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Search engines see these links as legitimate confirmation of your content, and worthwhile and valuable in the eyes of potential customers or interested parties. As a result, search engines make the logical determination that your content is likely worthy of a higher-ranking position than, say, your competitor’s site with no backlinks.

In a perfect world, all of your third-party backlinks would come from high traffic, high-authority sites but in the real world these links are hard to come by unless you have something of real value or interest for these sites to share with their audience. For that reason, you shouldn’t discount less authoritative sites that have a good following and an engaged audience as part of your strategy to generate exposure that can lead to larger sites linking to you.

Granted, there are many other factors that come into play with respect to actual SERP and backlinks alone won’t get you to page one of Google but overall, backlinks will positively impact your ranking position. However, generating these valuable backlinks requires a clear plan and a well-defined outreach strategy.

Creating Your Backlink Outreach Strategy

Identifying Your Targets

Generating effective backlinks from third-party partners takes a commitment of time and resources. To begin, you’ll need to identify a series of sites that rank well for the keywords you are targeting. You’ll want to analyze other pages, blogs etc. that link to that site and determine how and why their information was worth linking to. A combination of manual search combined with the backlink identification features found in tools like SEM Rush or MOZ will deliver the best results when it comes to creating your own outreach targets and strategy.

The Outreach Approach

Once you’ve identified the sites you’d like to connect with, there are a number of key steps to follow if you want your outreach to be seen and given serious consideration. Without a clear plan of action, the likelihood of receiving a reply from your outreach efforts is slim at best.

Develop Communications that are Genuine and Relevant
When you reach out to a potential partner, be clear about who you are, the research that leads you to contact them, and why your proposal is good for both parties. An email that asks for a backlink only benefitting your site will end up in the trash folder every time.
Indicate a Clear Connection Between Your Content and the Content on the Target Site
It should be inherently obvious that if you are a fashion retailer you probably shouldn’t be reaching out to a car dealership to ask for a backlink, but many businesses take this approach – just reach out to as many web sites as possible and ask for a link. Keep in mind that Google analyzes your backlinks and they’ll know if the links make sense for the target audience or if they are more spammy in nature.
Identify the Best Way to Connect with Your Target Site
Take the time to determine the best way to communicate with the site you are trying to reach. Don’t just send a templated email to “info@” because it’s fast and easy. Figure out if the company uses a contact form or perhaps LinkedIn or social channel outreach are the way to go. You’ll see much better results with a personal approach.
Provide Your Contact Details
If you are reaching out to a potential backlink partner, be sure to include all of your relevant contact details (email, phone, LinkedIn profile, social channel links) thereby making it easier for them to reply and verify the legitimacy of your request. And make sure your contact details are consistent. If you are connecting by email, make sure the business URL is the same as your email address and that all of your other contact details follow suit.

Overall, be genuine and transparent in your outreach. Start small and build credibility before moving on to bigger targets where you can then show proof of how your backlink program has been beneficial to both you and your partners.

14 Places to List Your Local Business Online

March 22, 2018/by Corey Padveen

Most of today’s businesses have likely heard about search engine optimization and have taken steps to try to optimize their web pages. Good search engine optimization is important because it can help to increase your business’s visibility and ranking on Google and other popular search engines.

In addition to global search engine optimization, it is also important for business owners to pay attention to their local SEO. Improving your local SEO can help potential customers to quickly find your business. According to Forbes, 50 percent of people who search for local businesses while using their smartphones visit stores during the same day. One way to increase your local search rankings and your business’s visibility is with local listings. When you list your business in online directories, you increase the chances that your business will be found by consumers, helping to increase your customer base. Ideally, you should try to list your local business in numerous online directories. With each additional listing, you add more people to your potential customer base. Here are 14 directories that you should include when you begin adding online listings for your company.

1. Angie’s List

Angie’s List has built its reputation as a highly respected site that offers business reviews that are known for their objectivity. The site has more than three million members who use it to review businesses and to find ones that are rated highly. In order to create your business’s listing on Angie’s List, you can complete the site’s online form.

