Market Appeal

After months of planning and preparation I’m delighted to announce the relaunch of BritishMedicalJobs.com

Benefits for doctors, nurses and other staff and locums

While the url hasn’t changed, the site is all new and now has over 3,000 medical jobs from many of the UK’s leading employers. Additionally, the site’s functionality has been completely overhauled with improved search and CV management, not to mention six dedicated subsites, one for each major specialisation.

For doctors there’s British Doctor Jobs, for nurses British Nurse Jobs.com along with Social Work Jobs, Care Jobs, Health Science Jobs and finally Jobs for Allied Health Professionals.

So, whether you’re a GP, midwife, surgeon or psychoanalyst there’s a fair chance that they have a role for you. Along with traditional job searches, you can upload your CV to the CV database making it possible for head hunters to find you, set up custom job by email alerts or pick them up via RSS feeds.

Also, most of your life you’re not job hunting, so we’re adding some sociable elements into the mix. To start with, I’d like to you meet Ms Maria Cann, better known as the Job Doctor and the new friendly face to BMJ. She Tweets, has her own Facebook page and just formed a LinkedIn group too.

Benefits for hospitals, surgeries and other healthcare employers

The improved job search functionality should make life easy for job seekers, who are finding the site in rising numbers as we increase the number of phrases for which it has first page rankings.

Expanded paid search campaigns, social media marketing based around Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn and partnership deals with other websites, along with improved SEO are all in store. Recruitment agencies and large employers will also be pleased to note that the site will soon support bulk posting via Broadbean.

As you’ve probably guessed, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Rest assured that we’ll be working hard over the coming months to ensure that British Medical Jobs is one of the biggest and best medial job sites.

The main site again is: British Medical Jobs. If you have any questions or would like to get in touch for any reason please email marketing@britishmedicaljobs.com or anthony@marketappeal.co.uk to speak to me directly.

A while ago I wrote a first draft of a keyword research white paper, outlining Market Appeal’s approach to SEO keyword research. A few industry contacts have been party to it, but nobody else until now.

So, I thought that I’d “publish” it before everything in it goes out of date, aside from anything else.

There may also be a follow up paper or two around the corner, so, if this one’s of interest, let us know, and we might bring forward part two. In the mean time, please complete the very short from below to receive your own copy of “Free Keyword Research Secrets White Paper: Moving Beyond KEI” by Anthony Sharot.

With Google’s recent announcement that they may have to pull out of China, the big question that everybody’s asking, is what do they hope to gain?

As stated on their blog several advanced hacking attacks, including a shoal of phishing emails with links to spyware software were just the tip of the iceberg. In addition to targeting human rights activists using Gmail, it appears that systematic attempts were made to steal intellectual property from at least twenty major western corporations including Adobe.

Of course, Google denies that this is an “attack on cloud computing”, but it would have been far harder for them to hold that line if any of their accounts had been fully breached.

This is a serious matter for Google, as it’s not just their reputation at stake. In addition to being 100% behind cloud computing they hold the private data of millions of individuals, businesses and government departments,  along with all of their own employees, thanks to their “eat your own dog food” policy.

Were hackers able to gain full access to their servers then everything from your personal emails to State Secrets and their magical PageRank algorithm could be at stake.

Clearly, this goes way beyond the human rights of a few Chinese protesters, as the attacks were sophisticated enough to suggest government backing, in addition to the apparent political agenda. For example, many of the attacks were launched from compromised servers in Taiwan, along with some from Rackspace for good measure. The attacks were specifically tailored to each of the target corporations, exploiting vulnerabilities in Adobe PDF scripts and using phishing emails to install hidden spyware. Further, Adobe may have been targeted in order to try and find new ways to exploit their software.

Before Google became a world power – their annual revenue now eclipse the GDPs of Iceland,  Jordan or Bahrain – and trustee of so much private data, the risk of having a server compromised wasn’t such an issue. Their data centres have multiple redundancy and advanced load balancing and hot switching to ensure that the outside world rarely sees any of their hardware failures (which must happen frequently, given how much they own).

