What is the real lowdown of SEO?

12 years ago

SEO is a very complex process for novice, but once your fundamentals are clear i guess you will quickly get comfortable with it.

Its all based around Quality Content and Backlinks to your website or webpage that you want to get ranked for.

Content will always be King when considering SEO. Content has to be unique and interesting, if you achieve that , SEO will follow on its own.

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iAmNameLess 12 years ago

Originally Posted by r2r

Its all based around Quality Content and Backlinks to your website or webpage that you want to get ranked for.

Wrong. It isn't that simple, and it isn't that absolute.

To the OP, forget what you see on this message board for SEO, there isn't even 50% that is accurate. You might get 10% accurate answers for something you would like to know. This is why I stopped posting in the SEO part of the forum, too many misinformed people that have no idea what they're doing but will fight their theory till the end.

I released a WSO on SEO about a year ago I guess, I haven't kept it updated though.

The thing is, you're gunna come across everyone's little theories, not the facts. If you're looking at a thread from a year ago in regards to SEO, chances are it is a little bit outdated.

People scared of panda? It amazes me the amount of people that really think content has to be unique, or well written in order for google to consider it as quality content. A LOT of people don't understand what the panda update REALLY did and how it works from a programming standpoint.

Now a lot of people go on about perfect on page SEO, interlinking, lsi, emd's and keywords in domain, and perfect alt tags, gzip, etc. etc. etc. What these people seem to not realize is that Google DOESN'T want perfect on page optimization for the search engines.

What I would recommend doing... is start off with an easy local keyword... learn how things work, what it requires to get page 1, position 1... and move up in difficulty.

I don't recommend spending 5 hours a day writing content. It's pointless. Unique content isn't what gets you ranked. Relevant content DOES. Relevant content does not necessarily mean quality in terms of how it is written, relevant means staying on a topic and something relevant to users. Would something relevant get backlinked? YES! Would something that is high quality get backlinked? Not necessarily. Anyone can write a well written article on a subject, but is it really relevant if no one else finds it useful?

Spend some time with on page optimization.. you should be getting to the point where you get page 1 with less than 10 backlinks and above average on page optimization.

Once you move up in difficulty, it really comes down to links.
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- 512 Designs 12 years ago
  
  I read somewhere that Google is always changing because they don't want people doing well with organic SEO. Their business is advertising and their goal is to sell Adwords. So the harder they make it for you to rank at the top organically, the more chance you'll spend the money on Adwords.
  
  Not sure if that's true or not...just something I read.
  
  Mike
  
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100k

12 years ago

I would tell ya, but then I would have to kill ya.

And im not feeling murderous today.

Good luck tho brah.

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Alex Makarski 12 years ago

The real lowdown is, GOOG is at war with us SEO people and consultants. They change the way the game is played all the time. The most recent big update happened in Feb and you'll find a bunch of discussions around this forum. When they change the game, they don't tell us what the rules are.

That's just the way it is.
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Preeti

12 years ago

Ed, I have NO idea about the answer to your question..lol there are just too many variables and they're changing constantly...

However, what I do want to say is HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER! I'm sure being in bed for that long of a time period isn't fun but hey, hopefully you've used the time wisely to learn (which it seems like you have!) and to think about your next "step" (haha..sorry couldn't resist..yes I am a total nerd! lol)

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freedomaman

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Adwizard

I have been injured and pretty much confined to bed for nearly five months now. I decided that I was going to be productive while couped up and do some major learning. It has been great for expanding my off-line marketing business but I have one giant dilemma. I have tried very hard to learn SEO and while the on page seems pretty self explanatory and straight forward the off page is a real puzzle. I have read so much conflicting information!!!

I was reading about how important backlinks were, especially those from .edu sources and from high ranking sites, etc. Now it seems I am learning that Google is penalizing sites for too many backlinks and is preferring curated stories and good videos as well as social media comments and blogs. What the heck is going on?

I understand SEO is never going to be an exact science because of the algorithm the search engines use but how is one suppose to learn this stuff? Did Google just change the formula in the last two weeks because it sure seems that way but I imagine if that was the case I would be reading a bunch about that here. This is a service I really want to offer my clients and I realize I could outsource it but I would be just as confused there. I have seen people charging everywhere between $200. - $2000. per month for that service and while I realize that sometimes you get what you pay for it isn't always the case. So how do I learn this and when should I start providing this service? Are there certain programs that the SEO guys use I need to buy?

