Five Things the Most Successful Websites Do That Make Them Successful

Jeffrey Hales
Dothan, AL

In this technology-driven era, having a website is a given, but the features that make one site rank higher and more successful than others are not quite as clear. You are already operating at a disadvantage if you forget the following very important steps.  It is vital you avoid the pitfalls that unknowingly may trap you and much of your opposition. Without further ado, here are the Top 5 things you should be doing that the most successful businesses do right when they are looking to optimize their website.

1. Content. Content. Content.

I cannot stress this enough. Picture yourself without a brain, and that's what most websites out there are akin to these days. Over the last several years, search engines led by Google have quietly shifted from traditional SEO tactics and strategies such as back-linking and meta data, to a focus on quality on-site content that is updated often. Is the information on your site original and useful? It should be, because the days of simply saturating an article with just keywords alone are long gone. The words on your site's pages must read well, and they should also position you as an expert in your field. Quality content that is engaging and relevant to your target audience will increase your site’s importance, thus leading to higher ranking and many more conversions.

2. Know Thy Audience.

While captivating content is important, targeting the right audience is equally so. If you are a local business, your content should reflect this notion. For example, an embroidery shop in Dothan, Alabama should not simply reference shirts while composing their content, but instead throw in terms like “Dothan shirts” or “shirts in Dothan.” This will certainly help you focus on potential customers in your specific area, who can actually purchase from you, as opposed to competing with companies all over the world for a general term. 

3. Be Social.

As much as I despise social media and all for which it stands on an individual level, it is where - literally - everyone is nowadays. These platforms can be a very effective tool to optimize your website for more than one reason. First and foremost, adding social buttons to your site will help you expand not only your reach, but also your brand. As more people share your embedded content, your site will be exposed to all of their friends and followers. Secondly, and equally as important as the first, the use of social media buttons makes it way easier for other sites to link back to your site. The more quality back links you have, the more the search engines will value your site as an authority on any given topic. Lastly, it is also important to note, Google is incorporating Google+ posts into their search results, so having your content connected to your Google+ page can be a phenomenal way to increase traffic to your site as well. As search engines continue to evolve and place an emphasis on engaging in social media in determining organic rank, it is mandatory to engage with your audience via social media.

4. Make It Mobile Friendly Too!

Thanks to the speed of which families are dumping house phones for smartphones, the rise of mobile searches has steadily increased year-after-year. Smart web designers have been keen to this trend for many years as users take their phones everywhere, from the dinner table to the bathtub to the diner. After the explosion of smartphone brands like the iPhone and Galaxy — it finally happened this year. Google’s official blog revealed, “More Google searches take place on mobile devices than on computers in 10 countries including the US and Japan.” So if your site isn’t ready for mobile, it will soon be left in the dark. Your site has to be easy to navigate, both through a desktop and on a mobile device. If you are not sure if your site is mobile-friendly or not, you can take advantage of Google’s free verification test.

5. Do Not Cut Corners!

No matter how tempted and anxious you may be to obtain a first page search ranking, you have to understand it will take time to get there. Do not result to black hat techniques, such as keyword stuffing or link spamming, as the punishment WILL outlast the reward. If Google hits you with a penalty, your page ranking, and thus your traffic, can be knocked down severely.

When building and/or maintaining your website, it is imperative to stick to the preceding fundamentals. If you want to be successful you need to condense your target audience and give them content that they can actually use. Whether it is informative or entertaining, it has to be more than just throwing colorful text and meaningless words on a page. Once you’ve properly engaged them, you've simultaneously made it easy for them to share with their friends, from wherever they are in the world. By simply sticking to the basics, including refusing to cut corners, you are guaranteed to see a return for all your hard work. Good luck!

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Contact me anytime via email: jhales4957@gmail.com ...

See you all again soon!

Your Thoughts, Your Reality, Your Life

I had been to funerals before... It’s not like I didn’t understand death, but there’s something about watching someone die right in front of you that changes everything...

