This article was originally published by Gregg Murray for Elance.com.

If you want your website to rank higher and more often in Google (or any other search engine), it’s essential that you know a handful of techniques regarding SEO (search engine optimization). When you optimize your web pages so Google can more easily find you, you’re sure to be found much more often when prospects are searching for your products or services while searching online. If you can take advantage of the five tips that follow, your web pages will receive more traffic from the people you really want to find you…potential clients and customers.

The most important word to remember through each of these tips is, “keywords.” Think of keywords as search engine magnets. The more relevant keywords you have, in the right places on your pages, the more energy you are giving Google to find your website and have it appear in search results.

Tip #1: The Power of Links
Each tip that follows is something you can do to your actual web pages that can improve your Google visibility, but this one doesn’t. My first tip is for you to get as many links as you can to your website, from other websites. These are called, “inbound links,” and Google loves them. When other websites have a link to your website, Google is more likely to see your website as authoritative and more important. This means everything else you do on your web pages when it comes to SEO will be more valuable. However, not all inbound links are created equal. The bigger the website you can get to link to you, the more impressed Google will be. Start with your Chamber of Commerce website, and keep it going from there.

Bonus Tip – Remember, “keywords” still matter in links. A link to your site (or even within your site) that is hyperlinked as a keyword is much (MUCH) more valuable than just a hyperlink that says, “click here” or “www.yourwebsiteaddress.com.”

Tip #2: Page Titles
Page titles appear as the headline in Google search results. You should have page titles that are both relevant to what’s on that specific page, as well as keyword rich. Google allows you to use up to 70 characters in your page title, so maximize that real estate wisely. A perfect headline example for an accountant in Raleigh, NC may be: “Raleigh, NC Accounting Services | Acme Accounting and Bookkeeping.” That took up 65-characters and contained several keywords that may be used when someone is looking for an accountant in Raleigh, NC. See how easy this is? :)

Bonus Tip: Here’s a link to a free SEO character counter. By the way, did you see how the link we just mentioned used keywords as the hyperlink? This is what I was talking about in Tip #1.

Tip #3: Page Descriptions
When you’re looking at any search result in Google, the non-bold text under the page title is a “page description.” Google allows you to utilize 155 characters for your page description. Use the same rules as the page titles tip, but also think of these 155 characters as a mini-ad for the content that’s on the specific page your optimizing. To follow up on the Raleigh, NC accountant example above, your page description may be: “Acme Accounting and Bookkeeping is a local Raleigh, NC firm specializing in accounting, write up, bookkeeping, payroll and tax preparation services.” That’s 148 characters that contains both a perfect description of your home page, which is also keyword rich.

Again, use the free SEO character counter to help you maximize the perfect page description.

Tip #4: Maximizing Page Content
The power of keywords also extends to the content on your web pages. Although your page copy doesn’t appear in the Google search results, Google will index this content to make sure it matches up with your page title and page description. You’re going to want at least 300 words on each of your pages for Google to index (500 is even better). Be sure your keywords are mentioned close to 3-5% of the page content. This means in our example, that the words, “Raleigh, NC Accounting” should be mentioned in some form at least 15 times in a 500 word page. But remember, you don’t want to make your keywords feel “stuffed” into your page. Spread them out, so they feel natural, and not forced.

Tip #5: More Pages = More Juice
The more pages you feed Google, the more juice you have on your site to be found by Google. The best way to do this is by having a blog as part of your website. A blog is a simple way to produce weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly articles, posts, or company information that can be picked up by Google. Not only do more pages give Google more information to find you (and display you in more search results), it also keeps your site fresh with content, which is another thing that Google loves.

Need help with your SEO? I know someone who can help ;-)

I always feel the pain of small business owners and entrepreneurs when it comes to finding a solid website designer. I’ve been there with you!

Even though I spend my days managing and marketing websites, there is a whole different skill set when it comes to designers and developers. In fact, it’s actually two skills. A good designer has an eye for creating a clean and professional look and the developer is left to manage the geeky side of HTML, CSS, PHP, etc…

In a previous post, Creating a Business Website – Don’t Go Alone, we talked about the choices you have for finding help, such as using a freelancer, doing it yourself, or hiring a full service agency.

