Website Development, Website Design, Website Hosting, eCommerce and Search Engine Optimization in Bigfork, Montana

Posts Tagged ‘search engine optimization’

The Power of SEO

Monday, August 13th, 2012

SEO is an abbreviation of Search Engine Optimization.  This is the process of structuring a web page so that it is found effectively and indexed by search engines.

Why is SEO so powerful?

Think of your website as a physical store or restaurant with wonderful products but no one can easily find the location.  Even if you have a strong loyal following by word of mouth, think of all the potential people you may be missing out on.  Most of us will not survive as long as we want if new customers are unable to find us.

The same exact situation can happen with your website.  You would think existing customers and those who are already familiar with your company should be able to find your site without any great difficulty, but this may not be the case.  Not everyone will directly type your correct company’s name in their search bar.

Here are five tips to consider for increasing your SEO performance so you don’t lose out on sales and potential customers:

  1. Update keyword research. Popular search terms change.  If you’re ranking well for keywords that have lost strategic value, all you’re doing is attracting visits from the wrong prospects.
  2. Update title tags and content. It may be necessary to rewrite pages to make the new keywords completely      relevant.
  3. Add new pages for additional keyword terms. Google loves fresh content.  Add pages or a blog.
  4. Run an SEO diagnostic. Google’s Webmaster Tools is a great, free online resource that itemizes your site’s SEO issues making cleanup easy for you or your developer.
  5. Set up a good internal linking system. The pages you link to most often on your site are the ones Google thinks are most important.

    Google Place Pages are being Replaced

    Tuesday, June 12th, 2012

    Recently Google announced that Google Place pages are being replaced with Google+ Local pages for business.

    Google+ Local pages are new business profile listings which will replace your Google Place page and integrate with Google’s social network, Google+.  Users can access these pages through Search, Maps, and the new Local tab within Google+.

    This seems a little confusing but it will be yet another way to help people discover and share local businesses with Google+.

    I looked at some of the new format pages and found that they are more user-friendly, dynamic, and easier to interact with than pre-existing Google Place pages.  I love the new look!

    You should have already noticed that your Google Place page has already been congoogle3verted to a Local+ page.  If not, prepare, it is coming soon! According to Google, you will still continue to manage your information (basic information, make updates, respond to reviews, etc.) in Google Places for Business.

    As of right now if you have a Google+ Business page you will have two Google+ pages to manage.  However, the time is coming soon for you to be able to merge your Google+ Business page with your Google Local+ page.  It will work similar to how Facebook is allowing us to merge pages.  Check out these businesses that Google has worked with to upgrade their listings early so that we could all see what it would look like:

    What do you think? Do you like the changes?

    Blogging Benefits: Participating In Other Blogs

    Friday, October 15th, 2010

    bloggingnewsletterNow that we know the benefits of starting your own blog, let’s go over the benefits of participating in other blogs.

    You can increase traffic to your website or blog by contributing to blogs that are in a field related to your own, and contain quality content. Comment on other peoples’ posts and share your expertise. In your comments you can add a link to your website and direct readers of that post back to your own website or blog for more information on that particular subject.

    The major benefits of being active in other blogs are the same as the benefits of creating your own blog, but for different reasons. (more…)

    Why is My Google Listing Wrong?

    Monday, November 16th, 2009

    A client with a new website recently contacted me with a question that frequently confuses many. When she typed her company search terms in Google, her business not only showed up in the natural listings, it also showed at the top of the page, with other like businesses in the Bigfork area, next to a map. Unfortunately, the information displayed when she clicked on that listing was incorrect.

    This is a common question, and easy to fix. In fact, as a business owner you should check this yourself and see if your business info is correct!

    (more…)

    Writing & Formatting Web Content

    Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

    Writing for the web is different than writing for print. Web users are in a hurry and prefer to scan pages and digest smaller amounts of information.

    Here are 10 best practices for writing and formatting content for the web:

    1. Use Upside-Down Pyramid Style
      Just like newspaper writing, add the most important info up top because there is a good chance readers will not read the whole page.
    2. Keep Content Concise
      Web users are impatient so get to the point!
    3. Use Simple Language
      Because users are scanning your pages in a quick manner, unnecessary jargon and uncommon vocabulary can slow the user down or even turn them away. Also remember you have a large audience of various education levels, so it is best to keep language simple for all to enjoy. (more…)

    Natural Search Engine Optimization Vs. Paid Optimization

    Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

    Natural Search Engine Optimization (SEO) or Organic Search Engine Optimization are words you’re probably hearing quite often these days.  We receive a lot questions about SEO and natural (or organic) versus paid options.   So we decided it would be great to clarify these two different and complementary methods of SEO to help you better understand what it all means. (more…)

    Press Releases: What Happens After Submission (PART III)

    Wednesday, May 20th, 2009

    You’ve created an appealing release about your original glow-in-the-dark red bucket and submitted it to a variety of relevant media outlets.  Now you need to be prepared for speaking directly to the media.

    Although this is the last part of our three part press release for search engine optimization series, this isn’t the last item on your list.  It’s imperative you prepare your statements to the media before you send it out.  You may receive phone calls, emails and in-person interviews in front of a video camera.  You must be prepared! (more…)

    Press Releases: How to Distribute for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) PART II

    Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

    In our first post, we discussed why a press release can help with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and the basics of how to write a press release.  In Part 2, we will discuss how to distribute your press release.  Part 3 will talk about what happens after your press release is sent and how to prepare for media inquiries.

    Now that you have written a press release or had a professional write it for you, it is time to distribute it.  Below are a few tips for how to properly distribute your press release: (more…)

    Press Releases: How they help with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - Part 1

    Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

    You’re a business owner with a great website. You sell your product online and your objective is to increase online sales. How do you go about this without breaking the bank? One part of your strategy… write and distribute an optimized, electronic press release.

    What exactly is a press release?

    One definition from Dictionary.com defines press release as “a statement prepared and distributed to the press by a public relations firm, governmental agency, etc.”1 It’s also defined as “An announcement of an event, performance, or other newsworthy item that is issued to the press.”2 (more…)

    BWD NewsletterBWD BlogBWD Blog RSS FeedsBWD Facebook PageBWD Twitter Page