PageRank Update
April 29, 2007
Whilst the PR on my Google toolbar remains on 4 for both the homepage and blog of this site, I have noticed that the PR for deeper pages has increased, so I can’t grumble too much. Of course, the PR reading on the Google toolbar is not hugely important as I discussed in the last update.
However, if vanity gets the better of you or you just wanna peep to see if you can expect a change - here is another tool that you can use to check your PageRank at the various Google Data Centers.
5 Reasons Why I Blog
April 22, 2007
Tag "“ I'm it. I have been tagged by Karl Ribas to give a little insight into why I blog. I see no reason not to, so here goes:
- Researching, Learning & Archiving Notes "“ I am of the same mindset of Karl in that I too get a lot out from writing posts. I don't know if it's the influence of schooling, but I feel that when I get something down on paper and structure a topic in my own words, I then know that I really understand a subject and can demonstrate this to others. I also like the fact that you can add your own tuppence worth to the table.
- Blogging is the new C.V. - Adam Darowskie sees 'the blog as being the new resume' and I have to agree. It provides a great way of letting your clients and prospects know who you are. Apart from showcasing your business, it also demonstrates a real passion for what you do.
- New Friends & New Ventures Opportunities "“ blogging enables you to meet like minded people in your area of expertise and interest "“ worldwide! You can bounce ideas of each other, plan new ventures together or just have a good old chin-wag about whatever is on your mind.
- Link Love & Rankings "“ a blog is a great way to market your business and rank organically. Many SEO folks will agree that links are the currency on the web and it's always rewarding when people like your content and link to you.
- Improvement of Communication Skills "“ story telling and writing has never been a real strength of mine, although through reading other blogs and spending time thinking about what the reader wants and not (always) what I want to tell, I am now in a stronger position to communicate written words compared to when I started 8 months ago.
Right, that's me done "“ here's tagging to 5 un-expecting souls!
The Bonsai Sandbox meets Google's Root Rot
April 12, 2007
The Bonsai Sandbox meets Google's Root Rot
While I don't pretend to be a Bonsai tree expert, nor a Google Sandbox pro; I couldn't help but notice the uncanny similarities between the successful growth of a Bonsai tree and a fresh website ranking in Google.
As spring has certainly sprung (UK), my relatively new Bonsai Tree has just started to spurt new shoots. Not knowing a great deal about the tree, I contemplated a re-pot, but thought I should better do a little research first. My tree ———–>
It became apparent that when potting or re-potting a bonsai tree it is essential to get the moisture balance just right and the one thing to avoid at all costs is total settlement of the soil before roots can penetrate. Drawing from this, it is clear that the roots are the nucleus for driving growth.
BonsaiGardner.org points out that there are three primary things that stand out in bonsai tree care "“ water, soil and the pot which the bonsai is grown.
To Water or Not to Water, Links are the Question?
It appears that the key attribute to Bonsai care is the watering.
I remember hearing an old Buddhist proverb, that you can give an apprentice Bonsai artist tools to prune on his first day, but only after several years will he be in a position to water the tree properly.
As for the reference, sorry I am not sure where it came from "“ you will have to take my word on it but it really does highlight the importance of watering. Too much or too little water can result in root rot "“ a common cause for lack of growth and even fatality in fresh Bonsais.
This proverb also holds weight for your link building efforts for a fresh site.
I use the word fresh to illustrate a new or re-potted tree. Similarly with a website this may be for a new, recently changed domain (301) or a change of registry info for a site.
Just like an inexperienced Bonsai enthusiast can get the balance of the moisture for their tree all wrong, a novice SEO can acquire too few links or go out aggressively and get too many spammy links. Both limit the growth and presence of the tree and website alike.
For the Bonsai tree it's the dreaded root rot and for the web site owner it's the equally un-fancied Google Sandbox.
Trust in the Magic Roots
I think Ibrian over at SEOmoz gets it just right:
The result is that to rank on Google for any kind of competitive keyword, you need to be able to leverage some degree of "trust".
Likewise, with the Bonsai, in order to get any kind of tree growth with a newly potted tree, you need to leverage some degree of root trust or a root system. The Bonsai really does put a lot of faith in its roots and these roots are extremely fragile after potting.
Be Selective in your Watering/Link building
In order to leverage some degree of trust, it is important to be selective in your watering and link building approach. BonsaiGardner.org notes that you want to follow the old Japanese rule and water three times "“ once for the pot, once for the soil and once for the tree.
This ties in well with Aaron Wall's thoughts that being selective in links acquisition for a quality spread of trusted links is the preferred method to move forward and that sometime less really is more.
Similarly to the Bonsai tree, if you get the quality, volume and rate of link acquisition in the right areas for your website "“ the Google Sandbox will not provide too much of a problem; yes there will be a hurdle to climb "“ but a very achievable one.
Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, while some fresh Bonsai species can handle long periods of dryness, others require near constant moisture. This can be said for web sites too, there are many variables that come into play and it matters a great deal as to the environment and marketplace that they are in. Yes, even Bonsai trees compete within their own market!
What about my Bonsai?
She is still a-growin’ strong! I took a little peek at the roots "“ they seem to be in pretty good knick, so a 301 direct re-pot really isn't necessarily. That makes me feel better, although this still leaves me with pruning (tuning keywords), maintaining the soil (good neighbourhood), ensuring there is enough sun light and fertiliser (engaging content). I am sure there are plenty more analogies we could go into, but I am tired and of need of sleep. 
Feel free to share any thoughts or suggestions.
Add a bit of Vibrancy to your Google Homepage
April 8, 2007
I have been using Google's personilised homepage for some time and recently noticed a new feature that I thought I would like to share for those who have not seen it. It appears that the feature has been around for a few weeks, but it’s only until recently that my Google radar picked it up.
You can now add a little more colour and personality by applying a background theme. What I think is particularly nifty, is the fact that your theme can change lighting according to the time of day that you view it "“ so if you are the closed curtains type, at least you will get an idea of the sleep you should be getting or the sun that you are missing. Nice one Google!
SEOMOZ Ranking Factors Version 2 Released
April 4, 2007
Another outstanding contribution from a 35 strong team of top SEO chapies, has been compiled over at SEOMOZ for the most significant SEO ranking factors in 2007. Rand Fishkin describes it as 90% - 95% of the knowledge required for Google’s Algorithm. So role back your eye lids, put on your thinking cap and read on… and on! It’s definitely one of the most definitive guides you will find for your SEO strategy.
Here is a quick overview of 2005 Vs. 2007 ranking factors:
Top 10 Ranking Factors in 2005:
- Title Tag (4.57)
- Anchor Text of Links (4.46)
- Keyword Use in Document Text (4.38)
- Accessibility of Document (4.3)
- Links to Document from Site-Internal Pages (4.15)
- Primary Subject Matter of Site - (4.00)
- External Links to Linking Pages (3.92)
- Link Popularity of Site in Topical Community (3.77)
- Global Link Popularity of Site (3.69)
- Keyword Spamming (3.69)
Top 10 Ranking Factors in 2007:
- Keyword Use in Title Tag (4.9)
- Global Link Popularity of Site (4.5)
- Anchor Text of Inbound Link (4.4)
- Link Popularity within the Site’s Internal Link Structure (4.1)
- Age of Site (4)
- Topical Relevance of Inbound Links to Site (3.9)
- Link Popularity of Site in Topical Community (3.9)
- Keyword Use in Body Text (3.9)
- Global Link Popularity of Linking Site (3.7)
- Topical Relationship of Linking Page (3.6)
