PageRank and the Google Toolbar

One of the measurements commonly used to gauge the importance of a page in the eyes of Google is known as PageRank. This measurement is displayed within the Google Toolbar once it‘s installed in your browser. To download it, go to: http://www.google.com/toolbar

Although toolbar PageRank can be a useful measurement tool when gauging the importance of a site, it is often criticized for not being updated as frequently as some SEOs would like. The gap between what Google really thinks of a site, and the score being reported by toolbar PageRank, is a source of irritation for many SEOs.

Suffice it to say that, regardless of the spirited discussion that revolves around Google's toolbar  PageRank, the following facts prevail.

1. Once installed, the Google toolbar will produce a PageRank (aka, an importance) score for every page you visit. For instance, Yahoo scores a very high PR=9, while WebMD scores an also high PR=8. This means that Google sees Yahoo as a little bit more "important" page than WebMD. Therefore, an incoming link from Yahoo would carry a little more weight than an incoming link from WebMD.

2. Although PageRank is an importance score, it should not be confused with, or misconstrued as, a ranking score. It is entirely possible for a low PageRank page to score high on a specific keyword search if that search is more relevant to the page with the lower PageRank.

3. Remember, you want to be linked-to by important pages. That being the case, PageRank remains the best insight you have into 'who's who' from Google's point of view.

4. Here's a warning, though. If a page is showing a PageRank=0, or the PageRank bar is ghosted out, then you don't want a link from that site. It could mean that Google doesn't trust that site — perhaps they've been caught spamming Google's index. However, it's also possible that Google simply doesn't know about that Web page or Web site. Either way, having a link from them, or linking to them, will NOT help your ranking efforts and could possibly hurt them.

5. The graphic below shows what PageRank looks like on your browser interface.

6. As we alluded to earlier, Google isn't updating their toolbar PageRank scores as frequently as you (and others) might like them to. The result is occasionally inaccurate PageRank scores and long waits before you see your own toolbar PageRank score respond to your optimization efforts.

7. If you happen to notice your own toolbar PageRank score slipping, this can indicate that it's time to rethink your optimization efforts. There is a distinct possibility that you're doing something wrong, from Google's POV, and the ranking penalty they've assessed is being reflected in your PR score. If, on the other hand, you have a new Web page and its PageRank isn't going up as fast you'd expect, this could simply mean that Google hasn't updated their toolbar PR scores lately.

Some guaranteed benefits when you get to maximize the PPC strategy

There are some guaranteed benefits when you get to maximize the PPC strategy.

Ø  PPC lets you advertise to the whole of the online community. It is also relatively easy to set up.

Ø  At first glance, PPC advertising may seem very expensive. Could it possibly happen that someone out there will go on clicking on your ad? This will definitely give you a large bill without the expected profit on your part. If this provides a lot of worries, be rest assured that there is a protection for you. Networks are able to recognize fraudulent clicks.

Ø  You can also set a budget for a certain period. The moment your budget has been used up by the target number of clicks, your ads will no longer be displayed until the next period you want it again displayed.

Ø  You will also be able to adjust well to changes in market demands and trends.

In deciding which of the two strategies will work right for you, think of your goals and of your resources. They definitely offer benefits and advantages that will work for your good. The better way to approach this two is to evaluate according to your short term and long term plans. Take the PPC course for your short-term goals and choose SEO if you have long term ones.

There world is out there for you now. Just make sure you do what will work best for your entrepreneurial endeavors and visions. The secret to success lies in your hands. Just study your options well and you’ll get exactly what you want!

Some additional tips to help you design landing pages

Here are some additional tips to help you design landing pages that convert visitors who click through your PPC ads:

• Create specific landing pages for each PPC ad. Individual landing pages allow you to tailor the pages to specific audiences, which can increase your chance of conversion.

• Quickly orient the visitor with the purpose of the landing page by using direct and concise headlines. When users click through an ad to your landing page, they must immediately see that the page will help them reach whatever goal they have in mind. If they don’t see this, they’ll just click back to their search results.

• Don’t overcrowd your landing pages. Too much information, too many graphics, and too many multimedia elements can make it difficult for users to load your landing page. Even if they do load it, they’re likely to become sidetracked by over stimulation. Keep pages clean and include plenty of white space.

• Include everything that visitors need to complete a conversion. That means users should be able to sign up for your newsletter, make a purchase, or fill out a form, all on the landing page. If users have to click much deeper into your site, you may lose them.

• Test, test, test. You’ll hear that mantra over and over again associated with many different SEO strategies. For landing pages, you may have to test several versions before you find one that works for the ad you’re currently running. Then, when you change the ad, the landing page will need to change, too. It’s an ongoing process that’s never quite finished.

Keyword Competitive Research

Keyword research is the core of any SEO campaign and it is vitally important when developing PPC programs. You should choose carefully the keywords that are most effective, because the keywords selected during the research phase will be included in your web-site copy, as well as your PPC programs, and many other types of campaigns.

To begin with, you should select valid keywords from a variety of sources, which include:

·  Your own knowledge of the product or service that you’re marketing. From your own knowledge you should be able choose at least one word that characterizes that product or service. If you’re unable to select that word, spend some time getting to know your products and services better.

·    Your customers. Your customers will be able to tell you what keywords they think of or use when searching for your product or service. Customers can be your best source for valid and relevant keywords, because you’re trying to reach people just like them.

·      Competitors’ web sites. Check your competitors’ web sites for additional keywords that you may not have considered during your initial brainstorming session. Obviously, if your competitors are using these keywords, there will be some competition for them, but better