Similar to Google’ s Web master tools, popular search engine Bing has got its own Webmaster tools which can be utilized by marketers and advertisers to build effective SEO strategies in the Bing’s search platform.
As we all know, Google is the numero uno when it comes to SEO and according to comShare.com, at the end of January 2014 Google holds about 67.6% of search market share in the US. Behind Google is Microsoft’s search product Bing which holds about 18.3% of search market. For the past few years, Bing has been growing than compared to Yahoo which has only 1.3% of search market share in the Dec 2013 – Jan 2014 period. This means that Bing is getting popular among users when compared to Google and marketers can use Bing as a marketing platform to implement their SEO tactics. You can use Bing Webmaster tools as it got new features all at free of cost. Those who are unfamiliar with Bing Webmaster tools, here are some of the features explained for you.
- Adding Your Website – Entering the URL of the home page of your site is the first step after logging in to your Bing Webmaster Tools account. Along with the homepage URL, you have to add URL of the sitemap and include basic day parting details.
- Three types of verification – After adding URL, next is verification process and you can choose any of the three types – XML file verification, meta tag verification and DNS verification. In XML file verification, you have to download a file named “BingSiteAuth.xml” and it has to be placed in the root directory of your site and click Verify button placed at the bottom of the page. In meta tag verification, you insert a line of code provided to you in the head section of your home page and click the Verify button. DNS verification is somewhat technical than compared to other two, and you choose this type of verification if you cannot do verification process with any of the other two.
- Dashboard – In the Dashboard section, you can find similar features that are found in Google’s Webmaster tools but here it is way simpler. Here you can view site activity for given period and some of the activities include, no: of clicks, pages crawled, impressions, pages indexed and crawl errors.
- Site Configuration – In this section, you can configure your site by adding new sitemaps, filter out unwanted URLs, crawl control, deep links for search visibility, page preview, disavow links, geo-targeting, ownership verification and provision for connecting social pages such as Twitter and Pinterest.
- Reports and Data section – In Reports and Data section, you can access information about the effectiveness of your website on Bing by considering various parameters such as page traffic, indexing and search queries.
- SEO Reports – In this section, you can get SEO suggestions that will your site to be complaint with legitimate SEO tactics. Also, in the SEO reports section you can check on the inbound links, crawl information and on malware.
- Diagnostics and Tools available – Currently, Bing provides us with seven useful tools that are free of cost – keyword research, Fetch as Bingbot, Link Explorer, SEO analyzer, Markup validator, verify bingbot tool, Site Move, Message Center and Webmaster API.
What are You Waiting For?
If you want your site visible in ‘Bing powered’ search results, Bing’s Webmaster tools is really helpful in realizing your SEO goals. Even though Bing does not possess algorithm updates just like Google have, Bing has its own webmaster guidelines to monitor websites that use black-hat SEO to gain search result rankings. If you need help, you can consult with SEO professionals who have worked with search engines other than Google.
For years, the internet search giant Google has been trying to update its services such as Gmail, Youtube, Google+ and Google Maps to attract new users and to hold on its position as the number search engine in the world. Due to its high popularity, businesses have been using it as marketing platform for implementing their marketing strategies to promote their products/services online. For helping businesses, Google improved its services such as Google+ and Youtube and added features that will assist businesses to realize their marketing goals. According to many SEO experts, Google Maps is highly beneficial for local businesses to indicate their presence online. Local businesses such as restaurants, tourist homes, car workshops and movie theatres can utilize Google Maps combined with some SEO techniques to improve their visibility and target new audiences.
Say Hello to New and Redesigned Google Maps
Past one year, Google has been working on redesigning its Maps service and adding new features to improve user experience and to make more compatible in mobile platforms. The popular search engine started their work in May 2013 and now completed their work and is now ready to roll the service for users all over the world.
- Providing more information – Prior to their revamped Maps roll out, the map service only provided the location of the place or local business you been searching for and you have to separately search for more information about that place like reviews. But now Google has included a feature that simultaneously displays both location of the place and reviews about that place you have been searching.
- Full of rich media – The new and revamped version of Google Maps helps you to better explore the places you wish to visit before you really go there. The much improved Streetview feature have 3D views of places you want to visit and there is an easy to navigate image carousel available at the bottom of your screen which consists of high definition images of top tourist destinations that are available at your fingertips.
