Is it really important to be on the first page?

Discussion in 'Directories' started by pctec, Aug 2, 2007.

  1. #1
    I have been seeing a lot of people lately posting when they get ranked close to the top for certain key terms. Now I'm not saying its a bad thing to be on the first page but honestly is it really helping as far as submissions is concerned? Don't most people who want to submit come to forums like this one to seek out new places to submit to?

    And how hard is it to get on the first page? I don't now, or ever will consider myself an SEO expert in any way but just for illustration I managed to get myself on the first page for a couple key terms. I just don't think its very hard anymore if a person has a few bucks, the will, and some time...

    Am I wrong?

    ps: If you are going to red rep me for my opinion, please have the courtesy to sign it ;)
     

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    pctec, Aug 2, 2007 IP
    kiviniar, mikey1090 and syted like this.
  2. mikey1090

    mikey1090 Moderator Staff

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    #2
    Us webmasters find directories thru forums like DP.

    SEO and marketing companies working on behalf of other companies will probably search google for niche and general terms...
     
    mikey1090, Aug 2, 2007 IP
  3. dsakella

    dsakella Peon

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    #3
    Being on the first page in google results for a competitive keyword, that many users look for, then you will receive huge amounts of traffic. Conversion of this traffic is something everyone has to work on.
    It may be easy to climb to the first page for many keywords, but they probably won't bring you any traffic.
    Try keyword "web directory" and see what happens.
    You still think it's easy for someone to be on the first page for this term?
     
    dsakella, Aug 2, 2007 IP
  4. britishguy

    britishguy Prominent Member

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    #4
    The key is to get very popular keywords that will attract traffic with the potential to convert to submissions

    And then comes the hard bit finding those keywords that are not saturated with every one trying to get some meat
    To chew off the same bone ;)
     
    britishguy, Aug 2, 2007 IP
  5. redgsr

    redgsr Well-Known Member

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    #5
    To me it is, I am much more likely to give a directory that is ranking well for a competitive keyword my business than one that is not.

    It shows me the the owner is putting a lot into marketing and promotion. For example just check out the phrase "web directory" you won't make it there unless you are busting your ass.
     
    redgsr, Aug 2, 2007 IP
  6. Jim4767

    Jim4767 Prominent Member

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    #6
    I track my statistics closely. There is no doubt that first-page search results bring you more traffic. In fact, don't ever be content with #9 or #10 on the first page. Almost every surfer starts by glancing at the #1 link and description on the results page, then #2, #3, etc. I don't have the data at hand, but I recall seeing statistics that show many more clicks for the first few listings on page 1 than for the later listings on page 1.

    Keep optimizing your pages that are now on Google's first page to get them higher on the first page. Never be content with being, say, #8. Go for higher! The traffic will increase.
     
    Jim4767, Aug 2, 2007 IP
  7. malcolm1

    malcolm1 Prominent Member

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    #7
    hello...

    I ran a thread not long ago asking...

    What are your prefrences "set at" for google search

    1. 10 results

    2. 20 results
    3. 30 results
    4. 50 results
    5. 100 results

    The majority said 10 and some didnt even know it was possible to chnage the number of results...

    Conclusion...

    Its Crucial to be in the top 10 as thats where you traffic will come
    from in those terms as not many are willing to travel into pages 2-3...

    thx
    malcolm
     
    malcolm1, Aug 2, 2007 IP
    Jim4767 likes this.
  8. Jim4767

    Jim4767 Prominent Member

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    #8
    Malcolm, that's a great point. I set my Google preferences to give me 100 results. But your data make a compelling point — the majority of surfers do not look beyond Google's first page. I hadn't thought of the "preferences" angle. Nice catch.
     
    Jim4767, Aug 2, 2007 IP
  9. webwiz

    webwiz Peon

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    #9
    mostly will just look the first page, but wiser google users will looks deeper to find what they are looking for. it all depends in what you are promoting, if it some specialized product or affiliate merchandise maybe 2-4 page is better.
     
    webwiz, Aug 2, 2007 IP
  10. coolsitez

    coolsitez Well-Known Member

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    #10
    One research says that most people don't check page 3.

    So, whatever the keyword you SEO for your website, if not in top 20, it's almost useless... unless your keyword is very competitive.

    Furthermore, top 10 rankings are the hot spots.

    The data below is old, from AOL CTR results in top 10 ranks.

