Category: Websites For Artists

What happened to your traffic on Google Search Console?

2/2/2018

I've been trying to work out for ages what was happening to my traffic stats on Google's Search Console (which used to be called Webmaster Tools)

The traffic was still there in Google Analytics and my other stats software - so why had it fallen off a cliff in Search Console?

This week Google has been rolling out the new version of Search Console to my websites and blogs this week and the problem had become even very perplexing.

Until I finally worked out what was happening.

Note how Search Console asks you to add the site in AGAIN if you use the https protocol

IF you have moved your blog and/or website from "http" to "https" - as required by Google if you still want your pages to be indexed - then you have to reverify your site WITH THE HTTPS PREFIX in Google Search Console.

In other words add in your site AGAIN, but this time with the https:// prefix

Otherwise Google ignores your site on the basis that all your pages are redirected i.e. to the https site!

For me it was a very concrete demonstration that Google is seriously not indexing pages which are insecure.

The clue to the explanation was the date when things started to go awry. October 2017 was the deadline to get sites transferred to the more secure https - and that's when Google started its sweeping and deindexing of sites which remain in http.

I'll be working out a "how to" for those who need handholding through the re-input of a site and verification within Search Console.

However - for the moment - I'm just so relieved when I did my verification update and refreshed Google Search Console - and there was my site with all its pages!
I've only done one so far so my immediate priority is getting the rest of my sites fixed which I'll be doing tomorrow.
In the meantime if you understand what I'm talking about you might want to start inputting your complete https://nameofyoursite.com to Search Console!

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6 great resources for writing for the web

14/10/2017

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This is a list of six articles which focus on effective writing for web and business writing which I think you'll find useful.

They provide great tips and techniques for effective writing for the web which makes life simple for your reader and creates engagement and come from from reputable sources.

I've previously written on this website about Writing for the Web - specifically in relation to the development of your website. I'll be adding these articles into this web page above if you just one bookmark for future reading and reference!

The articles below are generic - meaning they're not specifically written for artists who are developing websites and anywhere else where their text is read online. However the tips and techniques provided are BASIC to good writing for the web which create engagement.

Here are the six articles which all come from reputable sources. Some provide lists and checklists you'll want to make a note of or bookmark.

10 plain English principles for writing better web content | GatherContent - this is an ace list of absolute basics for effective writing for the web which gets engagement
Writing for the Web | BBC Journalism Academy - although this relates to generic news-writing, the guidance is still valuable in relation to basic tips and techniques for the basics of writing engaging news online, covering language, style, visual appeal - and how to avoid making mistakes.
Writing for the Web | NYU - New York University provides a very good and quick to read guide providing top tips covering readability and tone; scannability; length, links, search engine optimised writing and cultural sensitivities.
Web writing basics: frontloading | University of St. Andrews - 'Frontloading' is a technique which I employ all the time but don't always remember to highlight as a technique to study
The rules for clear, effective business writing | Financial Times - a bit 'heavy duty' but keep going, there's lots of excellent tips and things to make a note of in this article
Why you should make proofreading part of your content strategy | GatherContent - includes some great tips for eliminating mistakes within your text

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How to report a spam email address

21/4/2017

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One of the things that happens to many artists with a new (or existing) website is that they get spammed by companies who want to "help you sort out your website".

This post is about a few things you can do to stop spam and stop scammers

how to check the whether it's spam
how to check if it comes from a scammer
how to report spam from a scammer to the official authorities

Characteristics of spam from a scammer

Most such approaches are almost universally scam operations. Such emails typically have similar characteristics

They send automated template letters out i.e. they do not approach you by name - even if your name is on your website under your "about me" section.
The letter is robotic. They have a long list of things that are wrong with your website (even if they are not)
Their assertions may contain totally incorrect information (eg the ones I get tell me they can help me set up a responsive website - for a site which already has a responsive website)
There is no website for the domain name

Most importantly, the letter is wholly unsolicited. That of itself makes it spam.

