Optimization Made Easy!!

Increasing your site's ranking with the various search engines should be your first priority when building your site. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Exact keyword search query as the domain name/title tag. This encourages people to link using the same words. You don’t have to include whole keyphrases in your domain name, but its smart to have your keywords in the title tag, since you will be getting most of your visitors from search.

Make sure your site is reference-friendly. Including links to pages where additional information can be found is a sure-fire way of increasing your search engine ranking. Just about everyone links to Wikipedia pages because they provide in-depth information on specific topics. You also need to make sure that your site covers your topic thoroughly with relevant, original content.

Viral marketing. You really want people to spread the word, so encourage them by providing sharing options like an email-a-friend feature, or link-to-me banners. Savvy Internet marketers use tools such as videos, quizzes, and questionnaires to keep sites interactive.

Where you promote your site is just at important. From the get-go, using social media channels will serve its purpose to generate traffic and contacts.

Search engines are extremely unpredictable and though we know what increases search engine ranking, we can’t always predict how long a site will hold that ranking. That’s why most businesses contract with SEO firms or professionals.

Four Tips for Great Desert Photography

In many parts of the country, fall is the season of color; tree-lined streets displaying an array of colors not seen any other time of the year. But to Arizonians fall brings cooler weather and the eruption of outdoor activity, providing many photo opportunities for both amateur and professional photographers. Here are a few tips to make your desert shots more impressive:

Tip #1: Use a flash - even outdoors!! Fill Flash is used to supplement existing light in a scene - it’s generally not the primary light source (as a flash often is at night) but fills in light where natural light doesn’t go.

Tip #2: Shooting desert scenes is much like shooting in the snow. How much you will overexpose will depend on the tone of the sand. The lighter the tone the more you overexpose, the darker the less you overexpose.

Tip #3: Since the best shooting occurs with early morning or late afternoon/evening light, there will be areas in your picture that will be in heavy shadow. Keep this in mind when determining your exposure as well.

Tip #4: One item that you will definitely need for shooting in the desert is a polarizing filter. It makes a remarkable difference.For more photography tips, visit us on the web!!

Web Design Tips: JPEG vs. GIF – What’s the diff??

Experienced designers know that the most widely supported web image graphic formats are GIF and JPEG. We know these two file formats as extensions, but what are they?

GIF stands for Graphic Interchange Format and contains the maximum of 256 colors (8 bit) or less, which is good for custom graphic files. For example, if you create a button, arrow or any simple GIF image, you can customize the file to have only two colors, blue and gold. Because the GIF file only contains two colors, the file is very small and will yield a higher quality.

JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group and was built to contain 24-bit (16.7+ million colors) and was primarily developed for photographic-style images. JPEG stores the information of images by keeping track of color changes. The advantage of JPEG is that it can carry a smaller file size than GIF when used in storing photographs and images with a wide variety of shading. But, it will not yield a smaller file when dealing with low color level and details like computer generated graphics.

So when do you use a GIF or JPEG???

Here’s a simple rule to design by:

1. Use GIF format with graphics that you have created on your computer such as horizontal rules, buttons, or animation.

2. Use JPEG format when the images are scanned pictures or photographs.

To learn more about professional web design, visit us on the web!

Blog for Cash? Or Just Another “Get Rich Quick” Scheme?

It actually sounds that way…maybe even a little too good to be true. But whether you are a blog believer or not, you have to admit taking the leap into professional blogging is very tempting.

Here are two solid ways to make your blog work for you:

• Advertisements: Signing up for a Google AdSense Account will reap you the fastest rewards. The sponsored (paid) ads will show up on your page, and any time someone clicks the link, you are paid instantly.

• Affiliate Programs: Even more popular than pay-per-click, affiliate programs will give you the most ROI. A quick example - companies will pay 10% commission so if a visitor to your web site clicks on your affiliate link and makes a purchase of $100, you will get $10. Just remember to write compelling, quality content, relevant to your service or product. The only way to cash in on blogging is to attract an audience; and to attract an audience you need to make sure you are ranked high on Google and other major search engines.

