Internet Engine for your Business

SEO - When is the best time to do it?

2009-01-14T18:56:00.004+08:00

Search Engine Optimization (SEO). When is just the right time to do it? My answer is now. Especially so during this economical crises. I'll offer my justifications for my claims in just a moment:

I am sure by now, if you have already heard about SEO. You will probably realised that campaigning for SEO is not cheap, and yet it is not expensive either. It is expensive because your SEO campaign is not measurable. It is cheap because it improves on your company cashflow by drawing potential customers to your business via the Internet and to convert them into your real customers.

So why SEO now? And especially if you are based in Singapore, you should seriously consider engaging Singapore SEO service offered by reliable search marketing company.

A good SEO Singapore campaign requires in-depth understanding about your business markets and demands. It also involves the planning and the excutions of your killer-SEO-strategies that works. And you really need to measure your SEO success for that you will make sure that your investment is well spent. SEO needs Time.

In my opinion, now is really a good time to do these. Mainly because it should be a lot easier to do SEO now because there will be less competitions and you have an opportunity of time to really beef up your business assets on the Web. By the time the economy recovers, you will be well prepared and ready to immediately spring jump your business by leveraging on the Internet. Most of your competitors will likely not even have a plan or to even decide on what to do next.

Say Kin Lee
Strategist
BizEngine
http://www.bizengine.com.sg/
Building Value-Assets on the Web

Internet Project: Singapore Photo Gallery - Singapore Photos You'll Want To See

SEO Rule Will Change

2008-12-20T10:40:00.003+08:00

Hi,

It's been really quite some time ago since my last post. I was busy understanding Zend MVC framework for another project. And to also upgrade the Web software architecture for one exisiting client for better maintainability and also doing some work on on-page optimization.

Now, onto the topic of SEO rules. Search Engine Optimization rule is changing and will continue to change and Search Engine Optimization experts (those not work for the Search Engines) are at the mercy of these Search Engines' rules. In my opinion, it is not ethical to give promises or gaurantees about something which one has no control over. The only best gaurantee, which I can think of, is really the clear understanding about business and the SEO rules. And how to put them together.

There are no secrets to SEO, except to keep updated about the changes and acquire a sound understanding about these rules. The most important success ingredient for SEO is not the technical know-how - that's the easy part. The business model, market and demand should be the the first consideration when emarking on SEO. The Power is the Strategy, not Technology. But before you can craft out a good strategy, you must have a sound understanding about things.

In my opinion, the first indication of SEO rule change is the Google introduction of searchWiki. SEO, although is a organic search marketing strategy, is not able to have control over it. And I stand to believe that more changes will come. The only constant is change.

Say Kin Lee
Strategist (SEO Singapore)
BizEngine - Building Value-Assets on the Web.

The Machine That Makes BizEngine Possible

2008-11-30T21:12:00.003+08:00

This is the Dell 4150 that I've mentioned in my previous post. While archiving files on my Dell Vostro 1400, found this Dell 4150 notebook photo I took a few months back.

As I've mentioned, this is not a luxurious system. With only 640MB Ram, it helped BizEngine to deliver tasks for customers mainly in Web Maintenance and Search Engine Optimization (SEO Singapore) in the early days of BizEngine inception.

Still, I've also installed Http Apache, Tomcat and Php Server running Java Struts and Php Zend. Although, it was a relatively slow system, but I've really learned quite a good deal about MVC (Model View Controller) architecture and indeed we are now building a more robust software architecture for BizEngine's client. I hope we will continue to improve on this.

As I've mentioned before - www.SingaporeShots.com - Singapore Photos You'll Want To See, can only made possible with Coppermine Photo Gallery Software and of course making custom alteration on this machine too.

Thank you 4150. Now that you are no longer with me, and that you shall continue to create and add values to whoever that uses you. :)

Say Kin Lee

Search Strategist

BizEngine

Can SEO be guaranteed?

2008-11-26T19:17:00.002+08:00

Can SEO be guaranteed?

It really depend on how do you (or the SEO consultant) define your SEO delivery.

If you are only looking at high visibility on search engines with not so popular keywords. Then the success rate will be very much greater. But if you are looking at SEO contributing to your month end measurable cashflow, then this get a lot more tougher.

Strictly, your SEO campaign cannot be independent by itself because it can only work well with your business marketing strategies (and business model). Even with the best technical SEO know how, without anyone performing a search using your defined keywords, SEO is doomed to fail.

