7 (& a half) Most Common SEO Mistakes Made on Biznik

Forget for a second that Biznik is a vibrant supportive community of indie business people, and just look at SEO. Biznik.com is highly optimized, which impacts your own placement. What mistakes are you making with your profile?

Written Nov 04, 2010, read 4765 times since then.

SEO (search engine optimization) is not a science it’s an art. Google is the most used search engine in the world because their algorithm returns the most current, most useful and most relevant results. They don’t publish their algorithm for good reason, but we know that they index frequently changing pages more often than pages that aren’t. This is why social networks and blogs are so popular - content is changing all the time! When was the last time the content changed on the home page of your static brochure site?

Biznik is a social network, and as a result, one of the most optimized sites in the world. Go ahead - Google it & see! Today’s search for “business networking” ranked Biznik.com top 5 of 40+ Million results inline with LinkedIn, Wikipedia, Entrepreneur Magazine, and BNI. And Biznik has a PageRank of 6. (What does this mean?)

Biznik’s member profiles benefit from Biznik's extraordinary rank. If you're not ranking as high as you think you should be, then you may be making one of these common optimization mistakes.

1. You did not optimize the ‘Your job’ field.

The second field on your profile after your name is ‘Your job’. This is the most optimized field on Biznik. Use this field to enter your primary keyword (i.e. photographer or PR consultant). If you are a plumber but entered “owner” in ‘Your job’ field think of the number of searches for “Seattle plumber” that do not include you. (You do not need to enter your city in this field. We optimize your location for you.)

TIP: You will get the most SEO juice by choosing ONE keyword, you will get less for two. Your Google SEO will be diluted if you enter more than 4.

2. You did not repeat your keywords in ‘About you’ section.

Google sorts results by relevance. If your keyword is “photographer,” but the only place where you list that is in the ‘job’ field, your profile will not be deemed as relevant as someone who repeats the same keyword throughout their profile. But Google’s pretty smart. They disregard lists of keywords and reward keywords used in a grammatical sentence. A good 'About you' would start with, “I have been a Seattle photographer for 3 years. My photography is a reflection of how I see the world. Wedding photography is my favorite.”

3. You left your ‘Tags’ field blank.

Your profile has a place under your ‘About You’ tab for tags. Tags are keywords that don’t appear on your profile, but help search engines and other visitors to Biznik find you. You can repeat your keyword photographer and also add words like, photojournalism and photographic portraiture separated by commas.

TIP: This is a great place to list alternate spellings of your name too like Lori, Lora and Laura.

4. You did not select a relevant category.

Reread no. 1. Choose your category as wisely as you complete ‘Your job’ field. If you are a photographer who chooses the “entrepreneur” category, you are not benefitting from all those visits to your local “photography” page.

BONUS: Biznik ProVIPs may add their names to 4 category pages like the “wedding photography” page and “event photography” page. Biznik Pros may add their names to 2 pages.

5. You did not pull your Twitter feed or an echo of your blog* into your profile.

Remember the bit about changing content? Biznik profiles contain multiple content panes that automatically update with fresh content such as your Tweets and blog entries. If you do not pull these feeds into your profile, we cannot leverage all the time you put into maintaining them.

* All members can pull in their Twitter feed. Importing an echo of your blog into your profile and adding a video are benefits of Biznik Pro.

6. You answered the following wrong.

TRUE or FALSE: Duplicating content across different web sites will discredit your site. (To elaborate, I found this on someone's blog: "Never duplicate content on different sites including ones you own, because search engines look for unique content and if your page contains information duplicated somewhere else, the engines will automatically discredit your site.")

THE ANSWER IS FALSE. Cross-posting content onto 2 different sites (i.e. republishing your blog post as a Biznik article) will not double the SEO benefit, but it also will not incur an SEO penalty.

