Mastering Email Etiquette: Four Quick Rules for Better Responses

We all use email on a daily basis, but are you following the unwritten rules of the inbox? Here are the four most important pieces of email etiquette to improve your communication:

The “To” Field Matrix
Be intentional with your recipient fields. Use the “To” field for those who need to take direct action, “CC” for individuals who simply require visibility, and “BCC” to protect privacy when messaging large groups.

Make Your Subject Line Count
Your subject line serves as your first impression. Keep it clear, concise, and relevant so the recipient knows exactly what your email concerns before they even open it.

The Message Body Balance
Always begin with a warm greeting. It is important to remember that email is not the same as text messaging; your thoughts are not limited to a small character count. Take the space you need to be clear and professional, but ensure you keep your paragraphs short and easy to skim.

The Ultimate Sign-Off Secret
How you close your message matters more than you might think. Did you know that approximately 80% of emails signed off with a variation of “Thank you” receive more responses? Cultivate a habit of gratitude in your sign-offs to boost your reply rates.

Small changes in your inbox habits can make a massive difference in how your messages are received.

The post Email Etiquette appeared first on ChookChook.

Is Your au Domain Registered Correctly?
The Domain Ownership Check Every Business Should Make

Imagine deciding to move your business website to a new hosting provider or hiring a new digital agency to refresh your website. You ask for your .com.au domain transfer details to get the ball rolling, only to hit a brick wall.

The domain authorisation details have been sent to an email address you don’t control. It belongs to your old web developer, a former employee, or an old email address that hasn’t been used for years.

This scenario is more common than many Australian business owners realise.

Many small business owners assume that because they paid for their website and domain name, they automatically have complete ownership and control of both. However, a simple administrative oversight, such as having a web developer’s email address listed as the Registrant Contact Email, can create serious problems when you need to manage or transfer your domain.

Your website and your domain name are two separate things. You can change your website developer, hosting provider or digital agency without changing your domain. But to do that easily, you need to know who the legal registrant is and make sure the domain registration details are correct.

Here is why this happens, why it matters, and what the official auDA rules say about your .com.au domain registration.

Setting Up a Domain Is Not the Same as Registering It Correctly

When you hire a developer to build your website, they will often handle the domain registration for you as part of setting everything up. This is convenient and, in many cases, makes perfect sense.

The problem can arise when the developer uses their own email address as the Registrant Contact Email rather than an email address controlled by the actual domain registrant.

It may have been done with the best intentions. Perhaps the developer wanted to make sure they received all the technical notifications while setting up the website. The problem is that this contact information can remain on the domain registration long after the website has been completed.

For a .com.au domain, the Registrant Contact information is particularly important. It identifies the person or organisation holding the domain licence and provides the contact details used for important domain-related communications.

The Registrant Contact Email is also important when you need to recover your domain password or transfer your .au domain to another registrar.

In simple terms, if the contact details on your domain registration belong to someone else, you may not have full control when you need it most.

Three Risks of Incorrect Domain Registration Details

Leaving an old developer’s or agency’s email address on your domain registration can create several unnecessary headaches.

1. The “Hostage” Situation

If your relationship with a developer or agency breaks down, having their email address listed as the Registrant Contact can make transferring your domain considerably more difficult.

A developer should not be using control of your domain registration as leverage. Your website developer may manage your website, hosting or DNS, but that does not mean they should control the registration details for your domain.

Your .com.au domain is a business asset. You should be able to move your website and services to another provider without having to negotiate for control of the domain itself.

2. The Ghosting Risk

Developers change industries, close businesses, retire or simply disappear.

If the person controlling the Registrant Contact Email is no longer available and that email account has been closed, recovering access to your domain can become a much more complicated administrative process.

What seemed like a harmless shortcut years earlier can suddenly become a difficult problem when you need to prove your rights to the domain or recover the domain’s authorisation details.

3. Missed Renewal Notices

If important domain notifications are being sent to an old or unmonitored email address, you may never see them.

