February 24, 2009

SEW Experts: International SEO Challenges and Tips

Search engine optimization for multi-national companies' Web sites comes with its own set of challenges and pitfalls. In today's organic search engine optimization column, "International SEO Challenges and Tips," Mark Jackson shares a few challenges that companies with an international Web presence face, and some advice for how to create an optimal Web presence that can do well in international search engines.

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SEW Experts: Spending in a Tough Market

Many large organizations are looking to engage an SEO agency as an alternative to hard-to-track media buys. In today's enterprise search marketing column, "Spending in a Tough Market," Aaron Shear reminds us that the SEO should make sure that goals included in a response to an RFP are related to revenue and traffic, with a stipulation around the source of the traffic.

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February 23, 2009

SEW Experts: Social Media Madness -- The Sweet 16

In the spirit of College basketball's upcoming March Madness tournament, we've got the "Sweet 16" of social media. In today's building brand equity column, "Social Media Madness -- The Sweet 16," Erik Qualman scores each company's strengths and weaknesses, along with details on how your company or brand can leverage these social media offerings.

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SEW Experts: Social Media Marketing 101, Part 2

Social media marketing can be a great arrow in your quiver of marketing tools. In today's SEM 101 column, "Social Media Marketing 101, Part 2," Ron Jones shows that to leverage it correctly, you must consider first what you want to accomplish.

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February 17, 2009

SEW Experts: Ignorance: The Trouble with People Who Claim SEO is Snake Oil

URL structure makes a difference in SEO, but it's just one of many things! Ignorant columnists making false claims about topics they don't understand are bogus! In today's organic search engine optimization column, "Ignorance: The Trouble with People Who Claim SEO is Snake Oil," Mark Jackson asks if writing an "interesting" and "provocative" column about SEO means facts are optional.

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SEW Experts: Marketing your SMB with Time and Elbow Grease

It's pretty obvious everyone is hurting and everyone is tightening their belts where they can. One of the hardest things to grasp as a small business owner is where to tighten that belt, and how tight is too tight. In today's small business search engine marketing column, "Marketing your SMB with Time & Elbow Grease, Part 1," Carrie Hill begins the first in a series of articles that will give actionable advice on how to improve your rankings or revenue from search with no dollar investments -- aside from the time and effort it takes to research and implement these changes.

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February 16, 2009

SEW Experts: Social Media Marketing (SMO) 101, Part 1

Before you begin any kind of social media marketing, I highly recommend setting up an account and jumping into a conversation or community. It's one thing to talk about social media, and another to experience it firsthand. In today's SEM 101 column, "Social Media Marketing (SMO) 101, Part 1," Ron Jones outlines some basic types of social media sites.

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SEW Experts: The Best of Outsourced: 10 Greatest Hits

In today's SEM agency issues column, "The Best of Outsourced: 10 Greatest Hits," William Flaiz bids farewell to Search Engine Watch by revisiting some of the hottest topics in search marketing agencies from the past 18 months.

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February 12, 2009

SEW Experts: Solve Your Call Tracking Problems Now!

Tracking calls has long been seen as a Holy Grail of tracking promotions. The good news? That Holy Grail is available and possible for marketers of every size. In today's online promotion & link building column, "Solve Your Call Tracking Problems Now!," Sage Lewis outlines some call-tracking options for both large and small advertisers.

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SEW Experts: One PPC Landing Page, Infinite Faces

Creating custom landing pages for PPC ads can help boost your conversion rates by percentage points. In today's Profitable PPC column, "One PPC Landing Page, Infinite Faces," David Szetela shares a few simple lines of code, with which a landing page can be created with content that can be changed by marketers depending on the link that the user clicked on.

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February 11, 2009

SEW Experts: Getting Buy-In Is A Crucial First Step in Enterprise SEO

Because of their size and complexity, large organizations face some big challenges to planning and implementing an SEO strategy. In today's Web analytics and ROI column, "Getting Buy-In Is A Crucial First Step in Enterprise SEO," Eric Enge explains that, because the SEO is the newcomer, and the peculiar requirements of search engine optimization aren't generally understood, the SEO must first be the evangelist/teacher to the rest of the organization.

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SEW Experts: Top 5 SEM Industry Frustrations

In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Top 5 SEM Industry Frustrations," Kevin Ryan shares some of the top frustrations from practitioners in the search engine marketing trade.

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February 10, 2009

SEW Experts: How Strong is Your Search?

If you're not using analytics in the right way on your large site, it will be difficult to adequately track your site's traffic sources. In today's enterprise search marketing column, "How Strong is Your Search?," Aaron Shear cautions that if you're not careful, you could end up with two competing teams -- one driving paid search, and the other driving organic.

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SEW Experts: Give SEO Time!

As an ethical SEO consultant, sometimes it's best to turn down some SEO projects, especially when the client has unrealistic expectations of the time and money necessary to succeed in a competitive market. In today's organic search engine optimization column, "Give SEO Time!," Mark Jackson reminds us that it's best to be clear with clients about the time it will take for them to see SEO results.

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February 9, 2009

SEW Experts: 4 Ways Facebook Can Make Big Money

Facebook celebrated its fifth birthday last week with 150 million of its closest friends. In today's building brand equity column, "4 Ways Facebook Can Make Big Money," Erik Qualman gives his gift to Facebook: four ways to make some big money this year.

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SEW Experts: Link Building 101, Part 2

Last week, we looked at on-site linking best practices. In today's SEM 101 column, "Link Building 101, Part 2," Ron Jones examines off-page SEO factors, with five methods you can start using right now to build links.

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February 6, 2009

SEW Experts: Local Search Tactics for Tough Economic Times

What tactics and best practices can improve our local search campaigns in these challenging times? Local search marketing efforts focus around ensuring you're the one chosen when the question of "where to buy" arises. In today's local & mobile search column, "Local Search Tactics for Tough Economic Times," local search expert Gregg Stewart shares a checklist of local search marketing tactics to help your firm weather today's economic environment.

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SEW Experts: Don't Believe Everything You Read

Would you make a life or death decision about caring for a sick infant based solely on blog advice, or even WebMD? Would you decide on a retirement strategy by reading a few blog posts or a forum discussion? Probably not. Yet, some marketers choose to base their search marketing strategies on blog posts. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Don't Believe Everything You Read," Chris Boggs and Frank Watson remind you not to take the information you find online as gospel.

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February 5, 2009

SEW Experts: Integrating Marketing Campaigns with Link Development

Companies can often make simple modification to their promotions to develop links simultaneously. Other times, the links already exist from marketing campaigns, but they aren't being utilized for their full value. In today's online promotion & linkbuilding column, "Integrating Marketing Campaigns with Link Development," Justilien Gaspard outlines a few ways SEMs and other marketers can work together to their mutual benefit.

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February 4, 2009

SEW Experts: Google and the Obama Administration

Google and its employees seem to be getting awfully cozy with the new President. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Google and the Obama Administration," Kevin Ryan writes an open letter to President Obama, cautioning him to keep his promises of change.

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February 3, 2009

SEW Experts: Users and Search Engines Want the Same Things

Optimizing your site for users is just as important as optimizing your site for search engines. In today's small business search engine marketing column, "Users and Search Engines Want the Same Things," Carrie Hill explains that, while those are two very different things, you can often serve both audiences by being smart with your Web site development.

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SEW Experts: Using Search to Help You with SEO

Link research can take time, but there are several ways you can use a search engine to find quality links. In today's organic search engine optimization column, "Using Search to Help you with Search Engine Optimization," Mark Jackson looks at queries you can make using your favorite search engine that can help you find places to acquire links to your Web site.

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February 2, 2009

SEW Experts: Is Your Landing Page Relevant?

Your landing page is the first impression by which search engines and users alike will judge your site. And when a searcher first lands on your Web site, you have but mere seconds to establish credibility. In today's SEM agency issues column, "Is Your Landing Page Relevant?," William Flaiz explains that Web sites must rise to the occasion and create landing pages that rank for important keywords while engaging the reader.

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SEW Experts: Link Building 101, Part 1

The concept of getting backlinks to a page internally is sometimes overshadowed by trying to acquire backlinks from external pages. In today's SEM 101 column, "Link Building 101, Part 1," Ron Jones suggests using the same concept and applying it to your internal linking structure.

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January 30, 2009

SEW Experts: Battling Click Fraud is Important for All Involved

Every pay-per-click advertiser sees the presence of click fraud, as does every search engine. We're just disagreeing about the numbers. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Battling Click Fraud is Important for All Involved," Frank Watson and Chris Boggs remind us that both sides need to acknowledge that a certain level of click fraud exists, and work together to diminish its impact.

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SEW Experts: Best-Kept Secret in PPC? Part II

Last week's discussion of Google Conversion Optimizer generated a flood of user questions. It seems the promise of simplifying the time-consuming, complicated chore of regulating keyword bids is especially appealing to advertisers. In today's Profitable PPC column, "Best-Kept Secret in PPC? Part II," David Szetela responds to reader questions, and clarifies a few things.

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SEW Experts: 2009 is a Year of Change for Travel Search Marketing

The economy is forcing travel search marketers to change the way they approach online marketing. The travel vertical is already one of the most advanced groups of search marketers, but the industry has been under more pressure in recent months to make their campaigns count. In today's vertical search marketing column, "2009 is a Year of Change for Travel Search Marketing," travel search expert Elisabeth Osmeloski outlines a few ways travel search marketers, and marketers in other verticals, can get back to basics in these challenging times.

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January 29, 2009

SEW Experts: Bribing People With $50 Gift Cards: Part Deux

We asked what you might want to see here, and what a promotion-monitoring component would look like. In today's online promotion & link building column, "Bribing People With $50 Gift Cards: Part Deux," Sage Lewis shares some reader ideas that far exceeded expectations, and could really help push this column further along.

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January 28, 2009

SEW Experts: Yahoo's New Era

President Obama received a warm welcome with record-breaking fanfare, but I just didn't see the outpouring of joy for Yahoo's new chief executive. I suppose one could argue the United States is in much worse shape than Yahoo, but the lack of enthusiasm I've seen for Bartz (among the digerati) is disappointing. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Yahoo's New Era," Kevin Ryan notes that new CEO Carol Bartz has exactly what Yahoo needs to turn things around.

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SEW Experts: Track Those Alternate Conversions

It's natural to think about revenue-generating events such as sales, leads generated, or ads clicked on when we think about conversions. In today's Web analytics and ROI column, "Track Those Alternate Conversions," Eric Enge explains that there are many other types of valuable conversions, and we're shortchanging ourselves when we look at conversions in a narrow way.

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January 27, 2009

SEW Experts: Breaking the Norm with Search

Many engines, especially Google, are looking for uncommon combinations of content that typically don't exist together. In today's enterprise search marketing column, "Breaking the Norm with Search," Aaron Shear outlines one untapped way to capture search traffic, by combining content of related items in new ways.

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SEW Experts: SEO Web Site Review: Water Filter Corner

This Web site recently launched and has several elements that need to be corrected to lay a sound foundation for future SEO success. In today's organic search engine optimization column, "SEO Web Site Review: Water Filter Corner," Mark Jackson offers some tips on how to improve things in this quarterly SEO site review.

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January 26, 2009

SEW Experts: 10 Ways Twitter Can Make Money

With traditional advertising proving less effective, marketers need new outlets like Twitter and Facebook to help create interest and demand. In today's building brand equity column, "10 Ways Twitter Can Make Money," Erik Qualman shows that by working new features into the service, the company could enhance users' Twitter experience, and monetize their service at the same time.

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SEW Experts: Web Analytics 101, Part 2

When using Web analytics, it's easy to get caught up in all the numbers and lose sight of the overall goal of increasing your site's ROI. It doesn't do any good to use Web analytics to produce cool charts and reports, but then fail to act. In today's SEM 101 column, "Web Analytics 101, Part 2," Ron Jones illustrates how Web analytics can be used to make decisions to improve the effectiveness of an online marketing strategy and the performance of a Web site.

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January 23, 2009

SEW Experts: Google Conversion Optimizer: The Best-Kept Secret in PPC?

Google quietly added Conversion Optimizer to every advertiser's AdWords account a few months ago. In a nutshell, it regulates keyword-level bids, promising to deliver as many conversions as possible, at or below a cost-per-conversion you specify. In today's paid search column, "Google Conversion Optimizer: The Best-Kept Secret in PPC?," David Szetela describes the benefits of using an automated bid management, available for free and using Google's proprietary data.

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SEW Experts: A Linking Strategy Is About More Than Just Quality Content

Some SEOs seem to think that all you need to do to get good links is to build quality content, but improving the quality and quantity of your inbound links doesn't rest on the shoulders of good content alone. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "A Linking Strategy Is About More Than Just Quality Content," Chris Boggs and Frank Watson remind you to spend the time to develop a sound linking strategy, or no one will ever find your quality content.

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January 22, 2009

SEW Experts: Jumpstart a Viral Marketing Campaign

About to launch a viral campaign and need to energize it to increase the likelihood of success? In today's online promotion & linkbuilding column, "Jumpstart a Viral Marketing Campaign," Justilien Gaspard shares some strategies that can help jumpstart it and spread the word.

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January 21, 2009

SEW Experts: Writing Sales Copy For Conversions, Part 2

Once visitors end up on your landing page, you're no longer competing for their attention with other Web sites, so change the focus to the task they're trying to accomplish. In today's By the Numbers column, "Writing Sales Copy For Conversions, Part 2," Tim Ash explains that you're missing an enormous opportunity by not creating a hype-free zone on your landing page.

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SEW Experts: Is One-Stop Media Buying a Failed Model?

Once merely an afterthought in the media buying process, auction-based media has changed everything for everybody. Or has it? In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Is One-Stop Media Buying a Failed Model?," Kevin Ryan asks if it's possible that some things just don't fit? The media buying model has yet to achieve the much-hyped shift that so many pundits predicted a short time ago.

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January 20, 2009

SEW Experts: Testing Your Online Business Plan

When a small business fails at search marketing, more often than not the problem boils down to a poorly thought-out business plan. Monetizing a Web site is so much more than slapping some ads on a page and waiting for the checks to roll in. In today's small business search engine marketing column, "Testing Your Online Business Plan," Carrie Hill advises you to create a business plan, and test viability of that plan before you spend any money on marketing and development.

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SEW Experts: The Better You Rank...the Better You Rank!

The more popular your Web site is, the better the likelihood that your Web site will rank. In today's organic search engine optimization column, "The Better You Rank...the Better You Rank!," Mark Jackson explains that you need to maintain momentum in your both SEO and general marketing efforts to keep a steady flow of traffic coming to your Web site.

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January 19, 2009

SEW Experts: Web Analytics 101, Part 1

Web marketers who ignore analytics are like doctors who start writing prescriptions before bothering to examine or diagnose the patient. In today's SEM 101 column, "Web Analytics 101, Part 1," Ron Jones explains that without looking under the hood to see how your Web site is performing, and learning more about the people visiting your site, you're throwing away a huge opportunity.

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SEW Experts: Are Rankings Still Relevant?

Are we heading toward an age where site ranking doesn't matter? By incorporating searcher behavior into their algorithms, search engines are no longer serving the same results to everyone. In today's SEM agency issues column, "Are Rankings Still Relevant?," William Flaiz wonders if search marketers have been relying on rankings as a crutch, when we should have been looking at the bottom lines.

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January 15, 2009

SEW Experts: Bribing People To Send You Emails With $50 Gift Cards

Whenever you're doing a promotion of any kind, the key to success is to measure it. Set out goals, costs, and end results. In today's online promotion & link building column, "Bribing People To Send You Emails With $50 Gift Cards," Sage Lewis shares the results of his own promotion, highlighting some ways to measure success.

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January 14, 2009

SEW Experts: Training Your Content Developers on SEO Copywriting

SEO copywriting can be a misleading term. Too often, writers will get stuck on the SEO part and lose sight of the other, more important goal: creating a good user experience. In today's Web analytics and ROI column, "Training Your Content Developers on SEO Copywriting," Eric Enge offers advice on how to teach your copywriters to create quality content, which will also rank in search engines.

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SEW Experts: Tibet's Revenge

There's quite a bit of controversy over things like censoring search results. Judging by the majority of the responses I received on last week's column, most of you got the humor in it. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Tibet's Revenge," Kevin Ryan asks those who didn't, or only read the headline and first three sentences, to please continue on to the punch line at the end.

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January 12, 2009

SEW Experts: 7 Social Media Predictions for 2009

It's a new year, which means it's time to raise a virtual glass within your social network and toast your collective social graphs for a great 2009. In today's building brand equity column, "7 Social Media Predictions for 2009," Erik Qualman shares seven things to look for this year.

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SEW Experts: Search Ad Quality Score 101, Part 2

Getting a good quality score requires that you create relevance and continuity from beginning to end of the search experience. Then you need to test, test, test. In today's SEM 101 column, "Search Ad Quality Score 101, Part 2," Ron Jones shows you how to create landing pages that will lead to conversions, which is the ultimate goal.

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January 9, 2009

SEW Experts: We're All Convertibles, And It's Time to Take the Top Down!

Many of us are still looking at the Web through a narrow perspective of search. If we think in terms of what search is -- not as it exists online, but what motivates it, how it can be answered, and what happens when it truly is delivered -- there may be an answer on where the industry is headed and how to be successful in it. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "We're All Convertibles, And It's Time to Take the Top Down!," Frank Watson and Chris Boggs discuss the future of search marketing accountability.

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SEW Experts: Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics

Over the past year, I've been in numerous meetings with advertisers, agencies, and online media vendors, and I'm often amazed at the confusion surrounding how local search campaign analytics are reported, and sometimes twisted, to create a desired story. In today's local & mobile search column, "Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics," local search expert Gregg Stewart lays out the basics you need to know to implement useful Web analytics for your local search campaigns.

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SEW Experts: PPC Landing Pages: Surprising Examples

It's time to kick off the New Year by looking at examples of good and bad combinations of PPC ads and their landing pages. In today's Profitable PPC column, "PPC Landing Pages: Surprising Examples," David Szetela looks at some real-world examples to see what they're doing right, and what they're doing wrong.

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January 8, 2009

SEW Experts: Don't Overlook These Link Building Opportunities

With each passing year, link development becomes increasingly difficult. Yet we sometimes tend to overlook good link opportunities that are right under our noses. In today's online promotion & linkbuilding column, "Don't Overlook These Link Building Opportunities," Justilien Gaspard outlines a few types of links that may not seem worthwhile, but could turn out to be a useful link.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

January 7, 2009

SEW Experts: Writing Sales Copy for Conversions

One of the most common components you can test is sales copy. In today's By the Numbers column, "Writing Sales Copy for Conversions," Tim Ash explains that changing your approach to writing can often lead to a double-digit increase in conversion rates.

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SEW Experts: Forget Tibet; Free the Content

In China, search engines are responsible for the content to which they provide links. This means anytime the Chinese government decides that a certain type of content isn't worthy of its people, they can tell search engines not to list them. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Forget Tibet; Free the Content," Kevin Ryan discusses the Chinese government's ongoing efforts to censor the Internet.

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January 6, 2009

SEW Experts: There's No Shortcut to Good SEO...Or Is There?

If search engines want all SEOs to operate in an ethical manner, they should show us that they're penalizing the Web sites that abuse their guidelines, and reward those who follow their guidelines. In today's organic search engine optimization column, "There's No Shortcut to Good SEO...Or Is There?," Mark Jackson explains that anything less makes it hard to justify following the rules.

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SEW Experts: E-mail Marketing Tips for Small Business

Any well-rounded Internet marketing campaign must include a strong e-mail marketing campaign. In today's small business search engine marketing column, "E-mail Marketing Tips for Small Business," Carrie Hill shows how search plays a role when you use PPC or organic search to grow your subscriber list.

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January 5, 2009

SEW Experts: Search Shifts and Predictions for 2009

Time to ring in the New Year with a few search marketing predictions for 2009. In today's SEM agency issues column, "Search Shifts and Predictions for 2009," William Flaiz predicts what another year will hold for Google, the Web and SEO.

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SEW Experts: Search Ad Quality Score 101, Part 1

It's been about two years since Google and Yahoo implemented their quality score algorithms. Instead of giving the top ad spot to the highest bidder, search engines now take the perceived quality of the ad's landing page into account. In today's SEM 101 column, "Search Ad Quality Score 101, Part 1," Ron Jones takes a closer look at what affects the quality score.

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December 31, 2008

SEW Experts: Use Caution When Growing Your Site

If you're considering drastic changes in the volume of pages on your site, you might want to reconsider. In today's By the Numbers column, "Use Caution When Growing Your Site," Eric Enge explains how user experience combined with the infamous Google sandbox could derail your best of intentions.

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Posted by Nathania Johnson at 1:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Taking a Small Business to the Big Time Through Search

Small business owners can make it big on the web, but they must understand how online retailing works. In today's Big Biz column, "Taking a Small Business to the Big Time Through Search," Aaron Shear shares how site usability, store credibility, and the right keywords can make or break an e-commerce effort.

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Posted by Nathania Johnson at 12:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 30, 2008

SEW Experts: The Paid Links Debate Rages On

To buy a link or not buy a link? That is the question that keeps going and going with no good answer. In today's Au Natural column, "The Paid Links Debate Rages On," Mark Jackson offers up some frank talk on the pros and cons of purchasing links.

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Posted by Nathania Johnson at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 29, 2008

SEW Experts: SEO Site Structure 101, Part 2

We began our discussion of site structure last week by looking at meta tags. In today's SEM 101 column, "SEO Site Structure 101, Part 2," Ron Jones continues exploring the SEO impact of site structure, including title tags, URL structure, and other on-page elements.

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SEW Experts: Will Social Networks Become the New Inbox? Part 2

Many companies still believe they need to get users into their prospecting databases in order to market to them. But businesses capture a lot more information via social media about their consumers than they've ever had before. In today's building brand equity column, "Will Social Networks Become the New Inbox? Part 2," Erik Qualman explains that good businesses realize that the relationship still needs to be cultivated. Just like dating, companies need to learn how to court their customers in social networks.

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December 24, 2008

SEW Experts: Assembling Your Landing Page Optimization Dream Team, Part 4

Landing page testing isn't just about creative; you have to have tech types involved in the process, as well. In today's By the Numbers column, "Assembling Your Landing Page Optimization Dream Team, Part 4 ," Tim Ash concludes his four part series on the ideal people you need to maximize your site's profits.

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Posted by Nathania Johnson at 1:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 23, 2008

SEW Experts: The Small Business Guide to Choosing Keyword Phrases

How do you know which keywords to focus on in your search optimization or advertising campaigns? In today's Little Biz column, "The Small Business Guide to Choosing Keyword Phrases," Carrie Hill explains the Keyword Effectiveness Index and how to use it to your advantage.

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Posted by Nathania Johnson at 12:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Social Media and SEO -- Friends with Benefits?

Social media this and social media that. Why in the world should SEO's care about social media? In today's Au Natural column, "Social Media and SEO -- Friends with Benefits?," Mark Jackson talks about the "link" between social networking and optimizing your site.

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Posted by Nathania Johnson at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 22, 2008

SEW Experts: SEO Site Structure 101, Part 1

You've heard about keyword research, optimized copy and link building, but did you know that the way your site's pages are organized affects SEO too?. In today's SEM 101 column, "SEO Site Structure 101, Part 1," Ron Jones explains how search engines crawl your site and why it's important to pay attention to site architecture.

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Posted by Nathania Johnson at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Revisiting My 2008 Search Predictions

It's that time of year to look back and see what predictions came true in 2008. In today's Outsourced column, "Revisiting My 2008 Search Predictions ," William Flaiz looks back to see whether he truly had his finger on the pulse of what's trending in SEO.

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December 11, 2008

SEW Experts: Look for SEO Opportunities in these Dire Economic Times

Times are tough, but you can weather this economic downturn by taking advantage of some remarkable opportunities for those willing to think outside the box. In today's online promotion & linkbuilding column, "Look for SEO Opportunities in these Dire Economic Times," Justilien Gaspard shows you some ways to be poised to outrank your competition when the economy turns around.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 10, 2008

SEW Experts: Assembling Your Landing Page Optimization Dream Team, Part 3

We've already described some key roles necessary for a successful landing page optimization program. In today's By the Numbers column, "Assembling Your Landing Page Optimization Dream Team, Part 3," Tim Ash examines three more roles: the copywriter, marketing manager, and user experience expert.

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December 9, 2008

SEW Experts: PPC & SEO -- Two Great Tastes that Taste Great Together

Put peanut butter and chocolate together and you get something that transcends each of the individual ingredients. In today's small business search engine marketing column, "PPC & SEO -- Two Great Tastes that Taste Great Together," Carrie Hill explains that the same effect can be had when you combine paid search advertising with search engine optimization efforts.

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SEW Experts: Is it Too Late for Holiday Search Traffic?

Holiday phrases like "Christmas" show up in Google's universal search results, so there still may be an opportunity to show up. In today's organic search engine optimization column, "Is it Too Late for Holiday Search Traffic?," Mark Jackson says that for other competitive keyword phrases, you'd be better off targeting New Year's, or even Valentine's Day.

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December 8, 2008

SEW Experts: Universal Search Should Be a Plus

Variety in the search results gives online marketers multiple opportunities to rank and gain new listing visibility. But how does the user feel? In today's SEM agency issues column, "Universal Search Should Be a Plus," William Flaiz reminds us that as new listing types begin appearing in results, we often lose sight of whether these listings are really helpful to the user.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Keyword Discovery 101, Part 1

Developing proficiency for identifying and refining your keywords crosses many disciplines. It's important to think about a strategy for your campaign and what goals you wish to accomplish before you begin. In today's SEM 101 column, "Keyword Discovery 101, Part 1," Ron Jones begins to outline a sound keyword strategy.

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November 26, 2008

SEW Experts: Assembling Your Landing Page Optimization Dream Team, Part 2

The success of your testing program relies heavily on the cooperation of many people in your organization. In today's By the Numbers column, "Assembling Your Landing Page Optimization Dream Team, Part 2," Tim Ash continues with a look at more key roles needed for a successful landing page optimization program.

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November 25, 2008

SEW Experts: 25 Design Best Practices for Your Small Business Web Site

Whether you plan to hire a designer or figure it out for yourself, there are definitely some best practices you should follow when designing your Web site. In today's small business search engine marketing column, "25 Design Best Practices for Your Small Business Web Site," Carrie Hill offers a list to get a good start on finding the best Web site platform and design elements for your businesses audience.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Keyword Research for Search Engine Optimization

All your SEO efforts will be in vain if you haven't spent enough time focused on which keywords you want to target, don't understand their worth, and don't understand the competitive landscape associated with trying to rank/get traffic from these keywords. In today's organic search engine optimization column, "Keyword Research for Search Engine Optimization," Mark Jackson shares some keyword research advice.

