The other day I talked to a clerk who worked at a Blockbuster DVD retail store. The store looked like it might be closing and I asked him if it was. His answer reflects online services vs. retail stores.
The employee stated that a lot of the retail stores were closing. As I listened, he stated that today most people purchase their DVD’s from online services such as Netflix or several other online websites.
This made me think about online internet marketing and search engine optimization. The fact is most people today use the internet to purchase products. Some people don’t even go to retail stores because of the good prices, search ability with search engines and websites and the ease of buying what you need from the comfort of your home.
So what does that mean to you? It means if you own a business or are self-employed, owning a website is essential to your small business! More importantly, the competition of websites is HUGE. There are millions of websites on the internet. If you want to win the sale from your competition you MUST be prepared to have better search optimization than the other websites selling the same product you have.
How do you optimize your website and have better results than your competition? It’s called search engine optimization. SEO services are necessary for your website to be successful. The same is true if you owned a sub shop and never marketed it from the other restaurants that surrounded your store. You would be out of business very soon!
If you want help or internet marketing consultation, contact us today!
If you know about search engine optimization, you are probably aware there are a lot of different aspects to getting your website optimized for Google and other search engines. I want to give you a SEO best practices checklist to use with your website!
SEO Best Practices Checklist
- Look for errors – Search engines don’t like to return to a website that has a bunch of errors. This task is a little more technical to do but it needs to be done correctly. Use Google Webmaster and correct errors such as broken links, duplicate content or status errors such as 404’s,403’s or 301 redirects. If you just got lost on this one, I’m sure you have seen websites and clicked on a link that took you to a broken web page. You got a error message or read a message that was very technical that only web developers can understand. The bottom line is this – search engine robots do not like these type of errors either!
- Use meta tags and keywords – This is a very important aspect of SEO. There are many ways to research for keywords. I won’t get into this because there are many books on this one! To generalize this task, make sure each web page and title tags and descriptions and apply specific keywords related to your niche. If you are lost, contact us! Sometimes it is easier to hire a good SEO company (like us! 🙂 )
- Use reports to analyze your progress – As any good business or organization does, follow monthly reports such as Google Analytics, to see what relevant keywords are working. There are numerous reports that you can utilize to improve your website!
Use this SEO best practices checklist throughout the year. Continue to correct errors, adding content with keywords. Then look at reports on a monthly basis. Always remember that content is king but it only works if it is unique and is beautifully tied together for the content people are searching for!
Here’s an UPDATED (5/2024) comprehensive SEO Best Practices Checklist to help you optimize your website effectively:
Technical SEO
- Ensure Mobile-Friendliness:
- Use responsive design.
- Test with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool.
- Improve Page Speed:
- Optimize images and use appropriate formats.
- Minimize CSS, JavaScript, and HTML.
- Enable browser caching.
- Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN).
- Ensure Secure Connection (HTTPS):
- Install an SSL certificate.
- Create and Submit XML Sitemap:
- Use tools like Yoast SEO (WordPress) to generate a sitemap.
- Submit the sitemap to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.
- Fix Crawl Errors:
- Use Google Search Console to identify and fix crawl errors.
- Ensure robots.txt file is correctly configured.
- Optimize URL Structure:
- Use clean, descriptive URLs.
- Include keywords in URLs where relevant.
On-Page SEO
- Conduct Keyword Research:
- Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush.
- Identify relevant, high-traffic keywords.
- Optimize Title Tags:
- Include primary keywords.
- Keep under 60 characters.
- Optimize Meta Descriptions:
- Summarize page content.
- Include keywords.
- Keep under 160 characters.
- Use Header Tags Appropriately (H1, H2, H3, etc.):
- Use H1 for the main title.
- Use H2 and H3 for subheadings to organize content.
- Create High-Quality, Engaging Content:
- Ensure content is original, informative, and valuable.
- Include relevant keywords naturally.
- Use multimedia (images, videos) to enhance content.
- Optimize Images:
- Use descriptive file names.
- Add alt text with keywords.
