I don’t know about you, but for myself and the websites/companies that I work for – we are sure seeing a little difference on our search engine rankings this week from the latest changes with Google.  From what we can see and read, it appears that the folks over at JC Penney and Overstock.com had found a few ways to trick the system a bit.  This just goes to show you that the more try to do something taboo, you might be penalized.  As I always like to say:  Even if you gain a little short-lived success from something, doesn’t mean that it’s worth it.

Could you imagine being a big company like that and taking a hit from doing something wrong?  Maybe they have the budgets and revenues to absorb something like this, but for smaller companies like yours and mine – we strongly recommend that you stay the course with White Hat SEO techniques.

Usually, it all boils down to the same formula for proper online marketing success:  good content, proper link building, good social interaction.  (That is, if you have a product or service that people actually use or want.)  Nothing has really changed since the beginning of time, right?

Just like in the brick and mortar days, the idea was LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!  Well, the same holds true in the digital online world.  We all want to be on page 1 of Google, right?  How would you like to have a bustling restaurant on Main Street this week, and come Monday morning – someone moved your restaurant 2 blocks south?  Well, that’s exactly what just happened to our friends over at Penney’s and Overstock.

The idea here is to not let the same thing happen to you.

With all the changes over the past year and a half with Google, we are now seeing quite a different search experience for the end user.  Now when you search for something, on page one of Google you are seeing image results, video results, shopping results and local results.  And quickly diminishing are the top 10 organic results that we are used to in many cases.

What does this mean for you when trying to market your website on search engines?  Could it possibly mean that Page 2 is the new Page 1 for Google?  We have done many case studies to show that being on the top of page 2 is often better than being on the bottom of page 1.

Moreover, this also offers us insight to be able to “trump” our competition on the first page of Google by utilizing their new enhanced user experience search results.  So by using different techniques such as video optimization, image optimization, local optimization, etc – you can often times take over a previously “tough spot” on the first page of the search results.

Additionally, continuing to test the theory of page 2 and what our target audiences’ behavior is – we might just find that organically it isn’t always necessary to get on to the first page to achieve our desired results.

This is not to say that we don’t believe in page 1 results any longer.  Of course we still want that.  But if there is a very competitive word in your industry that you are having difficulty breaking in to the first page for, why not have a secondary plan for a page two campaign for those terms.  Or even an alternative plan for video optimization or local search optimization.

Call us today to discuss your new strategies.

No matter what you might think or have heard about SEO, still the number one factor in determining the quality of your website is CONTENT.  Not just any content, relative and good content.  I can’t tell you how many times people call me about web marketing and search engine optimization for their website.  And 99 times out of 100, they have talked to someone who has told them 20 or more things that they need to do in order to optimize their site – when in reality, the most important thing they can do is clean up and add more related content.  Your site must be properly optimized on page before any real effect can take effect from off page marketing. For more information on how to begin the process of on page search engine optimization, contact us today by simply visiting the Contact page and submitting the short form.  Someone will follow up with you shortly.

Proper site design and layout is key when it comes to web marketing and search engine optimization.  You can find a million ways to attract visitors to your website, but what actually happens once they get there?  Have you ever heard about some great restaurant that you “just had to go to?”  Then upon arrival, you find yourself in a really crummy place that is uncomfortable, dirty and the staff is rude?  Imagine what your potential customers are seeing when they arrive at your website.  Are you portraying a nice, clean look and feel throughout?  Are you making it comfortable for them to navigate around your site?  More importantly, is your site friendly enough to encourage them to take the actions you want them to take?  We utilize several different tools to assist our clients with proper site setup, layout, navigation in order that you can capture the calls to action you desire from your website visitors.  Get in touch with us today by simply filling out the small form on the Contact page.  Someone will follow up with you shortly.

All to often, we see many people launch their dream of getting their business online with a website and have high hopes and expectations for their site to start doing a lot of extra business almost immediately.

I like to ask them one question:  “Is that how you opened the doors of your brick and mortar company, did people just magically know you were there and what you do?”

So you see, launching a website is just like starting up your original storefront on Main Street.  Sure, a few people might drop in and see what you’re all about.  But the truth is, you had better do some publicity and advertising to let people know you are there – and what business you are in.

Imagine opening a new coffee shop located 1 block off the main drag through town.  It’s an excellent location choice with it’s close proximity to downtown and all the traffic that goes through there.  And the business location you chose is superb because it offers lots of parking.  You even go so far as to order in and serve the best coffee products in the world.  Additionally, you have hired the most experienced barista’s in the city that you know will serve your customers well.

Day one – you open the doors and not one soul walks through the front door.  Why?  Because no one even knew you were open, that you had easy and free parking, that you have the best coffee products and the best baristas!

That’s exactly what it’s like for a new website.  You have to put the word out and let people know you’re there.  Additionally, you have to analyze your competition and show people why they should come to your site instead of theirs.

This is where proper web marketing comes in.  If you are experiencing little or no traffic on the web – be sure to contact us and let us show you what we can do for your website.  More importantly, let us show you what we can do for your business.  Your website is more than just a brochure to the online public.  It can be one of your greatest marketing tools!

If this is how you feel about your web marketing efforts – contact us today.  We will develop a strategic plan that will get you results.