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November 24, 2008

SEW Experts: Great Expectations: How to Communicate SEO Value

Even after you've won the client's business and run a successful program, you still have to show the client what you did for their money. In today's SEM agency issues column, "Great Expectations: How to Communicate SEO Value," William Flaiz points out that communicating the value your search program provided is not to be taken lightly. It could mean the difference between a renewal and a one-off client project.

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November 21, 2008

SEW Experts: Selling SEO During an Economic Downturn

In a down economy, business development for SEO becomes increasingly important. As an agency or consultant providing marketing advice to clients, you're missing a crucial opportunity to provide long-lasting ROI at a still relatively cheap cost if you aren't pushing for investment in organic search. In today's Search Marketing Crossfire column, "Selling SEO During an Economic Downturn," Chris Boggs and Frank Watson share some tips on selling the benefits of SEO.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Searching for Something to Watch

TV and search are converging. Finding something good to watch could soon be more like online search, and less like browsing through a cable channel guide. In today's vertical search column, "Searching for Something to Watch," local search expert Michael Boland looks at the changing face of television and online video.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 18, 2008

SEW Experts: The Future of Google's Search Personalization

Some SEOs aren't getting the message about Google's personalization of search results. Many are not seeing the writing on the wall: 2009 will likely see the end of the ranking report in SEO. In today's organic search engine optimization column, "The Future of Google's Search Personalization," Mark Jackson advises SEOs to acknowledge traffic, conversions, and ROI as the important metrics for any form of marketing or business.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: SEO Dreams are Made of This

Many major companies continue to make mistakes with their Web sites that hurt their search engine rankings. They target pages in the wrong way, or don't craft their pages in a way to prevent searchers from leaving their site after the first page. In today's enterprise search marketing column, "SEO Dreams are Made of This," Aaron Shear says it's time for some SEO dreaming.

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November 17, 2008

SEW Experts: President 2.0

In the same way JFK benefitted from the emerging medium of television, Barack Obama was helped into the White House by the increasing popularity of social media. In today's building brand equity column, "President 2.0," Erik Qualman explains that his appeal to younger audiences, and need to get exposure in a primary race against an established opponent led Obama to develop his online strategy. Businesses can learn from his campaign.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 14, 2008

SEW Experts: Offline and Online Conversions Tracking: Increase Your ROI

The accountability of online marketing is only as good as the analytics an advertiser employs. In today's vertical search column, "Offline and Online Conversions Tracking: Increase Your ROI," local search expert Gregg Stewart explains that tracking conversions -- both online and offline -- can be tricky, but it is an important part of any online marketing program, especially for businesses with a local presence.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 13, 2008

SEW Experts: Use Online Public Relations for Link Marketing

Make the most out of these rocky economic times by utilizing your staff during idle time for online public relations. In today's linkbuilding column, "Use Online Public Relations for Link Marketing," Justilien Gaspard offers some ideas for things you can do to build links and increase sales simultaneously.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

SEW Experts: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Click-Through and Conversion Rates

What's a good click-through rate for a search ad? What's a good conversion rate? That's not an easy question to generalize on, but in today's Profitable PPC column, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Click-Through and Conversion Rates," David Szetela shares some guidelines that can help you decide if yours is acceptable.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 12, 2008

SEW Experts: Must We Unlock the Deep Web?

Search engines are good at what they do, but they aren't especially great at it. Local information, research documents, mountains of medical data, and other information lies buried beyond the reach of GoogleBot and other crawlers. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Must We Unlock the Deep Web?," Kevin Ryan asks if any of that information is really useful.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Assembling Your Landing Page Optimization Dream Team

The success of your testing program relies heavily on the cooperation of many people in your organization. In today's By the Numbers column, "Assembling Your Landing Page Optimization Dream Team, Part 1," Tim Ash outlines some key roles that you'll need to fill with the right kinds of people, or your ideas will never see the light of day.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 11, 2008

SEW Experts: Six Things You Might Be Doing Wrong (And How to Fix Them)

When you look at what is and isn't working for a small business Web site, you'll find that the most frequent issues fall within six categories. Some are flaws in site architecture, while others are the result of poor planning or marketing discipline. In today's small business search engine marketing column, "Six Things You Might Be Doing Wrong (And How to Fix Them)!," Carrie Hill shows you that all six of them are fixable, if you know what to look for.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Google AdWords Quality Score -- That's Old-School for SEO

Google's rules for improving Quality Score of AdWords ads will sound familiar to anyone who's been doing SEO. In today's natural search column, "Google AdWords Quality Score -- That's Old-School for SEO," Mark Jackson explains that by optimizing your Web site for organic search, and building out a bunch of pages for each keyword that you're honestly interested in targeting, you'll likely end up improving your Quality Scores as well.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 10, 2008

SEW Experts: Universal Search: The (War) Elephant in the Room

When the ancient Romans tried to defend themselves from Hannibal's war elephants, they learned that they needed to throw away their old ideas about war and learn to work together. In today's SEM agency issues column, "Universal Search: The (War) Elephant in the Room," William Flaiz compares universal search to the war elephants, and notes that search marketers must realize that focusing all efforts in harmony is the only way to properly address the challenges it presents.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Build Your SEM Network -- Get LinkedIn

How does one go about getting a job in search, or enhancing their career as a search professional? In today's SEM.edu column, "Build Your SEM Network -- Get LinkedIn," Ron Jones explains that a partial answer to this question is to use a social networking tool like LinkedIn, where professionals link to one another's resume-like profiles.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 7, 2008

SEW Experts: Travel Brands Walking a Social Media Tight Rope

As if major airlines don't have enough trouble these days, two well-known brands are in the midst of a very public online reputation management crisis. Internal corporate communications must catch up to the new platform -- and fast. In today's vertical search marketing column, "Travel Brands Walking a Social Media Tight Rope," vertical search expert Elisabeth Osmeloski notes that we're still seeing effects of internal PR groups attempting to control the conversations, and put forth very specific messaging. It simply doesn't work in this new social environment.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: SES Chicago 2008 Invitation and Primer

An exciting agenda, several SEM experts, great speakers, and plenty of networking opportunities await in Chicago for the Search Engine Strategies Conference and Expo. In today's Search Marketing Crossfire column, "SES Chicago 2008 Invitation and Primer," Chris Boggs and Frank Watson run down some reasons to go to Chicago in December.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 6, 2008

SEW Experts: The Account Quality Score: Money Pit for the Uninformed

In Google AdWords, an ad's Quality Score calculation is based on how well the account's campaigns have performed over time, especially in terms of CTR. So what happens with new accounts? Since there's no CTR data on which to base QS, how does Google determine minimum bids? In today's Profitable PPC column, "The Account Quality Score: Money Pit for the Uninformed," David Szetela outlines what happens with new AdWords accounts, and what you can do about it.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Obama's Link Strategy Fuels Election Victory

Internet link love proves more powerful than old-school politics in the 2008 election, thanks in part to a visionary social networking election strategy. In today's link building column, "Obama's Link Strategy Fuels Election Victory," Sage Lewis looks at what we can learn about online marketing from studying presidential politics.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 5, 2008

SEW Experts: Suing Google over Yahoo

Yahoo's last ditch effort to generate additional revenue and thwart a hostile purchase from Microsoft might have provided sufficient impetus for a partnership six months ago, but we're a long way from the world we all knew then. The government, consumer watchdogs, and advertisers are all raising opposition to the Google-Yahoo ad deal. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Suing Google over Yahoo," Kevin Ryan explains why the drama is far from over.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Social Media Link Building: From Fantasy to Reality

Sometimes, a company's marketing efforts can have an unintentional impact from a link building perspective. Such is the case with this fantasy sports community site focused on building communities in Facebook and other social media environments. In today's Web analytics and ROI column, "Social Media Link Building: From Fantasy to Reality," Eric Enge shares the successful strategy of Citizen Sports Network.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 4, 2008

SEW Experts: Maintaining Your Company's Image in the SERPs

Is your company the victim of bad press, or a concerted campaign to push your site down in the SERPs? In today's enterprise search marketing column, "Maintaining Your Company's Image in the SERPs," Aaron Shear explains that building alternative media types, and linking to compelling content about your company on other sites, can often clear up the majority of the unwanted press by moving it down through the rankings.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: SEO Site Review: Custom Creations, Unlimited

Mark Jackson performs his quarterly SEO site review, and this time the subject promises to implement his recommendations. In today's organic search engine optimization column, "SEO Site Review: Custom Creations, Unlimited," Mark Jackson notes that, like many Web sites, it isn't in bad shape from a SEO perspective, but it is a great example of the importance of the little things.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 31, 2008

SEW Experts: Porn and Gambling: Canaries in the SEM Coal Mine?

Many advances in marketing on the Web are the result of spending by the profitable and competitive porn and gambling industries. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Porn and Gambling: Canaries in the SEM Coal Mine?," Frank Watson and Chris Boggs explore recent lawsuits in both industries that might help us again, by pointing out some specific areas for marketers to keep an eye on.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 30, 2008

SEW Experts: Use Humor for Link Marketing

Humor is a great form of content that will give people a reason to link to your content, and help it spread virally. The challenge for most sites is coming up with something funny. In today's linkbuilding column, "Use Humor for Link Marketing," Justilien Gaspard offers some ideas that can be used by everyone, regardless of the size of your marketing budget.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Trick or Tweet for CNN

Social media is revolutionary. It allows CNN anchor Rick Sanchez to have a relationship with 30,000 people, and make a connection with them that can translate to other media. In today's building brand equity column, "Trick or Tweet for CNN," Erik Qualman explains that companies need to relinquish the total control they've had and allow users, consumers, viewers, etc. to take their rightful ownership.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 29, 2008

SEW Experts: Landing Pages and the Decision-Making Process

Landing page optimization and testing is a complex activity that requires knowledge of many fields, including usability, copywriting, math, and Web design. In today's By the Numbers column, "Landing Pages and the Decision-Making Process," Tim Ash reminds us that at its core, we're still trying to influence the behavior of people, and human nature hasn't changed.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

SEW Experts: Search Trademark Hobby Kit

Who owns the trademark when it comes to search? A lot of angry litigation stems from the huge dollars that big brands measure from clicks on their trademarked terms in search results. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Search Trademark Hobby Kit," Kevin Ryan asks if they're simply misunderstanding the search realm and buying funnel?

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October 28, 2008

SEW Experts: Building it Better -- Small Business Site Architecture

Businesses built on a strong foundation grow and flourish. Web sites with solid architecture can have stronger search results. In today's small business search engine marketing column, "Building it Better -- Small Business Site Architecture," Carrie Hill cautions that, if you're thinking about designing or redesigning your small business Web site, you need to get organized before you start.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: The Ghosts of SEO Past and Future

When banner ads first came out, there was hardly enough inventory to satisfy advertisers' needs. Paid search and search engine optimization changed all that. In today's search engine optimization column, "The Ghosts of SEO Past and Future," Mark Jackson points out that SEO, too, has changed radically in the last decade.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 27, 2008

SEW Experts: Those Mysterious Quality Scores: Fundamentally Simple

The quality scoring system used for search engine ads is based on a complex group and series of calculations that take into consideration hundreds of factors that the search engines won't reveal. In today's Profitable PPC column, "Those Mysterious Quality Scores: Fundamentally Simple," David Szetela points out that you don't really need to know what those factors are, as long as you create your campaigns correctly and make sure you're giving visitors what they're looking for.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 24, 2008

SEW Experts: The Organic and Paid Balancing Act

As SERP listings and functionality changes, there are still two types of listings that have weathered the storm and are still attainable for marketers: traditional organic listings and paid search listings. In today's SEM agency issues column, "The Organic and Paid Balancing Act," William Flaiz explains that by making sure your site stays above the fold in these two outlets, you can maximize your controllable visibility.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: The Future of Online Ads: Location, Location, Location

Location awareness -- the concept that a device knows exactly where it is -- is changing the way mobile search works. Search applications are being developed to tap into this capability and serve more locally relevant content. In today's vertical search column, "The Future of Online Ads: Location, Location, Location," local search expert Michael Boland discusses this trend, and outlines the next steps for national advertisers and ad networks: to serve ads that are actually useful and actionable for local users.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: SEO During E-Commerce Application Development

E-commerce applications for Web sites can take thousands of hours to build, and require patience and determination on the part of the organization. As with large-scale Web site designs and redesigns, putting search engine optimization off until after the fact can be a costly mistake. In today's Search Marketing Crossfire column, "SEO During E-Commerce Application Development," Chris Boggs and Frank Watson look at what it takes to make an application SEO-friendly vs. optimized.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 23, 2008

SEW Experts: Zappos + Twitter = Innovative Success!

Most companies use Twitter as a PR machine, covered in a thin veil of down-home personalization. But Zappos' CEO exposes a deep level of intimacy and behind the scenes information. In today's link building column, "Zappos + Twitter = Innovative Success!," Sage Lewis explains that this helps Zappos connect with their audience, and get links as a result.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Facebook: Get Educated on the Hottest Social Media Platform

Facebook was first used as a tool to help students, faculty, and staff to get to know other people on campus. Now it's used to do the same on the Internet campus. In today's SEM.edu column, "Facebook: Get Educated on the Hottest Social Media Platform," Ron Jones outlines some ways educators are using the social network as a way to get students ready for participating in today's corporate world.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 22, 2008

SEW Experts: Vote Obama/Google in '08?

Google CEO Eric Schmidt hit the campaign trail this week with presidential candidate Barack Obama. Is there any merit to Google's statement that Mr. Schmidt's personal beliefs are his own and Google isn't backing Obama, just its CEO? In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Vote Obama/Google in '08?," Kevin Ryan asks if Schmidt crossed the line of appropriate behavior and good sense.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Building a Data-Driven Organization

Organizations with streamlined operations, plus fast and accurate decision-making, can gain a decisive edge over competitors. In today's Web analytics and ROI column, "Building a Data-Driven Organization," Eric Enge explains that one important step to take is to become data-driven, by creating an organization where analytics emerge from a centralized structure driven by the top of the organization.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 21, 2008

Search Advertisers: Don't Miss the Profitable PPC Webcast

What's the best way to set up a new PPC campaign? How should you structure your ad groups to get double-digit clickthrough rates? Where should you peg your initial budgets and bids?

Listen to SEW Expert David Szetela sharing his PPC tips in a live Search Engine Watch Webcast, "Profitable PPC: The Fundamental Secrets," on October 22, 2008. That's tomorrow - Wednesday - at 1 p.m. EST.

In this webcast, you will learn how to build and optimize successful PPC campaigns, with an emphasis on solid direct response advertising techniques that lead to maximum conversions and ROI. Discover how to set up your PPC accounts, assign keywords to ad groups, and implement bidding strategies that will lead to profitable PPC campaigns.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 4:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Implementation is the Name of the Game

Implementation is a critical part of the search engine optimization process. This is where we actually make the recommended changes to the Web site.In today's organic SEO column, "Implementation is the Name of the Game," Mark Jackson explains that it's also where way too many SEO projects go wrong.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Video Search: Can You Live Without It?

With YouTube climbing into the second position in terms of search engines, you can't avoid videos these days. What is your company doing to stay on top of the video market? In today's enterprise search marketing column, "Video Search: Can You Live Without It?," Aaron Shear runs down some of your options.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 20, 2008

SEW Experts: Measuring a Text Ad's Effectiveness

Testing and improving ad copy is essential to optimizing overall PPC campaign performance. Improving ad text leads to better CTR and quality score, which means it can help drive your CPC down, and/or let you buy more clicks per dollar. In today's search advertising column, "Measuring a Text Ad's Effectiveness," David Szetela shows you how to make a direct impact on your campaign's ability to increase the number of profitable sales.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 17, 2008

SEW Experts: Google's New Tools for Site Link Strengthening

Both Matt Cutts and the Google Webmaster Central team recently turned their focus on helping sites address 404 error pages, which don't pass link authority and negatively impact the user experience. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Google's New Tools for Site Link Strengthening," Frank Watson and Chris Boggs discuss the new tools Google has created to assist site owners and SEOs with a quick way to improve a site's overall impact on search results.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Making the Most of Your Local Search Marketing Dollars

Clients often ask where they should spend their marketing dollars: online or offline, search or display? The problem with these questions: they assume there's one or only a few sources for all local sales leads. In today's vertical search column, "Making the Most of Your Local Search Marketing Dollars," local search expert Gregg Stewart explains that the question isn't "either/or;" it's about how much of each.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 16, 2008

SEW Experts: Obama is Winning the Internet War

Election Day in the U.S. is fast approaching and it's anyone's guess who will win...or is it? Based on five key indicators on the Internet, maybe we already know who will next be sitting in the Oval Office. In today's building brand equity column, "Obama is Winning the Internet War," Erik Qualman looks at these indicators and shows how they can be applied to your business.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Content Promotion for Link Marketing

Even if your content is great and deserving of links, you won't get very far if no one knows about it. The Web already has a ton of great content and more added each day. In today's linkbuilding column, "Content Promotion for Link Marketing," Justilien Gaspard tells you how to promote your content to get noticed.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 15, 2008

SEW Experts: Landing Page Optimization: Guessing vs. Testing

Even the most experienced experts will be wrong much of the time because no one person can envision the diverse needs of all visitors who find your page. Even if the expert knew everything about every visitor, they would find that their needs often are contradictory. In today's By the Numbers column, "Landing Page Optimization: Guessing vs. Testing," Tim Ash explains that the real experts on the design of your landing pages are your Web site visitors.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Googloomy Times, Desperate Measures

Crashing markets, bank bailouts, and government investments in the private sector are the new norm. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Googloomy Times, Desperate Measures," Kevin Ryan takes a closer look at what you can do to avoid being caught up in the hoopla. If you're smart about it, you might just benefit from the downside and create your own upside.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 14, 2008

SEW Experts: Where's The ROI?

Would you divert your offline marketing dollars to marketing that can be measured; where you can know how, where, and how much money you made from each ad buy? In today's small business search engine marketing column, "Where's The ROI?," Carrie Hill shows that even the most negative and non-Internet-savvy business owners can't argue with numbers that lead to bigger bank accounts.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Are You Measuring SEO Success Correctly?

Ranking reports are flawed because they depend on everyone seeing the same search results, which just doesn't happen anymore. SEO success should be measured by the lift in organic search engine traffic. In today's organic SEO column, "Are You Measuring SEO Success Correctly?," Mark Jackson explains that to do that, you need to make sure your analytics are set up correctly.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 13, 2008

SEW Experts: Reading the Tea Leaves: Interpreting Keyword Reports

Once enough data has accumulated, it's important to run reports and take action based on the data. In today's Profitable PPC column, "Reading the Tea Leaves: Interpreting Keyword Reports," David Szetela shows you what all those numbers mean, and how to make adjustments to improve PPC campaign performance.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 10, 2008

SEW Experts: Search is Not Enough

Marketing has grown fairly sophisticated over the decades, and it would be foolish to view search as anything more than a component of a much more comprehensive marketing plan. Gone are the days of thinking that our only job is to drive customers to a Web site. In today's SEM agency issues column, "Search is Not Enough," William Flaiz advises us to examine the entire marketing funnel, not just the search component, to maximize our marketing dollars.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Is Your SEM Truly Looking at Search Holistically?

To achieve SERP nirvana, your search engine optimization and paid search efforts must have the same goal. In today's Search Marketing Crossfire column, "Is Your SEM Truly Looking at Search Holistically?," Chris Boggs and Frank Watson offer five important questions to make sure your potential search vendors view search holistically when updating ongoing strategy and planning considerations.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: The New Era of Travel Affiliate Marketing

As the travel segment gets increasing crowded, and the major online travel agencies continue to build brand identity, the race to leverage new opportunities in search and social media is most definitely on for smaller players. In today's vertical search marketing column, "The New Era of Travel Affiliate Marketing," travel search expert Elisabeth Osmeloski looks at just how important affiliates are to the online travel industry.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 9, 2008

SEW Experts: My Wife, the Editor

Editor of any kind of publication -- machining, food, scientific equipment -- is an underground ruling class that very few average people know about. In today's link building column, "My Wife, the Editor," Sage Lewis reminds us that, when approaching an editor of a newspaper, trade publication, or a major publication, if you want the quote, if you want the link, treat these people with the respect they've come to know and love.

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SEW Experts: MySpace for Online Learning and Marketing Tools

While some schools eschew the idea of MySpace in the classroom, other curricula embrace social media. In today's SEM.edu column, "MySpace for Online Learning and Marketing Tools," Ron Jones explains that if you can pull the aptitude and savvy of students from what they like to do outside class into the classroom, it makes for a more interactive environment.

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October 8, 2008

SEW Experts: SEO Link Building Fundamentals

Link building is often a slow and arduous process that unfolds over a long period of time. But the rewards are large and it's a fundamental requirement for marketing any Web site, regardless of how established it may be. In today's Web analytics and ROI column, "SEO Link Building Fundamentals," Eric Enge shows you how creative link research can provide you with some real advantages.

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SEW Experts: Stop In-House SEO Disasters Now!

Whether you're in the house or outside it, fighting the good fight is never easy. Though we don't do it enough, hat's off to the in-house SEO practitioners everywhere. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Stop In-House SEO Disasters Now!," Kevin Ryan identifies a few best practices and identify problematic personalities that in-house search marketers should understand.

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October 7, 2008

SEW Experts: Google's Algorithm is Shifting

Google seems to be moving toward an algorithm based more on "site quality" and user behavior. Links are still key, but there are many other factors to consider. In today's enterprise search marketing column, "Google's Algorithm is Shifting," Aaron Shear asks if your site is ready to rank using the new factors?

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SEW Experts: What You Need to Know Before Committing to SEO

Rushing into a search engine optimization initiative without properly planning your SEO strategy is setting yourself up for failure. In today's natural search column, "What You Need to Know Before Committing to SEO," Mark Jackson explains that to enjoy the fruits that SEO can provide your site, you need to be well organized and develop a plan.

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October 6, 2008

SEW Experts: Judging PPC Performance: Focus on Conversions, Part 2

Should you delete or pause under-performing keywords - or simply adjust their bid prices? In today's search advertising column, "Judging PPC Performance: Focus on Conversions, Part 2," David Szetela notes that the answer will vary by advertiser, but one thing is constant: decisions about keyword and ad performance should mainly depend on conversion performance.

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October 3, 2008

SEW Experts: Charity Events: Search With a Cause

Our industry affords us a pretty good living -- the people are friendly and helpful for the most part -- and the work is interesting. We should have no problems digging into our pockets occasionally to give to charity. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Charity Events: Search With a Cause," Frank Watson and Chris Boggs share your next opportunity to do so: next Monday in New York.

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October 2, 2008

SEW Experts: Link Marketing -- Solve a Customer Problem

Solving customer problems and publishing that information on your site can be a great way to build both brand awareness and links. In today's linkbuilding column, "Link Marketing -- Solve a Customer Problem," Justilien Gaspard explains how focusing on a niche or soliciting input from your customers are two great ways to develop your content ideas.

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SEW Experts: Economic Depression 2.0

Using some past economic low times as historical guides, what can the online world expect in the coming months? In today's building brand equity column, "Economic Depression 2.0," Erik Qualman notes that one likely outcome is a permanent shift from traditional channels to online marketing. Yes, online marketing could reach the highest percentage of marketing spend sooner than any of us imagined.

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October 1, 2008

SEW Experts: In Tough Economic Times, Whither Search?

The news about our world's economic conditions aren't just bad, they're insane. What will happen to advertising and marketing dollars as a result? Is search insulated from our economic meltdown? In today's Searching for Meaning column, "In Tough Economic Times, Whither Search?," Kevin Ryan gives the short answer: not by a long shot. He then explains that the long answer is a bit more complicated.

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September 30, 2008

SEW Experts: The Geometry of SEM -- What's your Angle?

When you're competing with hundreds of other Web sites for the attention of just one user, how can you ensure your site stands out? If you look at what you offer, what you make the most money on, and what people are asking for, you can build your Web site to serve the most profitable aspect of that need. In today's small business search engine marketing column, "The Geometry of SEM -- What's your Angle?," Carrie Hill shows how an angle for your Web site and search marketing can mean all the difference between a successful Web site venture and a failure.

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SEW Experts: Tin Foil Hat? I Have Mine On

Google's intentions are good, but we must also remember that they aren't in the business of helping your Web site rank highly in Google. So when Google advises against URL rewriting in their Webmaster Central blog, is there an ulterior motive? In today's organic SEO column, "Tin Foil Hat? I Have Mine On," Mark Jackson weighs the pros and cons of URL rewriting, and explores some possible reasons why Google would rather webmasters didn't do it.

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September 29, 2008

SEW Experts: Judging PPC Performance: Focus on Conversions

Knowing how and when to make decisions about your PPC campaign's keyword and ad performance can make or break your campaign. In today's Profitable PPC column, "Judging PPC Performance: Focus on Conversions," David Szetela reminds you that almost every action you take to improve your PPC ad campaign should be based on conversion data.

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September 26, 2008

SEW Experts: Common Problems with 404 Error Pages

Misconfigured 404 error pages can affect your search engine rankings. The last thing you need in the Google index is an error page, but even worse are multiple URLs that were mistyped being returned as "OK." In today's Search Marketing Crossfire column, "Common Problems with 404 Error Pages," Chris Boggs and Frank Watson outline some best practices for creating custom 404 pages.

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SEW Experts: When will ROBO's Time Come?

"Research online, buy offline," (ROBO) is the concept that a growing volume of product research is happening online while the majority of buying remains offline in physical stores. A growing number of local search engines are basing their business model on the concept. In today's vertical search column, "When will ROBO's Time Come?," local search expert Michael Boland explores some of the reasons why ROBO features haven't picked up on a mass market level.

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SEW Experts: The Universal Mastery of Video Content

Video listings cause us to reexamine the way we've traditionally viewed search engines, and this is simply part of the natural progression. After all, it wasn't too long ago when universal search rocked the world of SEO or social media changed how we use the Web. In today's SEM agency issues column, "The Universal Mastery of Video Content," William Flaiz walks you through the proper way to optimize video content for universal search.

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September 25, 2008

SEW Experts: Using Twitter as an Education Tool

Innovations are popping up everywhere as educators find more uses for Twitter and other social media tools to cater to 21st century students. In today's SEM.edu column, "Using Twitter as an Education Tool," Ron Jones outlines a few examples of professors and teachers using Twitter in their lesson plans.

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SEW Experts: A Tale of Two Links

Be ready. A great link can come to you at a moment's notice. If you don't pounce on it, it very likely will slip through your fingers. In today's link building column, "A Tale of Two Links," Sage Lewis shares his recent experiences of being ready and getting a link, and a missed opportunity.

