Using the Free SEO Book Keyword Search Tool to Your Advantage

This is a useful tool for several reasons.

First, it provides a monthly regional search volumes by market for Google, Yahoo!, and MSN. Second, it provides direct links to Wordtracker, Keyword Discovery and Google trends. All these links are other tools you can use.

How do you use it?

You type in your keyword (e.g.dog training) into the search box. The site page will have two boxes. I found that sometimes I need to put the keyword in boxes in order to get all the searches.

After you get the results, you should focus on the length of the columns instead of the actual search volume for the keyword. The longer the list of keywords, the more avenues of traffic you will have within this particular niche.

You need to get an over all picture of your niche and not just focus on your keyword. With this tool you can get an idea of potential keywords and search volume.

After you have found a suitable niche with a moderate search volume, you’ll need to check its monetization and profit potential. I will discuss those topics in a later blog.

Well Kept Secret On Adding Google Sitemaps To Blogger

Ok, I am convinced. I should put a sitemap on my blogger site. But, what steps do I take to add a sitemap?

First, I better define a sitemap. It is simply a map of your website and lists of all your sections and pages. A sitemap speeds up the indexing of your pages in Google and can help viewers find their way around your site. There are three basic types of sitemaps. So, what kind of sitemap should I use? It depends what you intend to do with your sitemap. You may also use more than one kind of sitemap on your site.

First, there is the traditional HTML which is useful in utilising your Link Text. This makes it easier for human visitors to navigate the site.

Second, there is the XML Sitemap which is utilised by Google's search engine. Google's sitemaps contain URLs and indexing information. This information is read by a Spider and the information is indexed. The number of URLs in a sitemap is limited to fifty thousand. A second kind of google sitemap, the Google Sitemap Index File, indexes the sitemaps. The index file may index up to one thousand sitemaps.

Third, there is the ROR sitemap which is similar to the XML format which is used for describing any element on your website such as products, services, images, reviews, etc. It can be used for all search engines including google.

Wordpress provides blogs with a sitemap plugin. When you update your site, you do not have to worry about updating your sitemap. The plugin updates your sitemap instantly and alerts Google to the change in your site.

What if you want a Google sitemap for your blog on Blogger?

Unlike Wordpress, Blogger does not offer a way to get a sitemap. Although, Google provides a Sitemap Generator that creates sitemaps from URL lists, web server directories, or from access logs. Google only allows you to submit your blog site, but does not allow you to generate a sitemap for your Blogger account. However, there is a way to get around that.

First, log into Google Webmaster Tools with your google account. Paste the URL of your blog in the add site option. When you click on the "Ok" button, your site will be added to your account.

Second, you will need to verify your blog. With Blogger, you need to choose "Add a META tag" from the drop down menu. Code will be generated for you. Highlight the code and copy it.

Third, go to your blogger account and click on template. Paste the META tag code under the first "head" and save the template changes. Next, click on the "Republish" button.

Fourth, go to the Google webmaster tools account and go back to the "Verify site ownership" and check the"I've added the META tag in the home page of..." Then, click the "verify" button.

Now you have added your site to the sitemap account and have verified it. Next, you need to add the sitemap url. Since Google will not allow you to add a text file or anything else, you will need to add your site feed (ATOM) as a site map.

Fifth, clink on "submit a sitemap" which will take you to "add sitemap". Next select the type saying "Add General Web Sitemap"

Although, I have the newer beta version of Blogger, only atom.xml worked for me. It may be different for you.

Last, you will get a confirmation and your blog will now be indexed.

Once you set up your sitemap, it is all set until you make updates to your site. Then you will have to make updates to your sitemap. Google makes this it easy to do. Everytime you make a change, log into your Google account and click on the resubmit button.

What Is RSS Feed and Why Would You Use It?

