Search engines are changing. You may have noticed that any time you search for something in your area, you get more than the usual list of results, you get a map with some links next to it.

In Google, the map is called the “One Box” and the links next to it are called the “10-Pack” and clearly, the links are different there than in the regular “organic” listings below. If traditional SEO (content and inbound links) helps you in the organic, what helps you in the One Box and 10-pack? Evidence suggests that creating/claiming your local listings is a good start. Read More -›

My sister is coming to visit this weekend – it will be her 2nd-only big trip to “chi” in the 5 years that I’ve been a resident!  Naturally I’m stoked and can’t wait to figure out plans.  Problem is I’ve been as busy as a beaver with work and haven’t made it a priority until now to figure out what we will be doing.  After talking to Jen Lynn’s hubby Dave, it was indisputable that the focus will be meaty food: ribs, bbq, deep dish pizza, and a good ol’ fashioned Chicago hot dog with that silly green relish.  Yes, you can be sure I’ll be toting my TUMS and praying for heartburn relief because its going to be one crazy ride on the meat train. lol Read More -›

By Andy Crestodina

I spend a lot of time talking about websites.  I’m always talking to clients, potential clients, job seekers, industry pros and my fellow Orbiteers and I’ve noticed a few things about how people talk about websites: people use a lot of fancy words.  Naturally, the web has brought about a lot of new things that needed new words.  But somehow it also led to more technical words for some simple ideas. Read More -›