What have you got on Page One?

[PintoPotts]

We all seem to spend hours talking about it, so let's compare...

Give me your top 5 phrases that you have currently appearing on page one of Google, mine are:

Dog Bite Solicitor - Number 3 - http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=dog+bite+solicitor&meta=

Ice Hockey Accident - Number 1 - http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=ice+hockey+accident&meta=

Supermarket Accident Claim - Number 2 - http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=supermarket+accident+claim&meta=

Whiplash Compensation Claim Experts - Number 4 - http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=whiplash+compensation+claim+experts&meta=

Building Site Accident Claims - Number 2 - http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=building+site+accident+claims&meta=

[DuaneJackson]

#1 Accounting Software
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=accounting+software

#1 small business accounting software
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=small+business+accounting+software

#1 sage accounting for mac
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=sage+accounting+for+mac&meta=

#3 and #4 bookkeeping software
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=bookkeeping+software&meta=

#3 online accounting software
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=online+accounting+software&meta=

[PintoPotts]

Duane, Accounting Software is a very good one! Well done...

[PI Guy]

Process Servers croydon
http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&safe=off&rls=DVFC%2CDVFC%3A1970--2%2CDVFC%3Aen&q=Process+servers+croydon&btnG=Search

Detective Agencies Croydon
http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&safe=off&rls=DVFC%2CDVFC%3A1970--2%2CDVFC%3Aen&q=Detective+Agencies++croydon&btnG=Search

Private Investigators Croydon
http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&safe=off&rls=DVFC%2CDVFC%3A1970--2%2CDVFC%3Aen&q=private+investigators+croydon&btnG=Search

Retail Fraud Investigations
http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&safe=off&rls=DVFC%2CDVFC%3A1970--2%2CDVFC%3Aen&q=retail+fraud+investigations&btnG=Search

Tracing Services Croydon
http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&safe=off&rls=DVFC%2CDVFC%3A1970--2%2CDVFC%3Aen&q=tracing+services+croydon&btnG=Search

[sirearl]

sorry this site is not big enough :rolleyes:

[Dawg]

Organic dog biscuits #1, (unpaid)
Natural dog treats #1
Pure dog treats #1
Pure dog biscuits #1
Hand made dog biscuits #1

(Obviously 'Dawganic' & 'Dawg Treats' do OK too)

[sirearl]

Organic dog biscuits #1, (unpaid)
Natural dog treats #1
Pure dog treats #1
Pure dog biscuits #1
Hand made dog biscuits #1

(Obviously 'Dawganic' & 'Dawg Treats' do OK too)

ain't ya got "dog biscuits" at 1 on google surely thats worth a little woof :)

[Dawg]

Ooops, sorry. Yes It's #1, (unpaid/organic)

[sirearl]

Ooops, sorry. Yes It's #1, (unpaid/organic)

now stick the word "cheap" in your title tag somewhere not at the start,and all the little DAWG's will be wagging there tails.

"cheap" is a flexi word ,and means all thing to all men :)

P.S organic results get 10 x times the clicks as PPC so don't apologise ;)

Earl

[DarrenC]

Some people don't like their product being classed as 'cheap'

Earl, you go on about these no1. rankings.

Let's see some ;)

[JustOneUK]

I am bored with page one now, I am optimising for page two... much more testing :D

[RayB]

now stick the word "cheap" in your title tag somewhere not at the start,and all the little DAWG's will be wagging there tails.

"cheap" is a flexi word ,and means all thing to all men :)

P.S organic results get 10 x times the clicks as PPC so don't apologise ;)

Earl

Not many searches for my keywords prefixed with "cheap"............

(About 1%)!!!

[sirearl]

Some people don't like their product being classed as 'cheap'

Earl, you go on about these no1. rankings.

Let's see some ;)

Try telling that to Tesco and asda :D

just a few http://www.whitstablescene.co.uk/books.htm#POSITION

[sirearl]

Not many searches for my keywords prefixed with "cheap"............

(About 1%)!!!

Try selling peanut butter :D

Earl

[Coding Monkey]

Organic dog biscuits #1, (unpaid)
Natural dog treats #1
Pure dog treats #1
Pure dog biscuits #1
Hand made dog biscuits #1)

Well done, Dawg. Did you do that yourself?

[Mac Yeti]

I've not looked at this in any depth at all but having quickly gone through google I picked out the following

#1 viral marketing uk
#1 buzz marketing uk
#3 pr gloucester
#4 quirky logos
#12 viral marketing - not bad!

I know there's probably a few good ones in there that I haven't seen, I might have a bit of a closer look later.

[Dawg]

...Dawg. Did you do that yourself?
yeah, on the cheap...:)

[Coding Monkey]

yeah, on the cheap...:)

Brilliant. Nicely done.

I can't confess to ours being any good - even though the entire home page is Flash - but it's what I wanted to be there for.

#6 - Suffolk website designers
#9 - Suffolk web designers

[PintoPotts]

OK, so as it stands this is the top 5 best keyphrases on page 1 of Google for the UKBF Forum (as decided by me!)....keep posting your positions to try and get included in the top 5, if we get plenty more I will make a top 10.

It is a close call between 'Dog Biscuits', 'Viral Marketing UK' and 'Accounting Software' for top spot....but DueneJackson gets it in my opinion...Accounting Software brings up 72,100,000 sites, Viral Marketing UK - 1,630,000, Dog Biscuits - 1,450,000.

1) DueneJackosn 'Accounting Software' - position 1
2) 10 Yetis 'Viral Marketing Uk - position 1
3) Dawg 'Dog Biscuits' - position 1
4) Pinto Potts 'Ice Hockey Accident' - position 1
5) Salinv 'Retail Fraud Investigations' - position 7

[JustOneUK]

Which are you counting, Google.com or Google.co.uk?

