1. Search engine crawlers can identify text but not graphics. Crawlers see graphics as code or unreadable text. So it is essential not to build a website that contains too many graphics. Graphics may improve the appearance of your website but it will rank low in search engine results, as search engine crawlers will not be able to index it correctly. Adding alt text to your images does help, but it cannot take the place of good old-fashioned text content on your site. Content is king!
2. Ensure that your website does not have any broken links.  Test the status of all your site links to ensure they are functioning. A website with badly maintained links will not be ranked highly by search engines. If you use Wordpress, there is a great plugin to check for and help you correct broken links.
3. Do not create a flash website. Search engine crawlers do not recognize flash graphics and consequently the website will not be ranked on search engine listings. Having the coolest looking site is not always in your best interest.

But let’s not end this on a negative vibe. What about three top SEO tips?

1. Title Tag, Meta Description, and Meta Keyword - Use accurate and carefully worded keywords and phrases. This is no place to put your company name, unless it IS packed with your keywords. The Title tag is prime real estate. Use it wisely. Also, keep it down to about 70 characters (if you can)…always a struggle for me. Use the most important keywords first. Oh, and don’t forget to make the page Title unique for each page and based on the content of each page. The Meta Description can be very similar to what you’ve put in your Title tag, but expanded on a bit. Use the same concepts. Make the information relevant to the content on the page.
2. Page Content - While it might be difficult for you to come up with content about you, your company, your industry,  and your services, and while it may be easier to load up your pages with images - please spend the time on this, spend lots of time. You can tweak it as time goes on, but don’t skimp on this. It’s one of the most important things you can do to help yourself be found and to impress the people that find you. When it comes to the “text .vs image” battle, TEXT wins every time. It goes without saying that you need to come up with great keywords to use. I use Market Samurai, but there are plenty of keyword research tools available.
3. Build Quality Incoming Links - use Search Engine Directories, Article Submission sites, Social Networking sites, Press Releases. Also, if you’re willing to provide valuable information and not use spammy techniques you should find the time to contribute to forums, blog comments, review sites, and Q&A sites (such as Yahoo Answers)

Remember, if you have a Wordpress blog or your whole site is built on the Wordpress platform all SEO tips, strategies, and techniques still apply. Spend the time to get the most out of your site, or hire me to do it for you…(shameless plug).

There, I’ve listed the 3 top things not to do, and the 3 top things you should be doing to get great SEO results for your website. This is just a short list. There are plenty more where those came from.

Article by Andrea Kalli
Certified Internet and Social Marketing Assistant
Editing for your Podcast / Audio / Teleseminar / Audio Book

Three of the Most Common Search Engine Optimization Mistakes to Avoid

Related posts

• What’s This Thing They Call Article Marketing? (0)
• Things I Learned at Camp…WordCamp Denver, that is. (1)
• Social Marketing Packages (0)
• Market Samurai Gets A Speed Overhaul (4)
• LinkedIn Applications for Business and Functionality (2)

If you have been trying to decide between a full size laptop and one of those ultra-lightweight notebooks you are certainly not alone.  Many computer users are struck by the incredible lightness of these new portable notebooks, and they may be wondering if these notebooks can really replace larger and bulkier machines.  These ultra-lightweight notebooks are certainly much easier to carry around than those full size laptops - indeed most models weigh in at only a couple of pounds.  This light weight makes them easy to carry from place to place - certainly a boon to road warriors and busy workers on the go.

But before you take the plunge it is important to consider a number of factors.  These ultra-portable machines are a great choice for many users, but they may not be the solution for every user.  In order to determine if an ultra-portable notebook is right for you it is important to consider a number of factors.

Factor #1 - Your Computing Lifestyle

One of the most important factors to consider is whether or not you really need such a lightweight notebook.  Those tiny laptops are certainly sleek and attractive, but do they fit well with the way you work?  If you do most of your computing in your office or your home you probably will not see many of the benefits of an ultra-portable notebook, and you may be better off with a full size laptop that boasts a large screen and easy to use keyboard.

If on the other hand you are a busy executive on the go who needs constant access to email and other applications a super lightweight laptop may be just what the doctor ordered.  These notebooks were created with the needs of the traveler in mind, and ultra-portable notebooks are the perfect choice for road warriors and others who travel frequently.  These handy machines can offer many of the benefits of a web-enabled cell phone, including internet surfing, email access, calendar applications and more in a package that weighs only a few pounds.

Factor #2 - Cost vs. Capability

In addition to their size there is another very attractive feature of many lightweight laptops - namely their very low prices.  With a bit of shopping around it is possible to find these ultra-lightweight notebooks on sale for only a few hundred dollars, making them as affordable as they are useful.