So maybe it will be better to establish the expectation right before the start of your SEO project.

My feel is that nothing is guaranteed in this world. In my humble opinion, the best guarantee one has is knowledge with right and clear understanding. The other guarantee that we all have is death.

Say Kin Lee
Search Strategist
SEO Singapore

My Valued Dell Notebook

2008-11-09T12:09:00.002+08:00

I'll be parting with my old Dell 4150 Inspiron by end today. This machine has been with me since my company inception. Although this machine is running with 1.2 Ghz and 640 MB Ram and with only 40MB harddisk space. It allowed me to get my work done for the deliveries I need to make to my client. From simple Web maintenance, SEO Singapore, and up to Software Architecting and Prototyping (MVC model - Php Zend & Java Struts, MySQL & Sybase), it has become part of my valuable asset while running the Internet business. It has followed me from my sleeping room, toilet, libraries, seminars and to my client offices.

Although I'll be getting an IBM Thinkpad T60 (a used notebook) for some software development work, but I'll miss the Dell Inspiron 4150 after we went through the thick and thin together.

Great sedimental value. 4150 - I'll miss you. But you'll be in good hands, because you'll be heading back to the original owner, for a different job.

Kin Lee

Making Money Online

2008-10-29T22:44:00.002+08:00

You may have already realised that a major portion of the revenue generated by Google Adsense program on Singapore Photo Gallery site (SingaporeShots.com) is to be channeled to Singapore Charities and all transactions are monitored by a Singapore Certified Public Accountant from a Singapore Company Secretary - CoSeClinic.

If you do not know, SingaporeShots is a Internet project that I've started sometime ago. It is also for me to learn, examine and test new things.

BizEngine have also join Amazon as Associates and have placed Amazon's product links at SingaporeShots.com. With some minor customisation of codes. Just wanting to do a test of concept.

I am really very keen to also try on the Developer Tools offered by Amazon. Hopefully I can get it up at the earliest convenient time. Just wanting to capitalise on what I've built.

Say Kin Lee, SEO Singapore, Building Value-Assets on the Web.

Search Marketing Solutions

2008-10-28T09:21:00.002+08:00

Only recently, that I've learned more about Search Engine Marketing. And hopefully I will continue to acquire new knowledge and skills about Search Engine Marketing -- SEO Singapore.

To refresh my understanding, so that I can instil these inside my mind.

Focus on rich and authoritative content first, so that there is a width and depth for expansion for your SEO campaign.
Have a sound understanding about the business (that's the foundation for SEO), the objectives, goals, markets and customers. These are the conditions that will make it or break it. SEO strategy executions are in support of these. Without these, your SEO campaign will have a limit.
You will know more about your business than any SEO consultant you engaged. You understand the business operations, processes and your customers' behaviour far better than anyone else. So in order for your SEO to deliver it's promise, you as a business owner must actively participate.

Say Kin Lee, for Search Engine Marketing Solutions

Internet Web Project: Singapore Photo Gallery -- See Singapore Orchids, Singapore's national flower.

SEO is about Customers and the Relevant Content

2008-10-23T09:31:00.003+08:00

Search Engine Optimization (SEO Singapore) is really about understanding your web visitors' needs and their behaviour at your site. So putting up the right and essential content at your site is essential, so that your SEO campaign can execute on these content with the aim to convert your visitors into your real customers so as to improve your business cashflow.

At this time, I am trying to beef up the content for a http://www.singaporeshots.com/. I did not execute a complete SEO campaign on this site yet. All that I am trying to do now is to put up Singapore Photos that you may like to see and trying to understand or to discover visitors' behaviour at this site.

To do this, I bought a compact digital camera last year, and started to snap pictures around Singapore Tourist Attractions and Places of Interest in Singapore. In so doing, I suddenly discovered that I've missed out so many beautiful spots that I've should have visited them in my younger days. I did not realise until now that Singapore Orchid can be so beautiful. I was aghast by the sight on the Henderson Waves bridge at night.

I like the saying "The Power is the Strategy, Not Technology". It is still back to the fundamental basis of Demand and Supply. SEO is a search engine marketing strategy that execute on content that are desired by your web visitors. Without rich and authoritative content, there is a limit that one can do with SEO.

Say Kin Lee
Strategist
BizEngine, Search Marketing Solutions

Singapore Search Marketing Updates

2008-10-22T09:29:00.002+08:00

Ok, Singapore is now heading towards recession (or that we are already in recession). So it's time for me to invest more in books and resourses to upgrade myself.

