As an SEO webmaster, I am continuously “scolded” by copywriters. I don’t mean Internet copywriters, I mean copywriters, those who write for print. “Writing for websites”, I tell them, “is not the same as writing for print.”

What’s their usual response?

I’m not writing for SEO, I’m writing for the readers! I’m not manipulating my words just to meet some SEO rules.

That’s the usual response I get, something like that. And I have to tell you, I just smile and think back on all the copywriters who have told me that over so many years. How tried writing for their clients’ websites only to come back several months later saying that they are having trouble getting the websites on the search engines.

I know it’s not easy to change, but I have to tell you (copywriters I mean) you’re not giving up your artistry, if anything, you’re being challenged to be even more artistic with your writing. Writing for websites is not just about writing for SEO, it IS about writing for the reader AND the search engines. It takes a very crafty, smart writer to be able to combine the two.

Writing for websites can be rewarding in so many ways. Not only are you (the copywriter) writing something that potentially millions of people will see, you are also providing your client with a means of gaining revenue. The ROI (Return On Investment) on the writing you do for a website will be much greater than the ROI for a brochure, or a sales ad. Why? Because that ONE article that you wrote can be translated into many different languages, placed in many different directories, press releases, websites, blogs, ezines and more. The viral effect of the Internet is amazing. And it’s long lasting. I continue to receive new visitors to my websites because of the articles that I’ve written as much as 2 years ago!!

So, just take a deep breath and think about it. Writing for websites can be a wonderful skill. Here’s how I do it.

1) I’ve got the keyword phrase that I’m going to use. This is usually provided by the SEO firm.
2) Let’s say the keyword phrase is “custom name tags“.
3) The copywriter is going to write an article about “custom name tags”.
4) The title includes the phrase, the phrase is placed in the body 2-3 times, the phrase should be at the bottom of the title, and you want to try and bold the phrase at least once.

That’ it. Your writing style remains fairly intact. Your creativity is challenged by the mere fact that you are writing ABOUT a certain keyword phrase. Your techniques and skills are also challenged as you integrate your artistic side with your technical side!

It’s a Win Win situation! For you and the client. Believe me, the first time you get a phone call from a client saying that he just made “x” number of dollars or “x” number of sales because of what you wrote, you’ll be hooked. It’s an amazing feeling when you’ve helped a business owner achieve a goal – all because of what you wrote!

Writing for websites is NOT giving up of yourself and your personal style. Integrate these new skills and both you and your clients will be better off!

As an SEO webmaster, I am continuously “scolded” by copywriters. I don’t mean Internet copywriters, I mean copywriters, those who write for print. “Writing for websites”, I tell them, “is not the same as writing for print.”

What’s their usual response?

I’m not writing for SEO, I’m writing for the readers! I’m not manipulating my words just to meet some SEO rules.

That’s the usual response I get, something like that. And I have to tell you, I just smile and think back on all the copywriters who have told me that over so many years. How tried writing for their clients’ websites only to come back several months later saying that they are having trouble getting the websites on the search engines.

I know it’s not easy to change, but I have to tell you (copywriters I mean) you’re not giving up your artistry, if anything, you’re being challenged to be even more artistic with your writing. Writing for websites is not just about writing for SEO, it IS about writing for the reader AND the search engines. It takes a very crafty, smart writer to be able to combine the two.

Writing for websites can be rewarding in so many ways. Not only are you (the copywriter) writing something that potentially millions of people will see, you are also providing your client with a means of gaining revenue. The ROI (Return On Investment) on the writing you do for a website will be much greater than the ROI for a brochure, or a sales ad. Why? Because that ONE article that you wrote can be translated into many different languages, placed in many different directories, press releases, websites, blogs, ezines and more. The viral effect of the Internet is amazing. And it’s long lasting. I continue to receive new visitors to my websites because of the articles that I’ve written as much as 2 years ago!!

So, just take a deep breath and think about it. Writing for websites can be a wonderful skill. Here’s how I do it.

1) I’ve got the keyword phrase that I’m going to use. This is usually provided by the SEO firm.
2) Let’s say the keyword phrase is “custom name tags“.
3) The copywriter is going to write an article about “custom name tags”.
4) The title includes the phrase, the phrase is placed in the body 2-3 times, the phrase should be at the bottom of the title, and you want to try and bold the phrase at least once.

