I was driving home late tonight and I thought: I would love to know about late-night restaurants in the Jacksonville area. A quick web search for these terms returns some nation-wide directory that lists a few local results on each of their many sub-domains. Based on this typical user's search, I would be forced to conclude that Denny's, Taco Bell, and Sonic are the only local restaurants in Jacksonville that stay open "late" at all.
Now, I feel like we might be missing out on something here. I know there are some breakfast joints that open hours before dawn, and they could be advertising to night-owls like me.
For a city of the size of Jacksonville, I would also expect there to be more all-night, 24-hour eateries. I would kind of hope so anyway!
Forget these paid directories and pay per click links. The best way to market a late-night restaurant online is with SEO. Why sit on a list with a dozen alternative diners? Ideally, you want your own website, with your own copyright - your 24 hr. menu, or your late-night hours, and probably some pictures reminding the readers why they are so ready to jump up from their seat at a crazy hour of the night to go get some food.
Great. Now I'm hungry. And I still can't find a good restaurant!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Jacksonville is Growing - So is the Internet
The pace may have slowed a little bit, but Jacksonville is still growing. The citizens and the city council are barely able to keep up - and sometimes interests come in conflict to slow down that growth to a more moderate pace. Whew, that's good news if you ask me! Construction is starting to slow down, but there's hope with new deals on a port or the proposed airport re-configurations. Yet again, Jacksonville is set to handle the coming economic changes with new strategies and public investment. Of course, if you've set up a business here you probably already knew that!
The good news is that the internet is still growing, too. Every day, people are logging on for the first time and plugging their computers into just-installed connections. The benefits of internet marketing and online advertising presence will only increase, but the downside is that prices will also rise as competition becomes more fierce. As more companies compete over a few keywords, more effort will be required to influence results - and truly awesome content will be required to reach the top as search engines become more refined and begin to study user reactions to certain pages. An SEO needs to keep up with the latest trends just as the business needs to be up to date on its customers' tastes.
The good news is that the internet is still growing, too. Every day, people are logging on for the first time and plugging their computers into just-installed connections. The benefits of internet marketing and online advertising presence will only increase, but the downside is that prices will also rise as competition becomes more fierce. As more companies compete over a few keywords, more effort will be required to influence results - and truly awesome content will be required to reach the top as search engines become more refined and begin to study user reactions to certain pages. An SEO needs to keep up with the latest trends just as the business needs to be up to date on its customers' tastes.
Jacksonville Commercial and Business Domains
Real estate investments aren't doing so well this year but virtual property is still hot.
Instead of four bedrooms, think about investing in four new .coms.
Domain registrations only cost $10-20 a year and hosting can be obtained at about the same cost. This is ideal for businesses with multiple dimensions and specific targeting. Domains can be built around events - as these are ideal "link bait" or they could be used to house a company blog, CEO blog, or even a customer service and review forum.
Multiple domains with unique, specific content can work together to bring your users to the most specific and accurate content. There are numerous benefits with keywords in domain names, and they can build value in and of themselves as they get older and your business may look to liquidate some assets and investments.
Many Jacksonville website names have been taken, but there are definitely some good ones left, too! Don't wait, because you can forget about $10 a year if someone else beats you to it.
Instead of four bedrooms, think about investing in four new .coms.
Domain registrations only cost $10-20 a year and hosting can be obtained at about the same cost. This is ideal for businesses with multiple dimensions and specific targeting. Domains can be built around events - as these are ideal "link bait" or they could be used to house a company blog, CEO blog, or even a customer service and review forum.
Multiple domains with unique, specific content can work together to bring your users to the most specific and accurate content. There are numerous benefits with keywords in domain names, and they can build value in and of themselves as they get older and your business may look to liquidate some assets and investments.
Many Jacksonville website names have been taken, but there are definitely some good ones left, too! Don't wait, because you can forget about $10 a year if someone else beats you to it.
Jacksonville Political Campaigns - Online Strategies
The 2008 presidential elections show us that the internet is here to stay - and its been growing as a political force since the last time around. Ron Paul and Barack Obama have found huge support, millions of dollars in donations, and tons of voters and activists for their causes. Other candidates have benefited as well, just not to the phenomenal and record-breaking quantities of those two in particular.
What's the secret? Well, a lot of times its the message. Internet users tend to be a little more libertarian about social issues than the general public. A candidate with even hints of a libertarian outlook could get page after page of viral (free) SEO just by having a popular message.
