Building an Authority Site

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The top major search engines Google, Yahoo and MSN are all tweaking their search algorithms to try and bring their users the best value search results possible. This means that it is becoming increasingly difficult for web masters to “fake it” on the web. Back in the day it was possible to create simple affiliate doorway pages, which made money. Many marketers profited on this model, but if you are in the business today, you know this is no longer possible, with Google trying to weed out low quality sites. There will always be ways to play the system, but it’s probably going to become as difficult as creating a quality authority site in the first place.

Most marketers soon find out that they can make a quick buck with thin affiliate sites, but with most things in life there is never any long term benefit to taking short cuts, websites that offer little value will eventually fail, and you will have to start again from scratch. So why not invest your time in creating an authority site that is of genuine value to your users? Authority sites will continue to dominate the web as they constantly provide valuable content, drawing more and more interested audiences.

What exactly is an authority site?
Simply put, authority sites provide valuable genuine information to its users that they can trust. Authority sites gain their reputation and status by constantly providing quality content, this is the key element, without it you can’t have an authority site. People use the web to find information to help or enrich their lives, and if it comes across they the information you provide has a hidden agenda, they will quickly loose interest in your site. Your audience wants to believe that you are writing solely for them.

Steps to becoming and authority site
Target your audience, as I discussed in Finding your Niche, it is easiest to speak with authority on something you know, and are very passionate about. If your topic bores you, you are going to put your visitors to sleep. Everyone has interests and experiences they can share, and if you’re not as knowledgeable as you think you should be on the subject, study, look at it from all angles, get to know your niche intimately.

Make sure you step out on the right foot, the first time. First impressions, are always the most lasting ones. People won’t give you a second glance if you present yourself poorly. So think with the end in mind, don’t assume your audience will bare with you while you try and find your feet.

Becoming an authority sites requires that you build up a reputation, you need to build up your credentials from other similar sites to prove to your audience that you know you what you are talking about. Prove to your audience with what ever credentials you have, as long as they are genuine.

Creating valuable content and resources
Authority sites get traffic because of their content, and the value they offer to their audience. Listed below are some ways to differentiate yourself from the crowd

• Build new and useful tools
• Compile lists of other resources
• Consistently write posts that build off your experiences
• Define your own style
• Make friends high up in your industry
• Use social media to attract new visitors

And lastly, practice patience with your site. I don’t want to use any cliché’s, but it’s not going to happen in a day.