Category: Search Engine Optimization

Google Boost – a big help for Local Biz Online

Post author By Andy Commons
Post date November 8, 2010
1 Comment on Google Boost – a big help for Local Biz Online

One of my passions is to help the local small business compete online with the big guys. It’s sad to see the Mom and Pop store shoved aside by a huge corporation. I’d rather see my dollars circulate in my own town instead of lining the pockets of distant shareholders. My friend Tim Danyo and I are working on the finishing touches of our first video in a series we’re doing for to help teach local business owners everywhere how a few simple steps can really help.

Well, Google is announcing a new product of their own that I hope to put in my Internet Marketing toolkit when coaching businesses. It’s called Google Boost.

Looks to be a way to pay your way to the top of a locally oriented search, such as “Missoula Dentist”. It’s not here yet… but if you’re interested, here’s a good write up about it from some folks I trust.

http://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/google-boost-faq.html

Let me know what you think. Feel free to comment below.

Tags Google Boost, Local SEO, Online Marketing

Search Engine Optimization

SEO can be done yourself, but maybe shouldn’t.

Post author By Andy Commons
Post date February 21, 2010
8 Comments on SEO can be done yourself, but maybe shouldn’t.

I enjoy listening to a podcast by Leo Laporte at twit.tv. During his Valentines Day show (2010) he told a caller that SEO was snake oil, and was so simple, most folks should just do it themselves.

Ugh. Not really.

Sure, if someone has time, and the computer skills, yes, they can spend the hours to learn what works to help a site rank higher in the search engine results, update title tags, do keyword research, build out more pages on their site, add a blog, verify and update their local and directory listings, and do backlink research on the competition…

But then, they could also spend hours learning tax laws and do their own business taxes… or hire a CPA.

Or they could read a few articles on the Internet about framing and dry-wall, and mud and tape… OR they could hire a contractor to remodel their basement. It comes down to what business you are in, and what you should really spend your time doing. Leo seems to think a couple small changes to a title tag and “get some links” will be all you need. Sorry Leo. It’s just not that simple.

And even if it were.. the guy running the shoe store is too busy helping his customers and trying to motivate his employees than try to learn how to update his website. So when I can point out his home base title tag is “Untitled” and he has an all flash site that isn’t indexed… the money he pays me to optimize his site will be money very well spent.

If you want your site to rank higher (and you probably should), ask yourself… do I really want to spend my time learning all about this crazy web stuff? or should I spend my time doing what I do well, and hire someone else to help me with my rankings.

I know it’s tempting to save money and do it yourself. I tried to give myself a buzz cut right before a holiday party last December. Let’s just say, the results were not pretty, and the only option was to shave my head and go to the party bald.

There are bad apples in every industry (Leo, I bet you even know of some radio talk show hosts that are snake oil salesmen.. and they might even be on the same AM stations that broadcast your fine show). So as with most things… when hiring someone to help with your website, do your home work, get references, and be careful of anyone promising you top rankings.

-Andy Commons

www.andycommons.com

Search Engine Optimization

Be very suspicious of anyone that guarantees they can get you on the first page of Google.

Post author By Andy Commons
Post date November 9, 2009

A sales rep called today offering my company a way to get on page ONE of Google. I played along and got a website to check out with their offer. What a rip-off. (Step one, don’t call an Internet Marketing company with that pitch.)

This type of company frustrates me to no end, and they give the industry a bad name.

If someone is telling you they can get you on page one of a search engine, you need to be very careful. The are probably talking about getting an ad to show on the right hand side under “sponsored listings”. And frankly, that’s not hard at all for a long tail keyword phrase. Want to appear for the search “Seattle Law Firm with free underground parking”? No Problem. Is anyone really searching for that? Even if they were, is this the kind of client you want?

Oh, and even if they do target a phrase that people are actually searching for, the Guarantee says if they fail to deliver, they give you another month of their service at no charge! Wow, more bad results for free??? Thanks!

Look. No one has a ‘special relationship’ with Google that gets your site higher in the rankings. And even if they help you run ads with Adwords, are they really taking the time to review the results, optimize the bids, and test ad copy that pulls in people ready to buy? Will they help you review your landing pages and set up the campaign in tightly targeted groups for optimal performance? Highly doubtful.

-Andy