The Premise

As web-based business owners we are continuously searching for ways to generate traffic to our sites.  Some of us desire traffic because we are selling products or services.  Others desire traffic because we are looking to sell advertising space on our sites.  Whatever your reason may be, most of us have a common bottom line goal, which is increase traffic and generate revenue. 

In order to understand what our options are, we must understand the current system and how it works.  When the majority of internet users search for a website, they use search engines (Google, Yahoo, etc.)  Statistics show that most users rarely look beyond the first search results page.  This is why everyone is spending a great deal of time and money on search engine optimization (SEO).  Search engines like Google use various factors to determine a sites rank.  They use an algorithm that essentially looks at how many websites are linking to your site and how reputable those sites are.  They also look at your content and how many times the searched keywords are listed on your website. 

There are various SEO methods, most of which involve article and blog writing, forum posting and the creation of web videos.  This method involves figuratively speaking “tooting your own horn” or paying someone else to toot your horn for you, or essentially finding ways to deceptively link back to your site as much as possible.  Many times this causes people to load the web with inferior articles, create useless blogs and have dormant Facebook accounts.  All of this is done in the name of SEO and has made many of us slaves to search engine algorithms. 

How does one with a limited budget and a relatively unknown website compete with the “Big Boys” of the internet?  The simple answer is “you can’t” at least not without an edge.  The UWPA can be that edge.

How can being a member of the UWPA help me?

Consider the millions of people just like you who have the same issues that you do in regards to promoting their websites.  Think about how often you use search engines to look for websites.  Imagine all of the sites that you never see because they aren’t considered important or relevant enough by Search Engines.  Now imagine an organization made up of website proprietors like yourself who will go to your website and join your forums, look at your ads, purchase your products and services, link to your site and market your site by word of mouth.  Many of the consumers that we are seeking out are also website owners who are seeking us out.

What makes this organization different than others?

Our rules and guidelines make us different from the various forum communities for website proprietors.  We are not merely a community of website owners who exchange ideas.  We are an alliance of proprietors who have a shared sense of obligation to our fellow members.  We are a society that believes firmly in “quid pro quo” essentially meaning you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.  We’ve all found out how hard it is to figuratively scratch our own backs.  

Are we anti SEO?

We are in no way anti SEO or making an attempt to demonize search engines.  I feel that search engines help sort out the big jumbled mess that is the World Wide Web.  However, there are inefficiencies in the system that determines search results.  These inefficiencies are being capitalized on by some and exploited by others.  In a free market such inefficiencies are usually offset by corrections that take place naturally, however we are not dealing with a free market situation and the only way to counter such inefficiency is with an “intervention.”  We can be metaphorically compared to an affirmative action of sort. This means that we are attempting to offset a disadvantage with an advantage.  More importantly we are an organization of like-minded individuals with similar goals.

 

What are the restrictions of entry?

The integrity and effectiveness of this Alliance relies solely on the dedication and commitment of its members.  Prior to membership approval, a website will have to be reviewed and deemed worthy of membership.  The website will have to meet certain criteria with the first being that it must be one that in some way was designed to generate revenue.  Other criteria will come as we move further in the creation process as this Alliance is still in its infancy.  

 

-Mitchell McElroy

 

Contact Me

m.mcelroy@uwpa.org