By Steve Hoag

website authority

So what does an authority website mean? Essentially it means a trusted source for information from both consumers and search engine. These are the sites you see at the top of searches repeatedly, regardless of the day or month of the year. You want to be one of those sites that is considered an expert in their field. Here’s how:

  1. Have a blog

Blogs mean content that consumers would be interested in, and more traffic to your site. They also mean more links back to your various pages, which all works to increase SEO. Blogs are also one of the best ways to demonstrate that you are an expert in your field. In many ways, it’s like going on a blind date with someone, and trying to impress them enough to come back for more. Go get ‘em!

  1. Go beyond the status quo and destroy your competition

This may seem like I’m condoning violence. I’m not, but I am suggesting taking your competition off the authority market by doing everything they are too lazy or unwilling to do. You need to find a way to differentiate your content from the stuff you already find on the internet, and make you stand out.

  1. Consistently publish content

Writing one blog post a year is terrible. Writing once a month is bad. You should aim for weekly blog posts, or at the very least bi-weekly. Consistency is key when it comes to staying in front of consumers. The same holds true for search engines, as they reward companies that make an effort consistently.

  1. Build a ton of links through guest posts and social media!

Blogs are great. But linking to them and your site from other blogs and social channels makes them that much better. Take advantage of these opportunities to really boost your online standing! When it comes to getting links from other articles you can either ask them to write an article about your service, or if you can guest post one on their site. There’s always the chance that another blogger links to your site on their own!

  1. Help others

There’s no better way to endear you to others than by helping them. How do you do this? Posting comment on blogs, answering questions on social media, and linking to other blogs. Any sort of positive interaction will pay dividends for your company.

  1. Directory Listings

By suggesting you get listed, I am only referring to paid options. This isn’t absolutely crucial because it can get expensive, but many sites see significant boosts in authority after appearing on paid listings. This is because search engines can see that you are willing to invest money to make sure your site performs well, and reward you for doing so.

View User Profile for Steve Hoag Steve is a recent graduate from UW, and the Marketing Coordinator at Fast Track. He primarily has experience in the tech and start-up industries. When he's not busy promoting Fast Track, he's watching Huskies or Green Bay Packers football. You can find him on Twitter @steven_hoag .
Posted by Steve Hoag Friday, June 7, 2013 5:50:00 PM