From Tumbleweeds to Traffic Jams: How SEO Makes Your Business the Talk of the Town

Remember those tumbleweed days when attracting clients felt like rolling a boulder uphill? Endless cold calls, emails that disappear into the void, and networking events that leave you feeling like a lone wolf. But fear not, fellow entrepreneur! There’s a secret weapon waiting to turn your website into a client magnet: SEO.

Imagine Your Website as a Neon Oasis in the Digital Desert

Before SEO, your website was like a hidden oasis in the middle of nowhere. Great if someone randomly stumbled upon it, but otherwise, crickets. SEO is like erecting a giant neon sign that screams, “Hey, I’ve got the solutions you crave!” right on Google’s bustling main street. Now, whenever someone searches for what you offer, your website pops up front and center. It’s like having a constant flow of thirsty travelers wandering in, eager to see if your oasis delivers the goods.

Laser Targeting Your Dream Clients, Not Random Tourists

But SEO isn’t just about attracting a crowd. It’s about attracting the right kind of crowd – the ones who are already halfway sold on what you do. By using the lingo people actually search for (keywords!), you basically become a human (or website) beacon for those actively seeking the solutions you provide. No more wasted pitches to people who just wandered in by accident. SEO brings you pre-qualified leads who are hot on your trail and ready to become raving fans (and hopefully, paying clients!).

The Google Stamp of Approval: From Underdog to Authority

The higher you rank on search engines, the more it’s like Google throws a spotlight on you and declares, “This website is legit!” This translates into a massive boost of trust and credibility with potential clients. They see you as an authority in your field, someone who has the answers they need. That trust factor is like gold – it makes them far more likely to choose you over some random competitor hiding in the shadows of the search results.

The #1 Spot: The Google Goldmine

Okay, ranking high on search engines is a win, but the ultimate prize is the coveted #1 spot. Here’s the thing: most people are lazy searchers, only clicking on the first few results. So, the higher you rank, the more clicks you score, which translates into a dramatic increase in website traffic – basically, more people checking out your virtual storefront.

Why Hiring an SEO Wizard like local SEO experts is Like Getting a Genie in a Bottle

Let’s be honest, SEO can be a bit of a magic trick. Search engine rules change faster than you can say “algorithm update,” and keeping up takes some serious wizardry. That’s why getting an SEO wizard on your team is a game-changer. They’re like digital sorcerers who constantly stay updated on the latest SEO spells and keep your website optimized for maximum visibility.

They Speak Tech, You Speak Business: The Dream Duo

The thing is, SEO involves some technical mumbo jumbo about website structure that would leave your head spinning. Your SEO wizard tackles all that magic, freeing you up to focus on what you do best – running your business and delivering stellar service to your clients. Plus, they use fancy data spells to track your progress, pinpoint areas for improvement, and constantly refine your SEO strategy for even better results.

Investing in SEO is like investing in a client magnet. By partnering with an SEO expert, you’ve unlocked the goldmine of search engines and now attract a steady stream of qualified leads, ready to be converted into loyal clients. So, ditch the outdated hustle and embrace the SEO revolution. Trust me, your business (and your sanity) will thank you for it.

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KYSBSUG Show Notes – Hard Drive Recovery

Data go 'bye-bye' sometimesThe Kentucky Small Business Server User Group (KYSBSUG) meeting #74 last week on Hard Drive Recovery had a fantastic turnout! I’d like to thank all who attended and a special thanks to Craig Mayfield for a killer presentation!

Here are the links for the resources mentioned in the presentation:

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Download – Free SQL 2008 R2 eBook

Ebook - SQL Server 2008 R2 Title: Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2
Author: Ross Mistry and Stacia Misner
Publisher: Microsoft Press
Date Published: © 2010 Microsoft Corporation
Pages: 236
File size: PDF 7.7 MB
Price: FREE
Download URL: Click here to download PDF

Description:

The purpose in Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 is to point out both the new and the improved in the latest version of SQL Server. Because this version is Release 2 (R2) of SQL Server 2008, you might think the changes are relatively minor—more than a service pack, but not enough to justify an entirely new version. However, as you read this book, we think you will find that there are a lot of exciting enhancements and new capabilities engineered into SQL Server 2008 R2  that will have a positive impact on your applications, ranging from improvements in operation to those in management. It is definitely not a minor release!

