16 replies to this topic

[Hyperformance]

Hey All -

I just wanted to share as well as show the patience that is sometimes required for "The BIG One". Allow a brief explanation;

A client of mine who we do very well with and have for some time, and one who actually understands the value and importance of good online all around marketing... just received my early a.m. call. You see for 2.5 years I have been working to obtain the number one spot in Google for their number one phrase. Nothing obsessive, but you know what I mean...

Don't get me wrong here, we have over 300 keyword phrases where this client is on the first page of Google, Yahoo!, and MSN... (and No, those 300+ do not include the obscure phrases) But alas, that #1 spot eluded us (for their #1 Industry phrase) even with what I think I know and how good we think we are... content and all things included - 2.5 years.

Well this morning in my updates and constant research I noticed - we took the number one position for the phrase in Google! We had been 3rd and 5th and 6th & 7th, etc.

All the tweaking, building, watching, and waiting, for a Trophy Phrase #1 position.

Yes, it feels great - but I also wanted to show how long it took... and I like to think I'm pretty good? So this keeps me in my reality zone.

Man this feels good!!!

- Scott

(As you can gather for this company, this phrase has never been the "end all" income phrase necessarily, you keep a client almost 3 years with the lead and traffic generation from over 300 traffic generating search terms that are bringing in "qualified" visitors everyday - On Top of all your other articles, links, referrals, partners, and marketing campaigns. I do however anticipate some positive 'bump' from this first position).

[OldWelshGuy]

Snap, Scott. I wonder if there has been some shift in the algo? It appears to me like a geo change http://www.highranki...t=0#entry199014


Odd isn't it, that NO MATTER how many times it happens, catching the rabbit is just as exciting. 2 calls today from customers who are overjoyed at the levels of business now being generated. THAT is what makes it all worth while for me.

[Randy]

Well done Scott.

Let's hope it holds.

[Hyperformance]

Thanks OWG, Randy -

The client had always offered dinner anywhere if we ever obtained the first spot for that term... kind of a running joke (until today).

He is an ecstatic CEO and it made his Friday - telling him then - that it made my year so far!

Even now I test with that phrase in #1 spot, does our PPC overlap do any good? Does dropping it show any drop-off in qualified traffic or leads generated? We're still having fun...

Thanks Again -

- Scott

[reddevil]

Well done Hyper,

Are there any particular points that you think helped more than others that you could share to us lesser mortals??

[Hyperformance]

Reddevil - you're too funny...

Yes, I will answer that. It's 2.5 years of adding content, tweaking descriptions, titles, adding content (not an error), getting quality Industry hubs (strong links) to acknowledge you as a 'source', a respected Newsletter (email list), constant researching of why "I" thought the 3 or 5 ahead of us deserved to be there (in Google) or how they obtain or hold that position in Ranking? (<--that's true even though I am considering the visitor first).

Then it's "How do I think we can do better?" - or offer more - or pull in an entirely new and possibly different string of visitors - there's more... - You asked?

- Scott

[Jill]

Scott, you'll have to let us know how much extra traffic and conversions you get from the #1 as opposed to the 3rd and 5th and 6th & 7th positions you previously had.

I'm guessing it's too soon to have that data though?

[Cosita]

Though I'm not Scott, I can describe my experience. When I'm in the top 5 on Google the clicks and conversions are MUCH higher than when I slipped to #6-#10. If I end up on the second page, hardly no clicks at all.

[Hyperformance]

I'll do that Jill... it will be of interest since it has been an excellent ppc term as well - so that adds to this mix. It has pretty fair conversion historically so I look forward to the results too.

I'll give it 45 days, first to see if it holds 1st position (like Randy hoped), and second, to see the traffic and lead generation results from this area and pages. It was interesting, since I had recently cut back on the ppc for that term since we were consistently 1st page anyway (our results show this has been effective when organic results take over). -> PPC budget decreases for those phrases, organic traffic generally increases (same customer as the PPC) <-- saves client money - same or better performance.

I'm reading back over this hoping it is understandable. It's some good information on strategies (I guess?), stats if nothing else...

