Black Hat Beware! False Promises of Ranking on Page One of Google
Has your business ever received a call from a marketing company guaranteeing first page results in Google’s SERPs? Heck, we’re our own marketing company, and even WE get those calls, so chances are pretty good that your business gets them as well. But is there any truth behind what these cold-call marketers have to say?
First of all, if you only remember ONE thing from this entire blog, please let it be this:
NO ONE CAN GUARANTEE FIRST PAGE PLACEMENT ON GOOGLE. NO ONE.
With that being said, it’s important that you properly assess any marketing offer that comes your way. Before entering into any sort of agreement with a company that literally just calls you out of the blue, be sure to do a thorough background check on that company. Ask for their URL. Ask them how their own rankings are doing and if they can tell you about one of their better success stories amongst clients. Legitimate companies will always be able to point to past successes, while less than credible companies will merely try to fast talk you into signing some sort of deal. Read the rest »
Where to See Outdoor Movies in Los Angeles
It’s hard to believe, but summer is winding down; however, that doesn’t mean the warm days and evenings in southern California are going to go away any time soon (as those who have spent any time in Los Angeles in September and October can attest to).
So, what does this mean for you? Well, there are two things Angelenos love: movies and being outside in the warm night air. So, it is fortunate that there are many locations in the area that will be home to outdoor movie screenings. These venues are budget- and (mostly) family-friendly and there is still time to catch some great movies before the summer ends.
Here are some movers-and-shakers on the L.A. outdoor movie front:
Street Food Cinema
If you like street truck food (and who doesn’t?) then you’ll love Saturday evenings with Street Food Cinema. In August through September they throw outdoor parties that include street food, live music, and yes, movie screenings. The locations vary throughout Los Angeles, so you might want to check exactly where the screenings are. For a comprehensive listing of films, locations, street trucks, and bands. Read the rest »
Google Spells Quality Guidelines Simply ‘E-A-T’
When Google releases a new search engine algorithm update, it’s no surprise that the online community cringes at the prospect that their website’s search engine ranking may suddenly plummet.
But how does Google decide what to change about its algorithms in the first place? In order to fine tune its searches, Google draws on the help of thousands of Quality Raters who are contracted to evaluate the quality of Google’s search results for user queries. For example, a quality rater will determine whether the results for a search on “Panda updates” not only match the query but also provide high quality information on the subject.
So, how do quality raters evaluate Google’s search results? In the latest release of the Quality Rating Guidelines version 5.0, the raters take a look at search results for thousands of user queries and rated the level of “expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness” found on the resulting websites. (The new criteria are certainly a mouthful but fortunately shorten down to the acronym E-A-T.)
Of course, E-A-T is in no way a new concept for SEOs, web content writers, and web designers. If you want your website to do well, no matter what update Google releases, it’s important to always focus on providing reliable information and building a strong reputation for professionalism, creativity, and skill.
How Can a Website Show Expertise?
In order to establish your website as a source of high-quality, expert information, whether you are a personal injury attorney or run a small business for a particular hobby, you should valuable insight and advice on specific topics. You do not have to be a credentialed expert by any means. The following types of information can help you establish professional or everyday expertise. Read the rest »
3 Top Tell Tale Signs You’re Dealing with a Phony SEO “Professional”
Search engine optimization (SEO) may get a bad rap from time to time, but it is still an absolutely vital part of online marketing. In today’s internet-driven world, businesses that don’t incorporate an operational SEO campaign into their marketing strategies get left in the dust. Knowing this, business owners have been scrambling to acquire supposed SEO experts to give their marketing departments an edge. And many self-professed SEO “professionals” have risen up to meet the high demand, although not all of them may be as knowledgeable as they present themselves to be…
When it comes to searching for qualified SEO staff, how does one separate the wheat from the chaff? How can one tell the difference between the smooth talker and the real deal? Here’s a start: Weed out the interviewees who exhibit these three tell tale signs as described below – chances are they’re just fork-tongued phonies with a lot of talk but nothing to back it up with.
1. They promote “black hat” SEO tactics. Back in the early days of Google, “black hat” SEO tactics – duplicating content, keyword stuffing, link spamming, etc. – used to be pretty effective. However, Google has since then updated the search algorithm to reward quality over quantity. Nowadays, web pages created with black hat tactics in mind actually get penalized and fall in rankings. Read the rest »
Are Vine Videos Right for YOUR Digital Marketing Strategy?
