Sure thing, I would not recommend relying on Web 2.0 properties too much because that sort of SEO is ether downright black or at least grey hat SEO, but if you do it anyway, you need to do it right. Thing is, it’s not enough to just create an account with, say, WordPress.com or Blogger.com and just add an article that has plain text and a back link to your site. There’s actually more that you need to do in order to make your article look (and be) a creditable one. Once you’re done with reading the post, you’ll be able to create and publish high-quality Web 2.0 articles. If you’re already on the dark side, make sure to do it professionally. 🙂
Before we go any further, I strongly suggest you not using any re-writing services out there. It’s by far better to either create or just order a unique article for something around $10-30. As you can see, you’re not supposed to pay top-dollar for a short (500-800) unique and relative article for your Web 2.0 properties.
Use a Relevant Image
It really makes sense to add an image or two to your article because spamming articles (rather their creators) don’t usually take the time to add a relative image. For starters, it’s hard to do that automatically. Speaking of which, you also want to change your image file name so that it contains your keyword. That makes your image more relevant. Thick articles are of hight value since Google’s Penguin update. The more you do for improving the quality of your site the better rankings you can hope for.
Use a Video
it’s best practice to actually use your own video, but if it’s not really an option, it’s also OK to find a relevant video on YouTube.com and add it to your article. That also makes your article more credible and useful. Speaking of which, here’s a screencast that I shot specifically for this post to boost its credibility. Practice what you preach, right? 🙂
Link to a Reputable Resource
You also should link out to reputable sites from your article. That makes your article a more credible one. So, in case you have a term that may be explained by a link to Wikipdia.org, be sure to do so. As you might have noticed, I also linked back to WordPress.com and Blogger.com (see the beginning of the post) and other sites. All of them have a high domain authority.
Link to Your Money Site
By all means, use different anchor texts when linking back from your articles that you use on Web 2.0 Properties. Otherwise, you make it really easy for Google to track you down and bust (penalize) your site for that sort of promotion.
Google and other search engines really like it if your article is useful to the reader, has relevant images and videos. Plus it also makes sense to add a link to a reputable resource that is somewhat relevant to the topic of your article.
Conclusion
You’re really walking on thin ice if you still use Web 2.0 properties for increasing rankings for your site. You need to aim for quality first and foremost. Should you be in the situation when you just have to do it, be sure to do it right and with the best quality possible. Be sure to NEVER use re-writing services because they just aren’t working any more.
If you have the experience of working with Web 2.0 Properties, feel free to share it here and add your comments about it.
