<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!-- generator="wordpress/2.2.1" -->
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Blue Collar SEO</title>
	<link>http://bluecollarseo.com</link>
	<description>Search Engine Optimization Articles</description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:13:32 +0000</pubDate>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1</generator>
	<language>en</language>
			<item>
		<title>Cool Tools and Firefox Extensions for SEO Enthusiasts</title>
		<link>http://bluecollarseo.com/cool-tools-and-firefox-extensions-for-seo-enthusiasts/</link>
		<comments>http://bluecollarseo.com/cool-tools-and-firefox-extensions-for-seo-enthusiasts/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:13:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[SEO Techniques]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bluecollarseo.com/cool-tools-and-firefox-extensions-for-seo-enthusiasts/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There are so many free tools and software programs for SEO enthusiasts that it almost becomes overwhelming and difficult to grasp the right tools to use in your SEO efforts. Everyone has their own personal preferences which makes this predicament even more perplexing. 
Well enough about me and my love of words; lets get down [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There are so many free tools and software programs for SEO enthusiasts that it almost becomes overwhelming and difficult to grasp the right tools to use in your SEO efforts. Everyone has their own personal preferences which makes this predicament even more perplexing. </p>
<p>Well enough about me and my love of words; lets get down to business: What are some of the best free SEO tools on the web</p>
<p>Cool Tools</p>
<p>Google Keyword Research Tool: When this free tool came out the other week we all had a little dance party in the office we were so excited Well to be honest, there wasnt any dancing involved but it sure did give us a reason to celebrate :</p>
<p>This tool is amazing Simply type in your keyword and you can see a long list of related keywords with approximate search volumes for those keywords as well You can even customize the results with this tool: everything from the location country of your keyword results to finding out which month had the highest search volumes. For more information on how to use this keyword research tool check out this great article.</p>
<p>This free keyword research tool immediately replaced my other keyword research tools by Wordze and SEO Book after just one test use: thats how powerful it is. In short, the tool rocks and it instantly makes keyword research way easier and much more efficient</p>
<p>HTML Playground: This tool is great for those that have limited HTML knowledge or just arent sure how to apply the right formatting in an easy and efficient manner. Well this free tool takes all the hard work out of HTML coding for you. It has a list of all the most popular tags; simply click on the tag, customize the parameters and colours you desire and the HTML code is ready to go It even shows you a preview of what your text or image will look like once uploaded This tool is simply vital for any HTML rookie or beginner.</p>
<p>Firefox Extensions</p>
<p>There are hundreds of free Firefox extensions readily available at Firefox Add-ons. They have tools and add-ons for just about everything My favourite Firefox add-ons for SEO are:</p>
<p>SEOpen: This add-on lets you place a toolbar in Firefox to quickly analyze everything from the number of Yahoo Backlinks to verifying whether the PR of a site is legitimate or not; and thats just the beginning. I think of it as in all-in-one SEO resource that is absolutely mandatory</p>
<p>SearchStatus: This nifty little add-on simply lets you display the Google PageRank, Alexa rank and Compete ranking anywhere on your browser. It also allows you to highlight nofollow links and comes equipped with a fast keyword density analyzer. Pretty sweeeeeet</p>
<p>SeoQuake: This tool is one of the most advanced Firefox add-ons for SEO. Yet its perfect for both beginners and advanced users. Basically, SeoQuake displays the parameters for search results and even includes the findings into the search engine result pages SERPs for the most popular search engines. You can then set these parameters to display by ascending or descending order; so you can search for any keyword in Google or Yahoo and then set the order to show the highest PRs, or the most Yahoo backlinks, or by whatever parameters you are most interested in.</p>
<p>And now, my favourite Firefox add-on is insert drum roll Speed Dial</p>
<p>This add-on lets you visually display your most used websites so you can access them instantly Forget about using bookmarks ever again Simply open up the add-on and enter the number of columns and rows to determine the amount of sites displayed in your speed dial. To enter in the sites simply click on the boxes and type in the URLs.</p>
<p>When you want to access your favourite sites simply hold CTRL and press the number of the site number set in speed dial options to open it up in a new tab or window. Or you can press the speed dial button which displays all your sites in one window and then you can just click on the site you want to open. Once you get the hang of this add-on you can instantly access your favourite sites with just a couple of clicks: saving you both time and effort Its a win-win situation like no other</p>
<p>These cool tools and Firefox extensions are really useful and can dramatically improve your SEO efforts while simultaneously saving you time and improving your efficiency. Be sure to check them out and feel free to share your own favourite Firefox extensions<br />
<h2>About the Author</h2>
<p>SEP is one of the top <a href="http://www.searchenginepeople.com">SEO Toronto</a> firms in the industry. Also offering SEM and <a href="http://www.searchenginepeople.com/seo/search-engine-optimization">link building</a> services as well for all of your optimization needs.</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.content4reprint.com/internet-marketing/search-engine-optimization/cool-tools-and-firefox-extensions-for-seo-enthusiasts.htm" title="Cool Tools and Firefox Extensions for SEO Enthusiasts">Article Source:</a> <a href="http://www.content4reprint.com" title="Free to reprint quality articles">Content for Reprint</a></h3>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://bluecollarseo.com/cool-tools-and-firefox-extensions-for-seo-enthusiasts/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Combining Direct Marketing Strategies with Web Copywriting For Maximum Impact</title>
