Friends of Search’s Post

🏆 Insights from My Role as a Judge at the Australian Web Awards 🏆 Since stepping into the judge's seat in 2020, I've uncovered some truths about the web world that might just surprise you. Let's dive in: 1. Clarity is Key: I've noticed a common thread - many entries lack clear information. What challenge did you tackle? How did your solution make an impact? The effectiveness of your project hinges on these clear-cut details. 🎯 2. The Real Hue of SEO: It's time for a reality check. While many claim to adhere to 'white hat' SEO practices, the landscape is far more 'grey hat' than expected. The distinction is crucial, and it's clear that the line is often crossed. 🕵️♂️ 3. The Power of the Underdog: Never underestimate the prowess of small companies. Time and again, they've proven that with the right mix of innovation and spirit, giants can be toppled. It's not about the size, it's about the fight. 💪 4. Going Beyond the Obvious in On-Page SEO: It's disheartening to see most on-page strategies reduced to mere metadata. Yes, it's fundamental, but it's also just the starting point. Your website deserves a strategy that digs deeper, pushing beyond the basics to truly stand out. 🌐 Entering Awards? Here Are My Tips: 1. Tell Your Whole Story: Don't just list what you did; explain why it mattered. The context of your problem and the tangible outcomes of your solution can set you apart. 2. Embrace Full Transparency: Regardless of what business you are in, clear and honest communication can elevate your entry. Authenticity resonates with judges and audiences alike. 3. Focus on Impact: Highlight not just the technical excellence but also the real-world impact of your project. How did it improve lives, processes, or experiences? 4. Comprehensive Effort: Don't stop at the minimum required. Judges appreciate entries that show a thorough, well-rounded approach to problem-solving and project execution, and more importantly, your clients will too. Being part of the Australian Web Awards has been a profound learning experience, revealing the dynamic and evolving nature of web excellence. Here’s to pushing boundaries and setting new standards in the digital space! #business #awards #australianwebawards #judge #learning #marketing #seo

This morning, I had the pleasure of participating in the judging session for the UK Search Awards, once again reviewing an impressive array of high-quality campaigns from across the Search Marketing industry highlighting that our industry continues to overflow with exceptional ideas and results. Now, this year marks a milestone for me, as it’s the 10th consecutive year that I’ve supported Don't Panic Events as a volunteer judge. Over the past decade, I’ve had the honour of judging several Don’t Panic Events awards, including the UK and EU Search Awards, Ecommerce Awards, and Agency Awards, to name a few. Each time, I’ve carefully reviewed countless entries, diving deep into campaign strategies, execution, objectives, and results to ensure that the most deserving work gets recognised. This process has taken quite literally hundreds of hours of my time over the years, unpaid, but I’ve never hesitated to contribute. And that got me thinking. Why do I continue to do it? I’ve heard all sorts of misconceptions over the years about awards, from claims of influence to “pay-to-win” setups, often from those who haven’t experienced the process firsthand. The truth is, as a judge, there’s a HUGE amount of work that goes on behind the scenes. We scrutinise every detail, validate results using industry tools, and benchmark campaigns against one another – all with rigorous attention. Multiply that across numerous judges and no single judge can sway the outcome. It’s a truly robust process and I am proud to help ensure honesty and impartiality continues to exist within these prestigious awards for our industry. I also remain committed to giving my time because I believe that great work deserves recognition. Beyond the marketing benefits for the winners, it’s about seeing the genuine excitement and pride on the faces of winners - knowing their hard work is being celebrated. It’s incredibly rewarding to be a part of that moment. It’s also rewarding to know that the winners will leave the awards ceremony incredibly motivated to keep pushing their work and our industry forward. For me to be able to play even a small part in contributing to the growth and support of our industry, as a judge, motivates me to keep doing my part. Best of luck to all the entrants in this year’s UK Search Awards, the shortlist will be announced this Friday! 🏆 #searchawards #uksearchawards #seo #ppc #sem #digitalmarketing

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Unexpected Virtual Tours & Training’s Triumph this Women’s History Month! Under the leadership of Rebecca Jackson, our Senior SEO Manager, the Women’s History Month Quotes page surged to the #1 spot for the keyword “women’s history month quotes” on Feb 24, 2024, following a successful Content Refresh on Feb 3. Clicks soared by 213% YoY, and overall performance increased by 240% YoY. We are overjoyed by the results and eager to keep going that way! *Source: Google Search Console; 2/03/24 to 3/11/24 YoY

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📍 Proximity is key! 🌍✨ When it comes to ranking on search engines, being close to the searcher's location plays a huge role. If someone is standing right next to you but there's a business 7 miles away, the chances of that business ranking higher than you are very low. 📈 So, make sure to focus on your proximity to potential customers! 💪💼 Additionally, boosting your overall profile authority and visibility is as simple as having more listings in multiple locations. 🌟🗺️ #ProximityMatters #RankingTips #LocalSEO #BoostYourVisibility #LocationIsEverything #ProfileAuthority #VerifiedListings

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