Among the best business choices I've made are: #1 Migrating to WordPress #2 Migrating to The Genesis Framework If you haven't done so already I recommend migrating your brand's website/s to a Genesis Child Theme. For more on that, check out why ultra optimized themes are the best. Now, if you're ready for a migration, here's a good checklist (with a few conversion rate tips): Create/Access the staging environment Confirm that the "Discourage search engines from indexing this … [Read more...]
3 Reasons www URLs Are Better Than Non www URLs For SEO …But Don’t Go Switching Just Yet
When I started my first website I had no idea that a www URL was better than a non www URL (sometimes called a root or naked URL). In fact, I had no idea that both options even existed. Unfortunately, my first website's URL by default was a naked URL. Most "experts" will tell you that there is no difference, it's just a matter of preference. It does make a difference! www URLs are better for SEO! ...but don't go switching just yet. Links Each and every website with a naked URL I've analyzed … [Read more...]
Ultra-Optimized WordPress Themes Pay Big Dividends
Google built a multi-hundred-billion-dollar business by providing people with highest quality search experience and results possible. They continue to be intensely committed to excelling at delivering the best search experience possible. Take a minute to read these 13 snippets I pulled from their philosophy page. Focus on the user and all else will follow. Since the beginning, we’ve focused on providing the best user experience possible. It’s best to do one thing really, really well. We do … [Read more...]
Which Paid Directories Are Worth It … and when to stay away
Knowing the difference between the paid business directory listings that help and those that hurt is invaluable. The best brands can use this to help be sure they are getting the first chance at high-value inbound searches/traffic. Three Quick Signals To Tell The Good From The Bad Built and Managed By Brands: Genuine professional directories (not to mention sustainable and scalable) allow the brands to build and edit their own listings/profiles. Paying to be part of a directory that you … [Read more...]
Inbound Marketing Resources
A growing and updated list of tools, apps, and other resources. Pre-Startup NameCheckr: Check domain and username availability across several networks. Domains, Hosting and Email Pagely: Managed WordPress hosting in the Amazon cloud. Synthesis: Hosting optimized for The Genesis Framework by Rainmaker Digital. WPengine: Blazing fast managed WordPress hosting. Pantheon: Developer hosting for WordPress and Drupal. Flywheel: Managed WordPress hosting with phone … [Read more...]
Checkout Page Optimization
The average checkout page has roughly a 2/3 abandonment rate. Yes, that means only one in three people who have already decided to make a purchase follow through. There may be several reasons buyers leave the checkout page, and I'm not saying the goal should be 100% conversion rate. But many websites have below average conversions on their checkout or signup forms/pages - and that means there is money left on the table. Here are a few things to remember: Check out pages are not pricing … [Read more...]