		<link>http://bluecollarseo.com/combining-direct-marketing-strategies-with-web-copywriting-for-maximum-impact/</link>
		<comments>http://bluecollarseo.com/combining-direct-marketing-strategies-with-web-copywriting-for-maximum-impact/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:03:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[SEO Techniques]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bluecollarseo.com/combining-direct-marketing-strategies-with-web-copywriting-for-maximum-impact/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There is often a disconnect between what a business says in its marketing material and what a person understands the business to say. This is a result of several issues, including:
1. The business owner or marketing personnel using language or buzz words related to their industry that an outsider may not understand;
2. The business not [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There is often a disconnect between what a business says in its marketing material and what a person understands the business to say. This is a result of several issues, including:</p>
<p>1. The business owner or marketing personnel using language or buzz words related to their industry that an outsider may not understand;</p>
<p>2. The business not taking time to carefully think through its marketing copy; and/or</p>
<p>3. The business overestimating the intelligence of its customers.</p>
<p>Assuming the least common denominator when writing your web copy or copy for any other marketing piece does not insult anyone. It simply means that you care enough about your customers or prospects to provide them with clear, understandable explanations. You do a service to the world if you write about your business in such a way that anyone can understand what you do or what you sell. Connect the dots.</p>
<p>The Web is a medium built for short bursts of communication for several reasons:</p>
<p>1. It is difficult to read on-screen. Staring at a computer screen is hard on the eyes and it is often difficult to follow long lines of text or passages. Breaking your copy into smaller chunks makes it a much easier reading experience.</p>
<p>2. People have different levels of bandwidth available to them. Some people surf the Web at the office on high speed networks, some surf from home on high-speed cable connections. Some people use DSL, which is much slower. Some people use satellite Internet connections, which are much slower than cable-based connections. Some people are still on dial-up. Short bursts of information do better at accommodating the different speeds at which your customer can access information.</p>
<p>3. This is the digital age. People expect information to be generated quickly and get to the point. Chunks of information better accommodate peoples short attention span.</p>
<p>As far as the content of the actual copy, assuming you keep the above points in mind, that is where you can go old school. With regards to commerce, the Web is simply a digital direct marketing platform. For years, companies have compiled mailing lists of potential prospects and used sales letters to close business. Its a tried and true method, and for businesses that hire strong copywriters, very prosperous.</p>
<p>The Web takes direct marketing to a new level by giving the advertiser much greater ability to target his message, and the ability to deliver that message almost instantly. Web marketers can do things classic direct marketers could only dream about.</p>
<p>Web site owners must go through the pain of fine-tuning copy. Although it is still a laborious process, the Web makes it much easier to generate the data you need to create profitable copy. Classic direct marketers would take a mailing list and divide it into two or three or more groupings, and then send a different letter or offer to each grouping. The orders generated from each group would then be tallied, with the letter or offer that generated the most sales considered the winner. On the Web, you can do the exact same thing by split-testing ads and landing page copy in a paid search campaign.</p>
<p>Combining direct marketing strategies with the advantages the Web offers makes it much easier for business owners to write compelling, profitable copy. It is still work, but the businesses that are serious about maximizing the profitability of their online marketing will do whatever it takes to see results.<br />
<h2>About the Author</h2>
<p>Jerry Work is president of Work Media, LLC, <a href="http://workmedia.net" title="//workmedia.net">http://workmedia.net</a>, a search engine marketing firm based in Nashville, and author of <a href="http://workmedia.net/scientific-search-engine-marketing/">Scientific Search Engine Marketing: Maximizing Your Pay per Click Return on Investment</a>.</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.content4reprint.com/internet-marketing/search-engine-optimization/combining-direct-marketing-strategies-with-web-copywriting-for-maximum-impact.htm" title="Combining Direct Marketing Strategies with Web Copywriting For Maximum Impact">Article Source:</a> <a href="http://www.content4reprint.com" title="Free to reprint quality articles">Content for Reprint</a></h3>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://bluecollarseo.com/combining-direct-marketing-strategies-with-web-copywriting-for-maximum-impact/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>What Is Search Engine Optimization SEO</title>
		<link>http://bluecollarseo.com/what-is-search-engine-optimization-seo/</link>
		<comments>http://bluecollarseo.com/what-is-search-engine-optimization-seo/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:48:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[SEO Techniques]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bluecollarseo.com/what-is-search-engine-optimization-seo/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Search engine optimization SEO are various methods which are used in order to improve the search engine ranking of a website. So what is search engine ranking This is the position on the list of results which a search engine return for a given keyword.