- You can view real time traffic – Now you view real time traffic report in Google Maps and based on the current traffic patterns, the Map can tell you how long you traveled by car, cycle or by simply walking.
- Related results – If you are looking for a coffee joint near to your locality, Google Maps will show it along with other coffee located near your area of interest. This is one of the user-friendly features introduced by Google with the aim of simplifying location search.
You can Develop SEO Strategies based on Google Maps
In my opinion, Google Maps is a perfect platform for local businesses to attract target audiences by getting professional help. To increase that chance of seeing your business in the revamped Maps service, you can concentrate on getting favorable or positive reviews so that users will take an interest on your business based on the reviews you posted on the Maps. You can include more photos of your business with the help of Google Places dashboard and don’t forget to include photos on your Google+ local page. If you want effective and long lasting SEO tactics to promote your business through Google Maps, you can approach a reliable SEO service provider specialized in offering client specific solutions at reasonable pricing.
Google Analytics is a very popular tool, and is preferred due to the reason that they are free and have plenty of features. However, if you do not want Google to access all your data, then it is time to look for alternatives. There are many potential alternatives available, which help you a lot and will surely fit up with your budget too. Below are mentioned some of the alternatives for Google analytics.
Clicky
Clicky is an easy tool devoid of flash components, which makes it easy t use with your mobile too. Whereas in Google Analytics one must put enough time span to catch up the interface and its terminology too.
One must add a snippet of code to the preferred website. Even there are many more plug-in and apps which makes the setup process more easy and simple. It is free for one webpage and possesses around three thousand daily page reviews. The price tag for premium registration starts at $9.99 every month.
Features
- Uptime monitoring that is Pro Plus account that is required is around $14.99 per month.
- Custom tracking facility
- Real time Analytics
- Tracking individual visitor log
- Path Analysis
- Heat maps, which is approximately $14.99 every month.
- Split testing facilities
Piwik
Piwik is yet another simple analytics tool, preferred by many. However, unlike clicky, the setup process is not so simple for this. One needs to install the complete software within your server, and continue the guidelines. The two main factors, which make piwik so popular, is that they are responsive and transparent.
Features
- Easy customizable dashboard
- Completely free which extends functionality
- Tracking individual tracking visitor log
- Target tracking record
Gauges
Guages is one of the reasonable alternatives to the Google Analytics. Guauges offer a simple and easy interface way. The setup process includes by adding the snippet code within your pages.
Features
- Easy to access
- Real time Analytics
- Available in different plans
- Flash free interface which makes it mobile friendly
- API facility
Mixpanel
Mixpanel is more preferred for such businesses, which sell products, and with wide variety of features. This platform focuses completely upon events rather than the page views.
Features
- Customer assemblage
- Customer satisfaction and lifetime values
- Advancement segmentation
- Frequent feedbacks to customers via mobile and web
- Automation services
Reinvigorate
Reinvigorate is one of the real time analytics that is completely loaded with heat maps and has a simple dashboard. Setup is also simple and similar to Google Analytics, requires a plug-in.
Features
- Real time Analytics
- Tracking users with name tags
- Responsive Heat Maps
- Appropriate breakdowns
KISSmetrics
KISSmetrics is one another platform event based analytics, with data segmentation.
Features
- Data Segmentation
- A/B spilt tests
- Dedicated metrics and 1 on 1 consultation for professional plans
Once you go through these alternative packages, you end up in confusion which one to choose right?? Select packages, which have additional features, metrics, meet all your technical requirements as well as budgets.
Facebook is known for helping businesses to promote their products or services so that these businesses can target registered users who are interested in their products or services. In the past, the popular social media site has introduced many features for businesses especially small enterprises to use Facebook as their primary online marketing platform. During the initial stage, advertisers find it difficult to narrow down users according to the interest towards their products or services. Not only that, there were reports about paid Facebook ads getting more likes from fake profile users. The problem with this kind of tactic is that ads getting more likes cannot attract organic traffic to their main websites.
