SEO 2009 Predictions – Content – Socialise – Media

So, what’s new in 09?

What’s going to the difference between ranking number 1 or number 100 in 2009?

I’ve put some thoughts together on this – let’s see if you agree…

1. Content
   Wow, big surprise there! Generate great content and you’ll get lot’s on traffic. It’s really not that hard in theory, but it’s a real bitch to put into practice in real life. Why is this consistently the hardest part of any new web project? I work with a lot of web designers and they all say that the hardest part of getting a new website live is getting the content from the client. Sometimes they resort to writing the content themselves and just getting something live.

   Well here’s a message to all business and website owners – put a plan together to get good relevat content for your website – and don’t stop there. The second biggest faupaux with content is putting a site live and leaving it rot. Again, a very difficult habit to perfect, but regular ramblings about your business/passion are going to do wonders for your traffic/rankings without you even realising what;s happening.

   The biggest obstacle to generating content, in my experience, are

   • people are afraid to write what they know about. This may sound stupid, but people, especially business people will make all kind of excuses when it comes to putting key to keyboard. Here’s the thing, there’s no such thing as the perfect copy! Everything is subjective and that’s the point – have your opinion – have your say – after all your’e the expert – right?
   • People are not given an easy ‘Writing on the web for Dummies’ editor. Ok, we all know it’s easy to use Wordpress, Typepad, Blogger and various blog software packages. but how many website owners are really setup and shown how to use these packages?

   So, Content is King will always be true, regardless of Universal Search, Personalisation, Semantic Analysis – search engines always have to find out what your’re writing about and then make decisions based on that info – lot’s of relevant content equals online success – nothing new there then!

2. Social Media

Not really for the beginners this one, but a great way to attract traffic to your website is to engage
with the world through the various social media websites. Let’s start with 5 of the top one’s (another
subjective call )

• LinkedIn – This is a great tool for getting connected with professional people, some you’re just met and some you’ve worked with for many years. I believe that both the guys behind linkedIn and the people who use LinkedIn are only beginning to see the possibilities with this tool. From promoting what you do, keeping past collegues in touch with what you are current up to , looking for new roles, headhunting, the possibilitiies are endless.
• Twitter – This social media website is either loved or hated (see misunderstood). People who use it get it – those who don’t don’t – simple. I have to say that I was until recently part of the latter group. I kinda knew it could be useful, but never really got going on it. Well, boy was I wrong. What a great way for people in the same industry to connect? If you want to get started here’s a Top 10 Twitter Tips
  
• StumbleUpon – Why would you want to use StumbleUpon, what the hell is it even? I guarantee you that most people in the online marketing world over 40 would struggle with answering this question. If you’re getting a new website put together soon, ask your Account manager – ‘Hey, what’s the deal with this StumbleUpon stuff? What’s it all about. Ask the question and listen to the answer… Suffice to say that what you use this tool correctly you can drive hundreths of users to your website in a matter of hours and all at no cost. I can hear the naysayers now and they have a point – lots of traffic but what for relevance.
• Flickr – A great way to promote your website and not much work involved. Simply upload your images/pictures, tag them with appropriate keywords and get the links and traffic.

3. Media – Podcasting and Videocasting/Vlogging

More and more people are changing how they communicate online. Although text is by far the most
powerful in terms of influence and credibility, video and audio are becoming more main stream. When
was the last time you put a video together showing off your wares? Have you ever complied a video and uploaded it to YouTude? This is not hard stuff, a little bit of software, I recommend the solutions over at Techsmith and Audacity for screen casting and audio recording. It’s doesn’t have to be complicated. Start small and work your way up.

And that’s it really – no great rocket science – write more, talk more and engage more.

Video and audio are going to make a much greater impact on how potential clients find you and your business through organic SEO in 2009

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