How the Expiring Apple-Google Deal Can Affect Your Website Traffic
The rumor is that Apple’s search deal with Google will be expiring soon. Whether they will strike another deal, Apple will choose a new default search engine, or even power search themselves is anyone’s guess. The result can potentially impact your web traffic. If you solely focused on your Google rankings and an AdWords campaign, […]
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The rumor is that Apple's search deal with Google will be expiring soon. Whether they will strike another deal, Apple will choose a new default search engine, or even power search themselves is anyone's guess. The result can potentially impact your web traffic. If you solely focused on your Google rankings and an AdWords campaign, you might want to re-think your strategy. According to StatCounter.com, desktop and mobile Safari serve as the source for about 26% of internet traffic in the United States. A shift from Google to another search engine could pose a real hit on your visitor numbers. Bing already powers Siri searches on mobile devices as well as Spotlight Search on Apple desktops. So if a deal with Google was not reached, Bing seems like the likely choice. Yahoo would also like to make a grab - they just became the default browser for Firefox.
Now is the time to take a look at your Bing and Yahoo visibility. How are you ranking? Remember, don't rely on simple searches. Personalized search will artificially rank a site higher for you if you visit it often. Make sure you use a rank checking program. A search engine optimization professional can assist you with this. If your rankings are not where you need them to be, now is the time to make some tweaks.
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Bad SEO Companies Do Things The Wrong Way - Do Not Enter[/caption]
'We do SEO. Our services consist of creating a title tag and an alt image tag for each page.' That is just what an SEO company recently told a web developer partner of mine. Really, that's it? I shudder to think how many unknowing people they have ripped off. So much more goes into SEO: description tags, heading tags, geo location tags, interlinking, keyword rich links, creation of backlinks, local SEO services. The list goes on and on. There is a wrong way and and right way to do SEO. Make sure you don't enter into something you will regret.
I admit it. I like to watch The Good Wife (must be the former attorney in me). But both this season and last, they have bashed SEO. It gets me frustrated. SEO is not bad and most SEO professionals are not the devil. If you have a website, you need us to help you get found online. That can be done ethically. There does not have to be anything spammy about it. But unfortunately, some so called SEO professionals (the bad SEO companies) are giving the rest of us an unjust rap - not only in the business community but also on television shows!
SEO is a comprehensive process. It is not just a title tag and a keyword reference on a page. It is so much more. It is not just knowing what the right keywords are and where to place them, but also where not to place them and how not to be spammy. Effective SEO professionals live and breathe SEO. They keep abreast of the latest algorithm changes, search engine platforms and more. They are involved in networks that share what is and is not working, what stumbling blocks are popping up and how you can get around them. In a sum, these professionals are professionals. So then why are these horrible SEO companies getting the work? Simple – price point and lack of consumer knowledge.
As I contemplate Thanksgiving this year, as always, I have so much to be thankful for:
