by admin | Jul 14, 2020 | Baltimore SEO, Posts
Best Content Checker Websites
As your Washington DC SEO expert, specializing in health care SEO, we have recommended that our clients add quality content to their websites to improve their Google rankings. In fact, we have assisted some of our clients with both reworking existing blogs and creating new articles to improve where their business shows up on a Google search.
While there are certain tricks to the trade when adding content to a website that will help customers find your business, those tricks can not provide quality, informative, and original articles that have high value to your customers. After all, your website is the face of your company, and poor quality content will reflect poorly on your business’ image.
That’s why we would like to recommend some of our favorite quality content checker websites. While we have not used all of these on the list, we have scoured reviews and will provide you the positive and negative feedback that users have shared.
1. Grammarly
Our favorite “grammar” service is Grammarly. We almost hate to label it merely as a “grammar website” because it does so much more.
Grammarly assists users with comma placement, subject/verb agreement, and other nitpicky errors that your high school English teacher loved to point out with a bright red pen. But Grammarly also assists users in word choice, fixing repetitive words and phrasing, and alerting the writer when they use passive voice.
Grammarly has improved even more in recent months. The website gives users suggestions on how to fix awkwardly-phrased sentences. Although there are some gimmicky aspects to the site, such as giving the writer a “score” based on correctness, clarity, engagement, and delivery, we recommend it as our top pick of content quality checker websites.
2. Readability
Unless you are writing for the New Yorker, your readers want and expect short sentences and paragraphs. They want to be able to scan your article for information. If you tend to be long-winded or have a difficult time dumbing down your technical content, you might want to check out Readability.
3. Copyscape
If you are hiring freelancers to add copy to your website, it is highly recommended that you run their articles through Copyscape. Copyscape is the industry standard for finding plagiarized content. It allows you to look at the most similar piece side by side with your writer’s work to see whether the duplicate phrasing was accidental or intentional.
4. Content Analysis by SEO Review Tools
When you open up Content Analysis, it looks like a word processing program. After you complete the article, you will see friendly reminders at the bottom that give recommendations on how to make your text more SEO friendly. For example, your Content Analysis may recommend that you add a meta description, an image using the keywords as the image name, or H1s or H2s.
5. Hemingway
Hemingway is a grammar/readability application, but we don’t like it nearly as much as Grammarly. Its interface is much more attractive than some of its competitors, but it seems to dumb down even the most straightforward content. We aren’t sure why, but the application also points out each adverb that you use in a piece.
6. Fact Checking
As far as we know, there aren’t any applications that will fact check your content. Regardless, we decided to add it to our list because we think that it is crucial. The Karens of the world love to find errors, and when they see them, they like to shout them from the rooftops. Ensure your business is spreading the best and most reliable information by fact-checking all the information that your website provides.
7. Content SEO Checker
Content SEO Checker is similar to Content Analysis. While reviewers tend to prefer Content Analysis by SEO Review Tools, they are quick to point out that this application tells how relevant your content is to your target keywords. This is important because Google seems to penalize websites that try to trick the readers by using keywords that have nothing to do with the article.
8. Check My Links
Check My Links is an extension that does just what it says it does. It makes sure that the internal and external links in your content are working correctly. Readers become frustrated if they need more information only to find that the links in the article don’t work. Frustrated readers are unhappy readers.
As always, the staff at Virtual Surge is happy to help you with your website content. We have writers on staff who will help manage your content, and our SEO team is at the ready to help you earn that Google rank that your business deserves.
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by admin | May 7, 2020 | Baltimore SEO, Digital Marketing, Local SEO
How To Be A Flexible Leader During Pandemic
As our nation faces one of the biggest challenges in its history, we would like to salute the health care industry in Washington, D.C. and across the country. We understand what sacrifices you are making by merely going to work every day. We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused you to do your job with limited supplies. We know that you can’t come home at night and hug your kids. We know that you, too, are worried about your aging parents.
The American public has learned several things from health care professionals in Washington, D.C. and across the world.