2. Better Business Bureau

When consumers are trying to decide to whom to give their business, many check the business’s record with the Better Business Bureau. By listing your business and apply for accreditation, you may increase your customer base. The Better Business Bureau reports that 70 percent of customers prefer to do business with companies that are accredited by the BBB. In order to list your business and to apply for accreditation, click here.

3. Bing

Bing Places for Business allows you to increase your business’s visibility by tapping into customers who opt to use Bing instead of Google. Since it is the default search engine that is used by Windows 8, it is also the second-most used behind Google. When you enroll your business, you are able to add photographs, videos and multiple business locations. To list your business, start by clicking here.

4. Citysearch

Citysearch is a very popular mobile app that allows customers to quickly find your business on their smartphones. The company lists a variety of different types of businesses and includes “best of” lists across a variety of categories. Sign your business up on Citysearch here.

5. Facebook

Facebook lets your business go where your customers are. It is important for you to establish a social media presence for your company so that you can interact with your potential customers and increase your brand awareness. You can sign your business up for your local business page by starting here.

6. Foursquare

Foursquare is both a social media site as well as a business directory. When you list your business on Foursquare, customers can leave comments about your business and check in using a map. The site boasts more than 60 million users and can offer your business good exposure. You can sign your business up on Foursquare here.

7. Google My Business

Google is recognized as the most powerful search engine in the world, and it makes sense for you to start by listing your business with it. Google My Business is the search engine’s free listing for businesses. When you list your company on it, consumers will be able to easily find your location on its easy-to-use map. You can add photos and respond to customer reviews. To list your business on Google My Business, start here.

8. Hotfrog

Hotfrog is an online directory that enjoys 1.5 million active visitors each month in more than 38 countries. The directory is detailed, and it allows you to offer coupons for your business. A Hotfrog business listing may also help your business to appear in Google searches. You can sign up for your listing here.

9. LinkedIn

Having a presence on LinkedIn can help to improve your brand awareness and your business’s reputation. This platform is the most recognized site for business networking and can help you to find new employees and customers while also letting you to socialize with other professionals in your field. To create a LinkedIn company page, follow the instructions that are given on this page.

10. Local.com

Local.com is a free online directory that lets people know about different events, activities and businesses in their areas. There are more than 16 million listings for businesses in the U.S. on Local.com. You can list your business for free, but the paid option also allows you to offer coupons and paid advertisements. Sign up your company on this page.

11. Mapquest

While Mapquest has been around for a while, it is still popular with many people. According to the Washington Post, an average of one out of every 20 smartphones has the Mapquest app installed. When you list your business on Mapquest, people can quickly find it on the local map and get directions for getting there. List your business on Mapquest by filling out your information on this page.

12. Whitepages

More than 30 million companies are listed on Whitepages. A straightforward listing service, Whitepages allows you to potentially reach as many as 200 million people in the U.S. and Canada. You can sign up for your listing by starting here.

13. Yelp

Yelp is a terrific resource for both businesses and consumers. This review site is favored by people who are between the ages of 18 and 34, allowing your company to tap into this burgeoning generation. When you list your business on Yelp, you are able to send messages, including deals, to your customers. Enroll your business here to get started on Yelp.

14. YP.com

Before the internet changed how people find businesses, they turned to the Yellow Pages. The company has established an online presence, and millions of people regularly search for companies by searching its online directory. The company offers ads and can give you detailed analyses about how your advertising on its site is performing. Get started with your Yellow Pages listing at this link.

In addition to these listing sites, there are other online directories that you can use to increase the visibility of your business and to build your brand. When you list your local business in online directories, you can help your local SEO so that customers can find you.

8 Easy SEO Tips to Boost Your Ranking

February 19, 2018/by Corey Padveen

Use 8 Easy SEO Tips to Boost Your Rank

If you are like the many people who try to rank their content on the first page of Google and the other top search engines, you could be wondering what steps will improve your odds of success. Trying to do search engine optimization without putting in the effort to follow the correct path will cause you to waste time and energy on an approach that won’t work. If you learn effective tips and follow each step, you will be pleased with the outcome.