Of course, libertarians aren't the only ones that go online. The internet represents most of the demographics your campaign might appeal to, and once you find the right audience your fellow-minded citizens are likely to take up the cause to the forums and chat rooms. Why do I know this? Well, because I'm one of those online activists. A lot of political people like to debate topics online and when they happen to hear about a candidate they like they'll advance the cause for their own self-interest of having the right person in the job.
Jacksonville is no different, we have our political chats and we have our online activists. Of course, its a different demographic than the national stage but I'll try to keep my political analysis on my political websites :)
Bottom line, your campaign needs an SEO strategy because unless they're broke your competitor has one too.
What's the secret? Well, a lot of times its the message. Internet users tend to be a little more libertarian about social issues than the general public. A candidate with even hints of a libertarian outlook could get page after page of viral (free) SEO just by having a popular message.
Of course, libertarians aren't the only ones that go online. The internet represents most of the demographics your campaign might appeal to, and once you find the right audience your fellow-minded citizens are likely to take up the cause to the forums and chat rooms. Why do I know this? Well, because I'm one of those online activists. A lot of political people like to debate topics online and when they happen to hear about a candidate they like they'll advance the cause for their own self-interest of having the right person in the job.
Jacksonville is no different, we have our political chats and we have our online activists. Of course, its a different demographic than the national stage but I'll try to keep my political analysis on my political websites :)
Bottom line, your campaign needs an SEO strategy because unless they're broke your competitor has one too.
Social Networking: Web 2.0 in Jacksonville
Web 2.0 is all the rage in internet marketing today. For many, its an effective means to an end. I think to others, its what they secretly do when they really should be working.
The question always comes back to this: Are you getting to your target customers? Are you reaching the specific users you want to reach? Most SEOs will spend a lot of time on international social bookmarking sites, and they'll waste their time and reputations trying to submit stories with a really niche appeal. Trust me! I've learned the hard way.
Now, is your SEO up to date on the Jacksonville online communities? Where do the Jacksonville natives hang out online, and where would you find people interested in local reviews, events, and organizations?
This is Web 2.0 - this is when SEO moves beyond just Search Engine Optimization and right to the users. With online communities, the users find the categories they're interested in and the developers bring the product directly to them. Again, its an improved system of organization that builds on the existing internet infrastructure. Every advance brings the system to the next level and if you're keeping up with the technology, so will the sales.
The question always comes back to this: Are you getting to your target customers? Are you reaching the specific users you want to reach? Most SEOs will spend a lot of time on international social bookmarking sites, and they'll waste their time and reputations trying to submit stories with a really niche appeal. Trust me! I've learned the hard way.
Now, is your SEO up to date on the Jacksonville online communities? Where do the Jacksonville natives hang out online, and where would you find people interested in local reviews, events, and organizations?
This is Web 2.0 - this is when SEO moves beyond just Search Engine Optimization and right to the users. With online communities, the users find the categories they're interested in and the developers bring the product directly to them. Again, its an improved system of organization that builds on the existing internet infrastructure. Every advance brings the system to the next level and if you're keeping up with the technology, so will the sales.
Online Jacksonville
I'm sure you've noticed the last few years - Jacksonville has gone online.
Whether you're looking for Jaguars tickets, Times Union stories, or DMV information its online. These days you can even update your license and registration or pay certain fines online. Forget the lines at the DMV, just skip them all together! Incidentally, the lines at the Jacksonville DMV aren't as bad as they used to be. Hmm...
Maybe, just maybe, the internet can help make the real world better, too. The flow of information is one of the most important markers for human technological growth and the internet is our latest-greatest achievement in that field. Now, more specific information is available to a global audience faster than books or magazines or fliers can even be designed.
The industry is still in its infancy - a frenzy of independent movers and shakers creating new ways to use the potential of instant communication and search engine optimization technology. Its all about getting connected to the right audience and creating new communities of information and specialization. How does your business fit in?
Whether you're looking for Jaguars tickets, Times Union stories, or DMV information its online. These days you can even update your license and registration or pay certain fines online. Forget the lines at the DMV, just skip them all together! Incidentally, the lines at the Jacksonville DMV aren't as bad as they used to be. Hmm...
Maybe, just maybe, the internet can help make the real world better, too. The flow of information is one of the most important markers for human technological growth and the internet is our latest-greatest achievement in that field. Now, more specific information is available to a global audience faster than books or magazines or fliers can even be designed.
