I read this quote today from Search Engine Watch: 

"Most search marketers are used to looking at things from a single perspective: that of a search marketer. Some of the more savvy marketers know enough to look at things from the perspective of end users as well, since those are the people they are ultimately trying to influence. The savviest of search marketers know that it's also important to step back from time to time and try to think like a search engine engineer."

 It is so true.  I am constantly amazed by the lawyers I speak with who want to show up for searches that consumers would never even consider typing in.  If you are a lawyer, you have to remember that your training and experience put you in a whole different place than your clients.  They don't think like you do - and they don't search like you do. 

 Consumers are hungry for information - so give them information.  Provide them with relevant and useful information about their injury or condition.  Provide them with resources.  Become the resource so other websites provide your site as a resource.  Then consumers will find your site and, when they are ready to hire a lawyer, they will contact you.

 It's simple, just stop thinking like a lawyer.

Dan Goldstein
Page 1 Solutions

We just got back from the Spring 2007 meeting of the American Association for Justice. Miami was nice, but it rained and the winds were blowing from Sunday afternoon on through yesterday. We met with some potential new clients as well as a couple of our existing clients. I'm happy to say that it was a productive meeting.

Check out a few pictures on my blog:

http://www.page1solutions.com/Blog/Jonathan/ 

Jonathan Fashbaugh
Internet Marketing Consultant
Page 1 Solutions

Some of my clients who have rightly decided to add a blog to their sites find that creating a blog post entry once per week is a bit more challenging than they thought it might be.  They see the value in doing it, but posting to their blog ends up at the bottom of a lengthy to-do list. 

First of all, I recommend that you bump it up toward the top of your to-do list.  Blogging is a really fast and easy way to promote your website, so give it the attention that it deserves. Afterall, if it brings more clients in the door, isn't it a worthwhile investment?

Next, eliminate every excuse - including, "I don't know what to write about." Writing topics are everywhere. Did you pass a car accident on the way in to work? Blog about it. Be mindful of possible blog ideas when you watch the news. You can also quickly browse some of the news websites out there such as CNN.com, Google News, and your local newspaper's website. These sources frequently feature stories that you can use to create blog posts.  Simply mention the news item, possibly including a synopsis of the story, and offer your opinion as an attorney. If you found the story online, you can link to the page where you found it. It's also helpful to link to any relevant pages of your site. So, when commenting on the latest drug that has been brought under scrutiny, you could link to your dangerous drug page.

You can also blog about the things going on in your community and about office activities. Blog about the office Holiday party, a birthday, a retirement; anything's fair game. These kinds of posts show visitors to your site that you're human and that you care about what goes on at your office enough to post it on your site.  This illustrates caring and dedication.

Remember, your blog entries don't need to be long, although more content does provide more for the search engines to spider. The important thing is that you blog often: at least once per week.

Jonathan Fashbaugh
Page 1 Solutions

This year when you are trying to come up with a good resolution for 2007, resolve to turn your website into your #1 referral source.  It's not easy and will require time, attention and money, but if you make the investment, it will pay dividends.  Here are a few things you can resolve to do that will pay off in 2007:

1. Add two new pages every month.  Search engines are looking for fresh original content - and consumers are too.  So help them out by adding new pages to your website every month.  There are lots and lots of things to write about.  Just think about all the questions you answer for your clients every day.  We can help too.  Page 1 writes lots of content for our attorney website sites every day.  Think ahead.  Identify 12 topics for new content.  We will write all twelve pages and you can review and edit them all at once.  Once approved, we will add two pages a month like clockwork and the search engines will see your site as a growing resource about consumer oriented legal information.
2. Add a blog to your site.  For the same reasons explained above, a blog can be a tremendous resource.  It doesn't take long to make an entry.  15 minutes at most.  Just think about what you did today or what issues came across your desk.  Dictate it and add it in.  If you write two or three blog postings a week, the search engines will start to take notice.  You can make it easy on yourself by asking other attorneys and even paralegals in your office to write blog entries.  The more the merrier.  You just need to make that commitment.
3. Add a privacy policy to your website.  This is a minor item, but it does help create an aura of legitimacy to your website.
4. Get more inbound links.  Links are one of the major ways that search engines judge the credibility of your website.  The more links you get from more credible sites, the better.  Ask your colleagues at other non-competing firms to link to your website.  Ask medical professionals including chiropractors and physical therapists who you work with to link to your site. Go to the websites of your college and law school.  Make sure your listing with the alumni association includes your website address - maybe link directly to your bio page.  Ask for links back from charities or other community organizations that you contribute to or participate in.  All these will help you, but you can still do more.
5. Buy links (carefully) from reputable websites where you can do so without indicating that you are buying them.  We can help you with this.
6. We will help you with links from directories.  There are lots of them.
7. Make sure your yellow page listings (online) all link back to your website.
8. Write articles and get them posted in the local newspaper.  Most of them include an online edition.  There are lots of websites that will accept a credible article from you.  Make sure that you include a hyperlink back to your website.
9. Write a press release each time you have a success.  Send it to your local publications.  There are lots or places that will publish your press releases.
   

This only scratches the surface.  There are lots more ideas where this came from.  The point is RESOLVE to get busy to help promote your website in 2007.

 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Dan Goldstein
Page 1 Solutions

Search Engine Optimization is usually focused on trying to figure what the Search Engines are looking for and how to catch up and get the better of the competitor’s websites.

It is equally important however to keep in mind that it is the visitors to the website who are the ultimate decision makers for the site’s popularity and are hence the single most important aspect of a website.

Visitors are those people that you attempt to attract to your site and they are the ones that will essentially make your website and hence your business successful. Hence , it is very important that the site be "user-friendly" and have the ability to attract a visitor to contact the Business or to make that Purchase.

Today Search engines too are changing the way they rank sites and are not only promoting natural web pages, with good content and natural links but are also looking into tracking a user's browsing pattern in order to rank search results . A site that is bookmarked and visited frequently will almost always rank higher.

Ultimately, the focus comes back to emphasizing visitor optimization and content optimization, creating a unique experience for the visitor and holding their attention by providing information in a simple, attractive and fun way.

Debby D'silva