Web links lead to traffic for your website; it’s as simple as that. Many new online content professionals fail to understand the importance of creating internet links to your website. Don’t be one of them. A link is simply a URL on someone else’s web site that connects back to your website or blog. Google’s spiders reward sites with strong backlinks. These heighten your page’s visibility and brings new readers to your site.

SEO link building may seem mysterious at first, but it’s one of the most important ways to promote your site. Here are five tactics that will help you cut through the fog and begin generating high-quality links today:

Submit to article directories. By writing and submitting to Ezine, Technorati, or Ehow, not only do you improve your writing skills, but you have the opportunity to endorse your website. When you create a piece for these sites you’re allowed to provide information about yourself in the resource box. This is where you can include a link to your website and a brief bit about your area of expertise. Not only does this give you a great backlink, but it lets potential visitors to your site know what you’re about.

Blog, blog, and blog some more. First, link to your blog on your home page and be sure to link to your home page on your blog. Then get busy writing. Every blog entry is a unique web page and a fresh chance for your site to be indexed by the spiders. By updating with dynamic, fresh content on a regular basis, you create a steady stream of links and boost your ranking on the results page.

Link to other pages within your website. This is a natural method for building links and is an excellent way to attract traffic to all of your web pages. Linking to other pages within your site appears organic to the search engines and increases the odds of your site being designated as legitimate content rather than spam.

Participate in discussion forums and comment on industry blogs. When you comment on a forum remember to include a link to your website in your signature. Be sure that your comments are relevant, respectful, and insightful and you will drive traffic to you site and establish yourself as a valuable member of the community for your chosen industry.

Link to your site via Social Media. Use Twitter and Facebook as platforms for promoting your latest blog entry or article. These casual, user-friendly mediums make it easy for your link to be shared by your friends and their friends.

These five strategies will help you get on the path to better link building. Here at SEO Linking and Submissions we have a team of experience SEO professionals ready to help you form high-caliber links that attract strong traffic and get your site ranked at the top of the search results.

Sara Onderdonk is a member of the Content and Article Writers Network of Internet Writers and Bloggers. To learn more about the CAW Network go to http://www.ContentAndArticleWriters.com

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If you’re looking to promote your business online, it’s not enough to just have blog or a Google Adsense account. Savvy businesses must embrace multiple mediums to optimize their internet presence.

Here at CA Website Creation, we offer content-based website marketing, a proven effective combination of blog posting, press releases, article writing, social media marketing, social bookmarking, directory submissions, search engine submissions, and RSS distribution. Capitalizing on each medium is essential to succeed in today’s competitive market. Using them in tandem will increase web traffic and improve your page rank. Read on to find out more about how each of these vital channels can help you promote your product or service:

Blog Posting: Blog post writing is the workhorse of the online world. Your weblog, known as a “blog,” is an ongoing collection of short articles called “posts.” Through your blog, you can address a variety of topics relevant to your business or industry. Consistently publishing dynamic content builds a strong and loyal community of readers that return to your website again and again, resulting in high traffic. Each post creates a new web page for search engines to index and propels your page rank to the top.

Press Releases: A press release is a proven way to attract media coverage and generate new visits to your website. Typically used to announce an event, new product, or breakthrough, a well-worded press release can increase brand awareness at a fraction of the cost of traditional advertising. Press release writing exposes your company to hundreds of respected writers, editors, and media outlets, granting you access to their audience bases.

Article Writing: You’ve heard the expression that “content is king” and that goes double for the internet. Writing for sites like Ezine is a sure-fire way to get phenomenal content under your belt and encourage curious web surfers to check out your site. Each piece can utilize different keywords and target select potential clients. An easy way to promote your website for free, article writing also showcases your competency and establishes you as an expert. Published items often get picked up and featured by other sites looking for quality content. Every republished article boosts your ranking and ups traffic by linking to your website and expanding your reach.

