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SEO

Are Core Web Vitals A Ranking Factor? via @sejournal, @kristileilani

Core Web Vitals measure page experience signals to ensure an engaging user experience for search users.But can Core Web Vitals affect your organic search rankings?
Read on to learn whether there is any connection between Core Web Vitals and improved Google rankings.
The Claim: Core Web Vitals Are A Ranking Factor
What are Core Web Vitals?
According to web.dev:
Core Web Vitals are the subset of Web Vitals that apply to all web pages, should be measured by all site owners, and will be surfaced across all Google tools.
Each of the Core Web Vitals represents a distinct facet of the user experience, is measurable in the field, and reflects the real-world experience of a critical user-centric outcome.
The three Core Web Vital metrics are as follows.

In March 2024, Interaction to Next Paint (INP) will replace FID as a Core Web Vitals metric.
INP is a metric that assesses a page’s overall responsiveness to user interactions by observing the latency of all click, tap, and keyboard interactions that occur throughout the lifespan of a user’s visit to a page. The final INP value is the longest interaction observed, ignoring outliers.
The key differences between FID and INP include the following:
FID measures the time from when a user first interacts with a page (clicks, taps, etc.) to when the browser can respond to event handlers for that interaction, focusing only on the first input during page load.
It is intended to quantify the user’s first impression of a site’s interactivity and responsiveness.
INP, on the other hand, quantifies the time from all user interactions (clicks, taps, and key presses) to when the next frame is painted with visual feedback, considering all interactions throughout a page’s lifecycle, not just the first input during load.
It’s intended to assess a page’s overall responsiveness to input.
An INP of 200 milliseconds or lower indicates good responsiveness. Anything above this needs improvement.
The Evidence For Core Web Vitals As A Ranking Factor
In 2020, Google Search Central pre-announced ranking signals for the upcoming page experience metrics (Core Web Vitals).
The corresponding blog post stated the following:
Earlier this month, the Chrome team announced Core Web Vitals, a set of metrics related to speed, responsiveness and visual stability, to help site owners measure user experience on the web.
Today, we’re building on this work and providing an early look at an upcoming Search ranking change that incorporates these page experience metrics.
We will introduce a new signal that combines Core Web Vitals with our existing signals for page experience to provide a holistic picture of the quality of a user’s experience on a web page.
In 2021, Google hosted a half-hour “Ask me anything” session on Web Vitals. During the AMA, someone asked if page experience is a binary ranking factor.
Philip Walton, a Google engineer working on web performance, answered that Web Vitals were mostly not a binary ranking factor.
During the AMA, John Mueller, Google Search Advocate, confirmed that while CWV affects rankings, relevance also plays a strong role. If website A is faster than website B, but B is more relevant to the search user’s query, website B would still outrank A.
Mueller also noted that websites moving from “needs improvement” to “good” may see ranking improvements. But websites that are already good and improve speed by a millisecond or two may not see ranking changes.
In 2021, Google updated the original blog announcement for CWV. It confirmed that the page experience rollout would be completed in August 2021.
The following year, in September 2022, Mueller mentioned the page experience ranking factor in a comment on Reddit about accurate speed testing tools.
“If you pop over to web.dev, you’ll see that Google has a bunch of metrics, more than just a single number score.
Some of these are grouped together as “core web vitals”, and have ways that you can determine them in the field (using “real user metrics” [RUM] – what they actually saw) as well as “lab tests” (so you can test things on your side). Google uses the real user metrics / field data for core web vitals for search in the page experience ranking factor.
My recommendation is to use the core web vitals field data (it’s also called Chrome User-Experience Report data / CRUX, there are various ways to access it) as a way of getting a baseline for important pages within your site (pages will vary!).
Then use the lab tests for core web vitals to try to reproduce that, and then work with your developers to fix the issues. The lab tests let you try things out quickly, and see if there’s an effect. The field data takes about a month to update.”
Fast forward to April 2023, when Google “simplified” its guidance around page experience signals in search rankings.
While Google still recommends maintaining strong CWV for a good user experience and still uses these metrics as ranking signals, improving one or more metrics does not guarantee better rankings.
Page experience continues to be a ranking factor but is evaluated holistically by Google’s core ranking systems rather than as a single “page experience signal.”
Mueller also updated Google Search Central audiences on YouTube in July 2023 about INP coming to CWV in 2024.
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Core Web Vitals Are A Confirmed Ranking Factor

Google has confirmed that Core Web Vitals affect rankings in search results.
However, they are not a ranking “system” on their own, rather they contribute to page experience evaluations.
They can have an effect within the helpful content ranking system and go toward page experience signals.
Google’s web.dev documentation offers advice on improving your LCP, FID, CLS, and upcoming INP to improve your users’ experience and rankings.

