July 2005

I get asked a lot about search engine optimization. I know the basics. Maybe not even that some days. From many sources in the last few days has come a mention of the 118 factors that Google uses in its ranking algorithm. This list of ten brings it within reach but I would have to point at three as being key/basic and a place to start. Keywords (placement in headings, titles, and density on pages) Which brings me to content. Updated, good and linked to from other places. And finally we have links. Popular, with the right words...

This is the kind of material that I try and soak up and think about as I work with a variety of customers. As popular as blogs are there are still significant hurdles in terms of producing something that people will use on a regular basis. I've been blogging for several months. Not in a very high profile way but somewhat regularly. I have one subscriber in bloglines... Nice but he should introduce himself.

It's been awhile since I read the cluetrain manifesto. I have used it in the past in bitter arguments. (which I lost.) And I have kept in the back of my mind while I designed my website and when I built my marketing for my business. Still I find that many people and companies that I deal with are reluctant to become interactive. "That's a sales job." "We hire somebody to do that." "We'll form an alliance." All to avoid engaging in the conversation with potential markets.