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Tag: SEO

Mastering SEO: How to Build a Quality Backlink Profile and Boost Your Website’s Performance

Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for online business success. Building a quality backlink profile, which consists of inbound links from other websites, is a key factor in improving search engine rankings and driving organic traffic. 

The link between backlinks and SEO performance is well-established, with 55% of businesses relying on organic search for website traffic. In today’s competitive digital landscape, understanding the strategic importance of backlinks is essential.

READ: This is Why Your Website Isn’t Getting Any Traffic — And 3 Ways to Fix That

Analyzing the quality of backlinks

While backlinks undoubtedly play a pivotal role in SEO success, not all links are created equal.

Search engines have become increasingly sophisticated in assessing the quality and relevance of backlinks, emphasizing content value over sheer quantity. To build an effective backlink profile, businesses need to understand the criteria used by search engines to evaluate link quality.

Factors such as the linking domain’s authority, the relevance of the linking content to your website, and the anchor text used in the link all contribute to the weight and value assigned to a backlink. Analyzing your competitors’ backlink profiles and leveraging SEO backlink tools can provide valuable insights into the quality of your existing links and identify opportunities for improvement.

Building a robust backlink profile

Building a strong backlink profile requires a strategic focus on quality content creation to attract high-quality backlinks organically. Effective techniques include guest blogging, industry discussions and influencer relationships. Black-hat tactics like link farms should be avoided due to potential search engine penalties.

Content marketing is a powerful, cost-effective strategy for lead generation and maintaining a healthy backlink profile. Partnering with a link building service can streamline efforts and maximize competitiveness in the evolving SEO landscape.

READ: eCommerce SEO – 6 Easy Tips to Drive Organic Sales

The Impact of Backlinks on Business Objectives

The benefits of a strong backlink profile extend far beyond improved search engine rankings. A robust backlink profile can directly impact key business objectives, such as increased web traffic and conversion rates. Look at the table below that shows the benefits of link-building techniques:

Technique Description Key Benefits
Guest Posting Write articles on reputable industry sites Brand exposure, referral traffic, authority, high-quality backlinks
Broken Link Building Suggest replacements for broken links Value for webmasters, high-quality backlinks, visibility
Infographic Promotion Create infographics, promote for backlinks Authoritative backlinks, social shares, brand awareness
Resource Page Link Building Suggest inclusion on resource pages Contextual backlinks, niche visibility, valuable resource
Content-Based Link Building Create shareable content attracting backlinks Organic backlinks, credibility, traffic, engagement
Link Roundups Contribute to curated industry roundups New audiences, contextual backlinks, brand visibility

Effective link-building techniques like guest posting, broken link building, infographic promotion, resource page link building, content-based link building and link roundups can contribute to achieving these objectives. Quality backlinks drive targeted traffic, signal trustworthiness, and contribute to long-term growth and sustainability.

The future of backlinks in SEO

As the digital landscape evolves, the role of backlinks in SEO will adapt.

While quality content and ethical link building remain pivotal, search engines may assess backlink context and intent more sophisticatedly using AI and machine learning. 

Ongoing monitoring and analysis of industry trends, consumer behavior (evidenced by the fact that 53% of shoppers research before making a purchase), and search engine updates are crucial for maintaining a competitive SEO edge and aligning backlink strategies with emerging technologies.

READ: 7 Reasons Local SEO is Excellent for Small Businesses 

Frequently Asked Questions

How many backlinks do I need to improve my website’s SEO ranking?

There is no fixed number of backlinks needed for improved SEO rankings. Focus on quality over quantity — a few high-authority, relevant backlinks are more valuable than numerous low-quality ones.

Can backlinks from new websites or blogs positively affect my SEO?

Yes, backlinks from new but high-quality and relevant websites/blogs can positively impact SEO, as new domains can gain authority over time.

How do I identify and remove toxic backlinks that are harming my website’s SEO?

To remove toxic backlinks:

  • Use backlink analysis tools to identify low-quality/spammy links.
  • Request removal from website owners.
  • Use Google’s Disavow Tool if owners are unresponsive.

The bottom line

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, the impact of quality backlinks on business websites and SEO cannot be overstated. By understanding the strategic importance of backlinks, analyzing link quality and implementing effective organic link-building techniques, businesses can gain a significant competitive advantage.

Embracing content marketing, fostering industry relationships and consistently monitoring and maintaining a robust backlink profile is key to achieving sustainable success in SEO and driving business growth.

How to Utilize Geotargeting in Advertising Campaigns

You wouldn’t dream of throwing money behind an ad campaign targeted at anyone and everyone roving the web, right?

Targeting is a core and necessary part of designing high-performance advertising campaigns, and expert advertisers are adept at understanding the ideal audience for a campaign’s goals and building accordingly. While it’s commonplace for adverts to be targeted via a host of characteristics — age, gender, interests, domain visits, cookies — far too frequently, location is left out of the equation.

Enter geotargeting, the newest and sharpest tool in your advertising arsenal. But how can we use geotargeting in campaigns to get the most value? Let’s find out.

READ: Determining Your Business’s Target Market – Why It’s Necessary and How To Do It

What is geotargeting?

Geotargeting is the practice of leveraging modern location data to augment your ad campaigns. By using GPS data from mobile phones, IP address geolocation or user-provided information, advertisers can target ads to show in specific locations only and ensure that advertising spend isn’t wasted on areas that offer little to no value for your business. 

Campaigns can be made as granular as required, and they can be incorporated into your broader integrated marketing communications strategy. 

Who can benefit from geotargeting?