[SteveGibson]

My Greater Profits Guaranteed site is usually around positions 1-5 on Google for things like

Edinburgh Marketing Consultant (#3 in google.com)
Marketing Consultant Edinburgh (#3)
Marketing Consultants Edinburgh (#3)
Marketing Consulting Edinburgh (#1)

and various related phrases.

However, as it's a .com and hosted in the US, it doesn't appear for the "UK only" results.

Just google.com, google.co.uk (whole world), google.fr etc

Plus, I have a couple of other (non-marketing) sites that have page 1 positions for various targetted 2 and 3 word phrases.

Steve

[RayB]

Printing Services - #1 - Google UK (The Web) is that any good?

#4 on .com

[SteveGibson]

Printing Services - #1 - Google UK (The Web) is that any good?

Hmmmm ... looks like a "long tail" phrase to me ... what's the likelihood of anyone actually searching for something like that ... ?

:D

Steve

[PI Guy]

1) DueneJackosn 'Accounting Software' - position 1
2) 10 Yetis 'Viral Marketing Uk - position 1
3) Dawg 'Dog Biscuits' - position 1
4) Pinto Potts 'Ice Hockey Accident' - position 1
5) Salinv 'Retail Fraud Investigations' - position 7

I'm third on the term "process servers croydon"

[SteveGibson]

I'd be curious to know who did everyone's SEO.

Rayb and Dawg did their own and I reckon I'm little more than a big fish in a small pond.

Are anyone's positions down to help from a professional SEO?

Steve

[RayB]

Hi Steve,

You are right about it being a long tail!

Yep - I have done my own up till now - but have now sought professional help (for the website that is).

Can't say who though :)

[PintoPotts]

I did the searches on Google UK - but 'whole web' not 'UK only'.

Salinv, as the 'Croydon' one is area specific I didn't think it had as much clout.

We do use a professional SEO, but the keywords I have listed are on page one following articles I wrote on the subjects which Google (and other sites have picked up).

Let's have some more results - see if anyone else can get into the top 5!

[Comspec]

I have tried a few out (Google UK) and got:

#3 for 'Computer Repairs County Antrim'
#1 for 'Computer Services County Antrim'
#6 for 'PC Repairs County Antrim'
#1 for 'Custom Built Computers County Antrim'

Not bad for a site that is only a services site, and has only been going since mid-Feb. A credit to Gary's design skills I think.

Today County Antrim - tomorrow....... ;)

[PintoPotts]

Comspec - not bad given the short length of time, as they are area specific the number of results is low (under 100K), not enough to make the top 5 - for now...

[DuaneJackson]

1) DueneJackosn 'Accounting Software' - position 1
2) 10 Yetis 'Viral Marketing Uk - position 1


Both the above are down to professional help from the best SEO I've ever known. Not cheap, but worth every penny. Tin Soldier.

Both of them have been rock solid and been at #1 constantly for atleast 6 months.


Earl, you go on about these no1. rankings. Let's see some ;)

We're still waiting : )

[Dawg]

Rayb and Dawg did their own
This forum helped enormously, and advice from a right little soldier was a ray of sunshine and invaluable!! So a thanks to all out there.

[JustOneUK]

I am currently #3 for free advertising (http://www.justoneuk.com) & #3 for local advertising (http://www.justoneuk.com).

I was supposed to be targeting business advertising (http://www.justoneuk.com) too but have let it slip lately to a most pathetic #11 :mad: even UKSBD has me whipped on that one. ;)
(rolls up sleeves......)

[PintoPotts]

JustOneUK - I reckon you could be a top 5 contender with those:

Position 3 - Local Advertising has 175,000,000 results and Free Advertising has 326,000,000 results...that is pretty impressive!

Let's have a few more results and I reckon a new top 5 table could be in order!

Would be good to have a top 10 if we get enough responses!

[JustOneUK]

JustOneUK - I reckon you could be a top 5 contender with those:

Top 5! :| ... surely you mean NUMBER 1?

facing competition like yell, craigs list, gum tree, friday ad, loot etc......My competition couldn't be any harder. :D

I knew I should have chosen something easier like Dog Bite Solicitor ;)

also #6 for free business advertising (http://www.justoneuk.com)

heh.

[PintoPotts]

lol...I didn't say where in the top 5 you would appear!

[JustOneUK]

I would come in joint 1st with Ozzy...
He just happens to rank top 3 or 4 for business forum(s) on every search engine out of several umpteen-squillion results.

[PintoPotts]

Ozzy hasn't added his 2pence worth yet, so looks like you may take top spot...

Would still like some other contributions!

[JustOneUK]

Ozzy of course has the words business and forum in his domain name, so that puts Duane and I in the no1 & 2 spots.... because we do it the hard way. :D

[sirearl]

Earl, you go on about these no1. rankings. Let's see some

Duane Us grown ups have to be able to rank for a great diversity of terms from many different industries and services ;) I already posted this once

http://www.whitstablescene.co.uk/books.htm#POSITION

[RayB]

Earl, you go on about these no1. rankings. Let's see some

Duane Us grown ups have to be able to rank for a great diversity of terms from many different industries and services ;) I already posted this once

http://www.whitstablescene.co.uk/books.htm#POSITION

Dear Sirearl,

I NOTICED YOU HAVE A TENDANCY FOR WRITING ALL YOUR <titles>

in caps - must be fun being shouted at by a SERP result!

[PintoPotts]

This is getting competitive now! I like it...

[PI Guy]

Salinv, as the 'Croydon' one is area specific I didn't think it had as much clout.

