Basic Understanding of SEO

First, let me tell you Sean and I are involved in the community of 20 Something Bloggers and they held a blog swap this year that we both participated in. This is the reason I am guest blogging on his blog today. I hope you don't mind. And please feel free to visit my blog: The Daily Douz. I would LOVE to have more comments and visitors!

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a phenomenon that has been around for at least fifteen years now and is rapidly growing in popularity. It weighs heavily on the technological side of internet and web design but is essential to follow if you want to rise in the Search Engine Rankings (such as Google, Yahoo or Bing). Mind you, I don't claim to be an expert in SEO but I do have two and a half years of work experience in the field and I was priveledged to learn from an SEO guru.

There is a whole lot of information to cover dealing with SEO but you need to know the two separate aspects in the field. ONPAGE OPTIMIZATION and OFFPAGE OPTIMIZATION. Onpage is where you tweak your own website design, meta tags (titles, description, keywords, etc), alt tags, homepage so that everything in your code is SEO-friendly. Offpage means every effort you make for SEO off your own site (link building, article marketing, directory listing, advertising, social media, blog commenting, etc).

Most people understand the importance behind link building and still believe it is the most effective way to promote your blog to the Search Engines. The entire time I worked for a Marketing company in their SEO department, we focused the most on building links pointing to your site(s). The concept is like Google will see the links as "votes" for your website - for every link pointing to your site, Google understands this website is legit and is really about SEO (or whatever niche your blog is about). It is important to know how to insert links onto your pages and where to place them. My understanding is that link farms are NOT SEO-friendly and you shouldn't participate in those at all. The best way I've found to produce results for your website is to add links to related posts that you have written on your site. So if you have a blog post about Photography, you should list all the photography-related links on that blog post, this way all of the content around the links helps the Search Engines know those links are about photography too. Does that make sense? (I really hope it does.) So what is link building anyway? Well, it is when you put up a link on your blog for someone else and you ask them to do the same in return, all for free. Webmasters usually understand SEO and should look on this favorably. After all, they are getting a free link in return. (One tip: You should NEVER list a link to someone else on your blogroll, or on your homepage. This makes it so every single page of your blog has THEIR link on it when Google looks at it. And that is not very good for you or your website. I only list my own websites on my blogroll or on my homepage, unless it's a sponsored ad where I might make money from it.)

Another important Offpage optimization is Social Media. Twitter and Facebook are probably the most popular in the social media sphere. There are businesses on Twitter, people's pets have their own accounts and various celebrities have accounts as well as the blogging community (us). Facebook is a bit different from Twitter, in that it is mostly a connection site where you can connect with people you haven't talked to in years (high school buddies, distant relatives, or even meet new local people) but they have created a way for social bookmarking to be involved on Facebook as well. You just have to be "friends" with that person usually to see their links. Well Social Media is a way to promote your blog in a viral sense - one that hopefully catches people's eye and they will re-post (ReTweet) about it. That way other people are talking about your site and passing it along without any real effort on your part. It helps to write content that can become viral (such as controversy or something in the news currently). So go create your Twitter account for your website under a similar name as your site and start posting on there like a real person would. Most people will not "follow" you if you are merely posting links and nothing else (that looks like a robot is posting to your account). Be real. You will get more followers if you are open and real.

With Onpage optimization, you must focus on the meta tags. What are Meta Tags? They are embedded in your site's code (or they SHOULD be) and give the Search Engines more of an idea of what your site is about. In your Titles, Description and Keywords, it's crucial to have similar information to your overall content of your site. Keyword Research is another VERY important concept in SEO. You need to research what keywords you should use to help your blog raise in the rankings and help you make money (if that is your end goal) or get more readership.

Those are a few of the key points in Search Engine Optimization. I'm sorry I can't give you the full run-down. It tends to get a bit technologically advanced for the typical blog reader so I don't want to overwhelm you with it in the introduction. During my work experience I was able to write for one of our company's blogs here: Content Links Pages and this is what it looks like:



In conclusion, I hope everyone has a great holiday vacation from whatever it is you do and enjoy time with your families!! Feel free to ask me any questions or advice if you need help with SEO. Thanks to Sean for letting me write this lengthy post on his blog and for posting over on my blog today as well. If you are having withdrawals from Sean's writing, you can catch him over here: Blog Swap-Winter's Top Ten. Thank you for reading!

-Marci from DailyDouz

Tags: Blog Exchange, blog swap, dailydouz, link building, marci, meta tags, offpage, onpage, search engine optimization, seo, social media, Technology

Things I Want - Pokemon HeartGold & Soulsilver

Its nothing new that I love Pokemon. I have since I was in middle school, and I'll probably be having my midlife crisis by the time I put down my DS or Gameboy.

