EXIF Data and Search Engines: A Complicated Relationship

In theory, geolocation data seems like it would be valuable for online rankings, particularly when it comes to local searches. For instance, an image with data linking it to a particular city could conceivably boost ranking local searches because that location data would establish relevancy.

In reality, search engines don’t do much with the EXIF files where geolocation is contained. According to Google, the search engine (along with others) does not consider EXIF data when ranking sites. Additionally, this data is removed from images posted to a Google My Business profile, which is a crucial tool for ranking in local searches.

Trusted Ways to Enhance Your Search Rank

When it comes to geolocation data, the best course of action is to leave it as is for the time being. It’s always possible that Google and other search engines will change their practices in the future, which could mean that geolocation data does become relevant. In the meantime, here are some ways you can increase your visibility online:

• Use relevant keywords
• Create unique, high-quality content
• Use social media to connect with your target audience

These strategies are proven to work, so they deserve most of your attention when it comes to SEO.

Your Trusted Partner in SEO and Internet Marketing

With decades of experience behind us, SonicSEO.com has helped clients all over North America improve their ranking in Google and other search engines. We understand the ins and outs of SEO and we take the time to communicate the best practices to our clients.

Contact us today to learn more or call (505) 821-2000 to schedule a consultation with our marketing team.

Consumers these days often interact with a business’s website first, which can set the stage for all future dealings. That’s why website launches are such an important aspect of business success, as a poor first impression is likely to linger in the minds of users. Accordingly, businesses are encouraged to avoid the following mistakes when creating their websites and prepping them for launch.

Mistake #1: Failing to Make Use of New Technology

Websites are ideal customer service hubs since potential customers can access information about your business 24/7. To this end, chatbots are a vital component of customer service, as they can efficiently and effectively answer basic user queries regarding hours of operation, location, and more. Without chatbots, users may struggle to find important information, which can leave your business deprived of a sale.

Mistake #2: Forgetting to Include Important SEO Elements

Search engine optimization (SEO) involves including certain key elements in web design to increase a site’s ranking within search results pages. Good SEO increases visibility, which means more members of your target audience will be exposed to your website and business. Essential SEO elements include:

• Inclusion of a sitemap
• Use of internal links
• Careful keyword selection
• Quality backlinks
• Avoiding duplicate content

These elements must be built into the new website to ensure the best possible user experience.

Mistake #3: Using an Outdated Website Design

Site design is important for two reasons. First, a well-designed website offers a modern look and feel, which boosts confidence in a business. Second, a good design also ensures that the site is easy to navigate. Excessive amounts of text, garish colors, and confusing menus can cause users to click away from a website before they fully understand what your business offers.

Mistake #4: Lacking Calls to Action

As illustrated by the name, calls to action are statements that encourage users to take specific actions. A call to action can entice a user to contact a business directly, make a purchase, or sign up for a weekly newsletter. Calls to action provide clear, understandable instructions to users to ensure they’re fully aware of the next steps. While the volume of visitors to a site can be indicative of success, it won’t matter much if visitors never become actual customers.

Contact SonicSEO.com for Help With Website

With decades of web design experience behind us, SonicSEO.com has helped numerous clients successfully launch new websites. Thanks to our knowledge of SEO, we can help your business reach the top of the search results pages. We also help with app development, social media marketing, and more. Contact us today or call (505) 821-2000 to schedule a consultation.

Poor accessibility can also harm your site’s search rank, as search engines want websites to be suitable for all people. That’s why search engine optimization accessibility checks are so crucial for your business.

How to Perform an Accessibility Check

The first step is to understand the pertinent Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. These guidelines ensure that people with auditory, cognitive, speech, and learning disabilities can easily interact with websites. Many accessibility checks will compare the function of a website to guidelines to determine how accessible a site truly is.

Accessibility assessments also look at individual components of websites. This includes colors, text, content structure, ease of navigation, and other factors. The use of a screen reader can also help you determine how friendly the page is to people with visual impairments.

