Tagged 'Web Development'

SEO – The Myths, the Facts, and the Secrets

Posted by John Wagner III on March 29th, 2013 at 8:30 pm

If you have a website or use a search engine on a regular basis, it’s likely that you've heard of SEO or PPC. These two common acronyms are mentioned and preached every day. However, does everyone really know what they mean, or how they work? If you don’t, you’re not alone.
Let’s answer any lingering questions, settle myths, and clear the air of this SEO madness! I've compiled the most common myths, most important facts, and the most exciting secrets in this post! I know what you’re thinking, “Whew! it’s about time!”
So let’s start from the top…

Define:
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) – An algorithm designed to impact visibility of web content (pages) through organic search results. Commonly used as a free alternative to PPC (pay per click) advertising.
Purpose:
Direct targeted traffic to your website without buying ads and clicks.
Myths:
…Your site will or can be optimized overnight
…Repetitive words and content will increase ranking
…Always use the most competitive words and phrases
…High page rankings are set in stone
…Organic “tastes” different
Facts:

Organic search results is a natural method for locating a webpage. This process will match search terms with relevant content on competing webpages. The stepbrother of organic search results is “non-organic”, or paying per click. “Paying per click”... Read more

The 12 (Internet Marketing) Days Of Christmas!

Posted by Amy Kauffman on December 26th, 2012 at 6:00 am

The best way to spread holiday cheer is to share marketing tips for all to hear! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from your crew at HMG Creative. To celebrate the joyous season and year's end, we now present the 12 Days of Christmas in its entirety, a campaign that is sure to make you laugh, smile and think about marketing in a whole new light going into 2013. Did you miss the the fun festivities, the first time around? No problem! But be sure to Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter, so you aren't left out in the cold again. (You don’t want to be on that naughty list, do you?)

Enjoy our gift of discounts, actionable marketing ideas, Twitter tips, viral videos and more exciting content to take your business into the new year in style!

Now -- Without further delay -- may we present: The 12 Days of Christmas!

On the First Day of Christmas, HMG Gave to Me:
Business Cards Half Off…That’s Almost FREE!

On the Second Day of Christmas, HMG Gave to Me:
Two Tutorials

On the Third Day of Christmas, HMG Gave to Me:
Three Experts Blogging

On the Fourth Day of Christmas, HMG Gave to Me:
Four Calling... Read more

Twelve Websites Winning

Posted by Amy Kauffman on December 25th, 2012 at 6:00 am

Web design has changed exponentially since the advent of web 2.0 in the early 2000’s. What used to be static-only websites have now been replaced with dynamic ones that incorporate many design features including widgets, social plugins and much more. Here are 12 tips to keep in mind when building or rebuilding your website.
1. Show value- give people a reason to visit your site and keep them there.
2. What does your website do? Are you informative, are you selling something? Include a call of action and let it be seen on the site!
3. Simplicity- Keep it simple while still getting your point across.

4. Myspace is out! That means no blinking text or magic cursors!

5. Popups- Do I really have to explain this?
6. Keep the home page accessible. I’ve been to many sites where once I click a link on the navigation bar, I cannot get back to the home page- so frustrating!
7. Follow in Apple’s shoes and drop Adobe Flash- it’s processor heavy and there’s no place to embed SEO.
8. I KNOW THIS MAY SOUND DUMB BUT DON’T CAPITALIZE ALL OF YOUR CONTENT.
9. Speaking of words and content, check your grammar... Read more

On the Fourth Day of Christmas, HMG Gave to Me: Four Calling Clients

Posted by Amy Kauffman on December 19th, 2012 at 6:00 am

The Client List: 4 Types of Clients, Pain Points and How to Deal
At HMG, we love our wonderful family of clients and customers. But, like any large family, there are a few that can, well, drive you a little crazy. Throughout my time working at PR, advertising and creative agencies I have noticed a distinctive trend in some of the “problem child” clients that take extra time, energy and effort to work with. While there are dozens of categories and sub-categories (I can’t wait to read the comments!), I have done my best to narrow down the 4 most common, and troublesome, types of clients that make Account Managers across the country face-palm almost every day.
1. The Defensive Line
Think 260+ lbs., Texas born and bred defensive players. Their goal? To keep the offense from proceeding down the field, of course. And this is exactly how most of us feel when faced with a Defensive Line client. These clients or individuals tend to halt any forward progress you and your agency tries to make on their behalf. But they hired you, right? Last you checked you were the expert on hand to provide guidance on communications and lead... Read more

On the Second Day of Christmas, HMG Gave to Me: Two Tutorials

Posted by Amy Kauffman on December 17th, 2012 at 6:00 am

Our second day of Christmas will celebrate, or should I say educate, you on two dynamic tools in today's social world: HootSuite and WordPress. If you're not already familiar with the two, check out the links below to see just how easy it is to get started. If you're already a pro, take a look anyway and brush up on those skills or discover a hidden feature!
HOOT SUITE TUTORIAL
Hoot Suite is a social media management tool that allows you to control various platforms in one place. Here at HMG Creative, we use one HootSuite account to allow all of our social media managers to post and schedule content to our various platforms.
WORD PRESS TUTORIAL
WordPress is web software almost anyone can use to create a beautiful website or blog. The program began in 2003 with a single bit of code and since then it has grown to be the largest, self-hosted blogging tool in the world. Check it out!

How can you be a part of the fun festivities of the 12 Days of Christmas, you ask? By Liking us on Facebook or Following us on Twitter, if you don't already. (You don’t want to be on that naughty list,... Read more