Looks great doesn’t it? This means that these people are the authors of these great articles and they have set up Google Authorship, tying their Google+ account to their blog. It’s like saying, “Hey, I wrote these goodies”. But you might be asking what is it and how do they do it.

What is Google Authorship and its Benefits

Google Authorship is a way to link an article or content that an author created to his/her own Google+ profile. While Google has launched Google Authorship years ago, many authors are still not aware of it or how to do it, so they are missing these great benefits:

• Improved Search Engine Results Page (SERP) rankings
• Improved click-through rates
• Helps establish credibility and legitimacy of content for websites and authors
• Author recognition and exposure to more of author’s content

Preparing for Google Authorship

The first step that you as an author need to do, is to make sure you have your Google+ profile ready. A Google+ profile URL looks like this: http://plus.google.com/106632816143586017398.

If you don’t have one yet, you can easily create one. Just go to http://plus.google.com. Fill out all the fields, and add a professional looking profile photo. This photo is what is viewed on Google search results page next to your content.

“Contributor To” Section

While you’re filling in everything on your profile page, give a bit more of your attention to the “Contributor To” field under the Links section on the About page. Click on Add custom link and add all the links of websites and blogs that you publish on, then click Save.

Link Content to Google+ Profile

On your website that you publish content on, make sure that there is a byline containing your name that appears on each of your content (for example, “By Ana Urban”). Also make sure that this byline matches the name on your Google+ profile.

Let’s say you write content for your website with the domain www.mywebsite.com.au and your email address is on the same domain such as ana@mywebsite.com.au . Go to http://plus.google.com/authorship , add your email address and click on Sign up for Authorship.

On the other hand, if you don’t have an email address on the same domain of your content, all you have to do is place a link from the website to your Google+ profile, like this:

<a href="[your profile URL here]” rel=”author">Google+</a>

With the above code, replace [your profile URL here] with your Google+ profile URL , like this:

<a href="http://plus.google.com/106632816143586017398” rel=”author">Google+</a>

Make sure to have the parameter rel=”author” within the mark up so Google will be able to associate your content with your Google+ profile page. This is pretty quick and easy but if you are not familiar with html tags, you may want to contact your website developer.

And you’re done!

Confirm Google Authorship Set up

Once the setup is all done, you would like to check if you did everything correctly. You can do so by checking the website with Google’s Rich Snippet Testing Tool for free. Add in your website and click on Preview.

The tool will verify if Authorship has been setup successfully on the webpage.

It’s important to notice that each of the 5 keywords must be relevant to your website and you must have enough content for each if those keywords as you will need to dedicate a page of your website to each one.

What if I don’t have enough content for a page based on the main keywords?

Well you shouldn’t have chosen the keyword in the first place then!

If you want to rank on page one of Google for a keyword with more than competitors for it, this better be relevant and you better have enough to talk about it.

You will also choose 2 variations of the main SEO keywords you have chosen. These can be from your keyword research or you can use thesaurus for ideas on synonymous as well.

E.g. Main keyword – beach house rental
Secondary keyword 1 – holiday rental
Secondary keyword 2 – Hampton beach house

Another good way of finding secondary keyword is by typing the main SEO keyword into the Google search box and checking for what other keywords are shown on the title tags on page one.

Ideas on what to write on a keyword

• Definition: not everyone knows about your products or services as you might think! Google loves definitions and so do people who are doing research.
• product or services pros and cons (bullet points always goes well)
• Who will benefit from it?
• relevant testimonials
• prices or rates (if applicable)
• reviews
• images (make sure you have rights to use then)
• A call to action
  

So get writing!

Recapping: the Basics SEO Keyword Research

1. Brainstorm SEO keywords
2. Use Google Adwords keyword tool to get more keywords and analyse traffic potential for your SEO keyword
3. SEO keywords chosen must be relevant
4. Choose keywords that are not too broad and not too restrictive either
5. Analyse the competition for the keyword
6. Choose FIVE main SEO keyword for your website.
7. Dedicate at least one page of your website per main keyword.
8. Choose two keyword variations of the main keywords
9. Make your pages content rich, keyword relevant and interesting. If the reader likes it, search engines like Google will like it too.

