Social media scoring is the practice of measuring people’s online influence, which is calculated using data from social networks. There are a few popular social scoring tools, including Peerindex and Kred, but the most popular and widely used is Klout. Like Google, which ranks the relevance and authority of websites using a proprietary algorithm, Klout ranks the influence and authority of people online using an algorithm. Klout gives users a score that “measures influence based on your ability to drive action.” The Klout score is … Continue reading →

Negative SEO is the malicious intention to decrease or penalize a site’s visibility and rankings in the search results. It is considered to be a “black hat”, or unethical technique- as opposed to “white hat”, ethical SEO.  While this practice is highly frowned upon, it is good to understand these techniques as a precaution to prevent your site from being manipulated. Businesses need to know what to avoid, but also how poorly performing competitors are outranking their site.  A high search ranking can depend on … Continue reading →

Google’s Matt Cutts announced a new algorithm change at the SXSW conference when responding to a question about regular websites competing with over optimized sites. The algorithm change was described by Cutts as one that will penalize sites that are over optimized, and level the playing field in the results. SEO can go beyond making sure pages are as useful as possible for the target audience and that the site is crawlable by search engines- that is what this change is targeting. This algorithm change … Continue reading →

Recent reports suggest that marketers intend to spend 10.8% of their budget on social media this year. To justify this significant investment in social media, CMO’s will without a doubt rely on reporting tools to assess the effectiveness of their social media campaigns. The ability for online marketers to assess social media campaigns does not come without its fair share of challenges. Even though social media is no longer a new frontier, measuring the effectiveness of a social media campaign still represents one of the … Continue reading →

Since its launch in June 2011, Google+ has attracted over 90 million users (about 10% of the amount of Facebook’s active users). Despite the preliminary fast growth, (Google+ gained 20 million users in the first 3 weeks) numbers imply that users aren’t spending much time on Google+. Wall Street Journal recently called Google+ a “virtual ghost town” in its article the Mounting Minuses at Google +. Google+ has an average use of just 3 minutes per month- lower than MySpace! Without active engagement, Google+ is … Continue reading →

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few months, you’ve likely heard of Pinterest — the latest and greatest craze sweeping the Internet. To put it’s rapid growth into perspective, one must only look to it’s closest competition. Throughout the history of the Internet, the only website that has grown at a faster rate than Pinterest is a little website by the name of Facebook. If that isn’t impressive enough, consider this fact. Pinterest is not a novel idea. Why has Pinterest … Continue reading →

The need for businesses to invest in a proper mobile website has never been stronger. Recent statistics suggest that businesses who choose to forego this advice may quickly see their market share diminish. According to the Internet Advertising Bureau, 61% of customers who visit a mobile unfriendly site are likely to go to a competitor’s site. With mobile Internet usage scheduled to surpass desktop Internet usage by 2014, businesses must consider implementing a mobile site to continue to be relevant. But the ways in which … Continue reading →

Over the past couple of years, we’ve witnessed social networking becoming increasingly important for businesses. Updates on social networks can be indexed by the search engines, and found by someone searching for your services. Friends of your fans can be exposed to your brand through their news feed. The vast number of ways that social networks empower your organization are too great to list. One social networking tool in particular that is really important is Google +.  Google made a change in January, and added … Continue reading →

As a full-service interactive agency, we are expected to understand all facets of the web. When a client comes to us with a question, it is our job to steer them in the right direction, and away from any situations that could harm their reputation. Recently, we were confronted with a question that to most would seem harmless enough. To jump-start a new campaign, a client was considering purchasing an email list. The allure of purchasing an email list is often hard for some businesses … Continue reading →

Think Google’s algorithm changes are determined only by a mathematical equation run by a gigantic computer? Think again! Since at least 2004, Google has utilized the services of third party companies to hire search quality evaluators- actual humans who help rate the quality of results and test potential algorithm configurations to see if they work as planned to improve results. I recently learned about Search Quality Evaluators from a Search Engine Land interview with one. Evaluators are asked to test algorithms or potential algorithm changes … Continue reading →