Why is search engine ranking important
The higher your site is on [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Search engine optimization SEO are various methods which are used in order to improve the search engine ranking of a website. So what is search engine ranking This is the position on the list of results which a search engine return for a given keyword.</p>
<p>Why is search engine ranking important</p>
<p>The higher your site is on the list of search engine result pages or SERPs, the higher the likelihood that it will be seen; meaning more traffic for you. The most popular search engine, Google features 10 results per page. Most people dont look past the first page of results - this is why SEO is so important. If your page is in the top ten results you will get far more traffic than if you were on later pages.</p>
<p>SEO techniques fall under two broad categories, on-page and off-page.</p>
<p>On Page SEO</p>
<p>These are the things which you can do on your actual site to increase your search engine ranking. This generally involves keywords and their use to let search engines know what the content of your site is about. These techniques include the placement of keywords in metatags, alt tags for images, keywords in your HTML header tags and the actual content of your site.</p>
<p>Off Page SEO</p>
<p>These are also related to keywords usage, as well as the creation of back links. A back link is a link on another website which points to your site and are also called inbound links. </p>
<p>Steps You Can Take To Improve Your SEO</p>
<p>1. Always use keyword and description meta tags.</p>
<p>Every page which is part of your website should have its own unique meta tags. These tags are pieces of HTML code which are found near the top of the page when you are looking at the HTML code of a webpage.</p>
<p>For a keyword meta tag, use a comma separated list of keywords which are relevant to the content of your website. These can be phrases as well as single words; just make sure that they are relevant to your sites content.</p>
<p>The description meta tag is where you should write a description of your site which is compelling enough to make someone want to visit it. This description is used by search engines including Google to describe your site. It is not for the search engine alone, it can also be seen by web users and can get them interested enough to visit.</p>
<p>2. Where there are images on your site, there should always be an alt tag.</p>
<p>An altshort for alternative text  tag is a piece of HTML code which tells people who have images turned off, are using text only browsers or a screen reader what the image which they cannot view is about. Search engines also use these tags to help them determine the content of your site.</p>
<p>The alt tag should also contain relevant keywords and a description of the image they are replacing. Rather than just placing &#8220;header&#8221; in your alt tag for a heading image, take this chance to help search engines know the content of your site - for instance &#8220;birdbaths&#8221; if your website is about birdbaths. Dont overstuff this tag with keywords though.</p>
<p>3. Use header tags wisely.</p>
<p>The header tags known as H1, H2, etc. are looked at search engines to find the important keywords are for your website. You can use style sheets to change the appearance of these tags. Instead, use standard HTML for these headers and not style sheets. Then all you need to do is make sure that these header tags contain relevant keywords - H1 the primary keywords, H2 the secondary and so on.</p>
<p>4. Get backlinks with relevant keywords.</p>
<p>You will want back links. All of the back links you can get. This should be an ongoing process as part of your SEO strategy. If you can get a few back links a week, this looks much better than getting 5,000 all at once - since these links will have been bought from a link farm, more than likely. Search engines watch for this kind of activity and penalize pages who use these tactics.</p>
<p>However, there are plenty of other ways to get back links. You can go the traditional route and exchange links with other sites. You can also become active in forums and use your link in your signature. Articles which you write can be submitted to directories, with a link to your site in the resource box. HubPages and Squidoo lenses can be built which include links to your site. You can also start a blog and submit the RSS feed to an aggregator, encouraging readers of your blog to follow suit. Twitter can be used to inform the public whenever you have new content up. These are just a few of the possibilities.</p>
<p>You will also want to come up with some good anchor text for your back links to use when possible. The anchor text is the text which is actually clicked as the link usually visible by being blue and underlined on a website. Search engines also examine this text to determine the content of your site. Us your main keywords or variations on them - whatever looks more natural on the page while still being relevant to your site. Remember to use appropriate keywords for the specific page on your site which the link points to.</p>
<p>Sometimes you will not be able to specify the anchor text to be used. But when you can, you shouldnt pass up the opportunity. Reciprocal links between your site and another are a place where you can usually specify the text youd like used. The other site owner probably wont mind, since they wont have to think about what text to use. You also are able to specify anchor text on HubPages and Squidoo lenses, as well as your signature in forum postings.</p>
<p>These are some of the basics of SEO. There is much more to learn of course, but these tips are a good place to start in a SEO campaign. Use these methods until they become ingrained. Youll see an increase in your page ranking as well as your traffic.<br />
<h2>About the Author</h2>
<p><a href="http://net-mlm-profits.com/">Discover Kevin Sinclairs system</a> for making profits regardless of whether anyone joins your network marketing business.</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.content4reprint.com/internet-marketing/search-engine-optimization/what-is-search-engine-optimization-seo.htm" title="What Is Search Engine Optimization SEO">Article Source:</a> <a href="http://www.content4reprint.com" title="Free to reprint quality articles">Content for Reprint</a></h3>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://bluecollarseo.com/what-is-search-engine-optimization-seo/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Golden Rules Of Search Engine Optimisation</title>
		<link>http://bluecollarseo.com/the-golden-rules-of-search-engine-optimisation/</link>
		<comments>http://bluecollarseo.com/the-golden-rules-of-search-engine-optimisation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:41:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[SEO Techniques]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bluecollarseo.com/the-golden-rules-of-search-engine-optimisation/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Search engine optimisation is rapidly becoming an integral part of any online business strategy. For those without the expertise however it can be a confusing process, whilst understanding all of the terms and terminology can also be difficult. While websites will differ in the best ways to pursue optimisation, there are a number of general [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Search engine optimisation is rapidly becoming an integral part of any online business strategy. For those without the expertise however it can be a confusing process, whilst understanding all of the terms and terminology can also be difficult. While websites will differ in the best ways to pursue optimisation, there are a number of general rules that if followed, are likely to produce good results in the search engine rankings. Hopefully the following guidelines, detailing the predominant theories in the world of optimisation will help those achieve rankings success. </p>
