McCord Web Services LLC Newsletter This monthly e-newsletter features ways to keep tabs on your Web presence. Learn about new tools, our Bright Idea tips to be more productive, best practices, and in general how to use the Web to leverage your business opportunities. http://www.mccordweb.com/newsletters/archive.php Mon, 01 Mar 2010 07:49:40 +0000 FeedCreator 1.4 http://www.mccordweb.com/images/hostway-mccord-logo.gif McCord Web Services LLC Newsletter http://www.mccordweb.com/images/hostway-mccord-logo.gif en 2009 McCord Web Services LLC This is an XML content feed. It is intended to be viewed in a newsreader or syndicated to another site. Getting Service Reviews for Google Maps http://mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2010/march-10.html#2 Google used to show reviews from Yelp.com, but after their deal to buy Yelp.com fell through Google does not appear to be showing reviews from Yelp. In fact, Yelp didn't come up in a single review I saw as I did my research.

Reviews that you capture yourself by email or direct solicitation and post on your website are not considered by Google. The reviews must be on a third party website or on your Google Maps page itself.

It is very important to note that you have no control over these reviews. If you get a poor review you will have no recourse in regards to removing it. Just as equally if you are not soliciting reviews, readers can still choose to leave a review on your Google Maps page whether you want it or not. Additionally, there is no way to disable the review feature in your Google Local Business account.

]]> The Secret to Getting Google Maps Placement http://mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2010/march-10.html The trends I mention are the first real indicators that I have been able to see in regards to how Google handles who gets placed where when it comes to Google Maps.

It is important to note that not all Google Maps results appear to be as clear cut as the example I mention above. In some cases there still appears to be no rhyme or reason as to who places where.

Here is a good example of the "crazy mixed up issue" using the search term lawyer Waldorf, Maryland. In this case no lawyer has a review or a coupon. The results do not appear to be sorted clearly by location; they are not sorted alphabetically, and are not sorted in regards to their proximity to my location (the person doing the search). The listings just appear jumbled and not in any specific order. Where no listings have reviews or coupons, a savvy business owner who adds them may possibly be able to move to the top spot. Remember, I said "may". That being said, it clearly does not hurt to try to improve your position with reviews and coupons whatever type of business you have.

]]> Confused About the Google Caffeine Update? Join the Club http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2010/feb-10.html#3 As with all important new algorithm adjustments on Google, there is a fine tuning period after launch. When the infamous Florida update was rolled out several years ago, the blowback that Google received was so strong, parts of the algorithm were tweaked for performance to soften the impact or rolled back all together. Read more...

]]> Brite Idea Tip: Google AdWords Ads to Show on Smart Phones and Will Offer Click to Call http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2010/feb-10.html#2 AdWords this month. But to have your ads show on iPhones and other smart phones you need to make sure that you are opted in. Here’s how you can tap into this mobile network so that when Google rolls out the program to your account you will be automatically able to participate.

For quite sometime in the campaign control panel you could select to show your ads on iPhones and Smart Phones or just on desktop PCs. Now Google is going to finally enable special features just for iPones and Smart Phones. Read more...

]]> Are You Missing Google Local or Google Maps Exposure Opportunities? http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2010/feb-10.html Google.com, when you match a local search query, if you have a Google Local Business account. What makes it all even sweeter is that the exposure is free.

First, if you don't have a Google Local Business Center account, I would strongly recommend that you consider setting one up as sometimes local searches are shown above the organic results accompanied by a map. Why wait when you can set one up for without charge?

Google allows you to add up to ten photos to your account and many details about your business location and the services you provide. You can even select categories for which your business would show as a match to searches.

Although a Google Local Business Center account is free, many business owners don't know ...

]]> Does Your Site Place Well on Caffeine? Wait 'till January to Know http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2010/jan-10.html#3 Google is rolling out a new algorithm after the holidays and it has some webmasters shaking in their boots. It appears that this new update will have far reaching consequences. When a huge adjustment comes, it even gets a name, and this one has been named Caffeine. The last one that shook the webmaster world was called Florida and it was, and still is, infamous in my circles.