For many businesses, finding talented freelancers is the best option. Problem is, the search is often filled with disappointment once you’ve hired someone and discover they suck. Most often by producing crappy work or just plain ripping you off.

So, what to do? Here are my best suggestions:

1. If you can find someone locally who you’re comfortable with, use them. It’s always better to have local help.
2. Ask around. If a friend has a nice website and they have been happy with their designer or developer, give them a shot.
3. If you see websites you like, look at the bottom of the page (the footer) and see if the designer/developer has a link.
4. Contact your local colleges. Find out if there are any working students who are talented and already taking on clients.
5. Post a job online. My favorite source is www.elance.com. Others folks have found help at www.odesk.com, www.guru.com, and www.craigslist.com.
6. Do a Google search for “web design *your town/city*.” You may find a small local design shop or solo-entrepreneur who can help you at a price comparable to a freelancer.

If you need more help, there is a whole section on finding help in my book, Website Blueprint: The Beginners Guide for Small Business Owners.

If you want someone to hold your hand through the process, so you know you’re finding the best person and not getting ripped off, find out if I have an opening to help you.

Ready. Fire. Aim. Uh oh!

Puling the trigger on whether to choose Facebook or Twitter can hurt. Especially if you choose the wrong one. It’s hard enough running a small business or being an entrepreneur. And now you have to find time to create a damn Twitter account or setup a Facebook fan page? WTF? This aint’ right!  But, do you? Uh….yeah…probably.

Well, “which one Gregg?” you’re pleading.

Let’s start here. It’s true that the most talked about social media these days are Twitter and Facebook. And of course, you have no time for either. But, we both know you gotta’ choose one if you want a complete web presence for your business. Problem is, if you have to choose, which will it be?

First, the facts:

Twitter allows you to post updates and messages of 140 characters or less. Such as a link to an article/blog post you read and and want to share with your audience or even mentioning a special sale or event. You follow other users to get their updates, and they can follow yours in return. Isn’t that sweet. It’s crazy simple to create a Twitter account and even easier to “tweet” a message whenever you want.

Facebook is a more robust social networking site; which is cool. But, it’s a bigger hassle to setup than Twitter. After you’ve signed up for an account, you can then start your business fan page and invite people to “like” your fan page. Your fan page can act as a hub for important business info. You can post videos, ask your fans questions, announce sales, etc. It is an online space for fans of your business to talk with you and about you and your services. Cool, huh?

Now let’s decide which one YOU should use.

Your going to want to use Twitter if:

• Your customers need daily updates on specials or news. For example, a restaurant may want to Tweet about the soup of the day.
• Your interested in saving time. When you have 50, 500, or 5,000 followers on Twitter, you’re sending a message out to all your followers at once.
• You like to converse. Twitter allows quicker access to direct communication with followers. By replying to a follower (using the “@” symbol before their user name), you can connect with them directly.

Now, when it comes to Facebook, it’s cool for daily updates and messages to all your fans, just like you can with your Twitter followers. But, you’ll also want to consider it if:

• You already use Facebook in your personal life and you’re familiar with how it works. That is a relief.
• You want to use multimedia to promote your business. Facebook gives you a great opportunity for your business to share videos, pictures and more. Just don’t share your pajama pictures on your business page. Ah, what the hell. Go for it. It’ll just create a personal connection between you and all your Facebook fans. They’ll love your doggie slippers.
• You want to create a community of supporters. People who “like” your Facebook page join a community where they can comment together on your posts or post their own content. Yeh, that can be dangerous, but I’m counting on the fact you run a good business and take care of your customers.
• You want to provide more information than just 140 characters. Remember, that’s all you get with Twitter. Facebook is better if you want to post articles with images or longer messages.
• You already have a personal page. This way, you can invite your friends and family to become fans. That means you have a nice starting fan base to grow from.

Many experts may say, “there’s no right choice.” Really, that’s just bullshit. Of course one is better than the other. Problem is, as much as I wish I could ask you right now about your type of business I can’t. What good am I?

