Articles by Mat

If you’re a blogger, one important thing to consider before you set out to use search engine optimization, simply known as SEO, is whether or not you want your blog to earn money or just friendly traffic. If it’s money you want, then you’d better start reading up on advanced SEO and what it can do to boost profit.
The first thing you have to do is to choose a keyword or keyword phrase that is specific, not broad. This way, you can have a bigger chance of generating a heavier traffic. Broad or general keywords or keyword phrases are often used by most other bloggers, so you’re sure to face tough competition if you use them. One-word keywords are considered broad or general, whereas as three to four-word keyword phrases, particularly in the form of queries, have been reported to bring in positive, profit-oriented results. If you want to take it one level higher, aim to be an authority in your niche topic or industry by researching about new ideas and writing articles about them. Also, you’ll do much better if you target product names and brands.
As far as strategic keyword placement is considered, you should put your keyword or keyword phrase in the title, subtitle, all throughout the body of your article, and around links. Of course, in order to invite search engines, your keyword or keyword phrase should be relevant to your blog; otherwise, you’d be considered a spammer and a nuisance. Putting pictures that are relevant can help too, especially if you describe them using your keyword or keyword phrase.

… I’d set up a store that sells ALL things CHOCOLATE! Chocolate bars, chocolate candies, chocolate ice cream, chocolate flavored chewing gum, anything cocoa-based! Of course this is due to my fetish with chocolate, and I’d make sure that I’ll set it up so that I’ll make use of merchant services to give me a free credit card machine that will allow me to accept credit cards from consumers. One such company that will make my dream come true is OnlineCheck.com. The reason is simple: they give out funding options without hassles and all you need is to apply for it online. Their credit card processing rates are the most competitive so that you’ll be assured of the most affordable merchant services around.

The most common way to make your blog popular is using search engine optimization, simply called SEO. SEO is basically about placing keywords in strategic positions that will make your blog popular with search engines, allowing it to be placed on top ranks in search engine listings. However, the right keywords must be employed in order to use SEO effectively.
The first thing you have to do is to choose a specific keyword or keyword phrase. If you use broad or general keywords, you’d be facing a lot of competition. But if you specify the terms, you’d be accommodating user searches that are more serious. Moderately searched keywords have been reported to bring about more profit than highly searched keywords, allowing you to compete fairly. For example, instead of going for “visa,” try using “US student visa.”
Once you have chosen a keyword or keyword phrase, employ a rank checking service to see if they are included in the top 100. This will help you decide whether or not to submit your blog to any of the myriad of blog directories available. You don’t need to have a bigger number of directory links; the first few are enough. What you can do to get you more links is to build friendly relationships with other bloggers in your niche topic or industry. You can do this by posting comments, links, and backtracks. In turn, they’ll link your blog.