Search Engines Marketing: Paid Search Vs. Natural Search

By Terry Stanfield

Search Engines

Search engines like Google, Yahoo and MSN are really just data bases. When you do a Google Search you are not searching the "world wide web" you are searching Google's data base. There are two ways to get in to these databases. One is to submit your site to the different search engines. In about 6 to 9 weeks the search engine will index your site. They have software that comes to your site and index every page and adds it to the database. They come into your main web URL and follow the links to all the pages of your site. They capture key elements from the code on your page to the content. These are then stored in the data base. When someone puts a keyword in the search box the "algorithms" determine the best page or links to the best pages for your search.

The other way to get added to the search engines data base is to have the search engine software find you through a link to your site from another web site back to yours. The software, called "spiders" will periodically comeback and re crawl your site to see if you have updated it.

One important thing to know is that each page on your site is indexed individually and each page stands on its own. The ranking are based upon the combination of correct meta tags, relevant content to the keyword they are trying to get rankings for and link popularity. Mostly one way links back to their site from relevant sites.

As long as the search engine can index the site, clearly read the meta tags and content, the better. The big issues come when a site is built in flash with very little content (search engines cannot read or index "flash" sites. Also, if the bulk of the relevant content is in PDF format this is bad because the search engines cannot read PDF. If the search engines cannot index the relevant text there will be no rankings.

You all ready know this but "sites" are not ranked, individual pages are ranked for specific terms found in the content of that page as well as link popularity, (relevant links pointing back to that specific page) for the term that you are trying to get ranked on. This is why each page has to be giving very specific attention. Paid search

Paid search is when your ad shows up at the very top of a Google search or down the right hand side of the results page. These are called "sponsored ads". You pay for those positions. When every you click on one of those ads the owner of the ad pays the search engine. This is also called "pay-per-click". The amount you pay is determined by several factors including what you are willing to pay every time someone clicks on your ad.

Natural Search

Natural Search is when you type in a "keyword" and a link and a description shows up on left hand side of the search result page. The only way to get on the first page is to have very relevant content on your web site and links to your site from other relevant sites. This is a long process for people in it for the long haul. There are a lot of companies that claim to be able to get you on the first page of Google. That may be true if the "search term" is very specific and no one else would ever search for it but you or they are using a "black hat" method that could get you site banned from the search engine. Bottom line: Paid Search means you pay for your position. The benefit is, if you have the $$, you will get instant traffic. Stop paying and the traffic goes away. Natural search is free traffic but it is built over time. The advantage is, if done right, it can provide traffic for a long time.

Search traffic (paid or natural) is the BEST traffic to have because you are being found by folks who are specifically looking for what you have. It does not get any better than that.

About the Author:

Before you start an SEO project, go to Terry Stanfield's site for information on SEO management and more how to increase website traffic articles.

Hiring A Teleprospecting Company? Top Six Things To Look For

By Terry Stanfield

The right teleprospecting company is an important part of profitable business to business telemarketing programs. Without the right people and highly trained staff a call center will not reach its potential and generate the amount of sales possible. A telesales team is responsible for communicating with existing and prospective clients to inform them about products, services, and to generate sales.

It is important to understand the skills and traits that make a successful teleprosecting company. If you want the teleprosecting company you choose to help your business be successful you will need to know what makes a good teleprosecting company.

When you are choosing a teleprospecting company you will want to make sure that they have the necessary experience to successfully close sales for your target market. Don't be afraid to ask for sales records from other clients or to enquire about their experience level and how long they have been in business.

The teleprospecting company you choose should also be familiar with the database software you use as well as the market in which you operate. The more familiar they are with your type of customers the more successful they will be with closing sales.

You will also need to decide if you will provide specialized training to the teleprospecting company you choose or if they need to already possess the knowledge to work with your market. If you do not want to offer training be sure the company you go with will not need additional instruction to be successful for your business.

You should also set up a few demo calls to gauge the level of the company's professionalism and experience. It is important that the company you choose conducts their calls with the utmost professionalism because they are representing your company.

Budget can be a concern when hiring a firm to work for your business and this is especially true for business to business telemarketing firms because they can be expensive. The best telesales company may not be the most expensive one so be sure to compare a few to get the best price.

You will also want to look for a telesales company that has low turn over. If a company can hold on to its employees it is more likely to treat its clients as well.

If you need a telesales team to help make sales for your business you should be sure to interview all prospective firms thoroughly. Business to business telemarketing takes specialized knowledge and skills so hire your team carefully.

About the Author:

Visit VSA Prospecting's site for information on outbound telemarketing and business to business prospecting.

First Hand Experience at Craft Fair Selling

By Sam Weyland

The last article that I wrote briefly described how I was challenged to sell some crafts at a festival. Seeing as how I wrote down pieces of advice in previous journal posts regarding the topic, people assumed that I was selling my own crafts as well. And, when I admitted that I don't after all, they told me to apply all that I teach into my own personal experience, before they consider my posts credible.

So, okay, I humored them. In the limited time allotted me, I had understandably no time to find and re-master my talent into something tangible, so I opted to go for buying some of my more talented friends' crafts. This way, I get to resell them in a craft show of my choosing.

After having finished up the specifics of securing a booth, I went on to fill it up as best as I could. As I've said before, the booth should be somewhere in between terribly undecorated and overtly furnished, and that's just what I did. I covered the booth table with tablecloth with a light shade of yellow. It complemented the dark brown statuettes that I was selling, without overpowering them in the customer's eye.

The experience itself was great. I wasn't too aggressive with my selling, but whenever someone took an interest in the crafts, I began talking to them, telling them what made me get the item from the original craftsperson. I shared my thoughts on the item, while pausing to give them just enough time to share some insights on their own.

Selling crafts may get you a few extra dollars now and again, but it's really the joy of sharing it with other people that matter. True to my own advice, I made enough over the course of the week to say that I am qualified to talk about the topic.

About the Author:

Sam Weyland is a big fan of Florida Craft Shows. She heartily suggests Florida Craft Fairs to find the closest Florida Fair near you!