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Is Google Authorship Markup Important for SEO?

author signature 300x224 Is Google Authorship Markup Important for SEO?Internet marketing is a dynamic industry. The tips and trends that are at rage today might become completely obsolete tomorrow. It’s a must for internet marketers to stay updated about latest trends and techniques in the industry. Two major pillars of SEO are search engine and social media. Search engines like Google, Yahoo, Bing and social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest etc. contribute to a lot of visitors to different websites over the internet.

Introduction to Authorship Markup

Top search engines such as Google have been introducing new trends for over a long period of time. Google has been going this to validate itself and its policies, to endorse ethical practices to get exposure online and also to facilitate online marketers. A recent edition in the list of Google’s new introductions is the authorship markup. It is related to content marketing and it has been defined by Google as the method that displays authorship information in the SERP for all the content that the author is creating. In simple words, authorship is Google’s acknowledgement that a certain individual has created the content and published it on the web.

Benefits of Authorship Markup

Google authorship markup consists of a range benefits for content marketers. Before discussing those benefits, it’s important to understand that authorship markup helps a website to get better ranking. The chief benefits of Google’s authorship markup are following;

The first benefit that deserves a mention is higher click through rate. After authorship markup was integrated, many websites conducted trials only to find out if it brings any difference in number of visitors and click through rate. The result was totally astonishing because many websites reported that they received approximately 100% CTR, which was way beyond their expectation. SEO is all about getting visitors from search engines. In simple terms, SEO helps you to get your website on top position so that a significant number of users visit the website and the website gets tremendous exposure. Authorship markup contributed to it as writers, who have already carved out a niche for them, have also created a steady reader base. When those readers find their favorite author’s name tagged with a particular website, they’re likely to click more. That explains why CTR was insanely high. Higher CTR immediately invites two other benefits; one is higher visibility and the other is higher page views.

Other benefits of authorship markup

Regular marketing activities apart, there are many other factors that play a major role in fetching visitors to a particular website. Some of them are following;

  • Eye tracking studies – Results of this study showed that human eye first catches texts that are bold, in italics or somehow different from other chunk of texts. Authorship markup displays the name of the author and his picture when the website comes in the search engine result page. This draws attention of the users and they become interested in reading the content.
  • Overcoming plagiarism issues – Since Google acknowledges the original author, there’s hardly any chance that the content is a duplicate one. Winning the trust of the users is a long-term benefit that authorship markup offers.
  • Building authority – Authorship markup also helps a site to build authority because the author sign up with his Google+ profile and his follower count determines his authority.

Google’s authorship markup can help a website in different ways. The site owner can build credibility, content can be proven original and many SEO benefits can also be availed.

 

Estela is an aspiring writer. She prefers writing on SEO and wants her readers to understand that SEO helps you to get your website on top position.

creative content marketing 300x203 Using creative content marketing to win hearts, minds & walletsThere are many methods of SEO and internet marketing available to businesses in 2013. At present we are witnessing a boom in creative content marketing especially. SEO content has experienced a transition over the past few years and now more emphasis is being placed on quality and creativity. This is not only winning more financial gain for businesses, but also the hearts and minds of the consumer and competitors as well. There is a lot more respect and profitability to be reaped by being creative and really caring about the marketing based content you put out on the internet. This means that SEO content is now also enhancing the reputation and credibility of companies too.

What is content marketing?

It is first essential to determine what content marketing is in case this is a method that is not used by business reading this at present. It revolves around any piece of content – ranging from blog posts, to videos, to infographics – that has been designed in order to promote the business in question. Despite the essential purpose being marketing, the content still needs to be informative and of purpose. When talking about online content marketing you will find that the content has been created with SEO in mind. Therefore the use of discreet SEO and quality link building are often key components.

Creative quality

As mentioned, there has been a transition in content marketing. There has been a lot more emphasis placed on the need for quality and creative ideas. Content needs to be informative, it needs to be full to the brim with useful information, and it needs to read beautifully. It does not need to look like it was engineered for SEO specifically – this is how online marketing based content was in the past. When creating content it is pivotal to plan everything. You need to research what consumers want to know. This is important because it determines the level of people the content reaches as well as how frequently it is shared on social media platforms. Furthermore, you need to determine your keywords and how you are tactically going to place them into the article so that they look 100% natural.

Some key content marketing tips

There are several pieces of advice you should bear in mind in order to help you project creative content marketing as best as possible. The first thing you need to be aware of is the fact that you should not always view your content as a direct appeal for customers. Useful and relevant information works to enhance your brand, increase your recognition, move your webpage higher up on Google, and create hysteria. Don’t use content as a sales pitch. Nonetheless, you should still make sure your content is relevant to your website. Search for keywords that are a replication of what people search when they stumble upon your business’s website. You should also make sure you evaluate the latest trends and keep an eye on the forecasts.

