We all know how Google made our blogs sink into the rut by bringing our PR down to zero. It's been months since this has happened, but we have to admit that we still face the implications of Google's bitch-slapping PR drop even to this day. Its effect is so extensive that it has directly affected our paid blogging opportunities, hence reducing the amount money we can possibly earn.

Bloggers, though, can still pin their hopes on one tool: the Alexa Rank. And I say there is hope in this tool because there are networks (like ReviewMe and SponsoredReviews) that base your blog strength on your Alexa Rank and not just on PR.

However, the problem with the Alexa ranking is that it is based on the number of people who visit a website with the Alexa toolbar installed into their browsers.

If you look at it, the Alexa ranking is really an inaccurate way of determining a blog's strength, but at least it's something that we bloggers can still somehow manipulate and do something about.

How to improve one's Alexa ranking? Let us count the ways.

1. Since the ranking is based on visitors who have the Alexa toolbar installed into their browsers, then the most basic step to improve your rank is to install an Alexa toolbar into your browser. Get it by clicking this.

2. Once the toolbar is installed into your browser, make your blog your homepage. This increases traffic to your site and it affects your ranking.

3. You have to tell the world about the toolbar, so make your friends install it as well. You can probably make a post about it in your blog.

4. Post on online forums and remember to display your blog's URL. This way, you are creating a buzz for your site.

5. People look for timely and interesting content online so make sure you blog about something that is currently a "hot" topic. Interesting topics can make people flock into your site.

6. It is sometimes boring to see words all crammed together in blog posts so make sure you use pictures to attract more readers.

7. Personally, I would advise you to participate in sites like Wordless Wednesday to make people check out your blog. By doing this, you attract visitors who would likely comment on your post, thereby increasing your rank.

Basically, content is the key. Make your posts as interesting as possible. Think about your posts and carefully write them.

Good luck!

Labels: tips and tricks