Although we recommend every advertising campaign to include some form of geotargeting, even simply to a country or state level, there are many business cases where deeper levels of targeting are required. 

For example, any brick-and-mortar business that relies on footfall and customer retention to generate business — restaurants, hair and beauty salons, and so forth — should use strict geotargeting rules to ensure only customers within their catchment radius are shown their ads. 

Any businesses that can only provide services in a given radius or location, whether for cost-efficiency reasons or logistical, will also want to use hard-line rules for their advertising strategy. 

How do you use geotargeting effectively?

Geotargeting is only one link in the chain when an effective marketing campaign is concerned. It takes the sum of all parts to ensure that your advertising spend is used effectively and generates conversions. 

1. Understand the local audience

At the core of any focused campaign is the audience. If you don’t intrinsically know who your ideal customer is, how can you design messaging to answer their needs? 

Advertising is no different. While advertising focuses on directly promoting products or services to drive sales, Public Relations (PR) concentrates on managing the reputation and fostering relationships with the public. Understanding the difference between advertising and PR is essential as it helps tailor your messaging not only to meet customer needs but also to shape perceptions and maintain a positive brand image.

From the initial step of brainstorming ideas for domains or new product names, a business needs to always keep its customers at the heart of its strategy. Advertising is no different. 

Build “personas” of your ideal customers and learn what makes them tick. Once you’re confident, it’s time for the next stage.

READ: 7 Reasons Local SEO is Excellent for Small Businesses 

2. Consider your platform

Each platform handles geolocation data slightly differently, and it’s important to consider this when building your campaign. Social platforms are excellent sources of rich geotargeting data, thanks to the user behavior of location tagging being commonplace. 

Search engines, on the other hand, will have geolocation data but often rely on IP address methods to estimate a user’s location. 

In addition to these considerations, it’s worth noting the unique benefits that social media platforms bring to geotargeting strategies. They offer precise geotargeting capabilities and also the added advantage of fostering engagement and interaction with potential customers. 

By leveraging social media’s interactive nature, advertisers can create more personalized and engaging campaigns that resonate with their target audience on a deeper level. This increased engagement can lead to higher conversion rates and greater overall success for geotargeted advertising efforts.

3. Build strong keyword targeting

Keyword targeting is your strongest asset when choosing who will see live ads through search engines. Start with your seed keywords and build a robust list of target terms that form the initial launch of the campaign. 

Ensure to add negative keywords to your list, too, and add location-specific terms as appropriate. Never be afraid to change your strategy if something isn’t working — be flexible.

READ: Unlocking the Power of Keywords — A Comprehensive Guide to SEO Strategies

4. Create killer copy for target locations

The key to securing the conversions is the messaging itself. While the targeting work has put your ad in front of an audience, the content has to connect if you’re going to land the sale.

Think about the location you’re advertising to and build your content with personalized messaging in mind. Providing identifiable information that shows your ad is targeted — landmarks, matching local dialects and so forth — will help to build confidence with individuals who view your ad. Powerful content marketing tools can help to optimize your copy and get the best results.

The bottom line

Geotargeting should become an integral part of all advertising strategies moving forward. Take the time to add geolocations into your ad campaigns, support them with granular messaging and — as with all advertising — test, test and test again. 

With patience, you’ll see increased conversions and more efficient campaigns as a result. Always remain humble when something isn’t going right in a campaign and do what’s best for the customer.

 

Francis King is the Head of Demand Generation at OnlyDomains, a domain management solution that offers global services and support that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. Francis has been a part of the team since 2009. He is our go-to guy for everything online advertising. Originally from Melbourne, Francis cannot go a day without lifting weights; he is considering taking on Jiu-Jitsu next. Francis has written for other domains such as CEO Blog Nation and Together Platform. Here is his blog.

Mastering Backlinks: The Key to SEO Success and Enhanced Online Visibility

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is crucial for online business success.

Acquiring high-quality backlinks, which are inbound links from other websites, is a key factor in improving search engine rankings and driving organic traffic. Plus, the link between backlinks and SEO performance is well-established, with 55% of businesses relying on organic search for website traffic.

In today’s competitive digital landscape, understanding the strategic importance of backlinks is essential.

READ: What are Your SEO Content Gaps? Plus, 3 Ways to Fix Them

Analyzing the quality of backlinks

While backlinks undoubtedly play a pivotal role in SEO success, not all links are created equal.

Search engines have become increasingly sophisticated in assessing the quality and relevance of backlinks, emphasizing content value over sheer quantity. To build an effective backlink profile, businesses need to understand the criteria used by search engines to evaluate link quality.

Factors such as the linking domain’s authority, the relevance of the linking content to your website and the anchor text used in the link all contribute to the weight and value assigned to a backlink.

Analyzing your competitors’ backlink profiles and leveraging SEO backlink tools can provide valuable insights into the quality of your existing links and identify opportunities for improvement.

Building a Robust Backlink Profile

Building a strong backlink profile requires a strategic focus on quality content creation to attract high-quality backlinks organically. Effective techniques include guest blogging, industry discussions and influencer relationships. Black-hat tactics like link farms should be avoided due to potential search engine penalties.

Content marketing is a powerful, cost-effective strategy for lead generation and maintaining a healthy backlink profile. Partnering with a best link building service can streamline efforts and maximize competitiveness in the evolving SEO landscape.

