SEO FAQs

Is SEO one of those things you know your website needs, but you’re not sure what it’s all about? You’ve probably asked one of the questions listed below:

Does my website really need search engine optimization?

The mindset that creating a website will get you listed high on Google, Yahoo and Bing is incorrect. Have a web design firm build you a fantastic look doesn’t mean instant Internet stardom. It takes hard work and effort by competent search engine optimization firm to get you to the top of the results.

Isn’t SEO just a scam?

No. SEO practitioners keep track of what is going in the industry and what the best measures are to get sites found. It’s funny that so many who claim SEO is a scam/worthless/etc. optimize their site with common SEO practices.

Can’t I just do my own SEO?

Do you have a full-time job? If so, do you want another one? If you’re shaking your head no, then you can’t do your SEO. It’s a full-time job, and unless you have someone inhouse who knows SEO, it’s recommended your outsource these duties.

21 thirteen design is a NYC SEO firm. Enlist our services at www.2113Web.com. 

More SEO Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t hide all content in images

This practice has gone largely by the wayside, but it’s still performed by some. You should never make your copy and navigation images, as search engines won’t be able to read it, thereby hindering your SEO efforts.

Don’t automate

There are many software programs out there that will automate directory submissions, forum posts, blog posts, etc. to generate backlinks. You should never use these as you’ll end up with the same titles and descriptions posted everywhere, and this will make the search engines frown on your sites.

Don’t focus on the wrong keywords

You’re a baker in Upper Darby, Pa., but business has been a little slow. So, you decide to invest in a quality website and SEO services. You might be asked what keywords you want to rank high on. You say, “Baker.”

If only it worked like that. It takes good search engine marketing to rank high on any keyword, let alone high-competition ones. Maybe you’ll want to focus on long-tail keywords, like “baker upper darby.” This will generate traffic, while setting you up to compete in time with the big boys.

Is your SEO not getting you traffic? It might need reworked. 21 thirteen design is a Philadelphia SEO and web design firm. Visit us today at www.21thirteen.com.  

SEO Mistakes to Avoid

When it comes to your business’ web site, you want to make sure you stand out from the rest. One of the best ways to generate traffic for your services is to optimize your page for search engines. However, many so-called SEO practitioners make mistakes that can cost your business valuable traffic, which means less sales revenue. Here are some SEO mistakes you should avoid:

Don’t build a Flash-based website

With the advent of HTML 5, the days of Flash websites are nearing an end. Most web design firms realize this, but there are some out there who may develop a Flash website. Due to the technologies involved, it’s impossible to properly optimize a Flash-only web presence.

Don’t duplicate content

One of the biggest SEO cardinal sins is to copy content. This is a definite mistake that can get you, and the site from which you lifted the material, kicked off Google’s index. It’s better for you or a hired professional to write all original content.

Don’t keyword stuff

Keyword stuffing is the practice of repeating the same keyword phrases in the meta content and in the page copy. It can result in severe search engine penalization, including the loss of rankings. Write your keyword phrase naturally, as everything should be written first for humans then for search engines.

Need help with your SEO? 21 thirteen design is a Philadelphia SEO and web design firm. Visit us today at www.21thirteen.com.

Summer is a Great Time for Mobile Websites

It used to be difficult to find a restaurant or service provider while you were on vacation. You would have to ask around or find a copy of the Yellow Pages.

Then came the smartphone. Android phones, iPhones and all the rest brought in a new wave of communication and eCommerce. Your products now had another market they could tap into.

Mobile websites are becoming increasingly popular as more consumers gravitate toward smartphone browsing. They offer convenience on the go. Who wants to tirelessly search around to get information when there’s the ability to get what you need in a couple of clicks?

At 21thirteen design, more of our Boston, NYC, Philadelphia and Northern NJ clients are going getting mobile website design, and we understand why. Traditional desktops and laptops are at home, while their clients are at the beach. Here are some other benefits to mobile websites: 

• Vast connectivity
  Nearly half the world is connected to the Internet through a mobile device. This is a huge market you cannot miss.
• Usability
  Desktops and laptops don’t offer the instant ability to click a phone number and call it from the same device. That phone call could be to you.
• Instant Internet marketing
  Your competition most likely has joined the mobile web. If you haven’t, your marketing efforts might be for naught, as you are missing an easy way to market to a sizable demographic.
• Precise information
  There isn’t a lot of space for us to utilize, so it becomes more important that what is utilized is precise, to ensure the visitor navigates to your website.

Have more questions about mobile websites? Visit www.2113web.com.

Take Opportunities from the Summertime Internet Drop

Notice anything different in your website traffic numbers? Yup, it’s summertime.

The warmer months are typically the worst for web traffic. More people are outside, away from their computers. And who can blame them? The weather is gorgeous. But, don’t let that traffic dip discourage you. In fact, take advantage of this time. Here’s what the 21thirteen design staff is thinking about:

• Trying out different advertisements
  Want to try to swimming with big traffic terms? The warm months are the time, as you won’t have to be concerned with spending a lot. Give consideration to those terms you thought you couldn’t get found under, and you might be surprised with the results. 
• Updating
  With not as many people surfing the web, it would be a good use of efforts to tune up your website. Fresh content will give a bump in your rankings, and while it might take some time, the pros far outweigh the cons.
• Building natural backlinks
  Take advantage of summer’s dog days by getting some great links to your website. The blogosphere will have less to post about thanks to slow news days, so build up those links and you’ll build up your rankings.
• Reconsider your SEO and SEM efforts
  Figure out what’s working and what’s not. Is social media marketing not working like you hoped? Maybe a PPC campaign can bring in that traffic. Does your SEO need reworked? Have you spent enough time building backlinks? Now’s the time to reevaluate your efforts before traffic increases in the fall.

Remember not to look at your traffic dip as a setback, but as an opportunity for improvement. We're going to enjoy the weather outside, and so should you. Have a great summer!

Is a Blog Site Right For You?

Is your website design friendly for customer interaction? Does your business depend on hearing from potential buyers?

Blog websites have become more popular as they allow the audience to be part of the conversation. Here are some of the other reasons many choose to use a blog website:

• Easy to update. Blog websites are powered by Content Management Systems (CMS), software packages that do most of the legwork. All the person updating has to do is log in, write their post and hit “submit.” No knowledge of HTML or other website language is needed.
• Easy to design. Many CMS’ come with templates pre-installed, so with a simple click of the mouse, your websites colors, background and other attributes are picked.
• Little costs are involved. WordPress is arguably the most popular CMS used. A major boon to WordPress is that there is no charge for using the software. Google’s Blogger is also free to use.

Whatever your web site design needs might be, contact 21thirteen design at 648.808.0391 to set up a consultation. Or visit www.21thirteen.com to request a free quote. We look forward to helping you attain better customer service.

21thirteen design Portfolio Spotlight: Lucky Bob

21thirteen design is proud to spotlight the following website design:

Left: Lucky Bob's old website. Right: Lucky Bob's new website, designed by 21thirteen design.

www.LuckyShow.net

Lucky Bob is a prop comic that performs at birthdays, festivals, corporate functions and other events. His website didn’t reflect his talents, so we did an overhaul, including a new navigation system and Flash intro.

21thirteen design has offices in NYC, Boston, Philadelphia and Northern NJ. Contact us at 646.808.0391 or visit www.21thirteen.com for a FREE QUOTE!