Let me preface this report by citing advertisers in 2004 have spent 4 Billion dollars on search engine marketing according to (SEMPO) the Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization.
Website marketers cited Search engine positioning was the top method to drive traffic to their sites (66%), followed by email marketing (54%). Source: Direct Marketing Association. Accordingly, the most cost effective way to market your web site online is to obtain several top 10-search engine rankings in the major search engines for your keywords.
According to a recent Jupiter Research Survey, searching on the search engines is one of the main uses of the Internet among 79% of users. Source: September 2002 Jupiter Research Survey. So that being the case, whatever your promoting you’ll want to make sure it can be found on the first page of the search engines results page.
The reason is numerically simple. An Iprospect Survey in 2002 reported that 78% of web users abandon their search if the first 3 pages don't provide an answer to their question, and 28% don’t scroll past the 2nd page of results. Source: Media Post article reporting results of Spring 2002 IProspect survey.
Combine those facts with the Internets explosive growth rate of 1.8 Million people worldwide going online every week for the very first time, Source: Official Guide To Internet Promotion and you can soon appreciate what a top 10 ranking can mean to you.
Google receives approximately 39.4% of all search engine traffic. Yahoo receives approximately 30.4%. They’re simply the largest search engines being utilized online today.
Bringing up the rear is MSN at 29.6%, and AOL 15.5% then Ask Jeeves with 8.5%. Source: Nielsen//NetRatings January 2004
How much traffic is that? Well, Google and its partner sites were reporting a whopping 250 million searches a day in February 2003.
Overture and its partners were reporting over 167 million searches per day. Inktomi reported 80 million followed by LookSmart with 45 million per day.
FindWhat reported 33 million while Ask Jeeves reported 20 million, Alta Vista reported 18 million and finally Fast reported 12 Million searches per day. Source: Searchenginewatch.com 2004.
With all said, you can easily see how your search engine rankings are directly proportional to the traffic your web site receives, and your site traffic is directly related to your potential to profit online.
Oh, and in case your wondering how much money is spent online; a recent Forrester Research Report indicated that online spending reached $95,700,000,000 million in 2003!
That's a cool 95.7 billion dollars. Projected online spending is estimated to grow to $229 billion in 2008! A whopping 139% increase in online spending! Source: Forrester Research
Now with these facts in mind I’m confident you can clearly see what a top 10-search engine ranking can mean for your bottom line. Although it does leave a question unanswered in my mind, what has a higher ROI… organic search engine optimization or paid search?
According to SEMPO’s key analysis, the U.S. & Canadian SEM Industry Size Estimate by tactic in 2004, organic SEO accounted for 12% of the market share or $492,057,200 while Paid Placement accounted for $3,341,878,176 or 81.8%.
Interestingly, 9 out of 10 respondents are actively engaged in organic SEM marketing programs accounting for 89% of the respondent advertisers. This trend can be contributed to the average cost of popular keywords continuing to escalate.
If the escalation continues to rise it could make paid search engine advertising exponentially cost prohibitive for all but the largest advertisers… the 900lb gorillas!
Simply put, ROI is outpacing inflation: SEMPO’s key analysis indicates advertisers could afford to pay on average 33% more for their keywords and remain profitable, while they say prices have gone up 26% on average in the last 12 months. That’s leaves a 7% advertising margin to maintain current profits for 2005!
SEMPO’s data also noted that advertisers will get smarter about managing their paid placement programs before they cut back on spending.
This is also consistent with a report released by Nielsen/NetRatings indicating that the growing demand for search engine advertising is outstripping the supply of currently available advertising space.
These findings seem to indicate the inventory of keywords is approaching a critical demand problem however; most advertisers felt they still have some degree of price flexibility in their paid placement programs before they will reach the threshold of diminishing returns.
Is there any wonder why organic search engine positioning has gained popularity for online marketers in 2004? Could it be higher (ROI) return on investments?
SEMPO also cites that 43% of advertiser respondents have shifted their budgets away from other marketing programs for Organic SEO.
So what does it all mean? Let the numbers speak for themselves.
Organic SEO is undeniably gaining favor over the lower ROI paid advertising. This is evidenced by virtue of the fact that paid advertising is becoming less profitable.
Although paid advertising will continue to hold a large portion of the market shareFree Web Content, as paid advertising returns diminish and keyword costs soar my early 2005 forecast is for the materialization of a progressive organic SEO market trend to facilitate the need for advertising space.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lawrence Deon is an SEO/SEM Consultant and author of the popular search engine optimization and marketing model Ranking Your Way To The Bank. http://www.rankingyourwaytothebank.com
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Website Search Engine Positioning
Search Engine Positioning Does Not Have to Be a Complicated Process! Find Out How I Have Gained Top Search Engine Spots in Google with Little to No Optimization...
The greatest thing about getting high ranking positions in the major search engines is that it's 100% free. This is also the reason why it's difficult to attain the top positions in markets outside of very tight niches.
Search engine optimization can seem a very complicated process and if you want to make it that way, you can. You can spend a lifetime studying the search engine logarithms and every little keyword trick to position your website higher, but the problem is - the major search engines, like Google, keep changing the rules.
Anything I write here may not even apply 6 months from now but what I have learnt from my own experience, getting top search engine placement is a simple process. That's right - Simple!Simple does not mean that you do not have to do any work. Like most of my other online strategies I have to work hard to gain top placements. Also my experiences apply to only Google. I really don't care about the others at this point as Google provides high quality traffic and the lions' share of it too.