The industry is still in its infancy - a frenzy of independent movers and shakers creating new ways to use the potential of instant communication and search engine optimization technology. Its all about getting connected to the right audience and creating new communities of information and specialization. How does your business fit in?
TV & Radio Ads vs. the Internet
TV and Radio Advertising have the wonderful advantage of reaching huge numbers of viewers or listeners at a single moment.
There's only one problem: You're paying for a lot of viewers who aren't necessarily interested in your product or service. Let's say you run an ad for used-cars in Jacksonville, Fl - 10,000 people might see that advertisement but maybe only 50 are even thinking of getting a different car. The nature of these advertising media is unavoidable: you have to pay to get the message to people who just don't care. Of course, its the 50 people who want a used car in Jacksonville, and you'll make yourself feel better by saying they're the ones you paid to target, but the thing is you paid for everyone who wasn't interested as well.
Online Marketing Targets Specific Customers
Now consider the online alternative. When you bring in customers from a search engine, you know right away that they're looking for a used car in Jax. With the right SEO strategy, all sorts of details could be linked to your website and you'll have an audience to show off your online dealership. Are you gonna lose a sale because the lot down the street came up higher on the page for "2001 Cadillac Jacksonville" ?
Forget about the people who aren't looking for a car. Sales is smooth when you zone in on the ones who have already sold themselves. Use your content to boost your brand, and use your blogs to keep the consumer updated. Just make sure the SEO works right and your pages are showing up!
There's only one problem: You're paying for a lot of viewers who aren't necessarily interested in your product or service. Let's say you run an ad for used-cars in Jacksonville, Fl - 10,000 people might see that advertisement but maybe only 50 are even thinking of getting a different car. The nature of these advertising media is unavoidable: you have to pay to get the message to people who just don't care. Of course, its the 50 people who want a used car in Jacksonville, and you'll make yourself feel better by saying they're the ones you paid to target, but the thing is you paid for everyone who wasn't interested as well.
Online Marketing Targets Specific Customers
Now consider the online alternative. When you bring in customers from a search engine, you know right away that they're looking for a used car in Jax. With the right SEO strategy, all sorts of details could be linked to your website and you'll have an audience to show off your online dealership. Are you gonna lose a sale because the lot down the street came up higher on the page for "2001 Cadillac Jacksonville" ?
Forget about the people who aren't looking for a car. Sales is smooth when you zone in on the ones who have already sold themselves. Use your content to boost your brand, and use your blogs to keep the consumer updated. Just make sure the SEO works right and your pages are showing up!
Hosting a Company Blog
One strategy in search engine optimization is to start up a company blog - an online publishing portal that allows anyone in the business to fill out a simple web form that will create an online article saved to a unique URL.
A blog is a great way to manage content and links, and its a great way to post updated news as it becomes available.
You might already have hosting for your company website, and you could probably host your company blog on that same server. On the other hand, some SEOs think that links from the same IP are treated differently than links from different IPs. Find out if your local SEO will host your company's blog on his/her server - and don't pay too much unless you expect a nation-wide surge in traffic!
The SEO should be able to set up the blog, optimize it for keyword and linking efficiency, and train your internal marketers and writers in how to use the software. Hosting of course, is a bonus!
A blog is a great way to manage content and links, and its a great way to post updated news as it becomes available.
You might already have hosting for your company website, and you could probably host your company blog on that same server. On the other hand, some SEOs think that links from the same IP are treated differently than links from different IPs. Find out if your local SEO will host your company's blog on his/her server - and don't pay too much unless you expect a nation-wide surge in traffic!
The SEO should be able to set up the blog, optimize it for keyword and linking efficiency, and train your internal marketers and writers in how to use the software. Hosting of course, is a bonus!
SEO as Community Organization Building
Do you help organize and/or promote a religious, political, or charitable organization in Jacksonville?
SEO techniques could help you get into contact with the people who are looking for just such a group! You may have your website built already, but just because you build it, does not mean people will show up.
A lot of websites have a hard time getting recognized by the search engines because it requires fairly specific knowledge. The search engines would like to find the most appropriate web pages, but sometimes people want to divert things to unrelated commercial websites using misleading labels and links. Unfortunately, those people understand SEO and its the legitimate websites that have to play catch up.
