The Google Checklist: Marketing Edition 2016: SEO, Web Design, Paid Advertising, Social Media, PR.

I'm already up to speed with some SEO. I'd read a few different websites with various current SEO info, hints&tips in the last year, so I'm writing this review as someone with above average SEO knowledge.The main reason I bought this book was the kindle option of being there always, with auto bookmarks, as well as the in depth look on SEO. I want to make clear the following... If your website isn't appearing on Google, or only on page 9, this guide will definitely help if followed. This guide will not enable your website beat Amazon for "online shopping". That said "pink fluffy teddy online shopping"... You might just hit the jackpot!! This is also no lazy persons answer. It is also white hat only. In fact, black hat is only mentioned twice, once to say "don't do it" and secondly to say Google will punish your rank big time if you're caught - long term!This book is not for someone who can create websites and knows nothing about SEO, hoping to learn it in ten minutes. The truth is, there exists no such book, or website anywhere, there's simply too much to learn. You can do a quick search online and find some useful hints easily that will help some, but for those wanting to do better, like anything, you need to learn a bit first, and put in some effort.This book is clearly aimed at a complete SEO beginner, but who's familiar with basic web design, and the basic workings and terminology of the computer and internet. This book is not for someone who doesn't know how to edit a website.As I began reading this book, I found the intro to be very long. It may be interesting to those who have no idea what the benefits of seo are, but then, why would anyone buy this book if they didn't know that appearing top of Google will help their viewers, enquiries and sales. The first 74 pages were dedicated to this, possibly to prevent previewing the ebook giving away the most useful things to do.This book needs you to get interactive to get the best results... What do I mean by this? This book does not just give you the easy answers to become #1 in Google. That is not a fault though, there isn't an easy way, the book does tell you what you need to do though, which involves you going online and researching your target audience. What is your competition online, what techniques are they using, what are you missing, what changes can you make to your website, some vital long term things need changing no doubt, smaller regular updates, off site work, like social media, other websites, even posters in your window can help.This book goes into great detail explaining the how's, but more importantly the why's. Knowing the why's will help anyone apply the techniques to their own website more effectively, the book uses fictional case studies to assist getting the point across from totally different business models to emphasise what needs doing. The book makes clear this is a ongoing process. SEO never finishes. One obvious point, as search engines get better at what they do, the way they rank websites change a bit over time, you'll need to review what you do every year or so to keep on top. Thankfully most of the main techniques remain the same. I found the information to be relevant, very up to date, ever now, half way through 2016. The SEO was totally inline with what I knew works. I also learned many things that seo websites keep secret, or online videos don't have time to mention. The book doesn't push any service. It recommends a few free tools and links to help in several ways, and very occasionally hints towards its own seo business, but this is a book written by the seo company after all, but it's really not bad, that would annoy me too.If you already have a website, big or small, then you've got work to do. If you don't, but are ready for one, I strongly suggest reading this book right after You learn how to make a website. This book explains right down to domains, servers and software that will all help improve (or drag down) your rank. It's important to remember, while the focus is Google, for obvious reasons, the techniques work across the board, and if you improve Google, others will to 99% of the time. Aside from reading the book, I'd guess there's a minimum of 24 hours work for the tiny website and related, and at good hour a month on top after that minimum. The bigger site this will double and double.So to summarise, you require some prior knowledge on computing and web design, but SEO is covered from knowing nothing. The book is brilliant, very helpful, current and in depth, but it's no easy fix to be number 1, it's going to take some reading, performing a few exercises and research (vital to improve even more) and all this will take time. Well worth the few quid it cost. My only criticism is the very long intro, but it's easy to skip!I hope you found this review useful, thumbs up if you did. Thanks :)

This is a great little guide to all things SEO. You don't need technical knowledge to understand it as the writers describe each term or process pretty clearly; an appreciation of the value of online / content marketing will get you going. If you're a small business owner, new to SEO, or want a decent intro to the main aspects of creating a Google-friendly online presence, then you'll probably get something useful from this book.The authors split the book into 'Onsite' and Offsite' SEO which is helpful in categorising your approach to making your site rank as best it can and in understanding the effort required to do so. I learned a handful of tricks that show how best to analyse competitors' approaches which will be really useful.It isn't an exhaustive guide and the term 'PR' is a little skimmed over, but it does provide the basics and, despite the typos and grammaticals (the authors do apologise for this to be fair), it's easy to read and understand and is clearly written by people who know what they're talking about. It's produced by a digital agency, so there's a vested interest there and they do mention their offers throughout; however, it doesn't detract from the content which is succinct and informative. There's also a genuine interest in the topic that comes across, which, in my opinion makes it an enjoyable read. I read it in an afternoon and populated it with my own notes throughout - I know I'll refer to it often.The writers offer a free Adword review for live campaigns plus free ad credit (presumably with some conditions) which for SMEs is a nice offer - I'll probably take them up on it.I'd like to have been offered a no obligation 'subscribe for updates' link at the end of the book in addition to all their other offers (just to keep up with the pace of change in SEO), which would have shown they practice what they preach, but it's a very minor niggle. Great book.

