit a website. For best SEO, use your top 2 keywords in your title tag. The best way to do that is separated with a bar, as illustrated in this example: Internet Marketing | Web Marketing.
2. Domain name. If at all possible, use one primary keyword in your domain name. You will have a slight edge over your competition by doing so. If you already have a domain that you have used for some time, include a keyword in the name of files for your website pages. Example: http://www.yoursite.com/internet-marketing.htm if your keyword is Internet marketing.
3. Meta tags. These are descriptions on a web page that are not seen by most visitors except when looking at the page source code in their browser. While the keyword and description metatags used to be the primary way that search engines indexed sites, that is no longer the case. However, you shouldn't ignore them entirely, as it is still worthwhile to include them as a part of your page description. For optimal SEO, your meta description and keyword tags should be no more than 150 characters each.
4. Header tags. Header tags are the HTML code that indicates a headline, like H1, H2 and H3 and show up as bolded headlines in your page content. The first 3 header tags are the only ones you need to be concerned about, and the primary header tag, H1, is the most important. Use your primary keyword one time in the H1 tag, 2-3 times in your H2 tags, and multiple times in your H3 tags.
5. Alt image tag. The alt tag typically describes an image in a floating text window when you put your mouse over the image if the image isn't able to be displayed. The best use of any
6. Content formatting. Search engines pay attention to formatted content, as in when text is bolded, italicized, and underlined. Make sure that you are bolding your keywords in the content of your website.
7. Keyword density. Keyword density refers to the number of times a keyword or keyword phrase appears on a web page. Rather than trying to focus on the number of times a keyword appears in the content of your page, aim for a more natural density by keeping your keyword phrases in mind as you write the copy for your page. Optimally, keyword density should be between 2% - 7%. There are a number of keyword density checkers available online to assist you with determining the keyword density of a page.
8. Anchor text. Anchor text refer to links on a page that connect your visitor to other pages. So, rather than telling someone to "click here" in the content of your page, include a keyword in your anchor text, as in "click here for dog training tips."
9. Inbound links. Reciprocal link exchange (you link to my site and I'll link to yours) used to be a great way to attract the attention of search engines to your site. Now, search engines pay attention only to the quality and popularity of the site providing you with an inbound link that is not a reciprocal link. One of the best ways to get quality inbound links back to your site is to submit articles to high traffic article directories and submit press releases to paid press release services.
A second way to gain high quality inbound links is by listing your site in search engine-friendly directories in which humans review the listings. Google and other search engines place more credibility in the directories in which the listings are reviewed by real people than they do other kinds of directories. Consequently, these links are weighted more heavily and favorably in the inbound link evaluation process.
10. New content. Content is still king, so one way to increase your page rank for a search term is to write high quality articles containing one or two of your keywords in the title and posting those regularly (weekly is best) to your site. Search engines are always seeking good, fresh, content, so your goal should be to make your site into an information-rich resource for your industry.
11. Site maps. There are sitemaps that help a visitor navigate a site, and sitemaps that are expressly designed for the search engines. The two are not the same. To enhance your site, submit an xml sitemap to Google Webmaster Central and Yahoo Site Explorer. I use XML Sitemaps, http://www.xml-sitemaps.com/, to build search engine-friendly sitemaps on my sites.
Search engine optimization strategy is not a difficult as it appears. Take some time to do some keyword research for your site, and then spend another 15 minutes a day employing a few of these strategies until you have a well-optimized site. Why pay for visitors through pay-per-click advertising if you don't have to?
Online Business Manager and Online Business Coach Donna Gunter helps independent service professionals learn how to automate their businesses, leverage their expertise on the Internet, and get more clients online. To claim your FREE gift, TurboCharge Your Online Marketing Toolkit, visit her site at http://www.OnlineBizU.com . Ask Donna an Internet Marketing question at http://www.AskDonnaGunter.com Copyright (c) 2008 OnlineBizU.com
Improve Search Engine Rankings link building pricing PPC Setup Seo Services Seo Specialist Service Web Solution & Internet Marketing Search engine optimization Better Rankings Web Marketing Advice SEO: Search Engine Optimization Google Adwords Management Search Engine Optimization And Link Building
Thursday, November 27, 2008
After creating my website, how should I handle the traffic and convert prospects into customers?
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You as a website owner will be constantly visiting your website traffic logs to see how many visits your sites are getting. After noting that people spend considerable time on your website and then move away after reaching the shopping page, you wonder if all this work is ever going to be worth the effort.
It’s not that easy to convert a user into a customer unless you show a potential reason to the visitor that your website is worthy for the money that they want to spend.
Now converting those visitors into buyers or clients is a little tricky. As they say the first impression is the last impression, the graphics used on the website definitely strike the attention of the end user but too much design and graphics might just make it cluttered.
As the visitor decides to surf through your website, it is important to build trust with the prospect.
If the prospect wishes to shop on your website make sure the process is simple yet robust so that it is an easy transition for the prospect into a customer.
