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How to Define SEO

Define SEOIn the beginning, when search engines were new and the internet was young, SEO -or Search Engine Optimization- could be defined very simply:

"SEO is the process of getting a web page or website found and displayed at or near the top of search results for the specific keywords or phrases being searched for."

Pretty simple process. But as usually happens, there were lots of people out to game the system with tricks to get to the top of the list (black hat stuff). For the people searching, the results they got weren't always useful or what they wanted.

We Don't Always Get Things Right

We happen to be in a business in which we are faced with the possibility of displeasure or downright rejection with each new client.  We have to try to decipher what our client really wants their website to look like and be.  If we felt we had to be perfect every time, I think we probably would have changed careers a long time ago.

A perfect example came from a client that initially did not have a clear direction about what she wanted for her website. We put up a website for her and she gave us an initial "okay".  After a few days we received this email:

"I'm tired and out of sorts tonight and want to say this kindly, but honestly.  There is lots that on first glance that I like and some things that I either need some clarification on or need to ask you to make some changes.  Let me just tell you my first gut check . . . the color scheme of a very sad yellow with green letters reminded me of body waste...maybe because I'm a nurse...but when I see yellow I think of pee and when I see green I think of the bacteria Pseudomonas. . . . "

I suppose we could have crawled away in shame . . . defeated . . . failed . . .  

CMS Website - The What and Why for Your Business

CMS Website

The What:

Definition: "Website CMS (Content Management System) is a specific application incorporated into a website to make it easy to create, manage, and organize the content on the website."  

Well, that's sort of dry, so what does it really mean for you?  It means that instead of having an old-style website that was built using HTML (HyperText Markup Language) that required technical skill to build and maintain, CMS websites are designed to be used by all of us.  

A CMS website is:

How Long Has it Been . . .?

If you have been reading our blog posts, you know that we talk quite a bit about content.  And there's a reason for that.  The Internet has come to be where it is today because of content.

So my question to you is - how is your content doing?  When was the last time you actually sat down and read through the content on your website?  If you're like most small business owners, it has been a while.

Remember the purpose of your website, and make sure it still reflects your business the way you want it to.  It's really easy to forget everything you have on your website and some of your business information may have changed.  Here are some steps to take to make sure your website stays fresh and inviting:

How Google+ Can Help Your Business

Google+ isn't just another social media site.  As far as your business is concerned, it's one of the first social media sites you should establish yourself on.  Besides the fact that Google+ now has 250 million users, what makes Google+ different?

  • Your business page can enhance search results for your website
  • When verified, your page connects you to Google maps and highlights your business in local search results.
  • Anyone looking for your business on the go, can easily find it on mobile phones and tablets.
  • You can use Google Hangout directly from your business page for video calls with customers, prospects, or anyone.

To get started and maximize your Google power:

How To Get Your Website Found

Once your website has been set up online and available for everyone to see, the question then becomes — how will it be found?  If your website has been set up by us (Wise Websites), you have a Meta tag section for the keywords and description you specified for your website.  In addition, any page of content can contain its' own keywords and description.

Tags vs. Key Words

When you add content to your website, there are two fields that seem to generate some confusion.  One is the Tags field found right above the Body Edit box in the Edit overlay, and the other is the Meta tag section (where key words go).  Although they are related, their purposes are very different.

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