Kid Protection Network and Search Engine Optimization

Hello to All!

Kid Protection Network is a Safe Streets for All Kids! effort. Given the subject matter it is pretty clear from the outset that our outreach be as effective as possible. I have recently learned of the term "search engine optimization." I have also heard of social networking via Facebook and Twitter. I tried those and got clobbered with viruses so I am abit leary of those options.

Would any of you have ideas about search engine optimization? The type of project we are rallies the whole community to a safer street environment for all kids so you can see how the farther and more comprehensive our outreach the better the chances of enlisting more people to work together towards a safer world for all kids.

Thank you for your time and responses and best to you always in your respective efforts. If KPN can be of any service to any of your efforts please let us know.

MIchael Cluney
President/Founder
Kid Protection Network
http://kidprotectionnetwork.org
http://childrenmissinginaction.org
401-432-6155

Search Engine Optimization is every bit as much of an art as it is a science. Depending on your requrements and your budget, you may eventually decide that it is a task best left to the professionals, or at least warrants a consultation with a SEO company.

But alas, the internet is full of "SEO Experts" that will be glad to take your money and promise top five placement in every search engine under the sun. I know this may be a bit of a shock to you, but a substantial number of those claims come up a bit shy of reality.

My advice is to pick up a book on Search Engine Optimization. SEO for Dummies opened my eyes to the mysteies of SEO. Even if you decide to farm the task out to experts, the knowlege you will have on hand will allow you to choose a better consultant if that is what you decide to do.

I recently saw a Maslow-style hierarchy of needs for nonprofit technology. Social Media is all the way at the top. Everyone's getting on Facebook and MySpace, but you'll get more return-on-effort by working on your website first.

I think you're right to focus on SEO.

To get started, set up an account with Google's Webmaster Tools (if you haven't already). This allows you to make sure Google is indexing your site is correctly. Google is by far the most use search engine, so it's a good place to focus.

Don't pay anyone to do SEO for you. Tim is dead on... most "experts" are just selling snake oil.

Hi Michael,

Welcome to TechSoup.

It's good that you're interested in SEO, and like the others have mentioned, I think you should take some time to learn about it at your own pace.  Good SEO is about making your site very friendly to the search engines and to the visitors that come to check out what your KPN site is all about. My recommendation at this point is that you not rush into SEO but that you take it one step at a time.  A good book on the topic will get you going well on your way.

I took a quick look at your site.  When you start learning about SEO you'll quickly discover that content is king on the Web.  This means that your focus should be on providing visitors with quality and informative content about your cause.  Quality content can take many different forms, such as information on what KPN is all about, articles, your current events, press releases, different ways people can help you... that sort of thing.  Building relevant content is important.  What's Kid Protection Network all about?  How can people relate to your cause?  How can they help?  Give them stories. Give them facts. Give them useful information that satiates their curiosity.  Connect with your visitors on an emotional level.  These are all examples of content creation ideas you'll want to explore further.  Once you've developed some good information and put it on your site that's when you'll start to see your outreach efforts starting to pay off.

To start off your SEO efforts, I'd encourage you to think about your site in terms of central themes or topics that relate to your organization in some important way.  For example, a theme for TechSoup.org could be "technology resources for the nonprofit community".  Another theme, this time for TechSoup Stock might be "discount nonprofit technology products".  In SEO speak, we refer to these central themes as your "keyword phrases".  These keyword phrases are generally composed of 2 to 4 words.  As a starting point, you'll want to take some time to think about your own important themes and keyword phrases for your site.  From there you'll have a framework upon which you can develop quality content that relates to each topic.  I think you get the idea.

I encourage you to visit our Web Building forum if you need some SEO or other website advice along the way.

Hope this helps!

Yann

Hello, Tim

Thank you for your reply. There is so much to learn these
days on what the computer can do and I appreciate your
information and time to help me.

If KPN can be of any service to your efforts please advise
so we can help in any way possible.

MIchael

Hello, djanke

I am working on the Google Webmaster Tools now.
Thank you for this information. Best to you always.

Michael

Hello, Yan

Thank you for your reply. I am off to a fast start today
with all the priceless information all of you have
given me. The Web Building forum combined with
information from the other folks who responded to
me has given me focus and substance to address
my concerns.

My thanks to all of you. Best to you always.

Michael

Hi, Michael.

We have an ongoing series of basic non-profit SEO (Search Engine Optimization) tips in which you may find a few nuggets.

Hope it's helpful!