Vernon Chalmers SEO - Latest Blog Entries

Free Media / Press Release Submission Website South Africa

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:00:00 +0200

A free Media / Press Release opportunity for South African businesses to promote their business profiles (and brands) online (with syndicated publication to Facebook and Twitter).

Example: Submitted Media Release

Your South African brand / business will be allocated a free press release on Online Media Releases South Africa.

Categories to select from:

Accommodation
Car Rentals
Catering
Hospitality
Hotels / bed & breakfast / self catering
Music / events
Recruitment Agencies
Sports categories
Traveling
Tour Operators
Transport
Wedding Services
Non-profit organizations
Other

Advantages of a Media / Press Release Listing:
- Website is organically optimised / maintained for above categories
- Automatic syndication to Facebook and Twitter

Format
- Email text (for blog post)
- PDF Document (optional)

Terms / Conditions
- South African brands / business operations only
- You may request removal of a Release at any time

Contact Detail
Please Contact Me for more submission information

Top 10 Africa countries using Facebook

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:00:00 +0200

Top 10 countries in Africa using Facebook

No:	Country	Users
1	Egipt	10 669 020
2	South Africa	4 583 480
3	Morocco	4 297 920
4	Nigeria	4 133 900
5	Algeria	3 386 800
6	Tunisia	2 974 940
7	Kenya	1 317 460
8	Ghana	1 192 480
9	Congo	845 200
10	Senegal	667 820

Source : www.socialbakers.com

Online Resource / Top 10 countries in Africa using Facebook

Source : www.socialbakers.com

Applying Google's Insights for Search ideal for analysing top search terms and trends

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:09:00 +0200

Google Insights for Search is a dynamic analytical search tool for online business owners, webmasters and SEO practitioners for analysing a broad (or specific) range of historic and current search trends (published by the Google Search Engine).

Comparing and filtering [any] search terms / keywords over short (last 7 days) to very long (since 2004) is a simple, but effective process with results available by Search Items, Location and Time Ranges.

A variety of graphs and diagrams will provide for various drilled-downed web statistics / analytics and keyword patterns for business decision-making.

To demonstrate Google’s Insight for Search I prepared a comparison of a general country search terms using a worldwide Search filter with the return yield of the Top 10 [default] searches in the Google Web Search Index: (Click on the URL's for the Top 10 Search results for Worldwide / Individual country Top 10 search results).

Search Item	Filter	Last 7 / 30 Days (Top 10 Searches)
All	Worldwide	Worldwide Keyword / Search Trends
All	Australia	Australia Keyword / Search Trends
All	Canada	Canada Keyword / Search Trends
All	Germany	Germany Keyword / Search Trends
All	India	India Keyword / Search Trends
All	Japan	Japan Keyword / Search Trends
All	South Africa	South Africa Keyword / Search Trends
All	United Kingdom	United Kingdom Keyword / Search Trends
All	United States	Umited States Keyword / Search Trends

Source : Google Insights for Search

Google: Top 10 'Nelson Mandela' global search trends

Mon, 14 May 2012 21:15:00 +0200

Last 90 Days: Top 10 worldwide 'Nelson Mandela' Search Trends

Last 90 Days: Top 10 Rising Search Trends - 'Nelson Mandela'
Source : Google Insights for Search

Google: Top 10 Germany Keyword / Search Trends 2012

Mon, 14 May 2012 17:04:00 +0200

Last 7 Days: Top 10 Google Keyword / Search Trends - Germany

Last 30 Days: Top 10 Google Search Trends - Germany

Last 30 Days: Top 10 Rising Google Searches - Germany
Source : Google Insights for Search

Google: Top 10 Japan Keyword / Search Trends 2012

Mon, 14 May 2012 13:25:00 +0200

Last 7 Days: Top 10 Google Keyword / Search Trends - Japan

Last 30 Days: Top 10 Google Search Trends - Japan

Last 30 Days: Top 10 Rising Google Searches - Japan
Source : Google Insights for Search

2012 New Media Recruitment and Digital Staffing

Sun, 13 May 2012 10:00:00 +0200

As an independent Internet Marketing consultant Vernon Chalmers is well experienced to assist not only SME owners and managers with recruitment and selection of the most appropriate staff, but also to consult with it's future online / new media business models.

