Because you can never have too many tips on getting to the top of the search engine rankings, here are 10 tips to give your website an SEO boost.

1. Boldness. Locate one or two instances of each of your keywords on each of the webpages within your site and use bold tags. But whatever you do, don’t use them for every occurrence of the words.

2. Go Global. The United Kingdom and Canada both have directories of companies located in those countries. See if you can get an address for your business in one—or both—of those countries.

3. Link Deeply. Your inbound links should point to as many pages within your website as possible. This lets search engines know that you have pages and pages of relevant, high-quality, everyone-wants-to-read-it content. If all of your inbound links point to your homepage, search engines think that your site has little value or that your links were automatically generated.

4. Articles. Find ezine publishers who archive ezines. If your articles are archived, they’ll stay around awhile and give you inbound linking value for a long time.

5. Link Well. SEO experts will tell you that it simply isn’t a good idea to use images for navigational links. But if you insist, at least make sure that you also use text links, and that those text links come first within your source code. Search engines go with the first links they see and don’t follow additional links.

6. Exchange Articles. While link exchanges are little more than useless, article exchanges can actually serve you well. In an article exchange, you publish someone else’s article that includes a link back to their site. They do the same for you. Both of your sites are indexed, both of them are regarded as relevant and useful, and both of your links are given high value by the search engines.

7. Use Several Domains. Consider using more than one domain if you have topics that warrant their own websites. One reason is that search engines typically only list one page for each domain in the search results. Another reason is that directories typically accept homepages. Having more than one domain means that you can get additional directory listings.

8. Links and Titles. Give titles to your links. This can result in search engines giving higher rankings to your page, and it can help surfers with visual impairments figure out where you’re sending them.

9. Limit Anchor Text. Believe it or not, it is possible to overdo it when it comes to anchor text. If your inbound links all look the same, search engines will suspect you of automatically generating your links. Use the name of your company in some cases and your URL in others. And be creative with the others in ways that will cause search engines to rank you higher.

10. Map Your Site. Always, always, always include a site map, and provide a link to your site map on every interior page. This is not only helpful for humans who are trying to navigate your page, but it also tells search engine robots exactly where to go next when they’re crawling your page. Even if your site is small, use a navigation bar as a site map.

Of course, there’s a lot more to search engine optimization than these 10 tips, but these tips will help you get started—or help you jog your memory if you’ve gotten a little rusty in your SEO. And remember that you always have the option of consulting with an SEO expert or internet marketing professional if you need further guidance on optimizing your webpage or making SEO an integral part of your overall internet marketing strategy. Do it yourself or enlist the help of someone else…just make sure it gets done!

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If you’re an entrepreneur who gets nervous at the very mention of the word “networking,” you’re not alone. While many business owners love the opportunity to talk about their business, others simply don’t feel comfortable walking up to complete strangers and starting conversations. The good news is that if networking is done properly, it doesn’t have to be traumatic or a big waste of your time. Use these 10 tips to prepare you for your next networking opportunity.

1. Keep Networking Tools at the Ready. Keep business cards, brochures, and a carrying case full of other people’s business cards with you at all times. You’ll feel more confident and look more professional if you can put your hands directly on the information you need right away. Also keep a professional-looking name badge with you all the time.
   
2. Set Networking Goals. The next time you attend a networking event, decide on an appropriate number of people that you’re going to meet. If you’re feeling energetic, 15 might be an obtainable goal. If you’re feeling less than bulletproof, go for a smaller number. But don’t leave until you’ve met your goal, and get cards from everyone you meet
   
3. Act Like a Host. Don’t sit back and wait for people to come to you. Greet people immediately and help them meet others you know.
   
4. Listen and Ask. There’s a reason we all have two ears and one mouth, so do twice as much listening as talking. Let the other person talk about himself first, and then share some about yourself and your business. They don’t need to know your whole life story, but you also shouldn’t assume that they know who you are or what you do.
   
5. Don’t Make Deals. Networking events are not sales pitch venues. They are opportunities to build relationships and partnerships. If you want to use the connections you’ve made later, that’s fine, but you’ll find yourself a networking pariah if you use these events to close deals.
   
