How to Avoid the Biggest Scam in the World
Welcome. I write for church leaders on topics like strategy and communication. Since this is your first visit, don't forget to subscribe to my RSS feed.
Endure this short rant and I’ll publish something awesome tomorrow. I promise. In fact, I’ll be giving something away for free!
=====
I feel like I’ve had SEO (Search Engine Optimization) crammed down my throat for several months now. It may have been around before then, but SEO seems to be gaining traction as the current mystical path to success on the web. I can’t escape the onslaught of tips, tricks, and how-to’s to help me increase search engine traffic.
Here’s my opinion on search engine traffic.
It’s not worth the time you put into working on it, at least not for a blog. You might want to put more thought into it for your church’s (or your business’) website, but even then, there’s only so much you can do with it and only so much help it can offer.
Why search engine traffic sucks.
They don’t stay. Visitors that come from search engines are looking for something specific (that’s why they went through Google.) and when they find it, they’re going to leave. If they don’t find it, they’re going to leave. Search engine traffic isn’t sticky. On the other hand, niche traffic from visitors who are in “peruse” mode when they hit your blog/site will be much more likely to stick around, learn a little about you, and maybe even comment or subscribe.
Here are my suggestions.
For your blog, keep great content flowing, comment on random stranger’s blogs that are also within your niche (this is a big one), and participate in social sites like Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Stumble Upon, etc.
For your church/business website, buy PPC (pay-per-click) ads through Google or Yahoo or MSN. This will drive only the kind of traffic you want (a.k.a. targeted traffic) and you wont waste countless hours on stupid SEO “tricks.”
Here’s The SEO Rapper layin’ it down for you with some guidelines for PPC marketing. (Video embedded.)
6 Comments
Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI
Leave a comment
SEO is useful. I do not believe in spending $250 an hour to get your website found but search engines are hear to stay and a vital part of being half successfully in the web world. BUT like you say, its just part of the solution and not the whole….
Hallelujah! The voice of liberating reason! Great article for setting us free from the never-ending cycle of SEO. Content is king!
Plus, this article gave me permission to comment on a random stranger’s blog within my niche.
Love your posts. Keep it up.
Kip Keiths last blog post..Shout to the Lord: American Idol 10 April 2008 [HD]
Yes, Kip. Liberation is exactly what it is. Check out this post by Seth Godin just two days ago about the same topic. He must read my blog.
[...] just like my boy Scott says: If you think you’ve got internet search figured, you’re pretty [...]
I totally agree with you Scott. My feeling is that blog traffic growth is a slow thing. if you keep good content coming then slowly the word will get out.
That video is freaking HILARIOUS! down with SEO
alex mcleans last blog post..Webby Anyone?