Recruitment and selection services for online / new media positions

Consulting on [strategic] corporate requirements
New media workforce planning / job analysis
Preparing / updating of job descriptions and job specifications
Designing relevant recruitment / media advertisements
Deploy advertisements on various online mediums
Hosting online recruitment pre-selection questionnaires

More information >>

Google: Top 10 Australia Keyword / Search Trends 2012

Sun, 13 May 2012 09:06:00 +0200

Last 7 Days: Top 10 Google Keyword / Search Trends - Australia

Last 30 Days: Top 10 Google Search Trends - Australia

Last 30 Days: Top 10 Rising Google Searches - Australia

Source : Google Insights for Search

Google: Top 10 Canada Keyword / Search Trends 2012

Sun, 13 May 2012 08:25:00 +0200

Last 7 Days: Top 10 Canada Keyword / Search Trends - Canada

Last 30 Days: Top 10 Google Search Trends - Canada

Last 30 Days: Top 10 Rising Google Searches - Canada

Source : Google Insights for Search

Google: Top 10 India Keyword / Search Trends 2012

Sun, 13 May 2012 08:18:00 +0200

Last 7 Days: Top 10 India Keyword / Search Trends - India

Last 30 Days: Top 10 Google Search Trends - India

Last 30 Days: Top 10 Rising Google Searches - India

Source : Google Insights for Search

Google: Top 10 Global Keyword / Search Trends 2012

Sun, 13 May 2012 00:00:00 +0200

Last 7 Days: Top 10 Google Search Trends - Global / Worldwide

Last 30 Days: Top 10 Google Search Trends - Global / Worldwide

Last 30 Days: Top 10 Google Rising Searches - Global / Worldwide

Source : Google Insights for Search

Google: Top 10 South Africa Search Trends 2012

Sun, 13 May 2012 00:00:00 +0200

Last 7 Days: Top 10 Google Search Trends - South Africa

Last 30 Days: Top 10 Google Search Trends - South Africa

Last 30 Days: Top 10 Rising Google Searches - South Africa

Source : Google Insights for Search

Google: Top 10 'Jobs' / 'Education' Search Trends South Africa 2012

Sat, 12 May 2012 16:36:00 +0200

Last 7 Days: Top 10 Google Search Trends - Jobs / Education

Last 30 Days: Top 10 Google Search Trends - Jobs / Education

Last 30 Days: Top 10 Google Rising Searches - Jobs / Education

Source : Google Insights for Search

Google: Top 10 United Kingdom UK Keyword / Search Trends 2012

Sat, 12 May 2012 09:45:00 +0200

Last 7 Days: Top 10 Google Search Trends - United Kingdom / UK

Last 30 Days: Top 10 Google Search Trends - United Kingdom / UK

Last 30 Days: Top 10 Rising Google Searches - United Kingdom / UK

Source : Google Insights for Search

Google: Top 10 United States Keyword / Search Trends 2012

Sat, 12 May 2012 09:30:00 +0200

Last 7 Days: Top 10 Google Search Trends - United States

Last 30 Days: Top 10 Google Search Trends - United States

Last 30 Days: Top 10 Rising Google Searches - United States

Source : Google Insights for Search

Extracts from my 2010 - 2012 Vodacom 3G Connectivity / Customer Care experiences

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:30:00 +0200

eMail to Vodacom CEO : Vodacom 3G again not working in Milnerton Cape Town
I do not even want to do the effort to contact Vodacom Business support, as last time they tried all sorts of suggestions re my hardware / software. But sir, you know as well as I do, that the problem is not my hardware or software. What is the point of contacting [any] technical support if all they are going to do is ‘open a ticket’ only to phone me a month later to ask if the problems are resolved? Check your records on this sir – you will find this assessment as 100% correct.
eMmail copy to Vodacom CEO re Vodacom 3G Connectivity problems - read more >>

Unacceptable Account Management service from Vodacom Business Suport
Why can I not get at least proper feedback / process from Vodacom when dealing with Vodacom Business account administration? On Wednesday 5 May 2012 I requested a change of debit order. This after I ensured that it could be done via email and be forwarded to 0821940@vodacom.co.za (and to get feedback within 24 working hours).
Vodacom Business customer support - read more >>

Another email to Vodacom CEO - Poor Vodacom 3G Connectivity Service
It is Friday morning 3 Feb 2012 in Milnerton and this is the message I get trying to connect (experiencing intermittent problems since 08:00) using any / all my Vodacom connectivity products in my Home/Office. I cannot connect via 3G or EDGE and find it most frustrating trying to carry out my business activities.
Vodacom Business 3G customer support - read more >>