6. Refer. A good networker is looking out for the good of everyone he or she meets. This includes providing referrals to other professionals. Even if you can’t provide a specific referral, at least pass on some helpful information.
   
7. Exchange Cards. Each time you exchange cards with someone, ask for two. One is for you to keep and one is to pass along to someone else who may be in need of their services.
   
8. Be Efficient. Don’t spend your entire time with one person. A good rule of thumb is to spend a maximum of ten minutes with each person you talk to. And while it’s tempting to cling to people you already know, drag yourself away to talk to businesspeople you’ve never met. If you find someone you’d like to talk with further, set up a time to get together later.
   
9. Use Business Cards as Notebooks. After you get a business card from someone, jot down information on the back that will help you remember who they were and what you talked about, plus any helpful information for the future.
   
10. Follow up. This is probably the hardest rule to follow. Given all the work you just did talking to strangers and exchanging cards, you’ll be tempted to simply rest in the fact that you checked off your networking requirement for the month. Set a deadline within the next week to follow up. That way you won’t keep putting it off. And follow up with any promises you made to the people you met. This goes without saying, but you’d be surprised how many business owners drop the ball.

Networking is one of the most important things you’ll do as an entrepreneur. Follow these 10 tips for efficient and effective networking, and you can make it work for you!

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Every entrepreneur dreams of making it big! Here are 8 keys to making it happen.

1. Don’t Do It if You Don’t Love it. You’re only going to succeed if you love what you’re doing. Your love for your business is what keeps you going even when things look bleak or, worse yet, boring. Your passion it what gets you out of bed everyday to face what it sometimes thankless work. If you don’t really love what you’re doing then you’re not going to see it through to the finish. Never make money your primary goal. Your primary goal should be to have fun doing what you love.

2. Be Relentless. Persistence is often the only difference between wild success and abysmal failure. If you’re challenged, stand up to the challenge, whether it’s another person or a business setback. If you back down, you’re going to lose respect for yourself and doubt your ability to make your business succeed. If you truly believe in what you’re doing, then stand up to whatever tries to get in your way.

3. Negotiate. Aim high and settle if necessary. Taking less than you wanted isn’t always a bad thing.

4. Dream Big Dreams. What is it that you want most? Imagine what your business would look like if you had everything you could possibly ask for and then do everything in your power to make that vision a reality. We are almost always limited most profoundly by our own fear of success. Don’t be afraid to make decisions that lead to success, and don’t be afraid to win. The challenges will still be there when you get to the top, so don’t be afraid to succeed for fear that you will no longer be challenged.

5. Dare to Be Different. You’ll probably find that, whatever your business idea is, someone else though of it first. So set yourself apart from the competition. Do things people don’t expect you to do. Be unconventional. Try something new just for the sake of trying something new, whether it’s redesigning your product or papering your walls with inspirational quotes. If you surround yourself with the unconventional, you are more likely to think unconventionally. And in the business world, that’s a good thing.

6. Shameless Self-Promotion. Take some time to examine your strengths and the strengths of your business. Now, what can you do to let other people know about your strengths? How can you go about calling attention to the great things about your business that will compel people to seek out your products or services? Don’t be afraid to talk about yourself. If you don’t, chances are nobody will!

7. Trust Your Instincts. Be an extrovert. Ask everyone you know what they think about your business idea. When you feel like you have enough input, spend some time listening to your inner voice, the one that tells you if this is going to be a great idea or a bust. And then heed that voice, no matter how others might question your judgment or criticize your decision. Your gut is almost always right.

8. Be Great at What You Do. You’re never going to be successful unless you endeavor every day to be great at what you do. Being great is a choice you make, not something that just happens to you because you were in the right place at the right time. So choose greatness, intentionally and consciously, every day. And you will be great.

Success is a result of being proactive, of pursuing your dreams, of taking little steps every day that bring your goals to fruition. If you take the advice outlined above, you will see your business grow, and you will see yourself evolve into a great businessperson. Never be afraid of success. Make success the only thing you’ll settle for.

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