When it comes to brand visibility, you can’t go wrong with a solid search strategy in place. After all, it involves small tweaks that will help users find you if and when they need to. Of course, there are other elements at play, like your marketing strategy and specific business objectives, but a universal goal is growth and awareness, and that you’ll find on the search engine results pages - if you know-how. 

Search engine optimization is split up into two main categories in terms of the logistics. The first is on the backend, where the structure of your site and aspects of your code help determine visibility and give Google the lay of the land. Typically SEO specialists need to interact with this backend to ensure that pages are structured and categorized correctly, that duplicate content is marked as “invisible” to crawlers and that the site loads quickly enough for it to be convenient to users.

These are just a few basic and oversimplified examples for context. However, you don’t need to be a fully-fledged tech expert to make a significant difference to a site’s ranking - as there’s a whole nother element to gaining search cred. 

What is on-page SEO?

On-page SEO relates to activities you can do on the front-end to improve your site’s ranking, support link-building strategies and make content more inclusive and easily indexable. It’s also a good place to create mechanisms for users to engage with what you’re publishing and be able to process it all quickly and easily.

Why is this so important? Because it helps search engines like Google and Firefox determine how relevant your content is to a specific search query, which means the people who are looking for your products and services are more likely to find you. In fact, 68% of online experiences begin with a search engine. (BrightEdge)

In order to start improving your presence online and making the necessary changes to become more visible, it’s important to master the basics. Here’s how: 

• Use keywords thoughtfully: Conducting basic keyword research using a keyword planner, can give you a good indication of what users in your segment are searching for, in relation to your brand. You can use the search volumes to determine a list of keywords by priority - primary, secondary and tertiary or thematic keywords.
  
  These keywords go into the metadata but also have special placements in the copy, on-page. You can show topic hierarchy by using the primary keyword in the title, and first and last 100 words of the page, the secondary keyword in the first subheading, and thematic keywords sprinkled throughout.
  
  
• Get meta: Creating metadata for your pages and posts is a good way to optimise what users see when they search for your brand pages or related keywords. In the CRM you can write custom titles and descriptions for your page, using your primary keyword which is the keyword most searched for by your audience. Descriptions are usually truncated at 155 characters, so keep them short and engaging.
  
  This way users are more likely to read the whole thing and click through to your site. Plus, it has the added benefit of showing Google and other search engines what the page is about, as their technology indexes keywords. If you don’t create a custom one, it will automatically showcase the first few lines of text on the page. Pro tip: keep your primary and most important keyword close to the beginning of your title and description.
  
  
• Create scannable content for users: Search engines allocate a  readability score to content that determines how easy it is for users to consume. This is based on factors like scannability of content, sentence length, and language use.
  
  Optimising your pages for better readability means formatting your pages with subheadings and bullet points, for example, considering language use and ensuring clean, well-written copy that takes punctuation, grammar and spelling into account.
  
  
• Be inclusive: When uploading images onto your site, you can include alt tags and captions that describe images and give them context. This serves two functions. First, it makes the images more inclusive for the visually impaired interacting with the site, as these tags and captions are read via audio channels. Secondly, it allows search engines to index the images more thoroughly and gives them a thematic context in the same ways as keywords do. From here, they can determine relevance to search queries.
  
  
• Make it meaningful: The quality of your content is what’s going to ultimately keep readers on your page, which means fluff won’t cut it. Similarly, by linking to reputable sources you can up the credibility of your work. The key to great SEO is simply creating genuinely good content that serves a purpose and fits a theme. So allocate the necessary resources to create something that meets needs and offers the reader more than what they expected.
  
  
• Share it: The more traffic that goes to your site, the more likely it is to rank higher in the SERPs (MTU Edu). A good way to drive traffic is through sharing your content on social channels. By adding social icons, you can also encourage users to share with their audiences, helping you generate a larger readership on your site.
  
  

All told, basic on-page search knowledge is a must-have for any marketer or creative working particularly in the digital copywriting space - but it’s also an important part of your content strategy.

Without at least some consideration for search queries, you won’t get the most value from your site, which means wasted resources, missed leads and simply taking up space online. We can help you formulate better on-page strategies and drive new business to your digital doors. Speak to us for more information.

Let's delve into the transformative power of cloud computing for scale-ups and enterprise brands. In the fast-paced business world, organisations are constantly seeking flexible and scalable solutions to meet their growing needs. Cloud computing has emerged as a game-changer, revolutionising the way businesses operate and scale their operations. In this blog, we will uncover the unique benefits that cloud computing brings to scale-ups and enterprise brands. By harnessing the power of cloud infrastructure, organizations can ignite innovation, optimise operational efficiency, and gain a competitive edge in the digital era. Join us as we explore the boundless possibilities that cloud computing offers to help businesses thrive and succeed in today's dynamic landscape.