Keeping your domain registration details up to date is important because renewal information needs to reach someone who can act on it. If a .com.au domain expires, the services relying on that domain, including your website and business email, can be affected.

That is a very different problem from simply forgetting to renew a website hosting account.

What Does auDA Say About Domain Registrant Details?

You don’t just have to take our word for it.

The .au Domain Administration (auDA) is responsible for developing and administering the rules and policies that govern .au domain names in Australia.

The auDA WHOIS service allows you to check publicly available information about a .au domain registration, including the registrant and contact information.

One particularly important point is that the Registrant Contact Email needs to be an address where the registrant can actually be contacted.

That does not necessarily mean you need to use your personal email address.

A business can use an appropriate role-based email address, such as information@yourbusiness.com.au or management@yourbusiness.com.au, provided the registrant can actually be contacted through that address.

What you don’t want is for your domain’s Registrant Contact Email to be an address controlled by a web developer, agency or other third party when they are not the registrant and cannot properly represent the business holding the domain licence.

There is an important distinction here.

A developer or web hosting provider can still be involved in the technical management of your domain. They may need to manage DNS, hosting and other technical aspects of your domain.

The technical contact and the registrant are not necessarily the same thing.

Your developer can help manage the technical side of your domain without being the person who controls the registrant contact details.

How to Check Who Owns Your .com.au Domain

Checking your domain registration details is simple and takes about a minute.

1. Open the official auDA WHOIS lookup

Go to the official .au WHOIS service and enter your domain name.

2. Check the Registrant information

Look at the Registrant and Registrant Contact Name fields.

For a business domain, make sure the legal entity holding the domain licence is the business or other appropriate entity that should actually hold the registration.

This is particularly important if your business has changed its name, structure or ownership since the domain was originally registered.

3. Check the Registrant Contact Email

Look closely at the Registrant Contact Email.

Is it an email address that your business controls?

Can someone responsible for your business actually receive messages sent to it?

If the answer is no, it is worth getting the registration details corrected.

4. Check your registrar

The WHOIS information can also help you identify your registrar of record.

Your registrar or reseller is the organisation you deal with to manage your domain registration. Knowing who your registrar is means you know where to go if you need to update your domain registration details, recover your domain password or arrange an auDA domain transfer.

What If Your Developer’s Email Is Listed?

Don’t panic.

If you discover that your old developer’s email address is listed as the Registrant Contact Email, the important thing is to get the details corrected.

Contact the domain provider managing your registration and ask them to update the registrant contact information.

If you don’t have the login details for the domain account, contact your current domain provider or web developer and ask them to help you regain appropriate control of the registration.

If the registration details themselves are incorrect, auDA advises that you can request a correction through your .au domain name provider.

The process can be much simpler when the business and its current provider work together to correct the information before a transfer or ownership problem arises.

Understanding .com.au Domain Transfers

If you decide to move your domain to another registrar, you will need the transfer authorisation code, sometimes called the domain password or EPP AuthInfo code.

This is separate from the username and password you use to log into your domain provider’s account.

The authorisation code is unique to your .au domain licence and is used to authorise a transfer to another registrar.

Importantly, auDA provides a password recovery process, and the recovery information is sent to the Registrant Contact Email recorded in the .au registry.

This is why having the correct domain registration details is so important.

If the recovery email goes to an old developer or an email account nobody can access, a straightforward .com.au domain transfer can suddenly become much more complicated.

Your Domain Should Stay Under Your Control

Your website developer may build your website.

Your hosting provider may host it.

Your IT provider may manage your email and DNS.

But your domain name is a valuable business asset in its own right.

You should know who the domain registrant is, where the domain is registered, which email address is listed as the Registrant Contact, and how to access or recover the domain’s authorisation details.

Taking a few minutes to check these details now could save you a lot of trouble later.

Protecting your domain is just good business hygiene. Don’t leave the keys to your digital front door in someone else’s pocket.

The post Your .au Domain Registration Ownership Check appeared first on ChookChook.

