 September 10, 2009 - Navigation: Articles - Readers Respond - Video - Small Biz Talk  Best Practices in Search Are Where You Startby Mike Moran"Best practices" is one of those dry as dust phrases that conjures up a consultant orating at you and a dozen co-workers sitting in uncomfortable chairs, each one wishing you could go back to work. If you missed Adam Audette's interesting article entitled, "SEO 'Best Practices' Are Bunk," you should pull up a chair and follow the link to read it. (I'll wait right here.) Adam alluded to my Do It Wrong Quickly concept as a way to do things right (if that isn't an oxymoron in itself), and on the whole I think he is on the right track....
 Search Marketing Certification Coursesby Robert CloughWe are happy to announce that Search Engine Guide is now offering search marketing certification courses in partnership with Market Motive....  Blogging Small Businesses have 55% More Traffic, 97% More Inbound Linksby Mack CollierA recent study by Hubspot found that among their small business customers, those that blogged had 55% more traffic and 97% more incoming links than non-blogging small businesses.  One Simple Step to Building Credibilityby Stoney deGeyterSo many times I see businesses investing thousands of dollars building their websites, tinkering with SEO improvements, or increasing/improving their content, only to neglect one of the most basic problems that may be a significant contributing factor in reducing their conversion rates: broken links. Rankings Change. (Here's How to) Deal With It! Part IIIby Stoney deGeyterEverybody wants that coveted first page placement, and many are actively fighting for it. But in reality, there is only so much that you can control. If your rankings drop, it may not be you, it may be them. Return to the Top of this Page 
Return to the Top of this Page  In response to... Blogging Small Businesses have 55% More Traffic, 97% More Inbound LinksHey Mark! I'm not saying traffic and links (and comments) are meaningless, I am saying that if you track them and place importance on them, it needs to be because they have an impact on a LARGER business goal for your blog. If your boss calls you into her office for an update on how the blog is working and you tell her 'Traffic is up 20% and we are up to 4 comments per post!', her response will probably be, 'Ok, and what's the dollar value of that traffic and those comments?' First, by positioning your blog as a teaching tool, you are tapping into the 'bigger idea' behind your company and products/services. For example, if you sell dog grooming supplies, which post has more value for readers, a post about the 10 best dog shampoos you sell, or 'Ten Steps to Giving the Perfect Dog Bath'? The first is promotional, the second teaches, and in doing so, creates value for the reader. It also helps establish your expertise. As for leverage being dangerous, if you first position your blog as being a tool that teaches and creates value, you should be ok. The goal isn't to use your blog as DIRECT promotional tool, but as a way to promote your business as an INDIRECT result of the value and conversation you create on your blog. As for tracking promotions, you should really track EVERYTHING associated with your blog very aggressively. I can tell you that the traffic to my blog is the highest on Tues and Weds, and specifically from 10 am - 2pm. I know which topics get me more comments and links than others. And it's not about tracking one particular promotion, it's about tracking multiple ones to determine trends. Such as readers prefer new codes on Weds, or they prefer to get free shipping as opposed to 10% off an order. In the end, I agree, blogs are wonderful tools to connect with customers. But at the end of the day, there has to be a known benefit to your business from blogging, or you can't keep doing it. Mr Skeptical Boss is going to want to know what your 'social media doohickey' is doing to grow his business, and if you tell him that you're getting 5 comments a post, he's probably going to throw you out of his office. But if you can show him how those comments are creating VALUE for his business, then he'll get just as excited! Mack Collier Return to the Top of this Page  Free SEO ToolsThinking of buying SEO software? Then try the best SEO tools free first! Skaffe.com Directory: Show off your website Express Submit today.Quality directories like Skaffe.com offer you strong search engine exposure. WoW DirectoryPowerful and affordable directory marketing services. Submit your website today! Return to the Top of this Page  SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION How Important Is Keyword Research In SEO Help With Search Engine TrafficLINK DEVELOPMENT The Power Of Hubpages 301 Re-direct And Out-going LinksEMAIL & NEWSLETTER Easy To Use Emailing List SoftwareOFFLINE MARKETING Promoting Your Website With Flyers Maximizing Trade Show ResultsPREVIOUS WEEK Small Business Forum Update For August 26, 2009 (If you like our search engine news, you'll love our small business news.) Return to the Top of this Page
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