If you travel internationally and update your Chrome, then your default google domain changes.  So for example, you live in Canada but go to Sweden. There you update your browser and all of a sudden google searches are made on “google.se” instead of “google.ca”. This is frustrating since its the results are usually not as relevant and in a different language.

How to change this in Windows 7

After searching for about 20 minutes, I found the answers in broken pieces. I’ve compiled the answers together for others:

1) Close Chrome

2) With Notepad or Notepad++ open up

C:/Users/**YourUserName**/AppData/Local/Google/Chrome/User Data/Local State

• Obviously, replace **YourUserName** with your Windows username
• And yes its “Local State” (with a space in between)
• If you try to browse there using your windows explorer, you may not be able to see the folders. This is because these are hidden files and by default windows has hidden files as… hidden. It’s best just to copy and paste the file location to the windows file browser.

3) Once you’ve the file loaded up, change the last_known_google_url to http://www.google.XX and and also change last_prompted_google_url to http://google.XX

• Where XX is your preferred domain. In my case it’s .ca

4) Save and restart Chrome. Type anything on the address bar  and you should be taken to the Google domain you just set.

How to change on OSX

Same deal as above. Just the location of the file is

~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome

A few days ago, WooTheme released a new Framework to fix a shortcode exploit. This is a critical fix and we urge our clients who use WooThemes to upgrade their framework to the current 5.3.12.

Easy upgrade option

Login as Administrator to your WordPress site and from the Dashboard >> Your Installed Theme (e.g. Kaboodle) > Update Framework. From there you can upgrade your framework to 5.3.12 or better.

Manual upgrade with FTP

If that doesn’t work then you’ll have to manually update:

1. Download the latest framework zip
2. Then using FTP delete everything in your functions folder (e.g. /wp-content/themes/kaboodle/functions) – you may want to make a backup just in case .
3. Then unzip the contents of the framework archive in that function’s folder.

Confirm if the latest version is running through the Admin Dashboard of WordPress >> Your Installed Theme (e.g. Kaboodle) > Update Framework (it should state 5.3.12 or better like the screenshot below)

You can read more about this security issue and fix at WooThemes.

Are you trying to manage your adwords account in a simple and efficient way? Here’s a short checklist that lets you focus on the essentials.

Campaign and Adwords

It’s very important to set targeted campaigns – do this by restricting campaigns to a search or content display network only. Further narrow down by displaying ads to a certain locale, within a specific time of day. Try to optimize ads for conversion (you need to embed tracking code on your site to get this to work.)

• Set Country/Geographic region that will give qualified traffic
• Then set target language(s)
• Select Desktop (if your CTA is download)
• Go with either Search or Content Network
• Use conversion tracking and “focus on conversions” for bidding options
• Set weekdays and time to display (i.e. 9-5 on weekdays for B2B)
• Create Adwords based on keyword themes

Keywords

Next is to search keywords that give qualified traffic. It’s best to get keywords that may not be as popular, but will give traffic that is most likely to convert. Also use negative keywords such as “free” to prevent non-revenue generating clicks.

• Research Keywords with Google AdWords Keyword Tool and Google Insights.
• Try to select targeted keywords and avoid “generics”
• Consider using competitor brand names as keywords
• Use negative keywords to vet out non-converting traffic

Ad Copy

Most advertisers go with Text-Ads only – after all they do work very well. To get more click-throughs with yours, try to use dynamic keywords using the {Keyword} tag. Also write short and meaningful text with a clear call-to-action at the end.

• Use {Keyword:Static Message} tag to show dynamic ad copy
• Use Facts and Figures (95% recommended) in ad copy
• End with meaning Call-to-Action (Free trial)
• Use Display URL for subliminal message (i.e. company.com/DOWNLOAD)