I was doing some research today for a client and found that Google had added a very needed feature to their Keyword Tool. Until very recently, when researching key words through Google, the user had to either choose to view relative search statistics OR relative estimated CPC (cost per click) fees. Now the user is able to see all relative data by showing and hiding whatever columns are appropriate for your research. Great job Google! (I put in compliments like that every once in a while in case their bots are easily influenced.)

Labels: SEO Google AdWords

As promised, here are the links to the key web sites we looked at during our 90 minute (PLUS 30 additional free minutes) seminar. Thank you all who attended! I especially appreciated all of the great questions.

1. Internet Statistics
2. Page Rank Diagram from Wikipedia. And here's the full page related to it.
3. Google's recommendations regarding hiring a Search Engine Optimizer.
4. Google's recommendations about how to design your site (We didn't have time to go over this document).
5. A great article from a Search Engine Guide web site regarding the steps to a successful optimization implementation.
   
6. How to add your site to Google's local search.
7. And finally, link to sign up for Google AdWords (sponsored links).

I hope you all had as much fun as I did. Let's do this again next year to discuss new ideas!

Oh, and I couldn't leave without sharing the letter Google wrote to one of our clients:

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Dear Site Owner,

We have recently moved you to number one on our search engine for basically any search phrase you could ever hope for for these top 10 reasons:

1. You have really cool flashing text on your site.
2. Your mom's blog links to you.
3. You purchased $50 worth of adwords and that means a lot to us
4. You have the most meta keywords we have ever seen. That's awesome.
5. We happened to see your bumper sticker with your domain name using our Google Earth satellite.
6. We thought your scrolling marquee was very web 3.0
7. Anyone brave enough to put fuscia text on a neon green background deserves a leg up.
8. Your email to Santa was seen by our servers.
9. So was your FWD to Santa with the inspirational poem.
10. We appreciate that your whole office refreshes your web site 10 times per day.
11. (We thought of one more) You have the best picture of David Hasselhoff we have ever seen.

Because of the nature of the interweb, we do not guarantee you will stay in the top 10 positions for your desired search terms. However, due to our deep loyalty to your site in light of the above list, we promise to have our workers continue to flip our switches in such a way to give you a leg up.

Grateful for your wonderful information regarding Polish Hot Dogs,

Google

Labels: SEO

There's not a lot I can say about the importance and pervasiveness of corporate branding in our society. This stems from the fact that it would be ridiculous to attempt a counter-argument. Every time you step out of your house, turn on the television, open a web site or read a magazine, you are confronted instantly with anywhere from a few to a few hundred (or even thousand) brands. In The Complete Graphic Designer, Thomas Hine is cited as stating that consumers, after spending half an hour grocery shopping, are bombarded with up to 30,000 brands.

30,000. And that's just at the grocery store. Consider the billboards, car decals and business signs that they encountered on the way to and from the supermarket. The sheer number seems an insurmountable mountain of competing brands. How can your new brand possibly hope to compete? Luckily, with good design your brand can not only stand out, but also become instantly recognizable.

There are many things to consider when developing a brand: What are you selling? Who are you selling to? What message do you want to convey to consumers? Where is the branding going to apppear? Though I've oversimplified these questions somewhat (you'd be surprised at how deep those rabbit holes go), the basic ideas are all there.

One of the most important things I've learned to keep in mind is the tried and true saying of "Keep it simple, stupid." Branding needs to act quickly and specifically to get your company recognized. Let's take a company with a famous phrase, for example. Jif peanut butter is widely known for its catchphrase (you probably thought it to yourself while reading this): "Choosy Moms Choose Jif." The line has become commonplace on television, radio and households across the country. However, pick up a jar of Jif peanut butter and I challenge you to find that line anywhere near the front of the jar. Here, I'll even provide an image of a jar:



And another image of just their brand:


The power of the brand is so strong that consumers immediately know what product they're looking at, as well as its famous byline. There is no need to complicate their brand with extra words or phrases, except for the small emblem on the package informing consumers whether it's crunchy or creamy peanut butter. From a design standpoint, I take issue with their use of the Fresh Roasted Peanut Butter emblem, as I feel that it's completely unnecessary, especially for such a well-established brand.

To sum up, branding is an integral part of creating any corporate identity. The difference between a well-designed and a poorly-designed brand is potentially the difference between failure and success. Don't be afraid to redefine your brand as your company continues to grow and evolve. Keeping your brand fresh will keep your company fresh in the minds of your customers.