| Promoting a state versus promoting a product | | | | be curious about. You've heard the phrase "content is |
| requires different mindsets. In the first case, a state | | | | king" hundreds of times. An excellent SEO strategy |
| encompasses many facets - downtown, historical | | | | for a web site promoting New York would be to |
| attractions, museums, demographics, environmental | | | | provide useful information that not only fulfills the |
| initiatives, industrial zones and many other topics that | | | | tourism need, but also covers history, operating |
| would interest visitors. In the second case, promoting | | | | hours, and even testimonials. |
| a product imposes a narrower focus. You feature the | | | | What do people want to know when they're planning |
| product - how it's manufactured, how it can benefit | | | | a trip to the Big Apple? Hotels and restaurants |
| users and sellers' payment options. Since selling a | | | | obviously. An SEO expert would probably contact a |
| product is more concentrated, the target audience is | | | | few major hotels and ask about reciprocal links. |
| defined and sales objectives are more clearly | | | | Take a restaurant entrepreneur in Manhattan who |
| established. | | | | does brisk business. If he averages about US$50,000 |
| Promoting a state is a more complex activity, | | | | a week from walk-in customers, imagine how much |
| whether or not it's for the public sector (city | | | | more his restaurant could make if he had a web site |
| governments) or private sector (travel agencies or | | | | that ranked well with the search engines. This means |
| tour organizers). | | | | his retaurant would make it to the first two pages of |
| State or product - different approaches, different | | | | say Google or Yahoo every time a surfer types |
| outcomes. Both, however, share a common thread. | | | | "New York restaurants" or "places to eat in |
| For any type of online promotion or advertising to | | | | Manhattan" on the search engine box. This is proof |
| work, search engine optimization must be the guiding | | | | that his SEO provider knew what keywords to |
| principle. | | | | target and used a number of ways to attract visitor |
| SEO for state of New York | | | | traffic. |
| Why is it important for New York-based companies | | | | In addition to foot traffic to their physical locations, |
| and organizations to use SEO strategies? | | | | businesses in New York could increase business by |
| Reason: to attract the correct target audience so | | | | also establishing an online presence powered by good |
| that web site operators and owners can pull in | | | | SEO practices. |
| substantial traffic. To pull in substantial traffic, the | | | | The present economic crisis and fierce competition |
| web site must look professional, comply with search | | | | make SEO indispensable. Business people are not the |
| engine requirements (look and feel), offer quality | | | | only ones who benefit. Here are some individuals |
| content, and encourage repeat visits or convert visits | | | | groups/organizations that could use SEO to their |
| into points of sale. | | | | advantage: |
| If the city government, for instance, wants to | | | | Investment brokers |
| promote the best spots to visit in downtown | | | | Doctors |
| Manhattan, its web site must zero in on the | | | | Psychologists |
| downtown core by using keywords that are | | | | Antique collectors |
| frequently used by people when looking up New | | | | Hobbyists |
| York. The following elements therefore must be | | | | Symphony orchestras |
| featured with relevant information (this is not a | | | | Student credit unions |
| comprehensive list): | | | | Environmental lobbyists |
| Statue of Liberty | | | | Restaurateurs |
| Central Park | | | | Spa operators |
| United Nations | | | | Massage clinics |
| Soho | | | | Fashion consultants |
| Metropolitan Museum of New York | | | | Tour operators |
| Cornell University, Vassar and NYU | | | | Insurance companies |
| Wall Street | | | | Real estate agents |
| New York Subway | | | | Pet supplies store |
| Chinatown | | | | Chambers of commerce |
| The boroughs (Brookly, Long Island, Bronx, etc) | | | | As you can see from the list, there's a New York |
| Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | | | | SEO package for everyone! |
| And many other spots that a first-time visitor would | | | | |