Internet Optimization 101
We've all wanted our website to rank on page one in the organic search results - this is not always possible depending on your market. There are other ways to optimize your site and "drive traffic" to your pages. There are alternatives such as regional site directories and PPC that can help.
- What is optimization?
- What is PPC?
- When & how will I see a difference?
- How can I make my site more visible?
- Why do I need a variety of advertising methods?
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Search engine optimization is the process of building a website that will be found in the millions of pages that now occupy the Internet. There are different ways this is done, both ethical and non-ethical. Sometimes both work and sometimes one way works better. Because the indexing process changes all the time, building an SEO campaign to satisfy the engines may be a temporary solution. Using ethical methods of optimization will help to keep your placement in the engines more consistent and reliable.
- Who do you want to find your website?
Your market and the search engine / directories / spiders. This seems obvious but sometimes the process of optimization is compromised to one side or the another. No, this is not how it has to be nor is it how it should be. Optimization should begin in the design phases of your website and be designed around your visitors AND key words / phrases. I believe that visitors will not read much of what is written, but they will read some and sometimes surprise you by reading it all - especially if it is something worth reading. I know this from specific questions that I get from our cabin guests that tell me that they have to have read it to ask the question.
- How is optimization accomplished
There are various techniques used to optimize web pages. One of the first things to do is key word research to find out what your visitors are actually using for keywords & phrases. Then you write copy, using these words and phrases in a pleasant constructive way to meet your objectives - getting visitors to find you, stay, play and pay. Then comes the hard part, you wait to see the results of your hard work. I've been fortunate to see results quickly especially in "niche" or smaller markets of competitors.
PPC ads put your in front of your customers immediately if done properly. There are the "sponsored links" you see here and there on pages. If your ads are not effective you spend a lot of money on clicks by customers not really looking for what you have or no clicks at all. At least the latter does not add to your advertising costs but neither does it add to your sales. Not usually a first choice except when first starting out. PPC can be expensive and requires regular monitoring to make sure that you are getting what you pay for. Are the "clicks" you are paying for really helping you.
- Other Types of Advertising
Banner ads, directories related to your business, PPC and other methods are ways of advertising your site without being easily found by the search engines. Things like Craig's List, blogs, forums and such are other ways to get your name and business in front of your customers. It really is a "program" not just one "magic bullet" to being successful on the the internet.
There is so much more that can be said . . . where do you start and where do your stop?
There are many pieces
in the internet puzzle. . .Maybe you'll find your missing piece
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