Online Reputation Management Is a Must January 30, 2019 By Jackie Katz The internet has grown into a massive marketplace for just about any industry imaginable. The way businesses are perceived online has also become far more important than it used to be. Approximately 84% of consumers say they give online reviews just as much weight as a personal recommendation. Why is online reputation management a must for your business? Potential Customers Will Look for You With so many review platforms, websites, and social media profiles, more people rely mostly or entirely on the internet to gather information about companies. That means potential customers will look for you whether you have established your reputation online or not. The best way to give yourself a greater chance of earning new business is by building a solid reputation that sends a positive message. Establish Yourself as an Industry Authority Reviews are only part of your reputation. The content you put out is another. This is an opportunity to position yourself as an industry authority. When internet users trust you, they will be more likely to seek out and share your opinions and recommendations. It also boosts brand awareness and recognition. Become the go-to name in your niche. The Internet Reaches Across the Globe The internet is pretty much everywhere. It is a valuable resource when you want to tap into new markets. Putting out content, getting reviews, and building profiles will make you more accessible to people all over the world. Contact OMA Comp to learn more about managing your online reputation.
Do You Need a Server for Your Business? January 16, 2019 By Jackie Katz Small business servers are essential for most companies these days. Even if you don’t operate exclusively online, you likely have to manage data for your product, service, or customers. The thought of setting up a new network can be daunting. Those that already have servers will likely need an update or maintenance at some point. Make sure you’re prepared with professionals who can help you keep your servers running within budget. Benefits of Owning a Business Server Companies that have been operating without a server may see no need to use one now. Others may be starting up on a shoestring budget and a server isn’t considered a basic necessity. Servers can provide a number of benefits for your business. That can translate into higher profits, happier customers, and low-stress workloads for your employees. When you introduce a server, you can: Save data in one convenient place Let employees access shared data easily Connect employees or customers seamlessly Make your business scalable Enable faster response to expansion Choosing a Server for Your Small Business When people think of servers, they likely think of a room full of boxes and blinking lights. Today, a server can look just like a desktop PC. The first thing to consider is technical specs and your budget. You should have an idea as far as how much space you need based on the applications you use or will use. Contact OMA Comp to learn more about setting up and managing small business servers.
Search Engine Optimization New Rules for 2019 January 3, 2019 By Jackie Katz Search engine optimization continues to evolve. Search engines find more ways to deliver the results users want. In the meantime, businesses have to learn to adapt quickly to an ever-changing virtual environment. Make sure your company is SEO-ready for 2019 by implementing the following rules. The Featured Snippet Matters SEMrush reported that the Featured Snippet claims 11.3% of search results. It also manages to take clicks away from the top spot. This is a tool that should not be overlooked in 2019. You need to find the keywords you rank for as well as those that have a Featured Snippet. Then, you should create a short 40 to 60-word paragraph of text designed to rank for the Featured Snippet keyword. You Must Optimize for Voice Search Voice search is a big deal in the SEO world, and it keeps getting bigger. Using effective keywords and earning a Featured Snippet are a good start. Also, make sure your content provides a question and answers it. When people use voice search, Google usually seeks out pages with a related question and answer. Content and Links Still Matter Content and links still matter. You need great content and link building if you want to rise in the search page ranks. You must earn a place on the first page before you can get optimum benefit from Voice Search and other tools. Take SEO to the Next Level in 2019 Now is the time to plan for next year’s SEO. You don’t have to do it alone. Contact OMA Comp today to learn more about the new rules driving search engine optimization in 2019.
Celebrate the New Year! December 31, 2018 By Jackie Katz For over two decades, OMA Comp has been helping businesses harness the power of modern technology to be successful. As we begin 2019, we are excited to meet new clients and continue providing the best IT solutions, hosting, website design and optimization, online marketing and reputation management to our current clients. This year is full of opportunities, and we want to help you explore them all. Technology may get more complicated, but we’ll always be here to provide support and services that help you reach your goals. We wish our clients and staff a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year! Let’s make this year your most successful yet!
Mobile First Indexing – What That Means for Your Website December 6, 2018 By Jackie Katz There is no denying the power of the mobile platform. These handheld devices have worked their way into our everyday lives. Many people access the web entirely or primarily from a smartphone. There were approximately 3.7 billion unique users in the global mobile population as of January 2018. That’s a huge potential audience for any business. What Is Mobile First Indexing? Mobile first indexing is a shift away from web content designed for desktops and a move toward content that’s made for mobile. The term refers to changes to Google’s algorithm that began rolling out earlier in 2018. The update means that Google uses the mobile version of websites for ranking and indexing instead of the desktop version. What Does This Mean for My Website? If your website utilizes a responsive design, then you will likely not see any significant changes. The problem is with websites that have more content on their desktop version. Any content that helped with SEO may be skipped if it doesn’t appear on the mobile site. Your pages could rank lower if you fall into that category. What Can I Do to Prepare My Site for Mobile First Indexing? Make sure at minimum you have a mobile-friendly design in use. It is best to have a site that is mobile first for best practices to adhere to the Google algorithm. Also, check your pages and make sure you are serving the same content on mobile as you do on your desktop version. Your site should load quickly and be optimized for performance as well. Contact OMA Comp to learn more about prepping your business website for mobile first indexing.
Computer Security Day November 30, 2018 By Jackie Katz Computers are now essential for work and play. We no longer can envision our lives without them. Computers have improved our efficiency and allows instant communication but at the same time has caused concern with privacy and security. Computer Security Day is a reminder to make sure that your systems are all checked and updated with the most advanced security options available so your business can run smoothly with reduced risk of security threats. If you need an audit, updates, or a seminar to teach your employees best practices to keep your data safe and secure, contact OMA Comp today.
Facebook Ad Platform Down for 7 Hours November 20, 2018 By Jackie Katz The Facebook ad platform went down for 7 hours today. When the platform was restored, there were errors causing problems for brands that have come to rely on Facebook and Instagram as advertising tools. Some businesses were unable to place critical Thanksgiving holiday ads. Will this affect much counted on Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales? 2018 is predicted to be a banner year for holiday sales. One reason is low unemployment which is a precursor for increased spending. Online marketing is now a major force in holiday sales. Disruptions especially ones that compromise security may make us less merry this Christmas. WHAT CAN YOU DO? As a business, you can make sure that your systems are up-to-date with the latest security and privacy updates. Training your employees is key to help reduce the risk of your business so that it does not become prey to cyber crime. Reduce your risk of becoming hacked or infected, contact OMA Comp today.