    Total Searches:9,038,794
    Total Clicks: 4,926,623

    Click Rank1: 2,075,765
    Click Rank2: 586,100 = 3.5x less
    Click Rank3: 418,643 = 4.9x less
    Click Rank4: 298,532 = 6.9x less
    Click Rank5: 242,169 = 8.5x less
    Click Rank6: 199,541 = 10.4x less
    Click Rank7: 168,080 = 12.3x less
    Click Rank8: 148,489 = 14.0x less
    Click Rank9: 140,356 = 14.8x less
    Click Rank10: 147,551 = 14.1x less

    Notice the gap between #1 and #2 is the biggest.
     
    coolsitez, Aug 2, 2007 IP
  11. Jim4767

    Jim4767 Prominent Member

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    #11
    Great numbers. Thanks for posting them. That pretty much makes the case for working to get higher and higher on Google's page 1.
     
    Jim4767, Aug 2, 2007 IP
  12. craigmandco

    craigmandco Guest

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    #12
    Yeah really big difference between 1 and 2 and 4 and 10 for keywords.
     
    craigmandco, Aug 2, 2007 IP
  13. pctec

    pctec Well-Known Member

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    #13
    Very interesting comments indeed...
    I guess the push is on to get to the top for more and better key terms :)

    Thanks for the push ;)
     
    pctec, Aug 2, 2007 IP
  14. muskur

    muskur Well-Known Member

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    #14
    Very huge difference for sure. Once my photoblog directory became the first for photoblog directory and photo blog directory terms and the traffic jumped from 200 daily uniques to 500 daily uniques.
     
    muskur, Aug 3, 2007 IP
  15. prilep

    prilep Well-Known Member

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    #15
    I will look beyond the first page if i need to find something really important that i cant find on the first page.

    - Prilep :D
     
    prilep, Aug 3, 2007 IP
  16. choice

    choice Prominent Member

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    #16

    true i very rarely go any further before trying a different search term

    page 1 is a must
     
    choice, Aug 3, 2007 IP
  17. davewashere

    davewashere Active Member

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    #17
    I've noticed my habit is to scroll down the search results so I'm looking at 1-9 or 1-10. I quickly scan the titles and relevant text underneath, and then click on the one that looks the most useful/least spamiest. This is done very subconsciously, I have to stop myself in the middle of doing it to even take notice of what I'm doing. I would imagine at least a few web users out there have brains that function similar to mine.

    At the screen resolution I use, I can usually see all 10 results at once. For other screen resolutions this might not be possible. Also, if the search results include a couple sponsored ads at the top, that might prevent some people from seeing the bottom two results (9 and 10). I've developed a bit of blindness to the sponsored ads, so that's not a problem.

    What I'm getting at is this: the number one search result is obviously great, but numbers 2-8 are often nearly as good. 9 & 10 are a little worse, and anything past page 1 is going to have significantly less traffic than the top results.
     
    davewashere, Aug 3, 2007 IP
  18. coolsitez

    coolsitez Well-Known Member

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    #18
    I have experienced the similar. Being #3 and being #1 is a big difference even though it looks only few inches away :D

    Many people assume or think (I was one of them also ;)) there isn't much difference among the top 3.

    Visually, they really look pretty much the same. You think if searchers click on #1, they would click on #2 or #3 likewise, but the statistics shows differently.

    I used to think #3 spot was the best because it's close to the center of the screen ;)

    Other important factors:

    Keyword in title
    Well written description

    If your title and description are better than your competitors, they will more likely visit yours ;)
     
    coolsitez, Aug 3, 2007 IP
  19. vicdigi

    vicdigi Banned

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    #19
    It is always important to rank high in search engines.

    We will, if the submission is reasonably priced always try to submit to a directory that ranks well in a search engine as it goes along way to show a good possibility your link will be found.
     
    vicdigi, Aug 3, 2007 IP
  20. kiviniar

    kiviniar Notable Member

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    #20
    Some keywords are useless, but if you are talking about a niche or a competitive keyword like "Business Directory" "Web Directory" "Blog Directory", it sure helps

    These keywords have sales potential and any visit can lead to a sale, so it helps to be ranking for these terms..

    The others, biggest, great...etc are useless

    p.s. However, i plan to launch the most useless anchor text campaign myself :p

    E.g. Sutra Dude

    Yes, even a single visit may lead to a sale

    Not necessary, i got a few submisionn in one of my directory even before i formally launched it.

    Depends on the competive nature of the keywords

    Off lately most web directory owners are after the top spots for the KW "Web Directory", so its going to be sweet to rank hign for it

    It would only matter if those keywords bring in any traffic..

    No body is wrong or right, every one has their way of considering or formulating an approach, which they can call their own..

    And trust me, not all secrets are shared

    like i will not ever share the NICHE KW that bring me traffic, the generic ones (web directory) are not a scare (and thats the truth for most people in SEO)
     
    kiviniar, Aug 4, 2007 IP