As the digital frontier expands and evolves, it is becoming increasingly clear: Internet marketing is no longer a simple game of publish-and-be-found. It has morphed into a complex ecosystem that requires strategic planning, execution, and constant adaptation. At OCG Creative, a Reno-based internet marketing agency, we understand the intricate nature of this landscape.
In the early days of the internet, it was the great equalizer – publish your website and watch people flock to it. Back then, search engines seemed impartial. Things, however, have changed dramatically. Today, organic search drives just over half of website traffic and generates a whopping 40% of online revenue. As the digital real estate on our mobile screens has increased, Google has paradoxically reduced the number of mobile search results from 10 to about 8.5. Desktop users aren't spared either, with fewer than 10 results typically displayed.
Moreover, the scale of investment businesses are pouring into their online visibility is staggering. Most businesses spend over $5,000 on SEO alone. But that's just the tip of the digital marketing iceberg. Social media, review websites, online video platforms, and rapid shifts in consumer behavior have transformed the digital marketing landscape into both a challenge and an opportunity for the average business.
In the modern marketplace, an online presence isn't an optional extra - it's a prerequisite for competition. Even if consumers hear about you elsewhere, over 90% of them will check your online footprint before visiting your location. Your website is, therefore, not just an online address; it is a powerful tool for growth and profitability. For those who still don’t have a website, OCG Creative’s expert Reno web design services are here to help.
But merely having a website is not enough. The majority of website traffic (51%) still comes from online search. However, even clinching the number 1 spot on Google only guarantees a 32.5% traffic share. The message is clear: To win online, you need to be omnipresent. That's where the vast expertise of OCG Creative’s internet marketing team comes into play.
The average content length of a Google first page result hovers around 2,000 words. Given that ‘page one’ generates 91.5% of all organic website traffic, you're competing not just for visibility but for the right words to say. At OCG Creative, we understand that word count isn't a magic formula for top rankings. That's why we invest in cutting-edge tools and devote countless hours to researching and selecting the right keywords for your business.
Social media, too, plays an indispensable role in digital marketing. You need to be at least as visible as your top competitors. Depending on your market, that could entail posting multiple times a day across several platforms. It's a Herculean task, but one that OCG Creative is well-equipped to handle.
In the dog-eat-dog world of business, your competitors are continually vying for your market share. It is a relentless battle, often fought in the trenches of the unseen – online activities beyond "normal business hours." Your most aggressive, dedicated, and agile competitor will dictate how you compete. However, the company that forges and maintains lasting relationships will emerge victorious. Getting there requires an intimate understanding of the internet marketing landscape, equipped with the right tools and resources to take action. This is what our Reno web design and internet marketing team does – and for a fraction of the cost of hiring an in-house marketing staff.
Internet marketing is a team sport. A successful marketing ecosystem comprises your website, key social media channels, email marketing, CRM, marketing automation, online and traditional advertising, direct response marketing, event marketing, and more. Each element is interconnected, and each requires specialists to maximize its potential.
At OCG Creative, our team of expert internet marketers, top web designers, strategic planners, and engineering staff form your dedicated team. We promise to be more effective than any freelance marketer and most in-house teams.
The path through the evolving digital landscape is complex, but with OCG Creative, you have a guide who not only understands the terrain but has the proven expertise to lead the way to success. Reach out today, and let's embark on this journey with an expert digital marketing agency.
In today's rapidly-evolving digital landscape, the importance of internet marketing can't be overstated. As OCG Creative, a leading Reno internet marketing agency aptly puts it, "Internet marketing is hard." The golden days of the internet being a frontier where you could publish your website and expect people to find it are gone. With continual changes in algorithms and online consumer behavior, navigating the complex terrain of internet marketing is not only challenging but also essential for businesses to thrive.
The current landscape of internet marketing is like a colossal puzzle. More than half of website traffic, to be precise, 51%, comes from organic search. That said, it only generates 40% of online revenue. With mobile screens becoming more prominent, Google has trimmed down mobile search results from ten to about 8.5, making the competition for visibility fiercer. Let's take a moment to let that sink in; your business needs to be among the top 8.5 on Google to gain visibility.
The majority of businesses invest over $5,000 in SEO alone, highlighting the seriousness of this endeavor. But digital marketing is not confined to online search. It's a broad spectrum encompassing social media, review websites, online video, and the shifting patterns of consumer behavior. This presents both an arduous challenge and an incredible opportunity for businesses.
