The Changing Face of SEO in 2014

It looks like SEO finally matured in the year 2013. The year witnessed nearly 500 algorithm changes. While keeping pace with these updates was both confusing and frustrating for some people, others seem to have gained valuable insights.

The rapid pace at which Google launched algorithmic updates in 2013 suggests that SEO experts need to shift their focus from keywords to content.

Secure search and its impact on SEO

In September 2013, Google made 100% search keyword data "not provided."This finally forced experts to reconsider their strategies.

SEO changed for good in 2013. While Google has been trying to reward good content for a long time, the search giant's Hummingbird update released in 2013 reiterated the need to create great content that users would want to like and share.

Google's Panda update in 2011 clearly indicated that it was shifting its focus to content. The gradual increase in 'not provided' keywords also suggested a shift to a ranking model based on content. When Google made all keyword data 'not provided', it made adapting to change a necessity rather than an option.

Is SEO dead? Many marketers still seem to believe so. There are also some marketers who believe that while SEO has changed, they do not have to change the way they work. These are dangerous perceptions.

Before Google made all searches secure, online marketers had access to traffic and conversion rates data by keywords. That data is no longer available. That means you need to shift your focus to other areas. Rank checking tools have also lost their importance.  In 2014, if you really want to reap success you will have to move from old tactics to new tactics and you will have to implement them across your pages, search, content, and social channels.

Future SEO

The Hummingbird update puts a renewed focus on great content. Also, secure search made it necessary to measure business performance at a page level. Now you have to make the pages on your site, the pillars of your SEO. You can still pull relevant data from your analytics software at a page level and it is still possible to know which pages bring in visitors.

Integration of multiple channels

A lot of factors including search, mobile, social, local, and global determine your position in SERPs. The truth is that now you can't afford to ignore any of these channels. While keyword data is no longer available, achieving a greater rank for your page is still essential. You also need to measure rank and conversion by the type of the device because they vary on phones, tablets, and desktops.

In 2014, you will have to approach your content the Hummingbird Way. Ultimately, it is the content that attracts visitors. That requires analyzing your content at a page level. You also need to integrate and work with Google Webmaster Tools to correlate your keyword and page data.

All Data is Connected

In 2014, you will have to use more and more sources to get a complete picture of how your SEO efforts are performing.

You will have to utilize all data at your disposal. Use multiple sources like Google Analytics and Majestic SEO. You can restore keyword visibility to a certain extent by utilizing your Webmaster Tools data. And by integrating data pulled from different sources, you can still create keyword reports.

Conclusion

It has become imperative for online marketers to adapt to change. Search optimization has always been and will always be the most predominant factor in online marketing. If there is anything that has changed, it is people's perception of SEO.

Profitable Blogging with Increased Affiliate Income

So you have a blog and are trying to make money via affiliate marketing. Haven’t seen a decent share of success?  We’ve done reasonably well, so we'd like to share some practices that we've followed over the years.

Don’t rely only on the sidebar

Under-monetized blogs often have lovely ads in the sidebar, but sales don’t pour in. We’ve seen that sidebar ads result in the lowest sales compared to other affiliate advertising methods on my blogs. So, if that’s your blog’s sole affiliate marketing method, you need to make some changes – right away. 

 

Start micro-tracking regarding what brings in sales

You can track affiliate links on the basis of their placement using SID codes. These codes are parameters related to your affiliate links which track performance. You may track display ads in the sidebar using “sidebar” as the SID code and affiliate links within reviews using “review” as the SID code.

This helps you make more money because you get information regarding ads and links that work and those that don’t. It also enables split (A/B) testing for finding out the display ads which work best for the specified audience.

Offer solutions

We agree it’s great to post awesome, new ideas on your blog which will make you stand out from the rest. But when we’re looking at affiliate income, We've found that understanding the audience’s existing problems and resolving them has contributed to a large part of my revenue.

When you offer solutions and create affiliate links to products or supplies required to execute them, you’re sure to strike affiliate gold. There are some good, free tools that can help you know the questions, needs, and problems of your audience. 

Don’t overlook SEO

Search engine optimization is powerful so make sure you don’t ignore it. You need not be a hyper aggressive SEO expert. Just make sure your blog follows the basic SEO best practices. As readership increases, you’ll get links, authority, and social signals. When page SEO is good, you can utilize these to the best extent possible.

Each post should not attempt sales

Don’t appear greedy or desperate. If your blog comes across as an extended and repeated sales pitch for each product, your readers will get alienated.  And no readership equals zero sales. It’s important to understand the difference between recommending products and selling them.

We make it a point to post a few genuinely useful posts which don’t have review focuses between those that do. By being helpful, you increase readership, and subsequently sales.

Write in depth reviews of appropriate products

We think reviews are the best way to generate affiliate income from a blog. So try to make them meaningful. Recommend products that you love, and use and show proof that you actually use them. Offer details about both pros and cons. Ensure you mention how a product solved a problem or fulfilled a particular need.

Though products mentioned need not have exact relevance to the blog topic, they need to have relevance for readers. For example, if yours is a cooking blog and the audience comprises of mostly women and many of them have kids, then advertisements of the “Mommy” kind won’t be too off the mark.

Build mailing lists

Once you’ve got people on a site, you must try to get their email addresses. Email is a great way to remind people of your presence without needing to find them again. This also becomes an additional channel for making affiliate recommendations.

3 Social Media Blunders to Avoid

If you use the right strategies, social media has the power to drive tons of visitors to your website. But very often, webmasters and online marketers commit some grave mistakes that send their followers packing. For example, littering your Twitter feed and Pinterest boards with shamelessly self-promotional and sometimes even insensitive posts won't help your site or your brand. Overtly self-promotional strategies will only ruin your reputation and scare your followers off. Would you be interested in following a feed that is only about promotions?

 

Let's take a look at some social media mistakes that overly enthusiastic webmasters often commi:

1. You only talk about your own services and products

Of course, you are here to promote your stuff. That is the only reason you spend hours on Twitter and Facebook. There is absolutely nothing wrong with promoting your stuff. But every now and then you must also write about other people's products and services. The best part is that if you promote other people's stuff, they will also promote yours. On the other hand, if all of your status updates, pins, and tweets revolve around you or your brand, you will soon alienate your fan following.

 

Social media experts suggest that you follow the 80 - 20 rule to improve engagement with your potential customers over social media. What this means is that 80 percent of the stuff you post or share should address the problems of your customers. You can also share stuff they may find interesting. You can devote the remaining 20 percent to talk about your brand. By consciously 'downplaying' your brand, you build trust and improve engagement.

2. You don't share your follower's content

You are damn certain that your content is worth sharing, but if none of your followers click on those share buttons, it is time to review your social media strategies. Social media is all about building relationships. In the real world, you can't expect people to help you if you don't help them, right? In the virtual world too, don't expect your followers to share your content if you don't share theirs. Therefore, express a sincere interest in what your followers share. Retweet, share, or pin their content that your target audience may care about. By doing this, you foster a sense of community and engagement within your social circles. You may also exchange friendly messages with your followers. This helps build relationships.

When you share other people's content, they will also share yours. This will increase your brand exposure.

3. You post insensitive comments about sensitive topics.

This is a grave mistake. It is worse than the other two. By posting insensitive comments about sensitive topics, you not only alienate your followers, but also encourage people to trash talk your brand over the social media. As far as possible, avoid posts that are political or religious in nature. If you must, you could perhaps post them on your personal Facebook or Twitter profiles. You must also refrain from posting offensive or obscene content.