Site Sketch 101 Search Engine Goals for 2010
News and Updates at Site Sketch 101
For the last couple of months I’ve been working on ranking as high as possible in Google’s search index for the phrase how to blog.
Rather than chasing after less popular long tail keywords, I’ve been attempting to rank for a very competitive phrase. According to Google’s Keyword Tool, the phrase how to blog is searched for over 200,000 times per month on Google.
So far my attempts have been moderately successful. For the past month or so I’ve consistently been ranked at or around 60 for this phrase. My goal is to achieve a top ten status during 2010.
According to Google analytics, those people who have clicked through from that search have visited an average of 15.35 pages and the bounce rate for that phrase is only 21.74%. These stats make me feel incredibly confident that this is a very appropriate search phrase to be going after.
Let’s help each other achieve our goals during 2010. If you feel like Site Sketch 101 has added value to your blogging journey then please consider linking to the home page of the website using the text how to blog.
Hopefully you’ll consider doing this simply because the material on Site Sketch 101 has been useful for you but just to make it a little bit more fun, if you send a link my way and then tell me about it in the comments section of this article, then I’ll tweet out a link to your website. With over 10,000 followers, one tweet from me will send between 50 and 150 visitors to your website.
If you post a link in the sidebar, in the footer or in some place that appears on every page of your site then I’ll send out several tweets to your website.
I like to think of it as an exchange of social wealth. I understand that this form of a link exchange isn’t for everyone, but for those of you who are interested, thanks in advance.
Nicholas Cardot
Nick uses his blog Site Sketch 101 to express his passion for helping bloggers and webmasters connect with real people through brilliant designs, unique content, and genuine creativity. Nicholas Cardot has 199 post(s) at Site Sketch 101
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43 Vibrant Comments
I would love to hear yours!
Eric B. said:
Wow! Googlebombing, but in a helpful way
But yeah, sure. I could add a link to your site in my sidebar.
How exactly do you track how many people click on your links on Twitter? That would be useful to know
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Eric B. said:
All right, you’ve got a link in my sidebar, under the “Links” section!
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Eric B. » Thanks. I’ve been sharing your articles and I will continue to do so. I appreciate the link love. You all are the best at rallying around me and helping me out. You’re awesome. Have an terrific 2010.
Nicholas Cardot said:
Eric B. » I use Su.pr from StumbleUpon. Thanks for the link. I’ll be sharing some or your content in my Twitter Stream.
Deepika said:
Hi Nick,
You goals regarding search engine are good… Definitely you will reach top ten status in this year..
Its a good idea you mentioned above. I am working to change my blog theme.. After changing definitely i will link to your blog friend…
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Deepika » Thanks in advance. I really think that we can achieve it this year.
izzat aziz said:
i very much stick with providing more and better content as my 2010 goal for my blog. you surely will succeed.
happy new year
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Nicholas Cardot said:
izzat aziz » And Happy New Year to you also, my friend.
Keith said:
Ok Nick, I put the link in my sidebar under “Read These!” I am working on my theme but, I think I am almost done with it.
Lee Ka Hoong said:
Nicholas, you achieved PR4 just in few months, I believe that achieve top 10 for the keyword “how to blog” is not a problem for you as you have a great blog. I believe that many people would like to help you by giving you a link.
I’m checking where can I give you a link in my blog..
Cheers,
Lee
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Lee Ka Hoong said:
Nicholas, I’ve added your link with the keyword “how to blog” in my links page which has a PR2. Check out your link over here http://myblog2day.com/links under Make Money Online Blog section.
So what information should I provide you to tweet about my blog?
Cheers,
Lee
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Lee Ka Hoong » Thanks. Don’t worry about including any information. I’m just browsing through your site and sharing out some links to articles on it. I try to pick the ones that really interest me and will therefore really interest my followers.
Lee Ka Hoong said:
That sounds great! Appreciate your tweet Nicholas.
I’m sure you can achieve PR5 this year, Google loves useful blog with full of resources and I’m sure Google loves your blog as what we did.
Cheers,
Lee
Nicholas Cardot said:
Lee Ka Hoong » Thanks. I really appreciate it. I’m really trying to achieve PR 5 this year also and I think that this will really help out.
Oliver said:
Hi Nicholas,
great to hear that your blog is growing. I wish you the best for 2010.
Cheers,
Oliver
Nicholas Cardot said:
Oliver » Thanks and I wish you the best also.
Ben Lang said:
Great idea Nicholas! I’m going to take you up in this offer soon. Thanks for the opportunity
Nicholas Cardot said:
Ben Lang » I hope that you do. That would be absolutely awesome. Thanks.
Jim Clary said:
I have learned a lot from your blog, Nick. You have a link in my sidebar. Thanks for everything.
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Jim Clary » Thanks. I also noticed that you mentioned the site here in your most recent post. I sure do appreciate that. I tweeted it out and will share some more of your content later on. Have an awesome 2010.
Aminul Islam Sajib said:
Site Sketch 101 definitely deserves a backlink. But you too can consider giving us backlinks on some of your posts (not necessarily from homepage + all page). It’s like recommending reading a post on the same topic that is written by a reader of Site Sketch 101.
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Mark Jac said:
The suggested exchange of social wealth is a bit uneven here. You should also give links to others instead of only seeking one-sided links (or else ask others to tweet your blog only) as long as you are not a great blogger whom everyone will link to. You already advertise on the web; you can buy links too (though it may be risky but not if you buy it here). You are asking the text ‘how to blog’ but do not ve enuf material on wp installation, wp mu, basics of blogging, blogger etc!!!!!! You ve more philosophy here, less hardcore blogging material/help! All da best.