<p>The first of the three general rules to search engine optimisation is that content is king. When designing a website it is always advisable to create high quality and informative content. As well as being high quality, the content on your website will need to be relevant in order to achieve high rankings. Most SEO specialists will tell designers that on average around four hundred words will be needed in order for the page to be deemed worth reading in the eyes of the search engines. Search engine spiders prefer to read lengthy paragraphs of content that are relevant to the products or services being sold. For instance, if a page on your website is listing the products being sold, the page should include detailed descriptions of each item. </p>
<p>Another important element to the content of your website in terms of optimisation is to update this content on a regular basis. Spiders regularly check websites in an ongoing manner and hence making slight changes to the content shows that the content is highly relevant. As a result, higher rankings will probably become a reality. There are however special considerations that should be made when writing this content; as well as being high quality and relevant, most SEO experts agree that certain keywords should be included. Knowing the amount of keywords to include however can be difficult, cramming a page full of keywords is unlikely to be beneficial as the search engines will see it as spammy and hence disregard its informative worth. By including keywords but not overfilling the content, decent rankings should occur. </p>
<p>As well as the importance of content, a vital consideration is the link popularity of a website when search engines are compiling rankings. This is why optimisation strategies often include a large link building element. Google are especially fond of links and place a great deal of importance upon them. These links however should be quality as numerous irrelevant links will once again look spammy. This is because search engines presume that if a high quality website is linked to another; both sites are seen as highly worthy of ranking. </p>
<p>The final general rule to follow when pursuing optimisation is the Meta information present on a site. This is the off page information that includes the title, description and keywords. While debate rages over the importance of these elements it is sill advisable to include them as a matter of course, the title is vitally important as this is the first information that is read by the search engines as well as human users. In terms of the description, this is once again important as this is read by the human users and subsequently should be catchy as it will entice them to a site. The keyword element, while the least important should also be included as it will not harm rankings. </p>
<p>These three elements to the optimisation process are only the tip of the iceberg in terms of strategies. There are far more than these three but if they are remembered they will create the right building blocks for a site with high search engine rankings.<br />
<h2>About the Author</h2>
<p>Internet marketing expert Thomas Pretty looks into some of the most important elements in the <a href="http://www.highposition.net/">search engine optimisation</a> process.</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.content4reprint.com/internet-marketing/search-engine-optimization/the-golden-rules-of-search-engine-optimisation.htm" title="The Golden Rules Of Search Engine Optimisation">Article Source:</a> <a href="http://www.content4reprint.com" title="Free to reprint quality articles">Content for Reprint</a></h3>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://bluecollarseo.com/the-golden-rules-of-search-engine-optimisation/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cold War: Where Cuil is Cool</title>
		<link>http://bluecollarseo.com/cold-war-where-cuil-is-cool/</link>
		<comments>http://bluecollarseo.com/cold-war-where-cuil-is-cool/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:33:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[SEO Techniques]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bluecollarseo.com/cold-war-where-cuil-is-cool/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Did you Google the Olympics last night Why dont you just Google it Go on Google it And so the story goes. If we are talking search engines, then Google is the big daddy of them all, usurping the likes of Yahoo and its lesser known colleagues to stand tall on the dais collecting first [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Did you Google the Olympics last night Why dont you just Google it Go on Google it And so the story goes. If we are talking search engines, then Google is the big daddy of them all, usurping the likes of Yahoo and its lesser known colleagues to stand tall on the dais collecting first place honours. But the question is for how long</p>
<p>In 2006, search engine giant Google took offence to their trademark being used as a verb to describe surfing the net. This was around the time that Google achieved a ranking in the Oxford English Dictionary, and to google found its way into the Webster Dictionary, America number one reference guide. With concerns about their trademark being abused, Google began googling for a lawyer.</p>
<p>Fast forward to 2008, and a great deal has happened since the lawsuits. A Cold War has begun, and Google has now come under fire from within, and the Google metropolis may just catch a cold as a result of the newest kid on the search engine block.</p>
<p>Having its embryonic awakening inside the walls of the Google giant, the new generation search engine Cuil phonetically pronounced cool, has been founded by ex-Google engineers, and they are ready to deliver a first class search engine that rivals their former employer.</p>
<p>Cuil, is from a Gaelic word meaning knowledge. The company is managed by the likes of Tom Costello and his wife, Anna Patterson; Anna was the architect of Google search index known as TeraGoogle. The pair and their team of engineers have positioned themselves with a unique selling position based on the meaning of cuil. For knowledge, ask Cuil. This subtle distinction suggests that Cuil is not about getting kicks out of clicks on their search engine, but want to provide a strategic and authoritative indexing experience for its users.</p>
<p>So is Cuil cool enough to knock the socks off the biggest search engine of them all The founders seem to think so, given that the indexing of the web under their servers is producing far more relevant results. <br />- 2 - <br />How is it possible Well Google tends to rely on caching results based on popularity not a bad thing really, but Cuil claims that its search engines are based on the organisation of ideas and with that comes a far more efficient means of delivery the organised chaos that the web represents. </p>
<p>According to the companys website they founded Cuil to give users the opportunity to explore the Internet more fully and discover its true potential. Certainly there is no argument that the user interface packs a real punch with its crisp, fresh and inviting look, but is this enough to knock the stuffing out of their rivals</p>
<p>Like a popularly elected new government, Cuil is likely to have a glowing first six months spidering their way across the global village to entice people yes, people not users to feed on their search engine offerings; in fact, they have already thrown down the gauntlet in this Cold War by offering to rank pages based on content instead of the number of clicks. So What I hear you say. Well, for good number of Australians who are understandably concerned about privacy on the web, it means a big change has arrived as a result of web searching habits.</p>
<p>Unlike its big brother rivals, Cuil will not collect the vast volumes of information about an individuals web surfing habits. Although a great privacy feature for consumers, certainly marketers and online businesses will be pondering the options of Cuil compared to Google metropolis of online marketing offerings, including AdWords and AdSense.</p>
