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If you already have a business listing in Google Places, you may have noticed that it’s looking a little different lately. That’s because Google has made some recent changes (as they’ve been known to do quite frequently), and rolled the local business listings into the Google+ social media network, appropriately named Google+ Local. This move completely integrates Google’s local listings with the current Google+ social network. What changed and what should you know about it? All Google Places business pages have been, or are scheduled to be converted into Google+ Local pages. According to Google, they’ve already moved more than […]

For the past couple year Google has been rolling out their free “Get Your Business Online” seminar initiative worldwide and today Phoenix, Arizona made the cut. In July of last year, Google offered up their first US-based “Get Your Business Online” seminar in Texas in connection with a host of regional and national partners including Intuit.com and Score.org together with a handful of local chambers and local business organizations. Today’s seminar here in Arizona included helpful information for local business owners including how to set up a free website and hosting plan with Intuit as well as how to take […]

What Is Search Engine Optimization / SEO? Don’t know what search engine optimization is? Know someone who needs easy to understand overview of SEO? SEO stands for “search engine optimization.” It is the process of getting traffic from the organic, natural, editorial, or fee listings on search engine result pages. All major search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing have such results, where web pages and other content such as videos or local listings are shown and ranked based on what the search engine considers most relevant to users. Unlike paid search ads, there is no paid placement. New […]

As a local business, you rely on your website to drive sales—but merely writing strong SEO copy isn’t enough to get stellar results with any search engine marketing campaign. While quality content matters, higher local search engine optimization rankings come from providing fresh online content and promotions and blogging represents the simplest, most effective way to achieve top that. Blogging as a Competitive Advantage Many business owners separate blogging from the concept of a “serious” website, assuming it’s the work of hobbyists and amateurs. Instead, they focus on optimizing their base content and profiles, adding social media listings, and allowing […]

The Basics of Strong Local SEO Content Business owners tend to think of SEO (aka search engine marketing) as a mystical thing, some complex mixture of unknown elements that causes websites to bubble up in the search engine rankings. While plenty of information exists on the intricacies of writing strong search engine optimization content, the most successful websites stick to a few basic principles, carried out very well: Create an excellent, user-friendly website Promote through social media and word of mouth Take control of business information online Become mobile-friendly Create an Excellent, User-Friendly Website First, make sure your website has […]

Apple Maps has emerged onto the technology scene, presenting a direct competitive challenge to Google Maps. Some claim it was introduced before it was ready, pointing out numerous flaws. Meanwhile, Google isn’t going away, and will continue to develop and improve upon their already widely popular application. Even so, with Apple upgrades to iOS6 looming, Apple is serving its Maps as a free app, meaning millions will use it with their iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks. Your search engine optimization plan, in Utah or anywhere else, needs to ensure that Apple Maps works for your business. While plenty of Utah-based SEO […]

Local Google rankings have created an online battleground for businesses and professionals. In large metro areas like Salt Lake City, search engine optimization can be a deal-breaker in increasing your company’s exposure. Unfortunately, though, all of the top-ranking businesses are focusing on this. They pursue aggressive online promotions, hire SEO companies now proliferating in Utah and elsewhere, and engage intensely in fighting for every point they can muster. As the algorithms change, and as Google’s data sources compile new information, all of this effort may only allow your business to hold its ground. Why Might Relocating Work? Some companies are […]

Essential Strategies for Online Marketing Success Keeping up with all of the current online marketing trends can seem like a daunting task. Where do you start? What’s involved with an online marketing campaign? The task of creating an online marketing plan can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be. There are four essential strategies to utilize for online marketing success in Utah. If your marketing campaign is lacking one of these critical components, your efforts will fall short of their full potential. Brand Identity Although brand identity can take some time to develop, you need to begin implementing your […]

Local Searches Skyrocket with a Mobile Friendly Website According to Google, more than 50 percent of Internet searches from mobile devices have a local intent. Not to mention, a new study concluded that more then 90 percent of Smartphone users conduct local searches. What does this mean? As the wave of mobile device use continues to climb, you need to have a mobile friendly website to support and encourage the growth of your site’s local searches. Everyone is on the go nowadays and turn to their Smartphones to find directions, businesses and just about everything else. Gone are the days […]

It’s no understatement that Google brings in a large profit from AdWords. In fact, Google recently announced ad revenue profit for the third quarter in 2012 of $10.86 billion, with $100 million per day through AdWords. Google’s AdWords serves 5.5 billion impressions per day just on Search pages, with 25.6 billion impressions on the Google Display Network per day. However, even with Google’s AdWords profits, investors are a little disappointed in Google’s third quarter numbers for 2012. WordStream, a search engine marketing developer, analyzed Google’s AdWords profits to determine just how the profits were generated. Upon analyzing a number of […]

With the rising CPC prices, many small business owners are wondering if the Google AdWords tool is still a viable option for their business. According to a recent article by the New York Times, many small businesses are abandoning the tool due to the AdWords cost. But, is this really the case? The recent article in the New York Times states: “Concern over the rising cost of keywords has become increasingly common as online advertising has become a standard channel for large companies. Attracting those additional advertisers has been great for Google, which reported a 42 percent increase in paid […]

Recently, many users of the Google City pages received an unpleasant surprise when accessing their page as they found notices that their page had been redirected and even fully removed in some cases with a 404 error. Google’s transition to remove the Google City pages doesn’t come as a shock to many people as changes were bound to happen with the launch of the Google+ Local pages in 2011. However, many are bothered by the transition to Google+ Local as the community pages don’t offer all of the same features as the Google City pages. What does Google have to […]