To solve these issues, Facebook has come up with new features in their marketing profile setup page to prevent paid likes. They are introducing new targeting features that will help advertisers and marketers to reach out audiences according to selected parameters. According to their official statement, Facebook is trying to make their targeting features simpler and more powerful. In the coming weeks, they will start rolling out improved Core Audiences targeting features that are built into Facebook’s entire ad buying interfaces. For targeting US customers, Facebook is adding Partner Categories to their ads create tool so that every business starting from multinational to local enterprises can utilize these new features. If you are using Facebook to promote your business, then use their new features to reach out the right audience based on certain targeting parameters and they are:
- Interests – We know that Facebook has got over one million active users and they have tons of interest about everything that happens around them. Marketers and advertisers can utilize new methodology developed by Facebook by simply selecting one interest-based targeting segment. For example, if you choose “smartphone” as the targeting segment, then it will pull all the users who have liked or expressed interest on topics related to “smartphone” on the social media site. Thereby you can increase the accuracy of targeting customers who interested in your business.
- Demographic – Facebook’s new Core Audiences feature enable marketers to track customers based on changing life events such as getting engaged or married, specific types of education, or job mentioned in a user’s profile. For example, you can target users who are managers or CEOs and track them according to their working title.
- Behaviors – The Core Audiences feature includes behavior based targeting option which provides marketers the ability to focus their marketing campaigns on specific audience based on their search behavior such as things they purchase and kind of devices they use.
- Locations – By the introduction of location based targeting option, marketers will possess more control when it comes to targeting their ads. Marketers can build effective ad campaigns based on any kind of locations or territories such as country and state, country and city, state and city, state and zip code etc.
With Facebook and other social media sites competing each other for gaining majority chunk of ad revenue, it can be said that it is beneficial for small and local businesses to utilize the services offered by these social media sites to fulfill their marketing goals successfully.
LinkedIn is one of the strongest social media, consisting of more than 277 million active users. So, having a LinkedIn account means, you are visible to such a big crowd. One can use LinkedIn effectively once they have a “completed profile“. So, once you sign up with this social media, be sure that you have an awesome profile to show case. Here are some tips for you to make your profile better.
Tips to make your LinkedIn profile attain “All star” status
1. Have a updated profile photo
LinkedIn is a professional network, so the way you create and update your profile must be in a professional way. The profile picture which you are going to update must be recent one as well as recognizable. It will be better if you display a professional image, since your profile picture is something which that grabs the attention of others.
2. Importance of updating experience
Expose your experience to the public; this will make your profile look more professional. Give a detail description about your work experience, your role, awards, honors you got etc. If you are a fresher, then include your skills, passion in such a way that it strikes the reader’s attention. One can even add books they read, it is obvious that not all of us read books, but still it would be fine if you at least add one book that you ever have read.
3. Make your tagline a catchy one
Headline is something, which is noticed by people initially while they go through your profile. So, be sure that your headline is catchy one, which shows cases the best in you. If you are a professional, include your job keyword, which perfectly implies your skills. In addition, if you are a fresher or student make sure that you put your skill sets or passion as your headline.
4. Importance of having “Recommendations”
Recommendations are the best way to boost your reputation by increasing credibility. While people endorse you for your skill sets, it makes you more popular. People with many skill sets endorsed by many have added advantage. One can even ask for recommendation by just asking your connection via message. If you have a complete and genuine profile, then it is sure that people will endorse you without asking.
5. Make sure to complete your summary
Summary is a place where you can include more about you like your educational details, skills etc. Be sure that you add it in a professional way to be unique. You can give a brief description within your summary column with 2000 words.
6. Advantage of joining groups
There are many groups available within LinkedIn group; one can join those groups that they find more relevant. A person who is active in at least 10 groups is more near to the All-star profile. There are around 1.8 million active groups within LinkedIn, and this contains thousands of members. Therefore, while joining each group you can connect with different peoples too and even start discussions with them. Thus, you become more genuine and popular, which makes you more stable.
7. Follow companies
Each company has different profiles within the LinkedIn networks. One can easily follow these companies, and get new feeds and updates. This is more useful for freshers and job hunters, once you start following a particular company you wish to join, will help you in getting recent updates. One you follow companies, you are actually creating a path to have a contact with them. One can even commend on each of the updates released via this company.
8. Customize your profile url
One can customize their profile link; this makes your profile look relevant and professional. For customizing this one need to edit, the profile link option and make it accordingly. It is always better to add your name within the profile link.
9 Importance of posting regularly
Always be an active user, posting regularly will help you to be genuine and active user. Post such contents which is unique and catchy, this will help you to grab the attention of everyone.
10. Include relevant media within your profile
One can add images, videos, links or even their presentations within their profile via square plus sign available within your summary sections. Thu you can expose your skill sets and talents.