RSS is known as "Really Simple Syndication" or "Rich Site Summary." It is a tool that can save updated content on your favorite website or blog. It updates material by scanning websites via an XML code that sends the information to subscribers. If you want to share your website, RSS, makes it really simple. You place your content in an RSS document. Next, you register your content with a website that provides RSS feeds or aggregator.

The content usually includes new or blog websites, but can contain other types of digital content such as pictures, video or audio files. Once the content is sent to a RSS feeder, the feeder usually will show a headline, some text or review of the content. If you want to read further, you will need to click on a link.

There are two kinds of aggregators to register your website with. One is a downloadable program for your desktop and the second kind is an online or web based site.

Typically, a desktop feeder charges for its program, but it also offers additional customization of page format and RSS feeds and other services. An example of a desktop aggregator is FeedDemon which features services such as a search channel that includes other RSS service, filtering of RSS feeds, built-in podcast receiver and etc.

An online aggregator is usually free of charge, but is more limited in providing customized service. My Yahoo and bloglines are two examples of online aggregators. My Yahoo has popularized RSS feeds to both users and advertisers with its customizable home page design and use of banner advertisements.

While My Yahoo may be well known, Blogline has many advantages to offer. It is user friendly for beginners and offers many benefits such as it's own directory of RSS website feeds, add-on tools for subscription buttons and automated blogrolls. In addition, it supports all major browsers such as Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer, Firefox, and offers other benefits not listed here
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You don't have RSS feed on your site?
You can download RSS Builder. It is a freeware program that can create a RSS feed for your web site. Then you can submit RSS feeds after you download. Or you can create own format. RSS 2.0 is by consensus, an easy and simple format to use.

Why should you send out RSS feeds?
You will increase the visibility of your site and allow viewers to easily keep up with your posts. Also, it offers your users convenience of not having to search your page. They can just go to their aggregator which will provide them with a description of your site and a link to it.

After you submit RSS feeds for awhile, you will begin to attract a wider audience and increase traffic for your site as viewers begin to book mark your website for their content source.

Why should you get RSS feeds?
You can generate additional traffic to your website by adding RSS to your site. Using RSS will bypass the regular indexing procedure and will get your content indexed quickly. Also, RSS feeds can be found and read from cell phones and PDAs.

You can update your sites with new content by patching in various websites to your blog. When the various websites are updated, it will be reflected in your blog. This is an easy way to instantly add new content to your site.

You will find that RSS is a valuable tool for either a blog or website. Since you can implement it for free, you will not lose anything for trying it out. Chances are that you may enjoy the benefits of easy access to content and increased traffic to your site.

For Better Or Worse? Micro-blogging Or Blogging?

Do you want to write but not have to write a lot? Just need to make one point briefly? You might want to consider micro-blogging which are the post cards of the internet world.

They are generally free, but since they have limited space, not everyone will want to use one. If you need to write a lot, you might not want to try cram everything into a small space.

I will discuss three very different micro-blogs by going over their functions and the type of members that would enjoy using them.

1. Tumblr

With Tumblr, you create a "Tumblelog" which is a micro-blog where you can submit post by website or email. It does not have SMS or instant message. But, you can choose to automatically notify blog monitoring services such as Technorati and My Yahoo when you post a new message.
You can create six different kinds of posts with Tumblr. They are Regular Post, Quote, Link, Conversation, Photo, and Video. The post do just what the names says they do. For instance, you can add photos by uploading them to your Tumblr site or pull them in by using a link.

These six posts make Tumlbr very easy to add content such as videos, photos and RSS feeds from other sites. As a result some sites are just posts with just images, quotations or YouTube videos rather than actual content. While other Tumblelogs resemble other blogs with long written out posts.

Other features include "followers" who have added you as a friend and are following your posts. Also, Tumblr has a bookmark bar button for easy posting of website finds. You are giving the option of what category to put your new content in when you click on the bookmark button.