Ok try this one then

PRIVATE DETECTIVES & PROCESS SERVERS - UK
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rls=GGLD%2CGGLD%3A2006-13%2CGGLD%3Aen&q=PRIVATE+DETECTIVES+%26+PROCESS+SERVERS+-+UK&btnG=Search&meta=

[DuaneJackson]

Ok try this one then

PRIVATE DETECTIVES & PROCESS SERVERS - UK
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rls=GGLD%2CGGLD%3A2006-13%2CGGLD%3Aen&q=PRIVATE+DETECTIVES+%26+PROCESS+SERVERS+-+UK&btnG=Search&meta=

I assume you're joking?

[PI Guy]

what's wrong with it?

[sirearl]

I assume you're joking?

Now Now children,if you can't behave you will be made to sit at the back of the class

Ray I never learnt to do joined up writting;)

There is a method in my madness:|

[DuaneJackson]

what's wrong with it?

Sorry Jorge, I wasn't sure if you were joking or not.

It seems a pretty useless phrase to rank for - how many people search for that term each month?

[Hayles]

No.1,2,3,4,5,6,7 & 8 for Buffets Colchester
No. 1 for Caterers Colchester
No. 1,2,3,4,5,6 & 7 for Business Buffets Colchester

(None paid for - guess Creospace did it!!)

But am I cheating as we only deliver in one town?

H

[sirearl]

Both the above are down to professional help from the best SEO I've ever known. Not cheap, but worth every penny. Tin Soldier.

)

Cheap, could we have a bit of decorum here.

Our reputations might be cheap ,but not our charges are not,after all we are the wealth creators for most sites.

yup were just like some glorified Abacas salesmen ,very inexpensive for what you get.:D

[DuaneJackson]

You're doing it again - what are you talking about?
(does anyone on here run a good nursing home? Ideally in Kent? Infact - just in Kent, it doesn't have to be good.)

In comparison to prices charge by most SEOs, Tin (http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/member.php?u=4988) is at the very top end of the market. But in terms of results he is way way way up there past everyone else I've ever dealt with or worked with over the years. That's all I'm saying.

[sirearl]

You're doing it again - what are you talking about?
(does anyone on here run a good nursing home? Ideally in Kent? Infact - just in Kent, it doesn't have to be good.) you sound like my wife

In comparison to prices charge by most SEOs, Tin (http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/member.php?u=4988) is at the very top end of the market. But in terms of results he is way way way up there past everyone else I've ever dealt with or worked with over the years. That's all I'm saying.

Duane As a matter if great interest to me what are the charges of most SEO that you have dealt with ?.As I have always worked as an independant and have a fairly unique charging mode.

Earl

[DuaneJackson]

It's always varied dependent on the competiveness of the keywords being targetted, the current standing of the site, etc, etc, etc.

[sirearl]

anyone like to divulge what they paid for there pro SEO?

Earl

[DuaneJackson]

Start another thread asking that. It'll make for interesting reading I'm sure.

[sirearl]

Hmmmm ... looks like a "long tail" phrase to me ... what's the likelihood of anyone actually searching for something like that ... ?

:D

Steve

130,000 surprised me 3 stars Ray :D

[sirearl]

Having a No1 on google is only important if linked to the amount of actual searches there are for that term.

at the moment I have Duanes site at:

2,114,145 actual searches for accounting software

136,000 for my vw parts

130,000 for Rays printing services

7,000 for Dawg's dog biscuits

now even that is only part of the story ,cause I bet our conversion rate for VW parts is a hell of a lot higher than Duanes accounting software.

which just proves that stats ain't always what they seem !!

if you want to do your own keyword reaearch go to http://www.keyworddiscovery.com

Earl

[Top Hat]

#7 Jokes - Can't say it brings us much money
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=jokes&btnG=Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB

#1 Phone Pranks
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=phone+pranks&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB

#1 and #2 for practical jokes
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=practical+jokes&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB

[PintoPotts]

OK, we now have plenty for a new top 5 - I am proposing this formula to create a score for each best keyphrase, highest score top:

Number of results for phrase: divided by position:
So my 'Ice Hockey Accident' would score 1,160,000 x 1 (1st position)...

Now, I'm not going to go back through all the posts checking everyones score, so please calculate your highest scoring keyword and post it...

As it stands i'm top with a phrase score of 1,160,000 - it's yours to beat....lol

[Top Hat]

OK, we now have plenty for a new top 5 - I am proposing this formula to create a score for each best keyphrase, highest score top:

Number of results for phrase: divided by position:
So my 'Ice Hockey Accident' would score 1,160,000 x 1 (1st position)...

Now, I'm not going to go back through all the posts checking everyones score, so please calculate your highest scoring keyword and post it...

As it stands i'm top with a phrase score of 1,160,000 - it's yours to beat....lol

so #2 scores more than #1 and #3 scores more still ;)

How about dividing by position

[PintoPotts]

Sorry...didn't make it clear, meant - number of results divided by position:

Number 1 with 1,000,000 results = 1,000,000

Number 2 with 1,000,000 results = 500,000

[awebapart.com]

We all seem to spend hours talking about it, so let's compare...

Give me your top 5 phrases that you have currently appearing on page one of Google
Our sitebuilder service website awebapart.com:

sitebuilder service
sitebuilder uk
sitebuilder online
ecommerce sitebuilder
uk cms host

These might sound impressive but they are not really, since not many people are searching for these terms. We haven't really actively planned much SEO for this site yet, and I do not think that search engine traffic will play a big part in us generating new business anyway. Personally, I think that the way our service is developing, sitebuilder is not the best word to target since this infers mass-market automated DIY sitebuilders, whereas our service is much more of a personal handholding service with us doing the upfront design, similar to that offered by web design agencies.

