Posted by Jody Raines
Do you want to spice up your Internet marketing life and create some steamy sizzle on your site? They say that sexy sells... and lets face it, you want your website to attract more than furtive 
glances.
If you are struggling with what to do, to enhance your website's shape, and get back into the Google groove, here's a list of 5 to get you started:
1. Shake it up. When you put that old site together, you were logical and you covered all the bases. You wanted the reader to move through the site, starting at "Home", then logically reaching a conclusion at "Contact Us". Surprise - it doesn't work that way! Readers are not logical, and they don't want to read every word. What they want is what they are seeking - a slim-downed and attractive piece of the site. Focus on a sub-category of your business and define the keywords your clients may be using in their Google search. Every page should be unique and considered a landing page, with a clearly identified message and target. The more specific your pages and content, the better you will look in the eyes of your customer.
2. Trashy or Flashy? Google announced recently that load times for your site are now a metric that will be taken into account for your ranking. Slow dancing is sexy, slow sites are not. Why lose points on a site that is all show and no go. Simplify and streamline your page so it loads quickly. Of course if you prefer a site that is a beautiful monument, that's an option. On the other hand if you prefer a site that has hot leads, through traffic and conversion, go fast and keep it elegant.
3. Give it up. Yep. That's right, we are going to give away your secrets for free. Why? Because that's the reason your clients come to the site. They are seeking answers, and our goal is to position you to answer their questions. Of course, there is always more to know - if you client had all the answers they would do it themself. Maybe it's a webinar, maybe an ebook, or a guide? You have the answers... So, get started on a mission to position your content to appeal to your customer's needs.
4. Establish a relationship. Today's marketing is not just about telling your audience, it's about sharing with your audience and listening. Are you ready to listen? Do you have a way to monitor your brand? Are you able to make changes to your site as you learn more about what will appeal to your potential customers? Maybe now is the time to put together a site that will be more responsive or pro-active. It's the new way to do business in an Internet world.
5. Make the First Move. If you are waiting for clients to find you, it may take a long time. Organic SEO means creating compelling content that is keyword rich and appropriately positioned. Even though some clients will find you, think about where your clients may be and reach out to them. If you have a blog post that may appeal to a group, don't be shy - but tell the group you have some hot tips to share. But don't be salesy - that will backfire.
Overall, it's important to communicate and share. Offer great content, optimize your pages and blog, blog, blog.
Posted by Jody Raines
If your website isn't producing leads, perhaps you should
consider beefing up your blog. Blogging adds content, value and information and gives your potential customer a reason to find you. Here are 5 sustainable reasons that you should consider spendin
g more time on the lifeblood of your social media program, your blog:
1. Credibility. Based upon the less formal structure of a blog, your articles can encompass a wider range of ideas for utilizing products and services as well as share how-to's and guides. Generally, people turn to the Internet when they start to research their purchase, and the blog articles are a great way to answer questions that someone early in the purchase cycle may be asking.
2. Links. A well done Blog will feature the type of content that people and sites want to share with others. Some of the types of articles that you'd find on a blog are lists of links for resources, great how-to's and references for the rest of us. Sometimes blog posts can be controversial, and get attention on a more viral approach by being shared and discussed by others. This activity results in in-bound links, more than the factual information typically presented in a web site.
3. SEO. Blogs can be written by cleverly incorporating keywords into the article. Whether the goal is to be number one on Google, or whether it's to be found for certain keyword phrases, adding a blog post is like adding another page of content. As long as the info is presented in a readable and enjoyable format, it can add great value to be found in Google and to improve keyword ranking.
4. Anchor Text. One way that Google can distinguish what a page is about is by anchor text that links to the page. While you may not be able to control anchor text from outside sources, you can control anchor text within your own website. By using keyword phrases or keywords as the anchor text to link to pages within your site, you are reinforcing the optimization of your page content.
