Online Business Optimization
Use these online business optimization tips to improve your search engine rankings and to increase the number of visitors to your site. If you need clarification on these tips, if you would like to hire me to help you start a small business online or create a site for your home business, please contact me for a quote.
Let's start with the definition of ecommerce:
Electronic commerce or e-commerce consists of buying and/or selling services and/or products over the Internet
Now that you've established that you want your home business to profit from ecommerce, you need to find an affordable ecommerce solution to help you meet your goals. These top ten mistakes will hopefully point you in the right direction and teach you how to start a small business on the Internet with a website that gets visitors.
Top Ten Web Optimization Mistakes Made by Home Business Owners
In order to understand these mistakes (and avoid them!), you need to know what a keyword is. For example, my main keyword for this page is online business optimization. This is the keyword that is most representative of the content of this page and I want the search engines to list this page when people search for online business optimization.
Optimization Mistake No. 10
They spend a fortune getting a professional Website done in Flash. While their website may look amazing, search engines can't read it, so they don't understand where to list it when people search for that site online. Flash can be used in small doses, like the small flash animation located at the top of this page. The information contained in my animation is available in text form somewhere else on the page, so it's all right.
Mistake No. 9
They use images everywhere to make their ecommerce site look great with special fonts that look neat. While images are great for backgrounds and pictures, you should minimize the use of images when real text could be used. If you opt for images instead of text, make sure to make full use of the optional alt and title tags to ensure search engines know what your image contains.
One notable exception to this rule is posting an email address online. It's always best to use a contact form, but if you absolutely must post an email address on a Web page, post it as an image instead of text, which should help reduce the number of spam emails you receive.
No. 8
They don't use Title tags effectively in their HTML code. The title tag is the description that appears when you bookmark a page. Depending on your browser, you may or may not see the title tag at the top of your tab or window. This title tag should contain your main keyword, for which you want the page to be optimized. For example, my title tag for this page is Online Business Optimization - Improving Home Business Websites. Try to keep it under 65 characters.
No. 7
They don't use their keyword in the URL address for the page. While no one knows exactly how important this factor is in the overall Google algorithm, I think it's fairly high on the list. For example, if you look in your address bar right now, you will see that I used my keyword in the Web page address.
No. 6
They don't use the meta keyword field for each of their pages. The format for this field is pretty straight forward. You must ensure to pick different keywords for each of your pages. Here are my meta keywords for this page, with the XHTML closing slash at the end, which is not required for pages written in HTML format:
No. 5
They don't use the meta description field for each of their pages. This description is sometimes used by search engines when they provide a little blurb about the page in the search results. You want this description to be different from page to page and to include your main keyword. Here is the meta description for this page:
No. 4
They don't participate in a link exchange program and don't submit their sites to relevant, high-quality directories like DMOZ. The more links going to your site from related-themed sites, the higher your chances of getting good rankings at the search engines.
Beware of link farms that will add a link to your site from thousands of sites. They almost always do more harm than good. I recommend that you hand pick the sites with which you exchange links. Here is a great tool (and a free tool!) that will make the job easier for you:
Powerful Link Popularity Boost with Value Exchange
No. 3
You need to use your keyword naturally through the page, in headings, in the text and in at least one link. Don't overdo it. You should also use synonyms when appropriate.
One of the most important factor about optimizing your page for a keyword is making sure to use a keyword (or keyword phrase) that people use when they search for information on the Internet. There are many tools that can help you find the right keywords such as Wordtracker or Google Adwords Keyword Selection Tool.
No. 2
Don't forget that your business relies on customers, who are first and foremost people. Use your Website as a way to talk to your visitors. Be personal, build a relationship with them. Your site shouldn't read like an encyclopedia. It should have heart and soul. Another good way to keep in touch with your visitors, to build a relationship with them and to ensure they come back is through the use of a newsletter.
Are your newsletters sent directly to people's junk mail folders? There is something you can do to prevent it. Try this:
Spam Check Your Newsletters for Free!
Online Business Optimization Mistake No. 1
Create original content. Don't just copy somebody's else content, it's illegal and your visitors don't care for regurgitated information. Search Engines will penalize you for using copied content.
Your business is unique, so figure out what makes it unique and build content around that. I highly recommend approaching each page with a goal. You may want to solve a problem, recommend products or simply provide the best information ever, but make sure to keep thinking about your visitors and their needs.
If you need help with original content or would like me to create an original and optimized website, please contact me for a quote. Alternatively, you may also choose to have SBI! build a profitable Website for you.
Other Website Resources
If you are dealing with affiliates, your job is to PRE-sell your affiliate's products, and the affiliate is responsible for the "hard sell." Unsure where to draw the line? Download this free e-book:
Free e-Book on Making Your Content PRE-Sell
If you would rather sell and improve your marketing efforts, try these products:
Free e-Book: Make Your Words Sell
How to Price Your Products to Maximize profits
Consult the Net`s growing source for online home business and investments education. Visit the following site for more free help and advice.
