DIY SEO…Truth and Illusion
Everyday people ask me something about what Search Engine Optimization (SEO) really means. Mostly they ask about ”Do it Yourself” SEO. My first (and often most shocking) reply to that question is that, basically, that expression itself is a bit of a misnomer…sorry guys! DIY SEO does not really exist per say. But there is good news…
SEO is a VERY generally used and a bit misunderstood term among the general public right now. I’ve discussed this before and will continue to do so until we all get more comfortable with this internets stuff…there are MANY MANY MANY M A N Y self-proclaimed SEO “experts” out there but the reality is GOOD SEO starts with a (technically) well-built (or updated/revised) website. End of Story. That’s simply that.
There are very real and very technical realities that can not be ignored and for that you must seek out good, well trusted, honest website architects, builders and webmasters to ensure your SEO settings or infrastructure, as it were, are set up properly – internally.
THEN…
Yes, there are lots of things you can do to support and aid in the traffic that comes both TO and FROM your site…sorry to say it’s not terribly sexy (I mean, I find it fabulous but that’s just me) Its work. Just like anything good you want in life – let’s fight for it right? okay so let’s work – here’s some ways how:
1) WRITE…contribute articles online – let’s INSPIRE our audience (inspire them right into calling you).
2) Blog weekly (2x if you can) do a nice combination of written and video.
3) Here’s a biggie that NO ONE wants to do but Jenny thinks is great: Go on other websites that are within your genre and comment on the conversation! Make sure you’re “logged-in” to whatever system they ask you to so that the comment you make is somehow referenced/linked back to your site.
This is something my personal webguru and designer Ms. Debbie Gray has been talking about with me for years and I’ve been trying to listen (I swear) I do suggest this to all my clients and I only hope and dream they do it as often as possible! TIP: Make a list of the sites you want to be a part of and load them up into your favorites bar – then they are just a click away.
and 4) Outbound marketing – blast message every so often to your database BUT a warning…with so many flippen newsletters, ezines, eletters etc be interesting, be fun, be different, be YOU!
More to come on this ever-growing topic but the main thing I wanted to convey today was that it does start with a good strong foundation and having a technically soundly built and or updated site and then you can improve upon it.
What do YOU want to know about improving traffic to your site…ask me and I’ll try my best to help out.
Posted in SEO | Tagged ranking, SEO, webiste optimization | 2 Comments
I tell my clients the same thing, comment! There’s a reciprocity that starts to take place as long as you comment to add value and insight to the conversation. A good comment can also inspire you to write a blog post of your own.
Thanks Lisa – so so so SO true – that’s the whole point of being online – to have a CONVERSATION with folks right? LOL A real conversation, not one created or crafted for traction or to fabricate reality but an honest, real, meaningful dialogue about something.
And yes, I’ve gotten so many great ideas from reading others comments, articles and blogs!