I have proven through my own methods that only two things matter -
1. The title of your page.
2. The backlinks to your sites.
I would even go as far to say that the title does not even matter all that much. The backlinks are the things that drive you up the search engines more than anything else. If you concentrate on this area above all others, you will do well.
When I refer to backlinks, I mean one way backlinks. Reciprocal linking used to be the main thing but I have found that this strategy has lost much of the power it would have had a few years ago. I still use reciprocal linking BUT my main concern are links from site where I do not have to link back.
A backlink with your keyword phrase in the linkback text is worth it's weight in gold.
I have taken many of my sites to the top of Google with numerous highly competitive keyword phrases. I have not optimized the main content of the pages, nor have I messed with the title much either, other than to put some keywords in the six word title tag.
So it can be done, and it works. If I could put images in this article I could show you the top postions that I have achieved. Feel free to get in touch with me and I can show you proof.
Apply the simple process of getting one way backlinks in a niche market and the strategy becomes all the more powerful and rewarding.
You can believe that search engine optimization is for the elite only, and never get started. OrBusiness Management Articles, take the jump now and do some testing for yourself. You will find that the only things that search engine experts are doing that you aren't is putting in the hours. There is nothing complicated about it!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
To find out the Two Proven, Powerful Strategies that I use to Propel my Sites to the Top of the Search Engines Check Out Affiliate Article Marketing and SEO Elite Review
The greatest thing about getting high ranking positions in the major search engines is that it's 100% free. This is also the reason why it's difficult to attain the top positions in markets outside of very tight niches.
Search engine optimization can seem a very complicated process and if you want to make it that way, you can. You can spend a lifetime studying the search engine logarithms and every little keyword trick to position your website higher, but the problem is - the major search engines, like Google, keep changing the rules.
Anything I write here may not even apply 6 months from now but what I have learnt from my own experience, getting top search engine placement is a simple process. That's right - Simple!Simple does not mean that you do not have to do any work. Like most of my other online strategies I have to work hard to gain top placements. Also my experiences apply to only Google. I really don't care about the others at this point as Google provides high quality traffic and the lions' share of it too.
I have proven through my own methods that only two things matter -
1. The title of your page.
2. The backlinks to your sites.
I would even go as far to say that the title does not even matter all that much. The backlinks are the things that drive you up the search engines more than anything else. If you concentrate on this area above all others, you will do well.
When I refer to backlinks, I mean one way backlinks. Reciprocal linking used to be the main thing but I have found that this strategy has lost much of the power it would have had a few years ago. I still use reciprocal linking BUT my main concern are links from site where I do not have to link back.
A backlink with your keyword phrase in the linkback text is worth it's weight in gold.
I have taken many of my sites to the top of Google with numerous highly competitive keyword phrases. I have not optimized the main content of the pages, nor have I messed with the title much either, other than to put some keywords in the six word title tag.
So it can be done, and it works. If I could put images in this article I could show you the top postions that I have achieved. Feel free to get in touch with me and I can show you proof.
Apply the simple process of getting one way backlinks in a niche market and the strategy becomes all the more powerful and rewarding.
You can believe that search engine optimization is for the elite only, and never get started. OrBusiness Management Articles, take the jump now and do some testing for yourself. You will find that the only things that search engine experts are doing that you aren't is putting in the hours. There is nothing complicated about it!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
To find out the Two Proven, Powerful Strategies that I use to Propel my Sites to the Top of the Search Engines Check Out Affiliate Article Marketing and SEO Elite Review
Monday, May 14, 2007
The Importance of Search Engine Optimization SEO
Search Engine Optimization is a key to any successful internet marketing strategy. There are numerous definitions and interpretations as to exactly what Search Engine Optimization means. It is the process in which the careful and strategic placing, analysis, and wording of keywords of text on a particular website to enable optimum search engine rankings, this definition comes from www.pixelphoria.com/glossary.php. There are several ways in which this process can benefit internet marketing strategies.
When creating or updating a commercial website, the reason is typically to make the products more attractive to viewers, while at the same time creating the ability to gain more exposure with a broader audience. While most websites have a target audience, it is this ability to gain a larger, broader audience that they are all searching to gain. The Search Engine Optimization process allows for the creation of a higher page ranking when a potential viewer is using a search engine to find specific websites based upon the searchable keywords they will enter. This process identifies those keywords that will benefit a particular website and uses them in such a way that it gets a higher page ranking when those keywords are searched. For example, if "internet marketing" was searched for in Google, the more times the phrase "internet marketing" is included within the website, potentially the closer to the top the page will be displayed.
In this time of maximum Internet usage, many searchers only use first page displayed websites on their searches because this is where the pages with those higher page rankings are displayed, which translates into these pages find the highest relevance to their keyword searches. Please do not make the mistake of thinking that these websites are the only ones out there that will have the relevant search information, it just means that these websites have better marketed themselves to be located when specified keywords are searched, which is the exact benefit of Search Engine Optimization. This makes it even more critical that each website understand the importance of and the knowledge necessary to adapt their websites to benefit from Search Engine Optimization.
As should be understood by this point, it is imperative that an understanding of and taking advantage of Search Engine Optimization will provide the website a higher profile in the world of search engines. By taking advantage of optimization techniques, more searchers will gain faster access to the particular website. If the website has something worthwhile to offer in the world of ecommerce, then Search Engine Optimization is a strategy that should be employed immediately.
