The Importance of Regular Content Updates for SEO

Posted on by roya
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What is THE #1 deciding factor whether you attract a large number of readers to your website? Besides spending tons of money on ads, the primary factor is search engine optimization (SEO). According to 2022 metrics, there are 3.9 billion searches being conducted every day, and 93% of online experiences begin with a search engine. By focusing on SEO, websites can attract more organic users without having to spend a copious amount of money. What is SEO? SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization and it essentially evaluates how far up you come on the Google results when someone searches for specific keywords. The higher you rank, the earlier you come in the results, and the higher visibility you get. For businesses, this translates to online clients being attracted merely by adding the right keywords to your website.One key piece of managing your SEO strategy is ensuring that you provide regular content updates for your readers and search engines. So why is this so important? Why updates are so important? Staying relevantThink of SEO updates like Facebook or Instagram updates. Those familiar with Instagram know that at one-point certain hashtags made posts go viral, while right now reels are THE thing to do in order to gain a broader audience. The same happens with SEO. SEO is constantly changing, which impacts the algorithm and what content creators, or businesses must do to stay relevant. The more relevant you are, the more people you will reach. And the more people you reach, the more likely you are to be able to help more people with your product and/or services. It shows Google you’re still activeThe reality is that there are many websites out there that don’t get updated regularly. This indicates to Google that you’re either not in business anymore, or you’re simply not very dedicated. Google rewards websites that keep their content up to date. By changing the content to be more SEO friendly, Google gets alerted that your content has been changed and your business is still running. This again pushes you up on the search engine results and you are therefore more likely to be found by people searching for your content. It’s important for clientsYour clients want to be able to trust you. They can only do that if you demonstrate yourself to be an expert in your field. If your website is outdated then it no longer is seen as a reliable source. Not only does this reflect poorly with readers, but search engines like Google will also take note. Regularly releasing content as well as updating older content is a great way to stay relevant and show readers that you’re on top of things. Search engines also take regular updates as a positive sign so they are more likely to rank your website higher up search results. How can you make sure your content is up to date with new SEO? Knowing when to update your content is a challenge on its own, and if you haven’t been in the field for a long time, you won’t know what to do. Your most viewed contentIf you run a blog and that blog has certain posts that do better than others, it’s crucial to keep those up to date. If you have to filter and be selective about which posts to update, and which ones to leave for later, these are the ones you’ll want to start with. When people view your posts, you’ll want to make sure that the content is still relevant and also assure that more new readers come to your site to view that post. Get rid of content that’s irrelevantSome content may simply not be applicable to you or your business anymore. If you used to be a commercial and residential roofing company, but you’ve since gotten rid of the residential component, get rid of any old blog posts that reference residential roofing. This distracts, as well as attracts the wrong kind of clientele. Also consider getting rid of content that you don’t love, and that others seem to not love as well. Maybe you have a post that really practically nobody reads. Combine any similar contentIt’s likely that if you’re serving a specific audience, you’re regularly writing content about similar topics. You most likely have several posts around the same exact topic, perhaps just with a different spin. For example, if you are a skincare brand, you’ve probably written a few posts about the importance of cleansing your skin. It’s best to simply combine the two or so posts together. SEO will hold it against you if you have too many posts referencing similar content, and the last thing you want is it to ding you for something you simply have been diligent in writing about. Update ALL contentYour website doesn’t just consist of a blog section full of posts. It also consists of different pages including an About page, the home page, etc. All these pages must be updated regularly in order to rank higher on search engines. If you’re finding the thought overwhelming, simply work on one of your static (aka doesn’t have constant updates with new content like a blog page) pages first, and then work on one section at a time. Soon enough, you’ll have your entire website updated! SEO is complex, the rules are constantly changing, and regularly updating content is just one facet of the process. As a business owner, your main priority is to get new clients in, and SEO is a great way to do that. However, between client meetings, calls, and admin work, it’s unlikely that you also have the time to stay up to date on the new algorithm rules that SEO operates by. That’s why it can be so incredibly helpful to outsource this kind of work. At Nerd Crossing, we can help you with web, digital, and social media marketing. This includes incorporating SEO into your content and updating it regularly, as the SEO world changes and adapts.[…]



