The whole first page on Google game has gotten a bit harder recently. This is because Google has started showing up to four pages from the same domain on one page of the search results. The reason? Google wants to present the most relevant search results based on a searcher’s intent.  If that searcher is interested in a particular domain or topic they might see up to four results for one domain based on relevance.

Google’s reasoning from their blog: “As before, we still provide links to results from a variety of domains to ensure people find a diverse set of sources relevant to their searches. However, when our algorithms predict pages from a particular site are likely to be most relevant, it makes sense to provide additional direct links in our search results.”

It’s important to note that when more than one page is shown from the same domain, the website descriptions for the additional pages change from two lines to one. This makes the first 10 words of a meta-description tag even more important.

Previously Google would only show up to two pages from the same domain on one page, but in the past two weeks there has been a dramatic change. Showing four results from one domain instead of one or two can create a substantial advantage in the search engine real estate game.  Just like back in the day, the number of times your website is visible on a search page the more opportunities there are to click it.
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One of the most interesting aspects of thinking strategically regarding business and operations, are the lessons that can be learned on a social level from friends. After all, many of the engagements on higher levels use a diplomacy of sorts, understanding the nuances of relationship building that translates into eventual trust and respect on both sides of the fence.

Here is one such story I’d like to share.

A few years ago, the brother of a good friend of mine was visiting from Taiwain. It was his first time being in Chicago, so a few of us in our circle really had a wonderful week planned giving John a true Chicago experience. Upon his arrival, we presented a gift; some athletic apparel (track pants and shirt plus jacket). We figured this was perfect since he was very athletic. We went to baseball games, enjoyed some blues and the great food Chicago has to offer. During the whole week however, he never wore the gift we gave him.

After a great visit and promising to return soon, he left.

One year later, he visited again and we made all the necessary arrangements. When we went to the airport to pick John up, the first thing I noticed as he walked through the gate toward us, was him wearing the gift we gave him, one year earlier. What I felt was an immediate sense of comfort and gratitude. As we were eating out that night, I leaned over to him and asked, “Why did you wear the gift we gave you when we picked you up?” He replied, “I loved the track suit and realized I had to exercise the greatest level of discipline to show my sense of gratitude. If I had worn the gift during my first visit, it would have certainly shown my appreciation. Waiting until my next visit allowed me to extend my gratitude and respect at a time when you did not expect it.”
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This is Dave Berg, our new Director of Business Strategy.

Dave comes on board with a wealth of expertise in business strategy and interactive marketing. Prior to joining us, he had been leading business-development efforts at a Chicago-based interactive agency. Dave was key in building Axis Incorporated, a medical-consulting firm focused on cardiovascular ultrasound imaging. He spent ten years leading national marketing initiatives for USG, a Fortune 500 global manufacturer of building products. He’s also an active member of the Technology Committee at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, where he helps  businesses use the interactive space to help them accomplish key business goals.

Now that he’s here, Dave is providing strategic direction for the new work that’s coming into envisionit media. He’s also going to be a major asset in growing new and existing client relationships. And we like his approach–he starts with the point of view of a client’s key customer, and then shapes marketing efforts accordingly to help clients drive loyalty and revenue.

Dave’s been with us for a few weeks now, so we wheedled him into telling us why he joined our team. Here’s what he said:

“One of the greatest observations I made about the envisionit team is the drive and passion they have at all levels of engagement. Everyone cares about the work. There is no buzzword or management style that can perform better for a client than the loyalty of dedicated people, I’m one of them.”

Aw, shucks. Thanks, Dave. We’re glad you’re here, too–welcome aboard!

envisionit media enthusiastically welcomes to our interactive agency: Marquette Companies!

Founded in 1983, today Marquette serves as private real estate company committed to investment excellence in real estate assets across the U.S. Marquette Companies is involved in a number of local real estate properties, including the Ponds of Naperville and Lemont Lofts. The company also just moved their operations to a new office in Naperville, IL.

envisionit media would like to welcome its newest client, VOA Associates, to the agency! We are proud to have teamed up with Carolyn Grisko & Associates as part of an integrated marketing strategy.

For more than 40 years, VOA Associates has delivered award-winning design, architectural and planning services for an impressive list of clients in a wide range of markets, both geographic and sector-diverse. With offices currently on four continents and projects spanning the globe, VOA is unquestionably an elite and successful design firm that continues to shape our world!

We are proud to partner with them in their new marketing efforts!

When you think of foursquare, the first thing that might come to mind is a game you played at recess when you were in elementary school. Well, times are changing, and the next time you hear someone talking about foursquare, they’re probably talking about the ever-growing location-based social media tool.

How it works for users:

Foursquare is a social media tool that allows people to post their location from GPS based smart phones, or via text from a regular cell phone. This is called “checking in,” and the more you check in, the more “rewards” you can earn. There are two different types of rewards: badges and mayor-ships.

There are many different ways you can earn a badge on foursquare, but it will always involve checking in. One example of this is the “explorer” badge, which you earn after checking into 25 different locations. Foursquare also has badges that are location and event specific. Recently, they teamed up with SXSW (South by Southwest), a 9 day music, film, and interactive event in Austin, TX to create a cornucopia of badges a user could earn while “exploring” the event.  To earn mayor-ship of a location, you must have the most check-ins at a specific location in the past 60 days. Once you’ve achieved this, you become the undisputed mayor of that location…that is, until someone else frequents that venue more than you and steals the crown.

How it works for businesses:

Foursquare is a great way to get people to visit your business, post about their experience, and create an interactive community. Foursquare works well for places like restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, bars/clubs, gyms, hair salons, and other venues that people visit regularly.
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We’d like to put a bug in your ear about our newest client, H.D. Hudson. envisionit media has partnered with H.D. Hudson as their interactive agency. Here’s the “buzz” about them:

H. D. Hudson Manufacturing Company is a long-standing, global company specializing in consumer and professional sprayers and dusters since 1905. The Hudson brand is recognized and known for quality, service and value throughout the world. H.D. Hudson’s company headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois with products distributed and sold worldwide. The lady bug sure can travel!

We would like to welcome the H.D. Hudson team to the envisionit family. You have inspired a new passion for our gardens this year!

We are very excited to announce that NTN Bearing Corporation of America has retained envisionit media as their interactive agency!

NTN Bearing Corporation of America manufactures and distributes throughout the U.S. a wide range of ball and roller bearings, serving the automotive, industrial and recreational markets. In addition to bearings of all sizes and types, NTN is also one of the largest producers of constant velocity joints for automotive front-wheel and four-wheel drive applications. Over 70% of the bearings sold by NTN in North America are manufactured by one of the seven manufacturing plants the company operates in the USA and Canada. The company maintains their primary website at www.ntnamerica.com.

Needless to say, we’re excited to get our ‘bearings’ around this new relationship!

For so long, online marketing success was measured by number of clicks.  That measurement of success, however, has shifted over the past 3 years from clicks to conversion rate optimization to increase conversions. A conversion occurs when a user visits your site and takes the desired action.  This action can include making a purchase, submitting a form, subscribing to a service, etc. The rate of these conversions is the percentage of your overall traffic that does what you want them to do, which can be significantly increased when optimized.

Conversion rate optimization is the key to achieving significant ROI in online marketing campaigns.  Who doesn’t like the sound of that?

Contact us to learn how to get more out of your online campaigns.