I recently made it to #1 on Google for the keyword “Baybayin” for Baybayin.com. This is my 2nd #1 after “Filipino Tattoos” for PinoyTattoos.com. It took me about a year to do so after using SEO techniques and through social/real-life networking. Basically, the way SERPs (Serch Engine Result Page) work is that the more quality incoming links you have to you site, the higher you ranking will be. Ideally, Baybayin.com should be just based on the domain name but since there wasn’t enough authority linking to my site, it didn’t rank very high about a year ago.

So why is it important to be the 1st result in Google?

Google is the most used search engine (for now). They control about 70-80% of all internet searches. With new products on the horizon like the phones, netbooks, operating system, partnerships with the iPhone and etc, it’s projected to grow. If your future customers cannot find you on Google or any other search engine within the 1st few results, you DO NOT EXIST.

Being #1 on Google means that your the authority on that subject keyword. Why that may not be the reality, the #1 online authority says so. In my example for the subject Baybayin (a writing system in the Philippines that predates the Spanish arrival), I know I’m not the most knowledgeable on the subject. There are people out that that know more than I do but because of my web and real-word presence, I’m appearing as the #1 authority on the subject in the world. This has lead to an increase on translation consultations, art commissions, invitations to speak and media features.

Most people do not go beyond the 1st page – A study shows that about 93% of people do not go beyond the 1st result page. Eye tracking studies show a big difference in heat between the 1st and 2nd result. If your the 8-10th result, making it to #1 would mean about a 1,400% increase in traffic.