If you’re concerned that your website isn’t ranking high enough on Google, then the solution could be link-building.

Backlinks are like digital referrals. When a website links to your brand or content, it’s like a friend or colleague recommending your business to their network. It’s essentially an endorsement or a vote of confidence from the linked website. And the more websites that recommend you, the more new audiences and potential customers you’ll reach because the better your website is likely to rank in search results.

Search engines view backlinks as indicators of a website’s credibility and relevance.
The higher the quality of the backlink from reputable sources such as industry experts, the higher your search rankings, which will drive organic traffic to your site and make it more visible to potential customers. They also help establish relationships between businesses and build the authority of your website domain.

“If you want something stuck in someone’s head, put it in a sequence of three.”
— Brian Clark, Copyblogger

Interesting video on how social media algorithms trend towards bland, tasteless content, I think of it as fast food for the brain. But the NYT feels that hidden under the bland tip of the iceberg is a hidden depth of truly creative and diverse content.

As the call for climate action intensifies, businesses of all sizes and industries are adopting sustainability as a core value, embedding it into their operations, and taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint. This eco-consciousness is not simply in response to increasing environmental concerns, it’s also a strategy for long-term profitability and brand loyalty.

In this article, we look at how big businesses are making sustainability a fundamental part of their operations, what smaller businesses can do to reduce their carbon footprint, and why they should.

Ben explores the transformative features of ChatGPT 4o for marketers, emphasising its speed, memory, and customisation options. He demonstrates how to create tailored Google ad copy and keyword lists, as well as introducing custom GPTs that mine existing content for insights. The episode highlights the potential of AI to streamline marketing efforts, enhance creativity, and ensure consistency in client branding.

What to do when you need a website but website design companies are outside your budget. Thanks to website builders, creating your own website without coding knowledge is easier than ever. You can create your own website using a website builder – think Squarespace, Wix and the like – and have it online in as little as a day. However, with over 50+ website builders, many of them very similar, it’s difficult to know which is best for you.

This article will give you an overview of some of the most popular website builders but we include links to other articles that discusses them in more depth or have conducted independent tests of website builders.

In this episode, Ben discusses his recent charity walk on Dartmoor with Helen Aldis, the Chief Executive of Moor Trees. They delve into the mission and activities of Moor Trees, a Devon-based charity focused on restoring native woodlands in the UK. Helen shares insights about the charity’s origins, ongoing projects, and the importance of tree planting for environmental conservation.

You may not realise it, but colour plays a vital role in marketing your brand. In this post, we delve into what brand colours say about a business and how you can use colour psychology to connect with your customers and drive sales.

Discover practical insights on how to cultivate a thriving workplace that maximises productivity in “How to Create a Healthy Working Environment for Maximum Productivity.” The article delves into essential strategies for enhancing both physical comfort and mental well-being in the workplace. From optimising workspace ergonomics to promoting work-life balance and fostering a positive company culture, with actionable tips to empower businesses and leaders in creating environments where employees flourish.

This month, we turn our focus to landing pages, dissecting their strengths and weaknesses. We review how easy they are to access, and navigate, and evaluate whether their designs are visually compelling.

I’m thrilled to share that we have successfully completed our charity walk along the Two Moors Way! Starting in Lynmouth on Sunday, 26th May, Sam Shaw and I faced a variety of weather conditions, from rain on the moors to sunshine as we swam in the river.

Our journey began with an unexpected 5K walk just to secure a weekly parking ticket, adding an extra challenge before we even started the official route. The initial stages were tough, but as the miles went on, our bodies and minds adapted, making the trek more manageable.

A significant moment was the realisation of our journey’s length when, coming off Exmoor, we saw Dartmoor in the distance, a sight that felt impossible to reach in just two days. Despite this daunting view, we pressed on, inspired by the beautiful landscape and the mission to support the planting of more native species of woodland, such as oak, and the preservation of ancient oak forests like Piles Copse.

One highlight was our stop at the Drewe Arms in Drewsteignton, where we indulged in fish and chips on their fish and chip day, a meal we’d been dreaming about all day. The hardest part of the walk was navigating the Dartmoor highlands, notorious for their wet and boggy terrain. While the overall weather was as expected, the wind chill at higher elevations made nights particularly chilly.

Meeting Glyn on Friday was a much-needed boost; he brought fresh supplies, treats, and tales from the world beyond our walking trail. Although we finished slightly short of the full Two Moors Way in Ivybridge on Sunday, 2nd June (for logistical reasons), it was with a heavy heart that we headed home.

