“How do I get traffic to my website?”  Quick answer…Search Engine Optimization.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO for short) is the  mechanism by which you use the search engines to generate traffic to your site.  Word of mouth is great, but how would you like to have 4 out of 5 visitors find you simply because they are looking for what you are offering.  We’re talking about people finding you and your site NOT just because they heard the name. They found you they were searching for a product, service or information that you offer and the internet told them you were one of the best sources for it!

Today I will walk you through some simple steps that will help you optimize your website.  Much pf this is geared towards blogs since they are my tool of choice, but many of these tips can be used for a standard website as well.

Blog Design and Theme

This is your chance to make a great first impression.  Personally, I’m a fan of Wordpress.  However, no matter the blog publisher or website host…NEVER go with just the standard/default template that is available.  Search for templates and themes that are “clean” and fresh looking.  If you are using a lot of pictures and videos, you may want a theme that is darker in presentation.  Lots of text and information, lighter colored themes seem to work best.

Keyword Selection

We could really spend all day talking about this topic, but for the sake of the article we’ll keep it short.  Effective keyword usage is your way of telling the search engines what information your website contains.  If you are marketing a dog training course, your blog/site should be peppered with the phrase “dog training” through the site.  Never, EVER…do keyword stuffing (using the same phrase over and over) it is a quick way to get your website sent to the bottom of the pack.

META-TAG Optimization

In all honesty, there are some people that say this is unnecessary.  My opinion is that every little bit helps.  Plus, for the most part, once you do this you rarely, if ever, need to go back and update it.  This is the area that you can put your top 10-20 keyword phrases.  Additionally, use a MetaTag description that is a 4-6 sentence description of your website.  Make sure you place several of your keywords in this description.

Link using Keywords

No website should be an island to itself.  No links in or out is a surefire way to make sure you don’t get any search engine traffic.  Whether you are linking to or from your site, use one of your relevant keywords as the anchor text.  Simply using “Click Here” does very little for your SEO and internet marketing.

Link within your blog/site

As you create more articles and post more content, its safe to say that you will discuss the same or similar information in different postings.  Link to other articles and postings within your blog.  Give the search engines every piece of help in indexing your site.

Good Permalink Structure

Again, using every opportunity to get our keywords involved in our internet marketing…make sure that you are using good permalink structure.  What’s a permalink?  The URL for this post is http://kevincrawley.com/2010/02/27/seo-for-blogs-internet-marketing-101  With this URL, my keywords “internet marketing” is getting another opportunity to shine.  Had I not made the change, my URL by default would have been something like http://kevincrawley.com/?p=5

Get a Domain Name

If you are on a budget…fine, get the free option of a blogger.com or wordpress.com site.  However, if you really want to make some headway with any type of marketing strategy for the internet, invest the few dollars and get a domain name.  There are several hosting companies out there.  My personal preference is Global Domains International.  I’m an affiliate and it allows me to build an income by sharing the service which makes my hosting FREE!

These are just a few steps that you should take if you want to improve you search engine optimization.  No, you will not jump to the top of Google rankings on day one, but consistent effort and actions will bring you results that will pay off.

Recently, I was introduced to Global Domains International (GDI) opportunity by a good friend of mine. He knows that I am involved in Network Marketing, and use the internet to build my business.  What he recognized was that I was essentially use the net as a tool, but had never moved from the renting stage to becoming an owner.

See, I have acquired several domains through the years.  Then I would pay a monthly fee for hosting that domain.  After that year, I would have to again, pay for the domain and then continue to pay for hosting.  Now, no matter how many people used the hosting I recommended or registered with the same provider…I still paid for domains and hosting.

With GDI, I have my domain and hosting for only $10/month.  Now as I refer the service to people…GDI pays me $1 for each person I personally refer.  Which means that with 10 people referred…my website and domain is FREE.

BUT…it gets better!

First — I am not limited to only referring 10 people.  I can refer an unlimited number of people AROUND THE WORLD!

Second — When the people that I refer begin to share the service of GDI, I get paid $1 a month for every person that they have referred.  This continues for 5 levels down.  Giving me an unlimited potential for income.

Don’t just take my word for it.  Take a free test drive of GDI Global Domains service and tools for 7 days.  After that, it is only $10 a month (until you have 10 reps in your downline.

