Archive for October 2008
October 25, 2008 | 
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Creating Your Website Presence
Why Is Blogging So Effective?
If there is one single phenomena that could best be said to represent the idea behind Web 2.0, it is blogging.
A blog is simply a website that will usually ‘provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs.’ according to Wikipedia.
Whilst blogs first came into being as online personal diaries, the ones that we are going to concentrate on are those that are used for business.
Blogs have many attractions, the main one being their simplicity. Anyone who has the basic ability to use two fingers on a keyboard can begin to create their own blog,
They can also be updated as often as you like, and many people do update their blogs two or three times a day.
This means that there is a constant stream of fresh new content available on blog sites, which is probaly the main reason that blogs are fast becoming the favorite sites of the major search engines, especially Google, itself the #1 search engine.
There is no need to know anything whatsoever about website creation or scripting language to create a blog.
No matter which blogging ‘platform’ (system) you use, it is always a simple question of following a very small handful of simple instructions, and you are good to go.
And, as the Wikipedia definitions suggest, a core function of blog sites is that they invite reader input and feedback in the form of comments.
What a good blog site therefore does is start a ‘conversation’ between the blog site owner and their readership.
It has an inherent ability to begin building a relationship centered around a common area of interest, as expressed in the subject matter of the blog itself.
So, in simple terms, if for example you are an avid mountain climber, and start a blog about your hobby, then the chances are very good that most of the people who visit your pages will be interested in climbing mountains too.
So, all you need to do is create articles that are interesting or controversial enough to prompt your readers to comment and you have generated a discussion or debate about a subject that is close to your heart.
And, the point is that you can create your own blog about any topic under the sun, and publish it for the whole world to read literally within minutes of sitting down in front of your computer.
Our next post will discuss Business Blogs.
We trust you have found this information of assistance and please feel free to contact Hosting Impact for further assistance.
Until Next Time...
Happy Blogging
SEO Steve
Hosting Impact - Australian Search Engine Optimization Specialists
Posted in Blogs | 
Tags: blogging, business blog, google, internet marketing business, Small Business Hosting, video logs, vlogs, web 2.0, Website Traffic, wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia | 
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Search Engine Optimisation Specialists
A backlink is a link which directs others towards your site; they are also referred to as inbound links (IBL’s). So, the number of backlinks that your site has is an indication of how popular or important it is according to your peers (other site owners). These are especially important for SEO, as search engines such as Google will give more credit to those sites with a good number of quality backlinks. So they will then consider these sites more relevant than others in the results pages of a search query.
Most search engines will want websites to have a level playing field, and so will more often than not look for natural links that have been built slowly over time. Although it can be fairly easy to manipulate the links on a web page in order to achieve a higher ranking, it is a lot harder to influence a search engine with external backlinks from another site. This is why these feature so highly in a search engine’s algorithm. Today it has gotten even harder to achieve these inbound links because of unscrupulous webmasters. Such people try to achieve these links by deceptive or sneaky techniques (through either hidden links or through automatically generated pages). Such pages are known as link farms and they are generally disregarded by search engines. But if you are linked to such a link farm, then you may find your site being banned entirely from these search engines.
Another way of achieving quality backlinks to a site is to entice quality visitors to come to yours.
There are a number of ways in which back linking can be achieved.
1. Reciprocal Linking - this is where you link to another site that provides the same service or product as you and they in turn have a link to your site on theirs.
2. Site Submissions. Submit links for your site to directories which allow free submissions, or if you can afford it, some paid directories. There are many sites around which offer a service where you can submit your site details to numerous sites. Plus, if you want, you can always create your own directory of similar websites.
3. Articles. This is another way of getting great backlinks. So if you have a reputable looking site that contains informative, well written reviews, then there is a good chance that your articles will receive high search engine rankings also. But it is vital that any articles you write are on the subject, informative and thorough in relation to your site. Also you could always write a few articles for submission to article sites such as EzineArticles.com or SearchWarp.com. This is another great way of getting even more backlinks to your site.