I've just bought two books

Php and MySQL Web Development 4th Edition
Search Engine Marketing, Inc 2nd Edition

I've read the Php and MySQL Web Development 3rd edition and Search Marketing, Inc 1st edition and reaped great benefits from both books. Looking to explore new things in the latest edition. I've to constantly remind myself, it's not the technology, but strategy. Technology is a leverage to establish sustainable business system.

So, for a period of time, I'll spend some time on books and SingaporeShots (Singapore Photos You'll Want To See). And do continuing building Internet software businesses that run and applying Search Engine Marketing strategies that work.

I will also be putting up Singapore Orchid photos at SingaporeShots.com gradually. Took them while I was in the National Orchid Garden inside Singapore Botanica Gardens. Don't miss this as they are just awesome.

Say Kin Lee, BizEngine - Singapore Search Marketing

It's Still the Business Model

2008-10-15T08:40:00.002+08:00

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is really a marketing strategy that supports a business model. It is an amazing execution to help your business grow.

Unfortunately, SEO cannot add value to your business without a market, and without content desirable by your market. In my opinion, many in the Singapore Search Marketing industry are too concerned about the SEO technical part and not the business part.

The business part is really a foundation for your SEO executions. You can have the most well SEO campaign execution, but without a market and authoritative content at your site. Chances are that your SEO will still fail.

When the student is ready, the master will then appear.

Say Kin Lee
Internet Search Strategist
Search Marketing Solutions Singapore

Search Engine Optimization Rocks

2008-10-14T20:44:00.002+08:00

Drama filled Singapore F1 race is over. You can still catch the Singapore Race Track Photos at SingaporeShots.com, a Singapore Photo Gallery site.

Three days before and one day after the actual race date, SingaporeShots.com hit a daily traffic of +/- 800 (with one of the days hitting more than 1000).

SingaporeShots.com did not do a complete Search Engine Optimization campaign, instead investing most of the time focusing on beefing up the site photo content. Focusing on the content seem to be the right move. Quite interestingly, there are a number of direct traffic from foreign countries and suprisingly also from other referenced sites.

Say Kin Lee
Search Strategist

World's First F1 Night Race

2008-09-25T14:05:00.002+08:00

This weekend, Singapore will hold the World's first F1 Night Race in Singapore. See some spectacular day and night photos of the Singapore F1 track or the Singapore F1 Street Circuit if you prefer.

Personally, I walked along the race track a few times, before the road development and the last one just a few days ago with the light-up in the evening. The scenery is just spectacular.

The Internet project: Singapore Photo Gallery has attracted quite a lot of traffic for the last few days at about 300 unique visitors per day. Yes, I know that's not something spectacular if you are talking about a world sport event. On the good side is that I begin to see increasing direct traffic from overseas than via organic search.

And quite interestingly, visitors put up link to SingaporeShots.com at other forums in other countries. I am thrilled.

Before the race begin, check out the Singapore F1 night race track again. Enjoy

Kin Lee

Save the World Idea for $10million by Google

2008-09-25T13:51:00.003+08:00

How about winning US$10million for an idea to save the world. Goto www.project10tothe100.com.

Here are some I can think of

1. Plant more trees, build more gardens and parks. Eat more vegetables and less on animal foods.

2. Drive less, make use of public transport. The public transport system has to be efficient in the first place and best that they are eco friendly too (Solar energy?).

3. Do away with plastics (plastic bags, bottles, disposible utensils etc). They are now killing our environment.

4. A paperless business operating culture.

5. Maybe we can have Phds doing research and examination into creating new sophiscated device or new machinery out from all unwanted PCs.

Kin Lee

SEO can only work if...

2008-09-23T16:46:00.005+08:00

Search Engine Optimization by itself cannot create business value if there are

No Market
No Strategy or a Clear Execution Plan
No Rich and Authoritative Content

Everything fail when there is no market. Even with the best SEO expert that you can find, without a market, your SEO deliverables have limits.

SEO is really about Strategy and Not Technology. We must first do the right things, then do the things right. Technology only comes in when you have lay down your ground works and have a clear execution plan.

Your visitors are more willing to tell others more about your site and link to you, only if your site has rich and authoritative content. This is what SEO is all about - Content and Links.

Say Kin Lee, Internet Search Strategist.

Internet on the Go

2008-09-23T16:19:00.002+08:00

With the iPhone, the coming of Google Phone, and other phone with rich multimedia and Internet access function. I think phone users will be spoilt by the choices.

