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Web 2.0…Sounds Advanced, Huh? Don’t Let It Scare You…Read On

Web 2.0 is already here / coming…not fully implemented but where getting warmer. As a flexible SEO professional it is becoming more apparent that old SEO methods…are that…OLD. We are coming into a new era where traditional media and their ability to push content volume will make them into a way more affective force to garnering the eyes of web audiences and capturing web search results.

How is this so?

Well if you do some of your normal searches on Google and other search engines you may start to notice results coming up that come from directory sites, MySpace.com, YouTube.com, local newspaper classifieds, Craigslist.org listings, and many more user organized and published data sites. Also, blog writings are commonly being found in search results and used as references to build relevant information to a topic.

Onsite Optimization…Where is it today?

Onsite optimization is still critical to getting your site listed on the major search engines, but is more often becoming only the cornerstone to the project of SEO. Having onsite optimization alone will not get you listed as frequently and efficiently as using an all encompassing optimization method. Onsite optimization includes meta-tags, site maps, well organized information, linking paths on website similar to site map, and great funnels that bring your end-user to the conversion point of your site.

Other factors that will help critically in your site optimization process beyond current onsite techniques include listing on various human organized directories, having information that proves your active in the local market, pushing media volume that points back to your homepage, sponsored search advertising campaigns, social networking sites, and many other elements. The complexity to getting noticed on the web is starting to reach a definitive curve where those sites that are taking it to the next level can establish rankings that will remain solid over time. Others that are depending on onsite techniques are setting themselves to be part of the next major search result shake out.

Traditional Media…Their Move to Dominate Modern Media

It took traditional media a little while to delve into modern media because they had attempted to block the future (or buy time) through their traditional means of lobbying efforts and lawsuits against companies picking information off of their sites. When they realized that 90%+ of adults are seeking their information on the search engines they realized it may actually benefit them to be listed there.

So many major media companies have committed over the past few years and into the near future to invest substantially in on-site staffing to implement their online content into modern media. This will allow them to push deeper into the roots of new media as the search engines continue to become increasingly dependant on new and fresh information.

Where Will This Leave Small Business?

Long-tail to the rescue, because of the ever changing world we live in, and over looked areas by big dollars. There will still be room for small local businesses to optimize their sites. It will continue to be an ever-changing battle to combat off the larger players, but to be able to place your information ahead of a directory (where your competitor may also be listed) is priceless. Your ability to draw in a captive audience to your site and your site only will continue to be the holy grail of web traffic. You and You only are given the first chance to close the deal.

The Future for Web 2.0

As the web continues to move beyond simplicity and into the world of complexity it will be interesting to see what new and great tools appear on the web. All the tools will in hope make our world an easier and more productive place to live and work in. There are many surprises that you will be seeing as early as in the next few years, including photograph search technology, real-time syndication of website edits, search engines that begin to understand you from a persona standpoint and much more fascinating innovations.

Hope you enjoyed this newsletter, and feel free to pass it on to a friend. Also, if you have any questions or comments please write me at Zach@Exults.

© Search Engine Operator, Inc. 2006

Web 2.0 is already here / coming…not fully implemented but where getting warmer. As a flexible SEO professional it is becoming more apparent that old SEO methods…are that…OLD. Where coming to a new era where traditional media and their ability to push content volume will make them into a way more affective force to garnering the eyes of the web audience…

This article to be continued…enjoy Saturday football and watch for the full artile come Monday in our newsletter. If you are not getting the newsletter sign up at www.Exults , you are missing out on some valuable free information.

Speak to you later,

Zach Hoffman
www.Exults – Online Marketing Agency
Dial Up: 954-763-1130
Zach@Exults

Good Monday,

After reading a few e-mails about people adding content to their site to appeal to more people, it brings to mind have they thought to optimize there existing content to target their ideal client? Do they have obvious links that allow people to close the “conversion” on their site?

Adding additional content is rarely the solution to increasing your conversions on the web, just as beautiful design not being a conversion solution to your website. Now you may ask aren’t these the two basic elements to my site? They are main elements to your website but far from your solution to closing deals on the web. 91% of American adults use search engines to find information (Source: PewInternet.org – Dec. 2005), 79 % of American adults surveyed said they use the Internet to look for health/medical information (Source PewInternet.org – Nov. 2004).

Hypothetical Questions: So will additional content serve these people? Is it the right content? Are you standing out from the crowd?

