Journal Entry Ten: Keeping it brief...
Last week Danni asked that I research and come up with the top 10 Search Engine Optimisers (SEO) for theKIDzone. The SEO’s must of course be relevant and help the website achieve maximum exposure in search engines. In short, my top 10 SEO tips are:
3. Indicate page titles by using title tags
4. Use description meta tags
5. URLs which are easy to understand
6. Plan the users navigation based on the homepage or ‘root’ page.
7. Use of Google Adwords.
8. Create fresh unique content such as blogs
9. Anchor text that is easy to understand
10. Optimise the use of images.
This list is in no particular order and the document I sent to Danni had accompanying justifications for each item on the list to show relevance of each item to theKIDzone website.
I have completed the first two blogs which will go on the website. They are based on my own experiences thus far in my work while on theKIDzone. The blogs are about branding and writing briefs. I found this exercise particularly challenging because the blogs are to be written professionally yet appropriately tailored to the audience (who own kid-related businesses), it must be informative but not condescending. In truth, I’d started writing the blogs over 2 weeks ago and have been revising the contents as the weeks have worn on. I can no longer revise the blogs and have finally placed it in Dropbox for Danni to view and critique.
Also, to go with my work on theKIDzone website Danni gave me a website brief template. This brief is best completed once all information to go in the website has been gathered. I completed the template in a matter of hours because thankfully all the background work on theKIDzone has been done.
I placed this work in Dropbox for Danni and sent her an email regarding the work. Below is the email communication between myself and Danni:
From: Danni Barnes [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, 26 October 2011 5:14 p.m.
To: Tracey Alenepi
Subject: Re: KZ work today
Here my feedback regarding the updated tasks for theKIDzone:
· Top 10 Search Engine Optimisation tips for theKIDzone
I'm really happy that you have identified 10 worthy SEO tips relevant to theKIDzone website, please place them in order of application considering this is a new venture some tips such as reciprocating incoming links with other businesses will initially be limited. Ranking these will illustrate your knowledge of these activities and theKIDzone website.
· KZ website plan – to go with mindmeister
This is a correct copy of the RZ & SZ websites content, please add Testimonials. Can you see any pages we should add to extend the viewers knowledge & understanding about theKIDzone?
I like the design brief blog entry as I recognise that it is written about your experience, please be careful not to write negatively about graphic designers, imagine if Sarita read that. Ask yourself not "Why am I writing this?" but "Why would a potential client read this?" Check your use of jargon and remember your target audience has very little marketing experience.
· theKIDzone website brief
The focus on competition is useful and the critical analysis is insightful, thanks. Now that you have looked at our competitors maybe you can reassess the content prepared for theKIDzone website and check for relevance.
I hope this helps your learning process.
On 25/10/2011, at 6:38 PM, Tracey Alenepi wrote:
Just letting you know that I’ve placed and updated the following in Dropbox (IBL theKIDzone folder):
· Top 10 Search Engine Optimisation tips for theKIDzone
· KZ website plan – to go with mindmeister
· theKIDzone website brief
Next week is my collaborative assessment meeting between my Academic Supervisor – Roger Hawkins, my Work Supervisor – Danni, and myself. I have been encouraged to apply for a MERIT grade and am concerned that I may not meet the criteria for it. I will give this much thought before completing the required forms and have all my fingers and toes crossed that the meeting turns out well!
This is also my last journal entry for my IBL. Upon reflection I have learned so much during my time working with Danni and Michelle. Their experience and skills have allowed me to gain confidence in my own marketing abilities and I have realised my own potential in continuous growth and learning after leaving Unitec.