Articles by Matthew
Generative Engine Optimization Services: How to Compare Agencies
Most agencies sell generative engine optimization as a buzzword bolt-on. Here's the evaluation framework — audits, deliverables, and proof of citation lift — that separates real GEO work from a repackaged SEO retainer.
Ecommerce SEO Agency: How to Choose the Right Partner
Every agency site says the same things: "data-driven," "proven results," "custom strategy." None of that helps you pick a partner. Here's the actual framework — pricing models, deliverables, platform expertise, and the red flags that predict a bad engagement before you sign.
On-Page SEO Services: What's Included & What They Cost
On-page SEO services range from $500 title-tag cleanups to $5,000+/month content programs — and the line items vary wildly by vendor. Here's what's actually included, what it should cost, and an objective checklist to vet any provider, including us.
Technical SEO Services: What's Actually Included (and How to Evaluate an Agency)
Most "technical SEO" packages skim the surface — a Screaming Frog crawl and a to-do list. Here's what should actually be in scope, benchmarked against what agencies typically sell, so you can vet a vendor before you sign.
How to Choose a Local SEO Company: A Vetting Checklist
Most "how to choose a local SEO company" articles are just agency pitches in disguise. This one hands you the actual due-diligence framework agencies use internally — pricing benchmarks, red flags, reporting standards, and a vetting checklist you can run on any vendor, including us.
Automated Solutions: What They Are & How to Choose
Search "automated solutions" and you'll get a page of similarly-named vendors and zero explanation of what you're actually buying. Here's the category framework the SERP won't give you — plus how to evaluate vendors and decide whether to build or buy.
How to Choose a Web Development Company: A Buyer's Framework
Skip the "top 10 agencies" lists. Here's the actual decision framework — pricing models, tech stack questions, red flags, and discovery-call scripts — to vet any web development company before you sign a contract.
GEO Meaning: What Generative Engine Optimization Really Means
"GEO" gets thrown around to mean three different things, reputation management, geo-targeting, and generative engine optimization. We disambiguate the term fast, then go deep on the one that actually matters for AI search: a practical framework and starter checklist for optimizing content for ChatGPT, Perplexity, and AI Overviews.
Ecommerce SEO Services: What's Included, Costs & How to Vet a Provider
Ecommerce SEO services span technical audits, category-page optimization, content, and digital PR, but pricing and quality vary wildly between agencies. Here's the buyer-side breakdown: real deliverables, real pricing tiers, and the exact questions to ask before you sign anything.
On-Site SEO: The Complete Guide to Optimizing Every Page
Most on-site SEO guides hand you a checklist and wish you luck. This one gives you a system: an audit framework, an effort/impact scoring model, and a clear order of operations for what to fix first.
Technical SEO Agency: How to Choose the Right Partner (2026)
Most "top agency" lists are just directories with a paywall. This guide gives you the actual framework (audit depth, JS rendering skill, reporting cadence, AI-search readiness) to score any technical SEO agency, including us.
Local SEO Services: How to Choose the Right Agency
Most guides to local SEO services are either agency sales pages in disguise or listicles ranking vendors by ad spend. This one is different: a transparent framework (pricing models, deliverables, realistic timelines, and red flags) so you can actually evaluate a provider before you sign a contract.
How To Create A Personalized Landing Page That Converts
In today’s digital landscape, standing out in a sea of generic marketing messages is more challenging than ever. That’s where personalized landing pages come in. These high-converting, custom-tailored web pages are designed to speak directly to individual users based on their interests, behavior, lo
The Role of Custom Web Development in Scaling NYC Startups
New York City’s startup ecosystem is one of the most dynamic and competitive in the world. Entrepreneurs in the city face numerous challenges, from securing funding to establishing a market presence. However, one of the most crucial aspects of scaling a startup in NYC is having a robust digital pres
Why Local SEO Is Vital for NYC Businesses
In the bustling metropolis of New York City, where every street corner buzzes with activity and countless businesses vie for attention, standing out isn’t just important. It’s essential. For NYC businesses looking to thrive in the local market, Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is an invaluable
Human SEO vs. AI SEO: Why You Still Need Human SEO Experts
Every successful marketing strategy includes SEO: search engine optimization. If you’re looking for someone to do high-quality SEO work for your business, does it even make sense to choose a human writer anymore? After all, can’t artificial intelligence write content that meets all your specificatio
Web Application Developer For Your Business
In today’s ever-evolving digital landscape, the role of a web application developer is paramount to the growth and success of businesses. As businesses strive to stay ahead of the competition, web application developers serve as the driving force behind their digital transformation. In this article,
The Role of Backlinks for SEO
in 2023, understanding the significance of backlinks for SEO is paramount. Backlinks serve as crucial connections between webpages, playing a vital role in website authority, search engine rankings, and organic traffic. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the importance of backlinks for
What Is Influencer Marketing and it’s role in Modern Advertising
Influencer marketing has revolutionized the way you can connect with your target audience. By collaborating with trusted experts in specific niches, you can authentically promote your offerings, boost brand recognition, and drive conversions. Keep reading for the multitude of benefits it can offer y
The Benefits of SEO: Improving Website Visibility
Do I Really Need SEO: What Are The Benefits? To grow and succeed, it’s important to have an online presence and not overlook the benefits of SEO. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) plays a pivotal role in improving a website’s visibility and attracting valuable organic traffic. By implementing effecti
SEO Website Design: The Ultimate Guide
SEO is significant in today’s digital space. The acronym stands for Search Engine Optimization. It’s needed by all businesses, both big and small, for a robust online presence. But, how does SEO link with website design? The connection is substantial, and we’re about to uncover the crucial aspects o
What Are Rich Snippets? And Their Importance in the SERPs
Welcome to the world of SEO, where every single detail matters, and where rich snippets are quietly transforming the game. In this article, we will explore this intriguing SERP feature, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of its purpose, types, the technology behind them, and their impo
SEO Strategy: Driving Organic Success
When it comes to driving organic success and improving your online visibility, having an effective SEO strategy is crucial. It can significantly impact your website’s ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs) and attract relevant organic traffic. In this article, we will delve into the world of
Website Design for Your Small Business
Having a strong online presence isn’t simply a nice bonus, but a necessary ingredient for success. Comprehending the concept of website design is therefore paramount. A well-crafted website has a crucial role in cementing your credibility, attracting customers, and escalating brand awareness. This p
HIPAA Compliance Made Easy: Medical Practices and Websites
As a medical practice owner or website administrator, one of your top priorities is likely to ensure the protection of your patients’ sensitive information. Consequently, understanding the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) becomes crucial. This federal law regulates the use
Email Marketing: Create an Effective Campaign
Email marketing is a crucial, personal way to engage with your target audience members. When leveraged effectively and intelligently, email marketing has the potential to strengthen brand loyalty among your most valuable customers or leads, boost sales, and decrease churn rates across the board. But
Video Marketing: Swarm Digital’s Answer to 2023
One thing’s for sure: video marketing is on the rise in 2023. In fact, 90% of consumers report that they want to see more videos from brands this year. As a result, many digital marketers are looking for ways to meet this demand and produce fresh, high-quality content their audience will love. Here,
AI-Generated Content: Will It Affect My Site’s Google Rankings?
