Put the following code anywhere in your theme’s template functions.php file. For example, if your theme is called “travel” then you would probably find this file here - wp-content/themes/travel/functions.php. If for some reason this file doe not exisit, just create it and save it in your theme’s folder.

Copy and paste the following into the functions.php file -

function exclude_category($query) {
if ( $query->is_feed || $query->is_home ) {
$query->set(’cat’, ‘-1′);
}
return $query;
}
add_filter(’pre_get_posts’, ‘exclude_category’);

The code above excludes the category with the id of “1″ from both the RSS feed and from the main page of your blog. If you want to exclude multiple categories, simply add a comma ( , ) and a dash ( - ) followed by the category ID. For example: ‘-2, -3, -4′. You can locate the category id by logging into the Wordpress dashboard, clicking on manage, then categories.

If you just want to exclude a category from the main page and not the RSS feed, simply replace “( $query->is_feed || $query->is_home )” with “( $query->$query->is_home )” or to remove it from just the RSS feed “( $query->is_feed)”.

That’s all there is to it! Happy coding!

So I sat down and wrote the following code that I think you might find helpful to increase your blog’s SEO (Search Engine Optimization) value.

All of these changes should occur in your header.php file of your Wordpress blog’s template files.

First, I wanted to dynamically create the <title> tag with the blog’s name as the default, but include the category, archive or page title when I was browsing a category, archive or page. Here is the code to do that. Simply cut and paste this code, replacing your current <title></title> tag.

<title><?php if (is_home()): bloginfo(’name’); elseif (is_category()): bloginfo(’name’); print(” - “); single_cat_title(); elseif (is_day() || is_month() || is_year()): bloginfo(’name’); print(” - “); the_time(’F Y’); else: bloginfo(’name’); print(” - “); the_title(); endif; ?></title>

Next, i wanted to dynamically create the <META description> tag to make it unique to each page of my blog. Specifically I wanted it to display the current category or archive I was browsing or if I was browsing a page I wanted it to dynamically create the description from the first 20 words of my post. Here is the code to do that. Simply cut and paste this code, replacing the current <META description=”" /> tag.

<meta name=”description” content=”<?php if (have_posts()&& is_single()):while(have_posts()):the_post(); the_excerpt_rss(20,2); endwhile; elseif (is_category()): single_cat_title(); print(” category of the “); bloginfo(’name’); elseif (is_day() || is_month() || is_year()): the_time(’F Y’); print(” archive of the “); bloginfo(’name’); else: bloginfo(’description’); endif; ?>” />

NOTE: You can change the number of words contained in the page description by changing the first number of the_excerpt_rss() function. So in my example, I have it set to 20 words - the_excerpt_rss(20,2). If I wanted 25 words, I would change it to this - the_excerpt_rss(25,2).

Finally, the <META keywords>. I wanted to keep the keywords consistent from category to archive to page, only adding additional category names or archive attributes. Here is the code to do that. Simply cut and paste this code, replacing the current <META keywords=”" /> tag.

<meta name=”keywords” content=”<?php if (is_category()): single_cat_title(); print(”, “); elseif (is_day() || is_month() || is_year()): the_time(’F'); print(”, “); the_time(’Y'); print(”, “); endif;?>travel, blog, destination, information, see, do, help, advice, reviews, save, savings, ideas, business, golf” />

That’s all there is to it! To make it easier for you, here is all of the change in once place so you just copy and paste once! Happy SEO!

<title><?php if (is_home()): bloginfo(’name’); elseif (is_category()): bloginfo(’name’); print(” - “); single_cat_title(); elseif (is_day() || is_month() || is_year()): bloginfo(’name’); print(” - “); the_time(’F Y’); else: bloginfo(’name’); print(” - “); the_title(); endif; ?></title>
<meta name=”description” content=”<?php if (have_posts()&& is_single()):while(have_posts()):the_post(); the_excerpt_rss(20,2); endwhile; elseif (is_category()): single_cat_title(); print(” category of the “); bloginfo(’name’); elseif (is_day() || is_month() || is_year()): the_time(’F Y’); print(” archive of the “); bloginfo(’name’); else: bloginfo(’description’); endif; ?>” />
<meta name=”keywords” content=”<?php if (is_category()): single_cat_title(); print(”, “); elseif (is_day() || is_month() || is_year()): the_time(’F'); print(”, “); the_time(’Y'); print(”, “); endif;?>travel, blog, destination, information, see, do, help, advice, reviews, save, savings, ideas, business, golf” />

Backlink Builder asks you to supply a keyword or theme, and then returns relevant websites that contain phrases like “add link” or “add site.” Make acquaintances with as many out as your heart desires, and know that you’ve given a huge boost to your online campaign.