Benefits of Having an Accessible Website

Enhancing website accessibility is simply the right thing to do. However, it also offers businesses quite a few benefits:

• Decreased chance of legal issues related to inadequate site access
• Greater flow of traffic coming to your website
• Improved rank in search results pages
• Healthier bottom line thanks to more customers patronizing your business
• Elevated brand reputation and loyalty

At the end of the day, having a fully accessible website puts your business at a huge advantage over those who don’t take the time to consider accessibility.

We Can Help You Build an Accessible Website

Since 1998, SonicSEO.com has been helping businesses all over North America create user-friendly websites. We also have extensive experience with SEO, which means we can update your site to improve the flow of traffic and boost your rank on search results pages. Contact us today to discuss a strategy for improving your business’s website.

Including short and long-tail keywords within your website is important, as these two types of search terms can work in conjunction to enhance your rank in search results.

Short-Tail Keywords

Short-tail keywords are very broad in nature and generally have a high search volume. While they’re known for generating substantial organic traffic, ranking for broad terms is extremely challenging. This is because these terms are highly competitive, meaning that lots of businesses are trying to rank for them at the same time. As a result, ranking for popular short-tail keywords can take some time.

Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are a lot more specific than their short-tail counterparts. They’re also easier to rank for since they’re less competitive. Long-tail keywords are typically employed when a user is nearing the end of their buying journey. For example, a person might start out by searching for “socks,” but will provide more detail, such as “black men’s socks size 10,” once they’re getting close to making a purchase.

How to Strike the Right Balance Between Short and Long-Tail Keywords

Short-tail keywords must be included in your SEO strategy, but keep in mind that it may take years before your website ranks for these terms. While you’re building your strategy, you can rank for less competitive long-tail keywords to ensure a steady flow of traffic to your site. Long-tail keywords are also effective at boosting your conversion rating, as most consumers employing these terms are ready to make a purchase.

Keyword research is integral to an effective marketing strategy, and our team at SonicSEO.com uses proven methods to find the best possible search terms for your business. We also help our clients by developing informative and engaging content to offer a great experience. Contact us today for more information on services and qualifications.

In some cases, traffic decreases can be blamed on changes to search engine algorithms. In others, there may be a specific issue plaguing your website. Here are a few common causes of decreased traffic and what you can do about them.

Keyword Cannibalization

Keyword cannibalization occurs when one search term links to multiple URLs on your website. Instead of directing web traffic to a single page, keyword cannibalization splits traffic to multiple pages on the site, which then decreases web traffic. Keyword cannibalization typically occurs after the creation of lots of new content that focuses on a single topic.

 Problems With Redirects

It may be necessary to redirect traffic to different areas of your website over time. You must make sure that these redirects are functioning as expected, otherwise you run the risk of leading visitors to dead ends, which can be quite frustrating. A poor user experience can cause a person to click away from a website, which decreases web traffic and lowers your conversion rate.

Robots.txt File Issues

Robots.txt files provide instructions to search engines on which pages they can access on your website. When these files are not configured correctly, it slows down the function of search engine web crawlers, which in turn reduces your site’s rank among search results pages. You can ensure proper function by adding certain rules to the robots.txt file. For instance, enabling the indexing of main category pages only prevents web crawlers from getting overwhelmed and lowering your search rank.

Here at SonicSEO.com, we know that web traffic can fluctuate from time to time. That’s why we continuously monitor websites to ensure they maintain a good search rank. We also offer ranking repair service to get your site back to the top of the search results pages. Get in touch with us today to discuss your current search rank and how it can be improved.

However, you must also avoid harmful practices like keyword cannibalization, which occurs when too many similar terms and phrases are used throughout a website. This can cause your site to rank lower in searches, which then prevents customers from finding you. Taking the right steps can hone your keyword strategy and ensure you’re not inadvertently making it harder to find your business online. Here are a few methods to try.

