SEO question for small sites

[aadhar]

When it comes to SEO, the rule of thumb is that content is king. If I have a small static site (say 10 pages), what's the best approach to get the best SERPS?

[MJ]

add more pages.

[Matt Geer]

the rule of thumb is that content is king

[stumu]

Get backlinks from quality, associated content. Try to acquire a regular supply of new backlinks each month. Keep the rate of growth steady over time, and you'll do better in the longer term than just throwing a load of backlinks at it all at once.

You are working at a disadvantage in not having a site with new content always being added, but it's still possible to have a visible presence by targeting the right keywords and having strong backlinks.

Also, be abaolutely sure that all th content on your small site is very easily reachable by the bots, and that it's dead easy for the search engines to understand how all your content interconnects and relates to each other (i.e. good, clean navigation is important).

There are ways to buy good quality backlinks - and not "black-hat". PM me if you want a good site I personally use (and recommend) to steadily boost legitimate backlinks on a number of static sites.

[Mark]

If you have a small static site that targets a specific niche, you may do well with that site if you can build up your backlinks with some articles added periodically. If it's just a general broad site, you will need to work hard to continually add content and as always, build incoming links.

Mark

[Michael Martinez]

One more option:

Put content on the site that is so killer it will attract links without you having to go build links or write articles.

How do you build killer content? You start by doing things other people in your niche don't do. You have to create something that people will want to link to: a useful resource, a really funny site, information that just cannot be found elsewhere, etc.

That's called linkbaiting. Not everyone can do it. In fact, most people can not do it well. But if you just happen to have a gift for intriguing people or entertaining them, you may be able to pull it off.

[Pokerkeep]

Hello,
I have few poker sites for link exchange.
Please if you want PM me.
thanks,

5 posts... all looking for link exchanges... sigh!

[pokerextras]

One more option:

Put content on the site that is so killer it will attract links without you having to go build links or write articles.

How do you build killer content? You start by doing things other people in your niche don't do. You have to create something that people will want to link to: a useful resource, a really funny site, information that just cannot be found elsewhere, etc.

That's called linkbaiting. Not everyone can do it. In fact, most people can not do it well. But if you just happen to have a gift for intriguing people or entertaining them, you may be able to pull it off.

i'm very intrigued but also reluctant to believe this theory of link baiting. For example, if me and you both have sites on omaha hi/lo, and you write a great article on an aspect that i haven't covered on my site, i'll think, that's a good idea. I'll write an article about that as well. There's no way i'm going to link to your article so my customers go there and sign up through your links. I'd be praying every day that my customers never find out that your site exists. Taking that into account, please, genuinely, tell me how link baiting actually works, and if anyone has ever actually got a link from a direct competitor.

[NickM]

Agreed. Link baiting is very difficult in the gaming market. Not many gambling-related sites link out. It is possible, but VERY difficult. The best way is to create an invaluable resource like Compatiblepoker.com's US poker page.

[Michael Martinez]

... For example, if me and you both have sites on omaha hi/lo, and you write a great article on an aspect that i haven't covered on my site, i'll think, that's a good idea. I'll write an article about that as well. There's no way i'm going to link to your article so my customers go there and sign up through your links....

Link baiting is not about getting your competitors to link to you -- it's about getting everyone else to link to you instead of your competitors.

I do understand how competitive your markets are. But I've been dealing with competitive markets in SEO for over 10 years. The basic principles never change. If you need links, you get them from sources other than where your competitors get them. That usually means going outside the business Web.

I have found through the years there are a ton of hobbyists for almost every conceivable topic. There are also occasional interests in small and mid-size media for covering obscure topics. And there are specialty niche directories that don't care about who the competitors are -- they just want to link to what they feel are really good resources.

My point is that there ARE people who will link to really great content. It may be an option that can be addressed through an off-the-wall, outside-the-norm article topic. Humor is usually the easiest way to develop link bait. Exhaustive, well-organized resource and how-to lists are another way to do this.

Most article sites make the mistake of breaking up their articles into a lot of little pages so they can splatter more advertising across the copy. No one wants to link to crappy sites like that. If you create a really unique, interesting, informative, and entertaining article you might just get those links faster than you thought possible.