Website Design
Finding the Positive in Negative Ranking Factors
When working to improve a website’s ranking on Google, we are often quick to assess what more successful competitors are doing (and for good reason). It can also be helpful to review factors that are keeping lower-ranked websites off the first page of the search engine results pages, and make sure to avoid them ourselves. In August, Moz released results of its 2015 Ranking Factors Survey, a biennial assessment of the current and future state of Google’s search algorithm by the best and brightest minds in the SEO and search marketing space. The report covers a broad spectrum of ranking factors — including the negatives. That’s what I want to explore today. Negative Ranking Factors The report mentions 17 negative ranking factors and rates each on a scale from 1 (no direct impact) to 10 (strong impact). Today we are going to look at the top five. 1. Total number … Continued
Google, Partners Aim to Accelerate Mobile Web
First, Google updated its algorithm so that mobile-friendly Web pages ranked higher on searches made from a mobile device. Now the tech giant is collaborating with content producers to speed up the time it takes their pages to load on smartphones and tablets. Try a demo version by visiting http://g.co/ampdemo from your mobile device. Here’s a demo video the company released during the announcement: The project, dubbed Accelerated Mobile Pages—or AMP—was announced Oct. 7 as a way to “dramatically improve the performance of the mobile web.” On its blog, Google said the goal is for pages with rich media content to load instantly. Readers often give up when complex pages load too slowly, the company said. Pages optimized with AMP should load in less than a second, versus a typical time of about six seconds. The initiative already has signed on almost 30 news publishers worldwide, as well as tech companies … Continued
Small Biz Surprise: Almost Half Aren’t Online
Once upon a time, running a small business required hard work, determination, and more than a little sacrifice. Mom-and-pop enterprises chasing the American dream hoped to find a niche in their neighborhoods — and if they were lucky, in their communities — that would draw customers and keep the cash registers ringing. Anything more than word-of-mouth marketing was an afterthought for many and a luxury for most. Sounds like a story set in the dark ages, right? If only. Although our increasingly global economy has today’s entrepreneurs targeting customers outside their ZIP code, a startling number of them still remain focused on managing day-to-day operations rather than sharing information about their products and services with the world. Case in point: Almost half of small businesses in the United States did not have websites in 2014, according to data released in December by SCORE, a Virginia-based association that provides workshops, counseling, … Continued
What is Responsive Web Design? #FAQuesday
We’ll never be able to emphasize enough how important it is for small businesses to have mobile-friendly websites. Mobile traffic has drastically risen over the last several years, and Google announced in May that mobile searches have officially surpassed desktop searches. If that’s not enough to convince you, the search engine giant also confirmed that it is officially boosting mobile search results for mobile-friendly webpages. If your business already has a website but it isn’t mobile-friendly, have no fear. While there are several different methods to achieve this mobile goal, The Web Guys develops mobile-friendly sites with responsive web design. What on earth does responsive web design mean?? We’re glad you asked! Q: What is Responsive Web Design? Responsive web design is just one of several ways to optimize a website to be seen properly on devices with different screen sizes: desktop computers, smart phones, tablets, and even phablets. Sites built with responsive design are … Continued
Make Your Business’ Web Site Engaging, Intuitive and Professional
As the world becomes increasingly more digitized, a business web site is no longer optional. When looking for information, the average consumer’s first impulse is to head for Google — not the Yellow Pages. In the article “B2B’s Digital Evolution” on Google Think Insights, the author asserts: New research from CEB’s Marketing Leadership Council shows that potential business customers are increasingly using digital channels to form opinions about major purchases. Today’s business buyers do not contact suppliers directly until 57 percent of the purchase process is complete. The challenge for marketers is to be present in these channels at all times with content that educates buyers and helps guide commercial decisions. It’s important to realize, though, that not just any old web site will do. A well designed web site will have a higher conversion rate than one with a “one size fits all” approach, especially for younger, design-savvy visitors. … Continued
Why Is It Important For Me to Have a Mobile Website?
By the end of 2014, more people will be accessing the Web using their mobile device than they do using a computer. The way consumers are searching for local businesses has dramatically changed in the last few years, and this fact should have you rethinking your marketing plan. You have a professional website that is helping to grow your business, but you would be gaining even more customers (and outdoing your competitors) if you invested in a mobile-friendly site. Mobile devices have become a prevalent source of constant and readily available information for your customers. According to Google, 89% of respondents in “The Mobile Movement” study use their smartphones several times throughout the day to access the Internet. Having a user-friendly mobile website keeps customers engaged on your pages, reflects positively on your business, and delivers the message that you care about your customers. According to Google, users are 61% … Continued
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Member Spotlight: The Web Guys
The Web Guys is a locally operated digital media agency in Carmel. It serves various small and medium sized companies throughout Indiana and the entire United States. In business for nearly a decade, The Web Guys’ primary focus is helping businesses by managing their entire Internet presence (Google, Yahoo!, Bing, Social Media, Reviews, etc.) for them so they can focus on their core business. Overseeing one’s Internet presence can be a confusing and daunting task for a business “going it alone.” Pick a trusted partner like The Web Guys and succeed online. We offer a wide variety of digital media marketing services including website design, search engine marketing & optimization, reputation management, email marketing, social media management and mobile. We keep up with new trends on the ever changing Google, Yahoo!, and Bing landscapes, and with new media outlets and Internet launches that are relevant for our clients. Just having a … Continued
The Web Guys Customer Reward Program
We could use some great referrals, and we are willing to pay you for them! In an effort to find new customers to serve, we want to remind you about our Customer Reward Program! We repost every few months as a friendly reminder as well. Most business people know other business people. That is a well-known fact. Plumbers know electricians, car rental guys know car sales guys, etc. We want to pay our customers who are willing to give us a warm introduction to other business people and business owners they know who might need our services. We hope the excellent service we have provided you will make it easy for you to trust that we will serve anyone you introduce to us in the same fashion. A $250 Check for every lead you refer that turns into a customer for The Web Guys! We are looking for qualified leads. … Continued
How Mobile-Friendly Is Your Website?
If you have a website, you’ve probably made sure that it looks great on a desktop computer and even on a laptop. But have you thought about how your website looks and operates on a smartphone or other mobile device? If not, you may need to re-evaluate the structure of your website to make sure it performs well on a mobile platform. You may be thinking that any website can be looked at using a smartphone, and that’s true. But what you may not realize is how the quality of a website, as seen from a mobile device, can affect consumers’ attitudes about that site and, by extension, that company. Mobile-Friendly Sites Help Businesses According to Google Mobile Ads Blog, a study from Google called “What Users Want Most From Mobile Sites Today” found that 67% of people are more likely to buy from a mobile-friendly site. This is Pretty … Continued
How to Move Up on Google: Page 99 to 1
“Having an online presence is essential for an independent car rental company, but this means more than just having a website and a Facebook account — you have to engage your customers and understand your targeted market. “ –Auto Rental News The Web Guys was recently featured in an Auto Rental News article, “How to Move Up on Google: From Page 99 to 1.” Over 200 factors are used to determine Google’s search engine rankings. Search Engine Marketing is a very detailed process and must be tailored to each unique website. Click the link below to read how we helped improve the online presence for our valued clients, Value Auto Rental & Greenberg Rent A Car! “How to Move Up on Google: Page 99 to 1“
