Internet Consultants (ICs) have different strategies in running their companies, some are very hands-on, and like to implement programs on their own, while other ICs tend to outsource project management and implementation to production centers, authorized suppliers, and third party vendors. In his training workshop, Feras Alhlou emphasizes the need for consultants to determine what business model best fits them and stick to that model.
I believe in on-going education though, in whatever form that may take – in person training , remote learning, virtual marketing conferences, and below is a list of recommended resources and reading for ICs to keep their skills sharpened and continuously quality internet marketing service and drive business results to their end clients. Even if an Internet Consultant (IC) decides to outsource most of their implementations, a sound understanding of marketing strategies and tactics as well as emerging internet marketing trends is vital for the success of their business. Below is a list of sites, blogs and articles on topics such as pay-per-click (PPC), search engine optimization (SEO), web analytics (WA) and other related internet marketing programs.
- Keyword Tools
- Google Adwords Tool: https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal
- Google Suggest: http://www.google.com/webhp?complete=1&hl=en
- Yahoo Keyword Selector Tool: http://inventory.overture.com/d/searchinventory/suggestion
- WordTracker: http://www.wordtracker.com
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC)
- Google Adwords Learning Center http://www.google.com/adwords/learningcenter
- Adwords Optimization tips:
- Content Guidelines: https://adwords.google.com/select/guidelines.html
- Google Help Center: https://adwords.google.com/support/bin/topic.py?topic=29
- Google Adwords Blog: http://groups.google.com/group/SEM2 (need a google account to access)
- Google Inside Adwords Blog: http://adwords.blogspot.com/
- Google Adwords Landing Page and Site Quality Guidelines:
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Google Webmaster Guidelines: http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?answer=35769
- Google Webmaster Central: http://www.google.com/webmasters
- Bruce Clay: http://www.bruceclay.com
- SEO Book: http://www.seobook.com
- Search Engine Watch: http://www.searchenginewatch.com
- Matt Cutts, a Googler that blogs on SEO: http://www.mattcutts.com/blog
- Web Analytics (WA)
- Chapter 4 in Google Adwords learning center http://www.google.com/adwords/learningcenter
- Google Analytics www.google.com/analytics
- Eric Peterson’s website www.webanalyticsdemystified.com and Eric’s yahoo group
- Web Analytics Association www.waa.com
- Google Conversion University
- General Useful tools:
- Google Spreadsheet: http://spreadsheet.google.com
- Google Blog Reader: http://www.google.com/reader
If you have a tool that you think it is helpful to other Internet Consultants, feel free to email Feras and let him know about it. For more information and help on Internet Marketing programs such as Pay-Per-Click (PPC), Search Engine Optimization (SEO) or Web Analytics Services, feel free to contact us or drop us an email.
