Comments on: People Change, Things Stay the Same

By: KLB

KLB — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:17:31 +0000

I have to absolutely agree. Recently I reread an article I posted several years ago about SEO and not chasing the Google Dance and what I wrote then still applies today. Really, some of the core fundamentals haven’t changed at all since search engines came into existence. Content was is and forever shall be king. A good link structure has always been important to not just the flow of search engines but usability for human users. Lots of links to external sites not only bleed PR but they bleed users as well who follow those links and thus spend less time on average on one’s own site.

Back in the ’90s I figured out that the key was to make a site that was a destination, not a weigh station on the way to somewhere else. This required lots of good content that was effectively cross linked so that users could find the other good content easily. As search engines evolved (yes I’m pre-Google) this strategy became critical to effective SEO. The only times I’ve ever had problems with SERP placement was when I tried to aggressively chase the Google Dances and got involved with link selling schemes (e.g. DigitalPoint Coop).

Maybe the hardest SEO tactic to employ is to just leave things well enough alone and not try to constantly tinker. Instead one needs to focus on constantly adding new content that creates an ever growing long tail of search phrases.

By: Daniel Clough

Daniel Clough — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 09:32:21 +0000

Love the post Chris.

I find it funny that people fascinate over SEO trying to work out what is the best way to do things, trying all the tricks in the book and worrying like hell if they drop a position or two.

People should just focus on building sites that make sense. You know, sites that are designed so well that people can read and buy what they want easily. And as long as you stick to some basics, you should do well.

I too worry far more about the quality of content and running my business than trying to be an SEO expert and that’s worked for me.

By: Dan Schulz

Dan Schulz — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:39:34 +0000

Same here, Chris. I’m sick and tired of people claiming that SEO is constantly evolving, even though they just talk about more of the same, repackaged in the same pointless arguements. It’s almost like they’re trying to polish a… well you know, pass it off as snake oil and then say it’s the next big thing in search engine optimization.

By: Chromate

Chromate — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:36:22 +0000

I’m completely with you on this one. The fact is, I got fed up trying to follow each and every little SEO theory years ago. So I decided to just stick to the basics: A well structured site that gives prevalence to the most important pages, and good content that naturally attracts links. I do look for links initially, but then I tend to let things take care of themselves once the ball is rolling.