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What Local Businesses Should Focus On First
Where Should a Local Business Begin With SEO? Local businesses often know they need stronger search visibility but face a long list of possible tasks: technical fixes, Google Business Profile updates, new service pages, reviews, blog posts, schema, backlinks, and now AI-focused optimization. Trying to tackle everything simultaneously can spread time and budget across activities that are not equally important. […]
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Why Zenergy Works Keeps Digital Marketing In-House
One Team Behind Your Complete Digital Presence A business rarely experiences SEO, paid advertising, web design, social media, and branding as separate activities. A potential customer may discover a company in search, see an advertisement, visit its website, review its social presence, and form an opinion of the brand within minutes. Those interactions need to feel connected. Zenergy Works provides […]
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How Local Businesses Can Prepare Their SEO Before Fall
Prepare Your Local Search Presence Before Seasonal Demand Shifts Fall can change how customers search across Sonoma County. Wineries prepare for harvest-related visitors, contractors respond to weather-driven projects, retailers plan seasonal promotions, and hospitality businesses adjust their offerings for changing travel patterns. Automotive companies may also see new maintenance needs as customers prepare for wetter weather and holiday travel. Businesses […]
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Why Mobile Experience Still Impacts Search
Mobile Design Is Now Part of the Search Foundation Mobile optimization was once treated as a separate project or an optional enhancement. Today, it is part of the basic infrastructure of a search-friendly website. Google uses the mobile version of a site’s content for indexing and ranking, making the experience available to smartphone users especially important. That does not mean […]
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What Local Businesses Should Ask Before Signing With an SEO Company
A Better SEO Decision Starts With Better Questions Choosing an SEO partner can be difficult because proposals often contain similar language while representing very different levels of strategy, service, and accountability. One agency may offer a customized local-growth plan, while another may rely on a standard package that looks impressive but does not address the business’s actual competitive environment. The […]
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How to Make Service Pages Stronger for SEO and AI Search
Why Service Page SEO Now Depends on Clarity A service page is often where general interest becomes commercial intent. Someone arriving on the page may already know they need help, but they are still evaluating whether the service matches their problem and whether the company appears trustworthy. That is why vague descriptions rarely make strong service pages. A page that […]
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AI Search Optimization Is Still SEO: What Business Owners Should Know
AI Search Has Changed the Search Experience, But Not the Foundation AI search has changed how people interact with search results. Instead of scanning ten blue links, users may now see AI-generated summaries, conversational results, follow-up prompts, and source citations before they ever click through to a website. That shift can feel dramatic for business owners who rely on organic […]
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Technical SEO: How to Build a Search-Friendly Website in the AI Search Era
Technical SEO Is No Longer Just a Backend Checklist Technical SEO used to be treated as a one-time setup task: submit a sitemap, fix a few broken links, compress some images, and move on. That approach no longer fits how search works today. Modern search systems evaluate whether a website is accessible, useful, technically reliable, and easy to interpret across […]
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What Makes a Good SEO Agency for Local Businesses?
How to Evaluate an SEO Agency Before You Hire One Choosing an SEO partner can be difficult because many agencies describe their services in similar ways. Nearly every provider promises better visibility, stronger rankings, and more traffic, but those claims do not reveal how the work will be performed or whether it will support meaningful business growth. Local businesses should […]
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How AI Overviews Change Content Strategy for Local Businesses
AI Overviews Are Already Changing the Search Experience AI Overviews provide generated summaries for searches where Google believes an overview adds value beyond traditional results. They may combine information from several sources and present supporting links that allow users to explore the topic further. For local businesses, this changes the role of website content. A page is no longer competing […]
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Why Different People See Different Google Search Results
At Zenergy Works, we hear this question often: “Why do I see one ranking, but my customer sees something different?” It is a fair question, especially when business owners are checking visibility, comparing search results, or trying to understand whether their SEO is working. The reality is that Google has become more personalized, more local, and more context-driven. Search is […]
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Where Should You Focus Your Digital Marketing Before the End of the Year?
