Website Optimization with Chris Penn at 2009 Podcamp Boston

We’re about to start the Web Site Optimization session, the final session of this year’s Podcamp Boston here in the main ballroom.  Looks like we’re going to have about 100 people scattered throughout the room looking for power outlets.

Notes from the session:

• We’re going Game Show Mode with everyone’s individual website!  Awesome!
• Tools for assessing websites:  Validater.w3.org / websitegrader.com / compete.com / Google AdWords Keyword Searcher, Google Trends,  and Google Ad Planner / www.domaintools.com
• Use assessment tools for everything from choosing a domain to meta tagging to deciding when you want to plan marketing campaigns based around the heaviest anticipated traffic dates.  I.E. If you run a personal shopper website, holiday shopping is likely your highest traffic time of year, and searches for Personal Shoppers will probably spike between October and December.
• So far we’ve analyzed www.beyondtheoffice.com and www.toyqueen.com.  Interesting insights from the group about both.  Almost afraid to suggest this site and try to live blog the analysis… the Internet might implode on itself.
• Live blog not happening while I’m trying to manage a microphone, but some very good ideas and analysis on our site here.  Maybe some changes coming soon?