Blog

Apr '18

4 Social Media Advertising Tips

The days of organic reach through social media have come to an apparent standstill. Though some platforms like YouTube and LinkedIn still offer some organic value, if properly utilized, other networks like Twitter, and Facebook, provide most of their value in the form of paid advertisements. Facebook’s latest initiative of bringing people closer together inspired them to change their news feed algorithm to prioritize non-branded content — all but eliminating the usefulness of Facebook business posts. Organic tweets are similarly low in value because they disappear from a user’s timeline almost instantaneously. Reallocating your social media resources towards paid advertising is the best course of action in 2018 and below are some tips to help you along the way:

1) Diversify Your Ad Portfolio

Platform(s): Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube

All the cliche sayings about resource allocation ring true for social media ads. It’s best to diversify your advertising portfolio for a variety of reasons in which we will list below. To be clear, diversification, in this case, does not mean cross-platform diversity (i.e. Facebook and Twitter and Instagram), it means creating multiple ads for each platform. Benefits of this method include:

Analytics: More ads = more measurable data
Branding: Establish your company’s identity over and again
Coverage: Reach a wider span of consumers

2) Make Use of Buttons

Platform(s): Facebook

Facebook ads are a top commodity for businesses. Since Facebook remains the most active social media platform, the amount of eyes that could potentially see your ad is substantial. Facebook provides advertisers with the option to include 1 of 7 buttons within their ad. Research shows these buttons to increase engagement. Examples include:

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3) Optimize Your Landing Page

Platform(s): Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube

If you’ve ever participated in a PPC campaign, you understand that a landing page can make or break an advertisement. The same is true of social media. An ad on Facebook, Twitter, or another platform can only be as impactful as its corresponding landing page. In most cases, it is on the landing page where the lead will be officially generated. Landing page optimization techniques include:

Call To Action: A measurable action on your web page (i.e. clicking a phone number link)
SEO: Follows standard optimization protocol
Urgency: Declares incentive for completing the aforementioned call to action, right away

4) Covertly Blend With Organic Content

Platform(s): Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube

Another concept we can take from pay per click advertising is the idea of blending in seamlessly with organic content. You’ll notice in a common Google search that the top results are ads, but also that they closely resemble the subsequent organic results. The savvy consumer will always know the difference, but not everyone is savvy. Blending in with organic content promotes the following:

Aesthetics: Consumers don’t like their web experience disturbed with an intrusive ad, making blended content more conducive to lead generation
Empowerment: Users want to feel in control of their online decisions, and the appearance of organicness creates this illusion
Trust: Nobody likes to be swindled, especially online, and organic-looking ads look more legitimate (and often times are)

DFW SEO

Do you have a company handling your social media advertising? If not, the time is now to start. If you have traditionally gotten by on organic reach alone, and plan on sticking with that, you’re in for a rough 2018. Advertising will dominate social media reach this year and companies who recognize this trend early will reap the rewards. If you are a business owner in the Dallas – Fort Worth, TX area, we are the perfect internet marketing solution for you.

Our services expand beyond social media advertising. They also include; search engine optimization, PPC management, content marketing, and website design. As a full-spectrum online marketing company, we make sure your online presence is expansive and engaging. To get started with social media advertising, or any of our other services, give us a call today at 800.231.4871.

Mar '18

Choosing A Mobile SEO Company

Elements Of a Mobile SEO Company Search Engine Optimization is a fluid concept. This is especially true when referring to optimization that takes place on mobile devices, a practice often referred to as mobile SEO. There can never be set-in-stone rules for mobile optimization, as the term itself references a dependent strategy. As Google algorithms get more sophisticated, the means of ranking on their search results adapt accordingly. In general, Dallas – Fort Worth businesses should look for the following in a mobile SEO company:

Adaptability

If you’re not getting better in the optimization world, you’re getting worse. By the time this post is published, search optimization will have evolved in some way, even if it is seemingly insignificant. These constantly improving algorithms require an adaptable mobile SEO strategy. Any company in charge of your mobile marketing should be aware of:

Algorithms: Updates and / or changes to the Google algorithm
Design: Methods of mobile web design, including r
Trends: Indicative patterns drawn from behavioral data

Creativity

Data is as valuable as its subsequent use. In other words, knowledge of market trends only goes as far as a company can take it. A mobile SEO company worth investing in will be creative enough to implement data driven information into a tangible result. But what does creativity look like for mobile search optimization?

