Web Hosting Box

The obvious advantages of dedicated hosting are often cited by experienced webmasters when reverting to it as the ultimate hosting environment. A dedicated hosting plan lets you lease private web servers that are solely devoted to the tasks of your websites and online endeavors. Perhaps one of the most crucial aspects of building professional websites and a successful online business is SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Unfortunately, search engine optimization is an artform that can take months, if not years to perfect. Even experienced webmasters that have been optimizing their websites for search engines for years still have to remain vigilant and continuously monitor search engine trends and recently developed algorithms. If you are interested in the search engine optimization benefits of dedicated hosting, you may want to consider the following information.

Dedicated Automation Versus Human Outsourcing

The bulk of the work associated with search engine optimization involves performing simple yet repetitive tasks on a daily basis, in an effort to build a residual traffic flow and a portfolio of backlinks. Search engine optimization must be conducted gradually in order to appear natural, so link building automation must be performed on an ongoing basis in order to create a stable traffic flow. Unfortunately, webmasters that to try to manage multiple sites and perform these tasks continuously often find that the job is simply too time-consuming. Thus, there is a decision to make – use software to automate these processes, or pay human workers to complete them. Ultimately, when used properly, software is simply more effective and less expensive than outsourcing. In addition, the amount of tasks that can be performed by such software dwarf any human efforts that can occur within the same amount of time.

Dedicated Server Resources

Most search engine optimization automation software are capable of utilizing immense amount of server resources, depending on the amount of tasks that are being performed each day. For an online business owner and entrepreneur whose goal is to continually expand their network of websites and enhanced search engine optimization efforts, managing and maintaining multiple SEO campaigns simultaneously can be a difficult task. Fortunately,  many search engine optimization programs are capable of running hundreds of threads simultaneously (each thread performs a different task), gradually posting links on a scheduled basis via various methods. Unlike shared and VPS hosting plans, which utilize load-balancing technologies to evenly distribute server requests across a network of servers, dedicated hosting transmits and receives information directly, thereby expediting automated tasks performed by the server. A comprehensive dedicated hosting plan can also handle more tasks than any other type of web hosting, due to the extensive server resources provided.

Flexibility and Freedom of Dedicated Hosting

Within the shared hosting environment it is not possible to change the configuration of the server. Therefore, you cannot install certain software, or change the operating system. Many dedicated hosting plans give you complete access to the root of the web server, where you can install any type of software or operating system you would like. This also gives you the ability to install multiple operating systems, thereby providing complete compatibility with all forms of software. Thus, by utilizing the dedicated hosting plan you can create a custom hosting environment that is highly efficient and completely compatible with all search engine optimization software.

Most professionals think building an SEO plan before clicking the first button to create a website is reversed. In fact, many aspects of this idea are. However, by developing SEO methods before website creation, this eliminates the chance of this vital function being an afterthought. Unfortunately, most website owners only consider SEO long after the site has been running which could be weeks, months or even many years.

How to Maximize Profits

To maximize traffic, conversions and thus profits, this mindset needs to head in another direction. The success of internet marketing can literally make or break the business. Therefore, it is not logical to hire an SEO professional after the website has been created. This is similar to conducting demographic research after choosing the location for a store and investing thousands for startup. That just doesn’t make sense.

Collaboration between Development and SEO

Development and SEO are interwoven in that both functions must be considered together. Not following this technique can result in expensive redevelopment due to the constantly changing SEO requirements. On the other hand, these changes could be considered prior to creating the website and therefore a plan could be developed.

Never Rebuild a Foundation

The first point for creating an SEO plan prior to launching a website is you never want to rebuild a foundation. Most SEO experts receive inquiries from customers that are interesting in improving their site with SEO tactics but want to wait until the website is operational. Since SEO is just as large a part of any business plan as website development, this is a hindering viewpoint.

Start in the Pole Position

The second guideline is SEO prior to development begins you in the pole position. This means that you are taking the first position, ahead of the competition. Of course this is the best possible position to start from, thus giving you the greatest advantage. Developing good SEO practices throughout the development stage removes non-value added activities needed to implement the function later and immediately add value once the website goes live.

Search engine optimization is one of the most important aspects of a website. Despite its importance, it is unbelievable most web owners wait until after the website has been created to implement the practice. However, to immediately jump ahead of the competition it is vital to execute this technique which will result in higher profits as a result of maximum internet presence and visibility.

The newest trend among SEO professionals is optimizing websites for mobile searches. Since searching on mobile device browsers is continuing to grow as the technology improves, it is important for websites to continue to be on the first page of Google. Therefore, mobile web SEO experts are hired to optimize mobile web pages for searchability. The mobile market is lucrative so strategies and design must be adjusted accordingly.

Unfortunately, the mobile market has a completely different set of rules and requirements. Therefore, if you do not wish to miss out on mobile searchers, you must adapt to these rules and requirements. The following are some of the most important rules to consider when optimizing your website for a mobile search:

• Shorter keywords
• Local searches
• Data rules
• Top 10 equals top 3
• Promotional techniques
• Mobile standards

Since mobile devices are primarily used for being on-the-go, it is important utilize shorter keywords since users typically do not have time or the resources to type long phrases. Even mobile devices featuring QWERTY keyboards can be difficult to type long phrases and sentences which are the reason mobile searchers use short queries.

