The significant innovations in smartphone technology has created a new era of accessing information.  And because smartphones have been embedded with some personal computer features like accessing the internet, it’s even more important for businesses to market their products or services.  But online advertising is still not effective if your link or website or your main keywords will not appear at least on the top page during the search.

In this case, if you have an online advertising strategy to introduce your products or services especially to locals, you need to know the importance of local search engine optimization.

With the use of smartphones, consumers are narrowing their search to find local businesses who can give them the products or services they want.  Targeting this important group is best done with local search engine optimization.  Customers prefer if they can visit the local provider and learn more about their business. Or at least they know where to go in case they have some concerns about the product. Local search engine optimization aims to bring these consumers to your business or service and convert them into a purchaser and then a loyal customer.

One effective way of local search engine optimization engine is adding your website to directories on the internet. Search engines have the ability to provide clients with the listings of businesses in a certain place.  The goal of local search engine optimization is to ensure people searching for you locally will find you quickly.  Local search engine optimization can also include ensuring your localized reviews are available to new customers.  In order to survive the business competition, small businesses must incorporate local search engine optimization to maximize a digital marketing strategy.

We understand it can be overwhelming to ensure your local search engine optimization is done and done right.  That’s why we’re here to help.  Click here to contact us today.

SEO or search engine optimization refers to the ranking of every website in the lists of search engine.  Thousands of websites are competing for the top positions in search engines because there are more traffic and visitors that will likely visit your site if it’s a high position.

SEO is effective digital marketing technique to bring return on marketing investments by generating web traffic to a site with the goal of increasing web purchases or increasing brand awareness.

There are two techniques of SEO which are generally referred to as white hat and black hat SEO. The white category uses the SEO methods in building more informative and helpful content and enhancing the quality of it. While the black SEO uses tricks like spamdexing or cloaking this is said to be unfair use of manipulating the search engine.  Google and other search engine companies are constantly changing their algorithms in order to combat black hat techniques and return quality results that the user is looking for.

SEO is effectively the implementation of these website strategies to position a site higher in searches for keywords.  This is ultimately the kind of strategy that effectively enhanced the website’s traffic.  Usually a user types is a keyword or search term into the search engine, which will then return a list of results.  Normally the user will scan the sites which are on the top and visit sites they think fit their needs, or type in a new keyword or search term.  Less often to users search the list for pages and pages for whatever they’re looking for.  The inclination is that if a user doesn’t find what they’re looking for in the top page of results, they move on to another keyword or search term.  That is why many companies are clamoring for the top spots by means of continuous digital marketing and website strategy like SEO.

The Work of Search Engine

SEO is primarily rooted in text driven engines that allow users to access information by using the relevant keywords.  Websites then, have to be deep rooted in keywords for your brand or product to effectively impact SEO.  Search engines comb through the written content on your site and instantly gauge it’s relevancy. This is where SEO techniques come into play.  Frowned upon black hat SEO techniques are things like:

• Hidden Content – Using html tags or script to hide SEO content in the code.
• Meta Keyword Stuffing – Using meta tags in your <head> portion of your code to add in a ton of keywords.
• Free For All Link Farms – Maybe not black hat but not a great technique for raising your SEO.
• Gateway or Bridge pages – Loading keywords and fake content on a page to push traffic to a secondary page.

If these black hat SEO techniques are implemented on your site, you may find a search engine drop you from keyword results completely.  Coming back from that is a very long and time consuming road, all of which costs you and your company money.  However, there is good news.  There are white hat SEO techniques that are completely “legal” in the search engine world.  While it may take longer to get your website ranked well, it’s better in the long run.  As a web development & SEO company, we’re constantly on the cutting edge of the latest search engine algorithm or updates.   Many of clients business relies on heavily on web traffic.

If you have questions about SEO and if it’s something you should add to your digital marketing strategy contact us today!

For some clients talking about moving away from traditional marketing and into digital marketing is like trying to convince them to break up with a long time lover.

For others, they are SO ready for a new relationship they’d wish we started their move to digital marketing yesterday.

