Yearly Archives: 2009

SEO

This is part 5 of a series of articles on universal search. If you don’t know what universal search is, read this article first. If you just want to catch up, read the previous posts about image and video search optimization, product feed optimization and news search optimization. Local search dominates the results on every… Read More

PPC

A couple of months ago, Google AdWords launched another tool to their already hefty arsenal of pay per click optimization and monitoring devices: the keyword performance module. If you already know what that is, great! Let me know what you think about it. If not- it can be found on your Campaign Management tab under… Read More

Random

I don’t brag on this blog, much, but this one’s worth a mention: TopSEOs ranks about 2000 sites every year. They chose Portent as the #10 SEO company in the US, and #8 PPC firm. I know. We’re under-achieving. What happened to #1? Where’s the love? Joking aside, I’m excited and very proud of my… Read More

SEO

This is part 4 of a series of articles on universal search. If you don’t know what universal search is, read this article first. If you just want to catch up, read the previous posts about image and video search optimization and product feed optimization. Google and Yahoo blend news search results into their universal… Read More

Random

This is part 3 of a series of articles on Universal Search. If you don’t know what universal search is, read this article first: click here. If you just want to catch up, read yesterday’s post about image and video search optimization, too. I hate spreadsheets. Especially endless ones with thousands of rows. So you… Read More

SEO

This is part 2 of a series of articles on Universal Search. If you don’t know what universal search is, or think blended search is a new kind of foo-foo drink, read the first article: click here. I am an authority on Snidely Whiplash. Betcha didn’t know that. I didn’t either, actually, until Google Image… Read More

SEO

I’ve decided to write a series of articles about how search results work. This may seem absurdly basic, so try this test: If I say “blended search”, and the first thing you think of is a margarita, then you need to read this series. Search results pages (SERPs, to us geeks) have changed a lot… Read More

PPC

Are you tired of having to run a report in AdCenter every time you want some stats that aren’t: Yesterday, Last 7 Days, Today, This Month, Last Month, Last 3 Months, Last 6 Months, This Year, Last Year or Entire Time? Or in my case, I’m tired of deciphering just what would be 3 months… Read More

Internet Marketing

The ideal internet marketer would be a Jedi Knight. Not because she could lop off the heads of hapless competitors (although that would be cool), but because she could move through the complexities of an internet marketing campaign with zen-like effectiveness. She could also fight off the Dark Side, which schemes to destroy all internet… Read More

Random

I’ve just had to let 4 employees go. We’ve lost four clients in 2 weeks thanks to the economy. While we may replace that business fast and get everyone back on board, I’m listing their qualifications here. If you know a Puget Sound-area position for them, or of contract work they can do, please contact… Read More

Random

Hard to believe, but I’m not much of a tools guy. I tend to use a text editor, an image editor, an outlining tool and a Moleskine. So, when I use a new tool more than four times, it’s worth writing about. To all the folks who send me tools for reviews and stuff, please,… Read More

Random

I have strived (striven? striveded?) for years to write the perfect blog post. I think I finally have it. Here goes (ahem): Introduction involving cute puppy, family member, description of recent travels or new toy. Synergy. Web 2.0 internet conversations branding. Branding conversations web 2.0 XML hyperlinking dynamic community. Twitter. Facebook social media 3.0 mashup,… Read More

Internet Marketing

[I get paid if you buy a copy – full disclosure. It’s a dang good book though.] When someone tells me that, to improve my e-mail marketing, I need to “write more compelling content”, my first impulse is to hit them with something heavy and unforgiving. These kinds of vague pronouncements are like telling me… Read More