Authors submit your articles to the Internet’s newest searchable article database. Increase your web site traffic and link popularity by displaying your articles to thousands of targeted publishers, ezine editors, and webmasters. Go to http://www.websition.com today!
© John Doetsch 2005. Online reprint rights granted as long as the article is published in its entiretyFree Articles, including links and resource box.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Doetsch is SEO specialist at Websition.com where you will find additional articles and free web content written by the Internet's most gifted authors. Visit his web site at http://www.websition.com/
When creating or updating a commercial website, the reason is typically to make the products more attractive to viewers, while at the same time creating the ability to gain more exposure with a broader audience. While most websites have a target audience, it is this ability to gain a larger, broader audience that they are all searching to gain. The Search Engine Optimization process allows for the creation of a higher page ranking when a potential viewer is using a search engine to find specific websites based upon the searchable keywords they will enter. This process identifies those keywords that will benefit a particular website and uses them in such a way that it gets a higher page ranking when those keywords are searched. For example, if "internet marketing" was searched for in Google, the more times the phrase "internet marketing" is included within the website, potentially the closer to the top the page will be displayed.
In this time of maximum Internet usage, many searchers only use first page displayed websites on their searches because this is where the pages with those higher page rankings are displayed, which translates into these pages find the highest relevance to their keyword searches. Please do not make the mistake of thinking that these websites are the only ones out there that will have the relevant search information, it just means that these websites have better marketed themselves to be located when specified keywords are searched, which is the exact benefit of Search Engine Optimization. This makes it even more critical that each website understand the importance of and the knowledge necessary to adapt their websites to benefit from Search Engine Optimization.
As should be understood by this point, it is imperative that an understanding of and taking advantage of Search Engine Optimization will provide the website a higher profile in the world of search engines. By taking advantage of optimization techniques, more searchers will gain faster access to the particular website. If the website has something worthwhile to offer in the world of ecommerce, then Search Engine Optimization is a strategy that should be employed immediately.
Authors submit your articles to the Internet’s newest searchable article database. Increase your web site traffic and link popularity by displaying your articles to thousands of targeted publishers, ezine editors, and webmasters. Go to http://www.websition.com today!
© John Doetsch 2005. Online reprint rights granted as long as the article is published in its entiretyFree Articles, including links and resource box.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Doetsch is SEO specialist at Websition.com where you will find additional articles and free web content written by the Internet's most gifted authors. Visit his web site at http://www.websition.com/
Black & White - The Philosophies of SEO
Search engine optimization otherwise known as SEO is a popular form of search engine marketing. The main goal of which (as its name would suggest) is to improve the ranking of the site in various search engines. An entire industry of consultants has sprung up around the idea of search engine optimization. It’s important to note that when it comes to SEO there are two distinct methodologies at work when it comes to optimization.
In fact, the SEO consultants themselves as well as their methods can be subdivided further into two different groups. The categories are best known as "white hat SEO" (which is aimed at improving overall site quality, and increasing the site’s ranking through approved methods), or "black hat SEO" (often use methods such as cloaking and spamdexing to increase rankings. However, using such methods can lead to your site to being removed from search engine listings). Those in the white hat camp charge that black hat methods are not only giving SEO a bad name but are also attempting to manipulate and undermine the search rankings. The black hatters counter that argument by saying that in truth all SEO is an attempt to manipulate rankings, and therefore the particular methods one uses to increase rankings are irrelevant. In other words they take the more Machiavellian approach of using the end results to justify the means they use. So what more specifically are the methods being employed by the two camps?White hat methods:
These methods typically involve following the search engines' published guidelines as to what is and what isn't acceptable. The advice typically given by the white hat SEO experts is to create more user-friendly content, and not focus so much on the search engines. That is if your site is well put together and presents something users need it will naturally climb in the rankings. Also by making content that is easily accessible to the search engines spiders it will be properly read and therefore properly indexed in the search engines. The white hatters are needed most often because a webmaster has made critical mistakes in either the design or the set-up of their websites, inadvertently "poisoning" them so that they will not rank well. The SEOs then attempt to discover and correct these mistakes, which may include unreadable menus, broken links, temporary redirects, or simply a poor navigation structure.
Here are a few examples of SEO activities which the search engines find acceptable:
• Using a reasonably-sized, accurate description meta tag without excessive use of keywords, exclamation marks or off topic terms
• Optimizing tags, titles and other parts of the code as necessary
• Using WordTracker or a similar database to find popular and relevant keywords and phrases to use for your site
• Monitoring the various search engines to ensure that your URL gets indexed
• Increasing the amount of unique content on the site
• Writing quality content for the website visitors instead of the search engines
Black hat methods:
Whereas the white hat methods follow search engine guidelines "Black hat" SEO methods to try to improve rankings by any means necessary. Most of these methods are disapproved of by the search engines, typically because of their deceptive nature, but also hamper the ability of the search engines to provide quality content to site visitors. Search engines often penalize the sites they discover using black hat methods, by reducing their rankings or eliminating their listings from the search engine results altogether. These penalties are usually applied automatically by the search engines' algorithms, because the Internet is too large to make manual policing of websites feasible. However once they are discovered, search engines may take action against those found to be using unethical SEO methods. Take for example Google’s removal of both BMW Germany and Ricoh Germany in February 2006 for use of these practices.