Below are a few tips you will need to consider in order to write good articles for your site.
a. Write in a way that your intended target audience will understand what you are trying to say. In other words, don’t write it like you were a teacher talking to a class of 10 year olds, but don’t be overly complicated.
b. Check your spelling, grammar and punctuation.
c. Consider an article of between 300 to 500 words.
d. Always include a resource box at the end, as this will include that all important backlink to your site. This resource box should also include a short biography regarding you and your site.
4. Blogging. This has now become an integral part of the internet and is one of the most effective ways of linking. You either have the choice of placing a few words of comments on to someone else’s blog, or you may want to link to them from your own blog. In fact, you will find that most blogs will be happy to link back to you. However, it is important that you try to update your blog regularly and post interesting content to ensure that people will want to link back to you.
Trust you have found this article helpful and should you require additional information or assistance please feel free to contact us accordingly at Hosting Impact.
Till Next Time...
Happy Blogging
SEO Steve
Hosting Impact - Australian Search Engine Optimisation Specialists
Backlink. (2008, October 14). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 01:13, October 25, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Backlink&oldid=245192050
Posted in Search Engine Optimisation | Tags: Australian Search Engine Optimisation Specialists, Australian Web Designer, Australian Web Hosting, backlinks, blogging, Blogs, Citing Wikipedia, directories, inbound links, Reciprocal Linking, resource box, Search Engine Optimisation, search engine ranking, seo, Site Submissions, website articles, wikipedia, wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia | Comments
Creating Your Website Presence
What is search engine friendly content. You may believe it is about stuffing your website with targeted keywords, however, it certainly isn’t. In fact, if you attempted to do that, you may find that you could fall foul of the search engines if you attempt it. It is a simple rule and one that will keep you in good stead and that is to write copy that not only search engine spiders will look at, but also human beings will as well. What is the point of having a site that is highly ranked, yet none of your visitors can understand, nor trust? So it is vital that your website is user friendly to both your visitors, as well as search engine spiders.
First of all you need to answer the following questions:-
1. What is your site for?
2. What does it do?
3. What do you want your visitors to do when they reach it?
4. Would you like them to spend money when they get to it?
5. Or are you just providing them with information?
So the above points will have an impact on the copy that you write for the content of your website.
So whenever possible, use short paragraphs or bullet points, as these are more likely to attract visitors, while more lengthy essays will only drive them away.
But if you are selling a service or product then you need to make your site look interesting. Provide as many calls to action as you can, and not just provide them with an online price list.
So remember that you are trying to attract the search engines, but at the same time your website should be designed for human readers. As long as your website has been designed well and with people in mind, then 9 times out of 10 you will find that it is search engine friendly also.
Just like a visitor to your website reads the copy on your page in order to figure out what you have to offer, so does a search engine. So when a search engine is looking at your web page, they are looking for keyword phrases in your copy (Content), as well as other vital components.
Below are provided a number of tips which may help you in your SEO endevours. The list is by no means complete or final and is provided purely as a guide. For additional information please visit the following link: http://www.hostingimpact.com/search_engine_optimisation_preparation.htm
1. Although there are no hard and fast rules, the general feelings are that you should have at least 200 words of relevant copy on each page of your website. Although this may be difficult at times, search engines really like it, so it is important that you increase the amount of copy where and when you are able to.
This text, wherever possible, should include your most important keywords and or keyword phrases, but should still remain logical and easy to read for your website visitors.
2. Ensure that you use the keyword phrases which you have used within your meta tags and meta description sections for that particular webpage.
3. Add additional relevant copy filled pages to the site, such as how to articles, tips or tutorials. Not only do these types of pages help with SEO, but you may find that other sites will link to yours.
These tips, although not infinite or definite should not be ignored, as optimising your web page (content) is one of the most important things you could possibly do in order to improve your rankings in the Search Engines.
We trust that you have found this information helpful and in the event that you require additional information or assistance please feel free to contact Australia's Leading Search Engine Optimisation Specialists , Hosting Impact.
Until Next Time...