<p>Among its features, Cuil claims the status of being the biggest internet search engine, having indexed 120 billion web pages.Now given that Cuil focuses on search results according to page content, rather than popularity, then it certainly is a claim worthy of note. But what if you want to see the most popular pages Does this mean it is back to Google </p>
<p>Together with the search engines tabbed features, and its ability to search by relevant results, the content-rich web experience will be embraced by those who like to kick mud in the face of Google yes, you know who you are, but only time will tell whether these ex-Google employees can truly rival the mother ship. </p>
<p>It will also mean highly qualified search engine optimisation SEO specialists will need to start looking at how websites can be more attractive to yet another search engine.<br />
<h2>About the Author</h2>
<p>OrganicwithSEO is a <a href="http://www.organicwithseo.com/">SEO Brisbane Search Engine Optimisation SEO internet marketing company </a> that specialises in boosting organic search engine rankings. Our low cost OrganicwithSEO site evaluation gives you a detailed report on areas such as keyword analysis, competition research, link mapping and SEO strategies.  Visit <a href="http://www.organicwithseo.com/index.php">www.organicwithseo.com for more information,</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.content4reprint.com/internet-marketing/search-engine-optimization/cold-war-where-cuil-is-cool.htm" title="Where Cuil is Cool">Article Source:</a> <a href="http://www.content4reprint.com" title="Free to reprint quality articles">Content for Reprint</a></h3>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://bluecollarseo.com/cold-war-where-cuil-is-cool/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Measure Your Search Marketing Efforts with a Weekly Googleprint</title>
		<link>http://bluecollarseo.com/measure-your-search-marketing-efforts-with-a-weekly-googleprint/</link>
		<comments>http://bluecollarseo.com/measure-your-search-marketing-efforts-with-a-weekly-googleprint/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:33:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Search Engine Marketing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bluecollarseo.com/measure-your-search-marketing-efforts-with-a-weekly-googleprint/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Its easy.  Just type your subject in quotes in Googles search box.   This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to test your search marketing efforts. Each week you can track which of your search marketing efforts is paying off and which isnt doing so well.   The results may [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Its easy.  Just type your subject in quotes in Googles search box.   This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to test your search marketing efforts. Each week you can track which of your search marketing efforts is paying off and which isnt doing so well.   The results may surprise you.  </p>
<p>For instance, you might be surprised to see your Craigslist ad showing up surprisingly high in your Googleprint.   Placing an ad on Craigslist not only gets your name out but also gets you site picked up by the search engines.   </p>
<p>You can also find out what doesnt work; for instance, all those URLs you stuck on Twitter are fun but probably dont count for much. Using search Googleprints is also a good way to see what your competitors are doing.   If they are buying Google search words that will turn up too.   </p>
<p>And dont forget to click past the first page and examine other pages.   Every now and then look at the first five pages to get a sense of what is happening on the lesser hits, especially if your search is a big generic one.   </p>
<p>So how can one tell just what is going on Much has been said about figuring out the Google algorithms or the way Google comes up with its search results.   Forget it.  </p>
<p>Even an engineer would have trouble figuring out exactly what Google is up to and Google certainly doesnt want to let the cat out of the bag.   Those algorithms are Googles greatest intellectual property.   </p>
<p>The truth is the Google algorithms change on a regular basis and if you are monitoring your Googleprint you can see how search results change when algorithms change.   Sometimes these changes can be somewhat dramatic significantly changing your Google footprint. But you wont know unless you are tracking your Googleprint.   </p>
<p>Its obviously important to remember that yours is not to reason why.   Your chore is to see the application and results of the Google algorithms.  If you begin to see the results, you can begin to understand the bigger picture and how that affects your search marketing efforts.   </p>
<p>Dont expect any great revelations, but if you keep a steady finger on the pulse of the algorithms they will begin to make sense.    </p>
<p>The basics dont change very much and they are most important; change your homepage with fresh,  original content daily, focus on keywords and keyword strings and publish, link and backlink  as much as possible.   Avoid scams and spam.   </p>
<p>Regular Googleprints also help you check for spammers and scammers that affect your Googleprint; in fact, you may have recourse.   </p>
<p>For instance, a short while back when checking my Googleprint I was dismayed to see that the number one hit was a scam.   This scam had lifted my name and business name and had posted it on a website that was selling porn.  </p>
<p>I flagged and reported the site, as well as probably hundreds others also did.   Within 24 hours it was gone; barred by the Google God.  Or Goddess.  Or their Googlenesses.  The lesson here is take action and dont panic.  Panic gets you nowhere when dealing in the search world.   </p>
<p>If you are just starting out with your search marketing efforts, make a weekly copy of your Googleprint and save it for reference.  Over a period of time you can review your Googleprint snapshots and see which of your search marketing efforts is more effective.     </p>
<p>You can also check your Yahooprint and MSNprint as well.  But clearly Google, as the biggest and most important search engine, is critical to search marketing and your search marketing campaigns.    </p>
<p>Think search.<br />
<h2>About the Author</h2>
<p>Jack Deal owns Deal Business Consulting and JD Deal Local Search Marketing, Monterey and Santa Cruz, California 95060 831-457-8806.  Related articles, ideas, strategies, tactics and tips can be found at <a href="http://www.jddeal.com/blog/search_marketing">and <a href="http:/www.freeandinquiringmind.typepad.com">.</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.content4reprint.com/internet-marketing/search-engine-marketing/measure-your-search-marketing-efforts-with-a-weekly-googleprint.htm" title="Measure Your Search Marketing Efforts with a Weekly Googleprint">Article Source:</a> <a href="http://www.content4reprint.com" title="Free to reprint quality articles">Content for Reprint</a></h3>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://bluecollarseo.com/measure-your-search-marketing-efforts-with-a-weekly-googleprint/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Affordable Low Cost Search Engine Optimization Basics</title>
		<link>http://bluecollarseo.com/affordable-low-cost-search-engine-optimization-basics/</link>
		<comments>http://bluecollarseo.com/affordable-low-cost-search-engine-optimization-basics/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:25:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[SEO Techniques]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bluecollarseo.com/affordable-low-cost-search-engine-optimization-basics/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A frequently used but just as frequently misunderstood term, ecommerce is the abbreviated term for Electronic Commerce - the transaction or exchange of goods or services through a digital network.  
