Generated by All in One SEO v5.0.1.1, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Thom Craver Product & Growth Strategist • Keynote Speaker • Instructor ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://thomcraver.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Marketing Mumbles and Tech Talk](https://thomcraver.com/blog/) - [Piwik – Web Analytics Alternative to Google](https://thomcraver.com/web-analytics/piwik-web-analytics-alternative-to-google/) - Piwik is an open source Web analytics solution. While it's still beta, it shows great promise for those who can't afford high-priced hosted solutions and are intimidated about giving Google all their data. A brief review on a piece of software that's easy to install, maintain and customize. - [Measuring Your Website's ROI](https://thomcraver.com/web-analytics/measuring-your-websites-roi/) - Measuring the return on your website’s investment is an elusive concept for many organizations. For many, measuring consists of visitors or page views. In my travels and at various conferences, I often hear similar questions. Where do you start? What else can you measure? But how does that translate to dollars and cents? With a - [Be Kind to Your Users: Calendar Event Edition](https://thomcraver.com/internet-marketing/kind-users-calendar-event-edition/) - Shareable Calendar Event Should Not Frustrate your Attendees Is it as frustrating for you as it is for me? You've registered for an event and they send you that confirmation email. You're all excited and want to immediately get it into your calendar. One of several things happen here: The event planner did not include - [Akismet Plugin is Vulnerable to XSS Attack!](https://thomcraver.com/security/akismet-plugin-is-vulnerable-to-xss-attack/) - Akismet, the popular Anti-Spam WordPress plugin that comes installed standard has a bug that could wreak havoc on your entire website. Get the details! - [Top-9 Website SEO Audit Tools](https://thomcraver.com/seo/top-9-website-seo-audit-tools/) - SEO Tools of the Trade If you attended my SEO Audit Site Clinic at SES San Francisco, or even if you didn't, a common question I'm asked is "what tools do you use?" Don't fret, here's the list of my favorite SEO Tools that help me get the job done: SEO Audit Tools List Throughout - [SES New York 2013 Speaking Schedule](https://thomcraver.com/web-analytics/ses-new-york-2013-speaking-schedule/) - It's time again for the of the best search and digital marketing conferences of year. From the city that never sleeps, it's time for SES New York! Once again, I'll be presenting, moderating and otherwise imploring knowledge to the masses. Here's my schedule for this year: Monday 25-Mar: ClickZ Academy Training How to Collect, Interpret - [Technical Site Audit Clinic at SES New York](https://thomcraver.com/seo/site-audit-clinic-ses-new-york/) - SES Day 1 is in full swing. I started this morning giving a little tough love in the Express Clinic mini theater. Taking volunteers who were up for the critique, four lucky received a 35-point inspection of their site broken down by six different categories. For each inspection point, they received a grade (A, B, - [Rich Snippets & Breadcrumbs With UTF-8 characters](https://thomcraver.com/internet-marketing/rich-snippets-breadcrumbs-utf-8-characters/) - Adding Facebook-like Personalization to Your Rich Snippets While doing a quick search for the Google Rich Snippets testing tool, I saw this in the 2nd position of the SERP. It's a page that lets you put annoying graphical characters into your rich snippets of data - specifically the rich snippet markup for breadcrumb links on - [Chome Gets Bettar Spell Chek!](https://thomcraver.com/google/chome-gets-bettar-spell-chek/) - Chrome apparently had an update that added better spell checking features. To notify me, this little pop-up appeared: There's one thing you can say about the Google development team - they truly have a sense of humor. It might be subtle. But it's that little subtle humor that makes you smirk and picks you up even if - [Analytics Attack: The Post-SES Session Interview](https://thomcraver.com/web-analytics/web-analytics-attack-ses-toronto-2013/) - Two SES conferences are in the books for 2013. Last week, I teamed up with my good friend Garry Przyklenk from TD Bank Group to present Analytics Attack: Tracking Campaign Performances. The Web analytics session was focused on improving campaign performance through proper measurement and analysis. Our one-two punch gave the attendees reasons why you - [New Google+ Notification Icon - Are More Coming?](https://thomcraver.com/google/new-google-notification-icon-are-more-coming/) - Is the new Google+ notification icon a way to look like Facebook and LinkedIn? Or is it an indication that more notification icons may be coming soon? - [New Map Search Results on Google](https://thomcraver.com/google/new-map-search-results-on-google/) - Are Google Map Results Changing? While doing a recent localized search, I noticed an anomaly in the map results interspersed within the regular search results. Now, we've all seen the "map packs" - subsets of around seven mini results sans-description with a location, phone number and map pin labeled by a letter that corresponds to - [TED Talks: Speaking At TEDx Flour City](https://thomcraver.com/speaking/ted-talks-speaking-at-tedx-flour-city/) - My experience preparing a 3-minute TEDx event was incredible. I'm used to speaking, but this was challenging, nerve-racking and worth every minute of it. - [Not Provided is Not the End of the World](https://thomcraver.com/google/not-provided-is-not-the-end-of-the-world/) - What's This Not Provided Stuff About? Since 2010, Google has made encrypted search available to its users. When using encrypted search, your query (keywords) that were previously supplied to owners of the sites you clicked through to stopped being provided. Marketers and Web analysts who have come to measure site visitors by which keywords they - [SES Chicago 2013 Speaking Schedule #SESChi](https://thomcraver.com/speaking/ses-chicago-2013-speaking-schedule-seschi/) - I'll be blowing into the Windy City November 4-7 to talk SEO, Not Provided and a whole lot more. It's time for SES Chicago. If you're planning on being there, here's where you can find me and the sessions I'll be leading: Monday 4-Nov: ClickZ Academy Training - Sold Out! How to Collect, Interpret and - [Speaking Schedule: ClickZ Live Toronto](https://thomcraver.com/speaking/speaking-schedule-clickz-live-toronto/) - ClickZ Live, the newly-named digital marketing conference from Incisive Media invades the Great White North next week. The three-day conference starts Wednesday, May 14th with a full-day of training and continues through Friday. If you're heading to the conference, or even considering it, here's where you'll find me speaking: Wednesday, May 14th 1:30 PM: How - [SlimStat Analytics Plug-in Makes Your Website Vulnerable](https://thomcraver.com/security/slimstat-analytics-plug-in-makes-your-website-vulnerable/) - The Hacker News is reporting a major vulnerability with the popular SlimStat Analytics plugin for WordPress. The plug-in uses an encryption method for obscuring and encrypting data in transit as it goes from your visitor's computers to your website. That encryption uses a "secret key" - effectively a password - to encrypt that data. The - [Security Vulnerability in Yoast's SEO WordPress Plugin](https://thomcraver.com/security/security-vulnerability-in-yoasts-seo-wordpress-plugin/) - The popular SEO WordPress plugin by Yoast had a major security vunerability. Here's what you need to know. - [How NOT to Create a Landing Page - A Mobile Lesson](https://thomcraver.com/marketing-2/how-not-to-create-a-landing-page/) - I saw this promoted tweet today. It was crafted enough to entice me to click through. Good right? Not really, keep reading... https://twitter.com/nakedjuice/status/309800762102398977 The problem is, I was testing sites and had my JavaScript and Flash off but nearly the entire site - and certainly the message and call to action - were all in - [Microsoft is Apparently "All in" on Tiles](https://thomcraver.com/random/microsoft-is-apparently-all-in-on-tiles/) - I was mucking around with Microsoft privacy settings in my Outlook.com account and came across this page. It essentially