Category Archives: SEO

Semantic Search, Is It The Future Of SEO?

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Entity search can be defined as an ‘answer engine’ and works by using ‘entities’ on a web page that are recognised by search engines to provide specific and well-defined queries. So, is it the future of SEO?

The Hummingbird Update

google-hummingbirdIn September 26, Google had taken a step towards in becoming an ‘answer engine’ as the Hummingbird update came into play. Google is quickly implementing a semantic Web technology through updates, whilst still maintaining the main parts of its old algorithm, which is how Google plans to evolve from text links to answers. Google are not making huge changes overnight, but are gradually putting in place the ‘answer engine’ and will display more specific results for the user in order to give web users a better and improved experience.

The steps taken so far by Google to progress in this direction: the Knowledge Graph, the Voice Search and Google Now. These three ‘updates’ each provide answers for users and can even sometimes anticipate users questions due to the ‘entities’ used by Google as opposed to ‘keywords’.

Unstructured Vs. Structured Data

The previous two decades has been witness to the Internet, search engines, and Web users all being classed as unstructured data; meaning that the data gathered by search engines has been unorganised and/or unclassified. Therefore, only patterns within WebPages were able to be recognised (keywords), without any meaning attached to the pages.

This leads to structured data and semantic search:

semantic searchSemantic Search is a way of classifying data gathered and searched for, through labelling every piece of information as an ‘entity’ — this can also be referred to as structured data.

Structured data provides very accurate product data, which is not only beneficial to the user, but also the retailers. The way this works is that search engines classify, understand and link the structured data aspects together to provide a targeted search result. Additionally, Semantic search will not only optimise retail products.

Have a look at schema types, which is the technical language that’s required when creating a structured Web of data and in which case becomes machine-readable.

An example of how semantic search data is used to identify and provide a more specific answer:

Mrs. Keller → subject → an entity

Algebra → object → an entity

Is teaching → predicate or relationship → links the entities

Links to Answers

When this logic is expanded in terms of technology being structured, using schema, which has the ability to answer our specific questions and queries without using keywords or anchor text links, web designers, SEO professionals and so on, have to get ahead of the game by making sure they implement these practices for their clients and for themselves. Ignoring these semantic updates will surely damage a website in terms of search results, as they will be simply left behind and then find it very difficult to catch up again, if at all.

Understanding vs. Indexing Data

Structured data will significantly improve a search engine’s capability to “understand” rather than pick out ‘keywords’ relevant to a users search query ‘index data’. This will provide a big breakthrough in terms of being able to receive accurate answers to questions when ‘asking’ a search engine.

Making Your Business Data & Content Visible With Semantic Markup

Using semantic markup now will enable a business’s data and even digital content (rich media video etc) to become very easily readable and accessible to search engines, which by the way will stand you in good stead. The changes are happening now and will continue, which will give businesses a head start in terms of being higher ranked within search engines, now and in the future.

Lisa Pollitt, the author of this article is an expert in the SEO field and has several years experience gaining vast knowledge in the industry and on white-hat SEO techniques.

Creating a Dance Website – A Natural Way

SEO

 

The art of dance, like most other forms of art, can have a wide spectrum of channels that range from traditional disciplined techniques, to free forms of self expression. A website about dance forms offers an ideal platform with resources and information for any aspiring dancer, or even a professional. You website also enables you to create a location from which you can connect with other dancers by exploring networks within the art community. Here is a step-by-step guide for creating your very own website on dancing:

  1. Plan your focus-style

Considering how wide are the varieties of styles as well as their interpretations in dancing, your site can become confusing for the visitors. If you have something to say about dance, choose the sphere properly. Whether it is a ballet or jazz, you have to make sure that you begin with a perfect plan determined about the direction you want to go in.

  1. Collect adequate information

As soon as the main purpose of your website is decided, the research should begin. You can start with visiting local dance studios and interview and take photographs of instructors or in-session classes. Also, read up all the recent news in magazines on dance forms. This may help you to come up with articles of your own. Categorize your materials according to text, photos, graphics, and miscellaneous for including them in your site whenever needed.

  1. The Homepage

Create a home page of your own because it is the main focus of any website.  It is the first screen that appears whenever users click on your URL. The primary requirement is to provide a title for your page with images of dancing floors, dancers, and dance related materials. The color of your website should be in sync with the theme you choose. For instance, in case of a tap site, there must be a classic black and white combination, and for a ballet site there must be a combination of muted pastel colors. On the other hand, a website about salsa dance would be suited best with bold reds for the theme.

  1. Plan out your menu

Whenever you create a website which has more than only the home page, you need to include a menu where an index is made up what the rest of your guide comprises of.

Some of the followings can be included in your menu:

  • All recent updates and news about dance forms

  • Highlight a famous regional dancer

  • Photos of dancers that you have taken

  • Pin up message boards for aspiring dancers

  • Create quizzes and surveys for users

  • Advertisements of dance merchandises that you might want to trade

  • Information about area dance studios and outfitters

  1. Add some innovative graphics

It may not be a forte but there are many helpful sites on the Internet and make your website appear attractive. Only remember to provide a plug in link for the browsers you have accessed.

