Search Engine Land Contributors

Mark Sprague — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 20:04:54 +0000

Mark Sprague

Mark Sprague is a seasoned Boston-based information and software product entrepreneur with a passion for the customer experience. In his 25 year career, he has developed over one hundred products and services that have been used by tens of millions of businesses and consumers. His consumer experiences include the founding of the NorthernLight.com search engine and Software Digest. The hallmark of Mr. Sprague’s expertise is his dedication to the development of high-quality products and services. His expertise is focused in Search Engines, Information Products, SEO platforms and Social Media. He currently advises executive on how to improve website performance though his company Lexington eBusiness Consulting, and blogs about various search related technologies at MarkSprague.WordPress.com.

Subscribe to Mark Sprague’s RSS feed

Connect with the author via: Email | Twitter | LinkedIn

Read Mark’s Recent Articles

How many people (followers) will actually see your tweet on average?

Mark Sprague — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 20:10:12 +0000

The average tweet gets buried in a heartbeat because of volume – almost certainly never to be seen again. If you have 100 followers, what is the probability that X number of them will actually see your comment before it flows down stream? 5%? 25%? Anyone seen any statistics around this.

View Question on Quora

Free Resources for Northeastern University Start-ups

Mark Sprague — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:53:09 +0000

Website SEO Strategies for Start-ups

All start-ups that develop a search engine marketing strategy should start with Advanced Keyword Research and a comprehensive Website Audit. Everything else flows from there – content strategy, linking strategy, page markup, social strategy, mobile strategy, local strategy and multilingual strategy. You have to get these two right for everything else to fall into place.

Search Optimization has many flavors. If you do business regionally your requirements are much different from firms doing business nationally, and national requirements are different from companies doing business globally. There are also strategies around Linking, Content and Page Markup that impact your tactical execution of your SEO strategy. Here are a set of resources to help you sort through these issues.

Advanced Keyword Research / Search Behavior

What is a Search Behavior Model? Answer: It’s advanced keyword research…

No amount of SEO in the world will compensate for you not understanding your customers, and how they search for your products and services.

Search Behavior and Personas

How to put a human face on your customer. The more you know about your customer the easier it is to focus your development and marketing strategies.

Searchers are Human Beings

Search Behavior Models in Action

The following are advanced keyword research deep-dives into consumer search behavior across different industries and markets. Look at these to see how this research helps focus content strategies, identify new content strategies and reveals additional landing page opportunities.

Start-ups do Grow Up – Enterprise SEO

At some point you will have a real company, with dozens or maybe even hundreds of employees. Not only do you have to deal with your out-facing content from your website, you now have to manage all those data silos that are important for running your company. The following deals with SEO issues in the Enterprise, which is very different from website SEO.

Social Media

Using social media personally does not provide the expertise required to run a business from these various platforms. These platforms are here to make money off you, and it makes good business sense to understand the rules that govern the use of their API’s, their advertising platforms and how you can integrate these platforms with your primary company website.

If you would like to find out more about Enterprise SEO send me an email now at Mark@MSprague.com or call me now at 781-862-3126.

More start-up resources for the Northeastern student ventures.

About Lexington eBusiness Consulting

Providing comprehensive SEO services to the Northeastern start-up community…

Mark Sprague’s 25 years of product development experience, which includes expertise in Search Engines, Information Products, SEO platforms and Social Networking applications provide in-depth expertise to help you refine products and services, and improve your websites performance by:

Developing a superior data-driven SEO strategy for your website.
Understanding your customers’ search behavior and normalizing it to your content strategy.
Understanding how search engine technology practically impacts SEO and content strategies.
Understanding how search technology impacts content in a social networking environment.
Developing a superior user experience based on sound information architecture, usability and coding standards.

Lexington eBusiness Consulting

LinkedIn Profile

Twitter

Lexington eBusiness Consulting
Mark Sprague, CEO
580 Lowell Street
Lexington, MA 02420

History of a Tweeted Article

Mark Sprague — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 14:24:37 +0000

The extraordinary value of a single article…

It’s interesting to look at how an article gets tweeted over a period of two days, and how links to the original content continue to persist in Blogs, Twitter Accounts and Search Engines. The hash tags also give you insight into how the content will be found in future searches. These also provide excellent social back-linking opportunities.

