© Search Engine People Blog


Want to be number one on every search engine result? Great. But, I want to know why.

In my company, my approach to SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a little unorthodox. I look at what the end result is, not just what the client asks for. Wanting to be on the first page of Google is a common request, but you don't just want to be first, that doesn't do anything for you.

So let's start over. First question: What's the goal of your website? Most common answers are:
• Traffic (to gain sponsors or get google ad clicks)
• E-commerce (people actually purchase and spend money at the site)
• Get a client to contact you (You provide a service, so the client needs to call or email you)

Second question: Who is your target market? "Everyone" is not an acceptable answer. Who is the most likely to come to your site for the reasons above, or who does it the most often? The answer to this question makes a huge difference on where your strategy should go. Search engines might not be the best place to show up, it might be in user reviews or social media.

Last Question: What's the best keyword? Just because you want to show up for "golf pro" doesn't mean that's the best term for you. It might be a more complex term like "golf pro in London" or in a particular postal code or maybe "golf pro for women". An SEO expert needs to know more than just what term you want, they need to understand your market and your business intimately to really give you good advice.

Take this into consideration when you hire an SEO "expert" or service.

How do you pick keywords for your company?

© ArabCrunch


Don't get caught in this circle. Create a new product. >>> Start some buzz. >>> Turn that buzz into hype. >>> Release Product. >>> Buzz becomes the equivalent of a carbonated beverage without any bubbles.

Apple's newest accessory was excitedly chattered about all over the internet. Unfortunately, they may be over hyped the release. After Steve Job's unveiling of the iPad, a number of bloggers went from pleased to chilly. The expected success of Apple may teeter on a few new doubts.

Issues brought up about the new iPad:
• Too much like an iPhone on steroids. There's discussing that function and usability has been reduced to that of a hyped-up iPhone, or a dumbed down computer, not a true notebook.
• Scammers are using apple iPad searches and pre-order sites to con fans.
• Halting software innovation.
• Less security and encryption. This means the iPad could be more vulnerable to hacks and viruses.
• No USB ports. It seems kinda silly that they left that off.
• Multitasking. Like many smartphones the iPad doesn't allow more than one program to run at a time. This has been the appeal for computers, even netbooks or notebooks have this function.

For all its fanfare, the iPad certainly seems to contain some glaring problems. As speculation about the iPad continues, we have to wonder what the future of notebook computers and even cell phones will be. These questions will be more clear after the release. iPad will be released in the UK at around £300 on March 28th. The iPad claims to have a US only release starting sometime in March.

© quartermane


How often do you visit Wikipedia on a daily basis?

It's a question you might not have considered before, but is worth asking. Why? Because you may not be visiting it but a substantial number of your customers probably do.

This post isn't to discuss whether Wikipedia contains accurate information or not. Plenty of other blogs and articles do that well enough already. The point I want to make here is check your facts.

Wikipedia and those "text your question" numbers and even Yahoo answers exist because we live in an information age. We can easily look up or find facts with a simple Google search. So if you put out numbers in a presentation, or on your website, be sure someone out there will compare and fact check you. It can be quite embarrassing if your facts don't check out.

Even facts about your own company need to be double-checked. Thirty of forty years ago what the public took what a company said about itself at face value. It took hours of digging to find evidence to the contrary. Now, you can just surf the better business bureau or review sites to see if you're buying from an honest business or not.

You can't control what people say about you, but you can make sure that the facts match across the board. Think of it as an incentive to stay true to good business values.

How do you fact check numbers your company releases? Have you ever been called out?

(Secondary note: if your company or field is prominent to have a Wikipedia article, double check to make sure those facts check out too!)

© DeclanTM


Biggest personal obstacle many business owners have: clutter. We are inundated with paper, files and business cards. Our desk or our cars become filled with the little extras we don't have time to organize properly.

For some people, organization is never a problem. I personally can't stand my files out of place. I installed little systems to keep me on track. (I've talked about using Linked-In as my rolodex in the past and throwing away all the business cards I get.) Its best to find a system that works for you, too.

Completely on accident I found something that might help others with office clutter. The company is called The Neat Company. They make a number of products that you can use to scan in papers and file with software that comes as part of the scanner. The scanner works with receipts, business cards and documents. It comes for Windows and Macs. There is a system for any need. They even offer a mobile version you can take with you. The prodcut costs about $200.

I've seen companies that offer similar systems but nothing quite as complete as this one. The big pluses being the built in filing software and the ability to scan multiple kinds of documents.

While you're planning your budget for 2010, you might want to consider investing in some organizational help. Check out what other people had to say on the Amazon review page.

What do you do to keep you and your company organized?

© dean_dave


There are a number of great tech events going on in the Manchester area in February. While you're in town, keep your costs low with Manchester airport parking. As always, you should shop online for the best deals and do price by price comparisons.

Consider staying at one of the airport hotels in the area, since most of the events will be nearby. Finally, don't forget holiday insurance as we talked about before, just in case.

Here are some of the tech events were excited about:

GeekUp (Manchester) - Feb 9th:
GeekUp is a grassroots meeting promoting "geekery" in the UK. This meetup knock off meets across the United Kingdom but has strong support in the Manchester area. Certainly a great place to get connected if you're a tech pro or a newbie. GeekUp has regular events in the area.

IET Lecture on Next Generation Networks - Feb 16th:
The Institute of Engineering and Technology does a number of free events and lectures every month. This talk will cover the future of networked technology by phone and computer.

iT Show Case Live (Manchester) - Feb 23rd:
This exhibit will mostly showcase software providers for engineering, design and manufacturing companies. You can contact them to exhibit your business, or just go to learn.

Start Up 2.0 (Northern Ecosystem for Tech Start Up) "Mobile Revisted" - Feb 24th:
This day-long seminar will cover the largest mobile technologies and business. It will be one week after the massive mobile conference in Barcelona and will cover the highlights from that event. (Start Up 2.0 is from by eOffice Manchester and has multiple other events.)

Do you know of other events in Manchester?