Thursday, 24 August 2017

Unconfirmed Google Ranking Update

New, unconfirmed Google ranking update ‘Fred’ shakes the SEO world

The webmaster and SEO community, along with the automated Google tracking tools, all show strong signs that there was a Google algorithm ranking update.

Since yesterday morning, the SEO industry has been watching an unconfirmed Google ranking update that seems to target more of the link quality aspects of the overall algorithm.
Many are calling this the Fred Update, a name we’re also adopting. That came from Google’s Gary Illyes, who has jokingly suggested that all updates be named “Fred.” It’s sticking with this one.
We’ve seen more chatter and reports of changes from within the “black hat” SEO community, which generally means that this is a spam algorithm update around links. Last time we reported a link spam-related update was in early February, and that update also was unconfirmed by Google.

There was also a large content quality Google update on February 7 that was never confirmed. As you expect, Google is very unlikely to confirm algorithm updates these days — but that won’t stop us from reporting large shifts in the search results that convey an algorithm update has happened.
Many of the automated tracking tools currently show significant volatility and fluctuations, which is an indicator of an update. Plus, with all the industry chatter, and with webmasters both complaining about ranking declines and rejoicing about ranking increases, it’s likely that there was a Google update.

We are waiting to hear from Google if they have any comment. All we have right now are the typical Google lines from John Mueller and Gary Illyes that Google makes updates all the time.

Report: 57% of traffic now from smartphones and tablets

It’s been a little over two years since Google first announced that mobile searches had exceeded desktop queries on a global basis. That number has continued to grow, although the company has not provided an official update recently.

At a recent press event, a Google speaker casually said that the “vast majority” of search queries are now mobile. However, this is not official and wasn’t affirmed by spokespeople.
In the absence of official updates from Google and Bing, third parties have offered a range of statements on the question of mobile search and mobile traffic volumes vs. the desktop. For example, earlier today, BrightEdge reported that 57 percent of traffic among its clients is coming from smartphones and tablets.


Thursday, 17 August 2017

Web Design Trends 2017 – Part 2

New Navigation Patterns

Navigation does not have to be glued to the top of the design. From hidden or pop-out styles to navigation on the side or bottom of the pages, it is trendy to move the menu. (As long as the placement is still quite obvious.)

When considering a change to navigation styles, think about user patterns. Is the nav easy to find and does it work in a manner that users will understand intuitively? If so, go for it. If not, rethink the idea.

More Tactile Design

Web design is rooted in physical things. It started with Material Design and the development of more tactile planes and layering of objects. This interface trend is expanding to the visuals as well.
Designers are much more rooted in reality. This includes images, rather than illustrations, and plenty of elements that feel like the user can reach out and touch them. The images are more natural as well, featuring elements that are made from materials found in nature and crafted into usable objects.

Neutral Color Palettes

Tactile principles will carry over into color palettes as well. While the last two years have been some of the most colorful we have seen in web design that is going to shift to a more natural, neutral set of hues.

Look for more greens, beiges and muted tones in projects. Color palettes will be derived from the natural world and have less of a bold, bright, almost-neon look to them.

Wearables Influence the Web

Small design will influence everything else. Very much in the way a mobile-first design mentality has impacted the way all websites work, a wearable-first approach will most specifically impact app design. (You’ll want your app to work on a phone or a watch, right?)
This influence will likely change the look and complexity of some mobile apps. We might see larger typography and more minimal styles emerge. With so many users opting to buy wearables of some sort and wanting those interactions to replicate on other devices, this method of design is destined to happen sooner rather than later.

Custom Typography

Big, bold lettering never goes out of style. It is one of those trends that seems to just get better and better. Thanks to a growing number of web fonts and compatibility, more designers are taking typography risks with more novelty and interesting typefaces.

It’s a win for the design and a win for users that are likely tiring of the same few sans serifs that seem to dominate design projects. From vintage type styles to retro looks to completely custom typefaces, designers need to think about how to add flair with type to create visual interest.

Just keep in mind, cool lettering still needs to be readable. So whether you are pairing it with an image or as stand-alone artwork, make sure users can understand exactly what you are trying to say at a glance.


