Traffic Always make sure you put a link to your site with the proper anchor text in every article you submit. Even if it is something as simple as “Click here for more information”. The person reading has interest in your content and will certainly want more information about the topic. Once again, if your article is garbage there is absolutely no reason for the person to click your link. Submit expert articles!

Prestige Having published articles all over the Internet will add to your credibility. As users read your articles they identify you as the expert on the subject. However, be warned that this is a two way street. If the content is un-readable people will assume you have no idea about the subject of the article. If you don’t write well or don’t have the time hire someone. There are many services that offer article writing that are very inexpensive.

Investment Over time you will gain an amazing amount of backlinks to your articles and website if you produce quality articles. People can’t help but link to quality, interesting content. You would have a hard time finding a well written article that does not receive traffic and backlinks. Of course, if the article is bad you will gain no benefit. Don’t assume your article makes sense, always have someone else proof read it for you. Your content can be exceptional but if your writing is poor you are doomed.

Knowledge When you begin writing your article you’re also gaining knowledge on your subject. This knowledge is invaluable for your current and future websites. Seldom do I write an article about a topic and don’t think of a new website to create or an idea to further my web presence.

Help People Articles that solve a problem are extremely popular. Next time you have to fix something, take notes and write an article on what you did to fix the problem. If you have the problem, someone else does as well. Help them fix it and get quality backlinks at the same time?

I hope this list helps. Just to be clear, the most important part of the process is good content!

What makes a site rank higher than another one

Google currently uses over 200 criteria to determine where your site should fit into their rankings. They use a combination of your sites authority, links, and several other metrics. For each search term, Google assigns a ranking based on all criteria. It takes more than any one criteria to get your site ranked high.

Search Terms

Often I get approached by a client that sells watches, for example. Of course, most watch store owners want to rank high for the word “watches”. It is always difficult to explain to the client that their site is simply not going to be #1 for this keyword. It is simply too much time and too much money to go after such a competitive keyword.

A much better way to gain traffic is to target keywords and phrases that are narrower in their focus. It may be better to go after the watch maker or even the model #. Indeed, if the client really feels that the keyword watches is the only way to go, this plan will put us on that path. The only difference is we will get quality traffic while we climb the steep hill.

One more quick thought on keyword selection. The keyword difficulty and value are meaningless if people are not searching for the keyword. Also, don’t ever assume you or the customer know what keywords are being searched for. It is not uncommon to find zero searches for any given keyword in Google. When this is the case, being number one will not matter at all!

Why bother with Search Engine Marketing

Some cliens look at the Internet in the wrong way. They say things like, well I can take an ad out in the paper or I’m going to go door to door. People that are still living in the 80’s actually think the best marketing they can do is the local yellow pages. They really think that people still look in the massive phone book to find local businesses. The customer you want is a customer that has already made up his mind on which product to buy. When you stop at the gas station, you get gas. You will always buy, no matter what. The same can be said for a customer that is searching for a very specific product. When the client searches for something very specific, he already made up his mind. If he clicks on your link and you have the product, the sale is totally up to your price, terms and delivery options. This man is not shopping for a “watch” he is shopping for SPC011.