Google is always looking for the opportunity to upgrade search quality. Just about every month, Google makes one significant update to the search algorithm, but for every one major change there are many tens of minor changes. The amount of updates last year was reportedly over 600, To help simplify the hundreds of changes that happen each year, Google typically assigns a catchy codename to each major algorithm change. Algorithm changes with codenames such as Panda and Freshness should stand out in your memory as … Continue reading →

Year of the Share, not to be confused with Year of the Cher! Facebook’s Mark Zuckerburg coined “the law of sharing” a few years back, where he predicted the amount of information shared digitally will double each year. Social media growth and adaptation logged some impressive numbers in 2011: Active Facebook users topped 800 million, and increased over 50% in daily users Foursquare hit 10 million members LinkedIn has grown over 100% since 2010, with over 100 million users worldwide Google + debuted, and is … Continue reading →

The implementation of a corporate Contact Us to schedule a time we can further discuss social media consulting.

With all of the new and emerging ways to get in touch with someone, it is easy to forget how valuable a simple email can be. Email marketing has become big business in recent years due to its ability to enhance the merchant/customer relationship and encourage repeat business. When compared with other marketing channels, email tops the list in regards to return on investment, rivaled only by search marketing as the most effective online marketing tactic. With monthly newsletters, reminders about sales, and so on, … Continue reading →

As we enter the brand new month of November, we can look back upon some important changes in the world of Internet marketing that occurred in October. Here is a re-cap of some notable events to keep you up to date in the world of online marketing. 1. Panda Update Google confirmed “minor” updates and tweaks to the Panda update that took place on October 9th and 13th, which is being referred to as Panda 2.52. According to a survey from SEO Round Table, 80% … Continue reading →

As we enter the brand new month of November, we can look back upon some important changes in the world of Internet marketing that occurred in October. Here is a re-cap of some notable events to keep you up to date in the world of online marketing. 1. Panda Update Google confirmed “minor” updates and tweaks to the Panda update that took place on October 9th and 13th, which is being referred to as Panda 2.52. According to a survey from SEO Round Table, 80% … Continue reading →

Online marketers who use Google Analytics as their reporting tool of choice may find a new addition to their keyword reports this month in the form of a “(not provided)” token. The origin of this relatively unhelpful token stems from a drastic change to the way Google tracks (or rather, chooses to not track) users signed in to their Google Account. The Change: Encrypted Search and Referrer Data In the past, it’s been a common characteristic of web browsers to report “referrer” data when someone … Continue reading →

Online marketers who use Google Analytics as their reporting tool of choice may find a new addition to their keyword reports this month in the form of a “(not provided)” token. The origin of this relatively unhelpful token stems from a drastic change to the way Google tracks (or rather, chooses to not track) users signed in to their Google Account. The Change: Encrypted Search and Referrer Data In the past, it’s been a common characteristic of web browsers to report “referrer” data when someone … Continue reading →

In 2007, the campaign for Barack Obama recognized the potential of the Internet, and made it a core element of the campaign. Regardless of the politics involved, Obama beat out McCain on the online marketing front and it made a significant impact on the election in 2008. With the 2012 Presidential elections quickly approaching, there is no doubt that this year’s candidates will take a hard look at their online presence. Looking back at 2008, however, why did it work so well? Other candidates had … Continue reading →

In 2007, the campaign for Barack Obama recognized the potential of the Internet, and made it a core element of the campaign. Regardless of the politics involved, Obama beat out McCain on the online marketing front and it made a significant impact on the election in 2008. With the 2012 Presidential elections quickly approaching, there is no doubt that this year’s candidates will take a hard look at their online presence. Looking back at 2008, however, why did it work so well? Other candidates had … Continue reading →

