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You are here: Home / Archives for Blog

Google For Dummies

Last Updated: November 8, 2010

Do you know how Google works? Probably not. But to get the most out of Google, local businesses need to have a basic understanding of how this search engine operates—and how it can help or hurt you. There’s no need to go into the complicated algorithms, but learning about the four different parts of Google can help you understand how search results for your business can impact your company’s success.

The 4 Parts of Google

As you may or may not already be aware, there are three different ways to advertise with Google. Every search results page has a different section that corresponds with each of these three different advertising methods:

1. Sponsored Links (highlighted at the top of the page as well as included in a sidebar)

  • You pay for each click and bid for position

2. Organic Results (typically listed below the sponsored links)

  • Google decides which pages are most relevant

3. Maps Results (listed beside a map of the area)

  • Organic results with a geographic component

As you can see, each type of advertising puts you in a distinct place on the search results page. What is less apparent, especially to those of us who aren’t particularly tech savvy, is that each section of the search results page is controlled by a separate department at Google. Each department even uses its own rules to determine ranking, legitimacy, and more!

That means, achieving a great rank in one section of the search results doesn’t affect any other section. You can be number one in the sponsored results but that won’t impact where you rank in the organic results or maps section. Your ranking in one section will not have any bearing on your ranking in any other section.

You Said 4, But I Only See 3

That’s true! While there are only three advertising departments at Google, there is a fourth department that can have a major bearing on all the different advertising departments: The fourth arm of Google is its Webspam Department. Although each advertising department operates independently, the Webspam Department can affect multiple parts of the search results page at the same time! Anytime the Webspam Department identifies someone doing anything outside of Google’s guidelines, it can dramatically impact your ranking in all three forms of advertising (organic, maps, and sponsored).

That means even though you have to work your way to the top of each of the three sections of the search results page independently, the Webspam Department can penalize you in all three simultaneously—putting all your hard work, and even time and money, down the drain. At Prospect Genius, the most common scenario we’ve seen is with companies that engage in “map spamming.” Some of our customers have done this in the past, only to get burned across all of the search results sections: not only do they get penalized in the maps results, they can also receive a -40 penalty that pushes their rankings to page 5 and beyond in the organic search results!

I’ve Never Heard of Map Spamming. What Is It?

Google’s guidelines can be found online, but the major issues we’ve seen include:

  • Adding a listing for your business address and then creating additional listings using your home address and even relatives’ and friends’ addresses
  • Stuffing keywords into your business name (e.g. “John’s Plumbing Heating Cooling Electrical Services”)

If you use either of these practices, and Google’s Webspam Department finds out, your map listing will be penalized. But they also have the power to penalize your organic listing and even charge you more per click in the sponsored results, effectively punishing you across the board. And because these penalties are assigned to YOU not your advertising company, simply switching to a new marketing company won’t do you any good. Eventually, Google will discover it’s you again and you’ll be right back where you started!

The Bottom Line

At Prospect Genius, we ourselves adhere to Google’s guidelines, and we try to ensure that all of our clients are doing the same. Why: simply because it’s the best policy for YOUR long-term success. Playing by the rules does pay off in the end!

If you have more questions about how Prospect Genius works to provide you with effective online advertising for local businesses, we’d love to hear from you. Send us an e-mail or give us a call to learn more about SEO and your company.

Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees, Choose Online Advertising and Save!