Last but not least, you can host your custom domain name on Tumblr. You will need to buy your own domain from a registrar such as GoDaddy. Once you have done that, Tumblr gives you instructions on how to set up your site. They suggest that you already be familiar with setting up websites as they do not have the staff to give personal help.

2. Twitter

With Twitter, you only get 140 character per post. There is no multimedia such as photos or videos, only text. Your page options are also limited as you can only write one-line profiles. But, you can change your colors and background images.

The 140 character limit does tend to create a stream of conscious message. This might be useful for updates on traffic, weather, or airport conditions. Or you could receive a blow by blow account of your neighbor's yard sale. It is all up to the members and you.

What makes Twitter popular is that you can use it practically anywhere. You can post Twitter by website, phone or instant message. If you want to instant message, you can choose between different applications such as AIM, GTalk, .Mac, LiveJournal and Jabber.

3. Squidoo

Squidoo is a free social networking website that is composed of lenses that members create. You can build several pages and link them together or build single pages on many different subjects. If you need help on creating a lens, you can click on "build a lens" button where you will be guided step by step on setting up your lens. Or you can go to SquidU, a website, where your questions can be answered by volunteers and expert lensmasters.

Squidoo is really helpful in building traffic to your new website or blog. You can link your site into Squidoo pages which are quickly built up by search engines.

You also make money on this site through adsense ads that are placed on your site and through Ebay or Amazon modules.

When advertisers generate money on your site, you get a portion of it. Squidoo divides it up into three parts. One parts goes to Squidoo for running the site, second part goes to charity and you get the third part.

Online marketers love this site for driving traffic and high ranking in search engines among other things.

Who should use a micro-blog? Just about anyone. Give the flexibility of a micro-blog, you could just share your photos or videos if you do not want to write. Even if you want to want to write and prefer to write longer articles, you might consider a micro-blog as a complement to your blog or website.

To Blog Or To Website That Is the Question

Congratulations, you have decided to join the online community. Maybe, just to air your view points or to venture into an online marketing business.

But, how to get started? There two main ways to venture forth. Either by blog or by website, the choice is up to you.

But, first we need to define the difference between a blog and website. A website is a internet application that contains web pages, images, videos and other digital assets. It is hosted on the World Wide Web. Whereas, a blog is part of website where entries are made and displayed in a reverse chronological order. It is sometimes known as an online journal.

I will discuss the pros and cons of both. The choice is yours.

First, I will cover blogging.

If you have little or no computer knowledge and even less money. Blogging is the way to go. You can get a free blog from blogger.com or wordpress.com. These are the two more popular choices. They will host and maintain your blog for you. You can customize your blog from their selection of templates. Just write and post and you have your blog. You can post your own content, advertise your own goods and services. Also, you can advertise goods and services of others as an affiliate.

A blog will allow communications between visitor and writer where they can exchanges opinions on certain issues. Whereas, in a website, a visitor can only read and not offer comments or suggestions to the writer or other visitors.

The cons to blogging is that you have write many articles to get your business going. However, you can hire a ghost writer to write articles for you. Later, when the blog becomes very successful, you may want to upgrade which will cost money.

Second, I will cover using a website.

A website allows you to have complete control over your content and is the fastest way to advertise. However, there are cost involved with setting up a website. You will need hosting, a domain name and maybe a custom built website. Or you may decide to build your own site. A user friendly program for creating your own website is Microsoft Frontpages. Last, you will need a Autoresponder.

A disadvantage of building your own website is that you are responsible for taking care of any problems that may arise.

Also, you may need to consider whether you need a website in the first place. Maybe a blog is all you need for the present time. Can you explain to someone else the advantages that you will have with a website and what it will do for you?

Whether you decide to use a blog or website, you cannot just sit back and relax. You have to market it and build traffic. You have to promote it. If your goal is internet marketing, you will never make any money if you just submit it to a few search engines and do nothing else. Traffic or having visitors go to your site is a major component that makes your blog or website valuable.