Digital Tutorials Webmaster Help

• 03Jan

  Google Panda hits some sites hard in 2011

  Webmaster Tips No Comments

  In 2011 Google had some major changes in search results.  Its important to remeber that there are probably 500+ minor changes a year with googles search algorythm.  In an effort to clean up content farms and low quality content online google made some major changes.  Initially called the farmer update it started in early 2011.  Many article and duplicate content sites where hit hard.  They lost hundreds of pages in google search results and there was a big shift.

  Google released 23 questions any webmaster should ask themselves before putting up content online.  So what is quality content ask yourself this.

  1. Would you trust the information presented in this article?
  2. Is this article written by an expert or enthusiast who knows the topic well, or is it more shallow in nature?
  3. Does the site have duplicate, overlapping, or redundant articles on the same or similar topics with slightly different keyword variations?
  4. Would you be comfortable giving your credit card information to this site?
  5. Does this article have spelling, stylistic, or factual errors?
  6. Are the topics driven by genuine interests of readers of the site, or does the site generate content by attempting to guess what might rank well in search engines?
  7. Does the article provide original content or information, original reporting, original research, or original analysis?
  8. Does the page provide substantial value when compared to other pages in search results?
  9. How much quality control is done on content?
  10. Does the article describe both sides of a story?
  11. Is the site a recognized authority on its topic?
  12. Is the content mass-produced by or outsourced to a large number of creators, or spread across a large network of sites, so that individual pages or sites don’t get as much attention or care?
  13. Was the article edited well, or does it appear sloppy or hastily produced?
  14. For a health related query, would you trust information from this site?
  15. Would you recognize this site as an authoritative source when mentioned by name?
  16. Does this article provide a complete or comprehensive description of the topic?
  17. Does this article contain insightful analysis or interesting information that is beyond obvious?
  18. Is this the sort of page you’d want to bookmark, share with a friend, or recommend?
  19. Does this article have an excessive amount of ads that distract from or interfere with the main content?
  20. Would you expect to see this article in a printed magazine, encyclopedia or book?
  21. Are the articles short, unsubstantial, or otherwise lacking in helpful specifics?
  22. Are the pages produced with great care and attention to detail vs. less attention to detail?
  23. Would users complain when they see pages from this site?

  In 2012 the trend for the new year is more updates and focus on quality.  Look for above the fold importance and keep developign within the 23 questions above.

  Tags: Farmer, Google, Panda, SEO, SERP

• 21Dec

  Changing Trends in SEO what changed in 2011

  SEO SEM Tutorials No Comments
  Changes within Search Search engine optimizing 2011
  Freshness algorithm also provides priority to more current events and timely news. Blogs are responsible for a comeback as faster and deeper indexing with the new content get posted quickly on the internet. Original content articles are king replacing the earlier submissions are king rule.
  Quality Search enhancing the brings about Google SERPs. Named Google’s Panda algorithm it has changed the way in which many sites appear in ranking. Having a tremendous impact on Search engine optimization practices.

  SSL search the Secure Sockets Layer search encrypts the search queries. If a user is signed in this is the default value. The effect of this is that Google Analytics has not provided data showing up in the results instead of real values. Its blocking analytics users from seeing those all important keyword data. Keyword data in analytics is heavily relied upon by SEO professionals to properly monitor and analysis site performance.

  Social Media has made a big impact with real time search. With more listings impact plus much more realtime data showing up searching quickly sites like Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin shall no longer be novelty but must haves for any serious web business.

  Mobile Search has changed the landscape of search in several ways.
  Rise of HTML5 taking on from flash. Flash isn’t supported on iPhone and iPads research this sort of large share of the mobile market HTML5 originates out the mobile video winner. A greater proportion of search has become done on mobile.
  Local search with the advent of Google Places turning up predominantly in search results. Mobile has shaped this part of search as well showing how important location is becoming for search results. Bing relies on Geo tagging in your metatags to determine location.
  Universal search changed the way we search including more variety of types of results including images, videos, and places.
  Mobile also changed the autocomplete functions, making field more user friendly with the suggesting of popular keyword terms and search fields. This has cut down on more really long tail keywords but they still make up a large portion of new search terms. More comprehensive indexing has stressed long tail as even more important.