Our company website abstractworlds.com (we were originally focused on games development, this site is an old site and hasn't been moved across to our sitebuilder platform yet) :

3d java games
free 3d java games
3d mobile games
free mobile 3d games
download j2me games

Again this wasn't really planned SEO, it just happened, these do get a fair bit of traffic due to the number of people looking for games for their mobile phones. Once we revamp the company website we will probably lose this since the website will be refocused with our move away from gaming.

As usual it is our own sites that come last when it comes to putting in the effort, our client sites come first. SEO and search engine visitors is not important to all of our clients, some of our clients have other ways of marketing themselves and their website, but here is a selction of websites on our sitebuilder platform that have targeted some phrases and are on page 1 of google:

Our client wbikes.com:
bmw motorbikes
motorrad
bmw motorcycles northampton
bmw motorbikes northampton

Our client elsbyandco.co.uk accountants:
accountants northampton
accountants kettering

Our client kamstkd.com (tae kwon do club):
tae kwon do northampton
tae kwon do leicester

Our client basicsgiftshop.co.uk (online shop):
antica murrina shop
antica murrina jewellery shop
antica murrina jewellery
helen exley gift books
terramundi pots shop

Our client instantmagictricks.co.uk (online shop):
magic trick solutions
magic tricks solutions
magic videos shop

Our client CSCS.org.uk (comprehensive schools organisation):
comprehensive schools

Another site using our sitebuilder platform icknieldcarsales.co.uk:
used cars letchworth
car letchworth
car sales letchworth
vauxhall letchworth
ford letchworth

Our client wollastonusedbmw.co.uk:
(this site was a custom site, it does not use our sitebuilder platform)
bmw northampton
bmw northants
used bmw northampton
used bmw northants

Our client wollastonusedmini.co.uk:
(this site was a custom site, it does not use our sitebuilder platform)
used mini northampton
used mini northants

As with many of these sites, it is not always the most popular top phrases that bring in the most traffic, but the long tail (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Long_Tail) collection of many other less popular more specific phrases that bring in the visitors. For instance for a car site a long tail phrase might be: convertible mini pepper white, there might be just one person searching for this, but hundreds of people searching for similarly detailed cars (a particular colour, model, year, etc).

People are getting smarter when it comes to search engine usage. The more the public use search engines the more they realise that it is better to be more specific about their search in order to get the results they want.

[UKSBD]

"small business directory"
"business directory"
"free online advertising"
"business directories"
etc. etc.

Don't know how much longer for though if I don't get my site back up quick :(

[DuaneJackson]

accounting software gives me a score of 87,300,000

[SteveGibson]

Sorry...didn't make it clear, meant - number of results divided by position:

Number 1 with 1,000,000 results = 1,000,000

Number 2 with 1,000,000 results = 500,000

Shouldn't you be using the number of results for the exact match of the phrase?

e.g. ice hockey accident has 1.16m results, but "ice hockey accident" shows only 561 which shows that very few pages actually have anything to do with ice hockey accidents.

Also, don't the results depend on which version of google is being used and whether it's just UK results?

Just a thought.

Steve

[PintoPotts]

Steve - I don't think anyone searches using " " around the phrase?

That is why there were only 561 results for "Ice Hockey Accidents"

Duanes 87,300,000 for 'Accounting Software' is officially number 1, can anyone beat it?

[Coding Monkey]

Steve's point is that some terms will have a huge amount of results, yet not be competitive.

For example, a client of ours is #3 for "Space Solutions", their company name. There are 230,000,000 results, according to Google.com. But, if you actually look at how many people are trying to be #1 for that term, it's going to be a very small figure. So, it's hardly a fair representation.

[SteveGibson]

As Tom said, it's about the number of people competing for your phrase.

Another way of quantifying it would be the cost to get in the identical position on the right hand side of the page.

If you're #1 for a term in the organic listings and someone's paying £2 to be at the top of the PPC, that's different to being #1 for a term which could be bought at 10p a click.

(though, you'd probably have to use Overture to get the bid prices)

Steve

[sirearl]

Steve - I don't think anyone searches using " " around the phrase?

That is why there were only 561 results for "Ice Hockey Accidents"

Duanes 87,300,000 for 'Accounting Software' is officially number 1, can anyone beat it?

"golf part" 98,400.000 :)

[JustOneUK]

But, if you actually look at how many people are trying to be #1 for that term, it's going to be a very small figure. So, it's hardly a fair representation.

I agree... so does that put me back at no1? :p

[Tin]

As has been pointed out, using broad search terms ie; search words without a speech mark is 'not' any sort of reliable indicator of keyword/phrase true competition as the broad search automatically includes what I call 'noise pages', pages whose content is 'not' targeting the words but simply contains the words loosely within the content somewhere. Using a single speech mark at the start of a keyword search acts as a filter and the results displayed are then pages which 'only' contain the keywords in that exact order. As the vast majority of non-related pages (cannot be considered competition as they are not targeting the keyword/phrase) are dropped from the subsequent results this then leaves only those pages that are likely to be targeting the keyword/phrase intentionally. This, albeit just one method, is a much better way of determining the true competitiveness of the word.

Many thanks to folk for the kind comments in this thread but to burst my bubble a bit it's fair to say that the true competition for Duane's accounting software is not the 80-90 mill but just over 4 mill when using a speech mark.;)

[JustOneUK]

You have to weigh up how many times the term "accounting software" may appear on a page just for the sake of it...

ie: a forum thread where people write "what accounting software do you use for your business"

Therefore the search engine results (even using filtering) reflect the popularity of any word string.. and not necessarily how competitive it is at all.

