Hot Tub and Swim Spa Expo Makes A Splash Using Multiple Domain Names

Alvin BrownLeave a comment
Reading Time | 7 Minutes

It’s Friday. It’s May. And the Texas heat is beginning to usher Spring out and Summer in.

We’ve had quite a few showers and thunderstorms over the past months that have filled our lakes beyond capacity here in Austin.

There’s only a few more weeks before schools out for summer, and our lakes are filled with boating, water skiing, jet skiing, laughter, swimming, and splashing.

In addition, there will be quite a bit of swimming pools, spas and hot tubs put into service this summer too.

Speaking pools, spas and hot tubs, I happened to catch a late night commercial in between the news and Jimmy Fallon that caught my eye. 

How many characters are too many for a domain name’s length?

Alvin BrownLeave a comment
Reading Time | 3 Minutes

Most companies looking to create and launch their digital presence use their company’s name as their domain name.

Although I know there are nearly 350 million domain names currently registered and counting,
I wish I had specific numbers on how many businesses currently operate a domain name that matches their business name.

I see a variety of partial matches, exact matches, and brandable domains on a daily commute between work and home.

For instance, I encountered a company, Business Communication Solutions, using the shortened domain bcs-ip.com, yet they don’t own BusinessCommunicationSolutions.com or bcsip.com.DevOps Days Austin 2016

But this question of how long is too long for a domain name really hit home this week as I was on my way home from DevOpsDaysAustin.com.

As I was waiting at a light, a vehicle caught my eye. The coupe was wrapped with advertising for an Austin-based cleaning company.

Measuring domain name redirects using Google Analytics Campaign Tracking

Alvin BrownLeave a comment
Reading Time | 4 Minutes

I know you’re already wondering what type of company I’m referencing today, right?

I can hear you as I type, “What is atrial fibrillation treatment?”

In short, atrial fibrillation is an irregular, often rapid heart rate that commonly causes poor blood flow.

Untreated, atrial fibrillation leads to two major complications: stroke and heart failure. Not good by any stretch of the imagination.

Now that you know, there are quite a few companies that specialize in atrial fibrillation treatment.

Recently, I’ve seen a certain company’s commercials, as well as its competition, more than a few times.

In total transparency, I highly dislike some, if not all, of the commercials and medications because of the side effects seeming to cause more harm than help.

But that’s a personal opinion and I’m digressing as a fast rate.

Protecting your digital presence with defensive domain registrations

Alvin BrownLeave a comment
Reading Time | 6 Minutes

Today’s domain find I’m sharing is about a neighbor’s lost four-pawed family member.  This story hits too close to home for me.

The great escape…

A few years back, our two boxers got out for half a day on the town and ventured six streets over without my wife and I ever knowing until the latter part of the evening.

It wasn’t until my parents called to check on my wife who was pregnant at the time. It never fails, my parents call and eventually ask about the dogs and how they are doing.  When they asked, I went to show them they were outside either playing or napping.

That wasn’t the case this day.  The dogs were no where to be found in the backyard.  This didn’t seem odd to me. We tend to bring the our dogs in for a late afternoon nap.  It wasn’t until I came in and found their custom-made kennel empty that I begin to wonder and panic a bit.

I asked my wife had she let the dogs in.  She stated they were outside in the backyard.  And I did as Scooby would, “Ruh Roh”.  Houston, we have a problem as the dogs were not in the house or the backyard.

So, I checked the gate closest to their dog house and it was locked.  Then, I checked the other gate to find it had been left open.

Truth be told, it was an Austin City Inspector’s fault our dogs escaped.  The city inspector was to inspect our sprinkler system.  He inspect the sprinkler system, yet he left the gate open for the dogs great escape.

Where does one begin to search for lost pets?

Well, let the search begin.  My wife and I got in the truck and begin to drive around the neighborhood.

GoDaddy is “fee-lying and purring” in Cats With Hats campaign.

