Posted by Amitabh Shukla on January 12, 2012 in Web Marketing
Search engine optimization is an effective marketing strategy but not ‘The marketing strategy’ as some Internet marketers have begun to sell it as. This simply means that SEO is effective and there’s no doubt about that, but it is never something that you could solely focus on as your marketing be all and end all.
SEO is no longer a technical exercise than can be done in a vacuum which would start generating millions in sales for you overnight. It will have to be done in conjunction with other marketing efforts and it certainly isn’t going to generate overnight results especially if you take a casual approach. Unfortunately a lot of smaller organizations are falling prey to suggestions by third party SEO providers who promise the moon by portraying that SEO will address all their marketing challenges.
Renowned technology blogger Chris Dixon ruffled quite a few feathers in the SEO industry when in a recent blog he suggested that SEO is no longer a viable marketing strategy for startups. While Dixon’s extreme position on SEO seems far from accurate, concerns certainly exist for organizations and especially startups when employing SEO as a marketing tool. SEO requires a lot of effort to have a truly meaningful impact on an organization’s sales. Startups are increasingly finding it difficult to find resources to devote to such an increasingly complex task. The nefarious means employed by black hat SEO practitioners means even more competition, more effort and more resources required to reach the top of search engine results. Startups naturally do not have the wherewithal to deal with resource-rich but unethical SEO practitioners.
Search engine algorithms also keep changing in response to the evolving threat from black hat SEO, which further impacts the marketing efforts of those looking at genuine white hat SEO as their marketing prima donna. You could be at the top of search engine results for your chosen keywords and phrases one day and be nowhere in the search results the next, thanks to such dynamism in algorithms forced largely by unethical black hat SEO practices.
Despite this efforts are being made to offer more integrated marketing tools that incorporate other online elements apart from SEO for effective marketing through the Internet. Software platforms are emerging that help organizations use and measure a variety of web-based marketing techniques such as blogging, social media, content management and email.
Unlike what Dixon believes SEO isn’t going to die anytime soon and is in fact garnering more believers from the high echelons of marketing. This is only natural as people don’t only continue to search for products online, but also the tribe of such searchers keeps increasing to already account for a significant portion of humanity. While black hat practitioners may continue to throw billions into gaming SEO, the pressure and walletshare from billions of users searching for genuine content online will be an effective counter to such efforts. In time, the search engine industry is sure to find a permanent solution to this problem.
Posted by Amitabh Shukla on November 27, 2011 in Website Reviews
Microsoft Store has come up with huge discount and deals for its offered products and believe me they are just awesome. One could save upto $400 on laptop deals, Upto $20 on Xbox games and $50 – $100 on Xbox console bundles. Microsoft store do come up with great discount and deals through out the year but this one is the biggest of them all.
Asus 1015PX Netbook is available for online $199 where you save $50. If you buy Sony S137GX Notebook then you might save $400 which is priced at only $$599. One could also save $30 on Microsoft office deals. If you wanted to buy PC or Mobile Accessories then this is the best time as Microsoft store is giving out a whopping 25% off of the related products.
The best product in all are Xbox, Kinect and Xbox games. If you were planning to buy a new Console, Kinect Sensor or just Xbox games then this is the best time to go for it. These products could be one of the best gifts for kids and adults alike as it could be fully utilized in the coming holidays. I could guarantee you that kids would love it.
Head on to XBox Promo Code website to get the best discount and deals for Xbox related products.
These deals and discounts started from 25th i.e Black Friday and would go on through 28th. You could go on to buy it till 28th but it is always better to book your favorite products ASAP as they might go out of stock in the last minute.
To have a look at all the discounts and deals going on at Microsoft Store visit Microsoft Store Promo Code section of the website.
Posted by Amitabh Shukla on August 15, 2011 in Free Wordpress Themes
Minimalist wordpress theme Bera is ready for free download. Some of the primary features of this minimalist wordpress theme are:
Do let me know if you have any problem using this theme and I would be very much there to help you out.
Posted by Amitabh Shukla on July 26, 2011 in Web Marketing
Google Panda Algorithm Update first came into picture in February. Since then we have been seeing lot of updates. Update 2.0 was rolled out internationally in April followed by 2.1 in May. What followed in 2.2, 3.0 and then we stopped counting.
I am going through lot of forums and looking at the webmaster’s feedback since last one week. I feel that the Panda update is no longer a major update now but it has become part of the core algorithm. Every week lots of websites are affected with very little recovery.