Google hasn’t officially declared that it plans to leave China, however they have thrown down the gauntlet to the Government by stating that they’re not planning to censor their search results from now on, even though that probably mean it’s the end for Google.cn.

Some people including a deleted blog post from Baidu have disingenuously suggested that Google pulled out for financial reasons, however, given the huge growth of the Chinese market and Google’s growing market share that argument doesn’t hold much weight.

…the chief architect of Baidu said Google’s decision to quit was for financial reasons, rather than a human rights issue, as Google had failed to dominate the Chinese search market.

“What Google said makes me sick,” he said. “If you are to quit for the sake of financial interest, then just say it.”

First and foremost it appears that Google’s no longer willing to tolerate the risk  to their data security that comes from being based in China. In addition to the attacks themselves, working out of China means complying with Government censors and storing data in local servers. It appears that Google now fears security breaches and industrial espionage more than the “almost insignificant” amount of their Global revenue currently contributed by their Chinese arm.Moreover, Google was starting to gain market share, increasing to around 31% of Chinese searches in the last quarter, so, if anything, they were looking forward to the future.

The public’s trust is key to their cloud computing dreams and so making a stand won’t do them any harm back home – North America, the UK and everywhere else where they have the lion’s share. It might also endear them with regulators at home and abroad who are increasingly intervening as they try to innovate, lobby and disrupt other industries.

Despite Google’s desire to “organise [all] of the world’s information”, “don’t be evil moto” and their desire to protect their customers’ data, investors will still be forgiven for wondering whether they have a plan, abandoning such a fast growing market at short notice.

The answer may lie in their ever growing array of additional ventures. For example, Google appears fully committed to the mobile market, having just released a new Android phone with iPhone like abilities. (Detractors complain that the iPhone is better, but that misses the point. The only phone the Nexus One is being compared to is the iPhone, suggesting that they’re already perceived to be in second place, despite being new to the game.) Factor in their Chrome browser, operating system and, soon, a netbook running their own propriety OS and a comprehensive strategy starts to emerge.

Google’s plan to pull their data centres out of China saves them from facing several future battles. For example, many Chinese people (only 20% so far are online) may end up relying on wireless connections including mobile networks and satellites for their internet connection. Google wants to be your search engine of choice, and sell you the phone and laptop that you surf with too.
China’s clumsy and ineffective Green Dam censorship software illustrates their commitment to the freedom of speech, and Google might have been anticipating pressure to adjust their new operating systems to make them work in a party-censor-friendly manner.

So, it looks like Google’s now going to redouble its efforts to make their international web properties available from within China, while working on their plans to offer secure cloud computing and internet connectivity through as many different channels as possible. If nothing else, their new policy should keep liberals, capitalists, Baidu and the US State Department happy for a while. It’s just a shame that they couldn’t please everyone.

We’ve all got used to Google’s current incarnation of the keyword tool, but is that about to change? I just logged in to a client’s AdWords account to do some keyword research and was taken straight to the new keyword tool, without an option to revert to “old” one in sight.

I did manage to access the external version of their old-style keyword tool again through a Chrome Incognito tab, but I suspect that that trick won’t last much longer either.

The new Google keyword tool vs the old one

Granted, in the new tool there are some nice features such as click and impression volumes, as well as just plain old search volumes (often the least useful of the three, as many searches don’t generate ads). Better still, they’ve added, AdWords keyword value estimates (based on clicks and not just search volumes) too.

The downside is that some nifty features have been taken away, including the ability to group phrases by stem term, a huge help when trying to create multiple ad groups with AdWords Editor in a hurry.

Google’s keyword research tool has gone through numerous changes since it was first introduced and it’s been a mainstay for the UK search community at least since the introduction of specific rather than relative keyword search volumes. Up until now however, they’ve only ever added features, now it appears that in their haste some of the most useful ones might be taken away.

