Now I am thinking about multi-colored spandex and a black-tiled room full of overweight men working out… ah the 1980s… All Olivia Newton-John song references aside (although I am sure you are singing it in your head), Google Analytics is a free website analysis tool that generates detailed traffic reports for websites. These traffic reports “talk” to us in a sense, by listing important website statistics that are useful in many ways.

DDA, a search engine marketing company, uses Google Analytics on websites that we are not hosting, but are enrolled in the SureThing Optimization Program. By adding a piece of tracking code to each page, we are then able to track our progress of website optimization by viewing the improved traffic to the site.

We find that being able to view traffic reports is an important part of website optimization. We can see which keywords potential customers are using to search for a website’s services and can then point out which terms need focused optimization to improve rankings. This software can show how visitors find a website and how they interact with the website’s content.

Being a search engine optimization specialist, I find it important to be able to view a website’s visits and pageviews, new and returning visitors, and also which search engine the visitor is coming from.

I was reading an article the other day about what to look for in a Search Engine Optimization Specialist. I found the paragraph below interesting :

“Most so-called Search Engine Optimization Specialists are people who slap keywords and keyword phrases inside of HTML tags without considering an overall online marketing strategy. On the other hand, there are people who can write for the search engines, analyze site statistics, have a thorough knowledge of spider-friendly HTML, have considerable experience with SEO in multiple industries, and stay up-to-date on search engine happenings. These are the true search engine experts.”

At first I took offense to the initial sentence thinking. “Hey, that is not true about me!” Then I continued to read and calmed down and thought “OK, that’s much better.”

So I guess working at DDA, a search engine marketing company, has turned me into a search engine expert. Working with websites in varying industries, from medical to plastic injection molding, means that each websites needs its own focused optimization. I do not just slap keywords into the meta tags, thank you very much, but rather integrate them into all meta tags, content development, and focus each page on each word specifically. And you could say that 12 years could be looked at as “considerable experience.”

At DDA, we stay ahead of the game on search engine happenings and are truly search engine optimization and marketing experts.

Over the weekend my fiancee was filling out an online form and needed to fill out my personal information as well. When it came to my employer’s information, question after question was asked — What’s the address? Phone number? How long have you been there? What’s your title?

When it came to tell him my title of SEO specialist (and the repeating it…S E O Specialist) he looked clueless.

Sure he knows that I work on websites all day but he is an electrician and not very computer savvy. Watching him hunt and peck my information into the computer was funny, especially since typing on a keyboard without looking is second nature to me.

Although we each have our own titles here at DDA, the name sometimes isn’t long enough. If you would try to list everything that each one of us does as our titles, the list would be endless.

Being a Search Engine Optimization specialist at DDA, a search engine marketing company in Southampton, PA, means that I am constantly fighting the uphill battle of improving website rankings in major search engines. Working in a world of meta tags and Dreamweaver can be a battle in itself, but I push onward and upward. The results are seen when my client’s rankings on Google climb closer and closer to the coveted #1 position.

You can see DDA’s success in Google with our numerous website rankings.

Lately it has amazed me how quickly the days are flying by. My daughter just turned 9 and celebrated her First Holy Communion. It seems like just yesterday I was counting down the days until my due date.

The same can be said for the days that I have worked at DDA, a graphic design company. This year marks 12 years that I have been working with this company. I still remember getting a phone call from my older sister who was then a Graphic Designer with DDA. I was home from school and was asked if I could come in and help put together a product catalog that was designed by DDA. Before working here, I never really used computers. Then I became proficient on a Mac. Over the years, I was in charge of mailing lists, software, data entry, proofreading, and many other tasks that could look like a laundry list if every aspect was included.

Today, my title is simply a Search Engine Optimization Specialist. This is not something that happened overnight and it wasn’t quite simple either.

Back when I started to learn about the techniques used for website optimization, things were much simpler. But back then, the switch from using a Mac to switching to a PC was my hardest challenge! As each year passed, I became more and more independent in my website optimization. And now, I handle all of these websites each month without a second thought.

So here I am today, three children later, still managing to keep up with the latest search engine marketing and optimization tips and trends. Time flies when you’re having fun! Enjoy your weekend everyone!

As a Search Engine Optimization Specialist at DDA, a search engine marketing company, Dreamweaver is always open on my computer. Dreamweaver is a combination of visual layout tools, application development features, and code editing support… everything I need for my website optimization on a daily basis. From editing meta tags to adding alternate text, this all encompassing program can handle it all. When I first started using Dreamweaver many, many years ago, I only knew how to do the basics. Over the years I have learned how to use several of the tools and even how to make changes in the code, of all things!!

Sure from time to time it will throw me a curveball and make me redefine all of my websites. Or give me the occasional “fatal error” and “this program is not responding” message. This usually happens when I have been working on a page for a while and right before I get to save my work. So with a few words mumbled under my breath and a click of the mouse, I continue on. This program has become my right-hand man when handling optimization of websites.

Forget diamonds (although they will never be turned down)… Dreamweaver is a search engine optimization specialist’s best friend!

At DDA, a graphic design company, we are lucky enough to work a four-day work week. So after today our week is half over. I woke up in a great mood today, maybe it’s the gorgeous weather, hearing my favorite song on the radio on my way in, or the fact that I was able to zipper up with ease pants that didn’t fit me last year!

Whatever it was, I am happy as can be. Coming into work as a Search Engine Optimization specialist means everyday brings something new. Each website in our SureThing Optimization Program, whether designed by DDA or not, is unique and needs its own focused optimization.

From search engine and directory submissions to meta tag enhancement, we cover all bases when optimizing a website. Using our keyword research and content development services, each of our client’s websites have the necessary components to achieve higher rankings in the major search engines. Our own website statistics show that we have 1698 terms with 1st place rankings on Google.

When I think of cookie cutter, I think of the dictionary’s definition… a device, usually of metal, for cutting shaped forms, as circles or stars, for cookies from dough that has been rolled flat. This is probably because I love baking!

Baking was one of my all time favorite things to do with my Mom. She baked all of our elaborate birthday cakes and always had cupcakes ready for us as a little surprise on holiday mornings. I have taken her recipes and secret tips and continued the baking tradition. From cakes to cookies, cupcakes to cobblers she taught me how to do it all. Over the years, I haven’t had as much time to bake and at times have resorted to running to the store to pickup something from the bakery section… but this weekend I was back in the kitchen and baking cakes, cupcakes, and making sand pudding.

In today’s world, cookie cutter has come to mean the footprint/shape/base of something that is the same and repeated over and over.

Cookie cutter is probably used most often to describe website design. Other website design companies are using templates to create websites. DDA knows better!

Search engine optimization could also be considered to be cookie cutter by having the same meta tags on each page etc. At DDA, a search enging marketing company, we take the time to focus each individual page of an optimized website on a specific topic. We treat each of the sites that are enrolled in our SureThing Optimization Program like we are baking them from scratch, in a sense, making sure that each site has the proper ingredients to increase their website rankings on Google. And when the timer has gone off… our client’s websites have achieved numerous rankings on the first page of Google.

At DDA, we leave the cookie cutters at home!

As each new calendar month begins, I start over on my alphabetical list (of course) of websites to optimize. Each website needs different optimization each month. I cannot just say, “OK, this month I am going to submit a press release for all of my clients.” Each site has individual needs and there is no blanket statement to make for them all. As I setup my monthly website optimization schedule, I need to review past optimization as well as look through the website to see what is needed.

Occasionally, while deleting Spam emails, I run across search engine optimization tips. I read through and realize that I already know all of the tips they are so graciously spamming to everyone.

Each client that comes into our SureThing Optimization Program, wants to be listed #1 on Google. DDA stays on top of Google’s changing algorithms, and can make this possible. Our own website, www.zeroonezero.com, currently has 1,698 terms with first place rankings in Google. We are constantly updating and optimizing our website and keeping up with Google’s algorithms, and we strive to do the same for our clients so over time, they will see the same results.

Being a Search Engine Optimization Specialist, I have many sites to optimize each month. As the final days of each month roll in, I can get a little panicked. Having so many websites to optimize in one month’s time can be overwhelming. Even with optimization schedules, calendars set up, and basically doing as much as I can as fast as I can, the last few days usually hold those sites that I have been putting off for the entire month. But somehow, I manage to get everything done by the stroke of midnight on the final day of the month.

Living in a world of meta tags, website analysis, ranking reports and of course Dreamweaver, website optimization is an important part of a website’s design and functionality. Years ago, when people would ask what I do, they had no idea what website optimization was.

Now, everyone seems to know the meaning and importance of the work that I do on a daily basis.

After making it through my weekly case of the Mondays, next up comes the Tired Tuesdays. It’s not so bad, since at DDA, we work a four-day work week. So after today my week is half over.

With my cappuccino in hand, I check my emails, check my calendar to see which websites I will be optimizing today, and of course there is that request for something that was not scheduled. All tasks will be handled, completed and all of this with a smile on my face to compensate for the bags under my eyes.

Website optimization is a tricky task. Knowing what the major search engines are looking for and implementing those items into your website without changing the website design, functionality and overall appearance, can be challenging at times. And once Google changes its mind on what is the most important element for a website to have, I need to go back and make the updates.

Years ago, keywords were everything to Google. I would create lists and go back and forth with clients on which keywords were just right for their website. Nowadays, Google doesn’t even weigh as much importance on keywords as much as having keyword-rich content.

DDA, a search engine optimization and marketing company, stays ahead of the game and knows what optimization aspects to implement into our clients websites. Not to mention our own website that is over 3,000 pages! www.zeroonezero.com.

As I look at my day ahead, full of sips of cappuccino, Dreamweaver and Filezilla, I know that the efforts I put into my clients website, will over time increase their website rankings.

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!