First let’s get things spelled out so we’re all on the same page.  Generally, 219 Group uses the term “digital marketing” to refer to marketing initiatives contingent on internet or mobile phone access.  Digital marketing includes: search engine optimization, social media marketing, email marketing, Google or web ads, web design, text messaging, etc. Traditional marketing would then refer to marketing initiatives not reliant on the web or mobile: print ads, pamphlets, billboards, mail inserts, TV/radio, etc.  219 Group does both and we do both really well, but what sets us apart from our competitors is that we are more heavily handed in the digital marketing realm.  Why, you may ask.  Because, we’ll answer, that’s where the consumers are.

It’s not that all traditional marketing strategies are doomed and it’s certainly not that some traditional marketing components can’t or shouldn’t be worked into an overall marketing campaign, but relying on a primarily traditional approach cuts you off to a larger piece of the market.  I know, I know… it’s scary to move away from print ads, TV, billboards, radio, and all the things in the traditional world that have worked pretty well so far.  That’s just the reason why having a marketing partner that understands digital marketing is so important.  What we do is look at your entire marketing plan and create a plan that includes the best of what digital marketing and traditional marketing have to offer.  But here’s out firm belief, you can do a marketing concept relying purely on digital media.  We’ve done it, we’ve seen it work.  We won’t argue it’s the right fit for every client, but we’ve done it.  You can not, however, have a overall marketing plan relying purely on traditional media.  The digital marketing component is to engrained in our society to pretend like it’s not there.  Get acquainted with digital marketing and start to entertain the idea that everything you are doing & everyone you are targeting through traditional marketing can likely be done better with the integration of digital marketing.

Contact us here if you’re interested in looking a digital marketing strategy or interested to see if it’s right for you

Facebook timeline for pages will go into effect automatically on March 30th.

If you administer a Facebook page for a brand, business or, public person you should be prepared.  Facebook timeline for pages will look different from what you’re used to, but most of the features will stay the same.

The biggest difference in appearance is the addition of a cover photo and the layout of the timeline. Before panicking, take a look at some brands that have already converted to Facebook timeline for pages and get some ideas.  Recently we pitched an idea to NFI Consumer Products for their brand, Blue-Emu.   Blue-Emu is a national sponsor of Professional Bull Riding and several of top bull riders.  We designed a Facebook timeline cover photo customized for each rider so fans could download it and save it to their profiles.  Our thought was to give something back to the fans that was branded with Blue-Emu.  (See the pictures here).

The primary reason for Facebook timeline for pages is to allow third party apps more room.  Instead of the old 520px width, Facebook timeline for pages increases the size to 810px.  It will allow for more creative development and Facebook integrated apps; apps like contests, giveaways, and brand integration.

Other changes you will notice when you switch to Facebook timeline for pages:
-No more welcome page images: I know, I know… you spent so long getting those graphics to look perfect, but alas, Facebook timeline for pages no longer allows for welcome graphics as a pre-like image.

-Cover photo: have fun with this and take some time to think about ideas before launching Facebook timeline for pages

-Ability to create past company history. You can add in important dates like the founding, product launches etc. This gives companies with a rich history the chance to tell that story through the Facebook timeline for pages.

Facebook timeline for pages questions? Contact us here.

Keywords are the terms consumers are using to search in search engines.  The results from a keyword search is the return they get and the ranking is where your website falls within those keyword results.

You’ve heard how using specific keywords can help your SEO ranking, but let’s face it, a local business trying to rank for a very generic term is going to be very difficult, if not impossible.  Plus, say you’re a restaurant, does it really create a return on the investment if someone across the country finds your website, probably not. Localizing your keywords will mean your website, or business, ranks higher in the searches that really matter to you; the ones that will bring in more business. Unless you are a national brand or business, or offer national shipping of your products, you will likely benefit from localizing your keywords.

There’s a different between using keywords and using localized keywords.

Localizing your keywords, or adding your area of service can help search engines include you in localized searches.

Also, if the consumer is searching on a phone or is logged into their email account their local information could be pulled.  Search Engines use all this to return results and having localized keywords highlighted will make sure your website is included.  It can be awkward to include the localized text, but it’s a great way to build a presence in the localized searches.

