Google Analytics a recently created desktop image and what does it say ????

Google recently updated their product logos to reflect the company logo. In doing so a Google employee created a desktop wallpaper with the tag line "measure organic growth" (as seen above).

The tag line "measure organic growth" caused me to think about a recent Google Analytic's tracking question. After a client changed their homepage, the direct traffic numbers had plummted while their organic traffic had steadily increased. This makes sense as after the bookmark no longer worked (since there was a new page) a visitor then had to find the site using a search engine. This increased the organic traffic since the visitors who typically came via bookmark now had to use a search engine. The other reason, Google drops a cookie on the visitor and when the visitor comes via Organic the "direct" cookie is over written. The organic cookie will always remain and not be over written even if the next visit is direct.

Is Google setting up the analytic data to be stilted more towards organic to show the value of search engines?

Getting Around the Adwords Double Dipping Rule

Google AdWords is notoriously strict about having multiple ads for the same keyword. With a single account it is impossible to game the system as Google will then pick which ad to show for you. Though a local auto dealer who has multiple locations and wants to increase their PPC visibility can create 2 accounts each advertising it's own dealership. This dealer group now has two ads and has found an Adwords Advertising loop hole. (For the time being anyway).

The lesson - use your locations to your advantage in your campaigns. Know the PPC system and how it works.

PageRank Scuplting and the NoFollow Tag

Matt Cutts recently talked about PageRank Sculpting and the NoFollow Tag is no longer a valid way to help sculpt PageRank through your website and cut down on PageRank leak.

Historically, sculpting was done to pass as much PageRank as possible to important pages through a website. Since the nofollow tag can no longer be utilized in this manner, other possible ways to cut down on links within a page are being talked about. One method of using iFrames and then blocking the page with a robots text file seems to be a step backward but a viable solution for the time being.

A better suggestion is to not place too much emphasis and let PageRank flow freely throughout your website.

Using Offline Advertising to Drive Prospects to Your Website

Many automotive and motorsports companies have long relied on using print as a means to turn prospects into customers, but instead of just adding your website domain name to the advertisement, use this as an opportunity to send the potential visitor to a controlled and specific section of your website.

A specific section, known as a micro-site (or microsite) is an easily typed URL or domain that is targeted for prospects. The advantage of creating a micro-site is that all the marketing messaging and offers is specific. Specificity, and giving the information to the visitor when the question around a product arises increases the chances of turning that visitor into a customer.

Micro-sites are also well known for their high SEO value. By having a narrowly focused section of a site or whole site, there is a likelihood that if set up properly will provide much added benefit within the organic search rankings

A few thoughts on the 2009 Le Mans Race

On the weekend of June 14, 2009 the 24 hour of Lemans race took place for the 77th time. Le Mans is a venue with a rich history and can easily be the worlds most challenging endurance race.

The 77th running of Le Mans continued to add to its history, the American Corvette GT1 team and winner will compete in the GT2 class in the future.

Patrick Dempsey raced in the #81 F430 GT Ferrari and raised over $200,000 for a Seattle Hospital. Besides Dempsey's ear to ear smile when talking about the race, he and his team proved that auto racing can help charitable organizations raise money and awareness.

Peugeot won the P1 class ousting the Audi R10 entries, a team that has repetitively won the last few years and dominated the class.

Le Mans with it atmosphere and history proved once again that racing is alive and well.

Mitt Romney Auto Industry Inisght - We should Have Listened

Last November Mitt Romney talked about letting the auto industry fail and not provide car manufacturers with a check. This would allow them to fall into bankruptcy and come out restructured, leaner and in a position to compete.



With GM entering bankruptcy and having burnt through tax payer money, was it wasteful endeavor to prop the likes of GM up?

The Auto Industry in Turmoil - Marketing oppotunities ???

As the auto industry in the US continues on a downward spiral and dealer inventories remain on the car lot, foreign car makers are taking advantage and have continued to advertise on a regular basis. Even with the turn of their inventories slowed, they are hoping to increase market share during this down time.

TV spots continue, online advertising like PPC ( pay per click ) and radio is still being used to drive the US consumer to foreign auto lots.

Ford just finished its seasonal sponsorship and promotion on American Idol, with advertising dollars freed will Ford jump in and separate itself from the likes of GM and Chrysler and advertise and market it's car lineup?