Top Of The List News - 2009

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GLSEC LogoWelcome DeGraaf Interiors!

December 2009, Grand Rapids, Michigan —Local flooring and design leader DeGraaf Interiors joined Top of the List's growing client base this month. Family owned and operated since 1962, DeGraaf Interiors provides an array of flooring options to suit styles and budgets of all types, including countertops, vinyl flooring, hardwood and laminate flooring, and carpeting. Located in Grand Rapids and Hudsonville, DeGraaf Interiors has earned a reputation for superior service among thousands of West Michigan customers.

"It's a real pleasure to welcome DeGraaf Interiors to Top of the List," President Beverly Mapes said. "One of the greatest rewards in my job is helping local businesses thrive. I look forward to making their SEO package go to work for them by enhancing their online visibility throughout the web."

Its longstanding history of delivering quality flooring to Grand Rapids and Hudsonville is not the only element that sets DeGraaf Interiors apart. Consultants average more than 15 years of experience, offering complete personal service and expertise in custom installation. DeGraaf Interiors is an authorized Mohawk Color Center and the only authorized Stainmaster Flooring Center in West Michigan. "DeGraaf Interiors will replace all Stainmaster carpet for up to 15 years if a stain cannot be removed," owner Deb DeGraaf said. "You can bet we'll want to emphasize that in our SEO package!"

Top of the List looks forward to working with DeGraaf interiors in the coming months. Stop by one of their flooring centers in Grand Rapids or Hudsonville and learn about the latest ideas, trends, and textures in flooring!

GLSEC LogoTop Of The List Plays Big Role at Local Software Conference

November 2009, Grand Rapids, Michigan — Beverly Mapes, President of Top Of The List, served as mistress of ceremonies (MC) at the Great Lakes Software Excellence Conference, also known as GLSEC. This year marked the fourth annual conference with presentations by more than twenty experts in software development, management, and testing. "GLSEC is the premier software development conference in West Michigan and is known throughout the industry for its timely, relevant content," Mapes said. "It was an honor to MC the conference this year and promote the vibrant software community we have in Grand Rapids."

Driven by the theme Compete Globally, Act Locally, this year's conference highlighted the latest developments in the software industry, including tutorials from industry professionals. Keynote speakers included Dorothy (Dot) Graham, recognized for her expertise in software testing, as well as Dr. Paul Jorgensen, GVSU professor and David Crosby, Atomic Object software craftsman, who engaged in a friendly debate surrounding agile software development methods.

On top of MC'ing a conference with over 20 tutorials and 25 general sessions, Mapes also coordinated and staffed a Top Of The List raffle booth. Proceeds from the booth benefited ellohay.org, a West Michigan charity that that improves the computer and technical literacy of impoverished high school students. Participants who complete community service and technical training requirements receive a refurbished laptop. In the process, students gain confidence, technical skills, and a lifelong interest in community volunteerism.

"Ellohay.org does fantastic work to bridge the 'digital divide' in West Michigan," Mapes said. "Students in the program gain personal and technical skills that will serve them throughout their lives."

Conference Chair Patrick Bailey commended Mapes's efforts. "Beverly provided outstanding volunteer support for the 2009 conference," he said. "Her planning ability was a foundational piece to ensuring the smooth flow of activities as MC of the conference. Further, she demonstrated her commitment to our community by organizing the charity raffle and through her regular contributions to the planning committee."

Mapes looks forward to supporting future GLSEC conferences, which are already in the works. "The talent in West Michigan is just amazing," she said. "I'm proud to be a part of these efforts to promote local businesses as we work to compete on the global stage."

The Vision Newsletter LogoGuest Author Articles in The Vision Reveal "Top 5 Search Engine Optimization Factors"

October 2009, Grand Rapids, Michigan — Top of the List President Beverly Mapes was invited to guest author a series of articles in The Vision, the monthly newsletter of the consulting firm MicroVisions, Inc. Each month, Mapes will report on one of the "Top Five Search Engine Optimization Factors" that make the difference in achieving top search engine placement. Factor #1, keyword-focused anchor text from external links, appears in the October issue.