Happy Blogging
SEO Steve
www.HostingImpact.com
Keyword. (2008, August 30). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 01:06, October 25, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Keyword&oldid=235095623
Posted in Search Engine Optimisation | Tags: Australian Search Engine Optimisation, content, keyword phrases, keywords, relevant content, search engine, search engine friendly, Search Engine Optimisation, search engine result, seo endeavours, seo specialists, web pages, webpage, website, Website Link, Website Traffic, wikipedia | Comments
Search Engine Optimisation Specialists
If you make your page titles as simple, descriptive and relevant as possible, it will make it easier for the search engines to know what each page of your website is about. This will then allow people to scan through the search results they get, and are able to quickly determine if your document contains what they are actually looking for.
Additionally, it should be remembered that the page title is generally what is used in order to link to your site from the results provided by the search engines.
Above all else, it is important to ensure that the title on each of your web pages refelct the actual content of that page. We believe that it is one of your most important elements of your website. In fact, some people will argue that this the most important part of any site above all other things. Please visit this website to see an example of correct Titlt Tags
We as Search Engine Optimisation Specialists often see websites that have the same "Title Page Tag" spread throughout the entire website. If you do nothing else, please ensure that the Title Tag on each of your webpages reflect the nature or content of that page and that page only.
Until Next Time...
Happy Blogging
SEO Steve
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Australian Seach Engine Optimisation Specialists
Search Engine Optimisation Specialists
Good Relevant Content
This is probably the single most important point you should remember when doing Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), especially if you want your website to be found on the web. Although your site may be technically perfect so that the search engine robots find it, you will find that it will not help if the actual content of your site is not good.
For the content of your site to be good, it should be factually, as well as grammatically correct. But this is not really necessary for every site that is on the web today. However, what is important is that whatever your site is about, the content actually needs to be unique and specific so that it will appeal to people. Moreover, it in fact needs to be particularly appealing to those people looking for information or who want to find your site.
By having good content on your site, visitors will return and eventually these visitors who return are more likely to link to your site. Having lots of inbound links is not only great for your site, but for search engine rankings also. It is even better if those links are from more highly ranked sites than your own.
Additionally, not only do you need to have good content on your site, you also need to have fresh content also. If you add relevant new content to your website on a regular basis, you are giving your visitors more reasons for returning to it. Because of this, search engine robots will also visit your site more often as soon as they notice that you are updating it regularly. So what this means is that any new content you add, will then be indexed much quicker in the future.
Check your Spellings
If your site is written in English, then you are probably aware of the differences in spelling between American and British English. Where in the UK they will write “colour”, in the USA it is written as “color”, and the same can be said of “optimisation” and “optimization”. So if you can, why not establish your website to accomodate the differences accordingly. Is this a good thing, We do not know, however, what we do know though is that it may provide you with another keyword phrase that may bring in traffic and after all isn't that what it is all about.
Until Next Time...
Happy Blogging
Australian Search Engine Optimisation Specialists
Although there are literally 100's of ways to increase traffic to your website, we have included 5 for your immediate consideration.
The five methods are tried and proven methods of increasing traffic, but the overall message that we are attempting to convey is, try something, anything. Something or Anything is far better than doing nothing.
Traffic is the lifeblood of all websites and great traffic flow is the difference between so so results and outstanding results.
So here they are, in no particular order or preference:
1. Invest in good advertising with Search Engines.
Google’s Adwords as an example, provides great advertising opportunities that are very popular and assures great traffic. Although with this way to increase your traffic it would cost some money. While some would shy away from spending money to increase traffic, it can pay for itself many times over as a general way to increase your traffic.
2. Search and use correct keywords or keyword phrases for your sites content.
Search Engines look for certain keywords that they would show in their results page. In doing so, having the right keyword and keyword phrase is a high requirement in ranking in high in Search Engine results. You could write your own content or you could hire someone to do it for you.
3. Write Articles that can lead traffic to your site.
Submit articles to sites that would contain the same subject that your site deals in. If you sell car parts write press releases and articles about cars and car parts. Attach your sites description and services at the end of the article as well as the link.