Featured Image: Paulo Bobita/SearchEngineJournal

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October 2, 2023 No Comments
SEO

Is Deep Link Ratio A Ranking Factor? via @sejournal, @kristileilani

Building a diverse portfolio of links is part of a successful link building strategy.But can the ratio of homepage links you acquire vs. links to other pages impact rankings?
To start off, you should know that this idea is so obsolete that Google uses the words “deep link” to describe something completely different from the myth we’re discussing. It doesn’t consider this idea worth addressing or defining.
This article does not refer to deep links for mobile app users that send them to a specific page within your app. That’s the only mention you’ll see from Google as of 2023.
That should give you a clue as to the conclusion.
The Claim: Deep Link Ratio Is A Ranking Factor
To determine if deep link ratio is a ranking factor, we must first define deep links.
For the context of this article, deep links are inbound links that point to pages on your website that aren’t your homepage.
Links that take website visitors deep within your website, as opposed to the entry page.
Although Google Ads offers a deep link impact calculator, its intended use is to identify missed opportunities to convert app users with deep links.
The calculator does not determine the deep link ratio in this article.
Regarding ranking factors, the deep link ratio measures the total number of inbound links to every page on your website vs. the total number of inbound links to only your homepage.
Calculating Deep Link Ratio
Let’s say you have 1,584 inbound links to your website. Of those links, 698 are to your homepage.
The remaining 886 are to specific pages on your website.
To calculate your deep link ratio, divide your number of deep links by the total number of inbound links.
886 / 1,584 = 55.9% deep link ratio
The claim is that this percentage would suggest a more natural link profile than a site with 90% of its links to its homepage.
The Evidence For Deep Link Ratio As A Ranking Factor
The Advanced SEO documentation in Google Search Central has a page on link building tactics to avoid.
You won’t find a mention of deep links here, however.
Here’s what Google has suggested:
“The best way to get other sites to create high-quality, relevant links to yours is to create unique content that can naturally gain popularity in the Internet community.
Creating good content pays off: Links are usually editorial votes given by choice, and the more helpful you have, the greater the chances someone else will find that content valuable to their readers and link to it.”
This approach could lead to deep links but doesn’t mention deep links or a ratio.
In 2004, you’ll find one of the first mentions of a deep link ratio from a link building agency. It includes an example of calculating your deep link ratio but no evidence of it being a ranking factor.
In 2006, SEOBook.com published a question about deep link ratio. Similar to the article in 2004, it offers a calculation method to determine your percentage of deep links but no further evidence that it affects your rankings.
A 2006 study on the Link-Based Characterization and Detection of Web Spam correlated many homepage links with “spammier” websites.
It’s essential to build a diverse link portfolio for your website, which includes a mix of homepages and deep links.
But there is no magic ratio of deep links to homepage links.
Deep Link Ratio Is Definitely Not A Ranking Factor

Let’s be clear: “deep link ratio” is obsolete terminology, and it’s a mindset you should avoid in SEO. Magic numbers and ratios don’t win rankings.
While links are a confirmed ranking factor, a deep link ratio is not a Google ranking factor.
One thing we know for sure, thanks to Google’s John Mueller, is the total number of inbound links doesn’t matter.
The only thing to consider about deep links to pages on your website is user experience.
If a link to a page other than the homepage would help the user get what they need in the least amount of clicks possible, it’s worth it.

Featured Image: Paulo Bobita/Search Engine Journal

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October 2, 2023 No Comments
SEO

Domain History: Is It A Google Ranking Factor? via @sejournal, @MattGSouthern

Unless you’re lucky enough to register a domain name no one has thought of before, chances are a domain registered today will have a history attached.Is there any reason for the new domain owner to be concerned with what the previous owner(s) did with it?
Yes – a domain’s history matters, even after ownership changes hands and it gets repurposed into a new site.
The truth is domain history matters more than site owners may think. Unfortunately, some don’t learn that until it’s too late.
Read on to learn more about the claims regarding domain history as a ranking factor. Then, we’ll look at the supporting evidence from Google.
The Claim: Domain History Is A Ranking Factor
Domains can potentially have many different and varying uses throughout their lifetime.
A domain name used by a legitimate business today may have previously been used by a payday loan website, a piracy site, or any other type of website that Google frowns upon.
Despite the website itself being new, domain history is said to be a factor for Google’s search results in the present day.
That means a new website could be held back in Google searches before it even has a chance to rank.
Is this a genuine concern? Or is it all theoretical?
Here’s what the evidence says.
The Evidence: Domain History As A Ranking Factor
On several occasions, Google has addressed the topic of domain history and its impact on rankings.
It’s consistently stated that how a domain was used in the past can be a factor in how Google treats it today.
The impact can range from moderate to severe. The most severe issue a site owner could run into is acquiring a domain with a history of unresolved manual actions.
Google’s manual actions don’t go away on their own, even after the previous owner sells the domain or lets the registration lapse.
If the penalties aren’t dealt with, the domain’s next owner may find their website demoted or deindexed right out of the gate.
This issue is discussed in a video with former Googler Matt Cutts, who recommended researching a domain before purchasing it.
A site owner can immediately determine if their domain has a manual action against it by checking the manual action report in Google Search Console.
That’s the worst-case scenario. But it’s only a temporary setback, as all manual actions can be resolved.
In other cases, a domain may not have a penalty associated with it but might still have a negative history with Google.
In those cases, the site may still be impacted in search results. Google’s John Mueller says that the issue will resolve itself over time.
According to Mueller, a domain with a brief history of bad activity is not a cause for concern. If the negative history dates back 10 years or more, that may be more difficult to recover from.
The history of any domain can be looked up at Archive.org.
Domain History Is Definitely A Ranking Factor

