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hellobloger0000 · 17 days ago

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Brain Development Food for 1 Year Baby: Indian Superfoods Every Parent Should Know

The first year of your baby’s life is an exciting time filled with major developmental milestones. Nutrition plays a foundational role in shaping the brain’s architecture. Providing the right brain development food for 1 year baby is essential to boost memory, learning, focus, and emotional health.

Unique Fact: Brain Growth Peaks in the Second Year

While 80% of brain growth happens by age 3, the highest rate of synaptic connections forms around 12–24 months. This means the second year of life is even more crucial for targeted brain nourishment than many parents realize. Selecting the right brain development food for 1 year baby supports this explosive growth phase.

Must-Have Brain Development Food for 1 Year Baby

Here’s a list of scientifically backed and Indian household-friendly foods that promote strong cognitive development in toddlers:

1. Breast Milk (Continued)

Breastfeeding into the second year continues to provide DHA and other brain-supportive nutrients. WHO and UNICEF recommend extended breastfeeding for optimal mental and physical development.

2. Avocados

Avocados, though not traditionally Indian, are becoming more accessible. Rich in monounsaturated fats, they enhance blood flow to the brain and support myelin formation.

3. Sabudana (Tapioca Pearls)

Common in Indian kitchens, sabudana provides essential carbs that fuel the brain. Pair with nuts and milk to make it more brain-nourishing.

4. Ghee-Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are full of Vitamin A and C, both of which support brain cell protection and immune development. When roasted in ghee, they become an excellent brain development food for 1 year baby.

5. Whole Milk

Full-fat cow milk (after 1 year) provides Vitamin D and cholesterol—both essential for brain function and myelination of nerves.

6. Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese)

Paneer is packed with protein, calcium, and Vitamin B12, which supports memory and overall brain growth in toddlers.

7. Sprouted Moong

Sprouting moong increases its nutrient bioavailability. It offers iron and zinc, key minerals that support brain performance.

8. Coconut (Fresh or Coconut Water)

In Ayurveda, coconut is considered a brain tonic. It cools the body and provides natural electrolytes that boost mental alertness.

9. Makhana (Fox Nuts)

Makhana is rich in antioxidants and easily digestible. It’s a great finger food and helps improve sleep, concentration, and mood in babies.

10. Rice + Dal + Ghee Combo

This classic Indian meal is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats—making it a holistic brain development food for 1 year baby.

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Daily Indian Meal Plan for Brain Health

Breakfast

Mashed avocado on wheat roti

Banana or mashed chikoo

Mid-Morning Snack

Coconut water

Boiled makhana

Lunch

Rice-dal with ghee

Paneer cubes in mild curry

Evening Snack

Sprouted moong chaat (mashed)

Ragi banana porridge

Dinner

Sweet potato mash with ghee

Full-fat milk or curd

Nutrients That Help Brain Development in Babies

NutrientFunctionIndian SourcesIronSupports oxygen delivery to the brainMoong, spinach, jaggeryDHABrain cell structureBreast milk, ghee, fishZincBrain signalingPaneer, sprouted grainsCholineMemory and cognitionEggs, milk, paneerVitamin B12Nervous system healthDairy productsFolateDNA & neurotransmitter synthesisLentils, spinachAntioxidantsPrevent cell damageFruits, makhana, sweet potato

Indian Names for Brain Foods to Add in the Diet

Ragi – Finger millet

Moong – Green gram

Makhana – Fox nuts

Chikoo – Sapodilla

Palak – Spinach

Aloo – Potato

Haldi – Turmeric (in small quantity)

Safety Tips When Feeding 1-Year-Olds

Avoid hard nuts; always grind or crush before use.

Do not add excessive salt or sugar.

Always cook eggs thoroughly.

Introduce allergenic foods cautiously and one at a time.

Use fresh and seasonal produce for maximum nutrition.

Brain-Friendly Feeding Practices

Serve meals at consistent times daily.

Avoid screen time during feeding.

Encourage self-feeding with finger foods like banana slices or makhana.

Blend or mash food to the right texture.

Stay patient—some babies may need multiple exposures to accept new foods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the ideal brain development food for 1 year baby in Indian households?

Rice-dal with ghee, paneer, banana, and ragi porridge are some of the best everyday foods available in Indian kitchens.

Q2. Can I continue breastfeeding after 1 year?

Yes. Breast milk continues to provide DHA and immune-boosting compounds. It's highly recommended to continue alongside solid foods.

Q3. Are makhanas safe for babies?

Yes, when roasted and softened. They offer antioxidants that help in cognitive development.

Q4. Can I give avocado daily to my baby?

Avocado is safe and healthy. It’s rich in good fats that improve brain cell connectivity. Introduce in moderation and ensure ripeness.

Q5. Are there vegetarian options for DHA for baby brain development?

Yes. While fish is the best source, vegetarians can rely on ghee, paneer, and fortified foods.

Conclusion

The first year of your baby’s life lays the foundation for future success—physically, emotionally, and mentally. Choosing the right brain development food for 1 year baby ensures a steady supply of nutrients needed to build a sharp, responsive, and emotionally balanced mind. From Indian staples like ragi and dal to superfoods like makhana and avocado, parents today have a wide variety of smart options to nourish their baby’s brain the traditional and wholesome way.

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seodon · 2 years ago

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Local Playgroups and Parenting Communities in Buckinghamshire

Welcome to a comprehensive guide to local playgroups and parenting communities in Buckinghamshire. We understand that when it comes to childcare and nurturing your little ones, you want the best options available. That’s why we’re here to provide you with detailed information on day nurseries in Buckinghamshire, including the fantastic “Kids Kingdom Daycare” also known as “Kidskingdom.”

Day Nurseries in Buckinghamshire

In Buckinghamshire, parents have access to a wide range of day nurseries that cater to the diverse needs of families. From “Kids Kingdom Daycare” to other excellent facilities, you can trust that your child will be in good hands. The “Day Nurseries in Buckinghamshire” are equipped to provide a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for children of all ages.

Kids Kingdom Daycare: Your Child’s Second Home

“Kids Kingdom Daycare” is a standout in the realm of day nurseries in Buckinghamshire. With a team of dedicated professionals and a commitment to providing the best care for your children, it’s more than just a daycare; it’s your child’s second home.

Exploring Kidskingdom

Let’s delve deeper into what makes “Kidskingdom” an outstanding choice for parents in Buckinghamshire:

1. Educational Excellence: “Kidskingdom” places a strong emphasis on early childhood education. Their programs are designed to stimulate a child’s cognitive development, setting the stage for future success.

2. Safety First: Your child’s safety is a top priority at “Kidskingdom.” From secure entry systems to well-maintained play areas, they ensure a secure environment.

3. Professional Staff: The staff at “Kidskingdom” are highly qualified and trained in childcare. They provide individualized attention, ensuring that each child’s unique needs are met.

4. Nutritious Meals: A balanced diet is vital for growing children. “Kidskingdom” offers nutritious meals, accommodating various dietary requirements.

5. Flexible Hours: For parents with busy schedules, “Kidskingdom” offers flexible hours, making it easier to balance work and family life.

Join the Parenting Community

Parenting is a journey, and it’s often easier when you have a supportive community. Joining a parenting community in Buckinghamshire can be immensely helpful. Whether you’re looking for advice, playdates, or just a friendly chat, these communities provide the support you need.

In Conclusion

In Buckinghamshire, day nurseries like “Kids Kingdom Daycare” (Kidskingdom) offer a nurturing and educational environment for your child. It’s important to make an informed choice when selecting a childcare provider, and we hope this guide has helped you in your decision-making process. Joining a parenting community can also enhance your experience as a parent. Your child’s well-being and development are of utmost importance, and we’re here to support you on this exciting journey.

Remember, “Day Nurseries in Buckinghamshire,” “Kids Kingdom Daycare,” and “Kidskingdom” are the keywords to remember when seeking top-notch childcare options in this beautiful county. We’re here to provide you with the most optimal information to make the best choice for your family.

Discover the best childcare options in Buckinghamshire today!

#Day Nurseries in Buckinghamshire

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melvajoy · 2 years ago

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Get Rid of Tab Overload: The Best Chrome Tab Manager to Streamline Your Browsing

Multitasking has become the norm, and we find ourselves constantly juggling between numerous open tabs in our web browsers. It has become a common challenge for internet users, especially those who work or study online.

With the rise of remote work and online education, people often need to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, resulting in a cluttered browser filled with many tabs. This slows the browsing experience and leads to increased cognitive load and decreased productivity.

If you're tired of this tab chaos and seeking an efficient solution, look no further than Flowbar - the best Chrome tab manager designed to streamline your browsing experience.

The Problem of Tab Overload

Why Tab Overload Occurs

Tab overload occurs due to several reasons. People tend to open multiple tabs to access different websites, resources, or articles they intend to read or refer to later. Some individuals may also use tabs for task management, leaving them open to remind themselves of pending work. However, this well-intentioned approach can quickly spiral out of control, leading to a disorganized and distracting browsing environment.

Negative Impact On Productivity And Focus

The consequences of tab overload can be significant. With numerous tabs vying for attention, it becomes difficult to locate specific information quickly. Switching between tabs takes time and disrupts workflow, causing a loss of focus and hindering productivity. Furthermore, excessive tabs consume valuable system resources, resulting in slower browser performance and increased power consumption.

Flowbar - The Best Chrome Tab Manager

To combat the challenges posed by tab overload, Flowbar emerges as the ultimate solution. Flowbar is a feature-rich Chrome tab manager that redefines how you organize and navigate your browsing experience. With its intuitive interface and powerful functionalities, Flowbar empowers users to regain control over their tabs and optimize their productivity.

Flowbar revolutionizes the way you manage tabs in your Chrome browser. It provides a visually appealing and user-friendly interface that simplifies tab organization, streamlines navigation and optimizes memory usage. With Flowbar, you can finally bid farewell to the chaos of tab overload and embrace a more efficient browsing experience.

Features and Benefits

Flowbar comes packed with various features that enhance your tab management capabilities. Let's explore some of the key benefits:

Tab grouping and organization: Flowbar allows you to group related tabs, creating a logical structure within your browser. You can categorize tabs by topic, project, or other criteria, enabling easy access and navigation.

Quick search and navigation: Finding specific tabs becomes a breeze with Flowbar's search functionality. Enter keywords or tags associated with the tab, and Flowbar will instantly present relevant results, saving you valuable time and effort.

Save & Close All Tabs: Flowbar offers a "Save & Close All Tabs" option to save all the open tabs before closing the browser. It automatically keeps all the tabs; you can access them the next day you open the browser.

Save & Close Selected: Just like Save & Close All Tabs, Flowbar also offers the "Save & Close Selected" option. It saves the selected tabs in the Flowbar dashboard for quick access.

Import and Export Tabs: You can access all your saved tabs anywhere and on any device. All you have to do is log in to the browser, and you will get all your URLs saved in Flowbar.

How to Use Flow bar

Now that you're familiar with the key features of Flowbar let's dive into the practical aspects of using this powerful tab manager.

Installation And Setup Process

Getting started with Flowbar is a breeze. Visit the Chrome Web Store and search for Flowbar. Click the "Add to Chrome" button and the extension will be installed automatically. Once installed, Flowbar will appear as an icon in your Chrome toolbar.

Navigating The Flowbar Interface

Upon installation, click on the Flowbar icon in the toolbar to access the tab manager interface. Flowbar presents a clean and intuitive interface, making navigating and interacting with your tabs easy.

Creating And Managing Tab Groups

To create a tab group, select the tabs you want to group, right-click, and choose the "Add to Group" option. Give your group a descriptive name to make it easily identifiable. You can create multiple groups based on your workflow or project requirements.

Utilizing Search And Navigation Functions

When you need to locate a specific tab:

Use the search bar within Flowbar.

Enter keywords or tags related to the tab you're looking for, and Flowbar will display the matching results.

Click on the desired tab to navigate directly to it.

Benefits of Using Flowbar

By adopting Flowbar as your Chrome tab manager, you can enjoy numerous benefits that enhance your productivity and streamline your browsing experience. Let's explore some of the advantages:

Enhanced Productivity And Focus

Flowbar's intuitive interface and powerful features help declutter your browser and create a more organized workspace. With improved tab management and efficient navigation, you can focus on tasks without tab overload. Flowbar lets you switch between tabs seamlessly, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted workflow.

Reduced System Resource Consumption

One of the significant advantages of Flowbar is its ability to optimize memory usage. Flowbar frees up system resources by suspending inactive tabs, improving browser performance. This enhances the speed and responsiveness of your browsing experience and reduces power consumption, extending your device's battery life.

Simplified Tab Management

Gone are the days of struggling to find a specific tab among many open tabs. Flowbar's tab grouping and search functionalities simplify tab management, allowing you to locate the information you need quickly. With a structured and organized workspace, you can focus on the task without distractions.

Improved Organization And Workflow

Flowbar's tab grouping feature lets you organize your tabs based on projects, topics, or other criteria. This systematic approach enhances your workflow, making switching between tasks and maintaining context easier. You can work more efficiently and achieve better results by keeping tabs organized.

Advantages Of Flowbar Over Competitors

Flowbar outshines its competitors in multiple aspects. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy for individuals of all technical levels to adapt and utilize it effectively. Flowbar's robust features, such as tab suspending and customization options, also set it apart from other tab management tools. The seamless integration with productivity tools further enhances Flowbar's versatility and utility.

Pricing and Availability

Flowbar is a free Chrome extension with essential features that address tab overload. Flowbar offers a premium version with a subscription fee for users seeking advanced functionalities and additional customization options. The premium version unlocks exclusive features and provides a more refined tab management experience.

Flowbar is compatible with Google Chrome on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. You can find Flowbar on the Chrome Web Store and download it directly to your browser.

Conclusion

Tab overload can hinder productivity and create a cluttered browsing experience. Flowbar, the best Chrome tab manager, offers a comprehensive solution to this problem. With its innovative features like tab grouping, search and navigation functionalities, and memory optimization, Flowbar empowers users to regain control over their tabs and streamline their browsing experience. Flowbar can enhance productivity, reduce system resource consumption, and achieve a more organized and efficient workflow.

Don't let tab overload hold you back. Take charge of your browsing experience with Flowbar and experience the difference it can make.

FAQs

How Does Flowbar Differ From The Built-In Chrome Tab Management?

Flowbar offers advanced features such as tab grouping, search functionality, and memory optimization, which are unavailable in the built-in Chrome tab management. Flowbar provides a more comprehensive and efficient solution for managing tabs.

Can Flowbar Sync Tab Groups Across Different Devices?

Currently, Flowbar does not offer tab syncing across devices. However, the Flowbar team is actively working on implementing this feature in future updates.

Will Flowbar Slow Down The Browser Performance?

Flowbar is designed to optimize browser performance by suspending inactive tabs and reducing memory consumption. It is optimized to have minimal impact on browser speed and responsiveness.

Is Flowbar Compatible With Other Chrome Extensions?

Yes, Flowbar is compatible with most Chrome extensions. However, in some cases, conflicts may arise due to the specific functionality of certain extensions. It is recommended to test compatibility with other extensions on an individual basis.