What are your thoughts?

When building a website, it’s worth investing in usability, as no site is going to work perfectly from the outset.

“Spontaneous, unobtrusive usability testing software for designers and developers.”

What it does

• Capture screen activity
• Video the participant’s reactions (using their webcam)
• Record the participant’s voice (using their mic)
• Add chapter markers on the fly
• Control recording with the remote
• Export to Quicktime

Silverback is free for 30 days and then costs $49.85

Website: http://silverbackapp.com/

Why we like it

The 4Q Online Survey is a free online survey solution that allows you to find out why visitors are at your website, and whether or not they are completing their tasks (and if they aren’t, what’s getting in the way?).

The 4Q online survey provides answers to the following 4 essential questions:

• What are my visitors at my website to do?
• Are they completing what they set out to do?
• If not, why not?
• How satisfied are my visitors?

Thousands of companies are already gaining tremendous insight into the customer experience on their website. You too can measure purpose of visit and task completion (and of course, satisfaction).

And best of all…the 4Q online survey is completely free!

Website: http://www.4qsurvey.com/

Conclusion

It often helps to view a website from several different perspectives in order to find out everything about what works and what doesn’t, why, and how to fix it.

Good usability is a core component of website conversion optimisation, a topic that we’ll cover in our next post. After all, creating a site that’s easy to use is a great start, but what you really want is “profitable” not just “usable” and for that you need to integrate marketing too.

Have we missed one out? Plug it in the comments below and we might include it as well.

Update: For ClickTale like screen recording at a lower cost (and with fewer bells and whistles) check out http://userfly.com/ too.

1. Free Website Hosting
2. Free Google AdWords PPC Advertising
3. Free Email Marketing
4. Free online donation payment processing
5. Other free services for charities

Free Website Hosting

“34SP.com believes in conducting business in an ethical manner. As a result of this we aim to offer 1% of our total hosting capacity free of charge to charities who meet our requirements.

34SP.com supported charities must be registered in the United Kingdom. We cannot help unregistered charities.

To take advantage of this scheme please drop us an email with your requirements to info@34sp.com”

http://www.34sp.com/charityhosting

Free Google AdWords PPC Advertising

What is Google Grants?

Launched in 2003, Google Grants is a unique in-kind donation programme that awards free AdWords advertising to selected charitable organisations around the globe. The programme is available in the United States and these areas.

The programme helps non-profit organisations use AdWords to reach people who are searching Google.co.uk for information that is relevant to their organisation…

Visit the Google search results page for the query world poverty to see Google AdWords sponsored links.

How does the programme work?

Google Grants ads are run through AdWords, the online, self-service programme used by paying Google advertisers. Participating grantees set up an account, create their ad campaigns and are responsible for its ongoing management.

To help participants run successful campaigns, the Google Grants Help Centre features user guides, tutorials and other resources specifically created for grantees. In addition, AdWords support specialists are available to answer grantee questions and provide additional help via email.

What is the value of a Google Grant award?

Google Grants AdWords accounts have a daily budget that is set to $329, which is equivalent to about $10,000 per month of advertising on Google.co.uk…

What does my organisation need to get started?

To qualify, your organisation must meet our eligibility requirements. It’s also important that you have a solid understanding of the way that the AdWords programme works; please review our quick tour of the programme, “What is Google Grants?”, before you apply.

Where can I find additional information about Google Grants?

• Programme Guidelines and Details
• Beginner’s Guide
• Help Centre

http://www.google.co.uk/grants/

Free Email Marketing

“Non-Profits Email FREE and Get 15% Off Surveys & Postcards!

Promote Your Non-Profit Freely

At VerticalResponse, we are inspired by the work you do, so we want to make it easier. Now you can save your donors’ dollars for other crucial projects, so that you can stretch that shoestring to achieve even more. If your organization is a 501(c)(3), then you’re eligible to send up to… 10,000 emails per month. Free!