describes Microsoft's privacy policy with respect to ads and other services. From a user design standpoint, it makes certain sections stand out and corresponds with their three subheadings of knowing, learning and doing.What struck me was - [Proactive, Not Reactive - Lessons from INFLECTIONpoint](https://thomcraver.com/marketing-2/proactive-not-reactive-lessons-from-inflectionpoint/) - I was amazed at the one word that kept coming up: proactive. - [Internet Explorer Wants You Back](https://thomcraver.com/marketing-2/internet-explorer-wants-you-back/) - Most people don't use Internet Explorer anymore. For whatever rhyme or reason, Microsoft Internet Explorer - which once nearly 90% market share - has lost nearly half its share, mostly to Firefox and Chrome. Depending on whose stats you believe, some have IE below 15% usage share. Others still have it as the most popular - [Techs are from Mars, Marketers are from Venus (Geak Speak)](https://thomcraver.com/internet-marketing/techs-are-from-mars-marketers-are-from-venus-geak-speak-2/) - New Years' Resolutions: Internal Marketing Communications Geek Speak: Marketing communications involves internal messaging too The Technical Web Analyst’s New Year’s resolution: “This year, I’m going to stop bickering with the marketing team and try to get along with them better.” The Marketing exec’s new year’s resolution: “This year I’m going to try to understand those - [Hurricane Sandy and Halloween Night](https://thomcraver.com/halloween/hurricane-sandy-and-halloween-night/) - Hurricane Sandy Won't Stop Halloween 2012 For Us With the rain from Hurricane Sandy coming down and the winds picking up, the plans for a Wizard of Oz Halloween that involved the entire driveway of free-standing, singing animatronics seemed to be getting swept away like a Kansas house in a tornado. The green tarps that - [Google+ Events integrate with Gmail, too](https://thomcraver.com/google/google-events-integrate-with-gmail-too/) - Last week at Google IO, Google announced a new features to Google+ called Google Events. Aside from all the social implications, they also announced that Google+ Events will have beautiful visual invitations that will integrate with your Google Calendar. Turns out, these invitations also integrate with Gmail differently than other calendar events. Event calendar notifications - [Google Apps Browser Detection Bug?](https://thomcraver.com/google/google-apps-browser-detection-bug/) - I just logged into Google Docs to edit a shared presentation on which I am collaborating and got the following pop-up: This immediately took me aback because I was using Firefox version 10.0.1, the latest version. I completely understand that Google wants people to use their products, especially Chrome. But to falsely warn me about - [Understand Your Users Better With Surveys](https://thomcraver.com/marketing-2/understand-your-users-better-with-surveys/) - If you've heard me speak about Web Analytics at a search engine conference, you likely have heard me say that Web analytics can give you the what and the where, but not they why. Too many w's for you? Web analytics measures metrics of what visitors do when then come to your site and from where they - [24 Hours With DROID Bionic and Lapdock](https://thomcraver.com/android/24-hours-with-droid-bionic-and-lapdock/) - Sitting in a meeting, taking notes with Evernote and writing a blog post in two different tabs in Firefox, I have completely forgotten that my MacBook is still sitting in my bag, untouched. This is just one of my incredible experiences with the new Motorola DROID Bionic. Its a dual-core phone with a GB of - [Google Analytics Changes Help Data Determine Intent](https://thomcraver.com/google/google-analytics-changes-help-data-determine-intent/) - Over the past few weeks, Google Analytics changed how it counts visitors. Specifically, GA marks a visitor with a new session if that visitor's tracking parameters change. On the surface, this may seem confusing. Let's say a visitor comes to your site from one campaign, leaves your site and comes back from a different campaign. - [SES San Francisco Recap](https://thomcraver.com/random/ses-san-francisco-recap/) - I'm long overdue for this, but here it is, anyway. SES San Francisco was one of the many events part of Connected Marketing Week. It is, without a doubt, the place to be for any online marketer. A plethora of social, search, and online marketing learning opportunities abound from personalized classroom-style training to sessions to - [Launching Social Media For Your Organization](https://thomcraver.com/social/launching-social-media-for-your-organization/) - I'm attending HighEdWeb Rochester and many of the sessions have already spawned numerous discussions about how to implement a social strategy. Granted, the conference is all about colleges and universities. But in a lot of ways, approaching the social media strategy in higher education parallels what happens in business all the time. Similar questions are asked and - [Google's Me on the Web Makes No Sense](https://thomcraver.com/google/googles-me-on-the-web-makes-no-sense/) - Google announced a new feature to help "manage what people see" when you're searched for on Google. This new feature, called Me on the Web is really nothing more than Google Alerts in disguise. It is literally in disguise because the interface to adding alerts is different in the Me on the Web section of the Dashboard - [SES Toronto Live](https://thomcraver.com/seo/ses-toronto-live/) - I'm not at SES Toronto yet, but thanks to innovative thinking and the power of the Internet, I'm not missing out on what's happening there today. The SES UStream channel is up and running and broadcasting live. http://www.ustream.tv/channel/searchenginestrategies Check out selected sessions today and tomorrow. - [Stalking the Panda](https://thomcraver.com/google/stalking-the-panda/) - It's almost that time! Just because winter is over doesn't mean it's time for holiday. For every update Google continues to make to its algorithms, people have to keep moving to change with them. Since its roll out in February, the Google Panda update has been the talk of the site owners who were affected and the rest of - [New Google Chome Error Screen](https://thomcraver.com/google/new-google-chome-error-screen/) - It used to say "Oh Snap!" Apparently that's not so cool anymore. But what is? Star Trek! Google has always had a sense of humor. Previously, their blue screen error message looked like this: Is this something we should be watching? Will Google be changing this every few versions? Thoughts? - [Personalize Your Results and Penalize Your Competition](https://thomcraver.com/google/personalize-your-results-and-penalize-your-competition/) - Google announced today they are allowing people to block sites they don't want to see in the search results. Now, hold your horses, this is a personalized result, not a global block. SEO's are getting antsy, I can see it now. Here's how it works: When you search for something on Google, click a link - [BlackBerrry Messenger on Android, iOS - Is RIM Pushing Away Users?](https://thomcraver.com/marketing-2/blackberrry-messenger-on-android-ios-is-rim-pushing-away-users/) - According to the Rumor mill and a recent Engadget post, Research In Motion (RIM) - creators of the BlackBerry - are close to releasing its infamous BlackBerry Messenger service on other platforms and devices. Why?! The BlackBerry Messenger service is really the biggest differentiator RIM has to offer. It allows device-to-device messaging, presumably without leaving - [A Harry Potter Halloween](https://thomcraver.com/halloween/a-harry-potter-halloween-2/) - Yes, it's official. It will be a Harry Potter theme for Halloween this year. Visitors to the house will need to approach on a designated path and need to sign the list to join the D. A. The goal is to have several effects including: Some kind of figure in a picture frame talking to - [Google's New Ranking Algorithm - How are your sites faring?](https://thomcraver.com/google/googles-new-ranking-algorithm-how-are-your-sites-faring/) - In what appears to be a second move to counter Blekko's content farm exclusions, last night Google their "pretty big algorithmic improvement" to their ranking. I performed typical searches to check ranking on various