The Best Tips to Rank High on Google

by Alyssa Ast

Google is one of the top four search engines used daily as people surf the vast sea of information on the Internet. To ensure you rank as high as possible on Google, it's important to think like a search engine when creating your websites. There are certain techniques that are believed to be used by Google in order to index and rank websites on their results page. Learning these tactics may just give you the step up to the top 10 ranking you've been striving for.

1. Inbound Links- Many believe Google uses the number of inbound links when indexing content. Inbound links are links generated by third party sites to your site. Google uses quality links to index content, not spammy or advertising links. Links that are of actual value and related to the original content are more valuable than pay-per-click and similar methods. Make sure inbound links link to multiple pages, not just the home page. This proves to Google the entire site is of value instead of just one page.

2. Link Exchanges- Limit the number of sites you link exchange with. Google wants to see quality third party sites linking to the original site to rank high on a results page. If Google finds numerous third party sites linked to one site and the same site linking back to the third party, chances are the results page ranking will be lower.

3. Outbound Links- The number of outbound links a site has are equally as important as the number of inbound links. Of course, all outbound links need to lead to quality sites with related content to be of any value. Outbound links should not be a link exchange either, just as with inbound links. Google wants to see websites that have quality content people want to share and connect with, not just link because of a favor to one another.

So remember, to rank high on Google think as a search engine might. Although it can be difficult to maintain this train of thought, in the long run it can pay off.

Beat the Competition with Search Engine Optimization for Author Websites

by Alyssa Ast

Ranking as high as possible on a search engine is essential for authors and writers because it allows potential clients and readers to find you with ease. Increasing your ranking on a search engine's results page (SERP) can easily be accomplished if you spend some time incorporating search engine optimization (SEO). Taking the time to optimize your author/writer site will boost your income and traffic to any of your online publications.

URL and Pages
When creating your author/writer website URL, keep in mind that it should be short and simple because it will be easier to remember and easier for a search engine to index. The URL should relate to the site content and shouldn't contain any special characters, but if you must, use a hyphen. It's best to use your name or something similar when creating your site URL.

The titles of the pages should be the exact same way; short and simple, while relating to the content on the page. When creating the page URLs, you want the URLs to be a static URL instead of a dynamic because the URL will be easier for the search engine to index, which will increase your ranking. The pros of using a static URL are far greater than those when using a dynamic URL.

META Description and Tags
If your website provider allows you the options, always utilize your META descriptions and Tags section. Include the words used in your URL's in each META description and Tags sections, as well as any keywords/phrases you will be using within your content. Of course, always include your name in each section to increase your ranking when you are searched for.

Web Content
Your web content for each page should be correctly optimized using carefully chosen keywords and phrases. Many writers find it beneficial to include their location within the content because local clients can find you easier and it will reduce your competition level. For example, if you look at my website, I have "Arizona based freelance writer" included multiple times within my website. Therefore, when a client is seeking an Arizona based writer, my website is sure to be in the results.

Check the keyword density level of each page on your website to ensure it will rank as high as possible. Use no less than a 3% density level when optimizing your content. To check how well you're optimizing your page content, use Google Adwords or SEOTool to help you. As always, you'll need to update your pages and website regularly to maintain a high ranking. This includes keywords and phrases, but try not to change your URL's unless converting dynamic to static.

Need help creating a killer author website? Check out Angela Atkinson's book The Practical Freelance Writer’s Guide to Author Websites, a valuable resource for any serious writer or author.

Search Engine Optimization: Optimizing META Descriptions

by Alyssa Ast

When you use search engine optimization, you can't forget to optimize your META descriptions. META descriptions are usually 200 characters or so long and are what appear on a search engine's results page (SERP). While META descriptions are not visible on web content, the META description's role is essential for ranking on a search engine. The META description must be properly optimized, just as the content, to rank correctly on a search engine. Not only is a META description important for online visibility, but it's also the teaser that's provided for a web page, which entices a reader to choose one website over another.

Optimizing META Descriptions

Optimizing META descriptions begins with the keywords and phrases you used to create your title. Use your primary and secondary keyword(phrase) within your META description. Create a META description that's both enticing and informative, while incorporating your primary and secondary keyword(phrase). But be careful not to cram or stuff the title because this causes confusion and discourages readers. Your META description should flow smoothly and sound as natural as possible.

Here is an example of a META description:

Primary: Publishing Information

Secondary: Freelance Writers

"Freelance writers are often overcome with publishing information that is of little value. Luckily, there is an ideal publishing resource that fits every one's needs."

Don't forget, use the keywords and phrases you used in your META description in your tags section and content as well for proper optimization.

Get Your Free eBook with a Special SEO Section!

by Alyssa Ast

Today, the WM Freelance Writers Connection moved to a new site, which can be found HERE. The old site is still live so you can view your favorite posts from the past. A great feature we launched along with the new site is a FREE eBook for the WM Freelance Writers Connection subscribers, The WM Freelance Writers Connection Presents Marketing Yourself and Your Writing Online.

"Next to great writing skills, marketing yourself and your writing is the key to building a successful freelance writing career. Learning how to market yourself and your writing online can be a big challenge. Even those who are already successful can become more successful with strong online marketing efforts. This ebook offers tips, techniques and advice from successful freelance writers who know what works!

To get your copy free, visit us at The WM Freelance Writers Connection and subscribe to our free email updates. You'll be sent a special coupon code to allow you to get the book at no cost to you!"



Plus, there is a special SEO/SEM section for marketing yourself!

The WM Freelance Writers Connection will begin posting weekly freelance writing jobs starting next Monday so be sure to stop by you favorite on-stop resource for freelance writers!