What is Cloud Computing?

Imagine a world where businesses no longer need to worry about managing complex infrastructure or investing heavily in expensive hardware. That's where cloud computing comes in. Cloud computing is a game-changing technology that enables businesses to access a wide range of computing services over the internet, without the need for physical infrastructure.

In simple terms, cloud computing is like renting resources rather than owning them. It offers a vast array of services, including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics, all accessible through the cloud. This means that businesses can focus on their core operations and leave the technical complexities to the experts.

One of the greatest advantages of cloud computing is its scalability. Whether you're a growing scale-up or an established enterprise brand, the ability to scale resources up or down based on demand is invaluable. With cloud computing, you can easily adjust your computing resources to match the needs of your business, whether you're experiencing a sudden surge in traffic or planning for future growth.

Another key benefit of cloud computing is its cost-efficiency. Traditional on-premises infrastructure requires significant upfront investments in hardware, maintenance, and upgrades. Cloud computing eliminates these capital expenses and replaces them with a pay-as-you-go model. This means you only pay for the resources you use, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes.

Moreover, cloud computing offers unparalleled flexibility and accessibility. With the cloud, your team can access data, applications, and services from anywhere, at any time, using any device with an internet connection. This fosters collaboration, empowers remote work, and enables your business to adapt to the ever-changing demands of the digital world.

Now that we have a clear understanding of what cloud computing is and how it benefits scale-ups and enterprise brands, let's delve deeper into the specific advantages it offers. In the following sections, we will explore how cloud computing drives innovation, enhances operational efficiency, and provides a competitive edge to businesses in today's digital landscape. Let's explore these benefits in more detail and discover how your organization can leverage the power of cloud computing to achieve growth and success.

Scalability and Flexibility

Scalability and flexibility are integral to the success of scale-ups and enterprise brands, and cloud computing excels in delivering these essential capabilities. Cloud providers offer a diverse range of resources that can be easily scaled up or down to meet the dynamic demands of a growing business. Whether it's managing sudden surges in website traffic, adapting to seasonal variations, or expanding into new markets, cloud computing provides the agility to effortlessly scale resources in a cost-effective manner. This inherent scalability eliminates the need for upfront infrastructure investments and empowers organizations to allocate resources precisely where they are needed most.

Moreover, cloud computing offers flexibility in terms of deployment models. Businesses have the flexibility to choose between public, private, or hybrid cloud environments, depending on their specific requirements and regulatory compliance considerations. This flexibility allows organizations to harness the benefits of cloud computing while maintaining control over sensitive data and critical applications. With the ability to select the most suitable deployment model, scale-ups and enterprise brands can confidently leverage the power of the cloud to drive innovation, streamline operations, and achieve a competitive edge.

The scalability and flexibility afforded by cloud computing empower businesses to seamlessly adapt to changing market conditions, scale their operations on-demand, and optimize resource allocation. This level of agility ensures that organizations can swiftly respond to evolving customer needs, efficiently manage growth, and stay ahead in today's highly competitive digital landscape. By embracing the scalability and flexibility of cloud computing, scale-ups and enterprise brands can position themselves for sustained success and drive their business to new heights.

As we have explored the scalability and flexibility offered by cloud computing, it's time to delve deeper into another key benefit that scale-ups and enterprise brands can leverage: cost optimization. By harnessing the power of cloud infrastructure, businesses can optimize their expenses, improve cost efficiency, and allocate resources strategically. Let's explore how cloud computing enables organizations to achieve cost savings while maintaining performance and driving innovation.

Cost Optimization

Cloud computing presents scale-ups and enterprise brands with valuable opportunities for cost optimization. Unlike traditional on-premises infrastructure, which often leads to the challenge of overprovisioning or underutilizing resources, cloud computing offers a flexible pay-as-you-go model. This means that businesses only pay for the resources they actually use, eliminating the need for significant upfront capital expenditures. With the ability to scale resources up or down as needed, organizations can optimize costs and achieve greater financial flexibility.

Moreover, cloud computing enables cost savings through economies of scale. Cloud providers possess extensive infrastructure resources and can distribute the costs among their customers, resulting in lower overall expenses compared to maintaining and managing on-premises infrastructure. The cloud's auto-scaling capabilities also play a significant role in cost optimization, allowing organizations to adjust resource allocation based on real-time demand. By avoiding overprovisioning during periods of low activity, businesses can effectively allocate their budget, redirecting resources to areas that fuel growth and innovation.