Graphic Design: Mobile graphics are a niche skill, and one that should be properly marketed
Interaction: Inquire about interactive methods and how users are presented with information
User Interface: Ask for samples of mobile website designs, paying extra close attention to UX

Familiarity

Any mobile SEO company worth their weight will be up-to-date on the latest mobile marketing standards. Google has recently introduced both the Mobile Scorecard and Impact Calculator as predictive tools for how a mobile website will perform online. To be certain that a company is invested in modern standards, ensure they are familiar with:

Impact Calculator: A projection of lost conversion revenue based on site speed
Mobile-Friendly Test: A intuitive testing tool that measures various aspects of mobile usability
Mobile Scorecard: A comparative analysis tool that focuses on site speed
Test My Site (Mobile Speed Test): A raw measurement of a mobile site’s speed

Measurement

In 2018, all marketing campaigns should be data-driven and analytically sound. With tools like Google Analytics, it’s easier than ever to measure user behavior. A good mobile optimization company will be able to present measurable data that reveals user behavior and interaction with your mobile website. Examples of metrics include:

Bounce Rate: The rate at which users exit your website upon entrance
Conversion Rate: The rate at which mobile users complete a desired digital action
Site Speed: The speed at which your mobile website loads

The #1 Dallas SEO Company

Looking for a mobile SEO company in Dallas – Fort Worth, TX? If so, you have come to the right place. Dallas – Fort Worth SEO is the leader in search engine optimization throughout the DFW metroplex. Our services focus specifically on mobile design, a trend that we project to ascend upward in 2018. By partnering with us, your website is assured to be mobile-friendly, fast, and optimized for search. To learn more about mobile search engine optimization, or to inquire about price, give us a call at 800.231.4871.

Feb '18

Content Distribution Tips for Small Businesses

75% of Adult Americans Report Watching YouTube On Their Mobile Devices

For DFW businesses, starting a blog and creating social media profiles is not enough to attract a meaningful audience. Though content marketing is a useful business strategy, it is also oversaturated. As of 2018, almost every small business has a website, blog, and social media profile. With that in mind, content distribution is where companies can separate themselves. Pressing publish on your WordPress blog will not produce the audience you are looking for. You must take the initiative to encourage relevant users to visit your website.

But where can you find these people in order to tell them where to go? That’s where knowledge of distribution channels really comes in handy. Deep dives into social media communities can produce a goldmine of target customers. The same is true of internet forums and websites like Reddit. These are where your prospective customers are most frequently discussing your company, and companies like yours, among themselves. But how can you appeal to these demographics? Consider some of the content distribution concepts below:

Make Content Visual

Internet users want visual content. Text will no longer suffice on its own. Instead of writing 2,000 word blog posts, shortening the word count in exchange for more ocular content can really bost engagement numbers on your blog, website, and everywhere your company distributes content. If you are wondering what exactly constitutes “visual elements” consider some of the following examples:

Images: Though regular website images are the least dynamic of visual content available in today’s marketing sphere, they still serve an important purpose, particularly with the emergence of Instagram as a social media phenomenon
Infographics: We’ve all heard the phrase “show don’t tell” and with the new era of consumers being comprised of young people who have spent much of their lives learning through visualization, they will want to continue that trend as they search for information online
Videos: The ultimate visual content medium is video which in 2018 can be accessed throughout all corners of the web. YouTube is not just limited to young people. 3 in 4 adults report watching YouTube on their mobile devices

It’s possible to go as far as repurposing your entire post as a visual presentation. Instead of text being broken up by images and videos, use text as the transition element in your post. The demand for visual elements is so great, pages based mostly on text will be limited to niche communities and gradually become obsolete. This is not a trend that will reverse course either. If anything, new visual mediums will emerge, and businesses will have to incorporate them into their content distribution strategy.

Find New Distribution Channels

The depth of the internet is so great that deciphering which information is worthwhile can seem daunting. With that said, users are getting better at ignoring mindless spam and focusing on content that will actually provide value. For small businesses in Dallas – Fort Worth, one objective is clear; engage your audience. But what are some of the ways to do that while avoiding spam?