The latest Pokemon game is titled: HeartGold, and SoulSilver (both are separate games).

These are remakes of the original Gold & Silver Pokemon games for the color gameboy.

They've been all jazzed up with new DS graphics, new gameplay, some new pokemon, and some new gadgets.

Included with the game is the Pokewalker, a tamagotchi like device that allows you to carry your pokemon with you, catch wild pokemon, and even train your pokemon, all while on the go.

The games are due to be released on March 14th.

I've already reserved my copies :)

How about you? Any games your looking forward to?

Ciao
-Sean

Things I Want - Polar Bear TV

I'm a big fan of polar bears. Mainly due to my love of all things winter. I discovered this little gem on a blog I read. Its a polar bear Tv!

I know it would look ridiculous in my apartment, but still. Who wouldn't want to watch TV on a plush polar bear shaped television?

Ciao

-Sean

[Image via GizmoDiva]

Things I Want - Gun Camera

I've been wanting a digital camera lately, and I find myself bored with the ones at BestBuy. They all seem so...plain. And I ask myself, what kind of camera would kick total and complete ass? A gun camera!

Yepp, its a camera in the shape of a gun. It may get you in trouble at the airport, or even at holiday parties but who cares? I'd love to have one and scare people, and catch their reactions on camera at the same time.

I know that may seem mean, but I'm sure all of you would laugh at the photos as well.

This camera is right now a concept idea, meaning it has yet to be manufactured but here's to hoping it'll available soon!

Ciao
-Sean

Things I Want - Super Mario Galaxy 2

I am personally a lover of all Mario games (as I'm sure 99% of the world is as well). I've recently been playing Super Mario Galaxy for the Wii a hole heck of a lot. I've actually managed to finish it, mainly due in part to the lack of a social life (joke).

After defeating it, I went online to look up a few titles on my Gamefly account and noticed a Super Mario Galaxy 2 due to be released sometime in 2010. Count me excited.
Its reported that the sequel will have more Mario-options such as mario can now drill through the worlds he encounters, and a few hidden other changes (my favorite is bee-mario. He's so cute).

If you haven't played the original I recommend it. Its a fun game with some challenges, but not enough to get you frustrated. If you're unsure then my best suggestion would be to join Gamefly (kind of like Netflixs but with video games) and do their free ten day trial and try the game out for yourself.

Do you guys have any favirote video games you want to share?


-Sean

Things I Want - Harvest Moon Animal Parade

Harvest Moon Animal Crossing is number one on my Christmas list this year. I've been a fan of the Harvest Moon video game series since its days on the original Playstation and Nintendo 64.

You may be asking yourself "What the f$#@ is Harvest Moon?" its a RPG video game that focuses on farming. Yes, farming. It sounds boring, but believe me its actually a very fun and interesting game.
The main objective of the game is to create a productive farm, with livestock (cows, chickens, ducks, sheep) and with crops (strawberries, corn, spinach etc etc). This game is a bit different because it brings in a number of different animals you can befriend. Including a dolphin, panda, tiger, lion, and elephant.

I'm counting down the days until I get to waste hours upon hours playing it.

Whats on your christmas list this year?

Things I Want - Tin Can Walkie Talkie

Hey everyone!

I'll be doing a new series called "Things I Want", you'll see them every now and again. These posts will show items that I find both interesting and desirable. So without further hesitation here is the Tin Can Walkie Talkie. It brings back your childhood in a more modern and safisticated way. The Tin Can Walkie Talkie works like any other walkie talkie except its in the shape of a tin can, it comes with two (duh) and its activated by pulling the cord on the back.

I love these random inventions, without them I think my life would be rather boring.

[Orignal Post via GizmoDiva]

Piggy Boyfriend

The Japanese are odd, there is no question about that. To give you an idea of how odd they are I present to you the Piggy Boyfriend! No, no he isn't a real pig. He's a piggy bank that can also be your boyfriend! Just a time saver.
"Everyone is trying to save those little bucks, but spending is so much better than saving. However, if you hand me a cute little piggy bank like Ikemen, then I'd feel obligated to use something so adorable. It's a heart-shaped electronic piggy bank with an LCD screen and every time you put your change in it, the dream boyfriend inside the piggy bank will start flattering you with sweet romantic phrases, compliments (You’re so beautiful, you’re the best) or even ask for kiss. So, if that doesn't get you to save a pretty penny, I don't know what will. It seems like a warped version of the Magic Mirror. Anyway, you need to feed your heart shaped boyfriend with a coin when he is hungry. Not a gold digger at all, is he? Once you have $500 saved up, you are given a happy ending. I like this world where a happy ending can be bought! The piggy bank is available for approximately $75"

Mmm, are you lonely and rich? If so, this sounds perfect for you!

