Using Schema.org and Micro Data to Boost You Google Places Rankings

One of the most underutilized secrets in the world of local SEO is the influence of micro-data and schema.org encoding on Google Places rankings. If you don’t work in SEO you are thinking to yourself, huh? What the heck is this kid talking about? Fair enough – let’s start from the most logical place; the beginning.

Local SEO; what is it?

Local SEO is the process of optimizing a Google Places listing so that it appears at the top of Google’s results pages for keyword queries with local intent. For instance, if you live in Colorado Springs and you want to find a local roofer, you would search ‘Colorado Springs Roofer’, or something similar. If you own a roofing business in Colorado Springs, you would want your company’s Google Places listing to be displayed on the first page for these queries, for obvious reasons.

So, how is this type of optimization accomplished? What indicators does Google use to determine what listings should be ranked the highest on the page? The primary and most important indicator is the number of instances of the businesses NAP (name, address, and phone number) appearing across the web. The simple term for this is a citation. Google’s web crawlers like to see many citations for a given business as an indicator that the business is well established and popular.

How Micro Data and Schema.org encoding Communicate With Google’s Crawlers

Getting citations from trusted sites such as Judy’s Book, Manta and Yelp are great for establishing your business as a legitimate one, and one that Google should consider when rankings local businesses for relevant search queries. But what makes these citations particularly impactful is that they automatically encode your businesses NAP in mirco data, which makes Google’s job of determining relevance very easy. Here is an example of what a business citation in Yelp looks like to Google:

This is an example of micro data encoding. The words that I have placed in a red box are actually communicating directly to Google’s crawlers, saying “hey, this is a ‘street address’; this is a ‘postal code’; and this is a ‘telephone number’. Compare that with a business listing which is not encoded using micro data:

While Google’s crawler is still seeing the business citation, which is a positive ranking factor, it is not as influential as the Yelp citation, which specifies using the micro data coding exactly what the information relates to.

Schema.org encoding:

Schema.org encoding is relatively new, but it is proving to be a powerful local SEO tool. Here is an example of what that coding looks like in Google’s robotic eyes:

The same idea applies here; by using this encoding you are literally holding Google’s hand as it crawls your business information, telling it exactly what it is looking at.

How to Use Schema.org and Micro data to Boost your Google Places Rankings

When it comes to external websites listing your business, there is really no way to make sure they are using micro data or Schema.org encoding. However, you can, and should implement them on your own website. Here’s how:

Micro Data:

1. Go to http://microformats.org/code/hcard/creator and enter your business information, exactly how it appears in your Google Places listing.
2. The creator will spit out the html code in micro data format
3. Copy the code and paste it into your website. To get the most out of it, paste the code onto the page that your Google Places listing links to. In other words, if you have a specific page on your website for your location, and you have that page in your Google Places listing, paste the code there.

Schema.org

1. Go to http://schema-creator.org/organization.php and enter your business information, exactly how it appears in your Google Places listing.
2. The creator will spit out the html code in micro data format
3. Copy the code and paste it into your website, just as I explined above.

For further information on how micro data and schema.org encoding affect Google Places rankings, check out this awesome post by Mike Ramsey.

The Biggest Thing in Local Search Since the Upside-down Tear Drop is a post from: Technshare

Don't waste your breathe with old communication methods (Photo: Sebastian Fritzon)

It’s no secret that social media drives Web content. You can read an article or watch a video online, and with the click of the mouse, share it with all of your friends immediately. Your friends share the content with their friends, and they share with theirs, and so on. For people such as bloggers, who create online content with the hopes that as many people as possible will read it and love it, social media provides an opportunity to shout headlines from the rooftops to anyone who is listening.

Twitter, in particular, is great for this. In 140 characters or less, you can have your content making its rounds across the Web in a snap. Not only that, but Twitter provides a great community that can help enhance your content even further. Most veteran bloggers are already on Twitter, but for those new to blogging, take some advice: Whether you’re a chef with a personal food blog or a Manhattan cosmetic dentist with a dental health blog, you should probably be tweeting, too. Here, explore the benefits of Twitter for bloggers and find some tweeting tips.

