404 is the code a Web server returns for certain pages the cannot be found when access is attempted. It’s what Web users see when they land on a page (usually when following a link or manually typing in a Web address) where the link location has changed, moved, or no longer exists. Webmasters have started using custom pages instead of the default Web server 404’s in an attempt to retain more visits and better serve the user base. Custom 404’s have become a trend over the years as more and more eBusinesses attempt to direct customers, who find pages that cannot be found, to a custom page that keeps users on the site giving them another chance to navigate to a different page.

There was a post the other day on eCommerce Cache about custom 404 pages that featured 26 different examples of top merchant 404 page designs and features. It features 404 pages from big names like Walmart, GAP, Netflix and more and includes ‘essential elements’ of a 404 page alongside the ‘things you should avoid’ using on your 404’s. The post is in depth and interesting, however I recommend using a different method to direct users who manage to land on a 404 page.

The typical SEO article on link building might provide simple step by step procedures on how to conduct link building campaigns to increase search engine rankings. However, to focus on search engine rankings exclusively is to mistake “the finger for the moon,” to quote the wise words of Bruce Lee in “Enter The Dragon.” So, following this analogy, the moon would be the conversions of customers who visit your website. Each time a customer buys a product, registers or clicks on an ad, the website owners can then “bask in the heavenly glory” of achieving what any eCommerce merchant hopes to achieve: converting visitors into revenue! And while having high search engine rankings to relevant queries improves traffic, it’s only the finger that points to the moon, that is it’s only a means to an end.

Last week’s article, aptly titled “Beginner eCommerce Keyword Research Using Google Keywords Tool,” discussed how to conduct keyword research efficiently using Google AdWords Keyword Tools. However, once the initial list of likely candidates are found and implemented into an eCommerce website, they need to be continuously monitored and changed as needed. A good tracking tool for doing this is Google Analytics.

Introduction to Keyword Research

The strategic placement of the correct keywords into a website is arguably one of the most influential tasks an SEO can do to influence search engine rankings. The last article, titled Basic Page Title, Meta Description & Meta Keywords Structuring Rules, briefly discusses the strategic placement of keywords, however, knowing how and where to place keywords is only half the battle. This weeks article will provide a few tips and tricks on how to find the right keywords through research and tools like the Google Keywords Tool.

There have recently been two new author additions to eCommerce Optimization (Jack & Slingshot). They each have been on a beginner eCommerce roll lately, posting about some of the basics, so I figured I would add in my beginner tips and tricks for both eCommerce design and SEO.

Jack is back with more beginner eCommerce Optimization information. This week he discusses some basic page title, meta description and meta keywords structuring rules.

The head section of an HTML document includes, among others, the title tag, meta description and meta keywords. Proper usage of keywords here is extremely important for a websites rankings in search engines. This section will provide some general basic guidelines/good practices to follow when constructing the head section of your eCommerce website.

It is the goal of any Internet search engine to provide the most relevant, informative and useful search results for users based on just a few (often times only one) words from a query. If that’s not challenging enough, they have to constantly fight with “black hat” SEOs that try to manipulate the rankings of their own or other companies by exploiting functional algorithmic loopholes in order to turn a profit. As a result of the above two factors along with mutual competition with other search providers, the algorithms for major search engines today such as Google, Yahoo! and MSN have become complex to the point where they are becoming organic, making e-commerce optimization a greater challenge.

The birth of social media communities such as YouTube and other streaming video or media uploading sites has brought on a whole new way for Merchants and marketing professional to share tips, tricks and secrets with other users in an entertaining and informative way. Recently, I have been watching some eCommerce videos on a couple of different sites and I liked what I saw so much that I decided to write up a little blurb about each of them. This article is a little different than most on eCommerce Optimization in that it covers videos that actually teach you something and videos that are more for fun and entertainment than anything. I will comment on the learning videos first, then move along to the fun ones. Hope you like.

There’s no doubt in anyones mind that the Internet has revolutionized the way in which we live our lives. Nearly everything you can imagine is a simple point and click away from any person (over 1 billion) with a computer and Internet access. Technologies like email and Online chat have taken the place of snail mail and phone conversation. If you want information about a particular topic, it’s just a matter of typing in a few words and a millions of pages appear to show you more about what you searched for. The Internet has made it much easier to access information about a nearly infinite number of topics.

Most of all, we have seen the Internet change the way in which consumers shop and buy the items they like. Online shopping has become increasingly popular since eCommerce first began and industry trends do not show any signs of this trend slowing down any time soon. There is a lot of opportunity to make money through selling Online. eBusinesses often have a better chance of success due to the low overhead and broad customer reach. It’s challenging to be successful selling Online as competition across nearly every major market has made top search engine rankings a necessity for successful eRetailers. In addition, more and more merchants are becoming familiar with search engine marketing and optimization techniques making it ever more difficult to compete within search engines. Knowing how the Internet and Online business works will be an integral part of starting your own eCommerce business.

One of the first steps you will need to take upon entering into the world of eCommerce will be deciding on and finding the products, services or goods that you are going to sell Online. It is also one of the most challenging steps along the way to becoming a successful Online entrepreneur. Deciding which products to sell is a challenge in any business, however it can be even more difficult to decide what to sell Online since many things can’t be sold on the Web, would not be profitable to sell or it wouldn’t make sense to sell Online (such as items with a high cost to weight ratio). In addition, many merchants have found that some product markets are just to saturated or already have too many big corporations selling in them to effectively compete or make a name for themselves.