sites I watch, and it would appear that Google has removed many of the same sites Blekko already had. Specifically, I've - [Why Beck's Google Boycott is Undeniably Hypocritical](https://thomcraver.com/google/why-becks-google-boycott-is-undeniably-hypocritical/) - Beck has been on a rant against Google this past week, accusing the search giant of being a "shill" for the US government. Now he's claiming "not leading a boycott" but he's "not so sure" that he wants "to use their products any more than" he has to. He even has a featured story on - [Google's New Nav Bar and the New Bing Bar](https://thomcraver.com/google/googles-new-nav-bar-and-the-new-bing-bar/) - Both Google and Bing put out toolbars of sorts. Bing's announcement had an accompanying video created by the Bing project manager in everyday clothes, similar to a Google project manager video. But neither is copying the other, right? - [The Unfairness of Google's Ranking Fairness](https://thomcraver.com/google/the-unfairness-of-googles-ranking-fairness/) - Lately, there has been a lot of discussion on search neutrality and whether or not Google's results favor its own products. There' been even more discussion on whether or not search engines should be regulated by some government agency, both domestically and all over Europe. Danny Sullivan of Search Engine Land has been covering this story - [See and Hear me at SES New York](https://thomcraver.com/web-analytics/see-and-hear-me-at-ses-new-york/) - Do you know your log file from your analytics? Can you tell the difference between a visit and a hit? Find out the answers to these questions and more from yours truly during the Introduction to Analytics session at Search Engine Strategies New York March 22, 2011. The New York City SES is one of - [So Verizon Has the iPhone](https://thomcraver.com/apple-2/so-verizon-has-the-iphone/) - What does this really mean? iPhone users have a choice - more reliable phone calls or using voice and data at the same time. The naysayers suggest Verizon's network will buckle under the iPhone pressure, just like AT&T. Verizon announced the addition of 10 new towers to the Midwest area Monday. Tuesday they announced the - [SEO For Business Students](https://thomcraver.com/marketing-2/seo-for-business-students/) - Recently, I have the privilege of being able to speak to the Management Information System Team, a student club here within the Saunders College. While I've spoken in classrooms before as part of a guest lecture, this audience was more intimate and had actually invited me. To me, that meant they were actively seeking out specific information - [Google Voice Search Gets Personal](https://thomcraver.com/google/google-voice-search-gets-personal/) - If you have Android 2.2, you may have noticed an update to Google Voice Search. The big change is an opt-in service that allows Google to help recognize your patterns of speech. Like Dragon Naturally Speaking and other speech recognition software that have come before, you can train the speech engine - in this case - [Make Your Mobile App Go Viral](https://thomcraver.com/google/make-your-mobile-app-go-viral/) - How do I go viral? It's the Holy Grail question of every content provider. The Google Mobile Ads team is trying to help. Enter the official Google Mobile Ads YouTube Channel. If you're an app developer, get tips from others who have been there before you. Experts in viral apps provide advice and lessons - [Toys R Us Gets Mobile and Social](https://thomcraver.com/marketing-2/toys-r-us-gets-mobile-and-social/) - Apps, mobile Web sites and text alerts - oh my! Toys "R" Us is pushing their brand on mobile this holiday season in a big way. From the simple to the uber-cool, socially hip, Toys "R" Us wants your business. While they've always had an email club offering their traditional "12 days" of email-club-only deals,they - [Google Can Index Flash](https://thomcraver.com/google/google-can-index-flash/) - In a dramatic shift from everything SEOs hold near and dear, the Webmaster Central blog today posted that Google can now index text inside Flash content.What does this mean? Google can read and index "almost any text a user can see" inside Flash content. Wow. What... really? Does this mean we can tell our clients - [Radio Shack Plots Uncharted FourSquare Waters](https://thomcraver.com/marketing-2/radio-shack-plots-uncharted-foursquare-waters/) - Radio Shack Holiday Hero campaign leans heavily on FourSquare - [Will Ads Suffer from Another New Google Layout](https://thomcraver.com/google/will-ads-suffer-from-another-new-google-layout/) - As been widely reported, Google introduced a new feature called Instant Previews. In a nutshell, Google Preview is being dubbed as the next step in the evolution of speeding up search (after Google Instant). However with it comes a new layout that has moved the maps location box info all around. This has two implications: - [Hi, I’m an Apple Device on a Bad Network…](https://thomcraver.com/marketing-2/hi-im-a-bad-network/) - Have you seen the new T-Mobile ad yet? Remember those "Hi, I'm a Mac" ads? T-Mobile is firing a shot back using the same strategy Apple had against Windows. T-Mobile's myTouch, the latest HTC Android hotness, running Android 2.2. While there's debate on whether T-Mobile's 4G network is "officially" 4G or not, they're certainly trying - [Halloween 2010 Plans](https://thomcraver.com/halloween/halloween-2010-plans/) - Halloween 2010 is all about the musical production. Glee has been a huge hit for Fox and American Idol is still popular for some reason. So what's going on for this year? A large stage and signing monster props are in order, as are lighting and fog effects. At right is a dimly lit sneak - [SEO, PPC and Google Instant Search](https://thomcraver.com/google/seo-ppc-and-google-instant-search/) - Organic results appear unchanged. PPC ads will very likely have more impressions by Google's own primary data and definition of impression. How will search marketers really be affected by Google Instant? - [Google Instant Brings You Results Before You Click Search](https://thomcraver.com/google/google-announces-a-fundamental-shift/) - Have you ever thought Google was too slow? Yeah, me neither. Yet, Google apparently wants to make things faster. So welcome to the next evolution in search - Google Instant. Start typing a result and Google not only suggests what you're searching for, but also provides results - as if you hit search - while - [Hiding Google's Options Sidebar](https://thomcraver.com/google/hiding-googles-options-sidebar/) - Don't like those new options down the left side of your Google search results? There's an app for that. Sorry - I got carried away. There's a plug-in for that. If you use Firefox or Chrome and you don't want to see those new search refinement options on the Google search results pages, Bruce Clay's - [The New Google - A How-To Guide](https://thomcraver.com/google/the-new-google-a-how-to-guide/) - Google has changed their look and given a Web 2.0 face lift to the search interface. With it comes a plethora of tools and filters to let searchers control the search results and better decide what they want to see. A how-to guide on the new Google. - [Wholesale Changes to Google Analytics](https://thomcraver.com/google/wholesale-changes-to-google-analytics/) - The Google Analytics team announced new changes to what they're calling the Google Analytics Ecosystem. Several announcements were made today at EMetrics. Specifically, the team announced Analytics Apps, new reports for tracking AdWords campaigns, includnig AdWords Search Funnels now available in all AdWords accounts and asynchronous tracking is now officially out of beta. If you hadn't - [Google Addreses Security Issues](https://thomcraver.com/google/google-addreses-security-issues/) - The joy and pain of Google Apps and other services is the single sign-on system. While it's great to be able to access online your email, document repository, analytics and other services by only logging on once, it can also open yourself up to a world of information theft if your password is compromised. Combine - [Why Is Apple So Angry Lately?](https://thomcraver.com/apple-2/why-is-apple-so-angry-lately/) - Apple has shown a different side lately. They are aggressive, argumentative, genuinely full of angst. Steve