 Combine Similar Content

A good web page will offer lots of useful content to visitors. If you notice that some of the pages on your site use similar keywords but lack valuable content overall, now is the best time to consolidate them. Combining similar pages helps you avoid harmful keyword practices, but it can also provide more value to your users thanks to the boost in content. Keep in mind that search engines are primarily concerned with user experience when it comes to ranking, so pages with a lot to offer tend to take priority.

Develop New Landing Pages

Landing pages are designed to compel visitors to take a specific action, such as buying a product or scheduling a service. Developing a new landing page allows you to link it to pages with similar content, which can help with your search rank. The search engine will now have an authoritative page containing relevant information, which means it will be better equipped to rank the page correctly when it comes to keyword usage.

Perform New Keyword Research

Keep in mind that it’s often necessary to update your keyword approach over time. In this case, you can remove the duplicate keywords and replace them with new ones to improve your reach within your target audience. For instance, long-tail keywords are more conversational, which means they’re often linked to voice-based searches conducted on mobile devices. By adding long-tail keywords to your online content, you eliminate the negative impact of keyword cannibalization while also expanding your site’s reach.

Thanks to our decades of experience, SonicSEO.com can help our clients avoid harmful practices like keyword cannibalization. Our team uses research-backed processes when it comes to keyword selection, which is a crucial principle of search engine optimization. Contact us today so that we can discuss your current keyword strategy.

To determine whether your mobile application is a bona fide success, you must track certain metrics. These metrics can provide concrete information on how users interact with your app, and how satisfied they are with the overall experience. While there are several metrics to consider, the following are vital for most business apps.

Engagement Rate

Your app’s engagement rate lets you know how often users are interacting with certain features. For instance, a poor engagement rate in one area of the mobile application signals that it’s not offering the best possible experience to users. Conversely, a good engagement rate indicates that users are getting more out of the app. While engagement can vary according to the goal of the user, this metric does provide a baseline of the success or failure of individual app features.

Time Spent on Screen

Sessions refer to how much time a user spends on screen. Keep in mind that some portions of your app may naturally involve shorter sessions. However, you can use your understanding of app features to determine whether a session length is appropriate. If testing indicates that a certain section of the app requires a longer session, and you find that the actual time spent on screen is much lower, then you know that section most likely needs to be tweaked.

Conversion Rate

While engagement rate measures user interactions, conversion rates measure the success of calls-to-action, which compel users to take a certain action. For example, one goal of your mobile application may be for users to complete a sale or schedule a service. If you find that you’re not achieving these goals, it’s worth reviewing your app to determine why users aren’t following through (especially if the app has a good engagement rate but poor conversion rate).

Customer Satisfaction Score

Customer satisfaction scores compare user experiences to user feedback. If multiple users provide poor feedback regarding a certain section or feature of the mobile application, it’s safe to say that the feature is in need of improvement. This is often the case with areas of the app that load too slowly or pose issues with navigation. However, feedback should be assessed in context with other metrics, such as conversion rate, to have the greatest understanding of customer feedback.

Here at SonicSEO.com, we believe most businesses can benefit from a mobile application. That’s why we employ some of the best and brightest app designers to ensure our clients can engage with customers in a meaningful way. And when it comes to your digital channels, we perform regular monitoring to ensure continued great performance. Please reach out to us today to discuss mobile app creation for your business.

Accordingly, landing pages must play an essential role in your conversion strategy, which is the process of turning a website visitor into a paying customer. This guide goes over some essential details of landing pages and explains why they’re so beneficial to businesses.

What Is a Landing Page?

Landing pages are designed with one very specific goal in mind. While homepages encourage users to learn more about a business and its website, landing pages are intended to direct users to take very specific action. For instance, a landing page may be dedicated to getting users to purchase a product or schedule a service. They can also entice users to provide an email address to receive a newsletter or download an app.

You can use many different methods to direct your audience to a landing page. You may strategically place an ad to engage your target audience, which will then take them to the dedicated landing page. Businesses can also use social media posts or blog entries featuring links to a specific page on their website.

How Can Landing Pages Benefit Your Business?