Also, keep in mind the alternative regional descriptions people might be searching for and include those in your keywords.  For example, keywords for your city, might include your county, state, or other description. You also want to add variations of the localized term; so if you’re working “Italian restaurant Baltimore, MD” as your keyword, people might also be searching “Baltimore, MD Italian restaurant.”

If you need help with your keywords, contact us today.

Keyword density

Do keyword density rates have to be so high?

Yes they do, I know it might sound unnatural when you are reading it but remember you are not a search engine spider. They do not comprehend things like we do. They only know to look for abusive behavior like keyword loading, cloaking etc. They cannot read and understand that the sentences are not grammatically correct. They only know that you said your keyword X times and therefore your keyword density rate is X. I have had clients tell me that we are horrible writers because of the high keyword density SEO writing requires. This might be true, but our web copy is great!

What if my keyword density rate is too high?

So I can just write something with 15-20% keyword density and boom I will be #1 on Google right?! Not so fast, doing this will for sure get you dinged by Google. When Google thinks you have done something unfair to get an advantage over your search competition they will undoubtedly make you pay with a bad ranking. I have seen people drop from the 1st page to out of the top 50 pages with one bad update. I have also seen people jump 50 pages after abusing the system. You see Google is not perfect, but they will almost always find you, and when they do….

So in short make sure you repeat your primary keyword at least 2-3.5% to get the best keyword density rates. Do not use more than that and do not worry if it is not absolutely perfect, unless it is a blog about writing, in which case your job just got a little harder.

How to calculate Keyword Density rates on your website.

Things to watch out for when working your keyword density:

• Make sure the keyword font color is different from your background colors, making your keyword density higher by hiding keywords can get you blacklisted from Google.
• Make sure you understand that SEO copy is essential to great keyword density and it might sound funny when you read it back.
• Optimize website copy as well as social content for great keyword density.

So why should I care about Facebook Edgerank?

Well this is an easy question. You see if everything you post is not seen then you are wasting your time even posting it. If you are a business then you are burning the most valuable asset that you have available to you. Time.

There are a few things that will decrease or increase your Facebook Edgerank that most people do on a regular basis.

1. User engagement, or what Facebook calls “affinity”. This is basically how engaged your audience is with your posts. Posting and getting no response or a bad impression rate over and over will decrease your rank, while getting good user interaction will increase it.
2. Popularity or “weight”. When you post gets shared, your rank goes up, when someone from your friends friend list comments on your post, it goes up. How popular are the posts you are posting?
3. Freshness of the posts or how recent and relevant your posts are. If you are posting about a recent event that everyone else is talking about then it is relevant in Facebook’s eyes.  This in turn causes your Facebook Edgerank to go up.

What are some things I can do to make my Facebook Edgerank go up so I am not wasting my time?

-          Creating posts that encourage interaction, or getting a response out of your posts.

-          Post often, but not too often, well timed posts keep your content fresh, but over posting can be a negative.

-          Encourage tagging, this is a form of interaction and Facebook loves it.

-          Ask people to share your posts. This is a big deal for Facebook Edgerank.

-          Post videos and pictures, Facebook loves these and so do fans.

Simply put in order to get a better rate and keep your brand in your fans streams you have to make sure you are doing the things that get people involved. You have to be writing just the right copy and you have to encourage and gain interaction. Facebook Edgerank is here and you should cater to it to ensure your posts are productive.

Additional Links about Facebook Edgerank

Quora Post about Facebook Edgerank
Mashable’s take on Facebook Edgerank

You’ve heard of LinkedIn and you’ve ignored it?  Or you have a Linkedin profile, but you’re not doing anything with it?

Here’s why you can’t ignore Linkedin any longer and what to do about it:

1.  It’s so easy!
Linkedin’s profiler builder walks you through creating your profile and importing your contacts.  There’s really no excuse not to…
What you should do: go the through the set up process, upload your resume, and import a contact list. Done!

2.  150 million people
There are nearly 150 million Linkedin users & that number is increasing. You can’t ignore that many colleagues and professionals friends are on Linkedin to connect with.
What you should do: Start by setting up your Linkedin profile, then connect with people.  Click on the “People You May Know” tab and peruse.  Don’t be afraid to connect with people you’ve worked with or know.  That’s what Linkedin is for: professional connections.  Ask for former bosses and colleagues to write a reference about you on Linkedin.  There’s nothing quite like a personal recommendation.

