Receptional Blog

Welcome to the Receptional Blog where you can read the latest insights by Receptional on various aspects of the internet marketing industry.

Majestic SEO Course: Linkable Assets just keep bringing you links without asking

24/05/2013 - 15:32

Link building is essential to SEO success but to most people it's a difficult job to do - and likely to get harder in the future. But create linkable assets of the right kind and your link building worries could be over. Linkable assets are the pinnacle of content marketing in SEO - they're any type of content you create with the express objective... Read more...

10 traffic-driving link building methods you cannot ignore

24/05/2013 - 14:40

Looking for more traffic and exposure for your website's content? You've come to the right place. Let me guide you through 10 methods of how I effectively drive traffic to my client's and personal websites. So whether you're an ecommerce website, an affiliate blogger or someone who likes writing a diary online, the importance of... Read more...

Adwords Enhanced Campaigns: The Pros and Cons

23/05/2013 - 14:49

Google introduced ‘Enhanced Campaigns’ in February this year in what has been the biggest change to Adwords in recent history. Adwords Account managers like myself have until the end of June to upgrade their client’s account to this new system before all campaigns will be automatically upgraded in July. Opinions over this upgrade are divided. So... Read more...

Rich Snippets: Use them or lose visits!

20/05/2013 - 13:57

The days of boring, plain text organic search results are over. Make way for the 'rich snippet', a powerful way of enhancing search results that can increase the number of visits to your website by up to 30%! If you aren't yet using them here's how to get started. What are rich snippets? Rich snippets are a type of on page markup that can turn... Read more...

Receptional's weekly digital news round up (week ending 17 May, 2013)

17/05/2013 - 11:32

Once again, Receptional have scoured the web for the latest happenings in the land of digital. Think of us as your friendly, neighbourhood digital newsreel. Last week hundreds converged at the SMX conference in London. If you didn't make it, don't worry. The 315 takeaway tips from Wordtracker will make you feel like you were there. Google has... Read more...

Payday Loan link spamming hits Google's results

15/05/2013 - 10:50

At the time of writing this blog, Google's first page of results retrieved some bizarre listings for the phrase "payday loans". Using 'black hat' techniques, clever SEOs have used underhand tactics to rank at the top of Google for a very popular search term. A year ago, I reported that completely unrelated websites, froginthewall.net and... Read more...

Negative keyword matching: save money on clicks!

14/05/2013 - 14:36

In my second post of a series focusing on pay per click (PPC) keyword matching, I want to tell you why negative keyword matching is just as important for any successful PPC advertising campaign. Negative keywords are the burly doormen that keep the bad, unwanted traffic away. They work by instructing the system not to display an ad for a... Read more...

Receptional's weekly digital news round up (week ending 10 May, 2013)

10/05/2013 - 13:58

This week in digital trends, tablets are trying to take down PCs, an infographic tells us how much time we fritter away online; John Paul Mains advises how we can make our website more profitable without a big budget; Barry Schwartz warns that a Google update is imminent and finally James Gurd presents how Ecommerce sites should lay out their... Read more...

6 steps to getting the best link prospects

10/05/2013 - 13:58

Receptional's weekly digital news round-up (week ending May 3, 2013)

07/05/2013 - 08:20

Our weekly digital news feature covers social signals, Google Penguin, writing copy for your website, Nesta's Creative Manifesto and a search engine battle to find the first ever website - all in one neat little round-up. Social Signals - truth or nonsense? We love a healthy debate here at Receptional, and this particular discussion centred on... Read more...

5 Mistakes that are Destroying your Pay Per Click Activity

03/05/2013 - 07:54

In recent months, as part of Receptional’s ‘Free Health Check’, I have reviewed numerous client accounts to identify where they’re going wrong. And the majority of weaknesses all point to one thing: the quality of their Ads. That small, character constrained ad box can mean the difference between companies smashing their targets, and others... Read more...

Make Google+ work for you Today

01/05/2013 - 12:16

Google+ (Google Plus) - What are the Benefits? "Google+ - What the Heck is the Point?" - says everyone at some point, ever! Are you struggling with Google+? Google+ has long been a confusing prospect; some aren't sure how to harness it and make it work for them. I want to show you how you can harness the power of Google+ to boost your... Read more...

7 recent Google algorithm updates you may have missed

30/04/2013 - 09:10

When Google makes changes to its search algorithm, some updates pass quietly and some make themselves known. For search marketers, it’s imperative to know when these changes happen not only so you can understand changes in rankings and traffic, but also so you can adapt your SEO best practices and optimization techniques. So, below, I’ll be... Read more...

