Some very important things about SEO that you really need to know

Since the beginning of the Internet, the number one challenge we have all faced is how to attract qualified visitors to our websites. Throughout the boom years, one of the most popular solutions was to obtain massive financing, relatively easy to obtain in those days, and to "buy" traffic, by various means.

As a young iconoclastic developer, with the ambition to beat the "big guys" in his own game, more time than money or the connections to get it, A Years of study and attention to the relevant forums, trying everything that seemed to make sense (making many mistakes along the way and learning a lot from each one), then carefully monitoring the results, has led to many highly viable tools in our Bag of tricks wish. The result of these trial and error methods (many of both) lays the foundation for our SEO services and the basis for the continuous growth of traffic to your website and ours.

The simple fact of the matter is this: experience in any other form of writing does not qualify in any way for the type of writing required to optimize a website for the Internet. There are many sites that have a punctuation, grammar and even less than correct spelling and that take first place in their optimized search phrases. This does not mean that I don't think these things are important, only that they are found in search engines, they are not the most important consideration.

The other side of this argument is equally true. The fact that someone knows all the ins and outs of all search engines, can write algorithms while sleeping, have lunch with Dr. Eric Schmidt and have a given name with Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in no way, make them a writer. Everything written on this site was done as a collaborative company between Susan K. Thompson, a professional writer with strong academic credentials and real-world experience, both in business and marketing, and myself. Was there a lot of editing and rewriting? Yes. Were there disagreements? You gamble! It was worth it? Look at the record.

Emerald Coast Entrepreneur was launched on May 1, 2005 with most of the site optimization and submission to directories is just beginning. With a total monetary investment of less than $ 100.00, and a time investment, I prefer not to think about that, but that was approaching 300 hours, the site received a Google PR5 rating in its first update, less than 2 months later of our launch.

Studies show that more than 90% of all online users use search engines to find what they are looking for, be they products / services, or simply old information.

I hope that the following twelve points summarize a philosophy, approach and methodology for the SEO question that is solid and effective, along with a useful idea of   the industry itself.

1. Content. Content. Content.

Effective, professional and optimized copywriting is the single most important factor in any SEO campaign.

2. Analyze web logs.

While I would be the first to say that many of the procedures that make up website optimization are more art than science, it is necessary to adopt a scientific approach. This is done by maintaining a methodical record and doing an analysis of the web records of the sites. There is a series of specialized software that facilitates the work but, at a minimum, it is necessary to closely monitor site visitors and their activity while they are on the site. No matter how well planned the strategy is, it is largely theoretical until proven with the results, which can only be measured through records, and a thorough analysis of their content.

3. No one can guarantee a classification

 n. ° 1 on Google or any other search engine.  likely look for, or are making a false claim, that they have no intention of maintaining, or they have an internal advantage in Google, something they will lose, quickly, when honest people in Google discover it. It is worth mentioning the other option, which will take the money and run here, but I will be polite.

4. Some things are simply silly.

You do not need to submit your site to 50,000 search engines. The companies that offer this service are suspicious, at best. 85% of Internet search results come from a search engine that, if you have a link to an established website, or better yet, a directory, will find your site perfectly, by itself. Four (4) search engines account for more than 90% of web traffic. As for any supposed benefit that may derive from its inclusion in a dark search engine in Botswana that specializes in safari to the Kalahari desert and receives 7 visits per day; Well, you realize.

5. SEO is not Pay-per-Click.

While no one will discuss the effectiveness of increasing traffic and sales, through a well-planned pay-per-click campaign, the fact is that conversion rates are generally low and cease at the time the "payment" stops . With a well-planned and executed SEO campaign, although the results may take a little longer, they continue to produce, and in fact grow, long after the work is done and paid. Very often we have discovered that after a thorough optimization of a site, only minor adjustments are needed continuously, mainly related to new content and / or new sales or service items.

6. SEO is not witchcraft, druidism, shamanism.

Nor does it require special songs, ceremonial fires or clothing, although some of us like to howl at the full moon, sometimes. There are no "top secret" practices that a reputable SEO cannot tell a client, a judge or their mother, for that matter. The very nature of the Internet has always been cooperative and there is nothing about SEO that cannot be learned, with a great deal of time and money. A reputable SEO company will give you an itemized breakdown of where the money is going. Be cautious if you feel a secret atmosphere or lack of will to answer questions.

7. Do it yourself SEO.

Yes, you can run your own SEO campaign and find a reputable SEO company to help you plan and organize it. Approximately half of my own clientele do part of the work itself, or have their internal dedicated staff do it, after discussing the goals and objectives of the business / website, an exhaustive analysis of the website, an exhaustive investigation of phrases from search, and instruction focused on the ways and means of achieving high SERPs. These preliminaries are followed with a detailed program of suggestions and methods that the client can implement or hire others to perform. Average savings; 30-40%

8. Implementation by phases.

While many companies spend thousands of dollars per month on search engine optimization, there is an alternative available that will pay dividends on higher sales and potential customers without the high initial investment. The most important consideration is to have a reputable company take care of the initial evaluation and suggested optimization planning first. After studying the plan and establishing a viable budget, you can implement the plan as finances allow.

9. Remember  "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

This was never more true than in the field of SEO.  Accept that a constant upward movement will eventually place you in worlds ahead of a flash followed by a crash.

10. A thought to reflect.

At stake, in the race for the top, is the very existence of your website, your business and, possibly, your reputation. Be careful with any "shortcuts" or less ethical schemes that anyone can suggest to promote your business goals. When everything is said and done, it is you, the business owner, who has the responsibility of any company or individual you hire. Insist on knowing exactly what the strategy is and what steps are being taken to implement it. If it seems, in the least, suspicious, request and get an explanation. In this case, Ignorance is not only not happiness, but it could be the beginning of the end for your business.

11. All incoming links are not equal.

Both the relevance to your business line and the theme of the website as well as the public relations value of the incoming link determine how valuable they are for your own public relations classification. With Google starting the trend, there is nothing new there, and most of the others follow closely, the days of grabbing all incoming links, in any way possible, are gone. Not only will incoming links of low rank and / or irrelevant not help, but, in fact, they will cause a penalty. Link farms, free link schemes for everyone, automated link accumulation software or any other fad that does not carefully review the links and websites they come from will eventually do more harm than good.

12. It is more than just facts and figures.

The relationship between an online business and SEO is, perhaps, one of the closest business relationships. To be effective, an SEO must know not only the facts and figures related to the effort, but must know some of the dreams and aspirations of business managers. The things that normally do not appear in a prospect are often invaluable information when looking for the "right fit" in the complex world of Internet. My own clients sometimes ask, due to the frequency of my calls and emails in the early stages, "Am I your only customer?" Usually, I laugh and say that until you know your business almost as well as you do, yes, you are the only one that counts.