Site Wide SEO Updates

Posted on December 21, 2011 by

Phase Two – Site Wide SEO Updates

While we will be building SEO landing pages targted for specific keyword phrases, it’s important that the entire wbsite be search engine friendly. Some things that google looks at are unique meta tags, xml sitemaps, headings and much more. Each page, and how they are linked together, offers an opportunity for SEO.

We will also need to set up accounts for websmaster tools and analytics to allow us to monitor and analize website activity.

Phase Two Activities include:

  • Existing content Optimization Image optimization
  • Title and Meta Tag Optimization
  • google analytics set up
  • Sitemaps: html and xml-Create and/or update
  • robot.txt files -Create and/or update
  • Textual Content Optimization- Implementation of H1-H4 & Bold tags to Content
  • Google/Bing webmaster tools account – create and/or update
  • Hyper link optimization
  • Business address and phone prominence
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SEO Keyword Strategy

Posted on December 13, 2011 by

Phase One – Small Business SEO Keyword Research and Strategy

The process begins with SEO keyword research and strategy. Our keyword research is extensive. We generate hundreds keyword possibilities, edit out the non-relevant ones, rate the remaining candidates by relevance, popularity and implied intent. We then use other tools to research the competitiveness of each phrase. We compile all of this data into one xls report.

Using this report we make a long term strategy for optimization. And our strategy is to build in high competitive/high search volume keyword pages into the site from the start so that they are on the top level directory.  And then build in pages for less competitive/search volume keywords underneath.

Working up the Keyword Ladder

We initially target the keywords we feel we can get quick results for. These keywords may have fewer searches but may still be productive due to its relevancy.

This works well on three levels:
1. Starting lower in the ladder for the keywords allows our clients to get faster results.
2. As we build content and inbound links for the less competitive keywords, and work our way up the ladder, we are also supporting the more competitive keywords.
3. Having a narrow keyword focus looks to google like spam. The best approach is to identify many related phrases and work them into the overall process for onsite content and inbound link anchor text.
Going directly for the most competitive keywords can lead to the banging of head against wall.

Link Structure Diagram

Phase one also includes designing a link structure diagram based on the keyword strategy. Part of the purpose of link structure is to create what is called a “theme silo”. A theme silo is created by link structure only (known as a vitual silo) or through the use of directories. The silo informs the search engines that the topic of these pages are related.

Another important reason for creating the link structure as part of the initial strategy is that it gives you a blue print for building content into the site over time. Each blue print/strategy is different and is based on many factors including competition, search volume and potential over looked keyword niche opportunities.

 

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Google Analytics Updates

Posted on December 5, 2011 by

The new version of Google Analytics will soon be active. The interface has been redesigned  in an effort to make it easier to explore data to be used to improve SEO efforts for your small business. They are also releasing some new and interesting features. Here are a few of the most interesting ones.

Real-Time Analytics

Real-Time reporting can show you site visits your site  that are happening right now! The reports are updated continuously and each pageview is reported seconds after it occurs on your site. Real-Time reports can be found in the ‘Home’ tab.

Multi-Channel Funnels

With Multi Channel Funnels you can see which channels your customers interacted with during the 30 days prior to converting or purchasing.  Interactions with many media channels including clicks from paid and organic searches, affiliates, social networks, and display ads all are reported in your Conversion Path Data.

Video demo & Usage guide

Mobile Reporting

The amount of mobile devices browsing the web increase by the day.In the new version of Google Analytics Mobile reports  help you understand how mobile visitors are interacting with your site. You can even see which mobile devices your visitors use.

Flow Visualization
Flow Visualization is a tool for showing how people navigate through out your website. Google has completely redesigned the navigation tools available in the old version of Google Analytics.

Video demo & Usage guides for Visitor Flow, Goal Flow

Over the next few weeks as they make Google Analytics v5 the default for all users, they are simultaneously rolling out the report email scheduler and PDF export.

Need to check something in the old version?
Google is extremely confident in their new version but if you need to refer to the old version, there is a safety latch.  Look in the top right corner of Google Analytics and you’ll see a link for Old Version. Switch back and forth as much as you need, but keep in mind, that the old version will only be available until early next year.

Want help adjusting to the new version?
The Google Analytics Help Center is up to date on all the step by step of how to navigate Analytics using the new version. Google has also been running a series on the Google Analytics blog that explores many of the changes and new features. And, there is a section of the Google Analytics Help Forum where you can ask questions and discuss the new version.

To stay up to date on new features, make sure you opt-in to receive Newsletters in your Google Analytics account settings.