Discover Winning Keywords

Some people make a list of random keywords related to their business without doing keyword research, and you don’t want to make that mistake. You must target keywords that indicate buyer intent if you don’t want to waste your time. People looking for reviews or price comparisons are in the late stage of the buying process, and going after the right keywords will let you get their attention.

Keyword competition is another factor you need to consider when you use SEO. If you enter your desired keyword into Google and find several news sites or other authority domains, ranking for that term will not be easy. Keywords that produce random blogs and websites won’t be too hard to rank, and you can enjoy some success within the first few weeks.

Focus on Engagement

Focusing on engagement is a smart move when your mission is to improve SEO as soon as you can. Too many marketers and business owners only pay attention to their keywords, but that oversight will harm their bottom line.

Inability to produce engaging content will reduce your odds of getting your message to appear on Google, but it will also make your content boring. Writing with an active voice and using terms and phrases to which your prospects can relate will improve your engagement and help you rank. Use short paragraphs and subheadings to make each article easy and fun to read, and you will notice the difference. No matter what you would like to achieve, keeping your prospects’ needs near the front of your mind will take you far.

Increase Article Length

You likely create blog posts and articles containing between 300 and 600 words, which is a good place from which to start. But if you want to improve SEO, you need to make your articles a little longer. Content with 1,000 to 2,500 words will outrank short articles and send plenty of people to your website before you know it. Writing long articles will take some time, but the rewards are worth the dedication.

Enhance Your Website’s Speed

Some people only work on their articles and off-site factors when they want to rank on the No. 1 page of Google, but they are making a mistake. The loading speed of your website plays a role in the rank you can expect, so you can’t afford to overlook that fact if you would like to get long-term results. You can take your loading speed to the next level by optimizing your code, removing unnecessary pictures and upgrading your hosting package.

Target Topics

Using keywords as the main focus of your content won’t get your website or blog to the first page of Google. You can combat that problem by targeting topics related to your desired keywords, and you will get much better results. Use the main keyword to generate topic ideas for your next article, and you can then include other keywords related to your topic.

Focus on Quality Backlinks

Quality backlinks from authority domains are vital for anyone who wants to use search engine optimization to grow and expand a business. Writing guest posts for popular bloggers in your industry is a powerful way to get a few backlinks that will boost your rank. If you want to take this tip to the next level, look for press release companies that have high standards.

Use Local SEO

Local search terms have a lot less competition than broad keywords that appeal to people from all locations. While local businesses commonly take advantage of this method, large chains and corporations can also benefit. Write keywords that target major cities around the nation, and you won’t be disappointed.

Final Thoughts

Even though search engine optimization comes with a range of challenges and setbacks, you can simplify the process by using the right tips. You can use a winning blueprint to rank your content in no time, and you will smile when you see what it can do for your profit. The best keywords will get you moving on the right path, but building quality backlinks and improving your website’s speed will enhance your results. The rank of which you have been dreaming is not as far as you might think, and you can take the critical first steps right away.

Understanding Google Algorithm Updates in 2018 [Infographic]

November 30, 2017/by Corey Padveen

In order to improve your search rankings, it’s important to completely understand Google algorithm updates and how they impact search rankings.

It’s Google’s world and we’re just living in it. While that might be a bit of an exaggeration, when it comes to search, that statement holds true. Marketers are all desperate to improve search rankings, and to do that, we need to carefully study and understand Google algorithm updates. Thanks to Miller Media Management, that task has been rendered pretty simple with the help of this infographic outlining what most of the major updates do to your rankings. Have a look and improve your understanding of Google algorithm updates as we head into 2018!

Avoid These SEO Mistakes [Infographic]

July 27, 2015/by Corey Padveen

Steering clear of these SEO mistakes will ensure that your pages stay visible on search engines.

Did you know that the top 3 search results for a search term receive 61% of clicks? How about the fact that 75% of search engine users never scroll past the first page? We’ve all heard the joke: the best place to hide a dead body is on the second page of Google. But the reality is that we need to stay focused on optimizing our search efforts, as they do pay off.

These are a few important things to keep in mind next time you’re running a search optimization campaign. Avoiding these SEO mistakes will help keep your brand on top of the results pages.

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