March 4th, 2012
Google Analytics Enhances User Interface
Google Analytics just gave its user interface a minor facelift and some enhancements to improve usability. Google received a number of feedbacks on how to make the Google Analytics UI more comprehensive and easy-to-use for new users. Google has put a premium on details such as more icons and an improved Metric Group selection. In its blog post, Google said:
“The primary goal of this update is to bring more attention to the things that matter — your data, and how you analyze it. We improved legibility of score card and table data, and refined our color palette to draw attention toward data instead of navigation elements.”
The icons received a more detailed look and is now situated prominently on the sidebar. Aside from that, new thumbnails are added like Home, Custom Reporting, and Standard Reporting. Check out a detailed image of the graph area from MarketingLand.com:
1.) Increased visibility of “compare to metrics” option.
2.) Goals tab is more prominent and easy to use, this is a heavily used navigation option.
3.)The data grouping options (Day, Week, Month…) were brought outside the drop down, making it easier to use.
4.) Better looking graphs: the points got smaller and more linked to the lines. The graphs does not use Flash anymore, i.e. they can be seen also on iPads/iPhones.
5.) The strip with the totals are now below the graph, which is more intuitive.
6.) The types of data visualization above tables are much easier to use outside a drop down.
February 15th, 2012
Using Google+ To Capture Your Target Niche
SEO nowadays is more social, just look at Google Places and Yelp listings, they all have user-generated content in the form of comments and recommendations. The world is now more social and having a clear understanding of Social SEO will give you the edge over competitors. Google+ will be a big boost to small and medium business if they know how to use it right.
1.) Register and Set Up a Google+ Page
If you already have a Google+ profile, creating a G+ page for your business is a breeze. It’s better to register your business through Google+ Direct Connect. This will enable customers to reach a local business. Always include the “+” symbol before your business’ name. Register your business with Google+ Direct Connect on the section called Direct Connect on Google’s Developer Page. Everything else is turnkey and allows multiple admins for better page management.
2.) Use Relevant Keyword But Keep it Organic
Google+ is a social network backed by the world’s most- used search engine, so it’s a no-brainer that for people to find your G+ page they would use terms like “pest control service” or “dog grooming services.” So better come up with a set of keywords you’ll use whenever you post and feed content to your Circles. Aside from that, use call-to-action in every post to keep the conversation personal and real. Always remember that people search for your service/product in real-time so you have to engage with them in real-time as well.
3.) Feed Your Circles Relevant and Quality Content
We live in a world of instant which means your customers are always ready to be fed with content through mobile phones. Always update your Google+ feed with the latest promotions and deals that you offer, but just don’t announced it! Get those creative juices flowing and post those deals together with a custom banner, photos, and videos! This will make people notice your content more and entice them to take a look at what you’re selling. Always keep in mind that your content reflects your product, so feed your followers compelling yet interesting posts.
4.) Leverage the +1 Button
Sure the +1 button isn’t as popular as Facebook’s Like button, but the +1 button is a great SEO tool. The +1 button is the linchpin of the Google+ initiative, if you get tons of +1′s your business will be more visible and relevant to search queries. For personal G+ profiles, the more you +1′d articles or images that are relevant to your industry the more you’ll be visible in search as well. It’s possible to increase your click-through rates by leveraging the +1 button as well. So while a successful SEO campaign with Google+ hasn’t emerged yet, the +1 button intends to enhance SEO strategies and make it more social.