Jobs led this company to the top (twice). Their sales are up in several of their verticals. Why can't he handle a little competition? - [A Recap of Lost iPhone iProbe](https://thomcraver.com/apple-2/a-recap-of-lost-iphone-iprobe-2/) - The Lost iPhone: Has Apple gone too far pursuing their property? Who's really telling the truth and which California and Federal laws really apply here? This stinks like rotten apples. - [It's the Apple Patent Tennis Match](https://thomcraver.com/apple-2/its-the-apple-patent-tennis-match/) - Apple Claims They Own Patents to Everything Apparently HTC and others violate them, but HTC, Nokia and Elan Microsystems says the Same of Apple. Tennis, anyone? - [There is a Lifetime Limit on How Many iPads You Can Buy](https://thomcraver.com/apple-2/there-is-a-lifetime-limit-on-how-many-ipads-you-can-buy/) - If you're the parent of twins who are graduating from High School or have a birthday coming up, don't go to an Apple Store to buy them iPads and expect to get one of your own, too. Apparently there is a limit to how many you can buy. It might be two. But Apple Store - [A Recap of Lost iPhone iProbe](https://thomcraver.com/random/a-recap-of-lost-iphone-iprobe/) - The Internet blogosphere has been alive for a week now with buzz about the iPhone that an Apple employee left behind in a California bar. In a nutshell: March 18th: Apple employee Gray Powell leaves his iPhone 4G prototype in a bar. A college-aged gentleman finds the phone and tries to return it. After Apple - [The Apple-Adobe Apple-Google War](https://thomcraver.com/google/the-apple-adobe-apple-google-war/) - Apple has their panties in a wad about Adobe for a while now. Specifically they don't like Adobe's shortcomings with Flash. Fine, so the iPhone and iPad will never have Flash and will keep showing the blue box. HTML 5 isn't official yet. But Apple is behind it because it reduces the need for third-party - [Facebook Has Abandoned Their Users' Privacy](https://thomcraver.com/security/facebook-has-abandoned-their-users-privacy/) - Facebook apparently has overstepped some bounds and taken more than liberties with its policies that govern users' personal information. In addition to sharing with applications on Facebook, information will now be able to be shared with any Website that inserts a Like button. - [One-On-One With the iPad](https://thomcraver.com/feature/one-on-one-with-the-ipad/) - Let's cut to the chase, I'm still not impressed. The apps load fast and the rendering is great. It is, as advertised, a "magic" device that's not a computer, starts up quick and connects if there's an app for it. But this is a toy, not a tool. The very pro-Apple-drinking Kool Aid guy who - [Android 2.1 Review](https://thomcraver.com/android/android-2-1-review/) - Well, its been several weeks now and I'm both impressed and disappointed with the Android upgrade. The ability to dictate to any text field is impressive. I have used this in the car with the sunroof open and lots of white noise and it rarely misses. However, when it does miss the result is quite - [The old site was boring...](https://thomcraver.com/random/the-old-site-was-boring/) - Not that this one is much better. I am eagerly anticipating the full release of WordPress 3.0. More specifically, I'm looking forward to the release of WP3 themes that take advantage of the new Menu system. Bear with my while I try to fiddle with a decent theme. - [Internet April Fools 2010](https://thomcraver.com/uncategorized/internet-april-fools-2010/) - Not entirely Google properties, here's the list of fun, 2010 April Fools Internet Follies I've discovered this morning. If you missed my Google April Fools gags from last night, check them out again. Google Name Change In honor of the town that changed its name to Google to win a bid for free high-speed Internet, - [Google April Fool's Follies](https://thomcraver.com/google/google-april-fools-follies/) - And so it begins. Creativity at its best as Google unrolls their various silly services. As April Fool's Day is my second favorite holiday of the year and I look forward to the Internet follies every year. Google was a little lighter than usual last year, with their CADIE service. It wasn't as funny as - [Real-Time Search Shows Promise](https://thomcraver.com/google/real-time-search-shows-promise/) - Some Bay Area residents woke up yesterday to a 4.1 magnitude earthquake. According to various reports, Google had integrated that news in its search results somewhere between two minutes to 10 minutes afterward. Although Google said their Bay Area data centers had the feed from the US Geological Survey Feed in less than two minutes, - [Goo.gl - Google's URL Shortener](https://thomcraver.com/uncategorized/goo-gl-googles-url-shortener/) - Well, there's no limits to the lengths Google will go to collect the world's data. Monday, Google introduced Goo.gl, the URL shortener. The limiting factor, however, is that you must use Google's Toolbar to do so. The toolbar icon allows you to share with nearly every social service you ever heard of. Is this Google's - [Google Unrolls New Ad Types](https://thomcraver.com/google/google-unrolls-new-ad-types/) - The Official Google Blog reports today new types of search ads. Citing that they are committed to "giving you the information you want," Google is unrolling sponsored links that include many different "extras." The blog shows details on ads with extra links to the site advertising, maps and videos embedded within the ad space, and - [Two Weeks With the Drioid](https://thomcraver.com/google/two-weeks-with-the-drioid/) - Well, two weeks in, I still can't say enough about it and I still keep finding new features. Is it as good as an iPhone? I don't know, I don't care. Does it make calls, keep my schedules in sync, organize all my emails, appointments and tasks? Yes. Is it easy to type on? Yes. - [Verizon and Google - A Match in the Making](https://thomcraver.com/google/verizon-and-google-a-match-in-the-making/) - Engadget is reporting a phone conference scheduled between Lowell McAdam and Eric Schmidt , respective CEOs of Verizon and Google. While no facts have been confirmed, the rumors abound that an Android-based phone will be discussed. Frankly, Verizon is long overdue for the "next cool gadget phone." AT&T has had the iPhone locked up and - [Google Down - More Analytics Woes](https://thomcraver.com/uncategorized/google-down-more-analytics-woes/) - CNET News is reporting Google services outages World-Wide . Granted, this is not a normal occurrence, and (you would think) this would most certainly not become a regular issue. However, I think the quote from Twitter user @Tadiera says it all: "The Internet dies with out Google. Can't get to my bank Web site because - [Web Analytics: To Google or Not to Google](https://thomcraver.com/google/web-analytics/) - The world loves Google, right? How can you complain with free Web search, free email, free blogs, free picture sharing, free video sharing and all the disk space in the world with which to do it? So when Google released Google Analytics, we all said, "why not?" Why Google Analytics? Well, for starters, it's free. - [And the Hits Just Keep on Coming](https://thomcraver.com/personal/and-the-hits-just-keep-on-coming/) - Not even letting the fury of ire from their bandwidth cap plans cool, Time Warner hit back announcing that the planned DOCSIS 3.0 upgrade to the much faster 50Mbps broadband service will not happen in the four markets that voiced their disapproval of the bandwidth caps. While no official press release from the company seems - [Time Warner's Turbo Flop](https://thomcraver.com/marketing-2/time-warners-turbo-flop/) - Time Warner really needs to get their collective heads on straight for their future. The defense of "those who use more should pay more" is fine until they pair it with the lie that their costs go up when their customers use more. Using publicly accessible financial statements filed with the SEC and readily available - [Google's April Fool's Prank - CADIE](https://thomcraver.com/google/googles-april-fools-prank-cadie/) - Kudos to Google for going too far this April Fool's day a job well-accomplished this year! Google didn't disappoint, keeping with the tradition of their April Fool's pranks. This year, they carried a unified message with Google's