Take your test drive today at www.FiredMyBoss.ws

When you decide to join as a member of our GDI downline team know that we will work with you to help you build a successful business in GDI.

Well, here’s a cool little tool that will help you with your branding.  Create your own Google!

Very simple and easy to use.

• Simply enter your name, company, etc.
• Choose your logo style
• Create your search engine
• Promote your search engine to gain name recognition.

Just a simple yet cool little tool for you to use!  Check mine out!  CLICK HERE

See, when I went to their site to see where I landed in their search results for many of the keywords I am using… I was on the first page.  Look for my name and my business (Traverus)…there I am!  So why would I pay someone to do for me what I am already doing for myself?

So, you’re in luck today because I want to give you 4 quick tips for improving your visibility within search engines, primarily Google.

1. Identify your keywords – What words describe your site?  What search terms do you want people to find you under?  To help you best determine your keywords and how competitive they are, I use Google AdWords KeyWord tool.  I look for words that have a lot of searches but not a lot of competition.
2. Content is king – Now that you have your keywords, your site needs a reason for Google to send people there.  As you are filling your site with content, make sure that you use your keywords throughout your page.  But don’t keyword stuff!  An example of that is pages that have the same phrase repeated over and over.  Google doesn’t like that and will blacklist your site.  Keep your site updated with fresh and relevant content using your keywords.
3. Don’t be an island – It’s called the interNET as in network.  Your website alone is an island out in the middle of a vast ocean.  For your site to be visible, there must be other sites that are connected to it.  Build links to your page to connect them while building links FROM your page.  Post comments (NOT SPAM) on other blogs…place your link in a signature on message boards and forums…post links to other relevant sites, etc.
4. Announce yourself – Don’t just wait for the world to find you.  Tell the world where you are.  Submit your website to many of the top search engines.  It will speed up the time for them to find and index your site.  If your site has good content and strong keywords, you will begin to find yourself in the search results.  You may not hit page #1 all the time, but begin to track your progress.

Honestly, this is just a start there are a host of other tactics and strategies that can help you score higher in the search engines.   These tips are a good start and you should see yourself moving up the rankings.

Success and Blessings,

Kevin

TeleVerus Information

1. Broiling beats frying
2. The Choice of a new generation
3. Don’t Leave Home without it
4. Melts in your mouth not in your hands

Now, let’s check your answers…

1. Burger King
2. Pepsi
3. American Express
4. M&Ms

Each of these companies and thousands/millions of others have an identifiable brand.  Either a phrase or an image that is designed to automatically remind the viewer/listener of the company or product.

As a Network or Internet Marketer, it is vital for you to create a brand.

Should your brand be your company? NO!!!

What is the best brand for you?  Your brand is looking you in the face every morning…YOU!

Here are 5 tips for establishing your brand.

1. Secure your brand – If you are going to market in this day and age, you must use the internet.  The first step in securing your brand is to register your name as a domain name.  If your name is already taken as a .com, look at using a .info, .net, .us, etc.  Or place a hyphen in the domain (ex. www.kevin-crawley.com)
2. Be consistent – In establishing your brand, you won’t see results on Day 1.  However, if you keep sending the same consistent branding message you will find that people begin to remember you.  Use the same picture on all of the sites where your picture is posted.   If you have long hair in one picture but short hair in another, at first glance I may not see you as the same person.  To take it a step further, ever notice how I close all of my posts and emails?  “Success and Blessings”, that is part of my consistent brand message.
3. Be reachable – People need to know how to contact or follow you.  If you don’t have a Twitter/MySpace/Facebook account…stop right now (actually finish this blog, LOL!) and go get one or all of these.  Your brand means nothing if people cannot find you.  Social networks provide you with an opportunity to be in contact with millions of people around the world.
4. Produce your own content – You are a unique individual.  How you communicate differs from everyone else on the planet.  To think that you have nothing to contribute is selling yourself short.  You have experiences and skills that someone else will find beneficial.  Take that information and turn it into ebooks, podcasts, blogs, etc.
5. Promote your brand – How do you promote your brand?  Be yourself!  People want to work with people they trust.  Trust is gained over time.  So allow people to get to know you.  Don’t spend every conversation trying to sell them.  If you branding (you) is solid enough, they will be asking you how they can buy from or work with you.

Remember…You are unique.  You have something valuable to contribute to the world.  Let us know who you are!

Success and Blessings,

Kevin