Getting That SEO Bone First
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) was first coined by John Audette of Multimedia Marketing Group back in 1997. Who knew back then that SEO would become a powerhouse tool in the rise and demise of websites around the world.
SEO is used to boost the rankings of websites in search engines and build the branding of companies. Originally created with the use of algorithms, then done through link backs, meta tags, key words and site structure, it is now a whole new ball game in website design. SEO is now at the scorn of many web developers because rules have changed so much to rid the Internet of bad sites and monopolized by search engine giant Google. You have to consistently stay on top of SEO rules to have a successful website.
So either way, you are damned if you do or damned if you don't with the latest Google Panda and Google Penguin rules. If you have been working on a website for a while or are about to begin a new site you may have considered the use of an SEO expert to get your rankings up there for your startup business. The big misconception with these "experts" is that clients assume that if their site is ranked higher in Google in a couple of months or less that it is done properly. What most clients do not know is their site might have been optimized using Black Hat SEO tactics, which are scorned upon by search engines. As a result, immediately after, those same high ranking sites dramatically loose top ranking because Google discovers Black Hat tactics with their search engine "crawlers" and slap them with a heavy penalty.
Black Hat is the use of tactics to manipulate search engine rankings and do not follow approved search engine guidelines. On the opposite end is White Hat SEO which are tactics that follow search engine guidelines.
What has also happened recently in the SEO world is the dominance of branding. Google gives preference to brands regardless of how much SEO is put into a site. But unfortunately, you still need the SEO to make any kind of splash in your niche. So while you are building a healthy optimized site make sure you are consistent with branding. Here are some tips:
1. Create a consistent look with your website and social media templates. For example: take a look at Entrepreneurrookie.com and compare to our Twitter (@entrepreneurook), and my personal Twitter (@priyanembhard). I have intertwined my personal brand with my business brand but it is all consistent.
2. Keep the same profile picture for all of your social media and websites. Once people learn to trust your face and relate to your brand then you have flexibility to make changes.
3. Create a rel=author profile with Google+ and post as often as you can in your Google+ profile. Google gives preference to content posted on their stream and is immediately indexed by their search engine. This is a boost for your SEO and Inbound Marketing (Internet marketing). When your Google+ posts show up in the search engine your rel=author profile picture will show up with it. Viewers are more likely to click on your picture than just a plain link.
4. Build relationships with your followers and friends on social media. Do not just post and expect a retweet or repost. Allow people to get to know you or your brand. They only interact with brands they trust.
There is so much more to SEO but these tips will set you in the right direction. Optimization and branding work hand in hand. Stay on top of your A game and you will see results!