READ: This is Why Your Website Isn’t Getting Any Traffic — And 3 Ways to Fix That

The impact of backlinks on business objectives

The benefits of a strong backlink profile extend far beyond improved search engine rankings. A robust backlink profile can directly impact key business objectives, such as increased web traffic and conversion rates. Look at the table below that shows the benefits of link-building techniques:

Technique Description Key Benefits
Guest Posting Write articles on reputable industry sites Brand exposure, referral traffic, authority, high-quality backlinks
Broken Link Building Suggest replacements for broken links Value for webmasters, high-quality backlinks, visibility
Infographic Promotion Create infographics, promote for backlinks Authoritative backlinks, social shares, brand awareness
Resource Page Link Building Suggest inclusion on resource pages Contextual backlinks, niche visibility, valuable resource
Content-Based Link Building Create shareable content attracting backlinks Organic backlinks, credibility, traffic, engagement
Link Roundups Contribute to curated industry roundups New audiences, contextual backlinks, brand visibility

Effective link-building techniques like guest posting, broken link building, infographic promotion, resource page link building, content-based link building and link roundups can contribute to achieving these objectives. Quality backlinks drive targeted traffic, signal trustworthiness and contribute to long-term growth and sustainability.

The future of backlinks in SEO

As the digital landscape evolves, the role of backlinks in SEO will adapt. While quality content and ethical link building remain pivotal, search engines may assess backlink context and intent more sophisticatedly using AI and machine learning. 

Ongoing monitoring and analysis of industry trends, consumer behavior (evidenced by the fact that 53% of shoppers research before making a purchase) and search engine updates are crucial for maintaining a competitive SEO edge and aligning backlink strategies with emerging technologies.

READ: eCommerce SEO — 6 Easy Tips to Drive Organic Sales

Frequently asked questions

  1. How many backlinks do I need to improve my website’s SEO ranking?

There is no fixed number of backlinks needed for improved SEO rankings. Focus on quality over quantity — a few high-authority, relevant backlinks are more valuable than numerous low-quality ones.

  1. Can backlinks from new websites or blogs positively affect my SEO?

Yes, backlinks from new but high-quality and relevant websites/blogs can positively impact SEO, as new domains can gain authority over time.

  1. How do I identify and remove toxic backlinks that are harming my website’s SEO?

To remove toxic backlinks:

  • Use backlink analysis tools to identify low-quality/spammy links.
  • Request removal from website owners.
  • Use Google’s Disavow Tool if owners are unresponsive.

The bottom line

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, the impact of quality backlinks on business websites and SEO cannot be overstated. By understanding the strategic importance of backlinks, analyzing link quality and implementing effective organic link-building techniques, businesses can gain a significant competitive advantage.

Embracing content marketing, fostering industry relationships and consistently monitoring and maintaining a robust backlink profile is key to achieving sustainable success in SEO and driving business growth.

Chat GPT isn’t Always the Answer: 4 Reasons for Human-Generated Copy is Still Essential

There is a lot of trashy writing out in the world. For reference, please consider —well, almost anything online. There are many reasons why it’s so easy to find dreadful content. The main reason is that we now live in an age where gatekeepers are largely absent from the publishing process. 

Sure, if Joe Schmoe decides to write an article about how he thinks his neighbor looks better in loafers than tennis shoes, the New Yorker probably won’t spend too much time considering it for publication. 

But with little more than an internet connection, Joe can tell his story to the world. And because search engines are weird, people may actually wind up reading it. 

Of course, the recent emergence of generative AI isn’t helping things. AI-generated content is dry and often inaccurate, but it has the distinct benefit of being free. What do you get when you combine lax publishing standards with unlimited access to mediocrity?

The internet.

Good marketing requires a little bit more than just the standard dribble. If you want to produce successful copy, you should put your heart in it. Below, we discuss four reasons why true marketers will always give every sentence their all.

READ: Cracking the Code of Business Marketing — 10 Strategies for Success in a Dynamic Landscape

Reason 1: It’s what clients expect

Keep in mind that with the increasing prominence of Chat GPT, mediocrity is now free. Which means no one is going to want to pay a marketer for it. When clients put money on the table, they expect the product they receive in return to generate value. 

Strong writing will make them feel like they are being rewarded for their investment. Turn in bad copy even once, and you’re likely going to be replaced by a machine in the near future. 

READ: 4 Prompts and Tips for ChatGPT — A Comprehensive Guide for Marketers

Reason 2: It stands out

Did we mention that the internet is filled with garbage? Well, it is. So much garbage, in fact, that the average reader may not be used to reading well-written, thoughtfully produced content. When they do see it, it stands out.

You can toss around lots of thoughts and philosophies around marketing, but the bottom line is that standing out is what the job is all about. Write content that is worth being read. 

Reason 3: It stays evergreen

Digital marketing implements many tools and theories to boost the visibility of content. Search engine optimization is the process of using keywords, along with a variety of other strategies, to help get content seen on the search engines or social media. 

SEO is definitely important, but some marketers prioritize it above anything else. Who cares if the copy is bad because you used the phrase “new roofs in Michigan,” 33 times in 500 words? It ranked, didn’t it?

But here’s the thing: no one actually knows how Google ranks and prioritizes content. We take good guesses, many of which turn out to be correct. But the actual algorithm is secret, and constantly changing. 

The goal of that algorithm, however, is not so secret. Promote high-quality content. Marketers who punch out terrible but strongly optimized content may rank for a few weeks, but what happens when Google shakes up the algorithm?

It’s too easy to put all of your eggs in one basket with SEO. Good writing is a much more sustainable content production strategy. Why? Besides the fact that people will always prefer reading good copy to a bunch of garbled-up keywords, strong writing can organically help your content rise in online visibility. 

