Google Loves To Crawl Linkedin Profiles! 7 Easy Ways For Linkedin To Optimize SEO For Your Business

Author: lifebydesigns

Oct 9

Image representing LinkedIn as depicted in Cru...
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Here are 7 easy things you can do in Linkedin to help with the search engine optimization of your website. With over 60 million users, Linkedin is the world’s largest and most powerful professional network.  SEO is all about keywords and back links and you can leverage your Linkedin profile for both with just a few easy tasks. 

And as I said in the title:
Google loves to crawl Linkedin profiles!
So let’s get started! Log into your Linkedin account and follow along: 

1. Use the vanity url when posting your profile. 
Go to Settings – Public Profile
Use your own name, for example, mine is http://www.linkedin/in/lifebydesigns. Not only is this easier for business contacts and future clients to remember, and looks prettier on your business cards, but more importantly makes this url SEO friendly and helps your own name rank better in search engines. 

2.Customize the anchor text for your links.
Go to Profile – Edit Profile – Additional Info – Websites
Use the ‘other’ link category, and choose good keywords for your anchor text, don’t use the default url.
For example, instead of http://www.lifebydesigns.com, I’ve used  Charlotte Web Design. Get the picture?
Use keywords, not the default “My Company” or “My Website”.  This will pass “linkjuice” to your other domains, especially because Linkedin is such a trusted domain. 

3. Use keywords in your Summary.
Go to Profile – Edit Profile – Summary
You should describe your business in detail here, and incorporate some keywords that your website is focusing on. Also remember to include the areas you serve, if you have mostly local customers. 

4. Join Groups.
Go to Groups –  Group Directory
Look through to find groups in your industry, join them, and participate in their discussions. This will help you get found, and also add value to your profile. 

5. Put your profile out there.
Go to Settings - Public Profile - Choose Full View
Need I explain the value of this? This allows search engines to crawl your profile, and allows potential clients to scan your profile.  

6. Add the Linkedin WordPress app to your blog.
At the main menu of Linkedin, go to More – Application Directory – WordPress
This will sync your WordPress blog posts with your LinkedIn profile, keeping everyone you know – in the know. 

7. Link to your profile.
I know, this is a given, but some people need reminding!
Put it everywhere.

  • on your website
  • on your blog
  • on your twitter account
  • on your facebook page
  • on your email signatures
  • on your business cards

Now please bookmark this post, but promise me you’ll find the time to make these 7 easy changes soon. It won’t take long, and you’ll be on your way to reaping the benefits of increasing your exposure on the wings of trusted Linkedin.

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Simple Websites Equal More Customers

Author: lifebydesigns

Sep 5

I’m a web designer, and yes, I love edgy, unique designs. Sometimes. It depends on the website, and the intention. This blog post is not about those types of websites, sorry. It’s about keeping it simple and gaining more customers.

I mean, come on, life’s getting too complicated these days, it’s time to start simplifying. Especially if your goal is to get a lot of traffic to your website and better yet, transform those visitors into customers and money!  If someone visits your website and can’t find everything because it’s so cluttered, they will be likely to leave and not come back. No matter what your website is trying to convey.

Information Overload

So the key is: no more information overload! Take a step back, only include truly necessary information, and help your visitors find what they’re looking for quickly and easily.

Now don’t just take my word for it, even J.D. Power is agreeing with me. Check out their article on Usability and Auto Websites. High ranking auto websites feature clear, easy to access information for their visitors, such as Honda. The edgy sites fare much lower – why? Because they seem to be putting brand marketing ahead of their shopper’s needs. Streaming music, interactive backgrounds, confusing navigation – yes – an avante-garde designer’s dream, but for attracting business – a big no-no. These will ultimately distract your visitors and may entertain them, but see how many actually stick around to bring you business.

We all want to be unique and stand out from the internet crowd. And we all know how difficult that is to do. But maybe that’s because we shouldn’t be trying so hard. I’ll no doubt be posting another article at some point showcasing websites with all the bells and whistles that completely deviate from the norm, but I guarantee these won’t be created for customers or shoppers, but more for the designers to showcase themselves. And that’s how it should be.

Ok, I think you have the gist of it now, so I’ll leave you with one of my all-time favorite web design quotes:

“Only when the design fails does it draw attention to itself; when it succeeds, it’s invisible.”

Need a website?

Don’t be like this guy! If you need a website that performs, contact me.

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Auto Repair Shops – How Do Your Customers Find You?

Author: lifebydesigns

Jul 13

Used to be that auto repair shops didn’t have to think about getting new business. Cars always need repairs and maintenance, after all, it’s a given right? Kind of like the healthcare business. Well, yes and no. Mom and Pop shops of years ago did some yellow page ads, basic pennysaver ads, and the rest was word of mouth.

Today is completely different. There are too many shops. Too much competition. And with most people using the Web to find a shop, if you’re an independent auto repair shop without a good website, the harsh reality is you are not going to get the new business, because those cars will be rolling into your competitor’s shop down the street!

I’m not writing this blog post to scare anyone, but because I’ve been talking to friends who are auto repair shop owners, and hearing about how their revenue has dropped substantially in this economy. Then I talked to owners who are actually still doing very well, in spite of the recession. Guess what the difference is? The ones with the cars rolling in to get repaired have sought out the advice and services of online marketers. They have good websites that have been optimized for search engines, and have listings with Google Places, Yelp, and Insider Pages. They use the power of customer reviews. They offer specials through the Web, and have created a social media presence with Facebook and Twitter. They use email to attract new clients and to keep their current clients loyal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did you know that 90% of all people click links on the first page of their search results? Is your shop on that first page? And that customers use reviews as the #1 factor when considering to do business with you?

All this sound a little daunting? Auto Shop owners want to stick to running their business, like anyone else – they want to do what they do best. Most all of them tell me they just don’t have the time to do anything else.  Granted there will be some who want to take on all these tasks themselves, and if you have the drive and determination, it is all doable, believe me. But if you’re like most, and need some help implementing all or some of it, then there’s good news. There are reputable online marketers who:

  • Know their business inside and out
  • Know how your business works
  • Will only sell you services you need
  • Won’t charge you an arm and a leg!

If you have an Auto Repair Shop and are interested in learning more, check out ECommNow. From hosting and eye-catching websites and everything in between, they’ve thought of every tool needed to bring those cars to YOUR shop. And if you realize the importance of Social Media and your business, but don’t know where to start, here’s a good resource to get you on track and a step ahead of your competitors: KMBurck Please don’t discount this extremely valuable part of your online presence. If you think Social Media doesn’t matter for your business, I’m going to leave you to ponder over this video:

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