Podcasting: One clear and evident boom for content marketing is the emergence of podcasts into the daily activity of most Americans. If your business wants to reach a broad range of customers, investing in, or starting your own podcast can certainly help you gain traction
Reddit AMA: The popular online community Reddit has a discussion group for just about every topic imaginable, one way to get your website or blog on the map is by hosting an AMA (Ask Me Anything) which allows members of the community to ask you question to which you will answer and in turn promote your brand digitally
Social Engagement: It has become easy for social media users to identify spam, so much so that Facebook has changed their algorithm to discourage the abundance of shameless brand promotion that had begun to flood the social network. Instead of spamming links to your blog, try engaging with users in real-time so that their experience with your company seems more personal

The days of posting your blog to Facebook and Twitter and calling it a day are long gone. Like any other marketplace, the internet evolves as consumers grow accustomed to behaviors and tendencies. The difference in 2018 is that everything happens faster. Consumers are getting smarter more quickly and are more aware than ever of default content distribution tactics. It is the job of businesses to find new channels, and uses of them, to reach customers.

Win Influencers and Friend People

Regardless of which industry your company belongs to, it has influencers that help shape the marketplace and how consumers behave within it. Influencer marketing has become increasingly popular in recent years and has produced mixed reactions. While businesses should tread softly, there are a plethora of advantages that can be gained through influence:

Credibility: Influencer marketing serves the same conceptual purpose as a celebrity starring in a product commercial. If someone who influences people endorses your content, it will by virtue of human behavior, make that content appear more credible
Reach: We talked previously about how social media users have become smarter in how they consume content. To reach a wide audience, posting your blog on Facebook will no longer do the trick. But what if someone with a relationship to your industry and very popular on Facebook were to post that same piece of content? The blog would ended up reaching a much wider audience than would have otherwise been the case
Trust: For someone to be considered an influencer online, they must have a large community of followers that trust them, their judgement, and their ethics. With those boxes already checked, distribution of your content via their channel will allow your brand to inherit the established trust as your own

On one hand, having a reputable company re-tweet, re-post, or share, your content can curate your brand to a valuable group of consumers. On the other hand, the world of influencer marketing is inherently prone to manipulation. In the same way modern communication has made once profitable infomercials the punchline of jokes and internet memes, clearly manipulative influencer marketing will fail to reflect well on your company and its brand.

DFW SEO Content Distribution Services

Businesses finding it hard to keep pace with the constant changing digital marketplace need not stress any longer. Dallas – Fort Worth SEO offers content distribution services to help get your company on the digital map, and keep it there. As you run your day to day business operation, we ensure that your brand is being established online and is growing consistently to reach more prospective customers.

Our team at DFW SEO is constantly evaluating ways to improve our clients standing online. Partnering with us will make you an instant player in the digital marketplace, allowing you to focus on your day to day operations while seeing your brand grow exponentially online. If you’ve been putting off your internet marketing plans for too long, the time is now to invest in your company long-term and place your trust in Dallas – Fort Worth SEO. Call 800.231.4871 or more information.

Jan '18

SEO Tips for Blog Posts

Check Out DFW SEO’s Search Engine Optimization Tips for Blog Posts

Dallas, TX businesses likely know the importance of blogging as part of a digital marketing campaign. Some probably have even written engaging and informative posts that cater to user experience. If you’ve done those things and still can’t find your post on the first page of Google SERPs for the targeted keyword, you are probably overlooking some important aspects of SEO. As much as Google waxes poetic about rewarding great content, they still have some improvements to make in their algorithms. For the time being, consider these SEO tips for blog posts:

Tip #1: Focus on Long Tail Keywords

If you are trying to rank for a keyword like “bathroom remodeling tips” good luck. Without the proper resources (corporate support and connections), Hemingway couldn’t pull it off. So how can you amend that keyword to reach a more niche audience but actually rank on the first page of Google SERPs? Consider the process below as we expand our keyword to make it long tail:

Version 1: Bathroom remodeling tips
Version 2: Tips for bathroom remodels in City,ST

As you can see the second version is longer and more specific. You’ll want to use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMRush, or MOZ Keyword Explorer to analyze metrics like search volume, keyword difficulty, and other insightful measurements. You shouldn’t focus on more than two long tail keywords per post.

