DigitalNina.com » Search

4 Ways to Boost SEO with Google +

Nina — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:18:11 +0000

You may or may not be aware that Google launched its own version of a social network about a year ago called Google +. The jury is still out on the staying power of G+, however Google is doing everything possible to secure its place in the social business.

For personal users, Google automatically adds a G+ account to new Gmail users.

For businesses, the sell has been more subtle. Since Google integrated Google+ results into search under its Google Plus Your World initiative in January, the word has gotten out that lack of a Google+ presence could affect organic search results. The upshot: If you don’t have a Google+ page, your placement for various search terms will suffer.

CMGDigital specializes in search engine optimization and we are used to rapid change, but this is different. These days, if you want to get better search results, you have to know a thing or two about social media marketing. So, Google has, in effect, given you two headaches for the price of one. Another way to look at it is that Google has given you a free opportunity to boost your SEO and get a leg up on competitors who don’t know what Google+ is. “If you’re a first mover on this, you’re going to capture more visibility,” says Rob Garner, vice president of strategy for digital marketing agency iCrossing. “This is kind of a gift in a lot of ways.”

Stay Ahead of Your Competitors! 4 Easy Ways to Boost your SEO with Google +

Create a Google + Page for Your Business (click here to get started)
Get as Many People in Your Circles as Possible – This is easier said than done. I would recommend getting started by adding your Google + link to your email signature, newsletter, etc.
Add +1 Buttons to Your Website and Business Blog – Think of this as the Google + version of the Facebook Like button. The more +1s you have, the higher chance of getting ranked organically.
Stuff Your Page with Relevant Keywords…Organically. This does not mean load up your main page with a huge mess of keywords. Instead, write and post content that is relevant to your business and include keywords that matter.

All in all, if you are a business owner it would seem that Google will not allow you to ignore Google +. The good news is that you should be doing all of this anyway on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, etc. Social search is not going away. If you have not already adopted and implemented a social strategy, get moving!

More Reading via Mashable.com: http://mashable.com/2012/02/10/seo-google-plus/

Paid Search: Top Ten Categories by Spend Level in 2011

Nina — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:37:35 +0000

The majority of Google’s 2011 revenue — 96% — came from online advertising, according to WordStream founder and chief technology officer Larry Kim.

The Top Ten Categories:

Finance & Insurance, 4 Billion
Retail & General Merchandise, 2.8 Billion
Travel & Tourism, 2.4 Billion
Jobs & Education, 2.2 Billion
home and garden, $2.1 billion
computers and consumer electronics, $2.0 billion
vehicles, $2.0 billion
Internet and telecom, 1.7 billion
business and industrial, $1.6 billion
occasions and gifts at $1.2 billion

Paid Search Clickthrough Rates Up, Cost Per Click Down

Nina — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:11:14 +0000

Paid search advertisers could see better return on that investment this year. According to the company, the average US clickthrough rate on Google increased 48% in Q4 2011. Yahoo!/Bing saw a 44% increase during the same timeframe.

Keep reading to find out which industries present the greatest opportunity and how tablets are smartphones are affecting the search landscape.

Full Article via Emarketer.com: http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1008791

In-Store Buyers Influenced By Online Search

Nina — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:15:44 +0000

Generic search terms drive more retail purchases than branded ones. No big surprise there, wouldn’t it be great if everyone knew your name?

Online-only retailers have it easy when it comes to assessing the effectiveness of search marketing campaigns since clickthrough rates and conversions are measurable. Determining the influence of online search on in-store sales is a different matter, but there appears to be a measurable relationship.

Highlights:

93% of shoppers start online via search engines
73% of queries were non-branded (generic rather than a specific business name)
In-store buyers who searched using nonbranded terms clicked on organic links 2.6 times more than the average shopper.
n-store buyers are also seeking brick-and-mortar stores online. More than 5% of clicks—one of the leading activities—went to store locator pages, indicating a propensity for cross-channel shopping.
A more important takeway might be that nearly three-fourths of these cross-channel shoppers expected to be able to check product availablity before heading into a store.

Read Full Article via emarketer.com

What are People Saying About Your Business Online?

Nina — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:07:28 +0000

The recent use of Google’s review platform in Alabama to blast a local deli with hate reviews is but one example of why Google needs to implement better control over the reviews appearing on the Places pages. Unfortunately since we have zero control over Google or any other search engine or directory site, the next best thing is to monitor what people are saying about you out there. Over 80% of people make a decision about whether or not to do business with you BEFORE they ever call or email. It is important that you know how your business is being represented out there and make an effort to respond to negative reviews if necessary.

When Consumers Complain Online, Should Brands Respond?

Nina — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:37:27 +0000

Consumers view companies who take the time to respond to complaints online positively.

The sad part is most consumers don’t expect to be heard online when posting reviews or posting to social media pages. When a company actually does respond, the response is overwhelmingly positive. The Maritz study indicates that 86% of Twitter complainers would have liked or loved to hear from the company regarding their complaints—and out of those who heard back, 75% were satisfied with the company’s response.

More food for thought — 83% of consumers make a decision BEFORE they ever call or stop by your store. They make that decision by reviewing your website, reviews on directory sites and competitive analysis. If you aren’t aware of how you are being represented online, it’s time to start paying attention.

Further Reading: http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1008659

Does Your Search Campaign Include Mobile Ads? It Should.

Nina — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:52:30 +0000

Google is reporting it’s on track to rake in 2.5B for mobile ads. With the rapid adoption of smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices, mobile searches are skyrocketing. Make sure you are there when people are looking for you on their phones. A good question to ask your search provider, “what percentage of my overall budget is going to mobile ads?”. Make sure they explain the percentage you are given. Google recommends a minimum of 7%. Most industries should be allocating much more than that.

Essential Resources to Improve Your SEO Skills

Nina — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:33:54 +0000

http://mashable.com/2011/10/09/seo-resources/

SEO: How is Your Business Ranking?

Nina — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 13:54:05 +0000

Search engines are the new Yellow Pages. Do you have an online marketing strategy that includes search?

Great article from imediaconnection.com that highlights the evolution of search engine optimization. The focus of this article is on the constant changing landscape of SEM and tools and strategy that can help you manage your online business. Great questions to ask the next person who comes in to pitch search…

http://blogs.imediaconnection.com/blog/2011/10/05/seo-3-0-man-and-machine/

New Rules for Local Search

Nina — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 03:39:21 +0000

The Rules for Search are changing as social media and geo-location gets more advanced. Can’t wait for the webinar coming up from SEMPCO which will address some of these trends.