In order to exclude specific searches from seeing AdWords ads, negative keywords are required. For example a company selling a Windows email application bidding on the phrase “email software”, might consider using the following negative keywords: -mac -apple -os x -free -freeware A person searching for “email software for mac” or “free email software” wouldn’t see the ads. However, the … Read More
Fact: most of us are above average at everything
Practical eCommerce have produced the results of their SEO Survey. Aside from the fact that they made no mention of how many people took part, let’s consider the highlights of each question and answer combination: More than 95% of respondents though that SEO is important for their business. Nearly all respondents claim to have a fair or good understanding of … Read More
How to kill AdWords with conversion data
Warning: this blog post may offend the short-sighted. Our company has worked with a large number of online businesses over the years. And most understand the basic principles of how Google AdWords works. We advise most of our AdWords clients to use conversion tracking, as this provides a useful gauge as to how well different parts of the account are … Read More
Free AdWords consultations
I have had the pleasure of working with hundreds of Google AdWords accounts over the past ten years, and am yet to see a single account that isn’t wasting money and missing opportunities. I’ve seen accounts that waste hundreds or even thousands of dollars a day. I’ve seen accounts whose owners think they’re making a good ROI when they’re actually … Read More
There’s never been a better time to sell garbage online
According to a recent survey, 50% of online shoppers conduct research online for at least half of their purchases, and 64% usually read online reviews prior to making product purchase decisions. The specifics here are fascinating. I might understand only 50% of shoppers researching their purchases online, but 50% of online shoppers? In other words they’re already online, yet choose … Read More
Around the world in 14 days
For those of you who have been following my exploits, after being stranded in Shanghai by volcanic ash, I’m now home. The incredible fact is that within 14 days I flew the whole way round the world. From London to Shanghai, Shanghai to Chicago, Chicago to Newark and finally Newark to London. To describe the experience as taxing on the … Read More
iPad, Best Buy and poor credibility
There have to be some perks to being a temporary refugee in the US , so I obviously couldn’t resist visiting the local Best Buy store with company credit card in hand. I found myself intrigued by the iPad display, and it didn’t take long for the first (of many) irritatingly friendly Best Buy’ assistants’ to ask me how I was doing. … Read More
Stranded by volcanic ash
Last week I attended and spoke at the Chinese Software Global Summit in Shanghai. Thanks to the oddity of a volcanic erruption in Iceland, my flight back to the UK was cancelled on Saturday, leaving me stranded in Shanghai for at least a few weeks. I’m now working from Chicago in the US, as it has to be easier to … Read More
Print media and the inability to adapt
I had a phone call yesterday from a free business magazine that I receive in the mail each month. They wanted to know if I was happy with my subscription (?) and whether I wanted any additional copies for our office. When I told her that we’re only a small company, she offered to send me five more copies each … Read More
China, Google AdWords and me
One week from today I’ll be on my way to China for the Chinese Software Global Summit in Shanghai. I like to think of myself as well educated, and yet have realised how little I know about so much of the world. I’m going to a country with a population of over 1.3 billion, and despite the fact that we … Read More