Tip #2: Disperse Keywords Throughout Your Post

Choosing the right keyword is a good start but if you don’t know how to implement it into the post, it won’t matter. Often times bloggers make the mistake of “stuffing” their posts with keywords. This is considered black hat SEO and will not give you the best chance to rank on page one of Google SERPs. Instead, you should place keywords sporadically throughout:

Body Content: The cream of the crop of your blog post
Header Tags: The H1, H2, and H3 of your post
Meta Description: The description that appears under links on SERPs
Title Tag: The title of your blog post

You should really only use the keyword once or twice in each instance. For example, once in the title tag, once in the H1 tag, once in the meta description, and possibly twice in the body content. That’s all you’ll really need to include, even in long blog posts that are over 1000 words. Using MOZ On Page Grader, you’ll find that posts with minimal uses of keywords will outrank pages that are stuffed with them.

Tip #3: Use Internal Links Throughout Your Post

One major advantage to websites that use WordPress is the internal blog feature. Basically, with WordPress, your blog is an extension of your website. This makes it incredibly easy to link text on your blog post to pages on your website. It can all be done within WordPress’s incredibly intuitive text editor. When creating links within your blog post, make sure they are:

Intentional: Each internal link should be intended to enhance user experience, as opposed to randomly inserting links
Navigable: You want your entire website experience to cater to user experience and navigation
Relevant: Use exact match keywords if possible (i.e. the text tile roof repair links directly to the page named tile roof repair)
Selective: You don’t want a ton of internal links, so only choose text that really corresponds to helpful links

Internal blogging also helps SEO by producing fresh content for your website. Google crawls and indexes new blog posts as if they were pages on your website providing you with better representation on Google SERPs. It also keeps your website current as you can blog about trends going on within your industry and how your company can evaluate them.

Tip #4: Syndicate Your Blog Posts

A blog post can rank on its own accord, but it has a better chance if it is syndicated through multiple channels. Not only does that create new indexing opportunities, but it diversifies the avenues through which the post can be accessed. The goal is to distribute the post to as many relevant users as possible. Possible syndication channels include:

Facebook: Link posts on your business page
LinkedIn: Engage other professionals by linking posts on LinkedIn
Reddit: Share your posts on appropriate reddit channels
Twitter: Share your blog posts with Twitter followers

By putting your blog post in front of more eyes, you increase your pool of potential customers who will navigate from your post to other parts of your website. That’s why relevant blog posts are imperative because they attract visitors who have potential interest in your services. It’s also important that your posts are shared in an effective way. Use hashtags and tags to increase social media visibility.

Blogging for DFW Businesses

We understand that small businesses in Dallas / Fort Worth don’t always have the time or resources to produce consistent blog posts. DFW SEO offers blogging services for businesses just like yours. We post blogs regularly on your main website so that Google can continually crawl and index your domain. Our staff of content writers produce unique content that is optimized for search engines.

A blog is a medium to engage with customers in a different light. While main website pages are more serious in nature, blog posts can be less formal and open up new avenues through which to reach prospective customers. DFW SEO has a team of content writers and SEO experts who will help get your website on the first page of Google results for relevant keywords. If you are interested in blogging services, give us a call at 800.231.4871.

Jan '18

In House Vs. Outsourced SEO

In House vs Outsourced SEO Depends on The Size, Scope, and Need of Your DFW Business

For small businesses in Dallas / Fort Worth, the idea of SEO can seem overwhelming. Should you hire an SEO company to handle your online optimization? Or perhaps, you should do it yourself and assign in-house employees to SEO duty. Many of these answers will depend on the size, scope, and needs of your business. Consider some of the questions below to help you determine the next step for your DFW business and its online marketing campaign:

What Are My Internet Marketing Needs?

Depending on your industry, the specific needs of your online marketing campaign will vary. An Ecommerce website will look significantly different from a plumbing company website, and the SEO factors will be tailored to individual situations. Some aspects of internet marketing to consider are:

On Page SEO: Optimization that includes content marketing, link building, and keyword placement
Off Site SEO: Optimization that includes directory listings, review management, etc.
Social Media: Optimization of social profiles including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube
Web Design / Maintenance: Technical SEO aspects that relate to web design and functionality

What is My Online Marketing Budget?

It is important to treat SEO as any other business operation. You should have a budget, and an expected ROI. Regardless of whether you outsource your SEO to a firm, or assign employees in-house, you will have to set measurable goals and determine the value of the process. Measurements should include:

Conversion Rate: The rate at which website visitors become leads
Cost Per Conversion: The cost of online marketing divided by the number of conversions
Net ROI: The revenue earned from internet marketing minus the cost
Revenue Per Conversion: The amount of revenue earned per converted user

How Important is Internet Marketing to My Company?

