Our thoughts are with those affected by the bushfires across Australia. If you have been impacted and need help with your account, please call your Account Manager.
The time it takes to establish rankings is dependent on a few factors.
How competitive the industry or keywords are
Whether the site has been penalised previously
Whether there has been any prior optimization performed
Do Google Maps results count toward my SEO rankings?
Yes. An optimised Google Maps listing is a very important part of an SEO campaign. As maps listings are a part of the organic results listed on page one, they are a very effective way of pulling people through to your site and building page one rankings. As part of your SEO campaign, we optimise both organic search results and your Google Maps results to bring you the most traffic possible.
Should I invest in SEO or PPC?
It depends on your business. Many clients choose to support a growing SEO campaign with a small PPC spend, allowing them to buy traffic while their organic rankings grow. The choice to invest in SEO or PPC also depends on your industry, business model, and level of competition. Generally search engine optimization is a long term, lower cost strategy, while PPC is a more immediate, higher cost strategy.
Why do my rankings fluctuate?
Search engines constantly update their algorithm to fight poor quality and over-optimised sites. They are constantly testing these adjustments, establishing whether searchers engage more with these updated selections of websites. An effective search engine optimization campaign will answer to these fluctuations, safe-guarding your site from penalties and dramatic ranking drops.
How will a Google Update affect my business and website?
When an update is rolled out, sites that do not adhere to the new adjustment are penalised. Low quality links leading to your site and pages with over-optimised content are two common mistakes that can see a site penalised by Google. Penalties work against your site and its ability to rank.
How long does it take to get indexed by Google?
In the past, businesses had to submit their site to search engines or wait until Google organically found them. Now, we have many ways to ensure Google notices you more quickly. If you haven’t been indexed at all, WME can help.
What are inbound links? Are they important?
Inbound links are links from other sites to your website. Quality inbound links are very important in establishing authority for your site. Imagine it this way – the more positive hype on the internet relating to your business and linking back to it, the more relevant your site becomes in the eyes of search engine bots.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
What is SEO?
SEO stands for ‘search engine optimisation’ and is the process of making a website appear higher on the organic search engine results page. Basically, it means making your website more visible than the competition.
How do the search engines rank my site?
Search engines use equations called algorithms to determine which sites are most relevant to the search. The algorithm takes into account several complex factors when establishing positions. Two primary factors are the quality of other websites that are linking back to your website and the topic the search engine believes the page is about, based on the content.
How long does SEO last?
A lot of people talk about SEO as if it ends. SEO is ongoing, it is not a one-off project. If you are sitting in the 6th position for a popular search term, that’s great. However, there are hundreds of sites above and below you who want to push you down the ladder. An SEO campaign works to constantly monitor and maintain rankings, responding to fluctuations.
Why don’t my rankings match what my SEO reports tell me?
Every search is personalised. You and your neighbour may see different results to one another, even though you are searching from a similar location. Ultimately, you will never see the exact same results as another searcher. Search engines do their best to give you results that match what you are looking for, and they take into account your search history to contextualise your query.
Why are my rankings different on my mobile compared to my home computer?
As mentioned above, your search history impacts which results you are shown. You don’t have the same search history on your desktop at work as you do on your iPhone, and therefore the results will be different.
What is the difference between SEO and PPC?
SEO is a service which aims to build authority and propel your site in organic search listings. Pay-per-click is an advertising product which places your site at the very top of the results page, in the paid results section, at a set cost per click.
HIRING AN SEO COMPANY
Do I need SEO?
SEO will ensure more traffic is reaching your website, growing your brand exposure and driving increased enquiries and sales. If you’re a business trading online, you should definitely be considering an SEO campaign.
How much will SEO cost?
SEO packages vary in cost depending on the competitiveness of your industry and the amount of work that is required to get your site on the first page. Local, state-wide, national and global campaigns also vary in complexity and price.
Why is SEO worth the investment?
By increasing traffic through to your site, you are setting your business up to receive more enquiries, sales and profit. An effective SEO campaign will constantly work to increase your revenue, outweighing the outlay of the service.
Why should I outsource my SEO rather than attempting it myself?
WME has existed in the SEO sector for over eight years. With a team of advanced tech specialists driving our campaigns, we know how to achieve solid, sustainable results for our clients. Completing SEO in house without the necessary expertise can be a tedious game of trial and error which can often do more damage to your site than good.
