Archive for the ‘SEO’ Category

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Conservatory Outlet Spin-Off Website Created By Motionlab

Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

Following the phenomenal success of the re-launch of Conservatory Outlet’s main website last year, the company has once again turned to Motionlab for help.

The UK’s number one home improvement specialists asked the North West’s leading digital agency if we could create a separate site solely dedicated to their comprehensive window and door range. The intention being that the new domain www.doubleglazingoutlet.co.uk will help them capture a bigger proportion of online leads and sales for windows and doors.

Our web designers have ensured that branding remains consistent with the company’s other websites when taking the emphasis away from conservatories and orangeries. Products such as energy rated windows and composite doors are now given more prominence.

Conservatory Outlet is also particularly keen to push triple glazing on the new website as they look to raise awareness of its availability amongst homeowners. With this in mind, we have created a page devoted to this most energy efficient of products.

Thanks to the excellent work of our SEO team, if you currently do a Google search for the words ‘conservatory’ and ‘conservatories’ you will find that Conservatory Outlet’s main site ranks number one in the natural listings for both words.

To help capitalise on this, efforts will now be made by our SEO experts on making doubleglazingoutlet.co.uk equally as visible when homeowners search online for replacement windows and doors.

If you have a particular product or service that deserves increased attention, give Motionlab a call on 01772 865050.

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Posted in Client Stories, Graphic Design, Motionlab Marketing, SEO, The Team, Web Design | No Comments »

Choosing a SEO Keyword Tracker – SEOmoz vs. Raven vs. WebCEO

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

Now before you say ‘Why are you obsessed with keyword rankings?’ I’m not! But in my opinion tracking keyword positions is still an important part of understanding how your SEO campaign is performing.

With this in mind, I set about doing a simple test for one of our clients campaigns. I compared three different keyword trackers from SEOmoz, Raven & WebCEO, to find out which tool was the most accurate for a single set of keywords against my own manually checked results.

I decided not to go down the route of testing thousands of keywords as I simply don’t have the time, so this review is merely using sample data. It should also be noted that my own manually checked results will only represent those from a single Google data centre, so results may vary.

The Tools:

SEOmoz Pro ($99 Per Month for 250 Keywords)
Raven Pro ($99 Per Month for 1,000 Keywords)
WebCEO ($49 Per Month for Unlimited Keywords)

(Prices are listed in dollars as the exchange rate is obviously variable)

The Facts:

Search Engine: Google.co.uk
Keywords Tested: 14
Date Tested: 10/03/2011
Industry: Solar Panels (I can’t disclose the keywords used due to client privacy)

Scoring

Comparing against my manually checked results, each tool was awarded points for the following rates of accuracy for each keyword.

3 Points: Within 1 Position +/-
2 Points: Within 3 Positions +/-
1 Point: Within 4-10 Positions +/-
-1 Point: More than 10 Positions +/-

The Results

1st Place with 36 Points was SEOmoz

2nd Place with 30 Points was WebCEO

3rd Place with 26 Points was Raven

Breakdown of Points

SEOmoz:
10 Keywords within 1 position (30 Points)
2 Keywords within 3 positions (4 Points)
2 Keywords with 4-6 Positions (2 Points)
0 Keywords within 10+ Positions (0 Points)

WebCEO:
7 Keywords within 1 position (21 Points)
4 Keywords within 3 positions (8 Points)
2 Keywords with 4-6 Positions (2 Points)
1 Keywords within 10+ Positions (-1 Point)

Raven:
6 Keywords within 1 position (18 Points)
2 Keywords within 3 positions (4 Points)
5 Keywords with 4-6 Positions (5 Points)
1 Keywords within 10+ Positions (-1 Points)

Summary

SEOmoz Pro

If you’re looking for a complete SEO tools set, SEOmoz offers good value with the highest points for accuracy, an average cost per accuracy point of $2.75. However, it must be noted that you are limited to tracking only 250 Keywords.