Boost Traffic to Your Blog

First, join Twitter. Next, tell your blog readers that you’re on Twitter. Make it easy for them to follow you and tweet your posts by posting the “Follow” button, the “Tweet” button as well as your stream to your site. Then, start tweeting your posts. Many people use Twitter as a mini blog reader – in addition to subscribing to your blog, they can follow you and get alerts on blog updates through Twitter. The more offsite links generated through tweets and retweets, the more your blog will grow.

Make Connections

If your blog is the main event, then Twitter is the after-party – a way to continue the conversation that you started on your blog. When I first joined Twitter, I was amazed at how much I had been missing. Bloggers and blog readers use Twitter to exchange links, share details of their day, show a peek behind-the-blog. If you’re only tweeting links to your own blog, other users may view your tweets as too “spammy.” Here’s your chance to get to know your readers and other bloggers better. Embrace small talk and banter with your followers. Start a conversation. Ask questions. Share tips.

Become a Better Writer

When you only have 140 characters to work with, you better make them count. Post updates that will grab attention. Be clever, charming, straightforward, informative. Twitter can be an opportunity to strengthen your unique voice as a writer and a blogger.

Stay In-the-Know

Use conversations on Twitter to generate hot topics and fresh content for your blog.   Chances are good that the people behind your favorite blogs, websites and brands are also on Twitter. Follow people in your field to stay constantly updated with industry trends and news, and to gain insight and feedback. For example, if you write a blog about advanced GPS trackers, vehicle monitoring and navigation devices, you might want to follow businesses that use those products. After all, in order to establish your own blog as an authority in your niche, you have to know what you’re talking about.

Just like keeping your blog updated, once you’re on Twitter, it’s important to stay connected. Engage your followers as often as possible with useful, interesting tweets that can improve your blog.

Are you on Twitter? How has Twitter helped your blog?

Why Blogs and Twitter Go Together Like Peas and Carrots: Twitter for the Beginning Blogger is a post from: Technshare

Soon to be released (Photo: h.koppdelaney)

From the iOS to the Google OS, the Instagram app will soon reach Android users’ mobile devices.

The online world is currently abuzz over the Android version of the app, following the announcement of Instagram founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger during the 2012 SXSW conference in Austin, Texas.

The long wait is almost over for Android users, as Systrom disclosed that the popular photo-filtering and sharing app is coming “really soon.”

Although there is no definite release date yet, Systrom already provided a peek of the Instagram prototype on his Galaxy Nexus. Addressing the attendees of the SXSW, he briefly showed the Android version on stage but did not provide a complete demo.

Currently being tested on private beta, the founders added that Instagram for Android is incredibly fast, works great on large-screened devices, and has sharing capabilities with Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and other social networking sites.

‘Better’ than Apple Version

The Instagram debuted on the iOS 18 months ago, and was voted as Apple’s 2011 App of the Year. It is currently the most popular networking app focusing on photography, and is also one of the top social networking apps on the Apple platform.

However, without going into more specifics, Systrom said that the Android version is “in some ways, better than our iOS app.”

The development of Instagram on the Android platform was already announced in December 2011. Systrom explained that the delay in the launch of the app on the Google OS is due to the company’s focus on the iOS version.

“I don’t think it took us so long. We just had priorities,” Systrom added. “Had we tried to be both on Android and iPhone at the same time, it would’ve been tough to innovate in the way that we have.”

On Instagram’s 27M users, business plans

The Android version of the Instagram was not the only announcement disclosed during the annual conference for music, film, and interactive enthusiasts. The founders also clarified rumors on possible business plans of the growing company.

Instagram announced that, to date, the app has already surpassed 27 million users. Although it set out on a bad start with location-based services in 2010, the company was able to turn it around by combining camera and social features.

The recent launch of the iPhone 4S also proved to be an opportunity for the company to boost the number of its users. From 15 million registered users in December 2011, Instagram was able to almost double its user-base three months after.