In 2018, internet marketing is an integral part of most businesses. With that said, Ecommerce websites will require even more SEO attention than a plumbing company website. Still, home service websites will still require an optimized website that targets local search users. Other components to consider include:

Scope: How many cities, counties, states, and countries does your website market to?
Size: How many website pages do you currently have, and how many do you need?
Leads: Where do the majority of your leads come from?
Networking: How heavily does your business rely on networking?

Dallas / Fort Worth SEO

If you decide your business needs a professional SEO company to assist you, look no further than Dallas / Fort Worth SEO. We are a full service internet marketing company that will handle every aspect of your search engine optimization. In addition to SEO, our services include; web design, pay per click advertising, social media marketing, local search marketing, and more. Call 800.231.4871 to speak with an SEO expert now.

Jan '18

Answering Customer Questions on Google

My Business Now Offers Q & A Sections

Dallas / Fort Worth businesses who do not have a Google My Business page, should create one now. In addition the the multitude of SEO benefits offered from GMB, the platform now features a frequently asked questions (FAQ) section to more effectively connect with your customers. The search engine provides tips on how to answer customer questions on Google.

How Can FAQ Help My DFW Business?

Question and answer sections on your Google My Business page provides the following advantages for Dallas / Fort Worth businesses:

Customer Questions: GMB FAQ allows customers to ask questions about your company at any time, at which point you will be alerted via push notification
FAQ Listings: The Q & A section will be presented directly on your GMB page so that mobile users can find common questions and answers at the click of a button
Highlight Top Responses: You can dictate which responses are shown on the top of your GMB page

This is an exciting feature for businesses in Dallas and Fort Worth, TX because it allows you to establish a rapport with prospective customers before they ever engage with you directly. This dynamic builds trust and earns reputation for your local business.

Google My Business Management

DFW SEO offers Google My Business management services to local businesses throughout the metroplex. In addition to the aforementioned FAQ sections, GMB also provides a variety of SEO advantages to companies. They include:

Brand Development: GMB is a great platform to increase brand awareness with a logo, description, and NAP information
Citation Signals: Moz lists My Business signals as a primary ranking factor
Search Visibility: For relevant keywords, GMB profiles can appear in multiple places on Google SERPs (Organic Results, Local Pack, etc.)

There is no downside to claiming and optimizing your business on Google. Companies looking to separate themselves in 2018 and beyond should get started today. For Google My Business management services, call Dallas / Fort Worth SEO at 800.231.4871.

Jan '18

2018 Google Speed Update

Starting in July 2018, websites that deliver the slowest experience to users will be negatively impacted on search results. This new ranking algorithm is designed for mobile search and should only affect a small percentage of search queries. With that said, Google has left several months for websites to prepare their pages for the update. Use Google’s free PageSpeed Insights Tool to test the current speed of your website and find ways to improve it. Fixes Include:

Enabling Compression

The New Algorithm Should Only Impact Very Slow Sites

If you are at all computer literate then you’ve probably heard of .zip files. These are compressed sets of data within a zipped folder. In the same way files can be compressed, code can be as well. Enabling Gzip compression on WordPress websites can increase speed by 300%. Your options to accomplish this include:

Apache: Consult with your web designer to have them edit your websites .htaccess file
WP Plugin: Use one of many free WordPress plugins which completes the above task automatically

Image Optimization

Images are an important part of every website because they create visual engagement for the user. With that said, uncompressed images can cause your website to load slowly and cost you valuable traffic. To optimize your images for the web, consider the following:

File Format: Ensure your pictures are saved in either JPG or PNG format
Free Apps: Choose from a variety of free image compression apps to optimize your images before uploading them
WP Smush: Use the plugin WP Smush to compress your images after they are uploaded

Leverage Browser Caching

PageSpeed Insights Highlights Causes

Most browsers support caching which allows parts of a website to be stored for future requests so that data can load more efficiently. Websites should leverage browser caching to instruct browsers how to interpret their stored data. They can do this with the following methods:

Apache: Instruct your web designer to add cache-control headers to your .htaccess file
WP Plugin. Using a plugin like W3 Total Cache which is supported on WordPress

