Back in the day, it used to be O.K. to have a basic Web site with the same type of info you would have on your business card or an off-line brochure. Hence the term “brochureware.”
Now, in the year 2007 brochureware is nowhere! The bar has been raised — really high. If a site owner really thinks they can put up a brochureware site, get found in search engines and have the inquiries flow in — they are kidding themselves.
Anyone who works with me is advised very clearly the reality of getting found, what they need to do to be considered viable as well as the considerations to reach their goals. Whether that be to be in top 10 or top page. It won’t happen by osmosis.
Inevitably, I get an e-mail after their launch that states “Why isn’t my site in the Top 10?” or “Why can’t I find my site on the search engines?”. This from site owners who disregarded all the information I provided, who haven’t done a thing to their site for a very long time (sometimes years), or who haven’t reviewed the articles on my site that tell them exactly, precisely how to get found in search engines; how to get good search engine rankings.
Rankings do not just happen because you have a nice site that blathers on all about you. Rankings happen because you update your site constantly with valuable information for your target market with articles, how tos, white papers. Add a Blog! Add a discussion forum. Add an online directory; and article library. Keep on adding, building and growing!! Your Web site should be viewed as a work in progress; for perpetuity!
When your site becomes a resource for your site visitors rather than purely a brochureware contact site — then, and only then will you get good rankings, get found and enjoy the inquiries that will follow.
At your service,
Judith
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Most new sites will go through a waiting period for 6-9 months before search engines like Google will add them to their index. See, now you have to pass the test of time. Imagine if Google or any search engine were to have to index every single Web site that went live? That’s crazy!
Especially considering so many sites have no value to the masses or do not last very long either due to site owner unrealistic expectations or low levels of commitment. If you can’t last 6-9 months; you won’t get ranked.
Sorta hits those who want to rely solely on the free/organic rankings as their only way of getting their site found right in the back of the head! Relying on organic rankings alone is not a solid business model.
So what to do in the meantime? You learn how to pass the test of time! You have this time to learn about Pay Per Click campaigns and strategies. You have this time to get your product inventory, service or delivery methods in place, tweaked and stabilized. You have time to investigate your target market and look at ways to attract their attention whether by networking or integrating other marketing strategies that help to bring you more visibility.
You start your Blog. You start your affiliate program. You write articles and submit them to directories (of course, they have to be valuable — and no hypey-sales-pitchy stuff) so that you can gain more exposure for your new site.
6-9 months from now when your site is finally in the indexes, don’t plan on “Top 10″ or even top page. It could happen, but let’s be more realistic that it probably won’t. Good rankings take time and are a work in progress — so don’t buy that BS to the contrary.
Once you do get in the indexes, we then know what we have to improve upon and the statistical data will begin to accumulate. That data is exactly the information you need to know and review so you then can decide how to best to spend your time moving forward.
To past the test of time you have to use it wisely.
At your service,
Judith
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First, who is “they?” “They” are always popping up as experts on advertising to zeppelins! Second, “Top 10″ for what? Your specific keywords? Or, phrases they deemed they could accomplish that for you? Very important distinction folks!
Those of use who do White Hat SEO, which basically means our first priority is to our site visitors needs and experience, then to search engines, realize there is no wave of a wand or snapping of fingers to make Top 10 rankings happen. And, we don’t break or bend rules, use tricks or anything stealthy to satisfy either.
When it comes to Top 10 Positions the bottom line is you need to be strongly about the phrase being searched for. One of the 10 sites/pages amongst the billions out there that are more relevant than any others. Top 10 out of billions — does that put this into perspective?
The way you accomplish Top 10 rankings it to have a long term view and consistently work on your site to be the best it can be in its niche. Write articles, include a Blog (Search engines love Blogs!) and add white papers that all cater to what your target audience wants, needs, desires to know. That’s what makes rankings happen!
Without valuable information, you won’t get the links TO your site that are part of getting into the Top 10. Remember, not just any links will do — all links are NOT created equal.
At the end of the day, be leery, very leery of anyone who promises Top 10 rankings as though it were a matter of flipping a switch, using stealth tactics, linking farms or shuffling some keywords. You know better than that!
At your service,
Judith
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