Organization:

PART I   Database Administration

  • CHAPTER 1   SQL Server 2008 R2 Editions and Enhancements
  • CHAPTER 2   Multi-Server Administration
  • CHAPTER 3   Data-Tier Applications
  • CHAPTER 4   High Availability and Virtualization Enhancements
  • CHAPTER 5   Consolidation and Monitoring

PART II   Business Intelligence Development

  • CHAPTER 6   Scalable Data Warehousing
  • CHAPTER 7   Master Data Services
  • CHAPTER 8   Complex Event Processing with StreamInsight
  • CHAPTER 9   Reporting Services Enhancements
  • CHAPTER 10   Self-Service Analysis with PowerPivot

Source: Found via Eric Ligman’s blog

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Exchange 2007 SP2 on SBS 2008

Exchange 2007 Microsoft has (finally) released the wrapper / installation tool for the Exchange 2007 SP2 install on SBS 2008 (and there was much rejoicing!) Previously, if you tried to install SP2 for Exchange on SBS 2008 you had to start messing with the registry per KB 973862. Thankfully, that’s no longer necessary with the installation tool. You can download it from the Microsoft download site.
 
Title: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 SP2 Installation Tool for Windows SBS 2008
Date Published: 12/28/2009
Download size: 604 KB
File name: SBS2008-KB974271-ENU.msi
Download URL: Click here

Overview:
The Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 SP2 Installation Tool for Windows SBS 2008 provides a step-by-step wizard that simplifies the installation of Service Pack 2 for Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 on a computer that is running Windows SBS 2008. The wizard also detects and helps you repair some problems that are common during installation. Without this tool, Windows SBS 2008 administrators must follow a series of manual steps, which are outlined in the Microsoft Knowledge Base article You cannot install Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 2 on a Windows Small Business Server 2008-based computer.

Installation, Step-by-Step:

First, downloaded Exchange 2007 SP2. Pack a lunch, because this baby is big (884 MB)! You can download SP2 here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4C4BD2A3-5E50-42B0-8BBB-2CC9AFE3216A&displaylang=en 

Second, double-click the E2K7SPEN64.exe to extract it, but DON’T start the install of the service pack yet.
image

Once that’s done (and you’ve downloaded the Installation Tool above) the rest of the installation is almost ready to go. One more important note first.

Note: It goes without saying, but make sure you have a good backup of the server before applying any service packs. Seriously folks.

1. Run the MESIT installer, accept the EULA and click Next.
Accept the EULA - Next

2. Accept the default installation path and click Next.
Accept the default install location - Next

3. At the User Account Control prompt, click Continue.
User Account Control - Continue

4. Once installation of the wrapper is complete, the “Install Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 SP2 now” option should already be checked. Click Finish.
MESIT install complete - Finish

5. This will pop another UAC prompt, click Continue.
User Account Control - Continue

Note:

5a. You may be prompted to install the Windows Installer 4.5 available at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=151819 if so, click OK.
Error - You need to install the Microsoft Windows Installer 4.5 - OK
This will exit the SP2 install and you’ll need to download and install the Windows Update Standalone Installer 4.5 first. The download you need for SBS 2008 is file “Windows6.0-KB942288-v2-x64.msu” (2.94 MB).

5b. After downloading the installer, double-click it to run it, and if prompted by User Account Control, click Continue.
User Account Control - Continue

5c. The installer searches for updates,
Searching for updates 
and click OK when prompted to install Hotfix for Windows (KB942288).
Install Hotfix 942288 - OK

The installer runs by itself…
Installer runs by itself
… and will require a server restart when complete.

5d. Reboot your SBS 2008 server.
Installation complete - Reboot

5e. After the reboot is complete, log back into your server, click Start | Windows Small Business Server Tools | Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 SP2 Installation Tool to continue with the install and pickup at step 6 below.
Re-launch the MESIT

6. Browse to the location where you extracted the Exchange 2007 SP2 files and click OK.
Browse to expanded Exchange 2007 SP2 files 

7. At the “Install Service Pack 2 for Microsoft Exchange Server 2007” screen, click Next.
Here we go - Next

The wizard will temporarily disable Microsoft Forefront Security.
Under the covers magic

8. After the server environment has been prepared, click Next.
Prep complete - Next

The Installation Tool will pop up a dialog box telling you not to close the window (not that you could because Next, Cancel and the X are grayed out). Ignore this window.
Ignore this window until SP2 wizard is complete and closed

You want the 2nd window that pops up.

9. Click the Install Microsoft Exchange Service Pack 2 link.
SP2 Wizard - Install

There will be a short pause…
The waiting is the hardest part 
…and then the wizard will launch.