The new trend I am seeing is that the long tail keywords are shrinking. Some of my websites which were ranking for long tail keywords and were able to beat Wikipedia and others in ranking have gone down a lot. These big authority websites are ranking for even long tail keywords even though they might not be that relevant.
Google is Penalizing websites which are not that small but are not big too. Some of my smaller websites had no effect and in fact there traffic increased whereas the websites with 1000 to 100,000 pages are primarily affected. One further indication of these updates are that blogs which are not updated regularly are also penalized.
Now all the above is happening on a daily or to say on a weekly basis. Major and big updates are not happening now but the Panda algorithm is there and a part of Google daily/weekly update. It is nearly impossible to get out of this devaluation of websites and SEOs who are trying for it should look out for long battle with no guarantee that the website could ever recover.
Posted by Amitabh Shukla on February 23, 2011 in Interviews
An interview with Checkfront Inc founder Jason Morehouse.
Paggu: Tell us more about Checkfront Inc and its Services.
Jason: Checkfront assists schedule based businesses in better handling their operations, centralize administration, sell and market their services online. The cloud based booking application provides a centralized business management tool, while offering self-service bookings from a merchants own website.
Paggu: What is Checkfront USP compared to other online booking management system?
Jason: At lot of our customers are coming to us from offline software. Pen, paper, legacy desktop software, spreadsheets and so on. Those coming from existing booking systems are often doing so because a lack of functionality. Many booking websites take care of facilitating the booking, but fall flat when it comes to other critical functionality such as conversion analytic, customer tracking, reporting etc.
Paggu: Could you give us an idea about the market size of online booking management systems and Checkfront Inc Position?
Jason: Currently the bulk of our customers are small to medium size businesses in the hospitality, activity or tour industry. This is a huge and under-serviced market. In the US alone the actively sector accounts for around 28 billion in bookings a year, most of them still done offline.
The barrier to entry for many of these businesses has been time and money. The training and costs associated to moving to a traditional, usually off-line system have been large, and out of proportion.
Paggu: What are some of the interesting trends you observe in this industry?
Jason: We’ve been amazed at the wide spectrum of companies using our software worldwide. To bouncy castle rentals in Russia, Pirate boat tours in Baltimore, remote vacation retreats in Australia, and food tours in Vancouver, we’ve met some great business owners and entrepreneurs.
Paggu: How are you building trust?
Jason: Our customers have defined our product and service since our earliest beta. Open communication and feedback — no matter how critical — is essential to our business model. When customers make suggestions, and see them become reality, they know their input matters.
Paggu: What inspired you to start Checkfront Inc?
Jason: There was some frustration we encountered when trying to book services with small businesses, often via an e-mail form, phone. We saw an opportunity in the space as other cloud and e-business platforms began wide adoption (Google Docs, Sales force etc).
Paggu: What are the major challenges you faced?
Jason: With small businesses making up the bulk of our customer base, we need to keep the platform affordable. In doing so, this has force us to stay relatively lean. When our traffic and sign-ups spike (as they are now), scaling quickly to meet the demand is always a challenge.
Paggu: What are your goals for the next 2 years?
Jason: We’re going to keep our head down, and keep doing what we have been. Continuing an open dialog with our customers, and further the platform based on their business needs.
Website: Checkfront Inc
Founder: Jason Morehouse – Victoria, BC
Posted by Amitabh Shukla on February 22, 2011 in Entrepreneurship
To many people, the idea of starting their own business can be scary, and it is often a risk that few are willing to take. However, the fact remains that entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of a stable and flourishing economy, and for those who do have the courage to dive in, the prospects can be very rewarding in the long run. The decision to become an entrepreneur and start a business, however, is not dependent upon the desire to become wealthy by any means. Instead, being self-employed and managing your own business or developing your own personal dream is a personal choice that is based on a series of preferences or goals that one would like to achieve.
Very seldom does a great idea for a business or product come to us in a flash, but the best ideas are developed over time through extensive thought and research. For those who are thinking of starting their own business, it is important to spend the time needed learning from others in the field, other business owners and business experts, as well as thoroughly developing an effective business plan and other strategic methods. Another benefit of this is that, if you are seeking funding, the more prepared you are and knowledgeable about your own business or product, the more passionate you will be and the more likely you are to obtain the desired funding that is needed.
One of the top reasons for starting your own business is always opportunity. If you have ever had a great idea for a product or business, no doubt you have spent a great deal of time contemplating not only the feasibility of the idea itself, but also how to implement, and the opportunities that this could provide for you and other people. Perhaps you have spent years in the corporate world or using your skills working for someone else and feel like you would like to advance your own ideas or products to realize the same dreams. Perhaps you are searching for independence or the opportunity to work closer to your family and exercise your own ideas and decision making skills.
The realization of profit is also another top reason why many opt to start their own businesses, and this is also based on a foreseen opportunity that a product, project, or idea can provide. While not even the majority of business owners or entrepreneurs ever achieve great wealth, some of the wealthiest people in the world have been entrepreneurs that started and developed large, successful corporations.
Independence is also another one of these top reasons why many decide to take the plunge into entrepreneurialism, and is also founded out of opportunity. For many, the freedom to make their own decisions in order to advance their own ideas is the greatest reason for starting a business. In today’s economy, many who have been unemployed for a prolonged period of time are considering starting their own business in order to stay afloat. In addition, many who are disabled find that being self-employed is much easier than working for other people.
The final top reason why many people decide to start a business is challenge. Owning a business and attempting to make your own personal ideas or vision profitable is often a great challenge that can keep your life exciting and interesting. Risk taking and the challenge to make a particular idea or product successful is often what drives some of the most innovative entrepreneurs in the world today.
Posted by Amitabh Shukla on January 29, 2011 in Getting into Roots
Women have become more assertive in today’s modern world. They are shouldering family responsibilities and are on par with men in taking care of themselves socially and economically. They are successfully earning their livelihood and are striving hard to become economically independent.
In present changing scenario, it is important for women to be economically independent. She has to carve a niche for herself in this male dominated society and unless and until she is financially independent, she cannot overcome male prejudices. A woman of conviction and courage is the image she has to create. Why the urgency for a woman to be economically independent?
Should a Woman be Economically Independent
Women have been subservient to men for generations and are now realizing that they need to make avail of opportunities that men generally take advantage of. Educationally, they are progressing well, and even in the developing countries women are better educated then before. With better education, women are also asserting themselves and want to be in position where they can sustain themselves economically.
Men cannot exploit a financially independent woman. Due to lack of education, women are unable to earn their livelihood. Anti-social elements take advantage of this and force them into flesh trade. International gangs operate which are on the lookout for vulnerable women, who, when left in the lurch, fall into their trap. If women can earn then they can avoid such pitfalls.
Internationally, much concern has been expressed about equipping women financially. In the U.N., resolutions have often been passed expressing economic independence of women. Women social activists have fought for this cause. They have always supported women who are financially independent. Discussions have been held at international forums highlighting the condition of women in socially and economically backward countries. In these countries women are struggling to meet both ends. They are financially very poor.
What Necessitates Women to be Economically Independent
Modern lifestyles have forced women to take on employment. Inflation has necessitated women to supplement the family income. Both the husband and wife run the household together. In some cases, the women are forced to shoulder the responsibility of taking care of their families. Her husband for some reason may not be a contributor to the family income, and she has to earn to sustain her husband and children. Economic pressures compel her to earn.
Single women also have to be financially independent. In fact, these days many women are not marrying and pursuing careers. They are earning well and even take on the responsibility of adopting a child. They are able to sustain a family of their own sans marriage. Widows also have to financially support themselves. In the poorer countries, many widows are forced into prostitution as they are not financially independent.
In order to assert themselves vis-à-vis men, women have to be economically independent. In personal relationships, they can have their way if they are also earning. They have a job to fall back upon, if the husband is very unreasonable and makes too many demands. In the developing countries women are often hesitant to live in a joint family arrangement and since they can sustain themselves financially they have the option to choose a nuclear family system.
Women who can earn can avoid poverty. Many illiterate women face economic hardships. They live off what the Government provides and that is not sufficient in these days of economic hardships. Opportunities are there to earn more and women need to take advantage of them. Adequate awareness campaigns have been organized to familiarize women with the economic options that are available to them. Sufficient information is available through the media about economic empowerment of women.
Women need to be economically independent. They cannot continue to live subservient to men. They have to also gain access to the opportunities available within the society and better their lot. Women are a force to reckon with in these changing times. Men are also willingly to accept them as constructive contributors to society. A woman is now trying to be a step ahead of men. Let us hope for the best.
Posted by Amitabh Shukla on January 27, 2011 in Entrepreneurship
Women in business have excelled in their ventures and have successfully contributed well in the economic growth of the country. They have the acumen to invest, take risks, plan and make necessary financial allocations to make a success of their business venture. Respective governments of several countries have encouraged women to undertake these ventures and have provided them with financial and technical expertise. Women have taken up this challenge, irrespective of it being considered to be a male domain.
