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  • Writer's picturePGW

Your success hinges on your offer

The success you achieve with Facebook advertising

is greatly dependent on whether you have the right

offers that create a desire to buy within your chosen audience. People aren’t looking for just anything;

they want offers that solve a problem in their life. If

you can create offers that show how your product or

service will solve some problem, you have gone most

of the way towards closing the deal.


You can download the full guide below - If you would like to know more or would like us to do it all for you then please get in touch - mmo@theygroup.co.uk





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  • Writer's picturePGW

Updated: Jul 30, 2020

6 Commonly Asked SEO Questions




Search engine optimisation (SEO) is one of the most talked about topics by people who run websites. That’s no surprise, seeing as it is so important in helping your website rank well in search engine results. If SEO is something on your mind right now, then here are some of the most common questions we get asked about it – and the answers.

1. What’s the easiest thing to do to improve my ranking?

Some aspects of SEO can be technically challenging while others are time-consuming. If you are looking for something that’s quite simple to do but which can have a significant impact on how well your site ranks, then it is probably signing up with Google My Business. Google My Business is, essentially, a free business listing with Google. The information you provide to Google when you register will help your site perform better in relevant searches and enable users to find out more about the products and services you offer. It also helps people local to your business find you, even if you only trade online.

2. What are sitemaps and should I create one?

There are two kinds of sitemap. HTML sitemaps you create yourself for the benefit of your customers. They are web pages designed for navigation purposes and contain a list of links to your posts and pages.

The others are XML sitemaps which are often generated automatically by your website software or by the use of a plugin. These contain a list of links to your entire website: categories, posts, pages, products, images and other media. Their purpose is to help search engines discover everything on your site so that it can be indexed. Unless it is indexed by the search engine, it won’t turn up in search results and so cannot be found by users.

Ideally, you should create a Google Search Console account for your website and submit your sitemap.xml file to it. This way, you can direct Google to search all your site and find all of your content.

3. My business information rarely changes, do I still need to add new content to my website?

Many small businesses rarely need to update the information on their website because the services they offer don’t change. In contrast, search engines prefer to offer their users information that is fresh as they consider it to be more relevant. You wouldn’t be happy doing a ‘what’s on in my area?’ search if you were supplied with details of events which had already happened. For this reason, search engines take the dates that pages were published and updated into account when ranking them. If you have old content, you should update it occasionally, even if it’s only minimal or cosmetic. Even better, create a blog for your website so that new and genuinely fresh content is regularly being added.

4. How important are keywords and where do I use them?

Keywords still remain an important element of SEO though search engine algorithms have become so sophisticated they can accurately understand the topic and relevancy of your content without having to rely solely on them.

The keywords you do use should include the names of any products you sell, the services you offer and if you are a local business, the locations in which you operate. Terms like ‘decorator Leeds’, ‘dog walking Bristol’, ‘furniture restorer’, etc., are typical of the keywords that a business might choose to focus on.

Ideally, each page should have a different keyword focus and the keywords should be used in the page title, headings and subheadings, main text, image alt-text and meta descriptions. However, do not saturate your content with the same keywords as this can have a negative impact on SEO. Overall, look to have a maximum keyword density of around 1% to 2%.

5. How important are backlinks and what’s the best way to get them?

Backlinks from high ranking, reputable websites can have a massive impact on your SEO as they are seen as improving your website’s domain authority. If you write an article on something and a university or the BBC links to it, it is a sign that what you have written is of high quality and this makes it appealing to search engines. Similarly, if one of your products is so good that it gets linked to by a major newspaper, the same can happen. The only way to get these types of backlinks is to earn them – either through the quality of your content or the work of your business.

Do be careful, however; if you deliberately try to get lots of backlinks to trick search engines into thinking you are a high-quality site, e.g. by link farming, link swapping or paying for other sites to link to you, you will be penalised and your site may be removed from search engine results completely.

6. What are SSL certificates and do they help with SEO?

An SSL certificate is used to encrypt information sent by your customers to your website. Doing this prevents hackers from stealing credit card numbers, etc., when customers pay for goods. When you have an SSL certificate, search engines label your site as secure on web browsers. This form of commendation is useful as it increases the likelihood that customers will buy from you.

