Most businesses choose to take advantage of the persuasive powers of numbers at some point, but a recent post on Google’s Inside AdWords left me less than impressed: “Advertisers often wonder whether search ads cannibalize their organic traffic. If search ads were paused, would clicks on organic results increase and make up for the loss in paid traffic? Google statisticians … Read More
You might want to check your conversion data…
As you read this, your AdWords stats from last week or the week before may have changed since you last looked at them. No, this isn’t some form of AdWords trickery. It has to do with a little known fact that recorded conversions are applied to the date of the ad click, and not the date of the conversion. So if you … Read More
Can you use Google Ads without Analytics?
I used to be strongly opposed to using Google Analytics and Google Ads together, but I used to be skinny and muscular too. Things change. My single issue with using Analytics was that it wasn’t as free as it appeared. You paid for the use of Google’s software by supplying them with your data. If you’re aware of this, and … Read More
Google +1: why you need to care
Google +1 (not to be confused with Google +) is simply a means of people endorsing a web page, and signifies a refocus for Google, where they acknowledge the importance of the user: the start of social SEO.
Using the right tone is paramount, innit?
When I give instructions to the person who cleans our house, I sound quite different from when I’m talking to a potential client. Aside from not grovelling as much, I use different language and a different tone. Most people speak differently depending on the context of who they’re talking to. In fact I recently noticed that when I pay our … Read More
Why does no-one visit my great web page?
Too many businesses believe that the people who come to their website are unpredictable. That they’re out of control, entirely irrational and impossible to control. This is nonsense. The people who come to your website can only read the content that you present to them. They can only click the links and buttons that you put in front of them. … Read More
Why AdWords is better than the casino
When I was a student I didn’t have much money. But once in a blue moon, some friends and I would go for a night out at a Casino. We didn’t expect to walk out with more money in our pockets than when we went in, but it was a good night, and we enjoyed ourselves. Broadly speaking, you get … Read More
“Help: 60% of my website visitors are bouncing off my main page”
Yes, this was the subject of an email I received last week. Yes, the person who wrote it gave me permission to quote him. No, I’m not going to name him. Before going further, let’s remember the difference between a bounce rate and an exit rate. An exit rate is the percentage of visits to a page that go no … Read More
How can I measure my SEO success? Start with the basics.
I often come across businesses who want to improve their performance in Google – often through organic search. Most of them use Google Analytics, and all want more traffic from Google. When we begin optimising a client’s website for the search engine/s, the process begins by getting a feel for how they’re doing so far. Apologies for the screenshots using … Read More
Why shouldn’t I trust Google?
I love Google; it has become an integral part of my life. But I don’t trust Google. Especially when it comes to AdWords. The reason? A bittersweet yet subtle mix of cunning and disinformation, fuelled by ignorance and trust.