Any and all advice would certainly be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ed

I don't know about any programs but off page SEO is mainly link building. You have to build quality links pointing to your site with the keyword you are targeting in the 'Anchor text'. Quality links means links with good pagerank, links on authority sites, do follow links etc

Link building includes Article submissions, Directory submissions, blog commenting, social bookmarking, making one way links, making edu links etc. You can research more about this or you can perhaps buy a link building ebook. It's true that algorithm changes often but if some good links are pointing to a site, it will rank good on search engines. Just be good with these basics and a site should rank well. You also have to experiment from time to time to find out what is working. You also have to make sure that you have quality content on your site which people will like because Content is king. I hope this helps! Cheers!

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CourageIncorporated

12 years ago

I've talked to a lot of different people in the know lately about this. I have one friend who runs a twice-a-year, 5,000-attendee IM conference who says that he only builds links through regular, relevant, valuable blog posts, and connecting with as many people as he can through social media channels, pingbacks, etc. He builds backlinks one at a time, and then leverages those by linking to his own sites as they grow in PR.

I have another friend who used to be a major content producer at About.com who swears by programs like IM Automator and SENukeX.

I try to find the balance here. I think if you continue to build quality content and find authority sites with respected content producers in your niche and find ways to get relevant links from them, you're building your house out of bricks instead of straw.

That said, it's worth it to experiment with the tools out there...NOT relying solely on them, and keeping in mind that there's a chance too much use of them could hurt you in the end.

Copyblogger is usually a great source of this kind of stuff.

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CourageIncorporated

12 years ago

P.S. Hope you get better soon, man. So glad to hear that you're making the best of one of life's curveballs. Sending good vibes your way. Google can't TOUCH those. : )

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Stig Killendahl

12 years ago

SEO is a whole business itself.

Unfortunately no one knows Google's algorithm, and everything you've learned today can be different tomorrow - Blog Networks for an example. They've been one of the strongest types of links for a long time, but suddenly the top networks are getting deindexed from Google.

My advice would be to build as high quality links as possible. Diversify link sources, types and quality. Also diversify anchor texts - I myself have even started adding anchor texts with "click here" or "here" to make an even more natural looking link profile.

Types of links? I'm mainly going for high quality in-context links. But building a few other links will always be good, even nofollow.

Software? I have basically all the big software. They're getting less and less worth imo.

Senuke, AMR, Scrapebox, Sick Submitter (I like this one, it allow you to build your own packages), xRumer, there is so many, and they'll only benefit you if you use the time and effort to master them.

Regards,
Stig Killendahl.

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kat57 12 years ago

I agree. so many of the SEO programs that I own have very similar principles. It is changing daily, but if you buy a program from a reputable
successful seller, take action, you will be way those who don't.
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Fernando Veloso

12 years ago

Ed, the basis of SEO is content + backlinks.

People often try/use/test some other variations of these 2 aspects, but, when confronted with the hard truth, SEO is just content + backlinks - except for people with REALLY deep pockets to invest in MORE content and MORE backlinks.

Obviously there is more to it from this "basic" point of view, but those in the know, keep it quiet. This is a big industry (growing and changing everyday) and honestly, some cats get out of the bag - BUT NOT the whole scheme of things. It's just impossible for us to come here and tell it all.

Forgot to add this bit: the amount of money people spend in systems, scripts, software... they would be better of (most of the time) investing into their own content and their own backlinks.

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BrashImpact

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Fernando Veloso

Ed, the basis of SEO is content + backlinks.

People often try/use/test some other variations of these 2 aspects, but, when confronted with the hard truth, SEO is just content + backlinks - except for people with REALLY deep pockets to invest in MORE content and MORE backlinks.

Obviously there is more to it from this "basic" point of view, but those in the know, keep it quiet. This is a big industry (growing and changing everyday) and honestly, some cats get out of the bag - BUT NOT the whole scheme of things. It's just impossible for us to come here and tell it all.

Forgot to add this bit: the amount of money people spend in systems, scripts, software... they would be better of (most of the time) investing into their own content and their own backlinks.

Ed,
You got a great post here from Fernando and he's been around awhile. I will go ahead and say... Take his recipe to heart, it really is content + Backlinks, there really is no other way for Search Engines to add power.

