2013 was a confusing year. It was the year that content marketing became the new SEO. Wait, but it was the year that social media became the new SEO. No, it was the year that SEO died.
See what we’re saying? Regardless of the noise, as always, we continue to reiterate that for online success, you are going to have to employ a strategy that effectively uses all three of these elements. SEO, social media, and content marketing should be the breakfast, lunch, and dinner of your 2014.
In that spirit, we gathered some of the best articles from December to get you on your way moving into the New Year. Enjoy, and if you’re looking for the same great content the rest of the month, don’t forget to check in with us on Twitter, Facebook.
SEO
SEO Changed Forever In 2013. How To Adjust And Thrive In 2014
If there’s ever been any question that SEO marketers need to put user needs first, 2013 was the year the search engines made it clear. Nearly every innovation in search — algorithm updates like Google Hummingbird, SERP enhancements, social integrations — was aimed at creating a better experience for the searcher.
What Caused Your Site Traffic to Drop? An SEO Forensics Manual
Managing a website has tough parts. Specifically, finding the reason for big traffic changes from one source is hard. Therefore, to find the cause, you’ll need a scientific approach. Think like a detective.
SEO Really is Dead, Long Live…Uh…What Should We Call This?
Want Better SEO: Optimize the Images on Your WordPress Site
Including images in your website and blog content helps. First, it makes your content more visually appealing. Second, it illustrates your points. Moreover, images are also important for search engine optimization.
7 eCommerce Brands that Get SEO Right
There are some ecommerce sites we users and the digital world look up to. Amazon, Etsy, Macy’s, Overstock are not only go-to places to look for specific products directly. They also dominate Google search for money keywords. So how do they achieve this? What exactly do they do right in terms of SEO?
7 Common (and Dangerous) Misconceptions About SEO
Search engine optimization is a moving target. This is due to regular algorithm updates. New factors constantly influence search. Furthermore, search rank often involves nuance. Therefore, this creates a perfect storm. This storm leads to misunderstanding and misattribution.
Wikipedia and SEO: What Every Digital Marketer Needs to Know
Wikipedia is an internet success story. Indeed, it has grown quickly. As a result, it has become the go-to reference site for many. The English version alone has over 4.4 million pages. Moreover, it adds 771 new pages every da
SEO Roadmap for 2014
Not even the best can master every niche. Jay-Z is a business titan. He developed a plan. Consequently, he aimed for the ultimate success. In fact, he ended up building huge business empires. These are the biggest I’ve seen. Furthermore, he has ventured into everything. This includes clothing, video games, and sports management.
When 2 Become 1: How Merging Two Domains Made Us an SEO Killing
This is a story of recovery. Furthermore, it involves despondency and occasional despair. However, it also includes a pretty big gamble that ultimately paid off. Specifically, this explains the why, the how, and the what. Therefore, it highlights the potential gains from merging two significant domains into one unified site.
Content Marketing
5 Reasons Self-Hosting is Important for Video Marketing Success
Video content offers significant SEO and engagement benefits, but brands often make the mistake of hosting through networks like YouTube. There are many reasons why self-hosting is so important for results. Here are five that top my list.
Which Content is Most Relevant to Your Buyers?
Providing enough relevant content to buyers is one of the biggest concerns of marketers today, according to a recent study of CMI. But how do you know which content is relevant to your buyers?
The 6 Most Effective Content Marketing Methods
Content is king. Indeed, this has long been the saying for successful internet marketers. Furthermore, it’s becoming even more important. For example, Google’s past Penguin and Panda updates show this. Moreover, its recent Hummingbird algorithm reboot suggests it too. Therefore, the key to boosting your search rank is clear. You must provide engaging, informative, and relevant content.
Eight Best Practices for Writing Content
This has always been true. However, in the last few years, content and SEO have become even more connected. Today, brands and site owners must create informative content. This content must also be engaging. People must actually want to read and share it.
Fellow content creators, let’s face a hard truth. What customers say about our brand is more impactful than our writing. Nielsen research shows this. 77% of consumers are more likely to buy a product. This happens when friends and family tell them about it.
Social Media
Evolve Your Social Media Business Strategy in 2014
2014 is approaching. Social media is no longer optional for businesses. In 2014, social media’s marketing importance will be clear. Businesses not optimizing social media will be left behind.
Instagram changed fast. It went from selfies to storytelling overnight. It’s quickly challenging Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. It does this through mobile photo sharing. Instagram lets brands tell their story visually.
Last week, @FT reached 1 million followers. We spoke to Sarah Laitner. She is the Financial Times communities editor. We wanted advice on the best experience for readers. We also wanted advice for the organization.
Getting An Organization To Dip Its Toes Into Social (& Eventually To Dive In)
Robert Harles started as Global Head of Social Media at Bloomberg LP. One of his first challenges was a clear policy: no social media. Luckily, the company’s leaders understood social media’s value. They just didn’t know how to implement it. This was especially true in a highly regulated industry.
We’ll finish up this month’s roundup with some SEO Christmas fun from the guys at OnlinePartners.