- Compress images for faster loading.
- Internal Linking:
- Link to relevant pages within your site.
- Use descriptive anchor text.
Off-Page SEO
- Build High-Quality Backlinks:
- Guest post on reputable sites.
- Create shareable content.
- Engage in outreach and relationship building.
- Leverage Social Media:
- Share your content on social media platforms.
- Engage with your audience.
- Local SEO (if applicable):
- Claim and optimize your Google My Business listing.
- Ensure consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) across directories.
- Gather and respond to reviews.
Analytics and Monitoring
- Set Up Google Analytics:
- Track website traffic and user behavior.
- Use Google Search Console:
- Monitor search performance.
- Identify and fix issues.
- Regularly Audit Your Site:
- Use tools like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs Site Audit.
- Check for broken links, duplicate content, and other issues.
User Experience (UX)
- Ensure Easy Navigation:
- Use clear and intuitive menus.
- Include a search bar.
- Improve Readability:
- Use legible fonts and sizes.
- Break up text with headings and bullet points.
- Optimize for Conversions:
- Use clear calls-to-action (CTAs).
- Ensure forms are easy to fill out.
- Maintain Consistent Design:
- Use consistent colors, fonts, and styles.
Content Strategy
- Create a Content Calendar:
- Plan and schedule content creation and publication.
- Update and Refresh Old Content:
- Regularly update outdated information.
- Improve and expand existing content.
- Monitor Competitors:
- Analyze competitor content and SEO strategies.
- Identify gaps and opportunities.
By following this SEO Best Practices Checklist, you can systematically optimize your website to improve search engine rankings, attract more organic traffic, and enhance user experience. Remember that SEO is an ongoing process, and regular monitoring and updates are essential to maintain and improve your site’s performance.
Is your business starting the new year with SEO services? If it isn’t, you need to rethink your internet marketing strategies! If you have a website and are trying to promote a product or a service, search engine optimization is a must. I constantly see business after business not using internet marketing, strategic operations.
Any time Tom and I are driving, we notice business vans and the signage on the side of them. Surprisingly, many times these vehicles do not have a website. We laugh and say we need to roll down the window and say, “Hey, do you know you can get a lot of customers and leads through internet marketing?”
I was given a business card by a family member last week and thought the card was well done. It had attractive pastel colors, words which triggered my emotions, and looked simple….yet no website! What a sad situation. If you think a website does the same thing as a business card you only have half the truth! A website also openings up huge opportunities for you to market your business to millions of people that you would never normally be in contact with one-on-one…when you optimize your website with search engine optimization.
So, what is your new year’s resolution? I suggest if you don’t already have a website, get one!! If you have a website, start the new year with SEO services. Contact us today and let us help your business blossom in 2011!!
It’s that time of year again! It’s Christmas time and we focus on the Nativity Story; the story of the birth of Jesus. Most people know the story about Mary and Joseph. Jesus, the son of God was born in a manager because there was no room in the inn. This Christmas video below is that same well-known story, but also, it is the Nativity Story with social media. It is interesting, and hopefully no one will find it disrespectful of our Lord and Savior.
We found the Nativity Story in modern day times to be a great way people can relate with social media and to Christmas! Bravo to Excentric! Social Media and popular websites included were: Gmaill, Wikipedia, Google Maps, Twitter, Foursquare, Facebook, Amazon, and Youtube!
We also hope you take the time this Christmas to focus on who Baby Jesus was and why God came down to earth. He is the Savior of the World! For more information about who Jesus is, please visit this website: Online Bible Study for Beginners.
We wish YOU a Merry Christmas !!!
Question – How Do I Get a Better Listing in Search Engines?
Answer – BASICS Of INTERNET MARKETING – SEO
1) On page optimization – Tags (title description, keyword, headings, text, good navigation) along with a clear subject matter focus, calls to action, Google sitemaps and more….
2) Back links – Link exchanging. These can be links from other sites, blogs, and directories. This shows Google you are an authority in your field.
