How To Get Targeted Search Engine Traffic
Topics: search engine traffic, search engine optimization, free traffic, internet marketing, email marketing
Just like you, search engines exist to deliver value to their customers. They do so by listing the sites most relevant to the words their customers search for in descending order of importance. For instance, if a person searched for “grilling burgers,” the engine’s task is to sift through the billions of pages that comprise the Internet and list all the pages that mention grilling burgers, grilling or burgers.
Listing those pages at random would only confuse the person searching for the phrase, so to help the customer discern which of those pages is most likely to give her information about grilling burgers (as opposed to just “grilling” or just “burgers”), the engine ranks the results.
And since studies show that people’s eyes scan search page results from top to bottom and left to right, the most important pages are listed at the top left of the initial screen. But if the customer clicks the top two or three links and finds nothing about grilling burgers, she’ll blame the search engine for not giving her what she wants and won’t continue using the services of that search engine.
So if your site is the best match for a particular keyword, the search engines want to list you at the top because that makes them look good to their customers. To receive that top honor, though, you must optimize your site according to their rules.
Trying to discern the rules of the dozens of search engines that exist is a daunting task, one you don’t need to stress about. You really only need to concern yourself with the big three: Yahoo, MSN and Google. To further simplify things, you should pay the most attention to Google’s optimization standards since the majority of Internet surfers start their search with Google. Google is therefore the reigning King of Search Engine Traffic, so by doing what the King wants, you become part of his empire and make your site relevant for the other search engines as well.
Before you understand how to market your site using search engines like Google, you need to understand the basic concept and technology behind these engines. A little over a decade ago, search engines were born to catalogue the growing amount of web pages on the Internet. As a site owner who wanted to be included, all you would have to do is register your URL with the search engines.
The engine would then send a “spider” to “crawl” the page and download it for storage in the search engine’s server. Then an indexer would use a specific set of guidelines, rules or algorithms to analyze and extract such information as the words used, the placement of the words on the page as well as all inbound and outbound links.
The early algorithms, however, relied on keyword Meta Tags. These tags are seen only by the spiders as part of the code to provide a guide for the content of each page. They don’t show up as actual text on the page for readers. That’s why webmasters soon began to abuse these tags. They would include irrelevant keywords to get their site listed in more searches. This increased their page impressions and allowed them to charge more for advertising space.
For instance, if their site was about fitness, they would include a keyword like “finances” in their Meta Tags. Then their page would show up in the search results for both “fitness” and “finances” even though their site had zero relevance for a person searching for finances.
Because the factors relied on the webmaster’s control, early search engines were easily manipulated. Searchers weren’t finding what they were looking for, so the search engines had to adapt in order to provide people with relevant searches. The algorithms became more complex and added additional factors to make it more difficult for webmasters to manipulate results.
Enter Larry Page and Sergey Brin, graduate students at Stanford. Their search engine, “Backrub,” relied on an algorithm, PageRank, that rated pages by the number and quality of inbound links. PageRank estimates the probability on a scale of 0-10 that a random web surfer will reach the site by following links from one page to another. If your PageRank is 9, it’s highly likely that you will be found by a surfer who keeps clicking links on sites related to your topic.
Backrub soon expanded and became Google in 1998, a search engine that considers off-page factors like PageRank and hyperlink analysis in addition to on-page factors like keywords and content. Although this was more difficult to manipulate, webmasters soon found a way to adapt by focusing their efforts on buying, selling and exchanging links on a huge scale. Some of these schemes developed into link farms, thousands of sites that did nothing but link to other sites.
The purpose of this brief history lesson is to explain why SEO has become so complex today. On the one hand, marketers want to get their sites viewed by as many people as possible, so they try to beat the search engine systems. On the other hand, the search engines want to deliver relevant results to those searching for keywords. To make that possible, they now refuse to disclose all the factors they consider for their ranking algorithms. Google, for example, uses more than 200 signals to rank pages.
Fortunately, they don’t keep all 200 factors a secret. All the search engines provide guidelines and information to help website owners optimize their sites. In addition, they all they all use crawlers to find pages. Where the words are found (title, lead paragraph, etc.) and how often those words are used throughout the copy on the page hold different weight for the different spiders, which is why you get different results when you search for the same keyword in different search engines.
And because it takes time to get your site indexed, you can’t make a change and expect instant results. You have to change, then wait for the spiders to crawl over your site. If they like what they see and your competition isn’t doing a better job, you are rewarded with a higher ranking.
Your site is “optimized” when you give the spiders what they are looking for based on the seven fundamental factors: Keywords, PageRank, Content, Sitemap, Navigation Links in HTML, Page Title and Meta Tags.