Windows 11: To install, or Not to Install

Posted on by roya
windows 11 start-on-white-tabletop

Windows 11 offers plenty for us to be excited about, from features that support new ways of working to additions designed to keep users secure. And if Microsoft is able to deliver on its promises, Windows 11 will deliver value to businesses of all kinds as they look to capitalize on new opportunities. The Installation Assistant notifies you to install Windows 11 on a compatible PC the moment it releases. At this time, we are recommending to not upgrade to Windows 11. Although Windows 11 will have undergone extensive testing, both in the lab and during early-access, bugs are already occurring post-launch. Users have reported a variety of issues after installing Windows 11; some say they are experiencing poor Wi-Fi performance; some have found the Start menu search function is broken, and others are having problems with File Explorer. Also, it has been reported that Windows 11 suffers from memory issues that will eventually begin to cause slowdown. Like any new software update, Windows 11 will likely have its share of launch issues and bugs which hopefully will get better over time with new features. We are gearing up to enjoy our time with Windows 11, but we wouldn’t call it an essential upgrade just yet — at least not for everybody. With that being said, we’re thinking carefully about whether these benefits are worth the inevitable nuisances that our customers might face as early adopters. Sometimes, after all, the tortoise wins the race while the hare is sleeping.



ADA and Lawsuits Against Non-Compliant Websites

Posted on by roya
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ADA and Lawsuits Against Non-Compliant WebsitesEvery business has a reputation to uphold, and part of what feeds into that reputation is whether or not a website is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Having a non-compliant website is not a good look, and there are many lawsuits that show what can happen when a website isn’t geared towards inclusion. Americans with Disabilities Act ExplainedEarlier waves of the civil rights movement have focused on protecting the rights of men and women, regardless of what ethnicity, race, religion, or sex they were. In 1990, there was a push for also defending the rights of those with different abilities, which resulted in the creation of the ADA. The ADA impacted and influenced all aspects of how organizations were run and promoted possibilities and opportunities for those with disabilities.The ADA focuses on protecting the rights of disabled people in the workforce by making the workplace physically accessible for everyone regardless of ability. Outside the workplace, the ADA prioritizes the following areas:● Transportation● Public accommodations● Communications● Accessibility to state and local government programs and services ADA and WebsitesAs helpful as it is that the ADA has ensured businesses have accommodations such as wheelchair-accessible ramps, there is little guidance when it comes to website accessibility and compliance. This means that in court cases, it’s up to the court to decide if the websites are compliant or not, without a framework to operate with.How does this impact you? Well, if you’re not aware of the possibility of your website being non-compliant or at risk of being perceived as such, then your business could be sued at any time. Some businesses may be able to shoulder that sort of financial burden, but unless you’re a large business with a huge profit margin and a lawyer on payroll, you most likely can’t afford to be taken to court. ADA and website compliance in the courtWith no guidance about what counts as a clear lack of compliance, courts have argued on whether or not certain online practices are considered to be in line with the ADA or not. Beforegetting into the nitty-gritty of these cases, it’s important to clarify the foundational right being protected that’s up for debate when it comes to website compliance.At the forefront of this debate whether something is ADA compliant is the general determination that access to public space is either restricted or not restricted from those with different abilities. For a while, it was up for debate whether the internet counted as such a public space, but more recent hearings seem to show a preference for determining the internet as such.In Europe, there are guidelines to help businesses be compliant with accessibility called WCAG 2.0 AA. There are levels of compliance — AA standing for the “standard,” A for “below acceptable,” and AAA for “exceptional.” Ideally, a business would want to be between WCAG 2.0 AA and WCAG 2.0 AAA compliant.More and more of these court hearings and cases are coming up, some more prominent than others. In total, there were over 2,000 federal cases in 2018. Here are some examples:1. Domino’s Pizza caseA man named Guillermo Robles filed a lawsuit against Domino’s Pizza because he was unable to use his special screen reading software in order to create his own custom pizza and place an order. The court ruled in his favor since both the Domino’s app and website didn’t score as WCAG 2.0 AA.2. Hobby Lobby caseHobby Lobby was sued by Sean Gorecki, who was legally blind. Using the JAWS reading software, certain aspects of the website couldn’t be read. This website was considered to be non-WCAG 2.0 AA compliant, leading to a win for Gorecki.3. The Harvard and MIT caseEven though Harvard and MIT are known for being innovative and attracting high achievers, the prestigious schools were sued by the National Association of the Deaf as their course materials were all not accessible for those with hearing impairments. Considerations like adding captions weren’t made, and the case is still ongoing.4. BeyoncéMary Condor sued the singer for her website not being accessible to her due to a lack of implementation of WCAG 2.0 AA. Condor had visual impairments and had great difficulty using a screen reader due to a lack of alt-text and keyboard accessibility. How to make your own website ADA compliantNow, it’s clear that none of these businesses had built their websites with the intention to make the lives of those with different abilities difficult. However, even if unintentional, it leaves you and your business vulnerable to a lawsuit. This can be avoided. For example, here are some requirements for your website to be considered compliant with WCAG 2.0 AA standards:• The content must be written in a way that screen readers are able to translate it (this includes providing alt-text for each image, as well as incorporating keyboard access)• Videos must include on-screen captions for those with hearing impairments• A drop-down menu must be accessible via the keyboard as well as mouse Those are just three major ways you can make it more accessible and potentially avoid the pitfalls that lead to court cases. However, there are many more features that can be incorporated to make your website more compliant. Final thoughtsAs a business owner, you want nothing more than for it to thrive. However, it’s always vulnerable to someone stumbling across your website and finding that it’s non-compliant with ADA standards. This can easily be avoided by simply hiring a team to work with you on your website to make all the necessary changes and implement the features that will make it accessible to everyone.Hiring a web team like Nerd Crossing has huge benefits, including your peace of mind and protecting your business. As Nerd Crossing likes to emphasize: first impressions matter, and having your website be compliant makes for a great first impression!



