So, your website has been optimized and you’re not seeing a return on your investment.  You’re frustrated and are upset with your internet marketing company. I get it and have seen it from both sides.

Sometimes a small business will hire someone without an seo and internet marketing background, who just isn’t able to get the job done. Other times, you hire a company with proven experience, yet things just aren’t happening.  Why?

Ask yourself.

• Is your seo company bookmarking your blogs and posting on Facebook and Twitter.  [Tip Facebook and Twitter posts shouldn't just spit out content about your business. Create a relationship with your followers.]
• Are they link building, and I don’t mean hiring link farms. My suggestions is always slow and steady wins the race. [Example,  if you sell cars and you have worked with a company in the past, a simple call asking for a link is the way to go. Then keep going from there.]
• What is your online advertising budget. The amount of work an seo company needs to perform is often misunderstood by the company hiring them.  Writing one blog from scratch can take a couple hours, especially if they are left to do all the research and writing on their own. Any good seo company will work within your budget, but if your budget is small, you will need to provide them with content to keep things rolling efficiently.
• Am I in a highly competitive field?  You need to make sure things are set up right in order to compete. If you believe your site is properly optimized and your social media presence is solid, then ask yourself, is my competition doing any form of traditional advertising?  Are they on tv, radio, or billboard advertising. If they are, that may be something to consider.
• Have you tried Google AdWords. While your site is being indexed, you may want to consider beginning an AdWords campaign. You need to be careful and you need to know your industry. I’d stay away from the display network as that would eat up your budget. Again, take it slow and do your research.

These are just a few tips to check out if you’re not seeing a quality return on your investment. You can always sit down with your seo company and share your concerns. You could also hire a new company to give you an overview of your website.  A little advice into what’s the best direction could save you a lot of money down the road.

Best of luck to you in your future endeavors.

Prior to Google Panda, many companies were thriving. When it came to SEO, they were doing everything right. They had keyword rich content, proper tagging throughout, internal linking, etc. and they were seeing their traffic and sales increase.

Since Google Panda, however, many of these same companies have taken a hit. So, what happened?  Many were relying solely on SEO and didn’t have a presence anywhere else.

So Now What?

Start developing a presence on social media sites.  Social media is not  just Facebook and Twitter, although those are the best place to start.  You can also start a blog and use LinkedIn and Squidoo, which are a lot of fun, too. It all takes time to develop, but the longer you wait to get in the game, the harder it’s going to be to catch up.

Helpful hint:   There is a site called Twuffer, which will allow you to set up your tweets to post at various times of the day. It really helps to keep things rolling when you have a lot on your plate and its Free.

But I Don’t Know What to Tweet About

I have a friend who says he just doesn’t get Twitter.  He says “why would I want to tweet that I’m in the bathroom?”  Well, you wouldn’t! Unless of course you’re an interior designer and wanted people to check out your new bathroom design. Otherwise, no one wants to hear that. They do, however, want to know your opinion and the opinion of others who have purchased your products and services.

The only way a company can really deliver to its customer base is by knowing what they like and don’t like. So a good tweet would be “So what did you think about our new apple cider cupcakes?”, then add a link to your Facebook page so people can comment.

Don’t Be Afraid of Rejection

Are you getting customer feedback?  If not, you should be. Social media is about developing relationships with people. It’s just online instead of face to face. Don’t be afraid of rejection.

But what if my customer isn’t happy?  Well ignoring them won’t make it any better. Open up some dialogue. Dig into the problem and then fix it. Often times, just the simple act of responding to a problem, makes things much better. The bottom line is you want them to be happy.

Another thing you can do, which works great, is to contact your happy customers and ask them to write a review for you online. Make it easy and share a link with them. Most customers are more than happy to share their experience, so don’t be afraid to ask.

Everything you do online to optimize your website, social media sites, blogs, press releases and more, revolve around keywords.  It’s all about the keywords people.

If you develop a sound keyword strategy, through keyword research and competitive analysis and then take those keywords to develop a sound internet marketing strategy, you can’t go wrong.

Google and Bing are using Twitter and Facebook to influence the natural search results, which means, now more than ever, everyone needs to think about the keywords they use when they post.

So, what is the easiest way to develop a keyword strategy?  Here is just a quick checklist that may help you.

1. Develop a list of keywords. This is accomplished in a number of ways, such as having a brainstorming session, doing competitive analysis, using Google’s keyword tool and more.
2. Each page on your website should be optimized with unique keyword rich content and tagged appropriately.  These keywords should be directly related to the research you did in step #1. Please note, do not stuff your pages full of keywords just for keyword sake.  This is frowned upon by Google and could get you banned.
3. Take your list of keywords and create an excel spreadsheet.  Simply put the keyword in one column and then the landing page in another.  This will help to keep things streamlined and organized.
4. When posting on facebook and twitter, or when blogging, use those keywords and link where applicable to the appropriate landing page.