  Yahoo Site explored got absorbed by Bing and is no longer available to get details on competitor sites. Microsoft and Yahoo technology sharing with search technologies. The collaboration will likely deliver faster and more relevant results in an attempt to out seat Google as the search champion.
  These changes are likely to become more refined as we enter 2012 making it another huge year of change for the SEO industry.

  Tags: Changes, Google, Panda, SEO, SERP

• 20Dec

  Search term Guidelines a place to commence your ebusiness

  SEO SEM Tutorials, web Development, Webmaster Tips No Comments

  Search Engine Ranking Optimization is a never ending progression. The process in truth is at the start just before you build your first section of code. In the main planning stages you must start with a concept. In order to find something you must understand the place where you want to go. Establishing a checklist will help direct you.
  What’s the purpose of your web page? What are you considering doing online, the reason for creating the site initially. Consider this first so that you can adjust your plan. The internet is centered on finding a certain area of interest and having a source for information about that area. You can’t be a professional in all area, begin small and be specific. You should have already got a effective idea of what you want to do online, the purpose of your internet site.
  The most critical item relating to the checklist is keywords, the ever so important portion of the SEO process. Keywords tend to be the core of what you will find yourself doing on the net. Take your time to determine who your customer is. Consider through the mindset of your web site visitor, what would are the initial thing they ask in terms of your website. What concerns would they have about your services or products. Make blueprint about your site on top of that imagine what relates to these details. Think which of the concerns really pulls you in.
  Analyze who your competitors are and pay attention to what they’re doing. Exploring at the terms they are using. Build a total listing of search terms. Think once more about your site how is it different, better than the competition. What is unique with regards to the service you offer what makes you stick out.
  You will have a great concept of what your key terms are, write them out always check them over. You are ready to employ a keyword tool like Adwords keyword tool. Enter your keyword list within the tool. Perfect your list with keywords which use the top search results return on results and possess the least competition. Select your polished list, should be around 20-40 keyword phrases.
  Utilizing this list now, and you’re theoretically in a position to process next steps of the web site setup and optimization. Keywords are crucial for a complete beginning with Website positioning.
  

  Tags: Adwords, Ebusiness, Guide webmasters, Keywords, Marketing, Online, PPC, SEM, SEO

• 20Dec

  Logical Marketing in the new world of Social Media and SEO

  SEO SEM Tutorials No Comments

  Marketing online has changed, a more logical analysis approach is necessary.

  Most online marketers who are at the top of the spectrum and leading the way for new trends have in fact an IT background.  A recent survey suggested that over 80% of online marketing experts come from information technology and were not from a communications background.

  That 80% means that there is a shift from people working within IT over to marketing online.  It makes sense because understanding the technology designing a website you know what works with the traffic.  IT professionals also understand the mechanics behind the web and know what is possible and how to do it efficiently.  The internet is all about efficiency and doing something better is what it is build upon.

  Why are web developers switching to SEO and leaving the development world.  Most are able to balance both, technology and communications.  They are the bridge between the two worlds bringing together what they understand and making it possible online.

  If you are  a webmaster and don’t understand SEO then chances are your sites won’t be optimized and create a lot of extra work for the SEO and hence yourself as you have to update the site.  When a tree fall in the forest and there is no one around to hear it did it make a noise, when a website looks great but no one visits it, is it a good site?

  The lesson is to learn both, understand web design methodologies, the technology behind the web and traffic navigation principals.  Then learn the communication part to connect with the users of your site and how to convert visitors.

  Tags: Communications, Marketing, SEO, Traffic

• 17Dec

  How to setup a basic Digital Strategy

  SEO SEM Tutorials, web Development, Webmaster Tips No Comments

  First steps are the proper initial setup of the strategy, determining what the goals are and how they will be measured.  Conversion goals are key in understanding what the path should be to achieve them.

  The next step is then determining what assets can be used and the constraints on the deliverables.

  In general look at key factors that may be influencing the conversion and see what is truly guiding the visitor through the website.  Focus more specifically at bounce rate, the traffic time on site and where they exit.  For more complex funnels and take into account the various steps and problems with those steps in achieving the end goal.