From an SEO perspective, SSL certificates can be very beneficial. Search engines want to protect their users and would much rather provide them with a list of secure websites than those considered not secure. A site with an SSL certificate, therefore, is far more likely to rank better than a site without one.

Conclusion

While these may not have been the questions you expected to see, they are some of the most frequently asked. Hopefully, they may have addressed some of the SEO issues you have been considering.

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Updated: Sep 23, 2019

10 Best Free Video Editing Software to Use in 2019



Images might be worth a thousand words, but sometimes you just need to create a video to truly get your message across. No matter if it is a beautiful project for your photography website or the latest product release on your eCommerce website, you should be able to bring any creative idea to life.

The most common fear or challenge when it comes to video creation is the editing process, as many see it as a daunting task beyond their technical skills or budget. Unbeknownst to most, however, there is a wide selection of great free video editing software programs available for all types of projects and technical skills levels. To ensure you find the one that better fits your specific needs and skills, we have put together a handpicked selection of the most amazing video editors you can use for free.

Here are the best free video editing software you can use in 2019:

1. Lightworks

2. Shotcut

3. iMovie

4. HitFilm Express

5. VSDC Free Video Editor

6. DaVinci Resolve

7. VideoPad

8. Openshot

9. Blender

10. Avidemux

11. Bonus: Wix Video Maker

Best for: Visually outstanding films.

What do Shutter Island, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Pulp Fiction have in common? Lightworks was used in the production of all of them. It is one of the most powerful video editors available in the industry, and you can have a slimmed-down version of the professional suite at no cost. Among others, the free version includes auto-save, multicam editing, project sharing, video capture, high-precision trimming, color correction, and real-time effects. The most noticeable limitation is that you’ll only be able to export MPEG-4 720p files.

The + : Extensive tutorial library, advanced features, auto-save function

The - : Challenging to master, restricted output format, requires a fast computer

Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux

Paid version: Lightworks Pro for $24.99/mo, $174.99 per year, or $437.99 for life

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Best for: 4K video projects.

Its quirky interface might throw you off at first, but remember that you should never judge a book by its cover. Shotcut is a powerful open source video editor that offers pretty much any feature hobbyists will ever need, including color correction, transitions, video capture, waveform, histogram, 4K resolution support, and timeline editing. Furthermore, you’ll be able to use multiple dockable panels to customize the interface to match your needs.

The + : 4K resolutions support, flexible interface, wide selection of filters and effects

The - : Steep learning curve, limited tools, quirky interface

Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux

Paid version: No

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03. iMovie

Best for: Mac users.

If you’re a Mac user getting familiar with video shooting basics, look no further - the best free video editing software for you has been in your computer all along. iMovie offers a large selection of essential features wrapped up in a drag-and-drop based intuitive interface. The most popular tools offered in the program include trimming, audio editing, split screen, and ready-made transitions.

If your passion for Apple extends to mobile devices, you’ll be happy to read that you can start your projects from your iPhone or iPad and then finish on your Mac.

The + : User friendly, supports 4K, wide range of sharing options

The - : Lacking popular tools, limited output selections, only for Mac users

Platforms: Mac

Paid version: No

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Best for: Experienced video creators.

The wide array of features offered by HitFilm Express make it a great choice for video creators of all levels. Higher level tools such as keying for green screen effects, 3D video, compositing tools, and 4K support make it an attractive platform for emerging filmmakers. Meanwhile, the intuitive interface, basic tools, and numerous tutorials are appealing to beginners. Other popular features include lens distortion correction, advanced cutting and trimming, layers and masking, and 360 degree video editing.

The + : Playback options, flexible export tools, 3D compositing

The - : Fast computer required, paid features, slow export performance

Platforms: Windows and Mac

Paid version: HitFilm Pro for $299

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Best for: Adding effects and text.

VSDC is the best Windows-native free video editing software. While its interface might put off beginners at first, the program is actually really easy to use. In fact, it even includes a wizard you can run to make things easier. VSDC is the preferred editor when it comes to creating presentations, as its strengths lay in the ability to add text, lines, charts, filters, and special effects.