4. Join forums and form online communities.
Capture a market and show your expertise and credibility. When you have formed a good foundation for your site, people will trust you and your site and will pass it on to many people they trust. Traffic will certainly increase because they know that you can provide what they need.
5. Lastly, Offer newsletters or E-zines.
If many people know what you are about and your existence is shared with many others, you will find a loyal traffic that can provide you with more traffic by recommendation. If you arouse the curiosity of your customers they would be pushed to help you with your traffic.
We trust you find the abovementioned methods helpful and in the event that you have tried other methods and would like them included and or added here, please feel free to contact us accordingly.
Until Next Time
Happy Blogging
Tell-A-Friend Script - More Secrets to Quality Web Traffic
Australian Seacrh Engine Optimisation Specialists
One of the easiest methods in viral marketing is using a Tell-A-Friend script. This is a simple programming script that you can attach to the programming of your website. Generally, Tell-A-Friends scripts are installed in pages where a media is placed so that a person can easily send the media to any of his friends or his family members.
The basic concept of a Tell-A-Friend script is a script wherein a person may input his name, E-mail address, the recipient’s E-mail address and send the media to the intended recipient much like an E-mail with an attachment. As the recipient receives the E-mail he wouldn’t think of the mail as spam because he would see the sender’s name as someone he or she knows and trust.
Tell-A-Friend script eliminates greatly the chances of being blocked because they use the information inputted by the sender. This allows for wider spreading of this marketing method. It can be quite sneaky but it is very effective.
With the E-mail sent and opened the sent media will either be read, viewed or played. Also along with the mail would be a brief description of the company or site that sponsors the media sent. This allows for the introduction of either the site, company name or its products. The along with it is another Tell-A-Friend script.
Then the process begins and REPEATS again. As more people use the tell-a- friend script, more and more people will know of the existence of the sponsoring company or site. People who read the ads inside the mail who liked what they see would go and click on the link and visit the site. This drives traffic into the site resulting to great number of potential customers.
Tell-A-Friend Script Availability
A Tell-A-Friend script is very simple and does not require a complicated method of programming. In fact, you can copy paste a script and simply put it on an intended page. Finding one is even simpler. All you have to do is go to a Search Engine and type in the search box “Tell-A-Friend script” then press enter or click go.
In the search results page you will see many links that will direct you to a site where you can get a Tell-A-Friend script. It would just be a simple matter of looking and searching for the script and copying it to your intended web page.
With a Tell-A-Friend script viral marketing strategy you can drive traffic into your site which could potentially spell profits. This is a simple harmless script that offers great benefits for low cost paired with great creativity and foresight.
It is imperative that you have patience in using a Tell-A-Friend script. If your chosen media doesn’t get the mileage that is expected of it, it may take some time before it gets spread or shared. But surely many people will see your ads and there is great probability that they will visit your site increasing your traffic flow.
Until Next Time...Happy Blogging and if you have any suggestions on a particular subject please contact us and let our Team know. Australian Search Engine Optimisation Specialists
Posted in Website Traffic | Tags: internet marketing, Search Engine Optimisation, tell a friend, traffic, viral marketing, Website Traffic | Comments
Australian Seacrh Engine Optimisation Specialists
Search Engine Optimisation is a competitve business. You have to arm yourself with not only the proper knowledge but also the correct tools to make your web site stand out from your competitors.
Each day, more and more sites are clambering to optimize their rankings and if you lose your guard, or worse, not continue to work your website and add relevant new content to it, you may just get trampled on and be left in the abyss filled with so many non effective websites.
Search Engines and in particular the big three, Google, Yahoo and MSN are the most widely used Internet tools used today by internet users. The Search Engines use certain algorithms to index or crawl websites and it is every website owner or webmaster's goal to be number 1 for a particual search string.
The majority of people that use Search Engines use only the first page top ten search results, when looking for a particular thing. It is generally acknowledged that people do not normally search past the first three pages. So being found within the first page and in particular the top three, for a specific search string, should be everyones aim. Being found within the top three three is considered a barometer of a sites success in Search Engine optimization.
