How do I 'optimize' my website?

freewheelinfranklin

Hoseman wrote: »

Thanks, its interesting to read your opinion on this.

You're welcome. I've been doing SEO for 20 years so have formed some solid opinions! Probably a bit biased though

Hoseman wrote: »

I know there have been some casualties from their updates but this is because of so many people trying to game the system. All the people rushing out to buy keyword related domain names for example and putting rubbish (or not so great) content so they can make money through affiliate links and advertising doesn't help.

This is very true and I have been guilty of this in the past. Thankfully I saw the error of my ways. You're fighting a losing battle trying to game Google. Incidentally, if you do it right, EMD's still work! (exact match domains). There will always be winners and losers when Google updates and of course Google doesn't owe anyone a living. I think the moral of the story is not to rely on Google organic for your business success.

Hoseman wrote: »

I agree about the quality of searches getting worse. It can't be easy to create an algorithm that consistently produces great results when there are people always to trying to work the system. I actually like Google and competition is always good but doesn't really exist here. I've never really liked Bing and while I've heard of other search engines being worth checking out, I've never got round to really using any of them. While on the subject FB could do with a proper search engine (not Graph Search) unlike the shambles they have right now.

Yeah ... the problem is Google have become so all enveloping that the kids and new users who're coming online now don't know anything else. When Google became a verb there was really no chance of anyone else competing with them; and still no-one does! There's Duck Duck Go but they have a way to go yet! Mind you, on some searches DDG is way more relevant than Google.

Duck Duck Going is a bit of a mouthful though

freewheelinfranklin

clippings wrote: »

I suspect another factor is the time visitors spend on your site, compared to the time they spend on sites found with the same keywords.

So the old "content is king" rule may well hold true. If your site is so alluring that visitors linger and wander round it, my guess is you will move up the rankings.

Yep ... the 'bounce rate' is a ranking factor in Google. The thinking is that if someone 'bounces' back to the Google SERP very quickly after visiting a particular site then that site can't have been all that relevant for the user. Makes sense.

You need to ensure your site loads quickly and you need to engage your visitor the moment they land on your page. You need to become an expert copywriter and focus on headlines. Videos can help with engagement too.

sillyphil140

Alot of good tips,, but it all depends on what type of business you are and what you are looking to target, the content advice from gustav is spot on