7. You're investing in an elaborate irrigation system, then not turning on the water.

Just like Google, Biznik sorts members by how active they are. If you optimize your profile but do not come back, show up and contribute, your profile will slowly sink below everyone who does. Google bots index Biznik pages systematically. If you are the 28th photographer on the list, Google will consider you less relevant than the 27 photographers above you.

Combine that with the activity update on your profile. Your profile is updated everytime you post an article, attend an event or make a comment on an article or discussion topic. This activity ensures Google views your profile page as more relevant as the information presented is being updated regularly. (Fresh changing content again!) Google will see an active profile as more relevant than one with a static activity panel.

No activity dramatically reduces the benefit of your Biznik profile - so get out and connect!

BONUS: Biznik ProVIPs may create a signature line with an outbound link that appears on every post, and inside the ProVIP Bio attached to the bottom of every article and event you publish. The more you yap it up, the more outbound links you’ll get from a site with an outstanding page rank!

7.5. You're using Biznik for SEO but not taking advantage of Biznik ProVIP.

Behind the scenes, the gold-star ProVIP profile is packed with search engine optimization goodies, including 4 times as many category pages, multiple locations, additional web sites, the linked post signatures, bio fields on their articles and events, and the right side bar of all search results.

As a result, an astounding 93 percent of Biznik's ProVIP profiles are listed in the top 10 results on Google for their name; and 60 percent are RANKED #1. How we know this.

For $24/month. That's more than a deal. That's a STEAL.

Upgrade your membership now. And watch yourself benefit from Biznik's powerful SEO Mojo.

Nowhere else will you find a community of professional peers connecting online, in-person, globally and locally exclusively about business. Discover what happens when independent business people get together to converse, connect and collaborate.

Cofounder & CEO of Biznik

Learn more about the author, Lara Feltin.

Posted by Justin Parra, Seattle, Washington | Nov 04, 2010

Great Article. I agree with you about the duplicate content in the case of Biznik. Having duplicate content on multiple pages of the same site is commonly known to be bad for SEO. Having your content on multiple sites (to a reasonable extent) is fine. People get this confused when they interpret the term "duplicate content".
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 04, 2010

Very helpful article. I depend on Biznik for a good dose of SEO for my own site. My Biznik profile page has a higher Google ranking than my own home page. Almost 10% of my website traffic is from referrals from Biznik.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Bob Dunn, Seattle, Washington | Nov 05, 2010

great breakdown, just one of the reasons I've been a VIP for almost 3 years : )
Posted by Tshombe Brown, Portland, Oregon | Nov 05, 2010

Lara, this is outstanding. Thank you for breaking this down and sharing clear steps for fixing anyone committing the 7 1/2 Cardinal Sins of Biznik SEO.

I'm going to use this as a guide to check my own profile and whether I'm adequately taking advantage of all the privileges of being a Biznik Member!

Listen to the NEW Selling With Spirit Radio Hour
Posted by Tshombe Brown, Portland, Oregon | Nov 05, 2010

Lara,

I just realized that PRO VIP members also now get their bio on the bottom of the events they host. Very cool!

Thanks!

Listen to the NEW Selling With Spirit Radio Hour
Posted by Angel Stevens, Seattle, Washington | Nov 05, 2010

Great points here. Entering those tags is easy to miss and I'm still scared to put anything into my Google summary. Right now my Biznik profile doesn't come up on Google until page 3. I'm sure it'll make it to the first page, but when it does, I won't hold my breath for additional sales...

Thanks for the clarifications!

Junk Removal in Seattle
Posted by Zita Gustin, Bellevue, Washington | Nov 05, 2010

Great article Lara. Very important information and hopefully many of the Biznik's will get busy and put some attention on to these simple to do fixes that will increase their visibility!

The ABC's of Networking ... Always Be Connecting!
Posted by Amy Martin, Bellingham, Washington | Nov 05, 2010

Thank you Lara. Really wunderbar.