When selecting an SEO, ask if they offer discounts for non-profit, religious, and public service groups like churches, fund-raisers, and other charity organizations. Maybe the SEO company just had a good sales year - maybe they are ready to do some optimization work pro-bono for the Jacksonville community.
SEO techniques could help you get into contact with the people who are looking for just such a group! You may have your website built already, but just because you build it, does not mean people will show up.
A lot of websites have a hard time getting recognized by the search engines because it requires fairly specific knowledge. The search engines would like to find the most appropriate web pages, but sometimes people want to divert things to unrelated commercial websites using misleading labels and links. Unfortunately, those people understand SEO and its the legitimate websites that have to play catch up.
When selecting an SEO, ask if they offer discounts for non-profit, religious, and public service groups like churches, fund-raisers, and other charity organizations. Maybe the SEO company just had a good sales year - maybe they are ready to do some optimization work pro-bono for the Jacksonville community.
Writing Content for Brand
Every brand should inspire confidence and project an image of authority and credibility. The content attached to your website needs to be accurate, well-written, and visually acceptable. Your SEO author(s) may not have personal expertise in your field, but its important to work with them and point them in the right direction for sources they can use to research the company and its products or services. Remember, content is king, and the better the content the better you're going to do with your campaign.
Your brand probably offers something unique that your competitors don't. Has your business been in Jacksonville for a long time? What factors do you attribute your success? What solutions do you offer that no one else has? You'll want to make sure these questions are answered in your content, and you'll want to make sure you have an SEO who is going to listen to what makes your business unique.
Jacksonville businesses may just want a way to publish good reviews or press releases, and these can be included online as part of unifying an SEO strategy.
Your brand probably offers something unique that your competitors don't. Has your business been in Jacksonville for a long time? What factors do you attribute your success? What solutions do you offer that no one else has? You'll want to make sure these questions are answered in your content, and you'll want to make sure you have an SEO who is going to listen to what makes your business unique.
Jacksonville businesses may just want a way to publish good reviews or press releases, and these can be included online as part of unifying an SEO strategy.
Know what your customers are searching for
The key to a successful SEO campaign is knowing what words your potential customers will be searching for. Professional SEO services can provide this research as part of the deal.
As a business owner or marketing specialist, take this into consideration. If you were looking for what your firm offers, what would you type into Google or Ask.com? Are you looking for a "Lawyer in Jacksonville?" or a "Thai restaurant in Jacksonville?" You can't always know the exact words and the order they are used, but with a good general idea and some long-tail phrases thrown into the mix, potential buyers will be able to find you in just a few clicks.
Unlike most internet advertising, SEO won't deliver customers on a per-click basis. Traffic is only limited by the time investment of the link and content building campaigns, and the number of people who are looking for those particular terms.
As a business owner or marketing specialist, take this into consideration. If you were looking for what your firm offers, what would you type into Google or Ask.com? Are you looking for a "Lawyer in Jacksonville?" or a "Thai restaurant in Jacksonville?" You can't always know the exact words and the order they are used, but with a good general idea and some long-tail phrases thrown into the mix, potential buyers will be able to find you in just a few clicks.
Unlike most internet advertising, SEO won't deliver customers on a per-click basis. Traffic is only limited by the time investment of the link and content building campaigns, and the number of people who are looking for those particular terms.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Online Marketing for Offline Businesses
For the most part, internet SEO advertising is dominated by marketing for other websites - that is, businesses that only exist online.
As more and more people go online to find local products, services, and entertainment, local businesses can maximize their advertising budgets by marketing these products through search engines like Google, Yahoo, and MSN. Is your business in the top results for Jacksonville? How many potential customers are you missing out on?
People are going online to find local restaurants or to see which mechanic or lawyer gets good reviews. The internet and political websites are even playing an increased role in political elections, and its just a matter of time until this comes to the local level.
As more and more people go online to find local products, services, and entertainment, local businesses can maximize their advertising budgets by marketing these products through search engines like Google, Yahoo, and MSN. Is your business in the top results for Jacksonville? How many potential customers are you missing out on?
People are going online to find local restaurants or to see which mechanic or lawyer gets good reviews. The internet and political websites are even playing an increased role in political elections, and its just a matter of time until this comes to the local level.
The Evolution of SEO
When the internet was young and search engines were simple, it didn't take much to get your website to the top.
The search engines would look for a keyword, let's say: SEO. The more times your website said SEO, the more important the search engine assumed it was.
