This list is a compilation of SEO tools that we like to use. You may find them helpful as well.

ViewState Decoder
http://www.pluralsight.com/tools.aspx

Page Rank Checker – useful for analyzing PR dispersion in canonical URL issues
www.thinkbling.com/prcheck/index.php

HTTP Header Check – one way to check redirects
www.webconfs.com/http-header-check.php

Google Data Centers Analysis Tool – check various data centers
www.webconfs.com/http-header-check.php

Hubfinder – analyze website link power
www.linkhounds.com/hub-finder/hubfinder.php

HTML Validator – ensure good markup
http://validator.w3.org/

Domain Age Tool – one way to get the age of a site
Domain Age Tool

Yahoo Site Explorer – great info from yahoo
http://siteexplorer.search.yahoo.com/

MSN IP Query – enter an IP address into the search box http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?q=ip%3A&FORM=MSNH

Batch Link Popularity Check – great for comparing link data for lots of sites at a time
http://www.rightscripts.com/linkpopularity/

Robots.txt Syntax Checker – test robots directives
http://www.sxw.org.uk/computing/robots/check.html

Industry Inbreeding Charts – very original and interesting tool
http://www.virante.com/seo-tools/industry-inbreeding.php

This tools from tidalinteractive

By David Salinas (c) 2007

Originally published in SiteProNews, August 22, 2007
 

What is Universal Search?

Universal Search is rapidly becoming the next big step in search engine evolution. Universal Search is the integration of multiple kinds of media into search results. Search engine monster Google was the first to release universal search. Google’s users recently may have noticed images, YouTube videos, and other forms of media showing up in the standard results page. The other major search engines have all either recently rolled out their own versions of Universal Search or have announced plans to do so. Such a significant change in the operation of every major search engine warrants close attention from SEO companies.

This is not the first time Google has introduced multiple kinds of results on the same search page. For instance, Google has long put pay-per-click advertisements, local results, and book search results at the top of the main search page. It is also not the first time the company has offered searches in multiple kinds of media- Google Image Search is an age-old feature of the search engine giant. However, it is the first time a search engine has been able to put multiple content types within the same ranking system. For instance, under the new universal search system the number one result for a query could be a web page, a news article, a video, or even an adobe PDF document.

What are the aims of Universal Search?

Universal Search is a step towards comprehensive search. Google and the other engines realize that there is information available in more than text on the web. Pictures, videos, and virtually any kind of media can be of use to a searcher. Google has had the tools to search many of these kinds of media, but these search tools have been separated into different tabs and sections of their website. Universal Search is an attempt to bring the most relevant information- from any source or medium- to the search engine user. While currently Google’s Universal Search has not added search capabilities for mediums that previously did not exist, it has started to expand its video search past its own properties (Metacafe and other video services are now being indexed in addition to Google Video and YouTube), and it does indicate the industry’s interest in fully comprehensive searches. Universal Search, along with Google’s new personalized search features, is the company’s newest way of bringing the most relevant and effective information to their users.

Drawbacks of Universal Search

There are a few legitimate concerns with Universal Search. For one, Google may be putting itself at legal risk. Google has faced numerous lawsuits from many content distributors- especially newspapers- due to the fact that Google often caches copyrighted material. However, one of the main arguments against Sam Zell (the owner of the Washington Post) and his case against Google was that Google News, the section of Google’s site that serves as a news feed, did not have advertising and therefore made no money. Because of this, the headlines and story excerpts used on the page constituted fair use. However, now that news articles are being introduced to the main search page, where Google makes the majority of its money, Google may be in danger of more lawsuits.

Additionally, some critics of Universal Search have voiced concerns that the new system may be unappealing to users. Some feel that the system makes it harder to sift through results. Universal Search breaks up the uniformity of the page and could conceivably make it more difficult to sift through the information. At this point there is no way to turn off Google’s Universal Search- a point bemoaned by many industry bloggers.Universal Search is still in its early stages, and Google, as well as the other search engines, may eventually decide to pull the system. However, at this point, it would be extremely unwise for SEO companies to bank on a reversion as the industry as a whole seems to be moving towards universal search.

How does this affect SEO?

