How to beat top brands in ranking?

[amitg]

Hi
I like to know why some websites url's performing on first pages which don't have pr, content and backlinks, still they are in first page. There are lots of queries where some big brands <snip> url's are performing.

My question is how a small website beat them in ranking. Or there is no place in google fr small business owners.

[edited by: goodroi at 11:17 am (utc) on Oct 31, 2012]
[edit reason] Please no keywords or specifics [/edit]

[goodroi]

Simple answer - Big brands typically generate big quality signals that the Google algorithm is currently rewarding.

More detailed answer - Big brands spend millions of dollars on tv commercials this leads to people organically talking about them and linking to them. Now they have a huge amount of backlinks. Also these big brand websites have a huge amount of type-in traffic, that leads to very attractive usage signals. When you add in the contests they often run which generates huge volumes of user generated content, reviews and the teams of editorial writers they often employ - they often have good content signals. Even if they are lacking in one ranking area their other ranking areas are often strong enough to compensate.

Solution - Big brands have big budgets but they also have big waste. To make a change on these big brand websites you often need to have multiple conference meetings. Small guys like me don't need to waste time on multiple conference meetings and I can move faster. Also I know tv commercials can help but they are a terrible ROI. Instead of blindly throwing money at the problem I use my creativity. For example I identify a good group of relevant bloggers with strong readership and offer them an interview with me. This provides free & interesting content to the bloggers so they agree and gets me backlinks and exposure which often leads to even more backlinks from bloggers I don't even contact. With good creativity you can overcome the big brands, I know because I have multiple websites that outrank Fortune 500 companies.

[amitg]

Thanks for reply.
There are some websites which are small. don't have back links, low PR, Then still they are in first page of google.

[piatkow]

The position of a site in Google is dependent on the exact search arguement used. The site that I run for a niche magazine comes in the top 3 for relevant searches but big names take over when the searches get more general.

Commenting more generally on brands and searches, if I search on "example widgets" then I expect the "example widget company" to come top in the SERPS. If I search for "example widgets in Elbonia" then I expect their main dealer in Elbonia to come top.

[scooterdude]

@Goodroi

I've been attempting a strategy of using niche sites, tho all on one self made cms. After developing them for a while, i've been promoting them without any success for just under a year. In fact most were wiped out in google by a combination of server failure, coding errors coinciding with Penguin/panda/emd , about 3 weeks ago.

I've now decided to focus on just one or two, what do you think ?

[superclown2]

There is only one way to beat the Brands and that is to target search terms that they are not targeting. This means to forget about high volume terms. Then you must keep a low profile because if the copywriters for these brands notice that there is profitable business to be had they will take it with a few lines of plain vanilla text and some affiliate links. Your superb, specialised, full of useful information site will be relegated.

The only way you will beat them is if Google manage to create an algo which can find the best quality sites to match a query rather than the biggest company that puts out a page about it.

[goodroi]

@scooterdude If you want to compete with big brands or anyone else for that matter, IMHO it is best to do a really good job on one site before moving on to your next project. Most people do not have the resources to launch multiple sites at once and they just end up with multiple unprofitable sites.

[scooterdude]

Most people do not have the resources to launch multiple sites at once and they just end up with multiple unprofitable sites.

Been there done that,

Thanks, helps to have some 3rd party validation of a major strategic change

[wheel]

>>>>There is only one way to beat the Brands and that is to target search terms that they are not targeting. This means to forget about high volume terms.

Baloney. Bologna. however you say it.

On the web, everyone is a brand.

Google only knows testable attributes. "Brand" is not an attribute they can test for. So they're using something else. Simply mimic the 'something else'.

Small brands/individuals have a huge advantage. They can be much more nimble. If we have any advantage, that's it. I'm doing some work on behalf of a 'brand' right now for example. I gave them a guest post 3 weeks ago. It's got to be approved by their lawyers and marketing department first - I still don't have it back yet. My own articles would've been published 3 weeks ago. That's an advantage, and not the only one.

I occassionally get calls from people who are surprised that we answer the phone in person. They think we're some huge entity that's going to have a convoluted phone system, not a couple of people who answer the phone and can address any question.

[amitg]

@goodroi What do mean by "IMHO it is best to do a really good job on one site before moving on to your next project."

IMHO

[moxie]

they will take it with a few lines of plain vanilla text and some affiliate links.

Oh man, superclown2 is correct unfortunately. I can certainly relate to that "situation", as I have been on the receiving end of it.

[goodroi]

To Whom It May Concern:
Unfortunately I am too busy working on my own websites, providing paid consulting services and volunteering for free here on WebmasterWorld to answer questions that could be answered by a simple Google search. When people ask me simple questions that they do not first try to answer on their own it is a little upsetting since it makes me think they do not value my time :)

[Sgt_Kickaxe]

To Whom It May Conern:
What Goodroi said. That and I'm still trying to figure out these "57 pages from one site listed in the top 59 results" scenarios because only the top page of the 57 need have incoming links and rep, the other 56 are seemingly jumping onto the coattails of the first and enjoying a free ride. Kinda throws the idea that all pages need incoming links and reputation out the window doesn't it.