One common black hat method is known as Spamdexing. Spamdexing is the promotion of irrelevant, chiefly commercial, pages through various deceptive techniques and the abuse of the search algorithms. Unfortunately it often gets confused with white hat search engine optimization techniques, which do not involve deceit. Spamming involves getting websites more exposure than they deserve for their keywords, leading to unsatisfactory search results. Optimization involves getting websites the rank they deserve on the most targeted keywords, leading to satisfactory search experiences.
One example of spamdexing is link farming. Link farming can be basically defined as any group of web pages that all link to every other page in the group. Another common practice is listing popular keywords in fine print or in the same color as the background so they can’t be seen by users. These were only a few examples but there are many other deceptive practices that may be employed by black hat SEOs. So how can you tell the difference between Black and White SEO practices? A very easy way to distinguish between the two is though the amount of time involved in getting the desired results. White hat SEOs use methods that produce results slowly over time and only after a good deal of effort has been put into the site. Black hat SEOs offer you quick and easy results most, if not allPsychology Articles, of which will obtained through deceptive practices.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer Kothe is the talented marketing coordinator at Internet Traffic Solutions (http://www.itsontarget.com) which is a full service marketing agency that offers clients a profitable way to get the attention of their target audience online.
In fact, the SEO consultants themselves as well as their methods can be subdivided further into two different groups. The categories are best known as "white hat SEO" (which is aimed at improving overall site quality, and increasing the site’s ranking through approved methods), or "black hat SEO" (often use methods such as cloaking and spamdexing to increase rankings. However, using such methods can lead to your site to being removed from search engine listings). Those in the white hat camp charge that black hat methods are not only giving SEO a bad name but are also attempting to manipulate and undermine the search rankings. The black hatters counter that argument by saying that in truth all SEO is an attempt to manipulate rankings, and therefore the particular methods one uses to increase rankings are irrelevant. In other words they take the more Machiavellian approach of using the end results to justify the means they use. So what more specifically are the methods being employed by the two camps?White hat methods:
These methods typically involve following the search engines' published guidelines as to what is and what isn't acceptable. The advice typically given by the white hat SEO experts is to create more user-friendly content, and not focus so much on the search engines. That is if your site is well put together and presents something users need it will naturally climb in the rankings. Also by making content that is easily accessible to the search engines spiders it will be properly read and therefore properly indexed in the search engines. The white hatters are needed most often because a webmaster has made critical mistakes in either the design or the set-up of their websites, inadvertently "poisoning" them so that they will not rank well. The SEOs then attempt to discover and correct these mistakes, which may include unreadable menus, broken links, temporary redirects, or simply a poor navigation structure.
Here are a few examples of SEO activities which the search engines find acceptable:
• Using a reasonably-sized, accurate description meta tag without excessive use of keywords, exclamation marks or off topic terms
• Optimizing tags, titles and other parts of the code as necessary
• Using WordTracker or a similar database to find popular and relevant keywords and phrases to use for your site
• Monitoring the various search engines to ensure that your URL gets indexed
• Increasing the amount of unique content on the site
• Writing quality content for the website visitors instead of the search engines
Black hat methods:
Whereas the white hat methods follow search engine guidelines "Black hat" SEO methods to try to improve rankings by any means necessary. Most of these methods are disapproved of by the search engines, typically because of their deceptive nature, but also hamper the ability of the search engines to provide quality content to site visitors. Search engines often penalize the sites they discover using black hat methods, by reducing their rankings or eliminating their listings from the search engine results altogether. These penalties are usually applied automatically by the search engines' algorithms, because the Internet is too large to make manual policing of websites feasible. However once they are discovered, search engines may take action against those found to be using unethical SEO methods. Take for example Google’s removal of both BMW Germany and Ricoh Germany in February 2006 for use of these practices.
One common black hat method is known as Spamdexing. Spamdexing is the promotion of irrelevant, chiefly commercial, pages through various deceptive techniques and the abuse of the search algorithms. Unfortunately it often gets confused with white hat search engine optimization techniques, which do not involve deceit. Spamming involves getting websites more exposure than they deserve for their keywords, leading to unsatisfactory search results. Optimization involves getting websites the rank they deserve on the most targeted keywords, leading to satisfactory search experiences.
One example of spamdexing is link farming. Link farming can be basically defined as any group of web pages that all link to every other page in the group. Another common practice is listing popular keywords in fine print or in the same color as the background so they can’t be seen by users. These were only a few examples but there are many other deceptive practices that may be employed by black hat SEOs. So how can you tell the difference between Black and White SEO practices? A very easy way to distinguish between the two is though the amount of time involved in getting the desired results. White hat SEOs use methods that produce results slowly over time and only after a good deal of effort has been put into the site. Black hat SEOs offer you quick and easy results most, if not allPsychology Articles, of which will obtained through deceptive practices.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer Kothe is the talented marketing coordinator at Internet Traffic Solutions (http://www.itsontarget.com) which is a full service marketing agency that offers clients a profitable way to get the attention of their target audience online.
How To Optimize Your Website For Google
Expert Google search engine optimization have increased exponentially, because of the proven search engine optimization and search engine positioning techniques.
A group of Google employees have recently filed a patent application (#20050071741) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office which gives insight into how to optimize one's website to do well in the Google rankings. The filing of the patent gives verification that Google uses or intends to use historical data in its ranking algorithm. This patent also gives credence to the Google Sandbox Theory for new websites.