People would repeat the word hundreds of times - often in the same color as the background so that it wouldn't bother the actual human visitors.
Although this was one of the first SEO tactics that search engines evolved past, it persisted in the website design of individuals who had fallen behind the times. As a result, their websites fell behind the times in traffic - so to speak.
These days, anyone who claims to fully understand SEO is either working at Google or exaggerating a bit. There are good strategies, but even the professionals occasionally get together and ask each other speculative questions about what may or may not impact rankings.
I think its fairly simple: Get good content, link to the content, and then add some more content! Stay on topic and find your spot on the internet with links coming in and going out to related, trusted sites.
The search engines would look for a keyword, let's say: SEO. The more times your website said SEO, the more important the search engine assumed it was.
People would repeat the word hundreds of times - often in the same color as the background so that it wouldn't bother the actual human visitors.
Although this was one of the first SEO tactics that search engines evolved past, it persisted in the website design of individuals who had fallen behind the times. As a result, their websites fell behind the times in traffic - so to speak.
These days, anyone who claims to fully understand SEO is either working at Google or exaggerating a bit. There are good strategies, but even the professionals occasionally get together and ask each other speculative questions about what may or may not impact rankings.
I think its fairly simple: Get good content, link to the content, and then add some more content! Stay on topic and find your spot on the internet with links coming in and going out to related, trusted sites.
SEO - Do's and Don'ts
Seo DO's:
Search engines like to see websites organically evolve and take root in the internet. Anyone promising overnight results is either extremely optimistic or planning a short-term strategy that will anger the search engines given time.
We believe that "content is king" - that is, information about the topic at hand is what the users and the search engines care about.
Does the website contain unique information? Does it inform the user about a product, service, or idea that isn't quite the same as anywhere else?
At Jacksonville SEO we're focused on businesses and organizations in the Jacksonville Florida and First Coast area. What do you offer the community, and how can we help you get the word out? This is the mission.
- Link to authoritative websites
- Find related websites willing to link to your website
- Provide your users with good, quality, unique content
- "Clean-up" your website code
- Buy links or solicit links from 'bad neighborhoods'
- Copy someone else's content
- Ignore keywords, title tags, meta tags, or the reputation of the pages you're linking out to
Search engines like to see websites organically evolve and take root in the internet. Anyone promising overnight results is either extremely optimistic or planning a short-term strategy that will anger the search engines given time.
We believe that "content is king" - that is, information about the topic at hand is what the users and the search engines care about.
Does the website contain unique information? Does it inform the user about a product, service, or idea that isn't quite the same as anywhere else?
At Jacksonville SEO we're focused on businesses and organizations in the Jacksonville Florida and First Coast area. What do you offer the community, and how can we help you get the word out? This is the mission.
Jacksonville Search Engine Optimization
Search Engine Optimization - SEO refers to the practice of promoting and marketing websites through a variety of methods.
SEO is a useful tool for businesses who want to increase their web traffic without paying advertisers per user click through. By adding content to their websites and developing good linking strategies, website owners can increase their online users in the long-term outlook and add value to their website investment.
When considering an SEO, its important to know what you are purchasing as well. A bad SEO will use unauthorized tactics that can actually get your web page penalized - so its important to do some research and only choose a contractor who uses approved methods. The last thing you want to do is have to hire someone to undo what your first SEO consultant has done. Different projects have completely different levels of competition, and any progress in your project could later be undone or just minimized by someone else's efforts.
Make sure the SEO service provider can demonstrate that they've accomplished the type of results you want to see with other websites. However! Keep in mind that search engines are somewhat unpredictable and past success is no guarantee of future success.
SEO is a useful tool for businesses who want to increase their web traffic without paying advertisers per user click through. By adding content to their websites and developing good linking strategies, website owners can increase their online users in the long-term outlook and add value to their website investment.
When considering an SEO, its important to know what you are purchasing as well. A bad SEO will use unauthorized tactics that can actually get your web page penalized - so its important to do some research and only choose a contractor who uses approved methods. The last thing you want to do is have to hire someone to undo what your first SEO consultant has done. Different projects have completely different levels of competition, and any progress in your project could later be undone or just minimized by someone else's efforts.
Make sure the SEO service provider can demonstrate that they've accomplished the type of results you want to see with other websites. However! Keep in mind that search engines are somewhat unpredictable and past success is no guarantee of future success.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)