March 2015 - Wordpress Web Design Hosting Syracuse NY

Google and Local SEO 2015

in Local Search Marketing by paulalbee March 28, 2015July 5, 2015

When it comes to online digital marketing, most of us focus our attention on our websites. But let’s not loose sight of the fact that other external information about our company is just as important and sometimes moreso.

According to Rachel Lindteigen in her recent article for Search Engine Land, when it comes to search engine optimization and digital marketing for your business (whether you’re in Syracuse, New York or Nottingham, England), it is crucial that you think beyond the confines of your company’s website. This is especially true if you are a business that relies heavily on geographically local customers and clients. For these types of local businesses, a strong online marketing presence means investing your marketing efforts in review sites, online directories, Google+, and maps.

Maps. Yes, maps. You would be amazed how out of date your company’s location information can be when it comes to Google, Yahoo, and a host of other map and directory listings. Wrong store hours… even wrong store name!

Almost a year ago, Google’s “Pigeon” algorithm update gave more prominence to local map and directory sites such as Yelp. Today, Yelp listings now rank above the business’ website.

If your entire website design and digital marketing strategy are spent entirely on your company website, you are almost certainly missing out of tons of opportunities to beef up your online presence and get noticed by potential customers.

Understanding Customer Search Behavior

in Local Search Marketing by paulalbee March 28, 2015July 5, 2015

There’s currently a great article over at Think with Google that delves into customer search behavior on a local level.

Google partnered with Ipsos on a recent research study of 5,000 or more smartphone users is the United States. The result is some vivid insights into how advertisers can extend their relevance in the local search market.

Participants completed an online survey or logged their smartphone search and in-store activities via a mobile diary. Our findings show that four in five consumers want search ads to be customized to their city, zip code or immediate surroundings. By engaging consumers with location-based ads, advertisers can provide them with the information they need to take action.

Check out the study for some very interesting insights at Think with Google.

Generating Website Traffic for Syracuse SMB

Generating Website Traffic: The Long View

Here are five simple rules to increasing traffic to your website or blog:

1. Get Social

There’s all kinds of social media networks out there: Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Tumblr, Youtube, the list goes on and on. The more quality posts you create and share, the more likely you are to attract the kinds of people (and customers) you’re looking for. Be sure to use hashtags to help your content be found. We’ll discuss hashtags in another post.

2. Write really good content.

What you write about is important to you and to your audience. Always strive to give something of value to your audience. You don’t want to read boring, rehashed stuff and neither do they. They came to you for information. Give it to them. Inspire people with what inspires you and gives you the passion to get out of bed each morning.

3. Links. Links. Links.

Regardless of which social network you happen to be on, be sure to include your website URL (address). Basically, it boils down to “the more inbound links to your website the better.” A word of caution: be conscious about where you are getting those links. Low quality links can be bad news when it comes to Google ranking your pages in search results.

4. Don’t stuff your content full of keywords.

Keyword stuffing is a Google no-no, and you’ll get your wrists slapped and your website demoted for it. Keep it natural and you’ll be better off in the long run (and so will your website traffic).

5. Video is hot!

You don’t just have to write articles. You may not feel comfortable doing that a lot. Not to worry. Youtube is the second largest search engine in the world. Between Youtube, Twitter and Facebook, not to mention your own website blog, there’s plenty to share along with your written words. Mix it up with relevant, well crafted videos and pictures to keep your audience engaged and more likely to share your content and your message.