Keyword research can be time consuming, however, if you take the time and do things the right way, the reward will be a strong web presence.  Just remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Have a great day everyone and enjoy the sunshine.

Like us on Facebook.  Follow me on Twitter.

I have always been someone who likes to help people.  I didn’t plan on becoming an SEO Specialist, it just sort of happened.  SEO has allowed me to work with various companies. I get to meet new people, learn about their businesses and then share my knowledge of SEO.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to hire an SEO specialist who does things the “right way”.  You never know when Google or the other search engines are going to change their algorithms. If your seo company takes shortcuts or tries to use cheap tactics to gain rankings, your company may end up at the bottom of the heap. We all know, doing things the right way is usually a bit more time consuming, but it is so worth it!

Learn more about our Buffalo SEO Company

Now, are there companies out there who practice other forms of SEO, which are considered unethical? Yes.  Here are some unethical SEO and internet marketing techniques you should avoid:

• Page cloaking
• Spamming of the submission process
• Automatically generated doorway pages
• Keyword Stuffing
• Irrelevant Keywords
• Duplicate content on different pages or sites (mirror sites, etc)
• Misspelling of common words, or well-known brands/sites
• Data blogs with no unique content
• Code Swapping

I found a great article by Barry Hurd that explains these techniques in more detail.

So Why Do I Do It?

As silly as it sounds, for me it’s not all about the almighty dollar.  There is no satisfaction greater for me, then knowing (1) I didn’t soak anyone for their hard-earned money and (2) they are getting more business and are happy.

I think a responsible SEO Specialist doesn’t just leave their customers when their work is done. It’s important to follow up. Check in on them from time to time and see if they have any questions. They will love you for it.

Buffalo SEO Company Shares the SEO Basics

In the martial arts we learn the importance of the basics. You must have a strong foundation and continue to go back and work on that foundation. The same goes for search engine optimization.

So, what are the SEO basics?

SEO basics include keyword research, analyzing your competition, writing good content, tagging your site, link building and reviewing your analytics.

Keyword Research – An important part of search engine optimization is keyword research. You can use Google’s keyword tool and others on the web to determine the words people are typing into the search engines for your particular products or services.

Analyzing Your Competition – Competitive analysis is another investigative part of search engine optimization. Check out your competitors’ websites and compare their rankings to yours and review their keywords and placement on the search engines. You can then put together a game plan with the keyword research you have done and take advantage of their weaknesses.

Good content. Good content doesn’t mean you stuff your pages full of keyword phrases. You need to write for your audience in a way that makes sense and draws them in. Once you have written what you feel is good content, go back and tweak it. Add keywords where appropriate or simply rearrange a sentence here or there.

Custom Website Tagging. In addition to adding good content to your website, you need to pay attention to your title, description and keyword tags throughout your website. Although people argue that you only need to focus on the title tag, I feel you should focus on all of them. Just do it right to begin with.

Link Building – There are so many ways to build links: press releases, blog posts, social media, bookmarking and more. A great way to start is to create a blog. Not just to have one, but a blog you will be interested in contributing to. From there you can link to your website, social media sites and other blogs. WordPress is great and you can link to and will get links from other bloggers.

Website Analytics – Website analytics is a tracking system that collects data from visitors to your website. This data will help you learn more about where your visitors come from, what keywords they are really using to find you, what pages did they visit, how long did they stay and whether they converted into a sale or lead.　

The basics are the core of SEO. No one said it was easy. SEO takes hard work and focus, but I know you can do it! Our Buffalo SEO Company can help you if you need it.

In the meantime, have fun with it. In the end, your hard work will pay off.

Have a wonderful day.

You’re preaching to the choir on that one!

The number one comment I hear from people is…how do I find the time to blog?

The best advice I can give you is simply do the best you can.  I have my own Buffalo SEO Company and as you can see from my blog, I don’t blog every day or even every week.  Sometimes a month or longer will pass in between posts. Is that the ideal situation?  No.  However, posting from time to time is better than not posting at all.

Posting every day or at least once a week is ideal, but in the real world it doesn’t always work that way.  Is that frustrating?  You  bet.  If you are like me, you know what you have to do, but life has a way of spinning out of control.   Between a full time job, your own business, husband, 3 kids…I know you know what I’m talking about.

Here are some blogging tips I recommend:

1.  Post a blog as often as possible, it’s that simple.

2.  Post quality information that the search engines will like and that will compliment your website.

3.  Don’t stress out. Just do the best you can and remember to just have fun with it.

Blogging should be fun.  It shouldn’t be a chore. So when you have time to sit down and write, write.  Whether its once a day or once a month, just enjoy the process.

Simply put, if you want people to find you on the web, your sites need to be optimized. By sites I mean, in addition to your website, you should optimize your blogs, Facebook posts, Tweets, etc.

Search engine optimization (“SEO”) isn’t about just throwing up title tags and adding some keywords to your site. SEO is much more involved than many people realize.

