Here’s Why Your SEO Strategy Isn’t Working

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StrategyDriven Online Marketing and Website Development Article, Here’s Why Your SEO Strategy Isn’t Working

In modern business, there is one thing that can either make or break your business: marketing. More specifically, digital marketing.

If you don’t get it right – and a lot of businesses simply don’t – it can mean the loss of profit, poor brand exposure and ultimately stilted business growth. As simply put, people are more and more interested in what a business is doing online in the modern age. So failing to put forward an effective digital footprint can be a real hindrance to your business efforts.

At the top of these failures tends to be a business’s approach to SEO. They understand that good SEO can push their business website forward, but don’t particularly have the right approach to make it work and actually gain the benefit that SEO presents. It’s a big issue and one you want to prevent from Day One of your digital marketing exploits – or at least very early in your campaigns.

So, if you are frustrated with the SEO aspect of your digital marketing then here are some sure-fire ways you’re going wrong. And, more importantly, how to fix them!

Outdated Tactics

The best practice when it comes to SEO changes every day. Largely because Google will cotton on to a new technique, view it as ‘spammy’, and update their algorithms accordingly. Some of these tactics may even be considered to be Black Hat SEO. Take the recent August update, for example. It saw a big problem that many people were exploiting – long, advice based, content that may or may not has been actually helpful – and made it more sustainable. Ostensibly, to better both user experience and help legitimate advice sites prosper.

For this reason, it is very important to keep on track of Google’s and other search engines guidelines. Be aware of the different tactics and what may be considered ‘spammy’. Otherwise, you may find that your site faces punishment as a result of not actually following the right rules.

On the whole, SEO tactics vary from person to person. Some people swear by link building, others value content and even more think the technical side is where the future of SEO is heading. Test out what you think might work, but then don’t be afraid to change tactics if something isn’t working for you.

Technically Incompetent Website

Yes, the quality and ‘technical’ backdrop of your website actually have a big impact on your SEO and subsequent rankings. If you have a website that isn’t particularly good, has thin or weak, or poor user engagement then it simply won’t help to convert for your business. In fact, you could even find it more of a money drain and hindrance than anything else.

If your website is poor, then you’re going to struggle both in terms of ranking and conversions when users actually do go on site. Also, bad sites simply turn off users; so, having the right level of ‘polish’ to a site is simply necessary. Otherwise, you will find your site filtered out by the masses who simply expect better from their online experience.

Misunderstanding Data

A lot of SEO is incredibly data-driven. You have to understand the traffic your site is gaining, what this means about your acquisitions channels and ultimately how to generate more. All from a few numbers and line graphs that Google Analytics presents.

It’s easy to see all of the data presented by Google Analytics or other sites, then feel disheartened or as if your efforts aren’t quite there. However, it’s not necessarily about the data. It’s much more about your interpretation thereof. Interpret right and you could end up generating thousands of more users, better conversions and overall have a better website. Whereas interpret it wrong and it will simply sit there with very little views and traffic.

If you’re confused about analytics, there are plenty of resources to help you become a Google Analytics expert.

Terrible Keyword Targeting

You understand keywords. Which means that you know how to research them, implement them on your site and the supposed results that this should bring. However, it simply doesn’t. Your rankings remain a flop, even with the ‘right’ implementation of keywords. Chances are you have really miscalculated your keyword targeting.

This miscalculation can come from a number of different issues. Targeting keywords with too much search volume, targeting those with too little and sometimes you may target the wrong keyword altogether. It really is a mixed bag of reasons on a good day.

Try changing your tactics. Pick two targets; one long-term and one short-term. From there, you can decide whether your strategy is working in the short term, then make adjustments to ensure it continues or begins to do so in the long term. Thus, hopefully, removing the issue of wasted time potentially.

Impatience

One of the worst things, in terms of your SEO campaigns, can be a level of impatience on your part. By no means is SEO a get rich fast tactic. In fact, when done right SEO is a slowly building organic process and gradually improves over a long period of time (though this differs from business to business, good SEO can take up to a year or more). It’s all about sustainability and not appearing ‘unnatural’.

This level of impatience is why many clients and marketing agencies fall out, as the client is often impatient for quick results. Some of these situations even lead to the involvement of mediation solicitors. However, this is unfair in many cases as SEO is a slow method for achieving great results.

For that reason, even when your SEO strategy doesn’t seem to be working the best thing to do is to not panic. Simply look at what you’re actually doing and look to adjust. Make beneficial, smart, changes and you can easily find a strategy that does actually work for your website and business.