Nicholas Cardot said:
Mark Jac » That’s because I believe whole heartedly that the key to success doesn’t rest in the tips and wordpress advice. I see dozens and dozens of blogs that pour out that kind of material and still only get 40 visitors per day. I believe that as long as we focus on the 3 fundamentals of Awesome Content, Brilliant Design, and Commanding Influence then we can see amazing success.
My request is one sided. But I’m not approaching any one blogger as I do this. I’m not asking for a link exchange. I asking for a token of appreciation. I imagine that many people will pass up on this simply for the same reasons that you mention. But I’m only looking for those few individuals who have been helped by the material that I’ve produced and want to be a part of promoting it.
A have big dreams for Site Sketch 101 and I’m just absolutely amazed and humbled by those who have jumped in and rallied to support this site. Thanks for the feedback and for the consideration.
sernan said:
i have already added you on my blogroll and provided you some links coming from my posts, and i thank you for giving me some referrals…
this 2010, i am aiming for a high page rank and traffic as well…
will work hard, continue learning… Your tips are amazing indeed… i now have a PR3!
Happy new year nick!
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Eric said:
I added your blog to my blog under the blogroll section.
I enjoy reading all your posts and will continue to do so and be a part of the community here in 2010. Great job and keep it up.
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Eric » Thanks for the link love, my friend. It’s very much appreciated.
Rian Rietveld said:
Hi,
Getting your blog in the top ten, i’m all for it
Thanks for the great tips
You’re on my website
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Rian Rietveld » Thanks. Since I’ve posted this article I’ve already moved from the high 50’s and low 60’s to the mid 20’s. I’m very excited not just that I’m achieving those rankings but that you and the rest of the community have been so amazingly supportive. Thank you so much for the help.
Mary E. Ulrich said:
Hi Nicholas,
Just went to Google and typed in “How to Blog”
Your site was on the second page. When I clicked on it and got to your homepage I tried to look at it as if this was my first time coming here.
My 1st impression was, “Where is the How to Blog” information. I know you have great stuff, but honestly if I was a newbie, I would probably have gone back to the search. Maybe others are different, so this is just my personal reaction.
Perhaps an eye-catcher that says, “How to Blog” with a link to one of your articles would help people know they found the right spot. I know there is that 3 second rule, maybe it applies, or not?
Best wishes. Mary
Nicholas Cardot said:
Mary E. Ulrich » I appreciate your feedback. I’ll certainly work as diligently as possible to make the site more friendly for new visitors who are looking for information on this topic. You’ve given me some things to think about and to focus on.
Will Fowler said:
Nick this comment from her is write on you need a glaring permanent fixture that says learn how to blog or similar. For instance on copyblogger has a resources menu that static and has posts that are topical maybe work it in several places. Number next you just don’t have the keyword density to pull of this kind of climb you want. For instance the number 1 spot uses the phrase “how to blog” 10 times on that page. You often use graphical elements because you are an artist when seo wise you are hurting yourself making keywords into image instead of text. For instance you might have a link in your top menu that says how to blog and points to that section, then an tag that says how to blog with power and passion. Also consider working these keywords into alt tags and image names such how_to_blog_book.jpg. Your PR is there and your backlink titles are there but Keyword Density is lacking. -will
Will Fowler said:
when i put an tag meant an tag which is an important factor in googles algorithm. -will
Nicholas Cardot said:
Will Fowler » Thanks for the feedback on that. I’m definitely going to be looking into some of your points. I’m determined to achieve that goal and I really believe that I can do it. I’m still learning and growing myself and simply trying to help as many other people to learn and grow on their journeys as well. Thanks for the feedback.
chandan said:
Hi Nick I can understand, I am writing one blog post on my blog today where I am linking to all my favorite blogs by using their keyword. Please check back my blog after sometime.
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Nicholas Cardot said:
chandan » That sounds great. Thank you. I sure will check back there soon.
Vikas Gupta said:
Gave you the link on my links page better late than never.
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Vikas Gupta » Thanks. I really appreciate it. I’m really starting to think that I’m going to be able to hit my goals this year.
Keith Graham said:
I put a link to you from one of the ugliest websites on the internet. Good luck on your keyword quest.
I find that it is easier, and possibly more profitable to work on keyword misspellings. This is a natural for me since I can’ spell anyway. Recently the word “brest” sent me a ton of traffic, although it is not the kind of traffic that I prefer. The phrase Hunter S. Tomson was sending me 400 hits a day for a while.
I would suggest you concentrate on the phrase “How to Flog” and you will get good results.
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Keith Graham » That’s a unique concept and I’ve heard of people finding great success working on misspellings. Maybe I should try something like that. Thanks for the awesome idea.
Don Gilbert said:
You’ve got a link in my footer on every page. The link text is How to Blog – it’s a backlink from a PR 3.
I hope you get this in the top ten this year for how to blog!
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Don Gilbert » Thanks for the link love. You have no idea how much I appreciate the help.
Health Trawl said:
Installed your social bookmarking plugin on my blog and stumbled upon ur site. Must say ur way of doing things is pretty uncluttered.
I have been blogging on blogger for over 18 months. Made some money thru a post promoting Jupiter Jack and got some self domains. SEO interests me too.
Good Luck with ur SEO goals for the year. Will visit your blog again.
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Nicholas Cardot said:
Health Trawl » Thanks. I’m certainly going to be doing the best that I can. I’m glad that you’re liking the social bookmarking plugin.