Google Algorithm Changes

Changes that Google has implemented

22 April 2013 Written by admin 0 Comments

At the core of the online business boom, search engine optimization was hailed by many to be the future in digital marketing. By raising a client’s website to the number one search result in Google searches, online marketing gurus swore that it would result in driving up sales and revenue by getting simply anyone and everyone to visit your website, whether they wanted to or not.

In the beginning, any job requiring search engine optimization was considered by many to mainly consist of link heavy articles which were stuffed to the brim with keywords to cover virtually anything anyone could search on the internet. Whether these keywords were relevant to the article remains a whole different story.

Almost every internet user makes use of the search engines like Google to find specific information across the expanse of cyberspace, and many of them, even today, end up on web sites which lead them to wonder why and how they got there in the first place. Thinking they had a good thing going, search engine optimization marketers became the toast of the town, until Google woke up.

Developing “algos” or algorithms to support their “spiders”, Google set out to accomplish its mission of providing the most relevant and informative search results to its users, sending many so – called online marketing “experts” running for cover. With the Panda update to its algorithm set, Google reduced the ranking of all the low – quality websites which relied on often plagiarized and duplicated content which didn’t make any relevant sense, stuffed full of keywords, but bereft of any value to the user. Impacting 11.8% of search queries, this update forced online marketing strategists to comply and provide content that actually meant something to the user.

With the endgame being the elevated ranking of high – quality websites which deliver original content, research information, detailed reports which the user ultimately requires, Google looks to arrest the growth of websites which rely on search engine optimization gimmicks instead of developing good content.

The Panda update targets pages which slip through spam filters but do not provide any useful content either. This significantly reduced the ranking of these “thin content” sites which relied on keyword stuffed articles being sent to article directories, also referred to as “content farms” in exchange for back – links. Many SEO marketers earlier submitted the same content to different directories, accumulated back – links and wow their clients with their increased rank.

The Panda update penalized websites which had a specific percentage of web pages flagged for containing thin content or merely replicating other websites’ content. This was implemented to put the original content at the top of the search results.

With the Penguin update, Google has begun steadily increasing the stringency of its ranking, penalizing websites which contain suspicious links that may point to irrelevant content. With a 30% reduction in the number of spam links across 80% of all websites, it aims to free the internet from spam.

This of course rang alarm bells for the SEO industry, forcing it to rethink and redevelop existing strategies to be in cohesion with this long term goal. No longer are keyword stuffing and article submission reliable methods to ensure popularity. These updates bring to light that despite the claims of online marketers, the only real way to gain search engine ranking is to provide genuine and engaging content which actually helps the end user.

This obviously puts the pressure on marketers as they must now work on their content for it to truly shine in the battlefield of online business and deliver on the promises they make to their clients, because adopting these “white – hat” online marketing techniques is the only way to ensure good business, longevity and consequent revenue from the digital domain.

Google Targeting User Behavior

25 March 2013 Written by admin 0 Comments

Google Targeting User Behavior

Keywords are no longer your only route to success on Google search engine results. Neither are your extensive external links. Your traffic is also as relevant in your search engine rankings. Google will be looking at your traffic as well to see how it reacts to your page and how satisfied your users are. If your page is on the search results list, and it does not get clicked as often as required, Google will drop your rankings automatically. Thus, you need to work all the more on your Meta descriptions, so that users are more likely to click on your page, rather than the results surrounding your page.

At the same time, you need to ensure that users do not visit your page, hit the Back button and click on another result instead. This communicates to Google that your site is not relevant enough for the user, and that it did not satisfy them. Thus, you need to check your navigation paths and your bounce rates to improve your standing in the Web. Reduce your bounce rates by improving the content of your website.

What Innovation is Necessary to Improve the Conversion Rate of Your Website?

18 February 2013 Written by admin 0 Comments

Most significant and single point to think about your website is nothing but conversion rate. For many online marketers, the term “Conversion Rate” is invariably used. However, plainly speaking, conversion rate is the rate at which a prospective visitor to your website is converted to a potential customer. When the prospective visitors’ visiting your website is converted into potential customer, he/she will actively indulge into buying a product or service or group of products and services. However, still many potential customers may simply write a review about your product and post it on your website. This is also conversion.

