A Gentle Giant or A Force To Be Reckoned With?

Ever since Google released its Panda update, we’ve kept you informed of the “hows” and “whys”. It is our mission as a content creation service to ensure that you not only understand why yours or your clients site may have been penalized, but also to show you how you can keep your site safely moving forward.  Although this resounding message from Google has loudly and clearly reverberated throughout the Internet marketplace, not all of those affected have taken the steps necessary to repair their reputations and rankings.

If your idea of generating leads, converting sales and branding your business stems from designing and deploying a cookie-cutter website as swiftly as possible, then think again.  While you may be able to out-smart your competitors, remember that you’ll likely never have the upper-hand when it comes to deceiving Google.  And that strong hand of Google can wipe out your identity almost as quickly as it appeared.

Don’t fall any further behind the pack; here are 5 tips on how to beat Panda:

1. Use Original Templates: Many businesses opt to use boilerplate templates; especially if they’re trying to launch a website or virtual storefront as quickly as possible. While using boilerplate templates in and of itself may not be detrimental, failing to load these pages with original content is a sure-fire sign of code duplication in the eyes of Google.  Make sure to differentiate your pages and to make sure that they’re valuable to your visitors; if you fail to meet these criteria, then you may not only be providing a disservice to your customers, but you may also be sabotaging your own business.
2. Use Each Site Page To Your Advantage: While the number of pages on your site can prove to be an influential factor in search engine visits, ensure that the pages you do have feature quality content throughout.  Many sites will host pages that feature only links to other pages within the site. Without posting verifiably quality content on such pages, you run the risk of being viewed as a spam site by Google.
3. File Articles with Similar Topics on the Same Page: Many companies and self-proclaimed SEOs follow the practice of producing a different article/page on their site for slightly modified keyword phrases.  For example, if one of your primary keyword targets is “soccer ball”, then you don’t necessarily need separate pages for all similar terms; i.e. “black soccer ball”, “white soccer ball”, etc.  Google views the creation of multiple pages that pertain to similar terms as spam and may instantly sandbox your site for using such tactics.  Instead, generate a strong, relevant and qualified page that highlights a primary keyword target and several long-tail variations in a natural and logical manner.
4. Avoid Overt Advertising Efforts: While advertising on your site isn’t necessarily forbidden, doing so in abundance can certainly compromise your credibility.  The primary goal of your site should be to deliver quality content; sure, optimizing for search engines is a necessity to compete, but it’s equally, if not more, important to produce content that your consumers are seeking. Littering your site with ads may not only push consumers away, but it may also leave you starting at square one when it comes to getting “in” with Google.
5. Original Content is STILL King: As far as Google is concerned, if you can continue to produce unique, quality content on a frequent basis, then you’ll most likely find your site rising in the rankings over time.  Taking an honest, original and useful approach toward content can only benefit your business.  In doing so, you’re demonstrating the following: your commitment to enhancing the user-experience, your value to your consumers, your credibility to Google and an ethical approach to your business goals.

What have you found to be particularly helpful in terms of optimization efforts in regard to the Panda update?