From a SEO point of view there is no benefit of using Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Unless you are really good at it and you are able to create a large audience around you, you are just wasting your time. Most small business owners are not online stars or have excellent social media communication skills, so doing it just for SEO doesn’t make sense.

Following I’m going to show you why.

Nofollow Atribute

“Nofollow” is an HTML attribute used to tell search engines that a link should not influence the link target’s ranking . It’s purpose is to show search engines what links are not to be trusted, without merit, or just spam.

How does Google handle nofollowed links?

“In general, we don’t follow them. This means that Google does not transfer PageRank or anchor text across these links. Essentially, using nofollow causes us to drop the target links from our overall graph of the web.”
Google

Links from Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn

Links from Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn do not matter for the most part. I haven’t seen any websites without good quality links, ranking high on Google just because they have Twitter and Facebook accounts.

For showing purpose I’m going to pick one of the largest web companies, Google. So let’s see how Google accounts on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are treated.

Facebook Links

For Facebook, a lot of the profiles are not public so Google cannot see them. Links from public profiles are “nofollow”.

Twitter Links

Most of the links on Twitter are “nofollow”, including user website link.

LinkedIn Links

Most of the links on LinkedIn are “nofollow”.

Blog Commenting Links

Most of blog commenting links like Blogger and Wordpress are “nofollow”.

What is the conclusion? Engage in social media because you really want to do it not for SEO purpose. When you hear an SEO professional that tells you he is going to create social media accounts for you, walk away. Social media is about you and your online community not about Search Engine Optimization.

SciAnswers.com is a science related questions and answers site that provides members the opportunity to ask and answer questions by simply entering and submitting a question to one of the many science categories. Replies to submitted questions or entire categories of questions can be followed via RSS feeds.

I knew I wanted a science related Q&A site that also had a social networking component, but I had no idea of what would potentially work best for the user. Better Image was able to take my user requirements and expand them to create a well robust site. The overall process afforded me the flexibility of suggesting new features throughout the development process.

James Lindsey, Ph.D.
SciAnswers.com

In addition to asking questions, members can also answer questions that fall under their area of expertise. Custom search engines integrated into the site allows for searching of existing questions and replies by keyword or phrase search. The site also pulls in possible matches from Wikipedia, PubMed and Google to include in results to keyword quires, as well as when a member submits a question. Although the site is intended for science related questions, non-science related questions can be asked and are grouped within an “uncategorized” category.

Members can also enter a social media environment, where a question can privately be asked to a selected member or broadcasted to multiple members. This environment also provides a place for members to just mingle. The social media environment of SciAnswers.com is not Facebook, but some noteworthy features include: private message, friends, groups, the wire, activity streams, and blog tracking. Membership is totally free.

The site is build with BBPress, Buddypress and Wordpress Mu.

Visit SciAnswers.com.

Our challenge was to deliver a usable design that employs modern Web 2.0 techniques but at the same time maintains the corporate and .edu style feeling.

“Working with Better Image has been a tremendous success for us! They are experts at what they do – also extremely dependable and agile. We presented Better Image with several time-sensitive challenges, and they were able to come through every time with a fantastic product. They have directly impacted the success of our business, and we look forward to working with them on an ongoing basis.”
Dave McNasby, COO, Optimal Resume, Durham NC

OptimalResume.com is headquartered in Durham, NC, and benefits from the technical resources of the Research Triangle Park area.

Visit OptimalResume.com

The Infusion Group is a premiere talent management services organization based in Raleigh, NC. Their mission is to energize the most important people that drive business today – employees, customers and future customers by pro-actively infusing the 20th century workplace with 21th century workforce.

Dear Chip,

I wanted to take this opportunity and thank you for the excellent work performed in designing our site. Your creative energy, expertise, value and impressive turnaround help us to deliver on our mission of connecting people and infusing tomorrow’s great workplaces.

We look forward to working on expansion projects with you in the future and wouldn’t hesitate in recommending your services.

Thank you,
Judy White, SPHR, GPHR, HCS
President, The Infusion Group, LLC

Visit www.theinfusiongroupllc.com.

Chef Todd Mohr is the owner of Savor Hospitality, an award-winning catering company in Cary, NC. He developed an online program where visitors can learn to cook like a chef at home: Web Cooking Classes.

“Boom! Right on the money! We’re VERY impressed. Exactly as I pictured, you’ve incorporated all elements we discussed. It has such great depth and motion, the colors are great, the offer is prominent, it’s genius! Baseball players say they know it’s a home run as soon as it leaves their bat, did you know it when you hit send?”
Chef Todd Mohr, Savor Hospitality, Cary, NC

Visit: webcookingclasses.com

Durham Radiology Associates has been providing diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology services to patients throughout Raleigh-Durham area in North Carolina for over 40 years. Their specialized, board-certified radiologists and state-of-the-art diagnostic and interventional technology ensure high quality and patient focused care.

“I chose Better Image based on their own website and recommendations. I could not be more pleased with their responsiveness, creativity, value and final product. I would not hesitate to recommend their services.”
David Wiener, Durham Radiology Associates

Visit www.durhamradiologyassociates.com.

The Spa & Pool Outlet in Raleigh, NC has the best spa, swim spa and hot tub deals in the Triangle. Visitors who are looking for spa or hot tub at an affordable price quickly and efficiently learn about their services.

“After talking with several local and national web development companies, we chose Better Image to develop our site, www.SpaPoolOutlet.com . With search engine optimization as one of our main tools in presenting our offerings of spas, hot tubs, jacuzzis, pools, spa covers and spa accessories, Better Image was our choice. Working with Better Image has been straightforward, effective and fast. And the results look great.”
Mark Beane, Spa & Pool Outlet, Raleigh, NC

Visit: spapooloutlet.com

Erik Anderson is a natural health and wellness coach. His goal is to help people take charge of their lives by feeling better physically and financially. If being tired is not the way you want to live your life, learn the secret to having more energy naturally.

Chip created a terrific site for me. He worked with me every step of the way, and delivers ongoing support. He truly is an artist when it comes to web design. I couldn’t be happier. My site looks amazing!

Erik Anderson, Tucson, AZ

Visit: www.erikshealthystuff.com

Backwoods Orienteering Klub teaches orienteering on organizes events in the Triangle area, around Raleigh-Durham, NC.

They redesigned the website in order to be able to spread updating by giving different people responsibility for different sections of the site.

This site is more organized, and lends itself to collaboration rather than requiring a single person to update the information. Thus the event director can upload the results and event report without having to wait for the webmaster to reformat and upload it.

Visit: backwoodsok.org

Janis Pettit, the founder and president of SmarTrack, is a small business growth expert with 20 years experience as a successful entrepreneur. She’s helped small business owners and independent service professionals get more clients and grow their business.

She wanted an updated look for her website to accommodate her new social media strategy.

Chip, This looks gorgeous. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.
Janis Pettit, SmarTrack

Visit Smartrack – Small Business, Big Results.