Search engine optimization is one of the most discussed and controversial topics on the internet today. Also, it is one of the most misunderstood topics.In its basic form, search engine optimization (SEO) is act of altering a web site so that it does well in the organic, crawler-based listings of search engines.Now even this quick to the point definition of search engine optimization (SEO) can lead to spirited debates about the meaning and purpose of SEO.So the question maybe asked, why is SEO such a popular and controversial topic that causes so much debate within the SEO community and the general internet population particularly website owners? In my humble opinion there are 6 reasons why Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has the popularity that it currently enjoys.1. Targeted Website Traffic – If you ask the vast majority of website owners and people within the SEO industry what is the most important factor to a successful website business and/or operation. A large percentage of the people will say website traffic and even more specifically targeted website traffic.Currently on the internet, the largest resource for targeted website traffic on a continuous bases are search engines. On a yearly bases stats show that around 75% – 80% of all purchases made by individuals on the internet originally started as a result of a search at a search engine and the vast majority of people who visit websites usually come via way of a search engine. Numbers so dominate cannot be ignored even by the biggest opponents of search engine optimization. Moreover, because SEO is focused on optimizing websites for ranking success related to search engines, it is only natural that people would be interested in the field and practice of search engine optimization (SEO).2. SEO Controversy – Search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the most controversial topics concerning internet website operations. The proponents of SEO can say that it provides a viable method for websites to be seen in search engines which is important for any website desiring traffic on the internet today.However, opponents disgusted with SEO can also say that many websites achieve high search engine visibility without the use of SEO work and that SEO professionals only provide guess work high cost services that provide no assurances for search engine ranking success.This situation, which has some merit concerning the arguments on both sides, generates heated debates between proponents of SEO and SEO opponents on a continuous bases which is fought out on a daily bases on forums, blogs, websites and newsletters across the internet along with exposure in magazines and on TV.Simply put controversy produces attention and whether you like it or hate it, SEO really does provide a great deal of controversy. Moreover, as long as search engines play a dominant role in generating targeted website traffic, SEO will continue to be a popular topic.3. Money – Search engine optimization is a multi million-dollar business. Search engines generate billions of dollars each year through advertising. Websites earn billions of dollars for their owners each year via using search engines either through paid advertisements or organic (free) listings in search results.It is no wonder with billions of dollars on the table on a yearly bases that anything that can provide an individual or company a competitive edge in the ultra high pace internet world will be a hot topic for discussion and debate.Moreover, through a combination of perception and reality that highlights search engine optimization as a key to increasing internet sales, search engine optimization is a very popular topic for decision makers within many companies which provides additional attention to SEO in the business world and beyond.4. No Standard SEO Rules or Regulations – Search engine optimization (SEO) can be described as a modern version of the wild wild west. Basically almost anything can be said or done because there are no formal set standards for the industry as a whole.Therefore, in a true sense, no one is really right or wrong concerning any thoughts, comments or decisions concerning SEO techniques and/or methods. Right or wrong is replaced by what is considered ethical by individuals and everyone has a unique set of ethics. What one person might consider unethical someone else might consider completely honest, well intended assistance. This is why you have labels such as white hat and black hat SEO within the SEO industry.5. Search Engines – Search engine optimization was created as a by-product resulting from the development, utilization and popularity of search engines. Without search engines, there is no SEO industry in its current form and format.As statistics on a yearly bases confirm, the majority of the targeted website traffic on the internet is generated directly or indirectly via search engines and a very high percentage of internet sales are directly linked to visitors coming from search engines looking for products and/or services.With the dominant role that search engines play on the internet and the fact that the success of search engines depend on the ability to provide accurate and reliable search results to its visitors, successful search engines tend to develop an informal relationship with the SEO industry.Whereby a certain amount of SEO work on websites tends to help search engines provide what its visitors are looking for which is top-notch search results.For this reason, sometimes search engines will provide SEO information and SEO recommendations to its visitors directly on the search engines. This helps the SEO industry tremendously by placing the industry in the forefront of the main people that are interested in organic (free) search results which are the search engine users looking for something specific and the website owners who want to be found in the search engine results.6. SEO Mystery – Almost no SEO professionals will explain what they do regarding SEO work in detail. Some will provide a little SEO information, which is mainly done as marketing efforts for the SEO professionals in forums, blogs and newsletters. Even the e-books and books that are sold only explain SEO in a general nature. Search engine optimization (SEO) is truly a mystery to the average website owner and/or people interested in organic search engine rankings.This mystery produces a high level of interest regarding the SEO industry and helps feed the popularity of search engine optimization (SEO).