I believe the key to quality SEO includes competitive analysis and keyword research. Having your site optimized does you little good if the keywords you have chosen aren’t being used by your potential customers.

You also need to know what your competition is up to. How are their rankings? What are they focusing on? Are they blogging? If so, what are they blogging about? Are they on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn? Make sure you are not just playing follow the leader. You need to have your own thoughts and ideas.

If you are unsure where to start, have a brainstorming session. Sit down by yourself or with others and just open the door to ideas. Throw it all out there. Once you have some exciting avenues you want to tackle, start doing some research.

Google keyword tool is a great place to get a grasp of the value of the keywords you are targeting. You may even find some hidden jewels with low competition and high search volume.

Type your chosen keywords in Google and see who comes up. Understand your competitors online may be a completely different cast of characters than you are used to. Review their sites and you will get a good idea of what they are thinking and may also shed some light on areas you can focus on for your own site.

Once you’ve done your research, start writing. Just write from your gut and keep those keywords on hand to reference. You don’t want to overload your content with keywords. Just be natural and it will flow together.

Have fun and if you need help, we are an experienced Buffalo SEO Company and will be happy to help.

When hiring a Buffalo website designer, its not only important to hire someone with top notch design skills, but you need someone who is going to address your questions or concerns quickly.

Jay Kuzara has been a website designer for over 15 years.  He is serious in his commitment to his clients.  When a client needs something accomplished, Jay jumps on it right away. 

Don’t just take my word for it.  Here are a few testimonials to chew on.

• Fuel the Web is a big reason why the National Buffalo Wing Festival has become one of the best in the country. I constantly get compliments about my website. Their team is very creative and always there when we need quick changes on the site. Drew Cerza, The “Wing King”, National Buffalo Wing Festival – www.buffalowing.com)
• I was referred to you by one of your clients and I am glad he did. It has been a pleasure working with you. You have been honest, direct and to the point, and you provide a quick turn-around. As an added bonus, you are also priced right – that’s value to me.  Thank you for the great service! Chris Larson, Founder Larson’s Skin Care Inc. – www.LarsonsSkinCare.com
• I’ve talked with other so called “web experts” but none of them even come close to the knowledge that Taz and his team have. My web traffic is up 56% since I’ve taken the direction they’ve recommended. Why would you look anywhere else?! Jim Cavaretta, Lobster Hut, jim@lobsterhut.com www.lobsterhut.com

With so many website designers to choose from, it’s often overwhelming knowing which company is best for you.

Client testimonials are a good place to start.  In this world of social media fever, networking and comments give a clear picture of how a website company is thought of in the community. 

If you are looking for a Buffalo Website Designer, contact Jay Kuzara.  He is straight-forward and honest.  He is extremely dedicated and focused on serving his clients.

A blog is a place you can go to share your thoughts, teach others how to do things, and even rant about your latest pet peeve.  The hope is that people will find your blog interesting and bookmark it or pass it on by tweeting it, etc.

Here are the steps I usually take when writing a blog.

1.  Write from your gut.  When you start writing a blog, just write how you feel. Put down what your thinking. Don’t worry about perfection at this point, this is meant to be a rough draft.

2. Review your post.  Once you have your rough draft, go through the blog and clean it up and add keywords where appropriate.  Example… I have a Buffalo SEO Company.  My goal is to capture the attention of people who may be looking for my services. So I want to try to incorporate that keyword into various blog posts I write.

3. Link your keywords. Once you have incorporated the keywords into your blog, you want to link them to the page on your website the deals with your focus.  Example, if I am referring to my Buffalo SEO Company, I will link this to my SEO page, which focuses on how our company can help with SEO services.  My advice, however, is to be consistent.  If you start linking a specific keyword to one page, don’t then start linking that same keyword to a different page.  This could make things confusing for the search engines and could effect your rankings.

4. Tags and Categories. You are going to want to post your tags and select your categories.  Choose the category that reflects the overall feel of the blog post.  Example, this post is not only about learning how to post a blog, but I also reference my Buffalo SEO Company.  So, my categories will be both Buffalo SEO Company and Blogging Tips.  Tags should reflect those keywords that you believe are important.  I will choose buffalo seo company, posting a blog, blogging tips, writing a blog, etc.  These keywords can be found in the content of this blog post.

Finally, once you publish your blog, spread the news.  Share your blog post on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn for starters.  I’ll get to bookmarking another time.

Blogging is fun.  It allows you to share your knowledge, emotions, experiences and more with others.  Oh…and did I mention that WordPress is FREE!

Have a wonderful 4th of July everyone.  Be safe and have fun.

(Buffalo, NY – June 8, 2010) Fuel The Web is proud to announce the launch of a new website and SEO client – Schaper Associates.

http://www.schaperassociates.net

This is an exciting day for us and we’ve created a great working relationship during the design process with them.

Schaper Associates focuses on the Interior Design of new construction and renovations of residential and commercial interiors.

Over the next few days we will construct and admin Schaper Associates new social media presence and network with the additions of Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts.