Types of SEO Techniques

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It is a method of preparing your website so that it provides high-quality content and attracts a larger volume of high-quality traffic. Although SEO strategies are always changing and offer no guarantee, the results of their application are often tremendously successful.
 
When optimizing your website, you should always use ethical “white hat” SEO techniques rather than “black hat” SEO techniques like keyword stuffing, using invisible text and creating fake pages that are not visible to users. Black hat techniques aim to manipulate search engine spiders on a short-term basis. They often backfire. Once search engines notice that your site uses black hat SEO techniques – and they will notice – your site will be banned permanently. Then, it will be almost impossible for anyone to find your site without first knowing your web address.
 
White hat practices, on the other hand, require the incorporation of highly informative and well-focused web content that is truly helpful to your target audience. These techniques make your website more accessible to search engine spiders, and they follow search engine guidelines. As a result, their benefits are long-term.
 

Why Use SEO?

Studies show that the typical search engine user only views top-ranking search results. This means, they simply skim through, looking for relevant headlines and summaries. They rarely look beyond the first ten results, and they view subsequent results pages even less frequently.
 
Using search engine optimization will help your website rank higher in organic, or free, search engine results. And, as stated, a high rank in organic search results is important if you want your website to be seen.
 

How Do You Apply SEO

Search engine optimization is not easily learned. The process entails many layers and the rules are always changing. In addition, periodic updates are necessary.

 
To save time and effort, many website owners hire SEO experts to optimize their sites. The initial cost of optimizing your site may seem high. However, you must keep in mind that the impact of optimization is powerful and lasting. So in the long run, SEO is generally less expensive than many offline and online marketing strategies.

1. Create a database of email addresses. The first step to launching an e-mail campaign is to build a repository of customer e-mail addresses. To do that, if you have a bricks and mortar shop, you can post a sign-up sheet near your cash register where customers can request e-mail updates. If you have a Web presence, you can set up a Contact Me form on your site where people can register. Be sure your business e-mail address appears on every promotional piece, brochure, or web page that customers see. That way, people can contact you. Then, keep the e-mail addresses for anyone who does. Once you create your database, be vigilant about maintaining and updating your list.
2. Use html to draft and design your e-mail. Using html for an e-mail enables you to use graphic elements so your e-mail will have more punch than a plain text email message. And most email systems easily accommodate html displays. If you do not know html, you can consult either a programmer or a graphic designer with Web experience to help you design a graphic template for your e-mails. Then you can simply edit the text each time you want to send out a new blast.
3. Give customers a reason and a way to act. Your e-mails will not be effective if you do not prompt customers to act (“Call Now!”) as well as give them an incentive to act (“Click on this link for special savings!”) Without anywhere to go or anywhere to call, you will also have no way to track whether or not your e-mails are effective. If possible, consider creating a special Web page where these targeted customers can “land” and take action. If you build a page that is specific to the campaign, then you will know that the only people who visit the page are those who received the e-mail. Or, you can create a special phone number for them to call and take action; even a promotion code can be used for extra savings during the sale.
4. Pay attention to what you say in the subject line. The Subject line is the first and most critical element to catch the recipient’s eye. When you write the teaser, be brief and clear, but be sure it addresses something the audience can relate to.
5. Use the bcc field! When you send out a promotional e-mail, be sure that all of your customer e-mail addresses are placed into the bcc (blind copy) field, so they are hidden from view by others. This protects your customers’ privacy and is of paramount importance. Being careless with such data will reflect poorly on your business practices.
6. Limit the number of recipients per e-mail, so you don’t get caught by spam controls. When you send out an e-mail blast, send it several times to small segments of your customer list. Sending in smaller chunks helps guard against your e-mail being kicked back or getting blocked at the receiving end.
7. Don’t send attachments. Again, to avoid getting caught by spam blockers or an e-mail system’s security filters; do not attach any files to your e-mail. Place all necessary information in the body of the e-mail itself.
8. Once you’ve sent your e-mail, actively monitor the replies. To fully gauge a campaign’s effectiveness you need to monitor e-mail or store traffic, replies or responses you receive, and your sales activities. Have you seen an increase or activity in any of these areas? Again, consider providing a link to materials or products you’re trying to promote; then, measure traffic to that page after your e-mail goes out. This is one of the easiest and cleanest ways to determine results. Having this level of insight will enable you to refine your campaign efforts over time.
9. Take it slow. As with many marketing efforts, it is best to take baby steps when you first tackle an e-mail campaign. Don’t make the mistake of purchasing e-mail lists and blasting your campaign to the mass market. It is far more effective to send to a smaller, more targeted e-mail distribution list than to waste money appealing to people who are not viable customers for you. So, instead, start small and grow your efforts based on the responses you receive.
10. Allow people to opt out of receiving future e-mails. Whether it’s a manual process or you have the capability to enable people to unsubscribe, don’t keep prospects on a list that they don’t want to be on. When a customer asks to be removed, be mindful of their request and act promptly. Doing anything less will anger them and damage your reputation.

Whether you have a Web-based business or local retail store, you can use these e-mail campaign tips to effectively boost sales, communicate with customers, and promote your business.

Using the Toolbar
When you’re browsing the web, the toolbar will let you know if a story has already been submitted to Digg and, if it has, how many Diggs and comments it got. If the page you’re viewing isn’t already on Digg, the toolbar will display a submit button, which will help you easily submit the story to Digg and share it with the entire Digg community. It’s even easy to hide the toolbar; if you don’t want to see it, simply click on the Digg guy in the navigation bar, and it will be hidden.

Latest Popular Content
The toolbar will alert you when new stories become popular on Digg by showing the story details in a small notification window at the bottom of the browser. And don’t worry, you can control whether to see all recently popular stories or just those from the topics and media types you care about.

Follow Your Friends
A great way to discover the best content is to see what your friends are doing on Digg. Enter your Digg username in the settings window to receive notifications when your friends Digg, submit, or comment on stories. To go back and look at earlier notifications, click the Digg icon at the status bar at the bottom of the browser. All notifications can also be snoozed if you want to temporarily turn them off.

Customize
In addition to setting topics for notifications of popular stories and your Digg username for notifications of friends’ activity, you can customize the placement of the notification window, how long it displays, and how links should be opened.

Future Features
Stay tuned for some great additions, including Digging directly from the toolbar and notifications about your latest Recommendations from our Recommendation Engine.