Organic search marketing or SEO has always been challenging, but here are some thoughts on why it could become redundant. The endless struggle to attain the top organic positions becomes ever more challenging due to the monthly tweaks of Panda and the Penguin changes. But there are more fundamental issues that are reducing the significance
-> Continue reading Organic search marketing; an unrewarding fight
So does an online strategy have to deliver ROI? More importantly, what’s the point of an online strategy? Have you ever started a meeting without an agenda? Fixed the car with no idea of where to start? Got on train with no destination? Amazingly, I have heard of people and businesses trying all 3 of
-> Continue reading You need an online strategy to get ROI!
A problem for SME’s The Sage 50 accounts package is designed to save time, deliver accurate data and, in many cases, act as the first port of call for stock management. Accounting packages are not often associated with powering e-commerce solutions. Certainly not at a cost that makes them accessible to small businesses. Or so
-> Continue reading Sage 50 and e-commerce solutions
Practical usability testing of websites I was researching some data on website usability recently. Having been involved in many usability tests over the years I am perhaps now programmed to view issues in a similar way all the time. Equally, having been involved in statistical studies for sites such as superbreak.com, citybaseapartments, Yorkshire.com and many
-> Continue reading Practical usability testing; the 5-second surprise
I cant decide whether this is a very clever piece of email marketing, or a genuine mistake by a slightly naive marketing department? Certainly the spam filters didn’t seem to mind the reference in the title! And a small update; the website itself provides further entertainment, informing just what these gauntlets protect you from. What is intriguing is that
-> Continue reading Email marketing double entendre
Managing a client who’s fishing for free web marketing strategies (No obvious brief or budget; Nobb) The bane of every consultant and agency is the enquiry which looks like a potential project, but quickly turns into a waste of time, leaving the agency/consultant feeling rather used. So how do you spot, manage, deter or convert a “nobb” client
-> Continue reading Spot the web strategy Nobb
1. Define the problem Most website strategy solutions come about from a specific problem or combination; conversion drop, lack of sales, high exits, wrong traffic. Once the problem(s) has been identified and agreed at all levels it is simply a matter of process to find the solution to test. 2. You need to decide what
-> Continue reading Website strategy; building solutions
The current digital arena is awash with senior people, now redundant and companies who no longer employ senior or expensive experts. The result is a lively and competitive market, with developers, project managers and digital marketing specialists being recruited for specific projects. How successful these contracts are can be mixed, and inevitably issues occur. But
-> Continue reading When contracting goes wrong: lessons to learn
In this age of digital delivery – emails, Tweets, instant messaging – it is still good practice to send letters, and nice to receive them. There are so many spam emails that have to be filtered through on a daily basis, even with the best spam filters on the market. So, to send a letter
-> Continue reading In this age of digital delivery
1 – SEO needs major technical and programming knowledge Not anymore. Making sure your site meets the core basic requirements of good content, written for human beings. Online reputation, good content that real people want to look at and a site with a basic, simple structure is as technical as it gets. 2 – SEO is
-> Continue reading Busting the SEO Myths; some Strategy Consultants views
According to economic forecasters there are over 4 million small businesses in the UK, and many will have a website. Unfortunately many of these businesses will not be able to answer the following in a strategic manner; Why have we got a website? How do I know what its doing? Has it been built correctly
-> Continue reading Mistakes in SME Web strategy; a web consultants view
Introduction The Yorkshire Tourist Board had for many years overseen county tourism promotion from its Victorian villa opposite the Racecourse in York. In 2008 a new Chief Executive was appointed, and a new strategy introduced, to rebrand the Tourist Board as Welcome to Yorkshire. Central to the strategy was digital marketing. The rather traditional website
-> Continue reading From Tourist Board to Welcome…. The evolution of Yorkshire.com