Billions upon billions of dollars have been generated through ecommerce in the past decade. While the revenue generated is impressive for a relatively novel [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A frequently used but just as frequently misunderstood term, ecommerce is the abbreviated term for Electronic Commerce - the transaction or exchange of goods or services through a digital network.  </p>
<p>Billions upon billions of dollars have been generated through ecommerce in the past decade. While the revenue generated is impressive for a relatively novel phenomenon, even more impressive is the manner in which ecommerce has transformed the national landscape of business; both from the viewpoint of the business owner and the consumer.  </p>
<p>Ecommerce, as is demonstrated by quarterly figures released through The United States Census Bureau, Department of Commerce, has become an important, powerful, and significant part of our corporate lives. These staggering statistics indicate the powerful role ecommerce plays in our changing economy.  </p>
<p>Issued for public consumption in November 2007, the Q3 2007 ecommerce report showed sales rates of 34.7 billion dollars. Do these figures indicate people are buying more, or conversely buying less through traditional means A study done by the USC Annenberg Center for the Digital Future suggests people now spend fewer of their dollars in brick and mortar establishments than at any point before in corporate history.  </p>
<p>In fact, reports indicate that people spend 65 percent less in traditional stores since the ecommerce boom commenced. While shopping habits have not changed completely, the gap is shrinking at a swift pace. The future of retail business will depend a great deal on the traditional retail front partnering with online ventures. As the saying goes, if you cant beat them, join them.  </p>
<p>For you, the ever-important consumer, this information may be more relevant and important than you think. Ecommerce is growing at a rate of 25 percent per year. Growth in any area of business generates greater choice and availability of both goods and services.  </p>
<p>Essentially, this level of growth incites some healthy competition among the businesses involved, thus keeping prices low. It permits merchants to offer a broader range of transaction options and incentives. Most importantly, it allows the consumer more freedom on how to spend his/her hard-earned funds.  </p>
<p>In the past, a consumer could find reading material at a local book dealer. Most booksellers were very willing to special order a book that was not available on store shelves. Through ecommerce, the consumer can order a book from any location in the world and have it delivered to his/her doorstep within days. The entire practice of ecommerce has served to indulge our yen for instant gratification and, in the process, made our lives easier.  </p>
<p>Who would have thought in a matter of minutes one could pay his/her mortgage, download a CD, book a vacation, order groceries for home delivery and purchase a gift all with only a few clicks of the mouse  </p>
<p>Beyond aiding the consumer, ecommerce has changed the face of business full circle. Millions of entrepreneurs are using this process to make their concepts and wares available to the world, and for relatively small start-up fees.  </p>
<p>New industries have been born from this trend, some out of necessity and some from sheer genius. The Aberdeen Research Group predicts that the technology of BI Business Intelligence will be one of the most sought-after technological solutions for 2008. BI technology, in essence, gives the retailer real time information that allows a swift response to consumer demand on the Internet to create customer retention and loyalty.  </p>
<p>Without ecommerce specialty, niche industries never would have existed. The domino effect filters down to the manufacturers, sales people and marketers.  </p>
<p>No longer a novelty, ecommerce is here to stay. The natural progression of this new corporate art form has been exciting to watch and participate in. To us it may spell convenience; in the eyes of the world, the possibilities are endless.<br />
<h2>About the Author</h2>
<p>Garey Simmons writes about <a href="http://seocoach.net/web-articles/ny-seo.html"> SEO Services</a> from experience using SEO Services from his <a href="http://seocoach.net/services/seo-services/">Search Engine Optimization Specialist</a>. Much of his online success can be credited to using the SEO Services of <a href="http://seocoach.net/">http://SEOCoach.Net</a></p>
<h3><a href="http://www.content4reprint.com/internet-marketing/search-engine-optimization/affordable-low-cost-search-engine-optimization-basics.htm" title="Affordable Low Cost Search Engine Optimization Basics">Article Source:</a> <a href="http://www.content4reprint.com" title="Free to reprint quality articles">Content for Reprint</a></h3>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://bluecollarseo.com/affordable-low-cost-search-engine-optimization-basics/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>How to Turn a Profit on Unprofitable Keywords in Your Pay per Click Accounts</title>
		<link>http://bluecollarseo.com/how-to-turn-a-profit-on-unprofitable-keywords-in-your-pay-per-click-accounts/</link>
		<comments>http://bluecollarseo.com/how-to-turn-a-profit-on-unprofitable-keywords-in-your-pay-per-click-accounts/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Aug 2008 04:07:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Pay-Per-Click]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bluecollarseo.com/how-to-turn-a-profit-on-unprofitable-keywords-in-your-pay-per-click-accounts/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Sometimes there is just no way to turn a profit from the initial sales generated by your keywords. Some industries are just too expensive, and sometimes the economics just dont work out. Here is an example: lets say you sell a product that earns you a profit of 20; clicks cost .50; and your conversion [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Sometimes there is just no way to turn a profit from the initial sales generated by your keywords. Some industries are just too expensive, and sometimes the economics just dont work out. Here is an example: lets say you sell a product that earns you a profit of 20; clicks cost .50; and your conversion rate is 2. Dividing .50 by .02 tells us that our cost per conversion is 25. A 20 profit minus a 25 cost of sale leaves us with a 5 loss on every sale. </p>
<p>Certainly you would keep working on your account to try and decrease your cost of conversion by decreasing the cost of your traffic or increasing your conversion rate, but there just may come a point where you have to admit that there is just no way to make the economics work in your favor.</p>
<p>The key to turning unprofitable traffic into profitable traffic is in the sales funnel. You need to provide something very valuable that your prospective customers can have for free, even if they dont buy your product&#8230;if they give you their email address. It is also very happy to have some kind of email verification requirement before they are allowed to have the product.</p>
<p>Even if you are losing money on sales, if you are building a list, you are building long-term or future value. Lets return to the numbers above again. Now lets assume that we have something of value on our web site that captures the email addresses of 10 of the people who visit the site. Of those 10, lets say 25 of those eventually become customers of our product that earns us 20. Our overall conversion rate is now 4.45, which is calculated as follows:</p>
