In this podcast we are going to discuss a quick tip from the previous podcast and then we are going to discuss three easy seo tips for your blog.
Tip from Podcast 32: Your developer needs to answer these questions
Who is hosting your website?
Some web developers prefer to host their clients websites. This can be a confusing topic, so it is important that you fully understand who has control of your website / blog. If someone else is hosting your blog then that means that they have ultimate control over the destiny of your website. So when working with a new developer make sure and ask if you have the option of buying your own hosting or what will happen to your website if you decide to use a different web developer at a later date. My advice is to own your domain name and hosting yourself but no matter the path that you choose for your website, make sure that you understand the consequences each direction.
Now let’s get down to it and discuss 3 easy SEO tips for your blog.
Personally, I find all of the rhetoric out there about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) overwhelming and exciting at the same time. I have spent a great deal of time researching, studying and writing about SEO and I still don’t consider myself an SEO expert. This is why I believe that it is important from time to time to forget all of the why, the theory, and just get down to the basics of SEO. In this podcast I discussed three simple tips.
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- About that Image
Before you upload an image to your blog make sure that you rename it to something relevant to the blog post. For example when I buy an image from photoxpress it downloads with a name like MP9004 blah blah blah. This means nothing to anyone except for photoxpress. Instead consider naming it something like your blog title or you keyword phrase for that blog post.
Also, when you rename that image put a dash the minus sign between each word. So maybe how-to-start-a-blog.jpg
- Check your Google Webmaster tools
When is the last time that you reviewed the Google Webmaster tools for any issues? I recently had an issue with my site map and I would not have known except for my weekly check up. Go ahead and set aside a few minutes to log in and check on the health of your site.
Make sure that you have submitted a site map.
If you have not created a site map yet you can either use the Yoast Plugin or the plugin that I use XML Sitemap Plugin. I have created a tutorial video on how to use the XML Sitemap plugin and I will put it in the show notes.
[su_box title=”Did you know?” box_color=”#81c11d” radius=”6″]Did you know that Google Webmasters have a blog that you can reference? It is jammed with tips and ideas that will no doubt help you.[/su_box]
- Optimize your social profiles
Once you have decided upon what your blog theme seo keywords are go back to your social profiles and add the same keywords. Make sure that you use complete sentences here. Do not just cram a bunch of keywords in profile but do make sure that the profile fits your blog.
Google is not a fan of link building so you have to find a way to do it naturally. There is nothing more natural than someone finding your site through a social link. If someone finds a link to your blog through social and then references, you have won and they have won.
However, it is important to make sure that people know what you are about and this is why you need to optimize your social.
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RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS BLOGCAST INCLUDE:
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- http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com/
- https://twitter.com/googlewmc
- http://searchengineland.com/2013-study-79-of-consumers-trust-online-reviews-as-much-as-personal-recommendations-164565
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[box title=”” bg_color=”#dd9933″ icon=”bars” icon_style=”border” icon_shape=”circle” align=”center”]Bonus Tip:
If you are a local business make sure that your Google local is setup. Once you have verified that email a link to some of your best customers and ask them to give you a review. Reviews are crucial in the buyer decision tree.[/box]
Special Blog Setup Offer:
If you buy hosting using my affiliate link below, I will install WordPress on your hosting for free. Click on the link below, purchasing your hosting and email me with the details.
Thank you so much for stopping by my show notes for this podcast.
I would love your comments and feedback. Also, if you have any questions that you would like discussed in future episodes, please either leave them in the comments below or shoot me an email at [email protected].
[su_box title=”What do you think?” box_color=”#81c11d” radius=”6″]Have you used any of these SEO tips? What SEO tips would you share with a new blogger?[/su_box]
You can listen to all of my podcast at:
Don’t forget to clickety on my PDF download of Tips on Blogging for Business. It covers some tips about the Yoast Plugin and a few others that I install on all of my clients’ blogs.