So will additional content serve these people? Additional content can appear in many facets from pictures to text. Considering people are seeking answers to their questions, will just describing your services or what you do -sell them? You are most likely just tipping the iceberg giving this type of broad information. People may look for symptoms and concerns they can relate to, taking the information a step beyond what your competitor is bringing them will help you increase conversions. Remember the solution on the Internet is only one click away, and that could include closing your site if the content is not relevant.

Is it the right content? (Ex: selling a dental porcelain veneer) What am I trying to sell you a porcelain veneer or a solution to your chipped tooth? Yes you are trying to sell that porcelain veneer, but your consumer really just wants a solution to their chipped tooth. This changes the angle at which your sales pitch is now coming. Whereas 98% of your market is trying to sell a porcelain veneer, you are selling – the Golden Egg – a solution to the consumer’s problem – their chipped tooth.

Are you standing out from the crowd? A large majority of client’s wanting a website want it to sell like their competitor’s website or resemble it with various elements. They want the same functions and a few cool new things there competitor may not have on the site. Did you ask yourself if your potential consumer cared? What’s a before and after if it is not speaking to me? Great I know what that person looked like before and I can see their after, but what was their problem? What did they do to solve it? Some potential patient’s may have already heard their “solution” from a friend or family member and are going to your site to re-affirm whether their conclusion was correct. And then, and only then they will be ready to make that call and schedule an appointment.

There are many more elements that fit into increasing conversions on your site, but we are saving these for our consulting client. For a limited time we are taking on 8 additional clients (limited to 10) for consulting services on increasing their Online Presence and Conversion Rates. You must be ready for this service, it is not a solution for everyone but only those looking to increase conversions.

Enjoy, and if you have any questions feel free to contact me.

Thanks,

Zach Hoffman
www.Exults – Online Marketing Agency
http://seoinc.webex.com – Online Marketing Seminars
SEO, Inc., CEO
Dial Up: 954-763-1130

More auto ad dollars heading to Internet

Videos, feedback links help attract potential buyers

BY KORTNEY STRINGER
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER

October 9, 2006

Used to be, automakers would use a 30-second TV ad with a shiny, fully loaded, chick-magnet of an automobile to lure consumers to car lots.

Now, they’re often using the Web to seal the deal.

As more people use the Web, automakers — like most advertisers — are following them there.

In order to appeal to the next generation of car buyers, automakers such as Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp., General Motors Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG‘s Chrysler Group are spending more ad dollars online for everything from pop-up ads to online videos called webisodes, and less on traditional ads on network television.

According to the Television Bureau of Advertising, companies spent nearly $7.8 billion for online advertising in 2005, compared with $6.9 billion in 2004. At the same time, advertising on network television fell 3.5% to $16.1 billion.

But the auto industry has been even more aggressive about its online advertising efforts, according to Stamford, Conn., advertising research firm PQ Media, which said automakers increased annual online ad spending by 37% to $1.23 billion last year compared with 2004.

Online ad spending is difficult to quantify because of its many facets.

Chrysler’s Dodge brand is allocating 20% of its Caliber ad budget to online advertising and gaming. For its Aveo compact, Chevy said it plans to spend 50% of its ad budget for alternative media — with a significant portion going toward online advertising.

And in the first eight months of this year, Ford said overall online advertising for its brands grew six percentage points to 14%, compared with the year-ago period.

“They’re shifting ad dollars to nontraditional media, which includes product placements, video games and online advertising,” said Leo Kivijarv, PQ’s vice president.

Wide reach

Automakers, in general, see the Web as a way to engage a large number of customers, many of whom have grown bored with and resistant to traditional 30-second TV spots. But companies are throwing the most online advertising heft behind vehicles that are geared toward trendy, young adults.

For instance, when Chrysler’s Dodge brand launched the Caliber, which is geared toward 25- to 35-year-olds, it used some nontraditional approaches to advertising in its “Anything But Cute” campaign.

The brand posted Caliber information and online games on Web sites such as the Onion at www.theonion.com, Daily Candy at www.dailycandy.com, www.myspace.com and www.friendster.com.

Additionally, Chrysler said it spent 20% of its advertising budget online when launching the Jeep Compass, which targets the 22- to 30-year-old age group. One of the efforts allows potential consumers to view videos of emerging music artists performing in Compasses across the country.