How long will I need to continue my SEO efforts for?
Unfortunately, there is no standard answer to this question. If you’ve selected key phrases with lower competition and successfully built a solid SEO campaign, you may rank well for an extended period of time. On the other hand, if your site exists within a competitive industry or niche market, ongoing and sustained SEO is going to be required for however long you need to dominate that niche.
I’ve tried SEO before and it wasn’t effective. What does WME offer that is different?
If you have previously paid an inexperienced provider for an ineffective SEO service, it’s understandable that you have a tarnished appreciation of how effective SEO can be. Most SEO companies are doing their best to understand the hundreds, maybe thousands of signals search engines use to rank sites. WME employs a team of experienced tech strategists who are constantly researching imminent algorithm updates and updating our services to fit best practice. With over 300 employees globally who are dedicated to helping clients establish online success, we have the resources and experience to deliver on agreed results.
Does WME offer any services other than SEO?
We talk a lot about search engine optimisation because we believe it’s instrumental in building and sustaining online success for your business. However, WME offers a full suite of digital services which can benefit your business in various ways. These include pay-per-click advertising management, social media advertising, conversion optimisation, website design and development, and creative copywriting. Feel free to contact us today for more information on our comprehensive digital service offering.
What is the single most important thing I should know about WME?
We have a higher winning percentage than competitors in our industry. We’re confident in the service we provide, and are genuinely really good at what we do. Ask our clients or view our successes.
There are clicks from outside Australia showing on my Google Analytics. Am I paying for these in AdWords?
No. Google is able to determine the location of users when determining whether to list your advertisement to them or not.
The AdWords system uses a number of factors to determine someone’s general physical location and whether to show your ad. When possible, we determine general physical location based on someone's computer or mobile device location.
Can I have the same keywords for both my SEO campaign as PPC?
It really depends, as the competitiveness of keywords varies between SEO and PPC. You are free to bid on any PPC term but SEO campaigns are structured around competitiveness and traffic. Any SEO keyword can be used as part of a PPC campaign, but not all PPC keywords can be used as part of an SEO campaign.
Why was I charged more than my budget by Google?
Your bill will rarely be bigger than your budget in each cycle. However, if you have an outstanding balance from the last cycle, it may be added onto the bill.
Can I run advertising for two identical websites, from two different accounts, targeting the same keywords?
No. This goes against AdWords policy. Even when it comes to AdWords, Google wants to give users a good experience – this means a genuine variety of suggestions and ads. Google doesn’t want affiliate marketers trying to game the system using multiple accounts.
What is more important, having people land on a more general homepage, or a specific landing page with AdWords?
The most relevant page to the search term should be chosen. If the term warrants explanation, isolation and a dedicated page, then a landing page may be warranted. This would be the case in the event of a new product, new word or unique service. If it is a general term that describes the business as a whole, then a home page may be more suitable.
What should my budget for AdWords be?
Your budget should be based on your business goals. If you weigh up the number of new clients/customers you need to bring in to grow or maintain revenue, compared to your conversion rate, then work out how many click throughs you need per day to reach that goal – your budget should allow for that (remember to keep search volumes in mind) plus a small margin for safety.
The most important factor in deciding your budget is efficacy vs affordability. If you’re saving a lot by limiting your budget then you may not get the traffic levels you need. On the other hand, if you’re spending more than you can afford, your success won’t be sustainable.
Why can't I see my phone number being displayed in my Ads?
A minimum number of clicks is required before Ad Extensions activate.
Why aren't my ads displaying when I search for myself?
Multiple reasons:
Your daily budget has been spent
Your bid is too low for the ad to show on first page
Your credit card has been declined
The ad was disapproved
You are not in the location you are targeting
Ads are set to deliver during certain hours
You keep searching for your own ads
If you repeatedly search for your own ad using Google Search but never click it, you may stop seeing it. That's because Google's system detects the IP address of your computer, and stops showing you ads that it thinks you aren't interested in. Remember to use the Ad Preview and Diagnosis tool to view your ad as it appears in Google search results, instead of performing a regular search. It prevents you from racking up impressions while you try to locate your ad.
Can I track phone and email leads via AdWords traffic?
Yes, using Google Forwarding Numbers, mobile call buttons, and form fill tracking. Leads will be reported separately by source, so you can tell what’s working and what’s not.
