What it comes down to is that the display ads contain keywords and URLs for products/services that Groupon isn’t really offering or promoting. But, it is using those URLs and keywords to attract attention and gain relevance in AdRank and higher position (or more impressions).
If you are new to SEO and are not relying on existing expertise, well, you have your work cut out! No doubt you may be a little intimidated too. I have long said that basic SEO strategy and skills can be easily taught, so long as you have a basic understanding of how to build a web page and how to write.
Alan Bleiweiss writes a great article about performing SEO audits at the Search Engine Journal.
I’ve been saying for a while now that services like Groupon are at risk due to the low barriers to enter the market by competitors, even those who are not well funded.
The bottom line is that if you haven’t been too SEO-savvy, you’ll have some catch up to do and some training of your web team. And please note, most technical web teams do not know SEO! It’s not a given! Use these two articles as a checklist when interviewing your SEO employee or agency. If they know that these are myths, then you are in good hands. If not, keep looking!
Andrew Follett makes a good point in his recent article regarding website redesign: I’m sick of looking at the same website every day!