Glen Hopkins is a Best-Selling Author, Speaker and Consultant. He teaches struggling entrepreneurs how to turn their Online businesses into thriving money machines. Get his List Building Report and Web Traffic CD for FREE at www.glenhopkins.name
Previous Articles Highlighter:
How To Optimize Your Web Pages With Keywords (1)
How will you know if your site is optimized? By tracking your results. If you don't track the keywords you use and how you rank in the search engines, how will you know if you are generating traffic from this source?
Why You Must Understand The Power Of Keywords (2)
What are his problems? What are his frustrations? What is he curious about? What does he need a solution for? And what words would he use to summarize his problems, frustrations and curiosities?
Don't Let Yourself Get Trapped By These Co-Registration Hazards (3)
Topics: co-registration, coregistration, list building, internet marketing, increase traffic, email marketing Co-registration leads are legitimate and profitable, but some of these type leads are worth more than others. The lesser-quality leads result in higher opt-out rates than leads you find through other sources, so here are some things to look out that detract from the quality of your co-registration leads: 1.
Using The Internet To Find Your Niche (4)
After this review your notes and investigate items which seem unclear to your further. This research may include offline resources such as books or phone calls to experts in the industry.
How To Build A Mammoth List From Scratch In Minutes (5)
Of course, you don't want to pay more for these leads than what you'll make back in profits. So you'll need to test to find out what you can afford to pay.
Marketing Websites To Make Money (6)
I think one of the main reasons people have trouble marketing their websites is because of the lack of the right information online currently.Many people are sadly misinformed about how to market their websites correctly.
Bum Marketing For Income - The Right Way! (7)
It turns out that putting up pages and attracting quality traffic that clicks on your links are two entirely different things. The traffic from this type of marketing all comes from search engines.
Build Your Online Presense And Build Your Customer Base (8)
Search engines are becoming more sophisticated in how they uncover and weed out illegitimate websites, and trust that search engines have more technological intelligence than you may be aware of.
Sell Your Domain Name For Profit Or Should You? (9)
Yet, people do. You would do well to learn one thing concerning the domain name market very early: PATIENCE. If you are eager to spend money then there will be sharks salivating and lining up, happy to take it from you.
Four Problems With Bum Marketing (10)
In addition, choosing the right long-tail keyword search phrases to target is critical. 2. Not Keeping the Page Rankings. Even if you manage to get a page ranked well in the search engines, you will find that keeping it there is another matter entirely.
How Internet Marketing Came To Be The New Direct Response Marketing (11)
Tens of billions of dollars are spent online each year. The amount spent will keep growing each year for the foreseeable future, as Internet marketing isn't likely to go away or be surpassed by anything anytime soon.
One Click Online Billing Converts Consumers (12)
Since the process is exemplified by terms such as secure, easy, quick, cheap, the reach is getting wider. As for the non conventional consumer , this technology is a boon and more such consumers are entering in the online billing arena , and the credit goes to the intelligent Online Billing Software packages in use .Statistics show that the growth of business using such software are less factored by the time as compared to traditional business transaction.
Web Tools That Link Businesses Together (13)
There are many web tools available that will allow a business owner to maximize the internet traffic they receive and keep it flowing at just the right pace to make customers feel comfortable about shopping on the site.
What Does It Take To Start A Blog? (14)
Topics: blogs, what is a blog, blogging, starting a blog Blogging is a very popular way to start a website right now. With free solutions such as Blogger and Wordpress out there, it's no wonder.
Using Google Custom Search To Create A Revenue Stream For Your Website (15)
Setting up the Google Custom Search is fairly easy and can be done by simply following the simple steps of web page design. All you have to do is write the code that places a specific link box on your web page, which will automatically allow visitors to search on Google from your site.
Stressed Out? Find A Massage Therapist That Will Come To You (16)
Getting through your weekend with all the built up tension and stress from work just isn't good for you. Rather than searching through the yellow pages and calling every Los Angeles massage therapist that is listed for rates, availability, experience, expertise, whether they service your area, and everything else you need to know to ensure a quality massage, you can do the same without the phone calls thanks to the increasing popularity of online directories that help you find local help for nearly anything you need whether it's for a plumber, TV repairman, custom tailor, and yes, even massage therapists from Los Angeles to New York and everywhere in between.
The Traffic Power Keeps On Multiplying With Article Marketing (17)
You are able to utilize the highly trafficked directory sites. Millions of visitors search directory sites every month. This gives you massive exposure to a wide audience of traffic you didn't have to pay for.
The Nurturing Process That Puts Money In Your Pocket (18)
This should be a high-conversion, no-brainer type offer, one that compels the people on your list to take immediate action. Getting that first sale is your top priority. You paid for these leads, and this is your first chance to earn a return on your investment.
Your List Will Only Grow If You Have Great AIM (19)
Your subscribers don't just get one thing; they get an entire course. Developing an e-course is nothing more than creating a series of autoresponder messages and titling each message something like "Lesson 1" or "Day 1" followed by a description of that day's topic.
