Friday, April 20, 2007

SEO and Directories

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a necessity in the present world, since every one is in the urge to find and resource the best. In the flood of new and new websites, a scrutiny to find the best is pretty difficult task. Search engines are the platform, which lists the websites in response to the keyword search, according to an order, in their focus to the respective content. For the process of searching, search engines utilize programmed spiders to crawl among the servers, to find the most focused website. It is a necessity of every website up loaders to incorporate the methodologies, to enhance the web traffic. These methods, which are adopted to help a website to come in the top listing, are precisely called as search engine optimization. Among the different popular strategies of search engine optimization, directories (or web directories) acquire a premiere position.

Web directories are the platform which lists the websites in categories, according to topic that they deal with. The websites compiled in the directories have more reliability regarding the factuality and credibility of the content since it is edited by a human editor, rather than a machine. The viewers as well as search engines gives prior importance to websites listed in the directories, because of the unique attribute, as quality adorn the key position in search engine optimization. The listing of the website in multiple directories enhances the chance to get listed in the top pages of search results. Apart from SEO benefits, the inbound link exchange feasibility for the websites, from the directories will help for better results. However, reliable sites only can provide the expected advantages of SEO.

Search engines will not entertain all directories, but only quality stringent, reliable directories. The website listing in directories, with an intention of search engine optimization, must definitely perform a comprehensive assessment of the directory, prior to listing in it. Primarily scrutinize, whether the text links are static and URL’s of directories are search engine friendly since search engines used to omit many of the directories with dynamic URL’s, with a suspicion of duplicate indexing. Also, confirm that "no-follow" tag is not used in the website link text, as it interrupts the searching procedure of search engines. It is recommended, to assort directories with good track record and domain experience, as now, many directories are emerging day by day, with a life span, that of a mushroom in a rain. Try to list in the renowned directories such as Yahoo, DMOZ, Google directory, Goguide, and Glimpsy; since web listing in a directory with unchallenged reputation for quality and reliability, itself, enhances the credibility of the website.

Apart from all the above factors, remember the fact that, elegancy of the website, that is quality and content of the website, is the most important factor that reflects in search engine optimization.

About the Author

By Directory-Owners.com a Directory Owners Forum

How to SEO your website?

If you are running a website or an online business, the probability that you are not aware of the term 'SEO' is almost negligible. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. This is the most modern technique to advertise a website over the internet. By proper utilization of the SEO methods, one can increase the traffic to his website and hence his business on the whole.

In the early days of SEO, the main practice employed was the optimization of content present on the webpage. The internet users searching for specific information did so by entering a specific phrase in the search engines. These phrases were split into words and different websites over the internet were searched for the presence of these words. These words are known as the 'keywords'.

Presently, many more methods of SEO have come into practice. These methods mainly deal with link sharing, link building and boosting the page rank of the webpage. The first method among these is called link sharing. It is known that search engines show those sites which have traffic originating from a greater number of websites higher up in the ranking. Hence, website owners have found a method to increase incoming traffic by placing the links to each other's website on their webpages. This method is mutually beneficial to both the websites.

The second method is termed as link building. Link building relies on placing a number of incoming links to your website on different websites with similar content. Link building is different from link sharing in the sense that you do not have to post the links to any other website on your web page. The best ways to succeed in this technique are: a) Submitting your website link to paid or free web directories, b) Posting articles containing your website link to various article directories, and c) Posting comments on popular blogs and forums with link to your website in your signature.

The third method deals with improving the page rank of your webpage. The page rank is nothing but importance that the search engine gives to the content on your webpage. For instance, a page ranked higher will receive a better position in the search results than a page ranked lower. The main thing you have to do to achieve higher page ranking is to optimize the content on your webpage. Secondly, you need to see that your website has traffic coming in from a number of other websites. Hence, look into the possibility of link trading in this case.

About the Author

Adam is the owner of Link Sharing Service. You can find more information at x-tremeidtag.com/.

SEO, Science or Arts??

SEO or search engine optimization what this really means to you. People think its science or some great technical thing but i think its art. The art of handling a website to make it dance on the top. The art of identifying the keywords which caters traffic to your site. The art of analysing the potential market and targeting your site there. The art of gaining customer satisfaction and trust. See how this art works for the best.

Art of keyword selection
Have you ever wondered why you are doing search engine optimization for your site? Most people are confused that ranking top on keywords caters their need. No it’s not only that, you may be ranking on many search terms but there is not traffic does this helps, NO definitely not. Try to find out the root cause. If you have taken help of some consultancy they are giving you top rankings on key phrases which are not being searched.

So try to be clear and have vision what you want to target, and try to target those keywords which generate traffic and are really searched for your industry.
Art of converting traffic

Search engine optimization doesn’t mean only getting rankings, you must all be aware of "conversion". It’s a big word in SEO (search engine optimization). You have site, you have traffic but no conversion. It really doesn’t make sense. Without conversion what's the benefit of having a site. The best way to get maximum conversion is

 be relevant about what you are offering.
 Put your navigation pretty simple and streamlined, visitor should know
Where they are? What are they looking at? Where to go?
 put some testimonials to build trust.
 Optimize the content according to your product.
 Be true to your services and product you are offering
 Same layout through the site.
 Include some call to action phrases.

Summing up all these things can help you in better conversion.

