Pimp My Keywords

We Moved!

We recently moved our offices to:

521 Monmouth St.
Newport, KY 41071

Our mailing address is:

P.O. Box 569
Newport, KY 41072-0569

All other contact information remained the same:

(866) 837-7095

www.purpletrout.com

 

Get Ready For Another Google Panda Update

By Steve Phillips
President
Purple Trout, LLC

It appears Google has started a new update (some are calling it "Google Panda Update 2.2" in reference to the original update on February 24, 2011 which affected 12% of all websites in the Google index).

The original Panda update targeted low-quality websites publishing low-quality content. This algorithm change caused several online websites to lose search engine rankings and a ton of traffic. Most penalized were using duplicate content or software programs (called "scrapers") to collect pieces of content from other websites in an attempt to produce a new article.

Read: How To Avoid Penalties From Panda Updates.

Using Garage Sale Cow For Lava Lamp Quest

Search Google for "garage sales" and you'll be bombarded with over 62 million results including everything from Craigslist to classified ads to Google Maps. There's even paid advertising.

In our continuing quest for more vintage lava lamps for the office, one of our favorite garage sale websites we have used is Garage Sale Cow.

The site, which claims to be the nation's largest garage sale website, allows its users to advertise and locate garage sales for free. Its best feature - by far - is a searching tool which lists garage sales by distance to your zip code (Note: there are 113 garage sales on Saturday within 25 miles from our location).

For the seller, there are garage sale tips; helpful ideas on making flyers and signs and, yes, you can even purchase a Garage Sale Cow t-shirt. The website also includes a blog, which is updated frequently. Recent posts include how to restore a chair; making Christmas ornaments, and how to make your home cool.

Garage Sale Cow says its site is being redeveloped and redesigned. Here's hoping one of the new features includes a better method of mapping out your garage sale schedule (the current one doesn't work well). Still, the website is a useful tool and one we frequent often.

See you on Saturday, but no early birds, please!

Each Web Page Is A Different SEO Opportuntiy

Every business would like to see their website ranked No. 1 in Google. 

However, you have more opportunities for higher rankings than you think as Google ranks web pages and not websites. Each page of your website is a separate opportunity for higher placement in search engines.

For example, let's say your website has 10 web pages with each page focusing on a different theme, product, service, etc. That's 10 different chances for higher search engine rankings. If you're targeting 10 keywords, then you can focus on one keyword per page.

Treat each page of your website like it's a one-page website. It should stand alone and be optimized on its own merit, content, keywords, links, etc. 

Too many times website owners try to stuff all their keywords on the home page. They cram the Page Title, content, ALT tags, links, etc. with a ton of keywords thinking "let's get my website ranked No. 1 in Google."

But what about the other pages? What keywords do you incorporate in those pages?

When potential customers are searching targeted keywords they want to "land" on the page with the correct information. If they don't, they'll click the browser's "back" button and try something else. This is true for search engines, social media, pay per click, etc.

The "purple widgets" page should target keywords about "purple widgets" and the "green widgets" page should target keywords about "green widgets" and so on. If you post a Tweet about "green widgets" the Twitter link should point to the "green widgets" page and not the home page of your website.

Improving content and optimization on each page of your website will greatly increase ranking opportunities, inbound traffic and conversions.

* * *

Purple Trout, LLC lives, sleeps, breathes and even eats search engine optimization. Visit our website for more information and to receive a free, no-obligation SEO Analysis of your company's website.

Focus On What Won't Change

I've been reading "Rework" by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson, founders of 37signals. It's a quick - but good - read on starting a new business, etc.

However, these words really fly off the page:

"Focus on what won't change. A lot of companies focus on the next big thing. They latch on to what's hot and new."

Kind of like social media.

There are some 50,000 local social media "experts" in every town throwing around big words like "brand" and "image" and "analytics" while checking in via Foursquare at Starbucks with 10 others followed by a "Tweet" and a "Follow Friday" and a "Re-Tweet." 

Boring - and, frankly, a complete waste of time.