That’ it. Your writing style remains fairly intact. Your creativity is challenged by the mere fact that you are writing ABOUT a certain keyword phrase. Your techniques and skills are also challenged as you integrate your artistic side with your technical side!

It’s a Win Win situation! For you and the client. Believe me, the first time you get a phone call from a client saying that he just made “x” number of dollars or “x” number of sales because of what you wrote, you’ll be hooked. It’s an amazing feeling when you’ve helped a business owner achieve a goal – all because of what you wrote!

Writing for websites is NOT giving up of yourself and your personal style. Integrate these new skills and both you and your clients will be better off!

Of course, with all the news about the “economic meltdown” it’s hard to NOT think about how SEO is being impacted by this economy. I firmly believe though that more and more businesses will be looking at their SEO campaigns – or starting one – as they realize the low costs that are associated with Internet marketing. And not only the low costs, but the long lasting effects.

Brandon Cornett wrote an excellent article on this very topic. To give you a quote…

“One of my past clients worked in the real estate industry. She realized the value of Internet visibility years ago, so she began a concentrated effort to improve her web presence. Naturally, I helped with the search engine optimization side of things. One of her close competitors relied more heavily on direct mail marketing and TV advertising, both of which can be quite expensive over time.

When the housing market began to slow down along with the economy, my client’s competitor could no longer afford to spend as much on her paid advertising campaigns. So her marketing program and her exposure basically dried up.

My client, on the other hand, had been working hard on her web presence and her search engine visibility. So when tough economic times hit, she was perfectly positioned to “coast” right along. She didn’t have to spend a bunch of money on paid advertising — she had a steady stream of business leads coming in through her website. Low-cost marketing at its best! But none of this would have been possible without the SEO program she started several years ago.”

Brandon’s article points out the very core of the benefits of SEO services and Internet marketing. It’s longevity. I’m not saying that you optimize a website once and that’s it, you’ll get a top position and you’re good to go. No, that’s not true at all. What I’m saying is that the effects of being positioned because of SEO last much longer than traditional advertising venues. And the kicker is that the cost of SEO marketing is extremely much lower than traditional marketing!

So, if you’re serious about continuing your business through what seems to be tough economic times on the horizon, then take a look at your SEO campaign and consider beefing it up. If you have a business website and don’t have an SEO campaign yet, what are you waiting for?

Using the right keywords for Internet marketing makes all the difference not only in the amount of traffic to your website, but in the quality of traffic to your website.

There are 2 keys to using the right keywords…

1) Choose keyword phrases that are popular yet have little competition.
2) Add new keyword phrases to your website on a regular basis.

Is it really that simple? Well, yes and no. Although it’s simple, it involves work from you, the website owner. Why? Because Internet marketing is about getting the website on the search engines and making it work for the target audience. But the information that’s on the website, well, the Internet marketing firm isn’t an expert in your field so although they can give you the keyword phrases to market, they’re not the best ones suited to write the content for your website.

So, how can you help yourself (and your bottom line) when it comes to keywords for Internet marketing? Here are the easy steps:

Your Internet marketing firm should be providing you with new keyword phrases each month. Take those phrases and WRITE about each one. Here’s how…

a) Use the keyword phrase in the title of your article.

If your keyword phrase is “Name Tags” – then use the phrase “name tags” in your title. Something like…”Using Name Tags For Social Events”.

b) Use the keyword phrase at least 2 times in the body of the article.

In the body of text that you write, include the keyword phrase. Try to keep the keyword phrase intact. If your keyword phrase is “custom name tags” then try to keep the entire phrase “custom name tags” together.

c) Use semantics.

Google looks for the keyword phrase that you are marketing but it’s a smart search engine. It also looks for related keyword phrases. So, when you begin writing about your keyword phrase, look for related terms by going to Google and typing in…

~name ~tags (that little wiggle in front of each keyword is called a tile). Always add the tile in front of each separate word of your keyword phrase. If your keyword phrase is “custom name tags” then your semantic search should look like ~custom ~name ~tags. You get the idea.