10 Personal Development Tips You Can Try Today

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StrategyDriven Professional Development Article
 
Growing personally and professionally are ways to remain competitive and stay ahead of the market today. As a professional, you have to always be aware of the fact that your personal development starts with you; it is your responsibility to know how you want to improve and advance in your career and in life in general.

Personal development doesn’t have to be complicated too. Simple changes to how you do things, actively seeking new skills to master, and learning continuously are among the things you can do to continue to grow as a person and a professional. These next 10 personal development tips will help make managing your own growth even easier.

1. Now Is the Time

Don’t wait until tomorrow to take charge of your personal growth. Do the things that you can do today and worry about the rest later. Now is always the best time to start because the longer you wait, the further away you are from the goals you want to achieve.

Besides, there is no room for procrastination in a market as competitive as today. Whether your goal is to advance in your career, to make a jump to a new field, or to simply grow as a person, figure out how to achieve that goal and take action today.

2. Small and Steady

Big leaps are exciting and often take you to new places, but it is not always possible to make such a big leap forward. Rather than wait for the opportunity for that big step to come, focus more on making smaller steps and steady growth.

Taking small steps to improve yourself as a professional is much more sustainable than waiting for big opportunities to seize. You will be surprised by how far you can go when you start taking one small step after another.

3. Have Clear Objectives

It is much easier to plot a course when you know exactly where you are going; the same principle applies to personal development as well. There is nothing wrong with having big goals to achieve, but you also need to set smaller, more reachable milestones to keep you going.

Having clear objectives allow you to set clear plans on how to achieve them. More importantly, they let you stay driven for longer.

4. Define a Plan

Now that you have the objectives nailed, it is time to work on a detailed plan for how to achieve them. If the goal is to land that managerial position you have always wanted, find ways to showcase what you can do to get the attention of your superiors.

When the goal is to boost your wealth, learn more about how you can offer services and generate additional sources of income while working a full-time job. Every objective is reachable; you just have to know how to get there in a timely manner.

5. Learn from Others

One of the fastest ways to learn – especially for personal growth – is by learning from others. Fortunately, you have plenty of role models to follow and people whose skills and experience you can absorb.

Let’s say you want to start investing in the financial markets. Learning about the basics and mastering technical analysis are things you can do on your own. Quickly gaining the experience to be a successful trader, on the other hand, isn’t as straightforward.

As a solution, you can learn from other traders who are more successful in the market. It is possible to turn to trading signals and the technical strategies that other traders have used to speed up your learning process.

6. Appreciate Your Achievements

We’re back to the smaller milestones you have set earlier. The main purpose of having smaller milestones to achieve is so that you can appreciate hitting those milestones. Do so and show yourself the appreciation you deserve.

Whenever you feel tired of pushing for the big objectives, the smaller milestones will keep you going. You know that hitting one milestone means you are one step closer to your final goal. You can stay motivated for longer and you will be able to focus on your goals better too.

7. Challenge Yourself

There is nothing wrong with feeling afraid or uncertain when trying new things. Those emotions are parts of the process. Overcoming those emotions is exactly how you become a better person and a more capable professional.

You also want to challenge yourself frequently. Learn new skills and practice implementing those skills in real-life situations. You can bring the new abilities to work and become a better professional too. Don’t be afraid to try new things; don’t be afraid to fail at those things, especially on your first try.

8. Explore Your Passion

While you are at it, make sure you also listen to yourself better. Learn more about your true passion and give yourself the opportunity to pursue that passion to the fullest. You’ll be surprised by what you can achieve when you start doing things you are really passionate about.

Going after your passion is a realistic thing to do, especially since you have your full-time job acting as a safety net. As long as you can utilize your time effectively, you’ll be able to achieve great things while following your true passion.

9. Evaluate

We discussed how it is completely okay to fail when trying new things. Failures aren’t such a bad thing, especially when you think about the many things you can learn from them. All you need to do is be more critical about your failures – and your successes.

Evaluate your steps, assess the new skills you master, and get a clearer view of your progress as a whole. Whenever adjustments are needed, don’t hesitate to change your course and return to pursuing the big objectives you have in mind.

10. Persevere

Patience is your biggest asset in personal development. You cannot achieve great things overnight; everything takes time and you have to be patient enough to go through the process.

At the end of the day, every step you take to grow as a person and a professional is a step worth taking. With these tips in mind, personal development is even more manageable than you think.