Your Google Business Profile is more than just a listing, it is a free hub where you manage your presence on Google Search and Maps. By using it, you can share essential information like photos, opening hours, and reviews to connect with customers effectively.

Optimising Your Local Presence with Google Business Profile

For local businesses operating in areas like Albury Wodonga, visibility online is essential. To ensure potential customers find you when they search for your services, managing your presence on Google is a critical step. This guide outlines how to effectively use your Google Business Profile (GBP) to improve local visibility and engage customers.

Understanding Your Google Business Profile

The Google Business Profile is the tool that allows local businesses to appear in Google Search results and on Google Maps. When someone searches for a local service, the GBP provides curated information. This includes business hours, contact details, photos, and customer reviews. By managing your profile effectively, you ensure that potential customers find your business among the top relevant results.

Key Components for an Effective Profile

To establish a credible and useful listing, focus on providing accurate and comprehensive information across all sections of your profile:

Accurate Information
The foundation of your listing must be precise. This means ensuring your business name, address, phone number, and operating hours are 100 percent accurate. Consistency in this data is crucial for building customer trust.

Visuals (Photos)
High quality images are key to attracting attention. Including clear photos of your services, location, or team helps potential customers understand what you offer immediately.

The Description
Use the description section to clearly explain what your business does and what makes it unique. This is your opportunity to communicate your value proposition concisely.

Reviews
Customer reviews provide valuable social proof. Encouraging customers to share their experiences and responding thoughtfully to all feedback demonstrates professionalism and commitment to service.

Using Dynamic Features to Engage Customers

Beyond static information, you can use specific features within your profile to keep your listing updated and engaging for potential clients:

Google Posts
Posts allow you to share timely updates directly to your listing. They are effective for highlighting current promotions, announcing special events, or sharing new services. When creating a post, use relevant images and include a clear Call to Action, such as “Learn More” or “Contact Us.”

Attributes
Attributes allow you to add specific details about your business that might appeal to customers, such as amenities, service options, or unique features. These details help potential customers quickly assess if your business meets their specific needs.

Leveraging Expertise for Local Success
For businesses looking to enhance their online presence, especially in the Albury Wodonga area, a professional approach is necessary. We understand that managing these listings effectively requires both accurate information and smart content strategy.

At ChookChook – Albury Wodonga Web AI and IT Support, we help local businesses ensure their GBP is fully optimised.

• Ensuring your profile accurately reflects your services and location in the Albury Wodonga area.
• Crafting compelling content for your descriptions and posts, utilising effective communication techniques, including strategies related to AI content generation.
• Implementing updates that keep your listing fresh and relevant.

A well managed GBP is a powerful asset. If you are looking for expert assistance in optimising your online visibility, let us help you connect with more local customers.

Ready to optimise your listing and grow your business?

Contact us today to discuss how we can improve your digital presence.

Would you like for us to manage your GBP?
We can easily manage you Google Business Profile.

The post Your Local Google Business Profile appeared first on ChookChook.

Google Business Profile (GBP)

Are you looking at your Google Business Profile (GBP) and wondering if it’s giving you the best results? Or maybe you just need some help getting it sorted once and for all?

Your Google Business Profile is your digital shopfront, it’s one way your customers can find you in Albury or Wodonga. But sometimes, managing those listings can feel like a complicated IT puzzle!

If you’re looking to bring in an agency, a service provider, or a dedicated team to help manage your online presence, there’s a simple way to give them access without sharing your personal login details.

I’m going to walk you through the easy steps of adding a Manager to your profile and explain exactly what that role means for you!

Adding someone new to manage your Google business profile is quick and secure.

1. Go to Google: Open Google Search or Google Maps.
2. Sign In: Make sure you are signed in with the Google account that manages your business profile.
3. Search for Your Business: Type your exact business name, or search for “my business,” into the search bar.
4. Find Your Dashboard: Locate and click the three vertical dots (menu icon) in the top-right corner of your profile dashboard.
5. Access Settings: Select Business Profile settings from the drop-down menu.
6. Go to People: Click on the People and access section.
7. Invite a User: Click Add (the person icon with a plus sign).
8. Enter Details: Enter the service provider’s email address.
9. Choose Their Role: Select their appropriate role (Manager or Owner) and click Invite.