So, how does one navigate this vast digital landscape? The simple answer is: to stay competitive, you have to be online. More than 90% of your potential walk-in customers will have visited your website, as well as your competitors’ websites, before stepping into your physical store. An impactful website thus becomes a crucial first step to compete online.
Yet, having a website isn't enough. It needs to be a tool that enhances your business growth. A website that doesn't contribute to making your business better, stronger, and more profitable is nothing more than an expense. It's equally important to note that merely having a substantial online presence isn't the magic wand for success. Rather, being strategic about it is what counts.
The successful digital marketing strategy is not about being singularly present; it's about being omnipresent. With only 32.5% traffic share being garnered by the number 1 spot on Google, the key takeaway is that winning online means being everywhere. In today's context, being everywhere translates to a comprehensive digital presence that spans your website, multiple social media channels, paid search, and review sites.
Additionally, the business landscape is rough, and your competitors are vying for the same share of the market as you. If you adhere strictly to "normal business hours," you're out of the game for a significant portion of your competitor's workday. Therefore, adapting to the demands of the 24/7 digital marketplace is indispensable.
Remember, the business that comes out on top is the one that best forges and maintains lasting relationships with its customers. To do this requires understanding the digital marketing landscape, having the right tools, and the capacity to act.
Internet marketing, as OCG Creative eloquently states, is a "team sport." It's a massive, complicated activity requiring expertise in various areas. The digital marketing landscape is an ecosystem comprising of your website, key social media channels, email marketing, client relationship management (CRM), and more. Each channel has a relationship with the rest and needs expert navigation to yield dividends.
OCG Creative is an internet marketing agency in Reno offering such expertise. They employ a team of expert internet marketers with knowledge in digital and data-driven platforms. With a team like this, you can tackle digital marketing head-on, driving sales, and maximizing your online presence.
The world of digital marketing is a complex labyrinth that businesses must navigate to succeed. As hard as it may be, it's the way forward. So arm yourself with the right team, tools, and strategy, and step into the world of digital marketing. It's an investment that will pay dividends in increased visibility, customer engagement, and ultimately, profitability. Contact OCG Creative today see the difference that comes with working with the premier digital marketing agency in Reno.
The current era of rapid digitalization has underlined the importance of maintaining a strong online presence for businesses. Despite this growing significance, many small enterprises struggle to dedicate the requisite time and resources to this endeavor. They grapple with finding the right digital marketing tools and strategies that can offer substantial returns on their investment. OCG Creative, a prominent Reno-based digital marketing agency, is revolutionizing this landscape with its robust suite of services.
Every business owner acknowledges that they often lack the necessary resources and skills to effectively leverage digital marketing. The answer to this common challenge is outsourcing. By partnering with OCG Creative, businesses can access a dedicated digital marketing team, saving valuable time, money, and human resources. Our refined approach to resolving daily business and digital marketing challenges allows your team to stay focused on their core tasks.
Generating more business is the universal aim for our clients. We work closely with them to understand their market or competitive landscape and devise a strategy that outperforms their competitors. Regardless of the complexities involved in web design and digital marketing, OCG Creative simplifies the technology and executes a plan to fulfill your business objectives.
A comprehensive digital marketing strategy encompasses several functions, each requiring unique skills and expertise. Like engineering or design, these functions can be executed on a need-basis. OCG Creative steps in to fill these gaps, providing you with a ready team of professionals that work as per your needs, without the financial strain of hiring full-time employees.
When you choose OCG Creative, you get a team of strategists, designers, SEO specialists, social media experts, photographers, and videographers. Our technical staff excels in resolving complex technical problems that often baffle other agencies. As a creative agency with a firm technological foundation, we not only deliver aesthetically appealing websites but also ensure they remain at the top of Google's search results. We continuously maintain and enhance your website while overseeing and planning your online marketing strategies.
The process of web designing is often an exciting phase for our clients as it involves bringing their visions to life. Our designers ensure the creation of unique and attractive web pages that set your business apart. We implement design and functional elements that enhance the user experience and attract more visitors.
A beautiful website is just one aspect of digital marketing. To ensure maximum visibility, it needs to be optimized for top rankings on search engines. Our copywriters and SEO specialists incorporate vital keywords in the website’s content to amplify your online presence and drive the right traffic to your site. Moreover, our social media experts generate leads through targeted social media posts, boosting your reach further.
