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enNovember 21, 2023

shopify

seo strategy

smallbusinesshelp

website traffic

Core Web Vitals: A speedy summary (TOON TIP)

I’ve started a new style of episode.

I’ve had an amazing run of interviewing other humans but often you don’t hear that much from me.

My tips, my advice.

So I thought I’d start sharing that with you.

After a long 5 years, shorter more succinct episodes for easy learning and quick wins, 100% jargon and gobbledegook free.

Today I’ll be covering Core Web Vitals: what are they, why do we care about them, and how we can make them better.

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enMay 16, 2023

Improving website user experience with Kevin Indig (NEWBIE)

Leaving your audience satisfied with every click

So you have your beautiful new website.
You’ve carefully written the copy and paid an arm and a leg for a fancy pants design, you’ve even done a little SEO, optimising your images, writing titles and metas and making an effort to speed up your site.

But you’ve noticed something odd when you look at Google Analytics.
Your time on site is low.
People are only viewing one or two pages.
And your conversions are lower than worm doing a limbo.

‘What went wrong?’ you cry, gnashing your teeth.
Well it could be your user experience.
How people enjoy and consume the content on your site, and travel from point a to point b.

Perhaps there are 15 steps before I can check out.
Perhaps the font is so small it needs a microscope to read.

Or the buttons have grey copy on a grey background.

User experience is crucial not just for … the users, but also to please the Google beast, so lets dig into this topic today.

Tune in to learn:

User experience: what it is, and how it differs from accessibility
How to measure user satisfaction
Why engagement is so important to SEO
Which good engagement metrics to focus on
The pros and cons of heat mapping tools
Kevin’s best heat mapping tool recommendations
Which GA4 reports you should focus on
How marketers should approach SEO content in 2023, compared to 2013
Kevin’s number one tip to improve user experience

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enMay 02, 2023

Why does Google change things all the time? (TOON TIP)

A complete history of algorithm updates (and why they matter)

Google appears to be fiddling with things all the time, which can feel overwhelming for your average site owner.

But the truth is most of the updates don’t impact small business website owners, and Google is pretty open about the big changes that you really need to take action on.

In this episode, I’ll run through a complete history of the algorithm updates since 2011 and explain what they mean and how they help.

Tune in to learn:

What is an algorithm?
Why are all the updates named crazy things?
The biggest updates you need to know about
Why Google changes things all the time
Bonus: top tips on how to use pop-ups on your website.

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enApril 18, 2023

10 basic SEO mistakes you’re probably making with Brendan Kelso (NEWBIE)

Brendan Kelso and Kate Toon get back to basics

It’s time to get back to basics.

If you’re a regular listener to the podcast you’ll know we dive deep each episode into a different SEO challenge and adventure.

But today I though it would be useful to have a recap of common mistakes that we often see small business and professional services websites making.

Because the truth is it’s often not bleeding edge SEO that makes the difference in this market, but ensuring you’ve ticked off all the essentials.

So today put your mind at rest as I chat with Brendan Kelso about the core things you need to fix up to ensure your website gets the Google love.

Tune in to learn:

Easy site changes that make all the difference
SEO basics that most people forget
Why Google My Business should be a priority
Why it’s not the cutting-edge things that matter

And so much more.

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enApril 04, 2023

Should I target zero-volume keywords? (TOON TIP)

I’ve started a new style of episode.

I’ve had an amazing run of interviewing other humans but often you don’t hear that much from me.

My tips, my advice.

So I thought I’d start sharing that with you.

After a long 5 years, shorter more succinct episodes for easy learning and quick wins, 100% jargon and gobbledegook free.

Today I’ll be answering the question that comes up a lot from my course students: Should I target zero-volume keywords?

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enFebruary 28, 2023

International SEO: best practices with Julia-Carolin Zeng (NEWBIE)

Taking your brand global

While many of us start small and want simply to be found locally, over time our desire to be found on the global stage increases.

And even if we’re not directly targeting other countries, of course it’s likely that a fair share of your website visitors come from different countries and speak different languages, so it might be time to consider making your site more international.

But if you’re looking to create an international website, what do you need to consider?

In this episode we’ll focus on the three big tasks:

1. International-friendly URLS - or country targeting

2. Language tags - language targeting

3. Ranking in the different countries.

As well as discussing a bundle of other tips and tactics.

So, if you’re ready to take your brand global, this is the episode for you.

