If you have a website then you must have heard about SSL certificates. But if you haven’t or do not have one installed on your website, we will give you 4 reasons why you need to do this ASAP. But firstly:

What is an SSL certificate?

The SSL certificate (Secure Sockets Layer) is the backbone of secure web browsing and information sharing over the internet. This specialized technology encrypts information and ensures that the connection between two sides – the client and the server, is completely safe.

Side 1: The Client (user) – the browser you are using and the request you are making when visiting a website.

Side 2: The Server (website) – the server on which the website is hosted.

*You need to check if your SSL certificate is installed on both your website and the C panel. There are some cases where this is not set by default.

Thanks to SSL certificates all sensitive information and personal data that are being sent from one computer to another over the internet are protected from unauthorized access and fraud attacks. This is extremely important because when information is shared online, it goes from one computer to a server, from that server to yet another computer and so on until it reaches its recipient. If you don’t have an SSL certificate, there is a great chance your data will be accessed and used by third parties before reaching the final destination.

How to check if a website has an SSL certificate?

The quickest and easiest way to do that is by simply looking at the URL structure of the website. If it begins with the prefix “HTTPS”, it means it does have an SSL certificate if it begins with the standard “HTTP” – it does not.

Example:

Why do I need an SSL certificate?

1. Protection against data theft

It is true that having just an SSL certificate on your website will not provide complete protection against all types of information theft, be it hacker attacks, viruses, system violations, misuse, etc. But this protocol is one of the most important tools for making the internet a more secure space for information processing. It not only encrypts data but also ensures its integrity until it reaches the right server, not a fraudster’s one. That is why it is essential to get your SSL certificate from a well-known provider.

Where can I buy my SSL certificate from?

You have two options. The first one is to buy SSL from your hosting company. The second option is to get it from a renown provider like:

• Let’s Encrypt
• IdenTrust
• Comodo Essential
• RapidSSL
• GeoTrust

2. A must for online payments

No eCommerce website would exist if there is no way for costumers to pay for the purchased goods/service and that includes online payments. If you want your website to accept any type of online payments (credit and debit cards, virtual POS terminals, PayPal, etc.), there are certain security conditions you must comply with. Having an SSL certificate is one of them.

3. A way to make clients trust you

Every country has enforced laws regarding information integrity and personal data protection. In today’s digital era the need for adapting those rules and creating international regulations becomes more and more necessary. As most of you may know by now, in May this year the new regulation for personal data protection (GDPR), initiated and accepted by the European Commission, came into force. The main purpose of this directive is to protect individuals living in the European Union with regards to the way their personal data is being used and processed.

We live in times where the number of identity thefts has reached their peak. That is why most people put a high priority on the protection of their personal data. A website with SSL instills a sense of security in its users. Did you know that according to a research done by Search Engine Land 84% of interviewees would abandon a purchase if they see that their data is being sent over an insecure connection, which will inevitably have a negative effect on sales? And you would not want that, right?

4. Google’s favorite

Back in 2014 Google introduced their “HTTPS Everywhere” campaign with the idea to make the internet a safer place for users and the information they share. Since then the campaign has been updated several times. The latest change was introduced this month. From now on Google Chrome, Google’s web browser, will notify the users if a website has an SSL certificate or not by marking it as “SECURE” or “NOT SECURE”. Here is how a website looks:

With an SSL certificate – Example 1:

Example 2:

Example 3: Without an SSL certificate, when you do NOT fill in some data

Example 4: Without an SSL certificate, when you fill in data in a contact form for example

Moreover, Google is giving a push to websites with SSL certificates by ranking them higher in the search engine results page (SERP) compared to those that do not have one. So, if you want to improve your position in Google, work on your website SEO optimization by activating an SSL certificate.

In 2018 50% of organic search results on the first page in Google have an https link, which is, in fact, the highest percentage in history so far. At the same time, 81% of the world’s top websites use an SSL certificate.

And you? How and where do you want your website to rank? Is your site secured with an SSL certificate? If you need any help installing it, we at Speedflow Bulgaria can help!

Yesterday Plovdiv was the meeting point for hundreds of IT professionals, enthusiasts and entrepreneurs, the reason being Digital4Plovdiv 2017. This year the conference was dedicated specifically to online marketing and e-commerce. It took place on 30 November at the St. Petersburg Hotel, Plovdiv. Ivan Totev, the mayor of Plovdiv, gave a welcoming speech and started the discussions.

Our team was pleased to be a part of the conference and learn in more detail about the hottest topics and the latest practices in digital marketing and online shop optimization. More than 30 specialists presented the most effective tips and tricks for the successful development of e-commerce businesses and increase in sales.

The conference program was held in three different halls. There were lectures, presentations, workshops and case studies. Everyone found something new and interesting to learn and apply to their work or business, including our team. Among the most discussed topics were Behavioral economics, SEO audit, SaaS, ERP systems, Internet security, video marketing, remarketing and many more.

All lecturers were prominent experts in their field with extensive work experience. It was a real pleasure for us to be part of over 300 participants at the event. More information about Digital4Plovdiv 2017 can be found on the website.