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September 24, 2008

SEW Experts: Use Care When Choosing an SEO Agency

The increasing awareness about what SEO is and what it can do is a good thing. But it's important to beware of "instant experts" who know a few things about what's going on, but don't get the whole picture. In today's Web analytics and ROI column, "Use Care When Choosing an SEO Agency," Eric Enge warns against hiring an SEO or beginning SEO work on your own without validating that it's the right course of action.

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SEW Experts: I'm a PC, What Are You?

Apple is trying to connect with the rest of the world (beyond college students dominating the Mac audience) via great ad campaigns. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "I'm a PC, What Are You?," Kevin Ryan reminds us that if you can't connect with your audience in the real world, you're flushing all your marketing efforts right down the drain.

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September 23, 2008

SEW Experts: Who Audits the Auditor?

There are some individuals and companies who will provide SEO audits. But some of these folks look at this as an opportunity for them to earn new business or referral checks. So how do you get an honest opinion on whether your SEO efforts have a passing grade? In today's organic search engine optimization column, "Who Audits the Auditor?," Mark Jackson offers some guidance on getting an honest assessment of your site's SEO activities.

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SEW Experts: Worried About the Economy? Why Not Try SEO?

Many companies that have been focusing on search advertising are finding their budgets starting to be squeezed by the recent economic downturn. It may be time to pay more attention to SEO. In today's enterprise search marketing column, "Worried About the Economy? Why Not Try SEO?," Aaron Shear shows that search engine optimization doesn't require a huge investment, but it can offer large rewards.

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September 22, 2008

SEW Experts: PPC Bidding Strategies: Prudence vs. Aggressiveness

When it comes to PPC bids, should you start low and build up? Or start high and come down? As with many things, the right strategy for your company depends on your situation and objectives. In today's search advertising column, "PPC Bidding Strategies: Prudence vs. Aggressiveness," David Szetela outlines the benefits and drawbacks of each type of strategy.

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September 19, 2008

SEW Experts: Getting to Know Local SEO

Local SEO is a must for businesses that sell products locally to a specified geographical area. In today's vertical search column, "Getting to Know Local SEO," local search expert Gregg Stewart shows how the channels consumers are using to search are changing. Is your marketing strategy adapting?

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SEW Experts: Could Social Media Be the Google Killer?

Much discussion has been made of where the David to the Google Goliath will come from. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Could Social Media Be the Google Killer?," Frank Watson and Chris Boggs wonder if the ongoing growth of social media may indicate that we should look beyond a Yahoo-Microsoft merger and other algorithmic-based search engines and explore the possibility of search becoming less important.

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September 18, 2008

SEW Experts: 5 Million Users Hate the New Facebook? No Problem

Facebookers are annoyed that their beloved social network implemented a new design. But will their annoyance outweigh the value they get from using the product? In today's building brand equity column, "5 Million Users Hate the New Facebook? No Problem," Erik Qualman considers whether Facebook's brand will be damaged, or emerge stronger than ever.

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SEW Experts: Link Marketing: What Google Can Teach You

Google's success story has many important lessons about link marketing. In today's linkbuilding column, "Link Marketing: What Google Can Teach You," Justilien Gaspard explains that you can learn how to build links to your site by studying how Google has successfully built their business.

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September 17, 2008

SEW Experts: Launch Google Freedom Now

How much power should Google have? How much is too much? Why should you care? In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Launch Google Freedom Now," Kevin Ryan asks if we would really be better off in a Google-free world.

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SEW Experts: Landing Page Optimization -- Insource or Outsource? Part 2

Deciding whether to outsource your landing page optimization and testing program is not an easy decision. There are advantages to each. In today's By the Numbers column, "Landing Page Optimization -- Insource or Outsource? Part 2," Tim Ash shares three more important considerations before you choose to outsource your testing program or "insource" it by doing everything in-house.

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September 16, 2008

SEW Experts: Making the Most of Search Engine Copywriting

Whether it's organic page titles and meta descriptions or PPC ads, it's your job, as someone who's seeking a conversion, to deliver what you promised. In today's small business search engine marketing column, "Making the Most of Search Engine Copywriting," Carrie Hill explains that small business owners must be aware of what their ad copy promises, and how they deliver on those promises.

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SEW Experts: Hosting Issues and SEO

When it comes to server issues, many of us would rather not get into the down-and-dirty details. In today's organic search engine optimization column, "Hosting Issues and SEO," Mark Jackson reminds us that knowing the basics of server response codes -- and when to use them correctly -- is critical for any competitive Webmaster or search marketer.

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September 15, 2008

SEW Experts: Show Me the Money: Bidding for Profitability

How much should you bid? How do you know if your PPC campaign is working? Setting ad group bid prices at the beginning of a campaign is one of the more challenging tasks for many PPC advertisers. In today's search advertising column, "Show Me the Money: Bidding for Profitability," David Szetela shows that the answers are a snap, once you know the fundamentals.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 12, 2008

SEW Experts: Would You Endorse this Web Site?

Think of link building as running for president of your SERPs. The candidate is your Web site, and you need all the support you can muster to get there. In today's SEM agency issues column, "Would You Endorse this Web Site?," William Flaiz shows that the right connections can provide the bump you need, and the wrong connections can prove calamitous.

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SEW Experts: SEO Reporting: Going Beyond Rankings

Enterprise-level SEO provides consistently outstanding ROI over the life of the project. One of the best ways to substantiate this is through ongoing reporting. In today's Search Marketing Crossfire column, "SEO Reporting: Going Beyond Rankings," Chris Boggs and Frank Watson remind you that if you're just tracking organic positions and nothing else, you're doing a disservice to your clients.

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September 11, 2008

SEW Experts: Change How You Think About Your Life and Company

Even the smallest thing can make a big difference. Here are some very small things you can do make a difference and serve a cause greater than yourself.In today's link building column, "Change How You Think About Your Life and Company," Sage Lewis reminds us that sometimes, it's more about doing what's right. The links will come naturally.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: YouTube-ery: Online Videos as Learning and Marketing Tools

YouTube is user-generated content at its best...and worst. Everyone in the world with a video camera -- or just a Web cam and microphone -- can be part of the nebulous social monster that is YouTube. In today's SEM.edu column, "YouTube-ery: Online Videos as Learning and Marketing Tools," Ron Jones looks at what this that mean for educators and marketers.

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September 10, 2008

SEW Experts: Keep Your Ideas Simple and Increase Conversions

Good ideas are often simple ones, and this rule applies to online marketing as well. In today's Web analytics and ROI column, "Keep Your Ideas Simple and Increase Conversions," Eric Enge explains how looking at the implementation of your ideas from a customer's perspective can help you see if you've simplified things enough, or gone too far.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 9, 2008

SEW Experts: Domain Acquisition -- How Much is Too Much?

Think you can't afford to spend the money to buy an existing domain name? If you do the math, the cost savings you gain may surprise you. In today's organic search engine optimization column, "Domain Acquisition -- How Much is Too Much?," Mark Jackson describes a case where the SEO benefits of a $20,000 domain name proved to be more than worth the expense.

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SEW Experts: Ready to Finally Try SEO?

Is your enterprise taking the first steps toward search engine optimization? In today's enterprise search marketing column, "Ready to Finally Try SEO?," Aaron Shear explains how the decisions you make now about building an in-house team or outsourcing some or all of your SEO program will either make your life much easier, or lead to problems that will drive you out of your mind.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 8, 2008

SEW Experts: Killer PPC Ads: The Final Word

Last week's column on PPC fundamentals sparked some feedback. In today's Profitable PPC column, "Killer PPC Ads: The Final Word," David Szetela responds, and clarifies some simple guidelines that will pave the way to pay-per-click nirvana: double-digit click-through-rates.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 5, 2008

SEW Experts: All That Glitters Is Not Chrome

With the launch of Google's Chrome browser Tuesday, the Google machine moves into another territory. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "All That Glitters Is Not Chrome," Frank Watson and Kevin Newcomb ask if Chrome will grab a decent amount of market share and reignite the browser wars? Does Google even want it to?

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 4, 2008

SEW Experts: (Google) Insights on VP Candidate Sarah Palin

The recently announced Google Insights tool provides unprecedented data on Google's user searches and trends. In today's building brand equity column, "(Google) Insights on VP Candidate Sarah Palin," Erik Qualman offers three quick tips on how to leverage Google Insights, whether you're running a Presidential race or a brand marketing campaign.

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SEW Experts: Viral Link Building: Size Doesn't Always Matter

Despite some popularly held ideas to the contrary, viral campaigns don't need to be massive to be successful. You can have a small campaign that has a big impact in your industry or community. In today's linkbuilding column, "Viral Link Building: Size Doesn't Always Matter," Justilien Gaspard explains that the power of viral marketing for link building comes from going after a targeted audience.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 2, 2008

SEW Experts: 6 Tips for Small Business Marketing Success

How can the success of a sticky idea be analyzed and repeated? In his new book, SES keynote speaker Dan Heath shares some thoughts that can help marketers find success. In today's small business search engine marketing column, "6 Tips for Small Business Marketing Success," Carrie Hill looks at how these rules can be applied to small business Web marketers.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: How Much Are You Spending on SEO?

Organic search results get many more clicks than the paid search results. And, due to the nature of SEO, you're not limited to a certain "budget." So why aren't more companies spending big bucks on SEO? In today's organic search engine optimization column, "How Much Are You Spending on SEO?," Mark Jackson examines some of the reasons for the gap between the benefits of search engine optimization and its share of marketing budgets.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 29, 2008

SEW Experts: For Local Search, It's All About the Online-Offline Gap

Though search volume continues to rise and capture a growing percentage of product research, more than 95 percent of actual purchase behavior in the U.S. still takes place offline. In today's vertical search column, "For Local Search, It's All About the Online-Offline Gap," local search expert Michael Boland explains that the need to bridge the gap between the online and offline worlds is a key issue in local search.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Looking for Answers in a Search Marketing Forum? Be Specific!

If you're a newbie looking for guidance in search marketing, there are plenty of places to find it, if you know how to best phrase your request for information. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Looking for Answers in a Search Marketing Forum? Be Specific!," Frank Watson and Chris Boggs remind us that search marketing has grown into a very broad field, but if you take the time to ask specific questions, you're much more likely to get you the answers you need.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: There's No Secret Recipe to SEO

Some marketers are looking for a secret, step-by-step recipe to SEO success. But while a general framework is necessary to be effective, the search engine optimization process must be adaptable. In today's SEM agency issues column, "There's No Secret Recipe to SEO," William Flaiz shares some tips for guiding you down the path to SEO success.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 28, 2008

SEW Experts: Get Links Now: Make a Difference, Make Connections

Want to solve the link building riddle? Stop thinking about money and start thinking about something bigger. In today's link building column, "Get Links Now: Make a Difference, Make Connections," Sage Lewis shows you how getting outside of your own little world can expand your horizons, as well as your link portfolio.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 27, 2008

SEW Experts: Rehabilitating SEO

Search marketers are some of the most passionate and dedicated people I've ever encountered. Those seeking to advance their position within search results can easily become obsessed (to the point of addiction) with checking results and positioning. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Rehabilitating SEO," Kevin Ryan asks, when considering how your SEO time is spent, what's important and what isn't so important? What kinds of things are OK to obsess over? Are there ways to improve or correct obsessive SEO behavior?

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

SEW Experts: A Challenge to our Attention-Challenged Generation

Nothing important ever gets invented, created or built without putting in some serious time. In today's Web analytics and ROI column, "A Challenge to our Attention-Challenged Generation," Eric Enge reminds us that if we want to get some real work done, we need to stop accepting interruptions from the Internet, e-mail, cell phone, texts, IM, and other technologies.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 26, 2008

SEW Experts: SEO Success -- Guess What...Content Works!

You've heard it before, but that doesn't make it any less true: content is king. In today's natural search column, "SEO Success -- Guess What...Content Works!," Mark Jackson notes that while fixing problems and implementing some search engine-friendly practices can have an immediate effect on a site's search engine rankings, but for long-term improvement, no search engine optimization technique works better than creating quality content.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Weapons of Mass Optimization

Building an in-house SEO team can be a daunting task, especially for large organizations. With proper planning, the experience becomes more manageable, and success becomes more likely. In today's enterprise search marketing column, "Weapons of Mass Optimization," Aaron Shear reminds us that when planning such a big project, the key is to start small, and pay attention to the smaller details within the larger project.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 25, 2008

SEW Experts: Killer PPC Ads: The Fundamentals

Writing small, punchy ads requires plenty of art and science. In today's Profitable PPC column, "Killer PPC Ads: The Fundamentals," David Szetela offers some guidelines to help you get more clicks and stymie your competitors.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 22, 2008

SEW Experts: 6 Tips for Aligning Your National, Local SEM Efforts

With local search on the rise, it's important to keep your local campaigns in tune with your national efforts. In today's Vertical Search column, "6 Tips for Aligning Your National, Local SEM Efforts," Gregg Stewart discusses how to go after the local long tail, including customization, keyword lists, and tracking.

» Full story

Posted by Nathania Johnson at 8:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 21, 2008

SEW Experts: NBC's Olympic Fool's Gold; Google Comes Home Empty-Handed

In the last days of the Olympics, many are taking stock of the unprecedented online coverage. In today's Brand Equity column, "NBC's Olympic Fool's Gold; Google Comes Home Empty-Handed ," Erik Qualman explains why NBC left a lot to be desired, and why Google was left in the dust.

» Full story

Posted by Nathania Johnson at 1:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 20, 2008

SEW Experts: The Beginning of the End? Or the End of the Beginning?

The state of the search marketing industry is almost always in flux. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "The Beginning of the End? Or the End of the Beginning?," Kevin Ryan takes a look at decline in CTRs and what it means for the future of search advertising.

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Posted by Nathania Johnson at 3:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: What Are You Converting?

Think a sale is the only conversion worth measuring? You might want to think again. In today's By The Numbers column, "What Are You Converting?," Tim Ash goes through the various events worth measuring, showing that reaching a customer can take on many forms.

» Full story

Posted by Nathania Johnson at 1:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 19, 2008

SEW Experts: Search Engine Optimization: Back To Basics

With students everywhere preparing to go back to school, now is a good time to (re)visit SEO's foundational principles. In today's Au Natural column, "Search Engine Optimization: Back to Basics," Mark Jackson is teaching SEO 101, and class is now in session.

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Posted by Nathania Johnson at 8:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: SEM Success In 10 Minutes A Day

If you're a small business owner, it can be difficult to juggle your responsibilities. In today's small business SEM column, "SEM Success In 10 Minutes A Day," Carrie Hill gives you 10 search marketing tips that take just 10 minutes a day or less.

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Posted by Nathania Johnson at 8:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 18, 2008

SEW Experts: Tightly-Themed Ad Groups: The PPC Pro Advantage

Any serious collector of keywords chooses to display their valuables in Ad Groups. In today's Profitable PPC column, "Tightly-Themed Ad Groups: The PPC Pro Advantage," David Szetela continues his series of posts on keyword lists and how to organize them.

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Posted by Nathania Johnson at 1:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 15, 2008

SEW Experts: The Evolution of SEO

We've seen a natural progression from back rooms to boardrooms -- from the basement to the mainstream. SEO has not simply shed its dubious roots; it has become a legitimate, reputable component of a proper client marketing mix. In today's SEM agency issues column, "The Evolution of SEO," William Flaiz outlines the continuing growth of search marketing.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Google SERP Bias? Google Knols Best

If you need some lift, start dropping pages into Google Knol and Google pages. They show up in the organic results faster than you can get them through Webmaster Central. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Google SERP Bias? Google Knols Best," Frank Watson and Chris Boggs discuss the limitations of Google's algorithms, and its hypocritical stances on some web spam topics.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

August 13, 2008

SEW Experts: Search Ad Tools Help Manage Complexity

Search advertising tools have been unhappily married to search providers since they first appeared on the scene. But there's new hope for search marketers. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Search Ad Tools Help Manage Complexity," Kevin Ryan notes that increasing consolidation and acquisition of search advertising tools by big holding companies is slowly opening a window of opportunity for independent providers.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Real-Time Analytics with Woopra

Want a souped-up analytics package that allows you to track individual users, and potentially interact with them in real time? In today's Web analytics and ROI column, "Real-Time Analytics with Woopra," Eric Enge explains why Woopra may be exactly what you're looking for.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 12, 2008

SEW Experts: Proper SEO and the Robots.txt File

There are many good reasons to stop the search engines from indexing certain directories on a Web site and allowing others for SEO purposes. In today's organic SEO column, "Proper SEO and the Robots.txt File," Mark Jackson shows that by taking a good look at your Web site's robots.txt file and making sure that the syntax is set up correctly, you can avoid some search engine ranking problems.

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SEW Experts: Content? Content. Content!

Content. It's become the mantra for SEOs, and the standard advice for all site owners, regardless of the Web space they're in. In today's enterprise search marketing column, "Content? Content. Content!," Aaron Shear explains that it's high time we review the advantages of content, and where it may be applicable.

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August 11, 2008

SEW Experts: Dynamic Keyword Insertion: Friend or Foe?

Dynamic Keyword Insertion (DKI) can sometimes help improve ad campaign results. But you'd be surprised how often it's a bad move.In today's Profitable PPC column, "Dynamic Keyword Insertion: Friend or Foe?," David Szetela shows that indiscriminate use of DKI can result in generic ad copy and diluted messages that fail to match the searcher's intent or need.

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August 8, 2008

SEW Experts: Oil and Water? SEOs vs. Content Owners

When it comes to bringing an outside SEO consultant in, content owners need to pay attention to the role corporate politics and the review process play in planning SEO projects. In today's Search Marketing Crossfire column, "Oil and Water? SEOs vs. Content Owners," Chris Boggs and Frank Watson remind us that while most SEO consultants expect to have some sort of clashes with internal designers and developers, uncomfortable meetings can also occur when SEO meets content creator.

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SEW Experts: Getting Vertical Search Right: A Sneak Preview

At SES San Jose later this month, a panel of experts will discuss vertical search in a Googlized world, where we've created more advanced users by simplifying search. In today's vertical search marketing column, "Getting Vertical Search Right: A Sneak Preview," vertical search expert Elisabeth Osmeloski notes that, in the search for the next big thing, it's about providing a search service that is just above that highly set bar.

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August 7, 2008

SEW Experts: Link Building with Customers, Part 2

Customers are one of your most valuable link building resources, because they're already sold on your product or service. In today's linkbuilding column, "Link Building with Customers, Part 2," Justilien Gaspard shows that cultivating positive relations with clients is the key to getting them to help with link development and word-of-mouth marketing.

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SEW Experts: Avoiding Online Missteps with Generation Y and Millenniums

Often, millions of dollars are spent on tailoring a marketing message to a youth audience, and not enough is spent to tailor the actual product or service we're delivering. In today's building brand equity column, "Avoiding Online Missteps with Generation Y and Millenniums," Erik Qualman explains that marketers need only look to the simplicity of Facebook and Craigslist to see that success with young people doesn't need to come in a fancy package.

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August 6, 2008

SEW Experts: How Long Should My Landing Page Test Run?

What's the right length for a landing page optimization test? In today's By the Numbers column, "How Long Should My Landing Page Test Run?," Tim Ash notes that that's a bit like asking 'how long is a piece of string?' But there are some guidelines to follow to help you know when enough is enough.

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SEW Experts: Woohoo for Yahoo

Even after the vote re-count, a majority of shareholders voted Yahoo's board in, and Carl Icahn settled for the right to propose two board seats and a spot for himself. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Woohoo for Yahoo," Kevin Ryan asks what, at the end of the day, is more important than rebuilding the Web's biggest brand?

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August 5, 2008

SEW Experts: Top SEO Firms Paid for by the Following...

Our industry still has a lot of growing up to do. Participating in advertising programs masquerading as objective ratings services is not going to help us do that. In today's natural search column, "Top SEO Firms Paid for by the Following...," Mark Jackson issues a plea for the SEO industry to mature, become more responsible corporate citizens, and educate the masses, in a non-commercial way. Perhaps, then, we can see more companies putting faith (and budgets) behind SEO efforts, so that every SEO firm will benefit from the growth of the entire pie.

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SEW Experts: Increase Web Site Conversions with the Scientific Method

It's so simple in description, but has unlimited potential. The scientific method can apply to any type of experiment, be it chemistry or Web site marketing. In today's small business SEM column, "Increase Web Site Conversions with the Scientific Method," Carrie Hill outlines the process involved, and shows you how it can help improve your SEM campaigns.

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August 4, 2008

SEW Experts: Awesome Ad Groups: Small is Good

Trying to fit all your keywords in one ad group is not going to get you the results you want. In today's search advertising column, "Awesome Ad Groups: Small is Good," David Szetela shows you how to get those double-digit click-through rates with small, tightly-themed ad groups.

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August 1, 2008

SEW Experts: Look Out PageRank, There's a New Algorithm in Town

Microsoft recently published research on a new algorithm it calls BrowseRank, which is based on user behavior instead of linking patterns. Microsoft thinks this could be the answer to increased relevance in search results. But is it? In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Look Out PageRank, There's a New Algorithm in Town," Frank Watson and Kevin Newcomb share their thoughts on BrowseRank's potential, and potential pitfalls.

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SEW Experts: Has Mobile Local Search Finally Arrived?

Can the iPhone and Google's Android fix the limitations that have plagued mobile advertising and mobile search? In today's vertical search column, "Has Mobile Local Search Finally Arrived?," local search expert Michael Boland notes that it could take a couple years to really get moving, but after a long period of being rusted shut, it appears that the wheels are finally starting to creak forward on local mobile search.

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SEW Experts: Universal Thoughts on Local Search

Local search is showing up in your Web browser, at your desk, on your phone, and on your GPS devices -- and these are just the easy examples. In today's SEM agency issues column, "Universal Thoughts on Local Search," William Flaiz explains that the number of devices and locations for local search will continue to grow as more things become connected to the Internet.

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July 31, 2008

SEW Experts: The Future of SEM Education

Online advertising continues to grow in both good times and bad. That's good news for search marketers. In today's SEM.edu column, "The Future of SEM Education," Ron Jones shows how it also highlights the ongoing importance of search education.

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SEW Experts: Link Building: Understand Where You Are To Know Where You're Going

In link building, if you don't know where you're going, you'll probably end up someplace else. In today's link building column, "Link Building: Understand Where You Are To Know Where You're Going," Sage Lewis looks at some tools to help you discover and monitor inbound links.

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July 30, 2008

SEW Experts: What's Wrong With Being Cuil?

Cuil may be a good search engine...someday. But launching it as a "Google-killer" was a mistake. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "What's Wrong With Being Cuil?," Kevin Ryan outlines two lessons to learn from this: First, make sure it works before you launch it. Second, make sure you can live up to your claims or you'll suffer the consequences.

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SEW Experts: Google vs. Yahoo on Paid Links

Google created a firestorm in the industry with its Paid Links directive. So where does Yahoo stand in the Paid Links debate? In today's Web analytics and ROI column, "Google vs. Yahoo on Paid Links," Eric Enge looks at Yahoo's stance on buying links for SEO value.

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July 29, 2008

SEW Experts: Press Releases and Search Engine Optimization

Issuing press releases without regard for SEO is a wasted opportunity. In today's organic search engine optimization column, "Press Releases and Search Engine Optimization," Mark Jackson shows that combining press releases with SEO efforts can help gain presence in the editorial results of the search engines, even if it's not a direct presence for your actual domain.

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SEW Experts: When's an Outage More than Just an Outage?

In SEO for major sites, one of the most overlooked factors is uptime. In today's enterprise search marketing column, "When's an Outage More than Just an Outage?," Aaron Shear looks at how a server outage can impact your SEO efforts.

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SEW Experts: Google's Sergey Brin on Local Mobile Search

In 2005, O'Reilly proclaimed it the "Year of Local Mobile Search," but that didn't work out. In today's Search Engine WarGames column, "Google's Sergey Brin on Local Mobile Search," Kevin Heisler points out that while this year may not merit that title either, Google sees 2008 as a key year in the battle for multiplatform search dominance.

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July 28, 2008

SEW Experts: More Killer Keyword Techniques: Personas and Buckets

Successful PPC advertising campaigns are composed of perfect keyword lists, ads and landing pages. In today's Profitable PPC column, "More Killer Keyword Techniques: Personas and Buckets," David Szetela shows you how to create landing pages using keywords built around personas.

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July 25, 2008

SEW Experts: The Local Advertiser of Today and Tomorrow

Local advertising is a key component of any vertical search marketing strategy. In today's vertical search column, "The Local Advertiser of Today and Tomorrow," Gregg Stewart discusses staying on top of the competition now and preparing for the future.

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Posted by Nathania Johnson at 8:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Trademarked Terms: Guaranteed Conversions, Guaranteed Controversy

Bidding on trademarked kewyords may bring big conversions, but the strategy is often perceived to carry a grand amount of legal trouble with it. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Trademarked Terms: Guaranteed Conversions, Guaranteed Controversy," Frank Watson explores whether or not bidding on competitors trademarks is a worthy strategy.

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Posted by Nathania Johnson at 8:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 24, 2008

SEW Experts: Link Building with Customers

When it comes to link building, a great source for links might be right under your nose! In today's link building column, "Link Building with Customers," Justilien Gaspard talks about asking your customers for links as well as embarking on link recovery missions.

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Posted by Nathania Johnson at 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: The Top 4 Best Facebook Practices

When engaging in social media, companies are often encouraged to engage consumers on Facebook. In today's Brand Equity column, "The Top 4 Best Facebook Practices," Erik Qualman explains why playing in this space is not like traditional marketing methods.

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Posted by Nathania Johnson at 8:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 23, 2008

SEW Experts: How Valid Are Your Landing Page Test Conclusions?

Are your landing page tests telling the whole story? In today's By the Numbers column, "How Valid Are Your Landing Page Test Conclusions?," Tim Ash talks about the care and feeding of landing page tests - and their results.

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Posted by Nathania Johnson at 8:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: The Japanese Search, Why Don't We?

"Drive to search" campaigns are hot in Japan. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "The Japanese Search, Why Don't We?," Kevin Ryan explains the trend and how you can implement similar techniques in your search marketing campaigns.

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Posted by Nathania Johnson at 8:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 22, 2008

SEW Experts: Usability and SEO

How does the usability and accessibility of your website affect your SEO efforts? In today's au Natural column, "Usability and SEO," Mark Jackson explains the connection and gives you tips to make your site user-friendly.

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Posted by Nathania Johnson at 8:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Why Links are Like Shoes

Is that incoming link a Manolo, a Jimmy Choo, or a bargain pump from Payless? In today's small business SEM column, "Why Links are Like Shoes," Carrie Bradshaw, I mean, Carrie Hill indulges the fashionistas among us with a catwalk of links - and how to make them part of your wardrobe.

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Posted by Nathania Johnson at 8:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 21, 2008

SEW Experts: PPC Keyword Sets: Words to the Wise

When it comes to paid search, there's no such thing as a free lunch. In today's Profitable PPC column, "PPC Keyword Sets: Words to the Wise ," David Szetela explains why a successful paid search campaign requires a constant gardner.