Can Flowbar Be Used On Different Web Browsers?

Flowbar is currently available exclusively for Google Chrome. However, the Flowbar team is actively exploring the possibility of expanding to other web browsers in the future.

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martflows · 4 years ago

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How can education benefits from technology?

Our educational system is being disrupted by technological advances at an alarming rate. Technology has many benefits for education. It offers instant gratification in finding information and instant feedback after learning content is completed through an LMS app. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's discuss education benefits in technology and how it can be used to improve learning outcomes.

Education technology

Our society has seen unprecedented technological advances. It's easy to see why the use of technology for education and training has been so popular in recent years.

It makes sense to incorporate technology into education in order to adapt to modern digital habits. We know technology can be used to enhance learning and training.

Technology benefits in education

microlearning is the result of technology and education combining. Micro learning is the combination of education and technology to achieve optimal transformational learning success.

It works by breaking down information into smaller, more manageable chunks that can be released in small bursts. This increases knowledge retention and knowledge absorption, which allows learners to accumulate more information in a shorter time. The technology benefit lies in the ease of the learning strategy. Users can access training modules whenever and wherever they want. Access to training via their personal device improves productivity and prepares learners for the successful execution of skills relevant to their roles.

Good microlearning LMSs include gamification as an integral component. This is when gaming elements are integrated into serious content lessons. For example, leaderboards, point scores, and real prizing.

Microlearning's proven success is evident in its wide usage and rapid evolution into a better and more effective teaching strategy. We are convinced that microlearning is now a viable option.

What is the role of technology in education?

Technology is a key component of modern education. It is not a good idea to keep using outdated training methods when we can adapt to the changing world. A recent study revealed that 70% of teachers use technology in the classroom daily, as opposed to 55% who reported using it every day in 2016. Smart, relevant technologies have allowed education to adapt to the modern world and can drive greater results through proven methods.

Which are the best ways to use technology in the classroom

There are so many effective and interactive ways to use technology in the classroom. It's easy to create a teaching plan that will help your students learn the most useful tools. We should gain education benefits in technology. Here are some examples of education benefits in technology.

Mobile homework

LMS apps is an education benefit and completely freeMicrolearningPlatform is an excellent option for students to manage their homework from their smartphones. It is easy to download the app for Android and Apple, which lets you track how much time you spend on your homework. LMS apps provide analytics and reporting that will show who completed what and who didn't. It also tracks progress and helps you track your students.

Video and imagery

Your students will benefit from visuals, TED talks and full-length movies. This is particularly relevant for auditory and visual learners. LMS apps have a variety of built-in features that will help you accomplish this. Powerful authoring tool. This refers to audio recordings. Custom graphics video editing has never been simpler. To reinforce learning concepts in the classroom, copy and paste relevant video content from LMS's intuitive authoring software.

Gamification

You can choose from over 80 templates on the LMS platform. LMS types of sits are big education benefits. The LMS platform includes a library of over 80 templates. Gamification templates it's easy to make learning feel like a game. This type of learning is not only effective but also enjoyable for your learners. EdApp's templates can be adapted to a variety of learning methods so there's something for everyone in your classroom.

These templates are called Gamification.

Template for Find-a-word-game. Remind your students to remember the keywords in lesson 1 and then ask them to find them in a grid.

The elevator game. This game requires learners to match attributes for images. Interactivity is required by tapping on the image at the right time.

Template for image/word match. Students will have to choose the right word to match the image. This template rewards accuracy and speed.

Jeopardy. Learners can choose from a variety of categories and difficulty levels, just like the game show. This game is highly interactive and easily configurable.

Letter Jumble. This speed and accuracy game allows students to quickly drag the letters missing from the keywords in their lesson.

Memory. This memory game requires you to tap on each tile, then select two tiles from a row if there are matching pairs. This is a fun way to reinforce images by adding labels.

Next in order. This game tests learners' ability to conceptualize a process flow. You will race against the clock to test your knowledge and memory.

False or true. Your students can play an interactive game in which they swipe left or right to find out if a statement is true or false.

What technology integration is possible in the classroom?

Learning is not an exception to the growing acceptance of digital elements in every area of our lives. However, to reap the benefits of technology, it must be integrated into a learning environment.

There are many ways technology can be integrated into the classroom. This is especially important as we move to a digital world in almost every aspect of our lives. Technology can be adapted to different learning styles depending on the classroom for interactive and effective education.

Technology integration can include introducing an LMS (ones that allow for gamification are especially valuable), virtual field trips, coordination of a live video chat with a guest speaker, or even incorporating podcasts. When technology is used in the classroom in a positive way, it can increase students' understanding and interest. It can also help them learn better.

Use the technology that you already have:

Students work in pairs on a mobile or computer.

The computer room is a classroom where students can observe the computers.

Students can watch videos on their smartphones.

students should gain education benefits with the help of technology

The classroom beamer is connected to a computer.

What does technology mean for students in the classroom?

Technology has its pros and cons, just like all things. Research shows that students perform better. They are also more engaged and retain the information better. They also have a positive outlook. There are also potential drawbacks.

To give students a balanced learning experience, it is important to ensure that technology is used in the classroom. This is true for both professional work environments and digital training. LMS app is an ideal fit for blended learning solutions. Mobile-first microlearning can easily be complemented by a variety of training methods such as face-to-face.

What is the best technology and its educational benefits for schools?

Technology has been disruptive in the classroom more than any other technology. There are both proponents and detractors. Technology encourages participation even for shy students, who might not normally feel comfortable participating. Cognitive learning theory states that technology can make learning more fun and engaging.

What technology can students use to learn?

Technology's main benefit of education is that it allows educators to offer more consistent learning opportunities to students with a wide range of intelligence (Gardner). This results in learners being more motivated and engaged in learning.

Technology can be used effectively to improve learning outcomes, such as higher grades or retention of material/skills. However, data is consistent to show that classroom technology can cause more harm than good. Teachers must monitor the progress of their students closely to ensure that they achieve the best possible balance.

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strangehologramnight · 4 years ago

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Mac Applications For Productivity

Mac Applications For Productivity Tools

Best Mac Applications For Productivity

Mac Productivity Apps

Free Productivity Apps

Mac Applications For Productivity Applications

Mac Productivity Software

For those who really don’t like the design of the native macOS Mail app, Airmail 3 is about.

Selection of Best Mac Apps for Productivity 1. If your goal is to optimize a mailbox, this app can be of much use to you. Airmail is designed to unify all. Out of all the best mac apps for productivity, Airtable takes a lead in helping you manage spreadsheets.

These productivity apps for Mac can certainly simplify a great many number of tasks. However, it is up to you to ensure that this is the case by making proper use of the apps. And, if you own an Android smartphone, you may want to check out these productivity apps for Android.

Executing on Plans/ May 14, 2020 / Emily Chioconi

The constant need to feel productive can be overwhelming and stressful, especially when you have so much to do. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be this way – you can simplify the way you work!

Instead of worrying about how much you’re getting done, you can streamline your workload and make it more manageable. We’ve searched for the best Mac apps that make staying productive easy, painless and, most importantly, simple!

Focus improvement apps

Simply put, focus is your ability to think. Without focus, you won’t be effective in your work – if you’re not concentrating on the right things or are distracted, you won’t be able to get work done. If you’re not producing the quality of work you need to be successful, you’re putting yourself and your business at a standstill. Focus is everything!

HazeOver

HazeOver literally dims distractions on your desktop by only highlighting the front window that you’re working on. You don’t have to worry about closing or minimizing other windows, apps, or notifications while you’re trying to focus.

HazeOver still works for dimming windows when you’re using Dark Mode, and you can choose to dim different windows on different screens if you’re using more than one monitor.

💰Price: $3.99

⬇️Download:The App Store

Focus Booster

Focus Booster uses the Pomodoro Technique time management methodology of working in short bursts followed by taking a short break to help you be the most productive. The technique recommends 25-minute sessions with a 5-minute break after the first three sessions and a 20-minute break after the fourth session.

You can use both the Pomodoro timer and Pomodoro sessions, and the app also comes with time tracking for clients, revenue tracking, productivity reporting to analyze where your time goes, and options for customization!

💰Price: Free, $2.99/month or $4.99/month

⬇️Download:Focus Booster

Hubstaff

Hubstaff is a time tracking app that’s designed to help users get a better understanding of how they work. It allows you to accurately track the time you spend on different tasks and projects through an intuitive interface.

Mac Applications For Productivity Tools

Hubstaff offers several productivity monitoring features. It can track the apps that you used and the websites you visited while you were tracking time, as well as how long you spent on them. On top of that, the app calculates an activity rate based on input from your keyboard and mouse. This will give you clear insight into which kinds of tasks you perform better in as well as when your most productive hours are.

💰Price: Ranges from free to $20/month

⬇️Download:Hubstaff

1Focus

1Focus helps you disable access to tempting apps and websites that are prone to distract you. If you just can’t resist checking Facebook or spending half an hour looking for the perfect playlist on Spotify, this app can help! Give your willpower a break and focus on one task at a time.

1Focus even lets you block specific parts of a website, URL keywords, and the option set up recurring blocks throughout the week to keep you focused. A simple yet effective way to remove obstacles and get more done.

💰Price: Free or $1.99/month or $9.99/year

⬇️Download:The App Store

Dewo

Dewo comes from the concept of Deep Work, created by Cal Newport, who defines it as: “activities performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push your cognitive capabilities to their limits.” With this in mind, Dewo acts as a personal assistant to keep you focused. Dewo understands when you reach deep work, and will automatically silence app push notifications and trigger ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode on chat apps.

Dewo even learns what distracts you by tracking your web and desktop activity – from context switching to your most unproductive apps. With these insights, it makes active suggestions to improve the way you work, helping you set up for regular deep work!

💰Price: Free

⬇️Download:Dewo and iOS App Store

Best Mac Applications For Productivity

Task and project management apps

Keeping track of the little details, things to do, and little steps can seem daunting when it’s all in your head or on scraps of paper. It can feel like your productivity is slipping away when you can’t get everything done. Using checklists, tracking, and streamlining will help you get things under control so nothing will slip through the cracks.

Things

Things is a personal task manager that helps you achieve your goals. It lets you list and manage the things you have on your to-do list, all with a beautiful design.

Things shows you today’s to-dos, along with the evening and the upcoming week. You can choose to include both your personal and work calendars and even create projects to group tasks together. You can view the progress of your projects at a glance, and use reminders, search, and checklists to keep everything on track!

💰Price: $49.99

⬇️Download: The App Store

Daylite

Daylite combines the power of a CRM, Project Management app, and Lead Management app – all into one. It’s the perfect CRM for small business! Instead of juggling a bunch of different apps, simplify your life with Daylite. You can take care of your tasks while managing leads, clients, and projects – all in one place.

Everything is organized and shared with your team which helps you save time and increase productivity. You can collaborate with your team by delegating tasks and projects, integrate with thousands of other tools, and Daylite’s unique linking feature allows you to virtually paper clip things together for a history of all your interactions and work. Daylite was made for small businesses in mind and is a native Apple app, so you can even work offline!

💰Price: $29/month

⬇️Download: Daylite

Evernote

Evernote is more than just a note app. You can capture ideas and inspiration from anywhere and manage tasks and deadlines with ease.

Evernote lets you share ideas with anyone, like meeting notes, web pages, projects, and to-do lists. You can capture ideas with voice, images, and work with your team across devices. It also has note templates, document scanning, and the option to save articles and screenshots. You can even integrate it with your other favourite apps!

💰Price: Ranges from free to $14.99/month

⬇️Download: The App Store

OmniFocus

OmniFocus is a task management software that helps you focus on the right tasks at the right time. Capture tasks anywhere, sync across devices, and hit deadlines, no matter where you are!

With OmniFocus, use projects to organize tasks naturally, and then add tags to organize across projects. Easily enter tasks when you’re on the go, and process them when you have time. Tap the Forecast view – which shows both tasks and calendar events – to get a handle on your day. Use the Review perspective to keep your projects and tasks on track.

💰Price: Ranges from $49.99 – $99.99

⬇️Download: OmniFocus

Mind mapping apps

When putting together a process for your business like your customer journey or sales process, you can map out any complex steps visually. A mind map is a way to represent tasks, words, concepts, or ideas linked to and built around a central concept so you can create a framework around your main idea.

Lucidchart

Lucidchart helps your mind mapping whether you’re creating simple flowcharts or complex diagrams. It comes with templates to help you get started and allows you to link to other live data you may be working with, like spreadsheets. It even integrates with other tools your team uses, like Slack, G Suite, GitHub, Atlassian, and more!

Lucidchart is especially great for teams because it lets you collaborate in real-time. You can use a group chat to talk while you work, turn your diagrams into presentations, and it comes with change and history management.

💰Price: Free or ranges from $7.95/month to $27.00/month

⬇️Download: The App Store

MindMaster

MindMaster is a versatile, user-friendly, and professional mind mapping tool. Available on multiple platforms, including PC, tablet, mobile, and web, you can create mind maps and access them from each platform.

MindMaster gives you several different structures to use for your diagrams as well as themes and clipart. You can add notes, links, and relationships and boundaries. MindMaster is another great mind mapping tool for teams with its Brainstorming Mode that lets you conduct brainstorming sessions with your team. Simply record ideas as your brainstorm and later drag them to their location to generate a mind map of your session.

💰Price: Ranges from $49/year to $149/year

⬇️Download: MindMaster

MindMaple Pro

MindMaple gives you an intuitive way to organize and prioritize information for brainstorming, project management, idea sharing, problem-solving, and more. MindMaple makes it just like drawing in a notebook so you can map things out creatively without any rules.

With MindMaple, you can import photos, link to files, folders, and email addresses, and even use clipart. You can expand on topics with subtopics, prioritize tasks and track their progress, and create relationships and boundaries between each idea.

💰Price: $13.99

⬇️Download: The App Store

Document and security management apps

Files and documents can be a large part of any business, and security is paramount. Keeping your documents safe and your processes secure helps you build trust with your clients. It also makes running your business smoother!

PDF Reader Pro

PDF Reader Pro is an all-in-one PDF office to read, annotate, edit, convert, create, fill in forms, and sign PDFs. With its comprehensive list of features like free templates and watermarks, if PDF files are a big part of your business, you can’t go without this app.

What really makes PDF Reader Pro essential is its Optical Character Recognition(OCR) capability. This helps recognize characters in images or scanned PDF files into editable characters, so that you can search, correct, and copy the text easily. Digitizing physical documents has never been simpler. You can try it out free for 7 days and even get an educational discount!

💰Price: $59.99 or $79.99

⬇️Download: The App Store

Hazel

Hazel is a powerful automation app that automatically organizes the files on your Mac’s hard drive. It provides deep support for OS X technologies, leveraging everything your system has to offer!

Hazel watches the folders you tell it to and organizes the files according to a set of rules you create. It can automatically file your documents into the right folder, rename your documents with more useful names, trash files you no longer need and keep your desktop clear of clutter.