Tweets for MicroData for Marketing Executives

@IgiFischer » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives – {link} #marketing

@manager1960 » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

RT @ChrisMuething: MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link} (SEL)

@harry5301 » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

#SEO MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague : This continues the analysis presente… {link} #search engineseo

@Viscomite » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague : This continues the analysis presented in the MicroData Not … {link}

@JCSEORANK » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague : This continues the analysis presented in the MicroDat… {link}

@Where2GetIt » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

A Marketing Executive’s Guide to MicroData & Microformats {link} via @sengineland

@SERPbuddy » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link} #SEO #SEM #SMM

@HumphreyAlex » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

Via SearchEngineLand MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@MrCifci » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@AllThingsM » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@sapsseo » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

#SEO #SEM [link] MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@mjgmbh » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

RT @ChrisMuething: MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link} (SEL)

@OMS_Software » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

RT @ChrisMuething: MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link} (SEL)

@bundleOfSocial » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@digital_labz » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@I_Shathees » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague : This continues the analysis presented in the MicroData Not … {link}

@allanakers » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague : This continues the analysis presented in the MicroData Not … {link}

@virendervk85 » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague : This continues the analysis presented in the MicroData Not … {link}

@igcstudios » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@SEOSubscribe » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague : This continues the analysis presented in the MicroData Not … {link}

@jhmounsey » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague : This continues the analysis presented in the MicroData Not … {link}

@web2updates » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@imRondavis » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@TechBoy5 » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague : This continues the analysis presented in the MicroData Not … {link}

@bmohanty1908 » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague : This continues the analysis presented in the MicroData Not … {link}

@SEONAMA » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@a_messam » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@sengineland » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@bluewebcreative » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@susanjarema » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

#sem #seo | MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@AzamCorry » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@rf4social » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@jimmy_bogroff » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@KairayMedia » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@seoguide » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@seotrafficlab » 15 Oct ’11, 5pm

#seonews MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@PPCNewsFinder » 14 Oct ’11, 3pm

RT @Okenjica: MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@saffyre9 » 14 Oct ’11, 1pm

RT @aaranged: A Marketing Executive’s Guide to MicroData & Microformats {link} @CMarkSprague

@AdwordsMastery » 14 Oct ’11, 12pm

RT @GeoffAlexander1: MicroData For Marketing Executives {link}

@bigshotstudio » 14 Oct ’11, 9am

A look at MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link} RT @borasphere

@StrategieSocial » 14 Oct ’11, 4am

A Marketing Executive’s Guide to MicroData & Microformats {link} #fb

@PageRankSEO » 14 Oct ’11, 1am

In A Marketing Executive’s Guide to MicroData & Microformats: Mark Sprague builds on his… {link}

@Chrapka » 14 Oct ’11, 12am

RT @nicolastorzec: Title says it all: #Microdata for Marketing Executives… {link}

@nicolastorzec » 14 Oct ’11, 12am

Title says it all: #Microdata for Marketing Executives… {link}

@PageRankSEO » 13 Oct ’11, 11pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives /by @CMarkSprague via @sengineland {link} #microdata #ecommerce

@damangmedia » 13 Oct ’11, 1pm

RT @susanjarema: #sem #seo | MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@FWebConsulting » 13 Oct ’11, 1pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives via Mobile SEO – Two of these categories have real implications for local … {link}

@graphscla » 30 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@SMAutomat » 17 Oct ’11, 7am

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@AnneHaynes » 16 Oct ’11, 2pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@SMAutomat » 15 Oct ’11, 4pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@digi_savvy » 15 Oct ’11, 3pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@mpsmallbusiness » 14 Oct ’11, 8pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@ByKarinGor » 14 Oct ’11, 6pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@SEMInstitute » 14 Oct ’11, 4pm

RT @Okenjica: MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@SMOracle » 14 Oct ’11, 4pm

RT @Okenjica: MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@KopaShop » 14 Oct ’11, 4pm

RT @Okenjica: MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@Smax81 » 14 Oct ’11, 3pm

RT @Okenjica: MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@SMOCoach » 14 Oct ’11, 3pm

RT @Okenjica: MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@yoanbassinet » 14 Oct ’11, 3pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@Okenjica » 14 Oct ’11, 3pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@aaranged » 14 Oct ’11, 1pm

A Marketing Executive’s Guide to MicroData & Microformats {link} @CMarkSprague

@_bradmiller » 14 Oct ’11, 1pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague - {link}

@sengineland » 14 Oct ’11, 11am

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@GeoffAlexander1 » 14 Oct ’11, 4am

MicroData For Marketing Executives {link}

@businessplan_it » 14 Oct ’11, 3am

A Marketing Executive’s Guide to MicroData & Microformats {link}

@jrconsultancy » 14 Oct ’11, 1am

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague : This continues the analysis presented in the MicroData… {link} #seo

@caro_ds » 14 Oct ’11, 1am

A Marketing Executive’s Guide to MicroData & Microformats {link}

@ByKarinGor » 13 Oct ’11, 11pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@ashleegardnerwi » 13 Oct ’11, 7pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@TeresaThotel » 13 Oct ’11, 6pm

A Marketing Executive’s Guide to MicroData & Microformats {link} via @sengineland

@MrCifci » 13 Oct ’11, 3pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@Djthompson13 » 13 Oct ’11, 3pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives {link}

@freearticletips » 13 Oct ’11, 2pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives {link}