(Via Gizmodiva)

Things I Want - Kitty Cell Phone

As many of you may know I have a thing for cute japanese characters or mascots. So much that when I go to the Asian market on Sheridan Drive I will buy japanese snack foods mainly because of the cute character on the cover.

I also have a thing for cellphones, though I normally lack the funds to purchase the top-of-the-line cellphone. This cellphone combines them all. Yes, as you can tell from the pictures above and below: The Hello Kitty Cellphone.

Its 3G and is only avaible in Japan (you suck Japan). It costs around 12000Yen (2 hundred bucks) and comes with all the cute-ness a 12yr old american girl would love (and maybe me, I don't like the pink though. I'm not that gay)

I say someone buy this for me so I can place it on a shelf and never use it. Thank you
TAG: GadgetsMoney

Things I Want - Wall-E Robot

Have any of you seen the movie Wall-E? If not, go and see it. Its adorable and if you're a astronomy fan like myself you'll enjoy the random galaxy scenes.
Anyways, I present to you the Wall-E Clean n GO Robot. It cleans up your floor for you while remaining cute. Thats hard to do if you've ever seen my cleaning.

Its twenty two dollars and can be purchased via Amazon.com

Tag GizmoDiva

-Sean

Things I Want - Mashimaro M808 Cell Phone

When I was 16 and I got my first car, I placed a Mashimaro plushie around my rear view mirror. In case your not a cute character lover like myself then you might be asking what the hell is a Mashimaro?

Simple. Its a Korean rabbit character who has become popular in Korea, Japan, and China. Think of him as the cooler Hello Kitty. He has been branded on everything from soda can bottles to toilet paper. I always thought he was adorable, and wished I could experience that cuteness year round. Well, now I can! Introducing the Mashimaro M808 Cellphone. Thats right, its a rabbit phone.

Sporting an orange fruit, the Mashimaro themed cell phone supports MP3, MPEG4, T-Flash for memory expansion & video recording through its 1 Megapixel camera. Sporting a 1.5”TFT LCD display screen, it also integrates EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service) and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service). Routine features like alarm clock, world clock, calendar, calculator, currency converter, memo, PC sync, photo album, photo editor, wallpaper and 3 games are all a part of this rabbit themed cell.

Rendering up to 150 hours of standby time and up to 2 hours of talk time, it supports the GSM Dualband (900/1800MHz). Pearl white casing with matching red belted line and a specially designed toilet for charging the battery will appeal to all the Mashimaro fans. Hopping into the stores on 1st day of the valentine month, this Mashimaro M808 is tagged at $ 115 (900 Yuan).

Released in 2007, I've just found out about it now. Sad.

The Sims 3 Review

I've been a fan of the Sims saga for some time. I usually prefer SimCity, but I have owned and played all of The Sims games including 1, 2 and now 3.

The Sims 3 was released last week to much fan fare, and i decided to give the game a try. Here is my review of the game.

Over all Rating: 6/10

Positives:
-The new seemless neighborhood is a wonderful thing, no longer is your sim confined to his or her's house with no real time interaction with the outside city or town. The graphics in the seamless neighborhood are okay when from a distant but trully come to life when in close up range.

-The create a sim function is amazing in terms of detail and abilities. You now have the ability to edit all of the sims clothes with pre-designed templates and that even applies to hair, skin color, and eyes.

-In the Sims 2 you constantly had to end what fun you might be having to force your sim to go to the bathroom or eat some meal they usually burned while cooking. The Sims 3 changes that, your sim will take care of their needs on their own, ending whatever they are doing and taking care of the needs and then going back to their previous task. This is wonderful as your sim now can enjoy a real life, rather then peeing all the damn time.
Negatives:
-The actual character designs in The Sims 3 are horrid looking. The sims usually looks like they have down syndromes, due to the lack of facial structures (defined cheek bones, jaw lines and forhead petrusion). In The Sims 2 you could make your sim a super model with amazing detail. Not true for the latest edition

-Lack of user created goods. Electronic Arts, the creator of The Sims 3, took a note from The Sims 2 community which made many unique items and mods for the game and attempted to pre-include them in the new Sims 3. They failed. By taking away any individual design projects, they have taken the true creative element out of the game. Yes there are thousands of choices in furniture, and clothes. But eventually those options will run out.
-The clock in The Sims 3 is far to slow. When all your sims are tucked away in their beds and you set the game clock to go the fastest it goes at a crawl. In The Sims 2 when you clicked the fastest setting on the clock time just flew by, which was wonderful concidering you have nothing to do when your sims are sleeping. I've spent to much time sitting and waiting for my sims to sleep in The Sims 3.

Over all I say the game is worth a shot, but beware. Not everything has changed for the better

Ciao
-Sean