Personalized Search-What Is It?
By Vickie J. Scanlon
Personalized search by Google means that the search results that Google provides will be aimed at relevancy to the individual user and not just the average user. This type of search was offered to sign-in users, but now they are expanding outward to include signed-out users as well.
So what does that mean to those who are utilizing SEO? It means that Google is customizing the users search according to previous searches. For SEO that means that people will not be seeing the same results as other people-because of their (the users) past searches.
How does this affect SEO. Some have suggested that it could make you rethink SEO in a broad light. You may: 1) need to utilize more long-tail keyword phrases versus just the high ranking keywords (but if you're a small website-you may already be doing this-if you're not, you should be.); 2) may have to utilize Adwords to draw traffic with a new web page.
However, the user can turn off personalized search. So how do you do it?
How to turn off personalized search-
To disable history-based search customizations you will need to remove Web History from your Google Account.
You can choose to remove individual items.
1) In the top right corner of the search results page-click Web History
2) Click disable customizations on the resulting page
Or you can delete the current cookie storing searches from within your browser and start fresh. Will personalize search cause a problem for SEO?
Maybe, but if you include several long-tail keywords in your content it can help blunt the change. As would be the case, if individual searchers decide to turn off the personalized search that Google has put into place when they browse.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Site Speed-Important to Page Ranking in 2010?
Site Speed-Important to Page Ranking in 2010?
Is site speed going to be an important element to your page ranking in 2010? Possibly.
There has been a suggestion by Google's Matt Cutt's that "page speed" may become a ranking factor with Google. They (Google) want users to enjoy there search experience, and, speed is one way in which Google can improve the user's search experience.
Though many a webmaster may be grumbling about the "site speed" issue, I'm sure it's a done deal. As I always said, always be prepared for change on the Internet.
But for some, this change is going to take a little more doing-if you have video, images, or other elements that slow load time. So, where do you begin in determining your "site performance" for web page loading.
Site Performance Tools
Google suggests using their Webmaster tools to look at your "site performance". It's a chart that gives you a quick look of your site overall load time-and your site percentage performance against other sites. However, be sure to watch the load time over a period of time-to get the true average. And if you see some of your pages with high load times-those would probably be the pages to improve load time on.
In addition, they also provide you with a section that will give you suggestions on how to speed up your web page. The suggestions are based on Google's Page Speed Firefox/Firebug plug-in.
Some Final Thoughts
If, per Google, you want to improve user retention, increase revenue and lower costs, you should improve your site speed. I agree with Google on the retention and lower costs elements, but as to increase revenue, well- Let me explain these three elements to your online success.
Retention of users is a given, if you have quicker load time for your pages. Why? Most visitors are in a hurry. They are not willing to wait around to watch a web page load, instead they will click away and find the information elsewhere.
Lower costs. Quick load times does save on bandwidth- if you do have a lot of visitors.
The last element, increased revenue, will improve with quick load times. My answer to that is, possibly. Quick load time, in my opinion, will only keep your visitors there a few more seconds. If the quality of your content does not entice visitors to stay longer, or encourage them to buy- you're not going to see increased revenue.
Is site speed going to be an important element to your page ranking in 2010? Possibly.
There has been a suggestion by Google's Matt Cutt's that "page speed" may become a ranking factor with Google. They (Google) want users to enjoy there search experience, and, speed is one way in which Google can improve the user's search experience.
Though many a webmaster may be grumbling about the "site speed" issue, I'm sure it's a done deal. As I always said, always be prepared for change on the Internet.
But for some, this change is going to take a little more doing-if you have video, images, or other elements that slow load time. So, where do you begin in determining your "site performance" for web page loading.
Site Performance Tools
Google suggests using their Webmaster tools to look at your "site performance". It's a chart that gives you a quick look of your site overall load time-and your site percentage performance against other sites. However, be sure to watch the load time over a period of time-to get the true average. And if you see some of your pages with high load times-those would probably be the pages to improve load time on.
In addition, they also provide you with a section that will give you suggestions on how to speed up your web page. The suggestions are based on Google's Page Speed Firefox/Firebug plug-in.
Some Final Thoughts
If, per Google, you want to improve user retention, increase revenue and lower costs, you should improve your site speed. I agree with Google on the retention and lower costs elements, but as to increase revenue, well- Let me explain these three elements to your online success.
