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Google.ca vs. Google.com: Is your SEO optimizing for the right search engine?

Google Doodle from Canada Day 2010

When you search Google from Canada, did you know that you see much different search engine results than someone doing the same search from the USA (or the UK or other countries)?

That’s right. Google maintains separate databases for 10 different countries (that’s US, UK, Canada, Russia, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Brazil and Australia, for those of you scoring along at home). And if you’re in Canada, even if you type Google.com into your browser, Google automatically redirects you to Google.ca, the Canadian version of the site.

And those results can be dramatically different.  Take, for example a search for “news” on Google.ca (Canada):

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SEO for the world’s second biggest search engine

When they’re talking SEO, people generally talk about optimizing for Google. That makes sense – it’s the worlds biggest search engine, by far.

But Google’s search isn’t the only search game in town. There are plenty of other search engines, and at least one of them comes close to rivalling Google’s main search tool in terms of number of searches. And it’s almost as important for getting your business in front of potential customers and your online marketing.

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The business case for your blog

Blog Post Lead Generation Graph

A big part of our work as a digital marketing agency involves talking to clients and prospective clients about creating quality Web site content on a regular basis, or what a lot of the world calls “blogging.”

And we get challenged on it. A lot. “We don’t have time to write that stuff,” “I hate writing that stuff,” “nobody would  read our blog.” These are all common objections that we hear.

But you should make time – or hire someone who’s good at it who has the time – and people will read it if it’s done right. In fact, according to HubSpot, companies that blog generate 70% to 90% more leads than comparable companies that don’t blog. And I’m going to guess, although I don’t have hard statistically  valid data to back it up, that companies that blog convert those leads into sales at a higher rate, too.

Here’s why…

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5 Key Things About Google Plus Pages for Your Business

Google+ for Business Google+ Page

This week Google announced that they’re opening up their Google Plus social network to let businesses join the party, through something they’re calling “Pages for Business”.

Businesses need to think carefully about results before they commit to a new social networking platform. If you’re a business owner or marketer, here are the things you should consider before deciding to set up your Page or to give it a pass.

Read the rest on Technorati.com…

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3 ways to get more out of video on your Web site

videographer by day, ninja by night!

We’ve written before here about the growing importance of online video to your online marketing efforts. Video can help your customers connect with you more deeply and it can help them find you better in the first place. And with the introduction of cheap, good camera’s like the Flip and the Kodak Zi8 (what I use) it’s easier than ever to create videos for the Web. Here are a few tips for making the most of the opportunity:

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