Answering the Top SEO Questions in May 2020
Table of Contents:
- Introduction 🌟
- Why You Shouldn't Wait to Do a Giveaway
- Targeting Specific Businesses with Google Ads
- Verifying the Legitimacy of a Business Online
- Getting an EZ Share Review Link for Google My Business
- Using the Same Page in Different Menu Sections
- The Proper Mix of Text and Images for Retail
- How Long People Stay on Websites
- Blocking Certain Ads with Google AdSense
- How Ads are Placed on Websites and Winning More Auctions
- Conclusion
Why You Shouldn't Wait to Do a Giveaway
In today's uncertain times, businesses are constantly looking for ways to grow their following and engage with their audience. One of the most effective strategies to achieve this is by hosting a giveaway. You might be wondering if it's worth doing a giveaway when you don't have a large following. The answer is a resounding YES! All it takes is one person to participate and say, "I'll take it!" to make your giveaway a success. Don't wait for a bigger following to launch your giveaway. In fact, now is the perfect time to uplift people's spirits and generate excitement around your brand. By doing a giveaway, you not only have the chance to connect with your existing audience but also attract new followers who are lured by the allure of winning something. So, go ahead and take the leap – start planning your giveaway now and watch your following grow.
Targeting Specific Businesses with Google Ads
As a business owner, you might be interested in targeting specific businesses or addresses with your Google Ads campaigns. The good news is that Google Ads provides the functionality to target within a mile radius of a specific address or even specific zip codes. This feature is especially useful for businesses with a physical location, as it allows them to reach potential customers in their vicinity. By using geofencing, you can create a virtual boundary around a specific area and deliver your ads exclusively to users within that radius. While Google Ads offers this targeting option, it's worth noting that platforms like Snapchat have more advanced geofencing capabilities. Nevertheless, Google Ads' mile radius targeting is still a powerful tool that can help you reach your desired audience and drive results.
Pros:
- Ability to target specific businesses or addresses
- Geofencing allows for precise targeting within a mile radius
- Efficient way to reach potential customers in the same vicinity
- Option to target specific zip codes for effective local advertising
Cons:
- Geofencing capabilities not as advanced as platforms like Snapchat
- Limitations when it comes to targeting home addresses
Verifying the Legitimacy of a Business Online
In today's digital age, it's essential to verify the legitimacy of a business before engaging with them online. Whether you're considering making a purchase or seeking services, performing due diligence is crucial to protect yourself from scams or subpar experiences. Here are a few steps you can take to ensure the legitimacy of a business:
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Check Online Reviews: Online reviews are a valuable source of information about a company's reputation and the experiences of previous customers. Look for reviews on platforms like Google and Facebook, as they provide insights into the overall satisfaction level of customers.
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Examine Legitimate Websites: Trusted organizations such as the Better Business Bureau can provide additional validation for a business. Visit their website and search for any affiliations or accreditations that the business claims to have.
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Search for Red Flags: When researching a business, use search terms like "business name + scam" to uncover any potential issues or complaints. If multiple negative search results appear, it's a clear warning sign to exercise caution.
While these steps can help you assess the legitimacy of a business, keep in mind that they are not foolproof. Trust your instincts and avoid businesses that seem shady or raise any doubts. Ultimately, conducting some research upfront can save you from potential headaches and disappointment.
Pros:
- Assess the overall reputation and customer satisfaction of a business
- Identify any red flags or warning signs through online research
- Gain insights and feedback from previous customers
Cons:
- Not all online reviews may be authentic or reliable
- Limited ability to verify the accuracy of information provided by the business
- Scammers may attempt to manipulate online reviews or present false information
Getting an EZ Share Review Link for Google My Business
If you have a business listing on Google My Business, obtaining reviews from satisfied customers can greatly enhance your online reputation and attract new clients. To simplify the process of requesting reviews, you can generate an EZ share review link. Here's how you can get one:
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Using Google My Business Back-end: Access your Google My Business account and navigate to the home section. Look for the option to share a review link and click on it. This will generate a unique URL that you can provide to customers, making it easier for them to leave a review.
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Utilizing Review Link Generators: Another option is to use online tools such as "White Spark Review Link Generator." By entering your business name, you can generate a review link that you can share with your customers. These generators streamline the process and save you time.
By making it convenient for your customers to leave reviews, you increase the chances of receiving valuable feedback and positive ratings. Encourage your satisfied clients to share their experiences and help establish trust and credibility for your business.
Pros:
- Simplifies the process of requesting reviews from customers
- Increases the likelihood of customers leaving feedback
- Helps build a positive online reputation and credibility for your business
Cons:
- Some customers may not be inclined to leave reviews, regardless of convenience
- Negative reviews are also possible, which may need to be addressed promptly
Using the Same Page in Different Menu Sections
When structuring the main navigation menu on your website, it's essential to consider the user experience. While it may be tempting to include the same page in different menu sections to increase visibility, this practice can lead to confusion and a poor user experience. Redundancy in menu options can create navigation challenges for users and dilute your website's overall effectiveness.