5. Fresh Content. Frequent updates to the site result in more frequent indexing by the search engines. While the company website may be somewhat static with the exception of new product additions, a blog is updated regularly. The fresh content not only lends the opportunity to add keywords and links, it also serves as an opportunity to improve ranking for your site.
If you haven't added a blog yet, it may be time to start blogging. If you already have a blog and haven't actively been posting, keep in mind that it's never too late to start.
Make a resolution to improve your site's Google Ranking and Alexa ranking performance by adding a well-focused blog with interesting and timely content.
Posted by Jody Raines
You may have heard about the importance of Search Engine Optimization. It's so important to be found online. Just about every client that I meet tells me that their goal is to be "number one on Google". That's terrific. I do hope that they get to number one on Google for whatever they hope to be number one for! But is that enough? What happens when you are finally found? What action do you want your visitor to take once they find you? 
That's so important, yet, so many websites are built and crazy sums of money are spent on SEOCall-To-Action"!
Every website should have a goal; an action visitors should take. Whether the goal is to request an ebook, a podcast, a webinar invite, or ultimately make a purchase, there must be a compelling call-to-action for the visitor.
What is a 'call-to-action'? A call-to-action is the offer that your visitor reads or responds to. It can be copy or a graphic on your website that encourages action. To increase conversions on the website, a compelling, well-thought-out call-to-action can do wonders.
Some of the best designed call-to-action designs incorporate these points:
1. Create a sensation of Urgency
A limited time offer or limited number of attendees helps to create the sense that if the visitor pauses or does not respond at that time, they will miss the opportunity.
2. Name that price
A nebulous offer is less appealing than a clearly delineated one. Offer an upgrade or package.
3. Define what will happen next
What should the client expect - what is the reason for them to submit their information? Will they get an email, an invitation? Define the result.
4. Graphics help
Bold designs and action-images enhance the appeal for the action.
5. 'This is the spot'
Use graphics and design to make 'the spot' appealing. Use hypertext links or otherwise define exactly where the action is to take place.
6. Making it a bold statement
A well designed and attractive element is fun to click. Make the button bold in color and notice-able.
7. Position, Position, Position
Most people scan a page in the form of a letter "F". Across the heading, down the left side, back over to the right side. Position the button above the cut off of the bottom of the site, so it's visible when the site first opens. Also, preferable to position on the right side or center of the page, so its along the way your eye naturally travels.
Bottom line, a beautiful site is wonderful to behold. An effective site is optimized for the search engines as well as optimized for the goals of the site. Make your website effective and functional.
with little thought given to one of the most important aspects of the website - the "
Posted by Jody Raines
Search Engine Optimization is important for every website. It's the art and science of positioning a web site to be found in the search engines for specific keywords. Everything else being equal, the authority that your site builds through incoming links will differentiate and elevate your site in the ranking race.
So, what is the best way to build links? According to Matt Cutts of Google, there are ten ways you can effectively build links. He doesn't recommend all of these, but they all work:
1. Original Research. This can be as simple as keeping a diary of how effective your outbound email is, and what seems to get more opens or click throughs.
2. Newsletter. Information that you share in the newsletter is a great source for inbound links.
3. Social Media. Participating in the conversation in Twitter, Friendfeed and Facebook (among others) is excellent for link building. Get to know your customer and spend time where your customer is.
4. Get a blog. Establish yourself as an authority. Build up your blog to become a resource of information. Post great content or things that you find interesting or humorous.
5. How to's or Tutorials. Share information on how to do something and others will link to your info.
6. Build a resource or service. Open source applications that are posted have many inbound links and traffic. Do the work once, and they will come.
7. Good site architecture. Make sure your site can be crawled and indexed. Make it easy to get to your pages and be bookmarked.
8. Make a few videos. These can be simple as talking, but they are effective for generating inbound leads.
9. Controversial posts. This is not recommended, but it can be effective. Posting something controversial can get a conversation started.
10. Lists. Building lists of resources is also not recommended but can be an effective way to build incoming links.
To hear more about effective link building, here is Matt Cutts of Google explaining his thought on how to be effective: