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KEEPING UP WITH SEO AND SOCIAL MEDIA: MAY ROUNDUP 

Keeping up with SEO and Social Media

With the dust somewhat settled on the mobile update we’ve been discussing for the past couple months, May was a good time to get back to marketing basics. Here are some of the top articles on search engine optimization(SEO), social media, and internet marketing that you may have missed over the last few weeks:

Starting on the link building side of things, a trio of articles looks at how to tackle the “long-term project that never ends.” The first, an article from Search Engine Land discusses how to roll with the ongoing, cyclical nature of link building. Then, the Moz Blog offers some insight into how link building has changed in recent years. And lastly, Quicksprout makes a case that link building is NOT the future of SEO. What should you do with all this information? Keep building links while also focusing on your overall user experience.

Do you outsource your SEO? If so, you’ll definitely want to read Search Engine Land’s article on the various pricing models for SEO services. Obviously there’s never going to be a one size fits all solution, but understanding the pros and cons of the most common pricing models will go a long way toward helping you determine what’s going to work best for you and your firm.

On the reviews front, Search Engine Land reported that 83% of SEOs believe focusing on reviews delivers good ROI. If you haven’t already, it’s time to start thinking about your review strategy. Don’t be afraid to ask customers for reviews after you’ve provided them with great service. In fact, the response rates to second and third review requests are higher than the initial request.

At this point, it wouldn’t be a monthly recap without some mention of mobile. So, as if out of obligation, here’s Search Engine Watch’s report on four mobile dos and don’ts for SMBs (small and medium sized businesses). And, sticking with the topic of optimizing your website, you may also want to check out SEW’s post about why page speed should be your next focus. Just like the Quicksprout article suggested, creating a quality (and that means fast loading) user experience is becoming more important than ever.

Lastly, Search Engine Watch offered a few reasons why blogging is a critical part of your SEO strategy. If you’re still not convinced that blogging is worthwhile, this article probably won’t change your mind. However, if you’re already using it as a valuable part of your marketing mix, there are plenty of pointers you can put to good use.

That’s it for this month’s roundup. As usual, let me know if I missed anything.

About the Author: Jason Arango is the Director of Marketing for GJEL Accident Attorneys. He’s been involved in online marketing since 2007, and has worked with companies such as Village Voice Media and Clear Channel Communications.