]]> What Happens If You Let Your Domain Name Expire http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2010/jan-10.html#2

What Happens If You Let Your Domain Name Expire

Confused on what to do when your domain name expires here is what to do.For most website owners, the ownership of their website domain name is secure. You know where you registered it, you keep the same email, and you renew your domain on time. But for large volunteer organizations, sometimes this is not the case. This past month we've had a very thorny situation for a webmaster client and have been hired to try to fix it.

]]> Simple Blog Security May Prevent Hacking http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2010/jan-10.html When Should You Not Hire a Blogger? http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/dec-09.html#3 professional blog writing services, there are some times when you really should not hire a blogger and should blog yourself. Here are several examples where you are a more effective blogger than a paid professional blogger.]]> What Are Meta Tags and Why Are They So Important? http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/dec-09.html#2 First let's review what exactly are meta tags. Meta tags are sentences arranged in a specific format that contain information that is crucial to search engines. This information provides specific criteria that search engine use to categorize your web pages.

Of all the Meta tags that can appear in the source code of a page the most important are the following:

  • Title Tag
  • Meta Description
]]> The AdWords Starter Edition - When to Use It Versus the Standard Edition? http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/dec-09.html Blogging and SEO - Working Hand in Hand http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/nov-09.html First, just how does blogging benefit your website?

]]> Twitter Made Easy with Social Oomph http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/nov-09.html#2 Social Oomph. Social Oomph, previously known as TweetLater is one of my favorite online applications.

I have been using this new application and consider it a must have for any Twitter "power user". It is free to use, but you can upgrade to the Professional version and get more features, but the free version is certainly handy and does a few very cool things.

]]> Personal Information on Google - Can You Ever Remove It? http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/nov-09.html#3 Wow, most people want more information on Google not less. Here is my answer in a nutshell, once Google has it in their archive, there is no removing it. If the information resides on other websites you simply cannot remove the information. This is the same for both good and bad news about you. Once something is in the public domain it is available forever and to anyone who looks online this includes dates and employers.

]]> Adobe's InContext Editing Reviewed http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/oct-09.html Adobe InContext Editing through its paces. I wanted to share with you my thoughts on this new product from my real world use and client testing.

First, Adobe InContext Editing is now ready for client implementation. This is an excellent and exciting new product. It is one that I think, after you read my review, that you may want to consider implementing on your own website.

]]> PayPal Wreaks Havoc With AdWords Conversion Tracking http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/oct-09.html#2 I wanted to bring to your attention some issues in using PayPal and tracking conversions on sales on Google AdWords in this issue.

PayPal QuestionsRight now with PayPal, if the user selects to purchase with their PayPal account they will be automatically be redirected back to your selected landing page in which you have embedded your Google AdWords conversion tracking code. However, if the customer selects to pay by credit card (not the one tied to their PayPal account), they will no longer be automatically redirected to your landing page accruing a conversion. For this type of user, your buyer must now click an orange button to return to your website on their order confirmation page.

]]> IE 8 Web Slices Explained http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/oct-09.html#3 IE 8 has a cool new feature that some websites can and should use, it is called a web slice. In essence a web slice is a small section of your page that you update either manually with HTML or dynamically with a script and allow a reader to subscribe to that snippet.

By subscribing to this special snippet, readers can see any new entries you add to your web slice section in their browser instantly when you add to or update them.

]]> Concrete Marketing Recommendations for Business Startups http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/aug-09.html#3 I get asked a lot for help in regards to what a new business startup should do to develop a web presence and what provides the biggest return for investment. To help answer this question as concisely as possible, without you having to pay me a consulting fee, I have tried to share my insights in this article.
  • You'll find concrete suggestions on what to do first.
  • Our specific recommendations on blogging.
  • Where you should spend your money first.
]]> Songs Stuck on Your iPod? Move Them to Your PC With This Free Tool http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/aug-09.html#2 He was moaning about how much trouble this was as he typically has his iPod hooked up to his car stereo and really wanted to listen to music in the house from his computer. I checked for applications that might solve the problem and found one at www.PodtoPC.com. This is a super cool, and believe or not, free application that has been his lifesaver.

]]> Time to Upgrade to WordPress 2.8 or at least to 2.7 http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/aug-09.html#1 Graphic Electric Inc. Moves to the Web http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/july-09.html The website uses Dreamweaver's AJAX search engine friendly "fly out" navigation and include several Flash slide shows of project photos. You'll find the show on the industrial laundry services page interesting. The before and after pictures give you a wonderful idea of the scope of several of their projects. Slide shows of this nature are wonderful ways to visually communicate the type of work that a company does and these shows help prospects to realize that no job is too large or too small for this regional electrical contractor.

]]> Facebook Advertising Reviewed: Is It Worth the Money? http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/july-09.html#2 Sounds like the perfect place then to advertise your products or services, right? Well, this last month I started advertising on Facebook as a test in preparation for this article and I am here to say that for branding and name recognition Facebook may be great, but for clients who want sales and conversions, Facebook will not generate the results that Google AdWords will for the same amount of money.

Here's what I experienced in about a two week period:

]]> Microsoft Releases a New Search Engine Called Bing http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/july-09.html#3 I took Bing for a test drive recently and I have to say that I think that Microsoft has a winner. There are some new developments in their new engine that Google is sure to imitate in the weeks and months to come, but here are a few of the top features that I noticed and liked that are really unique to Bing.

]]> Our New Twitter Executive Program http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/june-09.html#3 Twitter but don't know where to start or are too busy to tweet (write a Twitter post) we've created our Twitter Executive program. Now we know that this program is not for everyone, and that many of you can set up and do Twitter successfully all on your own, but this program is for the person who wants to outsource Twitter.]]> HootSuite Reviewed http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/june-09.html#2 Do you have multiple Twitter profiles like I do? Then HootSuite is just right for you. I have a Twitter account for my business under the name mccordweb and due to popularity and name recognition I now have a second Twitter profile - nancymccord. For me it is a problem to do tweets in two places - too time consuming.

]]> TweetLater - A Twitter Auto Responder Reviewed http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/june-09.html TweetLater.]]> Twitter Demystified for Business Users http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/may-09.html#2 Twitter is the current top "hot property" on the Web, but its popularity and how to use it has mystified many business owners. Many people think that they want to, or should be using Twitter, but simply do not understand the platform, its use, or its place in building web exposure. This article will demystify Twitter and help you to learn how to use it in the workplace and to promote your business.]]> Blogging Program Expanded http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/may-09.html#3 Two New Website Launched http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/may-09.html#1 We've just launched two new websites this last month. You can see a before and after picture of the main website below. The second website launched is the sister site which houses the Institute's store and is called The Core System™.

]]> ChemTec Pest Control Website Launched http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/this-month.html#3 ChemTec Pest Control located in Saddle Brook, New Jersey. We've posted a before and after picture for you to view to see the difference that a new custom design can make.]]> Best Practices For Your Privacy Policy http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/this-month.html#2 The Federal CAN SPAM Act Explained http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/this-month.html STOP Fighting Over The Kids Book WebSite Launched http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/mar-09.html#3 STOP Fighting Over The Kids". This website is one of our Quick Launch websites. Quick Launch is our super fast get on the Web at a budget price website program. It uses easy to customize pre-made website templates some can even have a custom look and feel.]]> Google Local Placement Revisited http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/mar-09.html#2 Every one wants to know how to get top organic placement on Google. Who doesn't, as top placement means more traffic, more leads, more sales, and more money. Now that Google is placing local listings, pulled from their Google Local search engine and Google Maps, more clients are asking me "how do I get top placement?"

]]> Image Copyright Infringement, Are You Doing It? http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/mar-09.html Everybody does it right? Right click on an image from Google Images or Flickr and then use it on their own commercial website or blog without a thought. First, it is important to know that not everybody does it. Only people who don't know the truth and reality of federal copyright law are doing it and they are risking real legal problems if they are caught.