Where Should You Focus Your Digital Marketing Before the End of the Year? As the end of the year approaches, many business owners begin reviewing marketing performance and deciding where to invest their remaining budget. It can be tempting to try everything at once, but spreading resources too thin often leads to disappointing results. Instead, use the remainder of the […]
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Local Search Engine Optimization: What Actually Moves the Needle
Why Local SEO Requires More Than a Google Business Profile Local customers rarely follow one predictable path before choosing a business. They might search Google Maps, compare several websites, read reviews, ask an AI assistant for recommendations, or refine their search with questions about pricing, availability, experience, or service areas. Local SEO must support that entire decision process. Google says […]
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The Difference Between SEO Services and a One-Time SEO Audit
Understanding the Difference Before You Invest A one-time SEO audit and an ongoing SEO program may examine many of the same areas, but they serve different purposes. An audit is primarily diagnostic. Ongoing services combine diagnosis with implementation, monitoring, and continued improvement. The right choice depends on your website’s condition, internal resources, business goals, and expected level of support. A […]
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When a Redesign Helps SEO and When It Does Not
How Website Redesigns Affect Search Performance A website redesign can change much more than colors, fonts, and page layouts. It may also affect URLs, navigation, content hierarchy, page speed, internal linking, structured data, mobile usability, and the way search engines access the site. That is why redesign projects can create both opportunities and risks. Thoughtful planning can make a website […]
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What to Look for in an SEO Quote
Why Understanding an SEO Quote Matters Before You Hire an Agency A search engine optimization quote is more than a price estimate. It is a roadmap for how an agency plans to improve your visibility in search engines, local results, AI-driven discovery platforms, and other digital search experiences. When the quote is clear, it gives you a better way to […]
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How ChatGPT Picks Sources: What Businesses Need to Know About AI Citations
Why AI Citations Are Changing the Search Strategy Conversation Search visibility used to be easier to frame: rank higher, earn more clicks, and measure the traffic. AI-driven answers have made that path less direct. A potential customer can now ask ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude, or Google’s AI Overviews a buying question and receive a summarized answer before ever visiting a […]
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How to Choose an SEO Company in Santa Rosa Without Getting Sold Outdated Tactics
Choosing an SEO Partner in a More AI-Driven Search World Hiring an SEO partner used to feel simpler. A business owner could ask about keywords, rankings, and backlinks, then compare monthly pricing. Today, that is not enough. Search behavior has changed, and people now discover local businesses through traditional Google results, map listings, review platforms, AI-assisted answers, voice search, and […]
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Why Local SEO Still Matters in the AI Search Era
Local Search Has Evolved—But the Fundamentals Haven’t Search has become more conversational than ever. Instead of typing short keyword phrases, people now ask complete questions through Google Search, AI Overviews, AI Mode, voice assistants, and other AI-powered experiences. While the presentation of results has changed, Google’s underlying goal has not: connect users with trustworthy, relevant businesses that best answer their […]
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Why You Should Consider Adding a Demand Gen Campaign to Your Google Ads Strategy
At Zenergy Works, we view Google Ads as part of a larger digital marketing system. Search terms, audience signals, creative, landing pages, tracking, and follow-up all influence how well a campaign performs. The challenge is that not every potential customer starts with a search. Some people need to see a brand first, understand the offer, and become familiar enough to […]
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Why Generative Engine Optimization Is Changing Content Strategy
