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February 5th, 2009 . by KC . 8 Comments
If you have not been to Template Kingdom for your website templates resource needs, you are definitely missing out a real goldmine! You will understand what I mean after you read this post. Allow me to touch on the features of this excellent template provider.
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March 28th, 2009
As I am a member with the BNI Harvest Chapter, I offer my help to optimize the chapter’s website for search engines based on some relevant keywords. At the time of writing, the BNI Harvest Website is ranked number 1 for the keyword, Networking events in Singapore and networking events (number 3) when you search in the Yahoo.com.sg. The site also ranked on first page of Google (Singapore) for some keywords such as Business Networking events (number 2).
I think this is also a good case study to share some of the strategies I used so that to help you in optimizing your new website for the search engines as well. Let us start with the on-page optimization:
1) Descriptive titles – Every web page should have a unique title to describe the content of the page. A one or two liner should be enough to do the job.
2) Use text-based navigation menu – Use meaningful anchor text to link to your internal pages. This will help the search engines to allocate more relevancy to your page.
3) Include keywords in critical places – In general, you should insert keywords in your page META tag, images, headers and most importantly, in the content of your page.
You can read the comprehensive guide on Google Search Engine Optimization released by Google here. There are many other things you can do to your page but I find the above three things work best for me =)
If its so easy, why everyone is struggling?
Of course SEO does not stop here. What we have done above only covers 20% to 30% of all our effort. What matters most is how you are going to get people to link to you. This is where the other 70% fits in. The following are some of the ways to boost up your rankings via link baiting.
1) Write articles with your author’s bios and submit to article directories. Visit this top 21 directories list to start off.
2) Comment on blogs and get people to visit your site. This works well if your comment is highly valuable and people will click on your name to find out more.
3) Rand from SEOMoz mentioned something on getting awesome links sometime ago.Watch this useful video and apply the techniques!
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March 7th, 2009
Your network is your networth. I believe you would agree with me that how well your network knows you will determine your success in the things you do. If there is one person that you want to learn from about Networking, the person is Peter Wang, Agency Director of Barter Visa.
Not only is Peter a certified Networker, he also practice what he preaches. He is the National Champion for the year 2006 and 2007 for referring most visitors to BNI (Business Network International) Chapter in Singapore! As I am also a member of Singapore BNI Harvest Chapter, I have the opportunity to get to know Peter better.
Peter Wang (left) & me (right)
How to become a good Networker
When I was speaking to Peter, I realized that he is a empathic listener. He goes beyond passive listening, he readily offers his help if he knows someone who can help you out.
The more I speak to Peter, the lesser I feel I know about Networking. I believe in order to connect to people and establish instant rapport, we must first offer to listen.
Tap on Peter’s network
Peter does not hold back when you approach him for advice or guidance (no matter who you are). If you are starting your business and is looking for advice, just visit our weekly breakfast networking and meet Peter in person =)
Special note: If you are recently retrenched and is reading this blog post, Peter has some really good advices for you and he will share his experiences with you as well. Do let me know if you need to contact Peter and I will gladly link you up.
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March 2nd, 2009
Just a quick post to notify that I am having a contest over at my new magazine blog – TemplateZine.
TemplateZine is a magazine blog for you to learn how more about web templates such as CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), Joomla and WordPress. You will also find tons of freebies such as icons, headers and graphics to use in your website =)
Back to topic, I would like to ask you to subscribe to TemplateZine blog and get a chance to win the cash prizes before 16 Mar 2009. All information can be found in this TemplateZine RSS Contest.
We are looking for Templates Reviewer
If you have a passion in website templates, you could be the one that we are looking for! Do send us a note if you meet these criteria and we may select you as one of our template reviewers. You will be paid handsomely after 6 months of consistency on blogging and reviewing of web templates.
See you over at TemplateZine =)
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February 23rd, 2009
If you were to scrap all your pages in your site but only leave one page untouched, what page will you be keeping? If you have something in your mind right now, you are on the right track. If nothing stands out particularly, perhaps this is time for you to rethink and refocus your site’s purpose.
Image by pshutterbug
For most websites, Mission Critical Page (MCP) is their sales page where visitors will be taking actions such as downloading of software, signing up a form, clicking an image or buying a product. Your company history, portfolio, testimonials, staff or contact us pages is nothing near critical.
Identifying your Mission Critical Page is only the first step. The next important step is to be focus.
One objective per page
This not only apply to all normal pages, this is also extremely true for Mission Critical Page. If the BIG objective of your site is to get sales, your Mission Critical Page should do just that. Don’t start selling advertising blocks on your MCP or talk about your other related products or services. Be focused and help your visitors to realize your greatness and take action.
It is seldom that a home page will have the highest conversion because home page is the most unfocused page in the entire site especially for corporates. There is nothing wrong with unfocused home page as long as it can help to guide your visitors to the respective pages with unique objectives.
Keep testing to achieve break-throughs
The only way to achieve a higher level of results is through testing. There is no way that your current MCP is the best version… There is always room for improvements, the question now is whether if you are prepared to make that uncomfortable change.
Remember, focus brings great power!
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February 17th, 2009
The following are more photos from the event last week, International Networking Week 2009 In Singapore.
Harvest Chapter Members - Michael, Vincent and Ken
So many people, so little time..
Introduction of various chapters from the Presidents
More photos will be uploaded to the new BNI Harvest Chapter website soon!
Passion will tell it all
I would also like to use this chance to mention a few business contacts to you as they left a very good impression for me. I believe you have came across people who are very passionate when they are talking about what they do and you really enjoy talking to them because they know their stuff and just couldn’t wait to tell you more! The first person is Rafee Alias from Talent House Studio.
More than just event planning
I spoke to Rafee and came to know that he has great vision about developing the business for Talent House Studio. He sees a gap in the current market and is working to manage and help to find a common ground for the scattered talents.
Rafee is the man who you must talk to if you are looking for some special performance for your events or programs =)
Swim like a fish
I never thought that there is so much to know about swimming until I spoke to Siew Kwan, the Managing Director of FishLike Aquatic School. Siew Kwan is highly passionate about teaching people to swim like a fish! Their Total Immersion program will transform and beautify your swimming to achieve fluid strokes.
Check out his site for more information.
Other passionate business associates I have talked to:
1) Sin Kok Wai from thePufferFish - Photography
2) Ezen Ho from Eroma - Beauty, Wellness Services
3) Ng Chong Ching from ManualCircle – Manual Physiotherapist
4) Richardo Chua from Adrenalin Events – Event Planning
To sum it up, your passion in your field will easily influence someone and to get him / her to remember you 
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