Hello!! Today we will be talking, in simple terms, about how to choose your domain name.

Choose a good domain name so that your domain does not look like:

Be careful when choosing your domain name!

This is a question I have been getting a lot, so I have decided to talk a bit more about it. But to start I will add some more questions and we will then ask them all:

1. Does domain name affect SEO?
2. What would be the best domain for my website?

Choosing Your Website’s Domain?

This is a good question, but we must be careful as it’s not a “one size fits all” answer and techniques may not be work for every website. But there are some rules that may benefit to Most DOMAIN WEBSITES:

• a good domain name should be short and not too hard to remember;
• if your business is targeting Australia only, go for .com.au extension;
• if you would like to target different countries, you might need to consider buying different extensions like .com for USA, .co.uk for United Kingdom. But, if the keyword is not too competitive and the product really unique, you might be ok with one domain only, perhaps .com
• If you really want to target a country then you should have a country specific domain and hosting within that country
• Also, if you are targeting Brazil for example, buy a .com.br domain and have the website translated to Portuguese

Now, I will give a couple of hints based on some situations:

Domain Name for New Business, New Website

• start with keyword research
• whenever possible it pays off to have your main keyword on your domain name
• if your business has a short name, e.g. “Domain” and your business is about “domain choosing” it may pay off to have www.domainchoosing.com.au
• people that know your business will search by your business name, so it is important for your website to have your business name. It also usually the obvious choice.

Established Business, Shall I Change My Domain?

More often than not the answer is “no”, and “be careful”. Your website age is a really important factor in helping Google understand that your site is well established and not just a scam or a business that will just disappear in a month or two.

• it is better to have credibility than a domain with keywords;
• if your business changed names or something similar, and you need to change domains, make sure to redirect all the pages from the old domain to the new one with 301 redirects.

Domain Name and SEO

Why is domain name an important factor in search engine optimisation?

Most search engines, Google inclusive and more importantly, give a really heavy weight to a domain that contains a main keyword. Most Search engines, including Google, give heavy preference to a domain that contains a main key word. E.g. www.domainchoosing.com.au – it is really unlikely that this domain is about anything else but “how to choose your domain”. And search engines understand this. Another point is, as the domain name is usually a business name and search engines want to bring you relevant results, if someone types “domain choosing” it may really well be that there are after the business called “domain choosing”.

Shall I Register Several Domains with My Keywords?

Unless you are planning on developing on this and adding good and relevant content, which will cost you and take a fair bit of your time, the answer is no. Google has been fighting any technique used to mislead or that provides a bad user experience online. This is the equivalent of throwing rubbish on the web and Google will eventually catch up on this and your site can be penalised.

That is it for today!

To finish on a funny note, another funny domain names for you:

You should have several good and relevant keywords on you list by now. Remember, they should bring enough traffic and be relevant to your business and website to be worth targeting. Now we need to know if it will be easy or too hard to rank well for these chosen keywords. This will depend on the competition.

Checking the SEO keyword competition – method 1 – Google Search Engine

This method is pretty simple and should always be done. Simply type the chosen keyword in Google and check:

• who is occupying the first page
• how big are they
• how good is their website
• check for other keywords they may be using

Always check at least the first and the last on the first page. If you think you have what it takes to beat at least the last on the page, then you can move on.

Checking the SEO keyword competition – method 2 – Google Adwords

On Google Adword, keyword Tool, check what Google say about the competition: High, low or medium. Usually keywords with high competition will be harder to rank than low. But sometimes it is the quality of the competition and not number of competitors that is important.

Checking the SEO keyword competition – method 3 – Market Samurai

This is a great free tool. Market Samurai http://www.marketsamurai.com/. Whilst you will need to sign in, there are several free modules and lots of videos and help.

