May 19, 2008
| Creating the perfect links |
Webmasters are given the advice that they must attract links, but the key is not just to attract links… they need to attract good links. But what is the perfect link? The search for the perfect link need not be a quest in vain. Consider the following when attempting to attract links…1. RelatedThe best links should come from related websites which contain similar and related content but not the same type of material or content. For example: A link for baby clothing would benefit from a link that discusses baby care. 2. Anchor The anchor text (the “text” that is used in the link) should include keywords that relate to the topic covered on the web page that is being linked to. Anchor text should be varied; links that all have the same anchor text will appear manipulated and contrived to the search engines. Therefore, the text links should contain a variety of related words.3. Deep Link The links should direct visitors to a related page within the website. Do not make the mistake of directing all of the web links to a website’s home page. Deep linking, and directing visitors to material that corresponds to content that is closely related to the text link is key. Deep linking appears more natural to search engines, whereas links directing all visitors to a single page or the home page seem unnatural, and could be interpreted as an effort to manipulate search engine ranking.4. Domain And Page Authority Search engines trust some websites more than others. Links from “authority” websites have more weight than links from lesser-known websites. Google is said to use Page Rank as an indicator of authority. Keep in mind that Page Rank is not the only factor used to determine a website’s authority. Authority websites should still relate to the website it is pointing to.5. Nix No Follow Links should not contain the No Follow command. The No Follow command directs search engines to not “follow” the link. If a link contains “No Follow” there is no search engine benefit from the link; the only benefit to having the link is any organic traffic that results if the link is clicked. As a result, No Follow links are nearly worthless.6. Mix It UpLinks should come from a variety of sources. Fewer links from a larger number of websites will generally “weigh” more than a large number of links from a small number of websites. 7. Surrounding Text Some search experts claim that the text surrounding a link can influence ranking. Whether this is true or not is difficult to determine. It is more likely that links containing surrounding text are more likely to be relevant, and as a result those links tend to be worth more.8. Link Position The location of the link on the page can also influence the value of the link. Some search experts claim that footer links carry less value than links which are integrated into the actual web page content.9. Type of Link There does not appear to be a difference between a “text” link’s value and an “image” link’s value, if the image link contains ALT text. The search engines use the image ALT text in the same way they use the anchor text of a text link.10. Number Of Outbound Links A page with fewer links is better than a page with a large number of links. This is because a WebPages passes along what is referred to as “link juice”. The more “link juice” passed along, the more valuable the link is. The link juice is divided up over all the links on a WebPages, so popular websites with few outgoing links are more valuable than those with a large number of links.11. Link Age Search engine critics cannot seem to agree as to whether older links or newer links carry more value. When information is vague, it is best to garner both aged links and new links to websites.12. Vintage Domain The age of the domain is said to influence link power. More than likely the age of the domain simply contributes to the trustworthiness of the website, and links from trusted websites tend to have more value.13. One Way Links Links that are not reciprocal carry more weight than those which are simply link-for-link exchanges.14. Page Content A web page that is mostly just a list of links has less value than a web page that contains a mixture of links and content.15. Updated Pages Web pages that are updated frequently will typically be spidered by search engines on a more frequent basis. The update will not influence the power of the link, but it will mean that the link will be picked up more quickly by the search engines.16. Link Surges Webmasters should be encouraged to gradually build links over time, rather than all at once. The gradual improvement is more natural and will have a stronger impact on organic search rankings.The quest for the perfect link can be frustrating and elusive, but the fact is: the perfect link is logical, appears natural, and grows over time.
Filed under: Everything Else, General Information |
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April 5, 2008
For most of us, Google is without a doubt a hard nut to crack. Lots of effort is put into a site’s SEO and while the efforts are working in some search engines, they just seem lethargic when it comes to Google. So what to do about it? Try a little romance! If you have really messed things up on your site then Google is going to make sure you pay for it and penalise you. It may seem hard to comprehend however, Google might decide to get annoyed and may even take points away from your ranking or just entirely drop you from its index for it. Good luck to you if you DO get dropped from its index as it seems so damn difficult getting picked up again by it. If you didn’t mess up then you’re not doing enough to get the Google Bot’s attention, you are going to get what I shall refer to as ‘the silent treatment’ this is when Google acknowledges the existence of your site but she pretty much gives you no communication or reaction at all and just goes on about her business. The answer is to ROMANCE GOOGLE BOT’S BACK Who isn’t looking for romance? Non-human bot or not, Google Bot wants it. It wants to be romanced and feel the love from your site. If it doesn’t get that little bit of romance, well you had better look out! Just like a scorned woman, you are going to pay. Everyone knows what I mean. It’s either “Penalty City” or “the silent treatment”. It all depends on what you did or didn’t do. Now we have discovered this useful nugget of information we need to work on getting the lovely Google Bot back with some romance and avoid the silent treatment for ever. Ensure all of your META tags are done properly. That is pretty much like a huge bouquet of roses to Google Bot.
Make sure all your links are working properly.
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March 17, 2008
Following are some helpful tips for SEO, web usability and higher web site conversion on a new site design or re-design project: Site design: EASY always wins-out over good, smart or even better. If the site is EASY to get around, visitors will stay longer. Visitors like small packages of info. Visitors like structure. Better design means Less Eye-Movement. Less eye-movement leads to higher conversion. Design Site Pages W/Visual “Roadmaps”: a. Have points of high contrast to attract the eye.
b. Utilize different font sizes (i.e. larger fonts for headings).
c. Use faces - faces are visual anchors for users. They are comforting.
d. Blue underlined links.
e. White space - surround text, images and clickable links w/white space.
f. Utilize pictures for color contrast.
g. Use captions on pictures.
h. Use motion (flash or video).Be Consistent: a. Alignment - use alignment to separate different information from different sources i.e. Headers separated w/larger font and white space.b. Navigation - i.e. same navigation on each page.
c. Same visual anchors on each page.
d. Same use of white space on each page.
e. Same use of headers and small text “chunks” - easy for visitors to spot and read.
f. DON’T mix with too many font styles.
Navigation: 1. If you have long left navigation or menu bars, use Headers/Headings for visual “anchor points” - improves “find-ability”. a. Use no more than 7 items under each heading. b. Users will use and remain on navigation longer if you group navigation w/Headings. c. Organized Navigation Will Enable Find-Ability.
2. Avoid top navigation that has mouse-over drop downs. Not SE friendly, users do not prefer them because the drop downs often obstruct page content. 3. Users still prefer left navigation on larger sites. 4. If using graphic navigation, codes embed alts and titles for Search Engines. Product Pages:
1. Don’t forget to use SEO best practice on-page optimization on all product pages (page specific Meta data, H1’s, unique content). 2. Position Add to Cart button in close proximity to product price - either directly under or next to.
3. Add to Cart button should stand out in color and appearance (i.e. 3D). Checkout Pages:
1. Utilize “button gravity” - users will always be drawn to the last button on the page. a. Position Checkout button LAST - easy to find.
b. Position Continue shopping button next to Checkout button.
2. Offer multiple ways of payment - with specific selection function, i.e. pay by phone - have phone number listed, credit card, PayPal, etc. 3. Allow “Guest” checkout (no registration required to checkout). 4. Avoid requiring registration before checkout. Lead Generation Forms:
1. Provide free informative white papers in exchange for contact info/filling out form. 2. Keep online forms targeted and as short as possible. 3. Include a privacy policy link / secure email link near “submit” button.
Other SEO Site Design Tips: 1. When using flash, position and limit flash to specific, strategic areas for color and contrast. Avoid all flash site pages and avoid embedding relevant, keyword rich content in flash. 2. Whenever possible, position main keyword rich content w/H1’s within prime site real estate (top, left). 3. Users still rely on logo to be positioned top left - and as a link to Home page. An SEO best practice hint: use your page. In addition, while implementing SEO and web usability to your site design - redesign, test, test, test. Hire a usability testing company or do A/B testing in house to obtain proven statistical results. Ongoing testing even after the site design project is also recommended! In conclusion, implementing SEO and web usability in a site design produces tangible business results in the big picture. Keeping the big picture in mind during the site design - re-design process is essential.
Filed under: Everything Else, General Information, SEO Search Engine Optimisation |
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March 16, 2008
Since the move to the new offices there has always been something not quite right, we had the office finished and looking great and I guess the site needed a new look too.
Those who use our services will know just how often the main website changes however, this time we think we have it looking great. It’s so nice to re-design a site and I enjoy doing our site as much as anyone else’s, the simple fact is that a new look or a simple background colour change can make all the difference.
We have also looked at different ways of making signing up much easier to our hosting and domain names, and are still working hard to finish them soon.
You may also have noticed we now have a 24hr technical support room and we have also made it simple for our clients to report a problem or indeed ask a question.
I almost forgot to mention our newest member to the team Mr Paul Skerrit who comes to us with a long background in our industry and we look forward to him taking on his new roles and responsibilities in a professional way and wish him all the best and hope he stays with us for a long time to come.
This week I received a small note that in essence said too much about the way of the world today, it’s not so much what was said more the ‘I know everything’ attitude people seem to have acquired these days.
On a similar note we also received a letter from our debt collectors and I noted that the levels of interest added onto the payments for late payment was criticised for being too high and that we didn’t give the client any Terms & Conditions.
The problem is we give ALL clients a paper copy and often times we ask they sign for them, we also send out a copy periodically as and when, but more importantly we publish them on the internet, we ALWAYS advise clients to read them there if nowhere else………. So you see we DO show our clients the information which, means we can charge the late fee’s at a higher rate than was apparently being posed as an alternative.
Filed under: Everything Else, General Information |
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