SEO Scams Around Many Corners: Be Careful

Sometimes you can smell a search engine optimization (SEO) scam and sometimes they’re more clever.

If you want to guard your money and avoid some headaches, keep these simple tips in mind:

1. Does the potential consultant contact you in the middle of the night through e-mail? I doubt it’s a sign of a robist 24×7 operation.
2. What e-mail address do they use? If it’s Gmail, run fast. If they’re not even part of an established business or use Gmail to conceal their business, you don’t want to give them any thought.
3. Do they offer a guarantee? I don’t know anyone who can call in favors with search engines and land the #1 position. They’re lying or deceiving you in some way. I can get you to rank #1 for all sorts of phrases that no one will ever use. I doubt that you would like search engine rankings and no correspoinding web site visitors.
4. If you can look at their web site, what do you see? How evident is their address? Do they allow you to ask for examples of their work?
5. Finally, find out if they have any standing in the industry. Check out their blog and see whther they have produced any expert articles, guides or white papers.

Web Marketing Solutions — The Myths of Link Building

Why is it online marketing consultants claim the more links you have, the higher you will rank in search engines? Internet marketers are convinced that the more links, the better.

Sorry to break it to you, but links will not put you ahead of the game nor solve your web marketing solutions.  Sure, there are some factors that can make a difference when it comes to link building, like the quality of the website linking to yours or getting a link from a credible industry directory.

It’s hard to say which type of links has more of an impact- reputable links versus several links?

There are several game factors that come into play- age of the website, amount of content, keyword selection, page titles, META data and programming. Links won’t always solve your obstacles or online marketing solutions.

Links can make a difference with traffic. If a link brings traffic to your site, it will influence rankings on search engines.

Tips on Links:

  1. Focus on your Website and link building; don’t try to outplay your competitors. Take the time to assess your website’s internal links and how you can improve them. Don’t focus too much on what your competitors are doing.
  2. Money! Money! Money! Be ready to budget some cash for paid listings. It’s not necessary to link to everyone, but you want to create and establish pages that you want to link to you and bring relevant traffic to your website.
  3. Back track and record. It’s important that you record your referring traffic. Keep a chart of the referring sites by search engines and the number of visitors you bring. It’s good to have a baseline and idea of what’s being tracked to your website.
  4. Asses your visitors. What page is a visitor coming to when they get to your site? Is your call to action prominent for visitors to find? How much is a click worth for your business? How do you track your conversions? Does your link have a well-written description?

Overall, links take a lot of work, time and research. It’s like a game of trade and expertise. You can share a number of links in any guides, white papers, articles and news releases.

At the end of the day, it’s all worth the time and effort.

Contact World Synergy for your website marketing services.

Online Marketing Consultants Debate: Is Facebook a Google Killer?

A recent article in Clickz suggested the Google may be “toast” and that its “days of dominance may be numbered.”

To online marketing consultants who recently wished Google a happy 12th birthday, this idea may seem ridiculous.

But Facebook recently passed Google as the top source for traffic to sites like MSN, Yahoo and others. The easy sharing and like features allow users to quickly and easily (Read more about how the facebook like button is a powerful social media tool for web traffic.)

Still, Google has always had supremacy in search engines, even if Facebook is driving more visitors to sites its ease of content sharing. However, a recent partnership with Microsoft could challenge Google’s reign as king of the search engines.

The partnernship, which took place mid-October, allows Bing to “take data posted on Facebook — such as users’ “likes” or preferences — and use that information to provide more relevant search results,” according to an article in Reatuers.

This partnership will allow Bing to deliver interesting search results based on keywords and what users like. Analysts speculate that Bing’s market share will be immediately boosted as a result.

It’s an interesting battle for control over online search marketing and will be something to keep an eye on in the future.

Learn more about how to optimize your Facebook page with SEO Marketing Tools.

Online Marketing Consultants — Relationship of Social Media with Customers and Companies

Social media has evolved into a great 2-way communication channel for companies and their customers.

Recently, Gap exposed their new logo idea on their Facebook page and was shot down by their customers.

The alternative logo backlashed against Gap!

Twitter and Facebook blew up with negative reviews about the new logo. Customers did not like the new design or the idea of changing it.  In response to the instant feedback, Gap listened to its customers and reverted back to the original one.

Facebook allowed Gap customers to voice their opinions. It was instant and immediate. There was no delay and didn’t take days for a response.

Social media has opened another door for how companies can communicate with their customers. So pay attention to what is being said. Listen to what your customers are saying and react!

But don’t forget, it’s still important for online marketing consultants to monitor online reviews.

A New Way to Work with Online Marketing Consultants

We’ve taken the mystery out of planning with online marketing consultants.

Online Marketing Coach, a service of World Synergy, today launched a comprehensive Online Marketing Navigator Package. It’s designed to help businesses understand potential strategies without needing to commit to a long-term contract.

Online Marketing Coach was started by industry veteran Mike Murray who recently joined World Synergy as the Web Strategy Thought Leader.

The Online Marketing Navigator Package includes:

  • Target market analysis
  • Competitive analysis
  • Preliminary keyword research
  • Web site design evaluation
  • Call to Action analysis
  • Search engine rankings
  • Measurement
  • Opportunities to improve ROI

Some online marketing consultants ask for a long-term commitment before they’re willing to offer their insights and knowledge.

Not us.

We want businesses to feel comfortable about their online marketing opportunities. Our online marketing consultants are ready to help your company get started today.

Do you have an online marketing plan? We can help you define your next steps.

Get more details here.