💰Price: Ranges from $32.00 to $49.00

⬇️Download: Hazel

1Password

1Password is a password manager that saves all of your passwords and lets you log in to websites with a single click. All you have to do is remember your master password and leave the rest to 1Password.

You can also store things like notes, credit cards and banking information, passports, drivers licenses, and documents. You can share passwords securely with your team, generate strong passwords, and use their automatic form filler to sign in to websites with one click using your username and password.

💰Price: Ranges from $2.99 to $7.99

⬇️Download: 1Password

Communication and collaboration apps

Communication is crucial when it comes to running your business. Working in silos makes everyone’s work more difficult to get done. No matter where your team is, you need to be able to chat, collaborate, and work together seamlessly.

Slack

Slack is a collaboration hub that can replace email to help you and your team work together seamlessly. It’s designed to support the way people naturally work together, so you can collaborate with people online as efficiently as you do face-to-face.

Slack lets you organize conversations, search your history, add several different integrations with other apps, and you can even make calls!

💰Price: Ranges from $6.67/month to $12.50/month

⬇️Download: The App Store

Zoom

Mac Productivity Apps

Zoom is a video communications app with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars.

You can use Zoom to virtually meet with others, either by video, audio-only or both, all while using live chats as well. You can share your screen, run webinars with interaction options, and even record those sessions to view or share later.

💰Price: Ranges from free to $27.00/month

⬇️Download: Zoom

Franz

Franz is a messaging app that combines chat and messaging services into one application. Franz currently supports Slack, WhatsApp, WeChat, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, Google Hangouts, GroupMe, Skype and many more.

Too many messages in too many places are frustrating. Franz supports several chat services, can be used on multiple devices and supports teams for work and personal options. Franz even has an extensive plugin architecture that allows you to add and create unlimited services to adapt to your needs

💰Price: Free or $4.99/month

⬇️Download: Franz

Organization apps

Windows and tabs and apps, oh my! When you’re busy, a cluttered desktop makes things more difficult. Context switching between apps or looking for things you’re working on slows you down and adds to the stress. In fact, using the correct organizational tools can improve time management by 38%!

Magnet

Magnet organizes your workspace and brings order to your desktop. Having multiple windows aligned neatly side by side eliminates app switching and greatly enhances multitasking.

Activated by dragging, customizable keyboard shortcuts or the menu bar, Magnet declutters your screen by snapping windows into organized tiles. These tiles can be fullscreen, halves, quarters or thirds. Up to six external displays are supported, so the potential combinations are endless!

💰Price: $2.99

⬇️Download: The App Store

Shift

Shift works by streamlining your accounts, apps, and workflows so you can stop switching apps and constantly logging in and out!

You can connect all of your email accounts and your favourite web apps and tools to Shift. Then, you can customize your workstation. Shift supports multiple apps and extensions like Facebook, Slack, 1Password, and more. You can browse the web, search across all of your tools, and even work with teams to collaborate seamlessly.

💰Price: Ranges from free to $99.99/year

⬇️Download: Shift

Fluid

Fluid is simple – it lets you create an actual Mac App out of any web application. Instead of having several tabs open with your most-used websites, turn them into apps!

Creating a Fluid App out of your favourite website is easy. Enter the website’s URL, provide a name, and choose an icon. Click “Create” and within seconds your chosen website has a permanent home on your Mac as a real Mac application that appears in your Dock!

💰Price: Free or $5.00

⬇️Download: Fluid

Pocket

Pocket lets you save articles, videos, and stories from any publication, page or app. Curate your own space filled with everything you can’t wait to learn!

There is an endless amount of interesting things to read and watch online. With Pocket, you can save them all for when you actually have the time you view them. You can use Pocket on any device, even offline. You can save an article or video in several ways, like email, one click on your browser, or with any of the integrations Pocket supports, like Twitter, Reddit, Zapier, and more!

💰Price: Ranges from free to $44.99/year

⬇️Download: The App Store

Bartender

Bartender is a simple app that lets you organize your menu bar icons or even hide them completely!

You can hide icons, rearrange them, and show hidden items with a click or keyboard shortcut. You can also have icons show you when they get an app update. With Bartender, you can even search apps directly through the menubar for easy access!

💰Price: $15.00

⬇️Download: Bartender

Time tracking apps

Where did the time go? Now you can actually find out! Time is something we all want more of, but since we can’t have that, we can instead focus on spending it wisely. Once you learn how to prioritize and focus, you won’t have to stress about always running out of time.

Timing

Timing records your time automatically so you can see how you spent your time and how productive you were.

Timing doesn’t need you to start or stop a timer. It shows you exactly what you did at any given time, including which app, document or website you were using. The timeline even shows when you worked on what, making smart suggestions to record hours of time. You can drag and drop activities to categorize them, include meetings and calendar events for billing, and use your dashboard to understand where your time is spent.

💰Price: Ranges from $3.50/month to $8.00/month

⬇️Download: Timing

f.lux

f.lux is another simple app that makes a big difference. It makes the colour of your computer’s display adapt to the time of day, warm at night and like sunlight during the day. If you’re not the biggest fan of Dark Mode, f.lux is for you!

During the day, computer screens look good – they’re designed to look like the sun. But, at 9 PM, 10 PM, or 3 AM, you probably shouldn’t be looking at the sun. f.lux makes your computer screen look like the room you’re in, all the time. When the sun sets, it makes your computer look like your indoor lights. In the morning, it makes things look like sunlight again. Tell f.lux what kind of lighting you have, and where you live. Then forget about it. f.lux will do the rest, automatically!

💰Price: Free

⬇️Download: Flux

Billings Pro

Billings Pro helps you create professional invoices and track time, expenses, and payments from your Mac, iPhone and iPad.

Create professional invoices, use flexible billing options that include time, project, expense, product, service, or flat rate, and send estimates and statements. You can easily identify overdue clients and outstanding invoices and even run comprehensive reports that help you understand your business.

💰Price: $5.00/month or $8.25/month

⬇️Download: The App Store

CheatSheet

CheatSheet is a very simple yet extremely handy app. With a quick command, you can see a list of keyboard shortcuts for any app you’re using!

Just hold the ⌘ key a bit longer to get a list of all the active shortcuts for your current application – stop wasting time with clicks! Once you go shortcuts, you never go back.

💰Price: Free

⬇️Download: CheatSheet

Automation apps

Automation is a huge time saver, making routine tasks quicker or simplifying complex workflows. It can help reduce errors, free up you or your team to work on other tasks, and ultimately make your business more efficient.

Alfred

Free Productivity Apps

Alfred boosts your efficiency with hotkeys, keywords, text expansion and more. Search your Mac and the web, and be more productive with custom actions to control your Mac.

Alfred helps you do so much, it’s hard to list it all! It’s similar to using the Spotlight Search on your Mac but much more powerful. To name a few, you can link hotkeys, keywords and actions together to create your own workflows. Launch applications and find files on your Mac or on the web – Alfred learns how you use your Mac and prioritizes results. Use the Clipboard History to locate any text, image or file you copied earlier and paste it again. Create your own snippets and type a short abbreviation to auto-expand them into a full-text snippet. The possibilities are endless!

💰Price: Free or $45.00

⬇️Download: Alfred

Text Expander

Text Expander lets you quickly insert “snippets” – email addresses, signatures, form letters, images – as you type, using a simple keyboard shortcut or custom abbreviations. No more typos and copy/paste – you won’t believe how much time you save!

Going beyond simple text replacement, you can also personalize messages you frequently send with custom fields and powerful automation. You can even share your snippets across teams, keeping everyone consistent and more productive!

💰Price: Ranges from $3.33/month to $7.96/month

⬇️Download: Text Expander

Keyboard Maestro

With Keyboard Maestro, you can automate applications or web sites, text or images, simple or complex, on command or scheduled. You can automate virtually anything!

With so many possible actions that you can combine together, you can automate almost any task, like launching applications, typing your email address, filling out a form, downloading reports – the list is endless! Make your Mac and its applications behave the way you want. Launch applications and have the windows arranged your way. Have other applications quit when you launch an application. Have your Mac set itself up at 8:00 each morning. It’s your Mac, with Keyboard Maestro you are in control!

💰Price: $36.00

⬇️Download: Keyboard Maestro

BetterTouchTool

BetterTouchTool is a feature-packed app that allows you to customize various input devices on your Mac like your trackpad.

Along with your trackpad, you can customize the Touch Bar, Siri, Apple Remote, Mouse buttons, and more! You can use any of the supported input devices and choose from a large and always growing list of actions to automate almost any task. Actions can even be chained to handle complicated workflows! Use gestures for things like taking and editing a screenshot, turning the volume down, or opening documents with specific apps!

💰Price: Ranges from $8.00 to $20.00

Mac Applications For Productivity Applications

⬇️Download: BetterTouchTool

Being productive doesn’t have to be about how much you can get done in a day. Instead, make it about simplifying your processes. Whether it’s just a tedious task or a large part of your workflow, removing obstacles will give you the freedom to get more done without working non-stop! Did we miss any of your favourite productivity apps? Let us know in the comments!

For more productivity tips, follow @dayliteapp on Instagram!

Mac Productivity Software

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CognitiveSEO Review: How All-in-One SEO Toolbox Can Help You With Your Organic Traffic

CognitiveSEO provided me with access to their SEO tools, and I thought I'll do something productive and review the entire tool collection. I like to look at the SEO tools from a purely pragmatic angle or with the entrepreneurial mindset: "Get me the SEO data fast - the less friction, the better. And have some of it quickly copy-pasted/shown to my clients such that they understand it without me explaining too much."

Use CognitiveSEO all-in-one SEO software suite to rank your business on top of SERP with Keyword Explorer, Content Optimizer, Site Explorer, Site Audit and other SEO Tools

(TL;DR) After running my SEO errands through entire CognitiveSEO Tools Suite, I've concluded that founders successfully built a highly specialised all-in-one SEO toolkit, especially for technical SEO and link building, organic ranking and affiliate marketing. Practical SEO uses you're getting with CognitiveSEO Tools:

detailed website analysis that can work for an SEO expert but also stand as a beginners guide to technical SEO (it can replace Screaming Frog SEO for most important SEO analysis)

Keywords Rank monitoring lets you see the direction your SEO strategy is heading toward - all accessed with nifty data slicers for a super-fast ranking assessment and SEO analysis

inBound Link Analysis follows the suite and presents all the data you may want to analyse your/competitors backlink profile and their relationship with your domain (note: the link explorer is surprisingly accurate - more on that below)

(my personal favourite) Content Optimizer & Keyword Tool will make your content rank your pages and keywords better with half (or none!) of the backlinks that you'd normally need - super easy to use and built for 100% practicality in mind

BONUS: they also have a reporting tool that alerts you on Google Search volatility, algorithm update changes and potential ranking alterations. In essence, it's great not only to make you aware of the "search algorithm updates", but you can also use it to inform your online marketing endeavours. And let your clients see that you have your finger on the pulse (by the way, that feature should be added to Google Webmaster Tools or Google Search Console by default).

CognitiveSEO Tool can help you monitor the Google Algorithm updates and its impact on the Search Ranking and SEO

SEO Campaigns

In-depth metrics for advanced SEO and search engine optimizing

After the initial step-by-step campaign set up - I must say, it's very quick and to the point - the SEO Campaigns Dashboard welcomes you with "Quick Overview" modules similar to what you'd seen in other SEO Tools like SEMRush, Ahrefs and others. You got a standard set of:

Crawled Pages

Referring Domains

On-Page SEO errors

Traffic/Sessions

Data about Keywords and SEO Visibility

And scrolling below you'll see a selected data from your Google Search Console and Google Analytics (providing you've plugged them in during the initial campaign set up).

Dashboard overview of all CognitiveSEO SEO Tools

So how can I use the data, and what is the point of those SEO metrics?

I would mainly use it for the client meeting and to support the overall direction of my... well, SEO campaigns. The Dashboard could also easily replace separate premium data analysis tools like Reportz.io. Having everything in one place is convenient and greatly reduces the time you would spend on putting the entire SEO campaign together for yourself or your customers. CognitiveSEO even lets you add widgets or change the placement of the modules and shown data. For me, however, the default dashboard is spot on as I lean towards a quick general overview of the stats that it gives me right away. The Dashboard's reporting aspect is then further expanded under Reports & Schedules tab where you can plan and build branded PDF documents that get automatically delivered to your clients' inboxes (note, the full Whitelabel Reporting feature is only enabled with the Business Plan).

Site Audit

You can use the On-Page SEO Auditing Tool as a beginners guide to technical SEO

During the SEO Campaign set up, CognitiveSEO recommends to also sent an SEO spider to analyse a targeted domain thoroughly. So upon the first launch of the campaign, the spiders went and shortly after returned with expected large-number of in-depth data that they grabbed from my website. For any project I'm working with, I prefer to build websites correctly right from the beginning, and for any out-of-the-ordinary project, I use Screaming Frog SEO, which means that I use my on-page auditing tool sparsely.

Use CognitiveSEO Site Audit and start your Google Search Rank domination

However, I was pleasantly surprised by CognitiveSEO's website analysis and the way it sorted out and displayed the data. They're doing that in a very concise and task-oriented manner. I can easily see myself just launching the Site Audit and after several minutes taking it for a spin squashing most of the "SEO bugs" on my sites: - all meta tags, title tags, image alt tags, etc. - broken link and duplicate content checks - XML sitemap and structured data review etc. etc. And if there is something I don't understand they've sprinkled informative tooltips all over the place so you could easily use it as a beginners guide to SEO analysis (and any SEO expert should also benefit). The PageSpeed Insights tab was also available, but "the data was missing" - this is possibly one of those SEO analysis tools that they still working on. For a to-the-point fast SEO website audit software, I actually prefer CognitiveSEO over Screaming Frog SEO. The latter gets overwhelming sometimes. So well done CognitiveSEO.

Schedule and auto-send whitelabel SEO reports via CognitiveSEO Reporting feature

Rank Tracking

Organic keyword rank tracker with a direct comparison to your competition keywords positioning

CognitiveSEO goes in lengths analysing Google Search results to assess the daily keyword standing, and it does help you see if your SEO rank strategies are making dents in the search results grid. They also implemented "data slicers" or a type of quick view tabs that filter out the keywords in the areas of importance. For example:

Keywords Ranked in top 1-3 positions or 4-10 / 11-20 and so on until 100

Keywords you're "not ranking" yet

Only the keywords that "improved ranking" and also the ones that remained "static"

and below the chart, you can find a timeline slider to narrow down to a point in your ranking project instantly

Monitor and measure how your domain ranks on Google Search Engine with targeted keywords, and compare your SERP positions against your competitors

These slicers are amazing, and with provided search volumes, you can quickly predict your expected organic traffic. The tracking tools also lets you pin the competitors' tabs with their keywords rankings and, later, check up on them and see if they're working on the same keywords positioning. However, it would be even better if there was some way of a direct side-by-side comparison between my focus-domain and my competitors. Maybe CognitiveSEO will figure it out at some point. To summarise CognitiveSEO Rank Tracking tool is decent for what it is, however, I'd like to see them expanding it into more automated organic keywords data gathering. A type of advanced SEO tool that encompasses LSI and recent Google's neural network-based technique for natural language processing (NLP) - BERT update from the end of 2019. I think this is the future of keyword tools.

CognitiveSEO Site Explorer and inBound Link Analysis

A great contender to Ahrefs Site Explorer

Their backlink database and crawling scope are surprisingly accurate and resemble Ahrefs backlink checker that is often touted as the "backlink gold-standard" in the SEO industry. I've made several side-by-side random domain comparisons, and in most instances, CognitiveSEO came very close in showing the number of backlinks to that of Ahrefs Site Explorer.

Check your domain SEO score and analyse linking performance and anchor text distribution with CognitiveSEO Site Explorer

Although, this small sample is by no means a comprehensive study of "which SEO site analysis software found more backlinks" but a pleasant surprise I wasn't expecting to see. And the Ahrefs Site Explorer was still slightly better in any case. What is also interesting is that you can upload your own backlinks to increase the accuracy further. I can't recall that backlink feature with any other Site Explorers I've used, and I found it worth exploring. In summary, CognitiveSEO is a reliable source of SEO backlink analysis for sure.

Link Rank Checker

It's worth mentioning the CognitiveSEO Link Rank (measured from 0-100). This is a more targeted SEO website grader that we already know from Majestic SEO Trust Flow (TF), MOZ Domain Authority (DA) or Ahrefs Domain Rank (DR).

InBound Link Analysis helps you dive deep into the domain on-page and off-page SEO data

CognitiveSEO Link Rank is influenced by a host of different SEO metrics as calculated by their link explorer, website audit and other SEO analysis tools. The score I got my domain was the harshest of the above-mentioned research tools (and probably closest to Majestic SEO). Also, the Link Rank score is only accessible at the SEO Campaign level. When you research via the CognitiveSEO Site Explorer, the score is replaced with vague Page/Domain Influence score marked as either "Low", "Average" or "High".

Peek at your competitors' websites, assess page and domain authority scores and check backlinks and SEO ranking performance

Among the other SEO metrics, the most prominent are: - Referring Domains - Total Links (note, they cap their backlink checker showing up to 20 strongest backlinks from any given domains) - Link Velocity with Visual Explorer that can stand as a link building guide Then there is a boat-load of SEO data, filters and slicers. Among all CognitiveSEO optimization tools, this one is the most overwhelming and requires a lot of time to familiarise yourself with. I'm using Ahrefs Site Explorer already, and I have a tough time to switch - its mechanics and the interface is much different than to what I'm used to.

Side note: I suspect that as Ahrefs grows more and more popular, their web crawler bot will become a persona non-grata blocked now by various hosting providers in an effort to save server load. In such circumstance, the multi-source data agglomerates like CognitiveSEO may take precedence and show more accurate SEO stats in some areas.

How can Site Explorer help you in your SEO positioning?

To me, the whole backlink checking option serves one purpose - recognise the general trend. Meaning, I want quick info on whether a particular domain/page holds any SEO authority or not. And also monitor what, if any, spam attach to my website backlink portfolio. I won't bother making sure the tool finds every single backlink. Why? Because it NEVER will.

Use Link Velocity and backlink analysis to build an effective link building strategy

All SEO Tools will always just attempt to follow Google, but they will never be 100% accurate or even close to being correct. It has always been just a guestimation at best - and the Traffic Estimators, Backlink Checkers or Keywords Ranking tools role is just to show us the general trend and pointers for the next step in our SEO strategies. And same goes for CognitiveSEO Site Explorer - I use it for:

domain authority assessment (they have this great and straightforward Page Influence and Domain Influence at the top bar - by the way, it's NOT vague, it's perfect for showing your SEO clients and prospects on a sales meeting)

backlink analysis and anchor text redistribution as a quick link building guide or to simply check my links health

BONUS! Broken Pages: this is a unique feature most push to SEO Site Analysis only; I love that CognitiveSEO shows the 404-data in the Site Explorer, and they're making it a superbly useful to quickly analyse outdated content or subjects you could attempt to revive or repurpose. All without resorting to a tedious SEO Audit.

There is a slight difference between Site Explorer and inBound Link Analysis wherein the latter CognitiveSEO seems to combine multiple tab views from the Site Explorer detailed overview under one. The inBound Link Analysis appears only under Campaign SEO for a given project where the tracking and data measurement is also updated in real-time from several sources at the same time (including Google Analytics and Google Search Console if you've connected them). If you're doing some search engine positioning work and focusing on a particular domain, it would be advisable to launch a full-fledged SEO Campaign and monitor things that way rather than searching the Site Explorer each time.

Content Optimizer & Keyword Research Tool

A secret SEO tool that gets your pages and content ranked on Google without link building

I was raving about the CognitiveSEO Content Optimizer in another post already. And I'm also planning to shoot a video about it soon. Here I just wanted to summarise quickly what it is and why I like it so much.

What is CognitiveSEO Content Optimizer all about?

CognitiveSEO Content Optimizer is a web text editor that scans your submitted text (article) and lists tons of supporting keywords and topics to improve your article and, ultimately, your content marketing strategy. The tool bases its recommendations on Google's complex algorithms (mostly LSI, NLP, and large data comparisons). Content Optimizer starts with a regular Keywords Explorer that we know from many other SEO tools. As per usual, you plug your main keyword idea (seed keyword), set the country and off you go.

Search and analyse best performing keywords with CognitiveSEO Keyword Explorer suite

Keyword Explorer

I like the fact that CognitiveSEO decided to trim the fat, leaving us with the most important factors related to the Keyword Explorer:

Content difficulty from 0-100: it's calculated based on the top-performing articles on the subject - highly relevant score based on CognitiveSEO's LSI and sophisticated article scanning; this is one of the best keyword difficulty metrics I've seen around; as it informs you with what you'd be doing next - namely, optimising your content

Links Difficulty 0-100: same as before but you should consider the amount of backlinking efforts that will go into the project

Monthly Searches: a Google Trend graph to see the overall search volume course over the years

Relevancy score 1-5 "stars": i.e. how close the (long-tail) keyword is to your seed keyword - this is great for a quick "search intent" assessment

No. of words: you can check the "long-tail"-ness factor of any given keyword

Search Volume: CognitiveSEO Keyword Explorer uses "from-to" brackets rather than absolute numbers - this is also my preference

CPC $-value: this one is something I wouldn't expect there, and I'm a bit unsure about its ultimate purpose in that space - possibly to know if the keyword is monetised via PPC ads (?) (but what impact that would have on your optimisation decisions, I don't know...)

Research & Analyse thousands of money-making keywords, pick the most relevant and export on CSV

Similarly to the Keyword Tracking approach, CognitiveSEO implemented a lot of data slicers to filter out the most important SEO bits from a substantial volume of keywords. So other than the filters referred to the data points mentioned above, you can refine your keyword search with:

Search Suggestions

Focus Keywords

Questions

And then you can also:

Group by Topic

Copy All or

Export All to CSV spreadsheet

I must say, the keywords research is comprehensive and lands a lot of keyword suggestions to look at. On the Standard plan, it may not be the biggest keywords database out there (Ahrefs lands about 10-30% more depending on the query), but CognitiveSEO keyword analysis serves you the most relevant SEO keyword ideas you should be considering on your website. And apparently, you can also expand the results count up to 3x on higher paid plans. There is so much more to keyword analysis than you could ever see on Google Trend or Keyword Planner from Google so give it a go.

Side note: the "search intent" behind the keyword is one of the most important factors in generating revenue from the content that many SEOs struggle with, and I find CognitiveSEO's Keyword Explorer makes it a little bit easier.

Rank Analysis

CognitiveSEO also lists top 20 articles/pages that currently occupy the top search grid for a given "seed keyword". This is the next logical step (tab) in your SEO Content Optimization journey which reveals who you are up against via the following self-explanatory data points:

Content Performance

Focus Keywords

No. Of Words

Domains To Url

Domains To Site

Date Published

SERP Analysis SEO tool helps you see who ranks what, where and why

The most apparent is the Content Performance progression bar from 0-100 that you can eye-ball and immediately grasp who makes an SEO effort and where. I also found myself using the tool as a unique content curator:

The grid is a swift SEO checker and gives me a quick insight into the web pages that comprise of the juiciest content.

While using it as a rank checker, I can filter-out a blog post or two that ranked due to backlinks alone, got a low number of keywords or were published a long time ago (and are possibly outdated).

I can also click on the given record and analyse the LSI keywords that are prominent in the article! In any case, CognitiveSEO Ranking Analysis equips me with the most important data points that allow me to see what's behind the Google Search curtains.

I'd love to see CognitiveSEO expanding on that content curation theme a little bit more and provide the full top-100 pages breakdown with data slicers and filters. Note, you can expand to the top-100 articles on their higher-paid plans (but I'm not sure if it comes with any additional features). Again, they offer so much more than what you can find in other keyword explorer tools or even SEO toolbar and Chrome extension widgets. And definitely more than plain keyword suggestions you get out of Googles Keyword Planner.

Content Optimizer

Once you know what you are writing about or you already have something that needs optimizing, you can go ahead and fire the Content Optimizer tool. Again, I've devoted a few good words in an attempt to perform the Content Optimizer's detailed analysis in my other article, so definitely check it. Here, I'll just quickly recap why I find their SEO optimizer so essential to my digital marketing activities.

Content Optimizer helps you to create better articles by providing LSI keywords, long-tail keyword suggestions and NLP data from Google Search index

Firstly, the Content Optimizer interface is superbly intuitive. With the use of colours and strategic layout, it takes very little guesswork on what you need to be doing there. This is essential for speed of implementation and handing it over to VA or someone who might not necessarily want to learn some complex SEO-tool (i.e. non-SEO content marketers) but would greatly benefit from it anyways. For any ambitious content marketer or resourceful digital marketing strategy, that tool is a must. Secondly, I've ranked unbelievable keywords for my clients on top of Google completely without launching any link building campaigns. Simply by using Content Optimizer and producing a great article. This isn't to say that "tHe bAcKlinKing iZ DeAd". I'm saying that there is more to the keywords LSI (and now Google BERT updates) than one might conclude from following a basic "beginners guide to SEO" or "SEO keyword research tutorial" on YouTube. Slapping all your H1-H3 with "{marketing consultant|consultants of marketings}", duplicate content and a broken grammar is slowly but surely a practice that Google is working hard NOT to reward anymore. And last but not least, I truly believe that with the proper use of Content Optimizer in your online marketing you're going to produce a much better, juicer and, what we like to call, well-researched articles. With this tool, I often find myself deriving new ideas as I'm optimising the content within the tool. The "Keywords you should use" or "you should use more often" suggestions, as well as "content ideas via questions people ask" are a fantastic resource in and of itself. Many times I found pointers to the new ideas and avenues about the subject that I've missed or not realised before I sat down to write the piece. To simply put, optimization tools like Content Optimizer make the Internet a better place.

Content Optimizer can help you rank your website on Google Search Engine without backlinks

What I'd like to improve about Content Optimizer

The one thing that is apparent in the keywords software is how detached it is from the rest of the platform. It almost seems like it's done as a side-kick to the main SEO Campaign tools. At the moment, the articles are mixed up all over the "Continue Where You Left Off" section, and it would be nice to have them at least categorised or assigned to different projects (domains). So what I'd love to see is better integration with the rest of the SEO toolkit. For example, it would be nice to be able to launch an SEO campaign project and have the selected pages and articles listed for "content optimization". And while we're at it, why not have a trigger button for the tool to scrape the existing content from the selected pages for you to optimise it. Further, have it automatically calculating the improved LSI performance - listing the organic keywords ranking that are popping up on Google Search. This could be similar to the Site Auditor step-by-step SEO guides but for all your projects content optimisation instead.

CognitiveSEO Review Summary

As Google Search Algorithm becomes more and more complicated and new layers of complexity are added on top of an already intricate network, an all-in-one SEO software companies will have to make a choice.

Either they'll attempt to predict and replicate what the biggest company in the world is up to next. That means pouring resources in an attempt to the ultimate SEO toolkit by combining everything there is while trying not to sacrifice baseline user experience (think how convoluted Google Analytics Dashboard is - and that's just analytics!).

OR they will take a specific direction and put all their efforts to help their customers achieving targeted results (think MOZ Local)

From a pragmatic point of view to the whole SEO, I see the second possibility much more compelling. And fortunately, I see CognitiveSEO taking precisely that direction - to become a highly specialised SEO tool for organic SEO projects and affiliate campaigns. And this isn't to say they don't have their bases covered - quite the contrary. The software interface is very responsive and didn't take me long to learn the basics (apart maybe from the Site Explorer). I found all the SEO features highly practical and aligned to make a substantial difference in my organic SEO rankings - whether for my domain or my clients. There are also Free SEO Tools available to take a look but they are very limited. If you're an SEO beginner and you're looking for free SEO tools at CognitiveSEO you will need to supplement them with something else like Answer The Public.

The entry-level CognitiveSEO package cost $129, which is $30 more than popular SemRUSH or Ahrefs basic packages (or Majestic SEO / MOZ Pro). However, neither SemRUSH nor Ahrefs provides Content Optimizer, and eventually, you'll have to look for it somewhere anyway. Maybe it would be a good idea for CognitiveSEO to offer it separately for a smaller price?

CognitiveSEO Paid Plans Pricing - Monthly or Yearly (30% off) with 7-day Trial

Additionally, big "all-in-one" marketing agencies and everyone who also require PPC analysis, social media marketing or some complicated data associations while exporting hundreds of spreadsheets with unlimited data to play around with - those will need additional solutions anyway. Still, if you specialise in organic SEO or in search of fast and practical SEO guide both for SEO experts and beginners (even to jump start their SEO training), I recommend investing in CognitiveSEO. It'll be worth it, and the software will pay itself back faster than you think. Article originally posted on https://colorpeak.co.uk/cognitiveseo-review/

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localwebsetupuk · 4 years ago

Text

How education apps are changing the future of classrooms

COVID-19 has altered the face of many industries and the education sector is not untouched. It has made it almost impossible for the education system to continue in its traditional way. Without a classroom, it is up to academicians, policymakers, and technocrats to find effective and efficient ways to fill the gap between learners and teachers.

The changing scenario is slowly and definitely creating newer opportunities for education app companies to come up with disruptive ideas using modern technology and convert this adversity into an opportunity.

EdTech is growing, with the total market value worldwide set to reach $252 billion this year, Forbes reported.

Some of the best educational apps recommended by top educators: are Udacity, iTutorGroup, Khan Academy, Duolingo, Photomath, Kahoot, Classdojo, Quizlet, Sololearn, and Coursera. Mobile apps are helping educators to transpose schools to students when they cannot visit schools.

Play-based learning to engross children

Essential Features

Play-based learning approach: The apps are based on an approach to teach elementary concepts through game-like activities.

Vibrant environment: The presence of colorful themes, animated characters, funny sounds, and other elements make such educational apps intriguing for young learners.

Multiple concepts are covered: Based on the app selected, the kids can develop mathematical, communication, environmental, or computational skills.

Augmented reality: Several apps include technologies like augmented reality to offer lessons through visualization.

Examples: LetterSchool, Amazing Alex

LetterSchool

This app enables the kids to learn how to write letters, numbers, cursive letters, and draw different shapes. The controls are given to teachers and parents to select the activities and track the learning. At $3.99 dollars per month, the users can get a premium version with 150+ games and additional learning content.

Link: (Android | iOS)

Exam preparation education apps

The test preparation market in the U.S. is predicted to cross $10.72 billion dollars by 2024.

Essential Features

Repository of questions: The apps have a myriad of questions revolving around a specific test a student is preparing for. The solutions are also present to analyze and rectify mistakes.

Comprehensive Result: Apart from telling the score, the apps also inform about areas of improvement. Several services give the students a chance to gauge their performance with other users.

Mock Test: Through mock tests, the apps offer a simulated environment with a test pattern, duration, and marking scheme similar to that of an actual test.

Flashcards: To explain crucial concepts, the apps use flashcards or similar functionality.

Examples: Arbobridge, Kaplan, Pearson, Ready4 ACT, Daily Practice for the SAT

Ready4 ACT

One of the leading ACT preparation apps, Ready4 ACT with 1,500 ACT questions, and detailed explanations. Each segment, including Reading, English, Math, and Science, has 100+ flashcards. A user needs to pay a specific amount, depending on the region he/she is using the app from, to access the premium content. By filling in the information related to education, personal info, and college preferences, the app helps the students connect with the right universities.

A user can instantly get details like an average GPA and an average ACT score of more than 550 colleges through the app. There is also a provision to receive updates on programs, events, and deadlines of these colleges.

Link: (

Android

iOS

)

Learning Management System to Create Courses and Manage Class

Essential Features

Course Creation: A learning management system app lets the teachers and instructors create a course by uploading learning materials.

Assignments: The instructors can use the app to create, share, and receive assignments when dealing with a batch of students.

Assessments: This feature lets the teachers track the performance of the students through a set of questions. The teachers need not check each answer after receiving assessments. Various apps allow even students to get instant results after submitting an assessment.

Collaboration: The teachers collaborate with other teachers or even students to optimize the course creation process.

Examples: Google Classroom, Moodle

Moodle

This application enables the teachers/instructors to share video and textual content to the targeted users. The students just need to use the credentials provided by their teachers to access the content.

The free plan comes with access to 50 active devices with push notifications. The number of devices and other features increase with different annual plans.

Link: (

Android

iOS

)

Puzzle and Traditional Games

Essential Features

Virtual board games: The board games that have gained phenomenal popularity over the years are being developed in the form of apps.

Multiplayer Gaming: Most of such games are available in a multiplayer format to instill social skills among children.

Storylines: Numerous apps have storylines in the form of various adventures that boost problem-solving skills.

Examples: Scrabble, The Game of Life

Scrabble

What differentiates Scrabble game from its offline counterpart is a feature that shows the best words that a user could have used–which helps in strengthening the vocabulary. The app enables a user to play a game with Facebook friends, random online opponents, or a computer. In Speed Play Mode, each player gets a limited time during his/her turn.

Link: (

Android

iOS

)

Memorization Apps to Ace Learning

Essential Features

Initial Evaluation: Memory and other brain training apps usually conduct an initial evaluation to check a user’s cognitive abilities.

Multiple small games: In a single app, a user finds multiple small games with each having a unique objective like improving memory, attention, and analytical skills.

Set the levels: A user is allowed to set the difficulty level of a game. Some apps automatically move a user to the next level after he/she clears the existing one.

Performance stats: Brain-training apps regularly offer performance stats to track the improvement. There is a functionality to share the performance on social media posts.

Examples: Peak, Luminosity

Peak

This award-winning app offers brain games designed in partnership with researchers from NYU and Cambridge University. The app lets the user challenge his/her friends after learning the categories he/she excels in. The premium version comes with advanced brain training modules, in-depth insights, and a personal trainer.

Link: (Android | iOS)

Skill-based online courses

Essential Features

Certification: The majority of skill-based online courses offer certifications after the successful completion of courses.

Courses for every stream: You will find courses on all leading skills in demand, including data science, web design, digital marketing, cloud computing, project management, video editing, and psychology.

Designed by industry experts and academic veterans: The courses are crafted either by industry veterans or professors from reputable institutions like MIT, Harvard, Cambridge, etc.

Examples: EdX, LinkedIn Learning

EDX

With more than 2000 courses, EDX is one of the leading apps for MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses). The majority of course materials could be accessed for free. The user needs to make online payment only to get a certification or while enrolling in a degree course. The “online discussion” is a virtual forum that enables a user to interact with other students.

The self-paced courses on this app let the learners watch the videos whenever they want, with a facility to download for offline viewing. Assignments and text-based learning resources are also included in the course.

Link: (Web | Android | iOS) How these apps are helpful?

Companies and academicians are moving towards the app because it offers multiple benefits to its users. Here is a list of some of the key advantages of using a mobile app for education.

Speed Up the Knowledge Dispersion

It’s easy to upload a course or a skill on a mobile app and share it with millions of people all over the world. Not just that, many schools and universities use apps as a mode of sharing the latest updates about the activities or changes with the students and parents.

Enhanced Engagement

Smartphones are perceived as something natural and a part of everyday activity. Using it as a mode of learning increases the level of engagement for users. It makes education a part of daily activity/learning.

Increased Audience Reach

As per the McGraw Hill Education Study, 61 percent of students used smartphones to study in 2016. Now in 2020, you can only imagine the number of students using a smartphone to go higher and this number has been pushed even higher due to COVID-19 and the introduction of multiple educational apps.

Enhanced Collaboration

Easier accessibility and higher engagement level make it simpler for users to collaborate actively without any glitch. In the case of younger kids, it is easier for parents to keep track of their progress and connect with the teachers.

Tech-savvy kids

Digital transformation is one of the top keywords being used in EdTech across the world. Using mobile apps to learn daily can help kids in becoming tech-savvy from the early years.

Other Technological Trends in EdTech Industry

App-based learning is one of the leading trends in the EdTech world but there is more to this than meets the eye. Next, we will throw some light on other advanced technologies that are used at the backend to make learning possible for all in a convenient and fun way.

Virtual Desktop Interfaces – Putting schools in the cloud

Virtual is rapidly becoming a growing trend. Virtual classrooms bridge the gap between geographically distant students and teachers. Schools are providing resources to the students virtually. Teachers are coming online and taking live classes via virtual desktop interfaces.

Administrators build end-user applications and resources and make them accessible on any endpoint device with internet connectivity. Building in the cloud provides administrators with a higher sense of security.

Virtual desktops can come with pre-installed educational tools and applications like Mathematica, MS office 365, and aid in attaining common goals like Common Core. It is a program recently adopted by 45 states and Washington D.C. to encourage evidence-based English and Mathematics learning standards.

Better learning and teaching with data analytics

It is believed that big data can help in improving students’ results – helping students learn with customized programs leading to reduced dropouts while helping students learn at their own pace.

In this digital era of learning and teaching, each student creates a unique data trail with their actions and results throughout their student life. Analyzing this data in real-time can help in gaining a better understanding of individual comportment of students. This will further lead to creating an ideal learning environment as per their suitability.

Using extended reality to transform learning

In recent years, some schools have adopted extended reality to make immersive learning a part of students’ educational experience. It includes virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality. With most of the infotainment places like zoo, planetarium, and museums being closed due to COVID-19 for the unforeseeable duration, XR appears to be a terrific way to teach and engage kids.

Enhanced online training simulations, immersive gamification in eLearning courses, customized learning paths in web-based courses and eLearning assessments with visual feedback are some of the ways to apply XR into daily learning of young or grown-up students.

Although this technology has been recently adopted by a few tech-savvy institutes only, the industry is poised for a breakthrough in the next few years as high-quality XR content becomes commonly available and the cost of equipment gets more affordable.

According to a report by Consultancy.uk, AR and VR technologies will boom to $170 billion by 2022.

Automation in educational institutes

The education sector is going through a revolution in which automation of instruction delivery using Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITSs) will vastly improve accessibility. This will exponentially reduce the cost of education.

Many online course apps mentioned above use automation as a mode of dispersing the subject matter to the students. Universities can further save time and reduce discrepancies by recording attendance and other activities via automated devices or technology.

With the adaptation of modern technologies comes the responsibility to stay cautious. Two main concerns that come with the digital transformation of the education industry include missing skills in existing personnel and cybersecurity issues.

Current teacher training curriculums are preparing teachers for the conventional education system. It does not train them for technological transformation or using digital methods and tools for teaching. This needs to be altered as per the latest requirement. It also creates an opportunity for tech companies to either create user-friendly tools with a flat learning curve or create programs to train the teachers of the future.

Cybersecurity is going to be a cause of concern for almost all the industries going through this revolution. They need to hire in-house trained professionals or outsource their IT security tasks to an expert company.

Notable successful education apps

A lot of EdTech companies are growing & expanding all over the world. EdTech revenue is expected to rise exponentially in the coming years and decades. The United States has become a swift adopter of educational technology itself.

EdTech is also becoming global and crucial to all the nations around the globe. Here is a list of top five EdTech companies who have decided to make hay while the sun shines.

Byju’s Link: (Web | Android | iOS)

Byju’s is an intuitive online learning experience for a wide variety of different subjects. It was founded in 2011 by Byju Raveendran at Bangalore, India. In March 2019, it was the world’s most valued EdTech company at $5.4 billion.

Undemy Link: (Web | Android | iOS)

Udemy is a website with multiple courses on a vast range of subjects. Students can choose a suitable course by checking ratings and reviews provided by other students. They bring adult education to a whole new level.

Age of Learning Link: (Web | Android | iOS)

Age of Learning is another giant in the world of EdTech companies. It focuses on child education by combining the best of education and technology. This U.S. based company is worth a million.

About LocalwebSetup –

WHO WE ARE?

We are a UK (London) based internet company managing projects all across the United Kingdom. With over 15 years combined experience and a team of 50+ web professionals on hand to assist with our projects your business is in the right hands

what we do?

Local Web Setup will help you build your online brand and guide you in the right direction to organically grow your business. We work remotely with our customers so no matter where you are we can still help your business. We offer Bespoke Website Design, CRM Web Applications, SEO, Social Media, Logos and a UK Support Team.

social media setup

We are a full service SEO agency. Our social media experts can help you establish your business objectives, identify your target audience, create engaging and share-worthy content and finally integrate your social media with all other aspects of your online presence.

GET YOUR CUSTOM LOGO DESIGNED BY OUR PROFESSIONAL LOGO DESIGNERS A Logo is the eye of your branding make it stand out and match your business brand and creates a long-lasting impact on the stakeholders and general audience We will quote you depending on your business needs we wont charge you for more than you need.

Credists & Source – https://www.techaheadcorp.com/blog/education-apps/

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a-breton · 7 years ago

Text

5 Psychological Insights to Improve Your Content Marketing

Marketers have used psychology to influence the behavior of customers for years – often with great success.

Being aware of psychological principles is helpful whether you’re building a website, composing a tweet, or writing a blog post. Psychology indicates what colors are most likely to draw the attention of prospects or how long someone is likely to maintain interest in your message. The more you know about how the mind works, the more you can make informed decisions.

Using psychology to inform your content marketing isn’t sneaky trickery. Instead, these psychological insights can improve the user experience and help keep prospects long enough to convert.

The challenge lies in translating often complex psychological concepts into actionable steps that can drive real-world decisions. Here are five psychological principles that can help you create more effective marketing material.

It’s unlikely that you’ll need to apply each insight to every project but having these models in mind is likely to be useful when you want to create content that converts.

1. Cognitive fluency

The number of micro decisions made throughout our day is staggering. A 2012 study showed that visitors judge a website in 0.05 seconds – faster than the blink of an eye. While a 2013 study by Microsoft noted people’s attention span has narrowed to eight seconds at the max.

As a result, humans prefer to consume simplistic content and unconsciously avoid information that appears complicated. This is cognitive fluency.

That’s why people love emojis – they communicate emotion in a simple, extremely fast way. This goes for everything from tweets to blog posts – the easier your content is to understand, the more likely it is to hook your audience and keep them engaged. At the first sign of complexity, they’ll run.

Cognitive fluency explains why people like emojis – simple, fast way to communicate, says @LouisaMcGrath. Click To Tweet

What does this mean for content marketers?

If your product is complex, explain it in basic terms.

Make your social posts as short as possible.

Create clear and concise calls to action.

Focus on one topic per blog post, video, or web page.

Use eye-catching graphics that quickly communicate your message.

Use keywords in branded links so people know at a glance what the link will address.

Use infographics and videos to communicate complex ideas quickly and simply.

Use emojis if they suit your brand voice.

Use hashtags on social media to highlight the topic of your content.

2. Social proof

Think about your personal online shopping patterns. Do you rely strictly on a retailer’s website for information? Or do you ask friends and family for recommendations? Or read a bunch of reviews before making a purchase? Do you check social media for opinions or ratings?

If you go beyond the retailer’s site, then you’re like 69% of the American population, according to Mintel’s American Lifestyles research. More than two-thirds of consumers trust the word of friends, family, and even strangers over any marketing content from a brand. This is because of the psychological principle of social proof, which essentially means people are more likely to act when they see others have done so. Whether it’s reading a post or making a purchase, people prefer to follow in the footsteps of others like them.

That is why Facebook ads can be effective.

Social proof is becoming more important as consumers’ access to online-based data and information about companies grows. Think about how you can show the thoughts of people through your content marketing.

What does this mean for content marketers?

Establish trust so customers are comfortable talking about your brand.

Use real-life case studies in your content.

Gather and promote testimonials.

Encourage your customers to leave reviews.

Display view and share numbers – if your content marketing is successful.

Collaborate with authentic influencers.

Encourage user-generated content and expert social proof.

Promote earned media in your content.

3. Perceptual set theory

Humans are creatures of habit, and the perceptual set theory can help leverage that fact for your content marketing.

If you’ve subconsciously looked for a button to click on a landing page, you’ve experienced the perceptual set theory. You expect to see something, so you’re on the lookout for it. Your curiosity often drives you to continue down a path until you achieve resolution and satisfy your curiosity.

If you subconsciously look for a button to click, you’ve experienced perpetual set theory. @LouisaMcGrath Click To Tweet

People’s expectations are shaped by past experiences. We select what we pay attention to, infer how it works based on experience, and combine current circumstances with past knowledge to interpret what to do.

This theory is why those clever drawings attract interest – we interpret an image based on our experience.

For marketers, keep in mind when creating content how the mind perceives situations. While it can be tempting to try something new and be off the wall, going too far beyond a prospect’s expectations may be off-putting.

Don’t worry about coming across as promotional, people have come to expect some sort of CTA in company content. If they reach the end of your content and want to continue engaging but aren’t guided to the next step, they’ll be confused.

If readers want to continue engaging but aren’t guided to the next step, they’ll be confused. @LouisaMcGrath Click To Tweet

What does this mean for content marketers?

Create a logical flow through your landing page to drive curiosity and fulfill expectations.

Include an obvious call to action every time.