Under the Google Sandbox Theory, new websites are placed in a sort of holding tank for observation for a period of time (6 - 9 months at present) until the website has proved that it's not a fly-by-night operation.
Once the Sandbox period is over, then new websites will climb rapidly in the rankings. The Google Sandbox Theory is an unofficial theory based on observation and anecdotal evidence from those within the search engine optimization industry.
Based on the new Google patent here are the top 5 suggestions to better optimization for Google:
1- Build links slowly to your website. Websites that put up a bunch links quickly send up a red flag that links are being added in order to boost rankings. According to Google, natural links happen slowly over time, so one's link-building strategy also needs to include link-building slowly over time.
2- The anchor text in the back links to a website also need to be natural as well. If a website has lots of great content of interest to visitors, other Webmasters will naturally link to the website. Content is still king when it comes to building natural links.
In fact, having great content is the best natural linking strategy.
3- If content is king, then fresh content is prince. Google thrives on websites that are constantly adding fresh content. Websites with stale content erode in value over time.
4- When adding fresh content, make sure it is substantial. According to the patent, Google measures substantial versus insubstantial content that is being added to a website.
Don't try to trick the search engines with lots of minor content updates.
5- Outbound links to trusted, authority sites help in the rankings. As a reputable online business, it makes good business sense to refer customers to other reputable businesses as well. Referring customers to disreputable websites only hurt a business's reputation and credibility and Google takes this into account when deciding how to rank websites.
There are more insights to be gained from the patent application, but these are the highlights that will help Webmasters and SEO's focusing on Google to achieve higher rankings. Many of these ideas have been stated before as theory and now the patent application verifies these theories.
Historical data has always been thought to play a significant role in the Google rankings. So now that it has been confirmedPsychology Articles, taking action seems to be the next logical step.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Biehn, SEO Consultant.Affordable Search Engine Optimization Services.comProfessional And Affordable Search Engine Optimization Services Trought Natural Search Engines Results.
A group of Google employees have recently filed a patent application (#20050071741) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office which gives insight into how to optimize one's website to do well in the Google rankings. The filing of the patent gives verification that Google uses or intends to use historical data in its ranking algorithm. This patent also gives credence to the Google Sandbox Theory for new websites.
Under the Google Sandbox Theory, new websites are placed in a sort of holding tank for observation for a period of time (6 - 9 months at present) until the website has proved that it's not a fly-by-night operation.
Once the Sandbox period is over, then new websites will climb rapidly in the rankings. The Google Sandbox Theory is an unofficial theory based on observation and anecdotal evidence from those within the search engine optimization industry.
Based on the new Google patent here are the top 5 suggestions to better optimization for Google:
1- Build links slowly to your website. Websites that put up a bunch links quickly send up a red flag that links are being added in order to boost rankings. According to Google, natural links happen slowly over time, so one's link-building strategy also needs to include link-building slowly over time.
2- The anchor text in the back links to a website also need to be natural as well. If a website has lots of great content of interest to visitors, other Webmasters will naturally link to the website. Content is still king when it comes to building natural links.
In fact, having great content is the best natural linking strategy.
3- If content is king, then fresh content is prince. Google thrives on websites that are constantly adding fresh content. Websites with stale content erode in value over time.
4- When adding fresh content, make sure it is substantial. According to the patent, Google measures substantial versus insubstantial content that is being added to a website.
Don't try to trick the search engines with lots of minor content updates.
5- Outbound links to trusted, authority sites help in the rankings. As a reputable online business, it makes good business sense to refer customers to other reputable businesses as well. Referring customers to disreputable websites only hurt a business's reputation and credibility and Google takes this into account when deciding how to rank websites.
There are more insights to be gained from the patent application, but these are the highlights that will help Webmasters and SEO's focusing on Google to achieve higher rankings. Many of these ideas have been stated before as theory and now the patent application verifies these theories.
Historical data has always been thought to play a significant role in the Google rankings. So now that it has been confirmedPsychology Articles, taking action seems to be the next logical step.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Biehn, SEO Consultant.Affordable Search Engine Optimization Services.comProfessional And Affordable Search Engine Optimization Services Trought Natural Search Engines Results.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Show me the Money!!
Show me the money!!!
Are you ready to raise money for your startup?
Leslie Mitts, Managing Practice Leader at the Wharton SBDC and Lead
Advisor for the Wharton Venture Initiation Program, tells us that most
entrepreneurs coming through her programs are focused on raising
capital, even though there are higher priorities in many of their
businesses. Since fresh dollars help drive the business engine, this is
a natural entrepreneurial concern.
But are you ready to raise money?
Going to investors before you are really ready can damage your reputation and may actually hinder future funding efforts.
Team and a Dream uses a unique Fundability Diagnostic to help companies
assess their strengths in four key areas:
Team - This is the most frequently cited attribute examined by
investors. Many investors will invest in an A-level team and a B-level
product, but not the opposite. Having your Seed Team nailed is crucial.
Traction - Showing momentum is a critical element to demonstrating
progress and your ability to execute.
Perceived Pain - Do people really need your product? Why? Will they
need it in the future?
Product Eco-system - How does your product fit into existing and
emerging landscapes? Who else is out there and how big will this market
grow?
Find out what you need to succeed and discover your roadmap to getting
there. Take the quiz below to see how well you might expect to score
with investors. For each of the four sections outlined above, see
which hurdles you can clear given the current state of your business.
PROCEED WITH CAUTION: Only self-aware entrepreneurs should take these
results seriously.