<p>2 Initial Conversion Rate + 1 - 2 X 10 X 25 = .02 + .0245 = .0445 = 4.45</p>
<p>If you wanted to get really technical with the numbers, you would discount future sales by some appropriate discount rate, based on the average length of time it takes to get future sales. However, such a calculation would only make a small difference on our final numbers here and would be a real pain to calculate, so it is not necessary.</p>
<p>Our 20 profit product now actually earns us a profit even after paying for our ads. Dividing our .50 average click cost by .0445 gives us a cost per conversion of 11.24, resulting in a profit of 8.76.</p>
<p>This very simplistic example implies a site that only sells a single product. However, the concept is relevant to every type of business. It is also a good lesson for off-line marketing initiatives. For example, if you have a physical retail store, it could be very effective to collect email addresses of visitors to the store even if they dont buy anything. Once a person is on your email list, you can email him about special offers, sales, discounts, or whatever. Rather than paying for mass marketing, you now have a direct one-to-one communication channel with people who already know who you are.</p>
<p>So the core lesson is this: pay per click marketing can be much more profitable if you are careful to collect email addresses even from people who do not buy. Shift your focus away from the mindset that your paid search account needs to be immediately profitable, and think instead of building a long-term list of prospective customers who may buy from you weeks, months, or years in the future.<br />
<h2>About the Author</h2>
<p>Jerry Work is president of Work Media, LLC, <a href="http://workmedia.net" title="//workmedia.net">http://workmedia.net</a>, a search engine marketing firm based in Nashville, and author of <a href="http://workmedia.net/scientific-search-engine-marketing/">Scientific Search Engine Marketing: Maximizing Your Pay per Click Return on Investment</a>.</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.content4reprint.com/internet-marketing/pay-per-click/how-to-turn-a-profit-on-unprofitable-keywords-in-your-pay-per-click-accounts.htm" title="How to Turn a Profit on Unprofitable Keywords in Your Pay per Click Accounts">Article Source:</a> <a href="http://www.content4reprint.com" title="Free to reprint quality articles">Content for Reprint</a></h3>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://bluecollarseo.com/how-to-turn-a-profit-on-unprofitable-keywords-in-your-pay-per-click-accounts/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Ecommerce, What Is It and What Does It Mean To You</title>
		<link>http://bluecollarseo.com/ecommerce-what-is-it-and-what-does-it-mean-to-you/</link>
		<comments>http://bluecollarseo.com/ecommerce-what-is-it-and-what-does-it-mean-to-you/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Aug 2008 01:06:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Search Engine Marketing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bluecollarseo.com/ecommerce-what-is-it-and-what-does-it-mean-to-you/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A frequently used but just as frequently misunderstood term, ecommerce is the abbreviated term for Electronic Commerce - the transaction or exchange of goods or services through a digital network. 
Billions upon billions of dollars have been generated through ecommerce in the past decade. While the revenue generated is impressive for a relatively novel phenomenon, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A frequently used but just as frequently misunderstood term, ecommerce is the abbreviated term for Electronic Commerce - the transaction or exchange of goods or services through a digital network. </p>
<p>Billions upon billions of dollars have been generated through ecommerce in the past decade. While the revenue generated is impressive for a relatively novel phenomenon, even more impressive is the manner in which ecommerce has transformed the national landscape of business; both from the viewpoint of the business owner and the consumer. </p>
<p>Ecommerce, as is demonstrated by quarterly figures released through The United States Census Bureau, Department of Commerce, has become an important, powerful, and significant part of our corporate lives. These staggering statistics indicate the powerful role ecommerce plays in our changing economy. </p>
<p>Issued for public consumption in November 2007, the Q3 2007 ecommerce report showed sales rates of 34.7 billion dollars. Do these figures indicate people are buying more, or conversely buying less through traditional means A study done by the USC Annenberg Center for the Digital Future suggests people now spend fewer of their dollars in brick and mortar establishments than at any point before in corporate history. </p>
<p>In fact, reports indicate that people spend 65 percent less in traditional stores since the ecommerce boom commenced. While shopping habits have not changed completely, the gap is shrinking at a swift pace. The future of retail business will depend a great deal on the traditional retail front partnering with online ventures. As the saying goes, if you cant beat them, join them. </p>
<p>For you, the ever-important consumer, this information may be more relevant and important than you think. Ecommerce is growing at a rate of 25 percent per year. Growth in any area of business generates greater choice and availability of both goods and services. </p>
<p>Essentially, this level of growth incites some healthy competition among the businesses involved, thus keeping prices low. It permits merchants to offer a broader range of transaction options and incentives. Most importantly, it allows the consumer more freedom on how to spend his/her hard-earned funds. </p>
<p>In the past, a consumer could find reading material at a local book dealer. Most booksellers were very willing to special order a book that was not available on store shelves. Through ecommerce, the consumer can order a book from any location in the world and have it delivered to his/her doorstep within days. The entire practice of ecommerce has served to indulge our yen for instant gratification and, in the process, made our lives easier. </p>
<p>Who would have thought in a matter of minutes one could pay his/her mortgage, download a CD, book a vacation, order groceries for home delivery and purchase a gift all with only a few clicks of the mouse </p>
<p>Beyond aiding the consumer, ecommerce has changed the face of business full circle. Millions of entrepreneurs are using this process to make their concepts and wares available to the world, and for relatively small start-up fees. </p>
<p>New industries have been born from this trend, some out of necessity and some from sheer genius. The Aberdeen Research Group predicts that the technology of BI Business Intelligence will be one of the most sought-after technological solutions for 2008. BI technology, in essence, gives the retailer real time information that allows a swift response to consumer demand on the Internet to create customer retention and loyalty.  </p>
<p>Without ecommerce specialty, niche industries never would have existed. The domino effect filters down to the manufacturers, sales people and marketers. </p>
