How To Become On Top

[i-meals]

Hello,

Anyone know how to become on top of the search engine results? Like when you type in a key word, how would you become the first link? Do you pay for that?

[Artashes]

Well, that is a question I've been thinking about as well.

Most popular engines now offer sponsored links area, which usually goes on the very very top of search results for that keyword.

But if not talking money, then I think it depends on the site and link popularity of your web site. By that I don't just means thousands of sites linking to you. I would say web sites with the same content as yours linking to you. Its harder to get, but pays off so I heard.

Maybe Christian may have some details on this as well.

Best,

[William]

Well with one of my other sites I wanted to get more hits and get on the top of search engines, so like Artashes said I use sponsored areas. I use google adwords, also I use www.overture.com pay per click pretty much. Also I tried www.marketleap.com but I don't get much from them.

To me its worth it getting all the hits and letting everyone know I am out there.

Thanks
William Wilson

[kunta]

I am listed on google for free and when you search for my company it's the first two listings and the ones below it are reviews.

Search engines aren't stupid, they want you to pay them so they can list you. It's pretty much like an auction. The more you pay the higher in the rankings you are.

[Christian_SEO]

Sorry I coun't respond sooner, but I lost my job a couple of weeks ago and have been spending my time on other things...

But here's what everyone should do if they do nothing else:

Optimize your site and get it submitted.

You can do this yourself of pay someone to do it, but it is the most cost-effective method of Internet marketing out there.

Also, there is an incredible amount of hype out there about link popularity, and here is what my take is on that... If you are going to get links, spend the time getting links from sites that are going to bring you traffic and don't worry about linkpop just for itself.

Linkpop IS a factor in ranking, but for most sites it is such a small factor that it's not worth spending the time on.

I have a client that sells aftermarket auto parts. I was able to get them a free link on www.airconditioning.com and that link brings them as much or more traffic than Google!

And they SELL air conditioning equipment and parts, so it's perfect for them.

If anyone want's help with optimizing their site, start a thread here in the Marketing area and I'll help you to optimize your sites.

Now, why would I tell you that, when I have my own company that charges for doing that!!??

Because:

1) You may decide you have better ways to spend your time...

2) You may be so impressed that you tell all your friends and help me to promote my business...


So, it's free sample time if you're interested. I'll help as much as I can with what time I have, but you have to do most of the work...:-)

Thanks,
Christian

[eric1]

Regarding marketing my site - Links banner ads etc - I've heard it all. How can I give my site a kick without turning my wallet inside out

I did consider hiring this homeless guy to walk around town all day with a sign affix to his back - But he wanted 100.00 and could only promised a couple hundred hits.... So back to the lab again. (smile, I'm going crazy I tell ya)

Best regards,

Eric R. McNack
www.connectsmallbiz.com

[Christian_SEO]

Hi Eric,

Optimizing and submitting your site is going to get you the most return for your money or your time. And it really is something that you can do yourself. After that would be working on getting links on related sites that will bring you traffic.

Just a quick look at your site shows there is room for improvment. Change your page titles to be about 70 characters long and describe what is on the page and it will make a big difference in the traffic you get from search engines...

Placing ads in ezines or newsletters that are on a realate topic can also work very well and can be fairly inexpensive. And if you can wirte an article that is useful and informitive, you can get it published for free and that will bring people to your site.

And posting questions and answering questions in forums like this is how I got my own business off the ground, after trying unsolicited email and failing badly.... :-)

Thanks,
Christian

[seobook]

articles and directories are cheap advertising because their effect really adds up over time.

I am a big fan of getting lots of links though.

If you go for stuff that is not that competitive you can do really well with primarily on page stuff (especially in Yahoo!) but if you are doing competitive phrases on Google you want lots of links pointing at you with your keyword in the link text.

I usually recommend doing lots of directory registration and the like before ever spending money on a link broker.

The web is exceptionally fragmented. if you do a good job optimizing your copy and get a few dozen links from a few different spots you can usually do pretty well in a few months.