FAQ

For most consumers, your website will be their first introduction to your organization. It is often the first and only opportunity for you to entice a consumer to pursue a relationship with you. Therefore, the user experience will ultimately determine how much success you have in attracting new customers. Even verbal referrals will regularly visit your site before contacting you.

No. Search engines were designed to support websites and analytics favor websites over Facebook pages. Therefore, consumers “Googling” companies in your field will not generally find you in an industry search query. It is far more effective to use social media to drive traffic to your site. A well-visited site will rank higher on search engines and bring you more prospective customers.

Web designers are responsible for the visual elements of the site. These include general layout, graphics, logos, photos, images, colours, font, etc. and implementing the overall theme of the site.

Web developers are the company’s programmers. Senior Programmers must have extensive experience with a variety of languages including: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Java and PHP. As a site requires more “functions” (forms, surveys, e-commerce integration, fully integrated calendars, etc.) it will require the use of skilled web developers to deliver these customized solutions.

Progressive IT companies will assign a project manager to each client. Before providing the best solution possible the project manager must first learn the customer’s business, the benefits they may have over their competitors and the goals of the company.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of improving where your website shows up (or ‘ranks’) in search engine results. It is one of the best, and most affordable ways, to ensure relevant visitors will find your website. Your website may look fantastic, but if it can’t be found, there is no point in having it.

Generating new website business does not happen by itself. Consumers looking for your products or services will use a Search Engine such as Google to find providers. Without an ongoing SEO strategy, the ability for your website to be found for anything other than your company name is greatly restricted.

SEO is not something you can setup once and leave alone. It must be monitored and updated regularly.

SEO starts with research, audit, and analysis and then leads to an ongoing SEO strategy.

Initial SEO research, audit, and analysis activities include:

1. Keyword research: Identifying and researching keywords which will produce the best results.
2. Google Analytics analysis: Reviewing past performance reveals positive or negative trends and opportunities for improvement.
3. Google Webmaster Tools analysis: Reviewing a client’s history and current status may bring opportunities to light, as well as potential technical issues with a client’s website.
4. Link profile analysis: Many SEO firms have promised to build hundreds, even thousands, of inbound links at low prices. This is now penalized by Google and for many companies the path to SEO success starts with cleaning up the “spammy” links pointing to their websites.
5. Site audit: This includes various SEO factors such as website and webpage load speed, URL structure, internal linking, title tags, meta description tags, and content.

 

Initial Optimization work may also include:

1. Website redesign: In some cases a website redesign is needed before beginning SEO services. A redesign is needed when the website is outdated, converts visitors poorly, has poor code, and the cost of fixing everything is greater than starting from scratch.
2. Code overhaul: Even if a complete redesign isn’t needed, it may be necessary to overhaul the code of a website to make it more SEO friendly. How extensive this overhaul is depends on the details, but it can range from light cleanup of the existing code to a complete replacement of the code while maintaining the existing design.
3. Link removal and disavowal: If the link profile analysis reveals a large number of low quality, harmful inbound links, or worse yet, a manual penalty, then it is necessary to remove as many links as possible.

 

On-going SEO Activities may include:

Competitor research: By monitoring competitors your SEO firm can see what links they have built and replicate their activities or get inspiration for other links that could be built.
Link Building: While some aspects of SEO are one-time services that rarely or never need to be repeated, the bulk of SEO activities are ongoing in nature. Link building is one of those activities that never ends because Google likes to be fed a constant stream of new, fresh links to know that your website is still relevant and should continue to be featured prominently in its search results.
Brand monitoring: Any mention of your company online should include a link to your website. Your SEO firm should find these instances and get an appropriate link.
Outreach: There may be hundreds of websites that are relevant to what you do. Your SEO firm will reach out to these targets to promote content and generate links.
Ongoing Analysis: Your SEO firm will also be analyzing results to make sure they are working.

PPC or “Pay per Click” is a quick way to get traffic to your site and is a form of internet marketing. You post a “Google ad” and pay a specified rate for each visitor that comes to your site from clicking on this ad. It is a quick way to have a first page presence if you are in a very competitive industry.

Google Ad Grants is the non-profit edition of AdWords, Google’s online advertising tool. Google Ad Grants empowers non-profit organizations, through $10,000 per month in in-kind AdWords™ advertising, to promote their missions and initiatives on Google search result pages.

Google Ad Grantees receive free AdWords advertising on Google search result pages. Ad Grantees build and manage their own AdWords accounts similar to paying advertisers, but participate with the following restrictions:

1. A daily budget set to $329 USD, which is equivalent to about $10,000 per month;
2. A maximum cost-per-click (CPC) limit of $2.00 USD;
3. Only run keyword-targeted campaigns;
4. Only appear on Google search result pages;
5. Only run text ads.

 

Google Ad Grantees may only promote mission-based ads and keywords in their AdWords account:

Acceptable:

Ad:                                                                         Keywords:

Shop and Fight Cancer                                      Shop for cancer

Our Pink Ribbon Collection has                      Shop for breast Cancer

Unique Gifts for a Great Cause                        Cancer store

www.yourcharity.org                                         Cancer merchandise

Not Acceptable:

Ad:                                                                         Keywords:

Buy Gifts Online                                                 Buy Clothing

Apparel, Books, Music & More                       Online clothing Store

Save Time and Money Now!                            Online shoe store

www.yourcharity.org                                         Shop mp3s

To be eligible for the Google Ad Grants program, organizations must:

1. Be a registered charity;
2. Acknowledge and agree to the application’s required certifications regarding nondiscrimination and donation receipt and use;
3. Have a functioning website with substantial content.

Please note that the following organizations are not eligible for Google Ad Grants:

1. Governmental entities and organizations;
2. Hospitals and medical groups;
3. Schools, childcare centres, academic institutions and universities (philanthropic arms of educational organizations are eligible).

 

To maintain eligibility in the Google Ad Grants program:

1. Your ads must only link to the ONE nonprofit website domain that was approved in the application.
2. You are required to actively manage the AdWords account by logging in monthly and making at least one change to your account every 90 days, based on review of your account performance. Your account is subject to automatic pausing or cancellation without notification should you fail to make any changes in your account for over 90 days.
3. Your ads must reflect the mission of the approved non-profit organization and your keywords must be relevant to the non-profit’s programs and services.
4. Strictly commercial advertising is not allowed through this program. If you intend to promote products or services, 100% of the sales and/or proceeds must support your program.
5. Your Google ads cannot link to pages that are primarily links to other websites.
6. Ads offering financial products (such as mortgages or credit cards) or those requesting car, boat or property donations and related keywords are not allowed.
7. Your website cannot display Google AdSense ads or affiliate advertising links while participating in Google Ad Grants.

 

Google Ad Grantees found in violation of any of these guidelines are subject to removal from the program. Google reserves the right to grant or deny an organization’s application or participation at any time, for any reason and to supplement or amend these eligibility guidelines at any time. Selections are made at Google’s sole discretion and are not subject to external review.