Receptional's weekly digital news round-up (week ending April 26, 2013)

29/04/2013 - 16:25

Here it is, our second weekly round-up of the most recent developments and useful ideas from around the digital sphere. How to build an audience with Google+ Hangouts In this article, Sarah Hill proposes how Human media - an emerging layer of social media using real-time video chat technology - can build a stronger connection with your audience.... Read more...

PPC Keyword Matching Types

25/04/2013 - 14:07

It recently occurred to me that many of our clients and other non-PPC folk do not quite understand the difference between the keyword matching types that we use in managing our PPC accounts, so I thought a brief blog post may be in order. Whilst this is second nature to PPC managers, it can often help to break things down for those less familiar... Read more...

If Content is King, don't let your efforts go down the Porcelain Throne

24/04/2013 - 15:56

Sometimes, the industry gets so wrapped up in the latest "craze" that something gets lost in translation. "Content is King" was one of those crazes. It was a nice little phrase that almost all of the Digital Marketing industry picked up on, and parroted like it was going out of fashion. Further to this, many went on to expand the idea and throw in... Read more...

The Story of St George and The Dragon - What Really Happened

23/04/2013 - 09:52

Receptional's weekly digital news round-up (week ending April19, 2013)

22/04/2013 - 08:33

Here's Receptional weekly dose of the best digital marketing stories from the past week. Google Rolls out Google+ comments within the Blogger community This week Google has integrated the comments feature of Google+ into its Blogger platform. Once you enable this feature on your blogging dashboard, you'll be able to view both your... Read more...

Get ranking again: How to recover from Google Penguin

19/04/2013 - 13:51

In April 2012, Google rolled out one of its biggest algorithmic updates in web history. Known as Google Penguin, this web spam fighting update hit the majority of websites where it hurts; their rankings. Almost one year on, many websites haven't been able to recuperate - and some do not even realise that they have been hit at all. Here at... Read more...

5 reasons why you should stop trying to go viral

18/04/2013 - 16:16

Since Google Penguin slammed “black hat SEOs” for manipulating PageRank, marketers have been desperate to create high quality content that both increases rankings and converts just as quickly as those fiendish techniques. From corporate businesses to small brands, the majority believe if they can produce that ‘one thing’ that will trend all over... Read more...

What we learned from ex-Googler's at Brighton SEO

15/04/2013 - 07:57

To kick off Brighton SEO this year, Kelvin Newman sat three ex-Googler's down on a couch on the stage and opened the questions to the audience. Those three were Jonas Weber, Alfredo Pulvirenti and Fili Wiese - all formerly of the Search Quality team at Google. Unsurprisingly, they held back a lot of information and occasionally did their... Read more...

Dixon Jones BrightonSEO: Using Big data to predict the future

11/04/2013 - 15:57

Are you interested in manipulating Big Data to create real value - and predict the future at the same time! Well, @Dixon_Jones shows you how in his presentation at BrightonSEO Read more...

How to Build Links: Build content visitors want

11/04/2013 - 08:55

Link building has changed quite considerably over the past 12 months or so. In less than a fortnight, the Google Penguin update will be celebrating its first birthday. I don't suspect too many will be coming to that party. (image credit: litlnemo) Before the Penguin update, SEOs and link builders were getting away with a lack of... Read more...

The Link Building Checklist

04/04/2013 - 11:49

Link building might have become more challenging since Google's crack down on link spam and manipulative tactics in April last year. But really, not a lot has changed for the seasoned link builder and it is worth stressing the fact that the best links come from the best sites. This has always been the case. Sure, every natural link profile... Read more...

The importance of Mobile Marketing Campaigns

21/03/2013 - 16:32

In today's digitally reliant society, the majority of us are attached to our mobile phones via a drip. This is why many businesses need an intravenous Mobile Marketing strategy to fully capture their audience base. Utilising responsive web design simply doesn't cut it anymore. The nature of the mobile user has changed alongside the advent of... Read more...

Enhanced Campaigns – One step forward and two steps back?

20/03/2013 - 11:04

Enhanced campaigns are now upon us, with advertisers having the opportunity to opt-in to the new format, before a forced roll-out occurs in June 2013. The announcement has been met with mixed feelings, depending largely on the advertiser, the sector that they operate in, and how their user base is accessing and engaging with their website. So why... Read more...

