How to Get a Google API Key
October 5, 2009 by Spencer Spellman · 6 Comments
To fully take advantage of Google maps and to integrate it into a blog or website, you’ll have to sign up to receive a Google API Key. This allows you to insert Google maps into your own web pages on your own domains. The only requirement is that you must have a Google account, as your API key will be connected to your account.
Even though there are many plugins and scripts that require an API Key to work, developers often overlook explaining just exactly how to sign up for a Google API Key. Today we’ll walk you through that process. Read more
How to Measure Success in Social Media Part Two
September 25, 2009 by Spencer Spellman · 1 Comment
Last week I discussed how as a company or a business you can measure success with social media marketing. I stressed the importance of choosing the right metrics (ie: click-through-rates not twitter followers) and suggested some software that could help.
Today I’m going to get into more specific ways you can measure social media success. Read more
How to Protect Your WordPress Blog From Spam
September 23, 2009 by Spencer Spellman · 7 Comments
If you’re new to WordPress, then you may imagine that spam is limited to just what you get in your email box, offering creams and pills to decrease your waist and increase your… um, other things. Eh-hem. Once you own a blog, spam can take on a whole new meaning and be even more of an annoyance that requires constant vigilance.
Not only do you want to protect your readers from offensive “comments” about where to find free you-know-what, but even more importantly Google considers spammy comments part of your content! And the big G will dock your page rank if it finds too much undesirable content.
After the jump, we’ll discuss moving beyond Akisment to protect your blog from spam. Read more
Top 5 SEO Plugins for Joomla
September 21, 2009 by Spencer Spellman · 6 Comments
Anyone who runs a successful website knows the value of search engine optimization. A good SEO tool kit can turn a good website into a profitable website by attracting the right kind of targeted traffic.
But, how do you SEO a CMS site such as Joomla? With Joomla Extensions! Extensions is term used to refer to any number of Joomla components, modules and plugins.
If you have a Joomla website, you’re going to want to make sure that you’ve properly optimized it for search engines and have the appropriate SEO tools in place.
Below I’ve listed the top five SEO extensions for Joomla. Read more
How to Track and Measure Success in Social Media
September 18, 2009 by Spencer Spellman · 2 Comments
Social media is one of the biggest buzzwords of 2009. You can’t even turn on the news without hearing terms like tweet, poke, event invitation, or profile wall. We see it in commercials, on billboards and even celebrities, athletes and government officials are using it.
While a select few — Guy Kawasaki — have learned how to harness and monetize their social media status, many companies are still looking for ways to use social media to make sales, broaden their reach and grow their company.
As more and more companies begin to use social media marketing, this question follows, “How do you measure social media success?” Read more
5 Free Ways to Market Your Blog
September 17, 2009 by Spencer Spellman · 2 Comments
It’s no secret that the ailing economy has hit everyone, even us bloggers who depend so heavily on Google Adsense and page impressions. It’s become increasingly harder to grow and maintain those high page views, while also competing with other bloggers in your niche.
As a blogger you don’t want to pay a high rate to advertise your blog and risk not getting a return on your investment; nor do you want to do an adwords campaign. You want quick, easy and free ideas for marketing your blog. Read more