ASSESSING YOUR TEAM
Part A:
If you or any member of your current team are not planning on being the
CEO, give yourself two points and proceed to Part B.
If someone on your team IS planning to continue on as CEO, then youÂ’ll
need to answer yes to both of the next two questions in order to score
two points; otherwise, take a zero.
1. Our CEO has significant, previous management experience in a startup
or comparable operating environment (i.e. middle management in a large
company doesnÂ’t count!) ( 1 point)
2. Our CEO is able to rapidly assess and prioritize our work with the
respect of the team ( 1 point)
Part B:
Score one point for each answer.
1. Someone on my team has significant experience in the domain space in
which we are starting the company ( 1 point)
2. Our team understands and acts as if they understand the difference
between tasks that are urgent, urgent and important, important, and
none of the above ( 1 point)
3. This team has terrific chemistry ( 1 point)
Your score (0-5) is your Total Team Score.
If you scored three or more, you pass the Team Hurdle.
TRACTION
Score one point for each item you can answer positively.
1. We have made a few initial sales and have positive indicators from
the marketplace for additional sales growth ( 1 point)
2. So many good things are happening I am bouncing off the walls with
excitement ( 1 point)
3. I have added a significant team member (besides myself!) in the past
two months ( 1 point)
4. In the past two months, I received press coverage that would be
acknowledged by my prospects as legitimate business coverage ( 1 point)
5. We recently have achieved a significant product or marketplace
milestone (includes a single, initial sale) ( 1 point)
Your score (0-5) is your Total Traction Score.
If you scored three or more, you pass the Traction Hurdle.
PERCEIVED PAIN
Award your Team the number of points indicated after each question that
you answer positively.
1. My product or service solves an important problem for a well defined
group of people ( 2 points)
2. My product or service will be in great demand in the future in order
to solve problems emerging from a new trend that has a large population
of prospects ( 2 points)
3. .My product or service takes advantage of newly available market
forces (technology, demographics, societal). The result is an offering
that will clearly appeal to an existing, well-known market demographic
( 1 point)
Your score (0-5) is your Total Perceived Pain Score.
If you scored three or more, you pass the Perceived Pain Hurdle.
PRODUCT ECO-SYSTEM
Score the stated number of points for each item you can answer
positively.
1. My product is unique in a clearly defined (i.e. I can describe the
difference in one or two clear sentences) and useful way ( 1 point)
2. My product is patented or can easily be patented or I have another
competitive barrier (e.g. trade secret, unique manufacturing process,
etc.) that will make it difficult for others to compete directly ( 1
point)
3. My marketplace is well established but fragmented or my product has
“category killer” potential because it is so unique to the market ( 1
point)
4. My marketplace is either very big (> $5 billion/year in sales) with
clear room for a product like mine or is rapidly growing with well
documented trend lines ( 1 point)
5. My marketplace is wide open and there are no competitors ( subtract 1
point)
Your score of (-1 to 4) is your Total Product Eco-System Score.
If you scored three or more, you pass the Product Eco-System Hurdle.
Now that you have completed the scoring, we shall take a look at how
“fundable” your company is. Before we do, it’s important to realize
that this is a snapshot in time. If you are not satisfied with your
score, there are plenty of things you can do to improve it. IÂ’ve seen
many of my clients make tremendous progress along these dimensions by
extending their team, focusing on sales or tweaking their offering.
YOUR FUNDABILITY RATING:
Number of Hurdles Cleared: None
IMPLICATION
If you received this score and hope to receive funding, then you have a
lot of work to do.
Perhaps you just know you want to start a business and are looking for
ideas. If so, keep these criteria in mind as you formulate your plans.
If you already have a business concept, you should think long and hard
about “re-conceiving” some elements of it to improve your scores.
Many perfectly good “lifestyle” businesses may fall into this scale –
you just canÂ’t get funding for them.
Number of Hurdles Cleared: One
IMPLICATION
Funding from your rich uncle may be possible
Number of Hurdles Cleared: two
IMPLICATION
Funding from family and friends network may be possible
Number of Hurdles Cleared: three
IMPLICATION
Professional investors will consider this, but youÂ’ll need to be
prepared to explain how youÂ’ll address your gaps.
Number of Hurdles Cleared: all four
IMPLICATION
Put the finishing touches on your business plan and hit the funding
trail!
You will have the best chances of success in fund-raising if investors
see that you can clear the hurdles in all four areas.
NOTE: Team and a Dream offers a professional version of this assessment
that offers additional detail and examines nuances that arenÂ’t possible
to convey in a simple quiz. If you have an interest in the
professional assessment, please visit us at
http://www.teamandadream.com/contactus.htm
Contact Information:
http://www.teamandadream.com
skip@teamandadream.com
(610) 687-9195
Copyright (c) 2005, All rights reserved by Post DestinyBusiness Management Articles, Inc. d/b/a
Team and a Dream(SM)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
As an advisor-builder with a sense of adventure, founder Skip Shuda has worked with numerous startups since 1983, including Destiny WebSolutions, which he founded in 1994. Destiny was named Startup Company of the year in 1998's Philadelphia Area Enterprise Awards. Destiny grew to $25 million in annualized revenues in 2000 and employed over 120 people.
Are you ready to raise money for your startup?
Leslie Mitts, Managing Practice Leader at the Wharton SBDC and Lead
Advisor for the Wharton Venture Initiation Program, tells us that most
entrepreneurs coming through her programs are focused on raising
capital, even though there are higher priorities in many of their
businesses. Since fresh dollars help drive the business engine, this is
a natural entrepreneurial concern.