Our account strategists handle all aspects of your marketing strategy, starting by assessing your business needs and goals. They create effective marketing plans while also ensuring the safety of your server networks and providing the KPIs leading to successful outcomes.
Navigating the vast digital landscape can be daunting. Over 90% of customers will check your online presence before stepping into your physical location. Therefore, having an impactful website is critical. If your business already has a website, it's crucial to evaluate its contribution to your business growth. A website that does not generate revenue is merely an expense.
The digital market is fiercely competitive. Your competitors are constantly striving to garner a larger share of the market. As a result, your business does not have the luxury of choosing how to compete. This choice is made by your customers. OCG Creative can help you anticipate and understand these choices to outperform your competitors.
OCG Creative helps you focus on your core operations while we handle your digital marketing requirements. We are committed to providing innovative and effective solutions that take your business to new heights. If you're looking to stay ahead of the curve in this rapidly evolving digital world, OCG Creative is your go-to partner. Let's explore the possibilities together!
In today's hyperconnected world, where technology reigns supreme, the digital marketing landscape is continuously evolving. At OCG Creative, we strive to navigate this complex terrain, located in Reno we have emerged as a beacon of innovation, leveraging our expertise in web design, website development, Internet marketing, data analysis, and CRM to foster human connections. We invite you to delve into the future of digital marketing, with a particular emphasis on the importance of human connection, our strategies, and our commitment to reducing stress and increasing efficiency for our clients.
In an era dominated by screens and algorithms, it is vital to remember that marketing fundamentally revolves around connecting with people. Despite the allure of automation and AI, customers still crave personal interactions, empathy, and authentic experiences. At OCG Creative, we recognize this deep-seated need and firmly believe that human connection lies at the heart of successful digital marketing campaigns.
At our core, OCG Creative values a relentless pursuit of perfection. We understand that every business is unique, and one-size-fits-all marketing strategies simply won't cut it. Instead, we prioritize deep understanding and meaningful engagement with our clients. By building a strong foundation of trust, we can craft tailor-made digital marketing solutions that align with each client's goals and resonate with their target audience.
With our comprehensive suite of services encompassing web design, website development, Internet marketing, data analysis, and CRM, we possess a multi-dimensional approach to digital marketing. Our experienced team combines creative vision with technical prowess, delivering stunning and functional websites that captivate visitors and convert them into loyal customers.
In an age where consumers engage with brands through various touchpoints, cross-channel digital marketing becomes pivotal. We, at OCG Creative, recognize the significance of synchronizing marketing efforts across multiple channels, seamlessly connecting social media, email campaigns, search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, and more. By adopting a holistic approach, we ensure that our clients' brand messaging remains consistent and coherent, enhancing brand loyalty and customer trust.
In the expansive and dynamic realm of digital marketing, we firmly believe in the significance of curating a precisely tailored blend of strategies that cater to the distinct needs of each client. With our mastery of data analysis, we uncover valuable insights into trends and customer behavior, enabling us to optimize marketing efforts effectively. By consistently staying at the forefront of industry developments, we ensure that our clients achieve the maximum return on investment, establishing a competitive edge that sets them apart from their peers.
With a rich history rooted in Reno, Nevada, OCG Creative has evolved from a small web design agency into a global force in digital marketing. Our team comprises talented individuals with diverse expertise, seamlessly blending creativity, technical acumen, and a deep understanding of human psychology. Emphasizing collaboration and a client-centric approach, our work culture fosters innovation, ensuring that we consistently exceed client expectations.
One of the core tenets of our philosophy at OCG Creative is to reduce stress and increase efficiency for our clients. The rapidly evolving digital landscape can be overwhelming, but we thrive on simplifying complex concepts, demystifying jargon, and providing clear and actionable insights. Our dedication to open communication and proactive support enables our clients to navigate the digital marketing realm with confidence, empowering them to focus on what they do best—building their business.
In an era where technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, we, at OCG Creative, stand tall as a digital marketing and web design agency that champions human connection. By leveraging our expertise in web design, website development, Internet marketing, data analysis, and CRM, we craft personalized strategies that captivate audiences and deliver tangible results. In a world that often feels disconnected, our relentless pursuit of perfection, commitment to human connection, and unwavering dedication to reducing stress and increasing efficiency make us a trusted partner for businesses looking to thrive in the digital realm. Contact OCG Creative for all your digital marketing needs today!
