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Purple Trout Offers New Service Guaranteed To Drastically Improve Local Map Rankings In Six Weeks

Purple Trout, LLC has partnered with Local Splash, a local map optimization firm, to help businesses improve their map search engine rankings.

Internet mapping tools have increasingly become a vital marketing resource for local businesses. Consumers often rely on Google Places (formerly Google Maps) and other mapping applications when searching for a particular type of business in their local area.

"It's all about local businesses being found in Google and other search engines," Purple Trout President Steve Phillips said. "The competition is fierce, and businesses need to take advantage of the tools and services that can move them up higher in search engines."

Being a Local Splash authorized reseller enables Purple Trout to use tools and strategies that have a solid track record of getting clients first page placement on local map searches. Purple Trout and Local Splash guarantee similar results within six weeks of client account set-up, or basic service will be free until first page visibility is accomplished.

In order to maximize local mapping presence, Local Splash creates a directory for each client featuring key attributes and vital information about the company's products, services, hours of operation, address, etc. The information is distributed to all major search engine sites, Internet data providers and directories in a format guaranteeing Purple Trout clients are optimally positioned in map searches relevant to their business.

"Local Splash is excited about our partnership with Purple Trout SEO," Local Splash Director of Business Development Michael Orefice said."This will be a mutually beneficial relationship that will make Local Splash’s affordable and effective local SEO services available to more businesses across America."

Companies using Local Splash map services tend to see improvements in their search engine rankings in approximately 14 days on some sites, and up to 60 days on others.  

"It used to be said your business needed to be found in the Top 30 positions in Google search; then, it changed to the Top 10," said Phillips. "Now, however, you need to be at the top of search results. And, since Google is placing more emphasis on its Places feature, which is listed at the top of local search results, it is imperative businesses are included in Google Places and other mapping services."

Business information is also placed on websites and directories such as Yelp and Google Places where consumers frequently provide feedback on company services. Purple Trout clients can update company information through an online tool that also allows users to review performance reports and upload photos. For more information on all Purple Trout SEO services, visit www.purpletrout.com or call (866) 837-7095.

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About Purple Trout, LLC:

Headquartered in Newport, Kentucky, Purple Trout, LLC is a search engine marketing firm helping companies strengthen their presence on the Internet. Services include Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and multilingual SEO services, Online Reputation Management (ORM), Social Media Monitoring (SMM) and local map optimization. For more information, visit www.purpletrout.com.

About Local Splash:

Local Splash is part of Relevant Ads, Inc. and is headquartered in Santa Ana, California. Services include local map ranking optimization for local and national clients targeting customers by geographic areas. Local Splash ranks # 113 on Inc. Magazine’s "2010 list of fastest growing companies in America." To learn more about Local Splash, visit www.localsplash.com.

Why Your SEO Plan Failed

Everyone is quick, at times, to either blame their SEO company, Google or their website designer for their poor search engine optimization results.

Truth of the matter is:

• You were not patient.
• You wanted overnight results (same as bullet No. 1).
• You didn't listen to your SEO firm.
• You didn't update your website's content.
• You didn't write a blog.
• You didn't work on inbound links from your website, etc., etc.

Or, perhaps:

• Your SEO firm promised you Top 10 position within 30 days. Not going to happen.
• Your SEO firm really didn't communicate anything but a crummy monthly report.
• Your SEO firm bills you only when they get Top 10 results and you've waiting on that to happen for six+ months now.

Or, perhaps:

• You can blame Google for not liking your website, despite the fact that your competition's lousy website is ranked No. 1, but your website is prettier (no one cares about your pretty website).
• Your website designer said your website is "optimized" for Google and that you're good to go. Problem is, you can't find your website in the Top 100 search results.
• You're waiting for your next door neighbor's son to get back from college to work on your new website because he's an Internet ace (good luck with that).
• You've decided to work on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or something else (here's a clue: they all work together).

Play the blame game all you want. It will never get your ranked high in search engines.

Purple Trout Launches New Website

CINCINNATI – March 31, 2010 – Purple Trout, LLC launched a newly redesigned website today focusing on educating clients on search engine marketing.  The website – www.purpletrout.com – features expanded content and resources on search engine optimization (SEO), pay per click (PPC), social media optimization (SMO) and multilingual search engine optimization.

“We wanted our website to become a go-to source for information, podcasts and videos on the ever-changing world of search engine marketing,” said Steve Phillips, President of Purple Trout, LLC. “We offer resources on our website to help you learn more about SEO and the steps you need to take in order to achieve higher rankings in search engines.”

The website includes articles, podcasts, videos and “purple” papers on a variety of search engine marketing topics. In addition, the home page includes live feeds from the Purple Trout blog and Twitter account.

Bent, LLC, of Covington, KY was selected to design the new website.