Receptional welcomes Justin Deaville to the family

18/03/2013 - 14:42

The next few months are going to be some of the most exciting we have ever had at Receptional; Justin Deaville - you might know him as the Chief Commercial Officer of Wordtracker - has joined our ranks as Head of Search. Justin brings with him years of Search expertise with specialisms in all areas of Digital Marketing including SEO and Social... Read more...

Pinterest Business Profiles, now with added Analytics

18/03/2013 - 10:28

Great News! Woohoo! Not only have Pinterest added Business profiles and upgraded their timelines and boards a bit, they have now added some analytics to the mix for Social Media-ians to keep track of their pin success. I have had a lot of enquiries about Pinterest from Clients over the past few months; while it is definitely a growing network... Read more...

Tamagotchi App now available for Smartphones

15/03/2013 - 11:09

Image courtesy http://www.mixdecoisas.com/2013/02/dica-de-aplicativo-cp-soy-tamagotchi.html Remember these?! I can hardly contain my excitement as I write this because that old essential retro pixel pet that you begged your parents to buy you back in '97 is set to make a dirty protest all over your Smart Phone Screen (only if you were like me and... Read more...

Organic Search: Just as important as previous years

14/03/2013 - 11:12

The Google results page has changed a lot since I started working in this industry 8+ years ago. With paid results now taking up more of the page, and local results being pulled in, it seems there isn't much room left for the original organic search listings. But this doesn't mean that you should disregard your SEO activities, in fact it is cause... Read more...

Letting KPIs Dictate Your Objectives

08/03/2013 - 15:20

You would be surprised how often off page teams operate without defining a clear objective, or even worse, work to the wrong objectives. If you're able to sell the benefits of off page SEO, then you should already have an idea of some objectives you'd like to achieve by partaking in the activity in the first place, but more often than not,... Read more...

Google enforces PageRank penalties upon UK Newspapers Websites for selling links

04/03/2013 - 14:38

Interflora Penalty: Newspapers penalised for selling links It seems Interflora has taken down a couple of UK Newspapers with them, or rather, exposed the fact that they have been selling links on a massive scale. Image courtesy - http://www.sjlshots.com As the fog cleared proceeding Interflora's penalty, Google turned to a number of regional... Read more...

A blog about a blog: State of Search

25/02/2013 - 09:21

Our very own 'Social Sarah' has been handpicked to blog for State of Search once every month. Well-done Sarah! State of Search is a very influential website where a network of search savvy bloggers converge to discuss the latest trends of the search and social media landscape. We eagerly anticipate your first blog Sarah. Eagerly... Image courtesy... Read more...

SES Conference London 19th - 21st February 2013 - The Receptional write-up

21/02/2013 - 17:03

I Luv LDN I, me, Social Sarah (@SarahMBradley) attended SES London with client, MajesticSEO and Dixon Jones (@Dixon_Jones) and what a brilliantly full 2 days I had. The setting could not have been better, nestled in the centre of Westminster between Big Ben and the Abbey I ran around taking pictures for the first 10 minutes. Check it: I am aware... Read more...

Google Announcement: Google Adwords Enhanced Campaigns

20/02/2013 - 11:17

We always look forward to these here at Receptional. It means that we are roused from the shackles of routine; we take up digital arms and face the beast head on with our heroic integrity, a power known only to digital marketers and consultants. Well, only the best in the business, just sayin'. Surprisingly this announcement hasn't been met with... Read more...

So long non-descript filter: Google removes not selected from Webmaster Tools

11/02/2013 - 16:13

A familiar route that you and your mouse would often take has disappeared. If you haven't yet made this discovery as it was only verified late last week, I must warn that you will either be overcome with nostalgia for something previously taken for granted, or you will bid a fond good riddance to an option that used to confuse and infuriate you.... Read more...

Distilled Event: Navigating the Search Landscape 2013

24/01/2013 - 13:32

This was my first ever 'techy' event as an emerging SEO content writer. I've been told that my role is 'the future of internet marketing', an opinion echoed at Distilled's event last night, so no pressure then, none what-so-ever. I only ask that those who are technologically endowed bear with me as I attempt to untangle some of the buzzwords... Read more...

Twitter ‘Favourites’ are the new Facebook ‘Likes’

15/01/2013 - 16:17

You're my Fave Tweeter! 'Favouriting' has often been my way of letting people know that I like their tweets, they aren't half bad and I can't give them the justice they deserve by RT'ing them to my followers. It has also been a way of grabbing a tweet I thought interesting and best kept for a rainy day or a presentation on Social Media when... Read more...