10. On the SP2 setup screen, click Next.
Introduction - Next

11. Accept the EULA, and click Next.
Accept the EULA - Next

12. After the readiness check is complete, (takes 1-2 minutes) if all of your prerequisites are green, click Upgrade.
Prerequisites OK - Upgrade

The service pack installation will go through several stages:

  • Organization Preparation (5 minutes)*
  • Preparing Setup (3 minutes)
  • Remove Exchange Files (21 minutes)
  • Preparing Files (1 minute)
  • Copy Exchange Files (8 minutes)
  • Hub Transport Role (9 minutes)
  • Client Access Role (3 minutes)
  • Mailbox Role (4 minutes)
  • Management Tools (1 minute)
  • Finalizing Setup (1 minutes)

Approximate time for SP2 install (excluding nearly 880 MB of downloads and reboots) was about 55 minutes, but YMMV.

*These times were on a virtual SBS 2008 install in a low-end Hyper-V server. AMD Athlon Dual Core Processor 4450B 1.22 GHz, 4 GB RAM. 

13. When the installation completes, click Finish.
SP2 installation complete - Finish 

14. Close the Exchange Server 2007 installation menu.
Close the SP2 wizard - Close

15. On the Installation Tool window, click Next.
MSIT - Next

…the wizard will re-enable Forefront and restore the default settings for the SBS Web services.
More SBS ninja in the background

16. If everything has gone smoothly, you’re out of the woods now. On the “Setup finished successfully” screen, click Finish.
MESIT is done - Finish

17. Start another backup of your server to protect all of your hard work! 🙂

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Download – Free Office 2010 First Look eBook

First Look Microsoft Office 2010 (eBook) Title: First Look: Microsoft Office 2010 
Author: Katherine Murray
Publisher: Microsoft Press
Date Published: © 2010 Microsoft Corporation
Pages: 202
File size: PDF 10.5 MB
Price: FREE
Download URL: Click here to download PDF

Description:

For a limited time, Microsoft is offering a free download of the eBook “First Look: Microsoft Office 2010” which provides an overview of the updated features in the newest version of Microsoft Office. The book is broken into 14 chapters (shown below) and further organized into three parts.

  • Part I – Envision the Possibilities (Chapters 1-3)
  • Part II – Hit the Ground Running (Chapters 4-11)
  • Part III – Next Steps with Office 2010 (Chapters 12-14)

Table of Contents:

  1. Welcome to Office 2010
  2. Express Yourself Effectively and Efficiently
  3. Collaborate in the Office and Around the World
     
  4. Create and Share Compelling Documents with Word 2010
  5. Create Smart Data Insights with Excel 2010
  6. Manage Rich Communications with Outlook 2010
  7. Produce Dynamic Presentations with PowerPoint 2010
  8. Organize, Store, and Share Ideas with OneNote 2010
  9. Collaborate Effectively with SharePoint Workspace 2010
  10. Create Effective Marketing Materials with Publisher 2010
  11. Make Sense of Your Data with Access 2010
     
  12. Putting It All Together
  13. Security in Office 2010
  14. Training Made Easy

 

Source: Eric Ligman’s blog

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Training – Free SBS 2008 Hands-On Labs

image If you’ve been wishing for some structured Windows Small Business Server 2008 training offered by Microsoft, wait no more.  Microsoft has announced a set of four hands-on labs for SBS 2008, and (it gets better) it’s free!

Title: Windows SBS 2008 Hands-On Labs for Partners
Release Date: 9/25/2009
Version: 2.0
Download Size: 12.5 GB

The courses available are:

  1. Windows SBS 2008 Admin Console
  2. Windows SBS 2008 Working with Clients
  3. Windows SBS 2008 Installation
  4. Windows SBS 2008 Migration from SBS 2003

The downloads are available from the Microsoft Connect site:

URL: https://connect.microsoft.com/directory/
Invitation Code: SBSP-62B6-K3TH

System Requirements:

  • A machine that supports Hyper-V*;
        a server class** dual- or quad-core CPU is highly recommended
  • 5 GB of RAM min. (6-8 GB would be better);
        SBS 2008 requires a minimum of 4 GB of RAM, 
        Parent partition (Hyper-V host) requires 1 GB
  • 80 GB of free hard drive space;
        15 GB will be used initially but the VHDs could grow to a max. of 80 GB
  • Optional – router that will function between the SBS server and the Internet/corporate network
  • Optional – second physical network adapter to connect the SBS virtual machine to the router

Here’s a screen shot of the file downloads in the kit:

image

* Note: If you’ve never installed Hyper-V before, I’ve got a short video
(4:18 minutes) on YouTube demonstrating the installation.