Jeffrey Hales
Dothan, AL

Throughout my life I have faced many challenges. Challenges that would crush most people, force them to quit and give up on their dreams.  But no matter how bad things became, I always kept going. I refused to quit despite my circumstances. I have seen tragedies morph into triumphs and failures turn into successes. Although my life is absolutely not what one would call amazing, I know it's nowhere near over.

Through 43 years, I've learned that the road to success is not always easy. It’s often filled with twists and turns that leave us wondering whether we’re even on the right path. That’s exactly how I felt back in 2012 when I was encountering one problem after another yet again. As a young entrepreneur, dad, and husband, I had tried desperately to turn things around by going to seminars, workshops, listening to countless trainings, finishing my degree – you name it,  I tried  it – but nothing seemed to work. Like so many other times in my life, once again, I felt stuck and broken, kind of like a broken leg on a pair of glasses you try to  fix with globs of super glue, but never seems to hold despite your best efforts. I kept telling myself, “Maybe one day I'll turn things around and write that book. If I’m lucky, GoWaiter will take off and we’ll never have to worry about money again." Every single day, I'd pray for a miracle, for God to intervene and turn my life around, to no avail.

Then, out of nowhere, one brisk October morning, I watched my wife head out the door - yet again - with that disappointed look on her face. The sun reflected off the dew-filled lawn, and the roads were busy with all the other early morning traffic. I went back inside and - for some strange reason - I thought of Eddie...

I felt nauseous instantly, as everything around me suddenly felt silent. Eddie never saw it coming. I watched as he stood, clinched his chest with one hand, grabbed for a support beam with the other, and slid straight down. In a state of panic, I trembled struggling to keep my composure like you’re supposed to do in an emergency. People were hysterical running every direction imaginable as I just stared at Eddie laying motionless on the sidewalk. I could see an increasing amount of blood under and around his body. I kept thinking he would be ok. I wanted to help him myself, but I didn’t know what to do. I just stood there, staring, jaw wide open, as if I was watching a TV show instead of real life. I suppose shock does that. And, as I stood there crying, looking at that poor kid lying on the cold concrete in front of me, the only thought that I couldn't escape was, "He'll never get to be someone's grandpa." It felt like hours until the police and paramedics arrived, even though in reality they were there within minutes. All the students (witnesses) were whisked away from the crime scene into the high school library, and then the thought hit me. He was already gone. They weren’t going to be able to save him. The boy who was so full of life just moments ago – playing nonchalantly during a break in classes – was dead. That’s when i lost it. There I was, just a boy myself, overtaken by despair. Death does strange things to people.  Suddenly life was different – finite and unpredictable. That happened more than a quarter century ago at Marianna High School...

We’ve all been told that life is short and we are not guaranteed tomorrow, but for the first time I understood the harsh reality of what those words really mean. That day, a simple twist of fate changed everything for me. I couldn’t help but think, “What if that had been me instead of him?" Even though Eddie was loved, and has always been remembered as a good kid, my life would have meant nothing. Perhaps no one would remember me...

I have so many regrets. The truth is I’ve spent so many years running from my past, pretending I didn’t care about my childhood dreams, and cleverly convincing myself that someday things would be different.  But when I look back, and think about Eddie, his body lying there, someday had suddenly became today. “He will not have died in vain. I will turn things around,”  I thought.  Even though I didn’t know it at the time, God had already granted me the miracle I had been praying for – his death changed my life.

