SEO Blog by Arrow Internet Marketing – Company Blog

Engagement will be the Mantra for online marketers in 2012

No business can afford to undermine the growing importance of online marketing as a strong tool for increasing one’s market presence. Those businesses who make the most of the online marketing opportunities are the ones that can look forward to success in the year 2012.

The online marketer of today needs to have the ability to harness and utilise the ever changing trends of the online marketing world. As the number of internet users continue to increase, engaging the user will be of key importance for every online marketer. Targeted Search and Social media marketing will play a key role when it comes or engaging the consumer. It has been interesting to see how some of our clients have leveraged the traffic we created for them to create online communities around their websites. In turn, we have been able to harness these communities to further strengthen their position on search.

The online marketing wizards of 2012 will be able to tap into the power unleashed by a tactful synchronisation of all marketing mediums and tools from social media, SEO to mobile technology for user engagement. Online marketers will be required to use their analytical skills to create a synchrony around these mediums to generate brand value.

Finally it  comes down to providing value to the customers. Those who have the ability to use the many available online platforms to provide value to the customer will find success in 2012.

Investing in an SEO company can be like betting on a horse. Does it have a track record of winning? Who is the jockey? Does the horse look in form or out of form? Many such questions need to be answered before making the choice.

Despite all this, the best race horses don’t win all the races and the best seo company in the word does not get all it’s clients on rank 1 of Google. However, they do get most of their clients very high returns on investment.

So what can a business owner do to enable the SEO company to deliver great results?

• Be friendly with them :  SEO’s have to work their butts off to deliver results for clients. Appreciating the work they are doing motivates them to work harder!
• Provide them information : Provide your SEO company regular information about your business on a regular basis
• Do some work yourself :  Take some time out every day to make your presence felt in onine communities e.g blogs, forums and social media sites.
• Have measurable Goals e.g leads, sales and work patiently towards the same. Call your SEO company once a month to discuss the achievements and focus on the wins, challenges, opportunities etc and engage them in your business like partners in Growth

• Catchy Name-Catchy Identity :  Your website name, logo, tagline and appearance should be distinct and leave a lasting impression in the mind of the visitor.
• Keep your website fresh and alive.  Have some tips, news and offers which keep changing continuously.
• Find out which are the  websites, blogs, forums and social media sites popular with your visitors and make your presence felt in these. You can contribute on blogs as a guest writer and participate in forum discussions
• Let people know what is coming and build up excitement about it. You can do this by announcing your next blog post, a competiton or an upcoming offer to lookout for.
• Conduct surveys of your website visitors (both online and offline) and act on suggestions. Once people feel they have a voice on the website, they will come back more often
• Get Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) done for multiple keywords so that people find you more often, whatever stage of the buying cycle they are on.

Come back next week for our post on how to create a sales funnel on your website which will multiply your conversion rate!

Welcome to the last part of the SEO agency series – ‘top questions to ask an SEO agency’. From establishing if SEO is right for you to learning how to research and shortlist an SEO agency we hope you have all the information you need to choose the right SEO agency for your business. But before you sign on the dotted line with an SEO agency you want to make sure you completely understand what you are getting out of the service. You want to make sure you are making an informed decision. Asking the right questions is vital for the selection and evaluation process.

At Arrow we know that enlisting an SEO agency is a high involvement decision, no matter what size of the company, so once you have shortlisted your top SEO agencies, make sure you take the time to ask the following questions:

Reputation

1.       How long has your company been in business?

2.       Do you have long-standing clients?

3.       Can you provide some case studies and/or references?

4.       Do you have any previous experience in my industry?

Contract

1.       What is the duration of the contract?

2.       Can I cancel the contract at any time?

3.       How often do I pay?

4.       Is there an up-front fee?

5.       Does this contract have a guarantee?

Project

1.       When will my project start?

2.       What type of SEO work happens in the first month?

3.       What type of work do you do every month to improve my rankings (link building, Article writing, navigation set-up, code optimisation etc.)?