3.  Job Searching & Professional Development
Whether or not you’re actively searching for a job, Linkedin keeps you connected professionally.  There’s useful articles, blogs, forums and group discussions going on all the time that you can get connected to.  Use Linkedin as a kind of professional development forum.
What you should do:
On the top navigation bar, click on Groups and select “Groups you May Like.”  Join groups and check out their Linkedin conversation.  You might find some very helpful people, articles, and discussions.  Schedule time daily or weekly to get involved on Linkedin.  Check out our blog on how you can use Pinterest for professional development as well.

What you shouldn’t do on Linkedin:
-Use a bad picture.  Don’t use a picture that doesn’t let me connect with you personally, or turns people off to working with you.

-Set it and forget it.  Like we said before: set aside some time to utilize the different features of Linkedin.  The more you use Linkedin, the more familiar you’ll be with it and the more you’ll get out of it.

-Don’t forget about your company page. Once you’ve established your own personal profile you can set up a page for your business and link up your professional connections to your business.  (Read: get new leads)

Do you think Linkedin is an underused professional social network?

Social Commerce is defined as a subset of electronic commerce, or

e-commerce, that involves using social media to assist in the online buying and selling of products, goods, or services.

YAHOO is often credited with introducing the term in November 2005 referencing online tools such as shared pick lists and user generated content, like ratings, reviews, product information and advice.  Looking ahead, I predict Social Commerce will be one of the hottest buzz words. Here’s why:

It’s already documented you’re more likely to purchase a product after your friends have positively reviewed it.  Soon we predict seeing things like, Katie just bought [insert product name], on Facebook timelines and other social media outlets.  There’s already a fair share of social commerce on Facebook, and it can only increase as search engines more and more involve social network results in their returns to best suit the consumer.  The best asset a brand can have is an advocate or someone positively speaks about the brand to their friends and family.  Directing that conversation exchange into social commerce holds potential for huge returns.

Included in the Social Commerce wave, is mobile search.  Imagine if you could tell Siri to buy a product for you.  Imagine if your payment & shipping info was stored much like iTunes stores payment info and you’d simply have enter your password in order to make a purchase.  Imagine if, when your favorite clothing brand posted pictures of their new items, you could like, comment, +1, pin, and purchase?! This all falls under social commerce.

Do you think you would partake in social commerce if it was that readily available on your social media networks?

Taking on a social commerce strategy can be overwhelming, but it’s not insurmountable.  Contact 219 Group with your questions or leave them in the comments section below. Will your company be ready to embrace social commerce and all it’s potential?

What is SOPA? SOPA is an acronym for the Stop Online Piracy Act.  Also known as also known as H.R. 3261 it’s a proposed bill aiming to crack down on copyright infringement.  SOPA’s sibling act is the Protect IP Act (PIPA).  Proposed in the House of Representatives in late October, SOPA and PIPA would give the U.S. government unprecedented power to order block, take-down, or restriction notices to foreign websites found to hosting pirated content, such as movies and music.

Many popular sites including Wikipedia, Reddit, WordPress, Google, Craigslist and others protested SOPA by blacking out some of their site content.  SOPA supporters say the bill is meant to revamp archaic laws that don’t adequately prevent criminal behavior in our 2.0 world.  SOPA critics say it’s writers don’t understand the Internet to appreciate the ramifications the legislation will have.

Presently, sites have been required to remove specific copyrighted content if presented with a properly filled out DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) take-down request. The notices are required to indicate exactly what pages the content is on, and prove that the filer is indeed the owner of the content.  SOPA and PIPA don’t contain provisions to actually remove copyrighted content, but rather censor the links to the entire domain.

219 clients should be aware that we are monitoring SOPA very closely and any possible effects on the day-to-day operations of our websites.  At this time, clients should not see any difference in their service or how their website operates.

For more information, we recommend reading Reddit’s blog linked here.

If you have questions about SOPA or PIPA and how it may effect your website, please contact the 219 Group by clicking here.