Social Media Marketing: If you’ve ever used Twitter or Facebook, then you’ve been exposed to social media marketing. Short, informal, and entertaining, social media is the new darling of the marketing world and for good reason. Compact bursts of information make it easy for your followers to share your insights, promotions, and links with their friends and their friends’ friends.

Social Bookmarking: Sites like Digg and Delicious allow their users to easily manage their favorite bookmarks by saving them to a public website. Subscribers “tag” each bookmark with choice keywords and rank submissions. Because social bookmarking services broadcast who created each bookmark and provide access to that person’s other bookmarked resources, consumers can easily connect with other individuals interested in just about any topic. Users can quickly find, rank, and share links marked with the tags you select, allowing you to reach a broad audience for little cost.

Search Engine Submissions: Submitting your website directly to Google, Yahoo!, or Bing is an essential tactic for supporting your web site. Although major search engines use crawlers, bots, and spiders that eventually find most web sites, directly submitting your web page or web site on a regular basis ensures that it is updated in the target search engine and found on the results page.

RSS distribution: RSS (Really Simple Syndication) can lead to quick indexation by the search engines and get your content noticed. RSS distribution serves more as a temporary source of generating income links, rather than a long-term strategy for booting your page rank. The beauty of RSS feeds is that many aggregate news sites pull from different feeds; giving you wide exposure to a devoted audience you may not normally have access to. It is also a great way of getting Google to notice your website and content, since Google rewards frequently updated sites with better rankings and indexing.

To take full advantage of the many ways to promote your company on the internet you need the assistance of web content professionals. Here at CA Website Creation, we have over 5 years of experience helping companies just like yours boost their web presence.

Sara Onderdonk is a member of the Content and Article Writers Network of Internet Writers and Bloggers. To learn more about the CAW Network go to http://www.ContentAndArticleWriters.com

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As writers, we all know that delivering great content for paying clients is what puts food on the table and keeps us in the style to which we’ve become accustomed to (ie. the happy beneficiary of a basic cable subscription). This restricts you to satisfying your clients’ demands and covering topics and angles that serve your customers, rather than your creative spirit. By maintaining a personal writing blog, content writers and article writers can give inspiration free rein and offer prospects the chance to discover the “real” writer behind the professional content.

Your personal writing blog is just that, personal. A successful blog writer uses his or her blog as a platform to showcase what sets his or her writing apart and so should you. Your blog should have “you” stamped all over it. Cover topics that interest you and take the opportunity to tap into communities of like-minded individuals. If you love skiing, stamp collecting, or sky-diving then share your passion with your readers. Just because you specialize in generating content for the healthcare industry doesn’t mean you can write about your interest in running marathons.

In addition to blogging about what moves you, design your blog to reflect your personality. If you love color, then your blog should be bold and bright. Are you more refined? Reflect that by choosing an elegant layout with a classic color scheme. Easily recognized websites convey personal choice and choice. Just because a three-column layout is standard doesn’t mean you have to use it if you’re a minimalist. Your site should be instantly identifiable as 100 percent authentic you, from the masthead down to the fonts.

The key advantage of a blog is that it gives you the chance to do what you love: write. The more you update your site, the more clearly your voice and style as a writer will emerge. Every entry will be a chance to challenge you as an artist. You can try new techniques, explore different media, and learn what works for you and what doesn’t. The more you contribute to your blog, the more you’ll want to contribute and soon you’ll have a dedicated following eagerly awaiting your next anecdote.

Your blog may be about you but remember to plan and edit your posts with care. You want to highlight your best self as a writer. By putting thought into what you publish, you speak volumes about the quality of writing you can provide to future customers. Readers appreciate thoughtful writing and will be more likely to return to check out your latest update on your attempt at mastering the ancient art of floral arrangement if you consistently offer entertaining new personal experiences and insights.

By keeping a thriving personal blog, you’ll satisfy your personal desire for self-expression. You’ll also give clients a glimpse of the person behind the words and display your range and capabilities as a writer. Your blog is an invaluable marketing tool and can be one of your greatest pleasures. Join the ranks of blog post writers around the world and let your true self shine.