“If you go back four or five years ago, it was good if you were spending 4% or 5% of your advertising budget online, and a year ago, 10% made a good mix,” said Mark Spencer, a Chrysler spokesman. “The offline elements are still important, but the idea is to drive people to our Web site. I think 20% of advertising going toward online advertising will become pretty standard, and it may go up from there.”

To be sure, Toyota said online ad spending for its Yaris small car, which targets ages 18 to 34, is 2-1 compared with traditional advertising. Among its online advertising efforts, Toyota had a banner ad that connected to an online game in which consumers could drive a Yaris.

“The main philosophy is not to just be there on the Web waving a banner, but to get users to enjoy it and actually give them information they can use,” said Toyota spokeswoman Cindy Knight. “Users spend more time on those types of sites.”

Going interactive

For its part, Ford has used some of its online advertising budget to produce movies for the Internet. Lincoln has been running “Lovely by Surprise” episodes for the Zephyr sedan on www.lovelybysurprise.com, and Mercury has “The Neverything” videos about two brothers who live a childlike existence to promote the Milan sedan on www.theneverything.com.

In June, Ford also launched www.fordboldmoves.com, a Web site where people can see “Bold Moves: The Future of Ford” online videos that chronicle various aspects of Ford’s North American business, from assembly-line workers to executives talking about where Ford went wrong. On the site, customers can comment on the video and read opposing viewpoints about various topics, including “Crossing Over: Is There Life after SUVs?” and “Fusion vs. Camry?”

“Clearly, online advertising as a portion of our mix is increasing and it’s important to us,” said Whitney Drake, a Ford spokeswoman.

Multimedia approach

While online advertising is increasingly important to automakers, it’s often connected to other advertising on television and in print.

Earlier this year, GM’s Chevrolet brand did some cross-marketing when it launched a contest offering viewers of NBC’s “The Apprentice” a chance to win trips and cash for going online to create the best 30-second online ad for its 2007 Tahoe SUV.

And this month, GM’s Saturn brand partnered with Google Inc. to launch a Web-based advertising campaign that offers clickable video clips, Google Earth satellite mapping and the ability to find the geographic locations of people who are using the computer in six cities across the country with Saturn dealerships.

“There’s so much more we can do to be better marketers and give customers a better experience with the Internet and Web,” said Linda Pesonen, marketing director for customer relationship management.

Contact KORTNEY STRINGER at 313-223-4479 or stringer@freepress.com.

Copyright © 2006 Detroit Free Press Inc.

Reposted by Zach Hoffman
www.Exults – Online Marketing Agency
Zach@Exults
Dial Up: 954-763-1130

MySpace attracting an older Internet crowd
MySpace attracting an older Internet crowdBy Antone Gonsalves, TechWeb
9 October 2006 09:42 AEST

More than half of the visitors to MySpace are reportedly 35 years old or older, a surprising statistic given the media attention the site has received as an Internet hangout for teens and young adults.A recent analysis of the users of leading social networking sites found significant shifts in MySpace’s demographics while the site grew dramatically over the last year, ComScore Networks said. In August, children and teens from 12 years old to 17 years old accounted for 11.9 percent of all visitors, compared with 24.7 percent the same month a year ago.Meanwhile, the portion of older MySpace users has grown to 51.6 percent age 35 or older, ComScore said. Add visitors age 25 or older, and the amount increases to 68.3 percent. Last year, half the site’s visitors were at least 25 years old.

The shift in demographics reflects the “mainstream effect,” ComScore analyst Andrew Lipsman said. As the site gets better known to a broader group of people, it makes sense there would be a greater diversity of age groups visiting.”It’s really a broadening of the user base, rather than one user base supplanting the other,” Lipsman said.For example, while the percentage of teenage visitors has declined, the number of teenagers heading to MySpace has increased, since a smaller percentage of a far greater pool can translate into a larger actual number.
The demographics tend to skewer MySpace’s image as a place for young people to socialise and share music and video. Its popularity among the young has resulted in tremendous pressure on site operators to implement tighter security to protect minors from sexual predators.The ComScore analysis found that MySpace had the broadest appeal across age goups, while Facebook has, as expected, built a niche among college students. Until recently, people signing up for Facebook needed a school email address. The site is now open to everyone.”It will be interesting to monitor the shifts in Facebook’s demographic composition that will undoubtedly occur as a result of the company’s recent decision to open its doors to users of all ages,” Jack Flanagan, executive vice president of ComScore, said in a statement.
Friendster.com had the highest percentage of older Internet users, with 70.8 percent of visitors 25 years old or older. Among younger teens, Xanga.com was the most popular. Fully 20.3 percent of the users were from 12 years old to 17 years old.”There is a misconception that social networking is the exclusive domain of teenagers, but this analysis confirms that the appeal of social networking sites is far broader,” Flanagan said. Lipsman, however, pointed out that the ComScore’s findings related to visitors, and not registered users. So the demographics reflect people being directed to MySpace and the other sites to read blogs, listen to music or watch video.”It’s not that these people are going directly to MySpace and spending a lot of time there,” he said. “Instead, they’re being funneled to the site through other means, in a lot of cases.”Nevertheless, as the largest online social network, MySpace, which is owned by News, has drawn much of the attention of child advocacy groups. In June, the site launched additional security measures to protect 14 and 15 year olds. In August, MySpace was the largest social network on the Web with 55.8 million unique visitors, ComScore said. During the same month a year ago, the site had 21.8 million unique visitors.

