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SMX Advanced 2007 – Impressive! (And thanks to all who’ve welcomed a first timer!)

To anyone at the show right now reading over this….. thanks for making a first-timer feel so welcome – it’s been awesome. I’ve met some folks who not only were very approachable but ready and enthusiastic about conversations with a first-timer. I definitely try not to be the “interruption guy” but have managed to at least chat with some who I’ve wanted to meet for a long time and had extended conversation with many who I respect in the industry.

41 Warning Signs: Raise Yellow Flags on Your Web Project

Web Site Advice3 Comments

While on my cross-country ride to SMX, I had the urge to list some of the things to look out for (and hopefully produce good reactions to) as one starts a new web development or search marketing project.

Systematic Testing vs. The Mythical Design Genius

Usability and Human Interface, Web Site Advice

I rarely post in my blog just because someone else posted something in theirs, or because of a great new newsletter entry, but this has to be an exception – it hit home so well. Jakob Nielsen’s latest Alertbox, titled “The Myth of the Genius Designer” nailed it

Long Live Information Overload!!!

RANT!, Usability and Human Interface

I received probably the worst designed informational postcard ever in the mail today. Here it is, with a small suggested revision.

On-The-Fly Google Adwords: Part 1 of 3 – the Ads

Optimization, Web Site Advice

It’s important that you design your advertising “funnel” to retain the confidence of the searcher from first click through ordering. I thought I’d show you a few tricks that have proven themselves over the years, starting with the most basic – the Google Keyword Insertion method, then talking about Dynamic Landing pages, and ultimately specialized product linkages from ads.

11 Reasons Schools Should Use Google Calendar Next Year

bestof, Ideas3 Comments

Google Calendar has recently taken a few important steps forward, and with them come my list of 10 reasons that I think many schools should begin to use it for managing information flow starting next year.

A nice mention in the Wall Street Journal

I thought it was really nice to get a mention by Elizabeth Holmes in her article “Going Online Isn’t a ‘Must’ Move For All Entrepreneurs in the Wall Street Journal last week. I believe that many companies definitely jump in the wrong end of the pool sometimes.

Google 411 is the future – but being in there is NOT automatic!

Changes Online, Web Site Advice

If you’re a local business, and you’re not in Google Local now, I must admit, possibly living in denial.Â Google 411 (1-800-GOOG411) is amazing, and I am just blown away that so many businesses haven’t taken the time to insert their company into the Google Local Business Center.Â We couldn’t find our favorite pizza restaurant…

Seth Godin’s List of Quitters

Seth Godin, my favorite author by far, just published a list of quitters (people who have quit one path and shifted to another, and found even more success) that includes people you’ll recognize, such as Jeff Foxworthy, Tom Peters, Bill Gates, me. What? Read more inside….

Franchise Brand Compliance – The Lifeblood of Successful Franchise Marketing

Changes Online, Ideas

There are two types of franchises. Brand franchises and Business Model Franchises. When you buy a business model franchise, you are saying that you believe in their mode of operation. But more and more franchisees are doing a pick-and-choose approach to the franchises models, and I think it’s damaging entire franchise systems. Franchises aren’t designed for the independent-minded. They depend on a by-the-book execution of a business plan, adherence to time-tested systems and a willingness to follow directions.

Why does the US government use “.com” for official “.gov” activities?

I’m confused.Â I thought the point of the “.GOV” Top Level Domain (TLD) was to give citizens some assurance that they were dealing with a credible government entity.Â Trust, right? So why then is the EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System) now changing from “eftps.gov” to “eftps.com”?Â Â Â I can see that one might…

Google Quality Score and Landing Page Testing

Changes Online, Optimization

Changes in Googles Adwords algorithm have had a major impact in the ability to use this tool for affordable testing of highly focused landing pages. There is a correlation in my experience between volume of content and cost of bids. So “pure” landing page design “labs” have really become a challenge of late. What was…

Patent Commenting System: Plurality of Gores…and Iron Maiden?

Just for Fun2 Comments

It looks like the US Patent Office will begin to post patent applications and allow for a Wiki/Digg-style system for sorting out comments/objections in a pilot program.Â This means that aÂ reviewed sort of system could help the patent office sort out the signal from the noise.Â We’ll see if any of the gaming that…

Top 20 things that scares the bajeezus out of Search Marketers

Just for Fun1 Comment

Danny Sullivan while on with Alex Bennert on the Daily Searchast Podcast recently wondered… “what is the equivalent to the cross or garlic ’round the neck to a vampire for SEO?” Well, Danny, here’s my list. The Sandbox, or lack thereof, or derivative thereof. Paid Search Editorial Reviews by clueless editors. Presenting kickass SEO results…

