Search Engine Optimization

Free Web Site Promotion Guide
Search engine optimization; use keywords and meta tags to get the click. Works for google search engine placement, search engine positioning, search engine ranking etc...

Use Keywords And Metatags To Get The Click!
Article by Steve M Nash

Now everyone knows that you need to choose keywords and meta tags to make your site search-engine-friendly (don't they?).
And pages should be 'optimised' BEFORE you submit them to the search engines.
Search engine optimization is really not that difficult, but it is important: no-one visits your site if they can't find it on the first few pages of a search engine.

A good way of 'getting found' is to choose high-demand low-supply keywords (like "free nokia ringtones"), and to create pages optimised for those keywords. (Obviously, you need to find keywords relevant to your website.) The basic guidelines, below, show you how to optimise your pages - how to make sure your site gets the click.
But how do you find these profitable high-demand low-supply keywords in the first place?

Use this resource
Wordtracker is a free tool that allows you to brainstorm keywords and determine which of those keywords (if any) have little competition on the net (which are most 'profitable'). You simply add suitable keywords to a basket, and their profitability is determined using AltaVista as the search engine (the paid-for tool determines profitability using all of the major search engines).
Wordtracker is a powerful tool endorsed and used by many so-called search engine experts. You should use it too, to improve your chances of getting the click.
See how Wordtracker can help you!

Study these basic search engine optimization guidelines
Many of the major search engines behave differently to each other when it comes to choosing the best pages.
Worse than this though, is that some use metatags and some ignore them completely, preferring only to rely on page content (with weighting given to words at the top of the page). Even worse still, the search engines constantly change their ranking rules (algorithms).
So understand that these are only basic guidelines. However, they should help your web pages rank better with the search engines, over time:

TITLE tag should be between 5 and 12 words (Most important tag!)

1. Meta DESCRIPTION tag should be between 5 and 20 words


2. TITLE and Meta DESCRIPTION should be different. Combine bothto encourage someone looking at a busy page of search resultsto click your link, rather than someone else's.


3. Meta KEYWORDS tag should be between 0 and 50 words


4. HEADING Tags should be used, if possible (these tags are usedinstead of Meta DESCRIPTION tag, sometimes)


5. Meta KEYWORDS tag should contain words that exist in TITLE andMeta DESCRIPTION tag (as well as in page content)


6. Do not use too many COMMENT tags, or Image ALT tags,especially if you stuff them with keywords


7. Word order matters; e.g. uk optimization is not optimization UK

Recommend this site to a friend or colleague

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Again, these are basic guidelines - don't take them too literally. Remember, the most important content for the search engines is also the most important content for your site visitors - your actual page content.

Read more...
You can find out a great deal more about keywords, metatags etc. from the following excellent resources:
http://spider-food.net/

http://searchenginewatch.com/webmasters/meta.html

http://www.searchengines.com/

Remember that search engines are getting more and more sophisticated. Concentrate on creating valuable keyword-rich pages that your site visitors will like, the search engines will like them too! And your site is sure to get the click! Search engine optimization - as simple as that!

The Art of Selling Online

The Art of Selling Online
by Joan Sotkin

Do you have the sales skills you need to effectively sell your product(s) or service(s) on the Net? As with any business venture, if you don't know how to close a sale, you're not going to generate much income.

The selling process starts with your Website, which is, in effect, a sales presentation. Who wrote the copy for your Website? If you did, do you know how to write effective direct response copy? (Copy that elicits a specific response, such as placing an order, from your prospect.) Or, if your Website designer prepared the copy, does he/she have good sales presentation skills?

The fact is, a large number of Websites owned by small businesses and professional practitioners have weak sales presentations. They are missing two basic elements, which we will talk about here:
1) benefits-oriented copy and 2) a strong call to action.

>>>Benefits, Benefits, Benefits<<< http://www.landsend.com/. The home page is filled with calls to action and benefits. The product descriptions are artful -- very dynamic and enticing.