Copyright (c) 2006 CMP Media LLCAll rights reserved.
Source: http://www.itnews.com.au/newsstory.aspx?CIaNID=37934&src=site-marq

Reposted by Zach Hoffman
Online Marketing Agency
Zach@Exults

Google rumored to be in talks to buy YouTube
$1.6 BILLION DEAL FOR ONE OF THE FASTEST-GROWING INTERNET SITES
By Ryan Blitstein
Mercury News
Paul Sakuma / Associated Press archives

Workers walk in front of Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. in a file photo from Feb. 1, 2005. According to a Wall Street Journal report Friday, Internet search leader Google Inc. is in talks to acquire the popular online video site YouTube Inc. for about $1.6 billion.
Google seeks rivals’ data for lawsuit over libraries
More Google coverage

Google is in talks to acquire the video sharing Web site YouTube for approximately $1.6 billion, the Wall Street Journal has reported. Several blogs, including TechCrunch, have contributed to the rumor mill surrounding alleged discussions.
“We do not comment on rumor and speculation,” said a Google spokeswoman.
A spokeswoman for YouTube also declined comment.
YouTube allows users to post and share videos — some self-produced, others captured from copyrighted material, including film clips and music videos. The San Mateo-based company, founded in 2005, is one of the fastest-growing sites in Internet history. Its audience now watches more than 100 million videos a day.
Google Video, a similar service from the Mountain View company, attracted a unique audience of about 13 million people in August 2006, compared to more than 34 million for YouTube, according to Nielsen/NetRatings.
YouTube has been criticized by major entertainment companies because of the copyrighted content its users post. Recently, the company has signed deals with NBC and Warner Music, which have helped to lessen the criticism. These deals have also begun to bring in much-needed revenue to a site that still lacks a clear business model.

Source: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/15696466.htm

Reposted by:
Zach Hoffman
www.Exults – Online Marketing Agency
Zach@Exults
Dial Up: 954-763-1130

MySpace Attracts Older Audience
Associated PressOctober 6, 2006;
Page B4NEW YORK –
Half of MySpace’s users are 35 or older, according to comScore Media Metrix’s analysis of its U.S. Internet traffic measurements. Only 30% are under 25, despite a common belief that the site is mostly populated with children and young adults.Just a year ago, teens under 18 made up about 25% of MySpace, the popular online hangout run by News Corp. That is now down to 12% in the comScore analysis released yesterday.By contrast, the 35-to-54 group at MySpace grew to 41% in August, from 32% a year earlier.”This analysis confirms that the appeal of social-networking sites is far broader,” said Jack Flanagan, executive vice president for comScore, adding that the data suggest that social networking is becoming mainstream.Sites such as MySpace encourage users to stay in touch by offering tools such as message boards, photo sharing and personal profile pages. Members can expand their networks by adding other users as friends and, in turn, connecting with their friends.The study was based on comScore’s regular panels for measuring Internet audiences, rather than MySpace’s registration information, where users often lie about their age.ComScore also reported that MySpace had 56 million unique U.S. visitors in August, much less than the 100 million-plus registered users MySpace has world-wide. The company has said about 10% of its users are abroad. A better explanation for the gap is the fact that many people have multiple profiles, each counted separately by MySpace but not by comScore.Facebook had 15 million unique visitors, Xanga eight million and Friendster one million, according to comScore.
Copyright © 2006 Associated Press
Reposted by Zach Hoffman
Online Marketing Agency
Dial Up: 954-763-1130