Based on explicit statements from Google, there is proof that domain history plays a role in search rankings. This factor should be seriously considered before acquiring a previously registered domain.
While the effects can be mitigated over time, past domain usage can and does influence how sites are ranked in the present. This is generally more likely to manifest as a negative ranking factor than a positive one.
Domain history’s status as a ranking factor is definitively confirmed.

Featured Image: Paulo Bobita/SearchEngineJournal

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October 2, 2023 No Comments
Other

Top 9 Digital Design Agencies

To help you find the perfect design partner more easily, we’ve compiled a list of the top 9 digital design agencies that are leading the way in redefining digital experiences. Whether you’re a business owner looking to improve your online presence or someone who loves design and needs inspiration, these digital agencies are here to impress you with their skills and groundbreaking work.
Looking to streamline your search? Our team of skilled UX experts at UX studio has all the expertise needed to create a world-class digital design. Schedule a free consultation with us and let’s discuss your current goals.​​
Top 9 Digital Design Agencies

1. UX studio
2. BASIC/DEPT® Agency
3. Masterly
4. DHNN
5. Emerge
6. RNO1
7. Kreatik
8. UENO 
9. Rekos

1 – UX studio
UX studio is an award-winning digital design agency working with all kinds of businesses worldwide.

Since the foundation of UX studio by Dávid Pásztor in 2013, we’ve rapidly grown into one of the best digital design companies. Our journey has led us to partner with startups and enterprises in more than 250 projects worldwide. It also granted us extensive expertise across various industries and niches, such as fintech, travel, education, healthcare, and more. Notable clients in our portfolio include Google, Netflix, Cisco, and The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
The expertise of our team lies in creating visually stunning web designs and digital products. These leave an exceptional first impression and differentiate our clients from competitors. Besides those, our digital creations captivate the target audience to drive high conversion rates while being user-friendly. 

We’re employing agile methodologies that prioritize efficiency and effectiveness. While also placing a strong emphasis on UX research to guide our design decisions. Research ensures prioritized user needs and delivered effectiveness. For instance, this approach produced outstanding results for Liligo, France’s leading travel app. It increased the booking rate by an impressive 200%.
Transparency is integral to our client-centric philosophy, enabling direct communication with our specialists. This allows detailed discussions, real-time decision-making, and project progress tracking. We also employ design thinking and iterative cycles in our projects which speeds up project timelines and saves our clients time and money.
If you’re seeking a digital design agency that combines creativity, user experience expertise, and efficient collaboration, look no further. We’re committed to creating a tailored solution that suits your unique needs and propels your digital presence to new heights. Reach out to UX studio and let’s chat about your current challenges and goals.
2 – BASIC/DEPT® Agency
BASIC/DEPT® is a globally recognized branding and digital design agency on a mission to transform brands and culture across the world.

Founded as Basic by David Vaněk and later merged with Dept in 2021, Basic/Dept has evolved into a leading digital branding and product design agency. Their journey has been marked by impressive growth, expanding to 28 offices worldwide and ranking as the 18th fastest-growing agency, as recognized by Adweek.
With over a decade of experience and a diverse team of over 120 individuals from across the globe, they’re united by a shared passion for bold ideas, creative craftsmanship, and efficient service. They view their agency as a platform where shared values come together to spark innovation. 
They thrive on collaboration with ambitious brands and visionary individuals who share their passion for pushing the boundaries of creativity and design. Some of their clients include KFC, American Express, Adobe, and Patagonia. As one of the best digital design agencies, Basic offers a comprehensive range of services, from strategy and brand experience to content and technology solutions. These services include journey mapping, UI/UX design, content strategy, full-stack development, including CMS implementation, and technical consultation for complex projects.
In digital-first branding, BASIC/DEPT® excels in crafting brand ecosystems, using data for smart decisions, and creating impactful visuals across different media types. They also provide expertise in brand naming, go-to-market strategies, and campaign development.
3 – Masterly
Masterly is a US-based product design agency offering a full spectrum of digital design services, from brand strategy to product design. 