Can I protect myself from click fraud? (Users purposely accruing a high cost on your account by clicking your ads repeatedly).
Yes, using IP blocks. You will need software that tracks IP addresses of website traffic. This can be implemented for a reasonable fee.
How often am I billed by Google?
Every 30 days, or when you reach your cost threshold – whichever comes first.
Can I display my ads on mobile devices?
Yes, you can display your ads on mobile devices with full browsers (high-end smartphones and tablets). Text, image, app promotion and HTML5 ads can be displayed on mobile devices.
Can I schedule my ads to only display during certain hours and days?
Yes, it’s relatively straightforward to set certain hours and/or days when you want your ad to show. By strategically selecting times when your product/service is most likely to be searched for, you can make the most of your AdWords spend. The exact times/days will depend on your industry, niche and location.
How specific of an area can I target for my AdWords campaign?
You can specify an area as small as a 1km radius around a GPS coordinate – for example, the location of your store or warehouse. Many businesses target a specific suburb or group of suburbs. You can target the whole country (or multiple countries) if you like. It’s all about knowing where your target audience is.
How much will it cost me each time someone clicks on my ad?
This will depend upon the area of business that you are in. With AdWords, a set of targeted keyword phrases are researched and selected. When these keywords are used in a search by a user they will trigger an ad to display. Bids are placed for ad positions. Bid prices can range from $0.05 to the top end of $100.00 per click. Bid prices for keywords for most businesses fall into a range from $0.50 to $5.00 per click, this will be determined by our research and which match types are selected. The bid price depends upon how high you wish to see your ads positioned and how much competition there is for the keyword phrases that have been selected.
What is the difference between actual cost-per-click and cost-per-click bids?
Actual cost-per-click, also known as ‘pay-per-click’, is the amount you have actually paid for the click on your ad and the CPC bid is the maximum amount you are willing to pay for a user to click your ad. Higher bids may increase the position of the ad and the likelihood that a user will click on it.
What is click-through rate (CTR)
Click-through rate, or CTR, is a metric used to measure the success of an online advertising campaign. It is presented as a percentage, calculated by: number of clicks that your ad receives divided by the number of times your ad is shown (called impressions). The benchmark percentage for CTR that Google identifies is 1-2% (for search advertising).
What are impressions?
Impressions are how often your ads are displayed on the Google Network.
What is ad position?
Ad position refers to the order in which your ad appears in relation to your competitor’s ads. On desktop computers and laptops, there are three top positions. On mobile devices, there are two top positions.
What Is CPA?
Cost-per-acquisition – also referred to as CPA, cost-per-conversion and cost-per-lead – is the metric used to determine your costs per lead/sale/enquiry from your advertising. This is a key metric in determining your return on investment. The formula to work this out is below:
AdGroups – contain relevant keywords and ads specific to a product or service.
Ads – the ads are the text or image ads that appear on the Google search engine.
Keywords – are the terms or phrases that “trigger” your ad to appear.
ADVERTISING SPEND CONVERSIONS
What are negative keywords?
When you add terms as negative keywords, your ad won't show to people searching for those terms or visiting sites that contain them. For example, if you sell “reading glasses”, you would include “drinking” and “wine” as negative keywords, as this user is unlikely looking for the type of glasses you sell.
What are conversions?
A conversion is a desired action that a user has performed on your website or through your ad – a form fill, a phone call or a newsletter subscription, for example. These are tracked with the implementation of a tracking tag on the website.
Can I advertise my product/service on Google?
A list of prohibited products and services can be found in the Google AdWords advertising policy. https://support.google.com/adwordspolicy/answer/6008942?hl=en-AU&ref_topic=1626336#con
Can Google send me an invoice for my advertising charges?
Whilst an invoice cannot be sent straight from Google for the charges accrued, one can be downloaded for the previous month during the first week of the current month. Your account manager will be able to facilitate this for you.
What is broad match?
Your ads automatically run on relevant variations of your keywords, even if these terms aren't in your keyword lists.
What is phrase match?
You can show your ad to customers who are searching for your exact keyword and close variants of your exact keyword, with additional words before or after.
What is exact match?
You can show your ad to customers who are searching for your exact keyword, or close variants of your exact keyword, exclusively.
What is broad match modifier?
You can add a modifier to your broad match keywords to specify that certain words must be included in someone's search term to trigger your ads.
How will conversion rate optimisation benefit my business?