Also, mobile users are typically searching for local products or services. Therefore, local keyphrases must be targeted. This makes sense because a mobile searcher is more likely to be standing on a street corner looking for a place to dine than searching for products to purchase.

The most popular mobile search categories include, news, weather, sports, restaurants and financial information. Although the main topics in each niche are limited, they continue to revolve around timing and location. Therefore if your site is within one of these categories and not optimized for mobile searches, it is likely you are losing visitors.

Pages with top 10 search results fit on a desktop screen. However, on a mobile device, the top 10 results are unlikely to appear on the screen at once, therefore it is more like a top 4 or 5 search than 10. Therefore, the top 5 positions are the most critical during a mobile web search and have the greatest chance of attracting the user’s attention.

Optimizing for mobile devices is becoming increasingly important as technology improves. Users on the go do not have time to search long keywords, are usually only searching locally and within a specific category and will select the best of three to five options that appear on their screen.

Enticing visitors to your online business website is not as easy as the seasoned gurus make it appear.  Even novice entrepreneurs know in order to derive potential sales, it’s essential to attract and hold visitors’ attention on your site’s landing page for at least five seconds to be considered successful.  Often it’s impossible to get visitors to take your website seriously because of the glaring points of friction.  Friction points are features, applications or just plain annoying aspects found on a website.  So, what’s the secret to eliminating friction on your landing page and maintaining an engaging site?

Interrogating Online Forms

Online fill-in forms are an increasingly popular friction faux pas that many visitors encounter.  Often, in order to be eligible to sign-up even for a free routine newsletter or trial offer, visitors are greeted with a pop-up online form that must be complete before a visitor many continue viewing the website’s content.  These forms generally require visitors to thoroughly complete an online form with personal contact information, and oftentimes, credit card information is solicited.  Needless to say such information is not easily garnered.   Instead of causing unnecessary friction to obtain sale lead information for mailing list, consider placing opt-in links to subscribe to newsletters and free trial offers.

Instructions:  Clear as Mud

If you provide confusing and misguided instructions to users in regards of downloading, accessing, or purchasing a product or service from your website, then chances are you won’t close the deal.  Unless instructions are clearly presented in simple-to-follow steps, many visitors will become frustrated and navigate to the nearest competitor with a few clicks of their mouse.  Try to list instructions as clearly as possible without going overboard on the technicalities.  Utilize your web host server’s features to offer support to customers in a timely and efficient manner to answer questions and address concerns.  While e-mail addresses and telephone numbers are helpful, many customers prefer troubleshooting via online discussion threads and live chat support features.  Check with your web host service to inquire about support options.

Pop-ups are Turn-offs

For entrepreneurs wanting to test the market for a new product or service, free web hosting is often the most logical choice; however, if you opt to use a free web hosting service, beware of the consequences. Your website visitors will soon discover sponsors exchange their support in the form of pop-up advertisements promoting selected products and services while viewing free web-hosted websites.  While on the surface, the perks of free web hosting sounds too good to be true; the trade off is that your website visitors are bombarded with annoying pop-up advertisements; thus turning off potential sale leads.  Keep in mind that many visitors will navigate away from the website at the first signs of pop-ups.

Alleviating Friction Points

If you notice a decline in your conversion rates, then there are several proactive steps to take in order to boost sales:

• Provide potential customers with a large scale image of individual products and packaging.
• Offer a pull-down menu with the popular versions already pre-loaded.
• Insert a field in online forms with an optional request for e-mail addresses.
• Display a conspicuous “Download Here” button.
• Offer a link to a free pop-up blocker.

A main topic in web communities is should SEO’s be focusing on where Google is heading in the future? The answer is yes. Wasting time on ascertaining short-term holes in Google’s search engine algorithm is not smart. Just as soon as you figure it out, the algorithm will change again. Therefore, most publishers focus on the direction Google I heading. One idea publishers should be aware of is the transition of Google into an answer engine.

The Answer Engine

For web publishers this can be a major issue. An answer engine is one that answers any questions or inquiries directly from Google properties. For instance, if you are looking for a definition and input “definition baseball” into the search bar, an answer engine would have the definition immediately available from their database at the top of the page. This indicates all subsequent websites below the answer will have less traffic.

Unlimited Resources

Since Google is such a large corporation, it has resources everywhere. From searching for flights to finding dinner reservations, Google is connected to all of these databases; they are the internet. This technology advancement is fantastic for Google, excellent for the user and not good for web publishers and internet marketers. With Google providing the answers, there is no need for the visitor to click on any other website.

Review Sites

Google has slowly been headed in this direction for many years. In 2010, Google furthered this process by making inroads for commercial searches like mortgage rates. Their most recent advancement is the aggregation of reviews on various topics from review sites.

The Savior: Brand Loyalty

Unfortunately the days of being an affiliate with no branding strategy is coming to an end. Affiliates will never disappear completely but there will be less of them because of the extra competition with Google itself. A final word to the wise, create or build a branding strategy now to prepare for the Google takeover.