CADIE, and it would appear that every department got involved in this effort. CADIE (Cognitive Autoheuristic Distributed-Intelligence Entity) is - [SEO for America 2008](https://thomcraver.com/internet-marketing/seo-for-america-2008/) - Obama Everywhere. That's what his Web site shows in the bottom-right corner. He's on Facebook, MySpace and Linked In. He's got channels and profiles on You Tube, Flickr, Twitter and Eventful. There's even a my.barackobama.com for you to do your own part to help his campaign and have a free site to coordinate it all. - [LASIK - Is it worth the hype?](https://thomcraver.com/nonsensicals/lasik-is-it-worth-the-hype/) - My definitive answer: Hell, yes. OK, for the squeamish, truly, it's nothing. I've never has any surgical procedure outside of having my wisdom teeth pulled. When I laid down on that table and saw nothing but surgical masks, gloves and those bright, silver surgical lights, I really started to wonder what I was getting myself - [April Fools Follies](https://thomcraver.com/search-engines/april-fools-follies/) - I confess myself disappointed. I finally break my 2+ years of not pulling a practical joke on April Fool's Day and the Internet on the whole turns up a mediocre performance. First, Googler and practical funnyman extraordinaire Matt Cutts decided he was "skipping April Fools this year." What?! OK, well so it turned out that - [Micro-hoo! Can Microsoft really buy the world?](https://thomcraver.com/marketing-2/micro-hoo-can-microsoft-really-buy-the-world/) - Apparently, Microsoft is frustrated with being #3 behind Google, offering today to buy Yahoo! for $44.6 Billion in cash and stocks. this bid came right after Yahoo! reported a weak fourth-quarter, saw its stock price close at its lowest in four years and announced a plan to cut 1,000 jobs. If Yahoo! CEO Jerry Yang - [Lego Finds New Niche with Console Gaming](https://thomcraver.com/marketing-2/lego-finds-new-niche-with-console-gaming/) - Marketing 101: How does one get more people to buy more of one's product? Lego's knows. Lego Star Wars: The Video Game hit the scene in April 2005. It rode hot off the heels of the popularity of LucasArt's movie release of Star Wars Episode III. LucasArts and company followed the game up with Lego - [When a well placed ad is REALLY worth its price...](https://thomcraver.com/google/when-a-well-placed-ad-is-really-worth-its-price/) - A while back, a colleague passed me a link to an article about the math problems in Excel 2007. In and of itself, it seems quite amusing that Microsoft continues its self-incriminating trend of distributing broken software, seemingly not even trying to break the stereotype or the techie world jokes we make at their expense. - [Google Adds Presentations](https://thomcraver.com/google/google-adds-presentations/) - Well, now they have your basic office software package. As of last night, Google has added presentations to Google Docs and Google Apps. For all your PowerPoint users, you can upload your PowerPoint Files. Unfortunately it does not yet support pptx files, the new Office 2007 format. What's really surprising to me is that ODP - [Windows Live Software Bundle](https://thomcraver.com/internet-marketing/windows-live-software-bundle/) - Microsoft - Wake up! You're not Google. Perhaps we should give Microsoft an A for effort in trying to keep up with the Joneses at Google. As my friends at Search Engine Land have reported, Microsoft as built a software package in their latest attempt to dominate computer users everywhere. The new Windows Live Services - [Google Experimenting Again](https://thomcraver.com/uncategorized/google-experimenting-again/) - Google has always tested new features and algorithms live on their site. Sure, right? What better sampling of data and user feedback than your regular, unsuspecting user base. As I sat today searching, I couldn't help but notice a new look sported by the leading search engine. Gone are the links to image, news and - [AmEx Gets It and Spreads It To Small Business…](https://thomcraver.com/internet-marketing/amex-gets-it-and-spreads-it-to-small-business/) - The Mobile Disc Jockey Service I co-own has a credit line with American Express. Being that it has nothing to do with Search Engine Marketing (not outwardly, at least), I found it odd to find the following email in the separate inbox I keep for that busienss: Web Marketing Contest for Delta Cardmembers. Wow! Another - [AdWords Doesn’t Look Tightened](https://thomcraver.com/google/adwords-doesnt-look-tightened/) - Ok, so despite my last post on AdWords, it doesn't appear that Google truly has their system quite in place. If they think they do have a system in place, it needs to be re-examined.I recently performed a search for a friend of mine. He was looking for menu covers for his restaurant. The phrase - [In Your Face Marketing Still Works](https://thomcraver.com/marketing-2/in-your-face-marketing-still-works/) - Ok, so I'm usually the cynic on thowing a big sign saying "buy me, I'm cool." If someone approaches me with a truly good product, I'm still the jerk and don't bend easily. So why is it then that on a late-night run to Wegmans for only milk and cat food, am I so tempted - [Google AdWords Raises the Bar … and the Price](https://thomcraver.com/google/google-adwords-raises-the-bar-and-the-price/) - The "Google Dance" now has new meaning for Google's AdWords customers. In their ever-evolving quest to better the Web, Google is now forcing their customers to not only write good, quality ads (using 2 lines of 35 characters each), but now their forcing them to link their ads to an equally high-quality landing page. This - [What It's All About](https://thomcraver.com/uncategorized/obligatory-first-post/) - And we're off and running. I guess this is, however, a good place to talk about what I will be talking about in the near future. (Did you catch that?) I am the former owner of a Web hosting and development and marketing firm. I merged the company with another interactive marketing firm in 2004. ## Pages - [Home Page](https://thomcraver.com/) - Who is Thom Craver? A self-proclaimed "marketing guy in a geek's body," Thom has been around the Web industry since its inception. With a 360° view of technology from user to strategist to developer, Thom understands how tech and user experience come together and can explain it to nearly every audience level. - [About Thom](https://thomcraver.com/about-thom/) - Thom Craver is a builder. Always has been. Some people can envision a product. Others can build it. A smaller group can explain it to a room full of engineers and then turn around and explain it again to a room full of executives. Fewer still can measure whether it actually worked, and know what - [Game Development](https://thomcraver.com/games/) - Over the past several years, I've turned my programming chops toward game development. A few years ago, I was introduced to Godot, an open-source game engine that can build cross-platform 2D or 3D games. It uses a language very similar to Python, so it was extremely easy to pick up and create. At first, game - [Teaching and Lecturing](https://thomcraver.com/teaching-and-lecturing/) - Thom's teaching experience spans multiple disciplines throughout several well-respected colleges and universities. Bryan University Department: Web Development Various terms, 2021 AFS-200: Object-Oriented Programming & the Web AFS-205: Web Infrastructure & Server Deployment AFS-220: Capstone in Full-Stack Web Development Monroe Community College Department: Information and Computer TechnologiesFall 2020- Present: Introduction to Computing with Python (CPT 101) - [Contact Thom](https://thomcraver.com/contact/) - Thank you for your interest in my services - [Halloween 2013: Alien Invasion / Men In Black](https://thomcraver.com/halloween/halloween-2013-alien-invasion-ufo-halloween-prop/) - My two qualifications for our Halloween themes are: not scary and instantly recognizable. My artistic limitations usually require themes that don't rely on much facial details. This leaves specific characters or people only recognizable by their faces off the planning table. At one of our family discussions, the idea we hadn't done anything involving aliens - [Consulting Services](https://thomcraver.com/seo-services-offered/) - Search Engine Optimization