It doesn't matter what you're saying if no one's listening.

Note: Some social media "experts" can't go through a day without giving everyone a traffic update; raindrop count; checking in at every restaurant and bathroom in town, followed by details of everything in between including indigestion, puppy updates and what Johnny did at school today. It's all worthless crap that's adding to the noise that's been generated.

At Purple Trout, we focus on one thing: search engine optimization.

SEO is the practice by which we help our clients earn higher rankings in Google, Bing and other search engines.

We do a little bit of of our own social media (very little) and, while we do help some clients with social media, our work is directly connected with our clients' SEO efforts.

Does social media work? Sometimes, but it's not for every business.

Yes, Facebook's still hot. That's it. You don't need to hire an "expert" to start a Facebook Page.

It's still all about getting found. Don't forget that.

Keep working on your website. Write a Blog. Improve your content. Work on earning inbound links. These elements help earn higher rankings in Google and other search engines.

Your potential customers could care less that you're the mayor of Subway.

Quit chasing your tail with the latest social media gimmick and quit listening to the social media "experts."

SEO Tactics, Tips & Helpful Advice - No. 143

Are you busy checking your website's ranking in Google on targeted keywords?

Perhaps, you should be looking at other KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to better gauge your online efforts.

KPIs include:

• Traffic
• New and returning visitors
• Where traffic originated (a search or a link or social media, etc.)
• Pages visited
• Bounce rate
• Time on website
• Conversions

Yes, it's cool to say "I'm ranked No. 1 on this keyword" but it really doesn't matter if the top position isn't generating traffic, leads, sales, etc.

* * *

Purple Trout, LLC is a Cincinnati-based search engine optimization firm, which helps its clients measure and improve KPIs in several categories.

SEO Tactics, Tips & Helpful Advice - No. 142

Businesses should always be checking their online reputation management to see what's being said about their company, products and services.

Search Google for your company's name; a specific name of a product/service you sell, and names of senior management, etc. Record and track the Top 50 results.

Do the same in Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc.

Have a strategy in place to handle any "problems" that appear. Better yet, you should always be optimizing your positive news to prevent those problems from happening.

Cincinnati SEO Services Offered At Purple Trout, LLC

Are you considering hiring an SEO firm for your company's website?

We are Purple Trout, LLC - an ethical search engine optimization consulting firm - that earns high rankings for our clients in Google and other search engines.

We specialize in all things SEO:

• Organic (natural) search engine optimization, including site assessments, keyword selection, strategy and a strong inbound link building program.
• Search engine marketing, also known as Pay Per Click.
• Multilingual search engine optimization - we call it "search engine optimization international" or "SEOi" - which involves keyword, website translation and multilingual SEO to earn higher rankings in international search engines.
• Social media consulting and strategy.
• Online reputation management.

We have been in business for six years and have an onsite staff of seven full-time employees. We are located near Newport On the Levee in Newport, Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio.

Recently, Steve Phillips, president of Purple Trout, LLC was interviewed for an article "Topping the Web" for Cincinnati's "Business Courier," a local weekly business publication.

Our client base includes local, regional, national and international clients located in New York, Florida, Los Angeles, Mountain View, Seattle, Germany, United Kingdom, and Costa Rica...just to name a few.

We serve a variety of clients including small businesses to corporations to S & P 500 firms. Our clients include legal, medical, bridal, gifts, lawn care, HVAC, dental, manufacturing, environmental, marketing, tourism, distribution, non-profit, electronics and more.

At Purple Trout, LLC, we follow the guidelines and ethics set forth by Google and other search engines. We do not practice any "black hat" techniques (which may include keyword stuffing, hidden keywords, hidden links or any other dishonest methods). Not only do these "techniques" fail but they could also cause your website to be punished or banned from the search engine index.

We fully explain our SEO processes each step of the way, so our clients know and understand what we are doing to improve search engine rankings and traffic to their website. Ask us for case studies of how we helped our clients improve search engine rankings, website traffic and sales. 