Instead of duplicating pages in your menu, focus on creating a clear and intuitive navigation flow. Consider the logical grouping of content and the user's journey through your website. Each menu item should lead to a distinct and relevant page, allowing users to find the information they need effortlessly. By prioritizing user experience over redundancy, you will provide a seamless and satisfying browsing experience for your visitors.
Pros:
- Simplifies website navigation for users
- Enhances the overall user experience
- Ensures clarity and avoids confusion
Cons:
- Dilutes the effectiveness of individual menu options
- Can create redundancy and confusion for users
The Proper Mix of Text and Images for Retail
As a retail business, finding the right balance between text and images is crucial to effectively showcase your products and engage customers. The ideal mix depends on the nature of your business and the content you are presenting. Here are some guidelines to help you strike the right balance:
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Descriptive Product Pages: If you have an e-commerce site with a variety of products, focus on providing clear and concise descriptions for each item. Be descriptive, highlighting key features and benefits. This helps customers make informed decisions when purchasing online.
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Answer Customer Questions: In blog posts or informational pages, use ample text to answer common customer questions, provide valuable insights, and establish your expertise. This will not only engage readers but also enhance your website's search engine optimization (SEO) by targeting relevant keywords.
Remember, the key is to serve your customers by providing the information they need in a visually appealing and informative manner. Strive for a user-friendly interface that showcases your products effectively while considering the specific needs of your target audience.
Pros:
- Clear and concise product descriptions help customers make informed purchasing decisions
- Ample text content addresses customer inquiries and establishes expertise
- Enhances SEO by targeting relevant keywords and providing valuable information
Cons:
- Overloading with text can overwhelm customers and decrease engagement
- Insufficient text content may leave customers with unanswered questions
How Long People Stay on Your Site
Understanding how long people stay on your website is valuable in assessing user engagement and the effectiveness of your content. The duration of a user's visit, known as the bounce rate, provides insights into the relevance and appeal of your website. Several factors contribute to the time users spend on your site, such as:
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Content Relevance and Quality: Engaging, informative content that aligns with the user's search intent encourages them to explore and remain on your site.
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Navigation and Website Design: User-friendly navigation and an intuitive website design enable visitors to find what they're looking for easily, promoting longer visits.
Analyzing the bounce rate can reveal trends and patterns. For example, if the overall average bounce rate is around 51%, it indicates that visitors find your website engaging and informative. However, if the aggregate bounce rate for various traffic sources is closer to 70%, it suggests areas where user experience can be improved.
To drive longer website visits, focus on providing valuable content that satisfies user intent and optimize the overall usability of your website.
Pros:
- Allows for evaluating user engagement on your website
- Identifies areas for improvement in content relevance and quality
- Pinpoints aspects of navigation and website design to enhance user experience
Cons:
- Bounce rates may vary depending on the industry and website type, making benchmarking challenging
- Limited insight into the specific reasons users leave the site without interaction
Blocking Certain Ads with Google AdSense
For websites that utilize Google AdSense, the ability for users to block certain ads is limited. Google's algorithm places ads based on relevance to the user's browsing history and interests. While Google aims to ensure the ads shown align with the user's preferences, it may not always meet their expectations.
While users cannot precisely block individual ads, they can influence the ads they see by managing their Google Ad Settings. By adjusting their interests and preferences, users can tailor the types of ads they encounter. However, it's important to note that the primary control lies with Google's algorithm, as it determines the ad targeting based on various factors.
As a website owner, the focus should be on delivering high-quality content and user experiences to encourage visitor engagement. By providing valuable information and maintaining a user-friendly website, the overall experience will be enhanced, while the impact of ads becomes less bothersome for users.
Pros:
- Users can influence the types of ads they see through Google Ad Settings
- High-quality content and user experiences can reduce ad-related frustrations
Cons:
- Users have limited control over specifically blocking individual ads
- Google's algorithm remains the primary determinant in ad targeting
How Ads are Placed on Websites and Winning More Auctions
Google Ads relies on an auction system to determine which ads are placed on websites. The ad auction ranks advertisements based on their bids and quality scores. Here's how you can improve your chances of winning more auctions:
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Bids: Set competitive bids to increase the likelihood of winning auctions. A higher bid indicates a willingness to pay more for ad placements.
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Quality Score: Enhance your quality score by creating relevant and engaging ads, optimizing landing pages, and ensuring a positive user experience. A higher quality score increases the chances of winning the auction, even with lower bids compared to competitors.
By combining competitive bidding with a strong quality score, you can secure prime ad placements and achieve your advertising goals. Remember, it's not just about outbidding competitors; providing a valuable and user-centric experience often proves more effective.
Pros:
- Competitive bids increase chances of winning auctions
- Higher quality scores enhance overall ad performance
- Focusing on user experience and relevance improves auction success
Cons:
- High bids can increase advertising costs without guaranteed returns
- Achieving a high-quality score requires continuous optimization and upkeep
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