More importantly I've just taken what I've learned and shared it with you and others, so that more lives can change. I want you to create the success you desire, and break through any obstacle that’s holding you back. Achieving success doesn’t have to be hard, and you don’t have to struggle for 27+ years to reach your goals like I'm still doing.  Living your dream life is possible when you take control of your destiny and master the inner game of success. Contrary to popular belief, success is an inside job - it starts within you.  What you think and believe about yourself, your life, and your potential will either set you up to succeed or set you up to fail. Your thoughts and beliefs are your reality.  When I was struggling most, I was focused more on my problems, the challenges I faced, and the weaknesses I believed were preventing my success. Many people find themselves in similar situations, plagued by negative thoughts and limiting beliefs. If you’re someone who thinks and believes things like,  “I’m not good enough, I don’t have enough, or I’m just not that lucky,” those thoughts will continue to define your reality. Your thoughts and beliefs will show up in the way you work, the way you talk, and even in the choices you make. Trust me on this! But by simply changing your focus area you will change your thoughts, and ultimately, your life. Just imagine what your life would be like if you actually believed you could achieve your goals and reach your dreams. What would happen if you stopped accepting all the limitations and reasons why you can’t do something? Instead of listening to doubters, haters, or your own negative thoughts telling you,  “You’re too old for this,” or “You don’t have enough education for that," what would your life be like if you said,  “I can do this,” and then went out and actually did it? Today is a new day, a fresh start, and a second chance to live your best life. I strongly urge you to take action, and create the life and/or business of your dreams.

Now, about that book...

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I hope you have taken something away from this story that will inspire you to inspire others. If I can help you in any way, please email me direct: jhales4957@gmail.com ...
I will always be here for whomever needs a word of encouragement, or any help whatsoever. Thanks again for reading my blog!

Content Creation is Closer Than You Think

We've all seen the images from time to time, and I'm sure you've noticed - just like I have - the UFOs of the 1950's look like... well, UFOs from the 1950's.

I'm talking about those grainy, black and white photos of flying saucers that suspiciously resemble the early NASA Apollo-era re-entry modules. I suppose we'll never really know if those “Foo Fighters” were ever capable of intergalactic flight. But here's the thing... I'd be willing to bet my not-even-latest-generation Android phone has more processing power than anything one might find in those old cockpits. After all, it's pretty phenomenal what a person can do with a smartphone these days.

Speaking of which, how many videos on YouTube, or your favorite social media platform have you seen lately where a speaker posts their most recent vlog? Chances are, they are filmed with a run-of-the-mill smartphone. The cool thing about that is everyone has one these days, and that’s all you really need to instantly become a content creation machine.

Don't just take my word for it though. Pull out your phone and attempt a dry run. No pressure, just your normal stream-of-consciousness. Have a conversation with yourself, totally casual, off the cuff. It doesn't even have to be structured or scripted. Talk about your own personal experiences. Take a deep breath, and you'll be amazed at how comfortable you are after removing all the pressure. Hit the record button, and a few minutes later you will have created the groundwork for some amazing content. Easy.

Ask yourself the following questions:

1. What's my story of struggle and triumph?

This will uncover the root of your reservations, and reprogram your own thought process. Problem solved. You will find yourself speaking with tremendous authority on the subject of overcoming anything you put your mind and passion to...

2. How does this tie into what I'm trying to accomplish?

This will reveal a great deal concerning your own personal development, and it just so happens it’s a natural transition from your content to the pitch.

3. Who's going to put me on the spot?

Easy answer: No one! In fact, if you find yourself procrastinating, hand someone else your phone and ask them to hit record. Then just talk to them as if you would without the phone. It often helps to not be in a vacuum in these moments. Just talk. Try to make it no longer than 5 minutes of story-based content that points toward the resource of your choosing. That’s it. Mission accomplished. Content created, or blog post, Facebook update, or whatever else your heart desires.

What’s most important is that you put yourself out there and just be you! You’re looking to achieve impact, trust, and familiarity, and nothing else. BUT, the most successful people doing this are the ones who can create an emotional bond between themselves and someone who isn't even there, and simultaneously know that everyone is there.