Tune in to learn:

How to choose an internationally-friendly brand name
Which is best moving from local to global: Top level domains, sub domains or subdirectories
How to avoid duplicate content issues across multiple sites
Best practices for language targeting.
What to consider across different cultures when writing content
Best ways to handle keyword research and backlinks for international variations of your site
Top tips for using Google Analytics and Google search console
How important it is to host your international sites on a local hosting site

Useful Resources:

The Guide to International SEO - Just getting acquainted with international SEO? Start here.
The International SEO Checklist - Aleyda Solis walks you through everything you need to know to get started with international SEO.
International SEO – Google Technical Support

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enFebruary 14, 2023

Google SEO in 2023: Q&A with John Mueller (NEWBIE)

Learning how the cogs turn behind the Google machine

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to actually talk to Google?

To ask them all the questions you’ve ever wanted to ask?

To find out why they do what they do.

Why they keep fiddling.

What they have coming up.

Imagine how great that would be.

Well, imagine no more, for today we have John Mueller, head of Google Search Relations, on the pod.

We’ve spoken to John before in my first season on Episode 15: Ask Google: Q&A with John Mueller, Episode 29: Mobile First with John Mueller, and Episode 30: GOOGLE Q&A with John Mueller.

And today, to kick off our pod in 2023 we have his ear again.

Hurrah.

Tune in to learn:

Biggest updates from 2022
What small businesses should focus on for SEO
What’s coming up in 2023
Where to find out the latest Google updates
Developments John is most excited for
John’s top 5 tips for ranking on Google
How important backlinks really are

Useful resources:

Head to episode notes

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enJanuary 10, 2023

The Top 10 SEO changes in 2022: what did you miss? With Cyrus Shepherd (NEWBIE)

How SEO has changed this year and what you should do about it

It’s been a busy year in SEO land.
And Google has been experimenting as always.

And if you’re a normal human, and not glued to Twitter every living minute of the day, you might find it hard to keep up with it all.

So I’ve asked one of our most popular guests to come back on the show and give us the low down on what’s what in SEO in 2022.

The big moves.
The little tweaks.
The things you can ignore and the things you better jump right on.

This is a short, snappy wrap-up of everything you need to know about Search Engine Optimisation before you head into your festive flop period and face a brave new year.

Tune in to learn:

Kate and Cyrus’s thoughts on the top 10 changes in SEO this year:

Improvements to Google Search Console
Google not indexing less important pages
More videos
Greater emphasis on visual search
Mobile SERP changes: Site Name and Favicon in results, shorter titles on mobile
Spam Update (auto-generated content)
Universal Analytics > GA4
Changes to Google My Business > Google Business Profile
Product Review Update
Helpful Content Update

Where SEO is heading for 2023

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Head to episode notes

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enNovember 29, 2022

How to build a successful SEO Agency with Darren Jamieson (NEWBIE)

Scaling up from being an SEO freelance consultant

Okay so perhaps you’re an SEO freelancer.
Working job to job, helping clients on a small scale.
But you have big dreams.

You’d love to run your very own SEO agency.
But the thought of setting it up and managing all the ins and outs leaves you cold.

The risk is huge and let’s be honest, SEO agencies often don’t have the best reputation out there!

So how do you overcome all this and make your agency honest, legitimate and profitable?

Today we’re going to answer all this and more.

Tune in to learn:

How running an SEO agency differs from being a freelance SEO consultant
Darren’s tips for starting your own SEO agency
Common mistakes to avoid
Why so many agencies get a bad wrap, and how to improve your reputation
Big changes in SEO - what has happened in the past, and what’s coming up in the future
Darren’s top DIY SEO tip

Head to episode notes

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enNovember 15, 2022

seo

seo strategy

smallbusinesshelp

website traffic

Yoast for Shopify: a beginners guide with Marieke van de Rakt (NEWBIE)

How to Yoastify your shop

If you’re even vaguely into SEO and haven’t heard of Yoast, then I’m guessing you have been living under a rock.

But for those that don’t know, Yoast SEO is a WordPress plugin that helps your site perform better in search engines like Google.

It also gives you the tools to bring your content to the highest standards of SEO and overall readability.

It’s my favourite SEO tool which I use on all my sites and recommend in my course The Recipe for SEO success.

And yes I’ve tried all the other tools, but I find that Yoast works best with other plugins and its SEO copywriting features are just awesome.

But one big fat bummer was always that I couldn’t recommend Yoast to my Shopify students, who now make up nearly 50% of my course takers.

