ALOHA Philosophy of SEO and Digital Marketing – Updated for 2017 (and Beyond)

Three years ago I coined what I call the ALOHA philosophy of SEO. I wrote a guest post about it for an online marketing agency in the Pacific Northwest. I won’t link to it, because I’m updating the philosophy for you here today. In case you don’t believe me, I’ve uploaded a screenshot. Can you believe I wore a sweater vest and tie?…

SEO for Car Dealers and Dealerships – What Should Drive Your SEO Campaign?

As an automotive dealer, you have unique motives and needs when it comes to search engine marketing. It is true that there are general rules to SEO that apply to all industries, and you must indeed abide by the basics. These optimizations include technical on-page (meta-data, site architecture, etc.), off-page (link building, social media, etc.) and content creation, but it’s important to…

2015-2016 Search Engine Ranking Factors for Your Business

SEO Moz (authority on the search engine industry) released their 2015 Search Engine Ranking Factors study last week. So why have I dubbed it for 2016 as well? Because everyone reviewing the study will take note and adjust (or maintain) their SEO strategy accordingly for the year ahead, ultimately dictating their 2016 online marketing plan.  The report itself has compiled relevant results…

SEO for Photographers and Photography Websites

Every once in awhile I’ll add an article to answer questions for specific industries that require a custom take on the concept of search engine optimization. Recently I addressed the SEO needs of artists and art galleries, and local travel companies. Note the theme here? Like the aforementioned, photographers function outside of the cut and dry rules of online marketing, within a…

SEO for Travel Companies – The Dilemma of Local vs Global Targeting

SEO for Travel Companies

There are few industries as unique as travel when it comes to search engine optimization. Chances are, if you manage a travel company and have searched for information on SEO you may be somewhat puzzled about the whole “local vs global” dilemma. Whether you are a travel agency, tour provider, or some other hospitality business that caters exclusively to tourists and travelers (there’s a difference) you need…

How to Get Other Websites to Link to Yours – A 5 Step Beginner’s Guide

How to Get Other Websites to Link to Yours

After having your on-page technology in order, one of the biggest search engine ranking factors of 2014 (carrying over into 2015) is the number of quality sites linking back to your own. Simply put (for beginners), Google deems your site to be a vessel of important information in your industry if others that discuss (blog) about your industry (online) link to your…

How to Rank Higher on Google Maps in 2015

For many local businesses the Google map listing is a mystery. Some have managed to score a lower position on this page-one piece of online real estate yet are baffled as to how they can move up. Others are not listed at all and are desperate to be so. NO matter the scenario, both are correct in wanting to take immediate action…

SEO Christmas Offer 2014

SEO Christmas Offer 2014

With every other product/service out there announcing huge Holiday season offers I wondered, why doesn’t the SEO industry do the same? Sure there have been a few dismal attempts to mask a standard sales pitch under the guise of Christmas but honestly, in a society where we demand that Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals extend well into December do you really…

SEO for Artists and Art Galleries – 5 Tips

SEO for Artists and Art Galleries - 5 Tips

Believe me when I say this. There is no better time to be an artist than today (well, except for perhaps during the Renaissance). Why do I make such a statement? Because now that we live in the digital age the “struggling artist” label is a misnomer if  said artist or gallery embraces the concept of search engine optimization (SEO). SEO allows you as an artist and/or…