Art of retaining customer
Retaining customer is challenge in SEO (search engine optimization). When you sell your services, products now you have to deal with the best so that customer takes your services or products again and again. If you are offering best to your customer he will definitely refer you to his friends and referring matters.
Having repeated visitors adds success to the business.
 Always try to provide what you have promised, if you are providing much more its added advantage.
 Don’t play with customers; give them what you have offered on site.
Conclusion
Dealing with SEO (search engine optimization) art gives you maximum exposure, leads, traffic and revenue. So implement the art and get maximum return.

About the Author

jumphigher

Increase your websites search engine results by using web directories

If you have a website and enjoy receiving traffic from search engines you’ll be conscious of your websites position in search engine results. By promoting your website you can increase the position of your website in search engine results. One of the best ways of promoting your website is by submitting it to web directories.

Web directories are categorised lists of websites. Each site is listed in a category that suits its content. This ensures that each website in a category is of the same topic. The benefit to the listed website is that it has a link from a page about its topic. For search engines such as Google, MSN and Yahoo this is important. The number of links that point to a website (backlinks) goes some way to determining how important the website is. The subject of the page from which the link comes is also important. Because of these reasons web directories are a good way of gaining important backlinks.

Web directories offer free and paid listings. Most free listings take a while to be accepted, typically several weeks, and the listing will appear someway down the list. Paid listings are accepted more quickly, often within days, and normally ensures the listing appears at the top of the category.

http://www.lambslinks.com/ is a free web directory that accepts free and paid submissions. Paid links offer a great way for new websites to start gaining search engine positions.

About the Author

Darren Lambert operates the www.lambslinks.com web directory

Get Better Search Engine Rankings with RSS

RSS is the latest craze in online publishing. But what exactly is RSS?
RSS or Rich Site Syndication is a file format similar to XML, and is used by publishers to make their content available to others in a format that can be universally understood.

RSS allows publishers to "syndicate" their content through the distribution of lists of hyperlinks.

It has actually been around for a while, but with the advent of spam filters and online blogging, it is fast becoming the choice of ezine publishers who want to get their message across to their subscribers.

However, not much attention has been given to the advantages RSS provides for search engine optimization.
Why Search Engines Love RSS

Many SEO experts believe that sites optimized around themes,or niches, where all pages correspond to a particular subject or set of keywords, rank better in the search engines.

For example, if your website is designed to sell tennis rackets, your entire site content would be focused around tennis and tennis rackets.

Search engines like Google seem to prefer tightly-themed pages.
But where does RSS figure in all this?

RSS feeds, usually sourced from newsfeeds or blogs, often correspond to a particular theme or niche.

By using highly targeted RSS feeds, you can enhance your site's content without having to write a single line on your own.

ItÂ’s like having your own content writer - writing theme-based articles for you - for free!
How can RSS improve my Search Engine Rankings?

There are three powerful reasons why content from RSS Feeds is irresistible bait for search engine spiders.
1. RSS Feeds Provide Instant Themed Content

There are several publishers of RSS feeds that are specific to a particular theme.

Since the feed is highly targeted, it could contain several keywords that you want to rank highly for.

Adding these keywords to your pages helps Google tag your site as one with relevant content.
2. RSS Feeds Provide Fresh, Updated Content

RSS feeds from large publishers are updated at specific intervals. When the publisher adds a new article to the feed, the oldest article is dropped.

These changes are immediately effected on your pages with the RSS feed as well. So you have fresh relevant content for your visitors every hour or day.
3. RSS Feeds Result in More Frequent Spidering

One thing I never anticipated would happen as a result of adding an RSS feed to my site was that the Googlebot visited my site almost daily.
To the Googlebot, my page that had the RSS feed incorporated into it was as good as a page that was being updated daily, and in its judgement, was a page that was worth visiting daily.

What this means to you, is that you will have your site being indexed more frequently by the Googlebot and so any new pages that you add to your site will be picked up much faster than your competitors.

How does this benefit you as a marketer?
Well, for example, let's says a top Internet Marketer comes out with a new product that you review and write up a little article on, and that your competitors do the same.

Google generally tends to index pages at the start of the month and if you miss that update, you will probably need to wait till the next month to even see your entry in.

But, since your site has RSS feeds, it now gets indexed more frequently. So the chances of getting your page indexed quickly are much higher.

This gives you an advantage over the competition, as your review will show up sooner in the search results than theirs.

Imagine what an entire month's advantage could do to your affiliate sales!
Why Javascript Feeds Are Not Effective

Some sites offer javascript code that generates content sourced from RSS feeds for your site.

These are of absolutely no value in terms of search engine rankings, as the googlebot cannot read javascript and the content is not interpreted as part of your page.

What you need is code that parses the RSS feed and renders the feed as html content that's part of your page.

This is achieved using server side scripting languages like PHP or ASP.

A good free ASP script is available from Kattanweb
http://www.kattanweb.com/webdev/projects/index.asp?ID=7

An equally good PHP script is CARP
http://www.geckotribe.com/rss/carp/

So in conclusion, besides optimizing on page and off page factors, adding RSS feeds to your pages should be an important part of your strategy to boost your search engine rankings.

About the Author

Satyajeet Hattangadi is the CEO of Novasoft Inc, a software solutions provider, that specializes in affordable customized software solutions. http://www.novasoft-inc.comGet the Free Email Course "RSS Riches" and learn how to use RSS to get high search engine rankings and monetize your website at http://www.trafficturbocharger.com