As 2013 progresses the trend for quality and creative content marketing is really growing in strength. If you use the tips mentioned in this article then you will have the basis to create content that is interesting and informative whilst also doing its primary purpose of marketing your business and your products. But remember; quality content, not a sales pitch – this is imperative.

 

Author bio – Estela Reynolds is a qualified journalist who writes on many topics. In order to find information regarding creative content marketing she used High Position

google seo 300x225 How Important Is Search Engine Optimisation for Websites Today?There is so much talk about SEO (search engine optimisation) today and so many different aspects that build up to it that is can be daunting to even begin. SEO is relevant and important when you build or run a website today. If you have ever used Google, then you will understand that it’s important for a website to be high in rankings and on page one; how many times have you ventured farther than page one for what you need? SEO gets you there.

The technological advances of today mean that information is everywhere you look. If you need to know something or want to find services or products: you look online. Search engines are highly intelligent and are the easiest place to go when you need to find information of something you are looking to buy. The offer of information means that the search engines are extremely powerful. Knowledge is power after all. Without the use of search engines, it would be much harder to find what you are looking for.

So, this explains the significance of search engines and search engine optimisation. In order to find the right services for you, you can use a search engine or visit the SEO Positive website. It’s important to have an idea of what you want beforehand so you can make sure you get the services you need. Effective SEO means that when people search for your ‘keywords’, they will find your website in search results. The higher you are in these results, the more traffic you will see heading your way.

SEO has revolutionised the way people find what they are looking for, whatever it is. Businesses can take advantage of this and are quickly realising the importance of a good online presence. In order for people to find a website, the website needs to be there. SEO made it possible for websites to achieve higher rankings, increased traffic, and convert users into customers. The revolution has seen the likes of Google and other search engines become the most popular way to find information and, therefore, the most popular target for internet marketing efforts for online businesses. That’s why there is a need for people with expert SEO knowledge like Ben Wan.

The web has exploded with businesses over the last few years and the massive competition means that SEO is even more important than ever. It’s important to implement it properly to beat the competition in search engine rankings and it’s important to ensure that search engines send traffic to your website. The implementation of effective SEO and web design are the reasons for some of the biggest websites being where they are today. It can potentially turn your website into a massive profit making machine. SEO can put websites and online businesses on the map on a worldwide scale.

Search engine optimisation is really important today and has already completely changed the way a lot of people search for what they are looking for. Technology is developing so quickly that it’s important to keep up. Luckily, most SEO experts know what search engines are aiming for; naturally earned rankings from genuine popularity and links. Implementing SEO organically means your website has a chance of getting past the next Google’s Penguin or Panda update without being knocked down the rankings.

Estela Reynolds is a freelance writer based in Austin. Estela has researched the importance of SEO with guidance from the SEO positive website. In her spare time; Estela enjoys board games and reading when time allows.

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Top 5 Factors for Local Search Engine Optimisation

 

local perth business image 300x225 Top 5 Factors for Local Search Engine OptimisationOver the past Month I’ve been really enjoying doing some Local Search Engine Optimisation for my local Perth clients. If you wonder that this is, well, the techniques used to improve the search engine rankings for the website of a local business in a specific city or the local area is called local Search Engine Optimisation (Local SEO in short). This post will show you how you can get your website to rank very well with the search engines when people search for businesses like yours in your city, suburb or town.

As a whole, search engine optimisation is traditionally used for a broader reach within search engine results but this approach can be use to help business rank well within their local area. This post will reveal the five most important factors for local search engine optimisation and getting ranked within your immediate area.

Factor #1: Local Long-Tail Keywords on your Website

Discover the long-tail keywords you will be using for your business through the Google Keyword Tool. Search for relevant terms for your business and then make sure you add your “city”, “state”, “postal code” and nearby locations to improve your long-tail phrases. Use your keywords on your web pages, body copy, links and more. Diversify your keyword usage but always aim to rank well for the main term that will bring you the greatest traffic based on the results shared by the Google Keyword Tool. An example of such a keyword would be Perth Local Search Engine Optimisation consultant.

Factor #2: Contact Information on your Website

Seize every opportunity to put your contact information on your business website. Use the website sidebar to include contact information such as your phone number, business address and other forms of communication. Utilize your footer to list your business address as well. Include a contact page with integrated Google Maps for people to easily find and contact your business. See my contact page as an example for this.

Factor #3: Listing your Business on Local Web Directories

List your business on local directory websites and services. Get started by listing your business in Google Places and then make your way through other services such as Yahoo Local, True Local and Bing. Entry into these local directories takes no more than a few minutes each; it can be done in about an hour. Having a listing in the major directories will greatly help your overall search engine standings in Google, Yahoo and Bing. Again see my contact page to view my Ben Wan Web Solution Google Places business listing.

