Pittsburgh SEO – SEM – SEA | Internet Marketing and Website Design | Blackball Online

Pittsburgh Online Marketing Communications - Keeping a Clear Message

Not long ago I read a post about Mr Rogers and attached to it was this video . Growing up in Pittsburgh and watching Fred Rogers and Mr Rogers Neighborhood daily it made me reflect back to simpler days. This got me thinking about why Fred Rogers was so successful in communicating his message.

Never did the man interfere with the message. He was just the medium. There is definitely something to be learned from this quiet unassuming approach. Consistency and trustworthiness play an integral part in his message. This is straight from the “Fred Rogers School of How to Treat People”.

Fred Rogers was a master communicator. Every so often someone comes along with a timeless message. Passion and a firm belief in doing the right thing or sending the right message are two trademark traits of a Mr Rogers episode and of the man himself. I wonder how many children still watch Mr Rogers on YouTube. Better still I wonder how many parents know about Mr Rogers and the vitally important message he delivered and continues to deliver to us daily.

At Blackball Online Marketing, we try to use sound and fundamental advertising with a clear message as well. The difference is the medium we use to deliver this message, from blogs like this one to YouTube and Social Media. The communication channels have changed but the message remains. Part of his message was to ask questions about ourselves; and what we want to achieve. Mr Rogers always had a direct and nonjudgmental way of looking at difficulties or feelings or problems. There is something genius about the way he handled such personal communications.

As an Online Marketing Firm in Pittsburgh and as a people in general, we are always interested in how we can communicate more effectively. As a business we promote many small to medium size businesses and are constantly looking to improve the clarity of our communications. As people, we try to achieve the same things. When in doubt we just ask ourselves, “What would Fred Rogers Do Or Say?”

Fred Rogers is gone now but his message endures through all the people he taught and through the Internet. That is very powerful and THAT is effective communication with a crystal clear message. Thanks for all the lessons Mr Rogers.

Toyota painstakingly built the heart of its brand on reliability. It’s now smashed to pieces. But pieces it still does have – so far. We’re an Online Marketing, SEO and Social Media company, so, how can Social Media help out a vaunted company like Toyota in the dilemma that they have now found themselves in?

You Better Be Good To Me

Toyota cannot have a representative at each customers home holding a hand, but Social Media can provide that “next best thing.” Social Media and other Online / Web 2.0 outlets provide Toyota a 24/7 tool set to let their customer know that they “worship the ground Toyota customers walk on.” Obviously just fixing things, saying we’re sorry and we like you then sending customers on their way isn’t going to be enough to salvage what little customer loyalty they have left. It’s going to take an almost super human effort of action, words and deeds by Toyota to preserve something of their customer base and to hopefully start to rebuild their brand.

Toyota can begin by using Social Media to keep their customers relentlessly informed with quality, timely and relevant information. Help them. Toyota customers are very, very confused now. So, I’ll repeat that - help them, hold the customer’s hand and don’t let go. A “slight” has happened, and Toyota customers are feeling very betrayed. In order for Toyota to take their best shot to keep and win some customers back, (and it’s a very tall order) they must first impart some sense of comfort – the kind of comfort that says Toyota is not taking the customer relationship for granted, that Toyota is doing everything, and then some, to make things right for you, the loyal Toyota customer. They have the resources, at least right now they do, and Toyota needs to be relentless in their usage.

Monitor the Online outlets. Through smart and vigorous Online monitoring Toyota can address, inform and respond in real-time on just about a one-to-one level globally by using Twitter, Blogs, YouTube, email, SMS and customer-centric Micro sites.

This is as big as it gets. Toyota’s fighting for its very life and there is no tomorrow, probably a bailout by us and the Japanese after both countries do a little scolding and finger-waving, but no tomorrow. They may already be doing some of these things, and maybe not. First and foremost Mr. Toyoda needs to be continuously with the customer through this crisis. Without customers a walk-up to Capitol Hill by him really doesn’t matter much.

One thing is pretty clear; a half-measure approach won’t do and it may cause more damage. We’ll know shortly how much Toyota truly values the people who butter their bread – their customers.

Google’s Move To Goggles – A Shift Towards Mobile Search

Out with the maps and in with the Goggles. Google has eliminated the Maps listings for Online Marketing categories such as Pittsburgh SEO, Pittsburgh Online Marketing, Pittsburgh Internet Marketing, and some other search phrases related to Internet Marketing. Is this the first of many categories to be removed? We see this as a possible emerging trend or shift in Google’s Map endeavors. Is Google making an attempt to scrap the often spammed Maps listings? Let’s look further…

Google has introduced Goggles, formerly titled Google Visual Search in the development phase. We see this as a possible replacement for Maps altogether. It aligns itself perfectly with Google’s move towards mobile computing in a big way. First, the Android Operating System, and recently the Nexus phone release all seem to be aimed at Google’s strategy towards focusing on Mobile Search Technology. Add to this Google’s Cloud computing initiative and the signals become stronger. (Pun intended)

As previously mentioned, this may be the beginning of Google's attempt to curb the rampant spam problem that plagues their maps. Bing has a more stringent verification requirement and their maps algorithm is less spammy because of that. Sometimes being first to market has its drawbacks as companies submitted multiple bogus listings in an effort to be found. Bing learned from this and only allows for Direct Mail registration as opposed to Google’s phone verification option which allows businesses to register from anywhere.

