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Web News & Tips - Issue #252 Web News & Tips Published by MateMedia, Inc. Your Partner on the Web Providing quality Web services at affordable prices since 1995 MateMedia provides the following services: * Small Business Web Hosting (Shared & Managed Dedicated Servers) * Web Design & Development - Custom Web Applications * Database Development & Hosting * Website Maintenance & Webmaster Services * Search Engine Promotion (Optimization & Submission) * E-Commerce - Shopping Carts - Sample Shopping Cart * Domain Name Registration * Domain Name Affiliate Program * Web Hosting Affiliate Program * FREE Website when you order a web hosting account! For more information about our services email sales@matemediainc.com or call us at 877-309-7521 - Read what our clients have to say about us IN THIS ISSUE: Host your website with MateMedia and get a free merchandise shop Become a MateMedia Domain Name Affiliate Become a MateMedia Small Business Web Hosting Affiliate Free Webmaster Tools Free Scripts for Your Website SEO Copywriting - In the Wake of the “Florida” Update Web News A Step by Step Guide to Getting Started on the Web Recommend this newsletter to a friend Advertise in Web News & Tips JULY SPECIAL! - $7.00 per month web hosting from MateMedia SEO Copywriting - In the Wake of the “Florida” Update By Karon Thackston After Google’s most recent update, those in the search engine optimization (SEO) field seem to be standing at attention. As sites that have held long-standing positions in the top 10 flounder and bob around in the search results like a fishing cork in a pond, many are scrambling for answers about what to do next. I’ve been asked for my opinions about changes in search engine copywriting, so I thought I’d share some of my insights. Just like the SEOs whose editorials and interviews you’ve recently read, I too am expressing opinions here. Nobody knows for sure what has happened or what Google plans to do in the future. However, based on what I’ve seen so far, I do have some observations to share in response to a few commonly asked questions. “Many are saying that ‘over-optimized’ sites are being penalized. Should I reduce the keyword saturation on my pages?” The changes at Google this go ‘round have nothing to do with a penalty; it's simply an algorithm change. No penalties, no punishments, etc. Over saturation of keywords has always been bad, however, many were getting away with it pre-Florida. I have never been a fan of “shoving” keywords into your copy wherever you have an extra syllable. Keeping an acceptable level of keyword saturation is still important. Just don’t overdo it. Remember, your ultimate goal should be to write for your human visitors… not the search engine spiders. Case in point: Do a Google search for the term “website design.” At the time of this article, I clicked through to many of the sites returned in the top 10. As I read through the home pages of these sites, I noticed how often they repeated the keyphrase “website design.” These pages had a good level of saturation. Not too heavy, not too light. Unless yours is one of those sites where every third word is a keyword/phrase, I would not recommend changing the level of keyword saturation at this point. “There have been reports of Google moving to a semantic-based system. Does this mean keywords will no longer be used?” In my opinion, the reports are true… Google is moving to a semantic-type system. But that doesn't mean keywords are on their way out at all. After the changes are made, Google will be going beyond *just* looking for keywords on your page. They’ll want well-written copy… actual language that speaks to your site visitors. That means your copy will take on a more important role than ever before. And that’s great news! For those of us who have been focusing on search engine copywriting that appeals to both the engines and the site visitors, Google’s upcoming changes should be very exciting. I have a couple of other common-sense thoughts on this topic as well. Searchers will continue to type in search strings that bring up what they are looking for. While I have noticed the keyphrases getting longer over time, I have not read any research that states searchers have begun typing “wood, nails and glass” when they are actually hoping to find mirrors. Common sense tells me that keyphrases will always be a determining factor in generating accurate search results. The other common-sense aspect that comes to mind is that when Google moves to semantic search results, keyword saturation will become even more important. How will the spiders know what to gauge their semantic results by if there are no keywords included in your copy? Yes, semantics means that other types of verbiage need to be included, too… but -- as I said earlier -- hasn’t that always been the case? “Some people have said that Google is now favoring information sites and information pages. Should I write more information-based copy for my site?” While *some* search results for *some* keyphrases do seem to be filled primarily with information-based directory sites (those that do not attempt to sell), it is not the norm. Google understands that over 85% of people looking to make a purchase turn to search engines. While information-filled pages definitely satisfy a need for the first part of the buying process, they don’t replace retail sites. People will continue to research and make purchases online. This means they’ll want to see retail and other business sites returned in their search results. If they don’t get what they’re looking for, they’ll simply use another search engine. So, to answer the question, I’ve always thought (and so has Google) you should include information pages on your site. Gathering information was, is and will always be a part of the buying process. If you currently don’t have information pages on your site, yes, add some. But not because you think Google might approve… because your visitors will. Just like the demise of most META tags, and just like Google practically ignoring ALT/image tags, “tricks” come and go. Write your copy primarily to impress your site visitors. Making drastic changes - unless they are based on a need by your target audience - is not a move I recommend. Overall, it will take some time for any definite/solid information to filter down about the true effects of the “Florida” update. Theories will continue to swirl around the ‘Net. So will rankings! But the fact remains that “common-sense” SEO copywriting wins out in the long run. Author's URL: http://www.marketingwords.com Most buying decisions are emotional. Your ad copy should be, too! Karon is Owner and President of Marketing Words, Inc. who offers targeted copywriting, copy editing & ezine article services. She is also author of the highly acclaimed "Step-By-Step Copywriting Course." Subscribe to Karon's Ezine "Business Essentials" at http://www.marketingwords.com/ezine.html or visit her sites at http:// www.marketingwords.com and http://www.copywritingcourse.com. JULY SPECIAL! - $7.00 per month web hosting from MateMedia Increase your rank in the search engines! Check out our new search engine optimization plans Become a MateMedia Web Hosting Affiliate Web News JULY SPECIAL! - $7.00 per month web hosting from MateMedia Rather than compete for readership, newspapers have developed a collaborative relationship with the Web, according to a comprehensive survey by The Media Audit of 85 U.S. metro markets. The firm found that newspaper Web sites help to extend the reach of their print counterparts, minimizing rivalry between the two versions. China had 79.5 million Web surfers at the end of 2003, according to a report by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) out of Beijing. The number catapults the country ahead of fellow Asia-Pacific region country Japan, which has 56 million Internet users but below first-ranked U.S., which has 165.75 million Internet users, according to the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) World Factbook. The statistics from the 2003 holiday shopping season are beginning to come in, and it looks as if the resounding success for the e-commerce industry can be attributed in part to more women shoppers and shopping search engines. A collaborative eSpending report from Goldman, Sachs & Co., Harris Interactive, and Nielsen//NetRatings measured a 35 percent increase over the $13.7 billion spent during the 2002 holiday season, resulting in $18.5 billion in online sales. Apparel and clothing were expected to repeat November's success as the top selling online items with revenue of more than $3.7 billion, according to the eSpending report, followed by toys and video games at nearly $2.2 billion. DVDs and videos were expected to claim the most year-over-year growth, at 46 percent. Marketers attract people to their sites, then they fail to buy. Additional costs, lengthy delivery times and requests for too much information are to blame for stymied online purchases, says new research from the WebTrends division of NetIQ. Thirty-five percent of consumers surveyed by the online analytics company said added costs, such as shipping and handling, or lengthy delivery times resulted in their abandoning an online purchase. Sites requesting too much information is another annoyance that drives away 35 percent of buyers surveyed. Copyright 2000-2004 MateMedia, Inc. |