YouTube: Not Just for Home Videos!!

What started as a small video sharing network has exploded into at a community where people are entertained, informed, educated and inspired through the sharing of video.

Savvy Internet marketers have successfully partnered with YouTube to meet their marketing objectives. From InVideo Ads to Branded Channels on YouTube, you can find just about every major competitor – in every major marketplace, from Disney Parks, to Kmart and the NBA. And YouTube makes it easy...and inexpensive for advertisers to share their message.

Why wouldn’t you advertise on YouTube? Today, YouTube has 71 million unique users each month and has the 6th largest audience on the Internet.

Online Video isn't the future, it's the present: 75% of Americans watched a video online in any given month. And YouTube is far and away the leader in this space with hundreds of millions of videos viewed daily.

Tips For Google Optimization

You’ve heard this over and over and over again...if you want your site to rank higher on Google and other search engines, you have to use the right keywords and keyword phrases in your content. But is that all it takes to increase your site’s visibility? Well, it’s the most important factor in getting quality web traffic to your web pages, but it will actually take a little more than that!! And though we have learned this, we thought you could use a little reminder of the basics!!


Put your key word phrase in your title tag: Don’t use your company name in the title tag…it's a waste of words and will not help you rank in the search engines. The first three of four words in your title tag should be the key word phrase you are trying to optimize for.

Write a compelling description tag: Title tags are for search engines, description tags are for people. Spend time researching and writing a description tag that compels the reader to click on your listing.

Use H1 tags: This search engine optimization technique is almost too often neglected!! Putting your keyword phrase in H1 tags on your page tells Google that the following text is about your keyword phrase. Google weighs H1 tags nearly as highly as title tags. This tip alone can drastically improve your Google ranking.

Create a sitemap: Google highly recommends the creation of a site map. This will help Google to understand how one part of your site relates to other parts … and drive every single page of your site higher in Google’s rankings.

Hire a SEO Pro: Monthly SEO, keywording, and site optimization are critical to keep up in today's ever-changing world of the Internet. Consider hiring a company well versed in SEO and internet marketing.

Black & White Photo Tips

Every photographer, professional or amateur has tried their hand at black and white photography. But has the digital age changed the way we take black and white photos? Well, yes, somewhat...in the olden days of film strips, we would have to either have two cameras or wait until we finished the roll of black and white before we switched back to color.


Getting the best black and white photo is accomplished by your photo software, not the hardware!!
These days, however, digital cameras have a setting for black and white photography. But is this really the best way to get crisp, clear black and white pics? While most digital cameras offer you the option to shoot in Black and White (and can produce some reasonable results) you have more control over your end results if you have the color data to work with in your conversion on your computer.

Retraining Your Eye:
Techniques for capturing that perfect shot apply just as well to black and white photography as they do when shooting in color. Natural instincts of the eye tends to look for color or something striking - so training yourself to look at shapes, tones and textures in your frame as points of interest will make the difference in your shot.

For more photography tips, visit us on the web!

Is It Time to ReDesign?

If you have an existing website and you are not getting the targeted traffic that wished for, then it might be time for a change. Websites, like wardrobes change with time...styles come and go and what was cool ten years ago is just not that appealing today.

Here are three reasons your site might need a redesign:

#1 Your site was designed in 1995. Wow...in 1995? Times have certainly changed and like the mullet, the bright neon colors and flashing images are a thing of the past. If a visitor feels a site is too outdated, they are likely to go elsewhere. If a look is outdated, the information might be as well.

#2 If you have too much text or too many click-thru's. We live in a "need it now" society and if a user doesn't have the information he/she is looking for in the first 20 seconds...they'll go elsewhere. And same with clicking and scrolling; it’s best to have your content concise and to the point, AND visible within the first twenty seconds of the user's visit. (See sample site below for easy to read formats and navigation.)



