SEO For Dummies, Tip #1

As the internet has begun to take over our world and modern life becomes increasingly dependent on it, the scramble for the best website real-estate (front page of Google) has become very real and very important.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process used to establish the quality of relevance for a website for a given search phrase or “keyword.”

Quality SEO vs Zero or Bad SEO can make the difference in companies that make it and those that don’t.  Or those that prosper and those that struggle.

The problem lies in the fact that the reality of what SEO is and how it works is something that can be quite complex and is often changing.

Search engine optimization is based on the algorithms the search engines use to “read” and determine how relevant your website is for the keywords for your product or service.  Those algorithms are constantly “learning” and improving their ability to “understand” what searchers are looking for and expecting to get as a result.

So when the search engine algorithms are constantly changing, so then, is the face of SEO.

Without going into a lot of boring and possibly confusing history, let’s just say that there is a difference between your “Average SEO” (someone who says they know about search engine optimization and promises the moon at low prices), and someone to legitimately knows and understands “Technical SEO” (someone who understands how it works and how to implement it into your website to ensure strong and stable results that yield huge ROI).

Tip # 1… Know the quality of your backlinks and only use the right ones!

If you are learning or implementing SEO on your own terms, you have probably done some research or heard about the importance of backlinks.  Backlinks ARE important, but not all backlinks are created equal.

A simple search on fiverr.com will return a long list of gigs available for sometimes several THOUSAND backlinks for $5 or $10.  BEWARE!!!

There was a time when any backlinks were considered good, however, doing something like a fiverr.com gig will now do more harm than good and possibly could get your side de-indexed and essentially “blocked” on the internet altogether. That is VERY BAD!

Google and the other search engines have learned how to recognize what are now known as “spam” type links and the moment they being to link to your site and get detected is the moment your site becomes at risk for being demoted in the search engine ranks or worse.

Quality backlinks are those that come from trusted sites that have relevance to your website.  They basically tell the search engines that other sites find your information relevant and that gives your site higher “trust” in the consideration of the search engines.

So if your site is receiving tons of backlinks from sites all over the world that have nothing to do with your product or service… BAM… they get tagged as spam!

What are some quality backlinks?

One example of a high-quality backlink would be your local Chamber of Commerce.  If your company has a local base, you can usually get a membership with the local Chamber of Commerce and that membership will include a listing in their online directory.  Most Chambers will make your company's listing an active link back to your website.

THAT is a high quality back link.

If your company is associated with any organizations that would have listings like the Better Business Bureau, those are good as well.


If your company has any memberships with industry specific organizations like builder’s organizations, art guilds, medical associations or something similar, those listings would be very high-quality backlinks.

Another option is to get links from other websites in a similar or related industry.  

If you have a construction company and you do primarily drywall work, you may have links from other construction companies like plumbers or general contractors that recommend your company.

Or if you are an artist and your art is in a gallery that has a listing for more information that connects to your website.

These are all quality backlinks.

So the while acquiring quality backlinks take some time and effort, they send a very strong signal to the search engines that are then used to give your website a lot of credibility and trust.  Two things that are VERY important for stable and high rankings within the search results.

The reward is extremely worth the effort put into gaining the quality links. Both in the amount and the quality of the traffic increase.

So remember… Tip # 1… Know the quality of your backlinks and only use the right ones!

Denver Schools Are A Model Of Good Health

Colorado has a reputation as one of the healthiest places to live in the country. Lots of skiers and healthy outdoors types usually come to mind. Denver Schools are doing their best to make that perception a reality. Denver Public Schools Student Services and the Nutrition Center have created a unique health initiative to bring information and medical attention to needy children in Denver Schools. The Nutrition Center is run by the University of Denver and is aimed at providing communities like Denver Schools with ways to improve the problems of childhood obesity and malnutrition.

With community funding from the CU Cancer Center and partnerships with other community educators, Denver Schools offer a variety of nutrition and medical programs. The Center for Human Nutrition provides Denver Schools’ 3rd and 4th graders with classes on healthy eating and behaviors. The Denver School Based Health Centers now are present in 7 high schools, 3 middle schools, and 3 elementary schools.

These centers are placed in areas with higher poverty and increased risk. Counseling, pregnancy care, and private health care reach the corners of the Denver Schools District with the greatest need.

These partnerships between Denver Schools and community businesses reach even further than school boundaries. The Colorado Nutrition Network used the collaboration to create an educational program in the Denver Schools community aimed towards at-risk residents. Denver Schools expect these programs to have far reaching effects that will impact concerns like dropout rates and student test scores.

Many reports linking childhood obesity to diseases such as diabetes make the Denver Schools initiative a program watched by many around the country. It is considered a national model and offers resources and assistance to other school districts that wish to implement a similar program.

Denver Schools also benefits from the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center program that may contribute to the future health of students at Denver Schools for years to come. Each year high school students in Denver Schools can apply for one of the Summer Cancer Fellowships Programs to do research and clinic work at the Health Sciences Center. The National Cancer Institute funds this program that benefits many students at Denver Schools each year.

Denver Schools also team with University Hospital to provide middle school children with an opportunity to shadow a hospital employee for a day. While these programs may not address every issue that Denver Schools face, they are positive steps away from raising children who watch TV, play video games and eat junk food to the exclusion of all other activities. Denver Schools are clearly aware of the correlation between household income and poor nutrition. They are one of the few districts in the county that have taken active and effective steps to slowing down and reversing this trend. Teachers, principals, and superintendents nationwide will watch Denver Schools to assess their results and mimic their actions.

This article brought to you by one company that LOVES Colorado and is completely dedicated to doing its part to help Colorado Companies to succeed!  In your quest for that success consider Denver SEO and check out Smart Exposure Marketing.  We do what it takes to get you the customers and traffic you need!