Microsoft SEO Summit Recap
by Bernard Ablola
Jun 28, 2007 Conferences, Lectures, MSN, Search Engine Marketing
Larry Sanger, the co-founder of Wikipedia and now owner of Citizendium spoke last Friday at Microsoft’s first SEO Summit. The summit provided search engine optimization techniques geared at improving rankings on all engines and not just on live.com. It is interesting to see Microsoft internally promoting Search Engine Optimization strategies to leverage the already existing content. However, It was also a wake up call to see the amount of opportunity to implement the basic SEO techniques to some of the major web properties.
A sample search of “Mobile Devices” in MSN ranks Microsoft’s webpage on mobile devices as the number 4th position. Searching for the same keywords in Google ranks Microsoft’s webpage as the first position. This could be both a SEO issue or a search relevancy issue. It will be interesting to see what happens with the upcoming improvements of Live.
Here are my highlights of Larry Sanger’s presentation at Microsoft’s SEO Summit.
How to create more traffic using a Web 2.0 community:
- Provide useful content. If you want to succeed in an online community you must develop a readership by providing useful content.
- Viral growth is the key. In order to make your site viral you must motivate others to participate. Organize from the bottom up. Motivate people to participate. Each contributor of Wikipedia felt some ownership of the content that they help created. Writers get excited when acknowledged by the community for contributing. Senger states “the reason people like contributing to Wikipedia because it is a rush when people comment, the more egos invested the more important it seems.”
How to make a Web 2.0 community work?
- Senger’s goal in creating Citizendium is to provide the world with higher quality content. Each member is required to use real names and not use pseudonyms to establish credibility. Although Wikipedia provides plenty of information, academics deem it lacks credibility. I find it as a good “starting point,” however, I would not go as far as to submit it in the footnotes for my end of year thesis.
- The content should be “spiderable.” Having a login for your subscription based content is fine if you can find the balance between monetizing premium content and making it easily indexed and “searchable.” Your site will attract more subscribers if users can find the information they are looking for. Also if you do require a registration, make it easy and efficient.
How can one create a viral project?
Elements of a compelling project
- The content must be worthwhile and interesting. The more niche a site or potential demand the better.
- Make the process of contribution must be easy. Digg has a successful rating system. Either Digg this or don’t, thumbs up or thumbs down. This point is often overlooked. A book I recommend reading for those involved in any part of website creation is Steven Krug’s book, Don’t Make Me Think. Website usability should come first.
- Simplicity of concept. For example, Wikipedia is an encyclopedia and it is not a mash up of you tube, etc…
Make it a public project
- Free (open) content is the best way to make it viral.
- Nonprofit helps too.
- Advertising-free is another bonus.
- Make the inner workings of a design open. For example, Firefox. It is also going to be interesting to see developers working with extending the Facebook application.
Create an attractive governance system
- Provide enough rules that the game is playable, people will then be interested in tweaking the rules.
- Participants need structure. Make it clear for them to know what to do (ex. Digg, thumbs up or thumbs down)
- Again have rewards of various sorts. Bear in mind you’re setting up a community. You’re a politician; your job is complicated.
Sanger’s presentation on creating a successful Web 2.0 site are basic but often overlooked. I would have liked to have more discussion around mission of new Web 2.0 sites. Where if any does the business model come in to play? The balance of creating an online community and making a profit. How does a large organization like Microsoft leverage existing platforms, Live, MSN Spaces, Hotmail and Messenger to develop a fully engaged community?
Best regards,
See you at the top!
A Story of Enlightenment
by Bernard Ablola
May 28, 2007 Bernard, Lectures, Personal Development
Bernard Ablola and Deepak Chopra in Seattle on May 15th, 2007.
“There are no extra pieces in the universe. Everyone is here because he or she has a place to fill, and every piece must fit itself into the big jigsaw puzzle. ” - Deepak Chopra
Deepak Chopra was in Seattle to discuss his new book, Budda: A Story of Enlightenment. I look forward to reading it and discussing on this blog. Deepak tells the story of Budda and his path to enlightenment. Deepak mentioned we may see this story on the big screen. I have been a long time reader and listener of Deepak Chopra’s books on spirituality, health and meditation and look forward to being enlightened.
Bernard
Laws of Simplicity
by Bernard Ablola
Nov 23, 2006 Lectures
Tuesday, I was fortunate to listen to John Maeda speak about “Simplicity.” John is a world-renowned graphic designer, visual artist and computer scientist at the MIT Media Lab.
Maeda discussed a few of his ten laws of simplicity at the Microsoft Lecture Series.
Law 1: Reduce
The Apple Ipod is successful because of its simple navigation. However, it is becoming complicated with all of the applications, games, and video integration. The Ipod shuffle is an popular alternative; it’s smaller and has all the essentials. Maeda states, “The fundamental question remains where is the balance between simplicity and complexity?”
I am looking forward to the day when I don’t have to separately carry a digital camera, my pocket pc, and my mp3 player. I want one device that will give me everything I need without compromising quality.
Law 2: Organize
Organization makes a system of many appear fewer. Maeda used an analogy of the Motorola flip phone. This Star Trek/Captain Kirk style flip phone hides its essential buttons and screen under a clam like protective shell. The flip phone combines a sleek design and essential functionality.
Law 3: Time
No one likes waiting. The graphical progress bar on websites as the application is loading helps users. Less time is felt to elapse. See Maeda’s article “Speed is in the eye of the beholder.”
I wish all restaurants would adopt this “simple” philosophy. There is a gyro shop near my office and the food is good. The shop looks like a fast food restaurant, however, the wait is as long as a sit down restaurant. If the restaurant only provided some munchies or entertainment before the order comes out, the wait would seem shorter. It would attract more repeat customers.
The ten laws are posted on John Maeda’s website. I look forward to reading John Maeda’s new book, The Laws of Simplicity.
Have a happy holiday weekend!
Bernard
Tags: John Maeda, MIT Media Lab