Welcome to the CX Blog

Guest blog by Courtney Gibb
Content Development Specialist at ZOG Digital

How do you get your business to stand out among the digital masses?

97% of consumers search for local businesses online. In search engine results, more than half of organic clicks go to the first link. Businesses have to be ranked on the first page to impact visibility and sales.

Local search engine optimization (SEO) is the solution. This component of SEO focuses on on-page and off-page optimization. Local SEO is ideal for businesses looking to translate online clicks to offline foot traffic.

Along with leading conversions, local SEO allows businesses to connect with consumers in their moment of interest. This involves immediate gratification – more than 40% of mobile searches carry local intent. Consumers are looking to search keywords — such as “pizza in Chicago” — and receive business and location information instantly.

Optimized keywords are vital in local SEO efforts. The Google keyword tool is helpful in keyword research, as well as Google Trends. The keyword tool allows brands to see the difference in search competition and volume in terms of geo-modified search queries. When researching, a sweet spot can be terms that have medium to low search competition — they are easier to rank for than those that are too general or overused.

Other factors to consider within local SEO include: business location pages, directory submission, Google+ local profiles, and reviews. Further details are provided below. (more…)

Guest blog contributed by NetConneXion.com

With 74 percent of American Internet users purchasing products online this year, getting your brand seen online in search results is imperative. That means, in today’s business environment, it is no longer enough to simply have a website for your company. You need to be able to first acquire, and then drive, leads to your site. There are a few ways that you can do this, including search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click advertising (PPC). Read on for tips on how to strengthen these online arenas. (more…)

Guest blog by Emily Timm
Marketing Project Manager at Vuurr

I have two questions for you:

1. When was the last time you read a “How to Advertise Today” article recommending television as the top option?
2. Was the last article you read in a magazine? Or was it on your computer, tablet or smartphone?

Your answers should be enough to prove at least one thing true: If your business isn’t on the Internet and you’re not advertising there, you are already losing at an exponential rate. (more…)

CX director of community affairs Don Dvorak (@dondvorak) and CX content and social media strategist Nicki Escudero (@nickialanoche) get photobombed by City of Glendale social media strategist Jessica Alexander (@pepperjess) at Social Media Day Phoenix at the Ritz-Carlton Phoenix

Last Saturday, June 30, social media aficionados from around the world celebrated Social Media Day, an event launched by tech website Mashable 2 years ago. There were meetups and Tweetups and lots of digital enthusiast-populated parties, and Phoenix even had its own celebration: Social Media Day Phoenix, which took place at the Ritz-Carlton last Friday. Representatives from CX (which gives you 10GB of free file storage) attended the marketing workshops throughout the day, which culminated with a carnival and networking event at night. Read on for some notable insights from the event. (more…)