Don’t overexplain. People intuitively know what a CTA is.

4. Models of persuasion

While there are many different psychological models of persuasion, Fogg Behavior Model is particularly useful when planning content.

Dr. BJ Fogg of the Persuasive Technology Lab at Stanford University was a specialist on behavior design. His model of persuasion provides a system for driving desired behavior – he believed motivation, ability, and a trigger should coincide for users to carry out an action.

To persuade people to convert, you need motivation, understanding, & a trigger, says @LouisaMcGrath. Click To Tweet

Motivation and ability are two major influences for buyers and are key to creating effective content. To motivate people, your content needs to contain strong, relevant messages. The messages also need to be easily understood – this links to the principles of cognitive fluency and perceptual set theory.

But in the Fogg Behavior Model, you also need a trigger if you want prospects to carry out an action.

What does this mean for content marketers?

Increase motivation by providing messages relevant to your audience.

Make messages simple.

Include a compelling trigger or CTA to encourage an action.

Make sure each piece of content includes motivation, ability, and a trigger.

Robert Cialdini’s principle of persuasion says that in a world of information overload, people take shortcuts when making buying decisions. Fear of missing out, social proof, and simply continuing to buy what they always have are purchasing influence factors.

The Yale model of persuasion demonstrates to marketers the importance of building a trusted brand as trust, sincerity, and authenticity affect behavior.

HANDPICKED RELATED CONTENT:

How to Create Persuasive Content: Lessons from Aristotle

Road Map to Success: Creating the Content of Your Audience’s Dreams

5. Psychology of color

If you ask five people what their favorite color is, what is the likelihood they’ll say the same one? Miniscule. But that doesn’t mean that leveraging color in consistent ways isn’t useful in marketing.

Recent studies suggest that people judge a new product within 90 seconds of seeing it – up to 90% of that assessment is based on color. Color is an important consideration for content marketers when designing web pages, choosing banner images, and planning videos.

People judge a new product within 90 seconds of seeing it – up to 90% is based on color via @ReelColor. Click To Tweet

Shades of blue can help build trust and loyalty with your audience. This interpretation transcends geography. Red communicates energy and passion, while yellow can communicate both warnings and cheery optimism.

If you want your brand to evoke respect for nature, stick with shades of green, while orange gives an impression of fun, excitement, and urgency.

What does this mean for content marketers?

Consider what color can help you evoke the desired emotion from your content.

Consistently present your brand colors in your content.

Consider red, orange, and yellow for CTA buttons to foster a sense of urgency.

Ensure that CTA buttons are contrasting colors so they stand out. (Here’s a color calculator to help.)

HANDPICKED RELATED CONTENT: 3 Graphic Design Tips for Non-Designers

Conclusion

Applying these concepts to your projects will take time and consideration in the beginning. But before you know it, these principles will become a natural part of your content planning. Chances are you already engage in at least one of these principles in your content marketing even if it’s not a conscious choice.

Going forward, consider how you can make use of these principles to give prospects a smooth experience and move them more quickly through the sales funnel.

How many of these five psychological principles can you spot in the hundreds of presentations at Content Marketing World? You won’t know unless you’re there. Register today using code BLOG100 to save $100 on the Sept. 4-7 event.

Cover image by Joseph Kalinowski/Content Marketing Institute

from http://bit.ly/2Ka0miI

#Online Marketing

0 notes

hotspreadpage · 7 years ago

Text

5 Psychological Insights to Improve Your Content Marketing

Marketers have used psychology to influence the behavior of customers for years – often with great success.

Using psychology to inform your content marketing isn’t sneaky trickery. Instead, these psychological insights can improve the user experience and help keep prospects long enough to convert.

It’s unlikely that you’ll need to apply each insight to every project but having these models in mind is likely to be useful when you want to create content that converts.

1. Cognitive fluency

As a result, humans prefer to consume simplistic content and unconsciously avoid information that appears complicated. This is cognitive fluency.

Cognitive fluency explains why people like emojis – simple, fast way to communicate, says @LouisaMcGrath. Click To Tweet

What does this mean for content marketers?

If your product is complex, explain it in basic terms.

Make your social posts as short as possible.

Create clear and concise calls to action.

Focus on one topic per blog post, video, or web page.

Use eye-catching graphics that quickly communicate your message.

Use keywords in branded links so people know at a glance what the link will address.

Use infographics and videos to communicate complex ideas quickly and simply.

Use emojis if they suit your brand voice.

Use hashtags on social media to highlight the topic of your content.

2. Social proof

That is why Facebook ads can be effective.

What does this mean for content marketers?

Establish trust so customers are comfortable talking about your brand.

Use real-life case studies in your content.

Gather and promote testimonials.

Encourage your customers to leave reviews.

Display view and share numbers – if your content marketing is successful.

Collaborate with authentic influencers.

Encourage user-generated content and expert social proof.

Promote earned media in your content.

3. Perceptual set theory

Humans are creatures of habit, and the perceptual set theory can help leverage that fact for your content marketing.

If you subconsciously look for a button to click, you’ve experienced perpetual set theory. @LouisaMcGrath Click To Tweet

This theory is why those clever drawings attract interest – we interpret an image based on our experience.

If readers want to continue engaging but aren’t guided to the next step, they’ll be confused. @LouisaMcGrath Click To Tweet

What does this mean for content marketers?

Create a logical flow through your landing page to drive curiosity and fulfill expectations.

Include an obvious call to action every time.

Don’t overexplain. People intuitively know what a CTA is.

4. Models of persuasion

While there are many different psychological models of persuasion, Fogg Behavior Model is particularly useful when planning content.

To persuade people to convert, you need motivation, understanding, & a trigger, says @LouisaMcGrath. Click To Tweet

But in the Fogg Behavior Model, you also need a trigger if you want prospects to carry out an action.

What does this mean for content marketers?

Increase motivation by providing messages relevant to your audience.

Make messages simple.

Include a compelling trigger or CTA to encourage an action.

Make sure each piece of content includes motivation, ability, and a trigger.

The Yale model of persuasion demonstrates to marketers the importance of building a trusted brand as trust, sincerity, and authenticity affect behavior.

HANDPICKED RELATED CONTENT:

How to Create Persuasive Content: Lessons from Aristotle

Road Map to Success: Creating the Content of Your Audience’s Dreams

5. Psychology of color

People judge a new product within 90 seconds of seeing it – up to 90% is based on color via @ReelColor. Click To Tweet

If you want your brand to evoke respect for nature, stick with shades of green, while orange gives an impression of fun, excitement, and urgency.

What does this mean for content marketers?

Consider what color can help you evoke the desired emotion from your content.

Consistently present your brand colors in your content.

Consider red, orange, and yellow for CTA buttons to foster a sense of urgency.

Ensure that CTA buttons are contrasting colors so they stand out. (Here’s a color calculator to help.)

HANDPICKED RELATED CONTENT: 3 Graphic Design Tips for Non-Designers

Conclusion

Going forward, consider how you can make use of these principles to give prospects a smooth experience and move them more quickly through the sales funnel.

Cover image by Joseph Kalinowski/Content Marketing Institute

The post 5 Psychological Insights to Improve Your Content Marketing appeared first on Content Marketing Institute.

5 Psychological Insights to Improve Your Content Marketing syndicated from https://hotspread.wordpress.com

0 notes

dorothydelgadillo · 7 years ago

Text

Lost & Found: How Guided Site Search Transforms the Way People Find Your Content

Site search has traditionally been ignored by marketers and relegated to IT departments.

While modern CMS solutions have made it easy for non-technical marketers to build and maintain them, the search feature still lives in the realm of IT or web development and is often ignored by everyone except one important group: your website visitors.

However, recent advances in behavioral analytics and artificial intelligence have been revolutionary for on-site search software, enabling marketers to create more compelling (and friendly) customer experiences.

To support customer engagement with relevant pieces of content, a new class of advanced site search engines is emerging.

It offers improvements like intuitive interfaces, automatic relevance adjustments, behavioral analytics, and predictive features to help site visitors find the exact information they are looking for.

Site Search is quickly becoming a new medium of digital conversation.

Why Should You Care About Site Search?

Site search is one of the most important ways to communicate with and understand the behaviors of website visitors.

On average, 1 in 3 visitors to a website will use the search function to find specific content they are looking for.

These visitors are more likely to convert versus a user who browses using standard site navigation.

This is because site search users tend to be “objective focused.” In other words, they are looking for something specific and are telling you in their own language what they want.

This is borne out by the conversion metrics available from site search.

In a recent study of eCommerce sites, visitors that used search on a site converted at 4.63% versus the websites’ average of 2.77%. That's 1.8 times more effective and consequently, these visitors went on to contribute 13.8% of the revenue to these sites.

Despite this, site search continues to be ignored by many as a marketing solution.

The result is visitors finding a varied mix of content based literally on the keyword they entered, and in some cases, nothing at all. It’s not what they want or actually need.

This usually results in frustration for the user, as well as a missed opportunity for the marketer.

via GIPHY

Given the increased focus on content marketing across all industries and the rapid rise in spending on content creation, marketers are missing a golden opportunity to deliver highly relevant and compelling content directly to their target audiences with site search.

It’s a home-field advantage that cannot be overstated, yet is chronically underserved by “passive” search tools that lack the intelligence being need in every aspect of the digital customer journey.

The Elephant in the Room Just Walked Out

One of the main reasons more focus has not been placed on the development of better on-site search technology has been the elephant in the room -- Google.

As an industry leader that controls over 60% of the national market share, and a brand name that is almost synonymous with the act of internet search itself, it has traditionally been a daunting task to compete with Google’s site search offerings.

Google Site Search (GSS) has largely been the go-to option when looking for a site search utility. Inexpensive and easily available, to date it has been the most utilized tool in the market.

However, while GSS has the Google pedigree behind it, it has always been a relatively mediocre tool from a marketing perspective.

With no manual control over the ranking of results and the relative lack of access to actual human tech support, Google Site Search worked well enough for basic sites but stopped short of being the type of flexible and powerful solution that greatly enhanced the website user experience or empowered marketing teams.

However, Google announced the discontinuation of Google Site Search and Search Appliance, with all their strengths and shortcomings, by April 2018.

In their place, the search giant is offering the new Google Custom Search, however, Custom Search contains a host of unsatisfactory features, such as the visual disconnect of the search display from the rest of the site, and a lack of control over the customization of results.

Even worse the new Google solution is 100% ad supported. Ads from across the internet appear in your search results, some of which might even be from competitors.

The end of these Google search products has suddenly left a vast number of organizations worldwide scrambling to find an effective replacement to continue with, but from an evolutionary perspective, this is a blessing in disguise.

With most of Google’s popular on-site search products retired, the gap is being filled with intuitive new search solutions from providers that offer more features based on customer preferences, data analytics, and the ease of implementation.

The Rise of “Guided” Search

Recent advances in behavioral analytics and front-end software development have created increased interest in creating more compelling customer experiences.

To support customer engagement with specific pieces of content that are relevant to them, a nascent category of “guided” on-site search engines is emerging.

The Benefits of Guided Search:

Provides both users and marketers with visible options for clarifying and refining queries.

Enables users to filter their searches to get more focused results.

Serves up results in an intelligently categorized layout that leads directly to the information they are looking for.

Enables the marketer to pre-define aspects of the user path via behavioral analytics, and allows them to manually rank and modify the results being served on their sites.

Allows both the marketer and the user to search using complex search terms

Guided search is especially useful in providing context and structure to large volumes of content.

It’s more of a discovery tool than a mere search tool, as it covers different dimensions of your site’s content, allowing users to understand what is available across your site and reveals content they may not have been conscious of.

It also narrows down results into different dimensions to easily review and select what is actually relevant to them.

Overall, the use of a guided search offers a solution to marketers who are constantly dealing with irrelevant search results.

For example, with guided search, marketers can learn how particular bits of content relate to others by following them down the search funnel.

This knowledge can be used to leverage lesser-known content by tying it to more popular search terms.

This way marketers can have a significant amount of influence on the user journey within their search.

Artificial Intelligence: The New Search Frontier

One of the key elements that make guided search possible is artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, such as machine learning.

This cognitive technology has given us the ability to create autonomous systems that can recognize links between search words and common queries, as well as learn and improve themselves based on the feedback of previous search results.

Site search engines essentially become smarter with every new user interaction. They learn about user-intent, queries, and concepts with greater speed, efficiency, and less human error.

The application of machine learning has been revolutionary for on-site search software; it offers a long list of improvements such as intuitive relevance adjustments, behavioral analytics, and predictive features that provide results users did not even know they needed.

via GIPHY

Some of the effects of machine learning on-site search are:

Improved result ranking

Greater relevance

Clearer query understanding, with classification of intent

Spelling error detection and suggestions

Identification of relevant synonyms

Clearer page/document classification

In-depth understanding of user behavior and journey

AI-driven search: A rich marketing resource

The rich customer data delivered by machine learning engines is a powerful resource marketers can tap into.

AI-driven search isn’t just an autonomous system providing continuous enhancements within the user journey, it can also offer deep insights into user behavior.

As mentioned earlier, while search results will experience a drastic improvement in quality and relevance, along with greater personalization, marketers can also use it to better understand their customers and manually tweak search engine settings to their advantage.

AI-powered search provides marketers with predictive knowledge that helps them make sense out of the masses of data from subsites, content, channels, and more—and apply it to identify user intent, trends in behavior, and successful content.

Relevance is updated automatically and search results are kept at optimal quality, giving them more time to spend on other tasks such as content creation and refinement.

In the long run, with all of these capabilities, AI-driven guided search can save marketing and IT teams hours trying to analyze and optimize their website content.

Marketers can take advantage of data mined from search analytics and user journeys to learn more about customer behavior and model marketing prospects against predicted customer needs.

Buying A Search Solution

Despite its technicality, modern marketing and content teams should have more claim to the tool than other departments because they are the ones who understand their target users and can best determine what pages should ideally show up at the top of the search results.

The search solution you select for your website should have the perfect mix of intelligent autonomy and customizable features so that you have control over your search engine.

When evaluating site search solution to find ones that offer you a guided experience and superior relevance, you should look for several key characteristics:

1. Ease of implementation

Contrary to popular belief, on-site search implementation and maintenance need not be a technical process executed only by developers.

In its simplest form, site search with a script implementation is the easiest path to take; it’s just a simple snippet of JavaScript code that can be pasted within your site’s code to set-up search.

With the ease and flexibility of software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions, the implementation of on-premise search solutions with the accompanying complications and expense of hardware installation, maintenance and support staff, is rapidly becoming a less attractive option.

However, with this, all the technical work can potentially be handled by the search provider, so you won’t have to fuss around with the development team every time something needs to be examined or updated.

2. Powerful relevance engines

A good on-site search solution needs to be powerful enough to effectively rank pages according to the relevance for the user.

Many basic on-site searches, like those built into a CMS lack this functionality.

Results are often ranked based on a wide variety of undefinable criteria, with disorganized results appearing from across the site. This makes results less focused and relevant to the query -- and frankly less useful.

A good on-site search engine should have an advanced technology base, preferably one that is machine learning-driven, that can automatically deliver results that are focused and highly relevant.