Retention of users is a given, if you have quicker load time for your pages. Why? Most visitors are in a hurry. They are not willing to wait around to watch a web page load, instead they will click away and find the information elsewhere.
Lower costs. Quick load times does save on bandwidth- if you do have a lot of visitors.
The last element, increased revenue, will improve with quick load times. My answer to that is, possibly. Quick load time, in my opinion, will only keep your visitors there a few more seconds. If the quality of your content does not entice visitors to stay longer, or encourage them to buy- you're not going to see increased revenue.
Monday, January 11, 2010
PPC When To Use It?
PPC When To Use It?
By Vickie J. Scnalon
As everyone knows, PPC can be expensive if you do not do your research on how it works, how much it costs (versus how much you can afford to spend) and if it will benefit your website. If you do your research and prepare to use PPC it can be useful in the short term.
The Last Blog entry I discussed, covered the long-term benefits of SEO, this week's blog entry I'll discuss the short-term benefits of PPC for your website. But let's first begin with the definition, for those new to PPC.
PPC -what is it?
PPC is pay-per-click advertising. You pay the search engines for showing your ads on their search and content networks. The price is driven by: price per keyword and the price you want to pay on a daily basis. You set both, the daily budget and the price per click for your ads campaign. The success of your campaign will be, obviously, how many sales you make against the price you paid for the ads. So what are the benefits and drawbacks of PPC?
Benefits of PPC
Pay-Per-Click advertising does have it's benefits.
Drawbacks of PPC
Yes, there are drawbacks to Pay-per-click advertising. I know, I'm hearing the groaning now. But it's better to be aware, than to jump blindly into the PPC pool.
As you can see, PPC is a great way to get targeted traffic to your site in the short term. However, the major drawback is the price you have to pay to get that targeted traffic. If you want to try your hand with PPC, I'd suggest learning some of the ins and out of Pay-Per-Click Advertising, especially if you're on a tight budget.
If you want more information about PPC then check out my review of Definitive Guide To Google Adwords by Guru Perry Marshall.
By Vickie J. Scnalon
As everyone knows, PPC can be expensive if you do not do your research on how it works, how much it costs (versus how much you can afford to spend) and if it will benefit your website. If you do your research and prepare to use PPC it can be useful in the short term.
The Last Blog entry I discussed, covered the long-term benefits of SEO, this week's blog entry I'll discuss the short-term benefits of PPC for your website. But let's first begin with the definition, for those new to PPC.
PPC -what is it?
PPC is pay-per-click advertising. You pay the search engines for showing your ads on their search and content networks. The price is driven by: price per keyword and the price you want to pay on a daily basis. You set both, the daily budget and the price per click for your ads campaign. The success of your campaign will be, obviously, how many sales you make against the price you paid for the ads. So what are the benefits and drawbacks of PPC?
Benefits of PPC
Pay-Per-Click advertising does have it's benefits.
- Immediate exposure and sales if you find the right keyword combination and you construct the right ad that will give you the conversion you need.
- You can experiment with more than one ad and keyword combination. You are not limited by the number of keywords that you use.
- Keywords are more targeted to your web page/website
- Gives you traffic in the short term. If you are a new site this can help give your website quicker exposure on the Internet.
- Great for seasonal items or time sensitive promotions
- Great for feedback. (Translated-if your ads do not spark a click, you have a problem with your landing page, keywords, or ad(s)
- PPC is more goal driven. You can manipulate keywords and ads to help drive conversions
Drawbacks of PPC
Yes, there are drawbacks to Pay-per-click advertising. I know, I'm hearing the groaning now. But it's better to be aware, than to jump blindly into the PPC pool.
- PPC can continue only as long as your budget holds up
- PPC does not go across all search engines- it only hits the search engine that you are paying to show your ads
- Your PPC success is limited by your PPC knowledge
- If you don't know what you are doing, you can quickly lose your budget for the full year.
As you can see, PPC is a great way to get targeted traffic to your site in the short term. However, the major drawback is the price you have to pay to get that targeted traffic. If you want to try your hand with PPC, I'd suggest learning some of the ins and out of Pay-Per-Click Advertising, especially if you're on a tight budget.