Render Blocking JavaScript and CSS

Most websites utilize some components of JavaScript and CSS. After all, they add visually engaging elements to an otherwise static webpage. With that said, certain blocks of code can prevent websites from loading as quickly as possible. Fixes include:

Removal: Removing the instances of code that cause the render blocking
Deferment: Adding additional code that instructs the JavaScript to be deferred

Server Response Time

If your slow speed is due to server response time, it can be a complicated fix. It is recommended that you consult with your web design team to solve any server issues that your website is experiencing. Examples of service problems include:

Computer Errors: Problems with CPU that either hosts or connects to the server
ISP Connection: Problems with the internet service provider that hosts the website
Network Health: Glitches or errors within the server network
Server Traffic: Over-saturated servers due to a high volume of traffic

Nov '17

Instagram Branding Opportunity for DFW Companies

If you have been in business long enough you have seen the profound change in the way customers consume media. 20-30 years ago it was through print and TV advertisements. Today it is primarily through online channels, namely social media. The job of the modern business is to reach their target audience at the destination they prefer.

Many small business in DFW use Facebook for their social media marketing. A few more use Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. All of these are valuable marketing assets in their own right, but Dallas companies could be missing out on a golden marketing platform; Instagram. The graphic below shows the discrepancy in marketers who use Facebook vs those who use Instagram.

Why Instagram Branding Matters

Instagram is trending upwards, and because of its lack of marketing usage in comparison to Facebook, there is a current window of opportunity to spread your brand awareness quickly. This window won’t stay open forever but long enough for you to take advantage if you start today. Instagram enhances branding in the following ways:

Filtering: Instagram allows you to put multiple filters on uploaded photos
Simplicity: IG is easier to scroll through and navigate than Facebook
Stories: IG allows you to share realtime stories of what is going on for your daily business
Visual Engagement: IG is a completely visual medium, unlike Facebook

When an opportunity like this comes along, those who most quickly take advantage of it reap the greatest rewards. Instagram is a growing entity. Facebook, in contrast, has become over-saturated. With so many users sharing text based statuses and annoying memes and polls, users have begun to look elsewhere for a more aesthetically pleasing experience. Instagram accomplishes that and more.

Instagram Marketing for DFW Businesses

As marketers ourselves, it is our duty to find unique ways to market your services. Social media is certainly among the most innovative ways do that with its combination of reach and engagement. Of course, like with anything else, it’s only worth doing if it’s done right.

If you run a business anywhere in the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex, DFW SEO can help you take advantage of this branding opportunity. We will launch your Instagram account and cease the market inefficiency that currently exists in regards to marketing. The goal is to generate as many leads as possible, and at DFW SEO, that is our specialty. To speak with a social media marketing expert, give us a call at 800.231.4871.

Nov '17

Drupal vs WordPress

Each CMS Has Unique Traits That Suit Your Company

If you are unfamiliar with a content management system, it is a web software application that assists the creation and editing of content on websites. The two major players in the CMS industry are WordPress and Drupal. There is quite a bit of dissent about which CMS is in fact the best, but the following information will help you decide for yourself on Drupal vs WordPress.

Convenience

I think for most website managers, ease of use is the most important factor. Since content is constantly being created and modified, the rate and efficiency at which it can be done is quite probably the ultimate factor in deciding between the two platforms.

Advantage: WordPress

WordPress is unarguably the easiest CMS to use. Web managers can create, edit, alter, amend, and perform any other synonym you can think of to their content. And it’s all extremely simple. The dashboard of WP makes much of the content editing process self-explanatory, and the amount of tutorials online are almost endless.

Customization

One quality that separates websites is customization. With that in mind, which CMS allows for the most options to customize content and other features? The best way to create custom content is through plugins and themes. While both CMS’s offer variations of these, there is one clear winner.

Advantage: WordPress

The plugin library for WordPress seems unlimited. The amount of web developers working daily to provide amazing plugins to use with your website is astonishing. While Drupal does have its own ways to enhance your website, it does not have the level of community involvement that WP offers to its users. Much like is said about “apps” on smartphones, WordPress has a plugin for almost anything these days.

Price

The great part about both Drupal and WordPress is that they are both free. While they have in-software purchases that you can make, the actual software is free to install on your website. As far as hiring someone to create either a WP or Drupal website, WP will probably be less expensive, only because there is a higher supply. With that said, the price difference isn’t anything to get excited about since they are both technically free.

