It really bugs me when I get calls from internet charlatans claiming that they can get TOP RANKINGS on Google, MSN or any major search engine.  What really sucks is enough people fall for it to keep those people employed in the SEO business.  10 years ago it may have been worth spending the time loading keywords into your page content, adding them to ‘ALT’ tags and seeding search engines, but that stuff hasn’t worked for years.

Search engines have evolved enough now that they can easily weed out people trying to push their way to the front of the line for that new web site they just created.  Sorry pal, it just not going to happen.  Search engines are looking for the real players now.  Players that have been around for a while and have made many friends & admirers.  Web sites that have something good to sell, or are interesting and more relevant to the users search queries.  So much so that the web page SEO can truly be said to have gone the way of the Dodo.

But enough trashing of a ‘has been’ web skill.  What IS the best way to get desired rankings on Google, etc?  Good old fashioned brick & mortar, pounding the pavement kind of work.  Here’s what I’ve seen work well:

The Long Haul – If you’re registering a domain name for your web site, consider registering it for more than 5 years.  It doesn’t cost that much more and it says that you plan on being in business for a while.  It's easy for search engines, or anyone to tell how long you've registered a domain name for.

Link Popularity – Here’s where you need to go out and make some friends.  The theory behind “Link Popularity” is that the more web sites that link back to your web site, the more popular your web site is.  So web sites with tons of links back to them will always rank higher?  Not necessarily.  It's important that the sites linking back to you have some sort of relevance to your content.  So don't go looking for reciprocal links with web sites that have absolutely nothing to do with the content on your web site.  You'll only be wasting your time.

Email Marketing – The fine art of keeping yourself in front of your customer. There's several companies that have products for emailing your client base.  Constant Contact is one of the better email marketing products which allows you to get your message out to hundreds or thousands of customers with a click of the mouse. 

Web Site Branding – This one is sooo easy, yet is often neglected.  Get that URL out there!  Put it on your business cards, stationery, signage, advertising, decal your car, or whatever.  Just get that web site URL out there everywhere you can!

Bid for Click –If you're really in a hurry to get your web site on the front pages of search engines you can always use things like Google AdWords.  This is a way for you to pay for first, second or third page placement by bidding on your key words.  When your keyword is displayed on the page and someone clicks on it...  KA-CHING!  Google has done their job and your account is charged. Understand that with so many people participating in this program, many keywords are going to be highly competitive and will likely cost $10 per click or more.  Fortunately there's all kinds of tools for managing the budget so you don't overspend.

The bottom line with web page SEO is…  If it sounds too good to be true…  High search engine rankings are attained by working smart AND working hard.  There is no free lunch anymore.

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Idiots Worth Ignoring

Would you really want an idiot who can't read doing your SEO work for you?

Idiot # 1: Ken Lampton,  New York NY

This peckerhead seems to believe that by soliciting me with the following message on my website contact form, he'll get my business:

"We would like to get your website on first page of Google. All of our processes use the most ethical "white hat" Search Engine Optimization Techniques that will not get your website banned or penalized. Please reply and I would be happy to send you a proposal. In order for us to respond to your request for information, please include your companys website address (mandatory) and or phone number."

Well Ken, I can see by your writing that you've barely mastered first grade grammer.  Do you really think anyone wants to work with an illiterate like yourself?

Idiot # 1: Mark Conway, New York NY

Uuuh...  No you're not reading that title wrong.  Same doofus, different name.  Exact same message as above.  Some loser at the internet cafe in Amsterdam I presume.

Emails Worth Ignoring

The following are typical unsolicited emails from sleazeball SEO companies who should be avoided:

Dear Website Owner,

65% of people searching the Internet will never find your web site unless you're ranked on first page of Google, MSN, or Yahoo. If I help you obtain as much as 4 times more WEB traffic to your online business by promoting you to the first page of the search engines would you be interested?

Our company is on the first page when you search on Google for our primary search term "SEO Company." We would like to do the same for your web site so you can come up for your main keywords as well?All of our processes use the most ethical "white hat" Search Engine Optimization techniques that will not get your website banned or penalized.

This special SEO program includes:

• No upfront fees

• A month-to-month program

• More traffic guaranteed

Please reply to my email and I would be happy to send youa proposal.

Sincerely,

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Simply reply with opt out if not interested to hear from us.

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I can put your site at the top of a search engines listings. This is no joke and I can show proven results from all our past clients. If this is something you might be interested in, send me a reply with the web addresses you want to promote and the best way to contact you with some options.

Thanks in advance,

Jason Fitzpatrick

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If you're interested in showing up as a first page resultfor more search terms on google and yahoo, reply back with all addresses you'relooking to promote and the best number to contact you with details.

 

Sincerely,

 

Mike Preston