Why keywords are the most important part of SEO?

A number 1 listing on Google can be totally pointless if it is for the wrong keywords.

If the wrong people search for that keyword then your SEO efforts will be in vain. The keywords that you choose are the most important factor that decides whether you will succeed or not.

Many "wanna be" webmasters think that they already know the best keyword for their clients. If they haven't done some research, they are usually wrong. There are several reasons for that:
-- You know your business better than anybody else. You know the special terms that are used in your industry and you know what you should search for when you're looking for products like yours.
-- Your customers don't know as much as you. They don't know your terminology and they might use totally different keywords. Remember you are not your best client.
-- Did you consider the intention of the searcher? Just because a keyword is used very often on search engines it doesn't mean that you'll get many customers. People who find your website through a special keyword might not be interested in purchasing.

It's very important that you take the time to find the best keywords for your website. The time and effort that you invest in finding the right keywords will pay you back in no time.

Richard M.J. Jarosz
Lone Keep Internet, Inc.

Why does a high search engine ranking increase your sales?

High search engine rankings are the perfect way to get more visitors, more
customers and more sales. Recent statistics show that having high search engine rankings is the key to the success of your online business:

1. Your customers are on the Internet and they have money
More than 1 billion people use the Internet (Source: Nielsen/NetRatings). Web users spend twice as much time online as watching TV (Source: Stanford Institute for the Quantitative Study of Society). Consumers spend more than $143.2 billion online per year. These people have money, they want to buy and they could be your customers.

2. Your customers use search engines
More than 80% of all Internet users find new websites through search engines(Source: Georgia Tech/GVU Users Survey). That means that millions use search engines every day to find websites.

3. These people are interested in your goods and services
Search engine users are some of the most qualified and motivated visitors to your website you will ever have. After all, they have taken the initiative to hunt for online resources on a certain topic. And then they clicked your link to learn more.

What's your ranking? If you need help finding out, give me a call.
Richard M.J. Jarosz
Lone Keep Internet, Inc.
732-988-4044

Localize Your Website's Content

Don’t be afraid to mention your location on your Web site. Don’t make it a secret to the search engines or your customers. Let them know where your business is located. It’s natural information that both the search engines and your users are going to want to know. Who do you target? What area(s) are you relevant to? When are you open? How can people can find you? Tell them.

Where do you slip in these trust and location cues within your content?

Home page: While you’re out there telling people what you’re about, mention where you’re located. It shows customers you really exist, while also giving the search engines’ local algorithms something to work with.
About page: Your About page should not only tell people who you are, it should tell them where you’re located. It’s one of the many trust signals users will be looking for and it acts as a great citation for the search engines.
Press page: Do you have a page on your site that encourages people to get in touch with you for media purposes? Don’t forget to include your address, phone number and email.
Contact page: This should be a no brainer but you’d be surprised how many people lose their brains writing Web copy. Include your location, a map, your cities served, hours, email address, fax number, phone number, directions and other any information you have that establishes your location.

Richard M.J. Jarosz
Lone Keep Internet, Inc.

PROJECT: "What on your Shelf?" is Over!

And what a depressing project it was! Over half of the businesses gone in less that two years. Of the other half most are on their way... bad business people! And almost all don't know how to use their business cards or the phone!!!!

The raw stats:
Business Cards in the Box: 0 (Started at 1000)
Out of Business: 548
Businesses actually looking to grow: 102
Businesses that called back: 79

10% only were actually looking to grow. How did I arrive at that number? These were the ones that answered their phone like a business and starting a conversation with me. I did not sell them and they did not sell me... just a pleasant conversation between two local business people whom I have met before. We talked about BNI, Toastmasters, local chambers, the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau and my FREE monthly seminars and how each could help their business. Some actually showed up to these meeting/events and we continued our discussions. Nice folks.

The other 400 (not out of business) were just rude! If I was not buying from them, right then and there, they they wanted nothing to do with me... Not exactly nice in this business environment! They will soon follow the path of the 500 currently out of business. I wish them the best but...

So I ask again, "What's on your shelf?"