You can’t fool Google, sooner or later they will weed out the spam and penalize you.

Why have websites dropped in rank?

The simple answer is Google algorithms. Without getting technical, Google regularly crawls sites and decides what keywords sites should rank on search engines for. Google uses various deciding factors when determining which keywords to award you high ranking with and periodically those ranking factors change. Why? Because website owners and SEO companies find ways of pushing sites up the rankings rather than allowing a natural climb.

Google is dedicated to providing searchers with quality results and therefore has a big task of weeding out spam sites and only showing the quality ones. Google does this by releasing new algorithms and that’s why websites see a sudden drop in rankings.

How to avoid ranking drops

 
Patience
The first thing you need to do is get rid of any impatience that makes you want to be at the top of Google now! If you want to get to the top of Google quickly then you must use pay per click, getting high search engine rankings naturally takes time, SEO takes time!

Fresh content
Google has hinted that it will look more at sites that provide regular updated content. If you haven’t got a blog on your website get one now. Write quality posts that are unique and informative.
Don’t overdo the links
Saying a site does not need links is just daft. Your backlinks are a big deciding factor when it comes to getting your site ranked but quality over quantity is essential!

Mix up your keywords
Keyword research is essential for a successfull internet marketing campaign. It is crucial that your site targets keywords with high search volumes. Aswell as short competitive keywords, you should also target broad keywords which can still bring good traffic. People use Google search to ask it a question so don’t dismiss the potential of long tail keywords.
Check duplicate content
You may not be aware that other sites or directories are using your content, this can impact your ranking. Use tools like copyscape to check for duplicate content. If you find some, send the website owner a polite email to ask them to remove it.
If you are doing SEO yourself then take a step back and review your search engine optimisation techniques.

If you think you are doing something that might get you penalised in the future, it is best not to do it.
If you are using the services of an SEO consultant then give them a call or drop them an email to ask what kind of techniques they are using. A good SEO specialist will be only too happy to have a quick chat about their work.

Your website is a crucial competent of your business, it is your ‘shop front’ and should therefore be handled with care and treated respectfully. Unfortunately the internet marketing industry receives lots of scrutiny both for its underhand tactics and its rogue marketing companies, it is your responsibility to ensure you hire a professional to undertake any internet marketing work, especially SEO!

Get it wrong and your website will fail!This is a fact. Google in particular is on top of routing out rogue SEO tactics and it will not let anyone off if they find them responsible of attempting to fool the search engines.

With more and more algorithms being released, Google is on the ball and so should you be!

If you are looking to get search engine optimisation advice, you must make sure your chosen SEO consultant is competent and that they are able to answer any questions you have immediately.

The new super jumbo page links look much different to the older ones

New jumbo sitelinks

Googles old method limited the sitelinks to 8, however the new expanded links boast up to 12 and also include a page snippet as well as the title.

The new format is definitely a positive thing for your visitors to get directed to the relevant page, this will increase conversions for you however, it will be a big pain in the bum for those trying to optimise their site for brands in the search engines.  It will mean they appear further down the page.

FAQ

What is Google +1?

The reports are, Google have been trying to compete with Facebook and Twitter for sometime now, the new google +1 button feature is a big step in helping the mighty G achieving that goal.

You may have noticed the buttons appearing on some websites, particularly next to bog posts (just like this one you’re reading ).  By clicking on one of these buttons you are basically sending out a signal to other google users stating that you like what you read!  Those familiar with facebook and digg will notice the similarity in ‘like’ feature.

Who can see the +1 buttons?

Only Google logged in users can see the buttons appear next to websites on the search results.

Will it be a popular feature?

Early indications imply that its going to be but previously released apps and social media extensions launched by Google have been brought in and at the same time vanished without any recognition so everyone is watching this space to see how it develops.

Should I implement the button on my site?

I would recommend you do add it to your site, i cant do any harm. Its far too early to predict how Google are going to roll this out but its enough so far to get webmasters adding it to  their sites.

How to get the Google +1 button on your site

http://www.google.com/webmasters/+1/button/index.html

First consider how important getting CORRECT SEO done really is.

Search Engine Optimisation is the process of optimising your web pages both onsite and offsite in the hope that search engines such as Google will give you a high ranking.  Getting a high ranking can mean the difference between getting 1 website visitor a month and hundreds, even thousands!  There is no secret to SEO so don’t let any search engine optimisation company tell you that they have a special relationship with Google or that they know the holy grail of SEO, its simply rubbish and they are trying to get a sale out of you.

What isn’t rubbish is the fact that you can get SEO done wrongly, and you won’t even know it.  There are too many supposedly SEO experts who claim to understand Internet Marketing but they just know how to spin you the sales pitch.  Some companies either use Google adwords, convince you its SEO or they use spammy linking tactics that rapidly get you high on Google only for you to be flagged by Google themselves and removed rapidly.

Two basic facts about Search Engine Optimisation

1. IT takes time – if you are not prepared for the long haul, don’t start SEO
2. Nobody can guarantee you top rankings – EVER!!! Only if they use Google pat per click

How to find the best person for the job

Ask questions, do research, gain knowledge yourself

If you want to save yourself a fortune and lots of heartache, the only way to guarantee you employ the best person to perform your SEO is to question the life out of them. 