People will repost or share good content much more frequently than they will purely SEO-driven copy. While many marketers focus more on keywords because it is quantifiable, reposts and backlinks are just as valuable when it comes to rising through the search engine ranks. 

READ: What are Your SEO Content Gaps? Plus, 3 Ways to Fix Them

Step 4: It’s just better

That’s the bottom line. Writing at the professional level is a product. To stay competitive and effective, you should care about product development and improvement the same way anyone else in business would. 

If other people want to use keyword saturation and AI to mass produce mediocrity, let them do it. In fact, be thrilled when they do, because it only makes your stuff look better. Algorithms and social media publishing standards change daily. The desire for high-quality products does not. 

If you’re going to write, write well. 

Developing your writing skills

Naturally, there are many educational programs available to help you improve your writing skills. These are good ways to learn the basics in a structured environment. However, writing is something that you learn by doing. 

As Stephen King said, you can consider the first million words practice. 

Million?

Well, that’s what The King said. The average marketer who wants to punch up their copy might not need to take things quite so far. However, you should get comfortable with the idea that improving your writing isn’t something that happens overnight. It is a lifelong process that never truly ends. 

So sure. Take the classes. Study up on best practices. But most of all, start putting in the work. You’ll find that, while you may not go from zero to hero in a week, your skills will develop quite quickly when your efforts are focused and deliberate. 

Quality never goes out of style. Put in the work. Write deliberately. Write well. Write often. Just write. 

 

Andrew Deen HeadshotAndrew Deen has been a consultant for startups in a number of industries from retail to medical devices and everything in between. He implements lean methodology and is currently writing a book about scaling up business.

Cracking the Code of Business Marketing: 10 Strategies for Success in a Dynamic Landscape

In the dynamic world of business, marketing stands as the cornerstone of success. Effective marketing strategies can propel a business to new heights, connecting products or services with the right audience and driving growth. But with the ever-evolving landscape of consumer behavior and technology, how can businesses crack the code of effective marketing? This article delves into the essential tips and tricks that will guide businesses in mastering the art of business marketing.

READ: Maximizing Efficiency, Minimizing Errors: Harnessing AI and Automation in Your Marketing Strategies

Understanding the fundamentals of business marketing

Business marketing, at its core, is the art of promoting products or services to a target audience. It involves a strategic blend of the four Ps: Product, Price, Place and Promotion. These elements form the foundation of any marketing strategy. However, in today’s consumer-centric environment, another P has become equally important — Personalization. Understanding your audience and crafting tailored marketing campaigns is pivotal in modern marketing endeavors.

Identifying Your Target Audience

The journey to successful marketing begins with identifying and understanding your target audience. A shotgun approach rarely yields the desired results. Instead, segmenting your audience based on demographics, psychographics,and behavior allows for more precise targeting. For instance, a company offering high-end beauty products might tailor their marketing differently to a younger demographic seeking trendy products than to an older demographic seeking anti-aging solutions.

READ: Determining Your Business’s Target Market – Why It’s Necessary and How To Do It

Crafting compelling branding and messaging

Branding is more than just a logo and color scheme — it’s the personality and essence of your business. A consistent brand identity fosters recognition and trust. Consider the iconic swoosh of a sportswear giant or the golden arches of a global fast-food chain; these symbols are etched in our minds.

To stand out in a crowded market, craft compelling messaging that speaks to your audience’s pain points and aspirations. The Dollar Shave Club’s launch campaign is a prime example of messaging that resonates. Their witty and relatable message highlighted the inconvenience and high costs of traditional razor blades, making their subscription model more appealing.

Developing a strong online presence

In today’s digital age, a robust online presence is imperative. A well-designed, user-friendly website serves as your digital storefront. It should load quickly, be mobile-responsive and provide easy navigation. High-quality visuals, engaging content and clear calls to action are crucial.

Leveraging social media platforms is equally vital. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn offer distinct ways to engage with your audience. Share relevant content, respond to comments and utilize storytelling to create a human connection. Content marketing through blogs, videos and infographics establishes your business as an authority in your industry.

Leveraging social media for business marketing

Social media platforms offer a direct line to your audience. Each platform has its strengths — Instagram is visual, Twitter is succinct and LinkedIn is professional. Utilize the platform that aligns with your target audience’s preferences.

Visual content grabs attention and encourages sharing. Consistency is key; maintain a posting schedule that keeps your audience engaged. Incorporate relevant hashtags to expand your reach.

READ: Don’t Get Left Behind — Top 8 Social Media Trends for 2023 

Content marketing strategies

Content marketing is a powerful tool for establishing authority and engaging your target audience. To create impactful content, consider diverse formats like blogs, videos and infographics. When it comes to a video, you can edit video online using user-friendly platforms.

Start by identifying relevant topics that resonate with your audience’s interests and challenges. Craft informative and engaging blog posts that provide value and solutions. For videos, keep them concise and visually appealing. Edit online with intuitive tools that offer trimming, text overlays and transitions. By diversifying your content strategy, you can cater to different learning preferences and enhance your brand’s visibility.

READ: Marketing with Accessible Content — Utilizing User Experience to Build an Effective Campaign

SEO strategies for better visibility

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) boosts your website’s visibility on search engines like Google. Keyword optimization involves integrating relevant keywords naturally into your content. Meta tags and internal linking enhance your site’s structure and navigation.

Off-page SEO focuses on building backlinks from reputable websites. Guest posting on industry blogs and partnering with influencers can help establish your credibility and authority, improving your search rankings.

