| Until Bing turns into David and slays Goliath, the only | | | | wrong signals and it could spell lower rankings. So if |
| search engine game in town is Google. While the other | | | | you want to keep your site in Google's good graces, |
| search engines can't be ignored or forgotten, when it | | | | you have to follow some simple SEO on-page rules, |
| comes to online search, Google will deliver the majority | | | | such as placing your main keyword in the Title, in the |
| of your quality organic traffic. For webmasters and | | | | Heading, in the Body and in the URL. Make sure your |
| especially for online marketers, having your website | | | | site is easily navigated by your visitors and especially |
| virtually hard-wired to Google is a marketing Must-Do. | | | | by the search engine spiders. Keep your linking |
| We are strictly talking about white hat stuff here, if | | | | structure simple, with no links more than three clicks |
| you're seeking the opposite color, look elsewhere. As a | | | | away from your index or homepage. In my opinion, |
| full-time search engine marketer, I have learned a few | | | | getting quality related one-way backlinks is the most |
| things over the 10 years or so I have been working on | | | | important way to get top rankings in Google. |
| the web. One of the most significant factors running | | | | In recent years, Google has gone out of its way to |
| constantly in the background has been Google. And | | | | help webmasters understand all these simple SEO |
| the underlying fact that the more I intertwined my sites | | | | basics. And as far as I am concerned, one resource |
| and content with Google, the more success I would | | | | every webmaster should be using is Google |
| achieve. There seemed to be a direct correlation | | | | Webmaster Tools. This is a whole suite of tools and |
| between the two, making it a little more than ironic that | | | | information webmasters can use in correlation with |
| the original name for Google was BackRub. | | | | Google. Recently, in Webmaster Tools Google has |
| But this is not exactly rocket science territory here, | | | | made available Click-Thru data on its search engine |
| Google is the biggest entity on the web, especially if | | | | results so that you can find out how many impressions |
| you go the free organic traffic route. There are tons | | | | you're getting for a certain keyword and your click-thru |
| of ways to market online which don't involve Google | | | | or conversion rate. Some webmasters are questioning |
| at all, but for the purposes of this piece, I will be | | | | the accuracy of these numbers but it will give you |
| discussing ways any webmaster or marketer can | | | | some indication of how well your site and content is |
| better connect their site and content with Google. Plus, | | | | doing in Google. |
| if it's not already obvious, also give you some reasons | | | | Perhaps, another just as valuable program is Google |
| why this is a smart marketing strategy on your part. | | | | Analytics, where you're really giving Google access to |
| The first technique you must perfect is how to get | | | | all your site's information. You can use Analytics to |
| your new content into Google's Index within minutes, if | | | | measure different links/content on your site to see |
| not seconds. These days with social media sites this | | | | how well it preforms. More importantly you can use it |
| can be easily achieved. It may be as fast as your | | | | to fine-tune your conversion rates in order to make |
| latest Tweet or Google Buzz. Google News is another | | | | more sales. I also use it to test-out different graphics, |
| easy way to instantly get your content into Google. | | | | different salescopy, different site layouts... and so on. |
| Press releases are another immediate way to connect | | | | But a word of caution, don't just use Analytics, as an |
| your content with Google. So too is something as | | | | online marketer you want many sources of |
| simple as making a video and posting it on YouTube | | | | information, so regularly study your own traffic logs |
| which is Google Owned. (Note - Google has recently | | | | and raw site data. Even with Google and probably |
| revamped the YouTube system and provided many | | | | especially with Google, you should always |
| ways webmasters can view the linking data and stats; | | | | cross-reference any data with other sources on your |
| great source of information for webmasters and | | | | site and on the web. Lets not get too carried away |
| marketers.) | | | | with this Google worship thing. |
| Actually Google will index any new site or content | | | | I use both Google AdSense and Google AdWords |
| fairly quickly these days so you don't have to worry | | | | with most of my sites. While as an online marketer, I |
| about it. One method I like best is using a free blog | | | | know I can get 10 times more from an affiliate link |
| from Blogger/Blogspot (which is also Google owned) | | | | rather than monies from AdSense... but over the years |
| and placing links here to be indexed within minutes. To | | | | I have found having both types of links on sites don't |
| keep track of what content Google is indexing, I usually | | | | significantly reduce sales. To explain further, I have |
| set up Google Alerts for all my main sites and my | | | | tested my pages with and without AdSense, and it |
| main keywords. Whenever a page is indexed in | | | | doesn't affect my affiliate sales even though I know I |
| Google related to my sites or keywords, Google | | | | am losing some sales to AdSense. But overall, using |
| sends me an email. Many savvy webmasters use | | | | AdSense adds to the competitiveness of my pages, if |
| these alerts to find and build link partners since these | | | | someone is looking for the lowest price and finds it in a |
| indexed pages will be thematically related to yours. | | | | Google ad they come away happy and will probably |
| Using Google Alerts will make it seem like you're totally | | | | visit my site again or sign-up to my newsletter. Besides, |
| welded to Google and Google's indexing system, | | | | AdSense is a very quick way to monetize pages |
| every second of the day. | | | | which I don't have ready affiliate programs for on my |
| Needless to say, keywords rule the web and Google. | | | | sites. Plus, both AdSense and AdWords give you |
| You must attach your content to keywords people | | | | valuable feedback on your content's performance. |
| are using to find stuff on the web and build top 10 | | | | There are several other Google programs which I use |
| rankings for those keywords in the search engines, | | | | to further connect with Google such as Google Docs, |
| especially Google. Now if you're new at this, Google | | | | Google Knol and iGoogle. One must-have program is |
| gives you some valuable keyword tools you can use | | | | Google Accounts, which basically connects me with all |
| to see how many searches are made each month for | | | | my different programs within Google. I have found |
| a keyword phrase and also gives you some idea of | | | | managing all your Google programs is much easier |
| the keyword competition you will be facing. I like using | | | | from this one location. I also like using Google Profiles |
| these tools here: google(dot)com/sktool and also | | | | and Google Buzz to get my content quickly into |
| labs(dot)google(dot)com/sets. Besides, you must start | | | | Google and onto the web. As you have probably |
| your Google courtship off on the right foundation. | | | | guessed already, Google does have a lot of programs |
| Next, you must realize Google is not really a search | | | | which webmasters can use to improve their content's |
| engine but a business. The main goal of this business is | | | | performance. In the process, by using and intertwining |
| to supply quality content to web users so that these | | | | your content with all of the Google programs |
| users will use Google over and over again, allowing | | | | highlighted here, you're really connecting with Google |
| Google to attach ads and make a profit. The key to | | | | en masse. |
| getting and keeping Google's attention is fulfilling your | | | | While many marketing experts will say it is foolhardy |
| part of this "quality equation" with superior content | | | | to marry all your content to just one search engine, but |
| which surfers want and find helpful. Make this your | | | | I have found over the years, hard-wiring your site to |
| religion and the SEO gods, including Google, will smile | | | | Google really makes your content readily accessible in |
| kindly upon your site. | | | | the most dominant presence on the web. Doing so not |
| Now like any religion there are some strict rules you | | | | only gives your content the attention it deserves, but it |
| have to follow. In a recent WebProNews video | | | | can also help further your own goals. Actively |
| interview, Matt Cutts said Google has (200) signals it | | | | positioning your site and content firmly within Google's |
| uses to rank content on the web. Most webmasters | | | | many different facets can prove beneficial for any |
| refer to these as ranking factors, but in truth, they are | | | | webmaster or online marketer. Just get that pre-nup |
| really signals that your site gives off... provide the | | | | agreement in writing first! |