Advantage: Draw

Like we stated, they are free. There is no reason to indicate one free CMS being better than the other in regards to price. As far as premium plugins are concerned, Drupal’s are quite a bit more expensive, and as mentioned earlier, there is less of them. WP has many plugins available, and the price range ranges from very high to quite low. You should always research plugins before buying them. Some of them have major bug issues or are glorified scams. Be careful and read reviews.

Security

Nobody wants their website hacked. So which CMS provides better protection against site breaching? While WP plugins are seen as an advantage in regards to convenience, customization, and price, one downside is their security vulnerability. Drupal plugins are believed to be much harder to breach than WP.

Advantage: Drupal

Since there are less plugins, less hackers have developed ways to infiltrate them. To Drupal’s credit, most of their plugins are extremely well designed and provide the security that conservative web managers are hoping for. In fact, Drupal’s security is so highly regarded, that many Government institutions are documented to use it.

Overall

So which is better overall? The term “better” is really too simple for smart business investors. You should look at the strengths and weaknesses of each CMS and decide which suits your company the best. At DFW SEO, our personal choice is WordPress but we understand that Drupal offers its own set of great qualities.

Nov '17

Simplifying the SEO Process

Confusing Terminology, Manipulative Practices, and Empty Promises, Will Never Beat Proven and Consistent Techniques

When local business in the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex type Dallas SEO, or Fort Worth SEO into Google Search, they are exposed to a wide array of information sources, services, and other helpful tutorials. While all of this information can be valuable, the phrase “paralysis by analysis” can hold true in this instance. There is such thing as over-optimization, and thinking too much about subsidiary SEO ideas, when you should be putting your resources into proven foundational search optimization tactics. Google has made it abundantly clear that it can’t and won’t be tricked. Everything they do from this point forward will make it less advantageous to try to manipulate search results and more advantageous to follow consistent protocol that takes effort and attention to detail. At Dallas / Fort Worth SEO, we believe in these foundational SEO principles.

Content Quality

Our first and foremost focus is content quality. Regardless of which business you are in, content will be the difference between a sales conversion and another missed opportunity. Marketing is ultimately about communication, and the content that best communicates their services, and its advantages to the consumer, will win the sales conversion. Quality content should be:

Conversational: Automated writing doesn’t work because people can tell it’s (at least partially) a robot, they would rather feel like they are hearing from a real person
Deliberate: Your content should have a defined objective, in most cases this will be to best communicate your services to prospective customers
Formatted: The consumption of content is not strictly about the words themselves, but also how they are presented — consider using bullet points, bold lettering, and italic lettering
Optimized: Keyword stuffing is a horrible practice, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t strategically and ethically place keywords that assist the user in finding their need

URL Structure

Everything from your domain name to your URL hierarchy should be planned BEFORE your website is launched. No SEO tactic on the planet will mean a thing without a pre-planned URL structure. You should have an idea about your parent and child pages. For example Services would be a parent page and then Business Consulting would be a child page underneath that. In general, URL’s should be:

Branded: Make sure your domain URL is branded with your company name or abbreviation
Concise: Keep them as short as possible for crawlability reasons
Robot.txt: Make sure your robot.txt file notifies Google about which pages to not follow
Structured: Ensure your URL has structure and makes cognitive sense to the user

Website Design

Before content, SEO, PPC, or any other aspect of internet marketing, you need a foundation. That foundation is your website. Unfortunately today, many companies rely on quick-design websites that don’t require professional web designers. What these services don’t mention is that it will hurt your SEO in the long-term and depreciate the value of your website as a business asset. Instead, DFW businesses should look for web design that is:

Affordable: Yes we want quality, but we still must be practical, negotiate a fair price that will create ROI
Customized: Stock websites destroy your SEO potential and damage your brand, choose a custom design
Mobile Friendly: Any website that will succeed in 2018 and beyond must prioritize its mobile display
WordPress: Most SEO-friendly websites use WP CMS which is open source and fully customizable

The Dallas SEO Advantage

For business owners in Dallas, DFW SEO is the perfect match for you. We handle all aspects of your internet marketing so you can focus on what you do best, running your business. We look forward to speaking directly with you to discuss all of your marketing needs. Like we’ve stated, we simplify the SEO process so that you know exactly what you are working towards and how it can be sustained over a long period of time. To speak with a Dallas SEO expert today, call DFW SEO at 800.231.4871.