If you’re spending on AdWords (or other online ads) then you’re probably paying close attention to conversion rates. Doing so is understandable but flawed. And it may be hurting you and also Google. At risk of oversimplifying how conversion tracking works, a person clicks on your ad, a cookie is placed in their browser, and when they buy your product, this registers as a conversion. Voilà . … Read More
Be quiet and let your data talk
Have you ever got carried away with a bad or impractical idea? In the cold light of day, vision and dreams are poor substitutes for facts. It can be painful. Many times this is down to the massive gap that lies between a dream and a plan. One simple and effective way to transform such ideas is to get rid of words and phrases like think, believe, … Read More
Content in context (all about that words, ’bout that words)
Most people have some expectations of what awaits them when they arrive on a website. On our own site, for example, we primarily provide services related to AdWords and SEO. When I look at the keywords that bring people to our content, there are of course some words and phrases that are less targeted than others, but the majority are relevant to what we … Read More
SEO Strategy for 2015 – don’t wait to be hit
Five years ago, the chance of getting hit by a real SEO penalty was incredibly small. There was a lot of talk and fear about being “banned by Google”, but in the majority of cases this was completely unfounded. And bear in mind that these were the days of black-hat SEO tactics being a lot more commonly used and accepted, as ultimately … Read More
Please help – final 5 second SEO experiment
I recently asked for your help with an experiment to test how HTTP Referrer Information may not be passed on through SSL servers. We’re almost there, but can I please ask for your help one last time? All you have to do is click on the link below, then click on the link that’s on that page. That’s it. Please … Read More
SEO procrastination may hurt like a kick in the rankings
Let me guess. You’ve been meaning to get round to SEO for __ months, but [fill in your excuse here]. A few years ago that was questionable; today it may be deadly. Not convinced? Here are five reasons why you need to make SEO more of a priority. Today’s technique may be tomorrow’s spam. The rate of change in Google’s … Read More
Please help – 5 second SEO experiment
A while ago we posted our advice on whether or not you should be implementing SSL on your server for SEO reasons. The nutshell answer being don’t panic over SEO and SSL. Another reason for not doing anything right now is that there’s evidence to suggest that HTTP Referrer information is not being passed on through links. So we’d like … Read More
Conversion tracking in Google AdWords – a better way
AdWords conversion tracking is dead. No, Google haven’t removed it from AdWords, nor are they phasing it out. Yet. But if you’re using conversion tracking as your sole gauge of success, you’re doing it wrong! Why? Because AdWords conversion tracking is a highly inaccurate indicator; but not a reliable metric. The entire system is based on a cookie, and that cookie might not … Read More
SSL and SEO: Don’t Panic.
You may already be aware that Google sent enormous waves around the SEO world yesterday with their announcement that HTTPS is to be considered a ranking signal: There’s a lot of speculation on the impact and significance of this, so rather than you having to wade through the details, here’s my take on the matter. Don’t panic. There is nothing … Read More
Please don’t be our next SEO client
Nobody ever skips brushing their teeth. It just doesn’t happen. I myself have had long journeys crossing far too many time zones, where I’ve staggered into bed without showering or even washing my face, but my teeth always get brushed. Always. It doesn’t matter how exhausted, hungover, sick, miserable or tight for time you may be; you always brush your … Read More