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Philadelphia Search Engine Optimization for Small Business

Posted on November 21, 2011 by

Search Engine Optimization or shortly SEO is one of the most crucial tactics of helping a site get noticed in the search engines. No matter what’s your business specialty, you will always want to get higher page ranks in search engines so as to make your presence felt among visitors – isn’t it? Without proper optimization of a site, your big dream of eating more traffic would never turn into a reality, that’s a fact now. So, you should always go for a SEO campaign for your site – an SEO Philadelphia agency can be your perfect companion for that purpose.

A reputable SEO Philadelphia agency not only focuses on keyword selection for your content but it also does competitive research using different search engine optimization algorithms. Landing page optimization, off page optimization and conversion tracking and analytics are the other expertises that a reliable Philadelphia based SEO agency have.

Be it for a Philadelphia based or any other SEO agency, keyword incorporation in content pages play the most crucial role for search engine optimization. The more relevant your keywords are, you are more likely to get hits on your site. And the number of hits will definitely play a big role in calculation of your traffic.

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Local SEO

Posted on November 14, 2011 by

Philadelphia SEO

SEO is Search Engine Optimization, and it basically means making your website more attractive to the search engines. The more attractive they are, the higher they appear in the results, meaning your site could be among the top few sites listed in the search engines when people search for your name or products and services you offer – if you have good SEO.

The difference between having good SEO and ranking high in a search engine as a business or for a product or service, and doing so on a local level is the amount of in-store traffic you attract. Sites working from a national or international level are always going to be competitive in certain keywords and phrases, but they do not have a brick and mortar store for online users to visit. Those looking for your site online are many times seeking just such a place. That is why your local store needs Philadelphia SEO, not just generalized optimization.

Remember that you are not just looking to draw traffic and hits from faceless visitors, but to attract actual potential customers who may one day visit your site. Even if they continue to remain online customers only, they will choose your site over others like it specifically for its local flavor and attitude – things the national sites and brands lack. Philadelphia SEO brings in Philadelphians and those familiar with the culture and its surroundings, thus building brand loyalty in addition to good marketing.

Search engine optimization is mainly for attracting hits by improving a site’s standing in the search engines, but localized SEO efforts go far beyond that. Local SEO is meant to attract customers to a local business, even if there is no brick-and-mortar store to back it up. While random visitors might not “get” the feel and attitude you are going for, locals will feel right at home and every visitor is a potential customer. So don’t waste money on generalized SEO; go for the local Philadelphia SEO efforts to get a better return on your results all the way around.

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SEO Ranking Factors 2011 From SEOmoz

Posted on November 11, 2011 by

Every year polls dozens of SEOs asking what they see as the most important factors for SEO. This year the also added a correlation study. They used over 10,000 keywords in the study which is an ample sample size.

i think over all their ranking factor reports are excellent and always give me something to think about and try out. But the correlations seem not so useful. As they point out, a high correlation doesn’t explain cause and effect.

For example: Sites that has the keyword being tested in their domain name may not rank well because the keyword is in the domain name but because poeple who buy domain names with keyword orientation tend to put a lot more effort into SEO than the ones that don’t.

So part of the problem here is separating out each element out and assign importance. The factors tend to play off of each other and to be influenced by many human factors.

I do commend SEOmoz for trying to better quantify results. As much as I appreciate the input from all the SEOs and take what they say seriously, it can be even more flawed. Ever read “Money Ball”?

But have a look. If you do SEO you will surly see something here that will be useful to you.

SEOmoz – SEO Ranking Factors 2011

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Small Business SEO Snake Oil?

Posted on November 8, 2011 by

This is a nice video produced by google about SEO. Does Google think search engine optimization can be “Good”? Actually, yes they do. There are many basic, and advanced, technical and not so technical things that need to be taken into consideration and implemented on your site to make it search friendly and targeted.

I have had people poo poo SEO services as snake oil. And I’ve spoken to more than a few people who feel they’ve been ripped off by an SEO. As the person in the video points out, transparency is important. Your SEO should be letting you know exactly what they are doing for you.

But of course many small business owners aren’t sure what their SEO should be doing for them. This eBook small business seo eBook may help.

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Local Internet Marketing – Tracking Paid Search with URL Tags

Posted on March 29, 2011 by

Many paid services will list you ad on multiple sites. Good examples are CitySearch and ASK PPC. Your analytics tool will not show source visits form the service site when the ad is shown on a different one. And since you are paying for these clicks or the for the listing you will want to know if you are converting.