Blows SEO crumpets all around! With butter and love,

~ Amy
Posted by Lara Feltin, Seattle, Washington | Nov 05, 2010

I agree, Angel. You shouldn't hold your breath. SEO and findability is just one slice of a multi-dimensional pie of what it takes to make a sale. In the case of the SEO tips in this article, it's related to optimizing your Biznik profile.

Chances are, your Biznik profile is not the only social networking profile of yours that's going to outrank your own site, but depending on how much water you want to send down your irrigation system (in the form of community participation), you have the ability to optimize a professional profile that was designed specifically for independent business.

Biznik is a community specifically about independent business, for connections related to independent business, where you can interact with other self-employed independent business people.

The key question -- and a different conversation -- is after you get to page 1 with your Biznik profile, what do you do with it? I recommend you pay attention to what's on your profile and see if there's enough call-to-action on it. Is it clear who you are, what you do, why someone should engage with you? Do you look like a professional? Do you appear trustworthy? Do you have a clear community of people who can vouch for you? Support you? Introduce you to new opportunities? Are you contributing to this community in the form of a conversation, attendance at an event, a published article?

As a business-centric community, Biznik's good at two things: helping you form relationships with your business peers; and being a platform for establishing and strengthening your professional reputation. Take advantage of your placement on Google, by using this community to do one of these. Strong relationships and a solid reputation will lead to more sales.

Cofounder & CEO of Biznik
Posted by Angel Stevens, Seattle, Washington | Nov 05, 2010

Hi Lara, thanks for the thoughtful response. I feel like I should be paying a consulting fee for all this useful personalized information.

I hope my comment wasn’t taken with any offense. What I meant was that there is less equity in a search for my name than I would like.

Junk Removal in Seattle
Posted by Lara Feltin, Seattle, Washington | Nov 05, 2010

No offense taken! :) Your comment got me thinking about a follow-up article: 'I'm on Page 1 - Now What?'

EDITOR'S NOTE: Done. Check out the newly published follow up article: 'I'm on Page 1 of Google -- Now What?'

Cofounder & CEO of Biznik
Posted by Jenny Davidow, Seattle, Washington | Nov 05, 2010

Great article, Lara! There are so many layers to SEO, it's hard to keep them all straight.

I have complete confidence in Biznik's SEO power, which brought me a communication coaching client from another state, based entirely on a Google search.

After reading your tips, I went back to my profile and updated my tags and "google summary."
Posted by Bill Bradfield, EA, Blaine, Washington | Nov 05, 2010

Lara,

Great article. This points out what I have know since I became a Pro VIP member, that the benefits far outweigh the cost.

Keep up the great work.

Bill

I keep the IRS off your back and out of your pocketbook
Posted by John Davies, Bothell, Washington | Nov 05, 2010

Wow, so many good tips! What a great article. I opened two windows on my browser and changed my profile as I read. Thank you!
Posted by Bonnie Pond, Fayetteville, Tennessee | Nov 05, 2010

Thanks for writing such an information packed article. After reading it, I know what to do to make my profile better. There's a lot I need to learn about SEO and your article was so helpful.
Posted by Lara Feltin, Seattle, Washington | Nov 05, 2010

So glad everyone's finding the information helpful. And sorry that I didn't publish this article for you years ago(!) LOL.

Cofounder & CEO of Biznik
Posted by Elvis Arias, Jersey City, New Jersey | Nov 07, 2010

great piece thanks for sharing and keep them coming
Posted by Nicole Pontillo, Federal Way, Washington | Nov 07, 2010

Thank you for the tips! I have taken notes of your insights and will put them to use! As a new entrepreneur, tackling a lot of tasks myself, I have grappled with my role in Biznik, SEO, and next steps.

Your article shed much needed light on my journey...

Thanks!
Posted by Marlaine Cover, Encinitas, California | Nov 07, 2010

Have I told you lately that I love U Lara? Thank U for a great share! Hugs!!!
Posted by Michael Schuett, Renton, Washington | Nov 08, 2010

Outstanding article...very helpful. I love Biznik and have recommended it to all my customers and anyone who will listen. Though I am not a ProVIP member. I didn't feel the benefit was that much greater than the $10 per month membership.

