Author: Andy Commons

The Periodic Table of SEO

Post author By Andy Commons
Post date June 6, 2011

I know the world loves a good infographic, and my man Danny Sullivan of Search Engine Land did a great one for the world of SEO.

This chart really nails it. It shows the main factors in helping a website rank in an a simple, clean way.

I share this as a way to promote good thinking when it comes to SEO. Can this stuff be done by business owners? Yes, but as I’ve said before on why hire an SEO, it’s a matter of focusing on what you do best. I’m not scared to let others know what I do. Many will happily hire me to do it for them.

See the table here:

The Periodic Table Of SEO Ranking Factors, used with permission

Online Marketing Search Engine Optimization

Using Video can give you an edge both with customers and search engines

Post author By Andy Commons
Post date June 3, 2011

An article I saw today (http://mashable.com/2011/06/02/web-video-business/) talks about how creating and publishing a video can really help promote your business.

It makes a lot of great points. It’s so true that if you have a well tagged youtube video, it can also show up on the first page of Google search results now that Google is blending in video with regular results. And since many people would rather watch a video than read, what better way to leap frog your competition.

I recommend you read the mashable article, and consider how adding a simple video to your site could help you both attract more visitors, and even convert them to sales.

Tags SEO, video, youtube

Online Marketing Random Thoughts Search Engine Optimization

SEO is no pun anymore. How Article Headlines are no longer funny thanks to SEO – in Missoula MT :-0

Post author By Andy Commons
Post date May 13, 2011

In this article for the Atlantic, David Wheeler talks about how SEO is affecting headlines. (go read it. I’ll wait right here). 🙂

I enjoyed the article, but had to grin when I went back to read the headline of the article itself. It’s a mix of both humorous and Keyword rich.

But, this actually makes the case for building a good online following and not just relying on Google. People who use online media site on a regular basis don’t need to find them via a search. They come to the home page and see what’s being offered (much like the catchy headlines in the paper or magazines). They get to enjoy the headline all the same. I will say that sometimes the puns can be so esoteric they leave me working too hard to figure out if I’m even interested in the content. When this happens, you do risk the chance of turning off your readers. Also, SEO is not all about the headline. It’s important, yes. But, if the keywords are in the title tag and article body, it should still come up. And once it’s well liked and shared a bunch (linked to for real, by real people), even more so.

Perhaps headline writers of the future will just have to up their game and figure out how to write a headline that is both keyword rich AND entertaining. Thoughts? Leave me a comment… and be sure to submit this to your favorite bookmarking site, post it to facebook, tweet a link, and stumble it. (But only if you really want to).

-Andy

Misc. News Random Thoughts

Ford Drops Superbowl Ad

Post author By Andy Commons
Post date November 11, 2010

Ford Motor Company sees spending their ad dollars on Online Ads as a better choice. The article below ends with a statement of “If sales continue to grow after the Super Bowl and the company continues its successful marketing online it will be interesting to see who else drops their Super Bowl ads.”

While Ford may be able to look back at the history of Superbowl ad performance and compare that to this year’s ad spend, there are a few problems with the idea that if Ford is successful online, others should follow. I’m not suggesting buying a Superbowl ad is or isn’t the right choice… but, like so many things, it depends on the situation. I’m a huge believer in online marketing, with the improve tracking, and demographics, and Geo-targeting… it’s a great place to look for effective advertising. But other avenues may work well to… often in combination. A great Superbowl ad, with a call to action to “like” the company on Facebook, and be entered to win…. You get the idea. Beware of thinking what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

Here’s a link to the article about Ford, from Search Engine Watch:

Ford Drops Super Bowl Ads For Online Spends

Search Engine Optimization

Google Boost – a big help for Local Biz Online

Post author By Andy Commons
Post date November 8, 2010
1 Comment on Google Boost – a big help for Local Biz Online

One of my passions is to help the local small business compete online with the big guys. It’s sad to see the Mom and Pop store shoved aside by a huge corporation. I’d rather see my dollars circulate in my own town instead of lining the pockets of distant shareholders. My friend Tim Danyo and I are working on the finishing touches of our first video in a series we’re doing for to help teach local business owners everywhere how a few simple steps can really help.

Well, Google is announcing a new product of their own that I hope to put in my Internet Marketing toolkit when coaching businesses. It’s called Google Boost.

Looks to be a way to pay your way to the top of a locally oriented search, such as “Missoula Dentist”. It’s not here yet… but if you’re interested, here’s a good write up about it from some folks I trust.

http://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/google-boost-faq.html

Let me know what you think. Feel free to comment below.

Tags Google Boost, Local SEO, Online Marketing

Random Thoughts

Leagues to start at Ranch Club

Post author By Andy Commons
Post date May 14, 2010
1 Comment on Leagues to start at Ranch Club

League Play Starting at The Ranch Club
League play is set to begin at The Ranch Club, the premiere family-friendly Missoula
golf community. The Greenhorns’ Club has already started, meeting every Saturday morning, offering
relaxed, league-style play for those new to the club or new to golf. Ladies’ Night is every Monday of the
season, beginning May 17. Men’s League starts on May 18 and will continue every Tuesday evening. Call
The Ranch Club Golf shop at 406-532-1000 for details.

“The beginning of league play signifies the transition from spring golf to full-on golf season,” said John
Powers who, along with his wife Colleen, owns The Ranch Club. “Even with the back-and-forth spring
weather this year, our fairways are already at mid-season color and the greens are rolling true.”

The Ranch Club continues its evolution into the first private golf community in Missoula. Non-members
will be able to play The Ranch Club course six times throughout the 2010 season with greens fees of $55
with a member (including cart) and $95 unaccompanied (cart extra). Early season rates are in effect through
May at $40 accompanied and $80 unaccompanied.

In addition to golf leagues beginning, teaching pro Mike Barnett will return to The Ranch Club at the end of
May. The popular Ladies and Junior Clinics will be offered again in 2010 beginning in June. Call the golf
shop for details. June will also mark the opening of the new, family favorite, resort-style, four-pool complex
The open-to-the-public restaurant continues to please the most discerning tastes with a unique menu that
changes seasonally and the most complete wine list in the state. Lunch is served seven days a week. Brunch
is served from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Sunday. Dinner is served Wednesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. – 10
p.m. with the last seating at 9:30 p.m. Reservations are recommended for dinner, 406-532-1019.

Living options at The Ranch Club include custom homesites and Club Lodges. The first Club Lodge is
completed and ready to welcome new owners. The Ranch Club Lodges offer finished residences, Club-
maintained grounds and complete exterior maintenance with prices beginning at $985,000. Custom
homesites at The Ranch Club begin at $97,400.

The Ranch Club is a golf community which sits on a 340-acre scenic swath of land in the Clark Fork River
Valley. Conveniently located just six miles northwest of Missoula’s city center and the main campus of The
University of Montana; The Ranch Club offers easy access to the considerable events and culture of
Missoula while still enjoying the calm of the countryside. At the center of this Missoula property is a
championship 18-hole links-style golf course designed by Les Furber. Missoula land for sale at The Ranch
Club includes custom homesites and Club Lodges. Club amenities include a Clubhouse with a fine-dining
restaurant featuring newly expanded indoor, outdoor and private dining areas, golf shop, four-pool complex,
fitness center, and members’ locker rooms. For more information about The Ranch Club, call 406-532-1000

Analytics

Avinash Kaushik Keynote

Post author By Andy Commons
Post date March 26, 2010

If you have heard of Google Analytics, then you may know of Avinash Kaushik and his site Occam’s Razor. The insights I can gain from Google Analytics really helps me put some tracking behind various marketing efforts to see how well they are working.

The Marketing Pilgrim site posted this story about his recent keynote address at SES New York.

http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2010/03/avinash-kaushik-discusses-web-analytics-wives-and-girlfriends.html

Search Engine Optimization

SEO can be done yourself, but maybe shouldn’t.

Post author By Andy Commons
Post date February 21, 2010
8 Comments on SEO can be done yourself, but maybe shouldn’t.

I enjoy listening to a podcast by Leo Laporte at twit.tv. During his Valentines Day show (2010) he told a caller that SEO was snake oil, and was so simple, most folks should just do it themselves.

Ugh. Not really.

Sure, if someone has time, and the computer skills, yes, they can spend the hours to learn what works to help a site rank higher in the search engine results, update title tags, do keyword research, build out more pages on their site, add a blog, verify and update their local and directory listings, and do backlink research on the competition…

But then, they could also spend hours learning tax laws and do their own business taxes… or hire a CPA.

Or they could read a few articles on the Internet about framing and dry-wall, and mud and tape… OR they could hire a contractor to remodel their basement. It comes down to what business you are in, and what you should really spend your time doing. Leo seems to think a couple small changes to a title tag and “get some links” will be all you need. Sorry Leo. It’s just not that simple.

And even if it were.. the guy running the shoe store is too busy helping his customers and trying to motivate his employees than try to learn how to update his website. So when I can point out his home base title tag is “Untitled” and he has an all flash site that isn’t indexed… the money he pays me to optimize his site will be money very well spent.

If you want your site to rank higher (and you probably should), ask yourself… do I really want to spend my time learning all about this crazy web stuff? or should I spend my time doing what I do well, and hire someone else to help me with my rankings.

I know it’s tempting to save money and do it yourself. I tried to give myself a buzz cut right before a holiday party last December. Let’s just say, the results were not pretty, and the only option was to shave my head and go to the party bald.

There are bad apples in every industry (Leo, I bet you even know of some radio talk show hosts that are snake oil salesmen.. and they might even be on the same AM stations that broadcast your fine show). So as with most things… when hiring someone to help with your website, do your home work, get references, and be careful of anyone promising you top rankings.

-Andy Commons

www.andycommons.com

Uncategorized

Voices of Hope

Post author By Andy Commons
Post date December 31, 2009

So this isn’t marketing related. But I wanted to let my local readers know about an important event coming to Missoula.

On Feb 3, 2010, from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Community Medical Center will present Voices of Hope – a cancer education summit featuring NY Times bestselling author Joni Rogers.

Details can be found at the Voices of Hope website.