Why Recurring Billing Software Is Important For You (20)
The feature that provides you with the facility to choose the frequency of bill generation from daily to yearly. 4. Automatic generation and printing of the billing invoices as and when it falls due, and with this feature you never miss a billing your customers.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
Attract Search Engine Traffic By Using Targeted Keyword Phrases (1)
Consider these examples of specific phrases: instead of sports, try "youth baseball drills;" instead of travel, try "cheap cruises to Bahamas;" instead of health, try "workout tips for women." Having a huge list of keywords and the ability to see how many people are searching for phrases related to that word helps you find keywords and phrases you can win with.
How To Get More People To Comment On Your Blog (2)
Topics: internet marketing, internet marketing tips, starting a blog The latest hobby that exists on the World Wide Web in our society is the publication of blogs that exchange various kinds of knowledge with people who surf the Internet.
Get Your Site Ranked High In The Search Engines With Great Content (3)
It may look good, but the spiders dislike java script and flash. A little flash is okay; a lot makes the spiders unhappy. It's not the kind of thing they like to crawl over.
Increasing Traffic Conversion Rates (4)
User interface and ease of use - a website, at the end of the day, is a user interface. The success of Google many times has been attributed to the fact that it is one of the world's easiest-to-use sites.
Google Custom Search: A Potentially Large Source Of Revenue (5)
Anyone who knows how to use a computer and search through the Internet is capable of designing and publishing a successful blog web site. The startup of a blog is also wonderful because they are highly ranked by search engines.
The Pros And Cons Of Becoming A Top Stumbler On StumbleUpon (6)
As you rate web pages and make suggestions for new ones, the StumbleUpon program will soon recognize you as a top user which will increase the popularity of your own site.
The Top Symptoms Of Spyware On Your PC (7)
I will define them below, but an anti-virus product will not deal with spyware issues and therefore it must be tackled seperately. Let me go through both: Viruses: A virus spreads malicious software from computer to computer which can cause disastrous effects to your system.
Should You Hire An SEO Expert? (8)
You won't put your business in jeopordy if you hire an SEO expert who uses "white hat" techniques or those techniques that search engines recommend. These people follow the rules and do not attempt to deceive the spiders.
3 Tips To Avoid 99% Of Spyware & Adware (9)
You might then say "well, what if the maker is dodgy?" My answer would be: "Sometimes, it is almost impossible to tell if a maker is legitimate or not, and that is part of the risk we take when using the Internet." If you are in doubt, you always have the option of asking someone techie or 'in the know'...
Five Ways To Increase Your Rank In The Search Engines (10)
Google has a sitemap program you can get for free to create your own sitemap and help make your site spider-friendly. Be sure to submit the sitemap to the search engines and include a link on it to your home page.
Ask And You Shall Perceive (11)
2. Buy some cheap advertising in Google at adwords.google.com to conduct an informal survey of potential customers. 3. Send e-mail to your database, asking them about the biggest challenges they face in their business.
Is The OTO A Gimmick Or A Useful Selling Technique? (12)
He knows they get distracted easily so compels them to buy through utilizing the OTO every chance he gets. Glen Hopkins is a Best-Selling Author, Speaker and Consultant. He teaches struggling entrepreneurs how to turn their Online businesses into thriving money machines.
Best Technique For Improving Online Directory Traffic (13)
A simple commission of a percentage of the sales of each advertising space will be given to advertisers for referring new customers. We will have to make sure that advertisement costs are not deterrent to the entrepreneur.
Master Resale Rights: 5 Ways To Make Money Today (14)
There you have it, 5 quick ways to make money today with master resale rights. Combine #1 with #5 and you have one of my most profitable marketing techniques!
Internet Marketing In Minutes With Blogs And PLR (15)
Once you change the product enough, then you can claim copyright to the new changed product. Let's assume, you have your PLR product and now you are ready to market it.
Place Your Articles On Websites, Blogs And In Newsletters (16)
You can use the articles on blogs and in newsletters as well. Starting your own blog is free and easy to do. Blogs are also a way that you can connect with customers, answer common questions, provide information in an informal setting and offer a back link to your site.
How To Attract More Weekend Visitors To Your Blog (17)
This involves the principle of networking, or in other words, speaking with as many other web site owners as possible. Email them and publish articles on their sites that advertise your web pages for the weekend.
Blog Marketing: Why You Need To Know About RSS (18)
You could develop marketing plans targeting RSS subscribers. How easy would it be to do affiliate marketing with a solid list of RSS subscribers? You post a review of an affiliate product with your affiliate link and it would automatically be delivered directly to their computer.
Sharing Content In Order To Build Relationships And Traffic (19)
If this relationship continues to grow and develop, it will have a positive impact on your own financial situation as well. Court is an expert on the best methods for starting a blog.
PLR, MRR And RR Explained! (20)
You have the right to enable a customer to purchase the product with the ability of that customer to resell it themselves. That is the difference between MRR and RR.