5 replies to this topic

[hypntzd3]

I subscribe to many publications...one of my favorites is offered by Planet Ocean. In my reading I have found that it is believed that the first 250 words in a pages's content are weight more due to the possibility of relevancy. Can anyone comment on this?

Hypntzd3

[Jill]

The entire page of text is indexed and considered by the search engines, not just the first 250 words.

Some people believe that words close to the top of the page will help with their rankings, but I've found that words spread throughout the entire body text copy works wonderfully.

Planet Ocean often teaches methods on how to trick the search engines, so be careful implementing things they might say. I wouldn't call them one of my "trusted" resources.

Jill

[hypntzd3]

Well Jill...I once again thank you for your sharing your wealth of knowledge. With Planet Ocean not being one of your more trusted resoureces, who would you recommend?

Hypntzd3

[Jill]

I would recommend this forum, my newsletter and Search Engine Watch.

There are plenty of other good articles out there at times, but there's no other one resource that I personally can consistently recommend.

Generally stuff you read by Mike Grehan will be accurate, as well as stuff from Andrew Goodman.

And Shari Thurow's book is a very good resource for someone just building a Web site.

Jill

[awall19]

I think if your new to websites (I somewhat am too) it is also a good idea to go to sources of info other than SEO so you can learn multiple things at once.

web site usability
jakob nielson
steve krug

copywriting
nick usborne
the grok
robert bly

general marketing
seth godin

i think reading a couple books on each topic is the best way to go. please note that my ugly website reflects little to none of my knowledge, but the above sources are good stuff...the cool thing about the different sources is that if you get into any of them heavy enough it is good info for the other parts.

typically good web site usability info is good SEO...

[dragonlady7]

awall's right-- diversity in your sources is the best way to ensure an education as free from misinformation as possible. Good sources! You're broadening my horizons...

<added> Ah, newsletters-- I love newsletters. Can't believe I wasn't signed up for these already!
Oh, theGrok recommends MarketingProfs newsletter, to which I can add my recommendation. They're more about marketing, but every issue has at least one article that I find valuable just for learning about how to make my site more appealing to more people.