Be prepared

[BrandonW]

"I think the boy scout motto is ""be prepared"", and this would apply to a possible Google shakeup. Last year at this time, Google had a massive update (Florida) that knocked gazillions (estimate of course) of pages out of the rankings. Could it happen again this year? Will it? And if it does, are you prepared? How quickly can you spin on a dime, figure out what happened, rectify the situation, and return your site to the previously held high rankings? Do some homework now as a ""just in case"" measure. My blog today addresses this (at www.seo-scoop.com), but basically I suggest you take screenshots of current SERPs of your keywords (and whatever else you think should be tracked - maybe travel, real estate, web design, etc.) so that you have something to compare to new SERPs, should a massive update occur. The ability to compare the old with the new may just save your butt.
Reply With Quote"

[khurramali]

"Be prepared" this is exactly what good SEOs like myself do most of their time, Research with websites those that get good rankings and those that slip.

About 50% of my time is spent in researching, reading, listening to podcasts etc.

About 25% of my time is spent in visiting, finding, Quoting new clients. Without which I will not survive in the internet marketing business.

And about 25% of my time is spent in doing actual SEO work for my clients.

[PaulMellors]

"Could it happen again this year? Will it? And if it does, are you prepared?"

Thanks for your advice although it's a little late, it's already happened for thousands on sites, there was a data refresh on the 27th June, 27th July and the 17th August 2006. Mine personally have dropped down the SERPS drastically...90% of business has been lost. :(

[khurramali]

I am sorry for your loss of business.

But may I add that this happened because your business was totally dependent on search engines and you did not implement any secondry source of traffic to your website.

Never put all your eggs in one basket, goes the saying

It is still not too late, you will find many good articles with full of ideas on how to start generating traffic to your website.

Implement some of those and you will be able to get some of the lost business back.

[scanmonkey]

"Could it happen again this year? Will it? And if it does, are you prepared?"

Thanks for your advice although it's a little late, it's already happened for thousands on sites, there was a data refresh on the 27th June, 27th July and the 17th August 2006. Mine personally have dropped down the SERPS drastically...90% of business has been lost. :(

The google algo is unpredictable. Build additional traffic sources. Study the sites that have stable serp positions.

Direct mail using a post card type ad with your url can be an alternative to search engine traffic if you have a good mailing list and can be cheaper than ppc.