More SEO magic!

My search engine optimization makeover continues, and the results speak for themselves. I’m firing on all pistons when it comes to some all-important keywords. Although there are a few significant hurdles to overcome, I’m very optimistic.

Last week I reported that this blog and Web site had essentially gone from obscurity to being seen by all the search engines virtually overnight. These were dramatic and unexpected results.
I didn’t think it could get any better, at least for a while. I was wrong.

» On the term “travel news” I’m now at number 29 on Google.

» For “travel blog” I’m at number 25.

» For “business travel blog” I’m at number 17.

And let’s not forget the other search engines. Yahoo! puts me at #12 for the term “travel blog.” Netscape has me at #14 for “business travel blog.”

Meanwhile, my Technorati rankings have taken off. Elliott is ranked #115,173 (214 links from 28 sites) and Ellipses is at #143,599 (83 links from 23 sites).

There are still search terms that we want to show up for but aren’t. Among them: “travel information” and “travel tips.” But they’re tough search terms and these things take time.

How’s that affecting site traffic? Well, the number of visitors is off — a seasonal slowdown, I’m sure. In the last week, I had 16,264 visitors versus 17,805 the week before. However, more of those visitors are newcomers – 60 percent last week versus 57 percent the week before that.

I’m grateful to SEO Sally for the Internet marketing strategy advice.

The next challenge: Getting Ellipses listed as a news source on Google News. Most of the entries are, technically speaking, news stories.

Christopher Elliott is the author of Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals. Critics have called it “eye-opening” and “inspiring” — it’ll “grab your attention and won’t let go.” Order your copy now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or iTunes.

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