Google is the King of Search and every now and then creates an update to its algorithms that determines how results are compiled for a variety of search terms. The latest update is code named Allegra and targets websites that promote themselves by a massive amount of links from one page to another from web forums, Blogs, Guestbook’s & other online properties that allow self-submission.
A couple of years ago one of my portals received a massive increase in visitor numbers in a very short period of time. This was achieved by creating pages on websites that just linked to my own page. Often you would name the link as a keyword such as “real estate Sydney”. Each page contained hundreds of links to the one site.
My site was number one in Google in 9 out of the top 10 keywords I was targeting and it was very successful.
However, Google was working on a sniffer code that would detect this cheating (yes it was cheating) and subsequently a new update codenamed Florida kicked my site from number one to about number 500.
Google are now going further with this last update and not only are they ignoring these pages, they are also booting sites that have these set up. I am so glad I stopped doing the linking thing!
It was then that I decided that it was not worth the effort. The best way to get success is to get the plumbing perfect and in time your site will climb up the rankings.
My portal now has over 10,000 pages indexed in Google and appears in the top 10 results under the most important keywords.
Many companies offer you services that can improve ranking and results but I will say this, in the long term every single one of them will fail.
So here are 4 things you need to do
1. Title Descriptions Keywords – Every single page on your website should have at least a unique title and description.
2. Get suppliers who have websites to link to your website. You pay your suppliers money, so write a nice letter and request a link. Get them to send you an email when it has been done so you can check it out.
3. Get rid of any sites or sections that have frames. I have written many articles on this: Read: Why Frames Suck!
4. Ignore any – I mean any company that promises success with Google – they are all just trying to make money out of you for little results. There are two ways to have success on Google and both roads should be taken.
Solution – Anyone who sends you an email, calls you and tells you they have worked the Google secret out, kindly hang up or delete the message.
1. Get your websites plumbing right – Do the basics and it will improve your site immeasurably.
2. Pay for it – Google Adwords Campaigns are extremely cost effective and successful for websites. In fact it is the only way to ensure success.
At least it might get rid of all of those companies out there that continually annoy me about how they will get me to number one in Google!