3. Design Customization

Ideally, your search solution should make it easy to customize the visual presentation and results on your website.

The search input bar and results page should not stand apart from the overall design of the website. They should be tightly integrated visually to create a seamless experience for the user.

A well-built solution should offer the option of both in-line or overlay search presentation and allow you to customize the colors, fonts, and other visual attributes of your search to match the website.

4. Easy-to-use tools

With the aforementioned rise of SaaS search solutions, simpler solutions with more user-friendly interfaces are being built on-top of advanced search technology platforms to provide a solution that is not just powerful, but accessible to all.

Rather than relying on your web development team to tweak the search engine, newer SaaS search solutions enable marketers to directly monitor and adjust their solution in real time via an intuitive non-technical interface.

Ongoing tasks like adjusting results rankings, removing old content that is no longer pertinent, adding uncommon keywords as synonyms to search terms, or creating separate engines for different areas of a website, are now easy for site managers or marketers to go in and adjust manually.

A good on-site search solution should at least provide basic tools, such as page ranking, spell check, and synonyms.

More advanced customization tools you may want include facets, search boosting, and banners that allow you to create a site search experience that guides users down a pathway of discovery and increases successful conversions.

5. Actionable Analytics

Search is more than just a customer facing tool -- it’s also an enable marketers to make data-driven decisions.

Look for powerful analytics and reporting dashboards that can save you time by guide you o the most relevant behavioral data for visitors to your sites.

A thoughtfully-constructed search analytics platform should give you the actionable insights you need to better understand your visitors, custom rank your search results, and continually refine the quality and relevance of your web content.

6. Human Support

When Google reigned over the site search industry, one of its few, unfortunate flaws was its lack of customer support.

No matter how user-friendly a solution is, it is always reassuring to have the support of the tech provider to help with any implementation, maintenance, or optimization issues.

A good relationship between the provider and the customer is reciprocal. As providers answer questions and issue resolutions, customers, in turn, can provide constructive feedback to further improve their solution.

Direct phone and email support are the gold standards in the search industry and is often a crucial factor in ongoing customer satisfaction.

Optimizing the Customer Journey with Intelligent Search

on-site search should not be considered a “nice to have,” but recognized as a vital aspect of the user experience, brimming with information and opportunity for marketing and content teams.

Only when you understand what motivates your users to make the choices they do on your site, can you provide the best experience for them.

An intelligent, guided search solution can deliver profound behavioral and psychographic insights to understand these.

The data collected can reveal much about your user’s behavior and intent, as well as the obstacles they experience on your site.

Properly utilizing search and user profile data, and experimenting with the search results, will bring a wealth of benefits to accelerate your marketing strategy.

Plus, you can combine data from on-site search with that from other areas such as social media, purchases, and more, to construct detailed user profiles.

It will enable you to personalize and contextualize the user journey, once again, providing an enriching experience that enhances brand engagement and loyalty, turning curious users into loyal followers.

About Cludo Site Search & Insights

Cludo is a powerful search & insights engine that optimizes the way organizations and their customers connect with and use information.

Our easy-to-use site search platform empowers you to easily customize and gain deep insights from your website’s search functionality.

Unlike passive search, our unique platform enables you to custom rank and prioritize search results, automatically creating an intelligently guided search experience for website visitors.

Headquartered in Copenhagen, with offices in Minneapolis and London, Cludo’s intelligent search & insights SaaS product is compatible with any website, and backed by an exceptional commitment to customer happiness. For more information visit www.cludo.com

from Web Developers World https://www.impactbnd.com/blog/guided-site-search

0 notes

haileyhewlitt · 8 years ago

Text

Keeping SEO In Mind With Your New Website Design

This article will help guide you when creating an SEO friendly website.

Your website is the source of your electronic marketing and advertising world — the location that all digital rivers run toward. And needless to say, the biggest of its own traffic resources are normally organic search.

Yet all too often, companies do not think about SEO until after using a website design (or redesigned), and such sites are often sadly lacking about the SEO and electronic advertising entrance. Also if the marketing smarts are not cooked in at design time, then you will be running the marketing race with a wooden leg.

We have been thinking about the SEO and web design link a lot recently and we just published a website design preparation manual to aid in what could be a complicated process. This is a companion piece to this guide that actually covers the SEO concerns in a lot more granular detail.

In this informative article, I have taken a look at how SEO should be an essential component of your website design or redesign process. We are going to look at everything you want to think about to get a site that’s constructed for search advertising and lead generation — and also how focusing on happy users keeps the Google gods on your side.

We will also take a peek at some of the common pitfalls that may befall businesses seeking to build a new website that is essential to your digital marketing efforts.

In brief, I am going to help you guarantee your following website is a lean, mean SEO and digital advertising system.

Developing an SEO-friendly website

At a basic level, an SEO-friendly site is one that allows a search engine to explore and read pages across the website.

A search engine utilizes a web crawler for this particular undertaking, and we’re attempting to work together with the search engines rather than against them. Unfortunately, there are lots of techniques to make a website, rather than all technologies are constructed with search engine optimization in mind.

Building an SEO-friendly website requires careful planning and a structured way of representing your organization and the services you provide. For many businesses, this may be complex — it is not always easy to record just what you do.

As a marketing tool, your site should be constructed upon a strong digital marketing plan with a transparent business model and value proposition. If that’s unclear, then you need to reevaluate that first.

Assuming you have all that great things set up, let’s dive in.

Fundamentals

There are a couple of core elements that set the stage for a well-optimized website design procedure.

Domains

Your business may utilize example.com as the primary domain name. But you may have others. Ensuring your domain is logical and relates to what you do would be super-important. Ensuring that all versions and subdomains correctly point at the main site and redirect to a single canonical version of the site is vital.

Our business is named Bowler Hat. We operate in the United Kingdom. We are a web-based small business. It obviously follows that our domain is www.bowlerhat.co.uk. All subdomains 301 redirect back to the primary URL www.bowlerhat.co.uk. We’ve got few domain variations that 301 redirect back to the main URL. This all makes sense.

Do not be tricked into thinking that having-my-keywords-in-my-domain. com helps. It simply seems daft. It may help a little for local companies, but ensure you’re mapping into the actual world. Be sensible.

URLs

Context is further indicated by the URL.

Following are two hypothetical sets of URLs which may map to the Services > SEO > SEO Audit path laid out above — yet one makes sense, and another does nothing to assist.

www.example.com

www.example.com/services/

www.example.com/services/seo/

www.example.com/services/seo/audits/

www.example.com

www.example.com/s123/

www.example.com/s123/s1/

www.example.com/s123/s1/75/

Of course, the second set of URLs is a purposely daft instance, however, it serves a stage — the very first URL naming convention helps both search engines and users, and also the next one hinders.

Hosting

Your hosting can also be important. A slow website makes for miserable users. Your hosting needs to follow common-sense rules. Be situated wherever your audience is located. Be quick. WP Engine is a good example, as it gives a platform tailored to WordPress sites.

CMS

The CMS (content management system) you choose for your business can hugely influence how successful you’re. WordPress is a good alternative in most situations, but it’s not the only one. It certainly is wired up in a fundamental level in a manner that Google can comprehend. This isn’t to say it’s the ideal selection for all situations, but certainly, it’s a good beginning point for most businesses. Just make sure that the CMS you choose will be the right one for your situation, instead of the one your preferred web provider prefers to utilize.

Crawling & accessibility

The initial step is making sure an internet search engine can crawl your website and know what it is that you just do (and where you get it done).

Indexation

To understand your website, they need to have the ability to read the content of the page. This usually means that the chief content of your site should be text-based behind the scenes. Not pictures. Not video or flash. Even within this ever-advancing entire world, your main content should continue to be text-based. There are a few great tools, like web fonts, that mean you may still look the part, along with your images have a location, but be sure to talk in clear language about what it is you do this the search engine can read and understand your own offering.

Pictures, videos, PDFs, and content will also be important and can be a source of search engine visitors. Again, these need to be discoverable and indexable.

Hyperlink structure

To index your content beyond the home page, you require internal links that the search engine can crawl. Your principal navigation, search motor directives, and tools such as XML sitemaps all help the search engine crawl your site and find new pages. Tools like Screaming Frog can help you make sure that your site can be easily crawled by a search engine.

Information architecture and structuring your Website

The major categories are the drawers. The subcategories are the connections in the drawers. The pages are files in the folders.

Cabinet: your website

Drawer: high-level category

Folder: subcategory

File: person document/page

Context is indicated not only by the site it is based on but also by the position within that site. Our own site has a drawer for solutions, and every service has sub-services in folders. Your website will be mainly the same.

If we consider the following structure of this website for instance:

Home

— Services

— — Service Region

— — — Individual Service

Home

— Services

— — SEO

— — — SEO Audits

So, there is a page in this information structure that is only /audits/.

The /audits/ page is present in the SEO folder at the services drawer. Nice and coordinated. This may follow through with other SEO elements to clearly indicate context far beyond what may be indicated by the document alone.

This is pertinent to blog articles, articles, FAQ content, services, locations and just about anything else that’s a thing inside your company. You are looking to structure the information about your business in a means that makes it understandable.

Some sites may have a deep approach to structuring content. Others may have a broad approach. The key takeaway here is that things must be arranged in a way that makes sense and simplifies discovery and navigation.

A three- to four-level approach similar to this ensures that most content is easily navigated to over four clicks and tends to work better than a deeper approach to site navigation (for users and search engines).

Navigation

Your website navigation is every bit as important. When a site is well-structured, the navigation works together with the arrangement, the URLs and other components, such as XML sitemaps, to help solidify what each page or part of the content is about.

Navigation is more than simply the menu on top of your site. It is the way you signpost users to the most important portion of your website. Navigation may be a tool to raise awareness of further services and includes not only text links but content on web pages and in the templated design elements of your website.

I have always liked the signpost analogy. I walk into a grocery store and look for the hints to get what I want. Your website is no different. If a user is referred and searches for your brand name, then they will land on your homepage. Then they need a signpost to receive them into the appropriate support. And it had better be easy to discover!

It is very simple to get this wrong, and careful thought must be implemented — prior to you construct the website — regarding the needs and needs of your customers. A website is an electronic element which should execute the strategy out of your marketing program. Knowing users this is crucial so it is possible to make sure that you’re meeting their needs.

Navigation should not need any real cognition — it shouldn’t make the user need to think. The following picture is a signal from my regional home improvement shop. Which direction takes you to the car park and which direction takes you to the deliveries entrance?

However, the consumer car park is to the left. There is nothing there to clearly illustrate that’s wrong or right.

I need to think. Or in practice, I go in the wrong way a few times before I understand. However, if users don’t find what they’re looking for on a website, they will return to the wonderful ocean of rivalry that Google search results signify.

Make sure your navigation is crystal-clear — if one user can make a mistake, many others may, too.

Common problems

There are many possible issues with content that can’t be found or can’t be understood from the search engine that can work against you personally. For example:

Orphaned content that can not be found

Content only available via website search

Flash documents, Java programs, audio files, video files

AJAX* and flashy website effects

Frames — Content embedded from the other site could be debatable.

Subdomains — articles split into subdomains Instead of sub-folders

* Google is becoming a good deal better at reading AJAX webpages, but it’s still feasible to obscure content with pointless effects.

Be sure that significant content is readily discoverable, clear and stays in the overall structure of the website in a way that makes sense.

Page speed

Another essential factor in the mobile era is page speed. Users may be impatient, or else they may not always possess a fantastic mobile data link. Ensuring your pages are lean and mean is a key consideration in contemporary SEO-friendly website design.

This instrument will give you opinions on mobile-friendliness, mobile rate, and desktop rate. It also wraps everything up into a useful little report detailing exactly what you can do to speed things up.

I moved into a bit more detail on how best to optimize for speed in a recent column on mobile optimization. Suffice it to say, your hosting and website page speed is yet another significant factor that spans how your site is constructed and the quality and suitability of the hosting you utilize.

Usability

Web usability is a blend of different factors: device-specific design, page rate, design conventions and an intuitive approach to putting the site together with the end consumer in mind.

Key factors to consider with your website design include:

Page layout

Important elements should have more prominence. Make more significant elements bigger! Clearly, signpost instructions for consumers.

Site search.

Large websites need a sensibly positioned search option.

Form entry.

Make forms as lightweight and simple to fill as you can.

Design.

Great layout makes everything simpler. This is only scratching the surface here, and usability really has to be customized to the individual website.

The content marketing funnel

Your site has a hell of a job to do: it must help your company get in front of potential clients on search engines, and after that, it’s to participate and convert those clients.

Your website needs content to help with each of these phases of the customer journey. Content and SEO is an important mix here since you might get before a customer as they look for similar services from another company they’re already considering.

A structured way to Take into Account the articles you want here is a Normal marketing funnel:

Awareness — best of this funnel

Awareness content will typically be your site and informational content. We are helping your potential client understand the problems they face and demonstrating your expertise and authenticity in solving these.

Blog articles

blog posts

Webinars

Comprehensive manuals

FAQs

Consideration — midst of the funnel

The content at the consideration stage assists your prospect to compare you against the other offerings on the market. This has a tendency to be practical content that enables the consumer make a decision.

Case studies

Product or service information

Product demonstration videos

User guides

Transformation — bottom of this funnel

Bottom-of-the-funnel content drives conversions and should gently encourage a sale or lead.

Remember that customers will search across this entire spectrum of content types. Therefore, ensuring each one of these regions are covered assists discovery through search engines, consideration, and conversion.

Overview

If that which is done well, a person and an internet search engine need to have a pretty good idea what a webpage is about before they even look at it. Your typical SEO then just builds on this solid foundation that’s laid out by your information architecture and site structure.

Mobile-friendly layout

The most popular device used to conduct internet searches and also to browse websites is the mobile phone. We reside in a mobile-first age. Sites optimized for search engines should give equal consideration to the mobile designs of the websites (rather than simply bolting on easy responsive site design).

Yet, in 2017, the responsive layout is not enough. We had been speaking about the importance of responsive website design in 2012. Five years later, with massive technological progress and significantly improved mobile data networks, your future customers are using mobile since the first, and often only, a device to interact with your organization.

To create a really mobile-friendly layout and maximize results from a mobile search, you have to think of their needs and wants of mobile users. Exactly what a person is going to do on a telephone is often far different from what they will do on a computer. And even though your conversions tend to be on a desktop, that crucial initial touch might well be on mobile.

From a search engine optimization standpoint, it is worth noting that mobile-friendliness is a confirmed ranking factor for mobile search, and it is the mobile version of your site which will be used from the search engine to review and rank your site. However, far more significant, mobile is the way your potential clients are searching for and surfing your website.

Work hard on optimizing the user experience for mobile users and you’ll reap the rewards for your efforts concerning traffic and consumer participation.

The post Keeping SEO In Mind With Your New Website Design appeared first on Organic Lead Generation.

source https://organicleadgeneration.com/keeping-seo-mind-new-website-design/ from http://cgyseo.blogspot.com/2017/11/keeping-seo-in-mind-with-your-new_3.html

0 notes

madelyngeorge · 8 years ago

Text

Keeping SEO In Mind With Your New Website Design

This article will help guide you when creating an SEO friendly website.