** Server-class hardware is recommended, but not required since this is a HOL and not a production box. For example, here are my demo Hyper-V box specs:

  • HP Compaq dc5800 microtower
  • Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 2.33 GHz
  • 8 GB RAM
  • 1 ea. 149 GB SATA drive (OS)
  • 1 ea. 1 TB SATA drive (ISOs and VHDs)
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise

To make sure that your machine supports Hyper-V (both in the BIOS and on the processor) check out the SecurAble download from GRC.com that tests hardware virtualization: http://www.grc.com/securable.htm

Props: Sean Daniel’s blog

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Download – Free Windows Server 2008 R2 eBook

image Title: Introducing Windows Server 2008 R2
Authors: Charlie Russel, Craig Zacker with the Windows Server Team at Microsoft
Publisher: Microsoft Press
Date Published: © 2010 Microsoft Corporation
Pages: 200
File size: PDF 11 MB / XPS 28 MB
Price: FREE
Download URL: Click here for PDF / Click here for XPS

Description:

Charlie has done it again! Learn about the new features of Windows Server 2008 R2 in the areas of virtualization, management, the Web application platform, scalability and reliability, and interoperability with Windows 7. Download Introducing Windows Server 2008 R2, written by industry experts Charlie Russel and Craig Zacker along with the Windows Server team at Microsoft.

Contents at a glance:

  • Chapter 1 – What’s New in Windows Server R2
  • Chapter 2 – Installation and Configuration: Adding R2 to Your World
  • Chapter 3 – Hyper-V: Scaling and Migrating Virtual Machines
  • Chapter 4 – Remote Desktop Services and VDI: Centralizing Desktop and Application Management
  • Chapter 5 – Active Directory: Improving and Automating Identity and Access
  • Chapter 6 – The File Services Role
  • Chapter 7 – IIS 7.5: Improving the Web Application Platform
  • Chapter 8 – DirectAccess and Network Policy Server
  • Chapter 9 – Other Features and Enhancements
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Download – Handy Computer Hardware Chart

Download the full-size image on the Click here link Title: Computer Hardware Chart
Author: Sonic840
File Size: 24.1 MB
Resolution: 4320 x 6120 pixels
Printed Size: 24×34”
Price: FREE
Download URL: Click here

Description: This handy reference chart includes over 170 different types computer reference pictures, including:

  • Notebook RAM
  • Desktop RAM
  • Power Connectors
  • Hard Drives
  • Ports
  • Processor Card Slots
  • Processor Card Sockets
  • Peripheral Cards
  • Desktop Card Slots
  • and CPU Sockets

Note: The download link for the big picture is on the left of side of that web page. You can also buy prints of that picture from the website, but they’re pretty spendy, when getting a computer then looking for computer mounts is a must.

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Download – Remote Server Admin Tools for Windows 7

Windows 7 logoRemote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 enables IT administrators to manage roles & features that are installed on computers that are running Windows Server 2008, 2008  R2, or 2003, from a remote computer that is running Windows 7.

Title: Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7
Date Published: 08/11/2009
Download size:
– x64 version 222.1 MB
– x84 version 215.1 MB
File type: MSU
System Requirements: Windows 7 (Professional, Ultimate or Enterprise),
Windows Server 2003, 2008 or 2008 R2 
Download URL: Click here

Overview:

Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 enables IT administrators to manage roles and features that are installed on remote computers that are running Windows Server 2008 R2 (and, for some roles and features, Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2003) from a remote computer that is running Windows 7. It includes support for remote management of computers that are running either the Server Core or full installation options of Windows Server 2008 R2, and for some roles and features, Windows Server 2008. Some roles and features on Windows Server 2003 can be managed remotely by using Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7, although the Server Core installation option is not available with the Windows Server 2003 operating system.

This feature is comparable in functionality to the Windows Server 2003 Administrative Tools Pack and Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 (SP1).

Source: Scott Hanselman (@shanselman on Twitter)

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How To Create a FREE Password-Protected PDF

imageThis question comes up a lot:

I have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader, but not Acrobat Professional – can I still create a password-protected PDF?
I don’t feel like paying $360 for Acrobat Professional
just for the ability to do encryption or password protection.

