Pimp My Keywords

SEO Tactics, Tips & Helpful Advice - No. 61

While planning and implementing your search engine optimization (SEO) strategy, I would highly recommend keeping a journal.

Not only should you make sure you have everything in order - and that you're following a plan - but you should also document what strategies you implemented and when.

Why?

Why not?

As you update content; tweak Page Titles; work on link building and continue with other SEO elements for your website, you should also refer back to various tasks and then track your results.

For example, did updating the content on your website's Home page improve rankings, traffic, and conversions? Did a new inbound link from a directory or website result in new traffic from the source? Does four blog posts per week cause more feedback than two blog posts per week?

Keep a record of your SEO actions and then compare to the results. You might be surprised at what you find.

SEO Tactics, Tips & Helpful Advice - No. 60

We've promoted them before, but some of the best SEO tools are available at http://tools.seobook.com/.

Some tools are free; others require a membership to the community. Go with the free ones first.

SEO Tactics, Tips & Helpful Advice - No. 59

Google has introduced some new reports in conjunction with Google Maps.

If your business has a physical location, you want to make sure you submit your business, address, contact information, hours, etc., to Google Maps.

First, you'll need to set up a Google account (which is free). Then browse your way to the Local Business Center link within your Google account settings. There, you can add a new listing and have it confirmed via snail mail or a telephone call (Google will give you a secret 4-number PIN).

Once this is completed, you can sit back and wait as Google may take up to four weeks to including your Google Map information. Once you have been approved, you can edit your information and add a business description, keywords (up to five), hours of business, payment information, etc.

Now, here's the cool part: Google will generate reports which will include number of impressions (how many times your business has appeared in Google Maps) and the actions (such as how many times users clicked to obtain more information on Maps; how many users clicked when looking for driving directions, and how many clicks directly to your website.

You will also be able to see the top search queries (keyword searches in which your Google map listing appeared).

SEO Tactics, Tips & Helpful Advice - No. 58

Need to check inbound links pointing to your website?

The best - and easiest - tool to use is Yahoo.

Go to www.Yahoo.com and enter link:www.yourwebsite.com

Within the Yahoo results, change the "Show Inlinks" option to "Except From This Domain" to get an accurate count of inbound links to your website.

Tip: Why not use this tool to check inbound links to your competitor's website?

SEO Tactics, Tips & Helpful Advice - No. 57

Another tool you can use...

Your website needs an XML sitemap (which I like to call "MapQuest for search engines"). You can find one of the best XML sitemap generators at http://www.xml-sitemaps.com/.

Four steps.

Free.

A no brainer.

SEO Tactics, Tips & Helpful Advice - No. 56

Ready for another cool - and useful - search engine optimization tool? How about a bunch of them?

Let's go back to www.seobook.com for a host of tools you should be considering.

Once there, take a close look at:

• SEO Toolbar - an excellent toolbar with on-the-fly SEO information including Page Rank, inbound link counts, and more. A must for any SEO project.
• Keyword Suggestion Tool - Not bad, but not as good as WordTracker or Keyword Discovery. Still, no complaints for a free tool.
• Competitive Research SEO Tool - Very cool tool offering a ton of information on search results in Google.
• Ranking Checker - Checks website rankings.

Note: These tools work with Firefox only.

My only complaint with SEO Book is the constant and annoying pop-up dialog box. Get past the sales pitch and you'll be fine.

SEO Tactics, Tips & Helpful Advice - No. 55

Over the next few months, I'll share with you some of the best - and FREE - SEO tools on the Internet.

If you know of some tools you like, let me know and I'll post them here (and give you credit as well).

One of the best, SEO tool websites - hands down - is SEO Book. Great website with several useful SEO tools. You can find them at www.seobook.com.

SEO Tactics, Tips & Helpful Advice - No. 54

One of the more common search engine optimization questions I hear is "how long will it take until my website is ranked in the Top 10 in Google?"

Honestly, no one knows.

There are many factors involved and it all comes down to hard work and time. This includes targeted keywords, writing fresh content, creating strong Page Titles and other meta tag codes, link building, etc.

Do not believe anyone who says "I can get you there in 10 days" as no one make such a claim.

SEO Tactics, Tips & Helpful Advice - No. 53

Since local search is becoming more important, you want to make sure you take the time to submit your website to Google Maps.

Here's the best part: It's free and it's also easy.

Once you've set up an account with Google (www.google.com), go to the Local Business Center link and select "Add New Listing". Then, complete the necessary information about your business (address, hours, telephone number, etc.).

You will then have the option to receive a confirmation PIN number via mail (at your mailing address) to confirm the information or having Google call you via telephone.

Once confirmed, Google may take up to four (4) weeks to confirm the information.

Simple!

SEO Tactics, Tips & Helpful Advice - No. 52

In the current world of social media, which includes but is not limited to Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Twitter and on and on, don't forget the basics.

The point of all this "madness" is to attract attention from potential customers and clients. Attract them to your website. Attract them to make a decision to make a purchase; fill out a form; send you an e-mail; pick up the phone and call you, etc.

Never overlook your website. It is your No. 1 marketing and sales tool.