Blog from SEO Blighty

Did you get Penguin-Slapped?

Nico Jacquart — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:16:27 +0000

A couple weeks have gone by enough to know whether your site’s ranking position has normalized and bounced back to any reasonable position. Here’s a quick guide to make sure you are doing the best you can to be real for Google:

1./ Web browser cloaking

Are you making sure the Google goggles aren’t seeing something radically different from what is presented to your web visitors. Disable your web browser Javascript and cookies, just to check if there is anything shielding what you are showing publicly VS the Google bot.

2./ Common Sense Homepage Trust

Would you buy from your own website? How many verified rich snippet testimonials, authors, and credentials can you list?

3./ Global Navigation and Broken Links

Google is now becoming aware of anything that is annoyance some. Seriously – spend the time just to make sure everything is flowing from page-to-page. Dead ends are not just annoying for your visitor, but bots are penalizing them.

4./ Categories

Make sure your hierarchy makes sense! there’s no point pretending that a flat hierarchy will put all your categories closer to the top end of navigation. If anything, Google will see that as ‘pretend optimization’. A few clear categories, and sub specializations of each will give you more credentials.

5./ Over-Optimized Web Content

Are you keyword stuffing content beyond readability – Google is picking up on this false high density of keywords.

6./ Off-Site SEO

This is the main focus of the penguin. Not just bad neighborhoods, but repetitive linking practice looks all too robotic and spam like.

Author:

Juliana is a systems admin for VPS Hosting provider of Web Hosting services. @InMotionHosting is based in Los Angeles. Follow her on Twitter @JulianaP16, feel free to reach out to request any advice or guest articles for your self hosted website.

The REAL Reason Big SEO Companies in London Don’t Do Bulk Link Building

Nico Jacquart — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:03:14 +0000

Have you heard this before?

“Bulk link building is a dishonest practice that can only harm your site in the long run. The only way to pull it off is by spamming the web with spun articles, automated blog comments, and other tactics to manipulate the search engines. Ultimately, these tactics will only destroy your site’s reputation, and that’s why we don’t offer bulk link building as one of our services.”If you’ve spent any time looking for an SEO company in London, you’ve probably heard something like this. When it comes to their comments about spam and automation, we’re the first to admit that they’re dead on. Those tactics are terrible for your site’s future, and you shouldn’t go anywhere near a company that actually believes those are the right tactics if your business is in it for the long haul.

But…

…this is not the real reason the SEO companies you’ve dealt with so far don’t offer bulk link building campaigns. The truth is much simpler. These companies simply can’t afford to build your links manually. An effective link building campaign requires either a small number of links from high profile sites, or a very large number of links. Since it takes time and effort to do either, SEO companies in London can’t afford a massive link building campaign unless they use the dishonest tactics mentioned above.

How a Bulk Link Building Campaign Can Work

Does this mean that it’s impossible to embark on a link building campaign without relying on spam tools? No. It is very possible, but it requires the skills of a dedicated team that is willing to work at a lower price. An SEO company that hires talent abroad is capable of accomplishing this, because the exchange rates make it possible to pay less for the work while providing fair compensation for the labor.

Unfortunately, most SEO companies that outsource their bulk link building services fail to do so successfully. This is because they do not directly involve themselves in the process, train their staff, and ensure that everything is going smoothly. Only a well trained staff with an enthusiastic mindset and a genuine love of the process is capable of producing the kinds of results that work.

Only an SEO company whose bosses actually spend time with their staff is capable of achieving the desired results. Of course, they also need to be able to meet with clients in person in order to discuss their business goals. This means that an SEO company can only embark on a legitimate bulk link building campaign if it is run by somebody who is willing to travel, and who understands networking skills just as well as the technical aspects of the search engines.

In short, the reason that the big SEO companies in London claim a bulk link building campaign will be bad for your site is either because they can’t do it, or they don’t want to.

Before, during, and after Google’s Panda update, our clients have continued to see an improvement in their ranking and increases in traffic. We accomplish this without relying on link farms, spam, or automated content. We assure you that it can be done. Just don’t expect the bigger SEO companies to admit this.

Are you using an Indian based SEO company? – 5 places to visit in India whilst you are there!

admin — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:30:34 +0000

As founder and MD of an Indian based SEO/Internet Services company (www.SEOBlighty.co.uk) I am often asked about India and my favourite places to visit.

I spend 6 months of the year in India and always make a point to see some of the wonderful places this beautiful country has to offer. I encourage clients to visit us in India and meet us and their SEO partners. Whilst they are in India I also recommend them to visit some of the many interesting cities, places and monuments to be found here.

Here are 5 of my favourite places in India:

The Taj Mahal – Agra

I had to start with this one! Anyone visiting India should do their best to see the world famous Taj Mahal. Its not one of the 7 wonders of the word without reason. Its impossible not to be impressed by the magnificent planing and ideas that went behind the building of the Taj Mahal. Its positioning on the bank of the river, its story and its grandeur make it a wonderful place to visit. The thing I enjoyed most was the backdrop of the river behind the Taj and its view from the nearby Red Fort. The ancient King who built the Taj Mahal lived in the Red fort and so the view from there is truly splendid. Certainly best viewed from the Red Fort in my opinion. A must must see for everyone.

Kerala Backwaters /Varkala beach – Kerala

After a few days in India it is easy to get tired of the constant noise (especially on the roads!). So its not surprising that one of my favourite places is the calmest and quietest place in all of India. Kerala, rather unmodestly, describes itself as ‘Gods country’. It certainly is serene and calm and has a mystical feel. The backwaters are like a massive Indian version of Venice. There are few roads and few cars meaning that life is slow paced and relaxing. The backwater cruises that Kerala is becoming famous for are a great way to unwind. The slow boats meander gently along the waters as you sit and watch the world go by unchanged from centuries before. Kerala is also home to the lovely Varkala beach. Also well worth a visit.

Anjuna beach – Goa

Goa is already a famous tourist destination. With this has come a degree of over commercialization. I dont like the over commercial beaches which is why Anjuna is my favourite. It feels slower and has a vibe of the old hippy days when only turtles and far out travellers found there way to here.

Its easy to spend a few days doing nothing but relaxing, reading and eating good food. A good place to take a break.

4) Mumbai

Mumbai is well……………..wild! Mumbai, or Bombay as I prefer to call it, is a very interesting place to visit. Not for the feint hearted – its a fascinating mix of old and new India. Lots to see and do here – you can get lost in the millions of small streets and roads in the day but end up partying in a 5 star hotel by night.

Habsiguda X roads – Hyderabad

Hyderabad is the place that I call home in India and so by default I am now a native Hyderabadi! Its one of my favourite cities in India and I spend 6 months of the year here. There are lots of things to see and do from the famous Charminar (Muslim temple) to the bright lights of Hi Tech city. My favourite area is the famous Habsiguda X roads. Full of energy and life it s must see tourist destination.