I bought the Google Checklist as a result of the high ranking on the Amazon reviews and how high it came up on the Amazon search results.Having completed the book, I am happy to recommend it to anyone who is looking to improve their knowledge in digital marketing.The book is written in a very easy to understand tone with minimal jargon, therefore would be an ideal introduction for someone new to the topic. Having said that, as someone with a fair amount of experience in digital marketing, I was surprised that there were quite a few pearls in here - "why didn't I think of that" moment's. I won't give these all away but local directory submission is a really simple example, which I have found to be successful.As the title suggests, this book is targeted towards SEO and PPC. This is clearly the area of expertise of the author. Although Social Media is listed, be aware that this is really covered as an overview and is fine as an introduction but does not go into great depth. If you are looking for an in depth social media guide, this is probably not the book for you.I found the passage about how Amen left his comfortable job to pursue his dream company very interesting and would have liked this section to be longer. I'm sure he would have some very relevant business advice but perhaps that's for another book.Overall a very good read and considering the price, well worth the small price.

I'm about to join a new company where a key part of my everyday working life will be to create new, through networking and marketing. Now networking, I'm very familiar with, but utilising online marketing successfully, and driving business to our website, not so much. So I picked up a copy of The Google Checklist to get myself a head start and more 'in the know'. What I really like about the book is the way it has been written; it's basic, it's easy to understand and although it uses online marketing terminology, I didn't feel overwhelmed and like I lacked understanding. I already had a basically outline of what I wanted to do, but I feel that The Google Checklist has confirmed my thought process and expanded on it, making it more likely to be a success.Time will tell for certain, but I feel confident that I will be able to implement the advice given into my new role.

The book is okay, but there is an underlying pitch to use the authors service.

I wish this was the first book I'd read on SEO.The step by step approach used is the most practical guide I've read. It has given me the right amount of information to know what to do to get started, without confusing me.This book is great for small business owners who are setting out on a SEO journey, even if the plan is to work with an agency down the line.I can see myself going back to more in depth books, but this the framework that has gotten me started.

Buying this book has really started to help me out. I've recently began my online e commerce journey and I really didn't know where to start. Theres no "buzz words" or difficult jargon that you won't understand. If you're looking for a very well written book that's really going to help with your online business I would definitely give it a go. I've even got in touch with the guys at HeartCMS and they are helping me with the design of my website, they're really good at what they do and i'm looking forward to working with them and using this book to help me in the future.

Poorly written, full of mistakes and is pretty much just advertorial for their own small company Heartcms which makes basic, mobile enabled websites using wordpress templates. The author also mentions in every chapter of the book that readers get exclusive access to many free marketing tools. Most of these tools are not available on their website as promised. They are just trying to lure people to Heartcms's website in hope of generating a few sales. Other marketing tools they recommend like Buzzsumo cost from £99 per month. All Buzzsumo does is generate free, already publicly available google, facebook and twitter keyword searches. In the book the author talks about the need for honesty in sales and marketing, they should practice what they preach. This is not a book full of original and cost effective marketing tools, its an add for a small, inexperienced marketing company that is using Google's name to sell books and generate sales.

The topic is interesting, but as the authors state at the beginning of the book, the text has not been revised (perhaps produced by voice dictation?!) and sometimes it is not easy to understand. I wonder why distributing such low quality product.

Best content out there, not only for web but also for social media. Great book for web designers and online marketers. Definitely changed my exposure level online!

Es un libro que va al meollo de la cuestión rapidamente, no se anda por las ramas. Muy fácil de entender, didáctico y con implementación sencilla.

Now, I expected a very different book and this is partly down to me not properly checking the product description.What I was hoping for, was a book written by the actual Google team and addressed to marketers, as a best practice guide - this book however, was written by a Nottingham-based web design company and as such does lacks the insight I was hoping for.The book covers the basics (!) of SEO etc. (no mention of canonicals though?). If you already have experience in this topic, you might be better off looking for a different book, with more detailed advice.If you're new to the topic you might want to give it a go, as 10 Euro seems to be a fair price for this read.

Nice advices for those not too deep in the digital marketing already. A nice reminder for the rest. :)