Sara Onderdonk is a member of the Content and Article Writers Network of Internet Writers and Bloggers. To learn more about the CAW Network go to http://www.ContentAndArticleWriters.com

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Want to know the best way to capture a high search engine ranking and keep new visitors coming back for more? You don’t need the slickest-looking website or have to be a programming ace. The key to keeping your website at the top of search results is simple: a blog that is regularly updated with original copy. Great blog post writing will not only bring search engine spiders back for frequent indexing, but it will bring back human visitors as well.

Many companies with an online presence treat their blog as a necessary evil and only update it as an afterthought. Blogging is actually a powerful tool that helps organizations of all sizes develop loyal and lively communities centered on their brand, product, or service. By maintaining a steady flow, you start a conversation with your target audience. Provide information that is interesting and high-quality and readers will reward you with return trips to discover what your next insight will be. Ignore your blog and not only will customers return the favor, but they’ll turn to a competitor dedicated to keeping them engaged.

Every blog article creates a unique web page and another opportunity for your site to be indexed by search engines. New web pages get picked up by search engine spiders and will boost your ranking. Consistent new content on your site keeps your ranking high. Optimize your chances to entice new visitors by securing as high a standing as possible. Many people searching the web for a specific product, service, or industry rarely check out sites that fail to appear on the first page or two of results.

A blog entry is a wonderful way to showcase your business’s expertise and relevance. Use your posts to highlight success stories, discuss key industry trends, and educate your readers. Each new post is a reminder that you care about your clients and the issues that matter to them. Convince your audience to choose your business by repeatedly displaying your proficiency and passion for your service or product on your blog.

Avoid falling victim to low search rankings by using a professional experienced in custom blog creation. A dedicated blogger can update your page with fresh articles that enhance your customer relations and promote your company. Use an experienced online writer to effectively communicate your organization’s voice, values, and mission. Propel your site to the SEO success by offering dynamic content that encourages readers to return often.

Sara Onderdonk is a member of the Content and Article Writers Network of Internet Writers and Bloggers. To learn more about the CAW Network go to http://www.ContentAndArticleWriters.com

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Are you a professional content writer or interested in writing articles for websites? If you answered “yes,” then you need an editor. You may be an ace author—you know your grammar, love conjuring creative sentences, and can rattle off a dozen synonyms for even the trickiest words. Your prose still needs polishing after you’ve completed your final draft. Even experienced writers benefit from a having their writing reviewed by a second set of eyes. If you hope to write for a living, an editor can be one of your greatest resources:

• Two Pairs of Eyes are better than one. You may have reread your finished piece several times, but it’s possible that you missed a typo or grammatical error. An editor will spot any mistakes you may have overlooked when proofing your own work. Article writers can submit with confidence, knowing that they have a back-up to self-proofing.
• Feedback leads to a stronger finished product. Talented editors don’t just check for misspellings or rogue punctuation marks. Your editor can provide valuable suggestions for overall organization or an effective way to reword an awkward sentence. If your article needs focus or may benefit from exploring a different direction, an editor will bring these issues to your attention.  Content creators from all backgrounds –from press release writers to blog post writers—profit from a fresh take on their writing. Pay close attention and you’ll learn how to circumvent your common bad habits. You’ll also pick up new techniques and strategies to enliven your style.
• Editors have a wealth of information. Editors have their fingers on the pulse of their industry. They can provide you with topic ideas, leads, and discourage you from pursuing a lost cause. These professional readers can let writers know what subjects need more coverage and which ideas have been overexposed. They have a feel for which building trends can serve as inspiration for your next online editorial or blog series. By asking questions and listening to what your editor has to say, you will have a great sounding board to guide you towards exciting new areas of interest.

Behind every skilled article writer is an equally adept editor. Take full advantage of the many ways an editor refines your copy. Every revision provides an opportunity to hone your skills as a communicator. The thorough review an editor performs will clean up your work and teach you new ways to bring your craft to the next level.

