Google Optimization Tips for Photography Websites

September 18, 2009 by Breakaway
Filed under: Niche Marketing, Search Engine Optimization

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I’ve successfully helped photographers optimize their websites for Google and want to share an overlooked search engine optimization factor: links. Most beginning websites have optimized keywords and meta data, but few site owners (especially photographers) take the time to build links to their websites, which play a huge role in helping your business shine in the eyes of Google.

Links are Key for Photography Websites

The majority of Google’s ranking process looks at the links coming into your page from other websites. Google ranks sites higher that have quality (and quantity) websites linking to it. There are many other important factors to ranking high in Google search results, including key phrases uses in the page text, but the most important search factor is the quantity and quality of links to your photography website.

You can dramatically improve their search engine position with as little as 10 or 20 quality backlinks. The best links are from related websites and use keywords (that you want to rank for) in the link text. Below are some more ideas for building links to your site.

List in 5-10 Quality Web Directories

Web directories exist that actually seek links to valuable websites like yours. These are like online yellow pages that index photographer and broader topic websites. The submission process to web directories is usually simple – just look for the link called Suggest URL, Submit Site, or Add Link. I suggest that you only spend your time submitting to free directories, and a link back to their site is okay if they require it. Tips:

setup a unique email account for your directory submissions (expect to get a lot of email as a result of signing up)
have a well keyword-rich site title and description ready since you will get asked for them
find directories in your niche, for example ones specific to photographers (or weddings or parties if you do photos for those)

Setup 3-5 Local Business Profiles

Many local business websites appear in map sites and often appear above the regular search results, putting your link at the top of the search page! You can also ask clients for positive user reviews on some of the business profile sites which will build credibility for your business. Start by setting up free profiles for your photography business at Google Local and Yahoo Local.

Link from All Pages of Your Photography Blog

Hopefully you have a photography blog. Make sure you have a link in every blog post that points to your main photographer website. You can vary the text of the link to target different keywords. For example using some of these links in my blog posts can help me rank for a number of similar keyword phrases:

View more San Diego wedding photos
Visit my S.D. wedding photography site
Get the latest wedding images on my photography website
Check out Zach’s Wedding Photography website

Consider linking from your blogroll as well, which will automatically put a link on all of your blog pages.

Are Link Exchanges Worth It?
Link trades are losing relevance, but relevant and quality links can still be valuable in some circumstances. Ask your partners or related vendors in your area to link to your site. For example you might want to exchange links with non-competing local wedding vendors like a wedding DJ or wedding florist. Links back from those partners may not only generate new business for you, but carry a much higher quality than a link from an unrelated site like a real estate business.

I first link to their site from the bottom of my splash page or homepage, then send them a note through their contact page or email address. I keep their link posted as long as they agree to link to me and maintain that link in good standing. Notice I said to post your link exchange to your splash page or homepage instead of a dedicated links page. Links pages have little to no value because they are buried so deep in sites, and have so many un-related links, that search engines practically ignore them. So the best advice is to carve out a little section of your homepage with 5-10 exchanged links, and seek links from other sites where you can be positioned on their homepages in return. The best link trades are beneficial to you and your customers.

SEO Your Photographer Site Template

For fast and professional search engine results the Photographer’s SEO Book is a must. No technical knowledge needed. Get step-by-step tips on how search engines work, photography-related keywords, blogging for photographers, and google analytics. Great SEO for photo websites including BluDomain templates.