The + : 4K support, audio and video filters, intuitive interface

The - : Complex interface, limited features, only for Windows

Platforms: Windows

Paid version: VSDC Pro for $19.99

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Best for: Professional color correction.

Many consider DaVinci Resolve to be the most advanced free editing software available in the market. This is primarily due to its mighty color correction and audio capabilities, which are often used on big-budget TV productions and films. On top of these two professional-level features, DaVinci Resolve offers advanced tools such as multicam editing, motion graphics, video effects, and facial recognition.

The + : Powerful color correction tools, professional audio post production, collaborative working

The - : Paid tutorials, fast computer needed, learning curve

Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux

Paid version: DaVinci Resolve Studio for $299

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Best for: Social media video creation.

In recent years, social media networks have become an absolute must for professionals of all areas - from photographers and illustrators to models and entrepreneurs. As a result, the need for simple and intuitive free video editing software is at an all-time high. This is the main focus of VideoPad, which supports effects, transitions, text overlay, video stabilization, narration, and more - all within a drag-and-drop interface. Furthermore, the program makes it incredibly easy to export your videos to YouTube, Facebook, Google Drive, and mobile devices.

The + : Intuitive interface, supports a wide range of video formats, direct export to social networks

The - : Lacks advanced features, only for non-commercial use, paid add-ons

Platforms: Windows and Mac

Paid version: VideoPad lifetime license for $60 or $99, or monthly subscription for $5.50/mo

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Best for: Beginners.

Many see Openshot as an open source, cross-platform version of iMovie due to its drag-and-drop interface. However, this free video editing software actually offers a wider range of tools than its Apple-native comparison. Openshot includes both basic and advanced features, such as clip resizing, trimming, scaling, image overlays, title templates, subtitles, key frame animation, and video transitions. The easy-to-use interface allows beginners to get the hang of the program quickly and use it to develop their video creation knowledge as they move towards more advanced tools.

The + : Easy-to-use interface, user forum, drag-and-drop capabilities

The - : Occasional lag, limited tools, not many tutorials

Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux

Paid version: No

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Best for: Advanced projects.

Initially developed as an advanced 3D animation suite, Blender has gained a spot in the computers of video creators all over the globe. While this open source video editing software offers a great mix of basic and advanced tools, its wide array of features makes it harder for inexperienced creators to learn their way around the program. Among others, Blender includes the following features: live preview, VFX, modeling, audio mixing and synching, animation, 2D and 3D drawing, speed control, and 32 medis slots.

The + : Extensive list of features, 3D animation, VFX

The - : Steep learning curve, few support resources, most tutorials focus solely on animation

Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux

Paid version: No

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Best for: Quick edits.

If you’re looking for a free video editing software for quick basic tasks, Avidemux might just be the perfect match. This open source platform boosts an easy to use interface that allows beginners to feel comfortable and start working rapidly. The most popular features in the editor include cutting, trimming, encoding, and filtering. Furthermore, you’ll be able to change file extensions and output any major video formats.

Due to its simplicity, Avidemux takes a significantly smaller space than other programs making it a great choice for slower computers. On the downside, users report that the video editor is prone to crashing and you should be saving your project every so often.

The + : User friendly, automated tasks, custom scripting capabilities

The - : Limited features, hard to use intricate features, prone to crashing

Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux

Paid version: No

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11. Bonus: Wix Video Maker

Best for: Basic video editing.

With Wix Video Maker you’ll be able to create beautiful clips to share on your social media accounts within a few minutes. This free video editor allows you to add up to 15 pictures or videos on a professionally designed template, and customize its text, design, and music.

All you need to do to access this tool is open your Wix website’s editor, select ‘Marketing Tools’ on the left panel, and then click ‘Video Maker.’ Afterwards, simply select the template you want to work with and start adding in your content and choosing your design elements.

The + : Ready-made templates, easy to use, extensive sharing options

The - : Only for Wix users - but then again, why would you not be one?

Platforms: Web

Paid version: No

📷📷


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