Why Generative Engine Optimization Is Changing Content Strategy At Zenergy Works, we’ve seen a clear shift in how content is discovered and consumed. Traditional SEO focused heavily on ranking positions, but today’s landscape is evolving. AI-driven platforms are no longer just indexing pages—they are interpreting, summarizing, and delivering answers directly to users. This shift changes the fundamental question. It’s no […]
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Google Is Cracking Down on Reviews (Again)
Google Is Cracking Down on Reviews (Again) If you recently logged into your Google Business Profile and noticed that some reviews had disappeared, you’re not imagining things. Google has once again increased enforcement of its review policies, and businesses across many industries are seeing reviews removed without warning. Over the past several weeks, profiles that experienced unusual spikes in review […]
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ChatGPT Now Includes Paid Ads
What It Means for Users and Brands Artificial intelligence has become a daily assistant for learning, planning, researching, and decision-making. As adoption scales, the economics behind large-scale AI systems matter. With paid ads now live inside ChatGPT, the platform has entered a new phase in how conversational AI supports broad access while sustaining long-term growth. At Zenergy Works, we view […]
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Potential Conflicts Between Winning SEO and AI Search Optimization Strategies
Potential Conflicts Between Winning SEO and AI Search Optimization Strategies Search is undergoing one of the most significant shifts in its history. Traditional search engine optimization has long focused on rankings, visibility, and driving traffic to websites. Today, AI-powered search tools are changing how users research, compare, and make decisions, often delivering answers directly within the search experience itself. At […]
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SEO Trends that Will Shape 2026
SEO Trends that Will Shape 2026 As 2025 comes to an end, many businesses are preparing for a new year of digital opportunities. Search continues to evolve, and while the fundamentals of SEO remain strong, the environment is shifting in ways that matter for long-term visibility. At Zenergy Works, we believe in focusing on clear, strategic action rather than hype. […]
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Is SEO Dead or Simply Evolving? Understanding the Future of Search
Is SEO Dead or Simply Evolving? Understanding the Future of Search At Zenergy Works, we hear this question more often than ever: Is SEO dead, or just changing? With over a decade of experience helping businesses grow online, we can say with certainty that SEO is not dead. What’s changed is how it works. Search engine optimization today looks very […]
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How to Optimize for Voice Search in Local SEO
How to Optimize for Voice Search in Local SEO Voice search is no longer just a tech trend; it’s reshaping how customers find and interact with local businesses. With the rise of Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, and other voice-enabled platforms, more people are speaking their searches rather than typing them. In fact, “near me” queries combined with voice search have […]
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Why Website Privacy Policies Are More Important Than Ever
Why Website Privacy Policies Are More Important Than Ever In today’s digital world, privacy is no longer optional—it’s a legal requirement. New privacy laws are being introduced and enforced across the globe, and more businesses are being held accountable for how they collect, store, and use personal data. For business owners, that means having a clear, up-to-date Privacy Policy on […]
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SEO Strategies for Small Businesses in 2025
SEO Strategies for Small Businesses in 2025 In today’s digital economy, having a strong online presence is no longer optional—it’s essential. For small businesses, the SEO landscape in 2025 is shifting rapidly, especially with the rise of AI-generated search summaries, personalized ranking algorithms, and voice-based queries. The good news? With the right strategies, small business owners can stay competitive and […]
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Clicks Are Being Taken By AI Summaries in Google
Clicks Are Being Taken By AI Summaries in Google As AI continues to reshape how users interact with search engines, one thing is clear: clicks are disappearing. More specifically, organic clicks from Google are being absorbed by AI-powered summaries, featured snippets, and evolving SERP experiences that give users answers without ever needing to visit your website. This trend—what some are […]
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Is Google Losing Ground To AI Answer Engines?