Copy of follow-up email to Vodacom CEO re 3G connectivity Problems
Its probably about three weeks ago that I have logged the first of two support tickets on poor Vodacom 3G connectivity in the Milnerton area. Apart from the odd SMS and one email from Vodacom Executive Support (last week) have had zero other communication from Vodacom. This begs the question(s) again;‘what is Vodacom doing about this problem? and why am I not getting proper feedback / communication from anybody at Vodacom?
Vodacom Business 3G customer support - read more >>

Vodacom latest 3G connectivity problems / concerns
Your alternative to 3G is Edge or GPRS which is offered at snail's-pace is not suitable for continuous use. I read the 100’s of comments on twitter last evening and am astonished to learn of the bitter disappointment of many of your clients. I personally believe that Vodacom is a far better company than what I am reading and experiencing (ito technical support / communication / connectivity). I am (as all those tweeters) just as disappointed in the lack of service / connectivity / proper communication.
Vodacom Business 3G customer support - read more >>

Dissatisfies with Vodacom Business Support - Yet Again
Although I had a call from a Vodacom project manager yesterday in an attempt to resolve my latest 3G online account management / software problem, I am afraid to say that most other Vodacom support is not up to standard – as far as I am concerned it is an embarrassment the way Vodacom supports their business clients. Basic errors are made in regulatory requesting / management / communication of trouble-shooting processes and [possible] resolutions.
Vodacom Business 3G customer support - read more >>

Vodacom call centre staff: misinformed / under-trained or both?
I am still in search of my missing 600 MB data bundle that disappeared without a trace yesterday morning. Today, now into a new month and I see that Vodacom has not added my left-over extra purchased 600MB data bundle back into my account.
Vodacom Business 3G customer support - read more >>

Poor Vodacom 3G / Broadband Support - AGAIN - With many questions
With 1.82 GB of a 3 GB 3G Broadband package used rhis month I again received an immature SMS warning confirming that I have used 80% of my Data Bundle allocation (my calculation = 60%). This is the third month in a row that I am receiving these warning messages in error. And Vodacom is in no position to confirm or deny.
Vodacom Business 3G customer support - read more >>

10 Recommendation to Vodacom for improving 3G / Broadband Customer Support
After a couple of rather poor call centre service / support encounters from Vodacom Broadband Customer Care on some of my Broadband queries I made the following recommendation list in probably less than 5 minutes. These are the issues I believe Vodacom should address when assisting customers. Most of these recommendations are small things, but would nevertheless require implementation to improve current efficiency levels.
Vodacom Business 3G customer support - read more >>

Vodacom's latest 3G / Broadband pricing information VERY CONFUSING
Still not clear on the cost affect on my current package I phoned the dreaded Vodacom Broadband Customer Care department (following the prompts to the correct sub-department) - and low and behold the customer care representative clearly did not know - I asked him the difference between STANDARD and ADVANCED - he could not really explain the difference.
Vodacom Business customer support - read more >>

Positive response from Vodacom Customer Care - 'Data Bundle Carry-Over request'
Nearly two weeks after receiving rather poor service from the Vodacom Broadband Support desk I made another phone call on Friday afternoon requesting a correlation of my 3G data usage. Dreaded for a similar encounter I braced myself for the familiar dialog (and too familiar Toto Africa soundtrack testing my patience).
Vodacom Business customer support - read more >>

Vodacom Poor Service - Policy Interpretation
As a Vodacom business account holder I find it astonishing that I can phone the broadband customer call centre on a Saturday afternoon a week or so ago to purchase an additional data bundle on my account - with the actual data bundle added in less than 10 minutes. BUT trying to do exactly the same today – a week day – I am denied of this service and told to FAX my ID number and a formal business letterhead requesting permission to add another data bundle to my account.
Vodacom Business customer support - read more >>

Unprofessional Telephone Etiquette - Vodacom Customer Care
I just received a phone call from Vodacom's customer care department with the representative initiating dialog with only this - "How are you?" - no introduction, no reason or any informative hint that this is indeed Vodacom requiring service information to update my account. And on response on why this unprofessional, pathetic introduction - "It is the polite thing to do" Professional telephone etiquette. I don't think so...
Vodacom Business customer support - read more >>

Disclaimer
In-site search Vodacom

Copy of email to Vodacom CEO : Vodacom 3G again not working in Milnerton Cape Town

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:34:00 +0200

Good morning Sir,

Just to inform you, as I did in the past, that my Vodacom 3G Mobile Broadband connectivity is intermittently dysfunctional this morning. The time was 09:45 Friday morning 11 May 2012 when it started. Quite peculiar that it happens quite often, and I think the last time I brought this to your attention it was also a Friday morning – more / less same time and from exactly the same geographical position.

