I know I say this every month, but man, there was a lot going on at the WordStream blog in August.
It might not have been the busiest month news-wise (though we did see some important changes to how ad rotation is handled in AdWords), but that didn’t stop us from publishing some very exciting content this month.
As we prepare to move into September, here’s a round-up of the most popular posts from the WordStream blog in August. We’ve got something for everyone this month, from actionable guides on tests you can run on your landing pages to an in-depth exploration of how to crush your competitors using Facebook Ads.
1. 6 Landing Page Test Ideas You Need to Try
Our most popular post of the month (by a fair country distance) was this guide to landing page test ideas, courtesy of Brad Smith.
Not content to merely suggest a list of vague tests you could try, Brad offers in-depth strategies for each test backed up by real-world examples of tests from well-known brands. If you’re as obsessed with landing page optimization as we are (and we know you are, nerds), you need to check out this post.
2. The Big, Easy Guide to Keyword Research for Businesses
First of all, Margot deserves extra credit for resisting the temptation to try and shoe-horn a Raymond Chandler reference into this post – bravo, Margot. Secondly, this guide provides you with everything you need to know about conducting thorough, competitive keyword research for your next campaign regardless of what kind of business you’re in. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a complete newcomer, Margot’s got you covered.
3. 5 Ways to Use Facebook Ads to Take Down Your Competitors
Sometimes, it’s not enough to use Facebook to just reach new customers and grow your business. As a particularly famous barbarian once said, sometimes you need to crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women.
In this post, Allen shows you how to do precisely that using Facebook Ads. From creating custom remarketing audiences to building highly specific Facebook Ad conversion funnels, Allen offers five actionable strategies for crushing the competition. Essential reading.
4. These 4 Forgotten AdWords Best Practices Still Matter – Here’s Proof
One of the best things about AdWords is that the platform is constantly changing to offer advertisers more ways to connect with new customers. Unfortunately, this also means constantly having to adjust and respond to these changes on the fly – a considerable challenge for busy marketers. Fortunately, Mark is here to help, and in our fourth-most popular post from August, he outlines four important AdWords best practices that remain relevant today. How many of these are you still using?
5. The Google Fred Update: Why It Matters and What to Do
The Google search algorithm update that was deployed in early March sent SEOs the world over into a blind panic. Some sites saw overnight drops in traffic of up to 90%, while others actually noted increases in traffic after the update rolled out – but what was the “Fred” update, and why does it matter? In this post, yours truly explains what Google Fred was, what it did, and how you can prevent catastrophic traffic losses by future-proofing your site.
6. Positive vs. Negative Ads: Which Works Better?
We’ve been telling our readers for years that leveraging emotional triggers in your ads is one of the best ways to increase click-through rates. However, when it comes to which kinds of emotional triggers are most effective, things can get a little complicated. Is it better to appeal to positive emotional reactions in your ads, or pull those dastardly levers with negative emotional manipulation?
In our sixth-most popular post of the month, Allen examines the pros and cons of using positive and negative emotional triggers in your campaigns, and explains which you should consider using.
7. Google Announces Major Changes to Ad Rotation Settings
On September 25, Google will implement major new changes to how ad rotation is handled in AdWords. As one of the most fundamental aspects of the platform, this is a Very Big Deal. In this post, Mark explains what the changes will do, why Google is making them, and how you as an advertiser can position yourself to take advantage of the changes as soon as they’re live. If you use AdWords, you need to read this post.
8. 24 Instagram Marketing Tools for More Followers, Likes & Sales
Do you use Instagram as part of your social media marketing strategy? Would you like more followers, likes, and sales? Then you’re in luck!
In our eighth-most popular post from August, Mary lists 24 Instagram marketing tools that will help you attract more fans, boost engagement with your Instagram content, and ultimately drive more sales.
9. 33 CRO & Landing Page Optimization Stats to Fuel Your Strategy
Did you know that the average web form has 11(!) fields? Or that you can effectively double your conversion rates by eliminating the navigational elements from your landing pages?
These are just two of the 33 amazing conversion rate and landing page optimization stats from our penultimate post of this month’s round-up, courtesy of Mary. Seriously, some of these stats will blow your mind.
10. 10 Self-Editing Tips That Will Make You a Better Writer
Love it or hate it, editing remains one of the most crucial stages of the writing process. Although not everyone is comfortable self-editing their own work, learning to do so is one of the best things you can do to improve your skills as a writer, and in our final post of this month’s round-up, Elisa offers 10 excellent self-editing tips that will make you a better writer. If you’re looking for ways to gain an edge over all the other writers out there, this is a great place to start.