November 22, 2011

THE MYTH OF SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION

SEO and youSearch engines work hard to give us relevant results to our queries. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) uses techniques to get your content ranked higher. Doesn't that mean you are trying to trick Google?

Guess who will win? Google is on the constant lookout for attempts at manipulation and punishes abusers. Your penalty might be invisibility.
Deciding to hire an SEO is a big decision that can potentially improve your site and save time, but you can also risk damage to your site and reputation. Make sure to research the potential advantages as well as the damage that an irresponsible SEO can do to your site. — Google
I keep seeing people claiming they are experts in SEO. Their presentations make SEO look
  • complicated which implies you need to hire them
  • slow which means you need to hire them for six months are more

Other Ways

There three free ways to rank high in search results in your niche
  1. create compelling content
  2. follow conventions
  3. help Google find you

Create Compelling Content

You need great content. This takes time to create and time to impact your search rankings. Quit and you start slipping. Using social media regularly keeps reminding Google about you. Using Google tools can't hurt either. This blog uses Google Blogger (instead of WordPress) and is syndicated via Google Feedburner (instead of FeedBlitz).

Word of mouth will then boost your popularity. That takes the form of comments on your blog posts, Likes, Google "+1" and links from other credible sites (essentially testimonials).

Follow Conventions

When you're writing, you benefit by following norms. Make your content easier for readers and you'll help Google too. You'll want a sensible heading and subheadings. You'll want to write posts of a reasonable minimum length (e.g., 300 words). You'll want to use simple, common words because they are more likely to be search queries.

You might not get much credit for good grammar but you won't be penalized either. Maybe Google can (or will) check grammar.

Help Google Find You

Google wants to find you. You help by telling Google about yourself. Your Google Profile is the perfect place to link to your different sites. Google Analytics also marks your sites (you can only track what you own). Google offers Webmaster Tools to show you what Google sees. Don't forget Google+ either.

There's plenty of free online help too.

The Wrong Focus?

SEO focuses on websites but you may not need one anymore. You can rely on social media instead. You'll want a destination like a blog or personal website (which can be on a blog platform). If you are on LinkedIn, have a Google Profile or using Google+, you're increasing your chances of showing up on page one.

One search engine “expert” had a Klout reputation score of 13 out of 100. Another has only 22 tweets. That’s proof of inability.

Impatient?

If you want to be found right now, you can buy attention with Google Adwords and other advertising techniques.

I've got nothing against hiring SEO experts. I have never used one but they may be ideal for you. Lasting results take more than money.

Links

PS What do you think of SEO?

2 comments:

  1. Thanks Promod for this very useful information on SEO. I was considering using a SEO provider but now I may just reconsider it. Thank-you for the introduction to Google+, I have not leveraged it properly -- so looking forward to more posts.

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  2. Opinions will vary, Anita. You're taking a sound approach to social media and can pick up many tips online.

    I haven't formulated a strategy for Google+ yet. I'm mainly posting photos, which is very easy with an Android smartphone.

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