Having the right SEO services are essential. Hiring the wrong so-called, fly-by-night SEO "expert" can get your site penalized by major search engines. SEO Services Offered SEO Audits Keyword Research Link Analysis Competitive Analysis Web Analyticsand Data Services Often overlooked, understanding your website visitor behavior is key a to success. To be - [Carrot Snatchers](https://thomcraver.com/games/carrot-snatchers/) - Carrot Snatchers The first game I developed from start to finish, Carrot Snatchers was a project of a Flash course during my undergraduate studies. It is a shameless copy of an old Atari 2600 console game called Gopher by US Games. If you still can use Adobe Flash, right-click the gray box and select "Play" - [Halloween](https://thomcraver.com/halloween/) - I'm a nut about Halloween - specifically designing Halloween displays for the neighborhood to enjoy. It started with an accidental scare... After scaring a friend of my kids' to a point where he literally couldn't move (even after he got his candy and a warm hello), I decided spooky, dark Halloween graveyard scenes weren't the - [Halloween 2013: Alien Invasion (MIB)](https://thomcraver.com/halloween-2013-alien-invasion-mib/) - It's always a challenge coming up with ideas, then making them happen. The original flying saucer was around 15-feet wide and built in the garage. Unfortunately, the garage door wasn't that wide. No matter, that frame didn't go so well anyway. Ultimately, the aliens arrived in a flying saucer that was just over 10-feet wide - [Testimonials](https://thomcraver.com/speaking-engagements/speaking-testimonials/) - Great Speakers Are Hard To Find Some random social love given after many of Thom's speaking engagements https://twitter.com/googleanalytics/status/235507136254328832 https://twitter.com/witgirl/status/938504838173872128 https://twitter.com/OKayGoPR/status/702879802835992576 https://twitter.com/teabeeshell/status/897562073105932288 https://twitter.com/sdickison/status/227087195662610432 https://twitter.com/Nostrovia_ca/status/227086564700868608 https://twitter.com/From_RebeccaLo/status/227209612175237120 https://twitter.com/TracyBonzo/status/119476472707686400 https://twitter.com/_ospena/status/398174594525192192 http://twitter.com/DigitalJacqui/status/344962616457850880 https://twitter.com/AdamSinger/status/235510694420836352 https://twitter.com/aschottmuller/status/317295098754891778 https://twitter.com/AskSmallData/status/467012286037520384 https://twitter.com/agentsofchange/status/627072381836730368 https://twitter.com/ncoleellis/status/498992333304512512 https://twitter.com/CynthiaBenjamn/status/192324298042650627 https://twitter.com/lisarocksSEM/status/377507600956661760 - [Previous Conference Presentations and Speaking Engagements](https://thomcraver.com/speaking-engagements/previous-conference-presentations-speaking-engagements/) - Gulf Shores, Orange Beach Digital Marketing Summit (Feb) Keynote: Digital Marketing and SEOMeasuring Success with Web AnalyticsGoogle Analytics Boot Camp (4-hour master class) ClickZ Live New York (Mar) Advanced Analytics (4-hour executive training) L&T Marketing Analytics Workshop (May) Web Analytics Round Table Discussion 2015 ClickZ Live New York (Mar) How To Collect, Interpret and Use - [Speaking Engagements](https://thomcraver.com/speaking-engagements/) - A Dynamic Speaker Makes a Fun Presentation! With a background that includes talk radio, news, technical podcasts and Top-40/CHR, dynamic is Thom's middle name. Thom has been a regular speaker at search engine marketing conferences for nearly a decade. As a teacher and regular conference presenter, speaking come naturally. Conference after conference, course after course, - [Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Digital Marketing Summit](https://thomcraver.com/gulf-shores-orange-beach-digital-marketing-summit/) - Thanks for coming to the Google Analytics Boot Camp. I have totally enjoyed my time here in the Gulf Shores / Orange Beach area. In spite of the storm, the only bad thing I can say about the trip is that it was too short. As promised, here's a link to download the slide deck. What - [Wizard of Oz Halloween - 2012](https://thomcraver.com/halloween/wizard-oz-halloween-2012/) - Wizard of Oz Halloween The scene includes a 40-foot, length-of-the-driveway yellow brick road that winds it's way up. Visitors following it will meet the Scarecrow, who will sing and provide direction, the Tin Woodsman asking for his oil can, the Cowardly Lion cowering and shaking and a pool of what was the Wicked Witch of - [Client Analytics Questionaire](https://thomcraver.com/clientq/) - Loading... - [Halloween 2015: Pirate's Cove](https://thomcraver.com/halloween/halloween-2015-pirates-cove/) - After moving a second time in less than a year, we were whooped and had very little energy for building a huge spread. While there was a bit more time available to prep, a new job also made for a tight budget. Since we were again new to the neighborhood, we again thought it would be fine - [Ghost Pirate Ship - Halloween 2007](https://thomcraver.com/halloween/ghost-pirate-ship-halloween-2007/) - Ghost Pirate Ship Animatronic Pirates Ruled Halloween 2007 Shiver me timbers, thar be pirates here! Halloween 2007 was our favorite by far. The prate ship covered nearly the entirety of our house frontage. Our "skeleton crew" of seven pirates were all over as you walked into and inside the ship. Two animatronic pirates would talk - [Dr. Frankenstein's Laboratory - Halloween 2009](https://thomcraver.com/halloween/dr-frankensteins-laboratory-halloween-2009/) - 2009 - Mad Scientist Lair The precursor to 2010's idea in more ways than one, I transformed my porch into a mad scientist's laboratory. Glowing slime oozed down the wrought-iron supports. A three-tiered shelf of flasks, beakers and other glass containers which were filled with mini skeletons, eyeballs snakes and creatures suspended in fluids that glowed - [Halloween 2010: Classic Movie Monsters LIVE!](https://thomcraver.com/halloween/halloween-2010-classic-movie-monsters-live/) - Halloween 2010 Classic Movie Monsters - "LIVE" on Stage! This year I gave a nod to the original Universal Studios monsters in a fun, modern way. I created four of the original monsters and made them into a "live" band. The monsters included: Frankenstein's monster, Wolf Man, Dracula and the Mummy. A fifth character - - [Halloween 2011: The World of Harry Potter](https://thomcraver.com/halloween/halloween-2011-the-world-of-harry-potter/) - Halloween 2011 HOGWARTS. The ultimate test. OK, it was Hogwarts and Hogsmeade village. Complete with floating candles, house banners, an interactive, talking Hagrid (voiced by yours truly), Zonkos, Honeyduke's, Shrieking Shack, posters of wanted death eaters, an array of wands on display. The candy - of course - was Honeyduke's finest chocolate, freshly shipped in from - [Phantom of the Opera Halloween (2008)](https://thomcraver.com/halloween/phantom-of-the-opera-halloween-2008/) - 2008 - Phantom of the Opera In 2008, I basically came up short on a good idea. Halloween week arrived and I was panicked. After going through a box of props and costumes for the ump-teenth time, I came across the traditional half-mask of the Phantom of the Opera. In a last-minute desperation move, this - [SEO Services and Consulting](https://thomcraver.com/about-thom/seo-services-and-consulting/) - What can I do for you? Streamline business information systems Apply white hat Search Engine Optimization practices to your Web site Establish Social Media marketing campaigns Analyze Web statistics to increase Web traffic Whatever your budget, it is possible to increase qualified traffic to your Web site. You want more Web traffic, but only if - [Professional Accomplishments](https://thomcraver.com/about-thom/professional-accomplishments/) - Self-proclaimed "Jack of all trades, master of some", I have been privileged to have accomplished a lot in my career so far, and I don't plan on stopping yet. Sure, there's a lot of abilities here. Download my resume, or view my portfolio for examples of some sites I have developed. Information Technology Skills Accomplished Web and Print Designer - [C3 Conference 2017 Attendee Thank you!](https://thomcraver.com/landing-c3-2017/) - 4 Tips for Measuring Your Website Thank You