This may also promote the Internet usage and the transformation of marketing from Print and TV to the Web.

You can also upload your videos live using selected phones onto the Internet using Qik. You can also update your blogs or photo album while on the go. And also, you can make phone calls or use MSN or Messenger to connect to your friends anywhere and anytime so long as there is an Internet connection.

I've did a small test during the Singapore Fireworks Celebrations and Singapore Lion Dance Championships. Using the qik program that was installed on my phone (just a Nokia 6120C), I managed to capture videos and upload them onto the Internet quite instanstaniously. The downside is that it consumed too much power and my phone does not have the memory space capacity. So maybe iPhone and G-Phone may resolve this issue.

But still, I am now, a more practical person. I will still be sticking with my Nokia 6120C for sometime. :)

Kin Lee
Internet Search Solutions Strategist

The Internet Virtual World - How do you start?

2008-09-18T17:21:00.002+08:00

If you want to venture into the cyberspace and not knowing anything about the Internet. You can first start it off by writing your weblogs or blogs which are free.

First you need to decide on the a topic that you are passionate about. It can be about cooking and recipes, or about a sport that you enjoy, or maybe about your own dairy (daily events).

Here are two of the most popular ones:
1. http://www.blogger.com
2. http://www.wordpress.com

Remember to register with Technorati and Ping.sg and see what others write about in their blogs.

Have fun!

Kin Lee
Strategist
BizEngine, Internet Search Marketing Solutions

Only when the client is ready, SEO master will appear.

2008-09-17T21:21:00.003+08:00

Search Engine Optimization is, one of ,the most talked about Internet marketing subject in the business world today. Yet not many are engaging it. For those who did, chances are that it will not bring them the result promised.

In my opinion, the single most important disastrous recipe for failure is that the client is not ready. What I mean by not ready is really about not having a sound understanding about the business market and the readily information details about the target market customers (what are their problems and needs).

Without these examinating these and rushing into the actual SEO implementation will likely not achieve a desirable outcome.

Say Kin Lee

Link Building Test

2008-09-13T20:31:00.002+08:00

Ok I am now testing a link building to evaluate how effective will be the result via directory submission using reciprocal links.

I've created a page Webmaster Resources at a Singapore Corporate Gifts site.

And submit this site link to high pr directories and put all reciprocal links on the page.

This site has been losing valued links for a period of time. Shall see if I can revive it. :)

Let'us just have some fun!

Kin Lee

Internet Real Time Videos

2008-09-11T14:03:00.004+08:00

This year our Prime Minister did a near real time video demo on the technology "qik" using a Nokia phone with camera during the Singapore National Day Rally 2008 speech.

That's something I was really curious about and went to Qik website at http://www.qik.com/ to create an account and install the program on my 6120C Nokia phone.

I've tested it on two occassions: 1. Singapore Fireworks Celebrations 2008 (link: http://qik.com/video/222731) and 2. Singapore Lion Dance Championships 2008 (link: http://qik.com/video/278408).

Not too bad with the video and audio quality. Just that it consumed alot of my phone battery energy.

To see the photos instead of the video, click here
1. Singapore Fireworks Celebrations
2. Singapore Lion Dance Championships

First time trying it and the video at times shakes, so please bear with it.

Very interesting technology and business idea.

Say Kin Lee

Singapore Exciting September

2008-09-11T00:25:00.003+08:00

As you might have already know. Singapore will hold the world's first Formula One Grand Prix night race. And the Singapore F1 circuit will have the drivers speed through the Singapore's historical bridge - Anderson Bridge. The other bridge that all F1 vehicles will race through is Esplanade Bridge.

In September, there is also the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration by the Singapore River.
Catch the beautiful light decorations at night. Along Clarke Quay, there are the beautiful Chinese 12 animal signs that will be also lighted up. Check out what your animal sign is, and take a photo with it.

Say Kin Lee

Just a sudden idea

2008-09-08T16:48:00.004+08:00

Occassionally for the past few months, I went on foot crusing through the Singapore F1 race circuit track, the Southern Ridges and the Singapore River.

While doing these, I began to discover more about Singapore Tourist Attractions.

With the upcoming F1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix night race to be held in Singapore. Maybe we should have some Singapore structure model sets (or jigsaw puzzles) as gifts (for Singapore Corporate Gifts too) or for sale.