How it works

First, sign up for your VerticalResponse Account. Then, simply fill out the application form, we’ll check to make sure that you’re not fibbing about your 501(c)(3) status, and flip the switch. Within 2 business days, you’ll be ready to start sending professional looking emails. FREE!

If you have questions regarding the status of your application, call us at (866) 683-7842 6am-6pm pst.”

Free online donation payment processing

“According to The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), an online donation facility can increase a charity’s donations by at least 54% in the first year and increase response rate appeals by 50%

Charity Choice is very proud to offer a FREE Online Donation Service which is available to all UK registered charities. Charity Choice is the only 100% free online donation service provider. This service has been set up with the help of The Co-Operative Bank Plc. to provide your charity with a secure, quick, easy and most cost effective way of receiving donations direct to your bank.

The benefits of the FREE Online Donation Service:

	100% FREE service – There are no hidden administration charges, no hosting fees, no set up fees, no transaction fees*
	No credit card and debit card fees for the donor or charities*
	100% Secure online payment facility – secure transfer of credit and debit card details to The Co-operative Bank and daily BACS transfer to the relevant charity’s elected bank account
	You do not need to open a new bank account – you can use your current charities bank account
	Provide the ability for donors to register their donation for GiftAid
	Provide a FREE monitoring system enabling you to access your own secure records to view donations made to your charity. Click here to access your donations
	Ability to add this FREE donation facility to your charity’s own website so for users to donate via YOUR website. Click here for help on adding your donation service to your website
	Facility for users to donate via Charity Choice website
	Quick, easy and secure set-up procedure
	Quality banking expertise – Security and comfort that trusted ethical bank, The Co-operative bank are processing your transactions
	Customer Service help desk between 9.00 – 17.00 providing advice on the service, status of donations and support advice
	After care service – we will advise you on how you can market your donation page to donors

* From January 2008 all costs associated with the service will be under review. If there are to be any changes or charges, all of our registered charities will be given ample notice.

To ensure your charity doesn’t miss out on the huge advantages of having a free online donation facility - REGISTER NOW“

http://www.charitychoice.co.uk/charitydonationservices.htm

Other free services for charities

For everything from free graphic design and bookkeeping to life coaching, translation and tarot reading see:

http://www.goodwillgallery.co.uk/freecharityservices.htm

Following on from the hilarious VC Non-Admissions and Founder Non-Admissions, not to mention the subsequent Angel Investor Non-Admissions I’ve added my own take on this issue, from an SEO perspective.

10 things your SEO company will never say to you:

1. Our analysis indicates that your last SEO agency was far better value.
2. Most of what we do doesn’t work any more, but if you keep us long enough, we may eventually find something new.
3. Know-bodee will ever no that all of our arteecals are riten bi Indians,
4. We don’t understand branding, graphic design, PR, or copy writing, but have just changed everything randomly anyway.
5. We can help you rank for any keyphrase that has zero search volume, guaranteed.
6. We’re more of a design agency, but one of our staff has been reading a book about SEO, so we thought we’d give it a go.
7. Yes, this is my first time; by the time I know what I’m doing you won’t be able to afford me.
8. You’re launching a pointless product into an imaginary market and so even ranking #1 on Google isn’t going to save you.
9. You’d probably make a profit if we halved our fee.
10. What’s web analytics?

Are you a credible and capable Search engine optimisation (SEO) salesperson able to identify, chase and close deals with businesses interested in online marketing services?

Formal qualifications aren’t required for this role, however, you will need the confidence to engage with senior managers, business owners and CEOs, with a view to introducing our web marketing services.

This is a home based role (although you may work from one of our offices, if you prefer) and would suit somebody with digital sales experience seeking to work on a full or part-time basis.