In November of 2022, an AI model known as ChatGPT appeared on the scene, bringing with it the popularisation of AI-generated content. This natural language processing tool is able to generate content for web pages, blogs, ads, and just about any marketing purpose you can think of. In many cases, rea
How to Use SEMrush SERP Feature Icons
How to Use SEMrush SERP Feature Icons In this article, we’ll talk about SEMrush SERP feature icons and the different types of icons that appear in SEO reports. By the end, you will have a better understanding of what they are, and how to optimize your content for them. To make it easier for you to f
The Best Website Builder: WordPress vs Wix vs Squarespace vs Shopify
Website Builders: An In-Depth Comparison of The Top Four Creating an online presence for your business is a must these days, and the best way to do this is to have a website. But with so many website builders available, it can be hard to know which one to choose. The good news is that […]
Measuring Website Traffic Without Analytics: An Unconventional Guide
Measuring Website Traffic Without Analytics: An Unconventional Guide Disclaimer: This article was written by ChatGPT for a case study and should not be taken seriously. If you are looking for assistance with SEO and Analytics, please contact us here. In a world where Google Analytics tells you every
WordPress Elementor Pro Security Breach
March 2023 WordPress Elementor Pro Security Breach and Hack With the recent Elementor Pro security breach, the risk of your WordPress site being hacked has gone way up. In this article, we’ll chat about why it’s so important to update Elementor Pro to keep your website safe from potential attacks, a
Does My Website Need a Privacy Policy?
Let’s start with the bad news. Internet privacy is a battleground, and the fight is coming to your door. The web has turned challenging in terms of privacy. Politicians, billionaires, tech giants, and advertisers are the combatants; they constantly accuse their enemies of disinformation or other nas
Does Your Business Need SEO?
So you’ve got a website, but there’s a problem. Maybe you’re not getting enough traffic. Nobody’s filling out contact forms. Purchases are lower than expected, or needed. You Google for answers and keep seeing the term “SEO.” What is it, what’s the big deal, and does your business need it? Read on to
Picking a Visual Style for Your Website Design Project
Visual design: you know when it’s good; you know when it’s bad. But as the person tasked with knocking out a gorgeous site for your business, how do you arrive at great visuals for your website? In this article, you’ll learn what to consider when selecting a visual design, some elements of style, an
What Is the Difference Between Website Design and Website Development?
What do we do at Swarm Digital Marketing? We make websites and more. Easy to explain, right? Not necessarily, sometimes the terms can get confusing. In fact, sometimes they’re used interchangeably. What is web design? What’s web development? Is there a difference? Does it matter? YES. In this article
What is a Project Management Environment?
Whenever you have a group of people working on finishing something, you have a project management environment (PME). We’re big on PMEs here at Swarm Digital. Why? Because they help us help you get projects done efficiently, clearly, and excellently. In this article, you’ll learn what they are, their
Why Should I Use WP Engine for Hosting WordPress Websites Instead of GoDaddy Hosting?
This article will review how WP Engine is superior to other shared hosting providers like GoDaddy and why they may be a good fit for your needs. After you’ve read through this post, you will have the tools to understand the importance of website security and how to pick an effective, safe hosting se
Swarm Digital Client Dan’s Dog Walking Owner Recognized as 2021 Pet Sitter of the Year
We here at Swarm Digital are proud to report that our client Dan’s Dog Walking’s owner, Daniel Reitman, has been recognized by Pet Sitters International (PSI) as 2021 Pet Sitter of the Year™. We are sharing this news with you as part of our Community Spotlight Program. We select clients, or business
How Often Should You Update Your Website’s Design?
Swarm has created this article to assist you in understanding when to update your website. We have included useful industry statistics and covered topics that can help answer your questions. When you are finished reading it, we believe you will be much closer to your answer. As one of the most effec
When Should I Use Copy, Graphics, and Video on My Website?
The article below explains when and how to use copy, images, and videos on your website. We hope that you will find it helpful. Due to the past COVID situation and the cautions required for in-person contact, most consumers are turning online for information, research, and sales. Having an engaging