This information will tell you who are the 10 page one results for a specific keyword and will also tell you how strong the competition is.

You must always check:

• how old is the domain age,
• what it the page rank and,
• how many back links pointing to the domain.

I have analysed the SEO keyword competition

After analysing the competition for your chosen SEO keywords, you will know which ones are easier to rank for and with those you will have a better chance of achieving page 1 of Google.

A couple of rules:

• if your website is new or newish (under 2 years) go for less competitive keywords as it might take a bit longer to rank for competitive ones
• choose really relevant keywords, this is more important than choosing really high traffic keywords
• if your page rank is low, try to increase it by getting relevant links pointing to your site. But initially go for weak competition keywords

With all this research done, you should be able to pick FIVE MAIN SEO keywords to optimise your website. Choose those carefully and on my next post I will talk about “What is meta data” and “how to Optimise Meta Data”.

Recapping: the Basics SEO Keyword Research

1. Brainstorm SEO keywords
2. Use Google Adwords keyword tool to get more keywords and analyse traffic potential for your SEO keyword
3. SEO keywords chosen must be relevant
4. Choose keywords that are not too broad and not too restrictive either
5. Analyse the competition for the keyword
6. Choose FIVE main SEO keyword for your website.

How did I find out Shane Warne leaves in Brighton

Yesterday I finished work and got home ready to take Boss (my beloved staffy dog) for a walk. It was hot and humid, which is unusual for Melbourne, and I was tired after a busy day at work. Being 7 months pregnant does not help either but the puppy needs a walk and always get one.

We go our usual way and as soon as I am to turn the corner onto William Street in Brighton, I see camera crews, journalists, cameras, paparazzi and the lot. I get really curious, but had no idea what was going on and the possibility of being filmed or photographed looking that way (remember, it was a hot day and I am pregnant so not my best) was too frightening so I walked on and did a different route.

Little did I know that they would not be any interested in me since they were there for truly famous people and not interviewing residents or anything.

Bing, Google and Bang: I’m in the loop with the latest Brighton gossip

I get back home and go straight to my computer, had been cursing my Iphone issues all the way as the internet or anything for that matter is working really poorly on the old chap. This meant I could not start my simple research right there in the park.

But laptop in hand and I start the search. As lately I have been trying to give the Search Engine Bing a fair go, I start with it and type:

William street Brighton paparazzi

This was not the least enlightening to be honest as the article was dated December 09. But I knew I was really just typing first thing in my mind without thinking and was not going to hold Bing responsible.

However, I then did the same thing with Google and this is what I get.

Needless to say, that brought me the answer I was looking for and I then realise that Shane Warne lives in Brighton and his girlfriend Liz Hurley was visiting. I had been wondering: Shane Warne and Liz Hurley, sounded like a strange match at first. But then again… not really.

This has shown me a clear advantage of using Google when searching for news and up to date information on something. Like gossip of course!! No one wants to hear yesterday’s love affairs or break ups. It’s all about today’s news and the fresher the better.

This does not mean that Google is the best full stop. There are occasions, where really up to date information is not what matters, but relevancy is. We will talk more about Bing and Google and why you should be using both.

In the mean time, good luck to Warnie and Hurley’s romance and their time in Australia.

Google has revealed a unique, new way to improve their search results with the feature “Google Instant Preview”.

Some people are asking if Instant Preview will imply the end for SEO. The answer is – no. Google Instant Preview does not change the ranking process of Google’s search results. It doesn’t mark the end for SEO but there may be a few changes to your SEO strategy and techniques.

Preview of Google Instant Preview

Google Instant Preview

How does Google Instant Preview Work?

Instant Preview is structured to provide graphical previews of the search result websites. The graphical previews also, at times, highlight the most relevant parts called “call-outs”, as well as where the search term appears on the page.
By clicking once on the magnifying glass in the search result will instantly preview the web page. After activating Instant Previews with that one click, you can hover over any other search result to see a preview of the web page.

