You will not be penalized for using the word "free" in your metadata. Just make sure you have something free to offer and your description is not mis-leading.

We use WordPress + Shopplugin (newest version)

Typically I use /sitemap.xml

I dont think it matters what you call it, as long as its submitted to Google webmaster tools.

Check out sitemaps.org for more info on how to create a quality sitemap

Hiding text through CSS is against Google's TOS. So basically it can be classified as "black hat".

Your H1 should tell your users what your page is about, if you have to hide it for whatever reason, there may be something wrong with your design.

Right, personally I have never seen a aged website with the same linking domains as inbound links.

I am not saying its bad, I just havent seen it and wouldn't recommend that because of that observation. Dont go crazy over it as obviously you cant get multiple links from every source you find.

Linking domains is the total number of domains linking back to you.

Inbound links is the total number or links you actually have. Each domain could be linking to you from different pages on their site, adding up to the total "inbound links".

I think its important to have both. You obviously dont want 1 domain bringing you 1,000 inbound links. If you build up your linking domains, total inbound links will naturally rise. Just dont keep it at a 1:1 ratio

Hi David,

From what you describe, you will have no negative effects from using 301 redirects to a new URL structure. Thats what 301's are for

Rankings may dip for maybe 3-7 days (depending on which pages are ranking, etc)  if at all, but after that you should be good.

As long as you redirect the mobile traffic properly you should be fine wherever you put it. Personally I try keeping anything I can in the root domain.

To me, the point in reaching out for guest posting opportunities, is to find very popular websites who are authorities. You should do the research beforehand. Basically, any post that gets published on these sites people will build links to it naturally because of the site and hopefully because you put a ton of effort in creating a kick ass post on someone else's website.

Try to go after larger sites for guest posting opportunities, use the current guest posts you have done as examples to show new sites.

Hi Mark,

This will not hurt your SEO at all, here is a video from Matt Cutts explaining the issue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_A1iRY6XTM

Hope that helps!

watch?v=l_A1iRY6XTM

Linking domains is the total number of domains linking back to you.

Inbound links is the total number or links you actually have. Each domain could be linking to you from different pages on their site, adding up to the total "inbound links".

I think its important to have both. You obviously dont want 1 domain bringing you 1,000 inbound links. If you build up your linking domains, total inbound links will naturally rise. Just dont keep it at a 1:1 ratio

Hiding text through CSS is against Google's TOS. So basically it can be classified as "black hat".

Your H1 should tell your users what your page is about, if you have to hide it for whatever reason, there may be something wrong with your design.

You will not be penalized for using the word "free" in your metadata. Just make sure you have something free to offer and your description is not mis-leading.

Assuming your talking about generating links from it, It all depends on the topic and quality of the white paper.

Personally I would rather use the whitepaper as a way to get people to subscribe to a email list.

Interested in other peoples comments though!

Hi Mark,

This will not hurt your SEO at all, here is a video from Matt Cutts explaining the issue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_A1iRY6XTM

Hope that helps!

watch?v=l_A1iRY6XTM

Right, personally I have never seen a aged website with the same linking domains as inbound links.

I am not saying its bad, I just havent seen it and wouldn't recommend that because of that observation. Dont go crazy over it as obviously you cant get multiple links from every source you find.

As long as you redirect the mobile traffic properly you should be fine wherever you put it. Personally I try keeping anything I can in the root domain.

Hi David,

From what you describe, you will have no negative effects from using 301 redirects to a new URL structure. Thats what 301's are for

Rankings may dip for maybe 3-7 days (depending on which pages are ranking, etc)  if at all, but after that you should be good.

Typically I use /sitemap.xml

I dont think it matters what you call it, as long as its submitted to Google webmaster tools.

Check out sitemaps.org for more info on how to create a quality sitemap