Down and Out – Of Google That Is

Optimization, Web Site Advice

Rustybrick at SEOroundtable has drawn attention to a very interesting thread which should make those in charge of client webservers prick up their ears. I encounter resistance from some clients when I suggest a hosting change once I see they’re using a cut-rate provider. DNS changes, server switch-overs, and broken 404 pages are all major…

Pitching The Media – Make it Easy, Make it Clear

Ideas, Web Site Advice1 Comment

David Meerman Scott recently posted a very well thought out post “How to Pitch the Media” which rang true as I purged at least 10 unsolictied pitches for irrelevant stories from my inbox for Business Lexington this morning. The pitches were ridiculous – general, poorly written, disorganized, and time consuming to read. Honestly, I just…

Websites that Get Bored of Waiting On You – And Turn Into Comedians

Ideas, Usability and Human Interface1 Comment

IÂ multi-task a bit too much for the new animated avatars and their little digital timers.Â They areÂ leftÂ wondering why I haven’t clicked on them in the past “x”Â seconds and start their banterÂ “I can’t help butÂ notice that you’ve not clicked on anything yet.” says the guy from theÂ UPS Whiteboard site.Â…

High Quality Landing Pages Matter – Especially Now.

Optimization, Web Site Advice

Well, today’s the day. Time to shut down my old bid management software for the last time and embrace the new quality score driven solution on Yahoo Search Marketing, which is being turned on today. I took the Yahoo Ambassador exam last week and have been preparing for what I think will be a strong…

12 Things to Remember When Building A Franchise Portal

Franchises, Web Site Advice

If you’re tasked with building a portal for a franchise, where franchisees will share ideas and information through online collaboration tools, here are five tips to make your deployment smooth and effective. It doesn’t matter which platform you’re using, or if you’re building it from scratch, a franchise portal can be one of the most…

Web Design Wisdom from a 3rd Grade Musician

Web Site Advice2 Comments

My 3rd grade daughter offered some good advice the other day when I asked her about school. She’s learning (mastered) to play the recorder in music class. I asked her what she found to be the hardest thing to play and she told me this advice: “The hardest thing about playing the recorder in music…

Google Trademark Crackdown? Must be pretty wide cracks

personalpost

Your email marketing test plan should not be tbd.

RANT!, Web Site Advice1 Comment

Testing emails is not an expense. It pays. Your email list and your brand have real value, and every time you screw up, you are spending real money. Use a spreadsheet and make sure you’ve tested your software and your methods out well before you send – test on 4-5 major email clients, text and…

Should you use a video of your company founder on your site?

Optimization, Research, Web Site Advice

I would say absolutely NOT. I’ve never, ever seen a good one. Recent MEC tests show founder video on a subscription product actually can hurt conversions! They found that the person sometimes couldn’t see or hear the video for technical reasons, and that this would hurt the chances of conversion. Now, we didn’t see what…

Google Adsense for Billboards Someday?

I’ve been impressed with the improvements lately in digital billboards. They’re very bright and are begining to rival their rolled-on competitors in daylight. Of course at night they have no rival. Lamar has a video out showing off their technology, and it’s pretty impressive. The Outdoor Advertising Association of America estimates there are 500 digital…

The Twelve Patents of Christmas

And now, brought to you by Google Patents… I present a new twist … (music, please) On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me…… Twelve drummers drumming, (US Patent 361606)Eleven pipers piping, (US Patent 3151517)Ten lords a-leaping, ( US Patent 1513338 ) …(helmet recommended)Nine ladies dancing, (US patent 1374840) …(can you…

Is a blog worth it? Ask Google!

Optimization, Web Site Advice

Starting in around 2002, I began suggesting to Kentucky companies that they find a blogger to serve as their voice in the blogosphere. I also wrote about it, twice, as have every major business journal available, but it seems few around me have given it much effort. A couple of my clients wanted to send…

Top 10 Reasons People Procastinate About Blogging When Super-Busy

Just for Fun1 Comment

I want to unsubscribe. Is it time for my beating?

Optimization, RANT!, Usability and Human Interface, Web Site Advice

Allume System gets It – When you want off of an email list, you just want the he** off. Allume makes great software but I’m getting too much email. So I decided to unsubscribe from their announcements. To my delight, they didn’t require me to do much. They just gave me a button. Click. I’m…

Perceptions Are Everything

Ideas, Web Site Advice

There are several consumer concepts that drive the success of every SEM activity I do. 1) Perceived Value. 2) Perceived Ease of Use. 3) Perceived Future Peril When a visitor searches for an item, and they see a search result or a sponsored link, they run through these concepts in a fraction of a second.…

Sticks and Stones…but domain names can hurt you

Optimization, Web Site Advice

Every week I see it, an individual and a company facing off – or one business toe-to-toe with another – over domain names. And it always happens when one or another of them are faced with pressures of site deadlines, launch dates, or other critical in-house problems. The pressures makes everyone grumpy, and what otherwise…