Monday, April 25, 2011

Yahoo! Web Analytics Offers Alternative Solution to Google Analytics

Yahoo now offers its own Web Analytics solution, Yahoo! Web Analytics. This platform provides small and medium-sized businesses a strong analytical platform that rivals, and in some cases, surpasses Google Analytics. Some of the features of this platform include:

  • Customizable dashboards.
  • Real-time data collection – See visit data mere moments after they occur.
  • Visitor demographic reports – Understand who is viewing your website.
  • Merchandise Reporting.
  • Email notifications.

Like Google Analytics, Yahoo! Web Analytics is a free platform to use, however it is not open for everyone to use. In order to gain access, you must first either already advertise using Yahoo Advertising, own a Yahoo Merchant Solutions Standard or Professional plan, or have a contact that is a member of the Yahoo Web Analytics Consultant Network (YWACN). Though Yahoo! Web Analytics seems to be a powerful solution, this requirement negates the “free” aspect of the platform for many website owners.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Helpful Advice to writing Text Ad Copy PPC Advertising

When writing good Ad Copy, one must remember the end goal of the Campaign. Are you trying to drive traffic, obtain conversions, build brand awareness, or something else? For best results, the Call to Action in your Ad Copy needs to be aligned with the goal of your PPC Campaign. In addition to the Call to Action, the other part of the Ad Copy needs to be enticing and informative at the same time. The target audience needs to know what your business can do for them and why they should click on your Ad. Select one benefit that your business can provide and focus the Ad around it. To end the Ad, use the Display URL to tell the target audience who you are.

The first step is now done, you have an Ad. Now, it is time to optimize it. Read over your Ad a few times, trying to slice in keywords whenever possible. These keywords will help make your Ad more relevant and standout among other Ads. Finally cut your ad down to fit the appropriate character limit. Lastly, test your Ad Copy. Try running variations – focus on a different benefit, use different keywords, or reword the Ad – to see what achieves the best results.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

From SEM to Results

It seems like businesses are trying to justify SEO, whether it’s the tactics itself or the assumptions that Social Media has made SEO irrelevant. In order to effectively justify SEO for the business, you need to understand their purpose for hiring an SEO agency or an SEO consultant. In most cases, you want more relevant traffic that should generate leads or sales. There’s a process as to how agencies go about implementing a campaign. In addition to improved site traffic, a good consultant or agency should be able to provide you with the following items:
1. SEO Audit – this should identify strength, weakness, opportunities, and threat for competitor in relation to your business goals and objectives.
2. Competitive Data – this information should be used to identify or create a competitive advantage.
3. Web Design issues – they should be able to identify indexing, crawling, load time issues, etc.
4. Improvement!