Choosing the Right Role: Manager vs. Owner

Choosing the correct access level is crucial for security and control. Understanding the difference between a Manager and an Owner will ensure your profile stays safe while still getting the help you need!

The Manager Role (Recommended)

This is the perfect role for most service providers, marketers, or team members who need to handle daily profile optimisation.

What Managers CAN Do:

• Edit core business details (names, categories, hours, addresses).
• Manage customer interaction (respond to reviews, answer Q&As, manage direct messages).
• Create content (publish Google Posts, upload photos, add products, list services).
• View performance analytics (check search queries, call histories, profile views).

What Managers CANNOT Do:

• Delete the entire Business Profile.
• Manage other users (add or remove Owners/Managers).
• Transfer ownership of the profile.

The Owner Role (For Full Control)
The Owner role is for the ultimate administrator who retains total control over your business listing and access rights.

What Owners CAN Do (Everything Managers can do, PLUS):

• Manage all users (add, change, or remove other Owners and Managers).
• Delete the entire Business Profile from Google Search and Maps.
• Transfer ownership to another user or agency.
• Link advanced tools (connect to Google Ads or third-party automation software).
• Reinstate profiles if they get suspended.

Why This Matters for Your SEO

For a third-party service provider looking to optimise your profile, the Manager role is highly recommended!

It allows them to perform all necessary SEO updates, add fresh content, and manage customer interactions, all while keeping you, the business owner, in full control of administrative functions. You remain the primary Owner, protecting you from accidental deletion or loss of control.

Simply put: Use a Manager to let experts do the heavy lifting on daily optimisation, and keep the Owner role for yourself!

Ready to Get Your Profile Perfect?
Is your Google Business Profile ready to attract more customers in Albury or Wodonga? Don’t let a poorly optimised listing hold you back!

If you need expert help with local SEO strategy, web design, or IT support to manage your digital presence, ChookChook Albury Wodonga is here to help!

Get in touch today and let’s turn your profile into a powerful lead generator!

The post How to add a Manager to your Google Business Profile appeared first on ChookChook.

10 Easy steps to Setup Outlook Email Client on our Dedicated Email Exchange Service

There are lots of benefits for a business to have their own email address instead of using the many free services out there like Gmail, Hotmail, Outlook, or any other. With your own email address your emails are branded with your name and not with a free service that gives a cheap, unprofessional impression.

For a small yearly cost you can have your business email hosted in Australia on Dedicated Email Servers that include Excellent Spam Filtering, Exchange, IMAP or POP and Web Retrieval.

After these instructions you’ll soon be using email like a pro. Still not getting it or it’s just too complicated? No problems, we’ll be happy to set up your email on any of your phones, laptops or computers.  Simply contact us.

So, let’s get started.

1.      Open your Outlook 2016 Program and Click on File

2.      Click on Account Settings -> and then again on Account Settings drop down section

3.      On the Account Settings Section – Click New

4.      On the Add Account Section –
Select the Manual setup or additional server types and then click Next

5.      Still on the Add Account Section –
Select the Outlook.com or Exchange ActiveSync compatible service

6.      Enter your User Information.
In the Your Name field, it can be your Business Name.
Server Information – The Mail Server Address.
Logon Information – User name is the full email address.
#Ensure your password has a Mix of Upper Case, Lower Case, Numbers and Symbol
Choose if you would like All the email or 1 months’ worth on your Laptop/Computer when offline (not connected to the internet)
Click on Next

7.      On the Test Account Settings section Click Close when the Status is Completed

8.      If you would like to add another account – Click on Add another account and follow above steps.
Else click on Finish

9.      Back at the Account Settings, Click Close

10.      You’ve done it. Your new Dedicated Email service is set and ready to use.
Liked it? Let us know.
What’s Next?

How about adding an Email Signature to your emails that include a logo, contact details and business hours?