But, I can say this…

If your business has a more personal touch to it and it’s not too stuffy, give Facebook a whirl. In other words, if you’re a gym or a woodworking shop, Facebook sounds nice. However, if you’re an accountant or plastic surgeon, Facebook may be too comfy for your audience. Now, Twitter would be great choice if you’re a consultant or your business is more national, than local. But, Twitter wouldn’t be the best choice if you’re a landscaper or Main Street clothing store. Know what I mean?

Whatever you decide, just pick one and try it for a couple months. Let me know what happens.

Feel free to ask question or add a comment below.

Google and the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced a new partnership aimed at providing resources and tools to help small businesses that want to grow their business online. “Tools for Online Success” is a website featuring videos and tutorials from small business owners who have used the internet to grow their business and advice from Google’s experts.

Here are some of the tips for small business owners that are taken from the videos and tutorials:

Establish an online presence:
As more and more people get online to find information and local lookups grow, an online presence is increasingly important for a small business.  Whether it’s creating a website or starting a twitter feed, there are many steps that you can take to enhance your visibility online.   Directory sites, such as Google Places, allow you to claim your listing and input information about your business. This means that as people search the internet to learn more about your business, you are able to build the profile they’ll view.

Utilize free marketing tools to reach your consumer base:
Services like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube allow you to communicate with customers and grow your fan base. These tools are great “word-of-mouth” platforms – where you customers can tell their friends about your products. Keep customers in-the-loop about new promotions or specials, or exciting events.

Know your customers:
Easy to use analytics tools, such as Google Analytics, can help you better understand how your content is being received by customers.  You can analyze what search term brought visitors to your webpage and what content they look at while they are there.  This information will help you make intelligent decisions about what stories to feature and what terms to run search engine advertisements on.

Stay aware of the latest trends:
The recent growing popularity of smart phones has meant that more and more customers search for information on the go.  This makes it very important that your business information be up-to-date and online.  To cater to consumers with smart phones you can provide driving directions, post digital coupons and link to your menu.

Click here to view Google’s “Tools for Online Success.”

I love me some Scribe SEO!
Scribe makes SEO copywriting simple.

There hasn’t been a single time over the past month that I’ve published a new web page or blog post without using my new secret SEO weapon.

You’re probably wondering, is this a pitch or a review? Well, it’s a bit of both. It’s a pitch because I want those business owners and entrepreneurs who visit Website Blueprint and Website Elementary to have access to the same tools that I use; and this is one of them. As a bonus for me, if you click one of the links on this page and begin using Scribe SEO, you’ll be buying me an iced-coffee or two each month, because I get a commission from the affiliate link (thanks for the coffee!).

Most importantly, this post is a review and overview for you. I love Scribe and use it everyday. And I promise, if you struggle with SEO, you’ll love it too.

What is Scribe and why will you fall in love with it?

Scribe is a search engine optimization software service that analyzes your web content (with a click of a button) and then reports back in seconds to let you know what adjustments you need to make to get better search engine rankings (in other words…more Google juice!).

The thing that is such a relief is how all the guesswork out of optimizing your pages for Google SEO is eliminated. Sweet!

You receive an SEO score for each page you analyze. It also provides a keyword analysis tab that lets you know what words Google will see as most important on that page or post. This is nice, because you can adjust the keywords in your text so Google will know the exact topic (keywords) you want to feature on that page. Just the fact that a piece of software can walk you easily through that process is amazing.

Take a look at this video demo.

Here’s a report I got back after editing a page a few minutes ago. You’ll see that my page is on target for all elements, except there is no hyperlink toward the top of my page (did you realize that was important?). Anyhow, I can go in, add a link towards the beginning, and take my score from 88% to 100% just like that. Scroll back up and look at the opening of this post. See how I slipped in the link at the top of the page.

Pricing starts at only $17 a month. And that’s a steal if SEO is important to the growth of your website and/or blog.

If you want to learn more, click here to grab your free SEO copywriting report written by Copyblogger founder, Brian Clark. It’s an amazing guide that tells you exactly what’s most important to achieve higher Google rankings and some simple things you can do to make your website or blog much more prominent with Google.

I read it and reread it while sitting on the beach when I was in Hilton Head last week (how sad is that!). What can I say, it was that damn interesting.

By the way, this post just scored at 100%!