Embracing paid advertising and PPC

Paid advertising, often in the form of Pay-Per-Click (PPC) campaigns, allows you to reach your target audience more directly. Google Ads and social media platforms offer sophisticated targeting options.

Craft compelling ad copy that addresses the audience’s needs and includes a clear call to action. Set a budget that aligns with your goals and monitor campaign performance closely to optimize results.

Analytics and data-driven insights

Data analytics is the compass guiding your marketing journey. Tools like Google Analytics provide valuable insights into website traffic, user behavior and conversion rates. Analyzing these metrics helps you refine your strategies.

For instance, tracking user flow on an e-commerce site might reveal a high drop-off rate on the checkout page. This insight prompts optimization efforts, such as simplifying the checkout process or offering incentives.

Building Relationships and Customer Loyalty

Building strong customer relationships cultivates loyalty. Exceptional customer service creates positive experiences that lead to repeat business and referrals. Email marketing keeps customers engaged and informed about new products, promotions, or industry insights.

Loyalty programs incentivize repeat purchases. Starbucks’ rewards program, offering free drinks and discounts, keeps customers coming back and spending more.

READ: 12 Ways to Repurpose Social Media Content for Email Marketing

The bottom line

In the ever-evolving landscape of business marketing, cracking the code requires a blend of art and science. Understanding your audience, crafting compelling branding and messaging and embracing digital tools and strategies are essential steps. By leveraging social media, content marketing, SEO and paid advertising, businesses can capture the attention of their target audience. Data-driven insights, customer loyalty and adaptability ensure continued success.

As you embark on your marketing journey, remember that the code is never static. It shifts with consumer behavior, technological advancements and cultural changes. Stay curious, stay informed and keep cracking the code to unlock new levels of marketing success.

 

Sanket Shah headshotSanket Shah is the Founder and CEO of Invideo who initiated this startup with the view of encouraging the creation and use of videos in all sectors of business as well as private lives. Sanket’s dedication has led Invideo to serve millions of users from 190 countries across the world. His continuous encouragement to all video users and desire to make video making and editing accessible to everyone has contributed largely to the video production industry.

How Does Google’s Quality Score Impact Customer Experience?

Google’s Quality Score is a crucial element of digital marketing, and it impacts not only the success of a business’s advertising efforts but also the customer experience.

READ: Improving Your Customer Experience and Boosting Satisfaction — 3 Easy Tips

The components of Google’s Quality Score

Google’s Quality Score is determined by three main factors: ad relevance, expected clickthrough rate (CTR), and landing page experience. The importance of each of these factors can vary depending on the context of the search query.

Ad relevance refers to how closely the ad matches the user’s search query. The expected CTR is an estimate of how likely it is that a user will click on the ad based on its relevance, ad format, and position. Landing page experience refers to the quality of the web page to which the ad directs users.

How Quality Score affects ad position and cost

Quality Score affects ad position and cost-per-click (CPC). Ad position is determined by a combination of the Quality Score and the bid amount. Ads with higher Quality Scores can achieve higher ad positions even with lower bids. Lower CPCs are also possible, which can result in lower advertising costs.

The relationship between Quality Score and customer experience

Google’s Quality Score plays a significant role in ensuring that relevant and useful ads are shown to users. Ads with high Quality Scores tend to be more relevant and useful to users, which increases the likelihood of users clicking on them. This means that businesses with high Quality Scores are more likely to attract engaged customers who are interested in their products or services.

In addition to ad relevance, landing page experience also plays a crucial role in customer experience. A high-quality landing page can increase the likelihood of users converting, while a poor-quality landing page can result in users leaving the site without taking any action.

READ: From Clicks to Conversions — How to Craft an Effective Online Advertising Strategy

How to improve quality Score and customer experience

To improve their Quality Score and customer experience, businesses should focus on improving ad relevance, CTR, and landing page experience. Strategies for improving ad relevance include using targeted keywords, creating compelling ad copy, and using ad extensions.

To improve CTR, businesses should focus on improving ad format, such as using eye-catching headlines, using high-quality images, and including a clear calls-to-action. To improve landing page experience, businesses should focus on creating high-quality landing pages that are relevant to the ad, load quickly and have clear navigation.

Importance of ongoing optimization and testing

Ongoing optimization and testing are crucial for improving Quality Score and customer experience. By regularly testing different ad formats, landing pages and targeting strategies, businesses can identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions to enhance their digital marketing efforts continually.

READ: Determining Your Business’s Target Market – Why It’s Necessary and How To Do It

The bottom line

By focusing on improving ad relevance, CTR and landing page experience, businesses can improve their Quality Score and enhance customer experience. Ongoing optimization and testing are critical for continually improving digital marketing efforts and achieving long-term success.

 

Jill BrooksJill Brooks is a freelance writer from the East Coast who enjoys discussing how technology impacts the future of work. In her free time, you can find her in the mountains, or on a hunt for the world’s best mac-and-cheese recipe.

Promote Your Real Estate Business — 5 Best Digital Marketing Strategies

Digital marketing is one of the go-to marketing channels for real estate businesses, including but not limited to brokers, agents, appraisers and property managers. Outside of traditional methods, there are online platforms, channels and technologies which make promoting and selling products or services to a more targeted audience a much easier task. Various strategies are used, but they never stay static. Search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, social media marketing, email marketing, and more are some of the main methods you can use to promote your real estate business by:

  •  Reach a wider audience
  • Generate leads
  • Build brand awareness
  • Showcase property listings
  • Engage with potential clients

This will ultimately help you attract more clients, close more deals, and grow your real estate business.

