SEO Tips Post-Panda Update

Right after the Panda update, many companies investing and dealing with SEO became anxious. They were at a loss as to what the Update will do. They were right, within a couple of weeks, content websites such as EzineArticles.com and WiseGeek.com were significantly hit. Sistrix reported at sites were hit upwards of 90%. 

SocialMediaExaminer.com

Ouch!

Not quite. The rules still remain the same. Google still attempts to keep the the quality of its search at the top by weeding out high volume, low quality websites. If you are a small business owner and you were concerned about the above update, then don't be. Remember, Google updates the algorithm so as to keep its competitors such as Facebook and Bing away.

Here are the tips on what you can do to still stay on top of the game -

Focus on the User 

Always remember, whatever you do it must be for the user's good. Aim for high quality content that will make the user share it across the web. If your website doesn't offer the quality content, Google will push you down.

Focus on Quality 

It is better to have few high quality pages that to have a lot of average or low-quality pages. Earlier, the more the pages were indexed in Google, the higher was the chance of a website to land higher on the rankings. But not any more. Now, one needs to focus on quality. If you feel you have made a mistake by publishing too many low quality web pages, it is better to have those pages removed immediately.

Link Building

This holds true like nothing else. Make sure that more and more links point to your website. This is where you can really make a difference. Bring your marketing team on board and make sure to place the right links in the press releases and make good use of the social bookmarking websites.

Social Media 

The fastest way you can spread your links across the web is by making a good use of the social media. Based on the number of users who make good use of the website and recommend it their friends, a website's rankings will vary. Pretty neat!

Follow Google Guidelines 

Many website don't insert the proper meta elements in their pages. If you insert meta tags which are completely opposite to the content of the page, then you can be rest assured, Google will push your website all the way down.

Over-Advertising. Not Good! 

Yes! You want to make money! No! You wouldn't want to turn your visitor off! Make sure to create a balance between ads and content. Advertisements shouldn't come in way of readers reaching your content.

Keep these points in mind and you will be able to create a good reputation in the market. What else do you think should a person do to ensure a good traffic? Share it below!

SEO has Long Term Benefits

Many companies who haven't yet optimized their website on the basis of Search Engine guidelines know the damage they have already done. There are many companies who are already carrying out SEO of their website. However, many are impatient. They need the results within a month or so.

Fact – “SEO is a long term investment.”

Image Courtesy - SeoBlogging.net

Many argue that plainly carrying out Social Media Marketing or SMM is enough and must do the job for their website. They spend a hell lot of money by spreading the word across the web, on Twitter and Facebook and yet don't see a significant growth in traffic. What's wrong?

Well, SMM is inherently dependent on the SEO. The right design, the right links, the proper website structure will help you sustain the traffic. SMM does what it is meant to do – marketing. It's like attracting people to your business, a restaurant or a hotel. But remember, it will be ultimately the service (SEO) that will decide the future of your business (website).

Look within to Look out

Keyword Research

One of the foundations of SEO is keyword research. Make sure to work on the right set of keywords. Businesses make a mistake here by not putting themselves in the shoes of their customers. Think how a customer will search out your service. Make sure to put in the place of your business as well. But when there is competition, you may find it increasingly difficult to get a huge traffic. In such situations, target key phrases that are not that “popular”. The extra traffic generated from these keywords will ensure to get you more readers and of course, audience.

Topic Research

Take the full advantage of Google Analytics by knowing the keywords that receive the highest amount of traffic. As your SEO plan matures, you will get to see a pyramid structure of keywords. Ensure to cover these topics. Start first with the phrases that receive a moderate amount of traffic but do write up a post or two on the main key phrase once in a while.

Do Not Delay

There are many who delay their SEO plan to take off. This may really backfire on the other hand and may not help you achieve the target. Above all, be patient. If you aren't patient enough, you may soon lose interest and this may severely dent your SEO ambitions. Spread your links around the globe. Make good use of social bookmarking sites. You will see your SEO traffic rise significantly over the next few months for sure.

If you like this blog, be sure to subscribe for more information on SEO and SMM related information.

Cheers!  

How Mobile and Location Based Services are Shaping Social Media

Businesses from all around the world are waking up to the idea of Location-based services. They have made a fortune out of this little “addition” to social media. Popular retailers have made a fortune out of LBS such as FourSquare. Seeing the stupendous success of this popular location-based networking site, more and more companies are making a foray. For a full list, go here.

Now, we already know how smart phones have shaped the way business are reaching for their consumer. For those who still aren't sure about the importance of mobile phones, here is the infographic by the awesome folks at FlowTown.

The most important thing that needs to be noted is – these location-based services have made a fortune out of mobile phones only. Based upon the ratings given by fellow people, a user decides on whether or not to visit a joint. If you, as a company, give out special discounts via your company page in these sites, more and more people will recommend your services to their peers.

The market is highly driven by people who are looking for small discounts – between 10% to 20%. You can make tremendous amounts of profits through these. Most companies, however, are jumping into these sites just because “everyone” is in here. Unless you have a clear cut goal, you just cannot be on top of the race, no matter if you hire a social media person for $25,000 a year. Make sure that you are fully aware of your goals and what are you going to do to achieve the profit and sustain the margin.

As those who are embracing these services are still a small group, it is always advisable to start early than to wait till the majority embrace it “just to be sure”. The biggest advantage of going in it early is that you will have a huge grip by the time others go online and embrace this service.

Start early because location-based services are the future.