Search engine optimization, or SEO, has been in the background for several years though it is just now getting legitimized through major industry and news organizations.

SEO is making your site as receptive to the search engines as possible so that they send you relevant traffic. Put another way, whenever you search for anything with Google, Yahoo or MSN/Live the top 10 results are not there by accident - someone worked hard to get their site listed there.

Organic search traffic is valuable because it is free and qualified. The search engines match what the user is looking for with your site so you know this is a warm lead - possibly hot.

I’ve been looking for Sacramento Website Designers for a project I am working on and noticed many of them offer SEO as an “add on”. Curious about my competition I started looking at the descriptions for this critical service and became alarmed. Many of these sites explain they will use tactics that are more than 3 years out of date. Others are using blackhat tactics on their own sites. Here is what you need to watch out for: (more…)

Posted in Sacramento, Search Engine Optimization

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Sacramento residents can now plan their trips through Google Transit, a free service that includes itineraries and maps.

Getting around in Sacramento can be tough, especially if you rely on public transportation. God forbid you live in an “outlaying area” like the City of Citrus Heights where I grew up.

Sacramento RT already offers a trip planner but I expect the Google one to be a bit easier to use and more useful in general with tie-ins to other programs. (more…)

Posted in Sacramento

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14th Colony built and launched the website for Darryl McGuire Media back in November of 2005. Darryl is a professional media buyer working with radio, television and print services. We recently made a couple small adjustments to the content but I wanted to bring this site to your attention for two reasons:

1. Darryl is a great person that goes the extra mile for his customers. If you need media planning or buying, talk to him.
2. The other reason is an opportunity for me to brag about my services. Actually, I’m not going to brag, I’ll let Darryl do the bragging for me:

(more…)

Posted in Sacramento, Website Design

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Fabrication Unlimited has been offering Sacramento custom metal fabrication for a couple years. I’m pleased to be a small part of this company. You see, I designed it.

John Christensen is the owner of Fabrication Unlimited and he started his business with just one product, a “satellite antenna under eave mount”. This product helps satellite installers do their job faster and reduces the sway from wind that causes signal loss.

Fabrication Unlimited also started with a website that had just one page.

Over the last year, I have met with John several times to discuss his marketing. Out of these meetings a tighter brand was assembled including a new logo, slogan and website.

John was certain he wanted a monogram for the logo and to tell you the truth… I was doubtful. I mean, what can you do with the initials “FU”? After some thought I came up with this: (more…)

Posted in Branding and Identity, Sacramento, Website Design

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I just want to say Sacramento is great and that there is no other city like it. When I think about growing up on the outskirts of this “cow town” listening to KZAP and 93 Rock (crank it up) I’m glad my daughter will get the same chances I had… and probably a lot more.

Sacramento is a city on the threshold of greatness. We have real skyscrapers trying to get in. Real culture with a plethora of artistic events. And one of the most diverse cultures in the world. We don’t all get along all of the time but I think we do most of the time and that in itself is a small miracle.

Now we have our own theme parks, championship golf tournaments, indoor racing and so much more. Remember when everything cool was two hours away?

Posted in Sacramento

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