We are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received and are thrilled to share that we have raised over £800 for Moor Trees. Your contributions are helping restore and maintain precious woodlands. For those who have been waiting for us to complete the walk, you can still donate on Just Giving.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us!

In this episode, we dive into essential tips and tricks for enhancing your video production quality. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned content creator, these practical insights on lighting, audio, and video techniques will help you create professional-grade videos with ease.

Read my update, Completing the Two Moors Way, for a short round-up of our adventure.

Next week, my school friend Sam Shaw (pictured on the left) and I (centre) will embark on an exciting adventure by walking the Two Moors Way. This trek, known for its stunning landscapes and challenging terrain, stretches across 117 miles of beautiful Devon countryside from Ivybridge in the south to Lynmouth in the north. It will be the furthest I have ever walked in one go, making this journey both a personal challenge and a meaningful endeavor.

Our walk aims to raise funds for Moor Trees, a charity dedicated to restoring native woodland in the area. Moor Trees’ mission is vital for preserving the natural environment and fostering biodiversity, and we are thrilled to support their efforts. By wild camping along the way, we hope to connect deeply with the landscapes Moor Trees works so hard to protect.

I haven’t undertaken a walk of this magnitude since my scouting days, which makes this trek even more significant. The journey will undoubtedly test our endurance and resolve, but with the knowledge that we’re contributing to such a worthy cause, we are confident and excited.

Glyn Darkin (pictured on the right), our usual walking buddy, was initially planning to join us for the entire trek but is now only able to join us for the last leg of the trip. His presence will be a welcome boost as we near the end of our journey.

Please consider supporting our fundraising efforts to help Moor Trees restore and maintain these precious woodlands. Every contribution will make a difference in preserving the natural beauty and ecological health of the region.

To make a donation, visit our Just Giving page. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Ben is joined by Duane Forrester, VP of Industry Insights over at Yext to discuss why we should be using structured data on our websites. How this impacts conventional SEO and why it matters for voice and augmented reality.

Ben dives into the realm of YouTube Engagement, uncovering the keys to success in the ever-evolving world of online video content. Join us as we explore the strategies and techniques used by top creators to captivate audiences, boost subscriber numbers, and foster meaningful interactions.

Osmo Wiio’s laws on human communication. Via Jason Fried

1. If communication can fail, it will.
2. If a message can be understood in different ways, it will be understood in just that way which does the most harm.
3. There is always somebody who knows better than you what you meant by your message.
4. The more communication there is, the more difficult it is for communication to succeed.

Take heed of point two when posting to social media.

Ben invites Guy from Thornbury Clinic to share his journey in growing his health and wellness business, The Thornbury Clinic, and expanding to three clinics. This conversation will interest entrepreneurs looking to take their ventures to the next level.

Join us as we dissect various websites, analysing their design, functionality, and user experience. From assessing navigation structures to evaluating content clarity, we’ll provide invaluable insights into optimising online platforms for maximum impact.

In recognising that a website can go beyond the standard, typical format, we dive into the realm of unconventional websites and review innovative designs challenging norms and discuss their potential drawbacks.

Ben provides a step-by-step walkthrough of the WP Code Snippets plugin, demonstrating its functionality and showcasing how users can leverage this tool to easily manage and implement custom code snippets within their WordPress websites.

Ben demonstrates how to optimise videos and your YouTube channels for SEO, offering practical insights and techniques to maximise your reach and improve the discoverability of their videos on the YouTube platform.

From a Rework podcast episode.

‘Join Jason and David as they unravel the intricate dance between data-driven decisions and the art of making judgment calls, guiding listeners through trusting your gut and breaking free from external pressures when making product and pricing decisions.’

Ok the quote from the podcast show notes doesn’t sound exciting but the content is.

Three themes from the podcast I whole heartedly agree with, but don’t always follow:

1. Just make a decision. You’ll only know the answer once your idea is being tested for real
2. Trust your gut. Your intuition is build upon your experience and knowledge
3. Sleep on it. Allow your built in AI to do the hard work for you

Ben demonstrates the benefits of using a Ninja forms multi step lead form to help funnel your sales.

Shifting our focus we look at homepage banner images, we’ll scrutinise their effectiveness, utilisation of space, and the array of styles available, turning the spotlight onto major brand websites for a comprehensive review of the good, the bad, and the ugly.