Not too long ago, the internet was uncharted territory. Put your website out there, and people would stumble upon it. It felt like a great equalizer, and search engines seemed fair. Fast forward to the present, and digital marketing has evolved beyond recognition. But how does this affect your small business? Let's find out.
Today, more than half of website traffic springs from organic search, leading to a whopping 40% of online revenue. Amid shrinking mobile search results, even desktop displays less than ten results on average. In this era of rapidly changing digital dynamics, an expert guide like OCG Creative, a Reno-based digital marketing agency, could be the compass your business needs.
Did you know, for instance, that most businesses spend over $5,000 on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) alone? And that's just the tip of the digital iceberg. Your online presence includes social media, review websites, online videos, and more, all of which have transformed the digital marketing landscape into an opportunity-rich, yet challenging, field.
Given the pervasive and powerful impact of the internet, establishing a strong online presence is a prerequisite for competitive success. It's worth noting that more than 90% of your in-store customers would have researched your website—and likely your competitors'—prior to their visit. If a business lacks a website, or if the website doesn't support its growth goals, it's not merely sidelined—it's essentially unseen.
That's where OCG Creative steps in. Our digital marketing Reno agency helps businesses build websites that aren't just aesthetically pleasing but also contribute to bottom-line growth. With 51% of website traffic coming from online search and only 10% from paid search, your business needs to be everywhere. As your dedicated digital marketing partner, OCG Creative ensures you're not only present but also visible.
Did you know the average content length of a Google first page result is nearly 2,000 words? Given that 'page one' generates 91.5% of all organic website traffic, at minimum you'll be writing that many words for every search phrase you're competing for. Plus, let's not forget social media. You need to be at least as visible as your top competitors. Depending on your market, that might require multiple posts per day across several channels. Sounds exhausting, doesn't it? That's where we come in. We'll do the heavy lifting so that you can focus on your core business.
In the digital era, your competition isn't confined to 'normal business hours.' You're competing around the clock, across time zones. You may not get to choose how you compete, but you can choose who helps you compete. The OCG Creative team is your team. We're more effective than any freelance marketer and most company’s in-house teams.
Effective SEO isn't just about keyword stuffing. It's about relevance. Search engines, especially sophisticated ones like Google, analyze hundreds of signals related to your website to determine its relevance. It's not just about having the most relevant website or page for the keyword—it's about being the most relevant and interesting.
Web design and internet marketing are complex, multifaceted activities. Consider the digital marketing landscape as an ecosystem comprising your website, key social media channels, email marketing, CRM, marketing automation, online and traditional advertising, direct response marketing, event marketing, and more.
The good news is, you don't have to navigate this landscape alone. We employ expert internet marketers in all areas of marketing, especially digital and data-driven platforms. We're also home to top web designers and strategic engineers.
Digital marketing is no longer an option—it's a necessity. Whether you're new to digital marketing or looking to optimize your current efforts, our team is here to help you navigate this new frontier.
Ready to begin your journey into the wild world of digital marketing? Contact OCG Creative today. We'll be your expert guide on the road to online success. Together, let's conquer the digital landscape.
In the digital realm, the first page of Google search results is often considered a holy grail for businesses seeking online visibility. Such was the aspiration of Reno Pro Services, a company offering a comprehensive array of professional furniture services. The challenge? The digital sphere is crowded, making visibility a steep mountain to climb. However, they chose not to navigate this complex landscape alone – they turned to the experts at OCG Creative, and the rest is an SEO success story.
In today's bustling online marketplace, standing out from the crowd is no easy feat. Reno Pro Services recognized that a robust digital presence was critical for growth. However, capturing the attention of potential customers amidst a sea of competitors was an uphill battle. The mission was clear: to increase their website's visibility, drive more organic traffic, and ultimately, convert this traffic into loyal customers.
