When It Comes to Analytics, Are You Doing Enough?

As we all know that analytics is important for SEO. Most of the Marketers spend more time on the data. We all think ourselves to some extent as a part of analyst. At the base of a good marketing team, analytics is a platform which provides a ready to use information. We must always sense that the information is just a log in away. With this we can use the data for great recommendations, solve serious issues, and anticipate our efforts accurately. We must all feel totally in command of our analytics, and use them daily.

Maybe a fistful of you work on teams that are doing all they can do as it relates to analytics. Perhaps some of you have even provided your team with a fistful of full-time analysts. More likely, most of the people are not using analytics in exhaustive manner or as effectively as you wish you were.

Here are the different types of analytics and common places to start; first reason is that the marketing teams aren’t as data driven as they are supposed to be because data is intimidating. However, knowledge trumps performance demoralizing. The more knowledge you have with it, the more comfortable you will be with analytics, so let's learn it.

What are the different types of analytics?

The target of all data analytics is to leave us more learned than before so we can execute better in the future. Sounds simple but not really because a common misunderstanding among marketers is that all analysis is similar, but it isn't true. There are actually three types of analytics:

1.Predictive
2.Prescriptive
3.Descriptive

Most marketers consume their time on one analytics i.e. descriptive. As you can imagine that leaves lot of good content on the table.

Let's go through the three analytics and their differences.

Descriptive Analytics

Descriptive analytics is when we deposit our concerning past events performance for insights. Often, we are concerned about getting context or tell a tale with the data. This is done by most of the marketers on a daily basis, especially in their web analytics. We look at how is our performance and we try to see what is happening and how is it affecting everything else.

Predictive Analytics

This analytics takes us one step further. It is less about the questions, and more about the suggestions. It includes looking at your historical information, and coming up with predictions on what to await next. This is most easily used in our industry when we try to foretell how following month will perform based on this month's accomplishment. This seems like the next step for analysis is to find out how many marketers stop at descriptive, and fall through to push into this arena. Often, it's because this involves predictive modeling which can, again, be very horrifying.


Prescriptive Analytics

In this analytics things can get fun because it takes a step further then previous analytics methods. With prescriptive analytics, you inevitably mine data sets, and apply business regulations or machine knowledge therefore you can do predictions and next move faster. Marketers do not look after this as their responsibility but as someone else to think about and solve it. Therefore it can be super dangerous attitude, which hits the company's business. This analytics can be a good accelerator for success at a company.

So, are you doing enough?

When we ask this question with marketers they began to think that descriptive analytics was their job, and other stuff was for someone else to figure out. One should break through this stereotype work. Data can be fun and it is accessible to everyone therefore it should be part of everyone's job and it really should be.

Imagine this for a second: just think about how much job could get done if every team felt together authorized to tell a story with the data, make forecast off of it, and prescribe next ladder for the biggest gains.

Probably, study of these types of analytics above is a great remembrance that there is more than just descriptive analytics.

When Does Google Display Alternative Titles and Descriptions?

When we type a search query there are chances that most of the times we see alternative titles and descriptions. Those titles and descriptions are expected by search algorithms based on search queries.  Depending upon the analysis of location of the query terms alternative snippets are generated by document retrieval systems.

The Way How Google Does Identify Rich Snippets

Following are some of the factors based on which Google classifies a best snippet:

1st Factor:
1.In reference to a search query, paragraphs are recognized and a snippet is generated by calculating distances of recognized paragraphs.
2.A paragraph is identified by analyzing score and relying on length, distances of paragraphs.
3.As soon as a paragraph is chosen immediately snippet is generated which comprises of a large number of predetermined characters of preferred paragraph.

2nd Factor:
1.While 2nd factor is that depending on search query, a paragraph is chosen and snippet is generated by counting location of query terms with in document.

How does Google decide upon snippets for search results when it chooses snippets from the content of pages?

Google displays meta description as a snippet at times only if it is well written with keywords included in it that are required for that page and has around 150 characters. Even there are chances that Google sometimes displays a sentence that is well written from the content of a page.

Even though there are no words or phrases in meta description for the page which is optimized but if that page ranks well in search results then its meta description appears as a snippet. There are cases such as a page may not even have meta descriptions, or might have meta-description that is identical to every other meta description, or a page might have very short meta description and may not be descriptive at all.