Founded in 2017 by Vlad and Yana Hrynchuk, Masterly Digital specializes in helping clients in FinTech, Web3, and DeFi elevate their brands and products through exceptional digital design. Their mission is to transform digital presences into captivating and effective tools. 
The team at the digital design firm is made up of professionals deeply connected to modern culture, trends, and innovative design approaches. They’re dedicated to leaving a lasting mark on the design industry and transforming businesses through enduring partnerships. All while nurturing a community of designers and art directors committed to pushing creative boundaries and delivering outstanding design solutions.
Their core services cover UI/UX design, which focuses on creating intuitive and user-friendly interfaces, product design involving UX research and user-centered product development, brand identity definition, and visual language creation. They also provide custom artwork through illustration and engaging motion design. Additionally, they offer Design-Ops support to streamline design processes for efficiency and scalability.
The digital product design company has collaborated with tech startups, software development companies, and various businesses and brands to bring ideas to life. Their previous clients include Wellbank, Esthe Home, Cofinance, and Pluck. 
The company believes that every business, regardless of its size or industry, deserves top-tier service. They provide personal attention and leverage the specialized skills of their experienced professionals to drive success in branding, design, motion graphics, and more.
4 – DHNN
DHNN, Design Has No Name, is a transformative digital design agency with offices in Buenos Aires, Miami, and Lisboa.

Established in 2007 by a dedicated and diverse team, DHNN Design Agency is at the forefront of creating innovative digital products. Furthermore, they challenge industry norms and champion user-centric design. Their portfolio includes renowned clients such as IBM Global, AVON Global, VISA, and ICBC, spanning various sectors such as entertainment, banking, finance, crypto, insurtech, and retail.
The design company a wide range of services for digital innovation, including product discovery, branding and strategy, product design and development, and data visualization. Their specialty lies in disruptive innovation, pushing design boundaries, and specializing in data-driven product design. They prioritize users by starting with their needs, simplifying complexity, and ensuring continuous user engagement.
At the core of DHNN’s culture is collaboration and a firm belief in the power of collective achievement. The DHNN team, known as “DH” among friends, forges close relationships with clients and partners, taking full ownership of projects as natural builders and creative problem solvers. 
The digital agency’s mission is to help businesses enhance and transform through innovative digital experiences, guiding them from discovery to full UX/UI design and development. But it’s not only that but also transforming themselves through design, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to quality. Their diverse team, each with unique skills, collectively defines DHNN’s ethos and purpose.
5 – Emerge
Emerge is a top-rated digital product design agency and consultancy based in the US.

Emerge is a dynamic studio dedicated to creating exceptional digital experiences through innovative design. With over 20 years of experience, they collaborate with clients to craft impactful designs, aiming to bring ideas to life and elevate brands. 
The digital web design agency specializes in solving complex digital product challenges and driving outstanding results. Their expertise lies in accelerating product growth, enhancing team culture, and delivering exceptional customer experiences. Their services include UX/UI Design, Product Strategy, and Full-Stack Development. 
They primarily work with B2B leaders across technology, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors, customizing their services to suit each client’s unique needs. Notable clients include AT&T, Wacom, Unilever, LEGO, Electronic Arts, Intel, Nike, and Disney. 
When working with clients, they follow a tried-and-true method, combining UX design expertise with innovative digital product strategy. This focuses on collaboration, shared vision, empowering product leaders, and continuous optimization, ensuring project success at every stage of the product lifecycle.

At Emerge, the company culture revolves around inclusivity, excellence, and supporting employees in achieving their personal and professional goals. It’s a place where great ideas flourish, and a diverse and inclusive workforce collaborates to build digital products that people love and use.
Emerge’s dedication to employee growth is evident through a range of benefits. Such as a $1,000 educational stipend, parental leave support, comprehensive health benefits, and the flexibility to work remotely, making it an ideal environment for fostering creativity and innovation.
6 – RNO1 
Revolve No1 is a West Coast-based experience design and growth agency with a global edge.

Founded in 2010 by Michael Gaizutis, RNO1 became a top digital design agency known for creating outstanding brand experiences. They specialize in design, strategy, and technology to help businesses grow and connect with their audiences. Their impressive portfolio includes startups and well-known brands from various industries. RNO1’s focus on design excellence and client success makes them a trusted partner in the digital world.
They stand out as a unique subscription-based experience design agency, collaborating with major companies like Airbnb, Microsoft, and CoVenture – alongside other VC-backed tech / web3 companies working to drive change in their market, through experience design. Their expertise covers branding, web and digital platform design, eCommerce, and more.
RNO1 is dedicated to business growth through branding, digital experiences, and emerging technologies. Their approach is results-driven, ensuring clients achieve success through strategic design solutions. with HQ in San Fransisco 
RNO1 prioritizes design in every aspect of their work, working as partners rather than vendors. Their senior teams ensure impactful results from the beginning. Whether it’s branding, web design, or the latest digital innovations, RNO1 is committed to helping businesses succeed through thoughtful design solutions.
7 – Kreatik
Kreatik is a dynamic digital marketing and design agency that specializes in creating innovative and impactful digital experiences.

