How to get started with link building
14Aug
Link building is exactly what it sounds like – working to increase the number of links pointing to your website from other places on the web. Link building is a huge part of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) because Google uses the number and quality of links pointing to any given website as a way to measure how reliable that website is (ie the more high quality links, the better!). If your business is going to compete and thrive online, you need to do everything you can to drive traffic to your website, and link building is a vitally important part of that. But how do I actually build links? If you are working on link building on your own as a part of your online marketing efforts, then the most effective method of generating links to your website is by creating great content that people want to link to – […]
3 is a magic number
12Aug
When you were using Google over the weekend, you may have noticed that things are looking a little different. The 7-Packs have been reduced to 3 listing “Snak Paks,” hours of operation have been added, and there is now a link for directions. No A,B,C pins, no G+ links, no street addresses. These changes have been noted around the world, on both mobile and desktop. This is a roll out my friends, not simply a test. The SEO community isn’t totally shocked by the new layout. Here is a post from July, 2 foreshadowing the switch as an effort to make a desktop UI that mimics mobile experience. How will this new landscape affect your business? Last week you may have been quite pleased with your site’s fourth position in the 7 pack, and how could you not be? Nearly 75% of users never scroll past the first page of […]
Google removing inactive and unverified Google+ pages
31Jul
Starting on July 28, Google began to shut down unverified and inactive Google+ business pages. If you are a small business owner, this could have a big impact on your customers’ ability to find you online. Read on to learn why this is important and what you can do about it. What are Google listings and why do they matter? Google listings are simply pages on Google+ for local businesses. They work a lot like a Facebook page – they show potential customers the name and address of your business, give customers a place to review your services, and give you the ability to upload pictures and run promotions. However, because Google uses this information in search results and in Google Maps, they have allowed anyone to create listings for businesses. Any listing created by the public doesn’t contain much more than the name and address of the business. If […]
Out of ideas? 5 great types of posts that will bring traffic to your blog
23Jul
In previous posts, we’ve said again and again that creating good blog content is one of the most important factors in online success. However, something we keep hearing from our customers is that they’re doing their best to consistently post new articles to their blog, but they’re having trouble coming up with ideas to write about. If you’re in the same boat, don’t worry! Even professional marketers sometimes struggle to come up with ideas for blog posts. Fortunately, there are a few straightforward post categories that anyone can use to spark some ideas. Check out the following list for some great blog inspiration! Try a how-to article How-to articles (also called instructional articles) are one of the easiest posts to produce and, even better, one of the most useful for your customers. No matter what industry you work in, you can give your customers tips or even a step-by-step guide […]
6 ways small businesses can make the most of Twitter
16Jul
Social media is one of the most effective ways for small businesses to engage with their customer bases as well as to promote themselves to new potential customers. In a previous blog post, we offered some tips for small businesses to make the most of Facebook, social media’s 800 pound gorilla. However, despite its smaller number of users, Twitter can be even more effective at helping small and medium sized businesses get ahead. Unfortunately, Twitter can be a bit intimidating for new users, and even seasoned Twitterati may not understand the best ways to engage when their tweets are representing a business or a brand instead of themselves. Fortunately, we have some tips for you to get you on track to make the most of your 140 characters. 1. Work on your profile It may seem obvious, but your Twitter profile can make a big impression on customers who see […]