Long Tail SEO Ideas
Posted by Daren in Search Engine Optimization, SEO on August 30, 2011
I am constantly explaining to people the difference between long tail and short tail keywords, and the relative merits of targeting each. This article from Jon Leger gives a really good breakdown of the rationale as well as a good way to find some very relevant keyword phrases that will be highly converting.
This article will be especially relevant for marketers who look for specific niches to market and then find related products, and a little less relevant for small businesses that have predetermined products. However, if you can find a long tail phrase like Leger describes that is related to your product, you may well find a goldmine. So, take a gander at this and apply it to your specific market! Read the rest of this entry »
Search Ain’t Leaving Anytime Soon
Posted by Daren in internet marketing, local search marketing, PPC, Search Engine Optimization, search engines, SEO, small business internet marketing, small business marketing on August 9, 2011
A current report from Pew Internet shows that the % of people who use search daily has remained pretty constant since they started doing the review in 2002.
In addition, the spike in social networking between mid ’07 and ’09 has flatteded out slightly though it is still increasing. What I found especially encouraging was that the percentage of 18-29 and 30-49 year olds who use search engines dailyis actually higher than any of the older age brackets.
So, for all you businesses wondering if you should forget about search mareting and focus only on social media, and for all you other search marketing companies- relax- it looks like search is here to stay for the foreseeable future. I’m keeping this post short so I can get back to doing some work on PPC and SEO for myself and some clients- after all, there are people looking right now for what we offer! Read the rest of this entry »
How to Do a Google Places Business Review
Posted by Daren in google, Google Places, small business internet marketing, social media on April 29, 2011
A lot of small businesses have few or no reviews for their Google Places listing. In fact, in the Kelowna, BC area where I live, most businesses have ZERO reviews, and a large proportion of those businesses have not even verified and claimed their listings.
The key for reviewing is that people need to have a Google account of their own, and from within that account make their way to your business listing. Then it’s simply a matter of giving a rating and writing a few words of review.
The more reviews you have, the better. It is a key factor in ranking your Google Places listing. So get your clients, especially the happy ones, to take a few seconds and give you a review.
Vancouver Fashion Chain Sinking
Posted by Daren in branding, small business marketing on April 20, 2011
A friend forwarded me an interesting article about a chain of fashion stores in Vancouver going under. The consensus among those from within the fashion industry who were quoted is that this is a sign that the recession is still present for many people. Well, maybe. But there were hints at what I think may be the real reasons.
First, the cost of off-shore products has been dropping as the Canadian dollar has been climbing. It is very difficult for BC based businesses to compete.
Secondly, and more significantly I think, is the generational issue. The first boomers hit full retirement age this year. As one of the younger boomers myself, born in 1964, I’m getting firmly established in middle age. One of those quoted in the article said “[Baby boomers] are just less interested in fashion. They are interested in discounts.” I think the first sentence is correct, and the second one misses something far more significant.
As a boomer myself, I am certainly less interested in fashion. But for me, it’s not about the discount, it’s about something that goes beyond economics: I just don’t give a rip about keeping up with the latest fads or trends. I’m into function no fashion. I work for myself so the only dress code that matters is one that answers this question: What can I wear that is both comfortable and functional?
I work in a home office. From time to time clients drop by or I run down to the coffee house for a meeting. Needless to say, my suit and tie are not even a consideration. Occassionaly sweats might make the grade, esp if I’m pretty sure no clients are on tap. But I want clothes that work whether I stay at home all day, or need to put in a full afternoon at the coffee house meeting a series of clients. And here’s the challenge to the second part of the quote above: When I find clothes that work, I don’t take much of a look at the price; comfort and function takes priority over price.
For instance, I was recently introduced to a line of men’s organic denim drawstring pants. They have all the comfort of my sweats, but are totally acceptable for me to wear out to a business meeting. You can bet that they will be a part of my wardrobe for years to come. Read the rest of this entry »
Unforgivable SEO Sins
Posted by Daren in google, Search Engine Optimization, SEO on March 29, 2011
A lot of internet marketing seems to be driven by the question “What can we get away with”" as in “How little SEO effort can we get away with?” “How sneaky can we be?” and behind it all is the real question “What will Google let us get away with?”
Well, if you are the type of person who likes to play close to the edge, let me suggest, via this post I read on itbusiness.ca that maybe you should step away from the edge and play it a little safer, at least in these areas.
The primary issues addressed here include cloaking of your website content, using link brokers, duplicating content all over you website or multiple websites, keyword stuffing (though I admit what actually constitutes keyword stuffing is a little subjective- some topics call for fairly frequent repitition of certain words- just don’t do it needlessly for SEO versus readability purposes), generating reviews of any kind, even negative; and using automatic query tools to ascertain your ranking for various keywords.
Now, when I look at that list, in my mind, “one of these things is not like the other.” But I do agree with the author that all are in violation of Google’s TOS. So, as necessary, let’s all take a deep breath, and step back from the edge…
Six SEO sins that Google won’t forgive Read the rest of this entry »
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