A few of such examples:

Anderson Bridge
Benjamin Sheares Bridge
Old Supreme Court Building
City Hall
Esplanade
Esplanade Bridge
The Seating Gallery and the Floating Platform at Marina Bay
The Pit Building

If the F1 drivers can autograph his signature on such models, there should be a demand for it.

More importantly, this helps to better brand Singapore globally if we can sell these models worldwide.

If you have the money to invest on this project, let's talk and do it really fast. F1 race is just three weeks away. Maybe we can emulate this for the youth olyumpics and integrated resorts.

Again, this is just an idea.

Kin Lee

Strategist

Simple Business, Simple Machines

2008-09-05T10:31:00.004+08:00

Hi All,

It's been a few weeks since my last post at BusinessEngine weblog. Quite some happenings during these times.

Firstly, I got a new Dell Vostro notebook with Vista business. The old notebook which I am still using is Dell Inspiron 4150 with only 640MB ram. Although it is a old system with no luxury of power, but I still managed to leverage on it for my first year doing Web maintenance and Web design. Subsequently, I've also installed Apache application server with Php5 and Tomcat. And it allowed me to further evalute software frameworks and programs. I must admin most of my time, I used the computer for Internet purposes, mainly on Search Engine Optimization last year.

Although this old PC system which lacks power and without luxury items (RAM, 3D Video card etc), I still managed to established a Singapore Photo Gallery site that uses Php4 and MySql database. Did some small customisation and learned something new, always. And a few times, I brought this Dell Inspiron 4150 to libraries and do some work and earned some curious stares.

If you knew me, I am lousy at taking pictures. Just last year, the first time in my life, I got myself a digital camera which cost no more than SG$500. It's a Panasonic Lumix FX09. I've spent some time examining the functions, and got started with SingaporeShots.com. The pictures are not professional photo shoots, but they are good enough (just neat at best) to capture information about Singapore in pictorial form. Some of the images include: Henderson Waves, Singapore F1 Race Track, Singapore River, Singapore Airport, NDP and etc. And since SingaporeShots is leveraging on Singapore images, I just feel it's only right that SingaporeShots.com should give something back in return. Hence, the major portion of the revenue generated by Google Adsense (at SingaporeShots.com) will be channelled to Singapore Charities. CoSeClinic Services Pte Ltd has offered to monitor this revenue by assigning one of their Certified Public Accountants for this.

Thank you CoSeClinic!

Kin Lee

Singapore Gift Business

2008-08-28T10:53:00.003+08:00

Last year I've done a Singapore Corporate Gifts site with no ecommerce functionality, it's a lightweight and neat design.

Singapore F1 Grand Prix night race is just around the corner, it will be really nice if there are attractive Singapore F1 gifts that has the F1 drivers' signature on it. They should worth quite a lot of money.

If you have any bright ideas about Singapore Corporate Gifts services in Singapore. I am all ears to it. :)

Have a nice day!

Kin Lee

Why most SEO campaigns failed?

2008-08-26T20:40:00.003+08:00

Why most SEO campaigns failed?

1. Wrong priority. SEO is always a supporting role. Business model and customers are always at the highest priority. If by executing your SEO campaign, you need to change your Business model and customers. Something is critically wrong.

2. Content is the real King! In the SEO development process, if you discover that there wasn't any focus on rich, authoritative and compelling content. In my opinion, something is not so right.

3. SEO is not about one time glory. It's a always on-going process and hard work. If you really believe that it's a one time effort, you will painfully discover that you are actually not in the game.

4. A good SEO execution is really about positioning and strategy, less about SEO technical know-how, although technical know-how is a must. Utilmately it's really about creating values and bringing in profits. No point having a number 1 position for keywords that no one will search for it. It's still back to basic - business cashflow.

5. SEO is also about customers (markets). If there is no demand from your target market, it is better to first re-evaluate the business model and marketing strategies before engaging a SEO expert.

Kin Lee
BizEngine

BizEngine's Internet Adventure

2008-08-18T11:48:00.003+08:00

I have just migrated SingaporeShots hosting to a new service provider. The Singapore Photo Gallery site seems to be well alive and kicking. A gentle reminder that a good hosting service is very important for your web presence, especially for SEO. I've learned this important lesson about hosting, read more about it at http://businessengine.blogspot.com/2008/08/seo-web-hosting-is-crucial.html

For more updates about SingaporeShots adventure, please visit BizEngine's Internet Search Marketing site.

Have a great day!

Kin Lee
Strategist
BizEngine