>>>What's Your Call to Action?<<< mailto:information@yourdomain.com. (link) "

If you are selling a product and you have a shopping cart, be sure something says, "Add to Cart"
If you don't use a cart, I suggest a link that says, "For ordering options, click here" or "Find out how to order our widgit now!" (This would be a link.)

The page with ordering options should clearly state how people can order your product. Language should be clear and direct. Don't say, "Please fill out our order form." Instead, say "Use our secure order form."
Make this a link to your form.

At the end of every page on your site, have a call-to-action -- and make it something more than "Contact Us." If I don't have anything else, I'll use a click-Go link box that says "Choose a Location." On the selection list will be often be an action such as "Ask a Question" or "Order Now."

>>>Exercise:<<< http://www.yourdomain.com
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Best of luck

Tips on selling from the Goverment

Tips for Sellers...

Know Your Legal Obligations

Under federal law, you're required to advertise your product or service and the terms of the sale honestly and accurately. You can't place "shill" bids on your item to boost the price or offer false testimonials about yourself in the comment section of Internet auction sites.
You're prohibited from auctioning illegal goods. While many auction sites monitor their sites to ensure that illegal items are not being offered, the responsibility for ensuring that a sale is legal rests with the seller and buyer. Some auction sites post a list of prohibited items as a guide.
You are required to ship merchandise within the time frame specified during the auction, or, if a time frame is not specified, within 30 days. If you can't meet the shipping commitment, you must give the buyer an opportunity to cancel the order for a full refund or agree to the new shipping date. To learn more about your responsibilities when shipping products, see A Business Guide to the Federal Trade Commission's Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule.

Advertising Your Product

When describing your item and its condition, state whether it's new, used or reconditioned.
Anticipate questions buyers might have and address them in the description of your item or service.

When possible, include a photograph of the item. The saying that a picture is worth a thousand words is especially relevant in Internet auctions.

Specify the minimum bid at the lowest fair price you're willing to accept.

Specify who will pay for shipping, and note whether you'll ship internationally.

State your return policy, including who's responsible for paying for shipping costs or restocking fees if the item is returned.

Let prospective bidders know whether you provide follow-up service; if you don't, tell them where they can get it.

Dealing with Bidders

Respond as quickly as possible to bidders' questions about the item you're auctioning or the sales terms.

When the auction closes, print all information about the transaction, including the buyer's identification; a description of the item; and the date, time and price of the bid. Save a copy of every email you send and receive from the auction site or the successful bidder.
Contact the "winning" bidder as soon after the auction closes as possible; confirm the final cost, including shipping charges, and tell the buyer where to send payment.

Arranging for Payment

If you accept credit card payments from the buyer directly, bill the credit card account only once you've shipped the product.

If a buyer insists on using a particular escrow or online payment service that you've never heard of, check it out. Visit its Web site. Be suspicious of claims about being affiliated with a government agency. Call the customer service line. If there isn't one, or if you call and can't reach someone, don't use the service.

Before agreeing to use an online payment or escrow service, read the terms of agreement:
If it's an online payment service, find out who pays for credit card charge backs or transaction reversal requests if the buyer seeks them.

Examine the service's privacy policy and security measures. Never disclose financial or personal information unless you know why it's being collected, how it will be used, and how it will be safeguarded.

Be suspicious of an online escrow service that cannot process its own transactions and requires you to set up accounts with online payment services. Legitimate escrow services never do this.

Check with the Better Business Bureau, state attorney general or consumer protection agency — where you live and where the online payment or escrow service is based — to see whether there are any unresolved complaints against the service. Be mindful that a lack of complaints doesn't necessarily mean that the service has no problems.

For Buyers and Sellers...

Where to Turn for Help

If you have problems during a transaction, try to work them out directly with the seller, buyer or site operator. If that doesn't work, file a complaint with:

1. The attorney general's office in your state.

2. Your county or state consumer protection agency. Check the blue pages of the phone book under county and state government.

3. The Better Business Bureau.

4. The FTC. File a complaint online at www.ftc.gov or call toll-free 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.