3) Online Competition – No one controls this. If there is a lot, it is necessary to spend more time and resources to attain good rankings.
OUR CONCEPTS
1) Multiple pages
Reasons:
• Google values pages with unique keywords, meta tags and content on a site with a related theme. One keyword (phrase) per page
• This allows you to have many different keywords (combinations of locations and services)
Process:
• This can be done by making unique static pages OR,
• Using a database system pages can be made for many cities, counties and states, without the cost of making separate static pages.
2) Multiple sites
Reason:
• Normally Google only allows a site to be on the first page once. With multiple domains you can be on the first page many times.
Process:
• Keywords should be in the domains
• Sites can, and should look similar (for branding) – Existing designs can be utilized
• The text has to be unique; Google takes plagiarism seriously and will penalize what it considers duplicate content. Each site has to have unique content.
• Each site should be focused on one subject or theme. Financial advisor, wealth advisor, financial planner, etc.
• Sites should be hosted on different servers (the sites shouldn’t have the same IP address). This allows the sites to be linked together and not related.
• A valuable option is wordpress blog platform sites.
Benefits:
o Simple for the clients to update, make changes or add to at their convenience.
o No cost.
o They do very well in Google.
o 1000 FREE templates to choose from, 100’s of free plug-ins and add-ons. ALL FREE
3) Social Media Marketing and Other Forms of Internet Marketing
Social media marketing involved websites such as Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and Youtube. Other areas you can market include: directories, profiles, press releases and articles.
Internet Marketing is like the billboards on the highway of marketing. The more billboards you have, the more people will see your business represented!!
Have questions? Contact us today!
Finding quality, relevant links is an important aspect of the linking process! We get emails asking to trade links with us. Many people don’t have an understanding of what valuable back-linking is.
When another website adds your website link to their site, Google and other search engines take note of that and assumes you have an important website. The more links that point to your site, the more search engines believe your site is important.
Here are a couple of linking tips:
- As you look for other websites to link with you, look for websites that are relevant to your website. For example: If you have a plumbing company, link with other plumbers! I find that many times the “other plumbers” reject linking with you. I guess it’s because each other plumbers are considered competition. But look a little deeper. If you are a plumber in California, will you be competing with a plumber from Indiana? I don’t think so! Linking to someone in the same niche field is very helpful to you!
- Find quality websites and don’t link with a website that has a lower pagerank. Websites that look “spammy” probably are just that. And it won’t help you. Here is an example: If the newspaper is linking to you, it would be great for you, correct? The newspaper would be a quality website. If a website with ads and a hidden agenda links to you, it wouldn’t help you and could possibly hinder you if Google learns that the website is doing anything to violate Google’s policies.
Don’t forget to add good keyword anchor text to your link since search engines will pick up on these relevant words. If you need help with good keywords, take a look at some of our other blog posts about keywords and SEO practices.
Finding quality, relevant links is an important process in the SEO world. Your website should be considered “popular” as newspaper websites. Look for other quality, relevant websites and consider writing a blog post for them in exchange for a link! There are many linking opportunities out there. The possibilities are endless!
I had to add this birthday post for my husband, Tom Savoca!
Tom is celebrating his 50th birthday this month on November 30! Please take a minute of your time and wish him a “Happy 50th Birthday” in a comment, email or on Facebook or Linkedin. Tom enjoys the attention and would love to hear from each of you! You can also go to his website, Tom Savoca and send him a birthday message on his contact form.
Tom Savoca is the President of SEO Does Matter, Inc. He specializes in search engine optimization and mass web development. His hobbies include fast cars and pizza. His favorite movie is Star Wars! Tom turns the BIG 50 on November 30!
Happy 50th Birthday, Tom Savoca!
When other sites link to your own site it tells search engines that your site is probably important. Once you know the importance of links to your site (also known as backlinks) you’ll be asking,
“How do I get links to my site?”
Here are a five suggestions to get backlinks:
- Exchange links with your clients
- Add news releases and/or article to these type of websites.
- Take advantage of social media. On Facebook, make sure to create a business page!
