Getting Traffic
Getting multiple online traffic streams and top search engine rankings are constant challenges that search engine optimization aims to answer. Due to changes in Internet behaviour and in the technology for developing content forms, search engines like Google regularly adopt changes in algorithms or search criteria, making SEO a continuing strategy.
Impact of social network sites
The role of social network sites in SEO is now widely accepted. Your pages in Facebook (FB) and Twitter are powerful tools for driving traffic to your site and generating social proof which is now given much weight by search engines like Google.
Create link distribution channel
Members of social networks enjoy sharing photos, comments, links and videos regularly. News and videos have become viral due to social media sharing options which allow users to instantly share links to a large group. Build your link distribution channel in FB by starting a fan page for your business or website and share links with everyone in your network. Create a profile as well in Twitter and invite people to follow you there.
Build social proof
Social proof is similar to bandwagon mentality where people tend to copy what others are doing almost automatically. Facebook promotes social proof with its ‘Like’ button and showing how many people ‘Like’ something online. The influence of ‘Like’ is so strong that when FB members see their friends and colleagues ‘liking’ something online, they react by clicking on ‘Like’ as well. Social proof via FB rank fairly well in Google so you’ll want to add this feature to your blogs and website.
Install share buttons
Enable sharing of your posts in social networks by adding share buttons of the three largest networks—Facebook, Twitter and Google Buzz. Place these buttons near the top of your post for social proof and easy access.
Grow your network
Your ‘friends’ in FB and followers in Twitter may also be the social network’s equivalent of your contact list to which you can send updates and offers to boost sales and online traffic. A sizeable network is also given much weight in search rankings so you’ll want to connect with people outside your immediate circle, pursue weak ties and establish new contacts to grow your network.
Get a Facebook page username
Having a targeted keyword in your FB page name may later help in boosting search rankings. Get at least 25 people to like your page so you can select a username which enable people to find your page in search engines. Ideally, your username should include targeted keywords because these appear as your Facebook page’s URL.
Social networks are changing the way websites obtain online traffic and the algorithms of search engines, making it necessary for business owners to adopt these trends for SEO.
If you have any questions about improving the traffic to your site – just ask!
