Month: January 2020

How to Check if Google Manually Reviewed Your Site

Do you know how Google decides what website should be ranked number 1, 2, 3 and so on for any given keyword?

Well, they have an algorithm for that.

But as you know, algorithms aren’t perfect. That’s why Google continually tries to improve it.

One way that they try to improve their algorithm is through Search Quality Raters.

What’s a Search Quality Rater?

Google knows that they can always make their search results
better. And one way is to have humans review their listings for any given
keyword.

So, all around the world, Google has
people who manually review websites. And they review each website based on these
guidelines.

It’s kind of long and extensive, but it is important that the Quality Raters don’t directly impact rankings.

Instead, they give feedback to the engineers who code up the algorithm so they can make it more relevant to searchers.

Now, the real question is, how do you know your site is
being reviewed?

First, I want you to log into your Google Analytics account and go to the audience overview report.

Then click on “Add Segment.”

Your screen should look something like this:

Then click on “+ New Segment.”

Your screen should look like the image above.

I want you to click “Conditions,” which is under the “Advanced” navigation label. Once you do that, fill out everything to match the screenshot below and click “save”.

Just make sure that when you are filling out the table you are clicking the “or” button and not the “and” button. And make sure you select “Source” for the first column.

Now that you’ve created the new segment, it’s time to see if
any Quality Raters have viewed your site.

How to spot Quality Raters

When you are in Google Analytics, you’ll want to make sure
you select the segment you just created.

If you copied my screenshot, you would have labeled it “Search Engine Evaluators.” And when you select it, you’ll probably see a graph that looks something like the image below.

You’ll notice that no Quality Raters have been to my site
during the selected date period, which is common as they don’t visit your site
daily and, in many cases, they don’t come often at all.

The other thing you’ll notice is that next to the “Audience Overview” heading, there is a yellow shield symbol. If your symbol is green, then that’s good.

Yellow means your data is being sampled.

If you see the yellow symbol, reduce your date range and you’ll eventually see a green shield next to “Audience Overview” like the image below.

In general, it is rare that Quality Raters view your site each month. But as you expand your time window, you’ll be able to spot them.

And once you spot them, you can shorten the date range so the data isn’t sampled and then drill down to what they were looking at on your website.

The key to analyzing what Quality Raters are doing on your site is to look at the “Site Content” report in Google Analytics and that will help you produce results that look like the screenshot above.

To get to that report, click on “Behavior,” then “Site Content,” and then “All Pages.”

What do I do with this information?

The goal of a Quality Rater is to help improve Google’s
algorithm. And whether they have visited your site or not, your goal should
be to make your site the best site in the industry.

You can do so by doing the following 3 things:

  1. Follow the quality guidelines that Google has released. It’s 168 pages long but, by skimming it, you can get a good understanding of what they are looking for.
  2. Always put the user first. Yes, you want higher rankings, but don’t focus on Google, focus on the user. In the long run, this should help you rank higher as Google’s goal is to make their algorithm optimized for user preferences over things like on-page SEO or link building.
  3. Check out Google’s advice for beating algorithm changes. In that article, you’ll find a breakdown of what Google is really looking for.

Conclusion

If you have Quality Raters browsing your site from time to time,
don’t freak out. It doesn’t mean your rankings are going to go down or up.

And if you can’t find any Quality Raters visiting your site,
don’t freak out either. Because that doesn’t mean that you won’t ever rank well
in Google.

As your site gets more popular, you’ll notice a higher chance of Quality Raters visiting your site over time. This just means that you need to focus more on delighting your website visitors. Create the best experience for them and you’ll win in the long run.

So, have you spotted any Quality Raters in your Google Analytics?

PS: Special shoutout to Matthew Woodward who originally brought the Google Quality Raters segmentation to light.

The post How to Check if Google Manually Reviewed Your Site appeared first on Neil Patel.

Three Social Media Marketing Trends to Embrace This Year!

Social media is one of the fastest-changing industries out there. It is changing everything: Your customers’ expectations, the way they find and interact with you. Is your business keeping up? Here are a few ideas for you to beef up your social media marketing this year: 1. Story-telling is the key Story-telling is re-defining social… Read more »

The post Three Social Media Marketing Trends to Embrace This Year! appeared first on Paper.li blog.

New comment by bmul17 in "Ask HN: Who is hiring? (January 2020)"

RSA Security | Bedford, MA | Full Time | ONSITE / REMOTE | Full Stack Software Engineer
RSA Labs is looking to add a senior full stack developer to our team. We’re currently a team of 6 developers, co-located around the US. RSA Labs is an R&D team focused on ideating and developing the next generation of security products. We operate autonomously from the rest of the company which allows us a high degree of freedom in exploring new products and technologies. To learn more about our specific projects, see http://rsalabs.com.

You should have several years of development experience. We’re looking for someone with strong back-end skills. Since this is a remote team you should also be a strong independent worker (self-motivated, good problem solving skills). Experience with Java, Python, Javascript, & cloud deployment is a plus.

If you’re interested please apply here: https://jobs.dell.com/job/bedford/senior-principal-software-…

New comment by doque in "Ask HN: Who is hiring? (January 2020)"

joyn.de | Full Time | ONSITE/REMOTE (London, UK and Munich, GER)

We’re building a streaming & Live-TV platform for the European market in order to connect content providers with users across all of Europe. We build apps for all web & mobile platforms including TVs.

Our engineering department is hiring for multiple teams: React, GraphQL, Android, SRE and Data Science. You will have plenty of opportunity to get to know new teams and technologies, as we value end-to-end ownership of features and T-shaped profiles.
Our stack includes Typescript, React, NextJS, Kotlin, Python, Java and Scala (and more!) all running on AWS.

We welcome junior applicants, depending on the role.
If interested, check out our open positions or write directly to remote.jobs@joyn.de

How Fundability and Minority Small Business Grants Can Build Off Each Other

First, to be clear, minority small business grants, and any grants for that matter, are totally free money that you do not have to pay back.  As such, those awarding grants typically do not consider your ability to repay a grant in the selection process. That doesn’t mean that fundability doesn’t matter though.  It does.  … Continue reading How Fundability and Minority Small Business Grants Can Build Off Each Other

You Tube Affiliate-Suggestions On How To Use You Tube

You Tube Affiliate-Suggestions On How To Use You Tube Numerous associate marketing professionals (those that make a payment when the web traffic that they send out to a suppliers site in fact purchase) recognize the value of obtaining one of the most out of every aspect they can discover to drive web traffic online. Utilizing … Continue reading You Tube Affiliate-Suggestions On How To Use You Tube

The Secret To Protecting Your Business Assets

The Secret To Protecting Your Business Assets

No matter the kind of company you carry out, there is a considerable danger of being filed a claim against in our litigious culture. Legal actions can vary from insurance claims of oversight to faulty items to disagreements with workers. Including is a way of defending against these prospective hazards.

Solitary Incorporation – Protecting Your Personal Assets

Including your organisation is a technique for producing a lawful wall surface in between your individual possessions as well as organisation. If a judgment is provided versus your company, the service possessions are as excellent as gone.

Dual Incorporation Strategy – Protect Your Business Assets

If you integrate your service, it is all well and also great that your individual possessions are not at threat. Simply integrating your company will certainly not secure these possessions since they are had by the company entity. Because an effective suit would certainly result in a judgment versus the service entity, all possessions of the service can be taken as component of the judgment.

As the name recommends, the dual consolidation approach entails the development of 2 organisation entities. The initial is your “at danger” service that engages with your customers or clients. The 2nd entity, a “holding company”, is after that developed to have the important properties of your organisation.

Lots of people understand that a company entity can be utilized to produce a safety guard for their individual possessions. Currently you can utilize this dual consolidation method to safeguard those properties as well if your service has high worth possessions.

Including your organisation is an approach for developing a lawful wall surface in between your individual possessions and also service. If a judgment is provided versus your company, the service properties are as excellent as gone. Just including your service will certainly not shield these properties since they are possessed by the company entity. Given that an effective suit would certainly result in a judgment versus the organisation entity, all possessions of the service can be taken as component of the judgment. The 2nd entity, a “holding company”, is after that developed to have the useful possessions of your service.

The post The Secret To Protecting Your Business Assets appeared first on ROI Credit Builders.

Broadband Internet Providers – How Do You Choose?

Broadband Internet Providers – How Do You Choose?

If you function at house utilizing the web or are regularly on the web examining out web sites, after that you will certainly desire to look right into solution from a high rate web supplier. After you pick which link you are interested in, after that you require to locate the high rate web carrier that uses that certain solution.
DSL is range delicate, which implies that you require to be within 3 miles of the workplace of your high rate web company to obtain the finest link. DSL is constantly on, so you do not have to wait for it to link to the web.
The only downside to wire net might be the high expense that these high rate web carriers bill. Cord web is a fantastic choice for those customers that are on the web numerous times a day.
Satellite web makes use of satellites in external area for net link. Ask next-door neighbors concerning their web solution and also if they make use of satellite web solution.
Broadband net companies load an important demand for net individuals. The vital point to do is to investigate the service provider team of your option up until you locate a broadband web service provider that supplies what you require for you as well as your family members. After that you certain to discover the high rate net solution that is appropriate for you when you do this!

If you function at residence utilizing the net or are often on the web inspecting out internet sites, after that you will certainly desire to look right into solution from a high rate net supplier. The only downside to wire web might be the high expense that these high rate web service providers bill. Ask next-door neighbors regarding their net solution as well as if they utilize satellite web solution. High rate net companies fill up an essential requirement for web customers.

The post Broadband Internet Providers – How Do You Choose? appeared first on ROI Credit Builders.

Broadband Internet Providers – How Do You Choose?

Broadband Internet Providers – How Do You Choose?

If you function at house utilizing the web or are regularly on the web examining out web sites, after that you will certainly desire to look right into solution from a high rate web supplier. After you pick which link you are interested in, after that you require to locate the high rate web carrier that uses that certain solution.

DSL is range delicate, which implies that you require to be within 3 miles of the workplace of your high rate web company to obtain the finest link. DSL is constantly on, so you do not have to wait for it to link to the web.

The only downside to wire net might be the high expense that these high rate web carriers bill. Cord web is a fantastic choice for those customers that are on the web numerous times a day.

Satellite web makes use of satellites in external area for net link. Ask next-door neighbors concerning their web solution and also if they make use of satellite web solution.

Broadband net companies load an important demand for net individuals. The vital point to do is to investigate the service provider team of your option up until you locate a broadband web service provider that supplies what you require for you as well as your family members. After that you certain to discover the high rate net solution that is appropriate for you when you do this!

If you function at residence utilizing the net or are often on the web inspecting out internet sites, after that you will certainly desire to look right into solution from a high rate net supplier. The only downside to wire web might be the high expense that these high rate web service providers bill.

Ask next-door neighbors regarding their net solution as well as if they utilize satellite web solution. High rate net companies fill up an essential requirement for web customers.

The post Broadband Internet Providers – How Do You Choose? appeared first on ROI Credit Builders.

How Fundability and Minority Small Business Grants Can Build Off Each Other

First, to be clear, minority small business grants, and any grants for that matter, are totally free money that you do not have to pay back.  As such, those awarding grants typically do not consider your ability to repay a grant in the selection process. That doesn’t mean that fundability doesn’t matter though.  It does. 

Your Level of Fundability Can Affect Your Ability to Win Grants, and Winning Minority Small Business Grants Can Help You Build Fundability 

How does this work?  How does the fundability of your business affect your ability to get grants, and how can getting small business grants help you build fundability? Think about it.  Of course, the main thing that grantors are looking for is a business that can be successful. That means having a winning business idea. That being the case, applicants focus on that piece.  They present a fabulous pitch and a winning business plan, then they execute a flawless presentation and hope those that make the decisions love it.  

Check out our best webinar with its trustworthy list of seven vendors to help you build business credit. 

However, if the competition is a close one, and there are any red flags out there on any applicant, it could mean the difference between winning, and not.  Winning is important, because grants can be a great option for supplementing your funding.

The Bare Minimum: Do I Need Fundability to Get Minority Small Business Grants? 

Most likely, those offering grants are not going to check credit.  They probably do not even really care about your personal financials.  Those pieces of fundability are not likely to come into play. You can find out more about those and the other parts of the fundability puzzle here.  

However, the foundation of fundability needs to be in place.  This is what can make a difference when it comes to winning minority small business grants. What is a foundation of fundability and why does it matter?  It matters because it is what sets your business apart as legitimate. These are the things that separate your business from yourself, and it shows that you have all of your proverbial ducks in a row.  It may never come into play, but if it does, you want to be ready. What are the building blocks of the foundation of fundability? 

Contact Information

The first step in setting up a foundation of fundability is to ensure your business has its own phone number, fax number, and address.   Now don’t panic. That doesn’t mean you have to get a separate phone line, or even a separate location. You can still run your business from your home or on your computer if that is what you are doing.  You do not even have to have a fax machine.  

In fact, you can get a business phone number and fax number pretty easily that will work over the internet instead of phone lines.  In addition, the phone number will forward to any phone you want it too so you can simply use your personal cell phone or landline if you want.  Whenever someone calls your business number it will ring straight to you. 

Faxes can be sent to an online fax service, if anyone ever happens to actually fax you.  This part may seem outdated, but it does help your business appear legitimate to lenders. 

You can use a virtual office for a business address. How do you get a virtual office?  What is that? It’s not what you may think. This is a business that offers a physical address for a fee, and sometimes they even offer mail service and life receptionist services.  In addition, there are some that offer meeting spaces for those times you may need to meet a client or customer in person. 

EIN

The next thing you need to do is get an EIN for your business.  This is an identifying number for your business that works in a way similar to how your SSN works for you personally.  Some business owners use their SSN for their business. This is what a lot of sole proprietorships and partnerships do. However, it really doesn’t look professional to lenders, and it can cause your personal and business credit to get all mixed up.  When you are looking to increase fundability, you need to apply for and use an EIN. You can get one for free from the IRS.

Incorporate

This is the most important step in fundability thus far.  Incorporating your business as an LLC, S-corp, or corporation is necessary to fundability.  It lends credence to your business as one that is legitimate. It also offers some protection from liability. 

Which option you choose does not matter as much for fundability as it does for you budget and needs for liability protection.  The best thing to do is talk to your attorney or a tax professional. What is going to happen is that you are going to lose the time in business that you have.  When you incorporate, you become a new entity. You basically have to start over. You’ll also lose any positive payment history you may have accumulated. 

This is why you have to incorporate as soon as possible.  Not only is it necessary for fundability and for building business credit, but so is time in business.  The longer you have been in business the more fundable you appear to be. That starts on the date of incorporation, regardless of when you actually started doing business. 

Check out our best webinar with its trustworthy list of seven vendors to help you build business credit. 

Business Bank Account

You have to open a separate, dedicated business bank account.  There are a few reasons for this. First, it will help you keep track of business finances.  It will also help when it comes time to do taxes by keeping your personal finances separate from your business finances.. 

There’s more to it however.  There are several types of funding that are not available  without a business bank account. Many lenders and credit cards want to see a business account with a minimum average balance.  In addition, you a merchant account is not an option without a business account at a bank. That means, you cannot take credit cards payments.  Studies show that consumers usually spend more when credit card payment is available.

Licenses

For a business to be legitimate, it has to have all of the necessary licenses it needs to run.  If it doesn’t, warning lights are going to flash all over the place. Research what you need to do to ensure you have all of the licenses necessary to legitimately run your business at the federal, state, and local levels. 

Website

In these times, you do not exist if you do not have a website.  Having a poorly put together website can be even worse though. It is the first impression you make on most.  As a result, if it appears to be unprofessional, your business will look bad before the customer even gives it a chance. 