Is Google Losing Ground To AI Answer Engines? At Zenergy Works, we’ve been keeping a close eye on the latest shifts in search engine behavior—and if there’s one trend we can’t afford to ignore, it’s the rise of AI answer engines. From ChatGPT to Perplexity to Google’s own Search Generative Experience (SGE) and Google Gemini, the traditional way people search […]
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How To Optimize Your Site For AI Search
How To Optimize Your Site For AI Search AI is changing the way we search—and how we show up in results. As AI-powered search tools like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE), Bing Chat, and ChatGPT continue to evolve, traditional SEO practices alone are no longer enough. If you want your business to stay visible, competitive, and conversion-focused, it’s time to […]
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How AI Is Changing SEO: What Businesses Need to Know
How AI Is Changing SEO: What Businesses Need to Know The world of search engine optimization (SEO) is evolving faster than ever, and artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a significant role in reshaping digital marketing strategies. For businesses that rely on online visibility, understanding how AI is transforming SEO can make a huge difference in staying ahead of competitors. At […]
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Google Reviews Glitch – An Update for Business Owners
Google Reviews Glitch – An Update for Business Owners Google Reviews play a crucial role in how businesses attract customers, build trust, and enhance their online presence. However, a recent Google Reviews glitch has caused confusion and frustration for many business owners. If you’ve noticed missing reviews, fluctuating review counts, or inconsistencies in your Google My Business (GMB) listing, you’re […]
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SEO Practices That Defeat Algorithm Updates
SEO Practices That Defeat Algorithm Updates At Zenergy Works, we understand that Google’s ever-evolving algorithm updates can leave businesses scrambling to maintain their search engine rankings. But instead of chasing after every update, the key to long-term SEO success lies in adopting sustainable practices that work with—not against—these changes. In this blog, I’ll share actionable SEO strategies that help your […]
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Navigating the GA4 Reporting Disruption: What Businesses Need to Know
Navigating the GA4 Reporting Disruption: What Businesses Need to Know For businesses and marketers relying on Google Analytics 4 (GA4), recent weeks have been a challenging time. Starting November 13, 2024, users noticed unexpected drops in reported website traffic, with some seeing up to 50% discrepancies. This issue sparked widespread concern, as accurate analytics are vital for business intelligence, performance […]
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Tips on Holiday Success for Google Ads
Tips on Holiday Success for Google Ads As the holiday season approaches, business owners with websites face one of the most competitive and rewarding times for digital marketing. For any digital marketing firm, the holidays present a golden opportunity to help clients capture more traffic, leads, and conversions. At Zenergy Works, we specialize in Google Ads management and understand how […]
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How To Create Amazing SEO Blog Posts
How To Create Amazing SEO Blog Posts Whether you’re a seasoned blogger or just starting, creating content that ranks well on search engines requires attention to detail and strategic planning. At Zenergy Works, we’re dedicated to helping businesses get noticed online. In this blog post, I’ll share the essential steps for creating amazing SEO blog posts that capture attention and […]
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Beware of the Latest Gmail Account Takeover Scam
Beware of the Latest Gmail Account Takeover Scam With the rise of digital communication, cyber threats are growing more advanced and harder to detect. A recent example is a new Gmail account takeover scam that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to impersonate Google support staff. This scam has been making headlines, catching even tech-savvy individuals off guard. It’s important to understand […]
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Does AI and Free Customer Support Make Digital Agencies for Google Ads Obsolete?
Does AI and Free Customer Support Make Digital Agencies for Google Ads Obsolete? With the rapid rise of AI-driven tools and Google’s free customer support options, many business owners are asking: Does this mean digital marketing agencies are no longer necessary? As a digital marketing agency ourselves, we’ve seen firsthand how the landscape is evolving. While AI technology can offer […]
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What To Do If A New Competitor Enters Your Market
What To Do If A New Competitor Enters Your Market When a new competitor steps into your market, it can feel like a threat to your established place in the industry. However, with the right approach, especially in your digital marketing and SEO strategies, you can not only maintain your position but potentially even improve it. At Zenergy Works, we […]
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Time to Update: Why Refreshing Your Website Is Crucial for Success
Time to Update: Why Refreshing Your Website Is Crucial for Success In today’s fast-evolving digital landscape, having a website that merely functions isn’t enough. Outdated websites are not just aesthetically displeasing; they are often structurally inefficient, slow, and not in tune with current user expectations and technological standards. If you’re holding onto a website that looks and feels like it […]
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Understanding Google’s N-E-E-A-T-T and Its Impact on SEO in Santa Rosa
Understanding Google’s N-E-E-A-T-T and Its Impact on SEO in Santa Rosa In the ever-evolving landscape of search engine optimization (SEO), staying abreast of Google’s latest algorithm updates and guidelines is paramount. One such significant update is Google’s N-E-E-A-T-T framework, which stands for Needs, Education, Authority, Trust, and Transparency. Understanding N-E-E-A-T-T and its implications is crucial for businesses aiming to improve […]
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March 2024 Google Algorithm Updates Are No Joke!