They have been reminded of the power of perseverance. Even with an increased hospital population and a limited supply of resources, doctors and nurses are successfully treating patients with the coronavirus.
Americans have learned a new definition of bravery. Some of our healthcare workers have risk factors themselves, but they still show up for work because they are needed.
Finally, Americans are learning the importance of adaptability. Healthcare workers in Maryland and around the world have had to adapt to this new reality. They didn’t have a choice.
As a business leader who is facing unchartered territories caused by a worldwide pandemic, you don’t have a choice. You know that you need to adapt your business strategies quickly — your company’s survival depends upon your ability to act.
Someone once said, “A wise man adapts himself to circumstances as water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it.” Here are some tips on how to reshape your company for a successful future.
1. Focus on your digital marketing campaign.
Whether you are a brick and mortar shop in Baltimore or a healthcare facility in Annapolis, it is time to focus on your company’s digital marketing strategies. And it’s time to pull out all the stops.
This means that you need to re-look at your website. This is the public face of your business for the unforeseeable future. Are you proud of what your potential customers will see or does the idea make you cringe?
You also need to evaluate and potentially expand your social media presence — especially if your customers are a part of the general public. Are you producing share-worthy content? Do you give customers the ability to connect and ask questions through Facebook?
Since your salespeople will no longer be able to do a face-to-face sales pitch to your customers, have you created video content to share with your potential customers? Have you worked out a way to train your customers to use your product without face-to-face interaction?
We know there are a lot of things to consider when analyzing your digital media campaign, and we know that these discussions may be out of your comfort zone. Regardless, you can’t ignore digital media any longer.
2. Learn how to network without trade shows.
Companies who work mainly with other businesses will need to learn how to network without trade shows and face-to-face interaction. How will your business adapt to this situation?
You may need to adapt by opening new channels over social media or web platforms. This may be the new way of opening new channels and making new relationships.
Do you have an attractive LinkedIn profile? What about your employees? Do they all have a professional presence on this networking website?
You may thrive in a face-to-face environment, and this new way of making connections may make you uncomfortable. Unfortunately, you aren’t going to be invited to anyone’s office to make a sales pitch soon, so you need to figure out how you are going to adapt.
3. Prioritize your SEO strategy.
The time is now to prioritize your company’s search engine optimization strategy. This means that when customers search for products or services that you provide, they need to be able to find you on the first page of a Google search.
The only way to make that happen is to have a smart, well-researched SEO strategy, which leads us to the next point . . .
4. Work with a professional digital marketing firm.
It is essential that you seek professional help as you adapt your marketing model for this new era. The staff of Virtual Surge is ready and willing to assist you.
We have been working with companies to increase their Google rankings long before corona. In fact, we are known as one of the Washington D.C. SEO leaders (specializing in health care SEO).
The staff of Virtual Surge are experts in digital marketing advertising. Let us assist you as you learn to adapt your business strategies in the face of COVID-19.
This article was originally posted at Virtual Surge.
by admin | Mar 31, 2020 | Baltimore SEO, Healthcare SEO, Local SEO
Modern SEO Practices To Promote Your Health Care Website
We know there is a lot to learn about healthcare SEO. In fact, the staff of Virtual Surge is continually learning, so they can stay current on modern SEO practices. Today, we would like to talk about one aspect of healthcare SEO strategies that we will use in making sure your patients can find your practice on the web. Let’s discuss title tags, meta descriptions, and headings.
Keywords
We have already discussed how essential keyword research is for your SEO strategy. Our staff at Virtual Surge are experts in evaluating what keywords and phrases you should use in your healthcare website. For example, we know how to measure the difference in traffic between “Washington DC SEO” with “SEO services in Washington D.C.” We can also tell you about related words or topics you may want to use on your website to drive traffic.
Once we have completed our keyword analysis for your practice or business, we will then use those keywords in strategic locations throughout your website.
Title Tags
One reason you should hire an SEO strategist for your healthcare business in the Baltimore area is that they are familiar with the inner workings of your website. For example, you may or may not be familiar with the concept of a title tag.
