7 Simple Tips For Getting Google To Drive More Online Shoppers To Your Quoter Website

Your embedded Norvax quote engine is an effective tool for converting your website visitors into real leads - and even submitted applications. But how do you get major search engines like Google™ and Yahoo!™ to send more online health insurance shoppers to your Quoter website?

The answer is search engine optimization (SEO). It's a big word that comes down to just making sure your website is optimized for search engine spiders.

What are search engine spiders? They're programs that scour the websites on the Internet. Spiders collect information that are then used by search engines to create a database of the entire web. The data they collect from your website determines how high you'll rank on search engine results if, for example, someone types "health insurance plans" into the Google search box.

SEO is now big business, with companies charging thousands of dollars to optimize commercial websites. But with these 7 simple tips, you can quickly optimize your Quoter website for nothing.

1) Write Keyword-Rich Content

Several factors go into determining how high you rank on search engine pages. But one of the most important factors is how your website content matches up to the keywords typed into the search engine by the online shopper.

For example, if someone types "cheap Texas health insurance" into the Google search box, the search engine will look for websites that have those four keywords. Websites with that exact phrasing will show up higher in the search results. Websites with all four keywords but in a different order or websites with only three or two of those keywords will typically rank lower.

But don't just stuff your website with all the keywords your brain can produce. That will turn off visitors who do come to your site. They'll just hit the "Back" button and go to the next website on the list.

Instead, you should first write (or hire someone to write) content that website visitors will find useful. Then strategically add your top keywords to your content.

If you're having trouble thinking of keywords, ask your online clients what keywords they used when they shopped for insurance. You can also Google's own keyword tool to determine the best keywords for your page: https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal.

2) Remember Your Headlines and Tags

Google tends to put more importance on keywords that appear on your headlines, sub-headers and page titles. After you've taken the previous step of writing good keyword-rich content, make sure that your top keywords are included in your header and sub-headers.

Don't forget to also include your top keywords in your page title and description tags. The page title is what appears on the very top of your browser screen. The page title and page description are also what typically appears on the search engine results page.

3) Add Content Regularly

Both Google and Yahoo pay attention to how often webpages are updated. All things being equal, frequently updated websites will rank higher than websites that are rarely if ever maintained.

So make sure to update your content at least once a month - if not every week. And it doesn't have to be a major rewrite. For example, you should consider posting press releases and announcements about new plans, carriers and office news. In addition to keeping your prospects informed, you'll be helping your page rank.

4) Build Links

Google captured the search engine market by considering "backlinks" (external links that point to your website) in their page ranking system. Getting more links, especially from related websites, will help improve your page rank.

Here are a few tips for quickly acquiring dozens of links to your site:

• Exchange links with local businesses you know
• Get listed in online directories
• Ask for links from vendors, friends and contacts
• Send out press releases with links to your site
• Post articles with links to your site in "ezines"

But don't bother buying links. Paying for links will not help your page ranking. In some cases, they may even hurt it.

5) Generate Non-SEO Traffic

Frequently visited websites tend to receive higher rankings. Yes, you want your SEO changes to increase your page rank so search engines will drive more visitors to your site. But you can also increase your page rank by taking other steps to get more people to visit your site.

This means prominently featuring your website in your advertisements, brochures, signs and even business cards. This also means having your marketing emails direct prospects back to a landing page in your website - in addition to contacting you directly.

6) Own Your Own Domain

Make sure that you've got your own domain name. This really isn't an issue with a Norvax Quoter website.

But if you're using a "free" webpage, chances are that you don't really have your own website. Instead, you've got a page in someone else's website. All the traffic that you bring in will help their page ranking, but do little for yours.

So if you haven't already, go to a site such as www.GoDaddy.com or www.NetworkSolutions.com to find and register an available domain name.

7) Don't Cross Google

Lastly, keep in mind that Google has punished many websites for using "black hat" techniques to build their page ranks.

For example, if you add your website to a "link farm," Google will actually lower your page rank. Beware of link exchange sites and programs in general, especially if they require you to install a program or applet to your website.

Other "black hat" techniques Google will penalize include:

• Hidden text
  Putting your keywords in a color that cannot be read on the screen, but can be picked up by search engine spiders, is a common mistake Google has punished.
• Keyword stuffing
  Simply adding your keywords multiple times looks bad to website visitors, but can also get your site penalized.
• Forum spamming
  Don't post your link on forums and blog comment pages unless you actually have something to share with the readers. This is sometimes just as bad as email spam.

There are thousands of SEO firms on the web claiming to be able to raise your page rank to the top of the 1st page of search engine results. But page rank for which keywords? Also, how will they do this? Most use black hat tactics that may work in the short term but will later come back to hurt your ranking?

Google's dominance cannot be ignored, especially if you want to generate leads through your website. To avoid getting condemned to what many webmasters now refer to as "Google Hell," it's crucial that you steer clear of black hat and spammy tactics.