Here are some hints about where Google might display the content and when does it choose to display content from a page:

1.If in case search terms appear on pages which have lengthy introductions or abstract then Google makes a decision to draw content from start of a page to display it in search results.
2.If in case search phrases of ranking pages appear in conclusion of a page then Google displays content from conclusion of page as snippet.

Numerous Snippet Generation Algorithms:

Google depending on perception of search query may decide to use which algorithm to generate a snippet for that particular page. There are chances that Google looks at length of paragraphs that comprise query terms and distance of paragraphs either from start of a page or end of a page. Some documents such as scholarly literature may have a high metadata where as a blog or ecommerce page might have less meta data.

Location based rules and language based rules are the two ways by which Google decides a snippet.

Location based rules:

Location based rules are those where a snippet is chosen by relying on location of search queries in a page or a paragraph is selected either from beginning or end of a page. Each paragraph is ranked based on length and distance of paragraph either from one location that is start or end where search queries are present.

If a page comprises of abstracts, executive summaries or comprehensive introductions then beginnings of pages are chosen for snippets. While to select a snippet from end of a page it should either contain a conclusion or else summarization of that document.

Language dependent rules:

To select a snippet these are some of the language dependent rules:

1.Percentage of punctuation characters in a paragraph.
2.Whether the punctuation or preposition is used to end a paragraph.
3.Whether words in paragraph are too lengthy?
 4.How many bold or italicized words present in a paragraph.

 Even though a paragraph contains all search phrases there are chances that it may not be selected as snippet due to following reasons:

1.If a paragraph is very short.
2.In case if a paragraph is overly punctuated.
3.If a paragraph fails to maintain language specific rules.
4.If it has bold or italicized words above threshold.
5.Even if search query is too far from both ends of page.

A snippet is chosen if it scores above threshold for that particular page. And also if it maintains below rules:

1.Selected paragraph should contain predetermined number of words.
2.It should contain first 2 to 3 sentences of paragraph.
3.Either middle portion of page contains one of the search queries.
4.It can be either entire paragraph.

A snippet is important for a page as it determines users to click it from search results.

Top 10 SEO Mistakes

1. Targetting the Wrong Keywords

This is a blunder many people make and worse is that the experienced SEO experts make it. People choose target keywords that in their opinion are descriptive of their website but the average visitors just may not search them. For example, if you have a relationship website, you may find that “relationship guide” keyword does not work for you, even though it has the “relationship” keyword in it, while “dating advice” keyword works like a fascination. Choosing the most appropriate keywords can make SEO campaign top or down in search results. Even if you are very resourceful, but you can't think on your own of all the great keywords then a good keyword tool, like Website Keyword Suggestion tool will help you find good keywords for your site.

2. Ignoring the Title Tag

Leaving the title tag as empty is very common. Title tag is most important place to have a keyword, because it helps not only in optimization but also displays in the search engine results as your page title.

3. A Flash Website Without a HTML Alternative

Flash may look good for the website but not to search engines and users. If you indeed urge that your website is Flash-based and you want search engines to index your site, use html version. Search engines don't like to index Flash websites because a spider can't interpret Flash content and consequently can't index it. Flash websites can be optimized and the several ways to this optimization are as follows:

1.Input Meta Data
2.Provide Alternative Pages
3.Flash Search Engine SDK
4.SE-Flash.com

4. Java Script Menus

Using JavaScript for navigation of your pages as long as you understand that search engines do not index JavaScript therefore we should build our pages accordingly. If your page consists of JavaScript menus and if you want all your links to be crawlable then build a sitemap.

5. Lack of Consistency and Maintenance

If you want to be on top of the search results, you need to permanently optimize your website, keep in track of competition and changes in the search engine ranking algorithms.

6. Concentrating too Much on Meta Tags

So many people think SEO is about writing your meta keywords and description correct! In fact, meta tags are becoming a matter of the past. By creating the meta keywords and descriptions don't except to rank your page well in search engine only because of this.

7. Using only Images for Headings

Many people consider that an image gets more impressions than text for head of a page and sub-headings. Of course, an image can make your site look more specific but in terms of SEO images headings and subheadings are big mistakes because h1, h2 tags and menu links are important in SEO. If you are afraid that your headings look horrible, try to change them in a style sheet.

8. Ignoring URLs

Many people underestimate how important a good URL is for a page or website. Dynamic page URL names are still very often but without a keyword in the URL is more a rule than an exception. It is possible to rank high in search engine without keywords in the URL but being equally important is having keywords in the URL gives you an added advantage over your competitors. Keywords in URLs is important for search engines like MSN and Yahoo! but even with Google their comparative importance is high, so there is no excuse for having keyword-less URLs.