1. It cuts marketing costs. A memorable, highly targeted and keyword-rich domain name from the secondary market gets more free, organic search engine traffic. As a result, you spend less money to build traffic than by purchasing often-costly keyword search buys or print advertising.

2. It builds your brand. Owning domains related to the products and services you offer sends a strong and consistent message to your customers that you are the leader in your space. A photographer, for example, could own domains related to cameras, weddings and portraits.

3. It cuts your competition. Owning several domains prevents lost traffic and allows you to cut short the reach of your competition.

4. It gives you global reach. Although the “dot com” is the most common—and valuable—extension, opportunities still exist to purchase variations, such as country-specific domains like .co.uk, .it, .de, .hk and so on. These have extensive recognition in their region and dramatically increase your global reach.

5. It builds a valuable portfolio of assets. Like fine wines, domain names appreciate in value over time, thanks to the navigation traffic they acquire from prominent search engine positioning. By acquiring and using multiple premium domain names, you create a number of well-known and recognized secondary brand triggers associated with your business.

Just enter your site’s address and a key word or phrase, and it’ll determine where you stand with Google, Yahoo, and MSN. You could hardly ask for a quicker or easier way to gauge your search engine success.

Search Engine Keyword Position Tool © SEO Chat™ URL Enter URL Keyword Enter keyword/phrase Enter Captcha To Continue To prevent spamming, please enter in the numbers and letters in the box below Report Problem with Tool.

DO’S

• Offer a competitive percentage back to your users.
• Use reliable tracking to properly credit your users.
• Make sure to remind users to click on your link before purchase is made to make sure it tracks properly.
• Use offers when available (such as free shipping or coupons).
• If a special offer is available, make the start and end dates known.
• Watch for specific communication from your advertisers concerning your offer and upcoming promotions.
• Offer well converting advertisers on your homepage for maximum commissions.
• Notify advertisers of missed transactions for proper commissions to be paid.
• Notify your specific users that they MUST click on your link before their purchase takes place, to avoid the above issue.
• Work on strategies; E-mail, link, compensation and site layout.
• Most loyalty publishers either do a 50/50 split or a 60/40 split. This means that depending on the commission offer from the advertiser, you will keep 50% of the commission and offer 50% back as a rebate to your member. Or, as in the case of 60/40, you’d keep 60% and offer 40% back as a rebate.

DON’TS

• Do not use incorrect or expired coupon codes or offers such as free shipping.
• Do not state incorrect start and end dates on offers and coupons.

In an effort to make this as easy as possible for you, here are some of the more relevant design and content guidelines provided by Google, Yahoo or MSN that you should follow -

• Make a site with a clear hierarchy and text links. Every page should be reachable from at least one static text link.
• Offer a site map to your users with links that point to the important parts of your site. If the site map is larger than 100 or so links, you may want to break the site map into separate pages.
• Create a useful, information-rich site, and write pages that clearly and accurately describe your content.
• Don’t overdo the use of graphics. Visitors can read the text on an image, but search engines can’t.
• Think about the words users would type to find your pages, and make sure that your site actually includes those words within it.
• Try to use text instead of images to display important names, content, or links.
• Make sure that your TITLE and ALT tags are descriptive and accurate.
• Check for broken links and correct HTML.
• Use only well-formed HTML code in your pages. Ensure that all tags are closed, and that all links function properly. If your site contains broken links, search engines may not be able to index your site effectively, and people may not be able to reach all of your pages.
• If you move a page, set up the page’s original URL to direct people to the new page, and tell them whether the move is permanent or temporary.
• Keep your URLs simple and static. Complicated or frequently changed URLs are difficult to use as link destinations. For example, the URL www.example.com/mypage is easier for spiders to crawl and for people to type than a long URL with multiple extensions. Also, a URL that doesn’t change is easier for people to remember, which makes it a more likely link destination from other sites.
• Make pages for users, not for search engines. Don’t deceive your users or present different content to search engines than you display to users, which is commonly referred to as “cloaking.”
• Avoid tricks intended to improve search engine rankings. A good rule of thumb is whether you’d feel comfortable explaining what you’ve done to a website that competes with you. Another useful test is to ask, “Does this help my users? Would I do this if search engines didn’t exist?”
• Limit all pages to a reasonable size. We recommend one topic per page. An HTML page with no pictures should be under 150 KB.