  Once data is gathered, and areas of improvement are identified,  setup split testing in order provide real data on what is observed.

  Example : Real world website example when looking at the data, the data showed good traffic to the services page but then a disproportionate drop-off rate after they visited the services page.  After looking over the page an immediate observation was the page length was long and the services were listed but each service had a long description giving the impressions that it may be the only one available.  The theory is that people may come to the services page only see the top service and then hit back or leave since they don’t see the lower services.  The suggestion is to update the top area of the page listing all the services and allowing the user to click using anchor or separate pages to the service they are looking for.  Revisit this the following month to see if there is a better visitor flow though ot the conversion area after the services.

   

  Tags: Digital Strategy, SEO, Web improvements, webmaster example of site improvement

• 16Dec

  Future trends for Social Media Strategy with mobile

  Mobile SEO, SEO SEM Tutorials, Social Media No Comments

  Social media has literally changed digital communication forever.  The trend has always been for quicker and more efficient relaying of information and now this is true more than ever before.

  Mobile search is up and expected to surpass desktop search in 2012.  Most sites are experiencing a 10-15% mobile traffic ratio already.  As data plans decrease in cost and bandwidth increases there is an inevitable growth in mobile browsing.

  The combination with social media and mobile together is a marriage made in heaven.  The flexibility and ease of content updates that mobile devices provide has given social media a huge boost.  Statistically most people already have a Facebook account, now with mobile it’s easy to interact with it.

  Efficiency and ease of use drive create the trend for technology.  Gone are the days when marketers could spend month planning to execute a strategy.  Everything is evolving at a faster pace and so is marketing online.  You need to be there at the right time, with the right information and connect to the right person.  Marketing online has had to evolve to be more efficient and agile in the approach.

  There is a merger between technology and communications, having to understand both fields to transcend the new environment.  Technology driven results from the past are still true today.  Content is king and will always be, but now there is a bigger focus on new content.  Communication online is a two way communication, building and establishing connections to market.

  Social media is going to be big in 2012 along with the combination of mobile device access to the social media platforms.  Geo Targeting of advertisement will give marketers even more control on which segment of their audience will see the ads.  Making even more relevant and targeting advertising the main focus.

  Proper data collection of these new sources of advertising will be essential for future budgeting and gaining and understanding on ROI.  Shifting budgets to social media platforms will be an excellent direction to explore more targeted well timed advertising venues.  Mobile site SEO will become a bigger focus with geo targeted sites and integration with social media.

  Lars Svekis – SEO Expert

  Tags: Mobile SEO, SEO, SMM

• 14Dec

  Top listing on SERPs brings the most traffic

  SEO SEM Tutorials, web Development No Comments

  Organic listing online are vital to any website.  You need to have good search engine optimization to rank high in search engines.

  Just to illustrate the importance of being in the top 3 results on Google.  The top 3 results get 63% of the clicks on Google.  That means a lot of free traffic to your site if you can get in the top listings.

  Spots 4 and 5 make up 11% of the clicks which is still good.  Interestingly its the same amount of clicks that all listings after 10 get combined.  In fact if you have a top 1st result for a keyword you can expect 4 times the traffic that all the other sites under spot 10 get combined from that keywords.  This could be millions of other sites that rank for the keyword, ALL the Millions of Site combined are getting only a quarter of the traffic that spot 1 gets.

  Yes spot 1 is really really important to get traffic.  Rounding up the top ten spots the remaining 6-10 get about 16% traffic together which is just above spot 2 on its own and still a third of the traffic from just spot one alone.

  Heres the breakdown on google traffic according to rank in the search engine results.

  1 – 42%

  2 – 12%

  3 – 9%

  4 – 6%

  5 – 5%

  6 – 4%

  7 – 3.5%

  8 -3%

  9 – 2.5%

  10 – 3%

  Everyone else below is getting as a combined number only about 10% of the traffic.

  There are ways to improve your results, if you rank in the top 5 you can improve by having a good title tag and an enticing meta description on your page.  This gets listed in the search results page and may swing more clicks to your site if you make it appealing enough for searchers.  But remember to deliver what you descibe or your bounce rates will be high.