There are more than 200 factors that determine the position of your website in Google search results. Oh, yes! Since we have already introduced you to the basics of search engine optimization (SEO), we have decided to share with you all today our list of 20 less known, but effective factors for better Google ranking.

So…did you know that:

1. Latest updates

The most recently updated pages are prioritized in the search engine results page (SERP). Google now even shows the date of the last page update in the results:

2. Change volume

The number of changes you make to a page also contributes to its Google ranking. For example, adding or removing entire paragraphs and pieces of content is considered more important than switching a few words here and there.

3. Update frequency

Updating your website content regularly has a positive impact on its position in the SERP. The more you refresh your website or page content, the better!

4. Supplementary content

Did you know that if your website contains supplementary content (e.g. interactive recipes, different calculators, currency converters,  etc.), it improves its position in Google?

5. Ordered and Unordered lists

Formatting texts in ordered or unordered lists are visually appealing not only to users but also to Google. They make the whole text more readable and improve user experiences.

6. Terms and Conditions

It is advisable to have separate pages of your website Terms and Conditions, as well as Privacy Policy. Google will notice that and will rank your site as a credible and quality source of information.

7. Google Analytics and Google Search Console

Integrating these two systems in your website will help Google position it higher in SERP. Sounds logical as Google Analytics and Google Search Console are Google products. Therefore, the data they generate can be used directly by the search engine.

8. Competitor links

Links from other pages that appear in the same SERP as you for a particular keyword will have a positive impact on your ranking on Google for this particular keyword.

9. Link location

Where do you position links on your website? This is an important question. For example, a link at the beginning of a text puts much more “weight” that has a link at the end of a text. Moreover, Google prioritizes hyperlinks placed at the beginning of a page compared to those located at the end of it or in its sidebar.

10. Wikipedia link

Getting a link from Wikipedia gives your site more authority, especially in the eyes of search engines.

11. Word count and links

A link situated in an 800-word post is much more valuable than a link in a 70-character text.

12. Chrome bookmarks

Did you know that Google collects data from your Chrome browser? Accordingly, pages that users have bookmarked receive an extra “push” to the top of search engine results.

13. Regular users

Google also takes notes on the number of times a single user has visited your website. Websites that have regular visitors get a boost in SERP.

14. Duration of visits

Another important factor is the time that users spend on your page. The longer they stay on it or click on it, the more it will appear in SERP.

15. Search history

Search order affects the results Google displays in SERP. For example, if you first search for “coffee machines” and then search for “spare parts“, Google is more likely to show you websites that offer coffee machine spare parts up in the SERP. Additionally, the sites you visit while logged into your Google account get an extra advantage in the search engine

16. Social networks

17. The URL path

The closer a web page is to the homepage, the better Google rank it will get.

18. Link age

Older links are more powerful than new ones.

19. Number of words

An article with more words is ranked better in Google than text with fewer words.

20. Contact us

Do not underestimate the importance of having such a page on your website. If your contacts match the Whois information, Google will give you an advantage in SERP.

Which of these less known factors for better Google ranking do you use? Of course, they are all unpaid and need simply your time and efforts. However, there are also paid methods that enable you to appear in the top results of Google SERP.  One of these methods is called PPC /CPC campaigns.

Do not hesitate to contact us for more detailed information. And maybe we can also prepare your first paid ad campaign. Why not!

Are you a newbie in digital marketing? Or you are simply looking for ways to promote your brand online? Anyways, you must have heard about CPC and PPC advertising campaigns. What do these two abbreviations mean? Should you implement them in your next digital marketing campaign? We’ll give you the answers to these questions right now.

What does PPC mean?

You have probably noticed that when you search something in Google, ads relevant to your search appear along with organic search results in the SERP (search engine results page). That is PPC.

PPC literally means pay-per-click. It is an online advertising method that allows you to advertise your products and services in popular search engines like Google when users search for something specific in these search engines. The example above shows how your website about telecommunications and software services will look like a PPC ad if a person was to search “buy Softswitch” in Google.

You will only pay for a PPC ad if the user actually clicks on it. Hence it’s name – pay per click. Quite useful, right? Just imagine: 15 000 people see your ad, but only 80 of them click on it. You will get to pay only for those 80 clicks. The metric that indicates the amount you will pay for a single click is called CPC (cost-per-click). This amount is very unstable and spontaneous. It can change by the minute, over and over again. Why? Because it depends on both: the search volume of specific keywords at the given moment and on your competitors. CPC may be fixed per click, but you may also choose a fixed daily budget for your PPC campaign.

*Note: Sometimes CPC is used instead of PPC, although CPC is only part of PPC.

How do I create a PPC advertising campaign?

Every business wants to have their websites on the first page of Google. Unfortunately, you can not just pay a certain amount of money and have a top position guaranteed. Google’s mission is to ensure its users’ free access to quality information. All the time. Therefore, the only way to run a PPC campaign is through platforms like Google Ads and. You can use Google Ads for text and display ads, banners, video ads, mobile app ads, and more. Your PPC ads may appear in Google or be posted on websites (Google as the intermediary). The sites get a percentage of each CPC.

