Does your website have a mobile version yet? If not, you only have one month before your rankings will begin to suffer. Starting April 21, your ranking on Google will be affected by whether or not your site is mobile friendly. The new update, which was announced by Google on February 26 and takes effect on April 21, will impact all Google searches that take place on mobile devices. We've been expecting this move for some time now, as Google has been gradually making changes to increase the … [Read more...] about Mobile-Friendliness Is Now One of Google's Ranking Factors
"Local Search Puzzle" Pieced Together in One Simple Image
Having trouble understanding exactly what goes into your site's local search rankings, no matter how many times your account manager attempts to demystify it? This should help. Linda Buquet, a local search specialist and community leader of Local Search Forum, recently posted this illustration that simplifies the "puzzle" of local search. As the image shows, the four main components of local search are: Google (reviews and Google+) On-page SEO Citations Backlinks and social signals Let's … [Read more...] about "Local Search Puzzle" Pieced Together in One Simple Image
Know Your Google
How familiar with Google are you, actually? Not just the search engine—we're talking specifically about Google's policies as they pertain to your business. As a business owner, if you're not careful, ignorance or misinformation could wreak havoc on your online advertising efforts. Recently, Prospect Genius discovered two troublesome examples of what can happen when business owners aren't informed. First, some of our clients have been tricked by fraudulent phone calls from scammers pretending to … [Read more...] about Know Your Google
Google's New Policy Lets You Separate Business and Personal Accounts
Do you remember having to pass along your Google log-in information when you first signed up with us? That's because, due to one of Google's flawed policies, we needed it in order to access your business's listings and data. It was a flawed policy because it forced you to consolidate all of your Google applications under one username, regardless of whether they were for personal or professional use. This policy created a lot of headaches and confusion, which is why we're so relieved that it has … [Read more...] about Google's New Policy Lets You Separate Business and Personal Accounts
Should You Be Worried About Google My Business?
A few weeks ago, Google launched a brand-new platform for small businesses. Called Google My Business, it combines the features of Google+ Local and Google Places for Businesses, streamlining advertising and campaign management. Should you be worried about the change? As a Prospect Genius client, the answer is no. We're staying on top of the updates and can safely say that we'll be able to continue managing your account without any interruption to your campaign. For several years now, we've been … [Read more...] about Should You Be Worried About Google My Business?
Outdated Google Hacks You Need to Stop Using
Google is constantly refining and updating its algorithms to generate the most helpful and relevant search results possible for its users. As a business owner in the year 2014, you're well aware of this. You've probably seen firsthand the changes—some more subtle than others—in Google+ Local, Google Places for Business, and even standard Google search pages. But did you know that these algorithm changes have a significant impact on the advertising strategies that businesses are allowed to … [Read more...] about Outdated Google Hacks You Need to Stop Using
How to Make Google+ Work for You
As a business owner in the year 2014, you most likely have a Google+ page. If you're enrolled in the Prospect Genius Starter or Core program, then you definitely do. But the simple act of having a listing isn't enough if you want to truly optimize your lead generation. To get the most out of your Google+ page, you'll have to become an active participant. In this blog post, we'll cover two of the easiest ways you can optimize your listing: adding photos and getting reviews. Add Personality With … [Read more...] about How to Make Google+ Work for You
Optimize Your Site Before You Bid on AdWords
Google and Michael Jordan: Not So Different? Think of Google as a celebrity sponsor: His or her mass appeal will sell a product, but they don't want to advertise a brand that they can't vouch for, lest they ruin their own reputation. This rule applies to PPC ads shown on Google's search results pages. To protect their brand, Google tries to ensure that the ads they display are actually related to the searches performed. So even though your PPC (a.k.a. "AdWords") ad might match the keywords in a … [Read more...] about Optimize Your Site Before You Bid on AdWords
6 Common SEO Practices That Will Get You in Trouble
Day in and day out, we encounter small business owners who are completely misinformed about Google's policies. In particular, there seems to be a lot of false information about the legitimacy (or lack thereof) of certain online advertising practices. We hate to see trusting business owners get in trouble with Google by making honest, albeit misinformed, mistakes. That's we're dedicating this post to highlighting popular online advertising behaviors that are sure to provoke Google's retribution. … [Read more...] about 6 Common SEO Practices That Will Get You in Trouble
Page One Guarantee? No, Thanks.
"We'll put your website on the first page of Google!" "Guaranteed page-one rankings!" "First-page placement guaranteed!" You've heard it all before. If you search Google for SEO services, it won't take long for you to find a slew of SEO companies making these types of guarantees. In fact, these guarantees are so pervasive, you could easily conclude that they're the basis of most companies' business plans. However, when it comes down to it, these companies are guaranteeing something that is … [Read more...] about Page One Guarantee? No, Thanks.