Bonus tip: Encourage your customers to write a review about your business in the local web directories; this improves your placement in search results.

Factor #4: Inbound Links to your Website

Build backlinks to your website using local keywords such as “city” + “business industry” as anchor text. Build links from relevant sources such as local forums, relevant industry blogs, high Page Rank websites, news sources and more. Diversify your link building strategy by using different keywords for your links; this helps your website rank well for many terms instead of over optimising for just one.

Factor #5: Geo Tagging within Local Area

The categorisation of your website is a smaller but vital factor of local search engine optimisation. List your business within its correct industry to ensure your website is well represented by what people would generally find you under. Open your business website up to allow people to check-in and geo tag you using online services such as Gowalla or Foursquare.

Conclusion for Local Search Engine Optimisation

Compared to the broader approach to search engine optimisation, getting ranked in the local listings is much easier to achieve because of the long-tail keywords, an exact location of your business and the lack of overall competition in your city or town. Consider each of the following factors for your website so it does the best it can in local search results; don’t skip out on the factors that matter especially when there are only a few that you need to do to get the maximum results.

If you need help with Local Search Engine Optimisation to get your website to rank well for local searches in your city just contact me and from Perth, Australia, I would love to be able to help you.

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LogoLinkedIn1 thumb LinkedIn Features: How to Use This Social Network For MarketingThese days, companies are constantly trying innovative marketing strategies to attract & engage potential customers. Social networking sites like Facebook, Google+ & Twitter are an essential component of B2B & B2C strategies to reach out to the digital generation. It’s surprising that few are aware that the professional networking site LinkedIn trounces all of these sites by a whopping margin of 275% when it comes to lead generation. It also offers a stunning conversion rate of 2.75%. Strangely companies still prefer the more glamorous social networking sites to market new products. If the latest market data is any indication, then companies should pay more attention to LinkedIn & utilize its full potential. A few simple tools available in LinkedIn can boost a lot of ad campaigns. Four of them have been listed below & an explanation provided as to how they work.

Products & Services Tab

LinkedIn’s Company Pages contain the “Products & Services Tab”. This allows a company to list their products & offered services in the site. The tool allows the ability to highlight specific content which on being clicked by the user re-directs them to the company’s own web-site where they can enjoy a full listing of the product catalogue & view demos. Visitors can be prompted to share their feedback & recommend the relevant products to others if they so desire. Companies can exploit the full potential of this tab by listing 5 or more products. Once 5 products are listed clients have the option of customizing the tab further. They can put more emphasis on a specific product & create a buzz in the social networking space around it.

Another very unique feature available within this tab is its ability to target a customer based on his / her individual preferences & tastes. We can have more than one version of the same web page which can appeal to someone’s individual preferences. This can strike an instant chord with them & interest them enough to visit the company’s website. This can be achieved by defining a persona sourced from LinkedIn profile information and then adding a variation in the Products & Services tab. This is most likely to interest people of that particular persona by providing information about the products they are more likely to be keen on buying.

Status Updates

Individual users regularly post their status updates on social & professional networking sites. This simple tactic of “Status Updates” can turn out to be an effective marketing tool in the hands of canny companies. They can list any changes to their products or post any new relevant information that might interest people. A simple combination of a photograph & URL can do the trick & redirect potential customers to their websites.

Company Page Statistics

Firms can use the feature offered by “Company Page Statistics” to analyze the online traffic flowing through their company page posted in LinkedIn. They can check out the individual profiles of users visiting their pages & categorize them according to the industries they work in, their relevant job profiles etc. They can then collate all the data on a weekly or monthly basis & perform a trend analysis. The analyzed trends may reveal whether the company page is appealing to sufficient members of the intended target audience. Another great add-on feature of this statistical tool is that its utility can be extended to LinkedIn groups as well &the best part is that it doesn’t require the Group owner’s approval to do so.

LinkedIn Ads

LinkedIn offers a paid advertisement facility where companies can place their ads in the website. This is immensely useful since firms can reach their target audience & industries more easily compared to normal ad channels & market their products more effectively. LinkedIn offers significant cost savings to clients since it has been proved that per head ad cost is much less compared to traditional product marketing tools like television, print media etc. Companies can use a specific LinkedIn URL to lead visitors to their own sites. Tracking tokens can be used to generate relevant statistics like the total number of visitors & the amount of leads generated from the initiative. Based on the response, clients can decide whether or not the campaign has served their interests & decide on their future course of action.

Once companies start using these LinkedIn add-ons it is recommended that they constantly monitor & analyze their effectiveness. They should observe changes to the traffic, leads & conversion rates in a time bound manner & derive a good idea about the potency of their campaign. They can also use customized software to analyze their data. More often than not, they will discover that LinkedIn, used in the right manner adds a lot of value to their marketing campaign.

