December 2007
Monthly Archive
Tips on social media: the good, the bad and the ugly.
Posted by Celeste Yates on 14 Dec 2007 | Tagged as: Social Media
Social media has been around for several years, starting off originally as social book marking and advancing into the social machines that exist today. If you are looking into using the media to advance or promote your business, then there are a few things you should be aware of before jumping in.
Before signing up with a site, research the content already available. Each site is different with the way it works and which industry and users it attracts. Spend time browsing through the content and make sure the site is right for you and your needs. You need to be able to find your own niche within the community.
The future of travel, search and offline competition - Are offline travel agents doomed?
Posted by Katia Pereria on 06 Dec 2007 | Tagged as: Articles
The travel industry has had a major revamp in recent years, and it’s no secret that holiday-goers are increasingly using the internet to research and book their holidays, with so many people admitting to not having visited a travel agent in two years. People are using the internet because it’s easier and quicker; they can find better prices and an online travel agent is open at all hours.
Therefore, with so many people already using the internet to plan their holidays, and as the market becomes far more competitive, it’s important to focus on the future. The question revolves around how online marketing is changing the face of travel.
A (web) picture says a thousand (key)words
Posted by Phil Smulian on 06 Dec 2007 | Tagged as: Common SEO Topics, Site Structure
If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one around to hear it, does it make a sound? Similarly, if a webmaster hides text under images using the z-index and no one sends it to the Google spam report team, is it unethical SEO?
For those less in the know, the Z-index is the 3rd dimension in a web page that the programmer uses to declare which content sits on top of what. And yes, some less than ethical SEO’s actually place images and other content on top, to hide keyword rich text beneath, in a cunning yet perilous attempt to fool the search engines and users simultaneously.
Successful SEM is puppet play
Posted by Caitlin Smythe on 04 Dec 2007 | Tagged as: SEO Strategy
A search marketing campaign draws a number of strings together to get the search puppet dancing. SEO, PPC, Design, PR, IT – all sectors of the search company work together to market a website online, and increase its traffic. Without the in-synch movement of each string, the puppet’s arms and legs flounder, and it will fall.
First, SEM campaigners must have a common goal, which in this case, is search visibility. The folks in the marketing department need to be aware of the logistical issues of inserting flash-heavy animation or sparse copy to a website that needs to be navigable and useful in design. The puppet master knows the limitations and strengths of the puppet’s limbs. So too should the compartments of a successful search company be in synch with each other, even if it means compromise.
Customers’ have the last word
Posted by Sandra Cosser on 04 Dec 2007 | Tagged as: SEO Strategy, Search Engine News
In the world of SEM it’s often easy to forget the target audience in favour of promoting our clients or their products. When using keywords in articles and press releases, we often focus on product-related words and phrases. Instead, we ought to think about the reasons why customers would search for a product or service - such as that which our client provides. If the customer has a problem that leads to them searching for products that are similar to our clients’, we need to use keywords that are related to that problem. If the search is based on a need or idle curiosity, we must have keywords that will address those needs.