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July 17, 2008

SEW Experts: Internal Links And My High School Evolution

Understanding internal linking is made easier by comparing it to high school. In today's link building column, "Internal Links And My High School Evolution," Sage Lewis shows that, just as cool kids in school can make others cool by associating with them, internal linking can spread the "coolness factor" of your site, aka PageRank, among various pages.

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SEW Experts: SEM.edu: College and Career Points

Though few and far between, there are opportunities to learn search marketing at an accredited university. In today's SEM.edu column, "SEM.edu: College and Career Points," Ron Jones shares some letters from readers who have come across a few programs that may not be on your radar.

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July 16, 2008

SEW Experts: When Being First Isn't Worth It

A new report from AdGooroo shows that, generally speaking, for short keywords it's not profitable to bid your way into the high positions. These types of keywords actually lose money in the first and second positions, but longer keywords can do well near the top. In today's Web analytics and ROI column, "When Being First Isn't Worth It," Eric Enge shows that by testing this idea on your campaigns, you stand to create more profitable PPC campaigns.

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SEW Experts: Google's Path to Domination

And you may ask yourself, 'how did we get here?' Today's search landscape is a result of Yahoo trying to integrate large acquisitions too fast, while Google focused on core disciplines, small complimentary acquisitions, and smart build-outs. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Google's Path to Domination," Kevin Ryan points out that today, Microsoft is trying to do the same thing Yahoo failed at five years ago. Think it'll work this time?

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July 15, 2008

SEW Experts: Duplicate Content -- A True Story

Dealing with sites that steal your content is not fun. But it doesn't have to be difficult. In today's organic SEO column, "Duplicate Content -- A True Story," Mark Jackson outlines a few simple steps before and after you discover the offending scraper sites.

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SEW Experts: Recruiting SEO Talent for Big Sites

Finding an experienced SEO expert is not easy, when most are either in top-level positions at an agency or have their own successful consulting firms. In today's enterprise search marketing column, "Recruiting SEO Talent for Big Sites," Aaron Shear advises that, to begin your search, you must first throw everything you know about hiring out the window.

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SEW Experts: Bernstein Research Predicts the Future of Paid Search

In a full-blown recession, what's the future of paid search? In today's Search Engine WarGames column, "Bernstein Research Predicts the Future of Paid Search," Kevin Heisler looks at a new study from Sanford C Bernstein's research arm that's a virtual crystal ball into Google and search engine marketing.

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July 14, 2008

SEW Experts: Creating PPC Campaigns: the 'Live or Die' Settings

Think you know the right way to set up a new PPC campaign? In today's search advertising column, "Creating PPC Campaigns: the 'Live or Die' Settings ," David Szetela shows you how to pay close attention to the details many advertisers miss, which can position you for success and help you avoid common pitfalls.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 10, 2008

SEW Experts: Link Building via Word-of-Mouth

Get people talking positively about your company or product and the links will follow. In today's linkbuilding column, "Link Building via Word-of-Mouth," Justilien Gaspard offers some tips on how to increase exposure, branding, and build links all at the same time.

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SEW Experts: Has Facebook Found the Key to Making Money via Search?

While it's anyone's guess what will be rolled out at the f8 Facebook Developers Conference on July 23, the buzz is predicting an announcement of e-commerce and micro-payment capabilities. And once there's scale to the commercial transactions taking place on Facebook, then people will start searching for things rather than just people. In today's building brand equity column, "Has Facebook Found the Key to Making Money via Search?," Erik Qualman notes that there's money to be made there, and small businesses need to start paying attention.

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July 9, 2008

SEW Experts: What's on your Mind?

Anyone engaged in the practice of search has at one time or another struggled to motivate searchers. Motivation comes in the form of click action, triggered by text. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "What's on your Mind?," Kevin Ryan reminds us that the action starts long before reaching search results.

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SEW Experts: Coherency in Landing Page Testing

Coherency is an overall sense of your design hanging together. It's a congruity and harmonious consistency in the relation of all parts to the whole. And it's largely ignored by landing page testers. In today's By the Numbers column, "Coherency in Landing Page Testing," Tim Ash shows how this can lead visitors to respond to incoherent pages with a variety of gut reactions, and none of them are flattering.

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July 8, 2008

SEW Experts: Local Search for Little Biz

For many small businesses, commercial transactions don't take place on the Web. Anything that you'd traditionally look for in the print yellow pages becomes a local search on the Internet. In today's small business search engine marketing column, "Local Search for Little Biz," Carrie Hill shows small business owners that there are steps they can take to influence many of the factors that positively affect local search rankings.

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SEW Experts: What are Good Links, Anymore?

Furthering your brand through social media, press release optimization, paid search, and directory placement will "naturally" get you more recognition from the search engines. But these methods aren't paid links...or are they? In today's organic search engine optimization column, "What are Good Links, Anymore?," Mark Jackson tries to make sense of the paid links debate, and determine what is and isn't a paid link.

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July 7, 2008

SEW Experts: PPC Advertising: Art or Science?

Pay-per-click advertising is 10 percent art, and 90 percent science. In today's debut Profitable PPC column, "PPC Advertising: Art or Science?," David Szetela begins showing you the fundamentals and secrets of successful PPC advertising in his new weekly search advertising series.

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July 3, 2008

SEW Experts: Three Tips for Creating a Successful Blog

Instead of focusing on where to find links, SEOs and site owners should think about setting up a site so people will want to link to it. In today's Link Building column, "Three Tips for Creating a Successful Blog," Sage Lewis notes that people usually put the cart (the links), before the horse (the content). But the horse is what drives the cart.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

SEW Experts: SEM Going Legit – Literally EDU

Many newcomers are looking for some kind of accredited SEM course. But for a university to offer such course, it must be created in theory, pass through boards and deans, and be completely vetted. That can take anywhere from two to five years. In today's SEM.EDU column, "SEM Going Legit – Literally EDU," Ron Jones outlines some of the existing college-level courses for SEM training.

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July 2, 2008

SEW Experts: Yahoo's Judgment Day

Microsoft was set to save Yahoo from certain death with a solid offer to purchase assets, or so we thought. According to yesterday's shareholder presentation, the deal wasn't such a great idea. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Yahoo's Judgment Day," Kevin Ryan notes that, while the jury is still out on the merits of the Google-Yahoo partnership, this is the first time since the Yahoocrosoft insanity began that it's publicly outlined strategic thought and tactical execution plans that make sense for Yahoo's future.

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SEW Experts: Avoid Getting Coding Problems Flagged by Search Engines

Some common SEO and Web development practices can be used quite legitimately, yet still could look like spam to search engines. In today's Web Analytics and ROI column, "Coding Problems: How to Avoid Getting Flagged by Search Engines," Eric Enge explains that the key is to use these techniques for legitimate reasons, use them in moderation, and in ways commonly found on the Web.

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July 1, 2008

SEW Experts: Some New SEO Services Not So "Special"

Many SEO agencies are running out of ways to draw in large clients, especially when so many offer little to no value over the next agency. This dilemma has given birth to new "special services," which can set an agency apart. In today's Enterprise Search Marketing column, "Some New SEO Services Not So "Special"," Aaron Shear warns enterprise clients to beware, as there are some unscrupulous agencies using these in ways that can sometimes be a threat to your rankings.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

SEW Experts: Newspapers Bleed Red Ink: Death by Internet

Journalists are a dying breed. Newspapers face death by Internet. In today's Search Engine WarGames column, "Newspapers Bleed Red Ink: Death by Internet," Kevin Heisler suggests that it's time to rethink journalism as a career choice.

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SEW Experts: SEO Quarterly Web Site Review: Villas of Distinction

The latest in a series of site reviews, this week's subject is a travel site that already has three of the key ingredients to success: Web site depth, links to the site, and age of domain. In today's Organic Search Engine Optimization column, "SEO Quarterly Web Site Review: Villas of Distinction," Mark Jackson notes that the site is nice, but with just a little bit of attention to some details, it could generate a lot more organic search engine traffic.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 27, 2008

SEW Experts: SEO Basics: Effective Iterative Keyword Research in 2008

The value of any SEO effort lies in the keywords you choose. It's really that simple -- you can't overestimate the importance of strong keyword research. In today's Search Marketing Crossfire column, "SEO Basics: Effective Iterative Keyword Research in 2008," Chris Boggs and Frank Watson share some methods for performing keyword research.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Creative Messaging in a Direct Response World

Should a company focus on building their messaging around their brand image, or on driving direct response via their Web site and online media? In today's Vertical Search column, "Creative Messaging in a Direct Response World," local search expert Gregg Stewart shows that branding and direct response messaging can co-exist online, and local business profile pages are a good place to meld writing techniques for both.

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June 26, 2008

SEW Experts: Link Building Ideas for Local Auto Dealers

The beauty of certain industries -- and the challenge -- is they're international, national, and local all at the same time. Such is the case with auto dealers. In today's Link Building column, "Link Building Ideas for Local Auto Dealers," Justilien Gaspard shares two link building ideas for a local auto dealer that can be applied to various types of local businesses.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Can Google Predict the Next President?

A look at Google Trends comparative data can help guide companies in making strategic decisions. In today's Building Brand Equity column, "Can Google Predict the Next President?," Erik Qualman shows how the same can be done in the political world, as McCain and Obama are trying to build up their respective "brands" in the eyes of voters.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 25, 2008

SEW Experts: Yahoo's Suicide Pact with Google

Who cares if Yahoo outsources its search advertising to Google? You should. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Yahoo's Suicide Pact with Google," Kevin Ryan asks, 'On what planet is having only one place to buy anything a good thing for competitive pricing?'

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Uncovering Site Problems for Landing Page Optimization, Part 2

Web analytics on your Web site can help you uncover and prioritize potential site problems. In today's By the Numbers column, "Uncovering Site Problems for Landing Page Optimization, Part 2," Tim Ash offers some additional techniques to discover conversion issues on your landing pages, including mining onsite search, or conducting usability testing, focus groups, and surveys.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 24, 2008

SEW Experts: Combine Freshness and Links for Long-Term Results

Fresh content will help you achieve top rankings right away, and help your Web site become an "authority" site. But fresh rankings don't always last. In today's Organic Search Engine Optimization column, "Combine Freshness and Links for Long-Term Results," Mark Jackson shows you how to create a concerted effort to generate links and traffic to the post, and keep those rankings long-term.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: The Big Picture -- Well-Rounded SEM for SMBs, Part 3

In past weeks, we discussed some ways to drive traffic to a small business Web site and get their marketing message in front of the right people. In today's Small Business Search Marketing column, "The Big Picture -- Well-Rounded SEM for SMBs, Part 3," Carrie Hill shares a few more elements a small business should consider when looking at a well rounded SEM campaign, including local search, usability, and creating a Web site that will increase conversions.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 23, 2008

SEW Experts: Hot, Tiny Ads: Banner Ads for Mobile Screens

Mobile content ads have to work especially hard, given their small size. In today's Content Advertising column, "Hot, Tiny Ads: Banner Ads for Mobile Screens," David Szetela winds up the Content Advertising series with a recap of best practices for designing small ads with big impact.

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June 20, 2008

SEW Experts: Step into the Ring for a SEM Pitch

Search marketing business strategists live for the thrill of the pitch. And with a slew of services that can confuse even the savviest client, they have their work cut out for them. In today's SEM Agency Issues column, "Step into the Ring for a SEM Pitch," William Flaiz takes you inside the pitching process, where it takes a shrewd intellect and steady hand to deliver the knockout pitch that makes the client wonder how they ever got along without your firm.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Stop the Web, I Want To Get Off! Drop Me at the Global Village

Web 2.0? Web 3.0? It's time we take a bigger view. With all the innovations that are available to the online world, it's about time we dropped thoughts of categorization and departmentalization. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Stop the Web, I Want To Get Off! Drop Me at the Global Village," Frank Watson and Chris Boggs wonder, if the Web is an integral part of our homes and work, isn't it time we embraced it? And that means all of it, not just the parts we profit from.

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Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Travel Search 2.0 -- Know Your Audience

The online travel industry has the benefit of being one of the most mature verticals in the Web today. In today's Vertical Search Marketing column, "Travel Search 2.0 -- Know Your Audience," travel search expert Elisabeth Osmeloski explains that because of that, any new entrant has to seriously consider their value proposition and how they fit into the Travel 2.0 space, and remain laser-focused on their core differentiator.

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June 19, 2008

SEW Experts: The Link Bait Recipe

A good link building philosophy is to always start with great, compelling content, and let the links follow naturally. But it's difficult to garner links by being positive, helpful, and excellent. In today's Link Building column, "The Link Bait Recipe," Sage Lewis shows how links will come easier if you're negative, conniving, and base.

» Full story

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SEW Experts: SEO Educational Standards: the Aftermath

Most people agree that there should be some kinds of educational standards for SEO in place for various reasons. In today's SEM.EDU column, "SEO Educational Standards: the Aftermath," Ron Jones explains that the big questions surround how those standards would be created, implemented, and if or how they would be enforced.

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June 18, 2008

SEW Experts: Social Networks: We Are All Animals

People don't talk anymore. They misinterpret information, fly off the handle, and dehumanize the people around them. To them, people on the receiving on end of communications aren't people at all. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Social Networks: We Are All Animals," Kevin Ryan says that a lot of human complications could be reconciled by being forced to experience the tears, smell the anguish, and see the bloody devastation that one has created, live and in person.

» Full story

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SEW Experts: 4 SEO Tips for Higher Search Rankings

Search engine optimization is tough, and the rules for ranking vary from site to site. In today's Web Analytics and ROI column, "4 SEO Tips for Higher Search Rankings," Eric Enge explains that authority, domain age, penalty factors, and freshness all play an important role in your Web site's ranking. Is your site ready for greatness?

» Full story

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June 17, 2008

SEW Experts: SEO Issues with Global Expansion

When a U.S.-based company expands globally, they typically spend little or no time with their expansion plans overseas. In today's Enterprise Search Marketing column, "SEO Issues with Global Expansion," Aaron Shear explains why that's a mistake. Big business is commonly lost with their overseas Web sites.

» Full story

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SEW Experts: Domain Strategies for Search Engine Optimization

You're optimizing your Web site. You're working on building links to your site. But are you paying attention to your domain name strategy? In today's Organic Search Engine Optimization column, "Domain Strategies for Search Engine Optimization," Mark Jackson describes the importance of developing and instituting a domain name strategy for your Web site.

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June 16, 2008

SEW Experts: Google Mobile Advertising on the Content Network

Creating a mobile ad campaign that displays banner ads on Google's mobile content network can be ideal for businesses that rely on phone calls to start or close a sale. In today's Content Advertising column, "Google Mobile Advertising on the Content Network," David Szetela explains how to do this without requiring a mobile Web site design, because clicks on the ad will be directed to a Google-supplied mobile-friendly page describing your business.

» Full story

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June 12, 2008

SEW Experts: Think Links from New Sites Have Little Value? Think Again

It's often assumed that new sites haven't earned enough trust in Google to pass real value. But if you flatly skip over links from new sites, you're losing out on immense opportunities. In today's Link Building column, "Think Links from New Sites Have Little Value? Think Again," Justilien Gaspard advises link builders to think of it as investing in the stock market by looking for undervalued, or unnoticed, sites that have a high likelihood of rising in popularity.

» Full story

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SEW Experts: Live Search Cashback vs. Google: A Case Study

It's an interesting marketing concept, but how do the Live Search results measure up to Google, the de-facto search engine standard? In today's Building Brand Equity column, "Live Search Cashback vs. Google: A Case Study," Erik Qualman performs a test of product-based queries on each finds the results promising, but mixed.

» Full story

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June 11, 2008

SEW Experts: Carl Icahn Can't Save Yahoo

Last week's public exchange between Icahn and Yahoo management is just the latest round of treating symptoms while ignoring the illness. As is often the case when corporate spats go public, lots of questions remain in the minds of searchers, search marketers, Yahoo shareholders, Microsoft employees, and the general public. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Carl Icahn Can't Save Yahoo," Kevin Ryan explains that it's not the poison pill that's killing Yahoo, it's short-term thinking.

» Full story

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SEW Experts: Uncovering Site Problems for Landing Page Optimization, Part 1

How do you find problems with your landing page hidden in your test results? Instead of waiting only for good news, filter it out instead. In today's By the Numbers column, "Uncovering Site Problems for Landing Page Optimization, Part 1," Tim Ash shows you that the key is to accentuate the negative, focusing on problems and things that are askew.

» Full story

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June 10, 2008

SEW Experts: The Big Picture -- Well-Rounded SEM for SMBs, Part 2

There are many different elements a small business can use to put together a well rounded online marketing campaign. When it comes to marketing your small business, the key is keeping your mind open to the possibilities -- you never know where the next big thing will be. In today's Small Business Search Marketing column, "The Big Picture -- Well-Rounded SEM for SMBs, Part 2," Carrie Hill looks at tactics for branding, reputation management, social networking, viral marketing, images, and videos.

» Full story

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SEW Experts: SEO Competitive Analysis

Ranking reports don't mean nearly as much as they once did. Search engine rankings change regularly, are different on various data centers, and won't generate traffic to the Web site, much less generate leads and sales.In today's Organic Search Engine Optimization column, "SEO Competitive Analysis," Mark Jackson suggests that marketers should instead be focused on reports that mean something, like a competitive SEO analysis.

» Full story

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June 9, 2008

SEW Experts: Google Mobile Advertising: Start Now!

Mobile advertising revenue is expected to dwarf current ad spend on search and content networks. In today's Content Advertising column, "Google Mobile Advertising: Start Now!," David Szetela breaks down the dynamics of mobile search advertising as an essential starting point to creating great mobile content ad campaigns.

» Full story

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June 6, 2008

SEW Experts: What is Valid Link Bait?

A 13-year-old stealing a credit card to buy Xbox-playing hookers. Hidden widget links. Social media traffic bait. Morality and marketing living together. Mass hysteria. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "What is Valid Link Bait?," Frank Watson and Chris Boggs address recent issues with ethical questions of linkbuilding, like fake articles being created to generate links, or hidden links in widgets.

» Full story

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SEW Experts: Keywords Without Ego

It's hard to believe that some marketers will measure success by the improvement of a popular keyword. In today's SEM Agency Issues column, "Keywords Without Ego," William Flaiz explains that high search frequency does not necessarily denote a great keyword, and ranking for a popular term does not a successful campaign make. While search positions give project managers a nice, clean number to report to their CEO, there's more to SEO than just ranking for ego terms.

» Full story

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SEW Experts: Winning the Local Search Battle

Want to enjoy lower cost-per-sale and offer a better user experience? A highly customized, localized marketing approach is vital to your keyword strategies. In today's Vertical Search column, "Winning the Local Search Battle - Part 2," local search expert Gregg Stewart looks at some winning search marketing strategies for local campaigns.

» Full story

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June 5, 2008

SEW Experts: 3 Ways to Spy on Your Competitors

James Bond would never have been the greatest secret agent on the silver screen if it weren't for his super-awesome gadgets. Fortunately for search marketers, there are some great secret agent link gadgets that can make you a top notch linker. In today's Link Building column, "3 Ways to Spy on Your Competitors," Sage Lewis shares some of his favorite tools for super-spies...and link builders.

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SEW Experts: Do We Need Educational Standards for Learning SEO? - Part 2

Do SEO standards help or hinder a neophyte looking for education? Does setting standards give away industry secrets? Where do we draw the line between guidelines and policing? In today's SEM.EDU column, "Do We Need Educational Standards for Learning SEO? - Part 2," Ron Jones shows that the idea of creating standards for learning SEO raises many questions, and leads to much debate.

» Full story

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June 4, 2008

SEW Experts: Measuring the Impact of Multichannel Marketing

In many cases, search is the first step in the customer buying process, when they're in research mode. But, at other times, search comes into play in response to an offline campaign. In today's Web Analytics and ROI column, "Measuring the Impact of Multichannel Marketing," Eric Enge describes the ways Web analytics tools can be one powerful component in measuring the impact and effectiveness of an offline marketing campaign.

» Full story

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SEW Experts: Who Owns the Brand?

For a whole lot of really good reasons, brands (particularly those with resellers) maintain an ongoing battle to protect their brands. And in the online world, they want to hold search engines accountable. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Who Owns the Brand?," Kevin Ryan notes that even if a group of advertisers did come together and pull their search advertising, all they will really accomplish is losing large amounts of directly accountable revenue by missing placements in top search sites. But Google is going to need the deep-pocketed advertisers currently being alienated by the lack of internal trademark policing. This could be a very large instance of mutual back-scratching, but the outcome will not be decided in court.

» Full story

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June 3, 2008

SEW Experts: When Top Keywords Suddenly Vanish

If one of your top keyword phrases suddenly drops out of the SERPs, do you know what you'll do to fix it? In today's Enterprise Search Marketing column, "When Top Keywords Suddenly Vanish," Aaron Shear shows you that, while the cause may be nothing that you control, there are several things you should be looking at to make sure a change that was made somewhere in your organization didn't cause the problem.

» Full story  

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SEW Experts: Google PageRank isn't the Same as Ranking in Google

Many webmasters are obsessed with the PageRank Google assigns their site. But why? They don't understand that there are at least 100 or more factors that make up the Google algorithm -- and most likely a lot more than that. In today's Organic Search Engine Optimization column, "Google PageRank isn't the Same as Ranking in Google," Mark Jackson explains that a higher PageRank number doesn't necessarily mean better rankings.

» Full story  

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SEW Experts: 3 CEOs with 3 Strategies for SEO Success

It's 3 a.m. and your employees are safe and asleep. But Wall Street analysts are calling and they want to know your search engine marketing strategy. Who do you want answering the phone? In today's Search Engine WarGames column, "3 CEOs with 3 Strategies for SEO Success," Kevin Heisler looks at three companies with varying degrees of digital presence: La-Z-Boy, D&B, and UTI. Each CEO took time during recent earnings calls to discuss their digital strategies with Wall Street analysts.

» Full story

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May 30, 2008

SEW Experts: Need Sitelinks? Show Google Your Site Is Useful

Not all sites are blessed with Google sitelinks. Google only shows them when its algorithms determine they'd be useful. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Need Sitelinks? Show Google Your Site Is Useful," Chris Boggs and Frank Watson share some ideas on making your site useful, and addressing your site's structure to make sure Google can see that.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Winning the Local Search Battle

Consumers are shifting from "what to buy" category searches to "where to buy" phrases. With that specificity comes a higher propensity to purchase. In today's Vertical Search column, "Winning the Local Search Battle," local search expert Gregg Stewart looks at some of the publishers who are winning the local search charge.

» Full story

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 29, 2008

SEW Experts: Five Traits of the Ideal Link Builder

If you've decided to expand your team, or perhaps hire your first link marketer, there are some important qualities to look for in potential hires. In today's Link Building column, "Five Traits of the Ideal Link Builder," Justilien Gaspard outlines those five traits, which can help you identify candidates that are most likely to be successful and productive members of your link marketing team.

» Full story

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SEW Experts: Microsoft Search CashBack: Stealing from Google?

Microsoft announced it will give cash back to people who use Live Search and subsequently click-through and make a purchase. In today's Building Brand Equity column, "Microsoft Search CashBack: Stealing from Google?," Erik Qualman notes that the Live Search CashBack program just might steal that cash (in the form of market share) back from Google.

» Full story

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May 28, 2008

SEW Experts: Forget Competition, the Search Wars are Over

Advertisers love competition because (arguably) costs will be driven down. In the single search environment that already exists in many countries around the world, search advertising costs are set by one entity. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Forget Competition, the Search Wars are Over," Kevin Ryan wonders if maybe we shouldn't count the other (non-Google) search engines out just yet.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 27, 2008

SEW Experts: It Pays to Link Consistently

You have control over the internal links on your site, so be sure you're taking advantage of that when creating them. In today's Organic Search Engine Optimization column, "It Pays to Link Consistently," Mark Jackson takes a look at ways to improve your Web site's consistency in internal linking and the use of your domain name, which can make a big difference in your site's organic search engine rankings.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: The Big Picture -- Well Rounded SEM for SMBs, Part 1

There are many different elements a small business can use to put together a well rounded online marketing campaign. In today's Small Business Search Marketing column, "The Big Picture -- Well Rounded SEM for SMBs, Part 1," Carrie Hill puts together a list of things to think about when putting your search marketing to the test.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 23, 2008

SEW Experts: Do Social Networks Bring Out the Animal in Us?

The surreal nature of the Web has shown it brings out the animal in people who don't feel anchored to society's rules. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Do Social Networks Bring Out the Animal in Us?," Frank Watson and special Crossfire guest Kevin Ryan share their thoughts on the flawed promise of social networking bringing human communities together.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 1:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: How to Take on a Major SEO Client

Taking on a large search engine optimization client can be a daunting proposition. In today's SEM Agency Issues column, How to Take on a Major SEO Client"," William Flaiz shows that it's simple, when you break it down: first, give them what they need; then give them what they want. Finally, give them what they don't yet know they need.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 1:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: What's In Your Travel Tool Bag? - Part 2

Are we just so mesmerized by the glitz and glam of the coolest, latest and greatest flavor of the day that we've become oblivious to basic principles of marketing? In today's Vertical Search column, "What's In Your Travel Tool Bag? - Part 2," travel search expert Elisabeth Osmeloski urges a return to basics: creating a product that fulfills a specific need, is well positioned against its competition, is priced appropriately, and is promoted within the right context.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 1:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 22, 2008

SEW Experts: Do We Need Educational Standards For Learning SEO?