@BestBacklinking » 13 Oct ’11, 2pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives {link}

@writing4traffic » 13 Oct ’11, 2pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives {link}

@BOSEARCH » 13 Oct ’11, 2pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague : This continues the analysis presented in the MicroData Not … {link}

@itstrue » 13 Oct ’11, 1pm

RT @susanjarema: #sem #seo | MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@1BristolGuide » 13 Oct ’11, 1pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives via Mobile SEO – Two of these categories have real implications for local … {link}

@greatestsem » 13 Oct ’11, 1pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague : This continues the analysis presented in the MicroData Not … {link}

@Impressico » 13 Oct ’11, 1pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link}

@IslandColors » 13 Oct ’11, 1pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @cmarksprague {link}

@seocrawler » 13 Oct ’11, 1pm

#searchengineland: MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague : This continues the analysis presented in… {link}

@SuperlativeSEO » 13 Oct ’11, 1pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link} #SEO

@seoverview » 13 Oct ’11, 12pm

MicroData For Marketing Executives by @CMarkSprague {link} #seo

Find Out More

If you are interested in finding out more send me (Mark Sprague) an email at: Mark@MSprague.com, or call me now at: 781-862-3126

If You are interested in developing a custom behavior model for your business, please get in touch to discuss your needs.

Of course, I can also help you with your Social Media strategies, as well as nuts and bolts website improvements in areas such as Local Search, SEO, Mobile and Information Architecture.

About Lexington eBusiness Consulting

Developing a superior data-driven SEO strategy for your website.
Understanding your customers’ search behavior and normalizing it to your content strategy.
Understanding how search engine technology practically impacts SEO and content strategies.
Understanding how search technology impacts content in a social networking environment.
Developing a superior user experience based on sound information architecture, usability and coding standards.

Lexington eBusiness Consulting

LinkedIn Profile

Twitter

Lexington eBusiness Consulting
Mark Sprague, CEO
580 Lowell Street
Lexington, MA 02420

SEO for Healthcare Organizations

Mark Sprague — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 14:55:02 +0000

Running a medical practice, or a research group at a university medical center? Do you need more leads from your organic search traffic? Either way, the rules of Medical SEO apply equally to small practices, and large medical centers when it comes to improving website performance.

If you need help navigating these issue give me a call at 781-862-3126 for a free consultation.

Addition Information

Lexington eBusiness Healthcare Clients Include:

University of Pennsylvania CRIC – Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort
University of Rochester Medical Center
Relay Technology Management (Pharma)
Massachusetts Medical Angels

Find Out More

If you are interested in finding out more about SEO for healthcare organizations you can also send me (Mark Sprague) an email at: Mark@MSprague.com.

About Lexington eBusiness Consulting

Developing a superior data-driven SEO strategy for your website.
Understanding your customers’ search behavior and normalizing it to your content strategy.
Understanding how search engine technology practically impacts SEO and content strategies.
Understanding how search technology impacts content in a social networking environment.
Developing a superior user experience based on sound information architecture, usability and coding standards.

Lexington eBusiness Consulting

LinkedIn Company Profile

LinkedIn Personal Profile

Twitter

QR Codes in Print Catalogs

Mark Sprague — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 17:36:53 +0000

Marketing Charts just released some interesting data about how merchants are using QR Codes.

Most Use QR Codes in Print Catalogs

While last year, merchants were divided on the best use of QR codes, this year, a clear hierarchy has emerged.

63.2% are using them in their print catalogs, while
47.4% are using them in postcards and/or other non-catalog mail pieces.
About 2 in 5 merchants are using them as part of their marketing collateral (signs, bags, etc.),
with 15.8% saying they have found other uses.

Last year, 35% were using QR codes in each of the specific ways identified, with 15% finding other uses.

If you would like to learn more about how QR Codes work check out this tutorial.

Mark Sprague

Implications for Google’s Panda Update

Mark Sprague — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:50:09 +0000

Google’s recent relevancy updates had significant impact on selected categories of content found around the Internet. These included content farms designed to game popular search terms such as sites like Demand Media.

A second update provided expanded support for English-language search queries originating from outside the USA. It now handles queries originating from UK and Australia, and English queries from France or Germany.

Day in The Life

Mark Sprague — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:11:25 +0000

Highlights of What Happens on the Web in 1 Day:

168 million DVDs worth of information is consumed.
294 billion emails are sent.
2 million blog posts are written.
Facebook receives 172 million unique visitors.
Twitter receives 40 million unique visitors.
4.7 billion minutes are spent on Facebook.
532 million Facebook status updates are posted.
250 million photos are posted to Facebook.
22 million hours of movies are watched on Netflix.
864,000 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube.
18.7 million hours of music is listened to on Pandora.
1288 new iPhone apps are available for download.
More iPhones are sold than babies born.

Great Internet Info-Graphic

Created by: MBA Online