4.       How many hours a month will be spent on SEO for my website?

5.       How long should it take to see improvement in rankings?

6.       Do your methods adhere to the search engine’s rules and guidelines?

7.       Do you expect anything from our end to contribute to the SEO work?

Communication

1.       Will I get reports? And how often?

2.       Will there be email and phone support?

3.       How many people will be working on my project?

4.       Who will be my project manager?

An experienced and reputable SEO company should be able to answer the above questions with ease and confidence. Posing the questions will also filter through the good SEO agencies from the bad. We wish you all the best with your SEO investment!

For a free 30 minute SEO consultation with one of our SEO specialists, contact us today on 1300 766 665.

So you have determined that SEO is right for your company website. You have also come to the realisation that SEO is a full time job and takes a lot of effort, time and expertise. So, the next step is researching and short-listing SEO agencies. Here are some tips on what to look for when short-listing and researching SEO companies:

1. Case-studies of clients

How do you know if an SEO company is the real deal if they don’t have any case studies examples or success stories? You want to make sure that an SEO company has a reputable reputation and has evidence of its strong performance, so take the time to check out any testimonials or client case-studies that they may have on their website. But beware that some SEO companies have testimonials that are not valid ie. using testimonials of their OWN websites. On another note, it is all well and good to have client examples on a website, but are they performing well? Do a quick search on Google and type in some keywords for that particular client and see how they rank on Google.

2. Keep an eye out for spam ‘SEO Professionals’

We all receive a flood of spam email every day. Try and stay away from overseas / spam email “SEO Professionals” that look particularly suss, as there have been known cases of clients having their site hacked with spam codes and the entire site wiped off Google’s index. If you are dealing with an out of country SEO provider that turns out to be a cheat you will generally have very little chance of prosecution or recovery of your money. Even at Arrow we receive emails all the time from SEO companies who will use scare tactics, such as “Your site map is incorrect and missing – get help today” These dodgy emails are very general and not looking at your specific case. Our advice is to keep your con blinkers on and stick to the legitimate seo experts.

3. Proof is in the pudding

If you go to a hair dresser you generally assume that the hairstylist has a great haircut – right? Well, the same goes for when researching SEO companies. Type in ‘SEO Company” or ‘SEO [insert city]” into Google. It is a very good sign when an SEO company can get themselves a high ranking on Google. If they can’t do it for themselves, can they really do it for you? Proof is in the pudding!

4. Don’t be swayed by pricing

‘You get what you pay for” should be a continual thought that goes through your head as you research SEO companies. Yes, there will always be companies out there who have budget pricing and claim to spend as much time on your website as other higher priced SEO companies. But, this is generally not the case. SEO is a time consuming process and demands ongoing effort. The rules are continually changing and while it may seem simple, it requires staying on top of ever-changing search algorithms. You want to make sure you get the best results, otherwise what is the point in hiring an SEO company. Cheap SEO can actually be a costly affair as you are spending money on being optimised but are not ranking high enough – Getting up to page 2 is not good enough. Try and keep in mind that return on investment is more important than looking for the cheapest deal.

Do you lack the time to even research an appropriate SEO company? At Arrow Internet we can answer any questions and concerns you may have about enlisting an SEO company. We know it is a big decision so we are here to help. Call us today on 1300 766 665.

Check back soon to see our next blog on “Top questions to ask an SEO agency”

Twitter has now turned spiritual. No longer is it a social and ego-boosting forum used mainly by pimply teenage kids and publicity crazed celebrities, it is now being used by the world’s Catholic Church leader, the Pope! Stated in a recent Australian article (Thursday, June 30, 2011) the Pope sent his first tweet – “Dear Friends, I just launched http://www.news.va. Praised be our Lord Jesus Christ.” And what makes it even more interesting is that he sent it from an iPad. An iPad! For the traditionalists and technophobes, this may be a sad moment in history, but it just goes to show that social networks are here in a big way… and here to stay.