for Attending! Download the presentation and get an exclusive discount on Thom's analytics online training Quick Links... [unordered_list style="arrow"] Get $50 off Training Consulting Services [/unordered_list] Download the Presentation Thanks for attending! To download the presentation, please fill out the following form: [vfb id='6'] Other Services - [Privacy Notice for Apps and Games](https://thomcraver.com/privacy-policy/) - Last updated February 05, 2022 Thank you for choosing to be part of our community ("I", “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our“). We are committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. If you have any questions or concerns about this privacy notice or our practices with regard to your personal information, please email - [In the Press](https://thomcraver.com/in-the-press/) - Thom is recognized as an expert in Web analytics and many technical aspects of the Web. Often, his expertise is called upon to explain technical details in everyday language. Recently, quoted in: Rochester Democrat & Chronicle Thom Craver helps clients get the most from websites "Almost anybody can create an Internet website, but generating traffic - [Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Services](https://thomcraver.com/seo-services-offered/search-engine-optimization-services/) - What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Search Engine Optimization is more than a buzzword. Providing an SEO service means more than being first on Google. SEO is all about making sure your brand's products and services are found by qualified people searching for terms relevant to your brand and products. SEO is truly a case - [Thanks for attending](https://thomcraver.com/landing-2017-digital-summit-kc/) - Thank You for Attending! Download the presentation and get an exclusive discount on Thom's analytics online training Quick Links... [unordered_list] Get $50 off Analytics Training Website SEO Audits Analytics Audits Other consulting services [/unordered_list] Download the Presentation Thanks for attending my workshop! To download the presentation covering measuring marketing automation, please fill out the following - [Thanks for Attending Boot Camp at Digital Summit](https://thomcraver.com/landing-2018-ds-masterclass/) - Thanks for attending the Google Analytics Boot Cap at Digital Summit! You can download the presentation and workbook by filling out the following form: Download the Materials [vfb id='9'] Need help? I can help with follow-up training for the rest of your team or assist with set-ups, audits and helping with procedures. Click any of - [Thank you !](https://thomcraver.com/conversion-thank-you-services/) - You've taken the first step. Thank you for your trust and your inquiry. I'll get back to you soon. When was the last time you polished up on your web analytics? Whether you manage a small blog, enterprise ecommerce site or something in between, understanding your website traffic enterprise the key to making solid business - [Raleigh SEO Meetup - Thanks for attending!](https://thomcraver.com/landing-2017-raleigh-seo-meetup/) - Thank You for Attending Measuring the Moment Download the presentation and get an exclusive discount on Thom's analytics online training Quick Links... [unordered_list style="arrow"] Get $50 off Analytics Training Website SEO Audits Analytics Audits Other consulting services [/unordered_list] Download the Presentation Thanks for attending! To download the presentation, please fill out the following form: - [Thank you for attending my SMX East session](https://thomcraver.com/landing-smx-advanced-2017/) - The Powerful And Delicate Art Of Targeting Individuals Thank You for Attending! [fourcol_three] Download the Presentation Thanks for attending! To download the presentation, please fill out the following form: [vfb id='7'] [/fourcol_three] [fourcol_one_last] Analytics Training & Consulting [unordered_list style="arrow"] Analytics Training Special from SMX Consulting Services [/unordered_list] [/fourcol_one_last] - [Ungagged Vegas 2016 Attendees](https://thomcraver.com/landing-2016-ungagged/) - Thank You For Attending the Attribution Session at ClickZ Live San Francisco Get your exclusive attendee training discount Quick Links... [unordered_list style="arrow"] Get $50 off Training Consulting Services [/unordered_list] Download the Presentation Thanks for attending! To download the presentation, please fill out the following form: [vfb id='6'] Analytics Training Course Special As an Ungagged attendee, - [Logo Test](https://thomcraver.com/proper/) - Thom Craver - [Proper - Orange and Black](https://thomcraver.com/proper2/) - Test Proper Insights Proper Insights Two Proper Insights Three Proper Insights Four Proper Insights Five Proper Insights Six Proper Insights Seven (3+1) Proper Insights Eight (3+5) Proper Insights Nine (3+6) Proper Insights TEN Proper Insights - [Thom's Credentials and Resume Downloads](https://thomcraver.com/resume-old/) - For convenience, full PDF downloads of Thom's resume or curriculum vitae. [threecol_one] Full CV - PDF [button link="https://thomcraver.com/Thom_Craver_CV.pdf" size="large" style="download"]Download Thom's CV[/button] [/threecol_one][threecol_one] Simpler Resume - PDF [button link="https://thomcraver.com/Thom_Craver_Resume.pdf" size="large" style="download" bg_color="#ffb405" text="dark"]Download Thom's CV[/button] [/threecol_one][threecol_one_last] [/threecol_one_last] - [Web Analytics Audit](https://thomcraver.com/seo-services-offered/web-analytics-audit/) - Audit Your Web Analytics to Ensure Proper Measurement Web analytics solutions are typically easy to set up. Drop some JavaScript code on the page and away you go, right? Not quite. It's one of the most important to your marketing efforts, but typically a last thought in most Web development processes. Is a Web Analytics - [Social Media Audits](https://thomcraver.com/social-media-audits/) - Your social media properties make a lasting impression Social Media. You need to be there because your customers and potential customers are there. But are you doing it right? Is just having a presence enough? Are you taking advantage of all the opportunities to create quality, branded links back to your website to increase your - [Link Analysis and Other Backlink Services](https://thomcraver.com/link-analysis-backlink-services/) - What does your backlink profile look like? Links from other websites to your site has been the foundation of Google's algorithm since the beginning. It's still important to have quality, relevant, links pointing to your site. Generally, the more the merrier. But all links are not created equally. Backlink Checking It is important to check - [Web Analytics Configuration & Implementation](https://thomcraver.com/seo-services-offered/web-analytics-configuration-implementation/) - Analytics Installs, Tag Managers, Campaign Tagging and More! Tracking visitor behaviors on your site is not an easy task. Just having your developers add Google Analytics code is not enough. To measure the objectives and interactions properly, you need to tag your site with code or a tag manager to track important conversions and micro - [Web Development Services](https://thomcraver.com/seo-services-offered/web-development-services/) - You Never Get a Second Chance... In today's society, your Web site is typically your first impression. That's important. Your Web site is usually someone's first impression of your organization. Web site development, done right, helps you generate revenue, brand awareness and lead acquisition. It should be professional and provide a useful service to all - [Welcome ClickZ Academy Attendees!](https://thomcraver.com/welcome-clickz-academy-attendees/) - Thank you for visiting! [twocol_one] Slide Presentations Thank you for attending the ClickZ Live Training. The slide deck presented is available to download in PDF format using the button below. If you need more information or need to assistance implementing something you learnind, I do offer consulting services on a per-hour or retainer basis. Retainers - [Hire Thom to Speak at Your Event](https://thomcraver.com/speaking-engagements/hire-thom/) - [vfb id='3'] - [Thank you for Attending Boot Camp](https://thomcraver.com/gsobevent/) - Thanks for coming to the Google Analytics Boot Camp. I