How to check if it's spam from a scammer

Things you can do are:

Check the name of the person it is sent to - if it's not your name then it's spam
Check the domain name (that's the end of the email address (e.g. the one I got this morning "weboptmizes.com") If it doesn't exist - and this one didn't then you can very reasonably conclude that it's a 100% a scam.
Check ownership details. Check whether the website - if it exists - includes the names of the people who own the site and a complete postal address - as required by law because it is trying to sell a service via the internet. I have been known when pretty certain that a plausible email is actually spam to check out that address using Google Streetview! Locations tell you a lot!

How to report spam from a scammer

Block the address
See if you can block the email address. This requires two things:

the spam email needs to have come direct from a scammer and NOT via a third party (such as my website host Weebly)
your email provider needs to have a function for blocking emails from specific addresses or domain names (eg gmail does this)

However I can't block the email addresses if they come via Weebly my website host - because all I'd be doing is blocking all email from Weebly and not making one bit of difference to the spammer!

What I want is for Weebly to implement a filter to catch the scammers - and so far Weebly has not done this (which is very irritating!) All they need to do is implement an address for reporting scammer/spam email addresses - but they've not done this to date.

If you have a website host who also does not use filters or a reporting button from spam from scammers you might want to try persistently raising this issue with them as I do!

IN THE USA: Report the email address to the Federal Trade Commission
The next best thing is to report the email address to the body which is set up to protect consumers from scammers of this sort.

This is the Consumer Information page about Spam on the Federal Trade Commission website and it tells you how to report spam.

Report Spam
Forward unwanted or deceptive messages to:
- the Federal Trade Commission at [email protected]. Be sure to include the complete spam email.
- your email provider. At the top of the message, state that you're complaining about being spammed. Some email services have buttons that allow you to mark messages as junk mail or report them spam.
- the sender's email provider, if you can tell who it is. Most web mail providers and ISPs want to cut off spammers who abuse their system. Again, make sure to include the entire spam email and say that you're complaining about spam.
If you try to unsubscribe from an email list and your request is not honored, file a complaint with the FTC.

In the UK: Report the email address to the Information Commissioner

The Information Commissioner's Office is responsible for

the regulation of the conduct of those using your personal information to contact you and
marketing on the internet.

This is the ICO Information Page for the Public about spam emails. It provides very useful information about why they arise and what you can do about them - and what they can do about organisations based in the UK.

They also indicate who can send you marketing letters and who cannot.

The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 cover the sending of email marketing. This legislation says that organisations must only send marketing emails to individuals if you have agreed to receive them, except where there is a clearly defined customer relationship.

Clearly if you've not signed up for communications from third parties via your web host then you should not be receiving these emails. You should certainly investigate whether your web host sells your email address to third parties or whether they have your consent on record relating to communication from third parties.

If you've made sure that this has not happened, then you can assume such emails to be spam from scammers (i.e. they are not observing the regulations relating to internet marketing and selling services via the internet).

It has a section on What can I do if I’m getting unwanted marketing emails? which contains two reporting buttons. I suggest you bookmark the page if you live in the UK and want to help stop spam from scammers.

Interestingly they also say on the same page that they operate arrangements with international agencies to exchange information. So although they can only operate in respect of organisations which are based in the UK that doesn't stop them sending on information to other countries.

What this website is less helpful about is recognising that much of such spam emanates from websites which don't exist!

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Please note

your subscription is only activated and you will only receive an email AFTER you verify the link in the email you will receive. This is the protection for you which means people can't insert your email into subscriptions without your consent.
if you do NOT activate it then I periodically delete such subscriptions.
In addition there is always an UNSUBSCRIBE button in every email if you don't want to receive emails any more - and you should always use the unsubscribe button if you've changed your mind about a subscription and NOT the spam button!

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Don't be conned by SEO companies!

3/2/2017

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I regularly get approaches from people representing SEO companies who promise that they can help improve the performance of my website.

I normally send them straight to the spam folder. However they're sneaky and use forms on your website.

