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As I write this, another day of networking and education is taking place in the City of Brotherly Love. Our Philadelphia Bloggy Boot Camp stop happens today and brings together Tiffany, Mama Kat, and many other of my most favorite people in the blogosphere.
If you’re like me and will be watching the #BloggyBootCamp hash tag from the sidelines today, we can still reap the rewards from the information being shared. Tara from Feels Like Home is giving two talks today, both focused on SEO, and has generously passed along her presentations to us.
Unraveling the mysteries of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) can be daunting, but it really doesn’t need to be. By following Tara’s step-by-step approach, you can learn how using SEO can boost your traffic, readership, influence, and income in blogland.
Tara’s first talk focuses on 10 ways to improve your blog’s SEO, including:
- Get Your Own Domain
- Research Key Words
- Use Smarter URLs
- Name Your Posts Correctly
- Rename Your Photos
- Use Keywords in Your Posts – But Don’t Overuse Them
- Use Headings
- Use Your Blog’s Meta Tags and Descriptions
- Use Your Post’s Keywords and Descriptions
- Keep Track of Your Stats
Today, we’ll focus on Tara’s first recommendation:
Get Your Own Domain
Translation: Own your space in the blogosphere!
Rather than being under the umbrella of a “blogspot” address and giving your good SEO to another company (like Blogger), strike out in the world and register your own domain name. A short, memorable domain name can make the difference between creating a successful web presence and getting lost in cyberspace.
An example of a not-so-searchable domain name: www.thesitsgirls.blogspot.com
An example of a SEO friendly domain name: www.thesitsgirls.com
There are millions of sites where you can register your own domain, such as GoDaddy, Dreamhost, and Bluehost. Use their search function to find a website name that hasn’t been registered yet and that is personal to you.
If it happens that you cannot get the domain name of your choice, then you have two options:
1) Tweak your idea! Try manipulating the URL by adding words such as “the” or “my” to the beginning of the website address. That’s what we did for SITS. Our web address is www.thesitsgirls.com, rather than simply www.sitsgirls.com.
2) Buy the domain name from the current owner: Check the “whois” information for the domain, and contact the person listed to see if they’re willing to sell it. You should know that they are likely to charge a higher fee than you would normally pay when buying a brand new domain name.
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It’s Sharefest Saturday here on SITS! Link to your favorite post you wrote this week and then go and visit the SITStah’s link ahead of you in roll call. Let’s see some of that comment support in action!
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Interested in becoming an official SITS Girl and being featured on our website? We’d love to showcase your blog! Read how to get involved here.
And, as always, when you see this button:
Be sure to support your fellow SITStah & leave a comment!
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My FAVORITE is GoDaddy. They have awesome customer service. 24/7 and someone always answers right away. LOVE IT.
GoDaddy is my FAVORITE. They have awesome customer service. Someone answers on the first shot all the time. LOVE IT.
http://blahggy.com
I’ve been thinking about changing from blogger and going with self hosted wordpress, but just can’t afford it right now. What I’m wondering is if I go ahead and buy my domain name (that is a more doable amount) and start using it now with blogger, will it be harder when I eventually switch over to selfhosting. Or! Maybe it will make the switch easier? Do you have any wisdom on that?
Buying your domain name sooner, rather than later, is always a good idea, Tracie. If you think about it, over time, you will continue to build your readership. If you get your readers used to your new URL while you are still on Blogger, you’ll have less work to do in the long run.
Hope that makes sense!
SEO info is exactly what I need! cool. Well, my favorite post this week is the only post I was able to put up so…www.toastedmatzoh.com
Awesome advice!
Looking forward to more tips. My favorite post this week:
http://whatthegrimmgirllooksforwardto.blogspot.com/2010/09/dont-call-me-sweetheart.html
I’m an SEO newb so I have lots to learn. This is a great primer! Thanks.
Great tips !!! The name of the blog is what calls the attention of reader (if it´s name already says the blogs main purpose)….. Regards,
Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest gals! Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Peace. 😉
Michelle
I really need to get my own domain, it just seems like a lot of work switching everything over. Plus I dont want to loose any of my readers!
hey girlies… hope you have a great Saturday!
Keep smiling and yea… you can do it!! 🙂
Love, love, love the tips and the community here. Thanks for all the good info.
Favorite post of the week @3pinkdrinks… tips for taking your bike rides off-road in the dark.
http://www.3pinkdrinks.com/3pinkdrinks/2010/09/jen-a-beginners-guide-to-biking-at-night.html
So glad that you are enjoying our community, Daisy. We are thrilled to have you with us!
