The Role of Information Architecture in SEO

When you think about SEO, information architecture is not always one of the first things that come to mind. According to Kim Krause Berg of UsabilityEffect.com, it should be since it plays a significant role in SEO success.

As she explains to WebProNews, most people try numerous tactics when their conversions drop. However, if the problem is with the website’s foundation, then conversions will continue to drop. The foundation consists of elements such as business requirements, keyword research, user behavior, mental models, and more.

When users factor in these elements, they can build an information architecture based on new information they have found and on some they never knew they had. As a result, the website flows better and is easier to use.

She says users should, “create an experience, not just a bunch of web pages.”

In addition, she advises people to not put everything on the home page. If the website is built properly, the users should not have any trouble with the navigation. She suggests creating links other than the usual Products, Services, About Us, and Contact Us tabs. When SEOs are creative, it motivates users.

On a different note, Krause Berg also discusses the idea of social behavior in regards to offline and online human behavior. Society is obviously adopting more to social media and social networking. She believes the key is providing something other than what is already available offline. She goes on to say that both Facebook and Twitter did this.

A great deal of research is being conducted related to social media and human behavior. Krause Berg believes SEOs and marketers should pay attention to it since they need to use social media to increase their search presence.

Have you considered these components pertaining to information architecture and online social behavior and how they affect your online success?

Bad Reputation? Google Says Change Your Name

In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, Google CEO Eric Schmidt predicted that young adults would need to change their names in order to protect their reputations. Since social media and the Web are gaining stronger influence in people’s lives, he believes this will be a natural solution moving forward.

“I don’t believe society understands what happens when everything is available, knowable and recorded by everyone all the time,” said Schmidt to the WSJ.

Does this seem like an odd solution coming from Google’s chief executive? Many people across the Web think so since Google collects valuable user information and makes it available. Read Write Web, who first drew attention to this statement, suggested that parents give their children shortened names since they would have to change them down the line anyway.

TechCrunch refers to the idea as “downright pointless.” In addition, the always intriguing Gawker points out that Google’s CEO has “the scariest vision of the future of privacy.”

WebProNews also caught up with college student Andy Norris, who calls the concept a “cop out” on the search and advertising giant’s part and says, “Google should be able to do better than that.”

Privacy issues related to Google are nothing new, but it appears that consumer concern for them is growing. What are your thoughts regarding this proposed solution from Google’s CEO? Do you find it ironic coming from one of the most powerful technology companies?

Living without Facebook, Twitter, and IM – Is It Possible?

Facebook, Twitter, and Instant Messaging have become natural parts of our everyday life. They also play key roles in many businesses. But is there a downside? Can they dominate too much time?

We all know that each of these platforms can be extremely valuable to business. However, many businesses do not allow their employees to use them due to a lack of productivity. For this reason, WebProNews would like to extend a challenge to you to see how long you can go without Facebook, Twitter, and Instant Messaging.

We are, by no means, suggesting that you drop these platforms entirely. Instead, we would like to see if you notice any changes to your personal well-being, your business, and your level of productivity.

For starters, you could try going without the 3 mentioned platforms, or any other technologies that consume vast amounts of your time, for 1-2 hours each day. When you turn everything off for the first time, it will probably seem way too quiet. In addition, you will likely struggle with the urge to share something.

Once these instincts pass, chances are, you will develop a stronger focus. Not only could you dedicate more time and energy toward one project, but you could also generate a greater appreciation for what you do. What’s more, you may find yourself developing new ideas and strategies that could take your business to the next level.

So, are you up for the challenge? How long can you go without Facebook, Twitter, and Instant Messaging? And, are you more productive for doing so?

OMS: Educating Marketers

WebProNews attends and covers many different conferences including the Online Marketing Summit. The founder of the event, Aaron Kahlow, tells WPN that OMS is different than other industry events since its primary focus is education.

As he explains, OMS plans its content around the audience, which is typically made up of 3 types of people. The first type involves marketers who are trying to bridge the gap between online and offline marketing.

The second type includes online marketing specialists who are trying to get better at what they do. Lastly, the third type is made up of online marketers who specialize in one area but want to expand their knowledge in other areas.

Kahlow says both the Online Marketing Summit and the Online Marketing Institute aim to give users longevity with their training. They provide training in social media, search, email, demand creation, analytics, usability, integrated marketing, and more. He goes on to say that they validate consultants to help them execute their brands at a higher level.

In addition, OMS is offering training workshops in several different cities. Upcoming locations include Orlando, Miami, and San Francisco. For more information, visit their site.

Why You Should Advertise on Facebook

Facebook has a constantly evolving advertising platform, and according to Addie Conner of Avenue100, it provides many new opportunities for advertisers. She tells WebProNews that Facebook reaches an entirely different segment of audience than Google reaches.

Since Google is all about search, people are actively querying for information. On the other hand, Facebook is completely “demand creation.” As Conner explains, Facebook allows advertisers to reach an audience that they couldn’t reach unless they existed across all Google’s content network and all the other content networks.

Google just doesn’t have the data that Facebook has. The social network has access to its users’ demographics, which is very valuable to advertising. Conner says the data is accurate as well.

With Facebook, advertisers can create applications and send users to it. The app engages with users in a way that is unique to them and also unique to the product. Conner calls it, “a different engagement than you are able to get on any other platform.”

She goes on to say that Facebook is actively working to make its platform better for both users and advertisers.

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