If you want more information about PPC then check out my review of Definitive Guide To Google Adwords by Guru Perry Marshall.
Saturday, January 02, 2010
SEO Benefits and Drawbacks
SEO has it's benefits and drawbacks. If you can wait to see results, SEO is a good process to consider. If you can take the time, work with SEO, you can have traffic for a long time. Below, you'll find a quick look at some of the benefits and drawbacks of SEO.
SEO Benefits and Drawbacks
By Vickie J. Scanlon
SEO have it's benefits and drawbacks as you will soon see. But, if you're willing to learn SEO, you may find greater rewards for your website or blow. But first, let's define SEO.
SEO Defined
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of placing specific keywords within your content, so that you can get free visitors from any and all search engines that find your site. If you do the process correctly, you can receive targeted visitors for a long time.
However, learning SEO is a daunting process. First SEO is not static, and second, Google changes the algorithms it uses in an attempt to keep webmasters honest. Thus, if you decide to jump into the SEO game you must be aware that you may have to tweak your content and keywords from time to time. But it's doeable.
So what what are the benefits and drawbacks of SEO?
SEO Benefits
1) Permanent solution to getting traffic to your site
2) Only investment is your time-not your money.
3) SEO allows you to build an online presence over time
4) SEO placement goes across all search engines
SEO Drawbacks
1) SEO is a long term process, meaning, it may take 30 days to several months to see if the keywords you chose is giving you the results you want. And, if the keywords that you chose did not give you the results you want- traffic, sign up for a newsletter, etc., you will have to repeat the process once again.
Which means, it will take another 30 days to several months to see any results. I hear the groans out there now. And the under the breathe utterance of "There's always a catch!". There is, but if you expect to do little or no work and make a lot of money, it's not going to happen.
2) Your web pages can only account for a limited number of keywords. This is what is usually called "keyword density". Many say the optimum number of specific keywords should have a density between 1 and 3 percent. Using a keyword more, would be considered keyword spamming. If you spam the search engines, they can choose to penalize your site or ban your site completely.
3) If you choose keywords that are not relevant to your website, you'll get traffic, but no buyers.
SEO can give you a long-term solution to traffic. Though SEO can get traffic to your site, it's not a given that people will buy. That's a completely different area of concern- your landing page.
For additional information, you can check out my web pages on my website on:
SEO Basics
SEO Benefits and Drawbacks
By Vickie J. Scanlon
SEO have it's benefits and drawbacks as you will soon see. But, if you're willing to learn SEO, you may find greater rewards for your website or blow. But first, let's define SEO.
SEO Defined
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of placing specific keywords within your content, so that you can get free visitors from any and all search engines that find your site. If you do the process correctly, you can receive targeted visitors for a long time.
However, learning SEO is a daunting process. First SEO is not static, and second, Google changes the algorithms it uses in an attempt to keep webmasters honest. Thus, if you decide to jump into the SEO game you must be aware that you may have to tweak your content and keywords from time to time. But it's doeable.
So what what are the benefits and drawbacks of SEO?
SEO Benefits
1) Permanent solution to getting traffic to your site
2) Only investment is your time-not your money.
3) SEO allows you to build an online presence over time
4) SEO placement goes across all search engines
SEO Drawbacks
1) SEO is a long term process, meaning, it may take 30 days to several months to see if the keywords you chose is giving you the results you want. And, if the keywords that you chose did not give you the results you want- traffic, sign up for a newsletter, etc., you will have to repeat the process once again.
Which means, it will take another 30 days to several months to see any results. I hear the groans out there now. And the under the breathe utterance of "There's always a catch!". There is, but if you expect to do little or no work and make a lot of money, it's not going to happen.
2) Your web pages can only account for a limited number of keywords. This is what is usually called "keyword density". Many say the optimum number of specific keywords should have a density between 1 and 3 percent. Using a keyword more, would be considered keyword spamming. If you spam the search engines, they can choose to penalize your site or ban your site completely.
3) If you choose keywords that are not relevant to your website, you'll get traffic, but no buyers.
SEO can give you a long-term solution to traffic. Though SEO can get traffic to your site, it's not a given that people will buy. That's a completely different area of concern- your landing page.
For additional information, you can check out my web pages on my website on:
SEO Basics
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