They had to struggle on, using dodgy apps or hand coding.

But all that has changed.

Yoast has just launched a Shopify version of their famous WordPress plugin and today I’m delighted to be chatting to Marieke van de Rakt all about its features, upcoming developments and how to get the best out of the app.

Tune in to learn:

What Yoast is
Why Yoast launched an SEO app for Shopify
Core features of the Yoast SEO app
How it helps deal with duplicate content
How to start off with Yoast SEO
What kind of support is available
Marieke’s top SEO tip

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enNovember 01, 2022

Mobile SEO with Cindy Krum (TECHIE)

Keeping up in the rankings by being mobile-friendly

Did you know that half of all website traffic worldwide comes from mobile?
I hope when you hear that you’ll understand how important it is to listen to this week’s episode.

Google has been pushing mobile-first indexing for the past few years. It rolled out the first mobile-first index in 2018 but more recently announced mobile-first indexing for the whole web.

So what does this mean for your little website?
Well if your site isn’t fully optimised for mobile searches, it’s about time you got with the program.

In today’s episode, we’re going to share what mobile SEO is, best practices and top tips on how to ensure your site looks tickety boo on any device.

Tune in to learn

What Mobile SEO is
How Google classifies mobile
Why mobile SEO is so critical
Easy ways to check if your site is mobile-friendly
How to optimise your site correctly
How to improve the user experience of your site on mobile
How keyword research differs for mobiles
What you need to know about the latest mobile-first indexing update
Cindy’s top mobile SEO tip

Useful Resources

Freebies

Membership: Join now

Head to the episode notes

enOctober 04, 2022

Reality SEO: WordPress SEO tips with Rachel Amies

Enriching web dev and copy services with SEO

Hearing great SEO advice is one thing but is it actually doable?

In my reality SEO episodes, I talk to real humans and get the truth about how they use SEO and digital marketing to improve their businesses.

Like Rachel Amies, a former student of the Recipe For SEO Success Course, a member of the Digital Masterchefs, and a cat-pun enthusiast.

We’ll talk about how Rachel took her web design and digital marketing to the next level with SEO, and the challenges she’s faced along the way.

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enAugust 23, 2022

Listen to the episode now.

SEO Copywriting Basics - Clever Copy Chats (Teaser)

Check out my new podcast, Clever Copy Chats for some in-depth SEO Copywriting knowledge.

Whenever I’m in a copywriting group I see the same comments.

“SEO ruins conversational copy.”
“SEO ruins conversion copy.”
“You don’t need to use keywords any more. Google will work it out.”
“SEO copy is boring copy.”

(Heavy sigh)

These kinds of comments show a fundamental misunderstanding of what SEO copywriting is and how it works.

And these copywriters who think that Google will magically work out where to rank you no matter what you write on the page, well they’re either naïve or just plain lazy.

If anything great SEO copywriting is even more important now than it’s ever been.

I’m going to get back to basics and give you an overview of the important elements in SEO Copywriting, and a few tips on how to please humans and Google too.

enJune 21, 2022

REALITY SEO: Jude Love: How I went from SEO-curious to SEO-confident

Niching, knowing your audience & personal branding

In my Reality SEO episodes, I like to focus on real humans grappling with the Google beast, and Digital Marketing.

I get all sorts passing through my slippery funnel of courses and resources: marketing professionals, copywriters, e-commerce owners, web developers, and real business humans.

Today we’re talking to Jude Love, a former student of The Recipe for SEO Success Show, a member of The Digital Masterchefs, and an absolute personal branding beast.

Useful Resources

Head to episode notes: https://therecipeforseosuccess.com/reality-seo-jude-love-how-i-went-from-seo-curious-to-seo-confident/

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enApril 05, 2022

wordpress

seo

smallbusinesshelp

Small Business Made Simple Podcast

website traffic

5 Smart Ways to be More Productive - Podcast Episode 154

5 smart ways to be more productive! If you’re feeling a little like you need some productivity love and tips, this short, sharp episode is for you! It’s all in here, in episode 154 - www.socialmediaandmarketing.com.au/154 and let’s talk productivity!