Hiring an Editor to Work for You

The average article writer or content writer can’t afford to hire an editor. Quality editors charge at least $25 per hour, more than what an internet writer gets paid for a basic 500 word SEO article and almost as much as what we can get for a content page. It’s a shame, because the writers working in these markets are probably the ones who could most benefit from the services of a good editor. How else can they expect to move on to better paying work? Here at Content and Article Writers, we have come up with a solution. By subsidizing a small group of editors and providing them with steady work, we’re able to lower the price charged to the writer to just $95 per month. For that, you receive editing for up to 10,000 words (a $500 value). Contact us at contentandarticlewriters@gmail.com to learn more.

Sara Onderdonk is a member of the Content and Article Writers Network of Internet Writers and Bloggers. To learn more about the CAW Network go to http://www.ContentAndArticleWriters.com

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Many business owners assume that WordPress is only for bloggers. They couldn’t be more wrong! From celebrities to Fortune 500 companies, a multitude of websites are managed with the help of this innovative content management system. Not only is it free, but WordPress is powerful, simple to use, and can be customized for almost any type of website. If you’re a small business owner interested in WordPress website creation, WordPress offers a stunning number of SEO and internet marketing plug-ins to help you build your web presence and profitability.

The many WordPress bloggers on the internet can attest to how easy it is to get started using this content management system. Millions of individuals with little HTML experience have succeeded in creating professional looking websites by using WordPress. To get started just download and install a software script called WordPress onto your hosted website. As long as your web host meets the minimum requirements the script will install in no time. Once installed, simply create your account and you’re ready to get started managing your website.

Experienced WordPress designers, like those here at CA Website Design, also take advantage of the thousands of free plugins available. A plugin is a program, or a set of one or more functions, that adds a specific set of features or services to WordPress sites. WordPress has a searchable directory of the many plugins ready for download that can enhance your website. Hundreds of SEO and internet marketing plugins are available to choose from. From plugins that create XML site maps that help your site get indexed by search engines, to plugins that use SEO to integrate with e-commerce websites, you can find a plug-in to help you optimize all aspects of your website. After five years of working with WordPress, we’ve come up with a combination of plug-ins that will catapult your site to the top of Google search rankings in no time.

Another advantage of creating a website in WordPress is that it is highly customizable. Even with little programming experience, you can control the look and feel of all aspects of your website. There are thousands of free themes that allow you to upload your own logo, select fonts, and determine color schemes. Many themes allow these details to be changed without requiring you to alter any HTML or CSS code. Website owners who have some programming knowledge will find customizing their site by directly changing the code a snap. The best part is that before you publish any changes, WordPress makes it easy to preview any adjustments.

Easy to learn and even easier to use, WordPress have evolved from a basic blogging platform to an internet powerhouse. Small business owners everywhere are turning to WordPress rather than pay the expensive fees required by professional web designers. Here at CA Website Creation, we offer an alternative that falls between the two. We build the site for you and then turn it over so you can add content any time you like. We also offer website marketing packages to help you build your business. Contact us today to learn more.

Sara Onderdonk is a member of the Content and Article Writers Network of Internet Writers and Bloggers. To learn more about the CAW Network go to http://www.ContentAndArticleWriters.com

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Many blog post writers think the key to mastering SEO rests solely in selecting the right keywords. They couldn’t be more wrong. Using the right keywords is important, but the real path to SEO success relies on creating good content that provides value for your readers. Search engines have become better at separating junk content from actual content, so providing quality content is a must for your article to get ranked highly by search engines. Even more importantly, good content encourages readers to return to your website.

The first tip content writers should keep in mind is to write what you know. If you’re covering a subject you know little about it will show. Research your topic and write articles that feature topics you have a strong interest in. When you cover areas that interest you, your energy and passion will come through in your writing. In addition to writing about what you know, providing accurate information is essential to creating value for your readers. Visitors to your website will return often if you offer them quality information. Readers that find your content useful often will link back to your post resulting not only in more visitors, but better search result rankings.