Since Kreatik’s foundation in 2012, the company has become one of the top digital design agencies. Kreatik’s commitment to design excellence and client success positions them as a trusted partner for companies seeking to make a significant impact in the digital landscape. Their portfolio boasts a diverse range of clients, from startups to established brands. It includes brands like Qarson, Lisner, Sportano, Prilo, Johnson & Johnson, and Danone.
They offer a wide range of services, including branding and identity, web and digital platform design, UX/UI design, content strategy, and more. All aiming at delivering outstanding digital solutions. With a strong emphasis on design, technology, and strategy, the digital web designer company helps businesses enhance their online presence, drive growth, and connect effectively with their target audiences. 

With a team of talented and experienced professionals, Kreatik approaches each project with a design-focused mindset. This ensures that creativity and innovation are at the forefront of their work. They pride themselves on being collaborative partners rather than mere service providers. Furthermore, they praise their dedication to achieving results from the outset sets them apart in the digital design industry.
To sum up, Kreatik is a forward-thinking digital design agency. They’re known for their creative and innovative approach to crafting exceptional digital experiences. Their mission is to empower businesses, elevate brands, and drive growth through strategic design solutions. In doing so, they provide valuable support to businesses looking to thrive in the digital world.
8 – UENO
Ueno is a global digital design agency with offices in San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, and Reykjavik, Iceland.

Founded in 2014 by Haraldur Thorleifsson, Ueno has quickly become a leader in creating exceptional digital experiences.  At the core of Ueno’s success is its diverse team. It includes talented designers, developers, strategists, writers, and creatives from around the world.  This ensures a wide range of perspectives and expertise in every project, resulting in truly outstanding outcomes.
Ueno is known for crafting immersive and user-centric designs that captivate audiences.
They offer a comprehensive range of services, including UX/UI design, web and mobile app development, brand identity design, content creation, and digital strategy. Their work is guided by core values such as craftsmanship, inclusivity, collaboration, innovation, and passion. This defines their unique approach to creating memorable digital experiences.
These values, coupled with their extensive experience and global reach, position Ueno as the ultimate choice. Especially for businesses in pursuit of unforgettable digital experiences that leave a lasting impact.
9 – Rekos
Based in Lithuania, Rekos Agency is an award-winning agency in the digital design scene.

They work with both startups and established corporate giants, employing a meticulous and collaborative approach that scrutinizes all aspects of design, branding, interactivity, and UI/UX. Their commitment lies in providing high-performance digital experiences, ensuring clients gain a competitive edge and a strong return on investment. 
With a seasoned team of professionals, Rekos Agency has earned a reputation for trust and excellence since its founding by Rimantas Kirkickas and Povilas Matačiūnas in 2019. Their service portfolio encompasses banding and UI/UX design, with a focus on modern, user-friendly web design solutions. Notably, they’ve served clients like Nord Security, Exmarkets, ISM, Lenstream, and Montonio, showcasing their ability to excel across diverse industries.
Their structured approach commences with a Discovery Call to define project objectives and success metrics. A comprehensive questionnaire gathers client insights, followed by, as they call, a pre-design call to clarify project details. The design process also involves in-depth analysis and customized designs, concluding with collaborative refinements where the client’s input shapes the outcome.

What distinguishes the digital design agency is clearly their attitude, which is strongly rooted in putting the customer at the center of every decision and solution. Their methodology guarantees that design smoothly fits with consumer demands, brand positioning, and unique selling features. The digital design agency’s commitment to serve the driving force behind businesses—the customers—pervades every aspect of their work, propelling their purpose forward.
How Much Do Digital Design Agencies Charge?
The complexity and length of the project have a significant impact on the cost. (We know you’ve heard it many times before, so sorry about that.) Agencies have various pricing models including time-based and fixed-priced projects. Although the most common is the first one when the company has hourly (daily, weekly) rates. 
Our research indicates that a complete website redesign can vary in duration. It can take anywhere from 5 weeks (excluding development) to 3 months (including development). Naturally, the quicker you require the project to be completed, the higher the cost will be. The total expenses typically range from a minimum of $10,000 to $30,000. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that the pricing for similar work can differ depending on the region you’re in.
Agencies typically charge $50 per hour for junior designers and between $75 and $150 per hour for senior designers. If you want a more specific range, you can ask an agency for a quote, as most price their service per project.
What’s the Difference Between a Digital Design Agency and a Creative Agency?
A digital design agency primarily focuses on designing digital products and experiences, such as websites, mobile apps, and user interfaces (UI/UX), often with an emphasis on aesthetics and user interaction.
On the contrary, a digital agency typically presents a wider scope of services associated with digital marketing, advertising, and online prominence. This comprehensive spectrum encompasses web development, SEO, social media marketing, content creation, and a plethora of other digital strategies that extend beyond the realm of design.
A creative agency offers a broader range of services, including digital design, but they don’t stop there. They also handle traditional advertising and branding, like print campaigns, TV commercials, and graphic design across different mediums. These agencies are known for delivering comprehensive solutions that elevate a brand’s overall image and messaging.
In summary, while digital design agencies specialize in digital product design, digital agencies offer a wider spectrum of digital services, and creative agencies cover an even broader range of creative and marketing services.
Which Agency is Best for Digital Design Projects?
Choosing the right agency for your digital product design project involves considering a few key factors. 