#3 Low ranking on search engines. Its highly unlikely that someone looking for information, services or products will go past the first two pages of their search. This is where your designer/developer would not only update the aesthetic design, but also update your site's relevancy and keyword search options.

If you have a site that has been the foundation of your company's brand, don't ditch it! Just a few updates, upgrades and modifications can increase your online visibility in no time.

Have a Need for Speed?

Speed PPC has taken the pay-per-click industry by storm...and with good reason. Both online marketers and skeptics have agreed that the tools that Speed PPC include makes designing and managing online ad campaigns so much faster and easier. PPC 72,500% Faster - Watch the Video Evidence

If you haven't already discovered for yourself, here's what Speed PPC can do for you:

• Improves your Google Quality Score by arranging keywords, ads, and landing pages into well-defined groups dramatically improves your quality score;
• Creates and stores HUGE keyword lists;
• Creates unique landing pages;
• Tracks what works and what doesn't - and eliminates the keywords that aren't making you money;
• Saves you the most valuable resource of all - TIME!

Speed PPC is a complex and powerful tool - and not intended for beginners. But if you have built some successful online ad campaigns and are ready for the next level in PPC, this is definitely the right tool for you. Watch the video below and find out how Speed PPC can reduce hours of manpower and increase the quality of your campaign.

Is Video Streaming Really an Option for Your Ad Campaign?

If you are still wondering if streaming video would increase your business’ exposure, let’s take a look at a few facts:

According to Online-Publishers.org in March 2007, more than 70% of U.S. Internet users streamed video online. At that time, Americans consumed more than 7 billion video streams online. Eighty percent of those viewers who watched an online video ad – more than half had taken some sort of action - 15% had gone into a store and 12% had actually made a purchase.

Aside from generating more visual excitement about your product or service, spreading your message via video stream on the Internet has other benefits as well. Not only can you “host” video advertisements for a fraction of what it would cost to advertise on television or radio, but you can also offer pay-per-view events such as, live-motion training classes, webinars or lectures.

Let face it, online video streaming is undeniably the best way to get your message out to the millions…with just one mouse click. As bandwidth and Internet access get higher and faster, online video broadcasting will be the first and foremost form of communication.

So…do you really think conveying your message via video is really an option? Hmmm...guess its time to talk to your media agent about a new strategy!!

**E-trade baby advertisements are the most viewed videos on YouTube.com

Why Hire a Search Engine Optimizer?

If you want your website to gain the most traffic and achieve the highest optimization possible, hiring a multimedia firm with a SEO department or a SEO professional might be your best bet.

Most SEO pro’s perform an in-depth analysis of your internet business plan and optimize your site to drive truly interested, potential customers to your business.

And let’s face it, SEO takes time and research...valuable time you could be focusing on new business. The world of SEO is constantly evolving; monthly SEO, keywording, and site optimization are critical to keep up in today's ever-changing world of the Internet. Do you have time to keep up?

Consider hiring an Internet marketer to keep your site on the cutting edge of technology.

Digital Photography: Let There Be Light!

Whether digital or film, capturing light is as important as what you are photographing. Understanding how different light affects your picture, you can significantly change the way your pictures turn out. Make sure that there is enough light available - most photographers prefer either sunset or sunrise lighting conditions to achieve the best shots. The more that is available, the easier it will be to take a picture without having to be concerned with aperture, shutter speed, or flashes.

As you learn more about the effects of lighting, you can change the nature of a photo by controlling the way light hits different parts of the scene or subject.

For more photography tips and techniques, visit us on the web!

Overcoming Your "Creative Block"

Designer's Block...believe it or not, it happens to everyone. But don't panick, just follow our advice and you will be back in your creative saddle in no time!

First, STOP what you are doing; go for a walk, watch your favorite episode of Seinfeld, meet your buddies for happy hour. If you have another hobby, do that for a while. For just a few hours, stop thinking about your project.