Written By:

Serena Keys owns a creative hobby centre for kids and loves to teach toddlers various forms of art to enhance their vision at an early age. She also writes curative and visionary content on the agenda of motivating mothers to sign up for dance classes for children to help them become more expressive. She also dos content marketing, so that maximum people could hear her voice.

What Is The Future Of Web Browsing?

SEO

HTML5 and Native Web is Amazing

Photo by Magnus D / Flickr

If you’re old enough, you might remember the very early days of the Internet – which was text only in the very beginning. With the invention of hypertext markup language – aka HTML – the wonderful world wide web exploded with colors, images, and flashing text.

Over the years, the good was built on while the bad (the flashing text) went away. Along the way, as HTML evolved, other solutions were introduced to play content – like Adobe’s Flash. On top of that, mobile companies allowed people to design native apps for mobile devices.

HTML5 is the Future of the Web

The problem with having so many standards and solutions is that it’s difficult to try to take care of every situation when you’re a designer or a developer. It’s much easier to design once and have it look perfect on every single device in existence – no matter the size.

This is where HTML5 comes in. The latest incarnation of HTML is full of features that make many cool things possible – without the need for plugins or downloads. David Walsh, a web developer, has put together nine demos showing the power of HTML5.

Walsh and many others want HTML5 to become a standard to make it easier for everyone involved – designers and viewers. In an article from earlier this summer over at The Verge, they showcased some of the cool power of HTML5 and native web technology.

HTML5 + Mobile = Heaven

In a world where designing for multiple operating systems and mobile devices can be a pain, many people believe that HTML5 is a viable solution for a design once for all platforms mentality.

The mobile world is currently divided between iOS, Android OS, and Windows 8 OS, but as more developers and designers begin to harness the true power of HTML5, this is going to change.

Then again, back in 2010, TechCrunch was heralding HTML5. That was a long time ago in Internet years. Adobe has managed to fix some snafus with their Flash platform on mobile devices, but many find it easier (and cheaper) to use HTML5.

Here’s a quick rundown of why HTML5 is so important for the future of the web.

  • Standards – HTML5 is quickly becoming a standard across many devices because developers love being able to code once and run on different platforms.

  • Faster – In many cases, native HTML5 “apps” are going to run a lot faster than other types of mobile or web apps.

  • Cheaper – Instead of investing in software to create Flash files, using HTML5 – which is free – makes a lot of sense.

  • Mobile – Because HTML5 paid close attention to mobile devices, it’s going to remain important and continue to improve and become more of a standard.

If you’re a web or mobile designer or developer, the time to embrace HTML5 fully is now. All it takes is a little research to see the true power of the latest incarnation of the language that’s been around since the very beginning of the world wide web.

Written By:

Aaron Agius has been a blogger since the very early days of the Internet. He’s seen many changes over the years and is really excited about what’s to come.

5 Ways To Vary Your Content Marketing Campaigns

content marketing, SEO, Small Business Marketing, Social Media Marketing,

Most businesses post regular blogs and articles to their website to attract traffic and create authority. But content is about more than just copy. Content covers a whole range of different disciplines, and professional marketers can achieve great results by deviating from the industry norm.

So how can you vary content marketing and develop a more holistic strategy? Here are five ideas that work well no matter what your industry.

1. Involve Your Audience

As you build a following on your blog, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to ask for feedback and comments. In marketing, closing that feedback loop is a great way to develop a campaign.

Try writing a white paper, surveying your readers or using their comments as inspiration for new content.

2. Create Video Blogs

Some marketers are a little daunted by video content because it seems like a complex undertaking, but video’s easier to create than ever. Modern video editing tools make video easy to put together, and faster hardware means editing is less arduous. That means it’s really easy to create a video blog for a site.

Try Camtasia Studio for straightforward video blogs, or WeVideo for web and mobile video creation.

3. Make an Infographic

Blog posts that are heavy with data are difficult to read and digest. Why not create an infographic instead? Infographics give your blog a new dimension, and you can pair them with content for a complete solution to your content marketing needs. Google will index the content, and your readers will enjoy the visuals alongside the article.

Making a really good infographic means engaging a content writer, a researcher and a graphic designer. But it’s worth doing properly. Don’t skimp on the details: a poor infographic won’t attract the likes and shares you’re looking for. Invest time and money in getting everything spot on.

4. Create Mini Marketing Videos

With Vine, Twitter brought short video to social networking and placed it front and centre in many marketing campaigns. The short format and innovative app has breathed new life into marketing campaigns: Vine looks easy, and it is, but you have to plan meticulously to make something really special with such a short amount of time.

If you’re not familiar with the Vine app, the latest version of Instagram offers similar features.

5. Make a Podcast

Podcasting is still a great way to reinforce your brand and promote authority, so it’s a great fit for a marketing assignment. Creating a podcast is easy: you can record audio using an inexpensive USB mic, and distribution is free using RSS feeds and iTunes.

Podcasting is a great way to expand on written content and invite prominent speakers to add their input.

The Value of Content

When it comes to Google search results, written content and quality articles should spearhead any marketing campaign. In your marketing job, you can also vary content to keep your audience engaged. Armed with these tips and suggestions, you can approach your clients with fresh new ideas that’ll promote their brand and give them the edge.

By Sam Wright, a journalist writing on behalf of Brand Republic.