How Secure is Health Tech?

Posted on by GiantsFan
How Secure is Health Tech

For example, 100% of mobile health apps tested by Approov were found to expose “full patient records including protected health information (PHI) and personally identifiable information (PII).”  Luckily, there are simple ways to safeguard your practice. Read on for tips from the cybersecurity experts at Nerd Crossing.  Secure Your Email  Working from home creates juicy opportunities for criminals to access patient data. For example, your house or apartment network is probably shared with others who should not be privy to patient information. Phishing is the most common cyberattack facing healthcare professionals like you today. And emails are the most common area of weakness. Always think before you click! Hover over links in your emails to make sure they point secure websites. Also, never download files or executables without verifying the source of a message!   Browse Safely  An easy way to keep safe is to access your work email on a private network (VPN) and verify that the websites you are visiting use HTTPS. You should also be using an anti-virus software and avoid creating weak or recycled passwords. Our favorite password managers include Dashlane, LastPass, and Password Safe.   Update Legacy Systems  Before jumping on the health tech bandwagon, a bit of housekeeping might be in order.   Processing data with a legacy system is a huge security risk. The top suspects include Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows XP.  You should also check whether login information and credentials are truly stored securely. These include computer systems as well as medical devices and facility controls. To manage dozens and up to thousands of devices and endpoints at a time, consider using a mobile device management (MDM) software. This will help your IT team allow for the use of personal devices while keeping patient data safe by locking up or even completely wiping devices if a breach occurs.    Contact Our Health Tech Nerds Feeling lost at exactly what to prioritize when it comes to cybersecurity? Our HIPAA certified Nerds are here to help!   Schedule a Free Consult



Why has Apple put its password manager on Chrome?

Posted on by GiantsFan
typing on laptop

By Robert Davis, Network and Systems Engineer, Nerd Crossing Apple is getting in on password management for the big bucks — and to make password security an actual priority for customers. However, today’s in-browser password managers are still insecure.   Why? It’s simple — if you’re not prompted to provide a secret to verify your identity, then that means it’s available to anyone who is on your device during a given session.   Nerd Crossing still highly recommends using a third-party password application like LastPass, 1Password, and Dashlane.    My other tips include never providing admin access to your personal password manager, not saving passwords in your browser, and using a strong complicated password for all accounts.  As for *online* passwords password manager solutions, those accounts definitely benefit from rotation as websites have their password databases leaked regularly.   Though they are encrypted, once leaked hackers will start to brute force the weakest passwords first, and if they are still current, gain access.   Need tips on more than password managers?   Contact the Nerds Today



