Got Web Ideas? Fishing for the Answers?
Think Outside The Code First!
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Facts, Thoughts, and Opinions About Web Development and Business Strategy
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I get around to talking about Search Engine ranking and optimization every now and again
on OTC because it comes up so often with small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Many of them have expectations that are seemingly like demands at times that they are going
to be #1 in Google. At times, search engine ranking is difficult to talk about with people because they
only want to hear what they want to hear.
As I state many times, search engine ranking depends on many factors:
- Number of pages
- Depth of pages
- Competition in your field
- Are you Niche or Global?
- Inbound links
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and that is in addition to the fact that Google takes 100+ things in to account when
ranking pages.
As I often tell people, let the search engine rankings come to you. You have no choice.
Those with niche market Websites are going to see faster benefits than those with a lot
of competition in the market. Remember that Website content, more than ever, is changing
rapidly and many Webmasters are changing it on a daily basis. Things can change fast.
Using my Empire Hunting Website
as an example, I can tell you the following FACT about my home page. Obviously,
it is a Website about New York Hunting. Thus, it would be highly targeted to a search
for "New York Hunting". It ought to be #1 right? It has been #1 before. Sometimes
it is a low as 12th. It has always bounced around. You must remember - other Webmasters
are adding content all the time just like I am. Where that falls in the Google ranks is
nothing I can control. Even if I find a killer way to make my Website #1, someone else
is just going to bump me or Google's ranking algorithm is going to change. I will
literally have to dedicate my life to trying to keep it #1.
Taking that a step further, it would be difficult for me to have a static home page
that ranks #1 in Google and still be able to alter content. As new topics are added
to the Website, ranking could, and does, change. Those new topics are essential for
monetizing my Google Ads campaign. Of course, being #1 in Google may monetize
them even more but you can't have it both ways. That home page needs to have fresh
content on it and all those contents become pages making the Website
deeper. It is more important than being #1 in Google.
In addition, I believe (and know) that I have content that keeps people coming back.
I have established a following. I may not be #1 in Google all the time but if I can
keep those people who do find me coming back then that is just fine with me.
Any why so much emphasis on the home page? If you have hundreds of pages then you have
hundreds of gateways and keyword searches for people to find your Website. CONTENT,
CONTENT, CONTENT that is RICH, RICH, RICH!
Getting obsessed with search engine ranking is like being obsessed with Gambling.
You are going to spend a lot of time to make little gains if any. You do want to
build search engine friendly pages but the level of friendliness will depend on
many factors that are subject to change at any time.
Consider this. A #1 ranking does not mean you are going to sell through the roof.
I am sure that there are many companies that became defunct around the turn of the century
that would tell you a #1 ranking did not mean a lot. What is more important? Being
#1 or being the best of all results returned?
Small businesses need to focus on Website content and alternative marketing strategies.
As you grow in popularity, your ranking should also increase. Popularity is an important
factor in Google rankings. Google has ways of telling just how popular a Website is.
You can't be popular before you become popular. Work on growing your business.
Respect search engines but don't put all your growth efforts in to them. It takes
time. Let the rankings come to you.
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| More |
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• Different Users Get Different Search Engine Results
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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• Cuil Search Engine Launched
Monday, July 28, 2008
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• Let Your Search Engine Rankings Come to You - Part II
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
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• Faster Search Engine Indexing
Friday, July 11, 2008
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• Web Developers Are, and Should Be, Search Engine Specialists
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
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