  Lars Svekis – SEO Specialist

   

  Tags: Search, SEM, SEO, SERP

• 13Dec

  Marketing or Technology what is SEO

  Make Web Page, SEO SEM Tutorials, web Development, Webmaster Tips 1 Comment

  Where does Search Engine Optimization fall, is it marketing or technology?

  Technology you need to understand how to enter code and create your website.  For on page optimization you need to have a strong understanding of technology.  understanding of proper tagging and even hot htaccess works helps with creating a well working optimized website.  Structure of your site as well as the navigation breadcrumbs and overall site design is essential for good search engine ranking.

  Marketing is important as well, having an understanding of creating call to actions, leading people into the site and converting into a sale.  Its  complete process once someone first accesses your site and understanding marketing techniques is important in the site design as well.  Keep visitors once they arrive is the job of marketing.  Turn them into clients.

  Both are required skills to be successful online, both onsite and offsite skills.  A true SEO should have a good balance of both.  Most SEO guru’s I know have come from a development background and have transcended into this mixed type of role.  You need to be creative and technical.  Think outside the box and get results.

  Lars Svekis
  Web 2.0 Digital Expert

  Tags: Ecommerce, Marketing, Online, SEO, Webmaster

• 12Dec

  Get serious about Analytics

  SEO SEM Tutorials, Webmaster Tips No Comments

  Without having proper analysis data of your website your are walking in the dark.  You can’t anwser questions about how your traffic flows through your website or even what words they are using to get there.  You can’t even attempt to improve your site because you have no data to figure out the proper route for improvement.

  Any attempt to make improvement will be just a guessing game.  Your opinion no matter how much you feel is the right one may not be.  You need solid data to look at to say with certainty what you need to do to improve.

  Stop guessing and start getting real results.

  Best of all its free to use Analysis tools like Google Analytics.   Sign up and get started rigth away.  Of course it will take a few weeks of collecting data to be able to have anything useable.

  Great resource to learn more about Analytics is here http://support.google.com/conversionuniversity  You shoul dgo to the source to learn and this is the Conversion University run by Google itself.

  Lars Svekis
  SEO specialist

  Tags: Analytics, Google, SEM, SEO, Webmaster Tips

• 12Dec

  The conversion Problem SEO specialist what is a Conversion Ratio.

  Brand Development Online, SEO SEM Tutorials, Webmaster Tips No Comments

  As an SEO you’ve done your job, increased visitors from the site by a substantial margin. 

  But wait there is something more important and pressing, your conversion ratio.  Is it better to have 1000 visitors and sell 5 items or have 100 visitors and sell 5 items?  Trick question…..  not really.

  The conversion ratio, is 5% at 100 visitors which is a nice healthy ratio.  Your conversion ratio is only 0.5% with 1000, this is something that needs attention.  To sell 6 items you would only need another 20 visitors on the 100 site but a big 200 with the 1000 site.

  Conversion is ultimately one of the most important aspects of your SEO work.  Goal of any website is to do something, meet a goal which should be predetermined in the design stage.  Know what you want to accomplish and the message you want to say.  Include what you want your visitors to get out of your site, what is the purpose?  Determine what your goals are in order to find if your site is converting into those goals.   You need to have goals setup in order to achieve what you want on the site.

  You only have precious 2-5 seconds to keep you visitor attention on your site.  You need to captive them within these precious first second or they will hit back and move on. This is where your goal comes in play, you need to be working towards this goal whatever it may be either time on site, selling your products or other connection goals. 

  If your conversion ratio is low you need to ask yourself why are people not achieving the goals I have set out?

  Are the calls to action clear?

  Are the calls to action easy to find?

  Are there too many calls to action?

  Is your message and goal clear to the first time user?

  I would suggest using a tool such as website optimizer from Google.  This tool allows you to setup testing environments and actually test get real results.  By testing and finding results you can increase your conversion ratio.  Test see what works, make the change and test again.

   

  Lars Svekis

  Digital Marketing Strategy Specialist

  @lsvekis

  Tags: Conversion, Marketing, SEM, SEO, Split Testing, Testing

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