Which is why SEO is so hard to rate...

Just get your ass to number1 is the golden rule :)

[sirearl]

As has been pointed out, using broad search terms ie; search words without a speech mark is 'not' any sort of reliable indicator of keyword/phrase true competition as the broad search automatically includes what I call 'noise pages', pages whose content is 'not' targeting the words but simply contains the words loosely within the content somewhere. Using a single speech mark at the start of a keyword search acts as a filter and the results displayed are then pages which 'only' contain the keywords in that exact order. As the vast majority of non-related pages (cannot be considered competition as they are not targeting the keyword/phrase) are dropped from the subsequent results this then leaves only those pages that are likely to be targeting the keyword/phrase intentionally. This, albeit just one method, is a much better way of determining the true competitiveness of the word.

Many thanks to folk for the kind comments in this thread but to burst my bubble a bit it's fair to say that the true competition for Duane's accounting software is not the 80-90 mill but just over 4 mill when using a speech mark.;)

Whilst agreeing that speech marks get rid of the flotsam and jetsam ,I don't think many of the GBP use them as yet,and also with Google's little bag of tricks ,most first page serp's are highly relevant.

Mega result for Duane's site,Whatever he paid you it weren't enough:)

not bad for an old Grandad :rolleyes:

[Tin]

Whilst agreeing that speech marks get rid of the flotsam and jetsam ,I don't think many of the GBP use them

Earl, I agree completely that the public won't use them, however for me it's just one of the techniques that allow me to determine keyword difficulty fairly accurately when I'm quoting for a client. Simply looking at the total results shown for a word does not give an accurate view of the difficulty involved. What I'm looking for is the much smaller but highly relevant number of pages to assess as they're my competition.

You have to weigh up how many times the term "accounting software" may appear on a page just for the sake of it...

Yep agreed but pages that have the words accounting software just for the sake of it are not targeting the term. Incidental pages like these will rank very very low indeed obviously as pages that are deliberately targeting the term appear higher up the rankings. It's the high ranking pages that I'm interested in and not the incidental pages. After that it's a fairly simple job to lookout for result indicators which tell me where shifts in the competition appear, this leaves me with a very clear idea of what I'm up against.

[creospace]

Couple of punters have posted about the natural results that they have as a result of my work. To be honest (and I think I've seen this written somewhere else) this is as of a result of myself reading good helpful threads packed full of advice from people I consider experts and people to learn from. By playing and instigating their top methods I have achieved the results that my customers are posting - nothing more.

Why bother? Well because I think it's all part of giving a good service and job but it's often a thankless task as people don't see anything physical in what they've paid for.

Thank you to all those experts who have shared their gems on this forum and to others who have dismissed them then I suggest you reread and put to good use.

I still don't call myself an SEO expert but I do have a better - maybe above average understanding and my clients can and have benefit(ed) from that.

Using a professional copywriter on projects has also helped I should add.

[DuaneJackson]

We're also #1 for Limited Company Accounts Software (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Limited+company+accounts+software) which has 68.800.000 results.

when you throw in the quote marks though (which I agree is the best way to compare) there is only one site with that phrase on it.

[I, Brian]

What really comes across in this thread is how many people are looking for positioning based on personal sense of branding, rather than actual traffic generation and conversions.

I think it's important point to make than anybody can rank No.1 on Google for something - the point of SEO is to rank No.1 for what people are actually searching for, though.

No. of results returned is not an indicator of competition, as Tin rightly points out - so as a quick tip, if you really want to get an idea of the competitiveness and conversion potential for any keyword, simply run a PPC campaign for them.

That should give you an idea of the sort of CPA involved for different keywords, with the point that good SEO should massively undercut the PPC CPA on every occasion.

2c. :)

[RayB]

130,000 surprised me 3 stars Ray :D

Wow, a compliment!

"Printing services (with the single speech mark) is 1,550,000 results

so - not so good then...................

[RayB]

No. of results returned is not an indicator of competition, as Tin rightly points out - so as a quick tip, if you really want to get an idea of the competitiveness and conversion potential for any keyword, simply run a PPC campaign for them.

That should give you an idea of the sort of CPA involved for different keywords, with the point that good SEO should massively undercut the PPC CPA on every occasion.

2c. :)

Great advice - the most precise way of refining your keyword research with facts IMO

[sirearl]

Wow, a compliment!

"Printing services (with the single speech mark) is 1,550,000 results

so - not so good then...................

Depends whats in the kitty at the end of the month:)

thats the amount of searches so not to foul ;)


printing services (http://www.keyworddiscovery.com/keywords.html#)
129,755 (javascript:;)

[DarrenC]

Just jumping in :)

What's the best tools to find the keywords that get traffic?

[UKSBD]

This can be fun, wouldn't rely on it though.
http://www.google.com/trends/hottrends?sa=X

[bwglaw]

Whilst Black White and Grey/Hands On Group does not have a website our sister company, Hands On Access Ltd website is #1 for 'disability consultants' and has been there for months! Even the competitors ask how to get to number 1!

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=disability+consultants&meta=

[sirearl]

Just jumping in :)

What's the best tools to find the keywords that get traffic?


here you go:)

http://www.keyworddiscovery.com/

[sirearl]

Whilst Black White and Grey/Hands On Group does not have a website our sister company, Hands On Access Ltd website is #1 for 'disability consultants' and has been there for months! Even the competitors ask how to get to number 1!



they give me a ring :D

[DuaneJackson]

they give me a ring :D

So that's why HOG is #1 and the competitors arent : )


Jon - was that ranking aimed for (in-house SEO), fluked or paid for (external SEO)?