Self Care for Small Business Owners 

Posted on by GiantsFan
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By Jim Hammack  Busy holding things together at your small business? Don’t forget to take time off for you! This year has been especially difficult, and you may have overwhelming worries about keeping the doors open while keeping yourself and your employees safe. No matter how you are coping, Nerd Crossing has a few tips which we hope will help you during these unprecedented times:   Slow Down and Reclaim Space    The holidays are approaching, and we hope you block out some much-needed space to get re-energized for the next year. Guided meditation is a great option for you if you’re feeling especially disconnected from others. It can also reduce stress, tame anxious feelings, and even boost your creativity.  Here are some of our favorite mediation apps:  Calm  Headspace  Smiling Mind  Stop, Breathe & Think (Great for parents! Invest in a Comfy Chair  Working from home indefinitely? A high-quality chair will help preserve your posture. The back has a natural curve, so choose one with lumbar and backrest adjustment options and an armrest that allows your shoulders to be relaxed. Our favorite places to shop are Wayfair, Amazon, Staples, Target, and Overstock.  Break Up Your Break Time  Has the 9-5 turned into a 12-hour workday? It may be hard to keep up with your regular break times, but they are crucial for your physical and mental health.    If you simply can’t take a 30-minute lunch break, try breaking it up into two 15-minute walks around the block. You can even get creative with burpees, pushups, and other stationary exercises.   Rest Your Eyes  Staring at a computer screen for too long can result in eye strain — resulting in soreness and even vision loss! To prevent yourself from increased sensitivity, you may want to consider the following:   Purchase an anti-glare monitor and document holder  Take breaks in-between computer sessions  Adjust the lighting in your workspace  Reduce the circulation of dry air with a humidifier  Use an eye compress and artificial tears  Maintain Healthy Eating Habits  Skip the sad desk lunch at home and try planning out your meals during the weekend or your off-days. Yes, this means actually taking a lunch break! Sticking to a regular eating schedule will help you maintain consistent levels of energy throughout the day.    Below are some of our recommended apps for meal planning:   Mealime   Paprika   PrePear  Working from home shouldn’t make you feel like a workhorse. And as an entrepreneur, I’ve found that giving our bodies time to heal is just as important as being productive throughout the day. Take time to stop, breathe, and cherish the small moments!  We hope that these tips help you navigate these challenging times with a clear mind and nourished spirit. 



Tech Tools to Keep Students Motivated and Engaged

Posted on by GiantsFan
Teacher and child with computer

By David Sua   Are your students tuning out during the day? There are a variety of ways that technology can help them stay motivated. Read on for easy-to-use tips for teaching during the COVID-19 lockdown. We will break down how to optimize your workflow — and continue inspiring your students to keep learning during these challenging times. Here are some tips to keep your online class engaging and inclusive: Schedule a Healthy Snack Time Research shows that hunger may impact a student’s emotional development and academic performance. Create a 15-minutes snack break in the morning or afternoon to ensure that they have the nutrition and energy to power through your lesson. Host a Stretch Break Just as we make time for meals, students can benefit from the opportunity to take a breather — especially in-between long remote sessions. Think about hosting these stretch breaks at the same time as lunch or recess. Keep Saying Please and Thank-You As millions of students adapt to new tools and technologies, that doesn’t mean that common courtesy gets thrown out the window. During online sessions, many students — and adults may speak rapidly and use a louder or more assertive tone of voice. Ask all students to raise their hands before speaking. They can even schedule a private chat after the lesson for specific questions that may not need an immediate answer. Let Everyone Have A Turn During group sessions, the loudest people tend to dominate the conversation. Consider asking these individuals to turn the question over to another peer and limiting answers with a timer to allow everyone to speak. You can even prevent students from talking over each other by muting speakers and encouraging them to use emojis or polls to indicate what they may be feeling about specific topics. For large groups, you can also use breakout rooms to allow more personalized and in-depth interactions. Change Out of Your Pajamas While it may be tempting to roll out of bed in the same clothes you slept in, that wouldn’t be setting the best example for young learners. Encourage students and parents to show up to your lessons just as they would for an in-person class or parent-teacher meeting. Use a Sturdy Desk Ask parents to set up their child’s learning station at the same place each day. If possible, they should also remove toys, games, and other items that may serve as a distraction. Encourage a straight posture and eye contact throughout the lesson as well to show your respect for each other and the importance of classroom time. Put Up Virtual Backgrounds These can take pressure away from students and parents to share their personal space. They can further protect their privacy by removing family pictures and other personally-identifiable information from the background. When choosing a virtual background, a good rule of thumb is to use images that are not distracting to the eye and appropriate for an educational context. Host a Virtual Field Trip If attention is waning during your lessons, it may be time for your classroom to go on a journey. Here are a few virtual visits you can take today: The Exploratorium — featuring online activities in the sciences, arts, and mathematics. The Conservatory of Flowers Adaptation Field Trip Program — offering third thru fifth-grade students an engaging overview of how tropical plants adapt for survival. The Monterey Bay Aquarium — delivering narrated feedings for a diverse range of animals — from moon jellies to sea otters. Take a Survey — What are your top concerns this school year? Enhance Remote Classes with Games Are certain concepts just not sticking with your students? Consider implementing gamification in your lesson plan. Gamification is incorporating a sense of play, questioning, and experimentation to help individuals solve problems collaboratively and creatively. You can create a sense of friendly competition with cooperative games, flashcards, pop quizzes, and more. Here are some popular gamification tools used in classrooms today: BrainPop — playful and reflective activities, available in major languages such as Spanish, French, Mandarin, and English ClassDojo — an online communications platform helping teachers keep in touch with students and parents through interactive activities and digital portfolios Socrative — dynamic tools for tracking student engagement in real-time Make Things Visual Graphic design tools like Canva, Figma, and Crello are great for creating eye-catching worksheets, presentations, lesson plans, and other handouts. With a bit more effort, you can also be on your way to leveraging these teaching materials on marketplaces like Teachers Pay Teachers and Teachers Notebook. Update Your Technology Our final piece of advice is to lean on technology to keep your lesson planning and teaching as stress-free as possible. When the tech you use becomes overwhelming, it may also be time to consider expert IT consultation on what blend of software, devices, and apps are needed to help your students achieve their goals. This is where Nerd Crossing comes in. With over ten years of experience with charter schools, public and private educational institutions, we know a thing or two about how to optimize virtual classrooms at all scales. Whether you are looking to limit student distraction, streamline administration, or looking for faster device performance and connectivity — we are here for you! Contact the Nerds for a Free Consultation



