Google Pigeon is one of the latest algorithms launched by Google. But before going into the details of that, let us first understand what exactly an algorithm is. According to the ‘Internet Live Stats’, there were more than one billion active web sites, as of September 2014. This makes the task of sifting through all the sites in order to find relevant information, difficult and complex. So for a typical query, there may be multiple websites that can provide the user with the required information. That is why search engines use complex algorithms like Google Penguin and Google Panda, in order to ensure that relevant information reaches the user, whenever they type a particular keyword/query. Today, Google’s algorithms rely on more than 200 unique signals or ‘clues’ that make it possible to correctly guess what the user may be looking for. These signals can include things like the terms on websites, the uniqueness of content, the region of the user and PageRank.

HOW WILL GOOGLE PIGEON IMPACT THE RANKING OF A WEBSITE?

The Pigeon Update is a new algorithm that was launched by Google on July 24, 2014, with the intention of providing users with helpful, appropriate and correct local search results that are in sync with traditional web search ranking signals as well. Google has stated that this new algorithm improves their distance and location ranking parameters. So what are the major changes that Google Penguin has brought about?

One of the main changes that has been noticed after the Penguin update is that there has been a facelift to the ‘Google Local 7-Pack’. The 7 Pack is the name given to the group of seven Google Maps listings that a user is presented with during a local search. For example, if you type restaurants in Connaught place, you get a list of seven restaurants that are located in CP. Now there may be numerous reasons why Google choose only these seven restaurants, as there are many more located within that region. This is mainly because Google, as usual, is trying to ensure the best search experience for the user (not for the brand). After the Google Penguin update, many users have seen a shift in this section, wherein the results were different with a much tighter focus on local business within the immediate area of search.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NOW?

Google’s Penguin update is the perfect opportunity for brands to focus all their attention on local search engine optimization because this is the major area that is affected by this update. Here are a few things, which website owners can do in order to not just improve their local rankings, but minimize the effect of this algorithm update.

Verify your business on Google Maps and Google+ Local: Make sure that your Google Map listings and Google+ Local listings are up to date as far as possible. Also ensure that you have claimed all the listings associated with your business and that the exact location of your company is placed correctly on the map.

Create local business directories: Do some research and find out all the major local directories. After that, try and list your business with them and optimize it in the best possible manner.

Ensure an optimized website: Always make sure that you create and maintain a high quality website that is optimized for a variety of local search terms. The content in your website must be unique, original and customized according to the demands of customers within your target region.

Build quality backlink profile: Having a high quality backlink profile can help strengthen a website’s authority within Google and similar search engines. So, backlinks from good and authorized local business directories will help you get better rankings and visibility.

Update your contact information as and when required: Ensure that all the contact information on your website, from address to contact number to email address is correct and updated on all websites and directory listings. Also, make sure that these details are consistent in all forms of brand communication.

Involve your customers: Positive feedback from customers can help you improve your local search rankings effectively. You could also link your directory listings in your email newsletter as well as on your website, or use social media platforms to ask your fans and/or followers for their opinion/reviews. The more positivity your brand can generate, the more your listings will improve and thereby, help you improve your rankings as well.

HAVE THE GOOGLE PIGEON UPDATE AFFECTED YOUR WEBSITE?

In case you think that you have been affected by Google Pigeon, or are worried about the consequences of the latest Google algorithm updates, then we will be more than happy to help you minimize the effect of these updates in a successful manner.

If you would like to know more on how we can help or if you have any questions regarding Google Algorithms, we would be delighted to get touch with you. Please feel free to contact our digital experts at Design Mechanics or call us at 91 – 0120- 4206301/04/05. We really look forward to hearing from you soon.

• Open Your Inbox.
• Open your FB account.
• Open ANY Website.

You have already come across a dozen graphics and images within a few minutes!
Did any image/graphic that appeared on any of these strike a chord with you?
Yes?

But why have so many images just didn’t grab your eyeballs or stayed with you?

The reasons for both the above options boil down to the use of intelligent copy, a good design and an effective placement of these graphics.

So now, do you realize that when you are deciding on hiring a web design agency for your business, how important it is to pay attention to the quality of work it does?

Pointers To Hire A Good Web Design Agency

1. Review Past Work: Never ever commit the blunder of not looking at the work portfolio of the design agency you are considering. Its own website is the biggest reflection of the quality it delivers to the clients! Scrutinize each category of its work minutely to understand whether you wish to work with the standards maintained by it.

2. Spectrum of Services: You may only need a website now, but in future you may also require SEO, PPC, Social Media Marketing, Corporate Identity, Mobile Applications etc. Hence, go in for the agencies that offer a wide range of these allied services. This will save you from the hassles of finding another good agency in case any related work comes up in future.

3. References: Don’t shy away when it comes to asking for references or picking up the phone to talk to them. Also, verify the credibility of the given references. Mostly, agencies will give references they have good relations with; however, you may never know what’s in the store for you when you get into a conversation with them.

4. Understand the Team : Foundation of quality lies on the competence of any design agency’s human resources. Ask your agency about the team they will assign for your work. If possible, review the work done by that team on any projects delivered so far. Visit the Linked In profiles of the team members to understand their professional qualifications, past projects or companies they have worked with. This will give you a fair idea of the kind of work they do.

5. Overall Attitude : The attitude of the organization depends on the attitude of the top management! If the top management does not churn out positive vibes or does not look flexible in approach, stop right there before entering into any agreement. A small test for this could be probably discussing/criticizing any of their projects. The picture will be out in the open. The agency has to be open-minded as design is a subjective thing. What may look like a rose to you, may be a cactus for another! At the end of it, it is your work and should be executed according to your brief.

6. Ask Questions: Ask the agency representatives questions related to ROI, changing web scenario, emerging marketing techniques and method. Don’t sit in the dark! If they can’t justifiably explain all these technicalities pertaining to their own field of specialization, rethink about hiring them.

7. Visit the Agency’s Office: It is always a good check to personally visit the agency’s office (maybe planning a meeting in their premises or giving an excuse like that you were passing by and thought of dropping off!) Now you will be sure of the overall organization and infrastructure that the company actually has to offer! A look at the office may also give you an idea how organized the agency is.

8. Proximity: Try striking deals with agencies that are in close vicinity of your own office. You might require meeting them frequently to review or discuss the work. Proximity always keeps you on an advantageous position.

Hiring a good agency must entail finding the best agencies and then verifying all aspects of their work. It might look like a cumbersome process to begin with, but well begun is half done! Don’t invest in working with agencies or big names (only for the sake of it) that tend to show off or do more of talking and do less of work.  Invest your money in safe credible hands that can deliver you astonishing results. So go out and cross check!