On July 24th, Google rolled out an update to its algorithms designed to improve the value and relevance of local searches. In the absence of an official name, Search Engine Land christened the update ‘Google Pigeon’. According to figures by MOZ, Google rolls out somewhere in the region of 600-plus algorithm updates every year. Some of them – like Panda, […]
With so much information available about search engine optimisation, as well as lots of conflicting advice, it can feel as though SEO is an unfathomable mystery outside of the reach of small businesses. In fact, I think Google’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality of search engine results pages (SERPs) are actually making it easier for small businesses to be […]
Earlier this week, I was doing some competitors’ research for a client, looking at what the top ranking sites for a particular search term did well and what they could improve. As I sat there making notes, I realised that despite ranking in the top five on page one of Google, three of the five main competitors did not have what […]
Have you looked at your About page on your website recently? Does it tell your story and connect with your customers or does it leave you feeling a bit cold about your own business? Do you even have an About page? There’s no doubt about it, About pages are incredibly hard to get right. Too often, businesses bang on about […]
Earlier today, I was talking to a new client about the Home page of her website, which she knew needed changing because of its high bounce rate and lack of engagement. She admitted to being baffled – why aren’t people staying on the site? Why isn’t she inundated with enquiries? She understood she is probably too close to see the […]
Do you know your meta descriptions from your alt tags or is search engine optimisation (SEO) still something of a mystery to you? Several of my clients have mentioned recently that SEO leaves them bothered, bewildered and confused. So, this week, we’re going back to basics for SEO 101. SEO 101 #1. What is a title tag? Some would argue […]
On 26th September 2013, Google announced its largest upgrade to its search algorithm since 2001. Known as Google Hummingbird, this algorithm is said to officially mark the end of keyword stuffing and outdated SEO. Instead, it focuses on understanding the context around natural language searches. Less than a month after its launch, a search for ‘Google Hummingbird’ brings up more […]
Do you sometimes take a ‘spray and pray’ approach to your marketing, aiming at no-one in particular and hoping that if you throw enough balls one of them will hit a coconut? How do you know what you’re doing is working if you don’t measure its success? It’s worth taking some time out once a week to have a quick […]
If you’re looking for ways to make your website copy more engaging, I’ve put together some simple hints and tips about writing for the web. Website copy has three main functions: It needs to grab attention Entice people to stay on your site Make readers want to buy from you Writing for the web certainly presents some challenges. Figures suggest […]
Your website is one of your most powerful marketing tools. It gives you the opportunity to communicate your brand, products and services in a clear tone of voice to your ideal customers. You can use it to raise your profile, build your reputation and engage with customers. However, get it wrong and your website could be losing you business. Here […]