9. Backlink Spamming

It is a common illusion that more backlinks are always better for ranking purpose and because of this seo experts resort to link to any group of web sites which could lead to getting your site banned. In fact, you need quality backlinks for ranking your site high.

10. Lack of Keywords in the Content

First you should add content related keywords, then modify your content and put them in right place wherever it makes sense and increase weight of the keyword by making them bold or highlighting them.

Choose The Right Social Media Platform For Marketing

Social media is a planet by storm. Connecting on a regular basis, social media has become a daily part of each human being. Twitters, Facebook, LinkedIn are the communication platforms for the place to exist in. In the business world social media communication offers various strategies with amazing results.

Choosing the right social media is the exact beginning for the users. Selecting the right steps for promoting will really consider more objectives.

Take Goals Into Account

Lifelong or short term objectives are the structure for any advertising procedures. What precisely you are attempting to through social media organizer? Is it accurate to say that you are in need of straight association with customers and purchasers or it is safe to say that you are attempting to lead them to an advertising shaft?  All these goals must be considered while selecting an ideal social media platform for marketing.

Assess The Target Group

LinkedIn provides a person to person communication for promoting. If you are focusing on purchaser identified group for your customer then Facebook will be the improved choice in public and it offers worldwide stage for your promotion. If you are interested in image kind of feature then pinterest is suitable where pictures might act as prime playing point.
 

Weigh Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Social Media Platform

Each social media has its particular set of benefits and faults which work in a positive or negative way where promoting is concerned. When specific social media is chosen for a business, it should be continuously performed. It is not that once you settle on one stage one is stayed with it. Assuming that specific stage is not giving the sought effects or if the achieved is not up to the mark, one can dependably switch to an additional stage where better profits could be obtained. Continuous tracking of performance will show desired results in order to success. One can even depend on two or three stages relying on the sort of business.

The decision to select the best platform is the key to success. Continuous update makes social media marketing stand out from among more traditional methods of marketing.

Driving Country Specific Traffic:

All the websites doesn't provide the information for all countries. For example: online shopping websites, they do not provide the services to all over the world but they provide the services for a particular country only.

So how can we target the particular country for our website? Webmasters are providing so many methods to get country specific traffic to our website.

Driving Country Specific Traffic:

1. Domain Name:

Before going to target the particular country for your website, we need to buy the country wise extension domain. This means .com, .co.uk, .co.in, .ca, .com.au etc.....

1.com -> Global website (All over the world and USA).
2.co.uk -> Particularly for UK
3.co.in-> Particularly for India
4.ca-> Particularly for Canada

It is a good idea to buy a country wise extension domain. With these extension domains search engines and visitors easily understand that "This website provides the services to particular country only". So our website gets the traffic from targeted country.

2. Google Webmaster Tool Geo Targeting:

Google provides this feature to select the specific country traffic. With this feature, website gets the traffic from your targeted country only. Just we have to change the settings in Google webmaster tools.

Login to your webmaster tools account, click on the settings option, and then click on geographic target; in this they provide the drop down menu with all the country names. Just select your target country then save the settings.

3. Web Hosting Server Location

This is also important method to target the particular country. If you target the UK, just buy the domain from UK web hosting server only and save the website pages in that server. With this we can get the traffic from your targeted country.

4. Backlinks:

It is the part of Off page optimization of SEO. We do the link building to country specific domains only. Example, if your site is targeted to UK, it gets the backlinks from ".co.uk" domains. This link building may be directory submissions, guest blogging or forums discussion, but domain extension is country specific extension only.

5. Local SEO Using Google Places:

This is most important to add Google places for your website. This is a process of adding your website information like full address (Includes street number, state, country, pin code etc.) and phone number. If you claim your business or website in Google places, website will get the targeted country specific traffic.

6. Use Google Trends To See Keyword Popularity:

Select the keywords according to the words used in targeted country. For example, color and colour, both are same. But "color" keyword spelling is used in USA and "Colour" keyword spelling is used in UK. So if you target USA, we need to use the color keyword. Like this, we need to select the keywords. Google trends will help you to select the keyword for particular country.

Track Keyword Progress In Country Specific Searches:

Finally keep a track of website traffic and keywords. This will let you to find out the targeted country specific traffic. If the strategy doesn’t work then change the keywords what you added in pages, content or keywords.



Source: http://www.shoutmeloud.com/how-to-target-country-specific-website-traffic.html