When your goal is to write good content, it becomes easier to weave your keywords in naturally. In order to maintain the integrity on your content, avoid keyword stuffing. The best way to avoid this pitfall is to select 2-3 keywords and use each keyword once in your piece, one keyword per paragraph in the top portion of your piece. Focus on writing great articles and integrating keywords that fit the topic you’re writing about. Keep in mind that blog post tags and categories are a great opportunity to use important keywords without seeming awkward. By choosing keywords with care, internet article writers will be able to attract search engines and readers alike.

The last part of writing thoughtful, well-researched content is to publish frequently and to maintain a high standard of professionalism. Successful writers strive to bring exciting new insights to their readers regularly. The more pages of content your website has, the more likely it is that your site will show up in search results. By publishing new content on a consistent schedule, you give readers a reason to come back to your website and develop trust for your expertise. Updating regularly establishes that you take your writing seriously and encourages the reader to do the same. All your wonderful content can be undone by poor grammar and proofreading skills. Take the time to double-check your work or risk losing your readers’ respect with a careless typo that could have been avoided.

High-quality content is the best weapon you have in conducting a successful SEO campaign. Readers and search engines are savvy enough to separate spam from useful content and will avoid sites that don’t provide the latter. Good content attracts readers, builds a relationship with your target audience, and earns higher rankings in web searches.

Sara Onderdonk is a member of the Content and Article Writers Network of Internet Writers and Bloggers. To learn more about the CAW Network go to http://www.ContentAndArticleWriters.com

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Your prose is breathtaking, sentence structure is beyond reproach, metaphors are all used properly, and there’s an infusion of humor that lightens the mood appropriately. It’s all there, but no one is commenting or even reading your blog post. Why do you think that is? Words are a way to create an image in the mind, but pictures are what capture the eye, and the imagination, for most internet readers. If you don’t have pictures and images in your posts, you don’t have an audience. It’s sad, but it’s true.

We live in a world made up of video gamers, YouTubers, and graphic novel aficionados. To capture their attention, you don’t just need a stock pic or some old clip-art; you need images that reach out and grab, not vulgar or pornographic renditions, but unique and intriguing photos and cartoons that stimulate the imagination. The words will give them the image you’re trying to portray, but the initial glance needs to linger longer than just a few seconds if they’re going to actually get to the reading part.

Every writer knows this, yet there are still many who’ll post only words on their blog. Some may tamper with the theme, thinking it’s cool to have some dark colors or bright pink flowers around the edges, but what about syndication? The RSS feed or autoblog isn’t going to carry the theme to new readers. They will see only words, and they will pass you by. What if these ships in the night are potential clients? You’ll continue to share like Shakespeare for free; another writer will reap the paid rewards.

A picture truly does paint a thousand words, especially on the internet. Flash banners tend to be annoying, but a relevant photo will make folks stop and sit a spell. Couple it with quality writing and you’ll find your blog gets a lot more traffic. If you’re writing for profit, that’s the most important variable in the equation. If you’re writing for cause or effect, you’ll need readers to accomplish your goals. A picture can help you do that.

Do you need help posting a picture or image?

Are you having difficulty incorporating pictures into your blog? Many content writers are great with words and terrible with technology. Article writers tend to rely on the directories they submit to for their images. If you are having difficulty, look for a small box directly over the text area you’re pasting into. Hover your cursor over that box and you’ll see the words “insert image”. Click it, pick an image from your computer where you saved it, and then set the “align” feature to left. The picture will show in the top left of the article, with text wrapped around it, just like we did here.

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The Internet allows even the smallest company to market to customers all over the globe. However, that doesn’t mean that the same sales message will appeal to all cultures and all languages. Website localization–knowing how to structure and design your site to best market your product to buyers far away from your home base–takes a little finesse and time, but the rewards can be enormous. Below are a few tips:

1.  Expand beyond English.  According to Global Voices, if you are only marketing your product in English, you aren’t reaching 78 percent of Internet users–including the 444 million who use Chinese as a primary language. Even in the US, there are more than 16 million Internet users for whom English is not the first language.