Many companies can posses outstanding testimonials from previous clients, they can even display impressive ranking results but this doesn’t mean they are the best person for the job!

If you personally take the time to understand how SEO works, you will be able to ensure your site gets the very best Search engine optimisation work carried out.

My client base is all over the UK including a handful of neighbours across the pond.  When looking for someone to help you with your Internet Marketing don’t feel you have to be restricted to consultants in your local area.  I enjoy meeting wonderful small business owners in the Northwest but equally I get much enjoyment from working with clients further afield.

Not just SEO Cheshire!!

If you do happen to live in my area of the Northwest Cheshire then I would love to meet you.  There is nothing more I enjoy than sharing ideas and brain storming over a cup of coffee.  All of my work is done online, I offer a ‘proof pudding’ service where I do exactly what I say I’m going to do.  No gimmicks and certainly no false promises.

Knowledge is everything!

If you are new to Internet marketing and especially search engine optimisation, you will no doubt have tons of questions.  Please feel free to ask away!!!  I am not part of an SEO company so I can offer that personal touch.

Internet marketing has become my hobby as well as my job…I thoroughly enjoy what I do and I love to chat about it.

As the old saying goes ‘Knowledge is everything’ and the same applies to the marketing of your website.  I speak to so many people whom have either been misinformed or just not had the right conversation with the right person.  If you take the time to understand a little about marketing your website, you will be able to put your business on the path to success.

Whether you have a simple question such as what is search engine optimisation? Or a more in-depth query regarding Internet marketing… get in touch.

I look forward to chatting with you.

My first is a handy tool from Jonathan Leger.  I get lots of emails and I must take the time to read them more because there are some really good products available to help you with your online marketing.

The easy typist is a virtual keyboard that helps you improve your typing skills.  Jonathan doesn’t recommend it for people who are already fast typists so I would be really grateful if you could try it out and leave a comment here, I will then pass on your feedback to Jonathan. I don’t know Jonathan personally, some of his tools I do not recommend but the easy typist caught my eye.

See the easy typist demo here

Download easy typist here Use this registration code: easytypistbeta

There are many companies protesting to be able to get you on the top of Google from £30, only to leave clients disheartened when they don’t see the traffic to their site. The services such companies offer are not transparent about the realistic results.

Let me clear up the 3 ways you can get on the first page of Google.

1. SEO (search engine optimisation) – This is the organic main listings on Google
2. Google ads – Sponsored results of Google, they are displayed at the top and right side
3. Google Places – You can do this yourself through Google business centre

A wise website owner will do all three!

Google ads is a short term solution, downfall is you have to pay every time someone clicks on your advert. Upside is that you get on the first page of Google instantly. If you would like to know how much you would pay per click, please give me some examples of keywords you want to be on the top of Google for, and I will tell you what your competitors are paying.

SEO is by far the sensible solution if you want long term success, but it does take time. I have some clients that see first page results in weeks and others in months.  How quickly you achieve success depends on how much ethical SEO is done and the amount of competitors you have. 

I am used to competing with billions of competitors so don’t be put off with the amount of sites that are higher than you, I am always very realistic about your chances of being on the first page.

What if you have a small budget and cannot do all 3?

Not a problem, contact me to let me know the kind of budget you are working with and I will tell you which one you are best starting with to get the maximum return.

Niche websites are sites that have a theme and are clearly focused on one subject, product or market area.  If you are building a site to make money from, then a niche website is the perfect place to start.

Most websites are themed and can be broader than others. As an example, a gift website is very broad, but a gift website primarily selling gifts under £5 is niche.

Benefits of Niche sites

Niche sites benefit both the consumer and the site owner. If you’re a site owner, a niche website can help you reduce the amount of competitors you have, you can also gain greater success in the search engines by narrowing down your target search terms (keywords).

Consumers often know what they want and have to trawl through sites to find specifically what they need.  By clearly being a niche site you can focus on capturing these consumers that are looking for your website.

Often site owners create a site that has a much wider audience than they can handle, this results in scattered marketing that struggles to convert for them.  It is always best to start small and work your way up. Let’s look at an example of the niche ‘House Swap’ a person may be looking for a House swap in Cheshire, yet stumble on a site that is new and claims to cover the whole of the UK.  If the site owner has not taken the time to first regionalise the site, they will lose visitors fast.  Visitors to a site instantly need to be reassured that the site owner knows their stuff.

How to find a niche

When looking for a niche, research is vital.  Make sure keyword research is one of your top priorities.  Once you have decided on a niche don’t proceed unless you are sure of the following 3 things:

1. Is it winnable?
2. Is There enough demand to make it profitable?
3. Can You monetise the site?

 Building your niche website

Check out your competitors sites, many themed sites have a particular colour and feel, if for example your niche site is about driving lessons, you should look at other sites on the same subject and see what you could do better! WordPress is a very good platform to start with, it enables sites to be built professionally and modified as your niche and success grows

I am happy to include logo design and branding into your web design.

FACT: Many companies do not give you your logo in formats that you can use for your own personal use such as stationary or vehicle branding. I am happy to give you exclusive rights to any artwork i do for you. Just let me know which format you need the graphics in.