Don’t Stuff Your Website Like a Stocking
0 comments | 1382 reads In my opinion, on site optimization should be the first phase in any SEO campaign. What is the point of building great inbound links if your site isn’t ready to convert visitors? A sloppy navigation structure, weak content and limited call-to-actions aren’t going to help your online business grow, not matter how good your offsite link building is. With Christmas just 48 hours away, I thought I’d bring up the flipside of failing to optimize your website—over optimization. And the easiest way to over optimize your website is to stuff it full of keywords, as if you were stuffing a Christmas stocking.
It makes sense in theory; if the search spiders look for specific keywords to determine what a website page is about and how well it should rank in the SERP, shouldn’t a page that targets the same keyword more frequently do better? But what looks good on paper doesn’t always work in practice. Yes, it’s important to target specific keywords and their variations on each page of your website, but overdoing it will actually negatively impact your SEO. While I can’t tell you that using the same keyword 5 times on a page is just enough while 6 times is too many (there is no magic number when it comes to optimizing content), it’s pretty obvious when someone has stuffed their website with keywords.
Let me give you an example using Christmas stocking as the keyword:
Looking for new Christmas stockings for your family? Order your custom Christmas stocking from the original Christmas stocking manufacturer, Christmas Stockings Inc. Our Christmas stockings come in a variety of traditional and modern Christmas stocking patterns and colors. Order your Christmas stockings from Christmas Stockings Inc. today for guaranteed Christmas stocking delivery by Christmas.
Looking for new Christmas stockings for your family this holiday season? Custom stocking makers Christmas Stockings Inc. have a wide variety of traditional and modern patterns that your family is sure to love. Order your new Christmas stockings today and receive guaranteed delivery by Christmas! Give Santa something to stuff this holiday season with a custom stocking from Christmas Stockings Inc.
Which paragraph reads more naturally to you? The first paragraph uses the keyword 9 times while the second paragraph only uses it 4 times, plus 2 “stocking” if you want to count that as a keyword variation. Personally, I would much rather read more of a website that had the second paragraph as part of their page content. It is targeting “Christmas stocking” but not at the expense of the reader, which is one of the most important rules of onsite SEO—never write content for the search engines, always write for a human visitor.
Nick Stamoulis
- About Nick Stamoulis |
Connect:
- 1382 reads
0 comments »
Join the conversation!
MarketPlace
Boost Customer Satisfaction & Loyalty at SCORE 2013
[May 29-31, Boston] Customer experience management (CEM) strategy meets customer operations at SCORE Conference 2013. Topics include driving customer satisfaction and loyalty, employee engagement, customer retention, call center technology and big data analytics. CustomerThink members save $700 off the regular registration fee.
Digital vs. Human Banking Experiences: Can This Be a Happy Marriage?
[June 6] It's time for banking leaders to rethink how to nurture and grow customer relationships in an increasingly digital world. Get the results of a new study that revealed the CX practices of top performing banks. Learn how digital Innovations can enable more personal service.
[June 10-13, Chicago] If you are responsible for the results of your company’s website, social media, ecommerce, web intelligence, data strategy, audience research and/or measurement, then mark your calendar. Customerthink members save 15% off full conference passes with code CTKTO15.
[June 10-13, Chicago] PAW's program will feature over 40 sessions with case studies so you can witness how predictive analytics is applied at leading enterprises. Customerthink members save 15% off full conference passes with code CTKTO15.
Confirmit’s Community Conference ’13 – London and Las Vegas
[June 19-21, London; June 26-28, Las Vegas] Attending CCC ‘13 gives you an unrivaled opportunity to understand and address rapid industry changes and discover new techniques that can drive your business forward. Create a tailored agenda that explains how to overcome the challenges your business faces. Take advantage of excellent networking opportunities and face-to-face discussions with thought leaders.
Global Customer Experience Management (CEM) Certification Program
[Sept 19-20, Amsterdam; Sept 24-25, Sao Paulo; Nov 12-13, San Francisco] An internationally recognized program with proven track record of success - being run for 40 times in 17 cities with attendees from 58 countries, the program is developed based on the U.S. patent-pending Branded CEM Method which aims to drive customer loyalty and brand differentiation with quantifiable business results. Limited offer: USD300 early bird discount.
Customer Experience Certification
[Sept 24-26, London] If you’re developing a customer experience program or want to review your current approach, join other customer experience leaders for this intensive 2.5-day certification. Presented by Medallia, the global leader in customer experience management. Enter code ‘Cthink’ to save$300/£200.
Voice of Customer 2.0: Creating Change Your Customers and Employees Can Believe In
[Recorded April 25] Despite good intentions, in the majority of companies Voice of Customer programs contribute little to business success. Join us to learn the secrets to capitalize on Customer Experience feedback, so you can drive organization actions that will unlock profitable growth.
Get your event or resource listed in the MarketPlace, reaching 200,000 business leaders monthly.
For more information, contact
CustomerThink advertising sales.
Follow CustomerThink
The Future of Work - Please Give Your Input
CustomerThink is collaborating with Chess Media Group in a study about "The Future of Work" including the use of social/collaborative tools. Please take a few minutes to share your input. As thanks for your time, you'll receive a complimentary copy of the report.
Featured Resources