READ: LLCs and Real Estate Investing — Pros and Cons You Should Know in 2023

Put effort into SEO to promote your real estate business

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of improving your website’s visibility on search engines like Google, making it easier for potential clients to find your real estate business. Effective real estate SEO includes some of the key things to make sure you do to increase visibility. Some are very technical and could be handed to a specialist or agency, and some are very straightforward and can be done by a non-specialist.

Keyword research

Identify relevant and high-traffic keywords to target in your content.

On-page optimization

Optimize page titles, meta descriptions, URLs, and header tags for targeted keywords.

Content creation

Publish informative and engaging content related to the real estate industry.

Link building

Acquire high-quality backlinks to your website from reputable sources.

Local SEO

Optimize your website for local searches by including your business address and contact information. As most real estate businesses cover a specific geographical area, it’s important to have your listings on Google, Yelp, Bing (yes, Microsoft’s Bing as well), and other important listing sites to have the same rich information, a lot of reviews (good ones), and be actively maintained.

READ: 7 Reasons Local SEO is Excellent for Small Businesses 

Technical SEO

Ensure your website loads quickly, is mobile-friendly, and has a secure HTTPS connection. A key thing to understand is how to make the website “seen” by search engine bots.

Make your real estate website more user-friendly

A user-friendly website is essential for engaging and retaining potential clients. Some of the must-have features for a real estate website include:

Responsive design

Ensure your website works well on all devices, including mobile phones and tablets. Already, 50% of users do all their searches on mobile, in some industries, it can be as high as 90%.

Easy navigation

Organize your website with clear menus and intuitive navigation.

High-quality images

Use professional and appealing images to showcase your property listings.

Property search functionality

Include a search feature that allows users to filter properties based on their preferences.

Contact information

Display your contact details prominently, making it easy for users to get in touch.

Testimonials and reviews

Showcase positive client feedback to build trust and credibility.

Use Google Ads to get fast results

Google Ads is a PPC advertising channel that can help your real estate business get quick results by driving targeted traffic to your website. Important things for advertising through Google Ads is to make sure you have the right keywords and audience and are actively measuring results. Do not let any ads run until the conversion tracking is properly set up and you have a good idea of attribution of leads coming from different channels. Important things to remember are:

Use location targeting

Target your ads to users in specific geographic areas where your properties are located.

Create compelling ad copy

Write engaging and informative ad text that highlights your unique selling points.

Utilize ad extensions

Use features like call extensions, location extensions, and site link extensions to provide additional information and improve click-through rates.

Test and optimize

Regularly review your ad performance and make data-driven adjustments to improve your results.

You can hire a professional or an agency to handle this, but keep your eyes on two of the most important metrics.

  •    How much do you pay per lead? — CPL (cost per lead)
  •    Quality of the leads

If two of the above metrics are within your targets, then scale the campaigns as much as possible.

READ: Determining Your Business’s Target Market – Why It’s Necessary and How To Do It

Develop a social media marketing plan to promote your real estate business

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn can be valuable tools for promoting your real estate business. A successful social media marketing plan for real estate should:

Set clear objectives

Establish goals for your social media marketing efforts, such as increasing brand awareness, generating leads, or engaging with potential clients.

Choose the right platforms

Focus on the platforms that are most popular among your target audience and best suited for showcasing your properties.

Share high-quality content

Post visually appealing images, informative articles, and engaging videos that showcase your properties and expertise.

 Engage with your audience

Respond to comments and messages, ask questions, and participate in relevant conversations to build relationships with your followers.

Monitor and analyze performance

Regularly track your social media metrics to understand the effectiveness of your strategies and identify areas for improvement.

READ: Don’t Get Left Behind — Top 8 Social Media Trends for 2023

Utilize email marketing

Email marketing is a cost-effective way to nurture leads, communicate with clients, and promote your real estate business. The best practices for a successful real estate email marketing campaign include:

Build a segmented email list

Collect email addresses through website opt-in forms, social media, and other channels, and segment your list based on factors such as location, property preferences, and engagement levels.

Personalize your emails

Address recipients by name and tailor your content to their preferences and needs.

Create valuable content

Share relevant and informative content, such as market updates, property listings, and tips for buying or selling a home.

Use eye-catching subject lines

Write compelling subject lines that encourage recipients to open your emails.

Monitor and optimize

Track key metrics, such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversions, to evaluate the effectiveness of your campaigns and make data-driven improvements.

The bottom line

By implementing these five digital marketing strategies, you can effectively promote your real estate business, generate more leads, and grow your client base. Prioritize search engine optimization, create a user-friendly website, leverage Google Ads, develop a social media marketing plan, and establish an email marketing campaign to maximize your online presence and reach your target audience.

 

Michael HakobMichael Hakob is the founder and CEO of Andava Digital, with 10+ years of experience in digital marketing and focus on SEO and organic channels that drive traffic. Graduate with a degree in Management of Information Systems, Game Theory enthusiast and Management 3.0 follower.

What are Your SEO Content Gaps? Plus, 3 Ways to Fix Them

An SEO content gaps analysis is all about identifying topics and additional content that may be missing from your existing content library. This will assist you in identifying new opportunities in your content marketing strategy and improving your SEO. Content analysis also allows you to build successful content strategies that target consumers at every stage of the buyer’s journey.

READ: 7 Reasons Local SEO is Excellent for Small Businesses 

The Importance of Identifying SEO Content Gaps

It is a fallacy that people think content gaps are barriers between a business and its closest competitors. Content gaps are, more accurately, a gap between a business and its customers.