Tackling IT Headaches for Charter Schools

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Tackling IT Headaches for Charter Schools — Nerd Crossing Blog — 10.16.20

Are you a teacher who is overwhelmed by having to be tech support and an educator at the same time? It’s hard enough getting your students to pay attention — much less use technologies you may have never used before.   Across the country, millions of educators just like yourself are adjusting to the challenge of teaching remotely. And the Nerds at Nerd Crossing want you to know that you’re not alone.  With over 25 years of experience helping educators, we can help you navigate this fundamental shift in teaching with ease.  Why IT is Critical for Schools  As a professional educator, you may be aware that the digital divide has gotten much worse during the pandemic. Studies show that students of color and young children are especially prone to falling behind. The friendly experts at Nerd Crossing can address common problems you may be having right now — from wireless access to device updates.   Is your Charter School Tech Savvy?   Can all teachers and administrators implement tech without connectivity issues?  Do you have an on-going plan to deploy devices to your students and to keep them updated? Do you have a 12-18 month IT and Cybersecurity Roadmap? Is funding readily available for necessary tech upgrades?  If your answer is “no” to any of the above questions, your charter school might need an IT consult.   Nerd Crossing Services for Educators  Are new tech and personnel training not covered in your current budget? No worries! With Nerd Crossing, you can request a free one-time consultation to get your IT needs in order.   Our IT for Schools Offers  BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Nerd Crossing helps schools maintain a secure BYOD policy that deters viruses from overloading the network.  Educational Apps and Software: Integrate the latest software for real-time student and parent collaboration, including RenWeb, Zoom, and much more.  iPads and Chromebooks: We manage mass rollouts of common devices for diverse remote learning needs.  Security and Web Filtering: Help students navigate the web without viewing unwanted content — while also preventing the theft of their personal records.   Locking Down Systems: Prepare for the unexpected with a clear protocol for shutting down networks and computers if necessary.  Reliable Wi-Fi: Ensure that students are always connected and prepared for remote learning. Eliminate dead zones and ensure uptime, allowing for maximum student and staff productivity.   Robust Infrastructure: Boost your technology stack for seamless office management and student services.   Data Storage: Manage data in the comfort of your home office, efficiently and cost-effectively. [wc_button type=”primary” url=”https://nerdcrossing.com/contact/” title=”Get A Free IT Roadmap” target=”” url_rel=”” icon_left=”” icon_right=”” position=”left” class=””]Get A Free IT Roadmap[/wc_button] With Nerd Crossing, you don’t need to make a huge upfront investment or slow down operations at your charter school to get your IT and web needs in order. We’re here to help you grow and be successful!  Contact the Nerds today if you are ready to start protecting your critical data and want to train your staff on the latest tactics to stay secure, wherever they are.   [wc_button type=”primary” url=”https://nerdcrossing.com/contact/” title=”Contact Nerd Crossing” target=”” url_rel=”” icon_left=”” icon_right=”” position=”left” class=””]Contact Nerd Crossing[/wc_button]