MozCast Google Algorithm Review – September 2018
After the storm comes a rainbow! Well, not exactly. But since August saw so many search engine ranking fluctuations due to Google’s broad core algorithm update, it made sense that the Google engineers would back off a bit in September and let the new changes take effect.
To look at the hard data of what Google is up to, we rely on our friends over at Moz, who provide the daily MozCast: a “weather report showing turbulence in the Google algorithm over the previous day.” Moz develops its temperature reading with the help of 1,000 specific keywords, tracked every 24 hours. They grab the top 10 search engine results, and compare to the previous day. This lets them (and us) know if Google’s engineers are moving things behind the scenes. Read the rest »
Make It Easy (for Your Users)
Key takeaways:
- Research shows that web users spend 80% of their time at the top of a page, and focus on the left half of the page.
- When it comes to your website, you should make it easy for your clients to choose you. How? With good design, content, and your unique personality.
Have you ever been frustrated by a website? I want to order this product, but I can’t figure out how to add it to my shopping cart! Or, I’d like to read more about this subject…is there a link? Hmmm, that wasn’t what I was expecting…
Or one of our personal favorites: Wow, I can’t read this font—hot pink on a black background? What is this, the 1990s?
At SLS Consulting, we’re always trying to think of new ways to be obvious—a concept that could also be called “transparent,” “user-friendly,” or all of the above. When it comes to legal internet marketing, making things easy for your potential clients is vital. Literally billions of websites are competing for their attention. If you’re not careful, you could lose them, and quickly.
Call Tracking and Vanity Numbers Are Different (But Both Can Help You)
“Call 1-800-800-8000!”
That’s easy to remember. Someone traveling on a highway will see your billboard and, when the time comes and they need legal services, recall your number and call you, right?
It’s possible, but not always likely.
Today’s client is much more likely to grab your law firm’s phone number from the Internet at his convenience than scribble it down on a napkin as he’s passing by. Knowing where your calls are coming from is an extremely important part of your marketing efforts, and that’s why SLS Consulting always recommends call tracking for our clients’ websites. Read the rest »
MozCast Google Algorithm Review – August 2018
August was scorching hot! Google made some major changes in its Hummingbird algorithm, and our friends over at Moz recorded temperatures and storms that were almost off the charts!
Every month, SLS Consulting compiles data from the MozCast (which posts the temperature every day on Twitter based on the top 10 results of 1,000 hand-picked keywords), AccuRanker (which notes a daily “Grump” rating based on the search engine fluctuations in 100 top keywords), and Algoroo (which tracks the Google algorithm with a volatility rating known as “high roo”). Let’s dive in to see what’s happening in the SERPs… Read the rest »
What Are They Selling You NOW?
I recently got an urgent call from a client late in the afternoon who said he had to talk to me as soon as possible! Concerned, I excused myself from the meeting I was in and called him immediately. Here’s what he said: “I have this FindLaw rep who’s been hounding me for a couple of years, but now he has something brand-new he says I have to jump on immediately or I will lose the opportunity!”
DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR???
PPC Is NOT the Answer to Your Ranking Problems
Don’t get us wrong—pay-per-click advertising is a great way to obtain paid leads. However, just because you’re getting leads doesn’t mean those leads are actually converting (or that they’re even quality leads). The biggest misconception we hear about PPC is that it’s the only thing you need to grow your practice. This idea couldn’t be FURTHER from the truth.
At SLS Consulting, Inc., we oversee pay-per-click campaigns for many of our clients. Does that mean that we ONLY focus on PPC for these clients? Of course it doesn’t! PPC is one specific strategy for lead generation, and we never recommend that our clients put all of their eggs in one basket, so to speak. Read the rest »
Receptionist… THE Most Important Hire for Your Law Firm (Besides Your Marketing Company Of Course!)
Many law firms consider their receptionist as one of the least important positions in the office. They usually are one of the lowest-paid employees in the firm. They answer the phone, make coffee, order supplies, and make sure visitors get parking validations…. What is so important about that?
After two decades marketing for law firms exclusively, let me tell you… your receptionist is the most important hire you will make. They are the first point of contact with your firm for all new potential clients. How they answer the phone, and treat that potential client’s needs, will make all the difference in whether the client decides to hire your law firm… or not! Read the rest »
MozCast Google Algorithm Review – July 2018
July at our Pasadena office was scorching hot—and Google’s shifting algorithmic updates were on the hot side as well. The MozCast, a selection of 1,000 tracking keywords put together by our friends over at Moz, noted “storms” mixed with “rain.”
If you don’t know, every day on Twitter, the Mozcast notes the fluctuations in how well its chosen keywords performed, and decides on a “temperature” for the changes of the day. The closer the temperature is to 70°, the less likely it is that Google is tweaking its algorithm at the moment—and your rankings should theoretically stay consistent. Read the rest »
Don’t Be Bullied by Your Marketing Company…Tell Them What You Want!
Why are you looking for a new marketing company?
What is it that your existing company isn’t accomplishing?
What are you trying to get out of your website?
These are EXTREMELY important questions that you need to ask yourself BEFORE you let a marketing company convince you to hire them. In fact, it’s important to remember that any marketing company that’s cold-calling you or reaching out with flashy mailers HAS NO IDEA what your current needs are. They’re going to talk to you about the services they offer, but they’re going to disregard what your website actually needs to be a success.
Don’t get suckered into paying for services you don’t need!
Do any of these scenarios sound familiar? Read the rest »
“Page One Google results guaranteed or YOU don’t pay!” – Really?
First… I apologize; this is a long post and more of a rant! I get a LOT of spam from other marketing companies – both through the SLS website and forwarded to me by our clients. Most are not worthy of commenting on, and some just tell flat-out lies. It is frustrating to see so many people trying to get rich with smoke and mirrors. Successful organic SEO is tough – really tough – when done right. I could absolutely tell you that we guarantee success, but not to ranking a few keywords on “page one” of Google results. We guarantee success because we work tirelessly, as a team of skilled professionals, to make sure that all of our clients get the best we can give.
Today I got an email from a company with the title quoted above. The body was confusing, basically telling you that SEO is like underwater kickboxing (?): Read the rest »
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