]]> February E-Newsletter is Posted http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/feb-09.html Organic Blogging - a Case Study on Blog Posts as Search Entry Points http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/feb-09.html#3 You know I was surprised by a customer recently. He called to chat about our organic search optimization services. He told me that he had done a Google search on "best organic optimization" and that my site was placed highly and so he clicked in and then called me.
 
Find out how he really found me as I do not optimize my website on this phrase.
]]> Newsletter or Blog, What Should I Do? http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/feb-09.html#2 Getting Links the Easy Way with Press Releases and Feature Articles http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/feb-09.html#1 I  have several clients for whom I routinely review their organic search engine placement on a monthly basis including the number of incoming links from other websites. These clients use our press release writing, press release distribution program, and our feature article writing programs as a way to build incoming links in an effort to increase their organic search position.
 
Find out how we create links for them the easy way.
]]> New Blog Writing Gigs http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/jan-09.html#3 2008 Top Content http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/jan-09.html#2 Introducing Google's New Friend Connect http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2009/jan-09.html Special Issue: Getting Involved with Twitter http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2008/dec-08.html This special newsletter issue will help you to learn how to use Twitter for business and pleasure. I'll explain what Twitter is, why you should use it, and how to get going using it. Additionally, I'll point out some cool app's to use with Twitter to help you get the most from its use.

One of the most important things you should take away from this special issue is that Twitter is considered very hot. It is an emerging application that has not been monetized yet and will probably be purchased this next year by the likes of Google or some other behemoth on the Web.

]]> Best Value is e-Newsletters - Vertical Response Pay as You Send http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2008/nov-08.html#3 As businesses are looking to cut back expenses and stay profitable in this changing economy, Vertical Response offers an e-newsletter subscriber management program that allows you to pay as you go. Instead of billing a monthly fee for subscribers sitting in your account like Topica, iContact, or Constant Contact (those charges range from $25 to $60 a month or more), with Vertical Response you buy email credits only when you want to email to your list.

Prices to send an email start at $.015 - no, that is not a typo, and go down from there based on to how many people you are sending to. Just make sure that you pull your subscriber list from your old e-newsletter mailing service before you close your account.

]]> Best Value in SEO - Get Blogging With Blogspot Today http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2008/nov-08.html#2 One of the top tips for improving your organic search engine placement is to add quality keyword dense links from outside sources pointing to your website. With a blog set up on Blogspot you can do just that, and do it fast!

Anyone can set up a blog at Blogspot. Google owns Blogspot and spiders the content created there rapidly. You may be surprised to find that a post you published on your Blogspot blog in the morning may appear in the search index at Google.com in the afternoon. Wow, that's fast!

]]> Best Value in Pay Per Click - Yahoo Sponsored Search http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2008/nov-08.html#1 Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck - Special Issue http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2008/nov-08.html With the economy in a state of disarray, the stock market wildly fluctuating, and business shrinking for many companies, we wanted to throw you a life line of where you can get the most bang for your buck when it comes to surviving on the Internet. Many of these tips you can implement yourself, but if you need help, we're always here.

]]> Google AdWords Changes Cause Sweeping Impact in Cost Per Clicks http://www.mccordweb.com/e-newsletters/2008/oct-08.html In the second week of September, Google AdWords rolled out some big changes. Some of the impacts of these changes are just now beginning to be felt by many advertiser accounts.

First, what Google did was to do just a few important tweaks to their highly profitable ad delivery system called AdWords. Here the changes are in a nutshell. Click in to read the article.

]]> Special Edition on Using Social Networking http://www.mccordweb.com/newsletters/2008/sept-08.html Set Up Email Member Groups http://www.mccordweb.com/newsletters/2008/aug-08.html#3 Get a Browser Tune Up http://www.mccordweb.com/newsletters/2008/aug-08.html#2 New Keyboarding Shortcuts http://www.mccordweb.com/newsletters/2008/july-08.html#3