Pittsburgh is the home of Blackball Online Marketing so I can only speak to this issue from our point of view. As a small Pittsburgh Online Marketing Company we cater to Pittsburgh businesses only. It would be nice to have a very pretty maps listing for Pittsburgh SEO again. It would also be nice for Google to share its decisions and be transparent about this selective omission. But Google is Google and that's that.

Pittsburgh SEO and Your Web Hosting Company

The major Search Engines - Google - Yahoo - Bing

Pittsburgh, PA – If you want to rank well in the search engines (Google, Yahoo, Bing), planning is the key. Your web host can make or break your rankings. Researching you hosting provider can prove to be as important as your on-page SEO. This article explains a little about how search engines see your site and some criteria to get you started to finding the right Internet hosting company. We do not promote any hosting companies over any others. The research is up to you, unless of course you hire us.

First things first; Our article on picking the right name for your business to rank well in the search engines will help you to do just that. Next on the list is buying/registering your domain name or URL (Uniform Resource Locator). This is the dot.com, dot.net, dot.org that your business will use to be found by your customers on the Internet, Blackball Online can be found at http://www.blackballonline.com.

You should already have the perfect business name after reading the previously mentioned post so try to get the exact match for a URL. The whois database website is a very valuable resource for this. Your website host can also walk you through all of this but it pays to be informed. Tip; register your site for as long as possible. 10 years is the maximum allowable domain name registration as of this writing. Our recommendation is to register for at least 3 years – the search engines look favorably on this.

Do a search on your favorite search engine for “web hosting” or “web hosting providers”. Make a list and rate them; it helps. For the actual research of these companies you can visit their websites or call them directly. We usually do both. We find that we can weed out certain companies by the products they offer and their price points for the levels of service they provide online. Then we call. Another tip; if your contact method of preference is to call and speak to a human like ours is, make sure you call them.

What are your needs? Is this site a one time thing? Is this your flagship website? Do you have 30 other websites that you need a host for? Are you running a forum, blog, or online store? All these questions should be considered as they all require different technical capabilities. Do you know what language or CMS you are going to use to build your site or blog? Once again, planning and research are very important. When you pick a web hosting company keep in mind these questions:

1.) Service: Do they offer 24/7 technical support? Do they charge extra for it? Is it by email only? Are they pleasant? (Knowing this beforehand can save you time, money, and aggravation)

2.) Can they handle your business? (i.e are they technically capable? Do their products meet your specifications mentioned above for your CMS or databases? This is why it pays to be prepared and informed.)

3.) How is their track record? Research the hosting company by checking the search engines for complaints or rants. A pattern of complaints can be a giant red flag; steer clear.

4.) Do they offer up-time reliability guarantees? Your site is no good to you if the server is down. The search engine crawlers will pass you by and penalize you if they try to crawl your site and it’s not there. This is a sign of instability.

5.) Price: We mention price last because it really should be your final concern. Service, Capabilities, Reputation, and Reliability are all priorities over price.

We have many other criteria we check at Blackball Online but these should get you started in the right direction. You get out what you put in. Search engine rankings and SEO starts before you ever code a line. Why sabotage your efforts before they begin? Our job is to make sure you get the maximum out of your site/blog. Blackball Online has the capability to host client sites as well.

Pittsburgh SEO by Blackball Online has all the necessary skills and contacts to meet all your Web Hosting and Online Consulting needs. Just call (412)377-7280 or contact us through our website.

Pittsburgh SMO -  What Is It and Why Does My Business Need It?

Pittsburgh, PA - SMO or Social Media Optimization should be part of your overall Search Engine Marketing plan. Building your business reputation for the digital audience becomes more important every day as print media becomes too slow to react to trends and take advantage of time sensitive opportunities. We have spoken in many of our posts about this and we encourage you to read from our library of small business advice.

SMO leverages your ability to use the social networks like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to increase your exposure and reach out to your customers in ways that were not available even ten years ago. It also offers your business publicity in subtle and more personal ways. We all spend so much time working that we become our businesses. Why not transfer that passion to online promotion with a personal touch?

Social Media Optimization is a way to reinforce your advertising by providing solid feedback to your customers. This builds and enhances the relationship and solidifies your bond. Make no mistake, business has become personal. No two businesses are alike. Distinguish yours by providing sound advice to your customers using this free avenue.

SMO can also take your customer service to a whole new level. The ability to respond quickly is what makes all digital business ventures so powerful. Promotions can be rolled out in a fraction of the time they used to take. Issues can be addressed in a timely manner that all customers appreciate. The speed of business increases every day. SMO provides the means to keep up.

Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter all have their special niches in the SMO plan. Twitter is very useful for quick promotion of your Blog, your website, and quick turnaround for simple customer service issues. Facebook offers a more robust advertising solution and the ability to market to closer contacts. LinkedIn is a professional profile with legs. The use of LinkedIn can benefit your promotion by providing your credentials to support your marketing strategy and give weight to your argument why your customer should pick you over your competition.

Blackball Online provides cost effective Pittsburgh SMO Consulting solutions to small business. Let us help you help your business by taking advantage of the one thing no other business has, YOU. Visit our website by clicking the link above or call us at (412)377-7280.