Category: News & Trends

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Vista Microsoft’s Black Eye?

Ever since Microsoft Vista has come out it has had problems. Problems like phantom crashes, inability to read ink levels in older printers and pre-Vista software doesn’t always seem to work. Printer drivers are a large problem because Vista will not display the printer tool box so you can never tell what your ink levels are. You’re always sitting there thinking, “should I give it one more try or throw out the ink and run the possibility of throwing out half the container?”

Even the Enterprise systems are having trouble. Their workers are unable to log onto the Intranet system. I have seen first hand this problem from military persons I know. Since the Navy has not upgraded the systems to be Vista compatible, Navy reservists who use Vista at home are unable to log onto their accounts from home. One officer I know personally has to run two machines one for Vista and one for XP.

Now, I on the other hand have had minimal problems with Microsoft Vista. I have a newer printer so all my printer drivers’ work perfectly. I, too, have had problems with some older programs I have running on Vista. Some don’t work and some barely work or crash when loading. Some even cause my computer to crash and it takes a few moments to recover. But these are only a few problems. I feel the good out ways the bad with Vista.

I happen to be a college student and at school we have all the latest and greatest software, including Microsoft Vista. I enjoy having the sidebar so I can check on the weather in the morning and when I’m just sitting at my computer I always have the slide show going on in my sidebar. It’s also nice because I use it to keep track of my CPU usage as well as my RAM usage.

Vista’s  file management system has been improved. Microsoft Vista gives you many options where you can now store your files with one click including Pictures, Downloads, Music, etc. instead of just the My Documents folder. None the less, my favorite part of Vista would have to be its beautiful layout with shadows and the invisible windows edge.

There seems to be no middle of the road when it comes to Vista, you either love it or you hate it. I for one love it!

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What Can You Expect to Pay for Organic Optimization

I am going to provide a simple answer to a very complex question, but I do get asked all the time “how much does organic search optimization cost?” Typically for a site that is 10 to 25 pages, you can expect to pay $1600 to $2800 for organic code optimization (this is an estimate).

Prices will be higher if new content needs to be created for your website, but it is important to understand that organic code optimization is not inexpensive. Some SEO firms will additionally charge you for link programs, monthly monitoring and reporting, and additional tweaking, but the bulk of the work revolves around laying hands on the website’s source code.

Improving organic optimization takes time. Results are typically not immediately apparent. Organic optimization does not stop with updating and improving the keyword density and source code, promoting your website with a blog, press releases, and article syndication keeps the push on and will improve overall results.

Another big thing to remember is that no firm can guarantee results on any engine – no way, no how! If you find a firm who does, you should be careful and proceed cautiously. The key to Google’s, Yahoo’s, and MSN’s search algorithm is such a highly guarded secret. If the key to placement was divulged, SEO firms would work to exploit the key to garner placement for their clients. So only Google, Yahoo, and MSN know what exactly they are looking for in regards to placement. Here’s one tip, Google looks at over 150 different factors alone to determine where a website falls in the organic results.

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Don’t Leave Your Pocketbook Open for Google

I have to say that even though I have seen some businesses be hugely successful using Google AdWords, I have also seen some who have not. Based on this, I strongly advocate not leaving your pocketbook open to Google as they will try to spend every cent you allocate for clicks.

These are my tips for business owners:

1. If you are new to AdWords set aside a budget of $500 to $800 for clicks for a 30 day period for a testing time frame of at least three months.

2. Don’t start on AdWords until you have conversion tracking in place to measure leads generated by AdWords.

3. If you do not have a website analytics program installed, install free Google Analytics at least two weeks prior to hiring your account manager. Help them do a better job by identifying what is happening on your website in regards to traffic and keywords.

4. Use a professional account manager for your AdWords keyword research, ad text creation, and account management. The input that a professional manager can give you will help you to better understand how to market your business more effectively based on click activity and trends that they see happening from the activity in your account.

5. Don’t give up after just 30 days of traffic. Plan on really giving it a go for three months. Then if you do not see results from an increased number of leads, close your pocketbook and move out of Google AdWords and try another marketing approach. You may want to consider organic optimization, email marketing, blog advertising, or even print media advertising depending on your product or service.

It simply makes good business sense to feed with your cash investment things that provide a return for your business. Do not fall in the trap of paying Google for clicks on AdWords if the activity is not providing results, but be realistic about the results you can expect from your AdWords program as well.

AdWords can really work for you, I’ve made it happen for clients, but for some, AdWords is simply not the most practical approach. You will however not know if AdWords is for you unless you really make an honest try.

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One of only 236 Google AdWords Qualified Professional in the World

Nancy McCord is a Google AdWords Qualified IndividualI have been a Google AdWords Qualified Professional for nearly four years which is just about as long as Google has had the program for professional AdWords managers. Recently I found out that I am one of only 236 AdWords Qualified Professionals in the world. Wow, actually I thought there were more, but according to the www.Google-Advertising-Professionals.net that’s all there are.

You can check out their directory and find a professional who can speak and write in your own language. If you’re based in the United States, call me first at 301-705-7303, to receive first class service. In fact I just set up an account this past week for www.LeadBoosterClub.com and here’s the unsolicited comment that Kathy Goughenour sent to me after we had set up her account and helped her fix her website in preparation for her new AdWords campaign.

You need to rename your Google AdWords Quick Start Plus program to Faster-Than-a-Speeding-Bullet program.  Nancy started work on my Google AdWords program Thursday morning and by Friday evening she’d set up my Google account, written 4 landing pages, rewritten my home page, generated what seemed like thousands of keywords, researched my competition, written 12 (it could have been more, I lost count) brilliant Google ads.  Saturday morning she put the Google AdWords campaign into action.  Whew!  I was worn out watching her work.  I forgot to mention that she’d never heard of my business before.  She grasped my business concept, understood my target audience, and made me feel that anything was possible.  Thank you, Nancy McCord, for making me believe in miracles, again.  I believe.

Kathy Goughenour President – www.LeadBoosterClub.com

Thanks Kathy for your kind words. Google AdWords services are one of our core businesses. I love working with Google AdWords. I consider each client’s needs like a big puzzle – how best can I create a program to get results, not just clicks, but real leads.

So if you’re looking for one of only 236 Google AdWords Qualified Professionals to help you, and a passionate one focused on your success, look no further.  For more information we invite you to review our AdWords set up and management program.