[bwglaw]

Hi..

its the http://www.handsonaccess.com website that is ranked #1 for 'disability consultants'. Hands On Access Ltd have not paid anyone to do the SEO. The site was built and upon some suggestions from Tin/Ray (a Mod)(at no cost) on here the site remained at #1 since!

Before Tin/Ray gave his advice on SEO the site was ranked 5/6th!

The company now reaps high quality contacts through the website. Was approached by an International Organisation in Switzerland few weeks ago!

[sirearl]

Even the competitors ask how to get to number 1!



This is what one does with competition:)

results 1,2,3,4,7,9.10 are all ours,the odds are a bit long on someone not picking us for there Sea doo parts :)


http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rls=GGLG%2CGGLG%3A2006-07%2CGGLG%3Aen&q=sea+doo+parts&btnG=Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rls=GGLG%2CGGLG%3A2006-07%2CGGLG%3Aen&q=sea+doo+parts&btnG=Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB)

[DotNetWebs]

Does anybody remember my underscores vs dashes thread (http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=26134)?

The site was only launched properly at the start of the year and we have managed to get no3 for Horsham (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=horsham&btnG=Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB) (.co.uk - no5 for .com as there's a Horsham in OZ). Realistically we wont get above the .gov site or the local paper so I am very pleased with the results. We also have the number 1 position for many of our subscribers and categories in the face of competition from numerous 'franchise' local sites that often employ PPC etc. We have not paid for any links or additional SEO / Marketing etc.

Regards

Dotty

[RayB]

Out of curiosity I had a closer look at a few KW's:

Printing Services #1
Printing Service #4
Local Printer #1
Eco Friendly Printing #2
Environmentally Friendly Printing #3
Flyer Printing #5
Flyer Printer #3
Brochure Printing #6
Postcard Printing #7
Leaflet Printer #9
Recycled Business Cards #5
Online Printing UK #10

I'm quite pleased with this for a site 18 months old - still room for improvement though!

[RayB]

Oops - sorry - just remembered this about 5 phrases on page 1 - my only excuse is printers have to cater for a wide range of products!

[PintoPotts]

This thread got a bit messy on here (to say the least!) and I wanted to get a definative top 5 or 10, so I have just posted the article on my blog.

Please post what you appear on Page one of Google for here...
http://marketingasolicitor.com/?p=40

The blog is DoFollow so you will get a free link for your trouble, plus you could be crowned the Google champion!

[DotNetWebs]

Does anybody remember my underscores vs dashes thread (http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=26134)?

The site was only launched properly at the start of the year and we have managed to get no3 for Horsham (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=horsham&btnG=Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB) (.co.uk - no5 for .com as there's a Horsham in OZ). Realistically we wont get above the .gov site or the local paper so I am very pleased with the results. We also have the number 1 position for many of our subscribers and categories in the face of competition from numerous 'franchise' local sites that often employ PPC etc. We have not paid for any links or additional SEO / Marketing etc.

Regards

Dotty

Amazing we are no2 for the search term 'Horsham' this morning, ABOVE the long established, high traffic local newspaper!

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=horsham&btnG=Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB

I don't know how long it will stay there but it has inspired me to do a bit more work to try and ensure we can make this our permanent position.

Regards

Dotty

[awebapart.com]

we are no2 for the search term 'Horsham' this morning
And you are no 4 in the 'web' search rather than 'pages from UK' search, which is also very good... well done!

It would be interesting to see what proportion of your site's traffic comes from 'pages from UK' searches and what proportion comes from 'web' searches.

[DotNetWebs]

Thanks

To be honest most the traffic comes from the "web" rather than the "UK" searches.

This is not really a problem though as we have links from two of the three sites above use (Wikipedia and the Council site). Both of these sites drive a lot of traffic to us.

The only other site that is above us on the "web" search is the official site of Horsham Township in the USA so it is not really relevant.

The only real 'rival' on the front page (in terms of chasing advertisers/subscribers) in the local newspaper site so that is why I am pleased that we are above them! (at least for now anyway). Even so we have a good relationship with them and may well develop closer ties with them in the future.

Regards

Dotty

[keywordspy]

Just jumping in :)

What's the best tools to find the keywords that get traffic?


Can also give KeywordSpy.com a try for a keyword research tool, with results actually reflecting what advertisers are using at the current time.

[DotNetWebs]

Just stumbled across this old thread while searching for something I posted earlier.

Thought it might be fun to revive it as we have a number of SEO type folks that have joined since this thread petered out.

Any takers?

Regards

Dotty

[Dawg]

Google UK: (we only do retail in the UK),

'dog treats', 'dogs treats', 'dog biscuits', 'dogs biscuits'.
All page one, top 5.

'natural dog treats', etc.
All page one, higher than 5.

'dawgs treats', 'dawgs biscuits'.
Complete global hegemony, strangely enough. Just like 'dotnet horsham'!

[DotNetWebs]

...Complete global hegemony, strangely enough. Just like 'dotnet horsham'!...

lol you have reminded me it is about time I did something about my own site. It is embarrassingly years out of date.

Plumbers Bathroom syndrome!

Regards

Dotty

[debbidoo]

Here's mine:

Brand development powerpoint presentation (pos. 3):
http://www.google.com/search?q=brand+development+powerpoint+presentation

PPC advertising packages (pos. 1):
http://www.google.com/search?q=ppc+advertising+packages

Fully managed PPC (pos. 2):
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=fully+managed+ppc&btnG=Search

"fully managed pay per click" (pos. 3):
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22fully+managed+pay+per+click%22&btnG=Search

"company blog setup" (pos. 1):
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22company+blog+setup%22&btnG=Search

Not too shabby for a self-built site that was only launched 3 months ago :)

[XEC Internet Consultants]

Here are a few of mine.