Look for all the words that Google has bolded in the top 30 results. These bolded words are the related keywords that you can add to your article. It’ll help Google realize that your article really is about your keyword phrase.

c) End your article with the keyword phrase.

At the end of your article you can write something like “For more information about name tags, call us today at 555-555-5555.” The idea is to use the keyword phrase at the end of the article.

This “article” can be written and placed on your website as an additional page, and/or it can be used on your blog, in your social media accounts, in free article submission sites, etc. The idea is to get as much use out of this one article as possible.

You can write one version for your website and another modified version for your blog. The point is to write it. Get in the habit of writing, assign someone in your company to write it, make it a group effort from everyone in the company, whatever!!! But get writing!!

Creative internet marketing strategies help you to stand out among your competition. And with millions (over 5 million) new websites being indexed every single day, you need all the “standing out” you can get! Following are some ideas on how you can begin thinking outside of your website box and implement some low cost (and sometimes free) creative internet marketing strategies.

1) What does your market want?

Take a look at your website logs, look at the keyword phraes people are typing in to find you. You may see some keyword phrases, some questions, some words that you hadn’t thought of marketing. Another great way to collect keywords from your clients is to install a search box on your website. You’ll be able to view the phrases that your viewers are typing in there. That will also give you a glimpse into what your audience wants. When you find out, give it to them by adding pages to your website direcetd at those keyword phrases.

2) Websites are not hermits.

What I mean is that just because you’re marketing through your website, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have to network. Websites are meant to be shared, discussed, changed, reviewed, etc. You can do all of this through networking. Online networking. Virtual networking. Join groups like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, KnollStuff, etc. There are so many of them! Join a handful of them and keep them up. In other words, join in the discussions of the group, contribute something daily if you can. If daily is too much then as often as you can. The idea is that you’re networking, you’re involved! You wouldn’t start a brick and mortar business in a town without joining the chamber of commerce, would you? The same holds true for websites. These social media groups are the Internet’s chamber of commerce.

3) Be the leader of your pack.

If your website sells name tags, then your website is about name tags. What else would it be? Well, if you want to SHOW your target audience that you sell name tags and that you’re an expert on selling, making, creating name tags then you need more! Your website (or you could open a separate website) could have a directory of businesses in your local area. It could also host a directory of business events, conventions, etc. You could also showcase some creative uses of name tags (how people have used them at parties, for games, etc). For that matter you can even have some party games that can be done with name tags. The idea here is to be more than the obvious. Of course your website is going to be about name tags. But what makes you a better name tag company than the other guy? Let your audience know!

4) Create a Widget

If you don’t know what a widget is, it’s basically a small program that you can place on your website and it provides information or a task. Widgets can be clocks, timers, financial calculators, movie directories, photos, weather data, lists of “whatever you want”, and much more. It spans the range from fun to political, tech to non-tech, name it, there’s a widget ou there in that field. You can grab a widget from someone or you can make your own. The idea is not only to have the widget on your website but to share that widget. As your widgets get copied onto other websites, your website gains popularity and more incoming links and more traffic.

5) Talk better than you write?

As an Internet Marketing firm, our most difficult task is to get our clients to write. Write blogs, articles, etc. It just doesn’t happen. But maybe you’re better at talking than writing. Okay. Then create a podcast. It’s easy – you simply record your voice. You can talk about a different product or service each week. You can broadcast your podcasts not only on your website but on directories. You are basically sharing your knowledge, your stories, your business expertise in your field with your audience. They get to know YOU!

Well, you get the idea here. Be Creative!! Don’t just hire an SEO firm to optimize and market your website, many other companies are doing the same thing. You want to stand out, you want to be different. So, implement these creative internet marketing strategies, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

The benefits of local search are growing and growing.

Why? Well, there’s a few reasons.

1) The local engines are spending more dollars on advertising themselves.
2) The local engines are also adding more features, interactive maps, skype phone access, more customer information, etc.
3) More services are interacting with the local engines. Services like mobile phone internet providers.
4) The main search engines like Google and Yahoo index the results from these local engines alongside their organic listings.
5) Local search is great for companies to advertise their websites and business but also great for customers to review the services by these businesses.
6) In July, 68 million Internet users (in the USA alone) performed yellow page searches online. That means they looked for a type of business in a local area or a specific business or a specific phone number. Over 60% of these called the phone number on the website they found. Only about 16% contacted the business via email.