When a person completes a Google search to find a doctor in his local area, a list of websites will appear from the search. The website’s name that appears in blue is called the title tag.
When Virtual Surge creates your website, we will make sure your title tag is formatted correctly and includes the best keywords and phrases to win traffic to your business’ page. We know how many characters to include and how to phrase the keywords naturally.
Meta Description
Underneath the blue text, searchers will find a meta description. This text, of course, is fully customizable by the owner of the site, but Google reserves the right to change it and use content from the page if the original description is not deemed accurate.
You want to be in charge of your own meta description, and Virtual Surge will show you how to make this happen. We know how long the meta description should be and how to format it. We will also make sure that the keywords in the meta description are used within the text of your actual website — as title pages or headers.
Headers
Finally, Virtual Surge will use headers throughout your content to help Google and other search engines know what content is included on your website. These, h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, and h6 tags will enable search engines to scan the site to quickly determine what information will be helpful for the person searching for information.
Headings within your content will help your reader as well. Most online readers do not look at each word. Instead, they scan through the material, looking for the phrases that are most important to them at the moment. Using appropriate headers throughout the text will assist readers in finding the relevant information.
Let Virtual Surge Help
While this article was not meant to offer instructions on how to complete your own SEO for your healthcare website, it is intended to illustrate how complicated and essential the process is. You are the best doctor for your patients, and your nursing home is the best place for the aging members of the community. The people who need you won’t be able to find you if you ignore this part of your business operation. Let Virtual Surge assist you with your healthcare or nursing facility website.
Our staff is practiced in improving the Google rankings for our clients. We are experts in keyword research and website development. We can even provide professionally-written, original content to help improve your website’s rankings.
Even though we are based in the Washington DC area, our healthcare and nursing home clients are scattered throughout the country. We are happy to provide you with reviews from satisfied clients who have increased business as their Google rankings have improved.
We know that reputation management is one of the primary concerns for doctors and healthcare facilities. We understand that you work with people when they are in a highly emotive state. Sometimes patients and families look for someone to blame when their loved ones are ailing. Virtual Surge will monitor the review websites for positive and negative feedback, and we will assist you in how to respond to it.
Please fill out our contact page on our website, and our staff will get back to your ASAP. We want to help your patients and clients find you.
by admin | Feb 29, 2020 | Baltimore SEO, Local SEO
Ranking for Topics in Your Industry
Are you frustrated that your ranking never seems to improve? Do you feel as if you have given readers quality content while utilizing your industry-specific keywords? Are you tired of coming up with new ways to talk about the same information? Are you out of ideas on what to write about in your business’ blog?
We know you are tired and frustrated with your ranking. It’s challenging to improve your situation when Google periodically changes the rules. And it seems as if your competitors are continually producing more and more content that attracts shares, pins, and comments.
Let us give you some more avenues to try. First, take a deep breath. Grab a cup of tea. And let’s improve your ranking!
Have you tried improving upon what your competitors are offering?
After doing a quick search of keywords in your industry, you notice that your competitor ranks high with an article that offers valuable content. Perhaps the article is titled “5 Tips for Getting Your Kids to Sleep Through the Night.”
We recommend that you use the same general idea, but improve upon the content. First, consider hiring an industry expert with credentials and experience to write your content. Next, if your competitor’s article offered five ideas, you should provide 50 insights. If their content didn’t include any high-quality external and internal links, add some to your article. If their content didn’t include any sources, make sure you add a source page. Finally, make sure your report includes eye-catching photographs and easy-to-pin infographics.
In essence, use the same general idea, but make your content ten times better!
Have you tried using Google trends?
Let us warn you if you are new to Google Trends. It is easy to become sucked into playing around with this tool.
Google Trends allows you to see what topics are trending across the country. Some of the trends probably make sense to you. You know that following the Superbowl, a lot of people searched for commercials.
Some of the trends may cause you to scratch your head. You may wonder why Bob Marley had appeared in over 50,000 searches when he died in 1981?