- Join a free link exchange website or relevant directory
- Add your business profile to search engines.
Here are three important SEO tips in reference to links:
- Make sure to use good anchor text. Do not use words like “click here.”
- Link with relevant websites. Many times I see sites avoid their competition. Don’ t think of them as the enemy! If they are willing, link with them and HELP your website rank better in search engines. For example, if your hair salon is in New York, link with other hair salons in other states!
- If possible, find sites with page rank better then your own.
If you are still asking the question, “How do I get links to my site?” Contact us!
Getting other websites to link back to your website (i.e., earning backlinks) is an essential part of SEO, and it requires creating valuable content and building relationships. Here are several ideas to help you encourage other websites to link to yours:
1. Create High-Quality, Shareable Content
- Write in-depth guides or tutorials: Comprehensive, informative content, such as “The Ultimate Guide to Dog Training for Beginners,” can attract links from other websites that find your content helpful for their audience.
- Publish original research or data: If you have conducted a survey, case study, or original research related to dog training, other sites may link to your data as a reference in their own articles.
- Create infographics: Visual content, especially infographics, are highly shareable and can earn backlinks from sites that use or reference your visuals.
- Videos and How-to Content: Videos are incredibly popular, and if you create helpful or entertaining dog training videos, other websites may embed or link to them.
2. Write Guest Posts
- Guest Blogging: Reach out to reputable blogs or websites in the pet or dog training niche and offer to write a guest post for them. You can include a link to your website in the author bio or within the content (if allowed). This is a win-win because the blog gets high-quality content, and you earn a backlink.
- Content for Local Businesses: If you have a local business, offer guest content to other local or related businesses, like pet stores, shelters, or veterinarians. They might post your content with a link to your site.
3. Collaborate with Influencers
- Influencer Outreach: Build relationships with influencers or bloggers in the dog training or pet care niche. Ask them to review your services or feature you in a blog post. If they find value in what you offer, they may link back to your site.
- Interviews and Q&As: Interview well-known dog trainers or pet influencers on your blog. They are likely to share the interview on their own website or social media, linking back to your site.
4. Create Link-Worthy Resources
- Resource Pages: Create a comprehensive resource page, such as “Best Dog Training Resources” or “Top Tools for Dog Trainers.” Reach out to websites in the pet industry, offering to include their content in your resource guide, and ask if they could share the resource on their site.
- Lists and Roundups: People love lists! Create blog posts like “Top 10 Dog Training Tips Every Owner Should Know” or “Best Dog-Friendly Parks in [Your City].” If you feature other businesses or influencers in your lists, they are likely to share or link back to your content.
5. Offer Testimonials or Case Studies
- Testimonials: Offer to write a testimonial for products or services you’ve used (such as dog training equipment, pet food brands, or pet-related software). Many companies feature customer testimonials on their website with a backlink to the customer’s website.
- Case Studies: If your business has achieved success using a particular service or product, offer to write a case study for the company’s blog, which could include a link to your site.
6. Leverage Broken Link Building
- Find Broken Links: Use a tool like Ahrefs or Screaming Frog to find broken links on other websites in your niche. If you find a broken link that used to point to content similar to what you have, contact the site owner and suggest they link to your content as a replacement.
- Offer Your Content as a Solution: Reach out politely, explaining that you found a broken link on their website and offering your content as a valuable replacement.
7. Create a “Best Of” or “Featured” Section
- Feature Industry Leaders: Write blog posts like “Best Dog Trainers to Follow in [Year]” or “Top Pet Bloggers of [Year]” and feature influencers or other websites in the dog training or pet care niche. Then, let them know you featured them. They may be inclined to link to your post in return.
- Best Local Businesses: If your business is local, consider creating content like “Best Dog-Friendly Cafes in [City]” or “Top Pet Stores in [City].” Feature local businesses, and they might link back to your post.
8. Host or Sponsor Events
- Webinars or Workshops: Host a webinar or online workshop on dog training. Partner with other websites or influencers to promote the event, and they may link to the event page on your site.