Last Updated: November 1, 2010

Effective advertising is more important than ever in today’s economy. With tightened marketing budgets, small businesses simply can’t afford to throw their money away on advertising that isn’t working… That’s why you’ll love Prospect Genius’s online, local advertising program. Not only do we use an effective search engine optimization plan that moves your company up in search engine results pages and helps increase your business’s visibility on the web, we also offer a complete monitoring console that enables you to see how your advertising dollars are working for you. We’ve helped hundreds of small businesses improve their Internet advertising, and we’d love to help you, too!
Here are just a few of the newest companies that are taking advantage of PG’s online marketing program:
Your Better Homes Appliance Service of Cincinnati, Ohio. Whether your dishwasher is spewing water all over your kitchen floor or you just don’t understand why the washing machine won’t turn on, these experts can help. Your Better Homes Appliance Service specializes in appliance repair for homes and residences throughout the tri-state region, so if you’re experiencing problems with a malfunctioning appliance, they’re here to take care of the problem. From refrigerator repair to washer dryer repair and beyond, these professional appliance repairmen can get your home or business appliances back up and running in no time at all. Don’t let the inconvenience, hassle, and disruption of inoperative appliances add chaos to your life: call Your Better Homes Appliance Service today!
Idaho Radon of Meridian, Idaho. Radon gas can be a serious problem for your home. Outside, this radioactive, carcinogenic gas is at sufficiently low concentrations to be harmless, but radon can leach out of the soil and into your home—where it becomes highly concentrated and highly dangerous. The only solution is a radon mitigation system, which collects and vents the radon to the exterior of your home where it can safely dissipate. Idaho Radon specializes in accurate radon tests and effective radon abatement systems, and these experts can help make sure your home is safe from this dangerous gas. An easy way to keep your family safe from the dangers of radon, radon mitigation from Idaho Radon is your solution for lowering concentrations of this gas to EPA-recommended levels.
BC Appliance Repairs of Lake Jackson, TX. When your appliances break down, your first thought might be to purchase a replacement, but in most cases, appliance repair service is actually the better solution. That’s because the problem is usually one small part or needed adjustment, and calling in professionals like BC Appliance Repairs costs far less than the cost of a whole new washer or refrigerator! Save yourself some serious money as well as the hassle of shopping for a new appliance by opting for repair instead. BC Appliance Repairs specializes in appliance repair in Lake Jackson, TX, and their professionals offer everything from dryer repair to air conditioner repair. So instead of rushing out to the store, pick up the phone when you’re experiencing appliance malfunctions. BC Appliance Repairs is your resource for complete appliance repair at a great price.
At Prospect Genius, our team of online marketing specialists is committed to helping local businesses use the Internet for effective advertising. If you’re the owner of a small, local company, we’d love to have you join us—just like the companies listed above, you’ll be able to take advantage of our search engine optimization program to find customers online and expand your customer base. Learn more when you visit our website, or give us a call today!

All that glitters is not gold-Make sure your advertising company is reputable

Last Updated: October 29, 2010

We all know that when something sounds too good to be true, it probably is! But somehow, small business owners sometimes forget to apply this logic to online advertising… The simple truth is that you make certain you’re getting value for your marketing dollars, it pays to ask questions when an online advertising company promises you the moon and the stars!
There are reputable advertising companies out there, but there are also a lot of snake oil salesmen, too. Making certain that you aren’t taken in by an unscrupulous online marketing company is a big deal, because in addition to failing to deliver results, these guys can inflict lasting damage on your company! Save yourself time, money, and frustration by asking a few questions when the deal seems too good to be true…
When a company makes you a promise such as “You’ll be #1 in Google!,” that’s when you need to start digging a little deeper. Depending on whether it’s a PPC (pay per click) or SEO (search engine optimization) campaign, there are some questions you should ask:
If it’s PPC advertising:

  • What search terms are being used?
  • Are they broad-match or exact-match terms?
  • What negative keywords are the advertisers using?
  • What geographic areas are being targeted?
  • How much of the money you send to the advertising company goes toward buying clicks, and how much goes toward managing the ad campaign?
  • Are you allowed access to see just how much money is being spent per click?

Pay Per Click advertising will get you in the “sponsored results” of the search results page, which are usually at the top or side. But while this will technically put you at the very top of a page, it can get rather expensive, fast. That’s because you have to pay for your spot. And to be on top, you have to be willing to pay the most per click. That means if your competitors are each paying $4 per click for a particular search term, you must be willing to pay more than $4 per click for the same term in order to beat them out. Keep in mind that’s per click, not per call. Statistically, it’s exceptional if you get 10% of site visitors to actually call you… Do the math, and that puts your cost per call at an astounding $400+. If you turn 50% of those calls into customers, you have to clear $900 in profit on every job just to break even on the advertising costs!
If it’s SEO advertising:

  • Who conducts the search, you or the advertising agent?
  • Since they could be different, whose results count?
  • Which search engine will be used to determine your ranking? Google, Yahoo, Ask.com, yellowpages.com, etc.?
  • Which keywords will be used to get the promised top ranking? How specific are they?
  • What geographic areas are being targeted?
  • How can the advertising agent ensure that you are going to have top rankings for a 20, 50, 100, 150 mile geographic radius?
  • Are there any guarantees that you WILL be #1? Can you verify this with the search engine company itself?

Search Engine Optimization will place your company in the maps and organic (below the maps) results. Since time and quality are the basis of your ranking—not the amount of money you spend—someone can’t just spend more money to get their listing on top of yours. While your site may not immediately appear at the top of the search results, once you do make it there, it will become harder and harder to knock you out of your spot!
SEO is the method that Prospect Genius uses, and our results speak for themselves. We’ve helped hundreds of local companies increase their online presence and connect with more prospective customers via the Internet. If you’re ready to learn more about how we can help you, contact one of our online, local advertising agents or visit our website today.

Whether you are Joe Shmoe or Donald Trump, Online Advertising is For You!