Bottom line is that your prospects are struggling and don’t know where to turn or who to trust. They know the truth is out there, and they genuinely want to believe in you! So, go ahead! Help ‘em out. If you do it right, they’ll end up thanking you with their wallets.

Thanks again for reading my blog. I hope that this helps you overcome the biggest obstacle in your way... YOU!

If you ever need to reach out to me, feel free to do so via email: jhales4957@gmail.com ... I will always answer you within 24 hours. Thanks again!

How Hiring a Freelance Writer Can Save You a Bundle on Your SEO

New business can be very expensive, and creating captivating content at a moment's notice for any type of marketing campaign - especially email marketing - can be quite the struggle nowadays.

I'd like to share with you how to reduce the costs of gaining new customers by 99%, and while much of this focuses on creating blog content, it's also directly applicable to setting up effective email campaigns. Ergo, great blog posts are equal to creating smart emails.

Generating content for marketing is key to attracting new customers, and engaging current ones as well. While creating captivating, quality content normally equates to winning new business, having the time, money, and/or skills to do this can be a huge undertaking for someone who is already trying to run a business. Trust me when I say, "You are not alone."

A tried-and-true solution is to hire others to do the creative work for you. While you are conducting your specialty, there are those of us out here waiting to help drive customers to see what you are doing.

Enter Mr. or Mrs. Freelance Writer...

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Here are some simple steps you may certainly use to drastically reduce your marketing expenses.

First, you must drink the Kool-Aid! It is, after all, cool, and how tons of others are already optimizing their rankings on search engines like Google and Bing.

Let's start by contrasting two ways you can spend money to drive people to you, and this will - no doubt - lay the groundwork for a paradigm shift in how you view a Freelance Writer.

SEO/Organic Search - Create Blogs that people discover through search engines.

Versus...

Paid Searches - Purchase keywords on Google (Adwords).

Both of these methods will give you pretty much the same results: They will entice someone to click on a link and arrive at your landing page, or blog site.

Of course, buying keywords is quicker and easier, and many businesses choose this route. It is certainly less intimidating than writing.

Initially the thought of creating tons of content by writing blog articles is scary and time consuming to a lot of folks. BUT the benefits of doing it far outweigh the alternative, and is a gift that keeps on giving.

Adword campaigns are finite in time and benefit. If you run a campaign, people will, no doubt, come to your site, BUT they will stop as soon as you stop purchasing the ads.

Content marketing, on the other hand, is perpetual. An article is written, people discover it, and they come. Truly great content that provides a solution to a problem gets shared, and causes others to keep visiting your blog AND site because it's ALWAYS available when they perform a Google search.

A simple comparison between the two approaches will show the cost-to-benefit ratio, and ultimately, is a no-brainer.

Depending upon the quality of content, you can expect to generate - on average - about 100 views per blog article when hiring a Freelance Writer.  A view is, of course, a person reading the article. This equates to about 50 cents per view if you assume each article costs $50 (You can actually pay a lot less, or a lot more than this, but a good average is right around $50). Compare that to what it would have cost through Google Adwords, and it should give you an even clearer picture on how to handle what type of campaign you are running.

Assuming the articles keep driving people from search-to-site in the same, or even increasing numbers (which they will because the searchable content is indefinitely available), your effective cost per visit will keep falling over time because you only had to pay for the article to be written once.

It will cost you anywhere between $11 and $22 per customer by going the AdWords route. Compare that to $0.15 (yes, 15¢) per visitor!

Coming from the marketing industry, my keywords can become pretty expensive. Yours may be cheaper and the savings not quite as big but even so, there is a great deal to consider when you're talking about spending YOUR money!

Buying into the concept of content creation is simple. The next thing to solve is finding a cost-effective and efficient way to start generating that captivating content... You can't go wrong if you hire a Freelance Writer! Using outside help via this route is becoming the norm for businesses to save time and money, but it doesn't happen all by itself, and as with most things it can't be put on 100% autopilot afterwards either.