2. Splurge on a translator. Don’t allow Google Translate to phrase your marketing message. We’ve all heard the horror stories about translations that not only miss the mark, but are actually offensive to readers. Even subtle differences in meaning can translate to missed sales. A word-for-word, literal translation is not enough. You need a professional translator.

The Global Voices post gives an example of how a literal translation can miss the mark. In French, both “assurances automobile” and “assurances voitures” mean auto insurance. Both are accurate and convey the desired meaning, but the later is most commonly used and therefore the term most French Internet users will type into search engines.
 
Web Behavior.com shares another example of translation confusion. When Chevrolet began marketing their Chevy Nova in South America, the company wondered why sales were sluggish until someone explained that “nova” mean “it won’t go” in Spanish.

3. Avoid slang. Just because residents of the United States, Canada, South Africa, England and Australia all speak English doesn’t mean that there aren’t vast regional language differences. Make sure that your message is understood by avoiding slang phrases that will confuse site visitors from other parts of the world.

4. Appeal to cultural pPreferences. We Americans tend to respond to more informal sales pitches, but that’s not necessarily the case all over the world. For example, many European cultures prefer a more formal, corporate approach. Colors and dates may also carry different meanings overseas. For instance, purple is the color of mourning in Latin America and white is associated with funerals in China.

5. Think about content from a worldwide perspective. Yes, you know where Macon is. It might be just down the road from your Atlanta headquarters, but will someone on the other side of the world know what you are talking when you just mention the city name? View all of your content with the notion that someone’s reading it in, say, Singapore. Will it still make sense? If not, it’s time to revise your message with a more world-wise point of view.

6. Address global shipping and currency questions. Just because you only sell your product inside the US doesn’t mean that visitors from other parts of the world can’t find it on the Web. Equally, if you sell to clients in other parts of the world, be sure to offer prices in local currencies. Website localization is about appealing to individual buyers where ever they may reside.

Website localization may seem like a lot of work, not to mention a little frightening and overwhelming. However, with a little effort, your Web site can tap into the global marketplace and reach potential buyers from Chicago to Shanghai, from Miami to Melbourne.

If, like most businesses, you find yourself venturing into the world of website content marketing you are probably asking yourself the same questions you do of all marketing strategies.  Does it really increase leads/sales?  Is it effective for both new and repeat buyers?  The short answer for both is yes, if you execute your content marketing strategy properly.

Here are a few examples of how:

Your potential customers out there in cyberspace aren’t necessarily looking for your website.  What they are looking for is information pertinent to their questions and that is one area targeted website content addresses.  These days simply adding key words to your product descriptions doesn’t differentiate your business.  Good, informative content marketing does.  It influences customers to your site and keeps them there long enough to convert them to buyers.

Brand recognition is an avenue you travel down in any marketing strategy, and your website content is no different.  By providing clear and concise content your prospects will identify better with your brand and they won’t hate you for wasting their time.  This will encourage them to provide that email address you so desperately seek.

Offering something of value to your potential customers develops interest and, more importantly, loyalty.  During my tenure as a Sales and Marketing Manager I always took time to ask my customers how I could provide added value to their business.  One simple and inexpensive way I found was to provide informative references about the industry I worked in as well as the products I sold.  In doing so I earned their repeat business.  Informative blogs and white papers are effective additions to your website that customers appreciate when they consider their next buying decisions. 

Consistency in delivering your targeted website content also influences repeat buyers effectively.  Keeping at the front of your customer’s mind is essential in any marketing venue.  By regularly updating your content (no, this does not mean changing the title on an old post) you develop habits in your customers as well as increasing search engine optimization. 

Targeted website content can and will increase your customer activity if you utilize it properly.  Tracking this activity by analyzing site traffic and talking to your customers will prove the effort is not wasted.