Portfolio and Expertise: Start by examining the agency’s portfolio and expertise. Seek past projects similar to yours to ensure they have relevant experience and a track record of quality work.
Philosophy and Client Reviews: Delve into the agency’s design philosophy, ensuring it aligns with your project’s UX/UI goals. Client reviews can offer insights into their reputation.
Team Setup and Processes: Evaluate the team’s composition, checking for skilled designers, developers, and strategists. Inquire about project management and design processes for a smooth workflow.
Pricing and Timeline: Discuss budget, pricing transparency, and alignment with your project’s value expectations. Timelines are crucial; ensure the agency meets your deadlines.
Flexibility and Scalability: Determine if the agency can adapt to changing project requirements and scale their team if needed.

The best digital design agencies go above and beyond client expectations. Beyond merely delivering what’s requested, they take the time to understand your business, your goals, and what your users need. They’ll go the extra mile to ensure you don’t throw your money out the window but gain a competitive advantage.
By considering these factors and conducting consultations with potential agencies, you can confidently select the one that best suits your digital design project’s needs and goals.
Searching for a Digital Design Agency?
At UX studio, we’re a trusted choice for designing digital products and experiences. We worked with many startups and industry leaders worldwide like Google, Netflix, and Zignaly. Improve the design and performance of your digital product with our help. We will walk you through our design processes and suggest the next steps! Still not sure? Let’s talk! We’re happy to help you figure things out.

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October 2, 2023 No Comments
Analytics & Data

Integrating ChatGPT With Google Sheets For Enhanced Data Analysis via @sejournal, @makhyan

ChatGPT remains one of the most talked about tools in the world of SEO.Some users are finding ways to leverage the platform for content and SEO; others use it to create ads, optimize meta titles, create structured data, and be more productive overall.
And being more productive by integrating ChatGPT and Google Sheets together makes a lot of sense to me.
How To Integrate ChatGPT And Google Sheets
Integrating ChatGPT and Google Sheets can be achieved in a few ways.
While we’ll explore multiple ways to tie these two solutions together, the easiest method at the time of writing this post is to:

Open Google Sheets.
Click Extensions > Add-ons > Get add-ons.
Search “GPT for Sheets.”

You can also go directly to the website GPT for Work to install the add-on on Sheets – and you can use this same method to work with ChatGPT in Excel.
Add-ons make it simple to use ChatGPT with Sheets, but if the add-on becomes unsupported or stops working, you can use the methods below.
Different Ways To Integrate ChatGPT And Google Sheets
ChatGPT’s API allows developers to easily use the platform’s responses in their own code.
You can use Apps Script inside of Sheets to get this setup. First, you’ll want to:

Sign up for the Open API.
Make note of your API key (Personal > View API keys from the top menu).
Open Google Sheets.
Go to Extensions > Apps Script.

ChatGPT has the code available for easy copying, which is outlined below:
Screenshot from Google Sheets Apps Script, August 2023
Code to copy:

const OPENAI_URL = “https://api.openai.com/v1/chat/completions”;
const SECRET_KEY = “YOUR_OPENAI_API_KEY”;
const SYSTEM_MESSAGE = { role: “system”, content: “You are a helpful SEO expert.” };

function callChatGPT(prompt, temperature = 0.9, maxTokens = 800, model = “gpt-3.5-turbo”) {
const payload = {
model: model,
messages: [
SYSTEM_MESSAGE,
{ role: “user”, content: prompt }
],
temperature: temperature,
max_tokens: maxTokens
};

const options = {
method: “POST”,
headers: {
“Content-Type”: “application/json”,
“Authorization”: “Bearer ” + SECRET_KEY
},
payload: JSON.stringify(payload)
};

try {
const response = UrlFetchApp.fetch(OPENAI_URL, options);
const responseData = JSON.parse(response.getContentText());

if(responseData.choices && responseData.choices[0] && responseData.choices[0].message) {
return responseData.choices[0].message.content.trim();
} else {
console.error(“Unexpected response format from OpenAI:”, responseData);
return “Sorry, I couldn’t process the request.”;
}

} catch (error) {
console.error(“Error calling OpenAI API:”, error);
return “Sorry, there was an error processing your request.”;
}
}

You’ll need to work your way through the code and change certain parameters. Primarily, you’ll replace “YOUR_OPENAI_API_KEY” with the API you jotted down previously.
Now, you can run the script and give it a try for yourself.
A quick test run of the =callChatGPT(“How can you help me?”) function will let you know if it’s working. The function should print out a list of items ChatGPT can help you with:
Screenshot from Google Sheets, August 2023

Inside your Sheets cells, you can call the Script using the following “callChatGPT(CELL-AND-ACTION-HERE),” and it will provide a response. Google might ask you to accept certain permissions, so be sure that you do if you want the script to work.
You may also utilize the function based on other cells, for example:

Put these keywords in cell A1: seo, chatgpt, google sheets.
In B1 cell input this function: =callChatGPT(“Provide a meta title for an article based on these keywords:” & A1).