Good luck on bringing on the newest addition(s) to your business!

And, as always, if I can be of any further assistance, please don't hesitate to email me direct: jhales4957@gmail.com ...

Thanks for making my blog an important part of our lives! Talk to you again soon!

Local Martial Arts Studio: Not Your Old Man's Dojo!

Local Martial Arts Studio Provides Shuttle Service, Family Atmosphere, More!

Apopka, Florida's first and only full-service Martial Arts Fitness Studio seems to be growing at an astronomical pace for one main reason. Simply put, Breaking Point Martial Arts' staff of coaches and professional trainers create an unprecedented positive, family atmosphere for all its members.

BPMA staffer, Melessa Handy says, "Breaking Point is the perfect place to help [you] get fit and stay that way. We provide training for the beginner as well as pro-level athletes."

She claims, "Our bodies need physical activity that not only challenges us, but also interests us, so that we - ultimately - stay committed. We give our members that and much more!"

They are conveniently located at 123 West Main Street in downtown Apopka, and proudly offer an array of classes that is unparalleled, including group and individual fitness training all at a very reasonable price.

It's not just a fitness center though, or merely a dojo, but both and agreeably much more. The myriad of martial arts disciplines, and overall fitness programs in which Breaking Point specializes are all geared toward the self-actualization of its members, and more than qualifies this facility as a bona fide one-of-a-kind.

What's more over-the-top than their after school programs to which Breaking Point provides a shuttle service from Apopka area schools? Their primary focus is, in fact, mentoring area youth; keeping them off the streets, reinforcing respect and the importance of good grades all while promoting responsibility, discipline, and self-confidence.

They have professional trainers and coaches for each of the following:

• Wrestling
• Boxing
• Karate
• Mixed Martial Arts
• Muay Thai Kickboxing
• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• No Gi Grappling
• Cardiovascular Health Programs
• All-encompassing Fitness Programs
• And More!

Charlie Benham, President of Operations and Youth Development Coordinator for Breaking Point extends an open invitation for area residents to drop by anytime during their normal hours of operation.

In this day and age, one doesn't have to look very far at all to see a wealth of negativity, but this little diamond in the rough is fighting the good fight, fostering a positive atmosphere right here in Central Florida that could very well have an exponential impact on future generations.

Stop by and take a peek at the work they're doing, connect with them on Facebook or call (321) 439-1108 for your FREE Personal Fitness Analysis today!

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=821093328006401

9/11/2001: A Snapshot of the American Family

It seems more fresh to me than 14 years ago...

Perhaps I empathized a little too much with everyone in lower Manhattan that day, but who didn't? All those images though... they are forever etched in my mind.

Maybe we've all had a secret, borderline-unhealthy fascination with September 11, 2001, but I have wanted to know literally everything about it - exactly what happened, and why -  since then.

I have spent hundreds of hours watching YouTube videos, documentaries, actual news feed replays, conspiracy theories, etc. I've read the official 9/11 Commission Report. Twice. From cover-to-cover. I've wondered why just like you are right about now, but the only way I know how to explain it is, simply, I felt like I had to.

Even on other days throughout the year, I have found myself researching, or watching something surrounding the worst attacks on our nation since Pearl Harbor. Not every day, but often... and again, I just felt compelled to do so.

It's also a possibility, however, I'm just getting older, and time seems to slip by a bit faster as I age. There's that, but I've met several people who were there, and have lived it through their personal experiences as well.

More than anything else, it was obvious to me how we were a member of the same family that day. We all witnessed the ugliest day in my lifetime,  but in the midst of it, we cried together, hugged each other, held hands, prayed, and were just a little nicer to random strangers; Black, White, Hispanic, Asian... our differences disappeared for that blink of an eye.

When faced with our own mortality, though, we seem to be hard-wired to shut off that part of ourselves that pre-judges, and we become something better; helping one another more than ever without hesitation or reservation.