Designing Your First Office: A Guide

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StrategyDriven Entrepreneurship ArticleBecoming an established business with its own premises is a great leap forward in your company’s journey. No longer are you a one-person band; now you can hire talented employees and invite clients and suppliers to your office for meetings. Creating the perfect office space can be a challenge, however. After all, there are numerous aspects to consider, and each one will impact on the atmosphere, efficiency, and first impression you give. With that in mind, you will find two areas to focus on when designing your first office below.

1. Electricity, Heat & Water

Regardless of what industry you are in, you will need a reliable energy supply, which is both cost-effective and eco-friendly. You will no doubt be running a number of computers, providing internet access, telephone lines, along with lighting and more. One highly popular option, especially in newer builds, is to use solar panels to power the building. These convert sunlight to electricity, but the good news is that they work even in cloudy weather. What’s more, sunlight is free, which means your electricity bill will be reduced by opting for this energy source.

When designing your office, you will also need to keep in mind the comfort for everyone who is in occupying the space, whether that’s employees, clients, or just yourself. To keep the office warm and cozy in the depths of winter, PBE Fuels are your go-to for biomass boilers, which use sustainably sourced wood pellets to provide adequate heating for the whole building. By picking biomass, you will be choosing a self-sustainable heat supply and one which will also work to lower your heating bills.

Comfort also applies to your water supply. Without clean, running water, you will not be offering the legal requirements to your workforce. As a business owner, it is your responsibility to provide a healthy, safe environment, and this includes drinking water. Of course, most offices opt for office water coolers, but you still must ensure the water running from your taps is drinkable.

2. Décor Scheme

The next step in designing your first office is choosing how to decorate it, including the color scheme you want and the furniture. It is a lesser known fact when planning your first office, how impactful color can be in regards to productivity and overall atmosphere. The color possibly depends on your business’s logo, but take the time to consider what feel you want to evoke in the room. Purple, for instance, can work to represent magic and mystery, or it can appear somewhat fake and artificial. White, on the other hand, evokes feelings of purity and cleanliness, or it can feel stark and sterile. When deciding on the color scheme, think carefully about how you want people to feel the first time they walk into the room. Do you want to impress clients and show your authority? Use black to create elegance – but use it sparingly, as it can absorb all the natural light.

The furniture will usually depend on the industry you are in; an office-based company will require a series of desks, chairs, and computers, whereas a manufacturing warehouse will need heavy machinery. However, both buildings will require a reception area, and this is where you can make your best first impression. By creating a welcoming, friendly reception area, where clients and potential employees can wait in comfort, you will be subtly showing your professionalism. Opt to place a relaxing couch in the waiting area, along with refreshment facilities, as these are proven to wow clients and make them feel at home.

How to Create an Impressive Office

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StrategyDriven Entrepreneurship Article
 
A potential client or employee will make their mind up within a few seconds of laying eyes on your office. If you want to prove you are a professional business with a great company culture, you should find out how to create an impressive office.

Eye-Catching Wall Wraps

Give your office the wow factor by adding striking wall wraps, which will add a little color and personality into the space, and will exude professionalism and a great company culture. Pick a design that complements both your branding and office layout, so your guests will remember a visit long after a meeting or interview is over.

Branded Sweets

Clients want to work with companies that have exceptional attention to detail – and branded sweets can prove just that. It’s a fun, welcoming and professional treat for guests to enjoy when they visit, so they’re bound to be impressed by the effort you have made to create a warm welcome, while reinforcing your brand recognition.

A Friendly Welcome

A receptionist will provide a first impression of your staff and company culture. Only hire friendly, warm and welcoming receptionists, who are willing to go above and beyond to make guests feel welcome. For instance, they should smile at every guest, offer them a seat and a drink, and keep them updated on their meeting to avoid frustration. You should also ensure the phone is not left ringing, as a client will believe your company will ignore their call, too.

Welcome Natural Lighting

Exposure to natural lighting will not only make your staff feel both happier and healthier, but it can also make a space appear more open. As a result, it can increase your employees’ morale and productivity levels, which can help your business to both flourish and grow.

24-Hour News on TV

24-hour news on TV will not only allow your team to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings from across the world, but it will also prove to your guests that you’re keeping updated with the latest trends. As a result, they’ll view your brand as a forward-thinking business that is worthy of their time and money.

Display Artwork

Artwork can add a burst of color to your office space, and it can also convey intelligence and professionalism. Choose a work of art that not only adds a pop of color into a room, but complements your company’s image.

Big & Bold Potted Plants

There are many reasons to incorporate big and bold potted plants into your office. Not only are they a beautiful addition to an interior design, but they can also reportedly increase employee happiness and reduce stress levels. It will also provide a natural contrast to your décor and can prove you can take care of multiple things across the business with ease.

