As you know, I recently launched my new website. Part of the strategic plan in developing the new site was to improve the way it ranked on Google. It's more and more imperative to business success if people can find you using a search engine. So after a few short months of being live with my new site, I am pleased to announce that Meringue3.14 ranks #1 in Google for keyword search "graphic design calgary" (among others, but this was the biggie for me.).
Read on for some of the insider tips and tricks we employed for search engine optimization. It's easier (and cheaper) than you think.
Amy Perzan Merrill
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Top 5 Ranking Factors for Google Searches
Since some of the terms used when talking SEO are a bit "techie", we have provided links to definitions - it's really not as compliacted as it sounds. You'll soon see that the top three ways to improve your ranking on Google have to do with the quantity and quality of external links (links from OTHER sites to yours); see our "Quick tips for building a great external link pool" for some ways to get started.
1. Keyword Focused Anchor Text from External Links
In my case, it would be ideal if affiliates and clients that referenced me in their websites used terms like "graphic designer" as the link to my site.
2. External Link Popularity (quantity/quality of external links)
With this one, don't go crazy asking people to link to your site in return for a link to their site. One thing I learned along with way is that Google sees this reciprocal linking and it devalues the link. Google is smart.
3. Diversity of Link Sources (links from many unique root domains)
The trick here is to be linked from many sites that are completely unrelated. This prevents people from setting up a whole bunch of domain names that all point to the same site and then submitting them to Google - again, Google is smart, you likely won't fool anyone.
4. Keyword Use Anywhere in the Title Tag
The best way I can describe this is to show you - see the image (below) and note the area I have framed in orange - this is your "title tag". Go ahead, take a look at your site and see what words are in that position. Click through the pages and see if they change at all. A big thank you to Cidnee Stephen at Strategies for Success for her help with my web content and title tags.
5. Trustworthiness of the Domain Based on Link Distance from Trusted Domains
Google has flagged sites known for building back links and has diminished the value of links coming from these sites as it knows that people are "buying" their link.
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Things to Consider When Registering a Domain Name
- Shorter is better (remember, this will be on print pieces and long domain names make for long email addresses!)
- Is it easy to recall?
- Watch for commonly misspelled words and avoid them
- If you can't get the '.com' search the '.ca' - the latter costs more, but may be worth it if you can get a domain you like. Maybe check what the '.com' is so that if someone lands there by accident they are not your competitor's site or something with off color content
Click here to search for and purchase YOUR domain name
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Amy Perzan Merrill is a graphic designer in Calgary, Alberta. Her company, Meringue 3.14, specializes in creative branding and cost-effective print solutions for small business.
For more great tips on how you can turn your material into powerful marketing and communication tools, subscribe to "Designer", Amy's monthly ezine. |
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DESIGNER TIP #47
Rank #1 on Google.
The searcher will automatically assume you are the most established company with the highest quality or most popular products and services.
HOW do I do this? Well, aside from having a GREAT website with great copy and submitting your site to all the major search engines there are definitely tricks for moving into the #1 position. Read this issue of Designer for some great tips on getting started.
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Customer Q&ACLIENT QUESTION
I want the ".com" (which is available) and it was suggested to me that I also register the ".ca" (which is also available). Is this necessary? Also, many people mistakenly spell my name, so do I also purchase the incorrect spelling .com and .ca? How many years would you suggest I purchase as a start? AMY'S ANSWER
I would be more apt to purchase the two spellings as '.com' than worry about buying the '.ca'. If your budget allows, buying the '.ca' is not a bad idea, but may be overkill. I've learned to purchase for a duration of two years, if not five, as it saves me the hassle of renewing every year, not to mention if you don't renew it in time you lose it, the added paperwork AND it generally is a bit cheaper if you buy multiple years.
CLICK HERE to register a domain name now
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Quick tips for building a great external link pool· Write and submit "expert" articles
· Donate your time/product/service etc. in exchange for credit on the recipient's site
· Embrace Social Media sites
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