Methods of adding CSS to HTML

There is more than one way to add a Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) to your HTML document. In this short tutorial I will explain the strengths and weaknesses of the four main methods.

Linking to a separate CSS file   
       
This is the most common method of attaching CSS rules to an HTML document. With this method all of your style rules are contained in a single text file that is saved with the .CSS extension. This file is saved on your server and you link to it directly from each HTML file. The link is just a simple line of HTML that you put in the <head> section of your HTML document, it looks like this:
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="mystyles.css" media="screen" />
Make sure you include the correct path to your CSS file in the href. If the CSS file is in the same folder as your HTML file then no path is required (like the example above) but if it's saved in a folder, then specify it like this href="foldername/mystyles.css". The media parameter specifies when the CSS rules are to be used. "screen" indicates for use on the computer screen. If you specify "print" then the rules will only be followed when the page is printed. You can include multiple CSS files if required.

Embedding CSS into the HTML

You can also embed CSS rules directly into any HTML page. To do this you need to add the following code to the <head> of your HTML document:
<style media="screen" type="text/css">

Add style rules here

</style>
All of your CSS rules go between the style tags. As before, the media can be "screen" for your computer screen or "print" for printing.

The disadvantage with this approach is the styles must be downloaded every time someone visits the page, this can cause a slightly slower browsing experience. However there are a few advantages. Because the CSS is part of the HTML document, the whole page exists as just one file. This can be useful if you are sending the page to someone via email or if it will be used as a template such as a blogger template. I use this method on my liquid-layout demos so when people view the source of the page they can see the HTML and the CSS code together. Another advantage of using this method is with dynamic content. If you are using a database to generate the page content you can also generate dynamic styles at the same time. Blogger does this - it dynamically inserts the colours for headings and other elements into the CSS rules embedded in the page. This allows users to change these colours from an admin page without actually editing the CSS in their blog templates.

Adding Inline CSS to HTML tags

Style rules can also be added directly to any HTML element. To do this you simply add a style parameter to the element and enter your style rules as the value. Here is an example of a heading with red text and a black background:

<h2 style="color:red;background:black;">This is a red heading with a black background</h2>
This is not a good method to use because it will bloat your HTML and make website maintenance a real headache. However it can be useful in some situations. One example could be if you are using a system where you don't have access to the CSS file - simply add your style rules directly to the elements instead.

Importing a CSS file from within CSS

Another interesting way to add CSS to a HTML page is with the import rule. This lets us attach a new CSS file from within CSS itself. Let's look at an example of how this is done then I will show a practical example of when you might use this method. To import a new CSS file from within CSS simply use the following rule:

@import "newstyles.css";

Just change "newstyles" to the name of your CSS file and be sure to include the correct path to the file too. Remember the path is relative to the current CSS file that we are in, if the CSS is embedded into the HTML page then the path is relative to the HTML file.

Let's imagine we have a 1000 page website and we link to a CSS file from every page on the site. Now let's imagine we want to add a second CSS file to all of those pages. We could edit all 1000 HTML files and add a second CSS link or a much better way would be to import the second CSS file from within the first file. We just saved ourselves many hours of work!


Web Design Trends 2017 – Part 1

Gradients

Missing from the design landscape for a few years, gradients are making a major comeback. But the look of the color blurring technique has shifted.

In the last round of gradients, there were subtle variations throughout the design. Apple’s iOS icons were a prime example. Now, gradients are big, bold and use plenty of color.
The most popular usage is a two color gradient overlay on photos. (This technique can look absolutely amazing!) It’s a great option to switch up your look or to make a less-than-interesting photo a little more intriguing. You can also use a gradient background to draw the eye when you don’t have other imagery to work with.

Video with Sound

People are becoming more accustomed to watching videos – from short bits of YouTube to movies – on their devices. Websites can mimic this cinematic experience as well with a full-on video with sound display on the homepage. (It does not have to be auto-play to be effective.)
Proceed with caution. Include an option to toggle sound off and on, because not all users will appreciate it. The content needs to be so stellar that users will demand sound as part of the experience. (This is a trend that can be tough to pull off but can work beautifully if you have the right video and sound content combination.)

