Do you want your website to show up on page one of Google when event planners search for “wedding photographer” or “photography?” To accomplish this you need to work on two factors; on-page and off-page.
On-Page Factors
First – make sure your website is more than just photographs. Why? Because Google can’t read and index anything but text. If your site is mainly images you just won’t rank well next to a text rich site.
So many photographers have flash websites – all flash and no text. If that’s you, you must add words to your site and do it the right way. Don’t “keyword stuff” by jamming in every variation of your keywords.
Off-Page Factors
You need links from other websites to your site. When lots of other sites link to your on of your web pages, the search engines pay attention.
If lots of quality sites link to you – the Google index assumes your site must be important and relevant.
If your site has 100 inbound links and my site has none – and our on-page factors are the same – you will show up on a Google search before me. But not all links are the same!
There are hundreds of “link-farm” sites that will post any link you want to submit. Google knows these are crappy links and you may even get penalized for associating with such a spammy site. Get listed on quality directories that are relevant to your niche.
Here are a few free directories to consider submitting to. If you want more ideas on how to get loads of free links and publicity using free online tools, download a free copy of More Clients Now.
A few things to remember ….
- The easier it is to get listed, the lower the value of the link.
- Reciprocal Links. These sites offer to “link to your site if you link to mine,” and are pretty much worthless. Don’t your time and risk hurting your site’s reputation by listing with sleazy link-farms.
- Blogs are a great way to build inbound links. Create your own blog with free software and hosting. Be sure to do your keyword research before you start. Confused? Download More Clients Now – it shows you how to blog strategically.
- Twitter, StumbleUpon etc can get you some link love for free.
Free Directories
DMOZ – this is the biggest, most legitimate and hardest directory to be listed in. You wouldn’t guess it by looking at the site – but every major search engine uses it to determine the value and relevance of your site.
PhotoDistrict (San Diego only)
Getting listed in free directory listings take time. Be patient and submit to a few everyday.
Some of the sites listed above will reject a business website. Submit your blog instead … of course your blog will link back to your business site.
One or two of the sites listed above cost $5 or some other near free price.
Read each site’s terms of service. Some may rent your email address out for promotions. In that case, give them your junk email address.
If the list above is not enough, you can check out a list of over 1,300 “one way” link directories. In return for listing your site in their directories, these sites require you to link to one of their client’s somewhere on your website. Not highly recommended, but currently effective. (Remember, it’s not nice to fool Mother Google – you may get zapped).
Any others you’ve had luck with? Let me know, leave a comment. And if you think your followers should check out this post, why not Share on Twitter ?
