I intended to discuss Off Page SEO aka backlinks in the SEO Plugins post – but it was getting a bit too long. So let’s discuss it here…
The job of a search engine is to respond in the best way possible to a search phrase entered by someone looking for an answer.
To do that it has to index the web or catalogue the web so that it knows what is where.
Here comes the really interesting part of this…
The only way that a search engine can find web pages or blog posts is by following links. It stands to reason that if you make sure there are lots of links going to your web page or blog post the search engine will find it easily.
And we live in a democratic age…
Google regards each link going to your page or post to be like a vote. Think of it this way – if you are blogging about something and you think of a great resource (maybe a news story or a video) on a particular web site or blog you will put the link to that resource in your post -you have voted for the web page.
The more votes the better, right?
About now you might be wondering how this helps you to know all this?
There are 2 concrete ways in which this helps you
- If you know that votes / links help you then why not write the best quality material you can – whatever that means to you so that you attract attention and votes/ links to your material
- There’s an old saying that “if you want something done properly do it yourself” – so let’s just say that if you want links to your web site or blog why not make them?
What is stopping you in submitting articles with a link to your web page or blog to the article directories? What is stopping you creating a string of web pages / blogs at Squidoo, wetpaint, Weebly, blogger, wordpress etc to get some links?
Yes and the old favourites of posting in forums still works and new faves too such as twitter
It is simply a matter of putting in the time and effort. Helping the search engines to find you with a boatload of links is a clear and obvious activity that all bloggers and web masters engage in to get more links and visitors
That’s visitors as in readers and buyers. And whether you blog for income or influence you want attention. What we have found is that if you want attention you need to follow a plan of action to build links to your pages and posts.
As you build links you will see your visitor numbers increase – provided of course you have installed the shortstat plugin we discussed in the first post of this series
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Filed under WordPress Plugins by on Feb 27th, 2009. Comment. 
Comment Redirect Plugin: Just Say Thanks
The Wonderful Plugin Project continues on it’s merry way today with our guest Blogger from Genesis Blogging – Traci Knoppe telling us about a plugin I had not heard of.
Take it away Traci!
I have many plugins that I use and like, each serving their own unique purpose, but one that I actually get positive comments on from site visitors is one they see in action – it’s called Comment Redirect.
Have you ever posted a comment on a blog, never to get a reply from the blog owner? Does the blog owner ever reply to anyone, or only a select few?
Some blogs are what I call libraries – very quiet with not much talking. Others are court houses – lots of talking, and sometimes arguing. It’s the court house blogs where new commenters in particular can get overlooked, because the sheer volume of comments makes it difficult for the blog owner to keep up and reply to everyone.
Whether an intentional oversight, or an impossible task to maintain – your blog commenters are an important aspect to your blog. I have found a solution to help…
Every first time commenter on my blog is redirected to a page I created specifically to thank them for their comment. It must be that extra special touch of hospitality that new commenters appreciate, because I’ve had quite a few then contact me to say thank you!
In addition to a short thank you note on this special page, I also invite them to join my email list. Sometimes I have a special sales offer, just for them. The purpose isn’t really to overwhelm them with sales pitches; however, a short, simple call to action is certainly appropriate.
Comment Redirect helps me to make a personal connection with my readers – at least with that first time contact they make. First impressions are important! I want them to know that they aren’t just statistics to me; they’re more than numbers to boost my blog ranking: they’re people I want to interact with, I ‘hear’ them and appreciate them taking the time to read my blog and post their comments. It makes for good blog hospitality.
@TraciKnoppe
http://genesisblogging.com
Superb post Traci, you’re welcome to publish great content here anytime!
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Tags: comment redirect, Plug-in, Plugin, traci knoppe, wordpress.
Filed under WordPress Plugins by Alex and Kathy on Feb 26th, 2009. Comment.