Traverse the Web Easily with Google+ Sign In

Posted on February 27, 2013 by MikeA

RankZenSigning up for a social media account these days is worth much more than simply having a way to keep up with friends and family. Social media accounts have evolved into digital forms of identification as of late, as you can now easily log in to hundreds of websites simply by connecting your  Facebook or Twitter account. Google has since hopped on the trend with Google+ Sign In, which retains the universality of social media logins while offering its own unique benefits.

According to Mashable, Google+ Sign In will expand your Google experience from just Gmail, G+, and Youtube, to a full variety of locations all over the web. Through G+ Sign In, website admins will gain access to crucial information from customers, such as basic personal info and what keywords led them to the website.

Mastering social media in our ever-connected age is just as crucial as making the most of search engine optimization strategies. Creating a consistent presence all over the web is key to standing out, and universal connectors such as Google+ Sign In make doing so easier than ever. The technology of the future is out there, so it is time to make the absolute most of it!

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Getting Viral with Videos and More

Posted on February 18, 2013 by MikeA

RankZenEven if you are an internet newbie, chances are you have heard the term “viral marketing” somewhere. And if you are not sure what this practice is, fear not–viral marketing has nothing to do with spreading a brain-altering disease. The term is a reference to how certain videos, pictures, and articles can spread to millions of people overnight, with little explanation. Wondering why everyone is talking about the “Harlem Shake” all of a sudden? That is one of YouTube’s many viral trends, which finds groups of people dancing wildly to a silly song for just about no reason.

While virality cannot always be predicted, many businesses use viral marketing methods when promoting their products. Whether you create a funny song or present a mystifying image, just about anything is eligible to become a viral hit on the internet. Some viral campaigns involve cryptic images that lead to a product’s release date, while some are flat-out funny videos that last a lifetime.

What can your business learn from this? Never be afraid to dip into viral territory. Creating this type of content is a hit with fans, and you never know when your efforts might just blow up. While keyword tracking and SEO analysis is quite important, your next big break might lie in a cleverly-captioned image of a cute kitten.

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Set Your Business in Motion with YouTube

Posted on February 11, 2013 by MikeA

RankZenWhen you first think about online marketing, the first few platforms that come to mind are likely Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and the endless blogging options available for everyone. However, creating videos to increase your online presence gives a personality to your business that just cannot be replicated from a blog post, status update, or tweet. For this reason, utilizing YouTube to the fullest is just as essential as mastering the best keyword search engine optimization strategies around.

Because YouTube is such a simple and widely-viewed platform, there are truly no limits as to how to use it to grow your business. You can take the personal approach, and produce daily or weekly video logs to put a face and voice to your company. Of course, it cannot hurt to get creative, so feel free to use anything from comedy skits to interviews to help bolster your online presence.

The world of YouTube is an exciting one, especially considering that many users prefer the video service over cable television. Now is a better time than ever to put yourself on camera. While keyword optimization and SEO analysis can do great things for you on a technical level, adding your own personality to your brand will help leave a long-lasting impression.

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Getting Trendy with Twitter Topics

Posted on February 5, 2013 by MikeA

RankZenIf you tuned in to this past Sunday’s Super Bowl and were simultaneously glued to Twitter, you probably noticed keywords such as “Ravens,” “Power Outage,” and “Beyonce” filling up your news feed. These hot-button, hashtagged words on Twitter are called “Trending Topics,” as they are the most talked about topics on the network at a given moment. By taking part in these global conversations when they are at their peak, you can bring your business to an all-new level of visibility.

For example, if you sell sports merchandise and decide to chime in on the #SuperBowl Twitter discussion, your name will become to visible to millions of users around the world who are talking about the topic. A great Tweet would be something along the lines of “Getting ready for the #SuperBowl? Stock up on your favorite team’s merch right here!” Creating a strong presence on Twitter is just as important as search engine optimization, as consumers everywhere spend a good chunk of their day glued to the network on their phones, tablets, and computers. Just as you may use SEO analysis to track the success of your keyword optimization, you can easily keep a record of your Twitter success by viewing the number of retweets and favorites that your tweets receive. Now get out there and get trendy!

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Should I Sell at Online Marketplaces?

Posted on January 29, 2013 by OrenS

rankzenThe short answer is, YES! Let’s explain why. Although cost, customer perception and loyalties, brand, and presentation all play a part, ease of access is another. This is typically referred to as market friction, or the easy by which buyer and seller can connect. It explains why people are willing to pay more at a location close to home or travel far for savings. Websites like eBay.com and Amazon.com create monopolies because they are so close to being frictionless. Other, more specified market places (Etsy.com for arts and crafts is a good example) operate similarly. There is also a reinforcing aspect in that customers want to shop where there are the most vendors because of price competition and variety, while vendors want to be where the most customers are.

Unfortunately, participating in online markets as a vendor is not frictionless. There are fees, a learning curve, and even once you are on your way, there is lot of message checking, emailing and updating. Remember, however, that some businesses now run entirely on online marketplaces. It is a testament to the strength of such sites. There are a lot of benefits to being a part of online marketplaces and it is something any retail business needs to consider.