The real meat and potatoes of the discussion right now isn't necessarily what standards to employ, but whether we need -- or should even consider -- SEO standards. In today's SEM.EDU column, "Do We Need Educational Standards For Learning SEO?," Ron Jones wonders how we can effectively train people if we don't have basic guidelines for the industry.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Link Building for Dumb Asses

We searched deep within our lexicon of vocabulary prowess to not offend your eyes with such a crass descriptor. We assure you, dear reader, there's no better way of describing what we're about to lay before you. In today's Link Building column, "Link Building for Dumb Asses," Sage Lewis takes a look at some people in various media who have mixed up a dose of dumb with a cup of ass to create some very linkable content.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 21, 2008

SEW Experts: The Challenge of Mobile Web Analytics

One of the biggest challenges resulting from the growth in mobile Web use is measurement. Conventional Web analytics applications don't do a good job of tracking mobile Web site usage, making it difficult to tune and enhance your mobile Web site's performance. In today's Web Analytics and ROI column, "The Challenge of Mobile Web Analytics," Eric Enge offers some alternatives to tracking mobile Web site usage.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Yellow Pages and Search

Yellow pages directories and search engines are hopelessly intertwined as directories feed search queries and search queries feed directories. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Yellow Pages and Search," Kevin Ryan proposes a new spin on the old book that might just connect the dots.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 20, 2008

SEW Experts: Don't Hire a Butcher to do a Baker's Job - Part 2

If SEOs are bakers, then Web site designers are the butchers of the search engine world. In today's Organic Search Engine Optimization column, "Don't Hire a Butcher to do a Baker's Job - Part 2," Mark Jackson offers 13 questions customers need to ask their butchers.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: WebMD CEO Fights Off Google Health Virus with SEO

CEOs need to invest in search engine optimization. Perhaps no company knows that better than WebMD. In today's Search Engine WarGames column, "WebMD CEO Fights Off Google Health Virus with SEO," Kevin Heisler looks at ways WebMD is using SEO to drive traffic to their site, and to lessen the additional pressure from the launch of Google Health.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Social Media Marketing in an Enterprise Environment

Social media sites like MySpace or Facebook, and even long-standing social media tools like blogs remain a mystery to many large organizations. In today's Enterprise Search Marketing column, "Social Media Marketing in an Enterprise Environment," Aaron Shear explains how that's all beginning to change, as more big businesses find ways to incorporate these elements into their overall marketing strategy.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 19, 2008

SEW Experts: Placement-Targeted Campaigns: Taming the Beast

Having trouble with Google AdWords placement-targeted campaigns? In today's Content Advertising column, "Placement-Targeted Campaigns: Taming the Beast," David Szetela shares the secrets of getting those stalled campaigns off the ground, churning out conversions like the best search campaigns.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 16, 2008

SEW Experts: Google Sitelinks - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The addition of sitelinks to the top listing in certain Google searches can be a boon to site owner. Unfortunately, as with all tests of new technology, this feature has some pretty serious bugs. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Google Sitelinks - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly," Chris Boggs shows you how to fix the ones that are a fault of your site structure, and deal with the ones that are Google's fault.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Training Your Search Marketing Employees - Part 2

Advanced practitioners come to an agency with the skills in place to help grow the business. That's why we hire them. In today's Business of Search column, "Training Your Search Marketing Employees - Part 2," Fionn Downhill notes that because they're skilled in relation to their job, the priority is to train them to flourish in the agency.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 15, 2008

SEW Experts: Keeping SEO Staff Motivated and Driven

Talented link developers are hard to find -- you want to retain them as long as possible. In today's Link Building column, "Keeping SEO Staff Motivated and Driven," Justilien Gaspard offers tips on some incentives you can use to keep your link marketers productive and driven, while reducing staff turnover.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Facebook & MySpace Connect: Good Idea or Social Media Catastrophe?

Both MySpace Data Availability and Facebook Connect will soon let users' personal information follow them as they traverse the Web. In today's Building Brand Equity column, "Facebook & MySpace Connect: Good Idea or Social Media Catastrophe?," Erik Qualman notes that, besides the implications for personal and business transparency, it looks like Google should worry about social media stealing some of its market share.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 14, 2008

SEW Experts: Google's Superiority Complex

In the end, is Google's search advertising system better than Yahoo's, or are they just monetizing better? In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Google's Superiority Complex," Kevin Ryan says it sounds like a little bit of both, but we shouldn't count Yahoo out.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Emotional Motivators in Landing Page Optimization

Visitors will arrive at your Web site with their own needs, perspectives, and emotions. In today's By the Numbers column, "Emotional Motivators in Landing Page Optimization," Tim Ash explains that since you don't know much about them individually, you can influence them collectively with the design of your site.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 13, 2008

SEW Experts: Don't Hire a Butcher to do a Baker's Job

There are a few firms that I might believe do a good job of both Web design and SEO. Most Web design companies have no business claiming to "do" SEO. In today's Organic Search Engine Optimization column, "Don't Hire a Butcher to do a Baker's Job," Mark Jackson explains why Web designers and IT teams that claim to be handling SEO are probably not doing enough for your site.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Small Business Owners Need Twitter and LinkedIn

It's a time investment. But something worth having takes time. Keeping up with what's going on in your industry and creating a community you can talk with are key factors that successful web businesses employ. In today's Small Business Search Marketing column, "Small Business Owners Need Twitter and LinkedIn," Carrie Hill explains how social networking sites like Twitter and LinkedIn can benefit small business marketers.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 12, 2008

SEW Experts: Google AdWords Editor a Great Tool for Content -- and for Yahoo/Microsoft!

Time is money, and these two tips will free up many moneymaking hours for you. In today's Content Advertising column, "Google AdWords Editor a Great Tool for Content -- and for Yahoo/Microsoft!," David Szetela explains how Google has created a tool that will increase ad revenue for itself, but for Yahoo and Microsoft as well.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 9, 2008

SEW Experts: Yahoo Rejects Microsoft: Worst Decision Ever?

There have been some major missed opportunities in our industry; decisions that must haunt those involved. Arguably the biggest faux pas of our industry came in 1999, when Excite had the opportunity to buy Google for $1 million and refused. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Yahoo Rejects Microsoft: Worst Decision Ever?," Frank Watson wonders if Yahoo's turn-down of Microsoft's offer could trump it?

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Optimization by Numbers

In the complex world of online marketing, you will likely be asked to run several digital programs at any given time. While getting these programs off the ground can be an achievement in itself, the real challenge is campaign optimization. In today's SEM Agency Issues column, "Optimization by Numbers," William Flaiz discusses ways to keep track of what is working, and identify which channels you should invest in further or pull the plug.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SEW Experts: Black, White, and Blue all Over

The LA Times is in the midst of an aggressive online product rollout. If anyone should be able to build solid local content sites, it's newspapers. In today's Vertical Search column, "Black, White, and Blue all Over," local search expert Michael Boland outlines their efforts, noting that it's their game to lose, with a sizeable but quickly closing head start, as publishers across the country sit on their hands.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 8, 2008

SEW Experts: Giving Links Away

There are a few ways of controlling what pages of your site share their link love. In today's Link Building column, "Giving Links Away," Sage Lewis explains the concepts of PageRank "sculpting" and siloing: two methods that use the "nofollow" attribute to control which links are counted in search engine ranking algorithms.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 7, 2008

SEW Experts: The Top 3 Reasons PPC Lead Gen Campaigns Miss Volume Targets - Part 2

Understanding how to analyze keywords using a waterfall analysis can give you a great deal of insight into what's happening with your campaign, and bring a sharp focus to the nature of the opportunities available to you. In today's Web Analytics and ROI column, "The Top 3 Reasons PPC Lead Gen Campaigns Miss Volume Targets - Part 2," Eric Enge outlines the steps involved, and the opportunities keyword waterfall analysis can reveal.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: 100 Million Theoretical Dollars

In a recent episode of South Park, the characters set out to create a viral YouTube video to earn their millions. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "100 Million Theoretical Dollars," Kevin Ryan advises marketers looking for 100 million real dollars that capitalizing on the connection between traditional placement and search can be as easy as lip-syncing Romanian dance music.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

May 6, 2008

SEW Experts: CEO Tells Wall St. Why He Invests in SEO

Not every CEO understands the value of search engine optimization. Here's one who does: Tom Evans, CEO of Bankrate. In today's Search Engine WarGames column, "CEO Tells Wall St. Why He Invests in SEO," Kevin Heisler outlines Evans' comments to Wall St. analysts explaining why SEO is one key to the company's success.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Conducting a Redirect Audit on Your Web Site - Part 2

Knowing which pages on your site are returning errors, and which ones are being redirected can help you pinpoint issues to address. In today's Organic Search Engine Optimization column, "Conducting a Redirect Audit on Your Web Site - Part 2," Mark Jackson shows how performing a redirect audit can help you get to the bottom of those problems.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Convincing the Executive Team to Invest in SEO

Convincing senior managers of the value of search marketing is not always easy. In today's Enterprise Search Marketing column, "Convincing the Executive Team to Invest in SEO," Aaron Shear reminds us that by gathering the right data and getting support from clients and other departments ahead of time, the task will be much easier to accomplish.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

May 5, 2008

SEW Experts: Want to Double Conversions in One Month? Split Those Ad Groups

Would your boss be happy if your campaign conversion rates doubled in 30 days? In today's Content Advertising column, "Want to Double Conversions in One Month? Split Those Ad Groups," David Szetela puts his strategies to the test. By splitting ad groups and paying attention to display URLs, advertisers can improve their content advertising results.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

May 2, 2008

SEW Experts: Top 5 Non-SEO Ways to Increase Your Search Rankings

Contrary to what some search marketers may think, marketing is not all about search. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Top 5 Non-SEO Ways to Increase Your Search Rankings," Chris Boggs explains that by branching out into other areas, like usability and PR, you can increase the effectiveness of your search efforts.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Training Your Search Marketing Employees

Your employees are the most important asset of your business. Once you've found and hired new employees, it's time to train them. In today's Business of Search column, "Training Your Search Marketing Employees - Part 1," Fionn Downhill outlines some of her training methods for new search agency employees.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Avoid the Pitfalls of Mobile Marketing

As with any emerging marketing medium, advertisers should try to learn from some of the key lessons of those who were willing to blaze the online trail before us, in hopes of not making the same mistakes. In today's Vertical Search column, "Avoid the Pitfalls of Mobile Marketing," local search expert Gregg Stewart shows how the advertising potential of mobile now resembles that of the early days of the Internet, in both variety of search options available and the fragmented nature of the keyword search volume.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

May 1, 2008

SEW Experts: There Are No Free Links: Budgeting Resources for SEO Link Building

There's no such thing as a free link. The amount of time and resources to invest for link development depends on the profits your company stands to make from top rankings. In today's Link Building column, "There Are No Free Links: Budgeting Resources for SEO Link Building," Justilien Gaspard explains that being realistic about your available resources, budget, and goals when setting up a link marketing program will save you and your staff from unnecessary frustration. Plus, you'll end up with better results!

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Social Media = Society's Watchdog

Are social networks so powerful to cause an adjustment in personal and corporate behavior on a macro level? You bet your camera phone they are. In today's Building Brand Equity column, "Social Media = Society's Watchdog," Erik Qualman reminds us that companies and individuals now need to live their lives as if everyone is watching...since they probably are.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

April 30, 2008

SEW Experts: What Are You Converting?

Many people view conversions as large-scale events, such as product sales or sign-ups for a service. But a conversion can mean many things, depending on the site. In today's Web Analytics and ROI column, "What Are You Converting?," Tim Ash defines conversions as events that move a visitor toward the mission critical activities that you've identified. Measure those smaller events, and you'll know much more about what your visitors are doing than if you only focus on the end results.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Visually Impaired Search

Like search ads, PageRank, and blended search, Google's newly launched VisualRank image search technology has the potential to change the way SEO is done. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Visually Impaired Search," Kevin Ryan explains that while the game hasn't changed yet, it will very soon.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

April 29, 2008

SEW Experts: Conducting a Redirect Audit on Your Web Site

A redirect audit looks at the server redirects that are happening on your site, and which sites are sending visitors to links on your site that are being redirected. It also looks at 404 errors (file not found), as well as other server status codes appearing in your site's log files. In today's Organic Search Engine Optimization column, "Conducting a Redirect Audit on Your Web Site," Mark Jackson shows you how a redirect audit can take care of many issues that search engines might be having with your Web site, and may help you recover visitors you may be losing due to technical issues.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Taking the Fear Out of Web Analytics for Your Small Business

Many small businesses are afraid of the perceived complexity of Web analytics. At the same time, they know they can make more money in less time with Web analytics. In today's Small Business Search Marketing column, "Taking the Fear Out of Web Analytics for Your Small Business," Carrie Hill simplifies the process by breaking down the four metrics you should be analyzing on your small business web site.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

April 28, 2008

SEW Experts: Killer Site Targeting: PPC Content Scrape & Bake Tools

Successful placement-targeted content campaigns depend on showing your ads on all the right sites. In today's Content Advertising column, "Killer Site Targeting: PPC Content Scrape & Bake Tools," David Szetela outlines a new tool and methodology for finding the right destinations for your ads.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

April 21, 2008

SEW Experts: B2B Advertising Brilliance: Word Frequency Techniques for Killer PPC Campaigns

Creating ad groups for a business-to-business (B2B) content advertising campaign can be done by examining the pages that show up high in the results for your targeted keywords. In today's Content Advertising column, "B2B Advertising Brilliance: Word Frequency Techniques for Killer PPC Campaigns," David Szetela explains how to create top performing content ad groups for a B2B ad campaign.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

April 14, 2008

SEW Experts: Content Ad Campaign Keyword Strategy Revisited - Part 2

A keyword-targeted content ad group's keywords should describe the pages/sites where an ad should appear. The best keyword list is composed of words/phrases that appear most frequently on the target sites' pages. In today's Content Advertising column, "Content Ad Campaign Keyword Strategy Revisited - Part 2," David Szetela goes through this keyword research process with an imaginary site.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:42 AM | Permalink

April 11, 2008

SEW Experts: Standards? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Standards!

The SEO community has been foaming at the mouth lately over whether or not we need standards for the industry. In today's SEM Agency Issues column, "Standards? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Standards!," William Flaiz says that we don't need SEO standards to define our operation for us; we simply need to hold ourselves to a higher standard of business.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 2:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: SEM Tools of the Experts

There are a variety of SEM tools available to search marketers. You should be able to find something to fit every need, and every style. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "SEM Tools of the Experts," Frank Watson shares some of the favorite tools of top search marketers.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 2:00 AM | Permalink

April 10, 2008

SEW Experts: Link Building Strategies: Apprentice Edition

Great content is only half the battle. Don't forget the other half: getting the word out about your great content. In today's Link Building column, "Link Building Strategies: Apprentice Edition," Sage Lewis shares his past mistakes when building a blog for The Apprentice, and neglecting to tell anyone about it.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Bringing the SEO Teacher to You

Besides SEO books, online training, and in-person training, there's another option for teaching your staff about SEO: bring a consultant to you. In today's Search Marketing Education column, "Bringing the SEO Teacher to You," Ron Jones notes that if you're looking for SEO training experts to come to your place of business, you might be surprised to find local resources readily available.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

April 9, 2008

SEW Experts: Making Yahoocrosoft a Reality

The quibbling of two secondary competitors, while another lengthens its lead, has resulted in the downfall of many in the past. Yahoo and Microsoft would be wise to learn from those past mistakes. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Making Yahoocrosoft a Reality," Kevin Ryan humbly offers some advice for both sides.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: How to Measure Customer Satisfaction with Web Analytics

In a world where more Web transactions require multiple site visits, a measurement of satisfaction can tell you the likelihood of a visitor coming back to your site when they're ready to buy. In today's Web Analytics and ROI column, "How to Measure Customer Satisfaction with Web Analytics," Eric Enge looks at a new survey tool that allows you to measure customer satisfaction.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

April 8, 2008

SEW Experts: How to Tell if Your Domain is Banned

Oftentimes it is difficult to tell whether a domain name is banned or penalized by a search engine. Or perhaps the domain name is neither banned, nor penalized. It could be, you just managed to screw up your site. In today's Organic Search Engine Optimization column, "How to Tell if Your Domain is Banned in a Search Engine," Mark Jackson shows you how to find the answer.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Keep the Lines of SEO Communication Open

In large organizations, development teams don't always retain what they've learned about SEO. Without regular communication about SEO issues, you're destined to repeat past mistakes. In today's Big Brand Search Marketing column, "Keep the Lines of SEO Communication Open," Aaron Shear discusses the importance of training your employees about SEO.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Google Road Kill: Will the Pulitzer Prize Live to Be 100?

On the 92nd anniversary of the Pulitzer Prize, prizewinners and publishers are fiddling while the newspaper industry is burning. In today's Search Engine WarGames column, "Google Road Kill: Will the Pulitzer Prize Live to Be 100?," Kevin Heisler looks at the plight of the newspaper industry.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

April 4, 2008

SEW Experts: SEO Standards Signal the Maturing of Our Industry

Call them standards, rules, advice, best practices, or whatever you want, but they're a necessary step in the evolution of the search industry. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "SEO Standards Signal the Maturing of Our Industry," Chris Boggs advocates a move toward creating a document outlining the majority of the methods used in SEO, and providing a risk assessment so marketers can make informed decisions.

Join the discussion in the Search Engine Watch Forums.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Recruiting the Right People for Your SEM Business

If you've been a one-man operation until now, hiring your first employee is a major milestone. However, making the wrong choice can seriously impact your business. In today's Business of Search column, "Recruiting the Right People for Your SEM Business - Part 1," Fionn Downhill warns that the success of your search marketing business depends on the quality of the staff you hire. Getting the right people will largely depend on how you go about the recruitment process.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Leveraging Traditional Media Placements in an Online World

Online media and Internet-based search continue to grow at the expense of their offline counterparts, newspapers and magazines. Because media placement options are continuously growing, smart local marketers need to leverage this major transformation of how people consume media in some creative ways. In today's Vertical Search column, "Leveraging Traditional Media Placements in an Online World," local search expert Gregg Stewart explains that fragmenting media options will continue to force smart marketers to stitch together sales opportunities from an ever-increasing number of sources.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

April 3, 2008

SEW Experts: Afraid to Link Out? Think Again

Both people and search engines place more value on information that cites multiple sources. By refusing to link to other sites you are harming your site's relevance and ability to gain links. In today's Link Building column, "Afraid to Link Out? Think Again," Justilien Gaspard outlines the benefits of linking out, for both humans and machines.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Don't Be Afraid of Social Media -- Your Customers Aren't

Savvy big brand marketers know that the junction of social media and e-commerce, or "Socialommerce," is the next big thing. But many are wary, and want to sit back and see how it plays out. In today's Building Brand Equity column, "Don't Be Afraid of Social Media -- Your Customers Aren't," Erik Qualman explains that while waiting is a good idea, waiting too long is not.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

April 2, 2008

SEW Experts: How to Survive a Recession In Search

If you listen to the media, you'd know that a recession is nigh, and you should be locking yourself up in an underground bunker and hiding out for the next year. If you're a bit more selective in what you choose to believe, you may be thinking it would be wise to be prepared, in case an economic downturn does come. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "How to Survive a Recession ... In Search," Kevin Ryan offers five steps to help you improve the chances of your business surviving, and thriving, during hard times.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:03 AM | Permalink

April 1, 2008

SEW Experts: Should Your SEO Strategy Target the Head or the Long Tail?

If you're focused on ranking for that one major keyword, having a deep Web site full of great content is necessary to achieve authority in the eyes of the search engine. In today's Organic Search Engine Optimization column, "Should Your SEO Strategy Target the Head or the Long Tail?," Mark Jackson shows that, whether or not you intended to do it, you'll be optimizing for the long tail in order to achieve your goals.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Small Business SEM Takeaways from SES NY

Search Engine Strategies New York had something for everyone, including tips for small business marketers. In today's Small Business Search Marketing column, "Small Business SEM Takeaways from SES NY," Carrie Hill shares some of the pointers she found for SMBs.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

March 31, 2008

SEW Experts: Content Ad Campaign Keyword Strategy Revisited

The keywords you choose for a content ad campaign should play a different role than they do for search ads. That's a point that's often tough for search advertisers to grasp. In today's Content Advertising column, "Content Ad Campaign Keyword Strategy Revisited," David Szetela outlines a new method for building content keyword lists, that will enable you to gain ultimate control over the destinations for your ads.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

March 28, 2008

SEW Experts: Social Media: One Size Does NOT Fit All

Spending time on linkbait or viral ideas can drive traffic to a site. However, if the same attention isn't given to preparing what to do with the traffic, the only remaining value is links, many of which don't pass juice. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Social Media: One Size Does NOT Fit All," Chris Boggs explains the down-side of linkbait, and how to better use it to your advantage.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: What Matters Most to Travel Search Marketers in 2008?

Now that we're nearly through the first quarter, it's time to check in on the accuracy of the many predictions for the future of search. In today's Vertical Search column, "What Matters Most to Travel Search Marketers in 2008?," travel search expert Elisabeth Osmeloski takes a look at how they're beginning to play out in the travel space.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: The SEO Copywriter: Wordsmithing the Web

Combining both technological know-how and a strong command of the written word, agency SEO copywriters are the front-line troops of any SEO initiative. In today's SEM Agency Issues column, "The SEO Copywriter: Wordsmithing the Web," William Flaiz writes an ode to these front-line troops of any SEO initiative.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

March 27, 2008

SEW Experts: Read Any Good SEO Books Lately?

Some people are looking for the right book to learn everything there is to know about SEM. Unfortunately, it doesn't exist. Still, there are several books out there that can help further your understanding of search marketing in general, or do a deep dive on a specific sub-topic. In today's Search Marketing Education column, "Read Any Good SEO Books Lately? Try These," Ron Jones offers some suggestions to add to your search marketing library.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

March 26, 2008

SEW Experts: Search Within a Search: Where's it Leading?

Some publishers are getting up in arms over a new feature from Google, which allows users to search a publisher's site without leaving the SERP. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Search Within a Search: Where's it Leading?," Kevin Ryan points out that their concerns may be misdirected, and they should be thinking a bit more about the big picture, and Google's evolution into a destination site.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Yahoo and the Future of Search

Because of spam, search engines had to stop trusting Webmasters to tell them about their site. Now, Yahoo is looking at new ways to get information from Webmasters. In today's Web Analytics and ROI column, "Yahoo and the Future of Search," Eric Enge explains the ways Yahoo is putting webmaster trust back into its search results.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

March 24, 2008

SEW Experts: Non-Text Contextual Ads: Quality Score and Bidding Strategy

Running banner ad campaigns on Google's content networks requires different thinking than text ad campaigns -- thinking that's surprisingly counter-intuitive. There's no way for a content-matching algorithm to judge the relevancy of an ad group to a landing page, when there's no text in the ad copy. In today's Content Advertising column, "Non-Text Contextual Ads: Quality Score and Bidding Strategy," David Szetela outlines a bidding strategy for "buying CTR" as a way to possibly influence minimum bid price and ad rank for non-text ad groups.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

March 21, 2008

SEW Experts: Sales and Your Search Marketing Agency - Part 2

A typical search marketing sales plan differs from other kinds of sales plans. The way to approach customers, close the deal, and structure the payment terms must all be considered in light of the unique demands of search. In today's Business of Search column, "Sales and Your Search Marketing Agency - Part 2," Fionn Downhill looks at these issues, including the pros and cons of performance-based relationships.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

March 18, 2008

SEW Experts: 30 Free Ways To Market Your Small Business Site

"Free" is a word that perks up ears and piques interest. In marketing, sometimes "free" is too good to be true, but in some instances, free is good. In today's Small Business Search Marketing column, "30 Free Ways To Market Your Small Business Site," Carrie Hill offers 30 free tips, from social media to analytics to link building, which you can use to market your small business online.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: To Rewrite or Not to Rewrite...That is the Question

While URL rewriting can have SEO benefits, it can also cause more SEO problems if it's done hastily, or incorrectly. In today's Organic Search Engine Optimization column, "Dynamic URLs: To Rewrite or Not to Rewrite...That is the Question," Mark Jackson outlines the pros and cons to consider before making a change.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

March 14, 2008

SEW Experts: Defining Yourself Through Search

Your online persona is defined by what shows up in the search results. What do the SERPs say about you? In today's SEM Agency Issues column, "Defining Yourself Through Search," William Flaiz shows that personal reputation management is just as important to a business professional as corporate reputation management.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Making the Most of a Search Marketing Conference

If you're heading to SES New York next week, you should be preparing your questions for speakers now. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Making the Most of a Search Marketing Conference," Chris Boggs explains how being bold, creative, and persistent, will help you get the most you can out of the conference.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Universal Pictures Part II: Sizing up the Local Video Market

Last month, we looked at the opportunity for SMBs to use universal search to their advantage by producing and distributing online video. But what is the size of this local video market? In today's Vertical Search column, "Universal Pictures Part II: Sizing up the Local Video Market," local search expert Michael Boland crunches the numbers to define how much of the overall video ad market is also local.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

March 13, 2008

SEW Experts: SEO Training: Live and In-Person

What could be better than online SEO training? SEO courses with live SEO experts, of course. In today's Search Marketing Education column, "SEO Training: Live and In-Person," Ron Jones outlines a few options for in-person SEO training.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: First SEO Link Building Rule: Never Buy Paid Links...Until Now

Google commands SEOs: "Don't buy paid links." But there are times when paid links work. In today's Link Building column, "First SEO Link Building Rule: Never Buy Paid Links...Until Now," Sage Lewis notes that buying links for the sake of traffic and a network of viral roots to keep an interesting promotion alive and standing tall may be the exception to the rule.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

March 12, 2008

SEW Experts: Google Analytics' Cross-Channel Measurement

By comparing site analytics data with its Audio Ads campaign data, Google has greatly improved measurement of offline ads driving visitors online. In today's Web Analytics and ROI column, "Google Analytics' Cross-Channel Measurement," Eric Enge compares Google's methods to other traditional methods for offline marketing measurement.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:11 AM | Permalink

March 11, 2008

SEW Experts: Don't Get Stung By Compliance Issues

Internal and external oversight is essential for quality control of large Web sites, but can make things complicated for SEO plans. In today's Enterprise Search Marketing column, "Don't Get Stung By Compliance Issues," Aaron Shear provides some ground rules to consider before you step into the complex world of compliance and SEO.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Creating Synergy in Your SEO Efforts

There's not one single thing that can make your Web page show up in the top of the search results. But there are several little things that can. In today's Organic Search Engine Optimization column, "Creating Synergy in Your SEO Efforts," Mark Jackson explains that by making sure a few key components are working together, the synergy between your optimization efforts can help you get page-one results.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

March 10, 2008

SEW Experts: Every Picture Tells a Story: Non-text Contextual Ads

Like contextual text ads, image ads must distract the user and sell a product quickly. In today's Content Advertising column, "Every Picture Tells a Story: Non-text Contextual Ads," David Szetela gives four examples of image ads that accomplish this with varying degrees of success.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

March 7, 2008

SEW Experts: Has Google Already Won?

With the imminent demise of Yahoo and Ask.com, Google seems to have cemented its near-total control of search. The monopolization of our industry is fast becoming a reality, and yet the users of search are oblivious. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Has Google Already Won?," Frank Watson laments the downfall of Ask.com and Yahoo, and what that might mean for Google.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Sales and Your Search Marketing Agency - Part 1

Now that you know how to win the right search marketing clients, it's time to look at one of the most important areas of your business -- how to make sales. In today's Business of Search column, "Sales and Your Search Marketing Agency - Part 1," Fionn Downhill discusses ways a search marketing agency can gather sales leads, and turn those leads into sales.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Social Media Meets Local Search

Despite the growing traffic to social networks, local search tools for users of those sites are surprisingly few and far between. That doesn't mean you shouldn't stay active in those communities. In today's Vertical Search column, "Social Media Meets Local Search," local search expert Gregg Stewart take a look at emerging local search products/applications on the heavily trafficked social platform/portal sites like MySpace and Facebook.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

March 6, 2008

SEW Experts: SEO Link Building: Budget Stretcher for Online Retail and E-Commerce Sites

Let's face it: most e-commerce sites primarily consist of a shopping cart on steroids. Whether you're selling clothing, car parts, luggage, or even cameras, your approach to link development matters most. In today's Link Building and Social Media column, "SEO Link Building: Budget Stretcher for Online Retail and E-Commerce Sites," Justilien Gaspard takes on the difficult task of link building for e-commerce sites.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

March 5, 2008

SEW Experts: The Beginning of the End? Or the End of the Beginning?