“Purple Trout’s approach to SEM is quite different from other providers with similar services. They aren’t as much about selling a monthly package with empty ranking promises as they are about educating a client and implementing an overall strategy that fits with an organization’s business objectives,” said Chris Sucher, Director of Strategy for Bent.

“This gave us a great starting point for developing the strategy for the site. To reflect their approach to SEM, we featured a wealth of educational content for visitors and tailored sections of the site specific to a user type: the novice, the non-user and the switcher (someone looking for an alternative to their current provider).  We structured the site in a way that showcases Purple Trout’s depth of knowledge in the field, educates potential clients, and illustrates their complete transparency in the field of SEM – very different from the ‘man behind the curtain’ approach of other providers,” Sucher added.

The website’s design focuses on a “fishing” theme with icons and buttons that include lures, hooks, bobbers and other fishing elements. Icons were designed by Janet Berberich, of Eye Candy Design.

“The plan with site design was to make it simple and approachable so that users from a variety of backgrounds could easily navigate the site to get to the information they needed – without getting distracted with excessive, pointless graphics,” said Joshua Thompson, Creative Director for Bent.

As the largest search engine optimization (SEO) firm in the Greater Cincinnati, Ohio area, Purple Trout helps a wide range of international, national and regional clients strengthen their internet presence by targeting on-site and off-site optimization factors. By conducting extensive keyword research and examining a company’s competition, Purple Trout develops a SEM strategy that focuses on keyword-rich content, strong meta tag codes and other key SEO factors that play a strategic role in creating a strong online brand.

About Purple Trout:

Headquartered in Newport, Kentucky, Purple Trout, LLC is a state-of-the-art search engine marketing (SEM) company that specializes in honest and ethical techniques to obtain higher rankings for company web sites in Google, Yahoo, Bing and other search engines. Services include: Organic Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Paid Search/Pay-Per-Click (PPC) campaigns, Social Media Marketing, Multilingual Search Engine Optimization, Video Search Engine Marketing, Usability Analysis, Conversion Tuning, Web Analytics, Competitive Analysis and more. For more information, please visit www.purpletrout.com.

SEO Lies Are Scary (5 of 5 Scary SEO Tips)

There are many lies about search engine optimization - meta tag keyword codes; hidden text; buying links; robot files; Google updates; Bing and Yahoo, yada, yada, yada.

How does one know the truth from a half-truth or a myth?

First, don't believe everything you hear. If an SEO firm (or salesperson) is telling you SEO "stories" the best way to verify is to talk to other SEO firms.

Second, visit and read SEO websites and blogs. Not just one. Read several.

Tweet with and follow SEO experts on Twitter; connect with SEO firms on LinkedIn; participate in the Answers section in LinkedIn (ask questions there; you'll get answers).

Visit and read the Google blog.

Talk to business associates.

Take notes.

SEO Firms Are Scary (4 of 5 Scary SEO Tips)

Do not be afraid to ask questions when considering to hire a search engine optimization firm.

Some questions:

• Ask for references.
• Ask for recent reports that match the references.
• Ask to see the keyword list for the references.
• Ask to see a linking report.
• Will the SEO firm be creating an SEO Strategy?
• How will the plan be implemented?
• Who will be working on your SEO strategy?
• Can you meet with them? Are they located in another state or country?
• Is the person selling you the SEO package an affiliate? In other words, are they selling for an SEO firm in New York or California? (They should disclose this upfront).
• How many people will be working on your project?
• When will you expect some results?
• What are the goals?
• Are their any SEO metrics?
• How often will you receive reports?
• Are meetings an extra expense?
• Did the SEO firm cold call you? Can you find them in a Google search? Are they ranked in Google?

SEO Tricks Are Scary (3 of 5 Scary SEO Tips)

Do not try to trick Google or any other search engine. If you do (and you think you've pulled off a brilliant idea), the treat will come back to you eventually and it won't be pretty.

Unethical and dishonest tricks - also known as a "black hat" technique" - are frowned upon by search engines. The penalty for such tactics could result in your website being removed from the search engine's index or a ranking penalty.

It's not worth it.

Don't hide keywords in your website's background. For that matter, don't make the font tiny so as to trick a search engine (one of our competitor's is using this technique now, and even that tactic still hasn't paid off in a higher rank).

Don't create a doorway page or stuff your website with keywords. Don't participate in link farms and keep your link purchasing to a minimum.

SEO firms may cheat in order to be paid (some work on a "pay per performance" plan, which means you don't pay until your website is ranked in the Top 10). Always be aware of what your SEO firm is doing to help your website.

Ideally, make sure your contract states the firm will not use unethical or dishonest SEO practices.

SEO Promises Are Scary (2 of 5 Scary SEO Tips)

Similar to an SEO sales person, an SEO firm may make some promises that are scary. Mainly, they might make some promises they can not fulfill.

