SEO the amatuer way.

[Adventurelife]

Just a story about a project I started this time last year that I hope will inspire those that find SEO a minefield.

First I have no training in SEO but I have a background in senior business management that got websites to drive serious revenue back in 2000-2003.

One of my current sites was ranking well always at positions 1-3 in google for most of my required search phrases. However, many sites were upping their game and many new ones we launching so I decided to run a project to consolidated the site position and protect it from the new competition.

The projects aims were simple and straight forward

Phase 1

Produce useful content for visitors to the site
Increase visitors to the site

So over the winter which is my slow period from an operations perspective I produced over 400 pages of content for the site. All was 100% relevant to what the site is about.

It took a lot of time in research to ensure the content was accurate. Daily pages were added.

Many mistakes were made and a lot of the on page optimization for each of the pages is wrong and a lot can be done to them to improve them, which is part of this winters project.

The results were we have consolidated our position but also enhanced it dramatically in the long tail field. Visitor numbers to the site have doubled and revenue is tracking at a serious % up.

Other things that have happened but were not really intended.

More links to the site from various locations. New revenue channels have opened up all around the world to us. We have not explored all yet but again it represents serious new revenue streams that we had not considered.

We now get approached by other people in our industry on a weekly basis exploring ways they can work with us.

Hopefully the above will inspire all those that find SEO a minefield to just focus on the core subject that you know about and produce content that your visitors like, do not worry about making mistakes just get and and do it.

The rewards can be great.

Peter

PS Just noticed I did not mention what the project was It was to list all the rivers in the world that are rafted on a commercial basis and publish the information on our core white water rafting website.

[Kevin]

This is good to see we are always telling our clients to add unique engaging content to their websites on a regular basis. Unfortunately not all take our advice.

[Adventurelife]

Originally Posted by Kevin

This is good to see we are always telling our clients to add unique engaging content to their websites on a regular basis. Unfortunately not all take our advice.

Hi Kevin

This winter I am also exploring how we can put some off our off line processes online.

For example our guides and instructors have to produce reports on every trip. This numbers thousands and they are all filled hard copy. I am looking at getting these reports done on our blog and then email the clients after they have left to encourage them to comment on the trip reports.

This would result in a serious amount of content that is relevant to those taking part on each trip and keeps the google monster fed on a daily basis

[Kevin]

This is all good but beware don't ad too many pages too soon as Google won't like this as it may be seen as unaturally adding content.

[Brian McIntosh]

And that's what p****s me off with all this SEO malarky. Peter has came up with an idea to add relevant content to his website but shouldn't put too much on 'cos Google won't like it. F***K Sake Google, get with the times. Relevant content is relevent content. Small business owners don't always have the time to post regular content to website, blogs etc. Why should they be punished because of this?

[Kevin]

When I say too many I'm talking about thousands of pages however if you content as you say is relevent then you should be fine.You cant really blame Google if you want to blame anyone blame the spammers their tactics over the years has forced search engines to adapt take the keyphrase meta tag for example. Totally ignored by search engines mostly these days due to spammers. Google and co. only want to supply the best results possible and don't forget the services Google are providing are FREE.

[Kasumi]

Originally Posted by Kevin

This is good to see we are always telling our clients to add unique engaging content to their websites on a regular basis. Unfortunately not all take our advice.

DITTO I do too

Peter it is inspiring to hear that you took time out over the winter on your project and I wish you ever success with the new one you are undertaking, I really enjoy completing SEO consultancy work with individuals like yourself.