Google Concerns and How to Handle Them

Volume III, Issue 1
ISSN: 1547-7754
June 2005
printable version

Chris King, Editor
By subscription only, this monthly e-newsletter is loaded with short, "down and dirty" tips to help you with solving the everchanging and growing puzzle of the Internet. This e-zine serves as a place to ask your questions and find the answers. So, send me your burning questions.

WOW! We are celebrating our Second Anniversary! In honor of our Second Anniversary, rather than continuing our discussion of products and product creation, I decided to write about the latest topic of discussion on the Internet. Yes, it is Google, Google page ranking, where your website appears in searches, and how to get a good Google placement.

What's the big deal, you ask? The majority of searchers use Google for their searches. And, if you are like most, you don't check the results past the second page, and often not past the first page. So, to grab those surfers, we want to place toward the beginning.

Following are TIPs for improving search traffic to your website:

TIP #1. Realize that a little bit of knowledge can be dangerous. Many people who spend a good deal of time on the Internet and even some who have thrown together a website feel they are experts. They cling to the notion that keywords in the meta tags will solve all search problems, for example. These tags are almost completely ignored today by search engines, especially Google. Take everything that these so-called experts advise lightly.

TIP #2. Well-chosen keywords that appear in your titles (and always have a page titled - look up to the top of the browser), headings and text help with placement. The keywords should relate to your content. And you must not repeat the same ones over and over and over (Google will punish you, if you do). In the beginning, slick website designers would try all kinds of tricks - make the keywords the same color as the background. Google is onto the tricks, so don't be tricky.

TIP #3. There should be a balance of keywords on a page. Google sees red flags when keywords appear excessively. A rule of thumb is to keep keyword density below 20% of the content. It only makes sense that you want to make sense for your readers. Write so they want to come back after you've gotten them there.

TIP #4. Content, content and content is still king. Users think of the Internet as a library, so the more useful and compelling your content is, the more often they will visit and the higher you will place in rankings. It is suggested that you update your content (at least 200-300 words) a day. I update at least weekly and offer lots of information on my sites.

TIP #5. Avoid duplicate content. This is incredibly important, even if you have several websites. Having pages with identical content almost guarantees that Google will drop your listing.

TIP #6. Linking on the Internet is like networking in the real world. And, is just as important. Use links to other sites that relate to your website and will be helpful to your visitors. Link swapping is a good idea and helps with ranking, as long as it makes sense. I never link to another site that doesn't fit what I'm about or goes to a site that turns me off.

TIP #7. Design, or have your designer, create a website with a good balance between looks and content. The best and most effective websites have design and simplicity paired with easily read and informative content.

TIP #8. There is more to marketing than just placing high in Google rankings. It is not the end of the world if you follow all of the suggestions and TIPs and still don't place high in the rankings. Check out the book on right, 101 Ways to Promote Your Web Site, and make sure that you include the address (URL) on every bit of printed material you send out. I even include it on the stamp that I use for my return address. And, there are other search engines besides Google - at least be listed in them!

TIP #9. It is impossible to create a website or web page that pleases everyone. I am on several discussion boards where participants ask for feedback on their websites. What one person loves, another hates and so on. My advice is for you to love it - that way you will want to keep it updated and pleasing you.

TIP #10. Don't ever forget the importance of CONTENT!

For a past e-zine that deals with this same subject, you might want to review it by clicking here.

Have a terrific and productive month!

Do send your comments and questions to me at chris@creativekeys.biz. I love to receive feedback and will answer your questions in future e-zines.