It’s time to get with the program

It’s common knowledge that Twitter is dominating the social network category; it’s quick, it’s short and it has people talking. Not only is it a great way to network and keep up to date with social trends, hot topics and the like but it is also a great way to maximise exposure to businesses. Word of mouth is one of the most trusted influences when making any sort of decision – whether it be choosing the best Italian restaurant in Melbourne or deciding on a great holiday destination. Word of mouth translates onto social networks and creates a buzz. You may recall when KFC hinted on Twitter and Facebook that a new burger was going to be released? Well, it got people talking and not just on the social networks but radio too. So, let’s not be afraid of it, let’s take advantage of it!

Proof is in the tweet

In a March 2011 blog by Twitter (http://blog.twitter.com/2011/03/numbers.html), it revealed some interesting statistics that are clearly indicative of how rapid Twitter is growing. Since being launched on March 21, 2006, Twitter has grown exponentially:

• 3 years, 2 months and 1 day. The time it took from the first Tweet to the billionth Tweet.
• 1 week. The time it now takes for users to send a billion Tweets.
• 140 million. The average number of Tweets people sent per day, in the last month.
• 177 million. Tweets sent on March 11, 2011.
• 456. Tweets per second (TPS) when Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009 (a record at that time).

‘Tweeting’ and ‘status updating’ may seem like foreign language to some of us, but if it’s good enough for the Pope, it’s good enough for the rest of us. So go on and take it one tweet at a time!

Check out one of our past blogs on how to engage followers on Twitter: http://www.searchenginerankings.com.au/seo-blog/?p=580

Traditional SEO Methods are no longer enough to get the coveted #1 of Google.  Google has been working hard and has had success in pushing the boundaries of SEO. Until a few months back, if a website had relevant content and high quality links, it would rank highly on search results. Now Google wants to see people spending time on a website, bookmarking and sharing the content on facebook and twitter. So how do you make people love your website?

• Make your design awesome : Spend money on Good graphics and images. There is no use making a cheap site and trying to get it #1 on Google
• Make your content lively :  It’s not enough to have keywords in your content. It should be lively and encourage people to explore other parts of your website. Give just enough information on the homepage to make people want to look for more. Talk in the language of your target audience and avoid jargon.
• Make your website interactive :  Include a blog to your website which will add an informal element to it and encourage people to interact with you.  Integrate your Facebook and twitter page. Keep adding quizzes, polls, chats and surveys to juice it up!

If people love your website, Google will and that will be killing two birds with one stone!

For many of us SEO is like Pandora’s Box – what is it all about and how can it maximise my business? One of the main queries we get asked often is ‘what does SEO involve?’ Before you start researching SEO and determining whether it is right for your business, you should ask yourself the following questions:

1. How is my website currently performing?

Start by typing in one of your company’s key phrases into Google. For example, if you were a pet store located in Chelsea, Victoria, you would type in ‘pet store chelsea’. Or even Pet store Melbourne. Once you have typed in your key phrase, can you see if your company is ranking on the first page? If not, maybe on the second page? Ok, so let’s try another keyword phrase. How is that ranking? You get the gist. Ranking highly on Google is imperative if you want to get more enquiries and leads. It’s simple. If your website is not being optimised on any search engine for your keywords and phrases, then it is time to take action. You don’t want to be invisible to your prospects. And it is one thing to have a well-designed website, it is another to have a well-designed and high ranking website.

2. Are my competitors outperforming me?

Type in the same key phrases as before and you will soon find out how your competitors are performing. For many companies, it is a huge frustration to see their rivals ranking higher than them on Google. Not only are the competitors getting more visibility but they would also be getting more enquiries and leads. And if you know you offer a superior product and better service than your competition, it is frustrating to see them rank on top. Let’s be honest, who really looks beyond the first page. Getting above your competitors and ranking highly on Google will not only maximise your business but build your reputation as a market leader.