Offer Branded Pens

Branded pens are an ideal stationery item for your business, as you can hand them to guests during a meeting. You should then encourage them to take the pen with them, so they’ll have a subtle reminder of your brand once they leave your office. As a result, you’ll remain firmly in their minds, and a client might be more likely to hire your services.

Effective Ways to Get the Best from Your Employees

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StrategyDriven Talent Management ArticleIn the world of modern business, any way that you can get ahead of your competition and make your business more efficient is worth it. In order to make these gains there are several things you need to do. However, the main one is ensuring that your employees are on board and working together towards the same goal. Even though your workers are a group of individuals, there are ways you can get them working together effectively. Here are some effective ways that you can get the best out of your employees.

Make Productivity a Central Issue

If you ask your employees to work harder, the majority of them will probably comply. However, not all of them will, and this might be because there is no general work ethic to work harder or longer. To get the best from your employees, you need to make productivity one of the central core values of your business:

  • Create a mission statement that sets out in detail everything that your company needs to do and is expected from your workforce.
  • Put this mission statement at the heart of your company and show it to any potential employees. That way when they come for an interview, they will have no doubt what’s expected from them.

Reward Innovation and Efficiency

Many businesses have a mixture of talented people, some of them might not necessarily be doing jobs that they were initially trained for or that they have the qualifications for. These hidden talents can be the best way forward for your company as they could be used to innovate your business and provide efficiency. To find these hidden gems try and encourage work-related competition to find new ways of working and new ideas. As an added incentive you can offer a reward for the best idea and allow the employee who came up with the idea the opportunity to work with the team to implement it.

Make Training Effective

Effective training is more than simply teaching your employees what to do; it also enables them to work to the same objectives and to create a consistent product. Good training also helps your employees feel valued and allows them to have a degree of autonomy. You also need to ensure that you are giving your workers the most up-to-date training possible. You can read more here about some of the more important training that they should be getting as a matter of routine. How you deliver the training is as important as the content itself, it needs to be fun and interactive to capture your worker’s imagination and stop them from tuning out.

Have Clear Rules in Place

People generally find discipline a lot easier to deal with when there are parameters clearly set. You need to ensure that your rules are detailed, and any consequences are clearly laid out. For example, if you have within the rules that workers are allowed to make phone calls but only during their lunch hour, then they will understand that this is the appropriate time. You also have to lay out what will happen should they make calls outside this time period.

Make the Environment Healthy

There have been many studies which have shown just how much of an impact the location and condition of an employee’s environment can have on their performance. After all, you are asking your workers to spend several hours a day in one location. For that to work effectively, you need to have an environment that is comfortable and meets their needs. For example, is there a kitchen area or a rest space where they can have lunch and take their breaks? Is there adequate heating and cooling to keep the temperature within the office or the work area within reasonable limits? The variables can have an impact not only on your worker’s mood but also on their productivity.

Maintain Morale

An important factor in having a happy workforce is morale, if your workers are unhappy or if there are problems in the office then this can quickly lead to unhappiness and lack of enthusiasm. To counteract this, you need to keep your eye on team morale and also make sure that you are in tune with what your workers want and need. In some cases, this might even mean dealing with individuals who are upsetting the balance within your workforce.

Encourage Feedback

With many companies, their bosses will often ask for their employee’s opinions at interview and perhaps even when they leave their job, but it can actually be of more value if they continually asked their opinion while they’re working. Some bosses confuse this with giving their employees too much power, however, the exact opposite is true. If you are concerned about your employee’s welfare and about the way they’re working you can encourage a great deal of respect and loyalty within your workforce. This loyalty not only ensures that you retain good staff, but it also helps to encourage other high-quality staff to your company by word of mouth.

Hire from Within

Even the most patient employees will soon decide to move on if they feel that their job is going nowhere. You might also encourage people to leave if they are being regularly overtaken by workers below them or bringing in new workers to take jobs above them. Filling vacancies from within your existing staff is a good way to maintain a high level of experience. You also negate the issue of staff getting to know them and understanding the type of personality they are. Some bosses feel that this can promote jealousy amongst staff however if you are giving all the staff an equal opportunity then there should be less of a problem.

Your workers are the most important part of your business besides your customers. For that reason, it is vital that you ensure you get the best from them and you keep them happy and healthy. If you can do this then you will have a workforce that is loyal, enthusiastic, and willing to take on additional work if the business requires it.