About the author: Alia Haley is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on technology and autos. Beside this she is fond of cars and fancy accessories. She is a nature lover and prefers to live a green lifestyle and loves to write on her sites ecofriend and bornrich.

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Privacy is a big concern for the internet users. As Internet is a biggest shared medium, there are many ways the user’s privacy can be targeted. So, whether you are browsing any website or using any other internet service, there are different elements seen tracking your movements and monitoring other data surrounding you. This can be your Internet browsing habits and your personal information like address, location, email, phone numbers etc. If you are concerned about your privacy issue over the Internet, the following top ten add-ons can prevent these people to access these information. You can remain completely anonymous while browsing the web.

1). NoScript

It is supposedly one of the most versatile kinds of add-ons discovered for any browser, though it can prove a bit complex for the beginners. NoScript play a vital role in preventing your websites from executing any JavaScript and Java content of any kind which can pose a big or small kind of security threat. It has a built in whitelisting feature which allows you to see only the trusted websites. It is compatible to Firefox browser. With this tool, you can certainly fight the war for your privacy over your web usage.

2). Adblock Plus

This add-on is considered to be a popular choice for users to block different marketing ads besides preventing others to track your information. As most of the trackers are usually the advertisements on the web pages, Adblock Plus can prove pretty handy tool to fight privacy issues over internet. It is compatible to both Google Chrome and Firefox. Adblock Plus helps in enhancing your browsing speed since a wide range of ads and Javascript content are blocked.

3). Do Not Track Plus

This add-on is also among the most popular option which is compatible to Firefox, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer. Do Not Track Plus also helps to prevent tracking ad networks, social buttons and other tracking services and companies. The good thing about this add-on is that it gives you all the information in a form of pop-ups whenever you click its tool bar button. It also proves a best privacy protector tool from more than 600 trackers. The tracker database is usually updated on a regular basis to fight the new emerging trackers.

4). Ghostery

It is quite similar to Do Not Track Plus and helps you in preventing your privacy from a wide range of trackers. The good thing about this add-on is that it is compatible to a number of browsers including Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari and Internet Explorer along with supporting the smartphone browsers (iOS). The moment you visit any website, Ghostery simply enlist the number of trackers seen over the web page over the upper right side of the browsing window. It helps you to give additional control of blocking and allowing any website as per your desire. Hence you can simply lock the trackers you desire and open some other one.

5). LeechBlock

It is a willpower aid for internet users who are not able to keep themselves from investing a long time over the time-sapping sites like YouTube and Facebook. You have the option to block any site which hampers your focus at your workplace. LeechBlock is compatible with Firefox.

6). Flashblock

Some Flash based content can be useful for you, however, a majority of websites overuse the technology which hampers your web browser speed to a great extent. It generally prevents all the Flash based content which keeps on appearing over different web pages. The Whitelist feature can help you in trusting your function in the most normal way. Flashblock supports Google Chrome and Firefox.

7). Webmail Ad Blocker

It is somewhere similar to Flashblock but at times, you can even use it as a sledgehammer to crack the nut. The Webmail Ad Blocker is precise in reducing Flash adverts from Gmail, Hotmail and Yahoo. It also carries some additional tools for tweaking and its look and feel is quite similar to the Gmail interface. It is compatible to Google Chrome and Firefox.

8). FoxyProxy

It helps you in shielding the computer’s real IP address which allows you to access online stuff which can be otherwise seen as blocked. For instance, a couple of YouTube videos may have some restriction outside the United States; however, by using this add-on, you can simply unblock these videos remaining at a place with censored internet use. It supports only Firefox.

9). Click & Clean

A majority of the features found over this add-on can somehow help you in securing your privacy. Hence while running different features over them can help your PC remain away from things like unwanted ads and other intrusions. But in case if you are interested in mopping up any kind of remnants, then Click & Clean does this job in a big way. It is compatible to both the Google Chrome and Firefox.

10). Web of Trust (WOT)

It is a community powered reputation add-on or tool. It pulls on the power of the crowd to rate a number of sites from poor to excellent on a wide range of criteria like from child safety to privacy. If you simply visit any website with proper intention or mere by accident, WOT helps you in knowing about what you are doing. It is a must for any web browser as it informs and updates you about the website content which you visit along with updating you about your actions. It supports a number of browsers including Opera, Firefox, Google Chrome and IE.

If you are concerned about your privacy issue while accessing internet using competent browser add-ons can help you in this cause. The above ten add-ons are the top performing tools which help you a great deal in securing and shielding your privacy the best.

About the author: Alia Haley is a blogger who is a firm supporter of a healthy and stylish lifestyle. She enjoys writing on health and fitness the most and is currently working on two articles simultaneously Sony Ericsson XPERIA X8 price and Mitsubishi Lancer.
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