While initially a commission-only role, however, we are happy to cover the cost of expenses (such as transport and telephone calls), as well as providing as much as online marketing, SEO & PPC sales training as required.

The terms of your commission are negotiable; for a newly acquired client we envisage paying something like the following:

30% of the first month’s revenue
+ 20% of the second month’s
+ 10% per month for the next 4 months

At the moment most of our clients pay between £500 and £2500 per month. If you bring in one £1,000 client per week, your commission works out to just over £40,000 OTE, although we’re happy to consider part-timers too.

We’re ideally interested in working with freelance or self-employed new media sales people on an ongoing basis, with a view to offering permanent, salaried roles to the right people, as we continue to expand.

About Us

Market Appeal Ltd. is a small (currently 3 staff), but fast growing SEO and paid-search marketing consultancy with offices in NW and Central London and a passion for profitable search engine marketing. We’re determined to secure a significant share of the UK SEO market and are skilled enough to make a difference, yet still small enough to care.

How to Apply

For immediate consideration for this position please email your CV to recruitment@marketappeal.co.uk

With all the fuss about Bing and the hope that Yahoo will soon release something new and useful (its been a while, so almost anything would do) it’s easy to lose sight of the frantic innovation going on under the skin at Google.

Of course, there are probably thousands more projects in their pipeline than I’m covering here, but, anyway, these are some of my eagerly anticipated favourites, feel free to suggest your own below:

Their “big tricks” this year are likely to be:

• Increased performance from the new advertising formats on Youtube as they continue to evolve
  
• (Hopefully) increased usage in China, due to market growth, even if they don’t gain market share
• Google Book search (for scanned, out of print books) might one day go live
• Google Apps (their Office rival) is now out of Beta and good, although a little basic, and highly likely to be developed further
• Increasing revenues from Mobile and Television advertising
• Making Google Voice (their telephone number service) available to more customers
• Continuing to push their browser Chrome, mobile/set-top-box OS Android and Chrome operating system for netbooks and PCs
  Expect to see even more hardware manufacturers signing up and, for the first time, Chrome to be shipped pre-installed on some PC.

Which Google services are you waiting for?

While many have been claiming that Youtube’s failure to monetize fully is a sign of ingrained failure, it’s easy to underestimate their recent progress and upcoming achievements.

Google is used to such indifference, as many wrote off their search engine for far too long. From their perspective, however, I suspect that things appear to be going quite well.

For example, they have the internet’s largest video website site, the web’s largest “video” search engine, and, were it a search engine of it’s own, it would be the web’s second biggest, behind their own main index in first place, as Youtube’s search volume by itself it still larger than all of Yahoo’s!

So, in true Google style they’ve pursued growth over early monetisation leading detractors to argue to that they’re struggling to monetise the site and that they’re loosing the big brand bucks to smaller rivals such as Hulu.

On the other hand, Youtube has recently had several significant endorsements including association with Barak Obama’s presidential campaign, the Pope launching a Catholoacism channel and the incredible footage of the (thankfully successful) Hudson river crash that has reminded us of the value of user generated video to capture unexpected exents, not to mention it’s repeated blocking by China and Iran, among others, a clear sign of its international ‘appeal’.

So, it’s arguable that Youtube’s dominant market share and user generated comment makes it irresistible to many seeking a ‘cool’ social media angle to their campaigns.

Moreover, there have been some pessimistic reports from Forester Research, Credit Suisse and the like suggesting that Youtube’s revenue may not cover its escalating costs – as its usage and hence storage and bandwidth requirements continue to rise – for years, however, those reports invariably fail to account for the step changes in performance that occur when improved advertising mechanisms, such as click-to-buy (as in click on the video to go to the sponsors page), are rolled out.

Google has managed to help many webmasters to monetise their own websites, as well as caching in on their own domains and so, with such a vested interest in Youtube’s future, you can be sure that the recent changes to facilitate Youtube advertisers that they are enthusing about including both new ad placements and improved web analytics are just the start.