Smartphone applications are more popular than ever these days, and Vine is definitely a major player in the world of mobile distractions. Applications like Vine, Instagram, and even Facebook and Twitter, have made sharing images and videos ridiculously easy, so much so that many businesses are jumping on the application marketing bandwagon. However, just because an application is popular, it doesn’t mean that it will fit into your digital marketing plan. Let’s take a closer look at Vine to determine if it’s worth the effort.
Just over a year old now, six second video sharing application Vine boasts 40 million users worldwide. Many of these users are of a younger demographic, which means that brands looking to capitalize on an untapped market are more than interested in posting a short video or two. However, what might be construed as interesting from an individual user could be declared spammy if a brand doesn’t take the proper approach. Like any digital endeavor, careful, well thought out planning should dictate whether or not shareable, six second videos are right for a brand’s marketing strategy. Read the rest »
You Code, Girl
Here’s an interesting fact: less that 1% of high school girls express an interest in majoring in computer science in college. With those kind of numbers, one would think that school-age girls have no interest in tech, but just look around; whether it’s watching videos, chatting with friends online or posting on Instagram, it is obvious that girls are actively using tech — most just aren’t actively involved in creating it.
Google is hoping to change that.
Recently the high tech powerhouse launched “Made with Code;” a project that Google claims is aimed at inspiring more young women to commit to making computer science a career. The program includes introductory coding projects directed specifically at girls. Google says that it intends to commit $50 million to the project over the next three years. Read the rest »
Net Neutrality: What Is It and Why Is It Important?
Ever since a federal appeals court threw out federal rules requiring that broadband providers treat all Internet traffic equally, there has been much talk about the future of net neutrality.
So, what exactly is “net neutrality?”
Basically, it is the principle that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and governments cannot discriminate or charge different rates by user, platform, content or type of attached equipment. In principle, net neutrality means that ISPs, like Comcast, Verizon and AT&T, could not charge a premium for access to faster data throughput to companies or individuals. But, that all changed with the January appeals court ruling.
You may be asking then, why shouldn’t companies and individuals be paying more for faster broadband service? Therein lies the argument; and it tends to be an argument that encompasses price and access. Proponents of net neutrality argue that if ISPs are allowed to charge different rates for different content, applications and the like, then large established companies will have a distinct advantage over smaller content providers and start-ups. The larger companies will have access to a larger broadband pipeline that will be less likely to get clogged when usage is high. Read the rest »
Social Media: Do You Know Your Demographics?
While SLS Consulting is a firm believer in utilizing the many different types of social media out there today when it comes to growing your business, but we also believe that you have to play it smart and know which platform is reaching the audience you are seeking.
For instance: if you are posting on Instagram or LinkedIn, do you know who your audience is? Do you understand the demographics involved?
Here is a breakdown of some of the more popular social media outlets and the audiences they attract. Read the rest »
Facebook Introduces Privacy Overhaul that May Affect Marketing
Facebook has recently introduced some major changes to the way the social media network’s privacy settings are handled for users, both old and new. In response to past complaints about Facebook’s unwieldy and somewhat opaque privacy options and interface, the company will be implementing over the next few weeks a new, expanded, and comprehensive privacy checkup tool, which will ensure that users know who sees their posts, which apps they use, and key pieces of information on their profile through the use of overlays, pop-ups, and notifications.
New privacy tools and features that have been introduced in the past several months include a public posting reminder that double-checks whether a user is sharing with their intended audience, a simplified audience selector for Facebook on iPhone, an anonymous login system that allow users to filter what information apps receive, and a redesigned app control panel.
What Mothers Really Want for Mother’s Day
Flowers, chocolates, and glittery cards are probably the most obvious (and safest) choices for treating your mom to something nice on Mother’s Day. And while no one is really going to turn down any type of present any day of the year, are trinkets and baubles really what mothers want on a day centered on honoring the many amazing things our mothers do for us?
For so many moms, day-to-day life is a made up of juggling a variety of tasks and playing numerous roles, such as spouse, breadwinner, caregiver, daughter, business planner, and on and on. According to the Pew Research Center, women make up almost half of the U.S. labor force and 66 percent of those women have children ages 17 or younger. Across the board, whether a mom is working full time, part time, or stay-at-home, mothers reported feel rushed. So, when thinking of what to do for your mom on May 11, you may want to consider these options. Read the rest »
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