March 2024 Google Algorithm Updates Are No Joke! As a business owner or manager invested in the digital realm, staying abreast of Google’s algorithm updates is paramount to maintaining your online presence. The March 2024 Google Core Update, in particular, carries significant weight, influencing the visibility and relevance of search results across the board. As someone deeply entrenched in the […]
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Ensuring Inclusivity Online: The Necessity of ADA Website Compliance
The Necessity of ADA Website Compliance Ensuring Inclusivity Online Websites serve as gateways to information, services, and products for people around the world. However, among website content and design, it’s important not to overlook a fundamental aspect: accessibility. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted in 1990 to ensure equal access and opportunities for individuals with disabilities. While the […]
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Google’s Core Vitals Are Changing — Get Ahead of the Curve to Secure Your Rankings
Google’s Core Vitals Are Changing Get Ahead of the Curve to Secure Your Rankings In the ever-evolving online landscape, one factor has become increasingly critical in influencing search rankings: user experience. To evaluate user experience, Google relies on its Core Web Vitals, a set of metrics that gauge real-life user experience by evaluating page speed, interactivity, and the visual stability […]
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How Can Digital Marketing Help Grow My Business?
How Can Digital Marketing Help Grow My Business? When it comes to growing your business, tapping into the power of digital marketing is a game-changer. However, for your efforts to be most effective, it’s essential to understand the wide range of digital marketing tactics available and what they have to offer When you employ multiple tactics simultaneously, your digital marketing […]
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SEO Blog Optimization Checklist
SEO Blog Optimization Checklist The primary goal of any blog is to create unique and useful content. The strategies outlined here are designed to get content found in search engine results and help to build the reputation of the author of the blog content. The following is a very basic checklist designed to help with SEO Blog Optimization. Keyword Research […]
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Optimizing Performance Max Campaigns On Google Ads
Optimizing Performance Max Campaigns On Google Ads Performance Max (Pmax) – How to’s After working on Performance Max (Pmax) accounts for the past few months, we have some recommendations on how to use and not use, this powerful new Google Ads platform. Who are The Best Candidates For Google Ads Performance Max? ecommerce Ecommerce businesses should definitely try PMax out […]
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Why is SEO Considered a Long-Term Process?
Why is SEO Considered a Long-Term Process?
Search engine optimization is definitely a process, and a long one at that – it’s not just a one-and-done deal like many might believe. Because of the constant changes in procedures and updates to the search engines, SEO needs to be continuous.
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Google My Business: Vicinity Update
A new Google Algorithm update, currently referred to as the Vicinity Update, which primarily affects Google My Business Listings, was rolled out by Google between approximately November 30th and December 8th of 2021. Google confirmed the update on December 16th. The primary effect that this update has had on rankings is that proximity to the search has become a more […]
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Campaign Monitor Email Statistics
I wanted to share the Campaign Monitor Email Benchmark Study for 2021 with you. This study is based on analysis of over 100 Billion emails sent in 2021. Email Marketing, along with everything else, has changed dramatically in the last 2 years. This report allows email marketers to see open rates, click rates, and best days to send email for […]
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How Will The iOS14.5 Update Affect Online Marketing?
Transcript: Apple has confirmed that it will require customer opt-in to be tracked by IDFA or “Identification For Advertisers” with iPhone and iPad users who have the new iOS platform sometime in early Spring of 2021. How Does This Change Things? When you visit websites, use search engines or use mobile apps, your activities, in most cases, are tracked using […]
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Increasing Sales 3x with Local SEO
Zenergy Works began working with this client in November of 2015 and in the last 5 years that we’ve worked together we’ve: Increased sales over 3x Increased their website traffic 12x Established this client as a presence in local search This particular client is an Auto Body Shop with one location in Santa Rosa, California. (The client’s name will remain […]
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Tech Manufacturer Gains International Market Share with SEO & Google Ads
Zenergy Works began working with this client in October of 2015 and in the last 5 years that we’ve worked together we’ve: Increased sales over 5x Increased their website traffic over 6x Established this client as a presence in national and international search This particular client is a high-tech manufacturing firm with one location in Santa Rosa, California. (The client’s […]
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Email Marketing – How Do Your Email Campaigns Stack Up?