And finally I’d like to mention Email Etiquette. What to do and not do in Emails. Here’s a Hint, Emails are not limited to 140 characters or less so there are no excuses for silly abbreviations, not starting with a greeting or singing off.  Did you know a signed off email with a Thanks gets up to 80% more action to it than none at all?

The post 10 Easy steps to Setup Outlook Email Client on our Dedicated Email Exchange Service appeared first on ChookChook.

Google has recently made it mandatory for users of embedded Google Maps to use an API.
More information can be found here on Google Developers Page.

In this post I’ll won’t go into detail why Google has made this change, instead I’ll just give you the Simple steps to get your own Google MAP API so your maps will begin to work again.

1. With your own Google Account credentials (your gmail and password),
Log into     https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/get-api-key

if you need to manage your API keys,
Log into   https://code.google.com/apis/console

2. Click on GET A KEY

3. Give your Project a Name, and then click on Next

4. Wait while Google Builds your project…

5. From the Drop down, Select Your Project and Click Next

6. Wait for Google to generate the API Key

7.You’re all set, Copy your API key and keep it in a safe place

8. If you need to improve your API security, click on the API Console option.

That’s it!
Use your Google Maps API Key in your Google Maps plugins, WordPress Themes, or give it to your trusted web developer.  Don’t have a Trusted Website Developer? If you are located in the Albury/Wodonga area (Australia) then contact us today. Always happy to help.

The post Simple Steps to get your own Google MAPS API Key appeared first on ChookChook.

Website popups – Don’t do this

A website that shows a popup soon after the page has loaded will suffer ranking scores over the websites that don’t have popups. Google strives to give its users the best possible experience and it’s a well-known fact popups are not seen kindly by visitors to a websites. Google knows this and is going to help reduce the frustration caused by the annoying popups. Enough is enough, websites that show popups on mobile devices where the content is covered by the popups will have their ranking merit reduced.

Source: https://webmasters.googleblog.com/2016/08/helping-users-easily-access-content-on.html

We have always followed Goggles Best Practice when designing websites for Albury Wodonga and local businesses. We have never put a popup function on any of the website we built and now, years down the track it looks like the king is finally recognising the frustration the popups cause.

Popups that take a small section of the screen or popups that are out of the way are fine. So not all popups are bad, just the ones that pop up as you’re reading the core of the information you need and they take up the screen space which stops your concentration. Interestingly, studies show websites that have popups to get the visitor to sign up for newsletters have a greater subscriber rate than the sites that don’t have newsletter popups. However I couldn’t find any mention or information on subscriber retention rate.

Summary: Popups suck! Need a popup on your website removed, or its function moved to the sidebar where it won’t annoy your website visitors. Contact us today and let’s discuss the best way to fix that popup mess.

The post Don’t like website popups? Neither do we. appeared first on ChookChook.

10 points towards a successful website

You’ve been in business for a few years or you are just starting out. You keep telling yourself, this year is going to be the year I’m going to get a website. But when you begin it becomes all to much. Confusion and uncertainty sets in and it becomes all to hard. Here’s a simple list to get you started towards a successful website.

10.  Purpose. Without a purpose, your website will be a blank page, and a lot of wasted time. Truth being said, we wouldn’t start a project if this was the case.
Think about what the visitors to your website are doing. Are they looking for a solution to one of their problems? Your business could be their knight in shining armour, in all its glory, right there in front of them introducing your business (their solution) to them.

9.  An intuitive design. Just as all motor vehicles have the basic controls in the same place, such as the accelerator and brake pedals, visitors to your website need to navigate it without confusion. They may have already found a solution already, but how inviting is a website when it’s easy to browse? While they are on your website, they get you know your business a lot better than any 30 second advert on another media source.

8.  Great content. Precise to the point content with an easy to understand structure. About 300 to 600 words per page. Headings are noticeably defined and Catch the attention. Paragraphs are well laid out. When we receive your content, we will structure it out effectively to ensure easy legibility.