WebCEO

If you’re just looking for a good keyword tracking tool that doesn’t cost the earth, then WebCEO at $49/£30 pm is the cheapest with an average cost per accuracy point of ($1.63). Although, the wider tool set doesn’t match that of its competitors.

Raven Pro SEO Tools

Surprisingly given its monthly cost, Raven had the lowest points for accuracy with 26 points. It is the weakest of the three tools we tested with an average cost per accuracy point of $3.80 making it the most expensive for accuracy. Although Raven also have a very strong set of link building tools which Shark SEO has reviewed. Finally It should be noted though that although more expensive per point, Raven allows the tracking of 1,000 keywords compared to SEOmoz’s 250.

Posted in Google, Industry Comment, Knowledge Base, Marketing, SEO | No Comments »

Large-Scale New Website Created For The GGF

Friday, March 11th, 2011

Motionlab relishes the challenge of taking on big projects with big responsibilities. They don’t come much bigger than producing an all-encompassing new website for the primary representative organisation for companies involved in the glazing industry, the GGF.

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) commissioned Motionlab to create the new site after being alerted to our previous great work for a variety of different UK glazing companies.

Our SEO, technical, web design and copywriting teams have all had their part to play in ensuring that the new site is as accessible and informative as possible for all homeowners, existing and potential GGF members and commercial specifiers.

Homeowners visiting the site will be made aware of just how important it is to only use GGF-approved installers when in the market for home improvement products as the site now contains the very best industry-related content. Locating an accredited member is also easier than ever before thanks to the wizardry of our ever clever designers.

We have also created a dedicated ‘Publications’ page where the GGF can upload all technical guides and codes of practice. Each publication can then in turn be downloaded by all members and commercial specifiers to be used and referred to when they are undertaking assignments at homes or within construction.

The GGF is widely considered to be a leading authority within the glass and glazing industry. The ‘News’ and ‘Events’ pages will enable the federation to regularly keep visitors up to date with everything going on within the every-changing world of glass.

The site has only been live for around 48 hours but we are delighted to report that it is already receiving plaudits across the board from those involved in the industry. It is good to know that all our hard work has paid off for yet another one of our high-profile clients.

You can visit the new site at: www.ggf.co.uk

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Posted in Client Stories, Graphic Design, Motionlab Marketing, SEO, The Team, Web Design, Work For Us | No Comments »

Motionlab Makes Noises Over New Soundproofing Website

Friday, March 4th, 2011

Curing the problem of noise in the home is a complicated and difficult issue to resolve, hence why soundproofing specialists Acoustic Supplies asked us to create them a new consumer-focussed website.

Working alongside the existing Acoustic Supplies site, also created by Motionlab, which is predominantly aimed at those in the trade: http://www.soundproofyourhome.com/ will provide consumers with the very best soundproofing advice and solutions for their home.

Soundproofyourhome is the number one resource for everything soundproof-related, offering guidance to those who are looking for products to reduce the amount of noise emanating from floors, walls, ceilings, doors and even the perimeter of homes.

Our expert techies have even managed to embed videos onto the site as products produced and supplied by Acoustic Supplies have appeared on the high-profile home improvement TV show DIY SOS. This also gives the company, who are the UK’s largest manufacturer and distributor of soundproofing products, further opportunities to upload any video tutorials to the site.

The blog area of the site will be monitored by our SEO team and continually updated with all the very latest soundproofing news and advice to help educate the online user on this most complex of subjects.

Literally no stone has been left unturned when it came to producing this terrific new site.

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Posted in Client Stories, Marketing, Motionlab Marketing, SEO, The Team, Web Design | No Comments »

West Yorkshire Windows Website Latest To Undergo New Styling

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011

A few weeks ago we informed you that since Motionlab redesigned Conservatory Outlet’s and 5 Star Window & Conservatories websites; they had experienced an unprecedented increase in online traffic, leads and sales.

West Yorkshire Windows, a current member of Conservatory Outlet’s growing network of installers, decided to capitalise on this success by asking our web design, technical and SEO teams to give their website a similar overhaul so as to replicate these fantastic feats.