This is one such - which came in via a form response on Art Business Info for Artists this morning

Name
Alan Sehwag
Email
[email protected]

Comment
Hi there,

I recently spent some time doing a site review of www.artbusinessinfo.com. (Yes, I do random site reviews for a living.)

Based on what I saw,there are a few things you could implement pretty quickly that would help boost your Google rankings, traffic, social media & conversion. I noticed, few technical errors that are effecting your website’s performance too.

We'll start counting & will keep fixing all bugs, provide you a clean safe website.We are also into website design, development and can redesign your website.

Not sure what your initiatives are in this area, but is this something that’s on your radar?

Alan.
(323) 617-3981

This is the reply I've just sent to Alan.

Dear Alan

I'm assuming this is for free and that your pricing page http://www.ngrwebteam.com/seo-pricing didn't just slip your mind - or the Federal Regulations relating to spamming people who have not given their consent to be approached? You sure you don't want me to remind you?

I also do reviews of those that say they help artists. I'll be sure to remember the name of your company.

Regards
Katherine

Katherine Tyrrell
Making A Mark on Art

Making A Mark is a top art blog - #3 in the UK and #7 in the world
c. 3.8 million+ visitors and 10.5 million+ pageviews and counting.....
Follow Making A Mark on Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Amazon
My Book on Facebook: Katherine Tyrrell: 365 Tips for Drawing and Sketching
Website: Art Business - for Artists + Blog + Facebook Page
Website: Botanical Art & Artists + Blog + Facebook Page

If you get approaches like this:

You shouldn't be. This is spam. It also breaches the rules of marketing online.
They typically all say the same generic things irrespective of what the issues are with your website. That's because they are selling their services to make money for themselves.
They typically haven't got a clue about the target market for your website. They are selling cookie cutter solutions - not something specific to marketing art by artists.
Check the website to find the pricing page. Alan forgot to mention that help from his company STARTS at $400 per month! The more difficult it is to find the pricing the more suspicious you should get. That includes any omission to mention prices in any approach to you.

The enormous prices for services from NGR

You most certainly don't need to be spending a lot of money. Most artists simply don't need help from professional companies if they are prepared to learn the basics for themselves. It's not difficult.

Personally I'd recommend avoiding SEO companies who in my book are the equivalent of snake oil salesmen!

Try and see how far you can get on your own through studying the basics of what helps with marketing your art online. Unless you've got a BIG pot of money to sink into creating a brand and marketing it and expert who gets results for ARTISTS!

One simple way to improve your website performance

I've always found the Google Webmaster Guidelines is a good place to start because you need to ensure your website is compliant with Google if you are to get a good ranking and turn up in search enquiries.

Work your way through these before you ever contemplate looking around for more help.

What's your best tip for fellow artists?

Please share your best tip for improving the performance of your website.

Mine relates to being very careful how you title pages and construct URLs for individual pages on your website.

be aware of the keywords associated with search queries
be very accurate as to content (Google likes this!)
try not to be the same as everybody else!

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Art Business Info: NEWS

What happened to your traffic on Google Search Console?

6 great resources for writing for the web

How to report a spam email address

Characteristics of spam from a scammer

How to check if it's spam from a scammer

How to report spam from a scammer

Did you find this helpful?

Don't be conned by SEO companies!

One simple way to improve your website performance

What's your best tip for fellow artists?

Art Business Info. News for Artists

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Art Business Info: NEWS

What happened to your traffic on Google Search Console?

6 great resources for writing for the web

How to report a spam email address

Characteristics of spam from a scammer​

How to check if it's spam from a scammer​

How to report spam from a scammer​

Did you find this helpful?

Don't be conned by SEO companies!

One simple way to improve your website performance

What's your best tip for fellow artists?

Art Business Info. News for Artists

Visitors so far

GET Art Business Info. NEWS by Email

Author

Archives

Categories

Characteristics of spam from a scammer

How to check if it's spam from a scammer

How to report spam from a scammer