Social Media Marketing – Explosive Growth Means New Opportunities For Business
By now you’ve heard about the potential of social media marketing. This article has the numbers to prove how big the opportunities are.If your business operates in Toronto, you’ll want to pay close attention. A study in 2007 showed that this city had more Facebook members than any other North American city, with 13% of Torontonians signed up. With Facebook the most popular social networking site by far, it offers a captive audience too important for your Toronto business to ignore.Social Media – Exponential Growth Around the WorldNeilsen – the same company that determines the ratings of your favourite TV shows – has an online division that tracks Internet behaviour. Here are some of the findings from their most recent report. Released in March, 2009, the report summarizes global Internet activity from December, 2007 to December, 2008. Here’s what they found:o Visits to “member communities”, i.e. social networking sites, surpassed email in terms of Internet popularity. Using the measure of time on site, the Neilsen study shows that member communities have a global active reach of 66.8%, compared to 65.1% for email. In other words, two-thirds of global Internet users belong to a social networking site.o The study also notes that people are spending more time on social networking sites. In prior studies, the numbers showed that one of every 15 minutes online was spent on a social networking site. That number is now one in every 11 minutes. In the UK, it is one in every six minutes, and in Brazil, it is one in every 4 minutes.o The Neilsen report also shows the changing demographics of social networking, primarily on Facebook. The largest growth by age group was in the 35-49 demographic, which saw 24.1 million people join Facebook in the year of the study.These numbers make clear how valuable social media marketing has become. What’s more, another study from eMarketer shows that advertising-spending growth on social networks is dropping. The company’s original projection of 32% growth in spending was downgraded in March, 2009 to about half that – 17%. The drop indicates that companies are not interested in buying advertising on social networking sites but, rather, in building their own communities to attract attention and customers.Where to Start with Your Own Social Media Marketing PlanThere are many social media sites around, but the biggest one is (no surprise) Facebook. In 2008, the site saw an increase of 566% in time spent on the site, with an incredible total of 20.5 billion minutes logged over the course of the year.The Neilsen study shows Facebook’s dominance over one-time leader MySpace. Facebook had a change in active reach of 168% between 2007 and 2008, while MySpace’s active reach was -3%. Another site with an impressive increase in reach was LinkedIn, with 137% growth.If you are looking for a place to start, Facebook and LinkedIn are probably your best bet. Keep in mind that, as with any form of marketing, it is best to have a clear strategy for social media marketing. With the right planning and the right approach, you’ll be able to maximize the marketing potential of social media sites.
Comparison Shopping For Your Car Finance Loan
Shopping around for a car is easy, but you need to also consider the car finance loan. Many people think they must take the car financing options that the dealership has to offer. Before you go shopping for a car to start with, people should always make a habit of shopping around their local car financing or car loan companies and check out what options they can get to help the consumer to save as much money as they possibly can. However, do not just stop with your local finance companies; go on the internet, to find some great deals that will save you money. You want to shop around and get as many quotes and as many different options as you can.Shopping around gives you the opportunity to make a list of who has the cheapest rates, and who has the best financing terms. Some will have penalties, especially for early payments or early payoff, and some will not. You should try to avoid any car finance company that will have any type of penalties. If you purchase a car from a car lot or dealership rather than from an individual, you usually always have to have full coverage insurance; buying it from an individual as long as both parties agree and you are the only driver, you may be able to buy a low type of No-Fault insurance.Many companies offer car finance loans with bad credit, and help you build your credit back up. Not all companies charge you an outrageous price for doing this as each car finance loan company is different and has many different options, however they can save you money in the long run. Some of these online car finance loan companies guarantee a 100% loan with no obligations, and it is free to apply. They even offer car finance loans for bad credit and no credit, or any type of credit problems such as bankruptcy, are ok, and they claim to provide the lowest rates in all 50 states.When you find the right car that you are looking for, a car finance loan representative will want to know how far you will be driving back and forth to work, and whether or not you are going to use the car on the job. These questions usually make a big difference in how much money you will have to put down and how much your payments will be. If you have had any traffic tickets, and if you have been involved in any recent accidents can also play a role. They will also want to know if you have ever been caught driving with out a license, or if you have ever been caught driving under the influence.There are a few car finance loan companies that do sell their own cars with low rates, and zero money down, on their used and new cars and trucks. A few of these offer instant credit approvals and immediate cash in a few minutes, which makes car finance loan companies sound as though they are too good to be true. Keep in mind that most of the time if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is; be very wary of websites such as these, and research them as much as possible in order to keep from being scammed and cause you severe stress in the future.