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Reaching out to the Internet, Unconventionally

Posted on January 28, 2013 by MikeA

RankZenAccording to Mashable, a woman took a rather unorthodox approach to job hunting recently. Rather than scouring job-search websites and sending out troves of cover letters, Sonya Williams of Michigan put herself on eBay. Yes, you read that right. This experienced laboratory technician cleverly made herself an internet product (complete with the urgent “hurry, I will go FAST”) in an attempt to stand out from a crowded internet full of hopeful employees.

While we cannot predict how successful Sonya’s human-auction campaign can be, her creative foray into the job market is a reminder that there truly are no limits when it comes to marketing yourself online. Sure, Facebook, Twitter, and keyword research always play a role when it comes to growing your presence, but doing something truly noteworthy will make your business shine brightly amongst the rest. Whether you start to make a buzz on a more quirky social media site or create a simple online game that spreads the word about your company, there are endless ways to take the more unconventional approach to internet marketing. All good ideas deserve a chance to thrive, and your new methods just might start showing results in your SEO analysis. No matter how out-there your next idea may be, it just might be the one that opens up your business to the world.

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The Future of Internet Marketing

Posted on January 25, 2013 by OrenS

RankzenAnyone who tells you they know the future of internet marketing should be viewed suspiciously. No one knows what innovations are waiting in the wings. After all, think back to five years ago. Did you know what Facebook was? Most people didn’t and now it is an essential business tool. Although we can’t see into the future, we can analyze trends to try to paint a more generalized forecast. One trend we would like to discuss today is personalization.

Many experts believe the days of broad internet marketing are over. People are increasingly turning to apps, programs and services that offer customized services and suggestions based off their Internet use. Pinterest and Google Plus are all examples of services that offer an Internet more tailored to your unique needs. How can you use this to your benefit?

Many of these sites allow business to join and then with a bit of promotion, your customers, or potential customers, will find you. Gathering emails and Facebook friends is another way that you can hone in on your customers. Don’t be afraid to get up close and personal with your customers. The future of the Internet is unknown, but a savvy business owner always keeps an eye on his clients’ preferences.

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New Myspace Opens to the Public

Posted on January 15, 2013 by MikeA

RankZenIn the mid 2000′s, “MySpace” was today’s Facebook, serving as the de-facto online destination for meeting new people and finding new music. Due to various unfavorable redesigns and Facebook’s internet takeover, the network became a bit of a running joke to social media junkies and most users jumped ship. However, after years of lying dormant, the former social juggernaut has risen from the ashes and taken a new, music-centric form that lies somewhere between Pintrest and Spotify in terms of features and functionality.

Why are we talking about Myspace in 2013? Well, seeing as it is a brand-new site, it should be viewed as yet another platform to expand the reach of your business. While you cannot make a business “Fan Page” like you can on Facebook, you can make a personal profile on MySpace to grow awareness about your brand through search engine optimization. Since Myspace is music-based, find creative ways to connect to your potential audience. Take some time to “like” songs and artists that can be tied to your products in order to grow visibility to people on the network with similar interests. Combined with your current SEO analysis and keyword optimization strategies, making the most out of the newest social tools in the game is the key to future success.

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Internet Use Nears 50% of World Population

Posted on January 9, 2013 by OrenS

Just how many people are going to be logging onto the internet this year? In some developed nations the percentage can top 85%. The world average for having some kind of internet access was around 35% in 2012. We will soon be living in a world where over 50% of the population has regular web access. What does this mean for your business?

These statistics paint a broad picture but are a good indicator of overall trends. More people are using the internet, they are spending more time online in a given sitting, they are increasing the number of activities- like dating and shopping – that they do online. You want to be where your customers and potential customers are and you will be hard pressed to find a demographic that is not experiencing a significant increase in internet use. By not being online, as a business, you are closing yourself off to literally billions of people. You may be doing well now without and online presence, but even in this day and age that makes you something of an anomaly. Do you really want to wait for your business to start suffering before you build a website, start reaching out on social media and generally increase your online profile?

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Adapt Your Online Strategies for the Times

Posted on January 7, 2013 by MikeA

RankZenSocial media news site Mashable recently highlighted 5 new online business strategies that are set to become the norm in 2013. While this is not an end-all guide to the rest of the year, the article is full of tips that any online businessperson should take to heart. The internet landscape is rapidly changing, and the only way to stay current is to change with it.

The article notes that surveys are a way of the past, and that business can gain much more detailed customer information through Facebook and Twitter interaction. The story also encourages businesses to get even more creative with social media and make use of the ever-prevalent location targeting found in just about every computer and smart device.

Of course, the advent of new methods does not mean that you have to drop your old ones. If keyword tracking has been working in your favor, then continue to refine your quest towards traffic. Paired with new, far-reaching social media methods, SEO analysis can be an even stronger source of gauging consumer interaction and creating new content accordingly. In an age where experimentation often yields great results, try a mix of business methods old and new to make the most of 2013.

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