What is E-A-T? Leveraging user-generated content (UGC) to boost your site’s E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) has become an essential strategy in today’s competitive market. UGC amplifies brand exposure and significantly influences search engine results pages (SERPs), contributing to improved organic traffic and potential customer engagement. In this insightful post, we will delve into the power of UGC in enhancing a website’s E-A-T and how rich snippets from such content can turbocharge your SEO strategies. We’ll explore the implementation of a dedicated reviews page for leveraging UGC and discuss the importance of mobile-friendly widgets for displaying it across devices. Furthermore, you’l…

In today’s business environment, cybersecurity should be a priority for all businesses—no matter the size. Over the past few months, we’ve covered each item on the Cybersecurity Essentials list, which is a great way to gauge what security measures you already have in place and what you still need to do in order to fend off potential threats.  In today’s video, Chris Cummings, CEO of Petra Technologies, recaps a few reasons why these cybersecurity essentials are so important with recent examples from around the world. (To learn more and see the full Cybersecurity Essentials List, visit this link: https://youtu.be/A50vRiJ_QVo) Want to get started on a comprehensive cybersecurity plan? Contact Petra Technologies today! This…

ANNOUNCING the lucky winner of the $250 Enchanted Forest Family Adventure sponsored by Summit Cleaning and Restoration and organized by WhirLocal Salem! Thank you to everyone who entered and participated. We had over 440+ entries and per contest rules selected the winner via random drawing. Pam Fahndrich, co-publisher of WhirLocal Salem, presented the $250 Enchanted Forest Gift Card to Fernando Lopez of Keizer on September 7, 2023 at Broadway Coffeehouse in Salem. Fernando is looking forward to taking his wife and kids to the Enchanted Forest for a fun family adventure. Special thanks to Summit Cleaning and Restoration for sponsoring the giveaway. Summit Cleaning and Restoration is a family-owned, independent disaster restoration and facili…

As the summer heat gradually subsides, September in Yuma, Arizona, offers a refreshing blend of outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, and community events. In this blog post, we'll guide you through a curated list of activities that you can enjoy right here in Yuma, making the most of the changing season and vibrant local offerings. Historic Downtown Stroll: Discover Yuma's Rich Heritage September invites you to explore Yuma's charming historic downtown. Take a leisurely stroll along Main Street, admiring the well-preserved architecture and quaint shops. Don't miss the Yuma Art Center and Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, where you can delve into the city's fascinating past. Yuma River Tours: Embrace the Serenity of the Color…

Join us Tomorrow for our Alzheimer's support group. You're not alone

Hello Local Friends,I would like to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Samantha and I am the sales director at Cedar Village assisted living and memory care. I would love to be your local expert in the senior living field.

September has been designated as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month; a time set aside to inform the public about a hormone condition that is diagnosed in an estimated 3 million individuals of reproductive age in the U.S. each year. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, can cause difficulty in daily life. Here are a few facts you should know about PCOS and how it affects an individual’s health. What Is PCOS? Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is a collection of symptoms that are caused by a hormone imbalance. The condition can cause several symptoms and is generally characterized by irregular, absent, and/or painful periods, excessive body hair, and cysts found on the ovaries. What Causes PCOS? PCOS is characterized by higher levels of…

As the vibrant colors of summer fade away, the arrival of fall brings new lawn maintenance needs. The cooler temperatures and changing weather patterns create an ideal environment for preparing your lawn for the winter and ensuring a healthy, lush yard come springtime. In this blog post, we will explore essential lawn maintenance tips to help you keep your lawn in top shape during the fall season. Rake and Remove Leaves Falling leaves create a picturesque scene, but they can also suffocate your lawn if left to accumulate. Regularly rake and remove fallen leaves to prevent them from blocking sunlight and trapping moisture, which can lead to fungal diseases and damage to the grass. Aerate the Soil Fall is an excellent time to aerate your lawn…

When you begin using cloud applications, it is easy to get excited and immediately begin using the application for your business. However, it is imperative to set up the existing security features to monitor and track suspicious activity. Chris goes over the top 3 situations to look out for and how to protect your accounts from malware and hackers. (To learn more and see the Cybersecurity Essentials List visit this link here: https://youtu.be/A50vRiJ_QVo ) Do you need a managed service provider to help you keep your business applications updated and secure? Contact Petra Technologies today! This post was first published on petratechit.com.

Staying ahead of the curve is crucial for success and growth. With competition intensifying across industries, businesses must continually innovate and adapt to meet evolving customer demands and market trends. In this blog post, we will explore key strategies and approaches for fostering innovation and maintaining a competitive edge in a crowded marketplace. Embrace a Culture of Innovation Creating a culture that encourages and rewards innovation is essential. Foster an environment where employees feel empowered to share their ideas and experiment with new approaches. Encourage collaboration, open communication, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. By cultivating a culture of innovation, you lay the foundation for continuous impr…

Anxiety is an expected response to stress; it is a part of the human survival mechanism that has evolved to help us deal with potential threats. Severe anxiety can be related to panic, phobia, social fears, and separation. As your children grow, they could develop and manifest anxiety in various ways. Separation anxiety is a condition that can be observed in children as early as preschool age. In fact, leaving children at a preschool or childcare facility is often the first time parents or primary guardians become aware of their child’s separation anxiety. With the new school year right around the corner, here are four signs to watch out for. Headaches From the age of two, children can express headaches through facial gestures, by placing t…

As children head back to school this fall, the need is greater than ever for essential things like clothes, food and basic hygiene products. Keizertimes did an excellent feature article on how Keizer Klosets steps up to help meet those needs every year. Go to https://www.keizertimes.com/2023/07/20/keizer-klosets-fills-needs-of-local-students/ to read the full article and find out ways you can get involved. To donate food or personal hygiene products there is a donation barrel located at the Keizertimes office at 142 Chemawa Road NE. To provide financial donations, mail to Keizer Community Foundation, PO Box 20221, Keizer OR 97307. Or donate online by clicking the button below. Donate Online Together, we can make a difference!

