Schema | A really BIG change in SEO!
With seventeen years of SEO experience I have seen a lot of changes. A really BIG change is Microdata, Schema and SEO! On June 2nd Bing, Google and Yahoo announced support of a standard set of schemas for structured data markup on web pages that is machine readable. This allows tagging of terms like Mustang so you can define if you mean the car or the horse or Paris Hilton for the person or the hotel. This is very complex and powerful.
If you would like help with optimizing your web site using Schema give me a call. Yes it is time to do your SEO all over again for a big advantage over your competition.
Gerry Grant 714.865.0222
www.Search-Optimization.com/blog

Google Engage Gift Card Code

As part of the Google Engage program I received a box of ten mailers that clients could use to get $100 in AdWords credit. I also got a very nice Google hat. This took me back to the days in 1995 when I approached Earthlink to see if they wanted to do affiliate marketing like CDNow was doing. They were not set up to track visitors online but did give me a bunch of installation disks that had a code on them that identified me. Earthlink also kept a box of them at their offices that also had that code on it so they could send them out when people filled out an online form I had on my site POP-I, the first music portal on the Internet. Thanks for the memories Google, the old days all over again.

The box Google sent also contained a nice Thumb drive with an email template in it. The directions ask that I type in the code from the mailer. The only problem is the Google code is unique on each mailer I have.

Not being sure how this worked I called the number on the mailer and spoke to the Google rep that answered and he said that once I use a code it is no longer valid and I need to put a different code in each email.. He suggested I type a different one in for each email. Here is a code worth $100 to the first one to use it 36th-3SS9-TE64-ELFB-NTA or you can contact me and I will get you your own code.

I was all set to win a brand new Nexus S device, whatever that is. I miss the days when we had our own ad reps.

Facebook Wine Locater Maps

Wine Marketing Online

Wine marketing online requires a number of steps to be successful. An up to date web site is a must. Does your site need to be re-done? Does it promote social interaction and sharing?
One of the best ways to bring wine lovers into your tasting room is to claim your Google Places listing along with other opinion sites. Read more about Google Places.

Being able to keep a conversation and discussion is important and this is where having a fully functional Facebook Fan page comes in.
Using LinkedIn as a way to communicate with the wine industry business leaders and writers will expand your marketing reach and frequency. Once wine drinkers decide they want to purchase a winemaker’s wine a locator map becomes an important link in the chain. More on Wine Locator Maps

Social Media Marketing equals search traffic in bringing targeted customers to your business. Search-Optimization.com will also set up your Facebook Fan Page like the Columbia Gorage Wine and Food Fan Page and other social profiles using targeted keywords for more profitable customers.

Search-Optimization.com | Wine Online Marketing Program

• Search Engine Optimization
• E-Marketing and Promotion
• Website Design
• Social Media Marketing
• Google Places Advertising
• Facebook Fan Page Set Up

Search-Optimization.com was founded in 1994 by veteran marketing expert and Internet authority Gerry Grant. With 17 years of hands-on Internet experience, Gerry offers a diverse combination of current Internet technical, management and marketing skills.

Go to www.Search-Optimization.com/blog to learn more.

To schedule a complementary consultation call
Search-Optimization.com

(714) 865-0222

Facebook Wine Locater Maps


Google Places Assistance Program

Google Places for Business helps you…
• Be found
Verify your information to make sure people can find you on Google Maps.
• Stand out
Engage customers with photos, videos, offers, public responses and more.
• Get insights
Use information about your listing to make smarter business decisions.

Correctly claim your business listing on Google for maximum, targeted results.

Search-Optimization.com will properly set up your information on Google Places.

Call 714.865.0222 to get help with your google Places set up.

Read more about Google Places

Columbia Gorge wine on Google Places.

Wine Locater Map

Finding the right wine has just gotten easier. Search-Optimization.com is now offering a Wine Locater map as part of its Wine Online Marketing program. Now wine lovers can visit their favorite winery web site and locate a retail outlet, restaurant or bar that carries that perfect bottle of wine.

Search-Optimization.com helps wineries set up their Google Places, Facebook Fan Page and other forms of Social Media Marketing. This is all complimented with extensive search engine optimization (SEO) for wine related search terms.

Facebook Wine Locater Maps

Help your Facebook Fans find your wine in their own home town. Now wine lovers can visit their favorite winery web site and locate a retail outlet, restaurant or bar that carries that perfect bottle of wine.

Wine Locater Maps in Facebook

Twitter Promoted Accounts appear as Part of Who to follow, Twitter’s account recommendations. Promoted Accounts highlight the advertiser’s Twitter account to users based on what Twitter thinks they will find interesting. Twitter does this by looking at your account activity and your Twitter followers to identify similar likes and people on Twitter.