Last Updated: October 25, 2010

Effective online marketing can help a huge range of different businesses. From car audio installers in New York to window shade stores in southern California, Prospect Genius has been helping all types of companies connect with their local customers. Using our affordable search engine optimization program, we can improve your online presence and help customers in your local area find you on the Internet!

Just a few of the newest local businesses that have been seeing success with the Prospect Genius local online advertising program include these area companies:

When you’re looking for love, Twin Cities Matchmaking Services can help! Professional matchmakers in Minneapolis, this team of personable, dedicated experts is committed to helping match you with an individual you’ll actually enjoy spending time with. Unlike online dating services that use algorithms to determine compatibility, Twin Cities Matchmaking Services uses their decades of experience and in-depth understanding of their clients to help you find that special someone. For matchmaking and dating services done right, call today!

Finishing your basement can add valuable living space to your home, but make sure it’s done right to ensure code compliance and the safety of your family. With egress window installation from American Basement Egress Windows by Cottrell, you’ll ensure your window well and basement emergency exit window provide your property with the security it needs. Required by law for most basements, installing egress windows provides safety for your family in the event of an emergency. And with the professionals from American Basement Egress Windows by Cottrell on your side, you can be certain that the window is installed properly, providing watertight performance, a finished appearance, and superior safety for your home and family.

Malfunctioning appliances can add unnecessary stress, inconvenience, and hassle to your life, so why put up with a fridge or washer that isn’t working properly? Call A Appliance of Tampa instead! This team of skilled appliance repair professionals is available to get your major household appliances back up and running again in no time. Specializing in everything from oven repair to refrigerator repair, A Appliance Repair & Service performs precision diagnostics and repairs on appliances large and small. And with their affordable pricing and effective repairs, you can rely on them for appliance repair service that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Forget about just dealing with your stove or dishwasher when it’s on the fritz: call for professional help and get the quality repairs you deserve!

If you’re ready to learn more about any of these businesses or how PG can help your company, contact us today for affordable search engine optimization and so much more!

Allow us to Introduce the Newest Members to our Community

Last Updated: October 21, 2010

Hi, everybody! I just wanted pop in and announce a few of the newest additions to the Prospect Genius community. I only have a few moments, but here are a couple of the latest local businesses to recognize the value of our online, local advertising program:

Pioneer Basement Solutions of Akron, Ohio. A little water in your basement is no big deal, right? Wrong! A wet basement can encourage mold growth, lead to structural deterioration, and all around spell trouble for your health and home. The professionals at Pioneer Basement Solutions specialize in basement waterproofing services to help get your home safe and dry. From foundation repair to fix cracks and shifting to mold removal to eliminate this potential health hazard, these experts are your one-stop shop for complete basement waterproofing and repair. So don’t let water in your basement become a serious issue: call Pioneer Basement Solutions to make your wet basement problems a thing of the past!

Palmer Cleanouts & Disposal of Manchester, NH. Whether you’re cleaning out an estate or it’s just time to tackle the clutter in your garage, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of trash you’re facing. Don’t go it alone: Palmer’s Cleanouts & Disposal provides professional junk hauling and trash removal services to make it easy for you to conquer messes of all sizes. They even offer dumpster rental options for customers who’d like to take a DIY approach. No matter what your garbage removal project, this team of professional trash haulers can make certain your needs are met with convenience, quality, and affordable rates.

Anytime Services Appliance Repair & More of Baltimore, Maryland. When your washer breaks down or your refrigerator starts acting funny, it can throw your whole day—or week—off track. Don’t let the disruption and inconvenience of a malfunctioning appliance derail your life: call Anytime Services for professional appliance repair. Specializing in a wide range of appliance repair services, these experts have the skills and hands-on know-how to resolve a huge variety of issues on appliances of virtually any make and model. From refrigerator repair to dryer repair, Anytime Services Appliance Repair & More can diagnose the problem, fix it, and get your appliances—and your whole day—back on track!

PHP Energy Solutions of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Energy efficiency is a major buzzword in the media these days, and more and more property owners are realizing that their homes and businesses may not be as efficient as they once thought… If you’re concerned that your building may be wasting energy, you need a professional energy audit from PHP Energy Solutions. Helping identify leaks and other areas of inefficiency, a residential or commercial energy audit enables you to pinpoint areas for improvement and implement repairs and upgrades that will help save you major money in the long run. And because PHP Energy Solutions also offers general contractors to help oversee these energy-efficiency renovations, they can make the whole process simple and straightforward. Get ready to save with an energy audit from PHP Energy Solutions!

If you’re a local business owner or manager and want to learn more about how to help your company take advantage of Prospect Genius’s affordable online marketing program, contact us today. Like these local companies, we can provide you with the search engine optimization and effective online presence you need to succeed!

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