Internet Marketing - Getting an Education

Since I started my new endeavor into running an article directory site, I have read dozens of articles submitted about Internet Marketing. Even though I've been doing web design and marketing for 7 years, I've still got a thing or two to learn.

While many articles rehash the same old information, there are a few gems to be mined from others written by folks who have been focusing on the marketing aspect of an Internet business.

And not only are there things I didn't know, there are things I did know that are changing. The point here is that even with 7 years in this business, there is always more to learn. I suspect there always will be.

Not everyone will be pleased to read about the effort they MUST put into their website to make it successful. It is NOT magic! It takes time and effort, and maybe a little cash to promote and market a web site. You CAN NOT just find a great web site designer, shell out some cash, and sit back while the money rolls in. Really, what kind of endeavor does work that way? Why would anyone think a web business would be any different?

If you have a web site, or are thinking of using one to market your goods or services, articles on Internet Marketing are a must!

Google's Link Snitch Program IS Evil

I'm a Google fan, I admit it. Not just because they're the biggest kid in the sandbox, in fact that's a valid reason NOT to like them. I like Google because I get the most relevant search results when I use it.

The Google motto has always been "Do No Evil". That's cool. But I guess "evil" is a relative term.

If you are at all concerned with doing business with Google, be it organic listings, analytics accounts or AdWords, you've got to read this article: 7 Reasons Google's Paid Link Snitch Plan Sucks.

I agreed wholeheartedly with the rants of Rich Ord on this one, especially #3 and #6. I mean, c'mon, Google sells AdWord ads (paid links, in case you're living under a rock-hey is there room in there for me?) all day long, yet wants to devalue all other "paid" links. Huh. Sounds kinda evil to me...

What do you make of this?

Better Paid Advertising

I don't use AdWords (the click fraud rate scares the heck out of me), but I've been using a paid advertising for the last 9 months that is certainly affordable, and seems to be sending some traffice my way.

I pay $12 for three months of featured listings for my chosen keyphrase. These ads run in a Google-like format on the lesser known search engines. Keyphrases are limited too, to 30 paid adverts each.

Since 27% of the total searches done are conducted on anything but the Big 3, it certainly seems worth my money to run these ads and further my brand if nothing else. Since it has worked for me, I'm starting to refer my clients to the service.

You can find out more at: www.exactseek.com/featured_listings.html

Article Marketing Works

Here's how:

I wrote a series of three articles on Search Engine Optimization for web site owners, sent them out to my opt-in list and submitted them to article directories like Article-DirectorySite.com.

A lady from Florida called me because she is concerned with the SEO 'expert' she's paying for. She read one of my articles, followed the link to my web site, found my toll-free phone number and called me up.

After a brief discussion, she asked me to submit a proposal to her.

Article martketing works..and there's the proof!

Joely Maxwell Can KMCA

If anyone receives emails from a Joely Maxwell asking to put a link on your site, and saying she'll pay you for it is in for a wasted bit of time.

This dog contacted me about putting advertising links on my site and blog, and while there was no way I was going to give her links on my site, I did agree to put two text links in two different posts. After I had done that, she then emailed asking for more links on more posts (she really had a sucker on the line).

My reply at this point was that I would be happy to agree if I received payment within the hour for the first two links.

Would you guess I never heard back? Good thing for that dog I have a sense of humor. Just want to be sure everyone out there reading this gets a heads-up - JOELY MAXWELL IS A SCAMMER!

Keyword Stuffing

A local whitewater rafting company came to me for some SEO advice on their self-made web site. What I found really surprised me. They were using keywrod stuffing to try and optimize their site.

Since I realize they didn't come up with that by themselves, there must still be a lot of misinformation out there about search engine optimization. So a word of warning to those who want to "go it alone": don't take the easy way out, don't assume the search engines haven't discovered every "black hat" technique written up.

For researching optimization techniques, be sure to get your info from reputable sources. Here's a couple good ones:

• CD WebMaker's Web Marketing Page (LOL, you saw that coming, didn't you?)
• Search Engine Watch
• Search Engine Guide

There are many sources of good info out there. When you find a technique you might want to try, do a search on that and see if it's black hat. Avoid those techniques at all costs!

Article Directory Site

Since I'm such a proponent of writing and submitting articles to directories to gain incoming links and targeted traffic, I've gone and launched Article-DirectorySite.com.

I know there are lots of great article directories out there, but, ya know, I can do it better! Being a web designer and developer gives me a leg up in getting my article directory to rank well in the search engines, IMHO. I'm optimizing the crap out of this site and know how to pursue other methods of promotion so that my clients' writing can get them good traffic, links and search engine rankings in turn.

I'm really excited about this new venture, although it does add to my workload, I think it's a real value-added service for my customers.

If you've got articles you'd like to submit to the article directory for FREE or if you're looking for FREE, quality content for your web site, newsletter, blog or ezine, Article-DirectorySite.com is the place.

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