You should receive a response like this:
ChatGPT response based on a single cell.

Tweak this formula based on your data, keywords, and other details.
Benefits Of Integrating ChatGPT With Google Sheets
Sheets is a product that I use quite often – it works great. But Sheets and Excel seem to lack innovations that allow you to use your data in new, exciting ways.
Integrating ChatGPT reduces the need to switch between both products and will boost your productivity in the process.
You can use the two together to:

Generate or translate text, which will allow you to create multiple posts on social media in a variety of target languages.
Create an ideas section for titles to help you come up with titles that are more clickable or user-friendly.
Summarize text that you can use for previews or snippets.
Make fast work of mundane tests, such as coming up with meta descriptions or product descriptions.

Tables help you visualize data and are great when reporting to clients, but they’re tedious to fill in. You can also use ChatGPT to generate tables for your data to better view and understand your data.
For example, you can create a table to monitor:

Title lengths.
Meta tag lengths.
Bounce rate changes.

When it comes to making sense of your data and analyzing it, you can have ChatGPT run the calculations for you and then create charts or tables around it.
Visualizing your data will make it easier to analyze and use it.
I’m sure you’ll find many great uses for ChatGPT and Sheets, but the following are some that I’ve found to be personally useful.
8 Ways To Use ChatGPT And Google Sheets Together
There are many ways to use ChatGPT and Sheets together, from tag generation to outlines and SEO research.
1. Generate Tags
Together, ChatGPT and Sheets make it easy to generate tags for products and build up your product tag library.
Just create a task for GPT, and it will generate tags for each product you select, saving you so much time in the process.
2. Clean Lists
Sheets and GPT can work together to help you clean up your lists.
Let’s say that you have a list of names. Because users input their names, some may be in all capital letters, and others may have emojis or inconsistencies in capitalization.
GPT can use the GPT_FILL function to clean up your name list and standardize it for easy use and organization.
3. Create Descriptions
Do you need to create product descriptions in bulk? ChatGPT can help.
Using the script, you can generate short product descriptions based on examples on your spreadsheet.
ChatGPT will analyze your example and generate descriptions that match the tone and style of your brand.
4. Generate Taglines, Ad Copy and Titles
With similar functions, you can use Sheet and ChatGPT to generate:

Ad copy.
Taglines.
Titles.
More.

ChatGPT can create ad copy that’s on-brand, captivating subject lines for emails, and other copy that will engage customers. With these tools, you can save your marketing team time and generate compelling content that converts.
5. Create Outlines
Creating outlines for blog posts can be time-consuming. Integrating ChatGPT into Sheets will save you time by generating outlines for your posts in seconds.
GPT can provide a structure for your posts and create outlines that will keep audiences engaged.
6. Keyword Research
With Google Sheets and ChatGPT, you can save time with keyword research. Just feed GPT a primary keyword and ask it to generate suggestions. The chatbot will generate a list of potential target keywords.
You can also use GPT to generate long-tail keywords.
You can use these keywords as “seeds” for your research or, at the very least, review them to ensure they’re worth targeting.
7. Generate Schema Markup Suggestions And Internal Linking Ideas
Inside of Sheets, you can use GPT to make schema markup suggestions based on the content and type.
For example, if your contact displays your address and phone number, ChatGPT can provide schema markup suggestions to help search engines better understand the information on your page.
You can also ask ChatGPT to provide you with internal linking ideas. Just provide a page topic to get more related topics for internal linking.
8. Perform Competitor And Content Gap Analysis
Want to streamline your competitor and content gap analyses? ChatGPT can help.
Just input some data about your competitors and ask GPT to provide you with some insights.
You can even ask the chatbot to provide suggestions for missing topics or areas to expand in your content.
Just provide ChatGPT with some background on your content landscape, and it can provide suggestions right in Sheets.
ChatGPT And Google Sheets: Better Together
Integrating ChatGPT into Sheets can help enhance data analysis, save time, and streamline processes.
Once you have an API key, integration is simple, and you’ll have access to a number of functions that you can use to analyze information, create charts, generate ideas, and more.
However, for simplicity, it’s easier to use add-ons that take care of the integration without scripts.
Once you connect ChatGPT and Sheets, you’ll be able to crunch numbers and ask the chatbot to begin helping you handle tedious tasks.
Even generating metadata or creating titles can be immensely helpful. You can even have ChatGPT help with creating redirects or add rules to robots.txt for you.
Example Formulas
Here are some example formulas you may want to use:

Input main keyword in the A1 cell and some secondary keywords in the B1 cell.
In C1 input: =callChatGPT(“Based on this keyword ‘”&A2&”‘ as the main keyword, and these ones as secondary keywords: “&B2&”, recommend an SEO friendly meta description. Make sure the length of your recommendation is a maximum of 150 characters, including the spaces.”).
In D1 input: =callChatGPT(“Based on this keyword ‘”&A2&”‘ as the main keyword, and these ones as secondary keywords: “&B2&”, recommend an SEO friendly meta title. Make the length of your recommendation to be a maximum of 55 characters, including the spaces.”).
In E1 input: =callChatGPT(“For a page to rank well in search engines on the topic of ‘”&A2&”‘, what would be your page content outline? Include these secondary keywords: “&B2&”, Provide the page outline with proper headings and structure. Output the outline only. Do not include a page title.”).

