Bing! There It Is

Posted on June 1st, 2009 by njw

Microsoft unveiled it’s new or re-branded search or in their words “decision engine” today. At first glance, it’s nothing more than “Live”, with a new face. Are the results any different? I would wager that it depends on the nature of your search query.

If your search involves commerce, products or things like “travel” you’re presented with options that don’t require you to leave Bing to view, example being a current air-fare to Atlanta. Displayed are the top results, but instead of requiring a “click” you see the results of the lowest or top fares immediately.

If your search involves something more mundane, your likely to see the same results you saw on Live.

I sincerely wish Microsoft the best in this endeavor but it seems a waste of money, especially with the upcoming buzz around the amount of the spend on promoting the new “decision engine”.

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Filed under: Microsoft, SEO Industry News

Using Offline Marketing For Online Results Works

Posted on May 16th, 2009 by njw

Using online advertising to generate traffic to your web property along with SEO, PPC, PPA and others is where most of your time is most likely spent marketing your websites.

Using offline advertising however can be very rewarding. Unfortunately with the demise or temporary discontinuation of Google Print, T.V, and Google Radio Ads it becomes more expensive (are you listening news paper buffoons?) so you have to use your budget wisely, making sure that you take due diligence in understanding exactly what you should get in return.

For the uninitiated I suggest that you use an agency, then after a few campaigns you should see a pattern that you can replicate. Assuming of course that you have all your analytics tracking in place prior to beginning the campain.

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Filed under: Lead Generation, SEO Basics

Dot Com or Dot Net?

Posted on April 9th, 2009 by njw

I was thinking the other day about the process of naming a new business.

The long process that it is has been complicated further by the advent of the Internet. Naming a business now also requires that you also have a matching name for your web presence.

There’s not alot of single word names left available with a dot com extension, and only a few million more on dot. net. So, do you settle for a dot net when dot com isn’t available?

Choosing a dot net over a dot com is like the difference between opening a hot dog stand business in Winnemucca, Nevada or New York City’s Wall Street.

If at all possible, choose a dot com domain name. Think outside the box and change up the spelling, come up with a new word entirely. Sometimes, it only makes sense to go with dot net. If your selling widgets, and widgets.com is taken, widgets.net may be acceptable. The problem comes when the owner of the dot com see’s your success, he may attempt to copy it and easily take part of your hard earned market share.

For more about domain name registrations visit Blue Bayou, Llc. for excellent everyday pricing on all domain extensions.

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Filed under: Blogging, Domain Registration, Main, SEO Basics, Web Services, Webhosting

Finally Google Gmail Autopilot by CADIE

Posted on April 1st, 2009 by njw

This is one of the coolest developments in e-mail management in years, well since Gmail. With Google Gmail AutopilotTM by CADIE, you can auto-manage many of the repetitive and annoying tasks that result from the tons of e-mail we receive each day, even replying to the most common spam e-mail like the Nigerian wanting to send you 10 million dollars.

The only drawback to the service as far as I can tell is the conflict of agreeing to attend multiple events in the same time slot, but I suspect that they will somehow tie this into Google Calendar so you don’t have that issue.

The only thing I can say about the product other than keep up the great work is “April Fool’s!”

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Filed under: Blogging

Should I Outsource My SEO?

Posted on April 1st, 2009 by njw

Deciding whether or not to outsource your SEO or search engine optimization work is a decision based partially on your website goals, your product or service and your own SEO abilities.

Example hypothetical #1; You’re a Realtor, with a local office and you just want to be found online when someone types in your ‘name or agency’ into Google or Yahoo. You’re web proficient, you have available time to devote to SEO work and you can follow step-by-step instructions.

More than likely you can reach your objectives on your own without an outside SEO professional simply by using and adhering to Google’s Webmaster Guidelines and, implementing available Google tools and services that apply to your business model like Google Analytics, Google Local, Google Base, and Google Webmaster Tools.

Example hypothetical #2; You are a manufacturer, retailer or wholesaler who wants to offer their products or services for sale online by using a shopping card or order processing system.

Shopping carts and order processing systems are inherently not SEO or search engine friendly and require a knowledgeable expert in SEO specifically, SEO for shopping carts or dynamic website systems.

Nick J. West is available for private consultation on SEO or a variety of website issues by phone at: 404-567-6095.

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Filed under: Google, SEO Basics, Shopping Carts, Webhosting

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