On April 24th, 2012 Google introduced a new search algorithm (nicked named Penguin) that seems to specifically target over-optimization and link spam. Sites that were ranking high and generating lots of traffic, due to having lots of backlinks to their site, were suddenly not performing near as well. In fact, some sites lost 50% or more of their web traffic.
Most of the sites affected seem to have participated in link building campaigns or use link building services. I think Google is always trying to keep search results natural so the best, most influential sites make their way to the top. So obviously back links would be a good measure of of a sites popularity and was part of Google’s algorithm.
In my last blog post I pointed out that web professionals know the elements of good web design and will use this knowledge and experience to build you an a truly effective website. I promised to outline the elements that I think make an effective web design, so here they are:
Purposeful Design – What is the ultimate purpose of the web site? Is it to generate leads? Is it to sell products online? Is it to build a mailing list? Is it all of these things and more? A professional web designer will know how to position elements on your web page to create effective calls to action to help you accomplish your goals. An effective website is also well written – consider hiring a copywriter too!
Consider this…
… You are starting a new business and decide that instead of renting an office you are going to build one yourself. It can’t be too hard, new houses and buildings pop up seemingly overnight. You think, “If they can do it, surely I can do it too.”
Make sense? Of course not! Not only are you going to be focusing your time, energy and money on something you are not an expert in but seriously do you really think that you can build an office that is safe and functional? Read More »
I often have clients asking me how to create a better, more effective html email signature for their gmail/yahoo/aol/msn email. Specifically, they want to know how to add images or social media links to their signature. The signature capabilities in these online email providers can be a little limiting, so I recommend a nifty browser add-on – WiseStamp.
WiseStamp makes it easy to customize your signature by changing fonts, sizes, colors, and adding images like your photo or a logo. It is also super easy to add your social media profiles or instant messaging profiles to your signature.
Facebook is a like a living organism constantly changing and adapting. The company philosophy on change is evident in one of their internal slogans, “Move Fast and Break Things.” Nothing stands in the way of progress… but what does that mean for users like us? It means we have to constantly relearn how to do things in Facebook.
After the launch of Timeline for Facebook Pages, one of the new things I had to relearn was how to find was a list of people who like my business page.
There is a nice little icon that shows how many people like the page but when you click on it, it just provides a summary and some demographics. It doesn’t show you who actually likes your page.
