Pimp My Keywords

Cincinnati Digital Non-Conference Set For Nov. 14-15

Cincinnati's first-ever Digital Non-Conference is set for November 14-15, 2008.

The event, sponsored by the AdClub Cincinnati, will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and at other venues downtown Cincinnati.

The most influential and important national and regional experts in digital media will be on hand to present, discuss, network and share ideas on the future of "all things digital."

For more information, visit www.adclubcincy.org.

SEO Tactics, Tips & Helpful Advice - No. 30

Some interesting questions lately about implementing search engine optimization for your company's website.

Question: We are designing a new website. When should we start working on search engine optimization?

Answer: Now. SEO should be part of the planning process. It should be a factor in the design and content. If you do it as an afterthought, then you might have to backtrack a bit and undo some on-page elements.

Question: How often should we do SEO?

Answer: Often. True search engine optimization never stops. It is not a "one-and-done" event. You can't toss in some keywords and say "we optimized our site." Don't settle for when your website designer says "we took care of your SEO tags."

Question: What are the most important factors of SEO?

Answer: On-page elements such as content; keeping content fresh; utilizing your keywords within the content and Page Titles, etc, and off-page elements such as strong link building. Your SEO firm should be doing both.

Question: Are Meta Tags codes important?

Answer: Everything is important, but content is more important. Write good Page Titles and Page Descriptions. Don't worry about the Keyword meta tag.

SEO Tactics, Tips & Helpful Advice - No. 29

How a link looks and points back to your website (or to a specific web page) is very important.

Most inbound links, especially those coming from Directories or partner sites will look like this:

www.purpletrout.com

Yes, it's a link, but it's a URL link.

However, take a look at these links:

Cincinnati SEO

floral delivery Cincinnati

kiosk information systems

Do they look different?

These links are "anchor text links". In order words, the keyword - not the URL - becomes the specific link.

These types of links weigh more with Google and other search engines.

If rich text elements are available, the link can be easily created by clicking an HTML link button (it will usually look like a chain link button).

If rich text is not available, you can create the link using HTML code such as this:

<a href="http://www.purpletrout.com" target="_blank">Cincinnati SEO</a>

Got it?

Now use it.

Purple Trout To Showcase at American Marketing Association Seminar

Decision 2008: Link, Tweet, Plax or Blog?

Cincinnati – The American Marketing Association (AMA) is hosting a seminar where panelists will discuss how best to utilize online social media networks to build business. Social media discussed will include Linked In, Twitter, Plax and blogging.

 

Purple Trout, LLC, a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) firm located in Cincinnati, Ohio, will present at the AMA seminar, where Steve Phillips, principal, will discuss how to leverage these four powerful online networks to drive traffic to websites and how they play a role in search engine optimization.

 

The seminar will be held on Friday, October 31, 2008 from 8:00-10:00 a.m. at the Kenwood Towers, 8044 Montgomery Road, 1^St Floor Meeting Room.  Cost $30 AMA Members; $45 for non-members.  To register, visit www.cincinnatiama.org.  To learn more, please contact Kathy Walters at (513) 784-2373 or info@cincinnatiama.org.

 

 

About Purple Trout:

Purple Trout, is a true Search Engine Optimization (SEO) firm located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Specializing in honest and ethical SEO techniques to obtain higher rankings for company websites in Google, Yahoo, MSN and other search engines.  For more information, visit www.purpletrout.com.

Slimy SEO

I met with a prospective client recently who shared with me some methods a competitor was offering her firm.

Part of the competitor's quote/plan included:

• creating non-visible code optimization (black hat)
• creating and conducting hidden code optimization (black hat)
• Submitting to DMOZ (no longer a Google priority)
• Updating non-visible code (black hat)
• Updating hidden code optimization (black hat)

No wonder slimy SEO firms give true search engine optimization a bad name!

If ANY firm uses the word "hidden" or "non-visible" terms on their website, in their proposals or during a meeting with you...RUN!

If ANY firm doesn't tell you step-by-step their entire SEO process, then I would seriously doubt they have a clue what they are talking about.

If ANY firm says they have secrets that no other firm knows about, they are lying.

Search engine optimization isn't rocket science. It's hard work. It takes time and dedication.

Avoid slimy SEO firms

SEO Tactics, Tips & Helpful Advice - No. 28

So, did you check to see how many - and the quality of - inbound links pointing to your website? Are they good? Fair? Disappointing? None?

Reminder: A great way to do a link check is to go to Yahoo.com and search for:
link:www.yourwebsite.com
(Of course, replacing "yourwebsite" with your company's website URL)

Let's just assume that you link building stinks and you want to find ways to earn more quality links pointing to your website.

