How I Built My $2k/Month Website Directory With Zero Coding

Summary

In this video, the speaker outlines a simple yet effective SEO strategy for building a directory website. They focus on creating a pillar page that acts as a central hub for related content and internal linking. This approach leverages keyword clusters to rank for multiple keywords and distribute backlink equity across the site. The speaker addresses the challenge of low-traffic keywords, offering a strategy to avoid unnecessary complexity while building out a scalable directory. They also highlight the potential for automation and simplicity in the process, emphasizing that this method is highly effective for certain niches.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pillar pages are long, comprehensive pages that rank for multiple keywords and act as a hub for internal linking.
• 😀 Internal linking within a pillar page can distribute backlink equity across related pages, boosting their SEO.
• 😀 Creating a header (H1) for low-search-volume keywords may still be beneficial for structuring content and targeting long-tail searches.
• 😀 For competitive niches, consider building out separate pages for local terms (e.g., city-specific dog parks) to rank better for those searches.
• 😀 This method allows for quick adjustments if a pillar page doesn't perform well, as the necessary information is already on the website.
• 😀 Automation can be applied to the process, helping scale SEO strategies for larger sites without sacrificing quality.
• 😀 The concept of pillar pages is often overlooked today, though it has been a proven SEO strategy for many years.
• 😀 Focus on simplicity in SEO—this approach works well for smaller projects and can be easily expanded if needed.
• 😀 While creating numerous city-specific pages can work, it’s important to balance this against the complexity of managing many pages.
• 😀 The 'lazy person’s method' of SEO involves focusing on high-value, simple techniques that still produce strong results over time.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes that their approach may not suit every niche, but it’s an effective method for many types of websites.

Q & A

What is a pillar page and why is it important for SEO?

A pillar page is a long, comprehensive page that focuses on a broad topic and links to various subpages related to that topic. It's important for SEO because it helps rank for multiple keywords through keyword clusters and internal linking, distributing backlink equity across the site.

How does internal linking within a pillar page benefit SEO?

Internal linking within a pillar page helps distribute backlink equity to other pages on the website. By linking pages such as state-specific pages, the authority gained from backlinks to the pillar page can be spread to all the linked pages, improving their rankings.

Why is it recommended to include specific location-based keywords as H2s instead of H1s?

Location-based keywords like 'dog park Los Angeles' are more specific and tend to have higher search volume than broader terms. By placing them as H2s, the pillar page can target a range of relevant keywords while keeping the main focus on the broader topic with the H1.

What is the purpose of using low-volume keywords in the header sections of the pillar page?

Using low-volume keywords like 'dog park California' in the H1 section helps establish a broad focus for the page. Although they may not drive much traffic directly, they contribute to the overall relevance of the page, especially when combined with more specific keywords in H2s.

How can the pillar page strategy be expanded if more detailed targeting is needed?

If more detailed targeting is required, the pillar page can be expanded by creating subpages for specific locations or topics. For example, separate pages for each city's dog parks can be created, but this approach increases the complexity of the site.

What are the benefits of the 'lazy person's method' mentioned in the script?

The 'lazy person's method' refers to using a simplified approach by creating one pillar page and focusing on internal linking, rather than creating hundreds or thousands of individual pages for each keyword or location. This approach is efficient and works well if the pillar page is structured properly.

Why is the pillar page considered a 'forgotten concept' in modern SEO?

Pillar pages are considered a forgotten concept because SEO practices have evolved, with newer strategies focusing on creating more specialized content. However, pillar pages still hold value due to their ability to target multiple keywords and improve internal linking structures.

What would be the downside of creating hundreds or thousands of individual pages for every city?

Creating hundreds or thousands of individual pages can be time-consuming and may overcomplicate the site structure. Additionally, managing such a large volume of pages can become difficult, and it may not be necessary unless there's a significant competitive advantage to targeting each specific location.

Can the process of building a directory website be automated?

Yes, much of the process of building a directory website can be automated. Tools and systems can help streamline the creation of pages, internal linking, and content updates, making it easier to scale and manage large websites.

How does building a directory website benefit businesses or websites?

Building a directory website provides businesses or websites with a centralized location to showcase various related topics, products, or services. It can help improve SEO rankings by targeting multiple keywords, increasing organic traffic, and creating a well-structured site that benefits both users and search engines.