Seamus' Inspired eBusiness went from # 426 for "web design Belfast" to top 5 within a few short weeks.
You'll be pleased to know that not only has Seamus kept solid rankings, but those rankings have brought him in new leads and clients.
Like Dave Naylor says, nothing beats a good rank (at least that's what I think he says).
More Than One Way To Skin A Cat
Interestingly, Seamus' search engine rankings work has also resulted in rankings for terms such as "googleadwords expert belfast." Now Seamus doesn't spend a lot of time on AdWords, so he signed up as an affiliate of Perry Marshall's excellent book (see my review of Perry's book here) and makes a few extra dollars that way.
There's more than 1 way to skin a cat (please be advised that I in no way condone the skinning of cats! Yep - I've had complaints before when I've used that phrase.).
I missed wishing him all the best for St Patrick's Day....to be sure, to be sure - you didn't seriously think I'd go this entire case study without at least 1 "to be sure, to be sure" did you??! :o)
I hope it was a fine day filled with Guinness, song and dance.
The site was # 426 in Google. Now, just 26 days later:
Google - # 15
Yahoo - # 2
MSN# 38
And a few people have been commenting and providing some ideas - which is great.
A Gem From Dave
My online pal Dave Starr (GPS Tracking guru) has done just that - and has given a gem, a diamond in the rough, a stroke of genius!
On this post, Dave comments (I have edited slightly):
".....on the main Google SERPs page what should be the first two or three 'real" results are taken up by a nice mapping application served up by; http://maps.google.co.uk/maps and apparently driven by the local Yellow Pages publisher?
(Click the map to the left to enlarge)
This map 'steals' several results and appears to be strictly driven by the distance a business is from Belfast City center.
I notice on Seamus's site (see Seamus' contact details below) his complete contact info, which is good.
If you follow the trail with Google maps, there may be more specific data being shown that Seamus really wishes to show.
A thought that could combat both issues is:
do a cost benefit think-through on a "virtual office" or "mail receiving" service in the heart of the city, and
the cheapest Yellow pages ad that will get "on the map".
================ Change Address, Take A Yellow Pages Ad & Get To The Top!
What Dave is saying there is that if Seamus changes his address details to being smack bang in the middle of Belfast (by using a mail receiving service) and takes a Yellow Pages ad with those details, then he could be one of those very first results next to the map!
And, in some places, it looks like you don't have to be in Yellow Pages - you can just enter the info direct to Google Maps.
Brilliant thinking.
Easy, cheap and it just may be very, very effective.
(Note: Depending on various factors, you might see the site at anywhere between # 11 and 19).
Here's Part 4 In The Video Series
================================ As I mention in the video, Seamus' rankings went up BFEORE Google had even looked at his site:
From: Tailored Consulting [mailto:brendon@tailored.com.au] Sent: 21 February 2007 23:43 To: Seamus @ INSPIRED Subject: Interesting analysis ahead
Hello Seamus
Here's an interesting one.
Your site has increased from # 496 to 175 for 'web design belfast'.
The interesting bit is that Google.com/webmasters tells us the site hasn't been indexed since Feb 6.
And the title tag showing is the old title tag.
Which is consistent with the site not being indexed since Feb 6.
Conclusion
Whilst Google hasn't spidered your Home Page it appears it has counted the new links and given you a boost because of them.
So more links with the keyword/phrase in the anchor text (words we use to link to your site) = higher ranking for the keyword/phrase even though Google has no idea what's on the page.
So, in theory (and in practice) anchor text impacts very strongly on search engine rankings.
And when Google spiders the Home Page your ranking will get another huge boost (I'd think top 50).
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The Web Design Business Kit is a compilation of everything Brendon has ever done and every document he has ever used to build and grow his business!
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