Navigating "The Social Network Jungle" - Web Page Optimization - Part 1

I have been developing websites for about 10 years as a professional
sideline to help me keep track of good safety and health sites I
found. I had never considered the possibility of doing SEO (Search
Engine Optimization) of my websites until just recently. After
learning a number of SEO basics, I set out to conduct my own research
to better understand what makes the difference between web sites that
get ranked in search engine results and those that do not.During my
research on this technology, I got caught up listening to many current
"Gurus" who told me how much money that they made on the Internet and,
if I would just buy their product, I could do the same. As I listened
to these self-proclaimed experts, I thought, "if what they say is
really true, I can study their techniques and determine for myself
what works and does not work." I found a wide array of different
methods were in use and several had potential that I could use.Looking
at my research, I was reminded of a TV commercial from several years
ago that had the line: "I think that I have reached the end of the
Internet." In this era of ever expanding Internet use, everyone has a
different story to tell. I think that I have downloaded e-books from
most of the sources I found mostly just to see what strategies and
theories were being offered. I began to learn how to optimize my web
pages by trail and error.Common ThemeAs I read these e-books and
listened to many SEO web site screen casts, I began to see a common
theme. The tone of the screen casts and e-books reminded me of two
famous TV sales persons: Ron "Ronco" Popeil, listed as one of
America's unique inventors and Billy Mays, Jr. another television
direct-response advertisement salesperson, and their selling
techniques. If you pay attention to the different techniques that
these sales persons used on their television commercials to the
specific various Internet sales landing page with their sales pitch,
you will see similarities.And then the other day, I get an automated
email from one of these "Gurus" stating: "It is not your fault for not
making money on the Internet, you are being told wrong, just buy my
product and I will tell you the real story." Again, I was reminded of
a weight loss TV commercials which uses the same method: "It is not
your fault that you are fat. Just buy my product and you will lose
weight."In the beginning, I was confused as to what was being offered
and when I finally got to the price of the product after trying to
read these long landing pages that go on forever, I noticed one price
and after reviewing the sales pitch screen cast as part of the pitch,
I would finally find some type of offer. "Well, you might be willing
to pay $1997 for this product, and you are not going to pay $1,000"
and of course if goes on until you get to the end of the landing page
and then you see a final price of $97. Wow!! I am saving $1,900 let me
in now, right?" This reminds me of a current TV show, "The Office",
where Dwight and Andy are negotiating the sale of a car, and Dwight,
states: "Do it now, Do it now, Do it now,"..... until, Andy sells the
car to him!And next you hear: "This system is so automated that it
will work when you are sleep". As Ron Popl states in his commercials,
"Set it and forget it" and in Bill May pitch, "if you order right now,
we will double the offer, but wait there is more..."The truth of the
matter - these deals may or may not what they set out to be, it is
just a method to get your money. I am not trying to be harsh, but
truthful based on my research. There is benefit to be gained but one
has to be very cautious. After all, "There is a Jungle Out There."In
part 2, we will discuss what you can do to enhance your website with
the recommended SEO technology.