In case the traffic or the visitors directed to your website is high but visitors are not indulging into active buying, reviewing, or signing up, you will be having a pretty low conversion rate. This eventually means that your web business is certainly not doing well. Another question which comes out is the parameter used for judging the low conversions. Well, in generality, there is no standard parameter defined that shows what is the lowest conversion rate? In some cases in online business, even a single conversion carried out every month will generate good amount of profits. Therefore for them, the conversion rate is pretty high. While for other businesses, the conversion rate under 5% will turn out to be doomsday. You can significantly improve your website’s conversion rate. Here are few points that you need to take into consideration for increasing the conversion rate:

  • Run a short term promotional sales campaign – This will serve as an incentive and it will turn out to be the prompter for the buyers and they will have their eyes riveting on the product or service. Besides offering incentives, it would be an engaging deal to give prospective customers an ultimatum. If an element of urgency is created in the promotional sales campaigns, prospective customers are likely to respond with great vigor.
  • Generate a Gripping Call-To-Action – Call to Action buttons will provide the prompts. These Action Buttons should be big and distinct. It is necessary to create bold color button which seems prominent. It will be necessary that you go through the color palette.
  • Get Quality Images – It is important to make use of high resolution and clear photographs. The photographs should not be blurred. You need to be very careful whole selecting the photographs. If you are using the stock photography, it is necessary to look for the photos which will reflect the business and keeps away from the general photographs.
  • Streamline the Checkout or Signup Process – It is very important that you make the buying process simple and streamlined. You need to be sure that the header and footer be pretty cool. You should not try to sell the customers more than what is required. It will depend upon the kind of item that one is buying. In case of sign-ups it is necessary to keep the forms simple. You should ask plenty of questions on the sign up form.
  • Just Simplify – Right from fonts, the language, “Add to Cart”, everything should be simple and clear. If you are in doubt, it is very important to enquire friends how your website looks and feels.
  • Implement the Trusted Symbols –If you are having an Ecommerce website, customers will be attracted by the organizations and companies therein. In case your organization belongs to any reputed group, it is necessary to highlight on homepage.
  • Building the Right Brand – Make use of your website for the purpose of building your brand. If you are going for strong branding, the trust with your customers will be established and this will bring more conversions.

Plan these points properly and get ahead from your competition

Happy Googling

Competition for Page 1

14 December 2012 Written by admin 0 Comments

Looking into the future, it will get harder to get on Page 1 of Google on the “organic rankings”. Highly competitive keywords such as Insurance Broker Perth does take time to crawl up the ranking and reach page 1 on Google. However it is not impossible yet.
There will be a time when there will be many Insurance Brokers optimising their website for “Insurance Brokers Perth.” The companies that will hold this position will be the companies that have been optimising the longest by a reputable SEO company. For any new businesses wanting a Page 1 position with this keyword will be virtually impossible.
However there will always be opportunities and never discount the longer tail keywords that can prove more effective and may have higher conversion. Sticking with the insurance theme, keyword “Premium Content House insurance Perth.” This customer knows exactly the type of insurance they want and is after a company that specialises in this type of insurance.
Our advise is if you want to grow your business and thrive in the long term start SEO now.
Happy Googling

The top half of your Website

21 November 2012 Written by admin 0 Comments

You may of heard of a term “above the fold.” This is the initial part of the website that you see without scrolling down. This is a very important part of your website, it can effect how your ranking and your consumers experience. When a consumer goes to your website it is important they can see what your website is about very quickly. If the top fold of your website is filled with ads and pictures that does not reflect your business this is not a good user experience.
It is important that you have useful content in the top fold and get straight to the point. It is normal to have banners, pictures or ads in the top fold which is find to a degree. If you have found that your rankings have dropped it maybe time to go have a look at your website layout and make sure you have good visual content in the top fold.
Happy Googling