Search Engine Optimization - Myth Vs. Reality
Posted Mar 11, 2007 @ 11:29 pm, Viewed by 6678 Visitors, Read 6682 Times.
Since the rise of the internet as a popular marketing tool there has been a multitude of people varying from true experts in search engine marketing and positioning to people regurgitating dogma they have read in various forums and websites.
I have no special training in website design or optimization. I am completely self taught since 1998 and there are holes in my knowledge that you could drive a truck through. So take my opinion for what it is meant for, and use the thoughts to round out what you already know. I am NOT an expert in optimization techniques and do not wish to mislead anyone.
It is clear to me that Real estate Webmasters is the real deal, so I wish to share a few of the things I have learned in my carreer of search engine marketing. While my foray into the world of website design (If you would call my websites designed) and optimization did not begin in Real Estate, it did begin in a very related field. In 1998 I developed a web presence for a company called Granby Post and Beam Homes www.postbeam.com while the company never really did well due to management reasons and we ended up parting company, the website I had positioned for them is still number two on a search for post and beam homes on Google to this day. (several years later) in addition the website maintained a first page presence on google for the search "post and beam homes" (a highly sought after industry search term) and many many more terms, all the time from then until now. I am not in any way promoting the company or product, it simply illustrates my history.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=post+and+beam+homes&btnG=Google+Search
What I have found with search engines is not to get hung up on the theory of the day. Make sure your content is verbose enough that the relevance of what you are trying to say is obvious to a search engine spider. I have had websites with no inbound links and a very poor page rank settle in on the first page of google for long periods of time. The above mentioned website has been cut and manipulated but they are afraid to touch any of the key elements of my design for fear of positioning failure. The website has rode through many algorythm and programming changes in the search engines for (I believe) the simple reason that search engines are striving to promote truly relavent content.
I was website designer and webmaster for Greenwood BC (Canada's smallest City) Greenwood has no features which set it apart from many communities in our area but if you check the following searches you will find a small City with a big footprint. The city website has over 200 pageloads daily.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=bc+historical+attractions&btnG=Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=canadian+historical+attractions&btnG=Search
When you optimize by saying as much about your subject matter as you can, there is a side benefit of being picked up on a multitude of more abstract search terms and not being eliminated from searches due to a word in a search string which does not appear in your website.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=nature%27s+beauty+in+bc&btnG=Google+Search
The cities optimization was accomplished in a matter of a month or two without ever requesting a reciprocal link. While I am sure there are a million actual bona fide methods, tricks and systems which are currently working to enhance search engine positioning there is one system which the search engines are not trying to stifle. TRUE SOLID CONTENT. Talk about as many aspects of your target market as you can without sounding rediculous. Don't forget you have two audiences, first the electronic spiders which will index your website. Next your customer who will almost always appreciate simplicity and thorough information.
A balance of optimization and well written information is key to success.
I allow my websites to assume my own character and personality, I am in fact a fairly simple and straight forward person and I am comfortable with my website portraying that image. You on the other hand will want your website to create an image of who you are and your customers will never be disappointed when they meet you because expectaions will equal reality.
I have a pond website for my personal pond which takes 450+ pageloads daily for no better reason than I felt like positioning it.
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=Homemade%20pond&spell=1
I hope my rambling has been of benefit to someone.
I SEE NO HARM IN THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED DO YOUR OWN THING THE SEARCH ENGINES MAY JUST LOVE YOU!
Have a Great Day!
Don Mann - Greenwood BC Canada
I have no special training in website design or optimization. I am completely self taught since 1998 and there are holes in my knowledge that you could drive a truck through. So take my opinion for what it is meant for, and use the thoughts to round out what you already know. I am NOT an expert in optimization techniques and do not wish to mislead anyone.
It is clear to me that Real estate Webmasters is the real deal, so I wish to share a few of the things I have learned in my carreer of search engine marketing. While my foray into the world of website design (If you would call my websites designed) and optimization did not begin in Real Estate, it did begin in a very related field. In 1998 I developed a web presence for a company called Granby Post and Beam Homes www.postbeam.com while the company never really did well due to management reasons and we ended up parting company, the website I had positioned for them is still number two on a search for post and beam homes on Google to this day. (several years later) in addition the website maintained a first page presence on google for the search "post and beam homes" (a highly sought after industry search term) and many many more terms, all the time from then until now. I am not in any way promoting the company or product, it simply illustrates my history.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=post+and+beam+homes&btnG=Google+Search
What I have found with search engines is not to get hung up on the theory of the day. Make sure your content is verbose enough that the relevance of what you are trying to say is obvious to a search engine spider. I have had websites with no inbound links and a very poor page rank settle in on the first page of google for long periods of time. The above mentioned website has been cut and manipulated but they are afraid to touch any of the key elements of my design for fear of positioning failure. The website has rode through many algorythm and programming changes in the search engines for (I believe) the simple reason that search engines are striving to promote truly relavent content.
I was website designer and webmaster for Greenwood BC (Canada's smallest City) Greenwood has no features which set it apart from many communities in our area but if you check the following searches you will find a small City with a big footprint. The city website has over 200 pageloads daily.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=bc+historical+attractions&btnG=Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=canadian+historical+attractions&btnG=Search
When you optimize by saying as much about your subject matter as you can, there is a side benefit of being picked up on a multitude of more abstract search terms and not being eliminated from searches due to a word in a search string which does not appear in your website.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=nature%27s+beauty+in+bc&btnG=Google+Search
The cities optimization was accomplished in a matter of a month or two without ever requesting a reciprocal link. While I am sure there are a million actual bona fide methods, tricks and systems which are currently working to enhance search engine positioning there is one system which the search engines are not trying to stifle. TRUE SOLID CONTENT. Talk about as many aspects of your target market as you can without sounding rediculous. Don't forget you have two audiences, first the electronic spiders which will index your website. Next your customer who will almost always appreciate simplicity and thorough information.
A balance of optimization and well written information is key to success.
I allow my websites to assume my own character and personality, I am in fact a fairly simple and straight forward person and I am comfortable with my website portraying that image. You on the other hand will want your website to create an image of who you are and your customers will never be disappointed when they meet you because expectaions will equal reality.
I have a pond website for my personal pond which takes 450+ pageloads daily for no better reason than I felt like positioning it.
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=Homemade%20pond&spell=1
I hope my rambling has been of benefit to someone.
I SEE NO HARM IN THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED DO YOUR OWN THING THE SEARCH ENGINES MAY JUST LOVE YOU!
Have a Great Day!
Don Mann - Greenwood BC Canada
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I live in the very center of BC at the US border. About a 5-5.5 hour drive from the ferry at horseshoe bay. On Highway 3 between Osoyoos and Castlegar. Thank you for your comment, I appreciate the feedback.
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Don, As one of those few truly regarded as a search engine expert, I must say I enjoyed your post. And in fact your post reflects what many ignore, it is sincere and has purpose. To many webmasters today cater their content to what they think search engines want to see, or like you say the most recent trend, never taking a step back and asking themselves, ok who am I writing this for and what do I want it to accomplish? We commonly refer to it as SEO tunnel vision, and it causes so many people to miss the boat. For those reading and enjoying this post, keep the fact that you are enjoying it (And that it makes sense) in mind, because one of the fallouts of writing truly legitimate content, is that people will appreciated it (Like I have here) - they might comment on it, they might send it to a friend, and heck it might even be so good that they link to it
- 3 great responses which will help you achieve greater exposure (Whether in search engines or not).
Thanks for Sharing Don - btw how far away from Vancouver Island are you?