I never would have thought of half of these-thanks!
looking forward to all the other tips and hints!!
Thanks for the tips, ladies! Happy weekend!
Happy Saturday 🙂
Happy Saturday!
I’ve been meaning to do the domain thing for a while now….
Today, I’m remembering the 343 firefighters that ran into those buildings that day, nine years ago, who never returned home to their waiting families. My heart and prayers go out to the loved ones of those lost!!
Moving to WordPress for me has been great, I think it’s more user friendly than Blogger and has sexier layouts 🙂
I have a “linky” going on! Stop by and share your links, while learning about some others!
Great article. I am currently in the process of transferring my blogspot blog over now. Kismet I suppose that this came up this morning since I was on the fence about the idea. Now I am set! thanks
xo
amanda
Wow! That is great timing, Amanda. Good luck with the site migration. Hope all goes smoothly!
Hope everyone is having a great weekend 🙂
I’m looking forward to learning more about the description and meta tag information. I never know what to do with those.
I have considered a domain name…. might have to look into it, the thought of it makes me feel so important!
Happy Saturday, I love these tips – looking forward to reading the rest of them.
My favourite post of the week is the one linked below – Aberlour Gardens Camping – I love camping in Scotland.
great article!
Great post! It’s Sunday already in Malaysia!
I always forget to rename my photos. Thanks for the reminder!
My favorite post this week is my essay over at Smartly. Since it went up on Labor Day it didn’t get much traffic. You should check it out — especially if you don’t sleep. Creatures of the Night.
http://thesmartly.com/?p=1481
Thanks for the great tips.
Oh I am so glad to see this info shared!
Bernice
A little rain. Coole weather. NOTHING on the Calendar! Sounds like a PERFECT Saturday! Enjoy ladies!
Happy Saturday SITStahs
http://georgienba.blogspot.com/2010/09/random-tuesday.html
thanks for the good tips! I’ll do some research on the domain thing and how can I transfer my current blogger account to the new. Have a great saturday!
I have been very curious about the whole SEO thing so can’t wait for more!
Thank you again for this advice – Tiffany pointed out the option of adding “the” when I brought up the URL question a few months back on BlogFrog – and I am now the proud owner of http://TheLifeForward.com 🙂
Just checked out Holly’s blog! Looks like a woman I’d love to wander with!! Will definitely be contacting you Holly!
Happy Saturday, ladies!! A salute to our troops is in order, especially today!! My favorite post includes an awesome clip at the end involving a hummingbird and my jack russell!
You can see the post at: http://blog.magneticpursenality.com/2010/09/01/salute-to-the-troops–welcome-home.aspx
I ask all Americans to join me in showing the same solidarity, unity and patriotism shown after 9/11. Now is the time for tolerance and patience.
I was just rambling on about not understanding SEO on my blog. Yippeee!
Happy Saturday.
This weeks topic is just what I was “searching” for! (get it? searching, SEO?!) hahaha! I crack myself up with the punnies! But seriously, I was searching on how to increase my search-ability….I didn’t find any topics that defined it in non “code-speak”. Thanks Sitstas
This comment had me cracking up laughing. “Punnies”? Too much!
Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest! Just got home from a pregnancy celebration at the local hospital… gotta love swag 😉
My favorite post this week was: http://www.actingbalanced.com/2010/09/sunday-family-stories-happy-birthday.html
This is great. Can’t wait to learn more.
Bloggy Boot Camp sounds like a lot of fun! I hope everyone is having a great time!
Happy Saturday! 🙂
My fave post this week is about getting started with once a month/week cooking : http://dctheblog.com/index.php/2010/09/menu-plan-monday-getting-started-with-once-a-weekmonth-cooking/
Happy Sharefest Saturday! Here we go!
http://www.pampersandpinot.com
Great tips 🙂 I think I’ve blogged about stuff like this before on my own blog. Not only is this post full of tips and stuffs, but it also is great link juice. Posts like this get TONS of hits 🙂 *hint*
Such great tips! I can’t wait to read more! Hope everyone at Bloggy Boot Camp has a great time! Can’t wait until Austin! 🙂
gearing up for my little boy’s 3rd birthday today! so busy….but always gotta make a lil time for my sitstahs 🙂
Happy birthday to your little man! 🙂
great ideas and something I need to work on and wish I was there for the bootbloggycamp in philly.
Sounds like great info, off to check it out!
Donna
So glad to have discovered this site–what a wonderful community!
Welcome! We’re so glad to have you with us. Always love hearing from our newest community members. 🙂