Currently, Instagram does not have any revenue strategies as they do not place ads on their products nor allow any in-app purchase. Systrom, however, was coy when asked about the future business model of the company.

“I do believe that Instagram has put a stake in the ground and we’re growing more quickly than anyone. Is there something in there we could do to make it a multi-billion dollar business? I think we can figure out something along the way,” Systrom said.

Moreover, the founders also did not clarify rumors of Instagram raising $40 million at a $500 million valuation.

“Good companies are always fundraising. Whether you’re meeting people or considering firms, you’re always fundraising. But it doesn’t mean we’re active. We’re trying to create a long-term, viable company that doesn’t come and go with fads. It should be something that lasts and creates meaningful value,” Systrom said.

Instagram: Soon to be available on Android is a post from: Technshare

Do large buttons get more clicks? (Image: Sean MacEntee)

Since there is already a lot of useful information on the Internet about how to successfully promote your business through Facebook, I want to share with you some knowledge about how your business page on Facebook may gain more popularity if you get people to click “Like-It” button more.

To be honest, getting “Like-button” clicks seems to be a rather complicated task. If your Facebook page is not well-known yet, it would be better to firstly use some traditional methods to receive these necessary clicks. To begin with, send invitations to your friends, relatives or already existing clients and feel free to ask them use the Facebook “Like-It” option. You could also add a link to the Facebook page of your company in the e-mail signature of your current working staff. In this way, chances that someone from your contacts will visit your Facebook page increase significantly.

Another effective way to promote your company’s Facebook page is to advertise it in your newsletter. In addition, you can also draw traffic to this page by advertising it on your business website or while writing press releases. Using other social network accounts, like Twitter, LinkedIn or Delicious would also be great.

The above-mentioned tips will contribute in promoting your Facebook business page in search engines and draw attention of the desired audience. Now you can start generating Facebook “Like” clicks. It is worth remembering that constant updates, adding of news, pictures and any other useful information is what will make your Facebook page very attractive for potential consumers, and finally make them click the Like button more. In order to make the process work like a just-oiled vehicle, it is recommended to prepare a detailed schedule of your updates and respect it in every possible way. Try to add a Facebook “Like” option everywhere you can in the Internet. WordPress blogs, for example, have the necessary plugins. You can also easily get the needed coding available in the Facebook’s “Developers” section.

To get more “Like” clicks on Facebook, you should consider your company’s page to be a newsletter to some extent. Don’t neglect to submit various updates, like useful links, interviews, pictures of seminars, etc.  But keep in mind that using any kind of aggressive advertising could cause damage to your Facebook page. Use your Facebook page to advertise your price incentives or special campaigns, such as “payday cash advance”. Your potential and existing clients will appreciate it and may want to share this info with other people and so on. Always feel free to ask people click the “Like” button, and it will gain popularity very soon.

Make The Most Of The Facebook “Like It” Option is a post from: Technshare

Get ideas from MacDonald's Facebook fan page (Photo: fabbio)

There are now more than 800 million Facebook users with more than 50% logging into their accounts every day. Facebook is definitely the channel to go to if you want to promote your website. There is more than just posting the URL of your website in your status every now and then. Read on to see how you can take advantage of Facebook’s features to draw traffic to your website.

Facebook fan page

Create a fan page for your website

A fan page is a public page where you can connect with your “fans”. On your page, enter details about your website, products or services such as the niche, location, summary and logo. A fan page works in a similar way like your personal profile – you connect with your “fans” by posting updates and photos on the page. The only difference is that you send invites to your “fans”; you have to just wait for them to “like” your page. But the plus side is that you can customize your page with flash, html and even Facebook apps.

Create a welcome tab

Another advantage of a fan page is that you can create a welcome tab on your fan page. You need an app for this but there are many free ones around including Pagemodo. Once you have this app, you can post a welcome note, summary of your business, photos or videos in the welcome tab to greet visitors as they arrive on your fan page.

