The 11 Deadly Sins of Search Engine Optimization

Written by Jeff Palmer


Continued from page 1

7. Graphics Used For Text Links. Web designers often use graphics to represent a link in a web site. There are many reasons for this choice. Unfortunately for web designers,repparttar major internet browsers display web pages in different ways. Since fonts display differently on individual computers and in different browsers, it is a much simpler proposition for designers to create graphic links than it is to attempt to create cross-browser text links. The downside to this work-around is that search engines have no idea if a graphic link relates to a specific web page or a link to downloadrepparttar 119938 latest Britney Spears MP3. For search engines to understand what a link is truly representing, they need to find words in plain, good old fashioned text. If a web site must use graphics for navigation it is important to include a set of plain text links somewhere onrepparttar 119939 web page, usually atrepparttar 119940 bottom ofrepparttar 119941 page.

8. Use of Frames. Search engines have a hard time indexing sites that are created in frames. Framed sites use several html files to display one page. Search engines are often confused byrepparttar 119942 frames method of creating web sites, usually only indexingrepparttar 119943 first html file withinrepparttar 119944 framPages that aren't indexed will never show up in search engine results. Also, many people that userepparttar 119945 internet regularly for research and purchases, so called "power users", tend to avoid sites built with frames, especially those sites which requirerepparttar 119946 user to scroll content in separate frames. Simply put, frames are bad.

9. Splash Pages. Entry pages that instructrepparttar 119947 user to "Enter", usually decorated with a large graphic or a flash animation. The index page of a web site isrepparttar 119948 one that search engines read first. More often than notrepparttar 119949 only readable content on this type of page is a link that says, “skip intro" Splash pages lack indexable content, usually contain no links and often contain a "redirect" torepparttar 119950 real home page. Search engines do not like redirects, they wantrepparttar 119951 real thing. Avoid splash pages unless you aren't serious about being found by search engines.

10. Submitting To 10,000 Search Engines I sometimes have a difficult time believing that these services are still making money, more importantly that people still think that they work. The fact is that a handful of search engines account for about 90% of allrepparttar 119952 web traffic generated andrepparttar 119953 rest comes from people typing in a web site's URL indirectly into their browser's address bar. The amount of viewers generated from these Mega-Search Submittal services is so negligible that it's hardly worth consideration. Don't waste your time or your money.

11. Not Clearly Defining Action Points Another mistake that is repeated quite is often isrepparttar 119954 failure to clearly define whatrepparttar 119955 objectives of a web site are. What arerepparttar 119956 main goals of a site? Who willrepparttar 119957 primary audience be? What actions are desired ofrepparttar 119958 site’s visitors? If these questions aren’t answered prior to designing a site they will reflect a poor user experience inrepparttar 119959 final result. Action points or calls to action are a terminology handed down fromrepparttar 119960 traditional marketing world. They serve to define a desired action and are often supported by persuasive sales copy. Thoughrepparttar 119961 basic concepts arerepparttar 119962 same as traditional marketing, calls to action can take many different forms onrepparttar 119963 internet. Often they appear as links or as part of a shopping cart. The nature of a web site determines its type of action point. The most important thing to consider is that without them, viewers have little or no idea whatrepparttar 119964 purpose of your site is. Imagine an infomercial running a half hour long advertisement on television, yetrepparttar 119965 commentator says nothing duringrepparttar 119966 whole ad, just stands there holding a cardboard box, you are left trying to guess what’s inside,repparttar 119967 advertisement offers no explanations or means of contactingrepparttar 119968 company involved. Pointless isn’t it? This is exactly what a web site without clearly defined points of action accomplishes; nothing. It’s an exercise in futility.

Jeff Palmer is a search engine optimization specialist and senior interactive designer for Openvision an Internet marketing company located in Hilton Head Island South Carolina. www.openvision.com

email - succeed@openvision.com


Maximize Attention for Your Small Business

Written by Jeremy Cohen


Continued from page 1

Because you don’t haverepparttar capital to run thousands of television and full page print ads in major periodicals, you must massage your marketing message intorepparttar 119937 every-day occurrences of running your business.

For example, how often do you give someone a business card or answerrepparttar 119938 phone? These are great opportunities to splash your prospects with your marketing message. You don’t need a $2.5 million commercial to run during The Big Game to successfully market your business. So, do some brainstorming and come up with a list of other frequent opportunities where you can use your marketing message. You’ll be glad you did!

4. Demonstrate Value If your marketing message is good it will help your prospects recognize you asrepparttar 119939 solution to their problem and it will also inspire them to takerepparttar 119940 action you want them to take; visit your web site, for example. Use this step to demonstrate value to your prospects. Once you’ve drawn them in, show them you’re for real by giving something away for free in exchange for their contact information. Some common giveaways are E-Books or instructional articles. By giving something away you createrepparttar 119941 opportunity to demonstrate your expertise and you also give your prospects something to talk about with their peers and colleagues. There’s nothing like word of mouth referrals.

5. Develop a Relationship Once you have your prospects’ contact information you can maximize attention for your business by staying in touch. I suggest publishing a helpful newsletter. Send it as often as you can, but probably not more than once a week. You don’t want to become a bother to your prospects. Get permission to send it when your prospects sign up for your freebie. We don’t want to send unwanted email.

By sending a periodic newsletter or other correspondence you help to keep yourself on your prospects radar screen. As time moves on you will maintain your position in your prospects’ minds and vastly improve your chances of having them turn to you when they decide they need help. You can also use your newsletter to inform them of new products and services as you develop them.

Move Your Marketing Forward Makerepparttar 119942 decision to droprepparttar 119943 slogan and takerepparttar 119944 time to develop, use and follow through with your marketing message. You will be amazed by your ability to have new clients contact you.

The author, marketing coach, Jeremy Cohen, helps small business owners implement proven marketing strategies to attract more clients and grow their business. Inquire about his coaching service or request his free marketing guide: Jumpstart Marketing:More Profits, Clients and Success at: http://www.bettermarketingresults.com/marketing-services.asp


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