+1 Button

This little button is yet another factor in search engine optimization, bringing more recommended sites higher in the search results. If someone you are connected to in your Google account recommends a site with the +1 button, you’ll see that they did. This is simply a tool to tally recommendations, and that’s it. The social aspect is just that you can see which of your friends have recommended a site. You should definitely be leveraging the +1 button in your search engine optimization and online marketing strategy.

Google+

In plain English, Google+ is Google’s new social network (although they’re not saying that). It’s in a trial phase right now, and isn’t open to everyone just yet. Here are its key features:

• Circles: Similar to Facebook Groups, Circles let you put different people in different circles, allowing you to interact and share with each circle separately.
• Sparks: This is a feed of content based on specific interests you have selected. From Sparks, it’s easy to share with Circles, and create a thread of conversation around a piece of content.
• Hangouts: Video chat with multiple friends at a time.
• Mobile: There are a couple features that will be available for what Google calls a “pocket computer,” or mobile. Instant uploads let you instantly upload photos from your phone, and Huddles creates a chat-room style text conversation with friends.

What people are saying

They’re saying a lot…Facebook already meets these needs…If Buzz didn’t have great success, why would Google+?…And while it’s nice to have our world tailored to our interests, don’t we need something to balance us? Something to remind us that there are alternative viewpoints we should consider, and our world isn’t the only world that matters? Eli Pariser raised some of these concerns this past February in a talk about The Filter Bubble.

The gates through which we enter the Internet are changing. It will be exciting to see what happens in the not so far off future. And of course, we’ll keep you up-to-date on how it will effect your search engine optimization and social media strategy.

When it comes to SEO and marketing your website, the high level concepts don’t often change (write strong original content, continue to add to that content, attract quality links, etc). What does change are all the new things you can do to increase your odds that people will come back to your website and promote your content, which in turn drives more traffic. Of all the website SEO tools, I like Website Grader. (and no, they didn’t pay for that link). When I find a tool I like, I share it. And what I like most is that Website Grader put together in a very organized fashion what they look for in the analysis, what you can do to improve your website, and if you want more help, where to go. And it’s free.

Candidates must have a minimum of 2 years of Interactive Copywriting experience in an agency environment, with a heavy background in SEO copywriting. We are looking specifically for web sites, articles, press releases, e-newsletters, and blog entries that really capture the personality of the client you were doing the copywriting for. (We don’t need you to have any CSS or html skills as we have a web development team on staff.) If you have link building experience, that’s a plus!

Our dream candidate for this job is a quick and sharp copywriter, with exceptional writing skills and attention to detail who understands SEO and internet marketing. A copywriter who is ambitious, driven and a self-starter to come up with your own ideas, conduct your own marketing research, and be comfortable researching new SEO opportunities. Your deadlines will be your responsibility in our fast-paced environment.

To apply for this copywriting job, please submit resume, hourly rate, writing samples/urls and hours you are available to jobs@sandstormdesign.com. Resumes without interactive copywriting samples will not be considered. Please NO phone calls. If you have any questions, please comment to this post and we will respond for all to see.

I searched google to see if I could find anyone debating the two terms as they are used often interchangeably, but I don’t necessarily agree that they are one in the same.

Our agency is a user interface design firm that utilizes a user-centered design approach to improve the user experience in a creative and conceptual way. Google searches done today are looking for a web design firm in Chicago, but are they really? Hmmm…