When used effectively, landing pages can offer you the following benefits:

• Enhanced Conversions – While web traffic is an important metric to consider, it won’t matter much if users never convert. With landing pages, users will be given explicit instructions on actions you’d like them to take, which will have a positive impact on your conversion rates.
• Greater Insight into Marketing Strategies – Landing pages are quite effective at testing new marketing strategies. For instance, you can determine the success of new content, graphics, and other components by seeing how many conversions a landing page brings about. In the event these tactics do not get the desired results, you can go back and redesign.
• Improved Brand Recognition – Along with conversions, landing pages are also great for enhancing brand recognition. If the page is designed correctly and includes informative and interesting content, it’s bound to make a positive impression on visitors.

When it comes to the creation of landing pages and other online content, SonicSEO.com has the knowledge and experience to take your business to the top of the search results. Our team uses proven SEO principles, as well as website monitoring to ensure you continue to receive the best possible results. Contact us today to discuss your marketing strategy!

Improved User Experience

Thanks to the proliferation of mobile devices, most consumers these days prefer using mobile apps instead of websites when interacting with businesses. Apps offer a streamlined approach to service scheduling and product purchases, as every action can be performed within the app itself. Additionally, mobile applications also allow users to find information quickly and efficiently, which is not always the case when viewing a website on a mobile device. The better the user experience, the more likely it is that a person will return to your business again and again.

Constant Connection to Consumers

Apps are also a highly efficient marketing tool. Consider that customers who download your app will be connected to your business 24/7. As a result, you can send updates about new products and services, provide information on deals and specials, or remind a customer that their favorite item is once again in stock. Push notifications are an essential feature in most mobile apps, as they ensure that consumers remember your business and all that it has to offer, even when they’re away.

Enhanced Customer Service

Most mobile apps these days use chatbots to provide assistance and answer questions. For example, if a customer has a question after hours, the chatbot can provide information to ensure they can take the necessary actions. In addition to making certain that consumers have access to important information regarding your business at all times, chatbots reduce the need to have a staff member providing the same service to customers. As a result, you can streamline costs while still offering the best possible experience.

If you’re ready to pull the trigger on a mobile application, SonicSEO.com is poised and ready to assist you. We offer traditional app design, as well as efficient and affordable website to app conversion, which uses your existing website to build the content of the application. Contact us today to discuss our app development services and how they can benefit your business.

However, certain KPIs have value for most businesses, so you must ensure you routinely track these metrics. Here are a KPIs to keep an eye on when it comes to SEO.

1. Average Engagement Time

Average engagement time lets you know how long a user’s browser is focused on a particular website. This metric is important because engaged users are most likely to take additional actions, such as schedule service, purchase a product, or reach out for more information. While specifics can vary, 57 seconds is usually considered a good average engagement time for websites. Additionally, engaged sessions are defined as those where a conversion event takes place (i.e., the user performs a desired action), the user remains on a page for ten seconds or more, or the user views more than one page.

2. Content Efficiency

Content Efficiency is a metric that compares the rate of content publishing/updates with how often the site achieves its content goals. Content Efficiency is measured in percentages, with higher percentages corresponding to greater success. For example, if you’re spending $300 per page to create and update content, and your Content Efficiency rating is only 10%, you’re not getting an optimum return on investment. In general, businesses should aim for at least 40% efficiency, if not higher. Achieving a good rating can help you improve your SEO strategy to gain a higher return on and reduce spending.

3. Customer Lifetime Value

Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) refers to the monetary value that each customer provides over the course of their relationship with the business. Instead of focusing on just a single metric, CLV looks at each step in the customer journey to determine whether the current marketing strategy is as effective as possible. It’s possible to trace CLV back to specific SEO tasks to determine whether they’re lucrative for a business to pursue. Doing so can help you hone your SEO strategy and make tweaks to processes that aren’t having the intended effect.

Here at SonicSEO.com, we know what it takes for your SEO strategy to be a success. We also help with other facets of online marketing, including app development and social media. While we’re quite confident in our marketing approach, we insist on taking your ideas into account to ensure the best possible outcome. Contact us today to learn more.