have totally enjoyed my time here in the Gulf Shores / Orange Beach area. In spite of the storm, the only bad thing I can say about the trip is that it was too short. As promised, here's a link to download the slide deck. What - [SEO Competitive Analysis](https://thomcraver.com/seo-services-offered/services-offeredseo-competitive-analysis/) - SEO Competitive Analysis An SEO competition analysis of your competitors keeps you in the game When planning your SEO strategy, you not only need a baseline of how your site performs, but a baseline and history of how your competition is performing. Your competition may be traditional competitors in your space in your regional place - [Site Audit Request](https://thomcraver.com/site-audit-request/) - To request a Web site audit for your site, please complete the form below. You will be contacted for the scheduling of your site audit. [vfb id='2'] - [Sample Page](https://thomcraver.com/sample-page/) - This is an example page. It's different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will show up in your site navigation (in most themes). Most people start with an About page that introduces them to potential site visitors. It might say something like this: Hi there! I'm a bike messenger - [Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Services](https://thomcraver.com/search-engine-optimization-seo-services/) - Web Developer Turned SEO Expert Thom offers a complete menu of expert SEO services from audit to implementation and everything in between When performing an SEO site audit, I create a list of recommended actions to perform to fix the issues discovered during the site audit. If your web developers cannot perform the SEO actions, - [Keyword (key phrase) Research Services](https://thomcraver.com/seo-services-offered/keyword-research-services/) - Find the right keywords before you do anything else! You know your business. You speak the lingo. But do all your customers? Wanting to be first for generic words is great, but will it get you the return you're really looking for? Knowing which keywords people use to search to find what you offer is - [WebSite Audits / SEO Audits](https://thomcraver.com/seo-services-offered/web-site-audits/) - A website audit or SEO site audit improves site visibility What Is A Site Audit? A good SEO website audit is a comprehensive third-party analysis of your website. Audits are comprehensive and include a great deal of information about your site. Audit information typically includes: How your website is perceived by search engines What keywords - [Publications: Online and Offline](https://thomcraver.com/speaking-and-writing/) - Search Engine Watch For over 15 years, Search Engine Watch has been a leading authority for news on the search engine products and companies and a hotspot of tips and information about search marketing. I generally write under Analytics and Technology columns. » Thom Craver on Search Engine Watch » RSS Feed SEMRush Blog SEMRush - [Social Media](https://thomcraver.com/social-media/) - If you haven't embraced it yet, you should. Generation Z is already saying that email is too slow and bulky. OK, that's not a valid reason to get onto social media. However, get on now before it passes you by. You can find me on: LinkedIn Elance Twitter Facebook Google Buzz - [Audio Downloads](https://thomcraver.com/portfolio-and-downloads/audio-downloads/) - The following are audio samples of various production and on-air broadcast elements. Radio Production Craver Radio Demo (MP3, 3.2 MB) Nine Mart Spot (MP3, 469.5 KB) Tom Wahls Spot (MP3, 943.7 KB) Rhinos Radio Broadcasts From the 2005 USL 1st Division season. Game 01 - at Vancouver (MP3, 1.4 MB) Game 02 - vs PR - [Portfolio and Downloads](https://thomcraver.com/portfolio-and-downloads/) - The first area on this page is dedicated to Web sites I've designed, developed or had a major hand in producing. There are other links to Flash and miscellaneous audio production, too. Web Sites - Soup to Nuts I was numero uno for these sites; design, layout and coding. Rochester Intitute of Technology, E. Philip ## Categories - [Uncategorized](https://thomcraver.com/topics/uncategorized/) - [Google](https://thomcraver.com/topics/google/) - [Marketing](https://thomcraver.com/topics/marketing-2/) - [social](https://thomcraver.com/topics/social/) - [Random](https://thomcraver.com/topics/random/) - [Internet Marketing](https://thomcraver.com/topics/internet-marketing/) - [PPC](https://thomcraver.com/topics/ppc/) - [Search Engines](https://thomcraver.com/topics/search-engines/) - [Android](https://thomcraver.com/topics/android/) - [feature](https://thomcraver.com/topics/feature/) - [Tech Toys](https://thomcraver.com/topics/tech-toys/) - [Web Analytics](https://thomcraver.com/topics/web-analytics/) - [Security](https://thomcraver.com/topics/security/) - [Nonsensicals](https://thomcraver.com/topics/nonsensicals/) - [personal](https://thomcraver.com/topics/personal/) - [Misc Internet](https://thomcraver.com/topics/misc-internet/) - [Apple](https://thomcraver.com/topics/apple-2/) - [Halloween](https://thomcraver.com/topics/halloween/) - [Mobile](https://thomcraver.com/topics/mobile-2/) - [Search Engine Optimization](https://thomcraver.com/topics/seo/) - [Speaking](https://thomcraver.com/topics/speaking/) - [Bing](https://thomcraver.com/topics/bing/) - [Media](https://thomcraver.com/topics/media/) - [Software](https://thomcraver.com/topics/software/) - [Geek Speak](https://thomcraver.com/topics/geek-speak/) - [Microsoft](https://thomcraver.com/topics/microsoft/) - [Conversion Optimization](https://thomcraver.com/topics/conversion-optimization/) - [Analytics](https://thomcraver.com/topics/analytics/) - [WordPress](https://thomcraver.com/topics/wordpress/) - [Growth Hacking](https://thomcraver.com/topics/growth-hacking/) ## Tags - [android](https://thomcraver.com/tags/android-2/) - [motorola droid](https://thomcraver.com/tags/motorola-droid/) - [apple](https://thomcraver.com/tags/apple/) - [analytics](https://thomcraver.com/tags/analytics/) - [google analytics](https://thomcraver.com/tags/google-analytics/) - [piwik](https://thomcraver.com/tags/piwik/) - [chuck schumer](https://thomcraver.com/tags/chuck-schumer/) - [facebook](https://thomcraver.com/tags/facebook/) - [ftc](https://thomcraver.com/tags/ftc/) - [privacy](https://thomcraver.com/tags/privacy/) - [security](https://thomcraver.com/tags/security-2/) - [Social Networking](https://thomcraver.com/tags/social-networking/) - [April fools](https://thomcraver.com/tags/april-fools-2/) - [cadie](https://thomcraver.com/tags/cadie/) - [funny](https://thomcraver.com/tags/funny/) - [google](https://thomcraver.com/tags/google-2/) - [Bandwidth Cap](https://thomcraver.com/tags/bandwidth-cap/) - [Time Warner](https://thomcraver.com/tags/time-warner/) - [bandwith cap](https://thomcraver.com/tags/bandwith-cap/) - [comcast](https://thomcraver.com/tags/comcast/) - [docsis 3.0](https://thomcraver.com/tags/docsis-30/) - [April Fools 2010](https://thomcraver.com/tags/april-fools-2010/) - [April fools 2010 List](https://thomcraver.com/tags/april-fools-2010-list/) - [gizmodo](https://thomcraver.com/tags/gizmodo/) - [ipad](https://thomcraver.com/tags/ipad/) - [iphone](https://thomcraver.com/tags/iphone/) - [iprobe](https://thomcraver.com/tags/iprobe/) - [patent infringement](https://thomcraver.com/tags/patent-infringement/) - [adobe](https://thomcraver.com/tags/adobe/) - [flash](https://thomcraver.com/tags/flash/) - [google apps](https://thomcraver.com/tags/google-apps/) - [mobile](https://thomcraver.com/tags/mobile/) - [adwords](https://thomcraver.com/tags/adwords/) - [marketing](https://thomcraver.com/tags/marketing/) - [search marketing](https://thomcraver.com/tags/search-marketing/) - [chrome](https://thomcraver.com/tags/chrome/) - [firefox](https://thomcraver.com/tags/firefox/) - [google options](https://thomcraver.com/tags/google-options/) - [plug-ins](https://thomcraver.com/tags/plug-ins/) - [web browsing](https://thomcraver.com/tags/web-browsing/) - [3G](https://thomcraver.com/tags/3g/) - [4G](https://thomcraver.com/tags/4g/) - [AT&T](https://thomcraver.com/tags/att/) - [mobile phones](https://thomcraver.com/tags/mobile-phones/) - [T-Mobile](https://thomcraver.com/tags/t-mobile/) - [Ads](https://thomcraver.com/tags/ads/) - [PPC](https://thomcraver.com/tags/ppc/)