In addition to these direct cost savings, cloud computing offers indirect cost benefits. Organizations no longer need to invest in expensive hardware upgrades, maintenance, and physical security measures. The cloud provider assumes responsibility for infrastructure management, allowing businesses to focus their resources and efforts on core competencies and strategic initiatives. This streamlined approach not only reduces operational costs but also enhances operational efficiency and frees up valuable resources for innovation and business expansion.

With the significant cost optimization opportunities provided by cloud computing, let's now explore another critical aspect for scale-ups and enterprise brands: security and compliance. By leveraging cloud infrastructure, organizations can enhance their security measures, address compliance requirements, and safeguard their valuable data.

Security and Compliance

Security and compliance are paramount for scale-ups and enterprise brands, and cloud computing provides robust solutions to address these concerns. Cloud providers prioritize the protection of sensitive data and applications, employing advanced security controls, encryption, and access management to safeguard against cyber threats. Rigorous audits and compliance certifications ensure adherence to industry-specific regulations and standards.

By leveraging cloud computing, organizations gain access to a range of security tools and services that enable them to implement best practices. Network firewalls, intrusion detection systems, data encryption, and identity and access management solutions bolster security measures and defend against potential vulnerabilities. With these safeguards in place, organizations can fortify their security posture, mitigate risks, and meet compliance obligations.

In addition, cloud providers offer reliable data backup and disaster recovery solutions. Automated backups and geographically distributed data centers ensure that critical data is protected and can be quickly restored in the event of an outage or disaster. This resilience enhances business continuity and minimizes potential disruptions.

By embracing cloud computing, scale-ups and enterprise brands can enhance their security measures, meet compliance requirements, and confidently protect their valuable assets. The robust security features and comprehensive data protection provided by cloud providers empower organizations to focus on their core business activities with the peace of mind that their data is secure.

As scale-ups and enterprise brands recognize the critical importance of security and compliance, cloud computing emerges as a reliable solution to address these concerns. With its robust security measures, compliance certifications, and comprehensive data protection capabilities, cloud computing provides organizations with the tools and resources they need to ensure the integrity and security of their data. Transitioning to the next section, let us explore real-world examples and case studies that demonstrate the tangible benefits of cloud computing for scale-ups and enterprise brands. These examples will showcase how organizations have leveraged cloud computing to drive innovation, enhance scalability, optimize costs, and achieve significant business outcomes.

Real-World Examples and Case Studies

In the real world, numerous scale-ups and enterprise brands have embraced cloud computing to drive their growth and achieve operational excellence. Let's take a look at some notable examples:

Airbnb, the global accommodation marketplace, relies on cloud computing to handle the massive volume of bookings and interactions on their platform. By leveraging cloud infrastructure, Airbnb can seamlessly scale their resources to meet peak demand during holidays and events, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted user experience. Cloud computing also enables Airbnb to expand into new markets rapidly and cost-effectively, fueling their global growth.

Netflix, the popular streaming service, harnesses the power of cloud computing to deliver high-quality video content to millions of subscribers worldwide. By leveraging the scalability and flexibility of the cloud, Netflix can handle sudden spikes in traffic during popular shows and maintain a reliable streaming experience for their users. Additionally, cloud computing empowers Netflix to innovate rapidly, experiment with new features, and personalize content recommendations, providing a highly personalized and engaging user experience.

Coca-Cola, the renowned global beverage company, migrated its IT infrastructure to the cloud, driving operational efficiency and cost reduction. By embracing cloud computing, Coca-Cola achieved significant savings in hardware and maintenance costs. The cloud's scalability and agility have allowed Coca-Cola to launch new digital initiatives and collaborate more effectively across its global operations, enhancing their overall efficiency and competitiveness.

These real-world examples highlight the tangible benefits of cloud computing for scale-ups and enterprise brands. By leveraging the scalability, flexibility, improved operational efficiency, cost optimization, and security features of cloud computing, organizations can drive their growth, enhance customer experiences, and stay ahead in today's competitive market. Let's now shift our focus to practical steps for getting started with cloud computing and harnessing its full potential for your business.

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In conclusion, cloud computing offers a multitude of benefits for scale-ups and enterprise brands, and at Digital Grind, we go beyond being mere advisors. We become your trusted technology partner, providing not only guidance and expertise but also the full team needed to deliver comprehensive solutions.