We will also take a peek at some of the common pitfalls that may befall businesses seeking to build a new website that is essential to your digital marketing efforts.

In brief, I am going to help you guarantee your following website is a lean, mean SEO and digital advertising system.

Developing an SEO-friendly website

At a basic level, an SEO-friendly site is one that allows a search engine to explore and read pages across the website.

Assuming you have all that great things set up, let’s dive in.

Fundamentals

There are a couple of core elements that set the stage for a well-optimized website design procedure.

Domains

URLs

Context is further indicated by the URL.

Following are two hypothetical sets of URLs which may map to the Services > SEO > SEO Audit path laid out above — yet one makes sense, and another does nothing to assist.

www.example.com

www.example.com/services/

www.example.com/services/seo/

www.example.com/services/seo/audits/

www.example.com

www.example.com/s123/

www.example.com/s123/s1/

www.example.com/s123/s1/75/

Of course, the second set of URLs is a purposely daft instance, however, it serves a stage — the very first URL naming convention helps both search engines and users, and also the next one hinders.

Hosting

CMS

Crawling & accessibility

The initial step is making sure an internet search engine can crawl your website and know what it is that you just do (and where you get it done).

Indexation

Pictures, videos, PDFs, and content will also be important and can be a source of search engine visitors. Again, these need to be discoverable and indexable.

Hyperlink structure

Information architecture and structuring your Website

The major categories are the drawers. The subcategories are the connections in the drawers. The pages are files in the folders.

Cabinet: your website

Drawer: high-level category

Folder: subcategory

File: person document/page

If we consider the following structure of this website for instance:

Home

— Services

— — Service Region

— — — Individual Service

Home

— Services

— — SEO

— — — SEO Audits

So, there is a page in this information structure that is only /audits/.

Navigation

However, the consumer car park is to the left. There is nothing there to clearly illustrate that’s wrong or right.

Make sure your navigation is crystal-clear — if one user can make a mistake, many others may, too.

Common problems

There are many possible issues with content that can’t be found or can’t be understood from the search engine that can work against you personally. For example:

Orphaned content that can not be found

Content only available via website search

Flash documents, Java programs, audio files, video files

AJAX* and flashy website effects

Frames — Content embedded from the other site could be debatable.

Subdomains — articles split into subdomains Instead of sub-folders

* Google is becoming a good deal better at reading AJAX webpages, but it’s still feasible to obscure content with pointless effects.

Be sure that significant content is readily discoverable, clear and stays in the overall structure of the website in a way that makes sense.

Page speed

Usability

Web usability is a blend of different factors: device-specific design, page rate, design conventions and an intuitive approach to putting the site together with the end consumer in mind.

Key factors to consider with your website design include:

Page layout

Important elements should have more prominence. Make more significant elements bigger! Clearly, signpost instructions for consumers.

Site search.

Large websites need a sensibly positioned search option.

Form entry.

Make forms as lightweight and simple to fill as you can.

Design.

Great layout makes everything simpler. This is only scratching the surface here, and usability really has to be customized to the individual website.

The content marketing funnel

Your site has a hell of a job to do: it must help your company get in front of potential clients on search engines, and after that, it’s to participate and convert those clients.

A structured way to Take into Account the articles you want here is a Normal marketing funnel:

Awareness — best of this funnel

Blog articles

blog posts

Webinars

Comprehensive manuals

FAQs

Consideration — midst of the funnel

Case studies

Product or service information

Product demonstration videos

User guides

Transformation — bottom of this funnel

Bottom-of-the-funnel content drives conversions and should gently encourage a sale or lead.

Overview

Mobile-friendly layout

Work hard on optimizing the user experience for mobile users and you’ll reap the rewards for your efforts concerning traffic and consumer participation.

The post Keeping SEO In Mind With Your New Website Design appeared first on Organic Lead Generation.

from https://organicleadgeneration.com/keeping-seo-mind-new-website-design/ from https://cgyseo.tumblr.com/post/167095231503

0 notes

cgyseo · 8 years ago

Text

Keeping SEO In Mind With Your New Website Design

This article will help guide you when creating an SEO friendly website.

We will also take a peek at some of the common pitfalls that may befall businesses seeking to build a new website that is essential to your digital marketing efforts.

In brief, I am going to help you guarantee your following website is a lean, mean SEO and digital advertising system.

Developing an SEO-friendly website

At a basic level, an SEO-friendly site is one that allows a search engine to explore and read pages across the website.

Assuming you have all that great things set up, let’s dive in.

Fundamentals

There are a couple of core elements that set the stage for a well-optimized website design procedure.

Domains

URLs

Context is further indicated by the URL.

Following are two hypothetical sets of URLs which may map to the Services > SEO > SEO Audit path laid out above — yet one makes sense, and another does nothing to assist.

www.example.com

www.example.com/services/

www.example.com/services/seo/

www.example.com/services/seo/audits/

www.example.com

www.example.com/s123/

www.example.com/s123/s1/

www.example.com/s123/s1/75/

Of course, the second set of URLs is a purposely daft instance, however, it serves a stage — the very first URL naming convention helps both search engines and users, and also the next one hinders.

Hosting

CMS

Crawling & accessibility

The initial step is making sure an internet search engine can crawl your website and know what it is that you just do (and where you get it done).

Indexation

Pictures, videos, PDFs, and content will also be important and can be a source of search engine visitors. Again, these need to be discoverable and indexable.

Hyperlink structure

Information architecture and structuring your Website

The major categories are the drawers. The subcategories are the connections in the drawers. The pages are files in the folders.

Cabinet: your website

Drawer: high-level category

Folder: subcategory

File: person document/page

If we consider the following structure of this website for instance:

Home

— Services

— — Service Region

— — — Individual Service

Home

— Services

— — SEO

— — — SEO Audits

So, there is a page in this information structure that is only /audits/.

Navigation

However, the consumer car park is to the left. There is nothing there to clearly illustrate that’s wrong or right.

Make sure your navigation is crystal-clear — if one user can make a mistake, many others may, too.

Common problems

There are many possible issues with content that can’t be found or can’t be understood from the search engine that can work against you personally. For example:

Orphaned content that can not be found

Content only available via website search

Flash documents, Java programs, audio files, video files

AJAX* and flashy website effects

Frames — Content embedded from the other site could be debatable.

Subdomains — articles split into subdomains Instead of sub-folders

* Google is becoming a good deal better at reading AJAX webpages, but it’s still feasible to obscure content with pointless effects.

Be sure that significant content is readily discoverable, clear and stays in the overall structure of the website in a way that makes sense.

Page speed

Usability

Web usability is a blend of different factors: device-specific design, page rate, design conventions and an intuitive approach to putting the site together with the end consumer in mind.

Key factors to consider with your website design include:

Page layout

Important elements should have more prominence. Make more significant elements bigger! Clearly, signpost instructions for consumers.

Site search.

Large websites need a sensibly positioned search option.

Form entry.

Make forms as lightweight and simple to fill as you can.

Design.

Great layout makes everything simpler. This is only scratching the surface here, and usability really has to be customized to the individual website.

The content marketing funnel

Your site has a hell of a job to do: it must help your company get in front of potential clients on search engines, and after that, it’s to participate and convert those clients.

A structured way to Take into Account the articles you want here is a Normal marketing funnel:

Awareness — best of this funnel

Blog articles

blog posts

Webinars

Comprehensive manuals

FAQs

Consideration — midst of the funnel

Case studies

Product or service information

Product demonstration videos

User guides

Transformation — bottom of this funnel

Bottom-of-the-funnel content drives conversions and should gently encourage a sale or lead.

Overview

Mobile-friendly layout

Work hard on optimizing the user experience for mobile users and you’ll reap the rewards for your efforts concerning traffic and consumer participation.

The post Keeping SEO In Mind With Your New Website Design appeared first on Organic Lead Generation.

from https://organicleadgeneration.com/keeping-seo-mind-new-website-design/

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groovyturtlepeach · 8 years ago

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What CMOs Need to Know About Data Informed Content Marketing

Driven by trends in lower performing advertising and changing consumer behaviors, many marketers have embraced content with the majority of companies adopting the practice.

According to CMI and MarketingProfs 2017 Content Marketing Benchmark report, the most successful B2B marketers spend an average of 39% of their marketing budget on content marketing and 39% plan on increasing spending in 2017.

However, even with the promise of greater marketing performance through content, organizations are challenged to produce a variety of engaging content on a consistent basis and there are a few key reasons why:

41% of marketers are clear on what an effective content marketing program looks like

36% are somewhat committed or not committed at all

75% are minimally or moderately successful at content marketing

What’s missing in the content marketing success equation where clarity is not so clear, commitment is not in full force and most companies think their success needs improvement?

Data.

A study by Forrester reports that companies only analyze 12 percent of the data they have available.

While there are numerous resources available from platforms to best practices, many marketers implement a sizable percentage of their content creation efforts based on something other than data. A 2016 study by Conductor found that 38% of content marketers rarely use data and 45% of B2C content marketers don’t target their content.

When it comes to content, creators are traditionally more art than science and using data to guide editorial planning is still not an advanced skill for many companies. In many other cases, content creators don’t have access to analysts to interpret data in a meaningful way or the tools and training to do it themselves.

Despite these obstacles, an international study by GDMA and the Winterberry Group, found that 80% of respondents believe customer data is critical to their marketing and advertising efforts. Top digital marketing executives agree:

“If you aren’t using data to inform your content strategy, what are you using? Gut feeling, testing, and / or creative epiphany should drive no more than 25% of your content efforts. The rest should be driven by understanding what content is resulting in conversions, assisted conversions, traffic from search and social, and what your audiences are looking for online in relation to your business offering.” Jolina Pettice (/in/jolina-pettice) Vice President at TopRank Marketing

For some companies most of the available data to direct content creation comes from a variety of sources. There is value in understanding customer preferences through different data sources. In particular, an understanding of customer preferences for information discovery, consumption and interaction while looking for solutions are key. This kind of data insight helps reach some of the top goals marketers have for using data including a better customer experience and optimizing performance of campaigns.

“Understanding how to use data to drive to the right client conversations has become the most powerful weapon in a marketer’s toolkit. Using different types of data – intent data, behavioral data, purchase data – is key to driving engagement and building a demand funnel. We use data for early stage engagement to inform our content marketing editorial calendar and campaign strategy and also to build buyer journeys by successfully converting inquires into sales conversations.” Tami Cannizzaro (@tamicann) Vice President, North America Marketing at CA Technologies

It can be tempting for marketers to approach data informed content marketing practices purely through applied tactics, without attention to operational considerations. A holistic view from a marketing strategy standpoint as well as how it applies organizationally can create efficiencies for implementation and performance optimization.

“A data-inspired framework is absolutely essential for modern marketers. To implement this necessity, we’ve fully integrated our content and demand gen organizations, with shared editorial planning and KPIs across the entire customer journey. With these common insights, our teams have built a continuous feedback loop – from topic selection through performance – that ensures every piece of content we create has a purpose and is measured against that purpose.” Josh Mueller (@jmueller03) SVP, Global Marketing at Dun & Bradstreet

As far as we’ve come with content marketing, many companies still take a brand-centric, some say ego-centric, view of content. When empathy with the customer information journey is not front and center of content marketing planning, there is no motivation to collect, interpret and apply data. Senior marketing executives must make an effort understand this disconnect and implement change and resources in their marketing to leverage insights from data to create better customer experiences.

The role data plays in informing more effective content should focus on goals and measurement, successes and failures. It is the age old approach of scaling what’s working and discontinuing what’s not. That starts with having clear objectives documented for the contribution content will make to marketing and the key metrics used to track performance.

Senior marketing executives leading their organizations to more substantial and measurable returns from content marketing investments must focus on 3 key areas when it comes to content and experience:

Content Discovery:

Understand how the intended audience finds solutions. What do they search for? What social channels to they engage? What publications to the read? What information sources do they subscribe to? What are their influences?

For most companies, data is available to answer all of these questions and when mapped to a content marketing strategy, solves one of the most problematic issues marketers face: reach and engagement.

Content Consumption:

Delivering content to customers in the formats and channels they prefer is as essential as the topics and utility provided. Do your customers prefer video or long form text? Are they using mobile devices, tablets or computers? Which questions will you answer for buyers at each stage of their journey to find a solution?

Marketers must tap into the data needed to identify these content format and topic preferences to create the best experience possible. It is not enough to be found, marketers must use data to understand how to inform and create a great experience for customers with content.

Content Action:

Findable content that satisfies customer information needs isn’t effective for the brand unless it inspires action. According to the goals of the content for the intended audience, marketers should use data insights to understand the triggers that motivate desired actions whether a sale, a share or a referral.

Beyond inquiries and sales transactions, there are many other actions marketers can motivate in customers through content ranging from registrations, downloads, demos and subscriptions that lead to nurturing programs to social sharing and even advocacy to their peers.

Each of these areas can be informed with data. From web analytics to customer surveys to machine learning systems and artificial intelligence, there are numerous tools and resources that chief marketing offices have at their disposal to leverage data for insights that can more effectively inform content marketing.

The good news is that there is a trend upwards for using data in marketing with 53% of survey participants citing an increase in spending on data-driven marketing and advertising in 2016 according to the GDMA and Winterberry Group study.

Of course, to implement a data informed approach to content requires a framework that guides collection, analysis and management.

3 Sources for Data Informed Content Marketing

1. Search and social data. Google Analytics and Search Console, Moz, Brandwatch, BuzzSumo and many other specialty tools can provide marketers with actionable data insights for their content planning.

According to the 2017 CMI and MarketingProfs B2B Content Marketing report,

58% use website analysis,

57% use keyword research,

50% use employee feedback,

47% use competitive analysis,

44% use social listening,

42% use customer feedback,

40% use A/B testing and

37% use secondary data analysis

to inform their content.

2. Content Platform Analytics. Content Marketing platforms are increasingly integrating an analytics and insight component to better inform marketers about what kind of content is performing.

For example, Curata’s Content Marketing Platform (CMP) blends analytics with an editorial calendar integrating with technologies such as Google Analytics, Marketo, Eloqua, Pardot and Salesforce, enabling users to gain insight into the revenue generated by individual pieces of content

3. Predictive, Cognitive and AI. Predictive marketing solutions like Everstring (client) and cognitive solutions that leverage machine learning and AI like IBM Watson are exploding on to the market to provide companies that have vast amounts of structured and unstructured data to work with, a way to understand patterns, trends and even predict what kind of content or promotions will work best.

A solid content marketing framework that leverages data insights must focus on understanding customers in their journey to discover, consume and engage with content. Brands that master their ability to document a data informed content marketing strategy with clear measurement will be in a much better position to achieve goals in 2017 and beyond.

A version of this article was originally published on CMO.com.

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The post What CMOs Need to Know About Data Informed Content Marketing appeared first on Online Marketing Blog - TopRank®.

Lee Odden http://www.toprankblog.com/wp-content/uploads/170306-tomfishburne-bigdata.jpg

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