Get it at Penisland? NO! Use the right keywords!

If you’re thinking about registering a domain name for your company website, micro-site or blog, consider using keyword-rich words in the URL.   That helps with search engine  rankings.  You can use one of any number of free tools to gage search interest in terms you’re considering, but also get recommendations of terms you haven’t thought of.

It’s not uncommon for a business to use terms that are different than what your prospects use, so spending time researching what people are looking for.  For example, when I used tools to determine the right keywords for www.WebAsylum.com, I found that hardly anyone searches on terms related to "website strategy."  I know it’s important, but if my prospects, who are looking for website business development consulting, design, Flash animations, on-line marketing, site maintenance and hosting don’t use those terms, then they aren’t worth the time and expense.  It’s much better to optimize the site and sponsored ads for terms that are in demand by your customers and prospects.

Actually, there is a little-known ‘secret’ about researching popular keywords and phrases that DON’T have alot of competition.  More on that in an upcoming post.

BTW, there are no ‘secrets’ in this business.  Just things you may not know yet.  But that’s why you hire a consultant or coach, right?  We learn this stuff so that you can concentrate on your business.

Using desirable keywords is important in page names too.  The keywords used in page names also affect search engine rankings.

Now for a little fun!

All of these are legitimate companies that didn’t spend quite enough time considering how their on-line names might appear … and be misread. These are not made up. Check them out yourself!

1. Who Represents is where you can find the name of the agent that represents any celebrity. Their Web site is www.WhorePresents.com

2 . Experts Exchange is a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at    www.ExpertSexChange.com

3. Looking for a pen? Look no further than Pen Island at www.Penisland.net  (These guys won’t appreciate people mistakenly typing in the .com version either)

4. Need a therapist? Try Therapist Finder at www.TheRapistFinder.com

5. There’s the Italian Power Generator company, www.PowerGenitalia.com (Now under construction)

6. And don’t forget the Mole Station Native Nursery in New South Wales ,
www.MolestationNursery.com.  (These guys have given up the domain)

7. If you’re looking for IP computer software, there’s always
www.IPAnywhere.com

8. The First Cumming Methodist Church Web site is www.CummingFirst.com

9. And the designers at Speed of Art await you at their wacky Web site,
www.SpeedoFart.com

This is why I like being a coach and consultant.  I research this stuff so that you don’t have to!

But, consider this; don’t use keywords that could get you blocked, whether intentional or not. Experts Exchange may have blocking issues with Net Nanny and other services because the word "sex" appears in the URL even though that is not the intent.  Same for Pen Island. (penis)

Emails can be similarly affected.  We knew a priest whose emails to his flock were occassionally filtered, much to his dismay and frustration.  Turns out he was filtered for offering consultation for, among other things,  sexual  issues.

— Kurt Scholle
   www.WebAsylum.com

Blogging and a Guerrilla Marketing Technique

This is a neat example of viral marketing.  It’s guerrilla marketing (low or no-cost) too.

I’m evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology.  For a while, they’re letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

  • The best blogging techniques.
  • How to get traffic to your blog.
  • How to turn your blog into money.

I’ll let you know what I think once I’ve had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it’s still free.

— Kurt Scholle

Building Inbound Links For Fun & Profit

I’m adding a couple of categories to my blog this year to address critical aspects of successful website development.  They relate to two of the most important steps in building sales and profits.

  1. Fill your funnel
  2. Convert those leads to sales

Today, we begin with filling your funnel for fun and profit.  (But not necessarily in that order!)

Many sales coaches will talk about "filling your funnel."  It means the flow of prospects as they work through your sales cycle.  Some are just becoming aware of you.  Some have initiated a contact.  Some are thinking about buying.  Some got distracted.  Some may have contacted you with follow up questions.  Some are waiting for a face-to-face meeting.  Some are expecting your proposal.  Some are about to buy.  Some are about to buy again.  Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

Successful website marketers will have multiple initiatives going on to bring people in, to get them to the site, so that they can swim thru your funnel, buy all your stuff and let you retire to an island in the Caribbean.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way.  You need to constantly develop your tactics, revise and test – and do it again. 

There are many ways to fill a funnel.  One of the hottest topics is building inbound links to your site.

Inbound Links Build Web Traffic
               

Search
engines put a lot of emphasis on the number of inbound links to a
website. It’s a "word of mouth" or popularity measurement that they
include in their algorithm. Effective website marketing in Chicago (or
anywhere) using link-building techniques will increase the number of
links to your site and boost traffic and search engine rankings.  But it’s important not to take links from any old site.  The types of sites and how those links are structured is an issue I don’t have enough time for in this blog. 

At the very least, the following
do’s and don’ts should be employed to build links to your site.      

  • DO request links from as many other sites as possible. 
  • DON’T buy links from link farms.
  • DO try to build links from related organizations.
  • DON’T use or allow "invisible links" to your site.
  • DO try and include coveted keywords in links to your site.
  • DON’T use keyword tricks, like using the word "sex" or "porn" in your links.               

Other Effective Link-Building Techniques:               

  • Write articles and submit them to free article submission sites
  • Respond to blog posts and include your website address
  • Link to individual pages on your website from your blog

And there are a whole bunch of options with Social Networking, using Digg, Squidoo, Facebook and other sites.  We’ll address those in a future edition of the Marketing-ROI-Blog.com.

Contact us for more information at success2007 @ webasylum.com.

— Kurt