ComScore's recent data showing flat paid search growth for Google led many in the media to declare that the paid search sky was falling. But the rush to judgment was wrong, and there are other factors involved. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "The Beginning of the End? Or the End of the Beginning?," Kevin Ryan outlines the saga of misread numbers, media's desire to show failure that isn't there, and the fickleness of financial markets.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

March 4, 2008

SEW Experts: Small Business Growing? Know When to Let Go

If you're spending more time on search marketing than actually running your business, it might be time to outsource. If you depend upon search to grow your business, and you don't have time to monitor, test, learn and implement search marketing practices, giving up some control to achieve your big-picture goal may be a viable option. In today's Small Business Search Marketing column, "Small Business Growing? Know When to Let Go," Carrie Hill outlines some factors to consider before making the decision to let go of the search marketing reins.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

March 3, 2008

SEW Experts: Contextual Advertising Best Practices: Banners and Video Ads

Ready to step out of your contextual advertising comfort zone? The world of graphic and video advertising may seem scary at first, but the rewards can be huge. In today's Content Advertising column, "Contextual Advertising Best Practices: Banners and Video Ads," David Szetela outlines some of the non-text ad options for contextual advertising.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

February 29, 2008

SEW Experts: Standards for SEO and SEM: The Time is Now

The question comes up often in search marketing circles: Is now the time for search engine marketing standards? In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Standards for SEO and SEM: The Time is Now," Chris Boggs outlines a proposal for standards that define common tactics and assign them a risk level to help search marketers make wise decisions about the most appropriate search marketing plan for their situation.

Do you agree with Chris? Please share your thoughts on establishing SEO standards at the Search Engine Watch Forums.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Drowning in Red Tape: SEO and Pharma Regulations

In many industries, regulatory issues can add considerable complexity to an SEO implementation. The challenge is not to let that complexity get in the way of a campaign's success. In today's Outsourced column, "Drowning in Red Tape: SEO and Pharma Regulations," William Flaiz describes some ways to navigate the waters of SEO for a pharmaceutical client.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

February 28, 2008

The Search Engine Watch List, Part 1

Tamara Chris Ron Patrick Liana David Lauren Jeffrey Jordan Greg Jacob Joan Greg Kevin Heather Brian Perry Paul Lee Mark Steve Ed Phil Eric Jill

Posted by Kevin Heisler at 9:42 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Google is an Optimist. Newspapers are Pessimists.

The Internet is a speeding freight train. If newspapers, and for that matter all traditional media, don't begin immediately to think drastically different, the train will pass them by. In today's Link Love column, "Google is an Optimist. Newspapers are Pessimists.," Sage Lewis explains why today's newspapers have to stop making incremental moves while expecting gigantic results. They simply must become the center of innovation, courage and change.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Online SEO Training Options

There are both benefits and drawbacks to taking an online SEO training course. In today's SEM.EDU column, "Online SEO Training Options," Ron Jones outlines several options available across the Web, making it easy to learn SEO online.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

February 27, 2008

SEW Experts: The TV Writers -- And the Buzz -- Are Back

Learning to use the tools we have before us is an integral part of online marketing success. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "The TV Writers – And the Buzz – Are Back," Kevin Ryan shows how the end of the TV writers' strike holds some meaningful lessons for search marketers.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

February 26, 2008

SEW Experts: Global SEO Strategy: Advanced Search for Large Enterprises

Many companies have chosen to expand overseas with the growing global economy. With this, each multinational must develop a search marketing strategy for each new international market, which also fits into a holistic global search strategy. In today's Big Biz column, "Global SEO Strategy: Advanced Search for Large Enterprises," Aaron Shear explains that advanced global SEO requires more than just keyword research, translation, and localization. He offers a primer on key issues to consider when developing global search engine strategies.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: SEO Site Clinic: American Express

You'd expect large companies to adhere to basic best practices in SEO, usability and accessibility. But you'd be wrong. In today's au Natural column, "SEO Site Clinic: American Express," Mark Jackson discusses ways in which the site is in need of SEO help, so that we can all learn from their mistakes.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

February 22, 2008

SEW Experts: The Ginsu Guide to Search Analytics

The ability to track online (and in many cases offline) advertising to offline conversions has been the biggest hurdle in measuring ROI for many Web-based or Web-involved businesses. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "The Ginsu Guide to Search Analytics," Frank Watson shares some search analytics strategies from his SES London presentation.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: How to Market Your Search Engine Agency - Part 2

Although we're in the business of marketing, there are many different things to consider when writing your own marketing plan. In today's Business of Search column, "How to Market Your Search Engine Agency - Part 2," Fionn Downhill continue her exploration of different ways to market a search engine marketing agency, such as networking, referrals, and partnering.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: How Search Marketing Slays Seasonality in Travel

The most sophisticated advertisers in online travel rely on years, even decades of data collection and analysis to formulate their marketing plans. In today's Vertical Challenge column, "How Search Marketing Slays Seasonality in Travel," travel search expert Elisabeth Osmeloski notes that pearls of search marketing wisdom handed down from the top dogs in travel can make an impact on your bottom line.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

February 21, 2008

SEW Experts: 5 Ways to Discover Link Building Ideas

Coming up with great link building ideas can be a challenge. It requires creativity, research, and thinking outside the box. In today's Link Love column, "5 Ways to Discover Link Building Ideas," Justilien Gaspard reviews some techniques to get your business started in the process.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Social Media and Online Commerce: Birth of Socialommerce

With all the media attention focused on Microsoft's not-so-friendly takeover bid of Yahoo, a below-the-radar acquisition target proves why social commerce is the future of search. In today's Brand Equity column, "Social Media and Online Commerce: Birth of Socialommerce," Erik Qualman discusses rumors that Google is in talks to acquire Facebook competitor and global social network, Bebo.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

February 20, 2008

SEW Experts: Landing Page Optimization for SEM: Design and Execute

As a search marketer, you need to understand landing page optimization because it impacts your results. Higher conversion means a bigger impact for everything you do with search, and the availability of more dollars to invest back into search marketing. In today's By the Numbers column, "Landing Page Optimization for SEM: Design and Execute," Eric Enge outlines some of the best practices outlined in Tim Ash's new book, "Landing Page Optimization."

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

February 19, 2008

SEW Experts: How To Outrank Your SEO Competitors

Clients and readers often ask why a site that's younger, smaller, or just plain "uglier" outranks them. There really isn't a simple answer. In today's Little Biz column, "How To Outrank Your SEO Competitors," Carrie Hill offers some things to take into consideration when a competitor is outranking you.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: American Express Axes Ellen DeGeneres: Au Natural On Amex Site

SEO success lives or dies in the proper execution of necessary SEO components. Recommendations alone don't make your site rank. In today's au Natural column, "American Express Axes Ellen DeGeneres: Au Natural On Amex Site," Mark Jackson looks at the American Express site for his latest quarterly site review. Whether or not they follow his advice is up to them.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

February 15, 2008

SEW Experts: Google PageRank: Simplified

Google's PageRank may be the single most divisive element in the search optimization game. In today's Outsourced column, "Google PageRank: Simplified," William Flaiz outlines the controversy surrounding Toolbar PageRank and its impact on SEO and link building strategies.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: The Great Nofollow Link Debate of '08

What started as a way to stop comment spam three years ago has turned into one of the most controversial topics in search. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "The Great Nofollow Link Debate of '08," Chris Boggs discusses the evolution of the "nofollow" attribute and its impact on SEO and link building.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Universal Pictures: Optimizing Video for Search

We hear a lot about universal search and how it will keep SEO professionals on their toes with constantly evolving ranking algorithms. So how can local online advertisers take advantage of universal search? In today's Vertical Challenge column, "Universal Pictures: Optimizing Video for Search," local search expert Michael Boland explains that creating optimized online video is a great opportunity for local marketers that are on top of their SEO game.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

February 14, 2008

SEW Experts: Search Engine Marketing Career Development

Why would anyone want to become an SEM professional? Well, it's a hot, growing, in-demand field, and everyone wants a piece of it: corporate clients, interactive agencies, investors, search engines, and traditional agencies. In today's SEM.EDU column, "Search Engine Marketing Career Development," Ron Jones explains that what each party wants and how they're going to get it differs, but those who are trained and prepared can step in, close the talent gap, and benefit everyone involved.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: SEOs, Don't Just Do Something, Sit There!

Conventional business wisdom for the 21st century seems to be that to prosper you must change. In today's Link Love column, "SEOs, Don't Just Do Something, Sit There!," Sage Lewis urges search marketers to adapt. The Internet has changed everything for everyone. If you don't believe and act on that, you won't survive, plain and simple.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

February 13, 2008

SEW Experts: Landing Page Optimization Defined for SEM

Search marketers need to be concerned about landing page optimization because it can multiply the impact of your search marketing campaigns. In today's By the Numbers column, "Landing Page Optimization Defined for SEM," Eric Enge explains that understanding what you're trying to do with your site, and how visitors will interact with it, are the first key steps down the road to optimizing conversions.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: The Search Monopoly Transforms

Google, Yahoo, and MSN have been going at it like cats and dogs in the press. Much of the hype surrounding the three tech powerhouses coming together in the United States centers around a monopoly discussion. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "The Search Monopoly Transforms," Kevin Ryan looks at the changing search landscape.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

February 12, 2008

SEW Experts: High Performance SEO Requires Fast Load Times

Many large companies assume that site speed isn't very important to the overall user experience, but they'd be wrong. In today's Big Biz column, "High Performance SEO Requires Fast Load Times," Aaron Shear explains that slow load times, compounded by other network issues, can both create a horrible user experience and impact organic search rankings.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Microsoft Responds to Yahoo: a Micro, Who Cares?

Who wins or loses the Microhoo battle won't change the mission of most search marketers: helping clients or employers acquire leads and customers, and generating online sales. In today's Search Engine WarGames column, "Microsoft Responds to Yahoo: a Micro, Who Cares?," Kevin Heisler recounts last night's industry meet-up in New York.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: SEO Outsourcing: Don't! Until You Read This

One basic rule in life: it's difficult to buy things you don't understand. SEO can be difficult to understand, especially for marketing folks who'd rather put the search budget into PPC campaigns, which are easier to understand and buy.In today's au Natural column, "SEO Outsourcing: Don't! Until You Read This," Mark Jackson discusses the basics everyone should be asking during the RFP (request for proposal) stage, and offers a free SEO RFP template.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

February 11, 2008

Kevin Heisler Speaking Tonight in NYC

If you need something to do after work in NYC tonight Kevin Heisler is speaking at the Aspen Forum in a presentation called SEO Super Powers.

Kevin you should have let us know earlier so we could have gotten a crew together. Hope you let us know how it went.

The gathering is part of MeetUp.com - which is becoming very popular.

Posted by Frank Watson at 3:52 PM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Google AdWords Targeting: Expect More, Pay Less

Google AdWords placement-targeted campaigns on the content network can be a useful tool, if you can find the sites that support it. In today's Content Advertising column, "Google AdWords Targeting: Expect More, Pay Less," David Szetela discusses AdSense publishers' options for showing or blocking placement-targeted ads.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

February 8, 2008

SEW Experts: How To Market Your Search Engine Agency

You'd think that being in the marketing business would mean you were an expert at marketing your own business. In reality, it can be a struggle to keep a regular pipeline of sales leads. In today's Business of Search column, "How To Market Your Search Engine Agency - Part 1," Fionn Downhill shows you how to reach your target market and get those leads, which are so important when developing and growing your business.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Tracking and Analytics 101

The lack of uniform analytics definitions creates problems for marketers. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Tracking and Analytics 101," Frank Watson offers some basic definitions to get started on a conversation about using Web analytics for your search campaigns.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: The 411 on Local Search Data for Business

When incorrect listing information for your company finds its way into the local listing database of some data provider, it can start spreading like wildfire from local search site to local search site. In today's Vertical Challenge column, "The 411 on Local Search Data for Business," local search expert Gregg Stewart tells you how to keep your business' data accurate, and prevent your local search sales leads from going out the window.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

February 7, 2008

SEW Experts: Coffee, Tea, or Link Love?

Developing links for a business-to-business (B2B) site can be a challenge. In today's Link Love column, "Coffee, Tea, or Link Love?," Justilien Gaspard outlines some best practices for a link-building campaign for a site in the restaurant and coffee equipment industry.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Why Search is Still Prehistoric - Part 2

Many search marketers were disappointed with the Yahoo Panama release, finding it to be more of a catch-up to Google than a leap forward. In today's Brand Equity column, "Why Search is Still Prehistoric - Part 2," Eric Qualman explains that the cause of that disappointment may result from Yahoo trying to please advertisers, instead of searchers, with Panama.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

February 6, 2008

SEW Experts: How to Engage Customers in Search Marketing

Relationships between businesses and customers are changing. Search marketing can no longer operate in a vacuum, but is just a part of the bigger marketing picture. In today's By the Numbers column, "How to Engage Customers in Search Marketing," Eric Enge shows you how to turn these new types of customer relationships into a weapon for your business.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: 2008: Google, Yahoo and MSN Join Together

This just in: Microsoft, Google and Yahoo have agreed to combine forces to create MicroGooHoo, a universally accessible platform to provide clearly unbiased information access points for all humanity. Or maybe not. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "2008: Google, Yahoo and MSN Join Together," Kevin Ryan delves into the details of the coming battle between Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft over search and platform restrictive productivity enhancements.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

February 5, 2008

SEW Experts: Don't Waste Money on a So-Called SEO Specialist?

A publication sent to American Express small business cardholders suggests that SEO is a waste of money. In today's au Natural column, "Don't Waste Money on a So-Called SEO Specialist," Mark Jackson once again comes to SEO's defense.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: 4 Ways Google AdWords Can Increase Small Business Profits

Sometimes AdWords accounts are set up with the best of intentions, only to languish or be turned off because they're not meeting expectations. In today's Little Biz column, "4 Ways Google AdWords Can Increase Small Business Profits," Carrie Hill outlines four key areas most new-to-PPC marketers overlook that cost them money.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

February 4, 2008

SEW Experts: Search Marketing Trends That Matter

Search optimization and advertising is gaining its rightful place among marketers' tools. In today's Search Ads column, "Microsoft-Yahoo: Search Marketing Trends That Matter," Matt Spiegel shares eight trends that will change your company's search engine strategies.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: How to Target Sites in AdSense

Last year, Google took another pioneering step and rolled out an AdWords feature that let advertisers place ads on specific sites. In today's Content Advertising column, "Contextual Advertising: How to Target Sites in AdSense," David Szetela shares tips for creating placement-targeted campaigns (originally called site-targeted campaigns).

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

February 1, 2008

SEW Experts: Why All Links Are Paid Links in the Travel Trade

Google, Yahoo, and MSN aren't going to quickly discount some long-standing links, reciprocal or not. In today's Vertical Challenge column, "Why All Links Are Paid Links in the Travel Trade," travel search expert Elisabeth Osmeloski explains that the paid links debate isn't so black and white. The question of what truly constitutes a paid link, and what qualifies as advertising, will continue to be a huge point of contention.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Rewriting URLs: SEO for CMS, E-Commerce, and Dynamic Sites

There's as much confusion and controversy surrounding URL rewriting as Darwin's theory of evolution. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "Rewriting URLs: SEO for CMS, E-Commerce, and Dynamic Sites," Chris Boggs says that just as Darwin's "survival of the fittest" means species most suited for their environment will adapt and survive, URLs need to adapt too.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Optimizing the Planet: SEO on a Global Scale

When building an SEO team to provide global services, it's necessary to recruit skilled, multilingual SEO experts -- no easy task. In today's Outsourced column, "Optimizing the Planet: SEO on a Global Scale," William Flaiz shows that the benefits of investment in infrastructure are reaped across both the domestic and international playing fields.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

January 31, 2008

SEW Experts: How To Educate Search Staff from Scratch

Educating employees in SEO and PPC marketing can seem impossible when they have no search background. In today's SEM.EDU column, "How To Educate Search Staff from Scratch," Ron Jones offers advice for those struggling to organize a program to teach employees the fundamentals of search.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

January 30, 2008

SEW Experts: The Day the Agency Model Died

Endless possibilities might not be the best way to label the latest round of partnership redefining. It will end, just maybe not how the agencies would like. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "The Day the Agency Model Died," Kevin Ryan explains how the recent Google-Publicis relationship reflects a sea change in the current ad agency model.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: The New Age of Search Marketing

One of the more misunderstood parts about the Web environment today is just how much the user is in control. In today's By the Numbers column, "The New Age of Search Marketing," Eric Enge offers three reasons this shift in control to the consumer is happening.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

January 29, 2008

SEW Experts: The Future of Search: All the Media That's Fit to Be Googled

The battle between search engines and human beings has moved to a new stage where online advertising and search ads are overtaking the search engine. In today's Search Engine WarGames column, "The Future of Search: All the Media That's Fit To Be Googled," Kevin Heisler looks at Google's forays into TV, radio, newspapers.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Online Retail SEO: Holiday Shopping Seasonality

The Q4 holiday season makes or breaks the success of online retail. Yet many companies don't realize how important the holidays are for SEO. In today's Big Biz column, "Online Retail SEO: Holiday Shopping Seasonality," Aaron Shear outlines a variety of factors revolving around seasonality that retailers must take into account for SEO to be successful.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: SEO Millionaire: Who Wants to Be One? - Part 2

Last week, we challenged SEOs to identify which of the big three travel sites has a canonical issue? In today's au Natural column, "SEO Millionaire: Who Wants to Be One? - Part 2," Mark Jackson provides the answer, and responds to voluminous reader response.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

January 28, 2008

SEW Experts: Inside AdWords and Contextual Advertising: The Tipping Point

Once the ugly stepchild of online ads, contextual advertising has shed its "remnant inventory" reputation. In today's Content Advertising column, "Inside AdWords and Contextual Advertising: The Tipping Point," David Szetela looks at the evolution of online content advertising, to help you understand where the category has been, and where it's going.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

January 25, 2008

SEW Experts: Mobile Local Search: A Perfect Storm

Last week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) showcased the first few devices that run Google's much anticipated Android operating system. In today's Vertical Challenge column, "Mobile Local Search: A Perfect Storm," local search expert Michael Boland explains how these are the first physical signs of what will be a major inflection point in the history of mobile devices and mobile local search.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: PPC 101 Writing Successful Creatives

Writing ads for search engine advertising is almost like writing headlines. It requires an ability to distill information into attention-grabbing, character-restricted words. In today's SEM Crossfire column, "PPC 101 Writing Successful Creatives," Frank Watson outlines a plan to write ads that will grab attention, and convert.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Win the Right Search Marketing Clients - Part 2

For a search marketing agency, especially one just starting out, choosing the right clients can make or break your business. In today's Business of Search column, "Win the Right Search Marketing Clients - Part 2," Fionn Downhill follows last week's look at targeting start-ups and small business owners with a discussion about what mid-size and larger companies have to offer.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

January 24, 2008

SEW Experts: Why Search Is Still Prehistoric

Search is evolving as universal search or blended search results crawl into the SERPs, but it's still primitive. In today's Brand Equity column, "Why Search Is Still Prehistoric," Eric Qualman outlines how user feedback, personalization, and other nascent technologies will lead to changes for search marketers, and search engines.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Link Building Case Study for Luxury Hotels

Opportunities for creative link building solutions are plentiful. Just solve a user problem, like a concierge at a luxury hotel. In today's Link Love column, "Link Building Case Study for Luxury Hotels," Justilien Gaspard shows how a hotel's Web site can improve guest satisfaction and branding.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

January 23, 2008

SEW Experts: There's More to Keyword Strategy Than the Long Tail

Choosing which keywords you want to chase in your SEO strategy can be a challenging task. Go after terms that are too competitive, and you might not get there in time, or at all. Go after terms that are easier to rank high for, and you're likely to get there much faster, but at what cost? In today's By the Numbers column, "There's More to Keyword Strategy Than the Long Tail," Eric Enge suggests adopting a keyword strategy patterned after an NFL quarterback, with lots of options for short, medium, and long passing routes.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

January 22, 2008

SEW Experts: SEO Millionaire: Who Wants to Be One?

What separates the winners from the search engine losers? That's the one question you need to ask SEOs who give you the standard advice you hear again and again. In today's au Natural column, "SEO Millionaire: Who Wants to Be One?," Mark Jackson brings you an SEO quiz show. By the end, you'll understand two overlooked factors in SEO: size and depth of site.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: HTML Title Tag Defines Your SEO Strategy

Search engine optimization for small business starts with a title tag. In today's Little Biz column, "HTML Title Tag Defines Your SEO Strategy," Carrie Hill explains that crafting the perfect title tag is a lot of art, and a little bit of science. She looks at three types of page titles to see what works and what doesn't.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

January 18, 2008

Kickin' Off the SEM Crossfire with Frank the Tank

SEW Forums Editor and fellow Expert columnist Frank Watson is one of the people I most respect in this business, both for his technical and social skills. An opportunity for us to collaborate on a column was a no-brainer. When coming up with ideas, Frank and I pushed for incorporating other industry expert opinions in our column and providing commentary and analysis of our own; hence, "SEM Crossfire."

We both have sizable networks. We identified a hopefully exciting way for us to give to back to the community we love: sharing our networks virtually. Over the course of SEM Crossfire, we'll take hot button issues and provide a cross section of opinions – ideally allowing our readers to make more informed decisions. A lot of non-fact based information and opinion about search topics exist out there…so maybe we can be occasional “noise guard” technology for researchers and practitioners alike.

We'll take time each week to comment on each others previous weeks topic.. In today's column reviewing the reciprocal linking issue, I provided my brief thoughts on the two-parter Frank wrote as a kickoff, starting at the link above and concluding last week with insight on paid search landing pages. As we go forward, not only will be provide our own thoughts about the last week's column, but we may also include comments and opinions from forum discussions related to the topic. We hope to keep it civil. I certainly don't want to get blindsided one night by an angry Frank or forum member.

We hope you enjoy!

Posted by Chris Boggs at 6:50 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Top 5 Search Engine Marketing Trends 2008

With 2008 in full swing, the game is already starting to change for the SEO (define) community. In today's Outsourced column, "Top 5 Search Engine Marketing Trends 2008," William Flaiz reminds agencies that many of the trends in 2008 will mean more competition – and more opportunity.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Online Reviews: Tips, Tricks, and Secrets for Advertisers and Publishers

The importance of reviews and ratings – positive and negative – can't be overstated in local search. In terms of consumer motivation, it's all about informing others or rewarding a business for its excellent product/service. In today's Vertical Challenge column, "Online Reviews: Tips, Tricks, and Secrets for Advertisers and Publishers," local search expert Gregg Stewart notes that how you react and interact with the online version of word-of-mouth referrals can have important implications for your business.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

January 17, 2008

SEW Experts: Search Engine Year-End Predictions: 2007 Scorecard

Last year, many industry watchers made search predictions for 2007. So how did some search gurus do? In today's Link Love column, "Search Engine Year-End Predictions: 2007 Scorecard," Sage Lewis takes a look back at 2007 to see how many predictions came true.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: PPC.edu: Learn AdWords, Yahoo Search, adCenter Online

SEO can take months or longer to get the results you're looking for. What's the alternative? PPC advertising. In today's SEM.EDU column, "PPC.edu: Learn AdWords, Yahoo Search, adCenter Online," Ron Jones explains how to use a combination of aggressive bidding, relevant keywords, landing page content, and ad copy to win a top spot in search engines.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

January 16, 2008

SEW Experts: Search Doesn't Matter

Is Google the Microsoft of the new millennium? Does search matter the way IT did four years ago? In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Search Doesn't Matter," Kevin Ryan looks at how Nick Carr's new book, The Big Switch: Rewiring the World from Edison to Google, and his previous one, Does IT Matter? Information Technology and the Corrosion of Competitive Advantage, apply to search engine marketing today.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: What's Your Link Building Marketing Mix? - Part 2

If you've been following the search industry at all for the past year, you probably heard about Google's war on paid links. In a nutshell, Google banned paid links; and SEOs split in two camps over the move. What's a CMO to do? In today's By the Numbers column, "What's Your Link Building Marketing Mix? - Part 2," Eric Enge explains why you should never buy links, and why you should almost never swap links.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

January 15, 2008

SEW Experts: Google Universal Search Makes SEO More Powerful

Universal Search, a.k.a. blended search, is changing the SEO game. In today's au Natural column, "Google Universal Search Makes SEO More Powerful," Mark Jackson warns that search marketers need to understand universal search before their competitors do. Universal or blended search will be the SERP of the future.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Search Engine Conferences: Where CMOs Meet Social Media

Most companies have little to no understanding about social media optimization and what it can do for their organizations. In today's Big Biz column, "Search Engine Conferences: Where CMOs Meet Social Media," Aaron Shear pins the blame on the outdated SEM education most marketing executives got in business school, if they got any at all.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Search Engine Marketing on the Efficient Frontier - Part 2

Mention the word "algorithm" and media buyers and online marketers flee for cover. But the list of SEM firms and technology providers that offer proprietary technology with sophisticated algorithms is growing. In today's Search Engine WarGames column, "Search Engine Marketing on the Efficient Frontier - Part 2," Kevin Heisler shows that while algorithms are not online marketing's silver bullet, they are pushing traditional ad agencies and some interactive agencies in the right direction.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

January 14, 2008

SEW Experts: How To Use Google Site Exclusion Tool to Increase ROI

All Google AdWords content campaigns have dead wood. Google Content Network sites that display your ads but deliver few clicks or conversions rob you of profits. In today's Content Advertising column, "How To Use Google Site Exclusion Tool to Increase ROI," David Szetela shows you how to use Google's Site Exclusion to increase ROI.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

January 11, 2008

SEW Experts: Local Search Lives or Dies by User Reviews

In the old days, consumer opinions regarding personal experiences with businesses were passed around in a practice known as "Word of Mouth" marketing. In today's Vertical Challenge column, "Local Search Lives or Dies by User Reviews," local search expert Gregg Stewart explains that the Internet has transformed word of mouth referrals into user reviews and ratings.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

January 10, 2008

SEW Experts: Top 5 SEO and Link Building Challenges for 2008

Google's public attack on paid links has caused a flood of scared Webmasters who are scared to link to other sites. In today's Link Love column, "Top 5 SEO and Link Building Challenges for 2008," Justilien Gaspard outlines the top five trends and challenges SEOs, link builders, and Webmasters face.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Free Big Brand Marketing and Other Facebook Problems

Even successful third-party applications don't generate a dime for Facebook, leaving the social platform cut out of the revenue loop. In today's Brand Equity column, "Free Big Brand Marketing and Other Facebook Problems," Eric Qualman shares various ways that advertisers can get involved with Facebook.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

January 9, 2008

SEW Experts: Local Search Revelations

News flash: people buy stuff on the Internet. It's too bad people still buy a lot more stuff anywhere but on the Internet. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Local Search Revelations," Kevin Ryan shares new research from Nielsen/NetRatings and local interactive advertising firm WebVisible that seeks to shed some light on the developing local world.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: What's Your Link Building Marketing Mix?