But are you ready to raise money?
Going to investors before you are really ready can damage your reputation and may actually hinder future funding efforts.
Team and a Dream uses a unique Fundability Diagnostic to help companies
assess their strengths in four key areas:
Team - This is the most frequently cited attribute examined by
investors. Many investors will invest in an A-level team and a B-level
product, but not the opposite. Having your Seed Team nailed is crucial.
Traction - Showing momentum is a critical element to demonstrating
progress and your ability to execute.
Perceived Pain - Do people really need your product? Why? Will they
need it in the future?
Product Eco-system - How does your product fit into existing and
emerging landscapes? Who else is out there and how big will this market
grow?
Find out what you need to succeed and discover your roadmap to getting
there. Take the quiz below to see how well you might expect to score
with investors. For each of the four sections outlined above, see
which hurdles you can clear given the current state of your business.
PROCEED WITH CAUTION: Only self-aware entrepreneurs should take these
results seriously.
ASSESSING YOUR TEAM
Part A:
If you or any member of your current team are not planning on being the
CEO, give yourself two points and proceed to Part B.
If someone on your team IS planning to continue on as CEO, then youÂ’ll
need to answer yes to both of the next two questions in order to score
two points; otherwise, take a zero.
1. Our CEO has significant, previous management experience in a startup
or comparable operating environment (i.e. middle management in a large
company doesnÂ’t count!) ( 1 point)
2. Our CEO is able to rapidly assess and prioritize our work with the
respect of the team ( 1 point)
Part B:
Score one point for each answer.
1. Someone on my team has significant experience in the domain space in
which we are starting the company ( 1 point)
2. Our team understands and acts as if they understand the difference
between tasks that are urgent, urgent and important, important, and
none of the above ( 1 point)
3. This team has terrific chemistry ( 1 point)
Your score (0-5) is your Total Team Score.
If you scored three or more, you pass the Team Hurdle.
TRACTION
Score one point for each item you can answer positively.
1. We have made a few initial sales and have positive indicators from
the marketplace for additional sales growth ( 1 point)
2. So many good things are happening I am bouncing off the walls with
excitement ( 1 point)
3. I have added a significant team member (besides myself!) in the past
two months ( 1 point)
4. In the past two months, I received press coverage that would be
acknowledged by my prospects as legitimate business coverage ( 1 point)
5. We recently have achieved a significant product or marketplace
milestone (includes a single, initial sale) ( 1 point)
Your score (0-5) is your Total Traction Score.
If you scored three or more, you pass the Traction Hurdle.
PERCEIVED PAIN
Award your Team the number of points indicated after each question that
you answer positively.
1. My product or service solves an important problem for a well defined
group of people ( 2 points)
2. My product or service will be in great demand in the future in order
to solve problems emerging from a new trend that has a large population
of prospects ( 2 points)
3. .My product or service takes advantage of newly available market
forces (technology, demographics, societal). The result is an offering
that will clearly appeal to an existing, well-known market demographic
( 1 point)
Your score (0-5) is your Total Perceived Pain Score.
If you scored three or more, you pass the Perceived Pain Hurdle.
PRODUCT ECO-SYSTEM
Score the stated number of points for each item you can answer
positively.
1. My product is unique in a clearly defined (i.e. I can describe the
difference in one or two clear sentences) and useful way ( 1 point)
2. My product is patented or can easily be patented or I have another
competitive barrier (e.g. trade secret, unique manufacturing process,
etc.) that will make it difficult for others to compete directly ( 1
point)
3. My marketplace is well established but fragmented or my product has
“category killer” potential because it is so unique to the market ( 1
point)
4. My marketplace is either very big (> $5 billion/year in sales) with
clear room for a product like mine or is rapidly growing with well
documented trend lines ( 1 point)
5. My marketplace is wide open and there are no competitors ( subtract 1
point)
Your score of (-1 to 4) is your Total Product Eco-System Score.
If you scored three or more, you pass the Product Eco-System Hurdle.
Now that you have completed the scoring, we shall take a look at how
“fundable” your company is. Before we do, it’s important to realize
that this is a snapshot in time. If you are not satisfied with your
score, there are plenty of things you can do to improve it. IÂ’ve seen
many of my clients make tremendous progress along these dimensions by
extending their team, focusing on sales or tweaking their offering.
YOUR FUNDABILITY RATING:
Number of Hurdles Cleared: None
IMPLICATION
If you received this score and hope to receive funding, then you have a
lot of work to do.
Perhaps you just know you want to start a business and are looking for
ideas. If so, keep these criteria in mind as you formulate your plans.
If you already have a business concept, you should think long and hard
about “re-conceiving” some elements of it to improve your scores.
Many perfectly good “lifestyle” businesses may fall into this scale –
you just canÂ’t get funding for them.
Number of Hurdles Cleared: One
IMPLICATION
Funding from your rich uncle may be possible
Number of Hurdles Cleared: two
IMPLICATION
Funding from family and friends network may be possible
Number of Hurdles Cleared: three
IMPLICATION
Professional investors will consider this, but youÂ’ll need to be
prepared to explain how youÂ’ll address your gaps.
Number of Hurdles Cleared: all four
IMPLICATION
Put the finishing touches on your business plan and hit the funding
trail!
You will have the best chances of success in fund-raising if investors
see that you can clear the hurdles in all four areas.
NOTE: Team and a Dream offers a professional version of this assessment
that offers additional detail and examines nuances that arenÂ’t possible
to convey in a simple quiz. If you have an interest in the
professional assessment, please visit us at
http://www.teamandadream.com/contactus.htm
Contact Information:
http://www.teamandadream.com
skip@teamandadream.com
(610) 687-9195
Copyright (c) 2005, All rights reserved by Post DestinyBusiness Management Articles, Inc. d/b/a
Team and a Dream(SM)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
As an advisor-builder with a sense of adventure, founder Skip Shuda has worked with numerous startups since 1983, including Destiny WebSolutions, which he founded in 1994. Destiny was named Startup Company of the year in 1998's Philadelphia Area Enterprise Awards. Destiny grew to $25 million in annualized revenues in 2000 and employed over 120 people.
Starting An Online Business Can Be Fun And Profitable
Starting an online business can be fun, profitable and a very rewarding experience. Many people dream of having a home based business and the freedom that comes with a successful venture. There are many online business opportunities to choose from. Just go to any search engine and type in “home business opportunities” and you will literally have thousands of opportunities. So how do we decide which one is right for you? The right opportunity depends on several factors. Two key factors are how much time you can devote to your new business venture and how much your budget can afford.
The best online business opportunities should be free to join, have multiple affiliate programs to choose from, and offer free website design and setup. This type of opportunity is totally free and provides residual income streams. Your only monetary requirement is to pay for website hosting, an autoresponder service, and advertising your new website. Your website hosting and autoresponder service can vary significantly, so check pricing before committing, and your advertising budget is totally up to you. If your advertising budget is tight, there are several free forms of advertising available. Take things slow and don’t get discouraged. It takes time to build a business.
Your new online business should first begin as a “sole proprietorship”, which means that you are the sole owner of the business. Your social security number will be your tax identification number, so you don’t need to apply for a federal identification number. You don’t even have to report to the government that you are in business until you file your tax return (schedule C).
Remember that every expense for your business is tax deductible. Your new business can generate thousands of dollars in deductible expenses every year whether your business is profitable or not. Keep receipts and a record of your income and expenses. This can be easily accomplished with any spreadsheet software and is probably already on your computer.
Once your website is up and running and your autoresponder is ready to send prewritten articles to all your potential customers, your next step is to begin your advertising campaign. You have several advertising options to choose from. If you desire to get off to a quick start then you will have to pay for advertising. This can be in the form of purchasing leads from a reputable lead generating company, buying key word phrases from places like Google or Overture, ad placement on various websitesFind Article, and traffic generating sites. Success in your new online business venture depends on your marketing effort. Online business success is 90% marketing and only 10% dependent on the products or services you offer. The key to your success is marketing!
One of the best advertising options for tight budgets is free traffic generating sites. Go to any search engine and type in “free web traffic” and visit several of the listings. The best sites will enable you to generate free traffic at no cost. These “free sites” allow you to surf for credits. These credits are then used to promote your website. Another free option is linking your website to another website. This is called reciprocal linking and can generate a steady flow of potential customers to your website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Clark operates a successful online business for fun and for profit. Launch your very own money making website today that's 100% ready to take orders and pull in MASSIVE PROFITS for you right now...GUARANTEED! Don't delay visit: http://www.moneybuildersystem.com/pips.html
The best online business opportunities should be free to join, have multiple affiliate programs to choose from, and offer free website design and setup. This type of opportunity is totally free and provides residual income streams. Your only monetary requirement is to pay for website hosting, an autoresponder service, and advertising your new website. Your website hosting and autoresponder service can vary significantly, so check pricing before committing, and your advertising budget is totally up to you. If your advertising budget is tight, there are several free forms of advertising available. Take things slow and don’t get discouraged. It takes time to build a business.
Your new online business should first begin as a “sole proprietorship”, which means that you are the sole owner of the business. Your social security number will be your tax identification number, so you don’t need to apply for a federal identification number. You don’t even have to report to the government that you are in business until you file your tax return (schedule C).
Remember that every expense for your business is tax deductible. Your new business can generate thousands of dollars in deductible expenses every year whether your business is profitable or not. Keep receipts and a record of your income and expenses. This can be easily accomplished with any spreadsheet software and is probably already on your computer.
Once your website is up and running and your autoresponder is ready to send prewritten articles to all your potential customers, your next step is to begin your advertising campaign. You have several advertising options to choose from. If you desire to get off to a quick start then you will have to pay for advertising. This can be in the form of purchasing leads from a reputable lead generating company, buying key word phrases from places like Google or Overture, ad placement on various websitesFind Article, and traffic generating sites. Success in your new online business venture depends on your marketing effort. Online business success is 90% marketing and only 10% dependent on the products or services you offer. The key to your success is marketing!
One of the best advertising options for tight budgets is free traffic generating sites. Go to any search engine and type in “free web traffic” and visit several of the listings. The best sites will enable you to generate free traffic at no cost. These “free sites” allow you to surf for credits. These credits are then used to promote your website. Another free option is linking your website to another website. This is called reciprocal linking and can generate a steady flow of potential customers to your website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Clark operates a successful online business for fun and for profit. Launch your very own money making website today that's 100% ready to take orders and pull in MASSIVE PROFITS for you right now...GUARANTEED! Don't delay visit: http://www.moneybuildersystem.com/pips.html
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