Article 2: SEO Outlook for 2011 - Part 2
Advances in Technology
Google launched Instant Search in 2010. Perhaps one of the most significant advances in search engine technology, the instant search system lists and displays search results "instantly", as you type. This single advancement by Google changes the playing field in ways that may not be obvious. Results appear as you type; sometimes results show up before you have completed entering your search terms. This also ties in with the information experience discussed above and highlights the significance of content that is being produced and published on the web. It also ties in with the relevance of the content being published on a given website and how well that content is optimized for search engines. Unless you are a well-recognized brand, remember that you have a few seconds to capture and keep the attention of your visitor. Make sure the content you provide is relevant, meaningful and appealing.
Next, let us examine speed. Well-heeled Internet marketing professionals know that fast loading websites can perform better in search engine rank than slower ones can. Google recently introduced technology called mod_pagespeed that will allows web servers to serve up websites significantly faster by optimizing cache and page reloads and by reducing the "payload" of a web page. This may very likely going to impact the ranking of slower loading websites and give an edge to the faster loading ones.
What you should do for 2011 - Nothing turns off Internet users more than stale or outdated content. First, make sure your website is well constructed and architected and content is easy and intuitive to find. Then, make sure the information is up to date, relevant and meaningful to your visitors. Finally, focus on speed. Make sure your website loads quickly and properly. There are many tools you can use - one of 2010's best releases is Yotta.com, a website that allows you to monitor, analyze and rank the performance of websites.
User Opinions and Reviews
An adaptation of some elements of social networking - albeit with a loose twist - is the power of product and service reviews. As consumers and buyers, we tend to put some (or a lot of) faith in the unbiased opinions and reviews of our fellow humans. Product and service reviews gained substantial popularity in 2010. Google, for example, has started to show product and service reviews embedded within search results for retailers and businesses that participate in ratings systems such as UrbanSpoon.com, ePinions.com, TripAdvisor.com and several others. A positive review can influence a potential buyer to make a favorable decision and a not-so-positive review can deter a potential buyer. This ultimately benefits the end user - retailers and services providers will tighten their belts to make sure their reviews stay positive and manufacturers will make sure their products are top-notch. It is a win-win situation for all!
What you should do for 2011 - Focus on incorporating service and product reviews if and when possible. At the very least, look at how your competitors may be using service and product reviews and think about creative ways you can leverage them for your brand.
2010 was a year of innovation. 2010 was the year for social networking where people connected with each other in new ways. 2010 was a year for advanced tools and technology. Let us see what 2011 has in store for us. As a start, engage your website visitors. Focus on the social aspect of the Internet as it will be significant. Build and nurture your social connections and watch for new technologies to improve the "discovery" of information on the Internet. Above all, be safe. Welcome to 2011.
If you require assistance with any of the above areas, or with Internet Marketing in general and SEO in particular, contact us at (813) 341-3500. We can also help you with the design, development and architecture of your website. Visit us at www.arnima.com to learn more about our services.
Google launched Instant Search in 2010. Perhaps one of the most significant advances in search engine technology, the instant search system lists and displays search results "instantly", as you type. This single advancement by Google changes the playing field in ways that may not be obvious. Results appear as you type; sometimes results show up before you have completed entering your search terms. This also ties in with the information experience discussed above and highlights the significance of content that is being produced and published on the web. It also ties in with the relevance of the content being published on a given website and how well that content is optimized for search engines. Unless you are a well-recognized brand, remember that you have a few seconds to capture and keep the attention of your visitor. Make sure the content you provide is relevant, meaningful and appealing.
Next, let us examine speed. Well-heeled Internet marketing professionals know that fast loading websites can perform better in search engine rank than slower ones can. Google recently introduced technology called mod_pagespeed that will allows web servers to serve up websites significantly faster by optimizing cache and page reloads and by reducing the "payload" of a web page. This may very likely going to impact the ranking of slower loading websites and give an edge to the faster loading ones.
What you should do for 2011 - Nothing turns off Internet users more than stale or outdated content. First, make sure your website is well constructed and architected and content is easy and intuitive to find. Then, make sure the information is up to date, relevant and meaningful to your visitors. Finally, focus on speed. Make sure your website loads quickly and properly. There are many tools you can use - one of 2010's best releases is Yotta.com, a website that allows you to monitor, analyze and rank the performance of websites.
User Opinions and Reviews
An adaptation of some elements of social networking - albeit with a loose twist - is the power of product and service reviews. As consumers and buyers, we tend to put some (or a lot of) faith in the unbiased opinions and reviews of our fellow humans. Product and service reviews gained substantial popularity in 2010. Google, for example, has started to show product and service reviews embedded within search results for retailers and businesses that participate in ratings systems such as UrbanSpoon.com, ePinions.com, TripAdvisor.com and several others. A positive review can influence a potential buyer to make a favorable decision and a not-so-positive review can deter a potential buyer. This ultimately benefits the end user - retailers and services providers will tighten their belts to make sure their reviews stay positive and manufacturers will make sure their products are top-notch. It is a win-win situation for all!
What you should do for 2011 - Focus on incorporating service and product reviews if and when possible. At the very least, look at how your competitors may be using service and product reviews and think about creative ways you can leverage them for your brand.
2010 was a year of innovation. 2010 was the year for social networking where people connected with each other in new ways. 2010 was a year for advanced tools and technology. Let us see what 2011 has in store for us. As a start, engage your website visitors. Focus on the social aspect of the Internet as it will be significant. Build and nurture your social connections and watch for new technologies to improve the "discovery" of information on the Internet. Above all, be safe. Welcome to 2011.
If you require assistance with any of the above areas, or with Internet Marketing in general and SEO in particular, contact us at (813) 341-3500. We can also help you with the design, development and architecture of your website. Visit us at www.arnima.com to learn more about our services.
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