Search Engine Optimization: An Hour a Day (Book Review of the Week-ish)

  Search engine optimization (SEO) is not dead. I don’t care what ShoeMoney says. And no one makes a stronger case for search engine optimization’s continued survival – and importance – than Jennifer Grappone and Stephanie Couzin in the second edition of their book Search Engine Optimization: An Hour a Day.

Businesses large and small can use the practices of search engine optimization – keyword research and selection, landing page design, copywriting, and development practices – to attract more visitors and to turn those visits into sales.

Grappone and Couzin walk you through a 3-month plan designed to help you achieve both better positions within search engines and the business results that follow. As with the first edition of the book, after finishing – and frequently while reading it – I said, “Screw this ‘3 months’ nonsense! I’m going to lock myself in my cave and do this in one weekend!” Clearly, this is neither healthy nor effective. More to the point, it also doesn’t establish SEO practices as a discipline. So, while Grappone and Couzin offer a number of shortcuts for the Type A’s in the audience, their method aims to tame the madness.

Of particular note, the book looks at the specific of different types of sites – e-commerce, blogs, and non-profits alike – to determine how to best effect results. Their plan will help your organization – not matter its type – to get the most out of your site.

No, search engine optimization is not dead. And with authors like Grappone and Couzin on the scene, it’s not going anywhere soon. Following their advice may not guarantee you top spot the Google; But, you can expect greater business benefit from your site overall. Guaranteed. And that’s well worth what you’ll pay to buy this book.