This gap indicates how your content strategy can meet the needs of your consumers at each stage of the journey. A good content strategy aims to create go-to content for prospects and customers.

Conducting Your SEO Content Gap Analysis

Now that you know the importance of finding content gaps, it’s time to answer the million-dollar question: How do you begin your content gap analysis for SEO?

1. Research the competition

The easiest way to identify content gaps is to do competitive keyword research. You can use a content gap analysis tool like SEMrush or Ahrefs to help you find the right content.

All you have to do is extract a page from a competitor’s website and enter it into the app to see how their keywords rank in search results. From there, you can Google those keywords and see the results generated. If you look at the search results and you don’t see many sites that have authority for those keywords, there’s a good chance you’re the one who does.

READ: Determining Your Business’s Target Market – Why It’s Necessary and How To Do It

2. Review the subject

The next step is to check the pages listed for subjects. This step is important because it helps you identify the gaps in the selected content. You will want to look at each page and review the following areas:

  • Quality: How well does the page cover the topic? You have a chance to outperform your competitors by covering that topic in more depth.
  • Focus: Does the content stay on topic? If there is content that seems all over the place or lacks structure, you have the opportunity to create well-targeted content.
  • New: How long has this content been created? If there are pages that are three years old or older in the results, you have a great opportunity to create new content. You can provide updated information to the researchers.
  • Reading: Can you understand the content? If the jargon is too heavy or confusing, you have the opportunity to explain the topic clearly and concisely.
  • Style: Is the content interesting and engaging? If other businesses aren’t creating shareable content, you have the opportunity to create a more engaging piece that attracts leads and shares value.

3. Find out what is missing in the content

The last step in your content gap analysis is to identify what is missing from the selected content. Reviewing the points listed above is a start. By finding out what content competitors lack, you can find opportunities to fill those gaps and create better content.

READ: 12 Ways to Repurpose Social Media Content for Email Marketing

How to fix keyword SEO content gaps

Once you find strong keywords for your posts, there are many ways you can fill in the content gap in SEO. Add new keywords to your upcoming content, but don’t just throw them in. Instead, add keywords naturally to increase the quality of your content.

How to fix SEO content gaps by analyzing your customer journey

Content gaps are the easiest type of gaps to find and fix. Once you’ve mapped out your customer journey, you’ll have a better idea of the buying process you want to add to your existing content.

How to find and fix SEO content gaps with manual competitor analysis

First, make a list of your main competitors. If you don’t know who they are, Google some of the most important keywords you’re looking for and see who else ranks them. Next, visit each competitor’s page and list the keywords your website is missing.

Conclusion

Conducting content analysis is an effective way to guide your audience through the customer journey. Filling in blanks is a subtle way to show customers that they are at the heart of your business.

 

Ghia Marnewick is a creative content writer for the Aumcore digital marketing agency NYC, an agency that specializes in brand design and PPC management services. She is passionate about finding new ways of sharing information on trending topics in the digital world.

7 Reasons Local SEO is Excellent for Small Businesses 

It’s no secret that proper SEO practices are crucial in the modern business landscape, and local SEO has gained immense traction during the last decade for many reasons. Among them, the fact that more and more people are using mobile phones to access the internet on a daily basis.

Search engine optimization (SEO) generally refers to the process of enhancing a website’s quality to improve its visibility on the world wide web. According to Hub Spot, More than 69% of marketers currently invest in SEO for a number of reasons.

READ: This is Why Your Website Isn’t Getting Any Traffic — And 3 Ways to Fix That

SEO involves a range of facets such as local SEO, link building and on-page and off-page activities, among others. Local SEO is generally a solution adopted by businesses to rank highly in local searches. Besides that, there are many reasons local SEO is becoming a must for small businesses.

Local SEO Boosts Relevant Traffic

The primary goal of investing in SEO is to increase relevant traffic to a website. Investing in local SEO can help a business attract more local customers by increasing your website’s ranking for “near me” searches.

It may not mean that every website visitor will convert to a buying customer, however, leveraging local SEO optimizes the chances of attracting buying visitors. In this way, a business will be able to stand against the competition and thrive.

Get Featured in the Top SERPs Results 

Internet users believe that websites that rank on the first page and certainly in the first three positions are the best. Therefore, to convince customers that your products and services are of higher quality, a business must choose SEO. Local SEO allows a business to stand out and rank highly with the help of an optimized GMB profile. This can help a business to sustain itself in the online market which is becoming more and more competitive.

Local SEO Ensures Exposure In Local Listings 

Yes! Also known as local citations, local listings mean a business’s name, products, services, phone number and location. A local listing allows internet users to find a business within a given location. A business owner can use Google My Business, a business directory to display what a business is all about.

READ: eCommerce SEO – 6 Easy Tips to Drive Organic Sales

Local SEO Offers a Competitive Edge

Opting for local SEO solutions is one way of helping a business move with the marketplace. More and more technologies and SEO practices are popping up every year. Local SEO can help a business stay within a competitive range and withstand macro environment factors.

Additionally, failure to opt for SEO solutions can impact growth and profitability opportunities for a business. Generally, local SEO allows a business to find more customers, fight competition and stay relevant.

Optimize Your Marketing Campaigns 

Marketing is an expensive business solution and when unstrategically done, it can cost a business heavily. Whether a business owner chooses email marketing, content marketing, or PPC ads, local SEO can help optimize any campaign taken on. Local SEO also works as a catalyst to optimize conversions and interactions between a business and its target audience. 