Do not do the following:

• Do not send an e-mail blast to a blind mailing list asking a slew of unknowns for a link to your website. That's SPAM and it doesn't work.
• Do not trade links. I recommend new websites do some reciprocal trading; do it in moderation and trade with someone that makes sense. For example, an auto mechanic might trade links with a body shop.
• Do not buy links. Google is frowning on this practice. Yes, if you buy a listing in the Yahoo Directory (which I still recommend) you are buying a link. I'm more concerned with buying $5 links from Joe's Link Directory.
• Do not SPAM blogs and bulletin boards with comments such as "I agree" or "I like your blog" in order to get a link. It will not be published.

Do the following:

• Give bloggers, social media types and other websites something to link to on your site. A white paper; a good article; a download; a quality blog. When you write / produce GREAT stuff, other websites will link to you.
• Participate in social media / social networking - Facebook, Twitter, Plurk, LinkedIn, Delicious, Magnolia, etc. Don't drop off a link and leave. You must participate.
• Directories. Quality links from quality directories are still worth something.
• Write articles for other websites, which should include a link to your website.
• Write and publish press releases, which should include a link to your website.
• Make sure you are taking care of "internal" links. Yes, conduct link building within your own website to other pages within your website.

Next week, let's explore anchor text links.

Google On Links

Google recently finished "Link Week" in which Maile Ohye, Developer Programs Tech Lead for Google, offered a ton of information on linking in four blog posts.

In the Official Google Webmaster Central Blog, Ohye discussed:

• The importance of link architecture
• Outbound links
• Inbound links

Did I mention this is coming from Google?

Earlier this month, Google removed from its Webmaster Tools recommendations on submitting to Open Directory (DMOZ), Yahoo Directory and other directories. In doing so, Google didn't say links are bad. Earning links is still very important. How you gain links is a different story (i.e., link farms, paying for links, spamming, etc.).

Content remains king. Link building is queen.

Don't think so?

Here's what Ohye says:

"Inbound links can bring new users to your site, and when the links are merit-based and freely-volunteered as an editorial choice, they're also one of the positive signals to Google about your site's importance."

And:

"Other signals include things like our analysis of your site's content, its relevance to a geographic location, etc. As many of you know, relevant, quality inbound links can affect your PageRank (one of many factors in our ranking algorithm). And quality links often come naturally to sites with compelling content or offering a unique service."

Wow...relevance, PageRank and quality links happen naturally due to good content.

Keep optimizing.

The Art Of Blogging Set For November 18

Write Technology (aka Michelle Lentz) will present "The Art of Blogging" November 18 at 8 a.m.

The four-hour class focuses not on the technology behind blogging, but the writing. It will include defining an audience, understanding your goals, finding your voice, exploring blog etiquette and more.

The course outline includes:

• What is a blog?
• Blogging Goals
• Blogging Voice and Audience
• Content
• Blogging Etiquette
• Tips for Growing Your Blog with New Media

The course is $179 if you pay by November 1; $199 thereafter.

For more information, visit Write-Tech.

(Note: I recently heard Michelle speak on blogging at a Cincinnati I-Marketing event. I highly recommend Michelle!)

Guest Blog: Now, More Than Ever, Use Common Sense

Guest blogger:
Ken & Tina Hare
Certified Guerilla Marketing Coaches

Right now, one of the BEST marketing actions is using some good, old-fashion common sense: Give superior customer service...and then make it even better!

Here are a few things you can do today:

• List all the ways you believe you have superior customer service. Once you do that, figure out how to improve it.
• Shop your competitors and evaluate their customer service. Notice the difference or similarities in comparison to your company. This most likely will be an eye opening experience.
• Ask your staff to tell you how they can better serve your clients, and each other and you. This exercise really gets everyone thinking. This is a win-win situation. Your clients receive the benefits of improved customer service, the employees feel more involved in the process in which they play a major role and you benefit by opening the door to healthier communication.

This is a solid technique that can boost your business. Please share your experiences from our suggestions.

Ken & Tina Hare
Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coaches
Sales & Marketing
Real World Experience
(859) 441-8888
www.imagefirstsolutions.com

SEO Tactics, Tips & Helpful Advice - No. 27

Let's continue our trek into link building and how to earn quality links pointing back to your website.

The No. 1 best way to earn a link is to give them something to link to on your website. In order words, by writing quality content; a strong white paper in your industry; a blog, etc., your readers will want to create a link on their website back to your website. Or, perhaps, they'll blog about what they read on your website.

Another great way to build links is to have something your visitors can download: again, a white paper or a software trial.

Your homework assignment this week: Examine your website. Do you have anything on your site worthy of a one-way link pointing to it? If not, consider how you can increase traffic and links by updating your content; writing a white paper; creating a blog, etc.

If you need help, contact me at Purple Trout, LLC (513) 885-5000.

We'll continue this thread next week.