Biofuel - No.1 with www.biofuel.org.uk (http://www.biofuel.org.uk) - http://www.google.co.uk/search?num=100&hl=en&safe=active&q=biofuel&btnG=Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB

Travel Directory - No.3 with www.worldwidetraveldirectory.co.uk (http://www.worldwidetraveldirectory.co.uk) - http://www.google.co.uk/search?num=100&hl=en&safe=active&q=travel+directory&btnG=Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB

Fashion Blog - No. 8 with www.catwalkfashion.co.uk - http://www.google.co.uk/search?num=100&hl=en&safe=active&q=fashion+blog&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB

Clean Fuels (and also Clean Vehicles) - No.1 with www.cleanvehicles.co.uk (http://www.cleanvehicles.co.uk) - http://www.google.co.uk/search?num=100&hl=en&safe=active&q=clean+fuels&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB

None of the above have been achieved with any SEO help - other than the odd link from some of my own relevant sites and a few exchanges. Being in the domain business, I would like to think that the generic nature of the domains has helped a bit!

Stephen.

[FAB Enterprises]

#6 SMS from Outlook (www.fabit.com (http://www.fabit.com) results from google.com)
#20 System 2000 (out of 654,000,000 or 32,700,000:1 based on the formula does this put me second behind cash flow? results from google.com)
#9 Used Games (for my www.tenneragame.com (http://www.tenneragame.com) website on google.co.uk)
#1 Used Video Games (for my www.tenneragame.com (http://www.tenneragame.com/) website on google.co.uk)

Mason

[Chris@Crane]

Computer Office Supplies UK = #1
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=Copier+Paper+Suppliers+UK&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

Office Envelopes UK = #1
http://www.google.co.uk/search?num=100&hl=en&q=office+envelopes+uk&btnG=Search&meta=

Discount Office Machines ~ #4
http://www.google.co.uk/search?num=100&hl=en&q=discount+office+machines&btnG=Search&meta=

Discount paper supplies ~ #6
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=discount+paper+supplies&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

Office Supplies Kent =#5
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=office+supplies+kent&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

could be better, but then again could be worse!

[sirearl]

jetski parts positions 1,2,4,5,9
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=jetski+parts&btnG=Search&meta=

seadoo parts 1,2,4,5,6,7
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=seadoo+parts&btnG=Search&meta=

One swallow does not make a summer.:rolleyes:

Earl

[Makingthenews]

Spoof newspaper gift
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUK255&q=spoof+newspaper+gift&btnG=Search&meta=

Joke newspaper
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUK255&q=spoof+newspaper+gift&btnG=Search&meta=

Fake celebrity magazine (UK google - but added it because I've been working hard on this phrase)
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUK255&q=fake+celebrity+magazine&btnG=Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB

Spoof Sun
http://www.google.co.uk/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUK255&=&q=spoof+sun&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

Personalised newspapers
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUK255&q=personalised+newspapers&btnG=Search&meta=
(http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUK255&q=personalised+newspapers&btnG=Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB)

[I, Brian]

mortgages

Is that competitive enough for you all? :)

Took the company from nowhere in the Top 100 to Top 10 for many related keywords, and no black hat or link buys required - just creativity and elbow grease.

[nass]

Respect ^^

And yes, elbow grease is the answer :)

[sirearl]

mortgages

Is that competitive enough for you all? :)

Took the company from nowhere in the Top 100 to Top 10 for many related keywords, and no black hat or link buys required - just creativity and elbow grease.

Mega Brian you should be able to retire on that one alone.:rolleyes::)

I think the PPC is about 11 quid.? :|

Earl

[XEC Internet Consultants]

mortgages

Is that competitive enough for you all? :)

Took the company from nowhere in the Top 100 to Top 10 for many related keywords, and no black hat or link buys required - just creativity and elbow grease.

Well done Brian - easily the most impressive result on here!

Stephen.

[sirearl]

mortgages

Is that competitive enough for you all? :)

Took the company from nowhere in the Top 100 to Top 10 for many related keywords, and no black hat or link buys required - just creativity and elbow grease.


Whats the URL Brian.?

Earl

[streetslocal]

organic sexual turkey

Lol joking....

But it will be number 1 tonight!!

Check google over coming days for that!!!

[PrettyPaws]

This thread has made me realise my achievments are tiny!

Dog ID Tags
http://www.google.co.uk/search?num=30&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENZZ267&q=dog+id+tags&meta=

Dog collar
http://www.google.co.uk/search?num=30&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENZZ267&q=dog+collar&meta=

Dog clothes
http://www.google.co.uk/search?num=30&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENZZ267&q=dog+clothes&meta=

Dog accessories
http://www.google.co.uk/search?num=30&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENZZ267&q=dog+accessories&btnG=Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB

Pet ID tags
http://www.google.co.uk/search?num=30&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENZZ267&q=pet+id+tags&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB

[nass]

No they're not. You're where you need to be for your product. Which is great.

[sirearl]

No they're not. You're where you need to be for your product. Which is great.

Bang on you only need to rank for the stuff your flogging.;)

Earl

[PrettyPaws]

Ok, I'm with you guys. I'm an SEO king! lol.

I do like the fact we're #1 out of 127,000,000 results for "Pet ID tags (http://www.google.co.uk/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENZZ267&q=pet+id+tags&meta=)" It sounds very impressive :D

[sirearl]

Ok, I'm with you guys. I'm an SEO king! lol.

