Mutterings for the Minority

That’s my aim and one of the reasons why I’ve recently been reading David Viney’s book – ‘Get to the Top on Google: Tips and Techniques to Get Your Site to the Top of Google and Stay There‘.

David is a self confessed leading Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) expert and works with companies large and small to improve their search engine rankings. Which is one of the main reasons I decided to take the plunge and start reading it – courteousy of Swansea central library.

Whilst I’m not what you’d called an SEO virgin (is there such a thing?) I’m also far from being 100% au faux with the ins and outs of the SEO business – although I do intend getting there one day. Thankfully the book is set out in a way which caters for the lower to middle of the road SEO readers and as such has something for everyone.

It’s also reassuring to read the same fundamental rules and themes that I’ve picked up from reading about SEO elsewhere, as I’ve often found that some people proclaim to be SEO experts when in fact they merely provide their own (often mis-guided) judgements on SEO.

Aside from the usual SEO stuff, the book has provided me with a useful insight into how you could utilise Google Maps and Google Earth as part of an SEO strategy. Who’d have thought that a little ‘corner shop’ business could benefit from these tools in a search engine kind of way.

The section on links was also useful, providing some useful pointers to lots of web based link directories (with associated page rank) and other suitable avenues for exploring in order to boost your link strategy. Just one word of advice (warning?) – make sure you use a ‘disposable’ email address (e.g. links @ domainname . com) for registering your site with ANY of the directories. As of the ones I tried such as Jayde has insisted on sending me quite a few daily emails relating to my submission and SEO. But hey, what do I expect for a free directory submission.

One gripe I do have – which isn’t related to the book – is David’s website SEO Expert Services. Somewhat surprisingly the blog on the site was last updated in August 2008, which I’d have thought isn’t good in terms of both SEO and enticing new customers? Perhaps the site forum is a hive of activity, but as I was too tight to shell out for the subscription fee I couldn’t tell you

Anyway, don’t let the site put you off borrowing/buying the book it’s worth a read and will certainly give you some food for thought in terms of SEO and how it can be applied to your business strategy.

Just one parting shot though, don’t think that this book alone will get your website to rank number 1 in Google, it won’t. It will point you in the right direction, but only hard work will get your site to the top and keep it there. There is NO quick fix in terms of getting to the top in Google.

The Swans first season back at Championship level (Division Two to us oldies) in 24 years came to a close this afternoon with a 1 nil defeat against Blackpool.

With neither side having anything to play for – apart from pride and the odd contract perhaps – the whole atmosphere and approach to the game was more akin to a pre-season friendly than a league game.

It was little wonder then perhaps that the rather sleepy Swans defence leaked the only goal of the game inside the first half hour. Despite dominating possession – as per most of our home games this season – the Swans failed to capitalise on a host of chances.

I guess the fact that one of the biggest cheers of the afternoon was the news of Cardiff’s play-off capitulation at Sheffield Wednesday said it all really.

The final whistle blew and no-one was seemingly bothered by the result. Why, well quite simply it was put into context by the Swans having exceeded my (if not everyone’s) expectations. What a season it’s been!

Who’d have predicted an 8th place finish in our first season back at this level or the 2 nil humiliation of FA Cup holders Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Other highlights include being undefeated in 3 games against our arch-rivals Cardiff and the emergence of Joe Allen in midfield. But the biggest highlight for me has been the way we’ve played football and in doing so outclassed a number of the teams in the top 6 – including Wolves and Birmingham.

The most bizarre game would have to be QPR at home which saw Iain Dowie was sacked a few days after. It was little wonder really as his side camped in their own half for the entire 2nd half, quite surprising really as we had Alan Tate in goals (due to a Dorus DeVries injury).

The games against Reading and Preston stick in my mind the most though. Simply because of the way we dominated, outclassed and quite frankly annihilated the opposition – both of which were the ‘form’ teams at the time and riding high in the division.

So what better way to sum it all up than with a video of the Swans players doing a lap of honour at the end of the game today. Well done lads you did the Jack Army proud!