Keywords are the most important element in your PPC advertising campaign. These are words or phrases that are relevant to your business or that are of importance to your customers. You and your competitors must bid for these keywords. The one that has bid the highest price is the “auction winner” and earns a place in the organic search results in Google. The algorithm used by Google Ads to determine who will receive an ad space is very complex. Google takes into consideration not only the bid price itself but factors such as:

• the relevance of your website to the keywords you have bid on
• the content of the ad
• the history of your other Google Ads campaigns
• and more

Why use PPC campaigns to promote your business?

Conversions
PPC advertising is a very useful marketing method especially when your goal is to get conversions like sales, email and newsletter subscriptions, filling in a contact form and more.

Traffic
One of the key benefits of PPC is that it increases your website traffic. The more people view your ad, the more people will follow the link, and therefore actually visit your site.

Targeted Ads
Google Ads allows you to reach your target audience much more easily – choose location, date and time, keywords, websites, and more.

Brand awareness
Even if you do not generate enough sales, it’s important to note that many people will still see your brand name on the top of the SERP in Google.

On a budget
How much you are going to spend on your PPC campaign depends only on you. You may even run several campaigns simultaneously.

Research analysis
You can use the accumulated data for your business purposes. You will receive systematic results – cost, profit, views, clicks, visits, and more. Implement this in your next PPC campaign.

PPC advertising campaigns are a tested and proven method for higher conversion rates. Respectively more sales, and “more sales” is “The thing” that every business aims for, especially the eCommerce business. Therefore, it must be included in your overall digital marketing campaign.

Do you have any experience in running PPC and CPC campaigns? If so, share in the comments below which of its functionalities you find the most useful and practical!

In the era of computer technologies, the online presence of your business is something you cannot neglect. Regardless if you are offering tourist services, selling clothes or managing your own restaurant – you want to be where your potential clients are!
That’s why you hire a company to develop a website for you, and then you just wait, expecting many orders and queries from it. But it doesn’t happen… It’s not working..! What is the problem?!?

The problem is that your new website is not visible because it’s not optimized for the search engines. Just having a website, blog or Facebook page won’t do the trick if you want your message to reach your audience…

The answer is SEO!

A lot is said about SEO in the last few years and, although people are becoming more and more educated on the subject, there is still a veil of mystery around its essence, how it works and most importantly – how can it work in our favor? These are some of the things we will try to reveal today.

What is SEO?

SEO comes from Search Engine Optimization and it is exactly what you might assume – optimizing your website for search engines. But, as everything else, the search engines also evolve, their algorithms become more and more developed and “learn” to understand the intent behind each search, not just the keywords involved. This is why search engine optimization morphed more into optimization for people.

Optimization for search engines is not a one-time process. The real results show when the good practices are combined and applied continuously over time.

We can divide SEO optimization into two main categories – on-page and off-page.

On-page SEO

In general on-page, SEO encompasses all processes and factors related to the website and its elements.

This can include:

• Site content
• Inbound and outbound links,
• Metadata,
• URL structure
• Sitemap
• Site architecture
• and many more

Excluding the first two, the other elements are added just once. Site content and links, however, need to be refreshed and renewed constantly so they can lead to the end goals – good ranking and exposure. The keyword here is “Relevance”! If you are looking for clients for your florist business, you will not impress anyone with articles about cars and links to related web pages. Even worse – the search engines algorithms are so evolved nowadays that your pages might be punished for irrelevant content/links.

Off-page SEO

Off-page SEO covers all the processes that help our business gain popularity using outside resources as well as creating external links to your website called “Link building“.

We are talkinga about include social networks, business catalogs, forums, directories, news sites, eCommerce websites, even alternative search engines. Remember the keyword? Yes, relevance holds a fundamental importance in off-page optimization too. The outside resources aim to add to your online image and help you gain a positive reputation. This is easily achieved by simply giving people what they need – entertaining and useful articles, in-depth analysis, captivating games, and special promotions. Put yourself in the shoes of your target audience and think about what content YOU like to see, what ads raise your interest and trigger your curiosity. At the end of the day, YOU are one of your best sources for information!

SEO vs  PPC

In order to fully understand what is SEO, we need to make a comparison with the other popular way of getting exposure online. Incorporating Pay-per-click (PPC) means that you are paying the search engine for a top spot in the rankings. Every click from paid ads reduces your PPC budget. Let’s take a look now at the main differences between the two techniques:

• SEO methods are organic and PPC targets paid traffic;
• SEO is a continuous process. PPC leads to immediate results but only as long as you keep paying;
• Paid search targets exposure and top rankings. Organic traffic builds reputation and authority;
• The buying cycle is shorter in PPC, compared to SEO;
• Organic traffic makes up to 90% of the overall Internet traffic.

So, can we now summarize what is SEO and what it does? Optimization for search engines, but for people too. It encompasses processes on and off the website. It’s a continuous and (mostly) free methodology with long-term results.

How about you? How well do you incorporate SEO into your overall business strategy? Contact us today and we will find a way to boost your business!