Spend the time and money necessary to ensure your website is professionally designed and works well.  Pay for hosting too. Don’t use a free hosting service. Along these same lines, your business needs a dedicated business email address.  Make sure it has the same URL as your Website. Don’t use a free service such as Yahoo or Gmail. 

If you are a new business applying for minority small business grants to help get you off of you feet, you may not be ready for all of this yet.  Much of it can be does at square one however, and it is infinitely easier to do so. For example, just go ahead and get a business number and address and use it on your grant applications.  Get a professional website, or at least a prototype, up and running so you have something to show. It could make all the difference.

How Can Minority Small Business Grants Help Build Fundability?minority small biz grants Credit Suite

It’s pretty easy to see how fundability can affect your ability to get minority small business grants.  How is the reverse true though? How can minority small business grants help you build fundability, especially when you don’t have to pay them back so there are no payments to report to business credit. 

Here’s how.  When you get minority small business grants, you have free money to grow and expand your business.  This can help you be more profitable without the debt typically associated with growth. This, in turn, makes it easier to pay back any debt you do have to get in the process of starting and running a business, which will help to build fundability.  

The only question now is, where do you get minority small business grants?  Many private and government agencies offer them, including some corporations.  Some are offered annually, while others are available for one time only. It would be impossible to list all available grants, but here are a few to start with.  Remember to do your research, as all of them have different eligibility requirements and application processes. 

Options for Minority Small Business Grants

If you qualify, there are many grant options available.  There are not as many specifically for minorities, but there are some.  Here is just a sample of what is out there. 

First Nations Development Institute Grants

With a mission to offer grants that help Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Native Americans, this group is at the top of the list.  They also offer assistance in the application process.

Not only that, but there are a wide range of other opportunities from the First Nations Development Institute. Get on the mailing list to receive information about new opportunities as they become available.

National Black MBA Association Scale-Up Pitch Challenge

Also known as NBMBAA, the Scale-Up Pitch Challenge has cash prizes ranging from $1,000 to $50,000.  The associate states its purpose is to help newer businesses that have an African founder that maintains equal ownership.  

A business must be a member of the NBMBAA to compete.  There is a $10 monthly membership fee. After that, there is an online application.   If chosen, you must submit a three-minute pitch. Then, finalists go on to compete at the NBMBAA annual conference.

Non-Minority Specific Options

There are grants options that can work well even though they are not exclusively for minorities. Some examples include the following.

FedEx Small Business Grant

This grant is the company’s way of working to strengthen small business innovation.  There are 10 grants the company awards each year. They range from $15,000 to $50,000, and if you’re a minority owned business with a cutting-edge product, this could be the grant for you.

A business must use the FedEx website to submit entries. There are a few questions to answer about your business.  In addition, there is a requirement for an elevator pitch about what makes your business special.  Also, you have to explain how you would use the grant funds. A 90 second video submission is optional.

NASE Growth Grants

The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) has small business Growth Grants of up to $4,000. They are for micro-businesses, and proceeds can be used for a number of things including marketing, advertising, expansion, and even to hire employees.  Anyone can apply, but you do have to be an NASE member. Membership fees vary based on the level of membership you choose. 

Check out our best webinar with its trustworthy list of seven vendors to help you build business credit. 

USDA Value Added Producer Grant

The USDA’s Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program offers grants for small businesses.  It includes minority owned business. Grants range up to $250,000. These grants are designed specifically to help agricultural producers with activities that add value to their products. As a result, grants are open to those in rural areas.  They must be operating as one of the following: 

  • Cooperative
  • Farmer
  • Rancher
  • an independent agricultural producer
  • or an agricultural producer group 

Minority Small Business Loans and Fundability: It Goes Both Ways

While neither directly affects the other, the two do affect each other indirectly.  Having a strong, fundable foundation can help the pendulum swing your way when it comes time to make a grant decision.  By the same token, if you win a grant, the funds could help you build strong fundability if used properly. The two together make a winning team for your business. 

The post How Fundability and Minority Small Business Grants Can Build Off Each Other appeared first on Credit Suite.