Cape Cod SEO - A Search Engine Marketing Blog on Cape Cod

CapeCodSEO.com is about strategies and techniques small businesses can use related to search engine optimization, pay-per click advertising and online marketing strategies. In addition, it’s a look at the unique environment that is Cape Cod, Massachusetts.


5 Ways Companies Half-Ass Their SEO Efforts

Why it matters and how to prevent the same mistakes…

A good search engine optimization strategy requires a difficult mix of analytical prowess, creativity, and a detail-oriented mindset. While not all of us are able to decipher algorithmic formulas or draft the most powerful piece of linkbait; we can improve in almost every aspect of SEO by maintaining strong attention to detail and a commitment to getting things done right.

This post talks through 5 potential ways companies fail to fully develop a strategic SEO initiative and why it can lead to ineffective or even disastrous results.

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August 25, 2008 | Filed Under SEO | Bookmark | 6 Comments

A Simple Reason Why You Should Participate in Social Media

As more people become active in social media communities, individuals can become influencers in the space. Even if your company is not contributing to the conversations online it does not mean your customers or employees are ignoring them as well.

Consider this example on Twitter:
This past Monday, Gary Vaynerchuk - “GaryV” - of Wine Library TV had this to say about a company experience:

Twitter Update

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July 29, 2008 | Filed Under Social Media | Bookmark | 2 Comments

Free SEO Advice Is Not Always A Good Idea

I used to wonder why SEO consultants would hesitate to give away free “SEO tips” to their audiences. I’m not talking about an SEO case study or observation made in the context of a specific discussion. A more appropriate example would be the request from a crowd for the broad based recommendation designed to bring top rankings in search.

First, if a so-called SEO professional guarantees #1 keyword rankings in almost any situation, tread very very cautiously with the rest of the discussion.

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July 7, 2008 | Filed Under SEO | Bookmark | 1 Comment

Why The Repetitive SEO Post Can Still Be Valuable

I haven’t been using Sphinn, a social news site angled to online marketing, much in recent months. It’s partially because I’m busy and my attention has been focused elsewhere, but it’s also due to the fact that I was not seeing topics of interest or that I thought I already knew.

Unless someone directly points me to an article of note or a headline via the Sphinn Twitter feed catches my eye, I haven’t done my part to stay up to date with the community on my own.

One Week of Sphinn SEO Lessons

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May 21, 2008 | Filed Under SEO | Bookmark | Leave a Comment

Twittering Your Way to Social Media Unproductivity

If social media is about a new way to communicate and share online than one aspect of social media marketing is about finding the most effective methods for positioning their product or brand in this communication stream.

There’s nothing wrong with having a passion for social media, but marketers immersed in these strategies need to keep their eye on the prize, for there are many compelling and tempting reasons to lose focus.

Twitter Gone Wrong
Consider this (edited) example from a recent conversation observed on Twitter from a marketing colleague of mine:

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April 29, 2008 | Filed Under Social Media | Bookmark | 7 Comments

6 Social Media “No-Brainers” You Shouldn’t Forget

Whether you’re just beginning your journey into social media or you have already had your share of success and failure (more of the former I would hope) it’s worth revisiting basic characteristics of social media from time to time. For it’s in the basics that the obvious can get overlooked and erroneous assumptions are made.

Your Journey Into Social Media

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April 7, 2008 | Filed Under Blogging, Social Media | Bookmark | 7 Comments

Web Hosting May Have An Impact On Your Search Strategy

While the selection of a web hosting company may not impact keyword rankings, serious server downtime can do wonders for what searchers may see for your strategic keyword search results.

In other words - don’t let this happen to you….

Screenshot of a Google search result for “Avis” taken at 4PM Monday, March 17th, 2008

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March 17, 2008 | Filed Under SEO | Bookmark | 1 Comment

If You Don’t Like Blogging … Stop Blogging

There are many reasons why SEO consultants recommend that their clients create a blog for search engine rankings. However, if you are one of those clients (or have read this recommendation online) and are only blogging because of the potential SEO benefit then you really should reconsider this strategy.

Are You Losing Time and Money Blogging?

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March 13, 2008 | Filed Under Blogging, Link Building, SEO, Small Business | Bookmark | 9 Comments

Is SEO Last Year’s News?

The other day I heard the comment, “SEO was last year’s news”, from a professional with respected credentials. Unfortunately, time and place were not on my side for engaging in a more detailed conversation about that statement. It’s not a new statement being made, but I wonder what the core position is for making the argument.

Consider three main reasons for making that statement:

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February 29, 2008 | Filed Under SEO | Bookmark | 8 Comments

Link Building Sucks! Here’s What You Need To Do About It

After attending the latest SEO Meetup in Arlington last evening, I was inspired to recap and expand upon the presentation and discussion led by Eric Enge of Stone Temple Consulting.

  • The Topic of Discussion: Acquiring High Quality Inbound Links
  • The Specific Details: High quality inbound links - from authority websites (think academia, governmental, respected publisher) - require high quality content (think articles, video, widgets etc) designed to be in focus with the marketing strategy of an existing business and its potential customers.

Natural link building. The process of creating something of value, finding authority places to pitch it and being successful in this endeavor.

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February 5, 2008 | Filed Under Link Building, SEO | Bookmark | 14 Comments
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