Blogging and Marketing Resources for the Average Blogger and Business
Posts tagged Traffic
Choosing a Domain Name – Part 2
May 21st
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The Rest of Your Domain Selection
In Part 1 of Choosing a Domain Name, I focused on the high level “dot com” as the most common flavor when selecting a domain name. This time, the focus will be on the identity itself – the main part of your Uniform Resource Locator (URL).
Here’s a quote from “How to Podcast Tutorial” that talks about one aspect of domain name selection:
“This is the web address for my podcast tutorial site which launched my brand as a podcasting expert and landed me a book deal. I intentionally incorporated two of the top keyword search phrases for my topic (i.e. “how to podcast” and “podcast tutorial”).
I should point out that the hyphens are there because of some evidence showing that it emphasizes the keywords to the search engine bots. However, as of late it seems that this is not always necessary. I’m tending away from the practice of using hyphenated URLs.”
Just like my last post, clear as mud. In my opinion, why not? If there’s a chance the bots will show some love with the keywords separated by hyphens, why not? If a smooth URL (without hyphens) is needed for marketing purposes, simply redirect it to the dashed version. Best of both worlds.
[Blogger's note: You eagle-eyed readers no doubt have noticed I'm not walking my talk. The Ultimate Blogging Toolkit doesn't use hyphens. Fair point. This revelation was not visible to me as a complete rookie when I started. I'll have to save it for my next project, which is firmly up my sleeve. Live and learn.]
ProBlogger has a lengthy post about choosing your domain name, but there’s one paragraph that rings true to why I decided to create and host my own domain: credibility. They say,
“Having your own domain name is desirable for many bloggers for numerous reasons. For a start if you’re wanting to build credibility and a sense of professionalism around your blog a domain that reflects this can help. Similarly a carefully selected domain name has the ability to enhance the branding of a product, service, business or even person. Domain purchases give the added bonus of email addresses with the same domain (adding to both professionalism and branding) and can enhance your Search Engine Ranking.”
Although I have not yet begun to use my domain’s email addresses due to ease of startup, I knew from the beginning this was to be a serious and professional effort. (My “fun” postings are conducted on my other blog, TheNewBloggedWord.Blogspot.com.)
There are many free, shared domain blogs on the Bloggers of the world that are quite serious in their intentions. Nothing disparaging intended. My only point is that we only have one chance for a first impression. My argument is that the first impression can be the URL – make it professional and effective.
Dave
Entrecard Speed-Dropping
May 17th
Entrecard "Above the Fold" List
Entrecard card dropping is done for two basic reasons:
1) An acknowledgement of a visit, a view and a possible comment
2) A quick “speed-drop” to explore as many new blogs as possible.
Many Entrecard members publish “Drop Lists” of their favorite blogs. Others chronicle their “Top Droppers” list. My The “Above the Fold” page is my offering is to track those blogs where the Entrecard widget is “above the fold.” By that I mean no scrolling required. I will continue to add to this list as I encounter true no-scrolling sites.
Check out the page and if you have found a true “Above the Fold” site, leave a comment and I’ll add it to the list.
Enjoy!
Dave
Dofollow (No Nofollow) for Improved Search Engine Rank
May 8th
DoFollow Used Here!
A comment offered in a previous post, Entrecard Boosting Traffic, caused me to learn something new, and quite important: the DoFollow / NoFollow dilemma. A new concept for me, but one worth exploring.
First, some background. Blogs and web sites are of course ranked by search engines in a number of ways. One is the number of links from other places on the Internet back to that site. Basically, a show of popularity. The problem with this is the incentive for spammers to comment with nothing but links back to their sites, mostly in automated ways, to simply fill up the comment with opportunities for the Googles of the world to more highly rank their sites. All at the intellectual expense of honorable blogs.
In 2005, Google postulated that if they did not provide any ranking merit when they found the attribute, “rel=nofollow” on blogs, and not follow the link back for merit ranking purposes, bloggers and blog platforms would adopt the setting. The rationale was that it would be a disincentive for spammers and spamming would, well, stop. Right.
WordPress, as one blogging platform, adopted the setting. The challenge for us “average” bloggers on the Ultimate Blogging Toolkit is the lack of awareness of (at least for many of us) this obscure parameter.
I am pleased to announce that the Ultimate Blogging Toolkit is now set up to use DoFollow! The good people at Semiologic provided the DoFollow plugin now used here. Anyone familiar with WordPress plugins will appreciate the simple ZIP file download and install. Now, the dreaded NoFollow setting has been disabled!
As an alternate view of this link juice topic, the folks at eVisibility provide an excellent visual example of how the flow of link juice occurs. Their point is different, in that they are discussing the value of using or not using NoFollow strategically – I just like the graphics.
As a topic for a future post, the other shoe to drop on this topic is the management of spam. A great tool in Akismet, coming soon!
Dave
Entrecard Boosting Traffic
May 5th
Entrecard Impacting Traffic
If you recall my April 20 post, Entrecard to Increase Blog Traffic, you’ll remember my optimism about the social, interactive nature of this environment. You can see that my optimism was rewarded. You’ll also notice that after a surge of excitement with my new sandbox, I had some setbacks. All me.
Some computer issues had me out of touch for a while, but once that was resolved, re-engaging fellow Entrecard members has again boosted traffic.
I’ve very pleased with this new environment, but have to admit that I have not yet posted an ad for my own site. That will come. At some point, I will engage a fellow Entrecard member, much more adept at graphics design than I, in some outsourcing work and exchange some ECs (remember, those are the trading credits earned when visiting fellow bloggers.) A good currency to use as a start – the real thing is the longer term goal.
Regardless how you do it, build those relationships. It takes time, but you can see that the time invested reaps rewards.
Dave
Entrecard To Increase Blog Traffic
Apr 20th
The strongest ideas are usually defined as the simplest. I write frequently about the value of building relationships to improve not only the amount of traffic to your blog, but the quality of that traffic as well. A new discovery for me, Entrecard, fits both of those definitions.
Entrecard is a free blogging network that encourages interacting with fellow blogging members through the use of Entrecard Credits, called “ECs.” You earn ECs by visiting Entrecard colleagues’ blogs and dropping off your “card” (like a business card for your blog) with them through a widget, now displayed on my right side panel. When a colleague drops their card with you, you earn an EC as well. You’re saying, “Bid deal – I can drop off business cards by the dozens at a Chamber of Commerce meeting – so what?!?!?”
My response to the question is a single word: relationships. The dropping of the cards is not the issue, nor is the fact that ECs are earned. It is the extremely easy access to many blogs, in many categories, that is really the point. As relationships are built though frequent visits and thoughtful comments added to others’ blogs, ECs of course build up from dropping and receiving cards. ECs can then be used to buy actual advertising space on other blogs, thereby furthering your visibility to even more bloggers with whom relationships can be built. Are you starting to see the brilliance in the concept?
Consider this the “frequent flier program” for blogs. We all enjoy exploring new blogs. Sometimes we just browse, sometimes we actually comment. Then there are other times where we come back over and over to interact on a deeper level. Now, we get “miles” for that travel.
Entrecard has just announced a “Cashout Service” as a result of beginning to accept paid advertising. Advertisers are offered access to “tens of thousands” of blogs through either a cost per click or cost per thousand model. The Cashout Service will provide for a repurchase of credits via a Community Support Algorithm which has just been announced. (Hey, I’m brand new, but I will learn more!)
With a Market, their own blog, and member forums, there is much more to offer Entrecard members. As a new member, I am hoping to learn the basics, interact with other bloggers and begin to benefit quickly. Remember, it’s really quite easy: it’s all about relationships.
Dave
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