Using a template not too dissimilar to that which has proved to be such a triumph for Conservatory Outlet and 5 Star, the new West Yorkshire Windows website is more user-friendly and functional than ever before.

All online users who are in the market for a new conservatory or set of windows can navigate their way around the site with complete ease. The detailed imagery used throughout the site gives customers the chance to gauge which designs they feel will most suit their property without even having to make the effort to travel to one of the company’s stylish showrooms.

We firmly believe that the new website will enable West Yorkshire Windows to establish itself as the number one home improvement specialist in the West and South Yorkshire regions.

Why not see the new website for yourself at http://www.westyorkshirewindows.co.uk/

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Posted in Branding, Client Stories, Graphic Design, Marketing, Motionlab Marketing, SEO, The Team, Web Design | No Comments »

Personalised Media: The Saviour or The Enemy?

Thursday, February 24th, 2011

I’m not normally one for watching Newsnight, but on Tuesday night I accidently turned on BBC2 and came across a debate involving many traditional media big wigs: The Guardian’s Alan Rusbridger, Editor of the Financial Times Lionel Barber, BBC Director General Mark Thompson, Anne McElvoy from The Economist, with soul representative of the online community being Google’s Director of External Relations Peter Barron.

You can watch the Newsnight debate here, but the part that interested me the most was the debate centred around ‘personalised news’ and how it could create “atomised” sociality were people only read about a narrow range of subjects which interest them.

In my opinion, I think personalisation is the future as I myself use twitter as a tailored feed for news which interests me. Additionally tools such as Mashable’s follow tool and Facebook’s Instant Personalisation system are strong examples of how users now and in the future may tailor content towards their particular interests.

The debate suggested that this could result in myself and other personalised media users to become unaware of the wider world.

However, one point not discussed was the use of personalised media within social media and the sharing of the content (e.g. retweets). Yes I read the BBC News website etc… to gain a wider picture of the world, but even without media sources such as this I feel that the content shared within the social media networks I use is enough to keep me informed of what is going on in the world.

With this in mind, I felt that the debate fell flat on one key point. Rather than be wary of personalised media and hope digital magazines on devices such as Apple iPad prove to be a digital saviour, they should maybe focus on delivering thorough personalised content which links to the wider world. Google is the perfect example of how personalisation can work well, whilst still providing users with content across several subject areas.

In SEO, text links (such as those used in this blog post) to related or wider stories are a key function of what we do. By including this function it would allow traditional media outlets to realise the advantages of personalised media and still enable them to present the ‘whole world view’ they so highly value.

At Motionlab we understand the benefits of tailoring site content and social media. If you want to find out how we can help personalise your site, or develop a social media strategy that targets the information your clients want to read, give us a call on 01772 865050.

Posted in Google, Industry Comment, Motionlab Marketing, SEO, Social Media, Twitter | No Comments »

The Google Hendrix Experience

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

Today I was surprised to see an example of Google trying to use pretty clever semantics in its search results, which occurred during a search for “Noel Redding Costume” – don’t ask, it’s a long story involving a Jimi Hendrix tribute band. Anyway, although Google appears to be calling up results using a synonym of my main query, it falls down by using it in the wrong context.

Google Results

As you can see, Google has produced results with both the expected variants of “costume” and “costumes”; however it’s also produced results for the synonym, “outfit”. This would indeed be an impressive jump in Google’s general ability to interpret the users search query more creatively and produce a broader spectrum of results, however it is a bit let down by the fact that it has taken the word “outfit” out of context. (In this case, all the results produced use the phrase “outfit” in the context of a band or group rather than the intended meaning of “clothing”.)

Whilst it is slightly disappointing that the query failed to produce what I was looking for, I thought it might be a good time to try the search again in Bing, to see if they were any better.

As you can see from the results below, Bing stuck religiously to the keywords in the query, with only “Costume” related results appearing. It’s just a shame that their overall quality can only be described as terrible, especially the “Cheap Medical Pharmacy Online” spam results in positions 3 and 4.

