If you’re running an AdWords account, you need to know how well it’s performing. Is that $10,000 you’re spending each month on AdWords, delivering more in return or are you simply paying for expensive hot air? Google’s answer to that question is conversion tracking. Take a small code snippet and place it on your sales page. Anyone who clicked on … Read More
SEO demystified – an awe**** idea
I just got back from MicroConf 2013, where I had the honour of speaking to an incredible group of entrepreneurs about SEO. My presentation appeared to go down well, yet many will remember it for two reasons. The first was my demonstration of how careful you need to be when giving cash to an SEO consultant. The second was my … Read More
Why gauging your AdWords performance is vital
If you have an AdWords account, it’s crucial you regularly check how well it’s performing. If you don’t, you might as well be running a charity for Google. Here is a list of metrics that should help you gauge how well your account is performing: Conversion tracking In my years of managing AdWords accounts, I’ve come across many that don’t … Read More
Don’t give up on us
You may have noticed that the frequency of our posts has plummeted slightly over recent months. We’re moving the whole of our website into WordPress, and it’s slow and painful. Which is why we hired a company to do the job for us. Equally slow and painful. But we’re almost there – please bear with us, we’ll be back very shortly.
Misinterpreting Meaningless Metrics Makes Mighty Mistakes
Google Analytics makes it easy to make bad decisions. Really bad decisions. There’s nothing wrong with Analytics as such, aside from some poor design decisions. But it’s a power tool. But unlike many power tools, it doesn’t come with a bright warning sticker, and there are no gleaming blades and loud noises to tap into our common sense and scare … Read More
How conversion tracking hurts Google
One of the more compelling aspects of online advertising is the ability to measure and track ROI. This, however, is a misconception.
Sensible answers to ignorant SEO advice
Next time you’re at a conference, dinner, networking event or even friend’s house and the subject of SEO comes up, there’s a reasonable chance that you’re going to be confronted by a certain level of nonsense. Don’t let the moment throw you. Here are all the answers you need to firmly put the wannabe-SEO firmly in their place. “SEO is … Read More
How Dicks can really hurt your Google AdWords account (part I)
You already know that it’s easy to lose money on Google AdWords, yet I’m amazed by how many accounts I see that are not only losing money on an ongoing basis, but the account holders don’t even realise it. When I walk them through how they’re losing money and demonstrate by how much, they’re sometimes/usually/often horrified and quickly make the … Read More
10 reasons you shouldn’t be using 10 reasons lists for publicity (or anything)
1 – They’re easy to read, easy to absorb and easy to forget. 2 – The main message they communicate is that you’re no more original than the other 1.4 billion writers (see point seven). 3 – They never fail to disappoint. 4 – It’s almost impossible to maintain quality. Points 1-3 may be semi-reasonable, but 8-10 will be little … Read More
Money back guarantees, rebates and the dilution of trust
What is an unconditional money back guarantee? We’re not talking about complex ideas here. No questions asked should mean no questions asked. But the money back guarantee ain’t what it used to be.
