Red Block Blog

Search Engine Optimization for .NET, so after I first noticed a large build up of strange session Urls in Google searches for my domain I’ve then done a little bit of research into the issue.

Relevance Feedback, I think [Google] use aggregate information to tweak the equation variables. When too many queries are not giving the best results, then they may alter the ranking formula.

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

This is great news for SEOs and webmasters as there were fears the major search engines would introduce their own Sitemap equivalent protocol.“Sitemaps are an easy way for webmasters to inform search engines about pages on their sites that are available for crawling…” - Sitemaps.org

Congratulations to Sitemaps.org for their dedication as well as the SE’s for widely supporting this feature.

Sitemaps of your website can be submitted to major search engines at:

• Yahoo! Site Explorer
  http://siteexplorer.search.yahoo.com/
• Google Webmaster Tools
  http://www.google.com/webmasters/sitemaps/
• Microsoft Search
  A submission system for Microsoft Search is expected in 2007.

Over the weekend Dan Crow announced on Google Blog the unavailable_after META tag is now live and operational.

The “unavailable_after” tag will allow you to tell Google when Googlebot should no longer crawl that page.
Extract from Search Engine Land, Google to Add “Unavailable After” META Tag

I expect both open-source and proprietary CMS developers to have integrated this recent change soon as it adds valuable rules for removing temporary or time-specific pages (eg. monthly offers and competitions).

This week Managing Director of AussieWeb, Monte Huebsch, published a critical comparison of Australian online business directories for SearchWeek.Bias aside, it’s worth the read for insight from one of the local search leaders as to where the rest of the industry is heading.

1. A willingness to learn basic principles

   Clients that are knowledgeable in up-to-date basic SEO principles before seeking expert assistance on a website are rewarded by lower fees. Less time spent educating the client during initial consultation and day-to-day maintenance activities means smaller SEO site budgets! You could also flip the coin, less time covering basics means more resources allocated to advanced topics (eg. localised search, web analytics, linkerati tips & tricks)

2. The ability to trust an authority in their field

   A client prepared to actively consider and action industry expert recommendations are typically rewarded by opportunities to test new techniques and best practices otherwise not mentioned to traditional clients. It’s the same across the board, if you go out of your way to please your partner they will go the extra mile in effort for you.

3. Be receptive and reachable

   This is pretty simple, always have someone at your firm to deal with site issues raised by your SEO firm. This may be as simple as providing remote details to the web server or as critical as your web developer’s contact details. If you have planned leave let your SEO agent know and allow for a second in command of your SEO operation.

4. Patience towards long-term performance goals

   There is no formal “SEO optimised” specifications (as yet) so clients should expect to see short-term traffic fluctuations as search engines, visitors and competitors respond to updated site content and presentation. Ensuring a positive trend continues is the goal of sales-focused site optimisation.

Since working in the web development industry I’ve always wanted to clear my throat of the following itches.

1. Recommending .com domains for Australian orientated websites

   Australian companies providing products and services to Australians should hold a “.com.au” extension. Having an Australian domain extension assists search engines in providing the most relevant local information to searchers.

2. Using Image Titles or Flash Instead of HTML Headers and Markup

   Flash sites (unless packed within structured XML files) and image headers are not “seen” by search engines. Simply put, your fancy Flash navigation and poorly implemented image headers limits the depth search engines can crawl and what they know about your business.

3. On page redirection to “/asp/index.asp” or “/index.php”

   If you type in “www.domain.com.au” and yet the URL in the address bar appears as “www.domain.com.au/asp/index.asp” your site may be using on-page redirections. This form of redirection is ignored by search engines meaning they don’t see your site until someone links to you, there are many ethical ways to redirect pages.

4. Limited site search

   Site visitors are using site search more than ever and yet across the industry poorly implemented internal search continue to respond with “No results have been found”. Inclusion of advanced search functions and intelligent suggestions are required.

5. Not defining page backgrounds

   If a page background is not set the current Operating System theme window background is used. For XP users this is light-grey, for everyone else, who knows…

6. Lack of integration of “robots.txt” and XML Site maps

   These services have been made available to assist site owners in managing how and which content is presenting to major search engines.

7. Prominent back linking on client sites to web developer site

   Web development firms that place links to their own site artificially boost their ranking for competitive keywords. Unless a clear benefit is seen by your users this practice should be abolished and any back links removed.

What other things are done wrong within Australia’s web development industry? Have you worked with companies that don’t build search engine friendly sites?

Today was my last day as Web developer for local Brisbane web development firm, icemedia. I now take on full-time responsibilities for Internet marketing with Red Block. I must concede, the last year with ice has been a great and valuable experience, working with friendly, energetic colleagues and the leaders in ASP, .NET and online applications.Behind the Red Block curtain we’re tracking remarkable results from client sites and are working with fantastic clients across the international small-medium business sector. My addition to the team will assist in further penetrating the Australian online marketplace in our mission to raise the bar of standards for Australian Internet marketing campaigns and Search Engine Optimisation services.

From the team at Red Block, thanks for supporting us!

Tonight I attended the Brisbane Weblogger Meetup Group (local blogosphere) at Jade Buddha on the waterfront, it was surprisingly good fun for a bloody cold evening (never wear short sleeve summer dressing for outdoor dining).

While searching for the warmest seats I met up with:

• Peter. from Brisbane-based hosting provider SiteMost,
• Duncan. undercover Internet journo (wait, that wasn’t a disguise?),
• Tim. maintains the Spy Journal blogging network,
• Mick. the Meetup organiser, cheers for a great evening!

and several other interesting individuals; that don’t have Meetup photos.

Notable events out in the cold included learning of Blog Profits Blueprint (a progressive blog monetisation), a hearty discussion about the popular publishing platform, Drupal, and observing empty beer glasses. All in all, a great night. Cheers Mick!