A lot of articles and How-To guides on Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) include something called Bounce Rate.  It is said that it affects how high up in Google's search results you appear (i.e. your search ranking).

This is not completely correct.  Even though it is a statistic worth paying attention to, the Bounce Rate reported in Google Analytics is not used to calculate where you appear in Google's search results.

You know the saying - "If it looks to good to be true - it is". Or how about "You get what you pay for".

Yet hundreds of business owners are being duped by offers of cheap Search Engine Optimisation (SEO).

(updated January 2016)

If you are running Google Adwords, there's a good chance that you haven't been able to resist searching with your target keywords to see if your ad shows up, where and how it looks.

You have probably come across a situation where your ad doesn't show up – either it doesn't show up no matter what you search for, or it shows up for some phrases and not others, or perhaps you are getting anedotal comments that you're 'not there'.

And so naturally, you become concerned that something is wrong. But don't worry - there are legitimate reasons why this happens. Here are the most common....

When you setup a page on Facebook the URL will be something like www.facebook.com/your-page-name-1248972121.

This looks pretty ugly if you were to include it on any material like a business card or email signature!

But once you’ve got 25 people liking your page you can apply for your a URL that reflects your name or business name (also called a Facebook vanity URL).

Claiming a friendly username makes your Facebook page easier to find and looks more professional. Try and come up with one that is appropriate for your brand name but easy to remember and read.

Once you claim your username YOU CAN'T CHANGE IT – so choose carefully! *

Are you the proud of owner of a website that looks good, but for some reason isn't pulling it's weight?

Wondering why?

It could be that there is not enough on your website to encourage multiple visits or touches with your business.

Before your video is going to be a useful part of your content marketing strategy, you need to turn your raw footage into something entertaining, educational or otherwise compelling.  So lets first look at the more popular video editing software before checking out hosting options.

An application or 'App' is seen by many as the third option to deliver a better mobile user experience to their audience (along with responsive design and a separate mobile specific site).

Over the last year or two there has been a flood of apps appearing for everything from content delivery to music instruments, building tools, games, weather apps, calculators, e-commerce and of course social media.

However much kudos you might get from saying you have one, apps can be challenging to produce so they should make sense for your particular business. If your market is going to be looking for your product while out in 'the real world' and/or you can make use of mobile devices core capability (such as GPS) to add value, then it might be worth it.

If you want a mobile-friendly website – what does this mean and how do you go about it?

A mobile-friendly website is one that is easy to use on a smart-phone or tablet. Easy for many people means not having to struggle with tiny text. Pinching and resizing text, and trying to use navigation designed to be read on a PC sized screen is not fun.

But it can mean so much more than that.

Your website conversion rate is a simple calculation that says "of the people coming to my site, how many take the action I want?"

Headlines are the first thing people see. It's what will make them open your email or read your content – or not.

Because it's not your readers job to work out what you are trying to say, you've got to instantly grab their attention.