Search engine optimization, or SEO, is a process your brand can use to position itself highly on search engine ranking pages (also called SERPS).

In a lot of ways, SEO is one of the most important tools you can use to get future customers to find your business’s information online. It’s also an effective way to keep users coming back for more, and increase the likelihood that your newfound website visitors will be primed and ready to become eager conversions, either right away or at some point down the line.

In short, SEO really does matter. It’s an essential strategy for businesses of all sizes to have in place.

But, then, this beggars another question: What goes into a successful SEO effort today?

From the jump, it’s important to realize that SEO is a multi-faceted process, and a lot of different elements go into generating search engine success. It’s part art, part science, and part game – and you need to master all three of those buckets if you want to claim your rightful place at the top of the SERP.

Today, we’re going to focus on one part of the SEO formula that often goes overlooked: The user.

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About Janet 

Based in Chicago, Janet Torelli designs sterling silver tableware, drawing her unique vision from architectural and organic forms. A “marriage of functionality and contemporary elegance for the table,” Janet’s work has been featured in the National Design Museum in New York.

In addition to designing her handcrafted “Jewelry for the Table,” Janet is a member of the American Craft Council, and is a party planner, chef, and certified sommelier. 

Our Mission 

Janet Torelli is a creative force, and needed a website to match - complete with eCommerce functionality to enable shoppers to view and shop from her extraordinary collection. 

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No matter what your line of business, social media marketing (SMM) is a low-cost, high-reward way to connect with your audience online, leading to increased traffic to your site and - with a little skill - a slew of brand-new leads.

But besides just reaching out to new users, spreading your message on social media can be a great way to connect with users and customers on an emotional level. Creatively telling your unique brand story and forging real relationships are the backbone of effective social marketing; they turn customers into friends and partners, creating brand awareness and loyalty that are invaluable for your company.

Here are five surefire to ways to boost your brand awareness with social media:

1.) Have a Strategic Focus

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Though it’s gone through its fair share of changes in recent years, SEO – the art of boosting organic traffic by improving search engine ranking – is here to stay.

Though blackhat tactics like keyword stuffing are (thankfully) a relic of the past, the art behind SEO is still vital and remains a key part of any business’ successful content marketing strategy. But are you doing enough to maximize your SEO for Google’s most recent updates? Are you making sure every facet of your marketing campaign is engaged and running at full speed?

Want to get the most out of your SEO? Then it’s time to rethink your strategy. Here are five common SEO mistakes to watch out for:

1.) Not Producing Content

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The Antique Resources Story

With an 18,000 square foot showroom in the heart of Chicago, Antique Resources is one of our area’s best kept secrets. Originally established in 1964, this Chicagoland institution specializes in fine European antiques, with unique pieces dating as far back as the early 17th century. 

Antique Resources is led by Mr. Richard M Weisz, whose goal is to continue to make antiques available to everyone - and to encourage future generations to remember their past as they enjoy their present.

Our Mission 

Antique Resources needed a modern website with seamless eCommerce functionality, to help collectors and designers from around the world browse and shop through their extensive and one-of-a-kind collection. 

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We are proud to share that Geek Chicago has been selected as one of the 21 best SEO agencies in Chicago by Expertise.com! They scored 319 companies based on more than 25 different variables to evaluate each company's reputation, credibility, experience, availability, and professionalism. The goal of Expertise.com is to "connect people with the best local experts," and we are honored to be featured. Read more about the selection and review process here. 

According to recent studies, 70% of people would rather learn about a company through articles than an advertisement. 68% report feeling more positive about a brand after consuming content from it.

What’s more, research shows that B2B decision makers tend to engage with at least five pieces of content before they buy. And yet, in spite of all of this, there is still a common perception that content marketing is only about bringing in prospects, rather than generating real, substantive conversions.

While content is a vital tool for inbound marketing, it can also be put to work turning leads into customers – at every step along the buyer’s journey, and in a variety of creative ways.

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If you're as addicted to caffeine as we are here at Geek Chicago, you already know that a cappuccino is one-third espresso, one-third milk, and one-third foam. It’s that rule of threes that makes this iconic drink 100% delicious. 

Now, we’re not saying that building a website for your brand is just like making a cappuccino. But it is a process that takes skill, experience, and, of course, the rule of threes.

In this case, we know that there are three central elements that go into creating a great website, one that will help you attract and convert customers for years and years. Those three essential elements are:

• Content
• Design
• Template

… and the order that you should prioritize them in may be different than you’d think!

For a Great Website, Don’t Start From a Template

In our experience, many people are quick to jump to that third bullet point, without taking the time to consider the other two.

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Facebook’s algorithm has been changing – and it’s all anyone who cares about social media marketing seems to be talking about!

(Well, that, and all of the major social media PR crises and data privacy issues that have seemingly dominated the news cycle.)

For marketers – and brands who rely on Facebook to reach new audiences, retarget their existing clients, and build up loyal followings – Facebook has long been king. Next to Google, it’s the largest digital marketing platform by a wide margin, soaking up more attention (and ad dollars) than just about anywhere else on the internet.

As such, many businesses who want to expand their outreach online find themselves having to play by Facebook’s rules, even when it comes to marketing on other social networks, like Twitter and Instagram. And those rules just seem to keep changing.

The Ever-Changing Facebook Algorithm

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In real estate, a lot of buyers dream of their “Forever Home.” It’s a place where they can live… well… forever! It’s a consistent, lifelong investment and source of equity. It’s something that owners can pass on to their children or grandchildren years down the line.

In short, a Forever Home is about stability and security. And it doesn’t just apply to real estate and families. In fact, your brand can have a Forever Website. And it’s easier to build and maintain than you might think – as long as you think and work strategically.

Want to create the unique site that’s comfortable, accessible, and, above all, valuable for your brand? Here are four important things to keep in mind as you craft your Forever Site:

Include a CMS for Your Content

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