Additionally, Google Trends allows you to see how much your keyword has garnered over time.
I typed in “sleep through the night” and learned that this topic received consistent attention throughout the last year. I also learned which state’s residents are the most likely to search for that term (Idaho!) Oddly enough, the state whose residents were least likely to search for that topic was nearby Montanna.
Next, I learned about related topics that were trending. People were also adding the words “weaning,” “bassinet,” and “wake” to their search. I also learned that two brand-new related topics were trending. Apparently, users began to look for smiling/sleeping topics as well as rhythm/sleeping topics.
Additionally, I was able to see related queries to my topic. I learned that many people were wondering, “how to get my puppy to sleep through the night” and “how to sleep through the night without waking.”
Finally, this fantastic tool enabled me to test two similar keywords. I compared the phrase “sleep through the night” and “sleeping through the night.” I learned that the previous term was almost twice as likely to be used rather than the later topic.
Use Google trends to analyze your industry. Perhaps you can cover a topic that is loosely related (but a trending) topic to drive people to your website. In my example, maybe I would want to provide content about sleep problems that come from weaning a child off of breastfeeding. Or I could write about how to get your infant to sleep through the night after moving from a bassinet to a crib.
Have you tried using Google News?
Perhaps you should try to use Google News to find new topics for your website’s blog. Although this may not be as informative as Google Trends, it will tell you about the latest stories relating to your industry.
When I typed in “infant sleep” in the search bar, I was informed of a new study that was recently published on the criteria for good infant sleep. This would be great information to write about on a website about sleeping infants.
I also noticed more trending studies showing how to keep infants safe while sleeping.
Within a few keystrokes, I have two new topics for my website.
Use these three tips will help you in improving your rankings.
This article was originally posted at Virtual Surge.
by admin | Feb 14, 2020 | Baltimore SEO, Local SEO, Recent News
What To Know About Google 2020 Update
We have perused the websites of SEO experts to see what they have discovered about Google’s new update. Apparently, the update rolled out during the second week of January.
Many reported that the update affected a large number of websites. Google labeled the update a “broad core update,” which means that it was not specific to a category of sites or regions.
Maybe you weren’t even aware that the update was taking place, but you noticed that your ranking seemed to have changed over the last few weeks. Now you know a possible reason for the change.
When Google introduced massive updates in June of 2019, the company said there was little you could do to fix your site if you saw a decline in ranking. The good news is that Google has been a little more forthcoming this time around in posting advice on what you can do to fix your site. Here’s what we know so far.
Don’t overhaul your website.
We know this answer is not very satisfying. But when writing about the updates, Google representatives state, “There’s nothing wrong with pages that may perform less well in a core update.”
We know how frustrating this answer is. If your website previously appeared on the first page, and now it is buried on page three, you will receive fewer clicks. When Google representatives tell us to relax, that is not very satisfying.
Google representatives used an analogy to describe the process. We are instructed to think of a “Top 100 Movies” list that was published in 2015. If that list was re-examined in 2019, there would be new movies that were made in the last four years to replace some of the previous films on the list. Over those four years, movie viewers would have time to think about other movies that hadn’t made the list previously that they now view as contenders.
While the movies that were removed from the list weren’t bad, others may have been more deserving of the top-ranking four years later.
Apparently, we are to think of the Google update the same way. It’s not that your website is poor quality, but perhaps others have come along since the last update that are better. Google says that these websites now are more deserving of a first-page rank.
We know how unsatisfying this explanation is. You have been working hard on your website, and you thought you were doing everything in your power to earn your rank.
It’s all about the content. Google goes on to reiterate the advice that they have given time and time again. Focus on your content. Google says that its algorithms reward websites with good content.
Here are some things to think about regarding the content on your website. The questions that we pose are written in our words, but they are based upon the questions that Google provided.
These questions can be summarized by the acronym EAT, which stands for Expertise, Authoritative, and Trustworthiness. Whether or not your website has these traits can be determined by the answers to the following questions.
Is your content original?
Do you comprehensively cover the topic?