What’s your profile? Businesses tap into MySpace

Jun. 11, 2006 12:00 AM

MySpace.com, the social-networking Web site that has attracted tens of millions of teen and young adult users, is beginning to lure a new type of member: corporate America.Dozens of companies have established MySpace profiles since the Web site’s launch in January 2004, hoping to create buzz for their products, cultivate customer loyalty and build brand awareness among the popular Web site’s more than 83 million users.”It’s the electronic version of grass-roots marketing,” said Chris Arnold, a spokesman for Denver-based Chipotle Mexican Grill, which launched its MySpace profile this month. Twentieth Century Fox, which like MySpace is owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., used the Web site to promote its movie X-Men: The Last Stand, which arrived in theaters last month.

Source: Denver Post

Reposted by: Zach Hoffman – Online Marketing Agency – PH: 954-763-1130

What’s your profile? Businesses tap into MySpace

What’s your profile? Businesses tap into MySpace

Jun. 11, 2006 12:00 AM

MySpace.com, the social-networking Web site that has attracted tens of millions of teen and young adult users, is beginning to lure a new type of member: corporate America.Dozens of companies have established MySpace profiles since the Web site’s launch in January 2004, hoping to create buzz for their products, cultivate customer loyalty and build brand awareness among the popular Web site’s more than 83 million users.”It’s the electronic version of grass-roots marketing,” said Chris Arnold, a spokesman for Denver-based Chipotle Mexican Grill, which launched its MySpace profile this month. Twentieth Century Fox, which like MySpace is owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., used the Web site to promote its movie X-Men: The Last Stand, which arrived in theaters last month.

Source: Denver Post

Reposted by: Zach Hoffman – Online Marketing Agency – PH: 954-763-1130

Benefits to Using MySpace.com to Promote Your Practice
By Zach Hoffman, www.Exults – Online Marketing Agency

MySpace.com is quickly being adapted as a part of many small and large business marketing plans. The reason is MySpace.com is currently the world’s 4th most popular English website and the 3rd most popular website in the United States (Source: Alexa.com August 2006). The site is attracting new users at a pace of over 230,000 new users per a day which means the network is only going to get larger and spread to additional demographics.

What advantages in marketing does MySpace.com allow?

Outright it shows your practice is progressive and with the times. The site offers the following advantages:
Demographic targeting,
Technical advantages (HTML coding for profiles),
And external marketing capabilities.
Your profile can also be updated quickly (within minutes) and resubmitted for the general public to see. Additions to your profile in regards to material can also be added in an instant.

Demographic Targeting

You can find people to invite to your social network based on a variety of criteria including:
Age,
Sex,
Marital Status,
Zip Code Proximity,
And, Income Level.
For example if you are a cosmetic doctor and would like to target both Males and Females who are divorced, single, and between the ages of 35-60 you can access all these profiles at the click of a button. You set your search criteria and let MySpace.com bring you back the results. Now the tedious work comes in inviting these people to join your profile. But once you invite them to join your profile you have extensive access to these people. You can now make posts on their profiles comments, send them e-mails, and bulletin board postings which appear on their internal profile with any promotions you may be offering.

Technical Advantages

Your profile is HTML capable which allows it to be programmed similarly to websites. You can adapt all of your forms of marketing mediums (including audio, newsletters, pictures, and videos) to be displayed on your MySpace account. Capabilities are built onto the site to allow for easy Blog updates. Photos can also be easily uploaded and commented on within your MySpace account.

External Marketing Capabilities

Traditional media is quickly attempting to adapt to the fast paced new age marketing environment by adopting MySpace. All types of media networks today plug their profiles throughout their telecasts, movies create profiles for fans and loyalist to talk about them, actors use it to maintain fan relationships, MySpace is even spawning its own celebrities, the list goes on of different types of people and businesses using MySpace to push their web presence to the next level.

Some of the capabilities for your external marketing include the ability to post bulletin board messages on your friend’s profiles, send e-mail’s to your network, and communicate within your network on an intimate level with potential clients.

The quicker you decide to get onto MySpace.com the better off you will be in communicating your message. MySpace.com is quickly being adopted and many players in the market have a lot to gain from first mover advantage on this network.

Thank You for Reading this & Good Luck on MySpace (If you have any questions feel free to contact me),

Zach Hoffman
www.Exults – Online Marketing Agency
SEO, Inc., CEO
Zach@Exults
954-763-1130