A lot of people are saying social triggers now... I am like great, Then i will just go too fiver and add 10,000 facebook likes, 10,000 pintrest likes and so on... It makes no sense, will some of the back links help you bet, is it social triggers no way IMHO.

With that being said, i have a test pool of 50 sites that have been on the net now for over 2 years. All have survived every Big G update over 1/2 are ranked #1 for fairly easy keywords and the sites are all Content 4 page sites with no Off Page SEO.

While your getting better learn to do Flawless On Page SEO and then use the ability to take that unique Flawless On Page SEO and give it some credible backlinks. You will be set... I guarantee it...

I make a vast portion of my Income Building and Ranking my Own Websites and then Selling Exlusive Advertising on them... Trust me it's Easy...

X2 for Fernando's Post

Regards,
Robert

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rbecklund

12 years ago

Half of the stuff in this post ain't really true. Stuff that people say doesn't work - it works. A couple people have said the right thing to do. Do some testing for yourself and see what works. There is so much misinformation about what does and doesn't work.

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David Neale 12 years ago

To keep it simple. Follow both of these daily with your RSS reader

SEO Blog | SEOmoz Blog Featuring Search Engine Marketing Tactics & Strategies

SEOmoz | YouMoz - A User Generated Search Industry Blog

Our focus has shifted in the last few months. More focus on content (particularly curated content), less focus on the usual backlink tactics (although we have not abandoned them by any means), increased focus on Social Media particularly Google +.

If budget allows we always like video for both regular and local optimization.
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Adwizard

12 years ago

I appreciate all the comments, well wishes and help guys... I understand the algorithm is steadily changing and updated but never would have guessed that it was such a debatable art. It really seems there is no cut and dry answers for any of it... I did notice that content is king!
Guys I really do understand that you can charge bigger when your making the client bigger money but such a wide range of SEO fees??? Why is it some people are charging $200/ month and others are commanding $2000 per month?

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kenmichaels

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Adwizard

Why is it some people are charging $200/ month and others are commanding $2000 per month?

I would guess that there are many answers to that question.

Here is one opinion.

Some people aren't sure of their own skills, or business savvy, so they charge lower.

Some people actually charge what they believe the service is worth,

and then some just charge the highest number they can, regardless of their skill.

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agonce

12 years ago

Originally Posted by kenmichaels

I would guess that there are many answers to that question.

Here is one opinion.

Some people aren't sure of their own skills, or business savvy, so they charge lower.

Some people actually charge what they believe the service is worth,

and then some just charge the highest number they can, regardless of their skill.

I think it all depends on the type of business you are servicing to. If one lead generates them 2000$, and they get 2 leads per month, they have every reason to pay you 2000$, but if you bring 10 leads to the guy who is paying you 200$ per month, and each led is worth 10$, then he is not profiting. Dunno if this makes any sense lol

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iAmNameLess

12 years ago

Originally Posted by agonce

I think it all depends on the type of business you are servicing to. If one lead generates them 2000$, and they get 2 leads per month, they have every reason to pay you 2000$, but if you bring 10 leads to the guy who is paying you 200$ per month, and each led is worth 10$, then he is not profiting. Dunno if this makes any sense lol

My prices don't change depending on the business. My prices are the same whether you're a plastic surgeon, a plumber, or a food stand owner.

The company's prices who is interested in using my services, plays no role in how much I will charge. It does however, change what I will recommend. If they can't afford SEO then they are probably better off with PPC.

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kenmichaels 12 years ago

Originally Posted by iAmNameLess

My prices don't change depending on the business. My prices are the same whether you're a plastic surgeon, a plumber, or a food stand owner.

Good for you.

Most people don't "get" that. They think if some company is making oodles of money then they should charge higher.

You prices should be fair, and semi competitive and based off of your
own company criteria, not what you think some sucker is worth.

edit ---
my writing skills suck, just in case that came out wrong,

I meant it as a compliment
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TWalker

12 years ago

My experience is age of content and domain is vastly under-rated factor.
Google serves up some ridiculously old content, which is frustrating because so many things I search for need the latest info.

Example: If I search an android solution I don't want something from 2 years ago or even 1 year ago.

That shows me that Google places a premium on aged content. If you can focus your efforts on ranking aged content you have a higher chance of ranking it.

In other words don't start from scratch, find someone who has aged content and rank them.

Just my opinion.

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What is the real lowdown of SEO?

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