Twitter’s Promoted Tweets>> Twitter Promoted Trends>> Twitter Promoted Accounts>>

Call Gerry Grant at Search-Optimization.com to get your Twitter Advertising set up. 714.865.0222

Twitter’s Promoted Trends

Twitter’s Promoted Trends is another form of paid advertising on Twitter. Twitter advertisers can be associated with a Trend related to their business. When the Twitter user clicks a Twitter Trend they are go to a conversation thread that has the advertisers Promoted Tweets pegged to the top. Of course it is clearly marked as Promoted by the Twitter advertiser. Pricing for Twitter’s Promoted Trends is based on a Cost-Per-Engagement (CPE). The advertiser only pays if a user Retweets, clicks, replies or makes it a favorite.

Twitter’s Promoted Tweets>> Twitter Promoted Trends>> Twitter Promoted Accounts>>

Call Gerry Grant at Search-Optimization.com to get your Twitter Advertising set up. 714.865.0222

Twitter’s Promoted Tweets

Twitter’s Promoted Tweets is a new type of advertising that Twitter is making available so you can reach additional Twitter users that aren’t following your account. It is also a way for them to make a lot of money.

Twitter’s Promoted Tweets are regular Tweets that are broadcast to a larger audience. It Allows you to promote your Tweets to followers and then promote it. Promoted Tweets are triggered by targeted keyword searches based on your selected keyword list. Pricing for Twitter’s Promoted Tweets is based on a Cost-Per-Engagement (CPE). The advertiser only pays if a user Retweets, clicks, replies or makes it a favorite. A “Promoted by (advertisers name)” button will appear with the Tweet.

Is this the new income model for Social Media Marketing? What do you think?

•

Twitter’s Promoted Tweets>> Twitter Promoted Trends>> Twitter Promoted Accounts>>

Call Gerry Grant at Search-Optimization.com to get your Twitter Advertising set up. 714.865.0222

For a better way than Groupon try The Customer Advantage
Making Groupon More Profitable

Groupon recently had a job posting on LinkedIn for an Online Marketing Position. Of course I applied with dreams of stock warrants dancing in my head. I could not help but participate in the sport of “What can they do to make more money?” My answer was with a few SEO and usability best practices the company could be worth at least an extra billion dollars.

Of course I sent an InMail from LinkedIn in telling those who shall remain unnamed but are as high as you can get in the organization what to do to increase profits. It started with: “I have applied for the Online Marketing Position with Groupon and would like to be considered for employment.” The HR guy said he could not find my resume. I sent him the confirmation emails from Groupon. Now I know what happens to all those applications that I never hear back from. They just can’t be found.

After that I went right to the top and sent the following info to the head Groupon venture capital guy using one of my valuable LinkedIn InMails.

What do you think of these ideas? Would this be a good idea to at least try? How would you make Groupon more profitable? If they use your idea you can have bragging rights on how you increased the value of Groupon by billions. Hey this is the kind of fun we used to have years ago on the Internet. How much does Groupon pay to Google every month for all their Pay-Per-Click ads?

Here is what I think can be done to Make Groupon More Profitable and worth billions more.

Groupon spends too much on paid search and has not focused enough on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) of your content. A Google search of the keyword “coupons” shows that Groupon is not even on the first page. This is true even if a search for “Portland coupons” is made with the exception of your paid position. Remember Google gives 67% of their traffic away for free so why not take advantage of it. A dynamic SEO program with geographically targeted terms would work wonders by focusing on the types of coupons you offer.

When you land on www.Groupon.com they have no links to a page for business customers until after you register.

If I were Director of Online Marketing I would initiate an A/B testing program to determine what will increase sales. You may need to clear your cookies or use another computer that is not registered with Groupon to see this.

Current Groupon page vs Adding a link on the first page for business users. I have met a number of people who don’t know how Groupon works for business. Of course once you sign up it all becomes clear.

Place a graphic and link down by the tree near the path that says:

Business Owners Click Here to Learn About Groupon Marketing linked to www.grouponworks.com/

Then have them land on the page that has the sales information.

Try this for a week. Compare to previous time period sales.

I would also put the Groupon for Your Business button on the top of all pages. It is currently buried below the fold.
Learn how to get your business featured on Groupon and enjoy the benefits. Learn more

I established Search-Optimization.com, an Internet marketing firm, in 1994 specializing in Search Optimized Web Design, Social Media Marketing and Search Engine Optimization. I am sure I will contribute to the increase in Groupon’s market value if you hire me.

If Groupon has an increase in sales of more than 5% hire the guy that suggested this to you.
That would be me, Gerry Grant! LinkedIn
Seventeen years of Internet marketing experience has taught me that the fewer clicks someone needs to make the better the results.

Now leave a reply with what you think would help Groupon.

Best regards
Gerry Grant
714.865.0222