Tell everyone about your page

There is a “share” button on the left hand side on your page to help you do this. Once clicked, a message will appear on your profile which your friends will see. Another method is to become a fan of similar pages which you can share a link at. Just be careful not to overdo it as you will lose your reputation and come across as spammy.

McDonald’s and iTunes have two of the best Facebook fan pages. If you have a lot to share with your fans, you can emulate McDonald’s who has a catchy Flash page to promote their menu, games, contests and so on. If you prefer a minimalist one, then take a look at iTunes’ page. The design and colors are kept simple but the page is powerful and feature-packed enough that you can even search for songs and movies on the page.

On your website

Create a “like” button for your site

If you have a “like” button on your website, your readers can click on this button if they like your website. This activity will then appear on their Facebook pages as “John Doe likes Website A”. Their friends will then see this status and there, you have introduced your website to the masses. If you’re lucky, they’d be curious enough to click on your website and possibly even like it.

Create a “like” button for your articles

This is something similar like the above but this time, the “like” button is at the end of each article instead. If your readers like what they were reading, they’d click on this button and the activity appears on their Facebooks too. This is a great way to get people to share your articles because most often, people are simply not that bothered to copy and paste the link of an interesting articles on their Facebook profile, unless the article is really exceptional.

Create a sidebar widget

This widget is a photo mosaic of all the people who have liked their website. It lists your friends who are fans of its page too, along with the total number of fans they have. People tend to follow whatever their friends are doing; this behaviour cannot be explained, maybe it is just human nature. So if they see that their friends have become fans of a website, they are likely to become fans too.

Facebook is a social media platform that doesn’t look to cease popularity anytime soon. It is amazing what Facebook can do because if you have gained just one fan for your page, you’re actually introducing your page to the 100+ friends that he/she most probably has!

How to use Facebook to Promote your Website is a post from: Technshare

Use facebook to boost revenue (Photo: Celeste)

Facebook has over 800 million users and will reach the 1 billion mark soon.  It is a huge captive audience for an online business that cannot be ignored.  Companies and online businesses have realized the potential of Facebook marketing in generating revenue and boosting the income stream.

Before deciding on the Facebook marketing strategy to be followed, you need to consider some very key points:

1.      What is your revenue model

2.      How the user will buy and what will be the steps

3.      How will you attract eyeballs in the first place

4.      How will the sales and conversion funnel work

5.      How will you integrate the Facebook marketing with the overall marketing strategy and other avenues being uses like Organic SEO, Adwords , email marketing , SMS marketing etc.

Some of the main strategies employed by businesses on Facebook and which can be adopted by you are mentioned below:

1.     Facebook Advertising

Businesses can use the Facebook paid ads feature that is on the way to become a big competitor to Google adwords.  You can use the ad platform to create ads that take the user directly to your website and bypassing the fan marketing concept. This is easiest and most direct approach for top traffic and revenue.

2.     Fan Based Marketing

This involves the other popular model that entices fans to buy by posting feeds to their wall. Contests and content can be used to draw fans to convert to sales. Fans become more involved if the content is relevant and contests are used. You will also need to actively manage Facebook Fan Pages and keep the fans involved and engrossed in your ecosystem.

3.     Facebook and Email Marketing

Some businesses use Facebook and email marketing together. What they do is have a Facebook ad that connects to a squeeze page and which collects the user details and then adds to the email database which will ensure future captive audience. This assumes that you already have a highly effective email marketing process that converts.

4.     Facebook and SMS Marketing

The other offshoot of the above is using Facebook fans to sign up for text alerts and subscriptions and then make them convert. This is used effectively by local businesses as they can run highly popular contests and have a captive phone database.

5.     Bringing Traffic to Your Website

If you are using ads on your website to generate revenue, the Facebook ads and fan pages can be used with the content distribution strategy to direct traffic to your site by posting the latest updates on your FB page. The user will be then encouraged to visit the website and some of this traffic will click on ads on the website and generate revenue.

Before proceeding with any of the above models, you should first do a test run by running Facebook ads and then chart out your strategy based on the results.