BONUS with script:

In F1 input: =callChatGPT(“Write SEO friendly FAQschema JSON, limited to 5 questions and answers, for an article with these keywords: ‘”&A2&”, “&B2&”‘ and this outline: (“&E2&”). Add the script opening and closing tags for Json”)

Screenshot from Google Sheets, August 2023

Voilà – now you have an outline, meta title, meta description, and FAQ schema that goes with your keywords.
More resources: 

Featured Image: BestForBest/Shutterstock

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October 2, 2023 No Comments
Content Marketing

Advertorials Bridge Storytelling and Selling

For some products, capturing a shopper’s attention requires long-form persuasion, a blend of advertising and editorial.
“Advertorials” are not new. Newspaper and magazine publishers have long deployed them to look like articles but promote like ads. A good advertorial is informative and engaging. It resides seamlessly on the platform while clearly disclosing that it’s a paid piece.
Advertorials are highly effective when done right. They allow a retailer or brand to engage prospects and deliver a persuasive argument for a product’s value.
Advertorials accomplish one or more of the following.

Educate an audience. An advertorial can describe in detail a product’s benefits, use cases, or unique value proposition.

Tell a story. A chocolate bar company has a story to tell when, say, its founders sail to South America four times a year to hand-select cocoa beans grown by an indigenous tribe. Shoppers would likely read a magazine-like feature describing the purpose and the journey and emphasizing how the chocolate is both delicious and sustainable.

Address misconceptions. Advertorials can correct common misconceptions or myths about an industry, brand, or product.

Launch new products. Long-form explanations are helpful in detailing an item’s features and benefits.

Leverage influencers. A celebrity or authority could collaborate with an advertorial, adding that individual’s clout to support product claims.

Test product messaging. Advertorials facilitate testing without impacting the overall brand.

Advertorial vs. Content Marketing
Advertorials and content marketing, while similar, differ in their approach, intent, and presentation.
Both use content to engage a target audience. But advertorials are specifically promotional, while content marketing prioritizes value and relationship-building.
Moreover, advertorials aim for an immediate sale, while content marketing might seek micro-conversions or lesser goals. For example, a golf retailer might produce swing tutorials as part of a content marketing campaign to attract search engine traffic. An advertorial from that retailer could describe the Callaway Paradym driver with its adjustable head to change the face angle.
Finally, advertorials appear as news articles while labeled as a promotion. This journalistic presentation differs from most content marketing.
Hear.com
Consider the example advertorial from Hear.com, a hearing-aide provider.
An advertorial for Hear.com’s Horizon hearing aid.
We see aspects of an advertorial immediately. First, the page resembles an article, unlike other sections of Hear.com.
The advertorial’s presentation is different from Hear.com’s other content resources. Click image to enlarge.
The headline implies journalism.
Why this tiny German hearing aid is taking the U.S. by storm, according to the experts.
A byline — “Julia Grabenhorst, Editor” — suggests credibility.
Yet the page is clearly marked as an advertorial and includes trust badges common to promotional content.
The copy begins with a problem statement.
Alarming fact: More than 48 million Americans hear so poorly that their quality of life significantly suffers as a result. The problem: Most wait too long to act, hoping their hearing will improve on its own. Sadly, it never does.
It then offers a solution: the Horizon hearing aid.
The copy uses a problem and solution format near the top to attract potential hearing aid customers. Click image to enlarge.
—
The copy continues to make the case for the product, offering a background of the inventors and the company.
The copy continues to make the case for the product. Click image to enlarge.
—
We learn more about benefits.
There is a checklist of benefits. Click image to enlarge.
—
The call to action is a U.S. map suitable for an advertorial but not a product detail page or content marketing.
The call to action is a U.S. map. Click image to enlarge.
Landing Pages
Advertorials such as the example from Hear.com can be excellent landing pages for advertising campaigns.
The aim is to drive traffic to the page and refine the copy until it generates a consistent and predictable return.
Advertorials bridge storytelling and selling. They educate potential customers, clarify misconceptions, and test marketing messages. Done well, they are part of a successful marketing mix.

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October 2, 2023 No Comments
Climate change

ClimateTech is almost here

Nations around the globe have begun to put in place the policies, capital and technologies needed to curb greenhouse gas emissions, but the world still

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October 1, 2023 No Comments