Tumblr taps into its large audience: is this the next step in creative, social advertising?

14/01/2013 - 16:21

Refreshingly Subtle Advertising I love Tumblr; I've been a happy blogger for the past two years. I was initially attracted to the blogging medium because I could gain access to some incredible artists and designers that I wouldn't usually be able to track down on the internet. It also didn't escape my notice that Tumblr was surprisingly ad-free,... Read more...

Over Powering the Penguin

09/01/2013 - 10:47

On April 17th, 2012, a leading UK brand and new client of Receptional's was hit with a link based penalty. Rankings for target keywords and their brand name dropped as many as 50 places in Google SERPs, which caused alarm bells to ring. Google Maps / Places were not affected in the same way, but there were daily shifts in positioning and choice of... Read more...

Federal Trade Commission cease Google Investigation

07/01/2013 - 12:34

Microsoft unhappy at FTC's Decision... Google's search engine results rank based on ever-changing requirements. We need only look at the Panda and Penguin penalties for an example of Google's search regulation and new-world approach to SEO. Their 'monopoly' and Google product favouring is surely a natural result of the fact that these are Google... Read more...

Chrome Store Optimization

04/01/2013 - 11:08

Over the last few weeks, we have been helping with the launch of Majestic SEO's new Chrome Extension. It took a few weeks, but it now seems that the extension is pretty prominent in the Chrome store. As I speak it is trending top of its class in the "Search Tools Extensions" category and ranks for most appropraite search phrases that I have tested... Read more...

Facebook Exchange makes Intent Data Deal with Chango

02/01/2013 - 10:30

Facebook Exchange & Chango, a Partnership made in heaven... Facebook Exchange (FBX) has created a partnership with the search retargeting company, Chango that will totally change the landscape of their advertising. Chango, a 300 million search profile-strong company (with some information collated from Google results) will provide Facebook... Read more...

Unsurprising Instagram Policy Changes

20/12/2012 - 09:35

A Social Irony You cannot have escaped the massive backlash following Instagram's policy changes meaning users will effectively allow Instagram to copy photos uploaded through their software for advertising, market research and targeted re-marketing and marketing campaigns. While the press is buzzing this morning about an 'Instagram U-Turn' it is... Read more...

Search London SEO in 2013 Event Write-up

28/11/2012 - 10:58

A great turn out for last nights Search London meetup with almost 300 digital marketers descending on the thoroughly cool Ping Pong Dum Sum restaurant. Tasty nibbles and free beer, which might not have been to everyone's taste, but Receptional's SEO team weren't complaining, what with it being free and all. Networking and merrymaking was... Read more...

International Search Summit London 2012

27/11/2012 - 15:21

International Search Summit 2012 - London Despite the typically British downpour, the International Search Summit went along swimmingly (excuse the water pun). Hosted in the gorgeous Business Design Centre in Islington, the conference was jam-packed full of experts in SEO, Link & Social. A big Hello! The day kicked off with a Welcome from... Read more...

A Measurable Social Media Campaign

21/11/2012 - 09:49

Hooray for Stats! When I first got into Social Media - the return was all very speculative. No one had really found a decent way to feedback to customers about how it was actually benefiting them. It's all very well and good telling Clients that a brilliant Social campaign allows you to hug your customers and share knitting patterns - what they... Read more...

Site Performance no longer supported by Google Webmaster Tools

19/11/2012 - 13:58

From time to time Google introduces new features in Webmaster Tools in order to enhance its’ services, similarly they remove any features that they think are not worth having. Early this year in April 2012 Google announced that there will be a round of spring cleaning process within their Webmaster Tools and they will be... Read more...

4 Steps to Building your Personal Brand on Social Media

06/11/2012 - 11:52

The thing about Social Media is it's personal. However, many of us have professional and personal accounts and believe that the two shouldn't mix... But, if Social Media is social - then your customers will want to know the people behind the brand just as much as they will want to know what it is that your brand does. But how do you stop your... Read more...

Receptional Storm the UK Search Awards 2012

02/11/2012 - 12:15

Last night 5 of us Receptionalites (Dixon Jones, Nick Andrews, Barrie Smith, Syed Shehzad and Sarah Bradley) headed down to London for the 2nd annual UK Search Awards. We were nominated for "Best use of search - retail" and had high hopes of taking the award home for the trophy cabinet. Having not attended the 2011 Search Awards, it was my first... Read more...

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