"The SEO world is changing so rapidly that it's important to constantly evaluate which factors are affecting search engine placement," Mapes said. "Those that made the cut might be surprising. But they are also the most critical elements that businesses need to consider when crafting their overall marketing strategy." Top of the List offers organic SEO packages that focus heavily on all five factors.

Mapes was honored to guest author for The Vision, a well-known source of practical tech news. "People trust The Vision because MicroVisions is committed to objectivity in their consulting work," Mapes said. "They refuse to endorse a specific product or brand. Instead, they work with each client to find the personalized solution that works best for their business." MicroVisions has over 20 years of experience in consulting, IT crisis resolution, web development, and network engineering.

Sign up to receive The Vision and learn about all five factors in the coming months!

New Project Manager Nicole VesotaOutstanding TOTL Staffer Promoted to Project Manager

August 2009, Grand Rapids, Michigan — Nicole Vesota, formerly an SEO Specialist at Top of the List, was promoted to Project Manager this month. Vesota has worked at Top of the List for several years, starting as a part-time intern in 2005 and growing with the company ever since. "Nicole has been performing extremely well in every role I have asked her to take on," Top of the List President Beverly Mapes said. "Her expertise, professionalism, and talent have been invaluable to Top of the List's growth over the past few years."

Vesota's new Project Manager role brings new opportunities and responsibilities, including managing organic SEO projects and interacting with clients. "I look forward to working more directly with clients, and being a larger part of each project," Vesota said. She has taken the lead on improving the content of numerous websites through behind-the-scenes editing of titles and metatags, along with keyword seeding and rewriting page content. "I enjoy the creativity of SEO work, as well as the challenge of taking on the writing style of each business—all the while ensuring that the information remains accurate and speaks to the client's audience from a marketing viewpoint."

"Her background in computer applications and customer service is an ideal match for the Project Manager role," Mapes said. "Not only do Project Managers need the technical expertise to coordinate and execute complex projects, but they also need to work well with people, be good listeners, and ensure that the client has a positive experience with Top of the List."

The big payoff, however, comes when today's SEO work becomes tomorrow's business success story. "Serving as a Project Manager is such a rewarding role because I can be part of each client's growth and success," Vesota said. "When a client tells me about an important lead or higher sales that occurred as a result of improved placement, it really makes my day."

GROW Host of Lunch With PunchTop of the List President a Facilitator at "Lunch With Punch" Event

April 2009, Grand Rapids, Michigan — Beverly Mapes, President of Top of the List, was a facilitator at an April 15 "Lunch with Punch" event hosted by Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW). Mapes was invited to lead a roundtable discussion on the topic                                                       "Are You Computer Savvy?"

"Many people think 'computer savvy' means having an IT job or an engineering degree," Mapes said. "But anyone can become computer savvy by following a few simple tips." Bev's pointers include:
  • Reboot, reboot, reboot! If you have a Windows machine, rebooting will fix the vast majority of computer problems—and save you an expensive repair bill.
  • Be productive: if you set out to do a task on the Internet, write it down. It is very easy to get distracted. If you find another interesting sitt, bookmark it for later, but finish your original task before exploring something new.
  • Divert the flood: remove yourself immediately from email lists you do not wish to be on. Spam emails can begin as soon as you hand out business cards at an event, so be diligent!
    • "It was an honor to be a facilitator for GROW, an organization that helped me so much when I was first launching Top of the List," Mapes said. GROW is a non-profit economic development corporation that provides education, connections, and resources to help create and strengthen women's small businesses. Its services help women break through social, educational, and economic barriers to be successful business owners.

    This Lunch with Punch event was no exception. Recalled Mapes, "The women I spoke with were energetic, talented, and creative—and now computer-savvy!"