7.  Quality pictures and videos. You have heard it before and here it comes again… Pictures are worth a thousand words. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_picture_is_worth_a_thousand_words

6.  Mobile Compatible. A responsive designed website is so much easier to view on mobile devices. All of the websites we build are mobile responsive on mobile devices.

5.  Websites built on a secure and stable platform. Since we only use WordPress, there’s nothing more to add. WordPress is the largest Content Management System (CMS) with over 24% of the top websites using it. And because of that, it’s a proven fact.

4.  Local Presence. Having a website hosted locally in Australia provides some great advantages. First, you’re doing your bit to keep our economy rolling. Second, the speed your website loads is going to be as fast as it can, as there’s no long delay to wait for the website data to load from overseas. And last but not least, support is so much easier and a lot less frustrating when it’s as easy as picking up the phone. Google will favour a website hosted locally to the business’s address.

3.  Website Promotion and Marketing. Advertising is expensive and huge budgets are needed to cram as much information into an advertisement as possible. Half the time but double the reward by promoting your website on more media, but for half the time.

2.  Memorable website name. Your business name is going to be a lot more memorable than a 10 digit phone number. Advertise your website in all the media you advertise your business.

1.  Local Web Designer. To help with your website updates, managing your online presence, computer problems or just to hang out with drinking coffee while talking about geek stuff…

The post 10 points towards a successful website appeared first on ChookChook.

Getting the Best Online Reviews

Have you ever made a decision to purchase an item, or use a service based on positive reviews from an online review website?

More and more consumers rely on online reviews, based on fellow consumer’s experiences, in order to make their buying decisions. Large and small businesses rely on reviews to help build their reputation as a trusted industry leader. Both assume that online review websites manage the reviews to ensure that consumers aren’t misled. Unfortunately, even though consumers expect online reviews to be legit, it’s not always the case. As a matter of fact, these days you can bet that a significant amount of online review websites are fake or have a considerable amount of fake reviews (upwards of 18%).

Not like fake Grass.

There’s a name given to fake reviews. Astroturfing (no, not the green lawn replacement you may be familiar of) it’s when a reviewer writes a fake review on behalf of their sponsored company. This company rewards the reviewer with payments, items of value or a gift card. Just imagine this for a moment. University students struggling to pay for their education are given a reward by one of the university’s football team sponsors to write bad reviews of the sponsor’s opposition. Over a course of a few months or a year there are thousands of bad reviews to that opposition. Their reputation is tarnished and their sales suffer, soon that company shuts shop. Although this is just an example, such simular events have happened and sponsoring companies have faced huge penalties.

But how Influential are Online Reviews really?

Obviously, you shouldn’t believe every online review you read. That said, approximately 80% of consumers actually trust online review sites, almost as much as they do personal recommendations. In most cases, older consumers (baby boomers) aren’t as trusting as younger consumers who have grown up tapping and scrolling away on their computers, tablets or smartphones, browsing through review after reviews and making their buying decisions based on what they read on the review websites.

Can reviews be beneficial?

The positive side to online reviews is that they can boost search engine results, can be a positive form of advertising for a business and provide the kind of extended exposure that you might never be able to accomplish or afford through conventional marketing channels.  The problem is that negative reviews also get this exposure and most of us, if we’ve been in business for a significant amount of time, are bound to have a couple.  A few negative reviews actually can make the positives look more realistic and if the business shows compassion and tries to provide a positive outcome, it can also work in favour for the business.

What to look out for.

Although online review websites are popping up all the time, consumers should stick to the more established ones. Unfortunately, even some of these sites can’t be fully trusted or a large number of reviews on such sites. As a matter of fact, one of the sites that have been touted as one of the most “trusted” (a U.S. review site), relies on individuals to post negative reviews so that they can give the option to the business reviewed to have that negitive review removed or pushed down the list for a considerable amount of cost. Talk about a complete scam!

Determining Which Reviews are the most Trustworthy.