How to use Facebook to Create Revenue for Your Online Business is a post from: Technshare

Create a following (Photo: shoothead)

If you want to become a successful twitter marketer you’ll need a lot of followers.  Getting to this critical mass is not very difficult but it’s also not easy. By  putting a little effort with the proper formula will multiply the number of followers you have. You can boost your following on twitter easily.

Today I’m sharing some follower multiplication formulas that you can use to boost your followers on Twitter.

Use Social Media:

If you use Twitter then you must be on Facebook or on other social media sites. If you are then it’s good because you can use the others as leverage to build a following for your Twitter account.   Especially Facebook can provide you lots of followers if you give the reasons to your friends and fans to follow you on twitter.

Find People Who Like To follow You:

If you really want to become successful twitter marketer then you must favor the quality over the quantity of followers. Tweet for those who follow you out of a genuine interest, rather than those you are merely exchanging links with.  These types of followers are like a people who just stand in crowd to increase the number but don’t have any intention to be a part of crowd by taking any action.  You can find the quality followers on your blog, other related blogs, or social media sites.

Email Signature:

Do you have a business card? If yes, then how many times you show it to the people?  Probably not very often as most interaction is online these days.  But tell how many emails you send daily?   If you’re like me then you’re sending 20 to 30 e-mails each and every day.  Simply by using an email signature with your twitter profile url at the bottom should catch you a few new followers every week and multiply that by a calendar year and you’ll get hundreds of new followers.

Your Turn:

What are your thoughts about how we can increase our twitter followers?  If you know some effective twitter formulas then make sure that you share it with us in below comment section.

Now You Can Have Lots of Twitter Followers is a post from: Technshare

Facebook fan page is no longer a luxury these days. Almost every company has their Facebook profile which they use to communicate with fans, share news and attract new customers. However, most Facebook page owners reduce their experience to simple status updates, video, photo or link sharing. Still Facebook is much more than this – it is number one social media platform which give access to hundreds of useful web applications from which everyone can benefit a lot. Here is the list of the most essentials ones which can really help engage Facebook fans and turn them into a loyal community.

Welcome Page

First impression is very important, therefore a landing page is a must for Facebook business accounts. It’s not only a place to say “Hi” to new fans or encourage people to click  “Like”, here you can tell about your company in the way you wish. With the Welcome Tab from Word of Social, you can easily create a custom landing page with your images, links, code or iFrame.

Facebook Notes

You may use this app to share tips and tricks related to your product or service, publish interesting facts about your company or any other information you find worth mentioning. Your fans are free leave comments and share your notes. The setup is quick and easy.

Top Fans

This app helps figure out the best contributors to your Facebook fan page. Each fan earns points for his/her posts, comments, likes and shares. Booshaka app identifies your “top fans” and ranks them in a nice leaderboard. You can motivate and reward your fans participation by small presents or special offers on your products.

GooglePlus Tab

This app allows Facebook users to stream their GooglePlus updates on a special tab. The app works for both personal and business Google+ profiles.

Tweets To Pages

If you run a Twitter account as well, you can automatically bring your tweets onto Facebook with Tweets To Pages app. This is a great way to create a crossover that expands your reach in both networks.

With this app, you can broadcast your YouTube videos in Facebook. The tab shows both uploaded videos and Favorites, plus you can specify which videos you’d like to show as featured.

Contact Me

Poll is a good way of gaining user information. If you have a large community on Facebook, this app is a great way to bring in some honest feedback from your visitors. Find a hot topic around your product and ask your fans to vote for one of the possible options.

UserVoice

Facebook fans often provide valuable ideas for your service/product. With UserVoice Facebook app, you can easily monitor and prioritize suggestions and have others to comment and vote for them. The app goes together with Feedback service, pricing plans with Facebook intergation feature start with $45/month.

Contests

This app enables companies to easily create and launch branded contests:  photo or video contests, design, logo, or review contests. Fees start with $5 per promotion.

10 Essential Facebook Apps to Engage your Fans is a post from: Technshare