The Importance of Good Website Design with Google Instant Preview

Google Instant Preview will impact on the quality of your web page design:

• Google Instant Preview takes screenshots of the web page and also highlights the search keywords or key phrase (Call Outs as they are called). This all happens without receiving a click through.
• Searchers will now base the way they open the search results website through the design itself, the logo, colors, layouts and call outs.
• Experts warn that design now becomes a critical factor in making sure click-through rates remain the same.

Flash and Google Instant Preview

If you’re site is made from Flash, Google Instant Preview possibly previews blank screenshots of the Flash website. So along with the fact that Iphones and Ipads do not display flash, having a website purely build on flash could be the end of your online business.

Google Preview and Flash

Google Instant Preview Advice

• make sure your website pages are well structured, a professional website design company can assist you in the process
• keep your pages clearly laid out and with a minimum of distractions or external content
• make sure that keyword appears to the content of pages.
• when possible avoid pop-ups, flash, multimedia and other elements to avoid having Google Instant Preview display blank or unattractive graphics.

Basic Keyword Research – The importance of Keywords Choice When Optimising a Website

SEO is becoming more and more popular, you go to some networking meetings and the new buzz word is “SEO”, “search engine optimisation” or “be found in Google” by the more basics

keywords research and SEO

With SEO becoming more and more popular is not uncommon for me to have people coming to me and asking me for hints about how to optimise theirs site. This is great, as I believe anyone can benefit from an optimised site.

However, what I have noticed is that most have not thought about the first thing about SEO. The foundations of a good search engine strategy, the super importantkeyword research

So this is what we will talk about, keyword research for a SEO strategy that actually is worth your time.

How to Start a Keyword Research for SEO Purposes

1.Brainstorming

Always start a keyword research by brainstorming

• Think about the services and products you provide and write down all the different names you can think of.
• Think about what would a searcher looking for your products or services would type in the search engines to find your products, think outside the square, write it all down
• Think about the benefits your products or services can bring to your potential clients. Write it all down.
• Get all the words you came out with and think of variations of it. Plural, singular, synonymous, invert the order of the keywords e.g. Happy person > happy people > people happy > happy persons

SEO tip: spend a week on this brainstorming. Take 1 hour at first to start this list and then carry this list with you for the whole week, save it on you phone notes, or carry in a piece of paper.

Every time you can think of something, write it down. By the end the week you should have at least 50 keywords on your list for us to start our new step, next week.

• Improve search engine ranking
• Come on page one of Google in 2011
• Have an SEO strategy in 2011 and not just throw keywords around and waste money

so lets get started!

Basics of Keyword Research for SEO – Small Business and Non Technical People

Basic Keyword Research part II – How to choose the keywords that people are using to search for your products

On our previous post “How to Start Your SEO Keyword Research” we talked about the importance of they keyword research and how to get started on it.

So now, please get your keywords list and lets analyse these SEO keywords.

1. Go to www.AdWords.Google.com (if you already have a Google account, use your log in if not, just quickly create one, it’s free and easy.

SEO keyword analysis tool

2. You will then be taken to this page:

SEO keyword analysis tool

3. Click on “opportunities” tab on the top and then “keyword tool” on the left menu of the next page.

4. You will then arrive on the page below:

SEO keyword analysis

1. Competition: this shows how strong the competition is for this specific keywords, this is based on pay per click bidders, but usually it gives you a good idea on the organic competition as well.
2. Google monthly searches: how many time is this keyword search on Google all over the world for the moth in question
3. Local monthly searches: this is the most important bit, as it shows us the search results for the SEO keywords on the specific country or area we have requested.

5. Check all your keywords and check also Google SEO Keyword suggestions to see if there are some good ones you have not thought about.