Here are some of our favorites SEO promises:

• "We can get your website ranked in the No. 1 position in Google this week (or next week, or next month or within 30 days, etc.)."
• "We have a special connection with Google."
• "Things will improve with your rankings with the next Google update."
• "You have to pay to be ranked No. 1."
• "You have to 'hide' keywords in your website in order to be on the first page of search results."

If you hear any of the above scary promises, run. Fast.

SEO Sales People Are Scary (1 of 5 Scary SEO Tips)

It's Halloween and while we should be afraid of things that go "bump" in the night, we should take a look at some scary SEO tricks that are being sold to businesses every day by dishonest and unethical SEO firms.

Our first Scary SEO Tip:

"SEO Sales People Are Scary"

They may lie because they want to make the sale. They'll tell you exactly what you want to hear, but yet they can be clueless about what they are selling.

Ask SEO sales reps to show you a complete plan of action; proof of work performed for real clients; references; reports, etc.

Ask them if you can talk, face-to-face, with the SEO tech/coordinator who will be performing the work on your website (they might be located in a different state or country, for that matter).

Ask them how often they will be in touch with you on your project.

Ask them if they will be preparing an SEO strategy, or if you have to micro-manage the project.

Ask them if they will give you upfront consulting/advise for free (such as as website analysis or evaluation).

Ask tough questions. Ask follow-up questions.

Did the SEO sales rep call you or did you track them down? Better yet, did you find them by conducting a Google search?

If you search for the term "SEO" and add the "City" to your search string, did the SEO firm's name appear in the Top 10 of Google?

Where Is Your SEO Firm?

Everyone is hanging out a shingle these days and calling themselves a Search Engine Optimization firm.

Here's the con:

The "firms" are either aggressive salespeople working for commission for an over-priced SEO firm in New York (or in some other far-off location in which you'll never have the opportunity to meet them face-to-face).

Or...they are affiliate programs in which they are also re-selling SEO services.

In my opinion, never trust an SEO salesperson. They're lying. They don't know SEO. They only know how to sell SEO. Salespeople - especially SEO salespeople - always puke the perfect answer that you want to hear. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

(Note: I am not a salesperson. I am the President and founder of Purple Trout, LLC. I answer questions and help prospects and clients with their SEO needs. I'll point you in the right direction and our website will help educate you on search engine optimization topics. We host a free monthly webinar; broadcast two monthly SEO podcasts, and publish a monthly SEO newsletter. We also offer a FREE SEO Analysis to help answer some of your questions.).

If SEO sales people promise you top rankings in Google, you better run. Google warns of such promises. Better yet, what keywords are they holding the No. 1 position in search engines? (Hint: It better not be the name of the company or something ridiculous like "SEO Cincinnati when the Cincinnati Reds are playing the Chicago Cubs").

Ask the "salesperson" a few simple questions:

• Who is doing the work and can you meet them for coffee to discuss strategy?
• Can you call local references and see their case studies, ranking reports, etc.?
• Is the work sub-contracted to another office; another vendor and/or to someone in another country?
• Call at least two other SEO firms. Ask the same questions. Compare answers. 

You may call me if you wish (513) 885-5000. Questions and answers are always free - and the coffee's pretty good, too. I live here and work here, and our employees do too.

How To Hire A Local SEO Firm

There are a few search engine optimization firms in Cincinnati. Some specialize in only SEO. Some do website design and SEO. Others are "experts" in 10 different website specialties.

Here's an easy way to start looking for a local SEO firm:

1. Go to Google.
2. Search for "Cincinnati SEO" (or replace with your own city).

Now, let's consider some facts:

1. If the search engine optimization firm isn't ranked in the Top 10 on a simple keyword phrase that is both their city location (Cincinnati) and their specialty (SEO), can they really get your website ranked high on local keywords?
2. If the firm tells you "oh, we'll, we are not focusing on local keywords, we're targeting bigger fish..." Really? They're not looking for local business? (Oh, but they want your business, right?).
3. If they totally overlooking local keywords, ask them what keywords they are targeting. Then, jump over to your computer and do a quickie search on Google. Are you impressed yet?

It is totally amazing local search engine optimization firms are hired when they have no keywords ranked in the Top 10 or Top 20 or even Top 30 in Google.

Yes, perhaps price is driving your purchase decision. Some Cincinnati firms are cheaper than Purple Trout.

However, a cheaper price doesn't mean better results.

Don't forget: the reason you started looking for an SEO firm is because you wanted better rankings, more traffic, more leads and more sales. Right?

Oh, by the way, our website - www.purpletrout.com - is ranked No. 1 in Google on the keyword Cincinnati SEO, while this blog is No. 7 (that's two websites in the Top 10 on the same keyword).

None of our local competitors share that honor.