My brother Patrick owns a web design firm Modern Blue Web Design and I have always been impressed with not only his design but also his ability to create sites that are 100% valid in whatever the code he is using. He can even validate flash inside of a site, which not too many designers can do.

Here is some seo proof that validation and good overall site structure can help a site be indexed with ease. One of his latest projects is DoGreat.com(awesome domain name). When the site was done he was lookng at some things and found that it had been indexed in Google, but he nor I, nor anyone else had linked to it, which is the best way to get a new site indexed right away. Well anyways now he has over 60 pages indexed in Google and at the time there were no links to the site now there are a few. But it goes to show that if a site is created very well, smooth code, transitional info and with a good structure you can get most of its pages indexed without a sitemap or links.

Also here is a cool site http://www.w3csites.com/ that lists validated sites, there are some awesome designs on there. If you have a validated site get it on there, you will get traffic.

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Just an update, I had a comment left on my blog the other day about the Googlebombing “failure” and “miserable failure” post and wanted to make a quick comment about it:

And speaking of success and failure, this Utah SEO blog points out that when you type in “miserable failure” in Google, it shows the biography of George W. Bush. Now that’s getting personal.

This person probably had no idea it would make me think of this, but reverse search engine optimization can be used in this instance when things to get personal.  You can already see the republicans trying to do thier best in this case because you see Michael Moore as one of the top results for “miserable failure” now just a few spots behind Bush…..

So yes, Googlebombing is getting personal, sad but true…thats politics in this day and age I guess.

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No doubt there is great information on the post I am about to talk about, but some “things” bug me about it, and I’ll get into that in a few lines.  The article is done on Social Media Optimization being a new form of Search Engine Optimization and can be found here - 5 Rules of Social Media Optimization 

Here is the problem I have:  Social Networking, Communities, Bookmarking, Tagging … etc have all been around for years now and “true” Search Engine Optimizers have been taking advantage of these kind of sites for ages now (it seems) SO I ask;  Why the new terms (SMO)?  Is not getting traffic from these kind of sites just good ole’ fashion Search Engine Optimization.  Sure get an article on Del.icio.us and get a top 10 ranking on Google, but again….Search Engine Optimization …. right? 

Maybe what needs to happen is the name needs a modification from Social Media Optimization to … “Onsite Social Media Optimization” cause what they article is truly talking about is making it easier for those in the Web 2.0 community to find and share information with other memebers of thier communities.  How is that done the easiest?  ON THIER SITE. 

I know those in the SEO community will agree with me that this IS just another form of Search Engine Optimization and should be treated as such.

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Anyone doing as much business online as I am is always looking for a great (and secure) place to store files, but most free places don’t offer enough space to do anything serious with. Well that all changes with this site … I came across this place the other day and wanted to share with those that read this blog. Here is a site where you can get 25GB of FREE online storage.http://www.mediamax.com Enjoy.

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If you are looking for a great tool to remove watermarks, resize local or online images then this is a great source - http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=9496&st=0 

Just wanted to share this with everyone (webmasters mostly) who could benefit from this.  Enjoy.

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Just wanted to share with everyone a blog I have been checking out lately that is taking advantage of almost every social/tagging site (worth taking advantage of) out there.

If you are wondering a way to take (or how to take) advantage of social networks then check out this blog and see what they are doing.  Its got some pretty interesting stuff on it as well, so its a good read as well (which is a bonus).

My hats off to Evil Backwards for taking advantage of social sites for marketing!  This is always a good practice no matter what kind of a site you have (and any SEO should be taking advantage of it)!

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I read an interesting article yesterday talking about how keyword and key-word is read the same in the search engines, and although the article was nothing new to me, it did give me an idea to talk about picking the right domain name.

I always try to encourge my clients (if registering a new domain name) to find one that uses one of thier main keywords or phrases in it.  Its better if they find an expiring domain name that has some time, PR and back-links in its corner already.  It will be much easier to market a site with an older domain name then a brand new one.  You will already have instant credibilty on the search engines.  Granted it will be more expensive to purchase a domain name that is currently owned in most cases but will be worth the investment.

So, it really does help that the search engines read the domain names, and keywords as “keyword” and “key-word”. The dash can help those wanting to be found for the domain authority (just by having the keyword in the domain) for example www.utahsearchengineoptimization.com and www.utah-search-engine-optimization.com would be considered the same, its just easier for people to type without the dashes.  So remember that when talking to potential clients and having to explain to them where to put the dash marks!  It could get annoying, and you could lose some clients that forget to include dash marks…

In any case, if you can find a way to purchase a domain name with a keyword or phrase in it (old or brand new), it will help you with rankings for that phrase, and could make things easier when marketing a brand new site.  You will obviously still have all of the other elements to compete against such as age of domain, number of back links, ILQ (Inbound Link Quality) number, and what kind of exposure the other site already has, but following this advice will help a ton at the very least when getting started!

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I have done a post in the past about Google-bombing and what happens when you type in the word “miserable failure” or “failure” in the Google Search and how it leads you directly to the George W. Bush bio page, well here is an update to that story I think you will all find interesting.  Atleast I have! 

As I often do use the example of miserable failure when talking about “Google-bombing” techniques used my many black hat (and yes, white hat) SEO’s I go and actually do the search when walking people through these examples.  I found something lately as I have been explaining this strategy that I think is wierd.

Google has a sponsored results now explaining how Google-bombing happens.  Are they doing this to cover thier ass?  I am not sure, but it explains how they do not agree with the Google-bombing technique but they don’t want to tamper with the “natural search results”  (Well don’t they do that all the time when they find spammers and removing websites from thier index) don’t they? 

I mean, I am not really confused about this (I know how this is accomplished), its just interesting that they have to explain themselves in this paticular case with a sponsored link.  Is someone pushing weight?  Now, granted I would not want to be found for the number #1 result for the term “failure” or “miserable failure” as the Prez is, but somethings going on here.  It’s intersting to say the least!

I wanna know what everyone thinks about this.  Isn’t this a form of spam?  If so why is Google not fighting it?  I would love to hear any comments about this!

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If you have not heard about or found one of the coolest keyword tools out there (although I am a little biased) http://www.97thfloor.com/keyword/ is where you can find the keyword tool.

You will need a Google API, so remember this is for serious marketers because you will get serious results from this keyword tool. Any internet marketer needs to be using this tool before starting thier search engine optimization.

I want to keep making this keyword tool better so if you have any ideas or suggestions please feel free to drop me an email.

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http://www.searchking.com/ - Building Internet Communities 

I was recently reading an interview done by Aaron Wall from SEOBook with Bob Massa (an internet search pioneer) and although the interview was more entertaining then informative (other then learning that there is no such thing as spam - just marketing - whatever) it did help me find a great new niche directory that at this point is still free to submit to.   It does not carry any page rank right now, but I have a feeling soon will be a top directory.  I am coming to this conclusion based on the fact that the directory is focused on communities and “building internet communities” - a Web 2.0 site.

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