OCG Creative accepted the challenge with a clear plan: to leverage SEO best practices and transform Reno Pro Services from an invisible entity into an invaluable service provider in the eyes of search engines and customers. The agency identified keywords relevant to the client's business that held the potential to drive meaningful traffic and conversions. In this example, we will focus on the 5 following keywords:
"Furniture assembly reno"
"Reno furniture relocation"
"Furniture repair reno"
"Furniture assembly and repair reno"
"Reno commercial furniture installation"
OCG Creative's SEO approach was both technical and creative. They curated keyword-optimized content, focusing on relevancy, engagement, and quality. The agency also built high-quality backlinks from authoritative websites, boosting Reno Pro Services' domain authority. Additionally, they meticulously crafted metadata to ensure that every webpage communicated effectively with search engines. This blend of techniques ensured that the website was not only search engine friendly but also compelling and intuitive for its visitors.
The impact of OCG Creative's work was nothing short of transformative. Their expert strategies propelled the targeted keywords from obscurity to prominence. "Furniture assembly reno," initially with zero ranking, saw a significant rise in just a few months. "Reno furniture relocation" experienced similar success, climbing from zero to an impressive ranking of 48. This pattern of exponential growth was mirrored across all the targeted keywords, cementing Reno Pro Services' robust online presence.
OCG Creative's contribution to Reno Pro Services went beyond mere SEO. They played a crucial role in shaping their client's marketing strategies. Through their consultancy, they provided insights into customer behavior, identified market trends, and advised on effective promotional strategies. Their expertise enabled Reno Pro Services to refine their marketing efforts and establish a strong brand presence.
Furthermore, the agency ensured the website remained updated, user-friendly, and secure through regular maintenance. By prioritizing the site's health, they not only improved user experience but also furthered the SEO efforts, as search engines favor well-maintained, user-friendly sites.
The collaboration between Reno Pro Services and OCG Creative is a tale of digital transformation. By leveraging advanced SEO strategies, comprehensive marketing consulting, and continuous website maintenance, OCG Creative transformed their client's digital landscape. This case underscores the power of effective SEO, the role of an expert digital marketing agency, and the profound impact they can have on a business's online visibility. Whether you're a business owner seeking to enhance your digital footprint, a prospective client of OCG Creative, or a reader fascinated by digital marketing triumphs, this success story offers compelling insights and inspiration. Come to the Reno SEO experts for all your digital marketing needs.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has emerged as a critical element in the digital marketing landscape. With an ever-increasing number of websites competing for the attention of users, businesses are investing heavily in SEO to improve their visibility and drive organic traffic. However, achieving success in SEO is not an overnight process, and it can often be a long and challenging journey. This article delves into the various factors that make SEO challenging and explains why it requires time, patience, and consistent effort.
The algorithms that govern search engine rankings are constantly evolving. Search engines like Google continuously update their algorithms to provide the most relevant and high-quality search results to their users. These updates can have a significant impact on the SEO strategies that businesses employ. To stay on top of these changes, marketers need to monitor search engine announcements, industry trends, and best practices, and adapt their strategies accordingly. This requires a considerable investment of time and resources.
SEO is no longer solely about optimizing your website with the right keywords. Over the years, the number of ranking factors has grown substantially, making the task of SEO more complex. Some critical factors that impact search engine rankings include site speed, mobile-friendliness, content quality, user experience, and backlinks. To be successful in SEO, businesses need to optimize their websites holistically, addressing all these aspects. This multi-faceted approach demands time, expertise, and consistent effort.
Creating high-quality, relevant, and engaging content is one of the most crucial aspects of SEO. However, content creation can be time-consuming and requires ongoing effort. Moreover, the content must be optimized for search engines, incorporating relevant keywords and ensuring it is easily accessible to search engine crawlers. Additionally, with the growing importance of voice search and natural language processing, optimizing content for conversational queries is becoming increasingly important.
Backlinks, or links from other websites pointing to your site, are a key factor in determining search engine rankings. They signal trust and authority to search engines, which in turn improves your website's visibility. Acquiring high-quality, relevant backlinks is a challenging and lengthy process. It involves outreach, relationship building, and crafting valuable content that other sites would want to link to, which can take months or even years to achieve.
As more and more businesses recognize the importance of SEO, the competition for the top search engine rankings intensifies. Depending on your industry, you may be competing against established websites with strong domain authority, making it harder to outrank them. Analyzing your competition, identifying their strengths and weaknesses, and developing a tailored SEO strategy to outperform them requires time, expertise, and persistence.