Of course that low cost can come with a price tag of its own, so it is important to shop around carefully.  The specs of these lightweight laptops can themselves be a bit light at times, so it is important to choose a machine with plenty of memory, a solid processor and enough extras to make it truly a good replacement for a traditional desktop or laptop computer.

Factor #3 - Processor Speed

Lightweight notebooks are often far less costly than traditional laptops, and one of the ways manufacturers cut the cost is by skimping on the model and speed of the processor.  The CPU is the heart of any laptop, no matter what its size, so be sure to look for an ultra-portable laptop with a solid processor built in.

Factor #4 - The Amount of Memory

The amount of memory is one of the best determinants of how fast the notebook will run, so don’t skimp on RAM.  The good news is that many of the most popular ultra-portables on the market boast a good amount of memory - often 4GB or more.  Boosting the amount of installed memory is one of the best ways to boost the performance and usefulness of your lightweight notebook.

Factor #5 - Screen Size

One of the things that makes ultra-portable laptops so lightweight and easy to carry is the size of the screen.  When shopping for this class of laptop you will typically be looking at screen sizes between 7″ and 12″.  These differences in screen size can be significant, and it is a good idea to look at a few models in person to ensure the screen will be useful for you.

Factor #6 - Keyboard Size

The size of the keyboard is yet another factor with this class of notebook, so again it is a good idea to actually lay your hands on the computer.  Go to the store and type on the keyboard - does the keyboard feel comfortable and easy to use?  The good news here is that even some of the smallest ultra-portables have surprisingly large and easy to use keyboards.

Factor #7 - Optical Drive (or Lack Thereof)

Many people are surprised to find that many ultra-portable notebooks do not come with a built-in DVD drive, so it is important to look for this feature as you shop. One of the great things about buying a small and compact notebook computer is that it can serve as both computer and portable DVD player.  If the ability to play your favorite movies while on the go is important to you be sure to look for an ultra-portable with a built-in DVD drive.

Factor #8 - USB Slots and External Connections

We all know how useful those little USB thumb drives can be, but some lightweight notebooks provide only a few - or none at all.  It is important for computer shoppers to look at the external connections on the notebooks they are considering - not only USB slots but connections for external monitors, docking stations and more.

By considering these factors you will be better able to determine if one of these super sleek and super lightweight notebooks is the right choice for you.  Buying a new computer is a major purchase, and it is important to give this purchase the care and consideration it deserves.

Happy Shopping!

Article by Andrea Kalli
Certified Internet and Social Marketing Assistant
Editing for your Podcast / Audio / Teleseminar / Audio Book

Traditional Laptop vs. Lightweight Notebook – 8 Factors to Consider

Related posts

• What Can Twitter Do For My Business? (0)
• Recruiting Talent With Twitter (0)
• Creating Membership Sites - Acknowledging Your Customer’s Loyalty (2)
• Contests: An Exciting Way to Attract Customers (0)

Powered by Twitter Tools.

Article by Andrea Kalli
Certified Internet and Social Marketing Assistant
Editing for your Podcast / Audio / Teleseminar / Audio Book

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-07-01

Related posts

• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-24 (0)
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-17 (1)
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-10 (0)
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-03 (0)
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-05-27 (0)

The darling of the internet shopping crowd, Amazon, provides a free application in the App store for shopping on their site. It’s fast, full-featured, and dangerous - it supports one-click shopping if you’ve configured your account for it. You can search for items, just like the “normal” Amazon site. You can snoop through the customer reviews, getting a good idea of how the past purchasers feel about their buying decision. This is a great thing even if you’re in a local store making purchases - the reviews on Amazon give you a good feel for how people like the product. If that store is out of an item, you can look it up on Amazon and order it anyway. There’s even a very cool feature called “Amazon Remembers”. It allows you to snap a picture of a product, which it then ships back home to Amazon. Some time later, if it’s recognizable as a produce, you’ll get an email notification that it’s been identified. When you return to your iPhone’s Amazon App, you’ll find that product in the “remembers” category, where you can order it immediately if you so choose.

Another great shopping app is the Craig’s List application, called craigsphone. It’s also free in the App Store. You customize it for your local craigslist listings, and then suddenly, you’re on Craig’s List. The interface conforms nicely to the iPhone standards, and all the categories are there - although some are disabled by default ( ones that might display inappropriate imagery or text ). You can search for a used guitar, and email the seller about it. You can even upload photos from your iPhone, then post an item for sale using your iPhone. The app will allow you to bookmark items and return to them later, and see “Featured Items”. Some people believe the iPhone app is a better Craig’s List experience than their computer browser!

There are many ways to shop for music on the iPhone. You can buy music from the iTunes store, of course. But there are many more ways to find music on the iPhone. One example is the app “Shazam”. It’s a lifesaver for those times when you’re at the movie theater and you really want to know - and buy - the song that’s playing on the soundtrack, or during the credits; or when you’re walking around a store and you wonder, “What song is that?”. You bring up Shazam, hold your iphone so that it can “hear” the song, and touch “tag now”. An icon appears, a circle sweeps around it like a clock’s hands; it uploads some bit of that data to a central database, and a few seconds later, the song’s title, performer, and album cover appear, complete with “Buy on iTunes” link, “Buy CD on Amazon”, etc.

An App that’s similar in concept is called “Red Laser”; it allows you to photograph the bar code of an item. It then uploads the image of the barcode, and if it’s intelligible, it responds with exactly what the item is, and a “search Amazon” link. With the advent of the iPhone 3Gs and its significantly improved camera, this type of application should work even better.
Of course, when you purchase these Apps, you’re already shopping - and you can do it all on the iPhone itself, with the App Store. Thousands of applications are waiting for you to find them. This article has only touched on four excellent shopping application for the iPhone, just to get you started; there are probably hundreds more waiting for you to find them.

Article by Andrea Kalli
Certified Internet and Social Marketing Assistant
Editing for your Podcast / Audio / Teleseminar / Audio Book

Shopping on the iPhone

Related posts

• No related posts.

iPhone 3GS Enhancements

Roll out the video camera. The new iPhone 3GS enhances older models with a video recorder for the phone.  This isn’t enhanced technology as much as it is a catch-up move by Apple to other phone manufacturers who already implemented video capabilities. For avid iPhone users, however, this is an exciting new feature.

The camera on the new 3GS takes amazing images. The phone’s megapixel ratio jumped from one to two, making some of the most brilliantly sharp snapshots.  The problem that Apple doesn’t seem to want to rectify is the iPhone’s lack of a camera flash, so don’t expect great pictures if you use it at night.

Apple promises improved performance with its new phone. The cell phone cuts download time by half with the enhanced data network. Downloading a popular website reduced browsing time from 16 seconds down to 7, which satisfies Internet junkies who need their favorite sites fast.

Watson, Can You Encode Me?

Phones have come a long way since Alexander Graham Bell, but this inventor took the time to test his creation with his assistant. Apple’s new rollout of a full, voice controlled phone still needs a little work. The voice control is capable of handling basic, one-word tasks, but the recognition for more advanced functions doesn’t work as often as one would like.  There is an error rate of approximately 50% when giving voice commands, so frustrations may lead consumers to ditch the voice control for more traditional dialing.  Apple may want to rethink voice control for its iPhone, since this technology hasn’t been perfected for even old, clunky desktop machines.

Never Get Lost Again

If you have a poor sense of direction, then you might appreciate the iPhone 3GS compass. The new compass is a handy feature for those who are traveling and can’t figure out a direction.  The compass interfaces with Google Maps, so it’s an interesting addition for anyone who doesn’t have GPS systems in the car.  However, this technology has some users frustrated since the iPhone is extremely sensitive to interference. Apple’s webpage leaves a disclaimer that the compass is sensitive to magnetic forces in the area, so make sure you aren’t at home next to your computer when trying out the new application.

Overall, the new iPhone 3GS is a must-have if you can afford the $299 for the 32GB model.  Cut your hard drive space in half, and the price drops to $199.  Jumping from the first generation model to the newest technology will strengthen your love for the iPhone.

Article by Andrea Kalli
Certified Internet and Social Marketing Assistant
Editing for your Podcast / Audio / Teleseminar / Audio Book

Does the iPhone 3GS Stand up to the Hype?

Related posts

• No related posts.

Powered by Twitter Tools.

Article by Andrea Kalli
Certified Internet and Social Marketing Assistant
Editing for your Podcast / Audio / Teleseminar / Audio Book

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-24

Related posts

• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-07-01 (0)
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-17 (1)
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-10 (0)
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-03 (0)
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-05-27 (0)

Because HootSuite runs in your Web browser, there’s no software to download or update. Simply sign up for a free account, configure your account with all of your Twitter profiles, and begin tweeting – or is that hooting?

Upon signing in, a dashboard displays basic information for each Twitter profile. At a glance, you can see the last tweets sent as well as if you have any pending tweets, @replies, or direct messages. While the dashboard view gives you a quick overview, far more information is available. Click the “Jump to Profile” link and pick a profile. Once loaded, you can see the tweets of all of the people you are following as well as additional information such as statistics, favorites, and searches.

The HootSuite uses the Ow.ly URL shortening service to shrink longer URLs into smaller ones. Not only is this necessary due to the 140-character limit of tweets, it’s built in. Simply copy and paste your URL into the Ow.ly box and click the Shrink It button. In addition to the convenience, when you use the Ow.ly URL shortener, HootSuite can then provide you with statistics detailing how many people clicked your link.

Entering a tweet from within any profile is a breeze thanks to the large text box complete with avatars from each of your Twitter accounts, the Ow.ly shortener box, and a send later feature. Enter your tweet, paying attention to the character countdown as you type, and then click the avatar that you want the tweet to be from. A large green checkmark gives you a visual reminder of which Twitter profile the tweet is coming from. You can send the tweet immediately or schedule it for later.

The Send Later feature is terrific for Twitter users who want to spread out their tweets or take advantage of different time zones. Because all tweets from HootSuite are labeled in Twitter as “posted from HootSuite,” other users are not aware that they are viewing previously scheduled tweets. On the other hand, tweets from Twitter scheduling services such as Twuffer and Tweet Later are fairly obvious to savvy users as having been prescheduled.

HootSuite’s search feature automatically saves previous searches, making it easy to return to your favorite searches and see the most recent tweets for those keywords. For example, if you are in the market for a new home and regularly search Twitter for mortgage rates, simply click the “mortgage rates” button and see all of the latest tweets for that phrase.

Another neat tool is the Hootlet tool. Simply drag and drop the Hootlet to your Web browser’s link bar and click it any time you want to tweet about a Web page you are currently visiting. A small window appears allowing you to pick your Twitter avatar, type in the tweet, and either send the tweet right away or schedule it for later.

One area where HootSuite disappoints is that it doesn’t offer a user grouping feature as some of its competitors do. If you follow hundreds of people, some of your favorite ones can get lost in the Twitter stream. One workaround is to create a search for each of your favorite users and then periodically click the search button to view all of their recent tweets. While HootSuite does have a “Favorites” feature, it is for marking your favorite tweets, not your favorite people.

The Internet is loaded with Twitter applications (some free, some costing hundreds of dollars). HootSuite is one of the best of the bunch and is fully loaded with useful tools. Hoot!

Article by Andrea Kalli
Certified Internet and Social Marketing Assistant
Editing for your Podcast / Audio / Teleseminar / Audio Book

Using HootSuite is a Hoot Indeed!

Related posts

• What Can Twitter Do For Your Offline Business? (0)
• What Can Twitter Do For My Business? (0)
• Want to include cute little symbols in your Twitter posts? (1)
• Using Twitter on Your Cell Phone (2)
• Twitter: Friend Or Foe Of Business? (0)

They just released their “mystery module” today. A Search Engine Rank Tracker to not only monitor and track your position in the search engines, but it helps you make more money and save time for your online business.

Make a point to stop by their site to watch the video and read all about the coolness of this new feature.

With the click of a button, you can now get up-to-date data on:

• Where all of your web-pages rank in your market;
• In all 3 major search engines Google, Yahoo and Bing (MSN);
• Tracking your rank in any one of 234 countries and regions;
• For as many keywords as you choose;
• Including the details of all multiple listings that you have - not just the first listing;
• Right down to the 1,000th result - the deepest rank tracking analysis of any rank tracker available today

You can monitor the rankings of ANY Web 2.0 content alongside your website’s rankings - including your YouTube videos, Squidoo lenses and Ezine Articles…as well as seeing at a glance which pages are rising, and which are falling in the search engines.

Thanks Market Samurai! You’ve done it again!!

Article by Andrea Kalli
Certified Internet and Social Marketing Assistant
Editing for your Podcast / Audio / Teleseminar / Audio Book

Market Samurai Does It Again With Rank Tracker Module

Related posts

• Market Samurai Gets A Speed Overhaul (4)

Powered by Twitter Tools.

Article by Andrea Kalli
Certified Internet and Social Marketing Assistant
Editing for your Podcast / Audio / Teleseminar / Audio Book

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-17

Related posts

• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-07-01 (0)
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-24 (0)
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-10 (0)
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-03 (0)
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-05-27 (0)

Powered by Twitter Tools.

Article by Andrea Kalli
Certified Internet and Social Marketing Assistant
Editing for your Podcast / Audio / Teleseminar / Audio Book

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-10

Related posts

• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-07-01 (0)
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-24 (0)
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-17 (1)
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-03 (0)
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-05-27 (0)