Business Blogging

Until just a few years ago, Google changed its rankings algorithm every month or so.  The ranking algorithm is what many SEOs live and die by–it’s the complex, top-secret formula that determines how high (or low) a site or web page ranks in organic search results.  Is yours the top result on the first page of results, or do you show up as result #24 on the third page?

My clients often ask for advice on how to gain a first page listing on Google.  Some have even went so far as to ask if they paid more money, could I “make it happen.”

Everyone in business today knows that a first page ranking on the search engines is needed for business to be generated.  Since the decrease in phone book importance is VERY evident, most business folks are seeking the buy for placement option that once was available in the phone book.  Pay enough money for a big ad and Volla!  No more!  Those days are gone.

“…there are no absolute guarantees any page will be listed for free on Google, or on any of the other major search engines.”

As business owners, your new mission is build great content and publish often.  Gone are the days of build-it and forget-it.  Today, consumers (and Google) demand fresh information.

Of course, you can pay for placement on Google, Yahoo and alike–it is called pay per click.

by Rebecca Lieb

“Rebecca’s book is chapter-by-chapter gold for anyone who needs to understand how we find information on the Web.”

Kevin M. Ryan, Motivity Marketing, Inc., and Chairman of Search Engine Strategies Advisory Board In this book, leading search optimization expert Rebecca Lieb brings together more than 50 absolutely crucial facts and insights decision-makers must know to drive more web traffic through better search engine placement. The Truth About Search Engine Optimization doesn’t deliver abstract theory: it delivers quick, bite-size, just-the-facts information and plain-English explanations that executives, decision-makers, and even small business owners can actually use, no matter what kind of sites you’re running, or what your goals are.

You will learn how to set realistic goals for search optimization… attract qualified traffic, not just “any” site visitors… incorporate search engine optimization into both new sites and redesigns… write for users… implement search-friendly content management… avoid problems with rich content technologies such as Flash and AJAX… create metatags that actually work… use public relations, blogging, and other techniques to drive traffic… budget and manage search optimization projects… and much more.

Spiders, robots, and crawlers are your friends.  In the name of search engine optimization, you’ll not only learn to love them, but also you’ll actually go out of your way to attract them to your site.

Sitemaps are particularly useful for websites containing content that cannot be accessed through a browseable interface.

When a spider hits your website, it will read your text and visit all your links.  The critical factor is making sure ALL your website data is reachable via links on your home page.  The golden rule is if the spiders don’t crawl your site, the search engines will not list your business.

Things to consider:

1. Keep your most power keyword laced text near the top of your page.
2. Write your text using bullets, lists, heading tags, and on-site links.
3. Don’t over due it!  Keep it simple and keep your focus on the value to the visitor.

Our web hosting service is NOT for the masses, but rather a small select group of small and home-based businesses in and around the Portland Metro area. We believe in giving service and value for your patronage. We are never further than a phone call away and when possible, we prefer to meet face-to-face. Read the rest of this entry »

The new Business Blogger often starts by writing very detailed sales pitches.  Think “long winded elevator speech” and you are getting close to the most common mistake.

Business blogs gain preferential treatment by the search engines.  If the content of your article is not focused and well crafted, then the preferential treatment will be the cold shoulder.

Starting at the beginning, ask the question why do search engines care if your blog article (or website) is listed?  The more users who use the search engine, the more advertiser revenue they will collect.  If Google sent their users to web sites that did not meet the searchers’ needs, then the searcher would stop using Google.

Business card data or quick elevator speeches usually fail to gain positive search engine listings because they are too broad in topic scope.  Your business certainly does a lot, but don’t try to write about everything you do in a single article.

Single Topic Focus

The more specific the better.  For exampling, writing about printing is too broad.  Writing on tri-fold brochure printing is much better.

Time Sensitive

Since blogs are news type communication mediums, take advantage of it.  Write articles that have a sense of now.  For example, writing about your staff is not time sensitive; writing about the person you just hired is time sensitive.

Informative

Your readers are giving you their time.  Respect it. Give the reader value for their visit.  Sales pitches are not informative, no matter how sweet the offer.  The information value is very low.  Make offers on static web pages, write about benefits on your blog site.  For example, write about the benefits of using a content management system for your company web site, rather than the new deal your company has on web site design.

Ed Bejarana BusinessBloging.net a division of Zenith Exhibits, Inc.

Zenith Exhibits, Inc. specializes in face-to-face and internet based marketing.  Exhibiting on the trade show floor or in the worlds largest trade show, the itnernet, we are you marketing solutions provider.

We have all rolled our eyes at least once when we heard someone say our cell phone would be the next internet platform of choice.  Sometimes the best measure of the future is the actions of the mega companies.

Google has started following suit with Apple’s software add-on pay-per-app business strategy. I interpret this act as a strong indicator of Googles feelings regarding the future of cell phone internet useage.

What does this mean for you? As more applications become available for cell phone users, the more people will use their cell phones for commerce.  If your web-site and/or blog site are not built for optimal cell phone viewing then you just may be selling your self short.

While it is impossible to tell the future, I doubt anyone would argue that mobile phones are being used more and more by people to browse the internet.  Screen size limitations, flash exclusion, and tiny keyboards are just a few things to consider when updating your web properties.

Test your web page. Take a look at how your current web site looks on a cell phone then ask your self the following questions:

1. Is the text readable?
2. Is navigation easy?
3. Can visitors easily dial your phone number?

Most new cell phones have the ability to dial phone numbers right off your website, but only if the cell phone can read the numbers?  If your phone number is an image on your web page, then it becomes more difficult for visitors to click-and-call!

Ed Bejarana BusinessBlogging.net a division of Zenith Exhibits, Inc.

Source Article:  Google Opens the Door for Paid Android Apps, February 13, 2009 By David Needle

Part 3 of a 3 part presentation on Social Networking and Internet Marketing. Read the rest of this entry »

There were 8.6 billion searches in December, which is a 19% increase from December 2007. Google still holds a firm grip on the top spot with 5.4 billion searches (up 33%). Yahoo came in a distant second with 1.4 billion searches (up 13%) and MSN rounded out the top three with 841 million searches (down 15%). Read the rest of this entry »

Advertising agencies help BIG business generate buzz, but with huge budgets they are hard to fail. Who does the small business owner, working on a limited marketing budget, turn to? When we add in the economic woes our nation is struggling with, the answer is invariably YOU. Read the rest of this entry »

Keywords have been demoted to the bottom of the list and have very little impact on your search listings. Keywords are important in one regards, having them ALONG with good usage in your page text WILL influence more web traffic. The important note, however, is content is king. Throwing keywords on your page in a haphazard fashion will HURT your website. Building quality content that helps your visitor will get you noticed. Read the rest of this entry »