When that happens how do you track site visits associated with the service to track your local internet marketing campaigns? When a lsiting is set up on a service that will be showing your ad on multiple sites always use tracking URLs. Tracking URLs are created buy adding a little code snippet at the end of the URL that tells your analytics tool how to catagorize the visit. A google tag for city search may look lie this

“?utm_source=citysearch&utm_medium=listing&utm_campaign=CitySearch” and is appended to the end of the URL. This one will show up on your google sources and CitySearch even if the source comes from a ASK local business listing. (by the way, CitySearch feeds ASK local business listings and others)

So if you are spending X $ on CitySearch every month, and assuming you have conversion tracking set up, you can know if your $X spend is returning sales. You can also get all the other important site usage info related to to your CitySearch campaign. If your bounce rate is super high and you’re certain you have This approach can be used for any lsiting or ad (including banner ads) you have running.
NetLocal Local Internet Marketing Philadelphia

226 W Rittenhouse Square Philadelphia, PA 19103

215-874-0744

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Keyword Selection for Local SEO Philadelphia

Posted on March 24, 2011 by

We want to use keywords that will bring a lot of visitors who are ready to purchase to our sites. At its core that is what keyword selection should achieve. The keywords selected for search engine optimization should be relevant, have a high search volume and be the keywords searchers are using who intend to purchase.


For local SEO we don’t want to find the “Hidden Gems”. They won’t bring us enough traffic, and they may not be the keywords used by searchers who are ready to buy. Local SEO has a very limited target compared to global SEO, so we need to use the hard hitters.


How many keywords to optimize for is dependent on the nature of the slope of keyword/search volume graph and the over all search volume for the overall set. See post on number of keywords to optimize for.


Keyword Selection Methodology

  • Generate a list of probable core keywords.<post for NetLocal definition of a core keyword>
  • Assign an SEO Value to each of the top core keywords.
  • Incorporate Geo-Modifiers

1. Generate a list of probable core keywords

Using online tools <blog post about keyword tools for local> along with common sense, a comprehensive list of likely keywords. There are occasional surprises, but most times you will find that the keywords that get the most search volume are the ones you would expect. We are only interested in the highest volume keywords.

2. Assign an SEO Value to each of the top core keywords.

Keyword SEO value is measured by weighing relevancy, search volume and the Online Commercial Intent Index (OCI)<post defining>. We call the resultant value a Keyword Value Score (KVS). By combining these values to identify our keyword list we are focusing in on keywords that not only get a high degree of search traffic but gets visits from searchers who are in the buying phase of the purchasing process. I like to call these the “money keywords”.

3. Incorporate Geo-Modifiers

Many local businesses optimize for the core keywords and neglect to add the geo-modifiers. Without the geo-modifiers the site competes in a global web search when they are doing business in a limited geographic location. The core keywords alone can easily be used for advertising to a local audience using a PPC campaign that is geo targeted. <blog for PPC local and keyword selection> Geo-modified keywords also tend to have a high conversion rate. This makes sense since someone who is ready to purchase will specifically look for a provider near by.

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Local Internet Marketing Philadelphia

Posted on March 21, 2011 by

Why you need to be online

1. Most of your competition doesn’t have a local internet marketing plan and most people are searching for your product or service online.

2. You can target your advertising much better than tradition advertising allows.

3. You can track conversions and gather in depth information about where, when and how people found you.

4. You can track prospects viewing behavior of your advertisements

5. The ROI is consistently higher on web marketing than for traditional advertising.

6. You can do much of the work yourself, making it more cost effective and giving you greater control and flexibility.


Studies show that as of 2010 80% of internet user us he web to search for local businesses and only 30% of local businesses have a web marketing plan. This presents a great opportunity for the local businesses that are in the game. And this trend continues to increase. More and more of your customers are jumping on their laptop or smart phone to find your service.


In fact, for many people if they don’t find you on the web in the top three positions and your website doesn’t look professional they will write you off as a poor choice. And your business will suffer.


Web marketing also has substantial benefits over traditional advertising in ability to target and measure results. TV, radio and print advertising use a “shot gun” approach. You reach a lot of people but most of them are not interested and many may not even be in your core customer demographic.


There are several types of local search marketing but all of them will allow you to target with much better precision than traditional methods. Not only that but you can track, in very fine detail, the behavior of visitors to your site allowing you to measure the results of your investment. All of this will be covered in subsequent chapters.


Bottom line; every dollar you spend on local internet marketing advertising will return a better return than with traditional adverting and you will actually be able to measure that return.

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