The volume of reviews on these websites can be mind-boggling. For instance, TripAdvisor has over 150 million reviews posted by users on its site. Yelp has over 57 million local reviews. So how do you know which of these online review sites can be trusted and which you should ignore? The following information will help guide you through the “review” maze.

Read Several Reviews on a Number of Review Websites.

If you’re dying to book that cruise, hire a landscaper or buy a product before the sale ends, you should still take the time to do your research, reading a lot of reviews before you form an opinion about the review site and decide if it is trustworthy. Most consumers make a decision after only reading a few reviews. Do yourself a favour and don’t skimp when it comes to making a buying decision. Take the time to compare reviews on several sites to determine whether or not there’s a trend.

Check Out the Reviewers Profile.

Look at the reviewers other reviews to get a feel for whether or not you can trust what they have to say. Be especially wary of first time or one time reviewers as well because chances are they’ve been paid to post their review. Read through the reviewer’s posts on businesses, products and services, other than the one you’re considering. It’s also a good idea to search for the reviewer on Google and/or social media sites because some online review sites require people to sign into their Facebook account before posting reviews.

Be Sceptical of Reviews with Similar Wording.

Reviews that contain similar wording for several products or services are a good sign that they’re “paid for” reviews. In addition, if the reviewer uses targeted wording that’s beneficial to consumers that are searching for a specific product, they may be working as a paid blog writer for the product’s owner/service provider.

Be Wary of “Extreme” Reviews.

You already know that some reviewers are going to either hate, love, or have neutral feelings about a restaurant, hotel or service provider – that’s to be expected. What isn’t normal is if the reviewer goes over the top with their reviews, to the extreme, through their positive or negative remarks. If this is the case, they’ve probably been given incentive for posting the review. Examples would be their competition posting negative reviews, or the reviewer being compensated for posting a positive review.

Protecting Yourself.

Every online review posted by your customers is a kind of promotion for your business. Your brand and product are exposed to readers, raising their awareness of who you are and what you have to offer. Similar to social media, online review sites provide you with the chance to establish a closer relationship with consumers. You are likely to be able to read reviews from an array of customers, many that may not have shared their opinions about your business otherwise. You’ll also be able to reply to positive and negative reviews in many cases, showing consumers that you’re interested in what they have to say. Through your replies, your customers and potential customers have the opportunity to get to know you as an individual, not just a business.

While reviewers are required to disclose if they are affiliated to the company, some businesses have friends and family write reviews, or pay other people to write glowing reviews for them, presenting them as impartial recommendations, when in truth they are deceiving fakes (Astroturfing). It can be challenging to tell if an online review is trustworthy or not, but taking the time to do some research online will provide you with more insight.

The post Getting the Best Online Reviews appeared first on ChookChook.

A business in Albury Wodonga trying to get a website designed and Search Engine Optimised for ranking on the front page of Google needs to know it takes a lot of work and time. Did you ever wonder if there was a secret formula to show what SEO work gets priority over something else?

Introducing the Periodic Table of SEO

by Search Engine Land.

Well not a complete secret, but it’s a handy bit of information to have on hand when we do SEO websites for Albury Wodonga businesses and also for when we build websites for other businesses in the Albury Wodonga area. (<-did you notice what I did there?)

____________

____________

The SEO periodic table was introduced back in 2011, was updated in 2013, and now a newer updated version released in June 2015. The changes made to the SEO periodic table over the years have been noticeable. However Content has been the major ranking factor. So when considering a website for your business, think about what content needs to go into the website. Think how will the content I put into my website help make Google rank my business website for the search results visitors need to find me.

Content on a website needs to have the keywords that people use in search engines. Content needs to flow naturally when read as a human. What do I mean by this? Don’t write content purely for search engines. Having content on a website that constantly repeats a bunch of keywords isn’t going to do the website any good.

There are other SEO factors that also need to be taken into consideration and this SEO periodic table is a great starting tool.

Have any question? We’d always happy to help, lets get in touch.

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