Is there a good reason to write press releases for your e-commerce enterprise? There are some varying opinions as to the effectiveness of using Press Releases For SEO, but the truth is they certainly can’t hurt (unless very poorly written).
Just like an article, a blog post, or a video, a press release gives you additional content to post on other sites and creates some link love that gives your page higher search engine ranking.
Let’s take a look at what you can do with press releases announcing news about your company.
Post A Press Release On Your Site
Some agree to disagree about whether or not to put a press release on your website but for some it’s the most obvious place to put one. Many put it (or at least link to it) under “News” on your website (or blog). This gives you a great place to add keywords and give visitors further information about your company.
Give it a keyword-rich title, some subheadings, and add some links to other pages on your site. All of these are standard SEO strategies which you can employ yet again with a press release.
Distribute It
The great thing about press releases is that they can be distributed across the internet in the same format without any negative SEO repercussions.
Be sure to submit the press release to your local newspaper, television station, magazine, and any other organisation that is located nearby. It doesn’t hurt to have the release printed or reported on, rather than just having links to it online. If you write something newsworthy and interesting, you might be surprised at how many sites post it! There are free and fee-based press release submission sites as well as bookmarking tools you can use.
Go Viral
Remember to submit your press release to social bookmarking sites such as Digg, Technorati, and Delicous. Provide a compelling teaser in the description to urge members of these sites to read it, rank it, and share it. The better the copy, the better your chances of spreading the press release virally.
Press Releases – Best Practices
Just like any other type of content you post about your company, make sure the press release is well written. It does not necessarily have to follow a rigid format, but it should look like a press release, with appropriate information such as physical location, name of company principal, and date.
A press release should ideally be about a newsworthy event. Focus on things like how your business has contributed to your community or awards you’ve won and skip obviously spammy topics like how great your products are or how many new customers you’ve gotten. Save that type of content for your sales letter.
A press release is a very low-cost – or no cost tool to market your business. With good keywords and viral distribution, using Press Releases For SEO can be a very effective part of your overall website optimisation strategy.
About Sean Rasmussen
I also used press releases in my websites and so far, these have been effective in driving traffic to the sites. You are correct in stating that press releases must be well-written and should not sound like advertisements.
Good to see your press releases have been effective for you Success Coach
. All online content needs to be well written and press releases are no exception.
Regards – Sean
I have heard and read many times about press releases for like when you launch a new site or product, however I have never heard of posting a press release on your own website. I guess from not ever really knowing what benefits would come from it.
I guess if you really have something that is worthy of a press release why not…
Hi Cemil,
If the press release is applicable to your site, and adds benefit to the site as a whole, this strategy can be a great way to improve your SEO and give your readers more info about your business. As stated in the article, some people like this strategy, some don’t. Completely up to you.
Regards – Sean
Press releases is really a very useful thing for the upgrading of the website as it seems to be very small but it works very effective.
I will be looking into this strategy. Like Cecil I had heard about press releases going out to PR organizations to create buzz about your business but not about putting it on your site.
So much more to learn
This is thinking outside the square a bit and going outside the comfort zone for most IM’ers… But a good opportunity to do something that others are not.
Hi Sean,
I’m not sure I’m overly comfortable using press releases. I guess it would depend on the business and what I was using it for. I would rather use it as maybe part of a collective press release.
Something along the lines of being one of fifty businesses who donated a significant amount to a specific cause or charity. I don’t know that I’d do it to toot my own horn.
Hi Sean,
For a successful press release, the headline must grab the reader’s attention. If not, it probably won’t be read. The media or the newspapers also will not be interested.
I am interested in learning more about how to write a well written press release. Also the method on how to make it go viral. I personally think a press release has a lot of value. They are punchy, to the point and are written about a current issue of interest.
I just wanted to add that the best website for press releases that is a good price and is the best overall for seo purposes for the price is WebWire.