Take a listen to episode 154, and hear the GOLD!

enOctober 10, 2021

Steps to Introduce Your Customer to Your Brand

In this episode of Ask Christina 1st we get into the topic of branding. In reality branding is the totality of who you are. How you handle each element of business is an overall result of you, which is your brand. In the elements of business, each aspect is a vital source for the functionality of your company. How do you treat your customers? How much time and attention do you give into marketing, networking and advertising? All of it boils down to who you are as a person and how much energy you put into each thing. From there you can decide if you are a luxury, high end or low end brand? For homework, write down next to each element of business, how you operate in this field. If you're a high end business, you should include things that help explain why this is so. If you are low end, luxury, etcâ¦ do the same. Everything that creates your company is your brand, from color to customer service to how you dress. All of these elements create the overall look and feel of your brand. So, what do you do that creates your brand? Is this what you want your brand to be and what are ways you can improve?

In this episode you will learn:

1. The elements of business and how they affect your brand.

2. How to understand the tone and overall feel of your company

3. Ways to help you improve your brandâs impact.

Again, branding is the totality of who you are and the energy you put into it. The way in which people find you, meet and are introduced to you, sets the tone for how they will react to your brand and business. The first steps into improving your brand, is to identify where you are now and where you want to go.

enDecember 31, 2020

How to Differentiate Yourself From Your Market

In this episode of Ask Christina 1st, we dig into how to differentiate yourself from your market. The three main suggestions are you are already doing it, your nature and your own bias and lastly company culture. All three of these embody the totality of who you are which create your business. When you first created your company and vision, what were the things that made you different? Itâs important to understand that you are already what makes it different. A way to make this process make sense is to do your due diligence. Christina suggests you begin by first finding 10 businesses in your market and area that are similar to yours. Find out what their price points are, what type of company it is and find out the overall culture of the business. The culture of a business boils down to everything you've chosen to include in how your business looks and how it is operated. What is the culture of your company? This is what will set you apart and be the underlying atmosphere of your branding and marketing.

In this episode you will learn:

1. What is company culture and how it affects your branding?

2. Why itâs important to understand the competition in your area.

3. How to fine tune your business so clients will find you amongst others in your field.

Going back to understand your vision is a big part of understanding how to differentiate yourself from your market. Doing this can help you elevate to the next level by simply creating a platform that serves the unique qualities you bring to your market and expertise. Knowing you are already what makes your business different is key, use what makes you different to your advantage.

enDecember 24, 2020

Grassroots Networking

In this episode of Ask Christina 1st, we dive into the meaning of grass roots networking and why this is a major part in becoming a trusted expert in your field. Networking and marketing can be distributed in many forms like social media and advertising, however there are other ways to truly connect with your community that donât require you to be in front of a computer. Investing in yourself so that you become a trusted and chosen expert in your field is the meat and bones of grass root networking. It's when you go out and introduce yourself to your community while also investing in becoming an expert in your field. One example Christina focuses on is going to in person meetings. She challenges you to find a meeting in your field of work and attend 4 meetings for a month. You can use sources like meetup.com, eventbrite.com, facebook.com and community calendar. In order for you to be chosen, you have to be an active member in your community. Finding out authentically what people need is another true aspect to grassroots networking. Itâs not about selling something, it's about filling some of the holes in a person's life. Ask questions and inquire deeply into if someone could genuinely benefit from having you in their lives.

In this episode you will learn:

1. What is grass root networking and how you can benefit from it.

2. Ways in which you can become a trusted expert in your field and within your community.

3. Why itâs important to be authentic and caring when people are potentially looking for your services.

enDecember 17, 2020

Marketing Materials Are a Necessity

What do you do for marketing your business? What materials do you invest in that help you get the word out? In this episode of Ask Christina First, we again focus on marketing as marketing is a necessity if you want to continue running your business. There are different ways that you can market your business/product and that can depend on what you price your product at. Some lower priced products for example, can benefit tremendously from using a platform like yelp, while higher priced products can rely heavily on referrals. Either way, the marketing material you use is essential in being found. Some marketing tactics require you to physically be present. Christna believes that for her, networking is one of the best forms of marketing. This can be attending events, speaking on panels, etcâ¦ Becoming recognized as an expert in your field is another great way to market your business. This can be done by contributing your work to magazines, blogs and those of the like. Not being afraid to share with the world how you can help people is key.

In this episode you will learn:

Various types of marketing materials that can help you get the word out.
How to transform one form of marketing into another.
Understand the significance of in person marketing.

As Christina continues to focus on marketing, you will see the importance of making what you do known to the public. If you are someone that doesn't agree with one form of marketing, itâs okay to try another. What will work for someone else may not work for you. The key is to find what is right for you so that replacing your clients and maintaining cash flow has a positive impact on your business.

enDecember 10, 2020