Many in the SEO field are worried about Universal Search, and the changes it will bring. While it is still uncertain just how expansive Universal Search will be as Google continues to implement its multitude of features, it is certain that SEO companies will need to react to remain current with effective practices. Until now, on-site SEO has dealt almost entirely with text content. Keyword optimization, meta data, linking and page structure are all text. However, with the advent of Universal Search, new viable options are opening up for the acquisition of traffic. As search expands to cover more and more kinds of content, SEO will as a result expand to cover those same areas. Much the same as SEO has had the goal of making all of the textual content of a website easily accessible to a search engine, so will it become necessary to optimize images, videos, and documents associated with the website.

SEO for different industries may start to take different approaches and have different focuses of optimization. For instance, an SEO campaign for an artist’s website may want to focus on promoting images of the artist’s work, whereas an electronics provider could want to get a demonstration video of their product to the top of the results page. Search engine marketers that have been paying attention to vertical search (also known as “specialty” search) will benefit the most from the changes brought by Universal Search.

Vertical searches are specialized search features of broader engines or specialty search engines. These index specific kinds of sites and documents on the internet include books, blogs, and other informational documents. Universal Search incorporates results from Google’s vertical searches, and content optimized for these searches will be more likely to show up in Universal Search. This should also increase the average user’s awareness of other search options in the engines that adopt universal search. Universal Search allows search engine marketers to direct users to the most relevant and enticing information available on their product or service in whatever media it exists.

1. Add Frequently Asked Questions or FAQ page. FAQ is typically the most relevant content for your target audience, which is why search engines give a lot of weight to this page. Make sure that you are using the targeted keyword(s) in the FAQ page. Update the page as you get more questions from your target audience (customers). Write the FAQ page in question/answer mode; with all questions listed on the top of the page to help your website visitor quickly find what they are looking for.

1. Useful Tips and Guides. Whatever is your business, gather the most useful tips and guides and create a page for it. make sure that there is enough value for a visitor so that he/she can bookmark the page and also make it easy to send the page to friends of visitors. Keep the page keyword rich for appropriate indexing. Update the page whenever you come across a new tip. Write the page in problem/solution mode, with all problems listed on the top of the page, to helps a visitor quickly identify their issue(s).

1. Add pages that helps educate people about their hot button issues and helps them make decisions. that solves a problem. It could be related to your products or services, or simply information to help your prospects make decisions. For example, say you are a surgery center. Your website could include information about details of specific decease, how to prepare for a surgery, risks of specific surgery, etc. Your website will become a reference site for people thinking about surgeries, irrespective of where they are located. Again, make sure that the information is topic based and all topics are listed on the top to help a visitor locate appropriate topic for them.

1. Pages with historical information about your business will index your site higher with search engine and also provide help to visitors looking for the information. For example, suppose your site is related to Lasik Surgery. Adding pages on the website about the history of Lasik Surgery would help a visitor see the development of the procedure over a period of time, and may address their questions. This should automatically become a keyword rich content page for the site.

1. Expert opinions – you can build relevant content for your website by listing expert opinions. You can get the information from 3^rd party sources, or even interview the expert and post the interview transcript. Make sure that you have addressed the copyright issue and have told your interviewee about your intent to post the transcript on the website upfront. 

1. Pages with latest industry information. You can get information from RSS feeds and from other 3^rd party sources. For example, the Lasik Surgery site can add excerpts of latest research findings and link it to the detailed page. a visitor would find this information useful, and this will get search engine robot visits from the connected sites.

1. Pages with relevant data will enhance your website usage and get search engine visibility. For example, the Lasik Website can include pages that list the number of surgeries performed by state/city by month. Assuming that the numbers are large, the information may help some fence sitters make decision about getting the procedure done.

1. Pages that offer advice from industry expert. Let a visitor post their questions and an expert answer it regularly (say once a month). This page will become useful for a visitor and will keep on getting new content, which search engines value.

1. Contest page, post winners – want to create excitement among your customers and prospects, start content on the website. it could be as simple as posting before/after picture after Lasik surgery and let visitors vote the winner. You can start this contest with dinner for two or tickets to a movie theater. Depending on your website visibility, restaurants would be happy to provide the gift certificate to you for free because of the free publicity they will receive.

