I have been working with a long-time design client the last few weeks to improve her search engine rankings. We have spent time researching her target keywords and phrases and reviewing her main competitors to see what they are doing differently that is helping them in the search engines. One of the things I pointed out to her was content - her competition is offering loads of it from articles to blogs.
Here are ideas I gave for increasing her website content:
Add articles to your website
I think many webmasters are afraid of articles, thinking they must be long drawn-out masterpieces. Totally not true. In my clients case (who designs candy wrappers), articles could be short tips like how to plan the perfect baby shower, etc.
Are you absolutely sure you can’t write your own article? No problem. Articles do not need to be written by you to benefit your website. There are many free article databases, like Ezine Articles, where you can find articles to use on your website. You can also accept article submissions from authors and webmasters right from your own website - just create a page with what you are looking for. Article directories are a win-win situation as you receive free content and authors receive free exposure.
You could also outsource your website content to a freelance writer who will write articles for you but leave off author information. This is best if you are looking for unique content that does not link to an outside source.
Add a blog to your website
Blogging is an easy way to add content. And as I pointed out to my design client, many businesses are utilizing them (her top competitors are). Blogs are super-easy to set up and can be used to advertise special offers, reviews, tips, etc.
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Author: Gerae Lindsey |
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In the 6+ years I’ve ran my web design business, I have spent little time promoting my website. Referrals have kept me so busy that I’ve never had a need to market my website. Now that I have expanded my horizons into affiliate marketing, I have begun creating smaller sites that need traffic. I have spent lots of time promoting my client websites but now that I am working on my own - I feel stuck. How do I increase my traffic???
There are the obvious routes that always come to mind first:
- Link exchanges (reciprocal and one-way)
- Submissions to directories
- Article writing
- Pay per click advertising
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Author: Gerae Lindsey |
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I have never used PPC myself, but I have a lot of clients who have opted to use this route to increase traffic to their websites.
They tend to ask me a lot of questions about the whole process, so instead of sounding completely clueless (which I mostly AM about PPC), I decided to research it a bit to help answer questions I receive.
What is Pay-Per-Click advertising?
Definition from Wikipedia: Pay per click (PPC) is an advertising technique used on websites, advertising networks, and search engines. Advertisers bid on “keywords” that they believe their target market (people they think would be interested in their offer) would type in the search bar when they are looking for their type of product or service. For example, if an advertiser sells red widgets, he/she would bid on the keyword “red widgets”, hoping a user would type those words in the search bar, see their ad, click on it and buy. These ads are called “sponsored links” or “sponsored ads” and appear next to and sometimes above the natural or organic results on the page. The advertiser pays only when the user clicks on the ad.
So basically you…
1. Choose the desired keywords you want for your website to appear in listings for (example: a baby shower website might want their website to appear for the keywords baby shower gifts, baby shower, etc.).
You can use Overture’s free Keyword Selector Tool for help choosing the right terms for your website listing.
2. Set the price (by bidding with other competitors) you are willing to pay each time someone clicks on your listing.
3. Pay said amount each time a user clicks on your listing.
Here is an example of where your listing will appear in search engines:
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Author: Gerae Lindsey |
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Here are different ways you can advertise your business website at no cost you. Obviously some are more geared towards Moms in business and women in general (as I am both) but many are also for business owners in general.
Article Submission Sites
Submitting your articles for use on other websites is an easy and free way to increase traffic to your own website. Every article you write will include your name, email address, website address and business information. Basically a small advertisement that links to your business. Here are some websites that allow you to submit your articles for webmasters to use on their website.
Article City
This is one of my personal favorites for finding articles.
Articlesbase
Ezine Article Submission
(I have an article submitted here.)
Idea Marketers
Free Business Directories
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Author: Gerae Lindsey |
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