Do you have a linkbuilding plan that can be integrated into your comprehensive marketing strategy? In today's By the Numbers column, "What's Your Link Building Marketing Mix?," Eric Enge explains the need to understand the value of inbound links to your Web site, and the need to develop a cohesive strategy for building links.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

January 8, 2008

SEW Experts: Small Business SEM New Year's Resolutions

One of the big challenges to gaining search rankings and marketing yourself online is deciding "what's next." In today's Little Biz column, "Small Business SEM New Year's Resolutions," Carrie Hill looks back at 2007 to provide a road map for your search marketing strategy in 2008.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: There is no Guaranteed Search Engine Ranking

If a company ever finds a way to guarantee organic search engine rankings, that company will undoubtedly go public and have a market cap approaching that of Google's. In today's au Natural column, "Yes, Virgin SEO, There is no Guaranteed Search Engine Ranking," Mark Jackson explains that while selling organic SEO efforts to the executive team can be tough, you can help them understand how this process works and how much it will cost. But you've also got to tell them that results can't be guaranteed.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

January 7, 2008

SEW Experts: Increase ROI: Google Performance Placement Reports

As an advertiser, you're always looking for perfect insight into how well your Google content ad campaigns are performing. In today's Content Advertising column, "Increase ROI: Google Performance Placement Reports," David Szetela shows how Google's new Placement Performance report can help you fine-tune your content campaigns to make sure you're getting the most out of your ads.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

January 4, 2008

SEW Experts: Google AdWords 101

The Internet is overflowing with high-level discussion of how to plan a search advertising campaign. But sometimes, a new advertiser needs to know the actual steps of setting up an AdWords campaign and look into the methodology of setting up ads and A/B testing. In today's debut SEM Crossfire column, "Google AdWords 101," Frank Watson, aka AussieWebmaster, gives new advertisers a lesson on how to launch their first ever Google AdWords campaigns.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Win the Right Search Marketing Clients

As a new search marketing firm, what kinds of clients will best fit your business? In today's Business of Search column, "Win the Right Search Marketing Clients," Fionn Downhill breaks down the benefits and drawbacks of working with start-ups and small businesses, mid-sized businesses, and large organizations.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: New Search Engine Trends, Old SEO Troubles in 2007

With advances such a universal search and the explosion of social media, 2007 was quite a landmark year for search marketers. For all of its breakthroughs, a few bad habits still remain from years past. In today's Outsourced column, "New Search Engine Trends, Old SEO Troubles in 2007," William Flaiz reminds us that it's the human component that matters most, and clients are finally beginning to understand the value of SEO.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

January 3, 2008

SEW Experts: Search Engine Marketing 21st Century Manifesto

As Web marketers, our time has come. We must stand up to our clients and demand they build sites worth linking to. In today's Link Love column, "Search Engine Marketing 21st Century Manifesto," Sage Lewis explains how to recover from a link building strategy that has been obsessed with the links and completely ignores what we're asking people to link to.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: SEO.edu: Can You Learn SEO From a Book? - Part 3

Search engines give SEOs the 4 PRs for submitting sites: press releases, product releases, proper rules, and PageRank. But these alone won't solve SEO problems. In today's SEM.EDU column, "SEO.edu: Can You Learn SEO From a Book? - Part 3," Ron Jones takes a look at where to find more information online when things go wrong.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

January 2, 2008

SEW Experts: Vertical Search: B2B Survey Says ... Blazing Hot

A survey gives us a viewpoint into how audiences are thinking. As a result, we can learn their collective mindset. In today's By the Numbers column, "Vertical Search: B2B Survey Says ... Blazing Hot," Eric Enge looks at Convera's recently released Vertical Search Report.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: 2008 Wish List: Search Engine Hangover Cures

The new year is always a time for looking forward, and while last week's column focused on the old, we kick off the year with a wish list for 2008. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "2008 Wish List: Search Engine Hangover Cures," Kevin Ryan offers abridged, but uncensored cures for pseudo-search engines, link baiting bloggers, and stupid press release tricks.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

December 27, 2007

SEW Experts: 7 Tips for Training Link Developers

We all know the vital role of backlinks in search engine visibility. So how do you train your link building team? In today's Link Love column, "7 Tips for Training Link Developers," Justilien Gaspard shares some essential tips for training link developers in-house that are so simple, even traditional ad agencies can catch on.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Social Search Engine Face-off: Facebook vs. MySpace

Everywhere you turn, everyone's abuzz with Facebook, social search, and social networking. What's all the fuss about? In today's Brand Equity column, "Social Search Engine Face-off: Facebook vs. MySpace," Eric Qualman helps brand marketers understand whether they are missing the train, or jumping on the wrong train.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

December 26, 2007

SEW Experts: Large Enterprise SEO: CMS Duplicate Content

For large sites, CMS-created duplicate content obliterates SEO. In today's By the Numbers column, "Large Enterprise SEO: CMS Duplicate Content," Eric Enge shares the top duplicate content problems and the best ways to deal with them.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Google vs. the World

Round 1 goes to Google/DoubleClick and the U.S. FTC. Round 2: Will the EU strike a blow for global privacy? In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Google vs. the World," Kevin Ryan explores the latest trend in the interactive industry: consolidation.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

December 21, 2007

SEW Experts: How to Market SEO to Humans

How do you explain your job to the people you meet at a holiday party? In today's Outsourced column, "How to Market SEO to Humans," William Flaiz reminds us that search engine optimization is a marketing discipline at heart, relying on the same principles as traditional marketing practices. While the medium may be unfamiliar, the process can be broken down easily for the unacquainted.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: SEM Agency: Uphill Battle? - Part 2

After deciding to go out on their own to start a search marketing agency, the main stumbling block for many people is a lack of organizational skills. In today's Business of Search column, "SEM Agency: Uphill Battle? - Part 2," Fionn Downhill covers some basic principles necessary for success.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Online Travel SEM Addictions: Web 2.0, Paid Links, Social Media

In today's rapidly changing search marketplace, ideas and technology move faster than the speed of light. Search marketers need to catch up, if they can. In today's Vertical Challenge column, "Online Travel SEM Addictions: Web 2.0, Paid Links, Social Media," travel search expert Elisabeth Osmeloski helps you decide how your company should address this year's hottest topics: Web 2.0, paid links and social media.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

December 20, 2007

SEW Experts: Link Building Case Study: Santa Claus

Is Santa Claus a savvy Web marketer? In today's Link Love column, "Link Building Case Study: Santa Claus," Sage Lewis looks at a few Christmas sites that are labors of love -- illustrating that if you want links, you have to find something you truly love and build it on your site. You simply can't build something that's link-worthy any other way.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: SEO.edu: Can You Learn SEO From a Book? - Part 2

The general consensus from the SEO community and Search Engine Watch readers: learning SEO solely from a book doesn't cut it. In today's SEM.EDU column, "SEO.edu: Can You Learn SEO From a Book? - Part 2," Ron Jones advises that if you're just starting out on the SEO train, picking up a book might help get you started. But once you've got the basics down -- or think you do -- the next place to continue your education is by reading blogs.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

December 19, 2007

SEW Experts: Large Enterprise SEO: Content Development

SEO for Large Enterprises means content development on a massive scale. In today's By the Numbers column, "Large Enterprise SEO: Content Development," Eric Enge explains that the motivation for addressing the challenges goes beyond duplicate content and poor quality pages.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Yahoo, Facebook, Life and Death

The holiday season is a time for sharing, spending time with family, and the time for writers everywhere to hopelessly pontificate about the coming year. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Yahoo, Facebook, Life and Death," Kevin Ryan offers his best baseless, unaccountable predictions for 2008.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

December 18, 2007

SEW Experts: SEO Conversion Testing: Advanced Search Engine Optimization

The C-level executive doesn't often get involved in A/B Web site optimization decisions. It's a tactic better left to SEOs, Web site analytics gurus, and statisticians. What do you do, then, when the CxO asks you to explain how you do A/B conversion testing for an e-commerce site, for example? In today's Big Biz column, "SEO Conversion Testing: Advanced Search Engine Optimization," Aaron Shear shares the number one SEO challenge during holiday shopping season: explaining to senior management how complex it is to do A/B testing of SEO strategies for large enterprise mega-sites.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Search Marketing on the Efficient Frontier

Microsoft bought Avenue A | Razorfish and Atlas Search. Google, buying Performics. Where does that leave Efficient Frontier? In today's Search Engine WarGames column, "Search Marketing on the Efficient Frontier," Kevin Heisler gets an update on the search marketing management platform.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

December 17, 2007

SEW Experts: Search Marketing Skills: Tips, No Tricks

If becoming a search apprentice is one key to learning, how does one become an apprentice in search marketing? In today's Search Ads column, "Search Marketing Skills: Tips, No Tricks," Matt Spiegel shares the most important skills needed to break into the search business.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: B2B Marketing, Road Rules for Content Advertising

B2B marketing is tough. B2B search marketing is even tougher. The most challenging form of B2B marketing, without a question, is content advertising. In today's Content Advertising column, "B2B Marketing, Road Rules for Content Advertising," David Szetela offers some best practices in B2B advertising.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

December 14, 2007

SEW Experts: Online Video Finds Local Search

How should local business and national advertisers selling locally think about incorporating video and video search into their ad arsenals? In today's Vertical Challenge column, "Online Video Finds Local Search," local search expert Gregg Stewart points out that now is the perfect time to test the effectiveness of online video in your local search marketing-driven ad campaigns. Costs are still relatively low and online searchers are seeking this ad enhancement out when making local purchase decisions.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Local Search Lead Gen: Yellowpages.com Ingenio-us Strategy

Late last month, AT&T purchased pay-per-call search platform and advertising network Ingenio. In today's Vertical Challenge column, "Local Search Lead Gen: Yellowpages.com Ingenio-us Strategy," local search expert Michael Boland discusses what this means for AT&T Yellow Pages and, more importantly, Yellowpages.com, its Internet yellow pages (IYP) counterpart.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

December 13, 2007

SEW Experts: Link Building: DIY In-House vs. Outsourced

A white hot debate started last week when Justilien Gaspard presented five reasons to take link building in-house. In today's Link Love column, "Link Building: DIY In-House vs. Outsourced," Justilien responds to reader comments and continues the in-house vs. outsourcing link building discussion.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Brand Strategies for Search Marketing - Part 3

In Parts 1 and 2 of this series, Eric Qualman discussed why you want to buy your brand search terms and how to properly measure them. In today's Brand Equity column, "Brand Strategies for Search Marketing - Part 3," Qualman explores the intricacies of the ongoing maintenance/optimization of your brand terms.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

December 12, 2007

SEW Experts: SEO Hell, a CMS Production

Large scale Web sites with a content management system (CMS) face different SEO problems than smaller Web sites. In today's By the Numbers column, "SEO Hell, a CMS Production," Eric Enge explains that while CMS developers' knowledge of SEO has improved, serious SEO issues resulting from CMS software still need to be addressed.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Google Mobile Search Gamble: Everybody Wins?

If you had billions of dollars lying around, what would you do with it? Google has billions, and has turned its attention to the upcoming FCC auction for Spectrum 700-MHz. What's next: Google phone? Google mouth? Google brain? In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Google Mobile Search Gamble: Everybody Wins?," Kevin Ryan discusses the potential ramifications of Google's mobile dreams.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

December 11, 2007

SEW Experts: Social Media for SEM Savvy Small Biz Owners

Social media campaigns and traffic generally have lower conversion rates -- especially from sites like Digg, StumbleUpon, and Reddit. A huge percentage of visitors from those sites will never buy anything. The challenge, then, is monetizing the traffic. In today's Little Biz column, "Social Media for SEM Savvy Small Biz Owners," Carrie Hill explains how a small business owner can benefit from social media.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: What's in a (Domain) Name? Take 2

As much as some people would like to have the industry more regulated and standardized, SEO is both art and science. The art part includes opinion. In today's au Natural column, "What's in a (Domain) Name? Take 2," Mark Jackson responds to reader criticism and sticks by his opinion that hyphenated domain names are spammy.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

December 10, 2007

SEW Experts: Search Engines, Silos, SES Solutions

Not long ago, it was easier to justify the existence of disparate marketing functions, each working within its own domain. Today, consumers move between touch points with ease and expect consistent and meaningful messages to be delivered on their terms. In today's Search Ads column, "Search Engines, Silos, SES Solutions," Matt Spiegel shares details of a panel discussion he participated in at SES Chicago where it was noted that if we begin by asking questions about the needs of the consumer, then the goals of the business silos are naturally harder to justify.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Content Advertising Best Practices in Action

In previous columns, David Szetela advocated turning off your content ad campaigns. In today's Content Advertising column, "Content Advertising Best Practices in Action," he puts together all of the best practices he's shared in an example of a campaign that will finally perform, equipping you to turn your new and improved content campaigns back on.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

December 7, 2007

SEW Experts: Wherefore Art Thou SEO?

With so many so-called search professionals on the market today, it's easy to pick one that's inept -- or even unscrupulous. So where are all the honest SEOs? In today's Outsourced column, "Wherefore Art Thou SEO?," William Flaiz discusses what to look for in an effective and ethical SEO.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: SEM Agency: Uphill Battle?

There are many challenges involved in setting up a search marketing business. Our new and ever-changing industry presents some unique challenges. In today's debut Business of Search column, "SEM Agency: Uphill Battle?," Elixir Systems' President Fionn Downhill shares some basic business advice on how to get started.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

December 6, 2007

SEW Experts: A Convenient Truth: To Link Builders With Love

There's no doubt link building is a win-win. The only way to acquire relevant and meaningful links is to provide some value to the Internet community. In today's Link Love column, "A Convenient Truth: To Link Builders With Love," Sage Lewis explains that the question is not, "How do I get links?" The right question is, "How do I become interesting and valuable to an online community?" or, "How do I differentiate myself in a sea of sameness?"

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: SEO.edu: Can You Learn SEO From a Book?

It's challenging to learn search marketing. Since the rules are made by the search engines and their algorithms, all we can do is try the tactics we learn from others and see what works and what doesn't. In today's debut SEM.EDU column, "SEO.edu: Can You Learn SEO From a Book?," Symetri Internet Marketing's Ron Jones begins an exploration of some of the best ways to learn SEM and SEO.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

December 5, 2007

SEW Experts: Always Rank No. 1 in Google: Custom Search

Implementing a Custom Search Engine won't change your organic search engine rankings. It will give you the flexibility to make your listing the top result on every SERP when visitors conduct a search from your site. In today's By the Numbers column, "Always Rank No. 1 in Google: Custom Search," Eric Enge shows you how, with a basic level of programming effort, you can get those search results and substantially customize the look and feel of the results.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: SEM Brand Reputation Management

The cold harsh reality for those who have ever purchased traditional media is: it happens. How fast can you pull your ads? In today's Searching for Meaning column, "SEM Brand Reputation Management," Kevin Ryan discusses the Aqua Dots disaster, and methods of damage control.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

December 4, 2007

SEW Experts: Choosing the Best Domains for Search Engine Visibility

What's in a name? Search engine visibility starts with buying the best domains. In today's au Natural column, "How to Choose the Best Domains for Search Engine Visibility," Mark Jackson explains why choosing the right domains, and creating a domain redirect strategy, can be a valuable move in your SEO plan.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: SEMs Get 'No Respect' No More

At Search Engine Strategies Chicago, keynote speaker Don Shultz told search marketers in no uncertain terms that they need to start thinking differently about what they do. In today's Search Engine WarGames column, "SEMs Get 'No Respect' No More," Kevin Heisler shares Shultz's views on talent development, helping traditional marketers understand search, and a range of other topics.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Measuring Cyber Monday

Is it seasonality, or the effect of your SEO efforts? In today's Big Biz column, "How to Measure Cyber Monday," Aaron Shear shows you the best way to measure the impact of traffic over time.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

December 3, 2007

SEW Experts: How Google, Yahoo Content Ad Matching Really Works

If you think you know how Google and Yahoo perform content ad matching, you may be surprised. In today's Content Advertising column, "How Google, Yahoo Content Ad Matching Really Works," David Szetela takes a detailed look at how content advertising campaigns really work -- how Google and Yahoo match your ad groups to appropriate pages of site content, and display your ads there.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: SEM Mentors: The Apprentice

In a previous column, it was suggested that the search marketing industry needs to take responsibility in solving the search marketing staffing crisis. In today's Search Ads column, "SEM Mentors: The Apprentice," Matt Spiegel shares an exchange with an SEW reader, an SEM apprentice turned mentor.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

December 2, 2007

SES: 4 Best SEO panels picked by SEW Expert Jackson

Seaqrch Engine Watch Expert Mark Jackson, a bold recommendation on top 4 Must-See SEO panels at Search Engine Strategies Chicago, citing Google, Grehan, Bailey and more:

Day 1 – Universal, Blended and Vertical Search Day 2 – Usability and SEO Day 3 – Personalization, User Data and Search Day 4 - Fun with Dynamic Websites

Dynamic Web site? How's this for a dynamo panel:

Anne Kennedy, Managing Partner, Beyond Ink Laura Thieme, President and Founder, Bizresearch Matt Bailey, President, SiteLogic

Fun? You got that right.

Posted by Kevin Heisler at 6:53 PM | Permalink

November 30, 2007

SEW Experts: Local Search: Competing All Over the Map - Part 2

While Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft battle for online mapping domination, another competitor is fortifying its position quietly off to the side. In today's Vertical Challenge column, "Local Search: Competing All Over the Map - Part 2," local search expert Michael Boland looks at EveryScape, a new 3-D mapping beta site from MapQuest that could change everything you thought you knew about map-based advertising and local search.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

November 29, 2007

SEW Experts: 5 Best Reasons to Build Links In-House

It's tempting to outsource link development, but that may not be the best move for your site. In today's Link Love column, "5 Best Reasons to Build Links In-House," Justilien Gaspard shares the key advantages to in-house link development.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Brand Strategies for Search Marketing - Part 2

In Part 1 of this series, we showed you how to convince your executives to buy your own brand terms, even when you already rank first organically for these terms. Now the question is: How do I properly manage and measure my paid brand terms? In today's Brand Equity column, "Brand Strategies for Search Marketing - Part 2," Erik Qualman shows you why dumping these terms into your portfolio is not a wise move. See how to prevent brand terms from covering up weakness in other areas.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

November 28, 2007

Everything's Jake at Kelsey Group ILM:07

The Kelsey Group Interactive Local Media Conference in LA kicked off with SES Advisory Board member Anne Kennedy and Search Engine Watch News Editor Kevin Newcomb's panels -- featuring, among others, SEW Expert Sage Lewis on link building.

Of course, Kelsey Group analyst and SEW Expert Mike Boland is one of the star Local Search moderators.

It's been a great day of CEOs, audience members, and Kelsey Group analysts debating -- and learning -- about the past, present, and future of Local Search.

One of the stellar presentations: RH Donnelley. Hunh? The YP guys? Sure, now that everything's jake at the old media stalwart.

Business.com Founder/CEO Jake Winebaum became President of R.H. Donnelley's interactive unit (RHDi) 90 days ago, reporting directly to the Chairman and CEO.

RHDi now includes DexKnows.com, search marketing company LocalLaunch! , Business.com, Work.com and the Business.com Advertising Network.

Great catching up with Todd Sims, Business.com VP Business and Corporate Development. I first met Todd when Business.com was little more than a famous domain name and a small vertical search engine.

Kevin Newcomb interviewed Jake after his presentation. Keep an eye out for RHDi search marketing / digital strategy from a vertical search engine veteran transforming old media.

Posted by Kevin Heisler at 6:31 PM | Permalink

SEW Experts: SEO for Widgets: CLIQ Case Study

The search marketing world continues to expand in all sorts of ways. In an SEO strategy, widgets can be extremely effective gaining exposure for the content and tools featured on a site. In today's By the Numbers column, "SEO for Widgets: CLIQ Case Study," Eric Enge shares an exclusive preview of a new SEO case study of a beta widget called CLIQ, developed by Offermatica, Otto Digital, and StepChange.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Understanding the Global Search Marketplace - Part 2

Searches are up all over the world, and it's an interesting juxtaposition to think of the rest of the world as "emerging" compared to North America and Europe. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Understanding the Global Search Marketplace - Part 2," Kevin Ryan looks at some global search data provided by comScore to see if any search provider is staking a claim to the title of global search leader.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

November 27, 2007

SEW Experts: SEO for New Web Site Launch

The first step in any SEO initiative for new sites is to set realistic expectations and goals. In today's au Natural column, "SEO for New Web Site Launch," Mark Jackson shares SEO tips and tricks for brand new Web sites.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: SEO and Usability: Use 'em or Lose 'em

Making sure your small business Web site is user- and search engine-friendly is a challenge. In today's Little Biz column, "SEO and Usability: Use 'em or Lose 'em," Carrie Hill shows you that SEO strategy combined with Web site usability can complement each other, allowing search engines and users to find what they're looking for.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

November 26, 2007

SEW Experts: The 5 Commandments of Content Advertising

Content algorithms operate in ways that are counter-intuitive, and to some extent different than the search engines' explanations imply. Before you get into content advertising, you need to know what to do, and what NOT to do. In today's Content Advertising column, "The Five Commandments of Content Advertising," David Szetela describes best practices for structuring and creating content campaigns.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Knowledge Gap: CEOs, CMOs, VPs and SEM

When your CEO, CMO, or other decision-maker knows a little bit about SEM, you've got trouble. While knowledge sharing is a good thing, there's a problem when people consider themselves knowledgeable on a subject well before that's actually the case. In today's Search Ads column, "Knowledge Gap: CEOs, CMOs, VPs and SEM," Matt Spiegel discusses the need to help those decision-makers realize that because they now have more knowledge doesn't necessarily mean they are prepared to make key decisions with this information.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

November 21, 2007

SEW Experts: How to Integrate PPC and Display Advertising

Pay-per-click (PPC) or display advertising? You don't always have to choose one or the other. In today's By the Numbers column, "How to Integrate PPC and Display Advertising," Eric Enge shows you how to integrate PPC campaigns with display advertising, and use this cyclical approach to improve overall ROI.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

November 20, 2007

SEW Experts: On Page vs. Off Page SEO

Off-page SEO factors are getting all the attention these days. But good, old-fashioned, on-page factors are also vital for every SEO project. In today's au Natural column, "On Page vs. Off Page SEO," Mark Jackson discusses a few cases where on-page SEO is most appropriate, and others where off-page SEO tactics will get the most bang for your buck.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Slow Growth in Search? Long Tail Keyword Solutions

When building a new startup, you initially see search marketing boom year over year. Inevitably, that growth will slow. In today's Big Biz column, "Slow Growth in Search? Long Tail Keyword Solutions," Aaron Shear explains that the first step in reversing the slow growth trend is to admit your search campaigns may have hit a wall.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Global SEM Growth Leaves U.S. SEOs Behind

Now that search engine marketing has become a global game, the need for translation services for Web sites has never been greater. In today's Search Engine WarGames column, "Global SEM Growth Leaves U.S. SEOs Behind," Kevin Heisler notes with surprise that relatively few SEOs and SEMs leverage language translation.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

November 19, 2007

SEW Experts: Search Marketing Staffing Crisis

There's a tradeoff most people face in the process of hiring a search marketing team: hire people with less business experience who are likely more familiar with search (even if only from their own personal use), or hire people less familiar with search who have more business experience. In today's Search Ads column, "Search Marketing Staffing Crisis," Matt Spiegel offers a solution to the search marketing staffing crisis, but it's going to require some outreach on all our parts.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Content Advertising Explained - Part 3

Content ads need to work harder than search ads to distract the reader's attention from the Web site content that attracted them in the first place. In today's Content Advertising column, "Content Advertising Explained - Part 3," David Szetela shows you some ways to test your content ads, and offers some good and bad examples to study.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

November 16, 2007

SEW Experts: Local Search: Competing All Over the Map

Google Maps, launched with AJAX functionality, draggable maps, and satellite imagery in late 2005, started an "arms race" in development of new features and functionality. In today's Vertical Challenge column, "Local Search: Competing All Over the Map," local search expert Michael Boland looks at the many ways competitors have raised the bar with real-time traffic reports, multipoint routing, social features, geotagged video and images, personalization, and most recently, 3-D mapping.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

November 15, 2007

SEW Experts: Brand Strategies for Search Marketing - Part 1

Whether you're an agency, consultant, or in-house search expert, it's likely that you will eventually need to answer this key question from your CEO: "Why would I buy my own brand terms? Aren't we are already listed at the top of the search engines?" In the inaugural Brand Equity column, "Brand Strategies for Search Marketing - Part 1," Travelzoo's Erik Qualman shows how paid search can bring incremental traffic, control of your brand's messaging, and other benefits the CEO will appreciate.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: A Winning SEO Plan to Create Buzz, Traffic, Links

How do you engage users, create buzz and generate links all at the same time? In today's Link Love column, "A Winning SEO Plan to Create Buzz, Traffic, Links," Justilien Gaspard presents the idea of a contest to generate traffic, buzz, and links, using the Reservation Road film as a case study.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

November 14, 2007

SEW Experts: Bid Management Lookback Options

One of the key factors when using bid management tools is how far back in time you need to look at the data to get meaningful results for each keyword – the lookback time interval. Usually, there's no one time period that works for all keywords. In today's By the Numbers column, "Bid Management Lookback Options," Eric Enge offers some real-world keyword data that shows how and why to subdivide the problem to a finer level of granularity.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Understanding the Global Search Marketplace - Part 1

The search world is expanding. Global players like Google, Yahoo, Baidu and Microsoft are competing to be the single resource for accessing information. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Understanding the Global Search Marketplace - Part 1," Kevin Ryan begins an exploration of global search marketing, with some exclusive comScore data.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

November 13, 2007

SEW Experts: How To Choose an SEO Agency and Why

When pricing SEO services, many companies have a hard time getting a handle on what they should pay. In today's au Natural column, "How To Choose an SEO Agency and Why," Mark Jackson explains the numerous tactics and strategies that go into an SEO project, and shows you how to get the best value for your money.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Keywords First - New Web Site Second

Where do you start once you have an idea for a new online venture? If your goal is to build it and they will come, then you need to start with keyword research. In today's Little Biz column, "Keywords First - New Web Site Second," Carrie Hill shares everything a small business needs to know about keyword research, but was afraid to ask.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

November 12, 2007

SEW Experts: The Future of Search: Strategy, Execution, Evolution

These days, search marketers seem to be filled with high anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and doubt. In today's Search Ads column, "The Future of Search: Strategy, Execution, Evolution," Matt Spiegel dispels a few myths, and offers advice to put these concerns in perspective.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Content Advertising Explained - Part 2

Content ads are not search ads, and need to be thought of differently. In today's Content Advertising column, "Content Advertising Explained - Part 2," David Szetela reminds advertisers that ads created for the content networks perform a different job, target different users, and require a different strategy. He gives you five types of successful copywriting tips for content ads to get you started.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

November 9, 2007

SEW Experts: SEO Engineers Keep Agency on Track

There's a dirty little secret about SEO. Most people have absolutely no idea what we do. In today's Outsourced column, "SEO Engineers Keep Agency on Track," William Flaiz breaks down the role of the SEO engineer – the life-blood of any successful SEO team.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Local Search for National Brands

National brands that empower their local sales channel can generate more sales, leads, and conversions. In today's Vertical Challenge column, "Local Search for National Brands," local search expert Gregg Stewart shows that simply providing a dealer locator is not a comprehensive local search strategy. Instead, the smart national brands engage and educate your local sales channel on how to leverage the local search channel and maximize lead generation and sales conversion.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

November 8, 2007

SEW Experts: Link Building and Brainstorming Content

Nothing's worse on the Web than upsetting users. Building links using great content can save even the most disastrous site. In today's Link Love column, "Link Building and Brainstorming Content," Sage Lewis takes a look at the Reservation Road site, and discusses how links can save a boring site.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

November 7, 2007

SEW Experts: Should You Join the PageRank Hysteria?