Of all characteristics that online shoppers use when evaluating a website, trust is paramount. Individuals who choose to conduct business with untrustworthy sites can expect several things to happen, none of which are good. Viruses and spyware can be covertly installed on your computer, slowing its performance and secretly logging your private information. Websites with security holes can also inadvertently leak your private information to outside parties. Both scenarios likely lead to the same grim conclusion – Identity Theft. To help defend against these malicious … Continue reading →

Of all characteristics that online shoppers use when evaluating a website, trust is paramount. Individuals who choose to conduct business with untrustworthy sites can expect several things to happen, none of which are good. Viruses and spyware can be covertly installed on your computer, slowing its performance and secretly logging your private information. Websites with security holes can also inadvertently leak your private information to outside parties. Both scenarios likely lead to the same grim conclusion – Identity Theft. To help defend against these malicious … Continue reading →

Sticking with their strategy of always innovating, Google recently introduced a new feature into Google Analytics called Multi-Channel funnels. To understand what a Multi-Channel Funnel is and why Google created them, let’s surmise this hypothetical situation. You own a manufacturing company and sell your products online through your website. We will call your company Brand A. You’ve recently developed a new product (We’ll call this new product, Widgets). A visitor comes to your website to research the benefits your Widgets offer. They arrive at your … Continue reading →

Sticking with their strategy of always innovating, Google recently introduced a new feature into Google Analytics called Multi-Channel funnels. To understand what a Multi-Channel Funnel is and why Google created them, let’s surmise this hypothetical situation. You own a manufacturing company and sell your products online through your website. We will call your company Brand A. You’ve recently developed a new product (We’ll call this new product, Widgets). A visitor comes to your website to research the benefits your Widgets offer. They arrive at your … Continue reading →

DBS>Interactive announces the launch of the newly redesigned Evergreen AES website. Evergreen AES offers a variety of environmental remediation and environmental consulting services. Evergreen’s mission is to maintain the delicate balance of humans and the environment by assisting clients, through the use of science and engineering, in managing environmental and OSHA risks while ensuring regulatory compliance with local, state, and federal agencies. DBS>Interactive redesigned their website to fully showcase their array of services and locations, making it easy for visitors to view Evergreen’s capabilities. An … Continue reading →

DBS>Interactive announces the launch of the newly redesigned Evergreen AES website. Evergreen AES offers a variety of environmental remediation and environmental consulting services. Evergreen’s mission is to maintain the delicate balance of humans and the environment by assisting clients, through the use of science and engineering, in managing environmental and OSHA risks while ensuring regulatory compliance with local, state, and federal agencies. DBS>Interactive redesigned their website to fully showcase their array of services and locations, making it easy for visitors to view Evergreen’s capabilities. An … Continue reading →

After months of searching for a proper suitor, the restaurant survey giant, Zagat Ratings has finally been purchased — and for most, it shouldn’t be shocking which organization opened their checkbook. I’ll give you a hint, it rhymes with bugle. Google has developed a reputation for acquiring companies that stand in their way of world domination (j/k……..sort of). Whether the acquisition is an attempt to build new revenue streams or to cut competing revenue streams, Google seems to only acquire the best of the best. … Continue reading →

You’ve got your super awesome infographic with an eye catching design and bite size facts on your subject of choice. You want to introduce your creation to the whole wide world and get hundreds of links. Now what? We’ve compiled some suggestions to implement a successful infographic linkbuilding campaign. Be sure to check out our previous post about best practices for creating infographics. Taking the following steps will help your infographic build links and benefit your internet marketing campaign. Make it Easy to Share Ideally, … Continue reading →

Pre launch I was very excited about the G+ concept.  A chance to share more intimately with certain circles or niche sharing with others.   However as I participate I continue to realize G+ has the potential to do to social media what  air-conditioning did to the front porch. I come from a generation where everything was compartmentalized.    We had a work self, a family self, a sports self, a dancing self and on it goes ad infinitum.  Needless to say it created a lot of barriers and a lot to … Continue reading →

In the past, this blog has covered the vast majority of Google’s algorithm ranking factors. From link metrics like domain authority to on-page factors such as keyword density, our hope was that by explaining each you gain a better understanding of the ever-mysterious Google algorithm. But understanding an algorithm with over 200 ranking factors does not come without its fair share of challenges. On February 24, search engine professionals were thrown a new curveball to consider in their SEO efforts with the integration of Panda … Continue reading →

Shortly after launching the Google+ field trial, many web professionals (including myself) started to speculate as to how small to medium sized businesses  (SMB’s) could utilize Google+ pages in their online marketing strategy. Although Google+ as it currently exists is intended to be used only as personal profile pages, that hasn’t stopped many SMBs from jumping the gun and creating a personal page tailored to their organization. One of the earliest offenders, Mashable, a popular web publication, actually owns the title of the 9th most … Continue reading →

When Google Buzz launched in February of 2010, it was Google’s first real foray into social networking. Slammed for privacy violations, however, it was not without its fair share of criticism. Google Wave was Google’s next attempt at doing something social, but it ultimately washed out when Google stopped development in August of 2010 due to inadequate user adoption. Hoping to enhance online sharing Google’s next social experiment, Google+, is looking to stop the streak of social failures. Google+ is Google’s attempt to make sharing … Continue reading →

For many local and regional companies, the Yellow Pages were the predominant advertising medium of the 20th century. Created in 1886 by Reuben H. Donnelley (10 years after Alexander Graham Bell patented the phone), the Yellow Pages revolutionized advertising by offering individuals the ability to search for contact information of local businesses for the first time in history. With the proliferation of the Internet in the 1990’s, Yellow Pages were suddenly confronted with a competing product.  Flipping through pages in a book was no longer … Continue reading →

It has been an eventful week in the world of Near Field Technologies (NFC), which allow two devices to interact and share information by bringing them close together. Near Field Communications work by transmitting radio frequencies at a short distance (within 1.5 inches) from one device to another. NFC enabled devices can read information from embedded smart tags, like on posters, stickers, and other products as well. First Ever Public NFC Marketing Campaign Released in UK- 5/23 The first ever NFC public marketing campaign was … Continue reading →

As the saying goes, “An image tells a thousand words.” No trend literally spells this out more effectively than infographics. They’re used to teach children, college students, and CEOs alike, expressing statistics and knowledge with a graphic representation and making it easy to digest and quick to deliver. Infographics have been all the rage in recent years. They are used to the point where designers will create an infographic about infographics. But what’s the marketing value of using an infographic as a part of your … Continue reading →

Facebook made headlines earlier this week when they announced the development of a second daily deals program, which they will call “Social Deals”. The original “Facebook Deals” will change its name to “Check-in Deals” to distinguish it from the new program. Restricted currently to a Beta launch test market in 5 cities — Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, San Diego and San Francisco — “Social Deals” will feature a Groupon-like experience with offers that are meant to be experienced with others. Users can pay for the deals … Continue reading →

Google is always adapting its algorithm to improve search quality and deliver the most relevant and customized results to its users. The latest feature that strives to provide this is the +1 feature, the newest experimental lab that integrates search and social within the results page. Social media has become an important factor in the Google algorithm within the past year, and the ultimate goal of this latest feature is to allow users to provide input and share sites with others by +1ing sites right … Continue reading →

Originally dubbed the Farmer Update by Search Engine Land, Google’s latest algorithm shake-up (It was later found that Google Employees referred to it internally as the Panda Update) was clearly targeted to resolve many of the issues with low-value content farms invading the search results. As a result of the changes, many websites that utilized these content farms in their online marketing are crying foul. Some websites, such as healthcastle.com saw their search traffic decline as much as 40% in one day. Mahalo, an actual … Continue reading →

Individuals just beginning to learn about search engine optimization often perceive it as this great mystery, like the Bermuda triangle of the Internet. A lot of the mystery derives from the very nature of the industry. The search engines don’t want online marketers to know what factors are most important because there will always be a small percentage of individuals who exploit and abuse the system for their capital gain. Regardless of the search engine’s reasons, we realize your position in the search engines is … Continue reading →