For the last 5 or more years, I couldn’t pick up a newsletter or ezine without finding an article about search engine optimization.  That is, until now.

Ten years ago, we focused on adding meta tags to our websites to get them ranked.   Five years ago, it was about linking strategies.  Then content became king.  And with each change, SEO specialists like myself adapted.  So how to you drive traffic to your site today?

The evolution of search today has taken on a real time emphasis.  Looking for the news? Today the news finds you.   Of course, you want the latest information on whatever you are searching for.  Nothing is more frustrating than going to a website and finding information from 2006.  Even if it’s still pertinent, chances are you will go on to a more current site.

Real search or live search focuses on delivering the most recent information.  And that information is frequently not from a website.  The most recent information is more likely a blog post or even a Twitter tweet.  Yes, I said a Twitter tweet.  Here’s a good example:

A Google search for “Iceland Volcano” resulted in a section for Latest News – that contains a live feed changing every few seconds.  The listing below shows results from just minutes before.

Twitter Results in Google

Directly below the Latest News is a section for Video results that displays YouTube videos of the Iceland Volcano.  What every happened to the Google we all knew that took 90 days to get your site found?

Video Results - YouTube

So should you abandon your website for a blog, Twitter account and YouTube channel?  Not yet.  I look at the social media like a big funnel.  Twitter, Facebook and YouTube should be funneling people to your blog and your blog should be funneling people to your website, where browsers can find out details about you and your business and hopefully take action (but that’s another topic).

Another reason you can’t abandon search engine optimization (SEO) and your website is the permanency of social media.  You might be ranking well with your current article, post, tweet or video, but as more recent media are found, yours will either drop in ranking or disappear all together.  So you website is the anchor. A well designed, search engine optimized website should remain fairly stable (even in competitive keywords.)  For example, search for “Tucson Interior Design” in Google.  Of the top 4 results, 3 of the sites are ones that were optimized by 800biz.com several years ago.  With little or no changes, these sites have maintained their top ranking consistently.

So for now, SEO is still alive and kicking.  But today, you there are more pieces of the online marketing puzzle to put together.

Gary Wagnon and 800biz.com specialize in website design, hosting, search engine optimization and social media marketing for small and medium businesses.

Tags: 800biz, blog, live search, real time search, search engine optimization, SEO, twitter, video, website design, youtube

You Don't Need A Website UNLESS...

Wait, did I just read that right, you’re asking?  A website designer saying you don’t need a website – something must be wrong.

Well, there are cases where a website is a waste of money.  First of all, if the goal of having a website is just to check off the appropriate box on your business plan, you don’t need one.

You don’t need a website just because your brother in law, the unemployed college drop out says so.

You don’t need a website if you think a website is the new yellow pages and everybody looks there.

The bottom line is, you don’t need a website if you not committed to making it the important marketing vehicle it should be.  So where do you start?

During the last 10 years, I have seen the evolution of websites, from simple 3 page sites with a waving cactus graphic, to multi-media sites with intricate flash graphics, to the mobile web we see on our phones.  Search engine optimization has been the buzz word for the last several years.  And it remains a critical element of your website.

But in today’s internet landscape, SEO is only a piece of the puzzle.  Does your website content call browsers to take action?  How are you building your brand?  Are you the expert in your industry?

In the coming blog posts, I will discuss online marketing and how to create a comprehensive program to get maximum exposure.

Gary Wagnon and 800biz.com specialize in website design, hosting, search engine optimization and social media marketing for small and medium businesses.

Tags: online marketing, search engine optimization, SEO, Tucson Search Engine Optimization, website design

We have been Googling for several years now – entering whatever we wanted to find and waiting for Google to perform a top secret calculation that would make Mr. Spock proud.  But now Google has added a new twist, or should I say turn.

Google Wonder Wheel offers a new way to search for related topics.  For example, suppose you are searching for energy saving equipment.  Google Wonder Wheel not only gives you the results it normally would deliver, but also gives you 8 “spokes” with related keywords. Continuing to drill down each spoke will help you find exactly what you are looking for.

Where Google Wonder Wheel really shines is in keyword research.  The spokes give you related keywords that are targeted and focused.  The wheel creates the ideal starting point for your blog, web pages, pay-per-click campaign or your entire website.  Are there keyword phrases you haven’t considered?  Are there related products or services you might not have considered?  Can your existing product or service crossover into another area?  The Google Wonder Wheel helps you make critical decisions that can drive your business into the future.

How do you use the Google Wonder Wheel?

Google Wonder Wheel Search

Starting from a normal search, look for the + Show options link in the blue bar where the number of results are shown.  By clicking on the Show Options, a side bar will open with several search options.  Wonder Wheel is under the Standard View.  The Google Wonder Wheel appears on the left and the search results on the right.  Each spoke off the wheel has a related keyword phrase.  Click any phrase to see those results, as well as a second wheel with related phrases for the new phrase.  The initial wheel remains visible below so you can jump back to the original.

Google Wonder Wheel Search Expanded

Take your turn on the Google Wonder Wheel. Your results will speak for themselves.

Gary Wagnon and 800biz.com specializes in website design, search engine optimization and social media marketing.

Tags: keyword research, keywords, search, search engine optimization, SEO

If you had to choose a entry point to get your business in the social media, why not choose one with the highest possible traffic and the least amount of work? YouTube is where you need to start.

Almost everyone has a video camera these days. Even some cell phones have video capability. And if not, you can purchase a video camera for less than $80 (need a good source check out www.shop800biz.com) There is no need for studio production for small businesses. The purpose of the video is to give browsers a feel for what your business is all about. People like dealing with “regular folks”. If your business is relaxed and fun, let your video show that. If your business is more upscale or serious, convey that idea.

Once you have created your Speilberg masterpiece, the easy part begins. Create a YouTube account if you don’t already have one. That will take you a whopping 5 minutes. Then upload your video. Be sure you put a title and description in that tells people what your business is. The description should always start with your web address. It should be list in this format – http://www.yoursite.com . That will make the address a clickable link and take anyone (including the search engines) to your website for more information about you.

The only thing left to do is embed the video in your website. When the video finishes uploading, you will see a link and an embed code. Cut and paste (or send to your webmaster) the code. When people are browsing your site, they can click on the video and watch it within your site.

So Action, Camera, Rolling!!

Tags: search engine optimization, SEO, social media, video, web site, youtube

Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you’ve heard about Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. The social media phenomenon is the hottest thing on the web right now. Three of the top 5 sites on the web are Facebook, YouTube and MySpace. Everyone wants to be on top of Google, but consider this. The average time a person spends per day on Google or Yahoo is 8-9 minutes. The average time a person spends per day on Facebook or YouTube is over 22 minutes. (Source: Alexa)

If your customers are spending almost 3 times as much time on social media sites, why wouldn’t you want to be where your customers are? Okay, you want to be there so maybe a better question is, why aren’t you there? The truth is most people don’t understand the social media or don’t have the time. Over the next few days, I will address both questions and give you some ideas on how to tackle the social media beast.

If you don’t want to wait, or would like help creating a social media game plan, contact me at www.800biz.com or call 520-861-4821.

Tags: search engine optimization, SEO, social media, web site design