I've had several conversations in regards to SEO (search engine optimization) optimization in the past few weeks. I started a large optimization campaign on GM Performance tuning about 6 months ago. Since, I've managed to get over 60,000 pages on google, rank among the highest in general GM searches (GM Tuning, GM Performance, etc.), and traffic has tripled. Naturally, this has made my revenue via google adsense increase to cover my costs of the website via organic traffic (first time EVER organic traffic is making money versus paid sponsorships).

Recently I concluded an AB split experiment on a high traffic homepage. This site reached well over 2 million unique views in two weeks. The purpose of the test was to increase users landing on a product page.

While conducting the experiment we used the analytics package to track conversions all the way down the funnel. This funnel was a typical e-commerce website: Shopping Cart Page -> login / create an account -> billing and shipping information -> review order and confirm -> order thanks. In total the sales funnel consisted of 5 steps which are typical of an e-commerce website.

Any questions I answer that are ranked as the "best answer" I am going to repost here. Generally it's a quick question and a reply that is thoughtful and informative. Great quick reads for sure.

My most recent question was:

When you shop online stores, are there any affiliations or authentications you look for - i.e. clickable SSL seals - and are they make or break points for giving the company your business?

Are there any affiliations or authentications that lent more validity, even if they aren't make or break? I.e. BBB, Hackersafe, etc.

My answer:

Owning and operating a message forum is no easy task. You start off with an idea, configure and install the necessary software, test the entire production, and release it to the open public. You tell your friends to create an account and do your best to promote it. Unless you have thousands of dollars, your promotions are somewhat limited. You update your signature everywhere you post and mention the site, e-mail everyone you’ve communicated with in the past, maybe buy some Google keywords with a small budget, and even try some link exchanges.

Coming back from Mexico two weeks ago we had a lay-over in Philadelphia. Upon landing we had to go to customs, get our luggage, and pass through 2 more security booths. Getting through all the security took over 2 hours! Philadelphia airport is a mess and hopefully I never have another lay-over in Philadelphia.

I've shared my plans for 2008 last month with many of you and wanted to post some more information. My goal is to start to monetize some of the websites I run and open up a few more websites to increase my internet properties and overall footprint on the web. I'm no dot com mogul here, not making enough to even cover all my costs in some cases. But, I am happy to report I got my first Google adsense check for over $100!! To me that is great, since I used to get maybe $60/month. I feel like I'm moving in the right direction and my sites aren't cluttered with advertisements.

Today, Saturday January 12, I'm embarking on a mega SEO campaign for GM Performance Tuning. GMPT is the second version of my on-line community for GM drivers. The first version did quite well but I cut ties with the other party I was working with some time ago. About two years ago I started GM Performance Tuning at www.GMPT.net. It's grown to over 3,000 registered members and over 60,000 posts of content.

As most of you probably know I am an employee of Optimost at our New York City Headquarters. This week we announced our merger with InterWoven, an acknowledged global leader in content management solutions.

Optimost is truly the premier multivariate and content targeting company. We are going to fill the gap InterWoven needs, providing best of class multi-variable testing and content targeting.

Next week I'll be in San Francisco at our annual Optimization Summit! It's going to be a remarkable event with a packed agenda! Several of my clients will be attending here is a snap-shot of the agenda:

Session Descriptions
Keynote Presentation — Making Optimization Part of Your DNA
(Anne Holland, President – MarketingSherpa)

Web Analytics Wednesday is the world's only distributed networking event for web analytics professionals. Open to everyone, practitioners and vendors alike, Web Analytics Wednesday is a free event allowing you to meet folks with similar work interests.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007
New York, NY (USA)