3. Are my other forms of marketing sufficient?

What other forms of marketing are you using? And are they targeting the right people? SEO allows you to target people who are ready to buy. It is like getting found at the moment of relevance. Every dollar spent on SEO will go towards targeting the right people. While nothing online is permanent with the right up-keep and quality links to your site, your high ranking can last a long time after you have finished paying for the service. In comparison to other forms of marketing such as direct mail, SEO is the right choice if you want to sustain long-term online presence.

4. And finally… DIY SEO or professional SEO agency?

This question comes down to budget and time and knowledge. If you are tight on budget and can put in the hours, it may be advisable to get consultation session from an SEO expert and do the work yourself. Do self paced study and research online or even do a SEO training/workshop. It does work well for niche businesses targeting a local area. If your service/product is in a competitive industry it is advisable to seek a professional SEO service. Done for you solution backed by years of experience. Chances are that your competition would have hired experts whereas you might still be learning. So there is that opportunity cost of time lost. Also, don’t forget that SEO is a rigorous, time consuming process and demands ongoing effort. The rules are continually changing and while it is no rocket science, it requires staying on top of ever-changing search algorithms. If you think your time is best utilised working on your business rather than maintaining your website and your online marketing, then it is best off leaving it to the experts.

Are you one of these companies who don’t have the time to upkeep and maintain your online marketing and SEO? Then there is help! At Arrow Internet, we provide ongoing SEO and online marketing support to assure you get on top of Google for your key phrases… and stay there!

Check back soon to see our next blog on “How to research and shortlist an SEO agency”

The SEO Landscape has been changing rapidly and new trends have been emerging continuously. While social media optimisation has become increasingly important, there are age old principles being used by savvy online marketers to boost their SEO results.  So without much fanfare, I reveal to you 3 timeless secrets that you can implement now to improve your SEO :

(A) Copy :  Copy is not about keyword density. Anyone can sprinkle keywords on a page, but does that appeal to the user? Good copy is one that has the reader asking for more. It is informative and entertaining and builds up from beginning to end.  It has headings and sub headings that make the reader want to read what’s next.

(B) Sensible Linking :  Visualise a pathway for your reader and give them a little at a time. Don’t give away so much on the homepage that the reader doesnt need to go to your remaining pages. Use an easy navigation path without too many confusing tabs. Keep some mystery…it’s important to decide what you reveal and what you conceal so that the reader goes looking for more.

(C) Stay Fresh :  When was the last time you updated your homepage? When was the last time you went through all the pages of your website to ensure that there is no outdated or duplicate content or errors that need fixing. Why should people come back to your website if they don’t find fresh stuff. If there is no news, no tips, competitions or giveaways, they will not come back.

If you are too busy to keep your website fresh, take help of a reputed seo company

CeBIT 2011 is fast approaching and at Arrow, we are very excited about attending Australasia’s number 1 business event. Not only is it a great way to learn more about what’s new in business technology and marketing, but it is also a great chance to see you – our clients, associates and friends!
This year, Jasmine Batra will be presenting two interesting and thought-provoking Search Engine Optimisation topics so you will be sure to leave with a mind full of exciting and practical ideas:

Social Influence on Search Rankings
What every Marketing Manger should know about SEO

This is Jasmine’s fourth year speaking at CeBIT and is no stranger to presenting at major events. The founder director of Arrow Internet Marketing is active in the speaking circles presenting at leading industry events like Search Engine Bootcamps, Australian Institute of Management, Business IT expos and more.  Her recent engagements include Total Marketing conference in Dubai and Financial IQ in Sydney. Don’t be shy –come and say ‘hi’ at CeBIT this year!

A bit Juicy!
We will also have a stand at the event and joining alongside Arrow is Juicy Web Design – a one of its kind web design company that has   an experienced team of the best project managers, graphics designers, web developers, web engines/ platforms and online marketers. All you need for a successful web project and what’s more – you only pay for the expertise  that you use.  Arrow is proud to be a part of this fantastic team. This collaboration heralds very exciting opportunities in the marketplace for web design and SEO. Want to know more? Make sure you drop by to see both Arrow and Juicy at CeBIT!

See you in a week at the Sydney Convention Centre.