The short answer is ‘yes’, but you’ll need another program to do it.

I recommend the FREE open source program PDF Creator 0.9.8 (16.8 MB).

Below are detailed instructions you can share with your employees and clients:
– (Part A) PDF Creator program installation instructions
– (Part B) Creating the password-protected and encrypted PDFs
– (Part C) PDF opening instructions

PART A – PDF CREATOR INSTALLATION (Boring Part)

  1. Download PDF Creator 0.9.8 from SourceForge
    http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/
  2. Double-click the PDFCreator-0_9_8_setup.exe file and choose Run.
    Choose Run
    (If User Account Control pops up in Vista or Windows 7, click Allow)
  3. Select your language (English) and click OK.
    Pick English and click OK
  4. When the setup Wizard launches, click Next.
    Setup - Click Next
  5. Accept the license agreement, and click Next.
    Accept the license agreement - click Next
  6. For Type of Installation, choose Standard installation, and click Next.
    Standard Installation - click Next
  7. For Printer name accept the default of “PDFCreator”, and click Next.
    Printer Name - click Next
  8. On Select Destination Location, accept the default and click Next.
    Default Installation Path - click Next
  9. The installation will install the PDFCreator Browser Add On (annoying) but you can later uninstall via the Control Panel.
    Uncheck “Yahoo!” and click Next.
    Uncheck Yahoo - click Next.
  10. Under Select Components, accept the defaults and click Next.
    Components - click Next
  11. On Select Start Menu Folder accept the default and click Next.
    Start Menu - click Next
  12. On Select Additional Tasks accept the defaults and click Next.
    Additional Tasks - click Next
  13. And then click Install and click Finish when the installation is complete.
    Ready - click Install then click Finish

Now that the PDF Creator program is installed, it’s time to convert a file into a password-protected PDF.

PART B – CREATING A PASSWORD-PROTECTED PDFs
(Interesting Part)

  1. Make sure the document that you want to convert is CLOSED.
  2. Right-click the icon of the document you want to convert, and choose
    Create PDF and Bitmap Files with PDFCreator from the pop-up.
    Right-click document, click Create PDF
  3. At the “It is necessary to temporarily set PDFCreator as defaultprinter” prompt click Don’t ask me again checkbox and click OK.
    Click Don't ask me again - click OK
  4. The document will open and then close again, and you will be left with a PDFCreator 0.9.8 dialog box, as shown below.Click the Options button.
    Click Options
  5. On the Options page, expand the Formats tab on the left.
    Expand Formats tab
  6. Click the PDF icon on the left, click the Security tab on the right, and check the Use Security checkbox.
    Click PDF, click Security tab, click Use Security
  7. Choose the following:
    – Encryption level (40-bit or 128-bit)
    – Password to open (user password)
    – Password to change permissions (owner password)
    – Any other user restrictions you want to set
    Pick encryption and password levels, click Save twice
  8. Hit Save on the bottom right of the Options page, and then Save again on the main PDFCreator 0.9.8 page (seen in Step 4 above).
  9. When the Save as dialog box comes up, give the file a name and
    click Save.
    Pick a file name and location - click Save
  10. PDF Creator will pop-up a small animated splash screen…image

    …and prompt you for the password you want to use to create your document. Enter the password twice and click OK.

    Pick a password - click OK

  11. If you leave the ‘Owner Password’ blank (which fine if you want to) you will get an additional dialog box letting you know that it’s blank. For more on PDF handling, read this post about whiting out a pdf document.
    Optional screen - only happens when Owner Password is blank
    Click Yes to leave the Owner Password blank, or click No to go back and add an Owner Password.
  12. Once the document is saved, it immediately tries to open in your preferred PDF reader (I use Foxit Reader) and prompts your for a password. Type the User Password and click OK.
    Enter password - click OK
  13. You should now be able to see your password-protected PDF.
    You're done dude!

Congratulations – That’s a few hoops to jump through! 🙂

PART C – WHAT THE CLIENT / RECIPIENT SEES
(The most important part)

  1. E-mail them the password-protected PDF document
  2. They open the attachment and get prompted for a password
    Enter password - click OK
  3. Once they enter the password and click OK, the PDF opens.

RECAP

  • Part A is just a one-time thing.
  • Part B is every time you want to CREATE a password-protected PDF
  • Part C is what the client (recipient) and does each time they want to OPEN the protected PDF.
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