Email has become so important now that personal contact has been limited. The hardest thing for a business owner to know is how your email campaigns stack up with others, both within and outside of your industry. Many of the answers are in a Study released this Spring by Campaign Monitor. Campaign Monitor analyzed 100 Billion emails sent […]
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How Do You Know What Keywords Your Customers Are Using To Find You?
Many of my clients ask me how to better understand the keywords that customers are using to find their business online. More importantly, how can NEW keywords that will bring more website visitors be found. It is common knowledge that Privacy Settings in most browsers are making the keywords that are being entered into search engines more difficult to track […]
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Increasing Sales 7X with National SEO
Zenergy Works began working with this client in November of 2016 and in the last 36 months we’ve worked together we’ve: Increased sales 7x Increased requests for pricing from 0 to almost 300 in the past year tripled their website traffic Established this client as a presence in national search This particular client is a Printed Circuit Board Manufacturer with […]
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4 Business Tips For “Pandemic Economy” Success
I was the guy who predicted that Covid-19 would dissipate by June 30th of 2020. I was clearly wrong. But I am willing to admit my shortcomings and say that this global pandemic will be affecting our economy, and how almost every business attracts new customers, for the majority of 2021, at least. I wanted to share the over-arching strategies […]
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Increasing Efficiencies During COVID-19
Zenergy Works began working with this client in December of 2019 and in less than 12 months we’ve worked together we’ve: Increased sales Increased their closing ratio Reduced their Google Ad spend by 70% Reduced their CPC (Cost per click) by 38% This particular client is a Kitchen & Bath fabrication and installation company with two locations in the Bay […]
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Recent Changes to Google Ads
I will admit that some of the changes outlined here do not affect most advertisers. I will also admit that Google’s message of “Deliver relevant ad experiences to the right people at the right moments—all while being respectful of their privacy preferences” is not a terrible way to look at Google Ads, please use your own judgement as to whether or […]
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Artificial Intelligence And SEO: The Future Is Now
AI technology is becoming the “new norm” for SEO. With AI in search engines and its place in SEO and digital marketing, the future is now. With AI tools, the future of SEO is all about data use and personalization on levels that we have never seen before. Ranking in search engines will be about providing the most intuitive and […]
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ADA Compliance and SEO-How They Work Together
So many clients have called me and been puzzled by the ADA requirements for websites. Despite the existence of relatively simple and affordable fixes for ADA compliance on the marketing today, like accessiBe and others, many still resist bringing their website into compliance. Here is some motivation-ADA compliance mirrors some of the requirements that will improve the SEO of your […]
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Google Ranking Factors – Get Onboard To Do What You Can Do
AI, Rankbrain, BERT, Content Creation, and others are all parts of the list of Google Algorithms that determine the placement of websites in search. Many of these algorithms are so complex that little or nothing can be done to directly optimize for the algorithm. There are, however, a few general tactics that can be done to optimize your site for […]
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Ad Credits Might Be Coming To You From Google And Facebook
Both Google and Facebook have announced ad credits for customers. Google has stated that credits will appear in late May in the Google Ads accounts of small to medium-sized businesses who have advertised in 10 of the last 12 months on Google Ads. No application or other action on the part of advertisers is required. Facebook has a limited geographic […]
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SEO In 2020-How We Got Here And What To Do Next
Google has made a lot of changes to search criteria, and these changes have made gaining rankings on Google more challenging each year. Starting with the Penguin Update, which mainly affected spam link building practices, through RankBrain and now BERT, Google continues to refine their search algorithms. While there continue to be updates from Google (as judged by SEMRush Sensor), […]
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How COVID-19 Has Affected Google Ads Campaigns
The world is different than it was 90 days ago. The same is true of trends in Google Ads Campaigns. Consider the following traffic trends: 25% less mobile search. More people are at home with laptops, desktops and tablets as opposed to handhelds. More search is occurring late at night. More people are at home and using the internet as […]
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2020 Google Algorithm Ranking Factors
First Page Sage is the largest pure SEO company out there. Each year, they do a study of the top ranking factors in Google Search based on a large number of clients and what brings success or failure to their SEO campaigns on Google. I have not published the entire list, but have listed the top 10 factors and the […]
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Mobile-First Indexing and The REAL Effects On SEO
