Thursday, May 24, 2007

A New Look for Google Analytics

Google Analytics, that wonderful FREE service designed to help you learn about where your Web site visitors come from and how they interact with your site, recently released a new version of its reporting interface.

Most of the information data collected and presented remains the same, but all under a shiny, more easily read look. Google states in the new version, “reports have been redesigned for clarity, greater visibility of important metrics, and ease of use.” Some of the new features include:

"• Email and export reports: Schedule or send ad-hoc personalized report emails and export reports in PDF format.
• Custom Dashboard: No more digging through reports. Put all the information you need on a custom dashboard that you can email to others.
• Trend and Over-time Graph: Compare time periods and select date ranges without losing sight of long term trends.
• Contextual help tips: Context sensitive Help and Conversion University tips are available from every report."

The new design is awesome! It’s easy-to-use and easy-on-the eyes. So if you haven’t already signed up for Google Analytics, now is a good time to get started. Thanks Google! Take a tour of the new version.

Copyright 2007 IdeaStar Inc.
All Rights Reserved.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Location. Location. Location. Where to Build a Blog

To blog or not to blog is no longer the question in the business world. The advantages of a good corporate blog are many. They are great for online reputation management, getting visitor input, maintaining focus, presenting a human face, and a little bit of search engine encouragement.

The main question now seems to be where to blog. If you have the resources, the best option is a custom blog solution that can be customized for your users. Integration of comments, feeds, archiving, sub-pages, and categories should be considered. And, blog users will thank you everyday if the content management system is easy-to-use. OpenSourceCMS has options to help you along the way, if you decide to build a custom blog.

But for most people, online blog services seem to meet the need. Choose from Blogger, WordPress, Movable Type and Typepad. Simply follow the instructions and you will be up and blogging in no time.

Copyright 2007 IdeaStar Inc.
All Rights Reserved.

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Linking Within Your Web Site is a Good Thing

When it comes to search engine optimization, a lot has been written about the importance of solid, relevant links coming into your Web site. But what about linking pages within your site? Is it just a waste of time? Or is it a valuable tool? Let's take a look.

Some search engine optimizers say no. A link within the page simply serves as a self-reference. Why would a search engine count your self-promotion?

But other search engine optimizers say yes. Pandia Search Engine News writes, “Admittedly, such links will not boost the ‘prestige’ of the whole site vis-a-vis the search engines, as they cannot be counted as a vote of confidence from other sites in the Web community. But we believe that they may help the page you are linking to when it comes to particular search phrases.”

Apparently, search engines look at the anchor text of inbound links when they are determining a page's subject. That could be a nice little boost for the search engine ranking of that page, especially for more obscure niche terms. Just be sure the word or phrase appears in both the anchor text and on the linked page.

And let's not forget about site users. Yes, search engine rankings are important. But you want the site user to stay within your site as long as possible. Linking from page to page keeps them there longer. And, those links can make navigating a Web site so much easier.

So I'd say yes! In-site linking is useful not only for the search engines, but your Web site users. That's gotta make it worth the time and effort.

Copyright 2007 IdeaStar Inc.
All Rights Reserved.

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Naughty or Nice? It's Better to Stay Nice.

By Susanne Svette, IdeaStar Search Engine Specialist

Thinking of being just a little naughty in your search engine optimization practice? Don’t! You really could go to Hell. Google Hell, that is.

Forbes.com posted an article April 30 entitled Businesses Scramble to Stay out of Google Hell. Actually, Google refers to it as the supplemental index, created with the best intentions.

It seems the search engine has so many pages to index, it developed a special place for questionable Web sites. The only problem is they won't tell you the rules so you can avoid ending up there. And, once placed in the index, it could be months before your Web site is allowed out, if ever.

The Forbes article mentioned skyfacet.com as one site stuck in the Google backwater. The diamond and jewelry sales site suddenly dropped from the search engine last year after a search engine consultant made changes, resulting in a substantial loss of traffic and sales.

It seems Google is becoming even more stringent. So it's best to stay as clean as possible – no duplicate copy, buying unrelated links, keyword spamming, etc. – and try not to anger the Google gods.


Copyright 2007 IdeaStar Inc.
All Rights Reserved.