Each month we offer a free educational webinar on search engine optimization. Our website includes SEO videos; podcasts; whitepapers; newsletters and more - all at no charge. Visit our website at www.purpletrout.com to learn more.

We also offer a free, no-obligation SEO Analysis of your website, so you can see how search engines are currently viewing your company's website. Ask for your free SEO Analysis on our website.

For more information, call us at (866) 837-7095 or complete an Inquiry Form on our website.

Seven SEO Success Tips for 2011

Purple Trout, LLC, a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) consulting firm located in Cincinnati, Ohio, is offering an online webinar to help businesses get a head start on 2011.

“Seven SEO Success Tips For 2011” is set for Wednesday, January 19 from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Admission is free, but space is limited.

In this webinar, attendees will learn the landscape for SEO in 2011, including changes in search engines, video, online maps, link building and more.

“Search engine optimization has changed so much in 2010 that some techniques used earlier last year are no longer valid,” says Steve Phillips, president at Purple Trout, LLC. “This webinar will help get your website on the right track for 2011 by creating a simple, yet useful strategy that will earn results for your website and business."

New techniques presented in the webinar include local search engine optimization and how video should become an important part of your SEO and social media efforts. How to earn relevant inbound links to your website and strategies for using Google Places and other online listing websites will also be part of the webinar discussion

This webinar will be presented in a simple, easy-to-understand, non-geek format (with no sales pitch). Webinar registration is required.

For more information, contact Purple Trout, LLC at (866) 837-7095 or visit www.purpletrout.com.

TO-DO’s for Blogging Success

By: Kristin Bednarski

You decided to start a blog. You picked a blog website, figured out a theme, came up with a name, gave it a little pizzazz and now are pretty sure you’re going to make it the next big thing.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news; but unless you’re already famous or Perez Hilton, creating a blog thousands of people visit each day isn’t going to happen without doing a little work, following guidelines and a bit of luck.

Now, I am not a blogging expert. Otherwise my own blog would be a hit. However, I’ve done a lot of blog research and have accumulated a list of helpful tips to help make your blog something people will actually want to read.

Whether you are a business or an individual, here is my top five TO DO’s for blogging success:

Consider a theme: This sounds like a lesson from English class, but it works. Putting a focus on your blog will prevent you from writing all over the place while keeping your readers’ attention in the process. If your blog is focused around one thought, location, topic or whatever, you will know your boundaries when it comes to writing. You’ll also develop a network of readers interested in your focus. If you are a business or company, don’t be afraid to have different blogs for different products or services; especially if they vary drastically.

Show personality: Showing your sense of humor, sensitivity or wit is helpful and important. Readers should be able to pick up on your personality traits through your blog. Showing these traits will make them feel like they know what kind of person you are. The best blogs I’ve come across are the ones written with some voice.

Be fair: You will not have a successful blog if it is one-sided. Think about the basic principles of debating; proving the other side wrong means you have to investigate and discuss the topic. Like Sarah said last week, don’t use your blog to rant. The same thing goes for a company. Don’t just promote your product! A good way to avoid a one-sided blog is to feature a variety of informational sources, interviews and quotes as well as include the occasional guest blogger from time to time. In addition, DO let people comment (it’s OK if people disagree with you), and comment back.

Be correct: This means a couple of things. First of all, check your facts and list your sources when you include information on your blog that is not your own. If readers don’t believe what you are writing, they won’t take your blog seriously. The same thing goes for the correctness of your writing. If you aren’t gifted in the spelling and grammar department, have someone else edit your blog. Trust me, you will look stupid if you don’t.

Create a blog that is visually pleasing: This doesn’t just apply to templates; which should be simple and easy to read as Sarah already addressed. What I am talking about are the actual blog posts. Switch it up for your readers from post to post. Incorporate videos and pictures on your blog instead of text. Your readers will like the variety not just visually, but also sensory.

Now, I can’t guarantee your blog will be a success if you incorporate these tips, but they should help you create a blog that is inviting to readers. So get to it!

Photo by: Search Engine People Blog