Ah, Yuma – a sun-soaked gem in southwestern Arizona known as the sunniest place on earth. With summer temperatures frequently soaring past 100 degrees Fahrenheit, finding ways to cool off and stay entertained can be a challenge. Luckily, there are plenty of fun indoor activities to escape the sweltering heat. Here are our top five suggestions that your family can enjoy without breaking a sweat: 1. Explore Yuma's Rich History and Culture Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park Although it’s primarily an outdoor location, the Yuma Territorial Prison Museum provides a great chance for families to dive into local history, complete with air-conditioned buildings to explore. The prison, which operated from 1876 to 1909, has a unique history.…

Does your business have a patch management plan? If you answered “no” you’re not alone. Most workplaces leave it up to fate, rely on built-in failsafe features (like when your computer automatically turns off and updates), or just let employees update their computers on a whim. Either way, effective patch management (which includes most things like software patches, updates, or security updates) works best when automated and monitored by expert managed service providers (Like Petra Tech). Chris talks through the basics of what is included in a patch management plan, and steps you can take to implement one. (To learn more and see the Cybersecurity Essentials List visit this link here: https://youtu.be/A50vRiJ_QVo ) If you’re ready…

Starting college is an exciting milestone filled with new experiences and opportunities for personal and academic growth. As a freshman, being prepared with the right essentials can help ease the transition and ensure a smooth start to your college journey. In this blog post, we will highlight 10 essential items that every freshman should consider having to make the most of their college experience. Laptop or Tablet A reliable laptop or tablet is a must-have for college students. It will be your primary tool for note-taking, research, assignments, and online communication. Choose a device that suits your needs and budget, ensuring it has sufficient processing power, storage capacity, and portability. Backpack or Tote Bag Invest in a durable…

Do you struggle asking your customers for reviews?  We all know how valuable reviews are for our businesses. They provide social proof, boost our reputation and local SEO, attract new customers, and bottom line - grow revenue. But let's be honest, the process of gathering those golden reviews can sometimes feel like climbing Mount Everest. Here are a few of the challenges and mindset issues that we've seen over the years and how to overcome them. Fear of negative feedback: We worry about negative reviews, so we don't ask. We don't want to hear it! But, all feedback is good feedback and there is gold in both positive and negative feedback. Lack of time and priority: Our customers are busy, so we hesitate to ask and add one more thing to thei…

As parents, one of our primary responsibilities is to guide our children toward independence. One essential aspect of self-care is bathing; knowing when to introduce this skill to your child can be exciting and challenging. While you’ll be helping your child bathe from the moment they are born, they won’t be able to bathe independently until they are older. Teaching them how to wash themselves properly as they grow can help them be ready when the time comes. 1. Motor Skills Development The first stage to consider is your child’s motor skills development. Around the age of two to three, most children demonstrate increased movement coordination and control. They can grasp objects, pour water from containers, and use utensils. These newfound a…

Exceptional customer service is not just a transactional experience; it is the cornerstone of building strong and lasting relationships with your customers. In a highly competitive business landscape, businesses that prioritize providing outstanding customer service are more likely to gain customer loyalty, positive word-of-mouth, and repeat business. In this blog post, we will explore strategies and best practices for building strong customer relationships through exceptional customer service, ultimately driving business growth and success. Understand Your Customers To deliver exceptional customer service, it's crucial to understand your customers' needs, preferences, and expectations. Conduct market research, collect customer feedback, an…

If you aren’t concerned about the latest malware variants… you should be. With record-breaking increases of never-before-seen malware variants being detected every month, it’s more important than ever to be aware of the cybersecurity risks your business might be susceptible to. What is the solution? Today, Chris explains what it means to implement perimeter security for your organization, the tools that detect the malware, and the benefits of working with cybersecurity experts. Managed IT service providers (Like Petra Technologies) can help you implement prevention strategies to address cybersecurity threats before they happen. (To learn more and see the Cybersecurity Essentials List visit this link here: https://youtu.be/A50vRiJ_QVo…

Faith in Christ and diligent work form the blueprint for true, fulfilling success. This faith is active and alive, directing our hearts towards love and service.  Diligent work, as taught in the Bible, is about serving others and glorifying God through our efforts, as if we are working for the Lord rather than for human masters (Colossians 3:23). Starting each day with prayer, we are called to set goals that align with Biblical principles, work with integrity, remain steadfast during challenges by leaning into our faith, and regularly pause to give thanks to God for His grace.  When faith in Christ is combined with diligent work, our labor becomes a form of worship and a participation in God’s redemptive work in the world.  This b…