Increase Your Brand Awareness 

Brand awareness involves activities that help an audience understand a brand. The more a business pushes for brand awareness, the more likely customers will associate with it. In the long run, this can cultivate trust and brand recognition. Brand awareness can also help a business win more customers and drive more revenue. 

READ: 4 Tips for Rebranding Your Business – And What It Reminds Us About Entrepreneurship

Boosts Your Leads & Sales 

SEO is a reliable approach to driving leads and sales. The more a business owner creates valuable content that ranks on the SERPs, the more a business will pop up in front of the right eyes. The more a business comes up whenever internet users search for specific products or services, the more it earns credibility. 

Therefore, small business owners can consider investing in locally-focused SEO in order to stay at a target audience’s fingertips.

Conclusion

Starting a business and running it in the first five years comes with many challenges. Many small businesses still fail to continue due to a range of factors such as competition. However, gone are the days when small businesses would fail to show an impact. With solutions like local SEO, small businesses can show their power within a given field and grow effectively. Small business owners can surely rely on this digital marketing technique to grow and extend their reach. 

 

Jessica Robinson loves to write interesting and knowledgeable blogs regarding business management, education and life to satiate the curiosity of her lovely readers. Currently, she is serving as a content manager at the ‘Speaking Polymath’. Every piece of content that she writes demonstrates her immense love and passion for her profession.

This is Why Your Website Isn’t Getting Any Traffic — And 3 Ways to Fix That

In today’s digital world, your small business website is everything. Your site should represent your brand, attract new customers, and convert visitors into leads. After all, you can’t do business when no one knows you exist. But if your website isn’t getting any traffic, it doesn’t matter how great your products, services, or content is — no one will ever see it. The good news is you can take steps to make your business website more visible online.

Here are a few of the most common reasons your website isn’t getting any traffic and what you can do about it as a small business owner.

READ — eCommerce SEO: 6 Easy Tips to Drive Organic Sales

1. Your Website Isn’t SEO Optimized

If you want people to find your website, it needs to be optimized for search engines. Search engine optimization, or SEO, is the process of optimizing your digital assets — like your website — to maximize your organic visibility.

You want your website to be among the first results when people are searching for the type of product or service you offer. For Google, your website is a crucial factor in determining your position in their search engine results pages.

The higher your website ranks in the results, the more likely it is that searchers will find and click through to your site. If you’re not SEO optimizing your website, you’re limiting its potential to attract organic traffic from search engine users.

READ — Organic Search Vs. Paid Search: What’s the Difference?

So how do you make your website SEO-friendly?

Start by doing some keyword research and crafting content that speaks to the terms people are searching for. Make sure you’re using meta tags, titles, and descriptions to give search engines (and potential customers) an easy overview of your content.

You also need to make sure you’re creating quality backlinks, which are links from other websites to your website. Consider using tools like Google Search Console to identify and fix any indexing issues your website might be having. Finally, don’t forget to optimize the images for your site and pay attention to page speed — both of which Google takes into account when deciding your ranking.

2. Your Website Isn’t Mobile-friendly

Nowadays, people are accessing the internet more and more on their mobile devices. In 2019, 53% of total web traffic was made up of mobile users.

That means if your website isn’t optimized for mobile devices, you’re missing out on a major source of traffic. If visitors can’t navigate or read your website on their phone, they won’t stay on it for long.

Tips for making your website more mobile-friendly:

To make sure your website is optimized for mobile users, you need to start by doing a full audit of your site and its pages to identify any potential issues. In addition, focus on making sure your web pages are loading quickly and that the website’s navigation is easy to use on a phone.

You might want to consider using responsive design, which allows your site to automatically scale and adjust its content depending on the size of the screen it’s being viewed on. You should also think about increasing the size of your text and buttons on mobile so they’re easy to click with a finger instead of a mouse.

READ — 12 Ways to Repurpose Social Media Content for Email Marketing 

3. Your Website Doesn’t Add Value

Ultimately, if your website isn’t providing any value to its visitors, they won’t stick around. Take a look at your site. Are you talking about yourself the entire time? Is it outdated? Do you provide helpful resources for potential customers? 

Websites that don’t offer anything useful or interesting will quickly turn away users.

How to make your site more valuable:

If you want to attract traffic to your website, the best thing to do is focus on adding value.

This can be done in a number of ways. You should start by making sure that your content speaks directly to your target audience and provides them with helpful information or resources.

READ — Determining Your Business’s Target Market: Why It’s Necessary and How To Do It

Plus, make sure you’re regularly updating the content on your website so it remains useful. Google likes relevant content. Doing so will help boost your site’s visibility in search engine rankings, as well as make sure visitors stay on your page for longer.

The Bottom Line

Truth is that your potential customers are already searching for your business online — you just need to make sure they find you. If your website isn’t getting any traffic, it’s time to start doing something about it.

If you’ve been struggling to attract visitors to your website, chances are it’s one of the issues discussed above. Fortunately, there are solutions and you can start driving more traffic by optimizing your website for SEO, ensuring it’s mobile-friendly, and adding value with relevant content. Start by making these changes and you’ll soon be on your way to success!

 

Madeleine Costa HeadshotAs the CEO of a digital marketing agency, Madeleine Costa is dedicated to helping people, students, and small businesses thrive. Madeleine founded Succeeding Small with a simple mission: help small businesses get the visibility they deserve through search engine optimization, web design, paid advertising, social media, and more. With a personal and family history rooted in entrepreneurship, she strives to lift up small businesses digitally through integrity-filled marketing services and empowering education. With her degree in English and Marketing, Madeleine is a proud SEO enthusiast, rhetorician, and avid learner.