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Donna K's Tips on Successful SEO Web Site Marketing

Just how important are Incoming Links?

This seems to be the flavor of the month subject buzzing the SEO world these days. Just because Google is paying particular attention to sites with a high PR in the past few months everyone is claiming that incoming links are the one and only end-all solution to SEO. Well, that may be only partly true... and only for now. Let me explain:

Every so often Top search engines like Google try and shake things up a bit for those of us looking for high search engine rankings -- you know, keep us on our toes. While it certainly does keep us on our toes -- believe me, I've almost become a ballerina -- we must consider that the adjustments they make are fleeting. Very rarely does a "shakeup" take a firm foothold on how the engine will continue working in the long run. The engine will eventually realize that the public can and will learn a way to cheat it and win, thus sending searchers to sites having very little to do with the keyword typed in. Imagine that!

So what's a Search Engine Optimizer like AJIS.com to do. Nothing! That's right -- just continue doing what we've been doing for the past 12 years which still delivers our clients' TOP search engine rankings. What's that you ask?

  • Design a site that is not only dynamic, informative, and  helpful to consumers on its subject matter BUT also sticky enough to keep them there for a while and eventually contact you.

Is that all, you ask? No, we still believe in using META tags, HEADING tags and yes, incoming links. We've even been known to give in to a shakeup technique or 2 to make sure our sites STAY at the top during the duration of the shakeup! But when the dust settles... and the various shakeups pass... it will be the content of your site that the engines will be left reading and ranking. We make sure that yours always complies.

Thanks for letting me keep you at the Top,

Donna K.
AJIS.com
Arizona-SEO.com
Sending our Clients to the TOP Since 1996
(623) 328.8906

donna@ajis.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Archived Newsletters

November, 2008

What is the deal with Meta Tags?

In our opinion, the "deal" is that the majority of the Industry is dead wrong in their opinion on the importance of Meta Tags. Here's a perfect example. An article was recently posted by an SEO "expert" and among other things, she had the following to say about meta tags (You'll note that I couldn't help but put my own comments in red):

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"Meta tags were started back in the early 90's when the Internet was just getting its brand new legs and they were used to help the search engines organize the growing number of web pages. This was an easy way to get your site indexed and listed high. Soon after, unethical webmasters started to abuse the meta tag by either spamming the page full of keywords or sometimes even made different websites appear in the results for a completely different keyword. Gambling sites would stuff their meta tags with more commonly used phrases in order to bring their sites to the first page and trick the search engine and moreover the user.

Now, most search engines have discontinued the use of meta tags for organizing their search results. (Sorry, but you're DEAD wrong.) Algorithms have become much more technologically advanced and they use a number of other methods for indexing and sorting. The big question is if they are no longer viewed as a helpful tag, why do some SEO's still use them? (Moot question) Meta tags come in a multitude of different names and uses, so which ones do you use? There are the ones I often find myself using when I am optimizing a site:

Meta Description:
My favorite tag. This is your first impression, if you don't have this tag search engines will just tag clips of your index page including the keyword that was being searched for by the surfer. First impressions often is the difference between a sale or no sale. (Thank goodness she knows something about SEO and meta tag use.)

Meta Keywords:
A controversial meta tag, some use it, some don't. (What on earth makes meta keywords controversial. I consider them a meta backbone.) I still thinks it holds a bit of value if you keep it simple. Don't add more than 20 or so keywords, as I think it does increase your on-page keyword density.

Now, most search engines don't use the meta tags as they did in the early nineties, (Wrong!) but as I explained you can still use them for a variety of other reasons. There is of course a number of opinions on this matter: Some SEO firms are strong believers in the meta tag and other firms are strongly against it. (Count AJIS.com in as a believer.)

In conclusion, my opinion is that meta tags can be used for a number of alternative reasons and still offer you a great place to sell your stuff. I always will recommend the use of at least a small number of Meta Tags, and if used correctly they will greatly improve your chances of more sales and higher rankings." (Is it me, or is her conclusion and recommendation total opposites.)

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OK, me again. Well, I think its clear that I was bothered by this experts' article, but the most bothersome thing is her omission of even mentioning the all-important Title meta tag. When search engines display their pages in response to your search, they list the sites using the Title used in the meta tag. Without a title tag you're sunk!

Now here's our conclusion. When it comes to successful SEO, old school techniques and new technologies must be perfectly balanced. Why do we still first and foremost make sure your site contains meta tags? Because it is an old school technique that we've proven over and over still works now as well as it did in the 90's when I opened AJIS.com's doors. Why do we now offer web video to our clients? Because it is a new technology that not only shows the world you're riding the crest of the internet's wave, but also opens up a whole other world of viewers to you and your service.  That's AJIS.com's story and we're stickin' to it.


 

November, 2007

As sure as the Arizona sun will fall and leave a gorgeous orange sunset every night, a major shake-up in the search marketing industry is in the making. The signals are being sent and received throughout the various sectors of search and online marketing.  While the search marketing industry has been bracing for change for the past year, the movement is now picking up speed and gathering momentum. For those who use traditional SEO (and that's YOU -- all of our clients), our world is going to look a little different this time next year.

