HootSuite today released changes to its url shortener, ow.ly. Perhaps bowing to customer preference, Ow.ly is now links directly to the original long URL instead of to a page with the social bar at the top. HootSuite has moved the social bar functionality to a new URL shortening service, (pronounced “hoot-ly”), for those who prefer it. Either service can be selected as the default for use with HootSuite (and changed at any time).
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1 Quick Way to Reach Google’s Front Page
This is a guest post by Vincent Roman, friendly web developer & programmer at VincentRoman.com.
If someone told you that you could get great placement in Google, really quickly, with no expenditure, would you beleive them? To hazard a guess, probably not, but then I don’t blame you, however, the reality is yes! “How so?” I hear you ask. Well the answer is simple: Google Local Business Center.
Google Shares Their Ranking Philosophy
Google shares their ranking philosophy, which is used in many of their products, including News, Images, YouTube, Maps, and, of course, Search. Their philosophy breaks down to:
1) Best locally relevant results served globally.
2) Keep it simple.
3) No manual intervention.– Official Google Blog: Introduction to Google Ranking
What does this mean for your business website?
Best locally relevant results – if you have a small local business you are still very much in the running for search results to people within your area. Your company does not need expensive nationwide advertising or reach to still be relevant in Google’s eyes.
Google may change their algorithm which may change the ranking of your website in their search results. However, they are not manually removing you from searches unless you violate their terms of service. Most importantly, keep it simple, implies that having good content that is of value to your customers will get you further than just relying on SEO tricks.
I still believe content is king. If you have information that your customers want (remember to listen to them), they will come.