<p>No longer a novelty, ecommerce is here to stay. The natural progression of this new corporate art form has been exciting to watch and participate in. To us it may spell convenience; in the eyes of the world, the possibilities are endless.<br />
<h2>About the Author</h2>
<p>Garey Simmons writes about <a href="http://seocoach.net/web-articles/ny-seo.html"> SEO Services</a> from experience using SEO Services from his <a href="http://seocoach.net/services/seo-services/">Search Engine Optimization Specialist</a>. Much of his online success can be credited to using the SEO Services of <a href="http://seocoach.net/">http://SEOCoach.Net</a></p>
<h3><a href="http://www.content4reprint.com/internet-marketing/search-engine-marketing/ecommerce-what-is-it-and-what-does-it-mean-to-you.htm" title="Ecommerce, What Is It and What Does It Mean To You">Article Source:</a> <a href="http://www.content4reprint.com" title="Free to reprint quality articles">Content for Reprint</a></h3>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://bluecollarseo.com/ecommerce-what-is-it-and-what-does-it-mean-to-you/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>How To Mix The Most Important Ingredients in Marketing Strategy</title>
		<link>http://bluecollarseo.com/how-to-mix-the-most-important-ingredients-in-marketing-strategy/</link>
		<comments>http://bluecollarseo.com/how-to-mix-the-most-important-ingredients-in-marketing-strategy/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 16 Aug 2008 06:17:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator></dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[SEO Techniques]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bluecollarseo.com/how-to-mix-the-most-important-ingredients-in-marketing-strategy/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is a common misconception that you need to have an extensive team of professionals that can create the ideal website for you and your business to start booming.  The reality is that you know your business, your niche and how your organization fits into these better than any marketing person that you may [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It is a common misconception that you need to have an extensive team of professionals that can create the ideal website for you and your business to start booming.  The reality is that you know your business, your niche and how your organization fits into these better than any marketing person that you may hire to do your promotion.  Of course marketing experts know lots of valuable information about getting your message out there, after all its their job and its likely that you will do much better getting an expert on board to help you in achieving your goals.  However, the most crucial person that also needs to spend time promoting your business is you.  </p>
<p>Web designers and marketing specialists can help you develop just the kind of website that will see your sales go through the roof, but they also need your input.  No one knows your business better than you, and if you do not take the time to share that knowledge with the experts to help them sell your unique business attributes, then you could literally be selling your business short.</p>
<p>All marketing is focused on generating more sales, and for this reason you want to be involved with helping the marketer achieve this goal.  Outsourcing marketing lets you get an expert to assist you in this process, but the most important thing that you can give to the marketer is your time and knowledge of your business and your products.  The significance of this is that most small to mid sized businesses have three primary internet marketing options available to them; Search Engine Optimization SEO, Pay Per Click Advertising PPC, or Blogging &amp; Social Media Marketing.  So lets look at why you need to be actively involved in marketing via these methods.  </p>
<p>One common misconception is that SEO is something that your website designer will do for you, but thinking this way is a bad trap to fall into.  You will need to be commited to doing ongoing work on your SEO, sourcing new keywords, updating older ones and refining which words you select.  This is important because consumer trends can change over time and new developments in products may cause a shift in your business focus.  All of these reasons are why you, the business owner and specialist in your area, need to be certain that your SEO remains up to date with what your business is doing.  It will be worth your while to take a little time to fully understand the SEO process and how you can make it work for your business, long after your web page designers have finished putting your site together.</p>
<p>The most efficient form of advertising for many small to medium sized businesses is Pay Per Click PPC advertising.  This does not necessarily take a lot of time to implement, but a remarkably large number of people do not know how to effectively implement tracking on their PPC advertising.  The key here is that as with the other forms of marketing mentioned, you need to dedicate the necessary time to get this to work.  Establishing a PPC campaign necessitates you to monitor it effectively to ensure that you are tracking your ROI and are able to implement the necessary updates and fine tuning of your campaign to truly generate the sales you are looking for.  </p>
<p>Finally, if you are looking at doing social media marketing or blogging then you really need to be prepared to dedicate the time required to making these work.  The unique advantage of these forms of marketing stem from the personalized nature of them, so this is your chance to get your message heard and be certain that you are demonstrating the dynamism and skills that you particularly have as a business person.  Both blogging and social media are the kind of tools that require a good blend of marketing, sales, networking and writing skills to ensure success.  The personalized nature of these things makes it impossible to truly outsource this, so being committed to dedicating the time necessary is again crucial to the success. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that this is time well spent.</p>
<p>There is no defined amount of time that you can nominate as the ideal or target amount to achieve success.  Basically you need to focus on making sure that your time is well spent.  The key element that the business owner brings is their knowledge, and the only real measure of success will come if you have implemented good measures of ROI.  As a rule stay focused on what you wish to achieve, be sure that you have the necessary measurement tools in place and accept that as with many things, the more time you dedicate the more positive the results you will generate.<br />
<h2>About the Author</h2>
<p>Deep Arora is an Internet marketer with over 7 years of online experience and he teaches internet marketing from his blog at <a href="http://www.HowIDid.com">HowIDid.com. Check out his blog for some amazing techniques today..</p>
<h3><a href="http://www.content4reprint.com/internet-marketing/search-engine-optimization/how-to-mix-the-most-important-ingredients-in-marketing-strategy.htm" title="How To Mix The Most Important Ingredients in Marketing Strategy">Article Source:</a> <a href="http://www.content4reprint.com" title="Free to reprint quality articles">Content for Reprint</a></h3>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://bluecollarseo.com/how-to-mix-the-most-important-ingredients-in-marketing-strategy/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