Virtual Reality (Almost)

Virtual Reality will likely be the most talked about design element of 2017. With more devices on the market – and at affordable price points – VR is going to be big. Gamers will probably get the most out of VR initially, but it could definitely reach into marketing and other applications.
You’ll need to be ready to design for it. But moreover, you need to be ready to create virtual reality experiences that don’t require a headset. This includes website designs with 360-degree video and other highly interactive experiences with three-dimensional effects.

Anything that takes interaction to the next level will have that VR feel and be perfectly on-trend.
Even More Parallax

Parallax scrolling effects were a big trend in 2016 and designers have only gotten cleverer with these mouse-based movements. That trend will continue with more impressive – and fancier parallax effects.

Look for parallax effects that move up, rather than down, and movements that capture a much more layered design. The key to almost every design trend in 2017 is that touch of reality and parallax will be no exception. The more real the movement looks on the screen, the more users will want it.

Super Simple Homepages

More designs will start to strip away the type heavy homepage styles that have been popular for a while. More designers are opting for design that feature only a word or two on the first screen of the design.

And before you worry about SEO, these pages are often packed with plenty of information below the scroll. This is a great example of how user habits are changing web design as a whole. Thanks to plenty of scrolling on mobile websites, users are scrolling more on websites regardless of device. This makes it easier to design a light, airy hero area and pack the design with content on the scroll.
Here’s the trick: Just make sure to give users enough in this simple design to make them want more so that they will engage in scrolling behaviors.


Friday, 11 August 2017

How Often Should You Update

How Often Should You Update or Rebuild Your Website

Deciding whether to update, redesign or reengineer your site should depend entirely on your business goals, objectives and economic considerations, rather than on some superficial time frame pulled out of thin air. We asked him to explain.

Q: Why would I redesign the look and feel of my website but not rebuild it?

A: A variety of factors can make a redesign worth considering, but here are several that almost always require an update. You’ve got new branding and color standards, and you need to make sure your new look extends to your website. Your bounce rates are extremely high, meaning people visit but few convert; a well-thought-out redesign can turn this around. Or your business has grown, and plans call for new products and services; your site’s design may need to reflect that change. Last, your customers complain about your site, claiming that it looks outdated or doesn’t work well.

Q: What developments might require me to reengineer my website from scratch?

A: The most important one is if your current site doesn’t adapt to mobile device screens. Fixing this is an absolute must in today’s mobile-driven world. Another would be if your site was originally built using Flash: Apple’s iPads and iPhones don’t support Flash. That’s reason enough to rebuild, but there’s another reason: Flash can slow your site down.

Anyone in your company should be able to learn and use your content management system (CMS) to update your site. You shouldn’t have to hire a programmer to make simple changes and fixes. Along those same lines of keeping things simple: If your site takes forever to load, you need to reengineer the backend. Nobody puts up with long waits anymore.

Q: Should I invite my customers to be part of the redesign process?

A: Yes! Customer opinion and feedback give you the kind of insights that convert visitors into customers. Start by asking what they think of your proposed design and if it appeals to them. Then ask about the problem they’re looking to solve and if the information they need access to is easy to find in the new design. After you relaunch the site, ask them again if they like it. If they say no, address their concerns through incremental design enhancements, which your new site should allow you to do without starting over.


Create APositive Reputation

Create a Positive Reputation Before Anything Negative Happens

One way to manage your reputation is to make sure you have as much positive press as possible. When the internet is flooded with positive news stories about you, negative ones do not seem to matter as much. Many of them will be drowned out by the positive press while others will be disregarded by readers due to the abundance of encouraging news.

In order to build your positive reputation you need to claim all your online profiles. By this I mean you need to create a Facebook page, Twitter handle, Crunchbase profile, and more. You need to sign up with every website that allows you to create a profile. It is also recommended that you purchase your branded domain name.

Another great way to build a positive online reputation is to start blogging. Bloggers can create a positive reputation and become known as experts or authorities in their field. Search Engine Journal has a great guide to reputation management blogging, laying out the steps you can use to help build your online reputation.