Ultimately any increase in the conversion rate of your site has a direct correlation to increased revenue. Would 20% more phone calls benefit your business? Absolutely.
What are the main conversions you track?
Sales, phone calls, form fills, quotes and any specific pages. The types of conversions we track depend on the site.
Where is the test conversion site hosted?
The A/B split test runs off of your same host. We install a small amount of JavaScript that allows the original site to be swapped in with our revisions.
How will I know if conversion is working?
The results of everything we do are reported directly into Google Analytics. Google Analytics presents the facts, so the integrity of test results is absolute. We provide you with monthly detailed reporting on the results of each test.
Which elements of my site will you change?
This all depends on your objectives. What type of user experience will best benefit your business? Are you trying to drive enquiries or sales? We analyse the site in the first stages to discover areas that need improving, and how we can drive the best results in the quickest possible time.
We then test every aspect of your site to improve individual elements of it and increase conversion over time. We benchmark these changes against the original and then advise which changes should be implemented permanently.
How much will it cost to implement the changes that were successful in testing?
Changing the site permanently to the successful test version requires web development beyond the coding we’ve implemented in testing. The cost will depend on how many changes need to be implemented and how many pages were modified. These changes can typically be made at a reasonable cost.
How often will I receive a report for conversion?
You can expect a report at least every 30 days.
Does A/B split testing affect my SEO or AdWords?
The testing will not affect your SEO rankings, traffic or AdWords campaign. All URL strings remain the same and Google still reads your site as normal for SEO purposes. We ensure Google does not use any variation pages as an indexable version but rather defers to the original.
How long does it take to find a winner from the first A/B split test?
Gathering conversion results varies on a case by case basis and takes into account such things as traffic volume, source, and brand traffic. However, conversion results can be very rapid, and we have many instances where we have seen dramatic increases in just a few weeks, yet others take longer to gather conclusions.
We do try to move very quickly, but conversion optimisation is a data gathering exercise and we need the data to be sound. It's better to wait a little longer to ensure the integrity of any conversion test rather than make snap decisions based on a small data range.
Who looks after my campaign on a month to month basis?
From day one, you are assigned a dedicated campaign manager who will talk you through all the processes. They are your main point of contact if you have any questions or queries.
Will I get a whole new website?
In the vast majority of cases, no. For most site-wide deployment we can use your existing website framework via the .css file and some minimal coding. This is all part of the service.
Will my new site work on phones and iPads?
Yes – if you have selected a responsive website option on our site, we will adapt to each device it is viewed from. We produce sites both with and without responsive features, as well as standalone mobile sites. Contact our sales team today and we can discuss how this option may benefit your business.
Why does my website need to be responsive?
So that it provides mobile users a visually optimised version. This allows mobile users to interact with your website easier because the design automatically adjusts to be a user-friendly mobile experience
Will my website look the same on all computers?
There may be slight variations depending on each user’s browser screen resolution and their individual settings. During our development and testing process, we check your site on a variety of different updated browsers with different settings. However, we do not support some old and outdated browsers.
What is web hosting?
Your site isn’t just in thin air – it has to be saved and made available 24/7. This is known as hosting. A host is the remote computer (usually a sophisticated data centre) connected through the internet, on which your site is actually stored. Hosting is charged at a packaged fee, usually monthly or yearly. This cost covers the infrastructure (computers, servers, wiring and more). We can help you arrange affordable hosting. Of course, we recommend our own service first!
I don’t have time to write all the wording for my site. Can you do it for me?
Content and copy are not included as standard. However, our talented in-house team of content writers and copywriters will be more than happy to prepare a quote to meet your needs. You’ll love having polished, professional text on your site – and so will your users!
Will my site be SEO friendly?
Yes, absolutely. The structure of your site will be setup to allow for additional SEO work to be carried out, if you require.
What is a domain name?
It’s the URL – the address of your site. You have control over what appears between the www and the .com (or .com.au, or .org, etc.). However, you should choose wisely as it cannot be edited once set – to make a change, you would need to get a new domain name and transfer your site over.
What should my domain name be?
Your domain name should accurately represent your organisation. It should also be short, simple, and easy for people to remember. Many just use their business name. Some use the name of their main product or service. Some include their location in their URL. There may be SEO aspects to consider – please ask your account manager or project manager for assistance if needed.
Can you redesign my business logo?