1. Add useful videos related to the product on the site. It could be “how to” guide or a video from your customer using your product. Describe the videos in your source code and the pages so that search engine can index it.

1. Ask your customers and prospects for ideas related to your product/service and add it to a page. For example, say your website sells specific spice, ask visitors to post different recipes that they have tried using your spice. This will provide useful ongoing source of content for the website, which will be valued by search engines.

1. Send out newsletters and post it on the site. Encourage people to write in their comments about the newsletter on the website. this again will add relevant contents to your website.

1. Details of people in your industry; especially successful ones. This information will always be the most relevant for your website, and your page will be found very often when someone types the name of featured person on search bars of search engine. add one person every two weeks to get regular visits by search engines.

1. Create pages where selected people can login and write their opinion about the latest happenings in your industry, and how it impacts customers and businesses. You can provide login access to certain number of experts and ask them to add the latest happenings and how that impacts your industry in their opinion.

1. Create “Your Page” for your visitors where they can create their own page and send it to others. Let others comment on the page to keep the content fresh. For example, a puppy related website can let a visitor create a page for their puppy, post pictures and write about their puppy, and be able to send the page to their friends. You will get lots of content for search engine optimization, plus this can be a great viral marketing program.

By Ant Onaf (c) 2007

Originally published in SiteProNews, June 26, 2007

Most people who are internet savvy probably would assume it is much easier to do search engine optimization themselves without the need to hire any professional search engine optimization assistance. In some cases this may work, but in most cases this is an absolute injustice for your web business. Marketing is an important and viable aspect of any business and without the proper marketing attention a business can easily fail. The following are 10 reasons why you should hire a professional search engine optimization consultant or SEO company.

Search Engine Optimization Takes Time, Effort, & Dedication
It takes an extreme amount of time, effort, and dedication to successfully complete a search engine optimization campaign. Search engine optimization consultants and companies usually have dedicated time to work on your search engine optimization project, thus giving you a controlled and managed search engine optimization campaign. Large companies as well as many small companies can provide your search engine optimization campaign the SEO effort and architecture it needs. Attempting to dedicate your own time can sometimes be overwhelming and without strict self-discipline you can easily get sidetracked. Additionally, progress for your search engine optimization campaign can take time to see any results, this fact can lessen your motivation to complete your own do-it-yourself search engine optimization campaign.

SEO Tools, SEO Strategy, & SEO Experience Goes a Long Way
The available SEO tools are ever-changing, but most skilled SEO’s have a suite of SEO tools which they keep up with and use to execute reports and other processes, such as keyword research, keyword density reports, keyword competition reports, traffic reports, etc. Like any profession you need the necessary tools and essentials to get the job done, the experienced use of SEO tools will aid in any SEO campaign. Professional SEO consultants and companies create SEO strategies and roadmaps to successfully market client websites, this strategic roadmap outlines in detail the planned effort to market clients’ websites. SEO strategy is essential for any SEO campaign. Having an experienced SEO professional on your side is always ideal. Experienced SEO’s stay up to date with the latest SEO trends and news. By having an experienced SEO your website can impressively gain ranking within a short time and much more effectively, providing greater Return on Investment (ROI).

Search Engine Optimization Is Not Easy
Search engine optimization is not simple, it’s not just starting a website and throwing around hundreds or thousands of links. Those days of search engine optimization are gone. It is now more about strategy, method, and architecture. Search engine optimization is a form of engineering these days. True search engine optimization engineers stay up to date with search engine algorithm and search marketing. Knowing the trends is important, but that doesn’t necessarily mean following trends, true search engine optimization engineers use experience, skill, historical methods, and best practices to successfully market websites. Researching trends and not just following trends is very important, a good search engine optimization engineer uses good judgment, to know what methods work and what is borderline unethical or useless methods.

SEO Services Do Not Have to be Very Expensive
Most full SEO campaigns are expensive, but relatively affordable compared to other advertising avenues, such as: print advertising, broadcast advertising, etc. Shop around for SEO Services which match your marketing budget and needs. Do not settle for the first bidder, compare the first bidders’ rate against other SEO companies and consultants rates. Contact various SEO consultants and SEO companies to receive a free custom quote. Negotiate the SEO rate and services until it fits your budget and needs. Get yourself a fair and honest deal that you are satisfied with.