- Sponsor Pet-Related Events: If you sponsor a pet expo, dog show, or other event, ask the event organizers to list your business as a sponsor on their website with a backlink to your site.
9. Run Contests or Giveaways
- Partner with Other Businesses: Partner with complementary businesses (such as pet food brands, pet stores, or dog grooming services) to run a contest or giveaway. Each partner can promote the contest on their website, linking to your contest page.
- Create Exciting Giveaways: Host a contest related to dog training or pet care. Participants are likely to share the contest, and bloggers or other websites may also link to it.
10. Utilize Directories and Review Sites
- Submit to Directories: Submit your dog training business to local and industry-specific directories such as Yelp, Google My Business, and pet-related directories.
- Ask for Reviews: Ask satisfied customers to leave reviews on platforms that allow backlinks (such as Yelp or Google My Business). Some review sites allow you to include a link to your website.
11. Collaborate with Complementary Businesses
- Local Partnerships: If you run a local dog training business, collaborate with complementary local businesses (such as dog groomers, pet stores, veterinarians, etc.) and offer mutual referrals. You could exchange guest blog posts, feature each other in resources, or create a shared promotion, all of which provide opportunities for backlinks.
- Cross-Promotion: Write content that complements other services. For example, a veterinarian may link to your dog training website if you write a helpful guide on “The Benefits of Early Puppy Socialization.”
12. Repurpose and Syndicate Content
- Republish Content on Medium, LinkedIn, or Other Platforms: Republish (or syndicate) some of your best content on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn, with a link back to the original post on your website.
- Social Media Sharing: Share your content across social media platforms and encourage others to share it as well. Increased visibility can lead to more natural backlinks.
13. Answer Questions on Forums and Q&A Sites
- Participate in Q&A Platforms: Answer dog training-related questions on platforms like Quora or Reddit and include a link to relevant content on your website (but make sure it’s genuinely helpful and not spammy).
- Engage in Niche Forums: Participate in niche forums and groups related to dog training or pet care. Include your website link in your profile or when relevant in discussions.
14. Get Press Coverage
- Reach Out to Journalists: Use services like Help a Reporter Out (HARO) or direct outreach to provide expert commentary on dog training topics. Journalists might quote you and link back to your website.
- Pitch a Story: Contact local news outlets or niche publications with a compelling story related to your dog training business. If they cover your story, they may include a link to your site.
By focusing on creating valuable content, building relationships, and contributing to your industry, you can increase the likelihood of earning backlinks naturally and effectively. These backlinks not only help with SEO but also help drive more targeted traffic to your website and establish your dog training business as an authority in your field.
There can be humor in marketing on the web!
This week I read about Subaru’s new marketing campaign. They are using humor in marketing! The humor is slightly hidden at first glance.
Subaru’s campaign embraces a new car called “Mediocrity.” Subaru pretends to introduce the new 2011 Mediocrity. I clicked on “build your own car” and got to choose between four beige colors. I saw the humor right then. 🙂 The truth in this marketing campaign is that the fake car, the Mediocrity, is actually promoting the 2011 Subaru Legacy! (This web page was removed)
Right now, there are three humor in marketing videos. Each video mimics some of the strategic operations that other car companies have used in their video marketing campaigns. Here is one of the Mediocrity car videos.
Using social media, Subaru is adding laughter and humor in marketing to Facebook, Twitter, Flicker and Youtube. They want followers, friends, and viral videos!
Subaru’s campaign is actually for the 2011 Legacy. Subaru has a call-to-action with a link to their new car on each page. (Great web marketing!) Their new car can be viewed on this web page: http://www.subaru.com/vehicles/legacy/index.html
I do wonder ~ How will this campaign pan out in the end?
- Will people grab onto the humor and make the videos go viral?
- Will people not respond and think it’s a dumb video and toss it?
- Will people not realize the satire and think the Mediocrity is a real car?
- Will Subaru’s humor in marketing flop or will it explode with product sales!?!