But would you ensure a smooth experience for the user? Naturally, if the buyer is in full control of the buying process and there are no sneaky questions or promotional elements during the process, they will have no hassle parting away with their money.
A full disclosure of your services is as important as the privacy of your customer.
*** Now before we suggest you some tips on improving your shopping cart experience, there are a few general points that you should consider regarding your website.
Every small thing counts here;
* Most of the times, the visitors to your website enter through the homepage so it is essential that the objective is clearly mentioned to the visitor. The service or product offerings should be listed clearly on the page.
* Make call to action for the visitors clear so that they walk through the path that you have full control over.
* Introduce the customers to the products and create a sense of need or urgency to acquire that product as they are unlikely to revisit or buy the product later. A good description and benefits come in handy here. Don’t go overboard here or sound desperate.
* And after all who doesn’t love a clean website design! Avoid cluttering all elements and keep the visitors engaged.
Some important tips to keep in mind for strengthening your customers shopping experience:
1. With so many online frauds happening, the visitors are a little circumspect. So the first thing they look for in the website is trust and credibility. There are various ways through which you can build trust with the online customer which include many safe and reliable online portals and associations which monitor each transaction closely.
2. Clear, Easy and User-friendly navigation plays a great role in making a better shopping experience with very less time consumption.
3. Have a link to the FAQ page which can assist the customer in case he/she feels lost or hits a roadblock.
4. Ensure that any kind of policy – be it shipping, privacy, affiliate etc... is clearly laid out to the customer in a simplified language.
5. Have a contact form for the customers in case they have any queries. It could become a good source of hot leads for your business. And remember that the turnaround time for your response should be as low as possible.
6. You should have the means of accepting and processing all kinds of cards. And suggesting an alternative to the customers makes it even better and reflects on your services.
7. Offering shipping to the clients takes you one step closer to closing the deal.
Improve Search Engine Rankings link building pricing PPC Setup Seo Services Seo Specialist Service Web Solution & Internet Marketing Search engine optimization Better Rankings Web Marketing Advice SEO: Search Engine Optimization Google Adwords Management Search Engine Optimization And Link Building
You as a website owner will be constantly visiting your website traffic logs to see how many visits your sites are getting. After noting that people spend considerable time on your website and then move away after reaching the shopping page, you wonder if all this work is ever going to be worth the effort.
It’s not that easy to convert a user into a customer unless you show a potential reason to the visitor that your website is worthy for the money that they want to spend.
Now converting those visitors into buyers or clients is a little tricky. As they say the first impression is the last impression, the graphics used on the website definitely strike the attention of the end user but too much design and graphics might just make it cluttered.
As the visitor decides to surf through your website, it is important to build trust with the prospect.
If the prospect wishes to shop on your website make sure the process is simple yet robust so that it is an easy transition for the prospect into a customer.
But would you ensure a smooth experience for the user? Naturally, if the buyer is in full control of the buying process and there are no sneaky questions or promotional elements during the process, they will have no hassle parting away with their money.
A full disclosure of your services is as important as the privacy of your customer.
*** Now before we suggest you some tips on improving your shopping cart experience, there are a few general points that you should consider regarding your website.
Every small thing counts here;
* Most of the times, the visitors to your website enter through the homepage so it is essential that the objective is clearly mentioned to the visitor. The service or product offerings should be listed clearly on the page.
* Make call to action for the visitors clear so that they walk through the path that you have full control over.
* Introduce the customers to the products and create a sense of need or urgency to acquire that product as they are unlikely to revisit or buy the product later. A good description and benefits come in handy here. Don’t go overboard here or sound desperate.
* And after all who doesn’t love a clean website design! Avoid cluttering all elements and keep the visitors engaged.
Some important tips to keep in mind for strengthening your customers shopping experience:
1. With so many online frauds happening, the visitors are a little circumspect. So the first thing they look for in the website is trust and credibility. There are various ways through which you can build trust with the online customer which include many safe and reliable online portals and associations which monitor each transaction closely.
2. Clear, Easy and User-friendly navigation plays a great role in making a better shopping experience with very less time consumption.
3. Have a link to the FAQ page which can assist the customer in case he/she feels lost or hits a roadblock.
4. Ensure that any kind of policy – be it shipping, privacy, affiliate etc... is clearly laid out to the customer in a simplified language.
5. Have a contact form for the customers in case they have any queries. It could become a good source of hot leads for your business. And remember that the turnaround time for your response should be as low as possible.
6. You should have the means of accepting and processing all kinds of cards. And suggesting an alternative to the customers makes it even better and reflects on your services.
7. Offering shipping to the clients takes you one step closer to closing the deal.
Improve Search Engine Rankings link building pricing PPC Setup Seo Services Seo Specialist Service Web Solution & Internet Marketing Search engine optimization Better Rankings Web Marketing Advice SEO: Search Engine Optimization Google Adwords Management Search Engine Optimization And Link Building
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