A woman entrepreneur has insight into business planning, marketing, investments and profits and has groomed herself well in taking independent decisions. Networking, business loans, government contracting, strategic partnerships etc have interested her and she has manipulated these to her advantage.
Business women have actively participated in business school activities, in non-profit organizations, business associations and have expressed their views on national and international business matters. Be it banking, consulting or media, they have had a foothold in these business ventures and will diversify further. Much support has been extended to her. Let us see where her foothold has been in business matters.
Women in Business – A Varied Experience
Women in Business – Some Success Stories
Evidently, women are no less than men in doing business. They have the required skills, initiative and talent to undertake risky businesses, invest in them and make profits. Networking among them provides a platform to share views. Women cannot be side-tracked as business women by men. They have an equal role to play in business ventures and can be pioneers in any field they decide to undertake.
Posted by Amitabh Shukla on January 13, 2011 in Web Marketing
When search engines crawl through your website, they are not only trying to find new or updated pages but are also trying to figure our as to what the pages are all about. Internal links or the links from one page to other in the same website gives them this data. If proper anchor texts are used, this data becomes even more meaningful. If the internal links are planned properly then it could help in passing the link authority to some of the important internal pages.
My website has proper internal links. Will it improve my rankings
No. Internal linking is just a small part in your search engine optimization endeavor. However, it is certainly going to give a boost to your website rankings by a small percentage.
Recently I tried to verify the usage of internal links on seo’s firm websites and was horrified to see that their websites were not properly optimized for Internal Links. I saw their main menu links as “Products”, “Services” etc. In place of these one word link texts they could very well use something like “Web Marketing Products” and “SEO Services”. Think of the type of important words they are missing out on.
Meaningful text in links is very important both for search engine optimization and usability of the website. Do consider rewriting all “click here” type of links to something meaningful. It would not only help visitors to browse through your website properly but would also give contextual help to search engine robots.
Some of the important factors to remember for internal link strategy
Posted by Amitabh Shukla on January 12, 2011 in Web Marketing
Local search engine optimization is looked upon in all likelihood the most flourishing techniques to get targeted visitors to your business in your region. Raising your top-ranking for localized web search keywords is very easy if you apply some of these local search engine optimization maneuvers.
One scheme to get the quality traffic for your business is to make sure that you’re listed in the bigger SEs: Google, Yahoo and Bing. 1st, begin by getting an account with Google. Register with Google and abide by their instructions. When your begin using your account, you will be able to broadcast your business and you’ll begin to show in the Google searches. If you’ve a site or a blog for your business, make certain you login to Google’s webmasters web site and register your site. Your web site will then be affirmed by either uploading an HTML single file that Google supplies to your root directory or by putting in a metatag code that Google supplies into the head part of your index page. When either of these files is uploaded to the site server through ftp, you’ll affirm them with Google and your site is straightaway listed. You had better also have a Google sitemap submitted to Google and if you’ve a blog, there’s an outstanding plugin for building sitemaps. The posts and all other content on your blog could now be indexed and will come out in Google searches.
The next SE you need to register with is Yahoo local. Yahoo also permits you to custom-make your listing and it also approves your listing more in a more accelerated way. Your site could be listed and verified at siteexplorer.search.yahoo.com. The verification is alike to Google with either uploading a HTML single file or posting a Meta tag in your header part.
The 3rd SE is Bing.com. Make certain your business is listed with Bing; their verification website for webmaster is bing.com/toolbox/webmasters/.
Now that you’ve registered your business with the biggest 3, go ahead and make your profile with the local listing services on Google Places, Yahoo! Local and Bing Local. When you’ve claimed your visibility and verified with a couple of simple steps and a call, you’ll have the advantage over remaining local businesses that have neglected to do so. You’ll be able to also upload images to profile to give your buyers something to associate to. They do not have to be very nice, but make certain they could leave a advantageous effect with your possible buyers.
The succeeding maneuver is to list your online business with the local YellowBook directories. Begin with YellowBook.com,SuperPages.com and YellowPages.com. A lot of the directories have free listings and if it’s in your budget, you’ll be able to buy superior listings to come on ahead of every the other listing. There are more specialized listing services for specific business classes. The finest formula to discover these services is to insert your business class into Google search and then check what turns up in the top 5 listings. Some of the times, specialized listing services for your particular business will display up in the top positions and by adding you’re listing with these services, you’ll be able to discover a lot of business.
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