I do not even want to do the effort to contact Vodacom Business support, as last time they tried all sorts of suggestions re my hardware / software. But sir, you know as well as I do, that the problem is not my hardware or software. What is the point of contacting [any] technical support if all they are going to do is ‘open a ticket’ only to phone me a month later to ask if the problems are resolved? Check your records on this sir – you will find this assessment as 100% correct.

At 10:15 my internet connection behaving intermittently in terms of a few received email and a couple of webpages being available. The question, sir, why is it that these intermittent problems are still happening in what I believe [and you I suppose] to be a mature Vodacom 3G mobile broadband deployment? Or is this the type of connectivity we should expect from Vodacom now and into the future?

It is now 10:30 Friday morning and I have zero Vodacom 3G mobile broadband Internet connectivity and I am putting this message in my outbox to send whenever my Vodacom connectivity is restored. Hopefully it will be soon enough.

Regards,

Vernon Chalmers
In-site search Vodacom

Unacceptable Account Management service from Vodacom Business Support - Again

Mon, 07 May 2012 08:51:00 +0200

Why can I not get at least proper feedback / process from Vodacom when dealing with Vodacom Business account administration? On Wednesday 5 May 2012 I requested a change of debit order. This after I ensured that it could be done via email and be forwarded to 0821940@vodacom.co.za (and to get feedback within 24 working hours).

After an immediate automated response with a reference number I have heard absolutely nothing until I had to make the dreaded enquiry call on Monday 7 May 2012. Just to be told it has not been processed yet. And now, today, after this dreaded wasted time intervention, I suddenly received an SMS that a service request has been logged.

Vodacom, this is nothing but a shocking example of professional Business Support - and it is not the first time. Why should the customer have to manage your service processes? If I did not make an enquiry nothing would have been done. This is far from good enough. This is [again] sub-standard service from a tier 1 South African telecoms provider.
Copy forwarded to Vodacom CEO
In-site search Vodacom

2011 Top 10 most engaging brands in South Africa

Wed, 02 May 2012 07:00:00 +0200

The 2011 Top 10 most engaging brands according to the Yellowwood Engager SA survey:

Pos	Brand
1.	Pick 'n Pay
2.	Coca-Cola
3.	Clover
4.	KFC
5.	Shoprite
6.	Woolworths
7.	Cadbury
8.	Handy Andy
9.	Nokia
10.	Standard Bank
Source : Yellowwood Egager SA Survey

Visit the Yellowwood Engager SA Survey PDF to view content / context of these top brands and what makes them so successful and appealing to South African customers.

Extract from the Yellowwood Engager SA Survey

Top 10 most engaging brands in South Africa

Copyright / Source : Yellowwood Egager SA Survey

The most frequent learning requests before Internet Marketing / SEO / Social Media training

Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 +0200

December 2011 marked the fourth year of my continuous research, development and facilitation of a sustainable / organic Internet Marketing / SEO / Social Media training model for SME's in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Except for the dominant "How do I get to the top of a Google search?" question, herewith a the list of the most frequent learning areas requested by my various academic and business clients:

Introduction to Internet Marketing and Search Engine Optimisation
Understand and deploy relevant search engine technologies
Improve organic SEO rankings and to enhance Online Visibility
Link building and Search Marketing (online research)
Understand and apply Social Media strategies and applications
Long term planning / campaign and project assistance
Analysing and evaluating blog or website content
Analytics and visitation measurement

There is currently a strong correlation between client learning requirements and the original model I developed during 2008. The model was developed from my own requirements (as presented above), to consult / train and to be able to rank as high as possible in my required targeted search areas.

The last two years provided me with an opportunity to frequently serve both Cape Town and Johannesburg.academic and corporate clients.. My three year journey took me to many lecture theaters, boardrooms and back offices (big and small). The underlining objectives in most cases always the same - to assist students, individuals and / or their organiations with a hands-on understanding to deploy the most effective / efficient online strategies, techniques and technologies. A great place to be...