- Scott

(The opinions and views expressed are strictly that of the writer) LOL

[arlen]

Yes, I will answer that.  It's 2.5 years of adding content, tweaking descriptions, titles, adding content (not an error), getting quality Industry hubs (strong links) to acknowledge you as a 'source', a respected Newsletter (email list), constant researching of why "I" thought the 3 or 5 ahead of us deserved to be there (in Google) or how they obtain or hold that position in Ranking?  (<--that's true even though I am considering the visitor first).

Then it's "How do I think we can do better?" - or offer more - or pull in an entirely new and possibly different  string of visitors - there's more...  - You asked?

- Scott

I'm really glad Reddevil asked, and you answered this question Scott. Though we all can glean the importance of these broad-ranging efforts by reading lots of forum posts, your response is a really good summary of the approach advocated 'round these parts ... and your successful placement is a great testimonial to underscore the message.

Congrats Hoping it holds

[TrailerParkRuss]

Congrats Scott Wow!! I am impressed.. and will probably read every post you posted cuz of it.
I have a lot to learn so if you OR ANY OF YOU! can you hear me in the back!?!?!
Have any good advice I will humbly and gladly take it.

I have been doing more reading than posting so I don't show up much in these pages... I just dont want to ask a stupid question that is already posted here a hundred times.

Again CONGRADULATIONS!!!!!
I HOPE YOU DO IT OVER AND OVER!!!

[Leann_Pass]

Hey Scott - Congrats!! I know it feels GREAT!!

I am really glad you talked about the hard and smart work it took and time it took to achieve that #1 ranking for that really competitive (I am assuming it is) term.

With so many people expecting immediate gratification with little or no effort and in record time of course - It is always a joy to work with a client who understands the Overall Marketing Plan and the benefits of thinking Long-Term - it just allows so much opportunity for growth!

Like Jill, I will be extremely interested to see if traffic/sales change due to the rankings going from top 5 or 10 to #1. Keep us posted!!

Just as a side note: I have a client that finally went from top 2 to 4 to #1 for a couple of "hot" terms several months ago. His traffic and sales (which have been great) really didn't change significantly.

This is the funny thing - On every page of his site I had originally put to "Call -name of person- at 999-9999". One week ago today the client requested that we remove his name from that line as well as his contact page and just put "Call -us- at 999-9999" -

I didn't like doing this because to me it was SUCH an important personal touch (which worked fine for over 2 years), but we changed it none-the-less. MISTAKE! He called again today and said his calls decreased by 1/2 since we removed his name from that invitation to call. Obviously we are changing that back asap - at least on certain pages.

Just goes to show that there are sooooooooo many factors involved - even when you sit #1 in the rankings.

Anywho, Great Job! and please keep us posted.

Leann

[Jill]

Since this is actually an older thread which Russ posted to today, perhaps Scott will fill us in on the status of this now.

[Hyperformance]

Thanks Everyone!

And you're right Jill, an update is in order. It's funny, I just met with this client yesterday... DeJaVu

Well, we continue to hold the #1 spot in Google for the phrase. Very interesting facts here - LeAnn eluded to the important one earlier... So hear this!!!

While we gained visitors from that specific organic term being first, our overall June traffic is down - month to month. I attribute this (mostly) to Summer and their Industry cycle based on prior years performance. Our lead generation remains about the same and we are still tracking "new business" from the web at the same pace. So for this update, let's say that going from position number three or five to the number one spot did mildly increase visitors for that term, we have NOT seen any dramatic increase in sales activity. Please keep in mind that we are proactive in this area at all times.

Based upon the past 45 days numbers (and nothing else) - this position will increase our yearly traffic by almost 3% - if it ends up doing the same for sales or new customers, then for just this one success it is worthwhile. I can't help but think where we could go if everything we did increased our numbers by 3%...?

So the first page proves to be ideal, we have learned that being number 7 is great... and being number 3 is better, but being number one (as WE knew) - does not make for a successful company or more sales (if you are already doing all you can do).

There is still some (major) Branding pride in your company being number one & two when any prospect or competitor finds you under their search queries. At least there is for me -

- Scott

[OldWelshGuy]

I have a client who when they are not in 1st place, lose 75% or more orders. there are 3 companies after #1 and we are in one hell of a dogfight for top billing with each other. Currently we are #1 , but whatever we do, they mimic within hours of it going live.

The fact is that all 3 companies provideeverything the buyer wants.