Mobile-first Indexing was one of the biggest changes that Google has brought forth in the past year. Google is correct to acknowledge the explosion in mobile search queries and the need to force website owners to optimize for mobile search. As time has gone by, the practical methods of optimizing a website for mobile-first indexing. I will list a few […]
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Latest Major Google Algorithm Update: BERT
Spoiler Alert: This is meant to be an “executive summary” designed to explain why the latest major Google algorithm update may be affecting your rankings. However, we in the SEO industry have seen wide fluctuations in rankings. So far, all of our rankings have come back at least once, but we continue to see volatility in rankings and traffic. My […]
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Website Design: Wireframe v. Mockup v. Prototype
Wireframe v. Mockup v. Prototype If you are having a website (or mobile app) designed for your business, you will hear the terms wireframe, mockup for sure, and for more advanced applications, prototype. It is helpful in defining your design process to understand the basic difference between these tools that will help you to successfully design a website that reflects […]
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High Quality Blog Content: Keep It Simple
High-quality website and blog content builds brand awareness, and turns website visitors into customers and referral sources. The 2019 B2B Content Marketing Benchmarks report shows that 96% of the most successful content marketers strongly believe that their organization’s credibility has increased because of high-quality content. Below is a list of some of the elements that constitute a high-quality blog post. […]
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Make Your Website Accessible to Everyone with accessiBe
Approximately 15% (49 million) of Americans suffer from a disability that using websites difficult. How accessible is your site? What do we mean by accessibility? Simply put, it means making your website available to as many people as possible. Accessible sites have features that help disabled people use your website. These features present information through multi-sensory channels, like sight […]
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5 Ways to Speed Up WordPress Mobile Load Time
We work mainly in WordPress for our clients, and we have seen a swift and direct connection between improving mobile load speed and placement on Google and increased traffic. Search Engines clearly favor fast loading sites and these sites have the added bonus of improving user experience. Most SEO experts agree that a key component in search engine ranking factors […]
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SEO in 2019
SEO in 2019 Google and its Algorithm Updates Just last year, Google had released a number of algorithm updates. With Google changing so frequently, one thing we can not ignore is: User Experience is important. By the end of 2018, Google released a number of algorithm updates: Mobile first indexing and Pagespeed, to name a few. User experience was huge […]
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Zenergy Works + TIV Branding
As the digital landscape continues to evolve and evolve quickly, Zenergy Works continues to evolve as well. Our biggest evolution has been our merge with TIV Branding, a long-time partner in design, branding and traditional marketing. With changes in the Google and Facebook algorithms putting more emphasis on strong brands, our merge turned out to position us perfectly. It’s almost […]
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5 (Now 4) Search Engine Result Page Changes in 2018
In 2018, Google released several SERP (Search Engine Results Page) display updates. Along with the rash of Google core algorithm updates, 4 of these 5 updates changed the look and feel of Google SERPs significantly. The traditional text-only SERPs are gone and have been replaced by featured snippets, video, images, knowledge graphs and related products. SEO experts have been challenged […]
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The One Vertical, One Geo Policy
Or: Why We Do Not (Usually) Do SEO/Paid Search For 2 Competing Businesses in The Same Geographic Area At Zenergy Works, we have a policy not to work with competing businesses in the same geographic target market, unless they both give us permission to do so. Yes, this has cost us business over the years, and is not, from what […]
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Google Algorithm Updates in 2019
How do SEO practitioners, or self-titled SEOs know when Google has an algorithm update? Usually, it is by “listening” online for the collective groan and angst from their peers. Like Gamblers in a high stakes game, it is often feast or famine. Their clients might rank in position number four on the first page of SERP (Search Engine Results Page) […]
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Google Activity Cards
Google Activity Cards, launched on January 9th, are the latest innovation to Google’s search results which allows search engine users to browse, save, and delete results from previous similar searches. Anyone with a Google account can access previous searches by logging in and following this path: Settings > History. You may see search history, search within your history, or even […]
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Programmatic Ad Campaigns – Find Your Target Market
According to eMarketer, over 80 percent of all digital display ads in the U.S. will be purchased this year through programmatic or automated channels. Programmatic ads are exploding because they take advertising far beyond the basics banner ad and create ads that reach specific targets and use Design Side Programs (DSP) and Real Time Bidding (RTB) to deliver ads to […]
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How will the end of Google+ affect SEO?
