Everyone knows search engines are important nowadays. They are, or they can be, an incredible source of new leads for your business.

However, if you are struggling to understand why your site is not appearing or not getting enough visitors, but you can’t afford the services of a specialist SEO consultant, you can have a go at doing a spot of DIY SEO!

This article updates one I posted back in January 2010, and provides 8 top tips to review for your website, to start you on your DIY SEO journey! Where I have already posted more detail on a topic I [...] Read More

I have a secret, un-requited passion for LinkedIn – there I have said it! But I also know I do not give it the love it probably deserves!

There have been a couple of niggles that I have had for ages, that although small, have always irritated me. Namely not being able to order my current roles, and, seeing connected twitter updates which are just not relevant to me with my LinkedIn hat on.

But I’ve found out recently these niggles need be no more – so I thought I’d share the love with you too!  Plus a new LinkedIn ap which [...] Read More

I was asked to give a talk recently on my top 10 tips when reviewing your own website.

The tips were really well received – I posted the first 5 website tips here, and this post now discusses the second 5 tips.

Whether you are highly experienced, or new to the wonderful world of website marketing, reviewing some fundamentals on your website is always a good thing to do every now and again! Especially this time of the year!

So onto the tips…

If you don’t know, then [...] Read More

Search engines have one primary objective – to display to the searcher, the websites that best match what he or she is looking for. It is therefore critical that the search engines can recognise your site as being relevant to search terms being entered.

However, first you need to determine which particular search terms you should be targeting – this is called Keyword Research.

Although search engines have become increasingly sophisticated in identifying websites, the basic concept of relevancy and understanding the actual phrases (keywords) used by searchers has not changed since the early days.

Keyword Research [...] Read More

I was asked to give a talk recently on my top 10 tips when reviewing your own website. And provide some things you can actually DO!

The tips were really well received, so I thought I’d share them with you here.

Whether you are highly experienced, or new to the wonderful world of website marketing, reviewing some fundamentals on your website is always a good thing to do every now and again!

Google is experimenting with Google Instant Previews. Google are often experimenting with new features, and trying things out, sometimes they last sometimes they don’t.

But I think these changes are a definite improvement on the previous version and I find I use the feature a lot more.

Also, in my opinion, this new version draws even more attention to how your web page looks, and how attractive it is. And, crucially,  whether Google can actually read your content on your site.

If you haven’t noticed yet, check it out!

In the old version (shown below), Google showed a little magnifying [...] Read More

There are over 200 factors that Google uses to decide how to rank any particular page for a search!

The number, variety, and quality of the links pointing into your website probably have the most impact, whilst signals from social networks also now seem to be increasing in importance (a topic for a different post!).

However, title tags can and do still count, especially for small businesses operating in niche sectors.

Recently, I undertook some keyword research for a new client operating in the youth career and mentoring sector. Simply changing the title tag on the home page resulted in improved ranking, and [...] Read More

In this post I look at the changes that have been happening in relation to Google Places over the past year, and what you can do to improve your ranking.

This is a long post, so if you just want to click to the 6 primary factors affecting local search ranking then click here!

In July last year, I posted a blog to help small business’ makes sense of how to rank their Google Places page higher. I based recommendations on the results of the excellent, but incredibly detailed, Local Search Ranking Factors published by David Mihm.

David has updated the results for [...] Read More

Google Local, Local Search, Google Local Business, Google Places – whatever its name, it’s been around for a while now, although this year has seen many changes.

I was recently approached by Karen Skidmore of the WebTechClub with some questions from her members about how Google Places works, and whether it was important for small businesses.

The answer is a resounding YES, especially if people in your local area are searching for your types of services.

The main questions that the WebTechClub needed answers to are the following:

Last week, I was lunching with a group of ladies, and stumbled upon a great marketing lesson … so thought I would share it with you. I’ve termed it the Spinach test!

Two friends both ordered the spiced salmon fillet served with wilted spinach and sweet potato with aubergine & mango chutney. Sounded delicious.

The first dish arrived at the table, and did indeed look delicious. The second portion arrived with a distinctly different amount of spinach. My friend with the second portion was not happy – and started bemoaning as to why she had got less spinach. She raised the question [...] Read More