The new Apple Iphone is now available to buy in the US. It was launched on Friday night (US Time). Some time ago, Hobo Web “threw up” a little website to take advantage of what we knew would be a massive traffic bonanza for the sites sitting atop Google free listings (even though we knew the competition for these positions would be intense).


Iphone User was just another one of our own test sites. Websites we create and develop to test search engine optimisation techniques so that in turn we can deploy these skills for client sites. Interestingly, Michael Gray wrote an article some time ago, which kind of mirrors the process we used to generate this traffic windfall.

So how did we get on? Well, we thought we’d publish a few stats for you just to show you just what we’re capable of when it comes to getting a website indexed and ranking well in Google. Bear in mind this site was pretty thin - ie didn’t have a lot of unique content on it - and also bear in mind this was very much a side project. To be honest, because of actual work commitments, we weren’t able to get the site exactly the way we wanted for the launch in the US. We’ll get it ready for October though, when the Iphone is expected to launch in the UK!

OK so here’s the scoop:

We built Iphone User and launched it to Google in March 2007 with a few pages of content, all the while targeting the terms we were hoping to rank in Google for. We did pretty well, achieved a Page Rank 6 in 3 months and our (somewhat flakey) DP Keyword Tracker reports the following positions in Google UK.

Shaun Anderson, Hobo

Just look at that increase in traffic when the iphone was launched!

Shaun Anderson, Hobo

As you can see we only used Search Engines to deliver the traffic, with over 90% new visitors to the site in the last week alone. As of writing the site is receiving nearly 2 thousand visitors a day!

Shaun Anderson, Hobo

Shaun Anderson, Hobo

So what were just some of the keywords people were using to find the site? Yes, we track this too….

Shaun Anderson, Hobo

As you can see, for a side project, it’s performed pretty well. And we’re pleased to say we made a little bit of cash out of it too, with Google Adsense ads and Auction Ads.


More importantly, we’ve learned a lot launching this site. We’ve learned how to even better specifically target key terms in Google even with a brand new domain. Now all we need to do is actually improve the website for October, when the Iphone launches in the UK (the market we are ultimately targeting).

This is what we do. We build websites. We test Google, Yahoo and MSN. Ad Nauseum. This is why when looking for an ethical seo company in the UK, you’re in safe hands with Hobo!

If you want to learn more about the Iphone, why not visit:

If you need a seo company? Why not contact us today! :)

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