Search Engine Optimization Can Take Your Website to New Heights
It’s no secret that having your site rank in the top 10 results on search engines is very rewarding and can provide you with herds of traffic, if you rank for the right keywords. Search engine optimization can excel your website through the ranks and land your website in the top search results for virtually any keyword of your choosing. It is important that the search engine optimization company or consultant you choose targets top search results for all 3 major search engines (Google, Yahoo, & MSN). By having top search results in all 3 major search engines for a popular search term you are surely going to increase website sales and exposure.

Professional & Experienced SEO Services Can Be the Difference Between You and Your Competitors
Most online businesses and services invest in professional and experienced SEO services. The top search results for popular keyword terms usually have professional and experienced SEO companies and consultants in their corner, leading their online marketing campaign. By having professional and experienced SEO’s working for you, your website will naturally outrank your competitors who use the do-it-yourself method of SEO services. It is always imperative to stay one step ahead of your competition and it’s more likely you will do so with the aid of professional and experienced SEO services.

Search Engine Optimization Gets You the Best Bang for Your Buck
When you compare search engine optimization with other media advertising efforts such as print advertising, television commercial advertising, and radio broadcast advertising then search engine optimization gives the best bang for your buck. While other advertising methods can cost hundreds of thousands for advertising, search engine optimization cost peanuts compared to these other advertising methods. Let’s say you spend $25,000 for a full search engine optimization campaign and you spend (let’s say) $100,000 for a television commercial ad which runs for 1 full week at prime time (I know that ad is a whole lot more than that, but this is just an example). The search engine optimization campaign is much cheaper and the return on investment is much greater for the search engine optimization campaign. Why? Because the search engine optimization campaign has a broader reach, it can reach anyone across the globe, while the TV commercial ad is specific for local or nation broadcasting within their network. Secondly, the search engine optimization campaign is much more targeted and relevant to the customer needs, because the customer actually initiated the search and was looking for you, while the TV commercial ad is an interruption to the customers viewing program and the customer is more likely to ignore the commercial ad, especially if it does not entice them.

SEO Services Can Help Increase Business Sales Drastically
Increasing business sales have never been easier. If you have a brick & mortar which sales goods, then it is advised that you also have an online store to sale your goods as well. Having an online business while investing in professional and experienced SEO services will help your business expand and grow drastically. Like any sound business decision, as a business owner you are always looking for new ways to monetize, expand, and stay ahead of competition, SEO services for your online business is the perfect solution for getting this done.

Professional Search Engine Optimization Can Increase Your Search Ranking in a Shorter Time Period
Professional search engine optimization services can get your website ranked in a shorter time than trying to do it yourself. With the aid of professional and experienced search engine optimization your website can rank within the search engines within weeks, maybe even days. Finding the right professional with the skill level you need can be quite rewarding.

Treat Your Website Like a Business
If your website is going to be a part of your financial lifeblood then it is sensible to treat your website as a business and recruit professional search engine optimization services. Good business sense is to outsource or employ others to complete day to day task and projects such as search engine optimization and search engine marketing, so you can have more time to concentrate on running a successful business. Many businesses fail due to the do-it-yourself model. Doing things yourself is ‘okay’ if the task you are performing is your profession or relates directly to your business service, but trying to do things yourself because its your hobby, interest, or saves you money can be damaging to your business, as you need to treat your website like a business and only seek professional and experienced assistance for your business needs.

I highly encourage that any true website owner who is interested in reaching top search results seriously consider professional and experienced SEO services for a full search engine optimization campaign. SEO services may be an expensive advertising avenue, but as we discussed above it is much cheaper than its other advertising counterparts and the reward is much greater. Search engine optimization has long been a mystery to many people and is foreign to some, but with the help and aid of professional and experienced SEO services you will easily increase website sales, traffic, and exposure. If you employ the right search engine optimization company or consultant I can almost guarantee you will have a rewarding experience and will not regret it.

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