Bing Results

So, if nothing else, regardless of whether or not Google’s semantic analysis is firing on all cylinders as of yet, it’s still one hell of a lot better than Bing.

Posted in Bing, Google, Industry Comment, SEO | No Comments »

Why do I bother blogging?

Friday, November 12th, 2010

Is a thought that occasionally flickers through my head when I’m trying to come up with an idea for my next blog and also a question I’m sure many businesses ask themselves when trying to define their online marketing strategy.

So what’s the answer?

Unfortunately there is no single answer as to why you should blog, but there are a huge number of other reasons as to why you should start or continuing blogging, some of which I’ve written about below:

• “Content is King” is a phrase often talked about. Google thrives on relevant and well written content, so the more you add to your site the better.

• “Timing is everything” and it’s true. By producing a regular blog, it gives Google more reasons to come back and visit your site, which for those who don’t know, is definitely a good thing.

• “You’re the expert”. A blog gives you an opportunity to show your customer (current or potential) that you’re an expert in your industry.

These examples are just a small snapshot of why you should blog on a regular basis. If you are still struggling to find inspiration for your next blog post, try employing an agency like Motionlab to write it for you alongside a cleverly thought-out SEO campaign.

Posted in Branding, Google, Marketing, Motionlab Marketing, SEO | No Comments »

Motionlab Redesigns Client Website Due To Popular Demand

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

Every website has a shelf life, especially when a company becomes bigger and better. This is certainly the case with one of Motionlab’s longest serving client’s, Conservatory Outlet.

Due to a huge increase in the amount of people visiting Conservatory Outlet’s website, the success of their TV campaigns and online advertising, it was decided to refresh the website and introduce new imagery and content – allowing the customers an even greater experience when choosing a home improvement company. This also included the introduction of new product ranges, services offered and additional showrooms recently opened throughout the UK.

Our designers have purposely made the new site more user-friendly so that potential customers can find their way around the site quicker and more simply when shopping for conservatories, orangeries, and glass extensions. Fresh and cleaner images of each product offered have been added so that visitors feel like they are entering a Conservatory Outlet showroom, without even having to leave their homes.

Conservatory Outlet

The majority of modern home improvement buyers begin their search online and the site has been created so that potential customers can contact the company and obtain quotes efficiently and with as little stress as possible. It is also hoped that this will help increase the amount of online enquiries and leads received.

Fresh content has been written and added throughout the site to aid our SEO team in their push to rank the firm highly in the major search engines. The blog area will also be updated regularly with relevant industry stories and news.

Conservatory Outlet has become the fastest growing dealership network in the UK and they now have a website to push the business even further.

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Posted in Client Stories, Marketing, Motionlab Marketing, SEO, Web Design | No Comments »

Are you local?

Thursday, October 28th, 2010

Google are currently in the process of testing out an updated version of local search, with greater integration of Google Places into the search results. Google Places is essentially a local listing page where companies have the option to upload useful information like their address, logo and mission statement, along with user generated reviews and related listings. This did not come as a huge surprise, as Google have been quite evangelical about their efforts to improve local search. However, you do have to question if they’ve hit the nail on the head this time.

Below is the current view, where as you can see the local results map and Google Places pages appear above the normal search results.

Normal search results

However, in the new layout the map appears above the sponsored listings with the Google Place listing appearing in the main search results beneath the organic result.

New local search results

Now we believe this is only a trial at the moment, as it only appears occasionally, and we can most likely expect a number of variations along this theme as time progresses. I personally very much doubt this would be the finished article as the map has a fixed position relative to the screen that blocks out the sponsored listings on the right when you scroll down (see below). However, our PPC team think it’s more likely to push up the cost of adverting in the purple listing box at the top of the page.

Local search map blocking sponsored listings

If it does become standard, then I would imagine the main SEO implication would be to ensure you have an up to date Google Places listing, if only to take advantage of the prominence your search result gains through the addition of a red bubble and company logo.

It will be very interesting to see if this sticks over the following weeks and months, and I for one will be keeping a close eye out for further enhancements.

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Posted in Google, PPC Management, SEO | No Comments »

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