This is a small list of the things you can do to improve your website design. To see a comprehensive list of guidelines provided by the big 3, click on their logo below to read their specific guidelines.

So now it makes sense to ask: can you effectively monetize one of the Web’s last vestiges of traditionally marketing-free content to reach these tantalizing audiences? Should you? We think blog advertising maybe a line worth crossing assuming that we can find ways to include contextually relevant ads that provide value to blog readers. After all, hosting and ISPs don’t pay for themselves.

Lawrence Lee, president of Zoundry.com, developer of a blog monetizing tool, shares his perspective below:
“We’re seeing two types of bloggers.

1. The first are bloggers who are writing for their friends and family. Given that they already have a trusted relationship, credibility around product recommendations is a non-issue. In a sense, friends and family can reward publishers for learning about new, often niche, products they wouldn’t have learned about otherwise.
2. The second [group] are people who don’t necessarily call themselves bloggers, or view themselves as journalists. They are just using the simple tools of blogging to publisher Web sites without having to learn HTML, so they don’t have credibility issues around monetizing their blogs either.”

So let’s assume you fall into the categories above or that you’re on board with blogging. Now it’s Advertising 101: know your audience and target your ads accordingly. Beth Kirsch, senior marketing manager at Audible.com and affiliate marketing veteran, says “You have to be extremely strategic - matching the context of the blog to the product is the key. It’s tricky, but can be a wonderfully effective channel when done well.”

In other words, one can’t simply throw up an apparel advertiser’s banner in the middle of a blog about the experiences of tuning up your car’s engine and expect to generate commissions. However, placing a “Pickup this year’s hottest toy” ad when blogging about buying birthday gifts is both contextually relevant and valuable to readers.

If you’re already blogging, chances are there are plenty of you who match your content and audience. Take the lead of your competitors and implement your unique, lucrative take on blogs today!

There is a tool available to help you do this quick and easy. The Search Combination Tool takes your key or main phrases with your secondary keywords. Try it, you’ll like it - and all the time you save!

Andrew writes “If you haven’t written down the most important objectives for the site, then you should. It will help you to impartially assess whether your site is communicating the most appropriate message. Sometimes the priorities aren’t consistent with the realities of the site.

As I review websites, I am often struck by the degree to which they (those who are responsible for the site) create something that is considerably more difficult than they need to be or ignore the fundamentals of making a site appropriate for natural search.

One compelling reason to Keep It Simple is that Simple typically translates into Good from an SEO standpoint. Simple still allows for creativity and relevant content though.

From a user experience perspective, there are usually a number of sites that will show up in the search results or that people are aware of for any particular search, so there’s no reason to assume that you will be able to retain their viewership if your site is not sufficiently intelligent and compelling.

On the most fundamental level, a site should be easy to navigate and zeroed in on the top objective. A primary call to action should be central to the page’s design as should alternate contact methods. For example, if the goal is to complete a transaction, then the site should prominently display a telephone number that someone can call who doesn’t want (or isn’t ready) to fill out the form, but has a question.

When a site is being initially created or redesigned and an outside Web design firm is involved, there tends to be an emphasis on the sizzle instead of the substance. Web design firms, much like offline ad agencies, have a propensity to differentiate themselves by accentuating their artistic side. That is fine, until it gets in the way of an intelligently designed website. For instance, I reviewed a new real estate site recently that was very artsy, in the sense of beautiful pictures, which were intended to set an upscale impression of the property being developed. While it achieved that objective, I believe it was at the expense of other critical items; their Contact Us form was obscured behind a “menu” link. The initial results were modest. We have since created a landing page for their paid campaigns that is able to overcome many of the flaws of the site, and which is delivering a markedly higher conversion rate (into a lead).

Flash openings on home pages are probably the best example of a misguided technology today. Besides the fact that Flash is an impediment from a natural search perspective (impedes crawling by the engines), it delays and oftentimes confuses the site visitor’s experience. It’s fine to encourage a visitor to play a video on the site that accentuates the intended look and feel, but don’t make it the first thing someone encounters when coming to the site. This is particularly incompatible with attracting repeat visitors.

Websites don’t need to be fancy to be effective. Sites that are well-designed are straightforward and precise in their intentions. Everybody has looked at competitor sites to see what else is out there. Try looking at them as an objective critic. Ask a family member or someone whose Web acumen you admire for their opinion to rate your site versus theirs. Above all, commit to refining on a continual basis.”

Keep it Simple and Smart (KISS) and you will be a step ahead of many other businesses.