I do like the fact we're #1 out of 127,000,000 results for "Pet ID tags (http://www.google.co.uk/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENZZ267&q=pet+id+tags&meta=)" It sounds very impressive :D


thats great your the emperor but to be god you will have to work a bit harder.:rolleyes:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENZZ267&q=%22pet+id+tags%22&btnG=Search&meta=

Earl

[PrettyPaws]

thats great your the emperor but to be god you will have to work a bit harder.:rolleyes:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENZZ267&q=%22pet+id+tags%22&btnG=Search&meta=

Earl

Spoil sport! :p

[sirearl]

Spoil sport! :p

Not at all your acheivement is excellent if you are not a pro SEO.

hats off to you.:D

Earl

[PrettyPaws]

Not at all your acheivement is excellent if you are not a pro SEO.

hats off to you.:D

Earl

......and wha if I am? :rolleyes:

[sirearl]

......and wha if I am? :rolleyes:

In that case you will be selling a hell of a lot more than dog collars.:D:p

Earl

[DotNetWebs]

thats great your the emperor but to be god you will have to work a bit harder.:rolleyes:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENZZ267&q=%22pet+id+tags%22&btnG=Search&meta=

Earl

You lost me there Earl, are they not no1 for that one too? :|

Regards

Dotty

[sirearl]

You lost me there Earl, are they not no1 for that one too? :|

Regards

Dotty



By putting the term in quotes it give a better idea of the true competition.

Earl

[An Oasis]

mortgages

Is that competitive enough for you all?

LOL Brilliant Brian!!! :D

For us...every product we have is on page one nearly all of of the #1.

[PrettyPaws]

In that case you will be selling a hell of a lot more than dog collars.:D:p

Earl

Jet skis? my body? :eek:

[OldWelshGuy]

Ooh look ,mummy there's a lot of people over there peeing against a wall :D

[Donela]

I'm currently No2 google.com for 'wishlist website'

[sirearl]

Ooh look ,mummy there's a lot of people over there peeing against a wall :D

Well being a welshman ,Its a well known fact that they play with misshappen balls.

So one could not expect them to enter a peeing contest.:rolleyes::p:D


Earl

[DotNetWebs]

By putting the term in quotes it give a better idea of the true competition.

Earl

Thanks Earl. I couldn't figure out what you were on about last night - mind you that might have had something to do with the Bottle of Shiraz I had just drunk! ;)

Regards

Dotty

[adventurelife]

but the trick is to know the ones that drive the £ then have several sites on page one at once;)

[sirearl]

but the trick is to know the ones that drive the £ then have several sites on page one at once;)

But thats unfair competition let alone down right greed.:rolleyes:

Earl

[JustOneUK]

page1
dessert recipes (http://www.dessert-recipes.co.uk), dessert (http://www.dessert-recipes.co.uk), desserts (http://www.dessert-recipes.co.uk), local advertising (http://www.justoneuk.com), business advertising (http://www.justoneuk.com)

dropped to page 2
business classifieds (http://www.justoneuk.com), free advertising (http://www.justoneuk.com)

...looks like I'll have to pull m' finger out :(
2009 will be a better year :)

[Steve2507]

Page 1:
Sex shop (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rls=GGLG%2CGGLG%3A2006-12%2CGGLG%3Aen&q=sex+shop&btnG=Search&meta=)
adult sex toys (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rls=GGLG%2CGGLG%3A2006-12%2CGGLG%3Aen&q=adult+sex+toys&meta=)
marital aids (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rls=GGLG%2CGGLG%3A2006-12%2CGGLG%3Aen&q=marital+aids&meta=)
bondage gear (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rls=GGLG%2CGGLG%3A2006-12%2CGGLG%3Aen&q=bondage+gear&meta=)
bondage equipment (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rls=GGLG%2CGGLG%3A2006-12%2CGGLG%3Aen&q=bondage+equipment&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB)
Mens sex toys (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rls=GGLG%2CGGLG%3A2006-12%2CGGLG%3Aen&q=mens+sex+toys&meta=)

UK only:
bondage (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rls=GGLG%2CGGLG%3A2006-12%2CGGLG%3Aen&q=bondage&btnG=Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB)

We are on page 2 for sex toys (http://www.temptationsdirect.co.uk/) (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rls=GGLG,GGLG:2006-12,GGLG:en&q=sex+toys&start=10&sa=N) which I'm not happy with.

We are on page 1 for sexy shops which I never planned for. It has a low search volume, but we have a high conversion rate for it.

Years ago we were on page one in g.com for "sex" had loads of traffic from it but very few conversions. So it goes to show that loads of traffic isn't always good.

[adventurelife]

But thats unfair competition let alone down right greed.:rolleyes:

Earl

As I say to my kids everyday " Do not let anyone tell you life is fair, it is as fair as you make it":)

[sirearl]

As I say to my kids everyday " Do not let anyone tell you life is fair, it is as fair as you make it":)

You may be right.:|

ASK and you shall recieve :rolleyes:

crap at poker though.;)


http://uk.ask.com/web?q=seadoo+parts&search=&dm=ctry&qsrc=0&o=0&l=dir&siteid=

Earl

[OldWelshGuy]

but the trick is to know the ones that drive the £ then have several sites on page one at once;)


yep, find the big money phrase and dominate the first page for it :D

Every site you get on is a site less for your competition.

[adventurelife]

yep, find the big money phrase and dominate the first page for it :D

Every site you get on is a site less for your competition.

You got it, I am never happy until I have 5 positions on page 1 and when I cannot get more I get those I am competing with to sell my services in a trade deal.

It is then best to be working on some new sites in the background that slowly work up to page 3 and 2 so that if anything goes wrong on your page 1 sites a little bit of extra work can replace them.:D

[sm1]

And I rank nowhere in a highly competitive saturated market!! ;) - Therefore I am moving out :)

[dynamic08]

I rank 2# for foam gun