Yes, we can. This is a separate service, but once it’s done, you can use your logo on everything from your new website to your letterhead and business cards!
How do I start the quote, design and development process?
It all starts with a phone or Skype discussion regarding your organisation’s needs, goals and budget. This will give you plenty of opportunity to ask questions and find out how our services can benefit you. If you aren’t sure what you need for your business, we can help you work it out by looking closely at the way you operate and by assessing your objectives.
Can you make a custom online store?
Yes. Our online stores (a.k.a. e-commerce sites) look stunning, work beautifully, and make your customers’ shopping experience an absolute dream! You’ll get to work with our talented (and modest) designers to create a unique online store experience from scratch. You can even have your site reflect the aesthetics and style of your brick and mortar shop.
What is WordPress?
WordPress is a CMS that is open source, meaning it’s free for anyone to use, copy and manipulate for their own purposes. It is simple and easy to maintain or update, making it popular for those who don’t have advanced technical skills. It can be used to run simple and elegant websites, or complex, high-powered sites.
What is a CMS?
CMS stands for content management system. The CMS allows you to update the text and pictures on your site, or add new products if you have a store.
What are the benefits of working with a CMS like WordPress?
Back in the day, companies would have to pay a web team every time they wanted to make a small adjustment to the appearance of their site. These little fees would add up to a significant amount over time. With a CMS like WordPress, any user can now update the text on their site, add pages and more, just as easily as they’d update a social media profile.
Can you train me in using the CMS?
Yes – training is included. You will receive half an hour of training on how to operate your CMS of choice. If you would like more training, or if you would like a consultant to come in and teach your staff, help is available through WME Consulting.
Why can’t I control the design from the CMS?
The content management system (CMS) allows you to only update the site content (page text and images). Changing the design requires website developers who craft the website's templates with CSS & HTML.
Should I update my WordPress version?
Yes. However before doing so you should arrange to have your website backed up first to ensure you can roll back if a problem occurs. Keeping your WordPress version up-to-date assists in protecting against hackers.
Can I get a company email as well?
Yes – our sites come with email service, so you can have a professional looking email addresses for you and your staff (yourname@yourdomain.com). Please ask when you make your initial enquiry regarding what email addresses you need, and how many.
How can I accept online payments?
This will depend on whether you run an online store, or whether you simply wish to accept bill payments online. There are a number of different high-security payment options you can choose from that will give your users peace of mind that their details are well protected. These payment systems accept all credit cards, and some accept direct debit details. Some systems come with a small ongoing fee for security and maintenance (charged by the payment service provider, not us) – please ask when you make your initial enquiry.
Will my site be easy for clients and customers to use?
Yes! All of our designs are created with user experience (UX or UE) as a top priority. There are many factors that go into a user friendly website, from clean and fresh graphics, to simple layout, to ‘intuitiveness’ (i.e. how easy it is to shop or find information for someone who’s never visited the site before). From newbies to tech heads, every possible user will find it easy to get around your site.
How do I begin to explain what I want from my new website?
Our professional team has an established process that will help ensure your site meets your needs – even if you can’t articulate what you want at first. Enterprise-level clients are also more than welcome to provide formal briefs and style guides for us to work with.
I’ve seen an ad online which says I can have a website for $50! Why does WME charge more?
Bargain basement websites are not custom designed to your specifications and needs; they’re made from a template that’s just been tweaked to include your business name. This means they won’t help your organisation stand out of the crowd online. They may not be able to be modified or updated easily. The price may only include one page, and will likely not include the price of a domain name or hosting. Customer service is likely to be non-existent. The site would probably be finished off overseas by an underqualified, poorly paid outsourced contractor.
At WME, we’re proud to provide a high-end service worthy of the country’s leading brands. From the moment you enquire to the moment your site goes live, you’ll be well taken care of. We guarantee you’ll love the look and functionality of your site. The best part? Our prices are highly competitive – and getting a quote is 100% free!
Can you test my site for bugs and get rid of them?
Yes – all our sites are fully tested for little issues that could affect the user experience. Our customer care policy also allows for fixes after your site has been launched, in the rare instance that that’s necessary.
Why does my website look different on in IE7/8?
To ensure your website is using the latest web design features we build the sites in HTML 5 & CSS 3. Unfortunately, not all browsers can render every feature from these latest versions. As such, we use our best judgement to gracefully pair back these elements, so that it still works on these browser versions.
