john {WEB}ster

How will this affect local search?

Google announced on their Webmaster Central blog an opportunity for “US” to Help test some next-generation infrastructure. This opportunity is not just for Web Professional & Marketing Execs it is for all of us to comment back to Google about how the experience differs from the old search. The new search is supposed to be faster and deliver more relevant results. I am anxious to see how the sites I manage will fair with the new algorithms.

As a web designer working mainly in the Harrisburg area, I am looking to see how the new search algorithms will affect local marketing. How will those marketing to the Harrisburg area have to adjust their SEO strategy? Will this change how Google’s local business center reacts with the search tool. And, the big question is how will it affect those who constantly try to “Game” the system?

 
Read the full story on Google’s Webmaster Blog

KABOOM! Google fires a shot across Microsoft’s bow.

I did not know I would wake up to such amazing news for the Internet, and well shamelessly, my profession today. The Google Chrome OS, a long rumored piece of vaporware, will finally be launched to developers this fall. Not only will Microsoft feel the pinch as they lose market share but so will traditional marketing outlets, as Google gets its heart and soul onto millions of netbooks around the world.

Years ago I was preaching that all businesses, not just the giants, needed to take Internet marketing more seriously. I was saying how the Internet was becoming the most cost effective place to market. THEN, when the Chrome browser was released, I said the Internet is “The Place to Market”. That launch made it clear that Google would be positioning its search engine (which has shaped the way our culture seeks information) to be the center of the information universe.

Managing your online presence doesn’t have to be a massive chore, in fact you can make a hug impact in just 60 minutes a day. Having a great online presence does take a little more than simply creating a profile, friending some people and hanging out from time to time. This routine will help you create meaningful relationships online that will ultimately benefit your business or organization in a positive way.

Facebook

1. Post a daily status message relating to your area of expertise.
2. Respond to any comments on your wall.
3. Comment on five people’s status messages or updates.
4. Check in on birthdays and send a personal note via email.
5. Share at least 3 interesting links that you find.
6. Comment on a couple of group or fan pages that you frequent.

Twitter

1. Find seven things worth retweeting in your feed.
2. Comment on at least five things in your feed.
3. Point out a few people that you admire. It shows your mindset, too.
4. Follow back at least 10 people. (Choose people whose updates will benefit your circle)
5. 10 minutes building relationships through conversation.