Second, visit other sites or galleries for ideas; of course you can't copy another web design, but you can certainly combine ideas until you have something completely original...and who knows, it may morph itself into your greatest masterpiece!

Third, JUST DO IT!!! The greatest call to action of all time. Once you've taken a break - just dive back in. You'd be surprised at how fast your creativity will come back.

Should Affiliate Marketing Be a Part of Your SEM Strategy?

Affiliate marketing is a form of online marketing, which is frequently overlooked by advertisers. Simply put, this form of online marketing uses one website to drive traffic to another. So how do you actually make money doing this? Well that's even more simple; the originating business rewards one or more affiliates for each visitor or customer brought about by the affiliate's marketing efforts. While search engines, blogs, e-mail, and website syndication capture much of the attention of online retailers, affiliate marketing carries a much lower profile. Still, affiliates continue to play a significant role in e-retailers' marketing strategies.

So should you include affiliate marketing in your SEM strategy? Why not? With costs tied to success, an affiliate program can be a powerful marketing tool for traffic and conversions.

Video Blogging...Craze or Phase?

No matter where you turn these days, the use of blogs is being used to drive traffic to websites and enable businesses to increase their online exposure...and their bottom line. Blogging however, has taken yet another leap - into video blogging - "vlogging" if you will.

Video blogging is another avenue in creating a powerful we presence and presenting your products or services. Even SEO experts recognize the benefit of vlogging, as the popularity of video sites such as YouTube has grown by leaps and bounds. Some are saying that video blogging is the future of blogging, and that one day vlogging will be the only way to "read" blogs.

Is this the next generation of communicating with the masses? With the advancements of the internet, some would say yes; with the restrictions in accessing video on mobile devices, for now some would say no. But it seems to be the fastest growing trend in blogging.

Digital Photography: What's The Right Lens For You?

Buying the right lens for your digital camera is equally as important as the camera itself...and just like your camera, lenses vary in price and functionality.

Fixed focal length lenses are cheap and simple to use. Most commonly used by kids or beginners. Don't expect a high quality photo when using this lens or versatility; these lenses can’t zoom and don’t accept converters.

Retractable zoom lenses extend when you turn your camera on and retract when you shut it off. This type of lens is reasonably priced and you'll get a pretty good photo. While this lens makes your camera more compact, it offers a limited zoom range, and again, no filters nor converters.

A fixed zoom lens, however you can use converters, filters and flash rings. With these extra features you can take close-ups, wide-angle and telephoto photography. And get beautiful, quality photos.

Then there’s the digital SLR with interchangeable lenses. If you already own lenses for a film camera, you can usually find a digital camera with a compatible SLR body. A digital SLR is the most flexible lens for all shooting situations. An added advantage is that if you want to upgrade your lenses, you can do so without buying a new camera. The cost is less than $650 – so if you are a serious amateur or a newbie pro, this could fit your budget!

Simple Enhancements for Your Website Design Equals Optimal Return!

Okay, so you spent a small fortune on a website design that is like none other. You incorporated Flash, animation and sound. You’ve built your company’s entire brand around this beautiful (and expensive) piece of art…its been over a year since you launched it, so where are the visitors???

Unfortunately, they’ve probably gone to a site that is ranked higher on Google...Yahoo…

How can that be? Your site is much more design-savvy, with all the bells and whistles…

Today’s designers/developers are schooled in a different way of thinking than those of yesterday. Progressive media groups are designing websites with more than aesthetics in mind. They are designing specifically to increase traffic to your site and generate revenue. More than likely, this is all new to you so here are some key factors that will increase traffic to your beautifully designed site:

• Content of your website is what really matters; make sure your site’s content is relevant to your business;

• Use the description and keywords meta-tags in the head of each web page. Make these tags different on each page of your site;

• Make sure each page has target keywords embedded; the more relative keywords, the more visitors;

• Hyperlinks from other websites to yours. Also known as return links or backlinks;

Following these simple steps with ensure that your website is "search engine friendly" and you will soon see rapid return on your investment!