The reason I mention #6 is because the #1 reason I get from my clients about why they DON’T want to be on local engines is because they prefer to get more phone calls than emails. (I know, it doesn’t make sense, but what can I tell you?) So, the fact that the website becomes more popular does not necessarily mean that it results in more emails. If you want your viewers to call you, they will!!

Local search benefits are also shown in the number of visitors to these types of sites. As an example, here are some numbers for you to ponder about local search engines:

CitySearch.com – receives almost 31 million visitors a month.
InsiderPages.com – receives almost 2.5 million visitors a month.
JudysBook.com – receives almost 200,000 visitors a month.
MerchantCircle.com – receives almost 4 million visitors a month.
Yelp.com – receives almost 18 million visitors a month.

Of these 5 local search engines, CitySearch is the only one that does not provide a free listing. Their basic package is $149.00/month but obviously, they also have the most visitors.

So, to get the most out of your Internet marketing campaign, look over these local search benefits and make up your own mind if it’s worth it for you! If your SEO firm does not provide you with submissions to these local search engines, contact us today.

Getting found on the Internet is important, but more important is getting found for the RIGHT keywords!

You see, I just went to my dentist and I have to admit, it’s been a while since I’ve been to the dentist but, that’s another story! I really miss my Miami dentist office!

Anyway, because I hadn’t been for a while I needed the directions again. I had the phone number in my call back list because they were kind enough to call me yesterday to remind me of today’s appointment. So, I simply typed in the phone number into Google thinking that would pull up their website. It didn’t. Then I typed in North Atlanta Dentists thinking that would at least pull up his name, it didn’t. Then I typed in his name and although I found him on several directories, I STILL couldn’t find his website! (I would normally link to the website I’m talking about but since I can’t find it, I can’t give you the link!)

Now, I KNOW he has a website because the dental hygienist told me so but I couldn’t believe that he was nowhere to be found on Google or Yahoo! So, you KNOW I had to speak to him about that when I got there. I told him my story and he told me, in so many words…”Well, my designer said that people have to pay to be on the top and I don’t really want to pay for that. And my designer also said that my website can be found if you just type in my name.”

WHAT?

So, that means that if someone already knows your name, they can find you. But if someone is looking for a dentist in Atlanta, they can’t find you. Now, maybe I’m confused but what’s the point of having a website if people can’t find you to use you or buy from you or call you?

Getting found on the Internet is not a huge mystery. It’s no secret, there’s no magic formula or trick or program. It’s marketing, it’s research and it’s work.

If you want to get your website (or someone else’s website) found on the Internet you basically…

1) Make sure the website coding is clean – that means removing excess css and javascript and getting the website as validated as possible. And yes, there are websites out there that are 100% validated so don’t think it’s impossible!

2) Research your keyword phrases. Look for keywords in programs like Google Adwords, Keyword Discovery, WordTracker and website logs. Research those keywords in Google. If the allintitle is less than 1000, it’s a good keyword phrase to use.

3) Optimize the website pages. Make sure to include the keyword phrase in the title, the alt tags, the body of content. Bold it, use it in links, in <h1> tag. Focus the content around the keyword phrase. No more than 2 keyword phrases per website page. Otherwise you dilute your content, confuse the reader and the search engines!

4) Get those anchor text incoming links to your website pages. Do it via articles, social media marketing, reciprocal links, whatever! Just make sure the sites linking to you are legit!

5) Be patient. It takes time but I’ve never seen a website NOT get into the top of the engines (using this method) but it does take time.

So, getting found on the Internet is not that much different than any other business venture. You just have to know what to do and how to do it. Obviously, not many small business owners are going to do all this themselves, after all, they’re busy trying to run a business! But it’s always good to know HOW the process is conducted, that way you’ll at least have an idea if you’re being taken advantage of or not. After all, the Internet still is a bit of the wild wild west!

If you find you need help with your small business seo services, contact us today at eckweb@eckweb.com or 678-804-7820.