For sure, SEO plays a pivotal role in the realm of digital marketing. However, it is crucial to recognize that attaining success in SEO is a long-term endeavor rather than a quick win. The constant evolution of search algorithms, the increasing intricacy of SEO factors, the ongoing necessity for content creation and optimization, the significance of backlinks, and the highly competitive landscape all contribute to the challenges and time-consuming nature of SEO. By exercising patience, adopting a strategic approach, and maintaining consistent efforts, businesses can progressively enhance their search engine rankings and ultimately benefit from increased organic traffic and visibility.
OCG Creative has been supporting IT providers with referral marketing and strategic partnerships since 2011. We’re uniquely poised to assist IT providers that have made the important shift to the Managed Service Provider model (MSP) to deepen and strengthen their relationships with their clients. Plus, add stable and growing revenue from the trusted advisor relationship already in place with their clients.
Digital marketing is a natural segue from traditional and evolving IT management - or even bundled managed services. They are rooted in similar technologies, making both service lines seem like a natural fit. Additionally, the relationships IT MSPs build with their clients makes them essential trusted advisors. They look to them when their clients are ready to explore new technology areas to help their business adapt to the ever growing digital marketing arena.
The burden to build websites or take on social media, SEO or other marketing-related services is often asked of IT MSP’s. It’s not their core business or areas that they have deep expertise or staffing in. Many IT MSP's take on these digital marketing tasks internally or try to find a trusted partner to work with. This can lead to mediocre results jeopardizing the client relationship or create completely unneeded frustration.
Aside from software, server and security management, there are few similarities between information technology services and digital marketing.
A digital marketing agency is expected to drive a steady stream of qualified leads to the client’s business. We make that happen using analytical tools to provide details about online behavior, website user experience, advertising and social media performance curated and developed with constant work over a decade. Our clients expect results and we provide results. OCG Creative is a digital marketing company with decades of experience and refined processes.
We will take care of the entire digital marketing mix for your clients - website, social media, SEO, PPC all tied together working in harmony utilizing our state of the art tools, staff and producing the expected results for our clients. Our portfolio includes industry-leading e-commerce businesses, regional service providers, retailers, travel destinations, financial institutions, law firms and dozens of other industries.
If you are an IT MSP looking for your long term digital marketing partner which keeps your clients delighted, give them working results and add revenue to your bottom line in a way that fits your business. Find out more by calling us at (775) 324-1644.
We look forward to working with you.
The trick is finding those people.
Your website, social media, email and others provide access to millions of potential customers.
There are hundreds of tools to find people interested in your products or services.
However, getting people’s attention can be a challenge.
Your competitors have access to the same marketing channels you do. It is estimated the average American is exposed to 6 to ten thousand marketing messages every single day.
That’s a lot of noise!
Of all the marketing channels available, online video is suited to make connections in a deeply personal way.
With video, you not only show what your business does, but you also signal what your business is like.
According to Forbes, it costs fives times more to attract a new customer than it does to sell the same product or service to a repeat customer.
Partly this is due to fear.
Fear of the unknown.
Fear of being ripped off.
Fear of wasting time or just being a bad fit.
Video provides a perfect ice-breaker. Through video, you can take viewers inside your business and let your glowing personality shine. People like to do business with people they like. Words on a page will never capture the same experience, no matter how skillful the writer is.
Learn More about our Video Production Services
Online video has other benefits. Most videos posted online will show up in search results almost immediately after being published. Embedding videos in related web pages and posts can shorten the time it takes for search engines to index those too.
Also, videos increase the chances your business will be represented in more than one of the top ten organic search results. That’s more visibility and one less competitor on the page with you.
Finally, few businesses engage in online video at all, so you’ll gain a serious competitive advantage.
If you want to launch into online video but aren’t sure how to get started, we’d love to help.
SEO, short for Search Engine Optimization, is the practice of curating website content to achieve top rankings in Google, among others.
In the past, SEO stuffing keywords into every possible location—something we used to call the “SEO Top 5.” These include the HTML Title, Meta Description, Headings, Body Copy and Anchor text.
Google’s own documentation suggests—and even states directly—that most of these have little impact on rankings.
But is SEO really dead?
Search engines have one goal—to provide the best, most relevant results for a given keyword search. As a website owner, your goal should be to provide that best, most relevant web page. The trick is to understand how search engines make the choice.
You should always include an HTML page title and meta description, because these are usually visible in the search results. And, yes, you should use your target keyword here as well. But, write them to be helpful to humans. That way, you’ll increase traffic and help search engines learn what your website’s about at the same time.
