 | Matthew Rupp is the owner of Saw Web Marketing of Wichita. KS. Matthew specializes in helping his clients move their website from an expense to an integral, hard working asset. Whether it is a new website or a redesign of an existing site, Matthew can help increase your website traffic, build your brand online, increase conversions and improve search engine rankings. For tips and strategies Saw Web Marketing uses to enhance the performance of sites, go to www.sawwebmarketing.com. You can reach Matthew at (316) 285-0729 or by email at matthew@sawwebmarketing.com
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Internet, Web Sites & E-mail
2013-01-02 13:47:23
What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Q-I have heard a little about SEO (search engine optimization). What all does it involve? Is it the best way to go about bringing traffic to one’s website?
A: SEO is a technique that increases the chances of your website being found when a user sits down at a computer and types a search term into Google that relates to your business.
Q-What are some of the techniques that a SEO company will use to improve the chances of your websites coming up #1?
A-Great question! To answer that question it helps to explain what determines the order of the results on Google. (There are a LOT of misconceptions surrounding this) The order of the results on Google is based on an incredibly complex mathematical algorithm that has over 200 factors. Some of the things we look at are very technical, many are almost common sense, some are very time consuming and some are quite simple fixes.
What a SEO company looks at differs with every website but more than anything what it does is to help small business owners determine the BEST way to increase the experience for your visitors with a focus on SEO.
Q-What? How does improving the experience for the visitors to my website increase the chances of my site ranking at the top of the first page?
A-It has EVERYTHING to do with it! Let me explain.
Let’s say a muffler business has a website and they want to increase their rankings on Google but instead of only being worried about ranking at the top of the page they put their users first. They update their design to give their website a fresh, clean look and add some new functionality which causes users to stay on the site longer and look at more pages. They add a blog to their website and begin writing articles about their industry and what sets their muffler shop apart from the rest. They integrate social media on their website and occasionally share interesting information and a discount every now and then. They begin an email marketing campaign that allows them to automate their marketing efforts, build trust and establish trust with the visitors to their website.
Q-So how did that help my site rank better?
A-Increasing the amount of time users stay on your site and interacting while they are on it. Creating original, fresh content on a regular basis increases the chances users will take the next step and request more information or call your business. Blogging on a variety of topics relating to your industry creates additional avenues for searchers to find your site plus it increases the chance it will be shared which can create links back to your site. Utilizing social media in such a way that encourages engagement (sharing, tweeting, liking, commenting on, etc.). These are ALL powerful signals to Google and the other search engines that your website is relevant, trustworthy, and credible and that’s exactly what they are looking for when determining which site comes up first.
Q-200 factors that determine the order on Google, that’s incredible. Why is it so complex?
A-One can only speculate but it makes sense that A) the better they deliver the highest quality, most relevant results in a logical order the harder they make it for other search engines to compete with them and it protects the billions of dollars they generate by selling advertising. B) They are constantly fighting the companies that are trying to cheat and game the system to generate tons of traffic and sell their wares.
Q-What is SEO not?
A-SEO is not a trick, a game, or a shortcut. There are many private parties and companies “out there” who will say, “We have a special relationship with Google and for $X, we can make you #1.” Others will say, “We will offer you 1,000 Facebook friends for $X.” These guys are NOT smarter than the engineers at Google whose only job is to sniff out websites that are using tricks like this to improve their rankings and the consequences can be severe.
I will be back next month and talk about more ranking factors and how Keyword Research can transform your business.