Alvin BrownLeave a comment
Reading Time | 3 Minutes

I received an email as well as saw a few posts on Twitter about GoDaddy’s latest and newest marketing campaign: Go You. GoDaddy.

As for the new “Go You” campaign, which GoDaddy was wise enough to purchase GoYouGoDaddy.com and redirect it to it’s main website, GoDaddy’s focus is on helping it’s target market achieve the following:

  • Get started with a business
  • Attract and retain customers
  • Stay organized while growing

Go You. We Know You Can. GoDaddy.

Multi-church, non-profit organization uses Good Friday domain in TV ad

Alvin BrownLeave a comment
Reading Time | 2 Minutes

I had to share this quick post with you today as I was quite surprised, yet impressed by a non-profit or religious organization’s use of a domain to celebrate Resurrection Day 2016, also known as Easter by some.

I happened to be watching tv when I caught Good Friday 2016’s advertisement.  I wasn’t really aware of what it was or who was hosting it.  

The secret to buying websites to increase sales

Alvin BrownLeave a comment
Reading Time | 5 Minutes

Why should anyone ever consider buying websites?

Well, other than the obvious reason of having a primary website, it really doesn’t make sense for anyone to buy additional websites for their business, or does it?

I think it is safe to say that one can argue from either side of the conversation for or against buying websites.

However, I think one must truly consider the pros and cons of buying websites before making their final decision.

For example, there are many outlets that provide website buying opportunities.

You can buy websites from businesses like Flippa or e-Bay, or have a website designed specifically for your business niche using NicheWebsites.com.

But before heading off into the wild blue yonder purchasing websites left and right in hopes of striking Internet fame and fortune or the SEO jackpot for monopolizing search results, take caution in making fast purchase decisions with little data on hand.

How many 301 redirects are too many?

Alvin BrownLeave a comment
Reading Time | 5 Minutes

When dealing with websites and preserving SEO, there may come a time where you may have to perform one of the following actions:

  • Migrate a website to a new platform
  • Redesign or re-brand a website
  • Change a website url or architecture
  • Migrate to a new domain name

Website 301 Redirects and Canonical IssuesFor any of the listed options mentioned above, each creates an opportunity for negative SEO impact that can lead to the following:

  • Losing existing page and domain authority
  • Losing any relevant link juice per page or website
  • Damaging or destroying search rankings

To guard against causing any sort of negative SEO impact, the use of 301 or 302 redirects becomes a very viable option for website owners.

Today, we’ll focus on the use of 301 redirects, but before we discuss 301 redirects, we’ll briefly discuss redirects in general and their use.  

11 tips to increase conversions using local SEO landing pages

Alvin BrownLeave a comment
Reading Time | 6 Minutes

If you operate a local small business, or even a regional or national business, local search engine optimization (SEO) is a necessity to garner and dominate local search engine rankings within certain markets.

Using local seo landing pages to increase search rankingsWith the increase of tablet and mobile search on the rise, local SEO is becoming mandatory for all small businesses.

No longer can businesses ignore local SEO and be able to command highly visible search rankings in search engines.

There are many tips and tricks for those interested in learning to execute local SEO for their small business.

The one we’ll focus on discussing today is the use of local SEO landing pages and whether or not their use by small businesses is effective or ineffective.

Why and how referral websites increase local business

Alvin BrownLeave a comment
Reading Time | 4 Minutes

So every business owner is familiar with referrals. If not, then you should not be in business.

Referrals should be one of the best sources of new business as well as existing business. If people don’t have good things to say or share about your business, then you won’t be in business long.

If your business is struggling and you’ve spent money on various online marketing strategies with less than stellar results, then I encourage you to keep reading this post.

We’re going to discuss how your business can generate more business using a tactic older than sliced bread: referral websites.

Let me start by saying that referral websites may or may not work for your business.

Referral websites and their respective results will vary based on each business and its respective markets and industries served.

Nevertheless, if you’re willing to shell out thousands of dollars a month for pay-per-click advertising or search engine optimization, then you should be willing to at least research referral website options for your business.