You will get a higher ratio of probability in being clicked on when you rank high. The more traffic for your site equals more leads for your Business and the more leads you receive equals more potential sales.
However, it is essential to grab a hold of that top spot or make your ranking even better. Each day is a new day for all websites and with each new day comes the opportunity to make them rank even higher or better using correct Search Engine optimization Techniques. Be ever mindful, that the major Search Engines and indeed all Search Engines constantly change or alter their algorithms to prevent manipulation by spammers and the like.
So just what is Search Engine optimization and why do you have to use it? The answer to why you have to use it is an easy one. You need correct Search Engine optimization to rank your website highly within the (SERP) Search Engine Ranking Position. Simple, Higher position means more exposure, means more potential sales or leads.
Implementing correct Search Engine optimization techniques allows you the benefit of generating potentially higher traffic volumes. If you can increase your traffic to your website by 10% over a two month period and increase your sales as a direct result of that increase in traffic, then that can sometimes be the difference in just getting by and making a substantial profit.
So once again, what is Search Engine optimization? Search Engine optimization is utilizing tools and methods in making your site top ranking in the results of Search Engines.
Getting yourself in the first page and better yet in the top half of the page will ensure that your site will generate public awareness of your site's existence and subsequently generate more traffic, traffic that could lead to potential income and business.
Search Engine optimisation requires a lot of work to be fully realised. There are many aspects you have to change or add within your web site to receive higher or better Search Engine optimization results.
With the upcoming Posts, we will discuss in detail the many factors that make up Search Engine Optimisation, which include keyword phrases, keywords, meta tags, title pages, alt tags and our favourite, content. Not just any old content, but relevant, keyword rich content that is directed towards a specific product, service or solution. There are certain rules and guidelines to be followed with making your site's content applicable and conducive to Search Engine optimisation and we will address this in due course.
Posted in Search Engine Optimisation | Tags: alt tags, google, keyword phrases, keywords, meta tags, msn, optimization, Search Engine Optimisation, search engine ranking position, seo, serp, yahoo | Comments
Australian Seacrh Engine Optimisation Specialists
Below are 4 great tips on receiving traffic to your new website or blog.
1. Forum marketing
You can begin by posting in various relevant forums to enhance your presence. Be a consistent contributor to the posts, offer sound advice and above all be respectful of other users. Over time, other contributors will come to know and trust you and they will actively seek out your opinion or thoughts. Remember to place your Signature, which is nothing but text of about 3-4 lines, with a link to your web site or the affiliate's website placed strategically within your Profile on the Forum.
2. Title Tag
A blog must have an effective relevant title tag in order to get a good ranking within the search engines. The title plays a vital role, initally, however the actual post must be well-written and informative and pertain to the subject. Ensure that the Title Tag and content tie into together. This will provide your web site with good traffic.
3. Tell-a-friend
It is also a good idea to place a "Tell-a-Friend" script on your website. Once again, don't place it on some obscure place of your website, make it prominent, top left or right side and just underneath the header has always worked best for us. The "Tell-a-Friend" script may help you in getting more traffic as visitors may recommend your website to other people.
4. Promotion
If you've liked a product that you've used and there is an opportunity for you to leave behind a suitable testimonial, well then do so. Remember to place a link to your website at the end. Promote your website at every available opportunity, in your daily conversation with customers, friends, associates. Ask them for their opinion on your website, the colours, design, layout etc but promote it at all times. Every email that you send out should have your company details and or Branding and with links back to your website. This will also ensure that adequate traffic comes to your web site.
Be sure to bookmark us and return often as we will be adding new posts on Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Tips and Techniques, Internet Marketing, Website Traffic and so much more.
http://www.hostingimpact.com Australian Search Engine Optimization Specialists
Posted in Website Traffic | Tags: blog, email marketing, internet marketing, new blog, new website, promotion, Search Engine Optimisation, seo, tell a friend, title page, Title Tag, website, Website Traffic | Comments