Thanks for a great and useful article.

Michael Schuett

www.totalbroadcasting.com
Posted by Lara Feltin, Seattle, Washington | Nov 08, 2010

Check out the follow up to this article - I'm on Page 1 of Google -- Now What?

Cofounder & CEO of Biznik
Posted by Michael Hartzell, Seattle, Washington | Nov 13, 2010

Sure enough, Biznik is an SEO powerhouse... Your step by step approach is perfect.

thanks for the lesson.

:)

Guerrilla Marketing Ideas that Rock!
Posted by Michele Velazquez, Los Angeles, California | Nov 15, 2010

Wow, that was extremely helpful. I didn't realize I left off tags in my profile. Thank you!
Posted by Brian Rauschenbach, Seattle, Washington | Nov 16, 2010

Nicely written article Lara. You basically covered all bases on this. I have been working with Lara and the Biznik team for a few years tweaking and fine tuning the SEO-ness for the Biznik community. All of my work has been pro-bono for Biznik because I think it is important to recognize what they do for the small business community where Google is not always showing love. In the past few years Google has been helping the big boys get bigger by the nature of their algorithm and even if they want to have relevancy with local searches the problem usually lies with the content on small business sites never changing or updating. Here is where Biznik comes in like a rock star because content is ever changing and new members are keeping categories updated.

I usually charge between $2,000 - $10,000 for SEO consultation so the $24/month Biznik membership is a steal. Honestly. I recently got a new client that cold called me and I asked him how he found me and he said he typed in "SEM Guru" in Google and there was my Biznik profile. I was delightfully surprised and excited about the listing. Keep up the great work Lara and team and stay tuned for a SEO event we are planning in January.

Add Three Ad Agency
Posted by Keith Gormezano, Seattle, Washington | Nov 17, 2010

I concur with Richard Gabel. About 10% of my business is from referrals from my dedicated Biznik profile.

Dr QuickBooks & Quicken: I make house calls to help you
Posted by Arnold Arnan, Kirkland, Washington | Nov 23, 2010

Great article. I just updated my profile. Thanks for all the great tips.
Posted by Vanessa Bowker, Seattle, Washington | Jan 06, 2011

Laura,

Fantastic to have these pointers upon initial set up. Thanks a million.
Posted by Dawn Renee Mallory, Seattle, Washington | Jan 06, 2011

I have been a member at various levels since mid 1996 ... Biznik has ALWAYS provided GREAT Google Juice!

Your extra steps have revolutionalized my thinking and I am reworking my Biznik site to include your tips.

www.autograf.com ... Please send me your flaky friends... Dawn
Posted by Karen Mathieson, Portland, Oregon | Jan 07, 2011

How embarrassing, Lara--I took your great advice and ran with it back in early November, and never got back to thank you for it here!

However, that gives me the chance to report that when I revised my headline, profile, keywords and Google summary per your advice, I also did a "reality check" on current web stats and search engine page placement. Let's just say the results were dismal.

This Monday, when I logged my December statistics and checked the search engines, I found both Biznik profile and website have continued to climb on Yahoo and Google, and the web stats are lookin' good too.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! ~Karen
Posted by Kimberly Gauthier, Marysville, Washington | Apr 18, 2011

This is a fantastic article with great information. I thought duplicate content was bad bad bad - so when I guest post, I allow the blogger to hold the main article and I reference it on my blog.

I also didn't know what a benefit having a pro account would be - I would love to make this investment and will look more into it this week.

But first, time to check my profile again!
Posted by Lara Feltin, Seattle, Washington | Apr 18, 2011

Glad it made an impact, Kimberly. I'll ask Matt, Biznik's Community Manager to get in touch with you. He can take a look at your profile and get you up and optimized in a 15-minute call.

That offer stands for everyone else too! Matt's only a call away. :)

Cofounder & CEO of Biznik