The biggest challenge will be embracing the perfect media compliment to "traditional SEO".  SEO has evolved so far and so quickly that it is hardly recognizable from its humble roots. With the introduction and rapid advancement of social networking, the attention of the search marketing world and Internet users has quickly spread outward, using the common search engine results page as its source root. Top 20 organic search engine results remain to be extremely important traffic drivers, but  information seekers are starting to recognize social media, specific vertical search tools and multimedia as frequently as they do on traditional search engines. (That's why AJIS.com is now expanding our services and branching out to include social media via web video.)

We feel our Clients can now benefit from social profiles for their businesses and themselves, along with the proficiency of a skilled social networker to keep those profiles popular, professional and most importantly at the TOP of the engines. Imagine the mileage you'll receive from the viral power of a video showcasing you shown directly at your homepage, as well as at Google, Yahoo, AOL and YouTube.  After months of searching for the perfect compliment to our traditional SEO, we found it!  Now not only do we offer organic search engine results for your website, but organic video search engine results for your video. Can it possibly get any better?  Well, yes. We will have our team travel to you for the video shoot instead of the other way around. Now that's what I call a win win.

The bottom line is simple. A new generation of highly wired consumers is looking at computer monitors more than they are print or television. The bulk of their weight is fundamentally changing on how they and other consumers use the Internet. Though it is, and likely always will be about search, the results they are looking for are changing. No longer is a page full of text and pictures enough. They want to know who they are dealing with, and right now that means catching a glimpse of them verbally conveying what's important in how they serve their clients. It means instant gratification for the user on what they're searching for. And that's what its all about. Like I said, a shake-up is coming in the industry and like most shifts it is going to produce interesting results. And I'm excited to make my clients part of it!

Thanks for letting me keep you at the Top,

Donna K.
AJIS.com
Arizona-SEO.com
Sending our Clients to the TOP Since 1996
(623) 328.8906

donna@ajis.com


 

September, 2007

Donna K's Tips on Successful SEO Web Site Marketing

Thanks for taking the time to visit our first Newsletter on Successful SEO Web Marketing. It is my hope that these newsletters will help you grow your online business and be the successful professional you were meant to be. So without further ado, let's dive in.

You would think that everyone in business would be able to tell you what they do and why you should be doing business with them. Unfortunately, the sad truth is many business executives can't. In fact, one of the biggest problems for me personally in designing websites has always been getting appropriate raw material that can be turned into a meaningful online presentation. I always tell my clients that no one knows your business better than you do, and that's what I find gets their juices flowing. At AJIS.com we're really good at what we do, but we're even better when you allow us to be!

I sometimes think that the heart of the problem is fear of making a definitive statement, declaring loud and clear what you do, and why anyone would care. It's no longer good enough to apply technical solutions to marketing problems: you are not going to engage your audience with only SEO, XML, CSS, or HTM pages. You must have a story to tell and you can't be afraid to tell it as boldly as you can. So onto a few questions you must ask yourself.

1. Do You Know Your Business and What You Really Do?

As I stated earlier, you'd be surprised how many business owners do not. Re-evaluate exactly what it is that your company provides, revisit your goals and ready yourself to confidently deliver your message. If necessary, gather business associates or colleagues for some brainstorming. Its amazing what others can reveal about you and your service that you never even realized yourself.

2. Are You Doing All You Can To Attract Business?

There are many methods that can be employed to drive appropriate traffic to your website We specialize in search engine optimization, and believe it to be the most important, but its only one way. When it is coupled with other marketing methods, there's only one way to go . . . UP! We compliment our SEO strategies with other marketing tools, such as great ad-copy, web navigation that makes sense, blogging, streaming video and tracking of your visitors. Its also a good idea to post any articles you've ever published at your site, as well as any accomplishments you've received. Even if your search engine tactics are attracting large numbers of visitors to your site, what is your conversion rate? How long are people staying on your site, and do you have enough compelling content to get them to come back? Remember -- chances are you're competing with hundreds of thousands of other sites. So once you get that visitor, keep them interested and treat them well.

3. Should I rely on my website to close the sale?

Depending on what kind of site you have, the answer to this question usually is no, but let's explore both scenarios.

The rule of thumb is that websites don't close sales, people close sales. If you are in a service industry, the sole job of your website is to create leads, not sales; so don't put all of your faith in your site alone. Focus on getting good search engine rankings that will send you leads -- then let your professional expertise, experience and winning personality close the sale. As I mentioned earlier, it is possible to create a site for a niche market, target that market using SEO for great search engine rankings and use e-commerce for sales to happen while you're anywhere but at the office. Don't believe me? Well I've done it! Ten years ago I designed a site, New Jersey LawSite. It is an online directory where New Jersey Lawyers can advertise their services, post their articles and be linked to their website from several practice area category listings. I also created an area where lawyers can sign up to become members of this directory using e-commerce for the credit card transaction. The fact that this site has enjoyed TOP search engine rankings attracts the lawyers to the site and they can conveniently sign up online. How nice it was a few months back when I was on a cruise ship in the Pacific ocean and at the same time making sales!

Well, I think that's plenty to digest this month so I'll stop here. I look forward to continue sharing my tips with you next month. Until then, stay well.

Thanks for letting me keep you at the Top,

Donna K.
AJIS.com
Arizona-SEO.com
Sending our Clients to the TOP Since 1996
(623) 328.8906

donna@ajis.com

 

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