Pushing Down Negative 
Content          
                                                                                                      
One of the best ways to remove negative information is to push it down the search results. Things that wind up on page 2 of Google are rarely seen by those using the search engine. As such, you can effectively “remove” negative content simply by pushing it down Google pages.

The way to push negative content down is to outrank it with positive content. You will need to conduct media outreach in order to do so. Getting yourself mentioned and linked from high authority websites will help with the process. Simply find out the domain authority of the website you want to push down. Then, try to land featured articles in publications with a higher domain authority.

Wikipedia seems to be at the top of the list for people wanting to manage their online reputation as it has a high domain authority and will help push down negative content. However, experts recommend not using Wikipedia as a reputation management tool. The reasons are simple. If you create a Wikipedia page and there is negative information about you available online, it will ultimately be added to the page and actually cause negative articles to creep back to the top of the search engines.
Online reputation management is synonymous with SEO. There are many SEO techniques to avoid and you need to keep this in mind when trying to push down negative content. Make sure to optimize content properly so that it will outrank the negative content you are trying to get rid of.
Final Thoughts

So basically there are two methods of online reputation. The first, and most important, is to have a positive reputation in the first place. The second is more of “reputation repair” in which you try to suppress negative content. Anyone with an online presence should be aware of these methods in order to maintain a positive perception and be able to rebuild if someone tries to disparage you.
If you have any online reputation management suggestions I’d love to hear about them in the comments below.


Establish AndOwn Your Online Reputation

Online Reputation Management

Establish and Own Your Online Reputation

Control your Search Engine Results Page (SERP) with best practices in SEO.
•             Maintain as much property as possible on the first page for all your keywords.  This is where we find having a comprehensive online strategy in place can be the most helpful.  This can include press releases, your own site pages, your blog, and potentially other extensions to your online brand.
•             Keep your eyes focused on great online communication while also staying abreast of ever-changing search engine algorithms. We have learned that time and again the strategies that work the best are just solid marketing communications versus trying to leverage the latest tactic.  The long-term strategies are the ones that always win out.
•             Monitor your analytics and search engine reporting daily for upturns, downturns and identify long-term trends. 

These trends can help you adjust your strategy to accommodate your consumers’ wants and needs.
Stay Socially Active Online.  Engagement is key. Promote your brand with a constant and constantly growing online presence. Use a blog, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, YouTube and press releases to engage consumers with regular updates and timely responses to your followers on all social media platforms.

Be creative in your approach for maximum engagement.  This is probably the most difficult part of the entire strategy because you really have to dig deep to determine what is going to work best for you and your brand.  What works for a retail business is probably not going to work for a B2B focused business.  There are some common themes that you may want to consider.  Host contests. Encourage followers to share videos or photos that demonstrate how they used your product and how it worked for them. Consider event sponsorship and partnerships worth promoting. Most importantly, an active blog does wonders to perk up a static website.

The blog’s domain name should reflect your brand. Content should provide professional, brand consistent information about your company and its products, trends in the industry, success stories and available support. Incorporate videos and images into your website and social media, and make your topics relevant to trending news whenever possible.

Maintain a Dynamic PR Strategy

“Unique” gets noticed. Fresh, informative content on a consistent basis is key to keeping your online reputation heading in a positive direction. Revisit your PR and social media plans on a regular basis, using reliable analytics to adjust your strategy when necessary. Always “Expect nothing. Be ready for anything.”

Create a Crisis Strategy

Do not wait for the bottom to drop out before outlining a strategy to handle issues with the potential to damage your reputation. Your first line of defense is to minimize the damage.
Create a supportive and encouraging environment for your employees. They will respond by providing good customer service. Happy, thriving employees will support your brand at the most critical moment—when customer meets company. It is wise to train your team in the use of social media tools, the benefits of social media and the caution required when responding on any social media outlet.

Monitor Website and Social Media Activity Around the Clock

Technology can fail at any time, in any capacity. It is wise to have a back-up system that alerts you to website failure and viruses as well as social media glitches. When something occurs that affects your
community’s ability to access information, you need to respond quickly and effectively.
As you can imagine, technology issues are often much easier to repair than negative perceptions of your company and product.


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