Our team of skilled professionals will work hand in hand with your organization, understanding your unique requirements and challenges. We will collaborate closely to design and implement cloud computing solutions that align with your business objectives. From migration and optimization to security and ongoing support, we provide end-to-end services to ensure a seamless transition and continued success.

By partnering with Digital Grind, you gain access to a dedicated team of experts who are committed to your organization's growth and success. We will be there every step of the way, leveraging our deep understanding of cloud computing to drive innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and achieve your desired outcomes.

Don't settle for just advice. Choose Digital Grind as your trusted technology partner, and together, we will harness the full potential of cloud computing to propel your scale-up or enterprise brand to new heights. Contact us today to learn more about how we can deliver the solutions and expertise you need to thrive in the digital era. Let's embark on this transformative journey together.

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The cost of software development, upgrade and maintenance projects can be a sore point because they don’t come cheap. Whether you take-on the projects in-house or outsource them, there are technology and resourcing costs that can spiral when unmanaged, causing them to go over-budget.

As with any project, a quick return on investment is wanted from software projects. When your business is reliant on technology to run and be profitable, extended tech projects that don’t perform or deliver value fast are a thorn in the side of business continuity as well as the bottom line.

Here’s an idea of software project costs

In Dubai, the cost of the average app development project ranges from $5 000 to $10 000. For complications and multi-feature app, prices shoot to between $267 000 and $360 000. 

Need a website? For a small and simple business website, expect to pay in the region of $15 000.  For a conversion or lead-focused website, the cost will be about $30 000, and $50 000 upwards for a complex, feature-rich website. 

The average cost of a business software upgrade, from Enterprise Resource Planning and Customer Relationship Management systems to IT security, can range from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the size and the type of business you are in.

Don’t underestimate the time and financial resources needed to build quality, functional software applications. There is a lot that goes into it and costs begin to stack-up when the project doesn’t perform or goes over-budget. 

Use the Cost Performance Index to measure project cost efficiency

The Cost Performance Index is a measure of the financial effectiveness and efficiency of a project, and represents the amount of work completed for every monetary unit spent. Project managers can use CPI to measure the cost efficiency of software projects against the work actually completed for an early flag that budget or scope adjustments need to be made. Simply put, it is a way of demonstrating whether or not your project is on budget and performing.

Using the CPI will give you an honest view of the cost efficiency of budgeted resources as a ratio of earned value to actual costs. 

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The power of one

You can calculate the Cost Performance Index by dividing the Earned Value (EV) by Actual Cost (AC). When we talk about Earned Value (EV), we are talking about the amount of the task that is actually completed compared to what was planned to be done by a particular stage. It is expressed in terms of the budget set for the project. For instance, if the budget is $10,000 but only 20% of the work has been completed halfway through the six month project timeframe, then the EV is $2,000. The Actual Cost (AC) is the amount of money that has been spent on the task.

So, CPI = EV / AC 

For example, if a project has an EV of $30 000 but the AC is $15 000, the CPI is 2. 

But what does that mean?

CPI < 1 – a CPI that is less than one means the earning is less than the amount spent. You can say the project is over budget. 

CPI > 1 – a CPI that greater than one means the earning is more than the amount spent. This is when you can happily say that the project is under budget. 

CPI = 1 – a CPI equal to one means the earning and spending are equal. Everything is going according to plan and the project is performing well. 

The upside and downside of technology

In this digital age, you know that technology not only enables your business but powers it. There is a downside though. Software needs constant maintenance and frequent upgrades. Don’t consider maintenance or upgrade projects as a nuisance. Instead, see upgrades as an investment into better efficiencies, seamless continuity, improved productivity, more features, greater functionality, happier employees, more engaged customers, tighter IT security and reduced risks. The list of rewards from optimised software goes on, and they translate into business growth. Maintaining your software systems will ensure that they are up-to-date, bug-free, cyber-secure and working as they should. 

Hand it over

Budget, skills and resourcing constraints will impact the progress and ultimate success of your software projects, whether it’s a new app development or a website upgrade. Poor planning leads to slow progress and failing to reach the goals you want to achieve. You want a CPI equal to one or more if you want the most bang for your buck.

Not your forte? Hand it over. At Digital Grind we eat, sleep and drink this stuff. We have an established team of tech experts who understand the software development, maintenance and user experience design landscape. We also know that getting ROI on software projects is important to our clients. So planning and sticking to budget and project timelines is non-negotiable. We aim for a CPI of one or more on every project we undertake. Have a look at what we did for Moro Hub. 

Got a goal or a project in mind? Start it now with Digital Grind.