Google is known to change their search algorithm constantly to improve the search experience of the online consumers. About 86% of the buyers in current generation use search engines to research products and services before making their purchasing decision. Hence, it’s vital that your business website is fully optimized for search engines so potential clients can find you quickly and easily before they can find your competition.

The changes in the Google’s algorithm emphasize on 6 main factors.

1. Content Freshness

Original content that has a time-stamp of 3 yrs, 3 months, 3 days, 3 hrs, 3 mins matter now. The latest the better. Hence, regular updates on the Blog help in getting the website re-indexed by the bots. Also, ongoing Social Media posts create fresh content for optimization if integrated to the Website.

2. Social Media

As businesses move into 21st century, social collaboration is important for businesses to create an active online relationship and engagement with their loyal and potential customers. Google personalizes search results based on consumers’ social interactions and sifts through feeds for latest content.

3. Onsite Optimization

Onsite optimization is a right mix of keywords, phrases, meta tags, headings, descriptions and html tags throughout the website content to create relevancy, easy crawling and better indexing.

4. External links

The more sites linking back on keywords (also called link backs or back links) to your site increase popularity and ranking. Hence, Social Media posts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube etc and external sites help in link building increasing the Google placement and authority.

5. Local listings

About 70% of the searches are based on local content. Business listings created on local search engines, maps, and online directories create a good local search optimization strategy generating targeted local traffic. Additionally, customer reviews on Yelp, Google Places etc also effect the Optimization.

6. Mobile site

Sites optimized for smart phones get a percent boost in SEO. Plus, they also help in better user experience and conversions as more and more consumers use smart phones to search and browse for local businesses.

The search is so personalized that no two people see the same results for the same keyword. The results are based on their previous browsing history, search history and their social media interactions. It is important to understand these changes to apply them aptly to your search engine strategy so you are not wasting time, effort and money doing the wrong (Black Hat also known as Webspam) or ineffective work.

A well planned Search Engine Optimization creates bigger market exposure and website traffic. We all know that more website traffic means more sales and more profits.

The new facility will continue to serve Conroe (as they have for the past 14 years) as well as The Woodlands and North Houston business communities.  For more information call 832-510-4141 or visit www.scorehouston.org.

A satellite of SCORE Houston Chapter 37, The Woodlands facility is a member of the Woodlands Chamber of Commerce. The new site will be staffed by seven business professionals: Bill Craig, Bill Dean, Jim Jacobs, Bob Jezierski, Paul Kilpatrick, Bob McClammy and Ray Poltorek. They offer free, confidential counseling (in person and online) that covers business strategy, marketing, finance, accounting, and business plan preparation. Counseling hours, by appointment only, are Monday through Friday, 9am to 3pm. Email inquiries: scorethewoodlands@yahoo.com.

SCORE The Woodlands will offer two special business seminars, “Starting and Running Your Own Business” which the pros say is a “must for prospective entrepreneurs and proven benefit to those already in business.”  Part One Seminar on Wednesday April 25 from 8:30am to 12:30pm will cover Personal Factors and Management, Business Opportunities, Marketing and Organization/ Regulation/ Insurance.  Part Two on Wednesday May 2 from 8:30am to 12:30pm will cover Cash Requirements & Funding Sources, Cash Management & Record-Keeping and Creating Business Plans. Fees: Parts 1 &2, $36 online (register now and pay) or $40 at the door, cash/check only. Part 1 or Part 2, $20 online, register now and pay or $25 at the door, cash/check only. Contact 832-510-4141 or email scorethewoodlands@yahoo.com

Nationally SCORE (Counselors to America’s Small Business) was founded in 1964 as a non-profit volunteer association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the growth and success of small businesses. SCORE also serves as a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration. SCORE Houston has been serving the local community for more than 40 years with some 70 volunteers who share their time-tested knowledge in some 55 different industry specialties.

The Brownstone Office Condominiums, which range in size from 1,100 – 11,000 square feet, have currently closed on over 95,000 square feet. The offices and buildings can be customized to fit the buyers’ needs. With different floor plans available, all Brownstone Office Condominiums are energy efficient and adorned with rich interiors – wood floors, crown molding and granite countertops.

Each building has the latest in technology, including state-of-the-art structured wiring systems for computer data, sound, TV and wireless. Each condominium building is wired with a private security system and features large private offices, reception areas, a large private conference room, kitchen/break room and a private bathrooms.

Locations: The Woodlands, Conroe.

Features: They offer wide variety of Quality construction features, Office, Energy, Interior and Exterior Design Features.

Problem

Brownstone Office Condos wanted to redesign their website with latest trend features, make it highly functional,  Social friendly to attract new generation business owners with Search Engine Optimization and to offer valuable information to  existing customers.  As Brownstone is a B2B (Business to Business) company, it’s important to have a Corporate look with high usability to create best user experience. They also wanted to make the new website as a high end branding and marketing tool for lead generation and create high conversion rate.

Solution

We redesigned their Website as an integrated Marketing solution to increase traffic funnel, and hence increase leads and sales calls. Below are the services included in the package:

• Website design with ease of use, and corporate look and feel with effective conversion rate and lead generation
• Content Management Solution to self manage and self publish website content
• Building inventory self management tool to publish availabilities for sale and lease
• Professional level design with features for target market audience with maximum visitor retention and stickiness
• Social Media Marketing, Branding, Integration and Training on Blog, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn for networking and conversion
• Search Engine Optimization to improve ranking on Google and other search engines so prospective clietns can find them easily and quickly
• Hosting in a very secured environment and monthly maintenance for the software
• Ongoing technical support and market changes education

Time taken to complete the project: 4 to 5 weeks

Visit their: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Client’s Feedback

The team at iTVibes re-designed our website & social media to increase not only traffice to our website but ultimately sales. They are on the cutting edge of the every need facing small businesses today regards to web. Brownstone is very pleased with our new website, CRM solutions, and social media platforms designed by iTVibes. They are the “masters”! For everything cool in the website and social media world!

Heather Carlile, Sales Director
Brownstone Office Condos

Many local and independent energy companies are using modern ways to recruit new talent to fill engineering and oilfield jobs. Creating a Social reach and connecting locally is important for any services company. Companies need to understand that the way we communicate and the platforms of communications have changed. People trust information when they hear it from their friends, family and social networks than advertisements. This is the new online referral marketing and trusted branding.

Social Media increases the reach and exposure by creating a ripple effect. With Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn the job could be posted to the audience, and when someone likes, or comments or shares the post to their friends and networks, it increases the reach tremendously. Millions of people are spending Billions of minutes on Social Media. Using social media for recruiting helps companies find the best local talent for jobs.

70% of the job recruitment now happens on Social Media. The Social Media recruiting is helping the companies reach out to new candidates and in getting more applications to the job to pick from. Don’t you want the best talent to work for you?

With technology advancement, companies are embracing Social networks as a means of communication, collaboration and connectivity. Energy businesses are starting to understand that by embracing change, challenges can be turned into opportunities, which ultimately is a formula for success.

Photo credit: http://www.eia.gov

Do you work in Energy, Oil and Utilities industry and need
help understanding Social Media and it’s effectiveness for your business? Check out our FREE seminars or attend the ‘Eagle Ford Shale Lead Generation‘ on March 29th, 2012 conducted at The Woodlands Chamber to learn more about the social media tools and platforms for branding, recruiting and lead generation.