I don't think we will ever forget 9/11/01, but I believe that we can be more conscientious, compassionate, and respectful people all the time just like we were in one moment. That humanitarian spirit of the American Family I witnessed on one day in history is the reason I cannot let go of the day, or my belief in US!

In many ways, it seems like a lifetime ago, but I suppose 14 years isn't such a long time in the grand scheme of 'things' after all. Where we stand now, though, I seriously doubt anyone would ever believe we were ever on one accord... even for a second unless they saw it like I did.

I challenge everyone - on this, and every other day - to focus on the things we have in common first. It will be easier to appreciate and respect our differences ensuing. May we all make an effort to resurrect the American Family that was born during the tragedy of 9/11. It's all-inclusive and forever, not just a snapshot in time when we found beauty in a negative space. After 14 years, and for the sake of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, I think we owe it to ourselves to at least try.

Thank you all!

Jeffrey S.Hales

The Success Bone Connected to the Writing Bone

Through studying hundreds of employees at over half a dozen major companies in the U.S.,  Teresa Amabile, a professor at Harvard Business school recently unveiled a highly effective motivational and productivity-enhancing tool.

You seriously have to keep in mind that her conclusions are all supported by rigorous data, not merely a well-meaning anecdote, inspirational one-liner, or long-forgotten quote from a revered entrepreneur of the golden age. In short, her research wasn't just busywork.

Prior to revealing her prescription, allow me to first tell you what she discovered about the forces that destroy motivation and kill productivity...

Turns out that we are all emotional beings whose 'inner monologue' imparts a profound effect upon our overall effectiveness. The #1 killer of a productive day? it's toxicity - the seemingly insignificant and often mundane negative interactions that one might have with coworkers or management throughout any given day.

We'll always have to deal with setbacks or negativity. However, through keeping a daily chronicle of progress towards our goals, we’ll be forced to reflect on the positives, however small, which will elicit feelings of accomplishment and fulfillment. This keeps us focused on our "wins" and not the petty stuff that can cloud up the ol' headspace.

Here are the mechanics... The mode of journaling that's most effective is to recollect and capture what we have achieved over the course of our days; a mental snapshot if you will.

These are our trophies. Hang 'em up to admire! And remember, the trick - to make sure we follow through - is to keep things quick and simple.

Commit to the task of writing just one sentence per day. One sentence really can make a world of difference. Could be that someone you work with is simply in a bad mood and makes a deflating comment. Ensuing that type of encounter, we can become derailed and struggle to keep focused on any future tasks at hand.

It often comes down to subtle feelings of not being appreciated, or that someone is (perhaps even unconsciously) working against us. All it takes is a little snub in our direction to put a 'harsh on our mellow'... The takeaway? The old cliché, "It’s the little things that matter," luckily is true for the solution as well.

So what should you do in response? Well, it turns out keeping a daily journal is the #1 tool for productivity. This likely isn't the first time you've heard this advice. It's given freely and often… which, by the way, is a solid indication you might want to give it some credence. Need proof? Here's the science...

Meaningful work is one of the biggest drivers of motivation. It's proven to be more important than any monetary reward, shockingly enough. And the trick to creating meaning in even the most mundane situations is progress. This is a super convenient tool that takes 30 seconds. Record your accomplishments, and send them to yourself via a 6:00 p.m. daily email.

After a month of following these practices, you will not only feel the difference, but also reap the benefits as well.

At first, it will seem like a bit of a burden, especially after a long day. But, trust me, you will find you have become more invested in your own process, and more times than not, find yourself preparing for the nightly task by making mental notes throughout the day.

It's journaling with a purpose, not navel gazing. It's a place for brain-dumping, venting, and having fun conversations with yourself too. However, if you want concrete, data-driven, productivity-enhancing results, stick to consistently recording your progress. It all starts with simply making a commitment.

You can write one sentence a day, right? Let's get started today!