Thursday, June 23, 2011

Social media directly influences search rankings

Google and Bing’s search results are now being adjusted on a per-person basis depending on the searcher’s social connections.

For example, if you follow RoofPal on Twitter and then search for 'QR Code Roofing', my article on this topic it would rank higher than it would if you didn’t follow me on Twitter. This is because Google’s algorithm assumes that because we are connected, my voice as a social connection should be more influential to your search than others.



That’s a big deal for three reasons:
1. Influencers who have large social networks no longer just spread word of mouth, they now causing search engine adjustments based on what they share.

2. “#1 ranking for a keyword” on Google is less meaningful now if the #1 is displaced by social sharing influence. My #1 result for a search term will be significantly different than yours because we are connected to different people on Twitter, Facebook, etc.

3. If you marketing a product or service there is now a direct incentive to build your network as large as possible among your prospective customers. By connecting with potential customers in as many social channels as possible, you are effectively doing free targeted advertising in organic search, with your results ranking higher than your competitors who aren't connected to them on social media.

I highly recommend connecting with your customers and prospective customers as soon as possible on all platforms. Put a form on your website to ask people for their Twitter ID or Facebook or LinkedIn name. Ask on each platform. Connect everywhere. Also, even though there is no direct evidence that the content around a socially shared link matters, it’s still not a bad idea to give it some context, both for followers and possible contextual association. Here’s an example of two tweets:

Check out my new article @RoofPal: http://roofpal.com/Documents/RoofPal%20QR%20Codes%20Roofing%20Industry.pdf

Check out my new article on QR Codes for roofing contractors @RoofPal: http://roofpal.com/Documents/RoofPal%20QR%20Codes%20Roofing%20Industry.pdf

This is going to have massive ripple effects throughout the social and search industries. Start making these changes effective immediately, and you’ll be ahead of the curve and your competitors.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

RoofPal's New RoofCAD Service

RoofPal blindly measured this roof at
97% accuracy (just using a satellite
image) vs. hand-measuring it.
RoofPal blindly measured this roof at
100% accuracy (just using a satellite
image) vs. hand-measuring it.

















RoofPal is very happy to launch our newest service... RoofCAD drawings! Because we don't have the overhead the "brand name" companies do we can offer the same quality to you at 1/2 to even 1/3 their price.

Each building is just $10. We ask that you purchase at least 5 at a time though. Please see http://roofpal.com/roofcad.aspx for more information.

Our first customer for this service was very satisfied. Our measurements of residential roofs came out within an average of 98% accuracy (+/- 0.67 square, or less than 1 bundle of shingles). We had no information other than the address, and could have been 100% accurate on all of them had he provided us with just one of the measurements for each roof (which we strongly encourage). We will continue to get closer and closer to 100% accuracy without even one measurement provided beforehand, but still he felt the time he would have saved in driving to and from, measuring the roof, and drawing up the sketch was well worth the $10.

If you have any questions or would like to order drawings, please first view our webpage and then feel free to contact us anytime.
RoofPal blindly measured this roof at
99% accuracy (just using a satellite
image) vs. hand-measuring it.
RoofPal blindly measured this roof at
97% accuracy (just using a satellite
image) vs. hand-measuring it.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Pictures of the Chase Field Roof Coating Project

RoofPal has developed a slideshow presentation of the re-coating of the Chase Field roof for KM Coatings.

The original PVC roof absorbed dirt, dust and exhaust from commercial airplane traffic over the past 12+ years, and powerwashing alone would only make it white again for a couple weeks so the City of Phoenix decided it was time for a coating before the 2011 MLB All-Star Game.