Wrap Your Head Around Great Organic Search Engine Rankings

So many gurus, packages, quick fixes — what is one to believe? Believe that getting great rankings are within your reach if you are willing to earn them. There is no secret formula; nothing you really cannot do yourself. But first you have to wrap your head around what it takes to get great organic rankings.

Who doesn’t want to be in the top 5, 10, top page for organic (free) listings? Everyone. Every site owner out there (185 billion as of 2009). So how do search engines really decide who gets listed where? Let alone the coveted top page of any search engine?

Your organic free listings are gained by how your site is ranked based on a combination of unique variables (algorithm) of each search site. Things like relevancy to the term(s) searched for, popularity, traffic, site performance and a dash of “no one knows for sure what else” will determine how your site ranks. Then, to muddy things up further, these algos evolve without notice.

Are we having fun yet?

Shuffling or adding keywords in your Meta tags won’t do it — search engines ignore that tag. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) isn’t the end-all-be-all either. You have to have a well rounded, smart long term marketing plan for your site that includes certain basics (content, Blog, social media, fourms, networking) for you to rise in the organic rankings.

But, can you wrap your head around…

• Knowing up front that it will take time and much effort to be viewed as more relevant (the “nichier” your site focus the better) than the sites that are already online in the free positions you seek. You are really going to have to roll up your sleeves and work it baby!
• Putting a plan together by doing searches with your top keyword phrases on the various search engines so that you are aware of the competition and the volume of sites already successfully ranking for the terms you are targeting. This gives you a real-world understanding of the level of competition you will be up against. You are starting at the bottom of the barrel — only the cream rises to the top!
• Understanding that how your Web site ranks has nothing to do with how good you are at what you do for a living (except if you do what I do for a living). It has to do with how good your site is and how good others including the search engines think your site is — that applies to folks like me too. Don’t want to participate online, add new content, interact with site visitors? Oh-oh… You have to honestly ask yourself if you have what it takes to strive to be the best most comprehensive resource for your niche to gain the rankings you desire.
• Knowing what your target visitors are searching for and then writing about it. There are several free tools to assist you in investigating what keyword phrases your target market is actually using. Use these tools to your advantage!
• To “top” the sites already out there, you have to do just that! Top them! What can make your site better or more valuable (or more popular) than the sites already in the positions you desire? Can you be more focused for the topic searched for than the other sites? If you don’t have anything unique and of quality or value to offer, you’ll never push those who already hold these positions out of your way.
• Adding new information to your site on an aggressive basis. Daily, weekly – make a schedule and stick to it! Resources, white papers, “how tos” — even commentary based on your experience will not only add value but will naturally work wonders as keyword targeted pages. Let your sparkling personality show through — that’s what will set you apart!
• Plan on having lots of patience. Lots.

Wrap your head around doing what it takes to make your site the best it can be (whatever that takes); THE site for your niche product or service and your rankings will improve!

There are no short cuts or trickery for fast top 5, 10, top page organic results. If someone tells you otherwise, they are trying to use what you don’t know to get into your pocketbook. The good news is that if you make a commitment to continually build your site to be exactly what your target market is looking for, you’ll get your rankings. The bad news? You have to keep working at it to maintain them. Online there is no rest for the weary. Wrap your head around that too.

At your service,
Judith

Tags: organic listings, search engine optimization, search engine rankings, seo

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