Google+ launched in 2011 as Google’s attempt at a social media platform. Originally conceived to take market share from social media juggernaut Facebook, it never achieved its goal. Other than some hardcore fans, Google+ by 2018 has become largely a has-been. So when news broke that there had a been a data breach of user information at G+, it was […]
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How Should PPC and SEO Work Together?
It sounds easy to get PPC and SEO to work together, but creating an effective joint strategy can be challenging. I will outline some proven strategies on how these two platforms can work together. 1. Keyword Research. We have great tools, but many companies effectively use their PPC campaigns to test and perfect new keyword streams and approaches before writing […]
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How To Get Your Business Listed In The Local Pack On Google
The most common type of local pack is a list of 3 businesses featuring contact information for that business with links to the website or Google Maps page for that business. Placement in this pack is important not only because of its prominence in search but also because of the ease of using these results when searching using a mobile […]
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ADA Compliance For Websites – An Overview
I have received numerous inquiries about the new WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) that went into effect on June 5, 2018. The specific questions are about lawsuits that are being filed against those that have websites that have serious accessibility problems for those with visual and sensory challenges. All federal institutions’ websites must meet AA compliance on […]
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Is Direct Traffic Really Direct?
Google Analytics is the most common analytics platform out there. Because of this, GA, as it is affectionately known by those familiar with it, has had a leading role in identifying the types of traffic to a website and how they are measured. Google Analytics shows 5 primary types of channels of traffic: Direct, Social, Organic, Paid, and Referral. There […]
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SEO Content – Are You Speaking with Your “Brand Voice?”
SEOs and Copywriters struggle to create content that is both SEO-friendly and in proper brand voice. If you find that perfect balance, you won’t only find more organic SEO traffic, you’ll also encourage conversion. We all know that SEO copy is designed to be perfect for Google RankBrain, not human beings. Effective website copy speaks to your audience in a way […]
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Website Traffic Dropping? Here Is Where to Look For Answers
Is Google Analytics full of bad news? Is your online branding campaign in crisis due to declining traffic? Don’t panic, here are some things to look for when identifying potential issues that may be negatively affecting your SEO or Website traffic. Look In Google Analytics. Compare year over year and current period versus 6 months ago to identify whether […]
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How to Rank for Featured Snippets: The SEM Rush Study
Featured snippets are featured in Google search results above the organic results and are vital to continuing to attract organic search traffic. 6.9 million featured snippets were reviewed in recent study conducted by SEMrush and Ghergich & Co. This study gives us insights into how featured snippets are currently ranked and how to optimize for them for placement on Google search engine results. […]
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Google Algorithm Update
SEO Experts have suspected, and – collective gasp of shock – Google has confirmed, that they ran a “broad core algorithm update” on or around March 7th that changed the placement of some websites on SERP (search engine results pages). Here is Google’s statement on Twitter: Each day, Google usually releases one or more changes designed to improve our results. […]
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Mobile Page Speed Algorithm Update
Google has announced a new ranking algorithm that will downgrade the search rankings of slow loading mobile pages. Google stated that the new algorithm will go into effect in the Summer of 2018. The search engine giant went on to state that the algorithm change “will only affect pages that deliver the slowest experience to users” and that it “will […]
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SEO In 2018 By Eric Van Cleave-Partner and Digital Strategist-TIV Branding
In reviewing 2017 and getting ready for 2018, I have been forced to take a close look at SEO and Online Marketing strategies and the following are some of the thoughts that I have shared with my clients in the last couple of months. So in the spirit of a Q and A session-here goes: At this time next year, […]