6. For small business and new websites I would recommend the following tips:

• 6.1. Be specific with your SEO keywords, so for example, if you are a hairdresser, you should be looking for keywords like: hairdresser Melbourne, hairdresser Brighton, hair colouring specialists. This is because if you target “hairdressing”, can you imagine how many “hairdressers” your are competing against? It would be really difficult to rank for something like this. And even if you do
• 6.2. Target your locally when you can: if your hairdressing salon is in Brighton, if someone finds you and they live and work in Essendon, they will probably not going to travel all the way to Brighton for a haircut, so you will not convert anyway. So target your local area when you can.
• 6.3. Try surrounding suburbs when targeting local keywords
• 6.4. Try different keyword combinations: check what is best, hairdresser Brighton, hairdresser Brighton, Brighton hair dresser etc… so you know what keyword people use moreoften and it is this SEO keyword you should target.
• 6.5. Choose only relevant SEO keyword: if you are a hairdresser and yours services do not include “hair extensions”, don’t try to target this keyword just because you think it’s a good keyword, the SEO keyword must be relevant!

The next step will be to have a look at the competition for your chose SEO keywords, but we will look into this next week.

SEO Keyword Tips and Recap:

• Spend some time analysing the SEO keywords, it is worth as they are the most important part of your SEO strategy
• Look at synonymous, I sometimes like to use a thesaurus to
  look for it
• Target your location when applicable
• Don’t go for really broad keywords

And remember that even if it all looks like too much work, it is worth it! Someone once said to me:

How do you eat and elephant? Bit by bit.

So approach the same way, do one little bit at the time and in a couple of months you will see that you might have almost finished that elephant and you will be enjoying the rewards of a good SEO keyword research and strategy.

Today I am blogging to participate on Motivating Mum Blog Carnival If you are a WAHM (working at home mum) or WAHM a to be, you should come and have a look at this website for some support and motivation.

So why do I blog? I blog to help people with their website. People with no technical background, small businesses, mums starting or growing their own business and anyone who cares about their website and would like to get more visitors.

SEO and Online Marketing Blog

I love SEO and E-marketing and I am lucky to love my work. I also like to help people and love helping my clients.

Some of my clients are small businesses with a limited budget for a complex online marketing or SEO strategy, but as some of you would already know, SEO and online marketing are ongoing processes and need to be worked on regularly, so if you can’t afford to pay a good web strategy firm to do it for you, your next best option is to do it yourself.

SEO is Too Hard

That is what a lot of people say, and I will not lie, a good SEO strategy takes time and knowledge to achieve.

That is why most will benefit from having the Search Engine Optimisation done by a professional. A professional SEO will research the best keywords for you, the ones that are achievable and relevant to your site and the keywords that will bring you the best return on investment. The SEO professional will prepare all other relevant details for your site, like headings and metadata (hidden code that tells Google what the page is about). The SEO firm can also implement the strategy and take care of the technical details.

Search Engine Optimisation can be done with relatively low costs, especially if you consider the benefits it will bring to your business, so well worth the investment.

But then, what about the ongoing process, the link building, the social media, the new pages to your site? You have started seeing results, you have more traffic and more sales, so you can let it go. This is where E-marketing Basics Blog comes in.

Weekly, Bite Size SEO and Online Marketing Tips

With this you can carry on your online marketing and get your site to rank better, get more exposure and more sales.

Remember your website should work for you! Having a good website is like having a sales person working for you, except there is no holiday pay and it works 24 hours a day. SEO is the constant stream of qualified leads for this efficient sales person you have.

Main points

• Your website should work for you, a good website is like an efficient sales person
• SEO brings you constant stream of qualified leads to your website
• www.e-marketingbasics is about basics, and if you don’t understand something, ask, this is why I love the comments box
• By following my blog, you will have basic and easy to understand information to improve your website rankings
• Have a specific SEO question, ask on the comment box and I’ll respond
• Why I blog? To help you to improve your site!

That is it for now, thanks everyone and a special thanks to Alli, from Motivating Mum, who has invited me to her blogging carnival.