The same is true for page content. Write your website content to be useful and engaging to visitors to your website. Use keywords appropriately, but don’t overuse them in an attempt to boost rankings. Keyword stuffing doesn’t work and may even hurt your rankings.
To get you started, here are a few things every website owner should do;
But, there are hundreds, if not thousands of signals search engines use to decide which websites are worthy of those coveted top spots.
There are literally thousands of ways to ruin a website. A website can be beautiful, perfectly branded and use all the latest browser technology—and yet still suck in a profusion of ways. Let’s examine a few favorites.
Topping the list is a website that’s too slow to load. Not only will your slow loading website turn away visitors at a rate of about 12% for every second you make them wait—you’ll also be signaling search engines that your website offers a poor user experience. As a rule, a bad user experience equals bad rankings.
Next up, your website has to be mobile friendly. All major search engines place priority on a website’s mobile experience over the desktop. And for good reason. Over two thirds of online searches are mobile. Desktops don’t even make up the remaining third.
Coming in at number three—hard to find contact info. There’s no point putting time and energy into the perfect web experience if your website visitors can’t figure out how to contact you. Put contact info on every page, and encourage users to reach out to you using whatever method they prefer. Forcing visitors to fill out a web form might just force them to look for somewhere else to do business.
Perhaps more important than being easy to contact is giving your visitors a reason to contact you. Not providing enough information on your website encourages your visitors to continue doing research. In the end, they’ll probably choose a competitor that provides lots of details about their company and the products and services they offer.
Finally, it is impossible to overstate the importance of organic search engine rankings. Search engine optimization, or SEO, is the process of making your website content the best candidate for coveted top spots in Google among others. Earning the number one position for the right keywords is a competitive advantage you can’t achieve any other way.
To recap, your website should;
Wherever there are businesses, dozens of web designers will be fighting to win them as clients. Unfortunately, way too many business owners sink a lot of hard-earned capital into what turns out to be series of bad ideas—executed badly.
So, exactly how does a business owner get online without getting burned? To answer that question, we need to examine the industry.
To begin with, anyone can call him or herself a web designer. There are plenty of educational opportunities—colleges, certifications, online study… …you name it. However, most web designers teach themselves and quickly succumb to their own bad ideas.
It’s easy to be taken in by a web designer who uses all the right words, and confidently explains how their design is your ticket to online abundance. Sadly, their path down the information superhighway way too often turns out to be a World Wide Waste.
Your first line of defense should be developing an understanding of the Internet landscape and how various elements fit together. You don’t have to be a web designer to know the kind of online experience your customers expect. Mostly they want information, and they want it right now.
So, give it to them—right now. Web designers love to design. As a result it’s easy for them to put their priorities ahead of yours. They’ll propose all sorts of things that seem really cool, but come at the expense of page speed. Recent data shows that users will give you 2.6 seconds to decide whether or not they like your page. If that page takes more than 2.6 seconds just to load…
The best way to illustrate that is to experience it…
We've all experienced award winning websites that are miserably slow to load. The designer and the owner of the business are no doubt very proud of the online spectacle that’s been created. Everybody loves it…
…Except customers. They simply give up and move on to a competitor’s website that’s less frustrating.
The designer missed the mark because the designer’s priorities were given preference over the needs of the customer. It happens all the time.
Often, the designer simply has weak skills or obsolete ideas. A good web designer won’t ask you to live with website “quirks.” Everything should work exactly as you or your visitors expect. The entire user experience—as a customer as well as site administrator—should be natural, obvious and error-free.
Web technology moves fast. It is easy for a web designer to become out of step with the latest standards and best practices. This is particularly true with online search, or SEO. Many methods that were standard practice two or three years ago, can get your website de-indexed today. “De-indexed” basically means getting kicked off the Internet.
Spend some time researching current sources, including Google’s own documentation, to learn about SEO. You’ll not only feel empowered, but will likely learn many so called experts aren’t experts at all.
Most web designers have a poor understanding of business fundamentals. For this reason, the best “web designer” is usually a web agency with experts in consumer behavior, product positioning, conversion path optimization, engineering, security, and other critical business areas.
Web design doesn’t have to be expensive. It just has to be right. Your business and your sanity depend on it.
If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call or drop us a note.