It is a fact that everyone uses social media for marketing and promoting certain services. However, while doing this many of us make mistakes; one can put forth effort to be flawless. Social media has evolved out, as the best and strongest tool to promote business, so be sure that you carry out steps to be mistake free. Here are some of the most common mistakes, which we all fell victims at least once a while.
1. Treating every Social Media the same
Every social media platform is entirely different from one another. If you put the same message in all social media platforms, do you think it is genuine??? Actually, such a practice considered as a spam. One must put contents according to the platform, for this, you must have a clear-cut idea about each social media platform and its strategies. Once you understand each platform, you must customize your message accordingly to get start. Having multiple social media accounts is an added advantage for you.
2. Publishing contents at improper times
Be aware that while you publish your post or contents, be sure that you post them at the right time. For example, if you post one tweet to target people in California, and post them at 8am EST, will it be a right time? Of course, not, so once you start with a post is sure that you launch them at the right time.
3. Replacing Quantity over Quality
People think that placing many contents will surely strike the attention of viewers. No matter how much contents you share, it will be noted if they are low quality ones. Quality contents are something that leads you to a big crowd. So, be sure that the contents you share are unique and stand out as the best one within the crowd.
4. Not captivating importance of Bio
Once a person visits your profile or page, if they are interested, they directly check out your bio. It is a common mistake among people, that they do not complete the bio properly. For getting the targeted audience, it is always safe to have a complete profile. For example: fill out the details like address, contact number, website url etc.
5. Posting enough and posting too much
It is common practice that many people post too much thinking that they will benefitted out very soon. This is actually a myth, actually posting too much come as spam. Posting very few means, you are not at all active within your social media accounts. So, you people will be wondering what to do right? Actually, you must post relevant contents at a regular interval.
6. Automated messages
People usually create automated messages for convenience. Once anyone follow you, the moment they get an automated message indicating your website and all. Such a practice is usually a spam method, which none of us like. Therefore, it is a good practice to take enough time to be in touch with your followers. This makes them feel genuine and thus you can create a good impression within your followers.
7. Not undergoing proper proofreading
Proofreading is the must do factor do complete while publishing a post. People usually post a message in a hurry, they do not even spell check them. This will help you get better reputation too.
8. Treating Social Media as a Megaphone
Social media is the best way to communicate with each other and hence called a “Two-way street”. Social media is a place where you can communicate with many people, so be sure to start a friendly talk with your followers. Always try to post contents that will generate discussions. Always respond t the discussions, make it more friendly and interesting too.
9. Improper usage of #, @ and images
Each social media platforms have extra features, do try to do follow and make use of them effectively. For example, Hast tags will always boost engagement.
10. Saying and posting too much
All are busy people; none is going to spend time reading a lengthy post. So, make sure that you post something short in an appealing way. For example, in Twitter the word limit for each tweet is 140 characters, be sure to include the best words.
Content marketing is something, which embraced a lot of agencies and in house online marketing teams. It is the strongest aspects of SEO; this is the very reason behind why marketers use them. Due to the raising demand of content marketing people, actually jump to this technique without undergoing or checking what actually this process is and how it works out. Content marketing is a vast subject matter; one must understand it from the root tip, to bring out fruitful results. This can only be made into practice once they make up the right content marketing strategy.
Content marketing – The basics
Effective content marketing is something, which is attractive as well as easy going. The contents must be relevant so as to get more and more customers. Suppose you are aiming at exposing your brand new product, create a content targeting your product. Such a practice will surely bring you the attention of targeted audience and which in turn brings you customers. The main idea is how you build up the trust of your customers, once you achieve the trust of your customers you have completed more than half of your hurdle. Blogging will be a great idea, but do you know how much blogs are being published per day?? More than two million blog posts are booming up each day. That means your content must be that much effective so as to win the race. Promoting useful and effective contents only can make your product or service stand out as unique.
Customize your content wisely
Custom content are something that drags more than 80% customers towards your brand. Custom content is about creating a positive impact to your customers, making a trustful relation with them. Following the nature and style of customers can be very helpful. Before creating content be sure that you have completely analyzed your customers.
Promote your content
By just publishing your content, nothing works out. One must put maximum effort in its promotion so as to get maximum exposure. The foremost thing to analyze is that in which channel your customers are most active. Once you find it, then try to promote your services more in such channels. Social media sites like Twitter helps you get information regarding active followers. By using this Twitter tool one can make sure that in which time most of the followers are active and one can promote the services at that time span.