Do you provide original research or reporting?
Does the information come from quality sources?
Is the headline descriptive and offer a summary of the content?
Do you avoid exaggerations and shocking headlines?
Does your content seem like something that would be published in an encyclopedia or book?
Does your content provide information that you would want to share?
Do we learn about the author of the content?
Does the author seem like someone with authority?
Do you feel as if the author could be an expert on the topic?
Is the content free of factual errors?
Do you trust this content?
Is the content free of grammatical and spelling errors?
Does the content follow the same style?
Is the webpage mobile friendly?
Is there an abundance of ads on the page?
Is the content engaging?
As you go through the list of questions, you may feel as if you are checking off all the necessary boxes to achieve a high-ranking website. If you aren’t getting the clicks you think that you deserve, something must be wrong.
If nothing obvious jumps out as being wrong with your content, visit the higher ranking pages. Analyze what they are doing to achieve the top spot.
Are they providing a list of sources for each of their articles that come from government or education websites?
Do they provide biographies of their authors? Do they seem as if they could be experts on the topic?
Are the articles longer than what you have provided your readers?
If you have tried your best at improving your ranking, but to no avail, maybe it’s time to consult with an SEO expert. The future of your company may depend upon it.
This article was originally posted at Virtual Surge.
by admin | Feb 12, 2020 | Baltimore SEO, Local SEO
Hire a Reputable Baltimore SEO Professional Today!
Are you frustrated with your business’ Google ranking? Do you look at the website of your competitors with dismay, wondering why their website ranks higher than yours? Do you struggle to find the time to perfect your company’s online presence?
Your concerns can be answered by hiring a Baltimore SEO Expert. Here are the reasons you should hire a search engine optimization expert for your Maryland business today.
An SEO expert will give you ideas on how to improve your Google ranking
You hire accountants to do your business taxes. You turn to software developers to write your business’ applications. You hire professional cleaners to maintain your office. Why would you leave your Google ranking to chance? An SEO expert will give you ideas on how to improve your Google ranking
Your customers will only know that you exist by their online searches. If you do not appear on the first page of an online search, you may struggle winning new clients or customers.
An SEO expert will analyze your website’s content to make sure it includes essential keywords and phrases that will help customers find you. Instead of hoping that your content is good enough, hire an expert so that you know your website will be optimized for the latest Google algorithm.
Hiring a local Baltimore SEO expert will ensure that your website’s content sounds authentic.
Have you ever read an article on a business’ website and thought, “the person who wrote that article has never been to Baltimore.” We have too. That’s why if you own a business in Maryland, you need to search for a Baltimore SEO expert to assist you with your website’s content.
Hiring local experts will ensure that your website’s content seems authentic. Local experts will also be more familiar with the competition you face in your industry. Plus, it’s always a good idea to hire someone familiar with the peculiarities involved with working and living in the D.C. area.
Working with a local company also ensures that you can have a face-to-face meeting with the consultant.
An SEO expert can analyze your website regularly.
An SEO expert should monitor your website’s ranking periodically and make adjustments to make sure your page ranks well. The person you hire should routinely analyze essential metrics, including the ranking of keywords and phrases and conversion rates associated with searches.
Whoever you hire to optimize your website should work as your consultant should be vigilant about the changes in your industry. He or she should understand how trending topics may affect your ranking.
Your Google ranking is affecting your bottom line.
At the risk of sounding repetitive, your Google ranking affects the amount of business you receive. According to a study done in 2019, only 0.78% of users click on websites found on the second page of a search. If this statistic doesn’t frighten you, it should.
What are you doing to make sure your company appears on the first page? You should be hiring an SEO expert to assist you.
Following the advice of amateurs may hurt your ranking.
Did you know that over-optimization and keyword stuffing could harm your ranking? Naming images in your blog post incorrectly can also damage your website. SEO is too important to rely on the advice of amateurs.
For SEO advice in Baltimore or elsewhere across the country, contact the experts at Virtual Surge today.
Visit Virtual Surge’s knowledge panel with Google.
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