PageRank is the SEO equivalent of a stock ticker. How much time do you want to invest watching the PR ticker? In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Should You Join the PageRank Hysteria?," Kevin Ryan takes a look at the buzz surrounding this nonevent to find some meaning in this mess.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Facebook D-Day, Meatball Sundae

Social search is having a bigger impact than ever. But marketing opportunities should not define your business. Rather, your business should define what marketing opportunities are interesting. In today's By the Numbers column, "Facebook D-Day, Meatball Sundae," Eric Enge takes a look at social media through the lens of Seth Godin's recent webinar on the idea of the "meatball sundae." The idea is that meatballs and ice cream are great on their own, but not so good together.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

November 6, 2007

SEW Experts: SEO for Brand Reputation Management

Do a Google search for "walmart" and you'll notice the top results include a few sites that aren't exactly favorable to the Wal-Mart brand. In today's au Natural column, "SEO for Brand Reputation Management," Mark Jackson discusses some things that Wal-Mart is doing right and some things that they may want to do better to fix their online reputation.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: SEO for Start-ups and VCs

There are few venture capital firms that really understand the importance of SEO, and few resources devoted to supporting it. In today's Big Biz column, "SEO for Start-ups and VCs," Aaron Shear suggest ways for startups to reconsider how they're investing VC money to build their business.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Machines In Translation: Do MT Engineers Dream of Selectric Sheep? Part 3

What does Google really want to achieve with machine translation? In today's Search Engine WarGames column, "Machines In Translation: Do MT Engineers Dream of Selectric Sheep? - Part 3," Search Engine Watch Executive Editor Kevin Heisler suggest that you may find the stinging answer in that book by Nabokov. More Google android dreams in Part 3 in a series for search marketers with multinational momentum.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

November 5, 2007

SEW Experts: Content Advertising Explained

Little-understood, content advertising consumes a big portion of many advertisers' PPC budgets. But for many advertisers, content advertising performs far worse than their search campaigns. In today's Content Advertising column, "Content Advertising Explained," David Szetela, founder of Clix Marketing, kicks off his new column that will explore the myriad problems with content advertising, and the ways advertisers can solve those problems.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

November 1, 2007

SEW Experts: How Site Architecture Influences Link Building

Site architecture determines how successful link building campaigns will be. In today's Link Love column, "How Site Architecture Influences Link Building," Justilien Gaspard takes a look at the site architecture for the Web site for the "Reservation Road" film as a case study, and makes suggestions for improvement.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 31, 2007

SEW Experts: Life after SERP: A/B Split and Multivariate Testing

When searchers find your site, what will they see? If you're using A/B split tests and multivariate testing, they'll see customized results on the fly. In today's By the Numbers column, "Life after SERP: A/B Split and Multivariate Testing," Eric Enge outlines one of the best ways to improve results for your Web site. Sometimes the things that matter to users and increases conversions will surprise you.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Achieving Brand and Affiliate Harmony in Search

Forget brand vs. brand brawls in the search engines. The new UFC: Affiliate vs. brand. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Achieving Brand and Affiliate Harmony in Search," Kevin Ryan recaps last week's SES @ A4U event in London, and tells you when you have crossed the line between affiliate or brand advocate and brand adversary.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 30, 2007

SEW Experts: eHobbies and Action Jackson: SEO Quarterly Site Review

Site reviews flesh out advice, best practices, and tips and tricks. In today's au Natural column, "eHobbies and Action Jackson: SEO Quarterly Site Review," Mark Jackson shows readers SEO in action.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: SME Brand Strategy: SEM Tactics, Tips, and Tricks, Part 2

Is building a small business brand online impossible? Not when all forms of online media are converging under search. In today's Little Biz column, "SME Brand Strategy: SEM Tactics, Tips, and Tricks, Part 2," Carrie Hill tells you what to do next once you have a memorable brand. How do you get people to notice it?

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 29, 2007

SEW Experts: Search and Brand Authenticity

CMO life expectancy shrinks. Search for brand authenticity grows. In today's Search Ads column, "Search and Brand Authenticity," Matt Spiegel tries to get to the bottom of this paradox. With the need to market an authentic brand, it's time for marketing to reclaim some of its glory.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 26, 2007

SEW Experts: Content Creation About Journey, Not Destination? - Part 2

You can waste a lot of time debating whether content is king. For the sake of argument, let's just all agree so we can focus on business decisions. In today's Vertical Challenge column, "Content Creation: About Journey, Not Destination? - Part 2," travel search expert Elisabeth Osmeloski discusses the pros and cons of hiring an in-house staff to transform your travel site.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 25, 2007

SEW Experts: Solving the Link Building Puzzle: Do or Die, Part 2

When link building is a life-or-death choice, don't take unnecessary risks. In today's Link Love column, "Solving the Link Building Puzzle: Do or Die, Part 2," Sage Lewis helps you analyze four different options for paid links.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 24, 2007

SEW Experts: Raising Search Standards and the Compliance Bar

New IAB/DMA standards will change the way interactive agencies, SEMcos, and solo search practitioners do business. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Raising Search Standards and the Compliance Bar," Kevin Ryan explains why you need to know what a SEMco is and how your business will change.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Data Segmentation: Web Site Analytics for PPC

Web site analytics is one of the foundations of search marketing. In today's By the Numbers column, "Data Segmentation: Web Site Analytics for PPC," Eric Enge shows you how to segment data and act on it, rather than stare at charts and graphs.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 23, 2007

Search Strategy: Best Practices

"Any search for information no matter how 'high' or 'low' the purpose--whether it is baseball statistics or philosophy--is valid because it is a search for truth."

The New York Times Guide To Reference Materials: Revised Edition -- copyright 1971, 1985 by Mona McCormack

A lot has changed in the past 21 years since the NYT reference guide was published and last updated (1986). The above quote? Taken verbatim from:

Search Strategy: Chapter 1

What's changed the most? Search Strategy.

What hasn't changed:

All searches are a search for truth.

Posted by Kevin Heisler at 9:20 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: SEO versus Branding: Clash of the Titanic Egos

SEOs, meet brand gurus. Brand gurus, meet SEOs. Talk (don't fight) amongst yourselves. In today's au Natural column, "SEO versus Branding: Clash of the Titanic Egos," Mark Jackson explains how to avoid conflict with brand gurus, and get your CEO to think about SEO.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Machines In Translation: Do MT Engineers Dream of Selectric Sheep? Part 2

The battle for search engine supremacy in machine translation rages on. In today's Search Engine WarGames column, "Machines In Translation: Do MT Engineers Dream of Selectric Sheep? Part 2," Search Engine Watch Executive Editor Kevin Heisler discusses globalization, machine translation, and written communication. Part 2 in a series for search marketers with multinational momentum.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 22, 2007

SEW Experts: Inside Google Zeitgeist: Google's Annual Partner Summit

If you're just now starting to think about how search and your organization (or internal search department) impact the 2008 planning process, you're a little late to the game. In today's Search Ads column, "Inside Google Zeitgeist: Google's Annual Partner Summit," Matt Spiegel shares details from Google's very exclusive annual partner summit. Rather than focusing on search and ads, the event was a two-day feast of brain food on topics ranging from world hunger and environmental protection to the shortage of digital marketing talent.

Several video clips of the event are available on the Google Channel on YouTube.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 19, 2007

SEW Experts: Searching for a Better Local Ad Model

The epic battle fought by "online pure-plays" and "brick and mortar" companies moves to a new frontier: local search. Local search products from online pure-plays eventually hit a wall: their ad models rely on self-service. In today's Vertical Challenge column, "Searching for a Better Local Ad Model," local search expert Michael Boland looks at some alternative ad models better suited to the local search market, like combining a comprehensive bundle of ad products with the right high-touch sales force.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 18, 2007

SEW Experts: Top Rankings, Secrets, and Lies - Part 2

When linkbuilding, as with any task, your time is worth money, and that time needs to be focused on effective strategies. In today's Link Love column, "Top Rankings, Secrets, and Lies - Part 2," Justilien Gaspard shares some link building tactics that will maximize results by focusing on the links that will deliver the most value.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 17, 2007

Globalization of Search: US Hispanic Marketing

Metrics and measurement: not the exclusive purview of search marketing and web analytics.

CNN's Taylor Gandossy takes a look at what the word "Hispanic" (US-government issue, circa 1970s) means in cultural terms: The complicated measure of being Hispanic in America.

Gandossy notes the U.S. Census allows people of Hispanic or Latino origin to choose one of four listed categories of origin: Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban or "other Spanish, Hispanic or Latino." .The "other" category allows fill-in-the-blank specific descriptions, such as Salvadoran, Argentinean or Dominican origin.

Search marketing strategies "targeting" people of Hispanic or Latino origin can be complex. For some of the reasons why, SEW Expert Eric Enge turns to Maria Lopez-Knowles, SVP at MRM Worldwide for a global agency perspective.

Posted by Kevin Heisler at 12:27 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: The Real Impact of Blended Search

Since the major engines have introduced blended and universal search results, they have seen increased traffic to their video and image sites. Are searchers warming to the blended search concept? In today's Searching for Meaning column, "The Real Impact of Blended Search," Kevin Ryan looks at data from comScore to get the real story.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 16, 2007

SEW Experts: The Perils of Duplicate Content

Duplicate content can be a huge challenge for SEOs and their clients. But what qualifies as duplicate content? In today's au Natural column, "The Perils of Duplicate Content," Mark Jackson runs through five of the more common forms.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: SME Brand Strategy: SEM Tactics, Tips, and Tricks, Part 1

They said it couldn't be done. You can't build your brand online with search marketing tactics. In today's Little Biz column, "SME Brand Strategy: SEM Tactics, Tips, and Tricks, Part 1," Carrie Hill debunks that myth with tips and tricks to prove them wrong.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 15, 2007

SEW Experts: SEO SEM Budgets: Define Success Beyond Direct Response

If you're just now starting to think about how search and your organization (or internal search department) impact the 2008 planning process, you're a little late to the game. In today's Search Ads column, "SEO SEM Budgets: Define Success Beyond Direct Response," Matt Spiegel shows that it's not too late to expand search beyond direct response in the 2008 budget.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 12, 2007

SEW Experts: SEO and User Experience Fusion

So, you want to build a Web site. Do you start with Web 2.0 goodies, or a "visually appealing" Web site that "meets the needs of the business?" In today's Outsourced column, "SEO and User Experience Fusion," William Flaiz answers "none of the above." He suggests the first place you should go when planning a new Web site is straight to your user experience team.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Voice Search: Mobile Tactic Here. Now. 2DAY.

Mobile has long been called marketers' next emerging opportunity. So, from a local search standpoint, how do you prepare for the opportunity? In today's Vertical Challenge column, "Voice Search: Mobile Tactic Here. Now. 2DAY.," local search expert Gregg Stewart explains that a very old offering is hot once again: directory assistance (DA), and its new subcategory of voice search.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 11, 2007

SEW Experts: Solving the Link Building Puzzle: Do or Die.

Link building is a puzzle all search marketers are trying to solve. In today's Link Love column, "Solving the Link Building Puzzle: Do or Die.," Sage Lewis helps you learn where all the pieces of that puzzle fit, so you can move from page 4 to page 1 in organic rankings.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 10, 2007

SEW Experts: The Year Search Makes Contact With Everything

Every major search engine now has its own flavor of universal, or blended search results. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "The Year Search Makes Contact With Everything," Kevin Ryan declares that 2007 will go down as the year we were bombarded with everything we want and a whole bunch of things nobody wants.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: The Tarot of Search Engines: Demographic Data Divining

What if you could gauge a company's marketing strategies by delving into Internet statistics? In today's By the Numbers column, "The Tarot of Search Engines: Demographic Data Divining," Eric Enge shows you how you can read search engine tea leaves using public data.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 9, 2007

SEW Experts: How to Avoid Hiring a Bad SEO

Do you know the tell tale signs of an inept search engine optimizer or SEO company trying to pull a fast one? In today's au Natural column, "How to Avoid Hiring a Bad SEO," Mark Jackson offers some tips to separate the wheat from the chaff.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: How to Avoid Seasonal Search Ranking Wreckage

Search engine traffic is always unpredictable. From algo updates playing havoc with organic rankings to quality score changes flummoxing your paid listings. The impact of these changes are especially critical around the holidays. In today's Big Biz column, "How to Avoid Seasonal Search Ranking Wreckage," Aaron Shear shares what to do when holiday dips in traffic threaten to dampen profits.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 8, 2007

SEW Experts: Machines in Translation: Do MT Engineers Dream of Selectric Sheep?

The battle for search engine supremacy in machine translation rages on. In today's Search Engine WarGames column, "Machines in Translation: Do MT Engineers Dream of Selectric Sheep?," Search Engine Watch Executive Editor Kevin Heisler wonders what you would do if handed the war game weapon capable of massively destroying the once and future Tower of Babel?

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 5, 2007

SEW Experts: Is Optimization Key to Local Video Ads?

Internet Yellow Pages (IYP) providers have the customers and sales infrastructure to succeed at selling local video ads. But so far, they're overlooking the search optimization component. In today's Vertical Challenge column, "Is Optimization Key to Local Video Ads?," video search expert Grant Crowell explains why a video search optimization program could be just what IYPs need.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 4, 2007

SEW Experts: Link Value: Top Rankings, Secrets and Lies - Part 1

What's a Link Worth? Priceless? In today's Link Love column, "Link Value: Top Rankings, Secrets and Lies - Part 1," Justilien Gaspard encourages you to consider some simple techniques and strategies to help determine the value of a link.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 3, 2007

SEW Experts: Get Your Web Site in Good Working Order: Google Website Optimizer

GWO is the newest search engine acronym. What does it mean for you? In today's By the Numbers column, "Get Your Web Site in Good Working Order: Google Website Optimizer," Eric Enge tells you how to optimize your site in five easy steps.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Halo 3 as Meta4 Redux

Last week, the big launch of Halo 3 enticed gamers in droves. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Halo 3 as Meta4 Redux," Kevin Ryan describes a whole new kind of fight gamers are taking to the search results pages this week.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 2, 2007

SEW Experts: Top 10 Reasons You Must Do SEO

Many have claimed "SEO is Dead." In today's au Natural column, "Top 10 Reasons You Must Do SEO," Mark Jackson offers the final five reasons why that just ain't so.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Taking the Offline Business Online

Is your small business hiding offline? In today's Little Biz column, "Taking the Offline Business Online," Carrie Hill shows you some ways to make it easier for you to be found in search engine results.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

October 1, 2007

SEW Experts: Breaking Down Silos: Specialization With Integration

For any search marketer working with large enterprises or agencies, integration is the toughest job they face. In today's Search Ads column, "Breaking Down Silos: Specialization With Integration," Matt Spiegel describes a challenge that makes changing bids on thousands of keywords seem like child's play.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

September 28, 2007

Got IT? Optimized Code + Crawlability ?  SEO

Since Chris Boggs has moved on from a big agency to a small one, he's passing off his column to a former colleague. In today's Outsourced column, "Got IT? Optimized Code + Crawlability ≠  SEO," Avenue A | Razorfish VP of SEO William Flaiz debunks the common IT myth that SEO is all about making a site crawlable, and the thought of bringing an SEO partner into the mix is just a waste of time and money.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Content Creation About Journey, Not Destination?

Is creating content really the cornerstone of SEO? If so, do you pay your writers, or do you expect them to write for free? In today's Vertical Challenge column, "Content Creation: About Journey, Not Destination?," travel search expert Elisabeth Osmeloski lays out the options, including the road less traveled.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

September 26, 2007

SEW Experts: Mobile Search Fortune Seekers

The year of mobile search seems to be forever a few months away. In today's By the Numbers column, "Mobile Search Fortune Seekers," Eric Enge shows that even if mobile search doesn't hit the ad revenue jackpot this year, marketers need to know how to secure a seat at the table.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Halo 3 as Meta4

With the release of Halo 3, it's worth your while to take a look at what can be learned from the big launch. In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Halo 3 as Meta4," Kevin Ryan explains how you can entice searchers with the right marketing message.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

September 25, 2007

SEW Experts: Roadblocks Sidetrack Search

The larger the company, the bigger the roadblocks. In today's Big Biz column, "Roadblocks Sidetrack Search," Aaron Shear explains that diplomacy may be one of the most useful tools in your SEO toolbox. To advance your search marketing strategy, you need to be less SEO and more politico with the head honcho.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Top 10 Reasons SEO Rocks: "SEO is Dead" Is Dead

Many have claimed "SEO Is Dead." In today's au Natural column, "Top 10 Reasons SEO Rocks: "SEO is Dead" Is Dead," Mark Jackson gives the first half of his list detailing why that's not the case, and why SEO remains alive and well.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

September 24, 2007

SEW Experts: Branding Steers Search Beyond Direct Response

In today's Search Ads column, "Branding Steers Search Beyond Direct Response," Matt Spiegel discusses the myths of direct response advertising. If CMOs build brands, who does direct response? White mice, search marketers, and Pavlov's dogs?

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:53 AM | Permalink

September 21, 2007

SEW Experts: Think Local, Act Social

In today's Vertical Challenge column, "Think Local, Act Social," local search expert Michael Boland asks what bars, lawyers, restaurants and dog washers have in common? Answer: They all meet at the intersection of local and social search.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:29 AM | Permalink

September 20, 2007

SEW Experts: Link Building for Local Search

In today's Link Love column, "Link Building for Local Search," Justilien Gaspard imagines a search engine-free world. Would you still build "links" to increase local traffic? He shares some radical link building strategies for local search.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

September 19, 2007

SEW Experts: Split Traffic, Raise Conversion Rates, Repeat, Multiply

In today's By the Numbers column, "Split Traffic, Raise Conversion Rates, Repeat, Multiply," Eric Enge reminds marketers that site optimization doesn't begin or end with landing page testing. A/B splits don't give marketers splitting headaches anymore. What's the next step? Multiply your variables.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Skyrockets In Flight, Google to the Moon?

In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Skyrockets In Flight, Google to the Moon?," Kevin Ryan wonders if Google has officially jumped the shark with its outer space projects. Hey Sergey, are you goofing on Elvis? Has Google left the building?

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

September 18, 2007

SEW Experts: Think Small, Win Big: Social Media Marketing

In today's Little Biz column, "Think Small, Win Big: Social Media Marketing," Carrie Hill asks if social media has arrived, or if it's still middle school for Web sites. See how your small business can make sense of it.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Google Dance in Aeon Flux

In today's au Natural column, "Google Dance in Aeon Flux," Mark Jackson explores the "Google Dance." Some SEO experts say the Google don't dance. Others claim the Google Dance never ends. What does it mean for SEM, ranking reports, and site analytics?

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

September 17, 2007

SEW Experts: Search Marketers Stock in Trade? Not Trading Stocks.

In today's Search Ads column, "Search Marketers Stock in Trade? Not Trading Stocks.," Matt Spiegel discusses why portfolio management no longer strikes fear into the hearts of search marketers. Find out why changing bids doesn't make the marketer.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

September 14, 2007

SEW Experts: Real World Trumps Online in Local Search

In today's Vertical Challenge column, "Real World Trumps Online in Local Search ," local search expert Gregg Stewart reminds you that if you don't know what your customer is doing, your customer will probably end up someplace else. Tracking local search online and offline is key.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Baking SEO into a Full Fledged Interactive Work Plan

In today's Outsourced column, "Baking SEO into a Full Fledged Interactive Work Plan," Chris Boggs discusses where SEO belongs in a strategic online marketing plan. If you think you know the answer, you may be surprised by this week's Outsourced column.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

September 12, 2007

SEW Experts: The Search Marketing Human Capital Problem

In today's Searching for Meaning column, "The Search Marketing Human Capital Problem," Kevin Ryan tries to help both HR execs hunting for human "search marketing" resources and SEM pros hunted by executive recruiters. Find out what human capital is worth.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Surfers, Crawlers Find Bloated Pages Hard to Digest

In today's By the Numbers column, "Surfers, Crawlers Find Bloated Pages Hard to Digest," Eric Enge discusses page bloat. How fast a page loads still clinches whether a visitor stays or clicks away. Can page bloat also deter search engine crawlers and raise ranking issues?

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

September 11, 2007

SEW Experts: Should You Worry About Site Speed?

In today's Big Biz column, "Should You Worry About Site Speed?," Aaron Shear explains that concerns about page load times are not a thing of the past. Optimizing your site and addressing site speed can make a big difference in your search rankings.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Reach Today's Search Users With Long-Tail Optimization

In today's au Natural column, "Reach Today's Search Users With Long-Tail Optimization," Mark Jackson discusses the evolution born of necessity which has led search users to come so far in such a short time. He tells you how you can reach today's educated search engine user by optimizing for the long tail.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

September 6, 2007

SEW Experts: The Power of Link Building and Public Relations

In today's Link Love column, "The Power of Link Building and Public Relations," Justilien Gaspard offers advice for gaining links in local search while creating positive public relations opportunities.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

September 5, 2007

SEW Experts: 7 Tips for High Value Analytics

In today's By the Numbers column, "7 Tips for High Value Analytics," Eric Enge gives you 10 key steps for maximizing your analytics investment, explaining how to overcome some of the limitations of analytics.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: How Search Will Save Online Advertising... Again!

In today's Searching for Meaning column, "How Search Will Save Online Advertising... Again! ," Kevin Ryan says that the credit crunch might have some casualties, but search won't be one of them.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

September 4, 2007

SEW Experts: Optimizing Pages for New and Improved Search Engine Users

In today's au Natural column, "Optimizing Pages for New and Improved Search Engine Users," Mark Jackson takes a look at changes in the way people search, discussing updated methods for reaching today's search-engine-savvy users.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Say "Bah Humbug" to Holiday Marketing Stress

In today's Little Biz column, "Say 'Bah Humbug' to Holiday Marketing Stress," Carrie Hill tells you how to avoid holiday stress by getting a jump start on your holiday marketing campaigns.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

August 31, 2007

SEW Experts: In-House Vs. Outsourced: What Is the Best Solution?

In today's Outsourced column, "In-House vs. Outsourced: What's the Best Solution?," Chris Boggs ponders the relationship between in-house and agency search experts, asking the question, "Can't we all just get along?"

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Crafting a Social Media Strategy Around Travel

In today's Vertical Challenge column, "Crafting a Social Media Strategy Around Travel," Elisabeth Osmeloski tells travel site providers how to take advantage of social media and traveler reviews.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

August 30, 2007

SEW Experts: The Great Link Buying Debate

In today's Link Love column, "The Great Link Buying Debate," Sage Lewis reviews the arguments for and against buying links, which was a hot topic at SES San Jose last week. Like all topics, buying credibility or exposure in any realm is never as black and white as we would all like to believe.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

August 29, 2007

SEW Experts: Waiting for Google to Exhale

In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Waiting for Google to Exhale," Kevin Ryan asks what universal search and refined paid search are really changing.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Segmenting Site Visitors to Enhance Conversions

In today's By the Numbers column, "Segmenting Site Visitors to Enhance Conversions," Eric Enge tells you how to segment your site visitors for actionable analyses that are so important for Web site success.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

August 28, 2007

SEW Experts: Tools of the Trade

In today's au Natural column, "Tools of the Trade," Mark Jackson recommends several useful tools for running an effective search engine optimization campaign.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Scaling Your Big Business Internationally

In today's Big Biz column, "Scaling Your Big Business Internationally," Aaron Shear tells you what to expect when expanding your business internationally.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

August 27, 2007

SEW Experts: Tips for Being a Great PPC Client

In today's Search Ads column, "Tips for Being a Great PPC Client," Tony Wright tells you what it takes to be a great PPC client, getting the most out of the client-agency relationship.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

August 24, 2007

SEW Experts: A Tale of Two City Guides

In today's Vertical Challenge column, "A Tale of Two City Guides," local search expert Michael Boland reviews recent plans announced by Yahoo Local and CitySearch to enhance features and content, making local search a more competitive landscape.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Playing Dirty With PPC

In today's In-House column, "Playing Dirty With PPC," Rob Kerry gives in-house SEMs a few black hat PPC tricks, to help them keep up with competitors that choose to play dirty.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

August 23, 2007

SEW Experts: Training Link Developers to Become Marketing Gurus

In today's Link Love column, "Training Link Developers to Become Marketing Gurus," Justilien Gaspard continues his link training theme with a focus on training link developers to use marketing tactics.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

August 22, 2007

SEW Experts: Public Relations Train Wrecks

In today's Searching for Meaning column, "Public Relations Train Wrecks," Kevin Ryan reports in from SES on the press and search optimization controversy.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

SEW Experts: Review of "Web Analytics, An Hour a Day" by Avinash Kaushik

In today's By the Numbers column, "Review of "Web Analytics, An Hour a Day" by Avinash Kaushik," Eric Enge reviews Avinash Kaushik's basic philosophy of Web analytics as defined in his new book, which helps you learn how to view analytics the right way.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM |