Expert: Ken Ivey - 6/27/2009

Question
Hello Ken,

I have a website http://www.realpracticesolutions.com and I created several blogs on Blogger http://realpracticesolutions.blogspot.com
My question: how do I get my website and blog be able to be seen by search engines.
I tried to claim my blog on Technorati, but their system is down for months now.
The blog is not coming out on searches at all.
I submitted the website to several directories and did try to set up some backlinks.
What should I do?

Answer
David - great question.

Judging by your described actions, it sounds like you may have done a bit of research on Search Engine Optimization - and I would encourage you to continue that education. Or perhaps not.  Read on....

Success in the search engines won't be found in an email promising instant results for only $295 -- it's a lot of hard work, and not at all as described on many 'guru' sites claiming to have the '7 things you need to know to get ranked..."

That said, here are a few things you should know before you start.

1. Are you sure your "keywords" effective? - you should spend 90% of your time/money getting this right, otherwise you're wasting your efforts.

2. Determine what your competition is doing, and where the 'holes' are.  Then exploit them.

3. Make sure your website is relevant. No, not keyword-stuffed.  Real, relevant, useful information.  Information you would want to know if you were a doctor who needed your services.  What are their issues? Solve them in your Title and Headings.  (bet they'll turn up in keyword research, too! hint, hint)

4. Lose the blogs - or better yet, turn your website into a self-hosted Wordpress blog, and concentrate on updating it regularly - at least once weekly.  (not weakly)  :)  Google loves that.

5. Since you're probably better at helping physicians than designing SEO-friendly websites, hire a pro to do it for you.  If you can't find someone you trust locally, I'll be glad to help - my contact info is at www.kenivey.com