Recently, Google updated algorithms and called it with animal names (Panda, Penguin, Dolphin etc..), and I can’t even keep track of all the names. I believe they’ve started to crack down on crappy websites that have nothing to offer. What’s important is to keep everything white hat SEO on these times to avoid being slapped by Google.

There are plenty of places to learn SEO online free, one of my favorite is BlackHatWorld (despite the name, people there are nice and very helpful, trust me). Some are even nice enough to publish their Step by step SEO guide, so that’s where I took all my ideas and procedures on my SEO ways.

Here’s my SEO Checklist:

• Contents, Contents, Contents. I couldn’t believe how much long tail keyword I was getting because of quality articles that I wrote myself.
• Onsite SEO. I optimize my articles and website to make sure that it gets high onsite SEO points.
• Diversification of Link Building
• Going after Link building via Fiverr, they offer cheap SEO services. But do make sure that they’re quality (check ratings, feedbacks, and ask the seller if you need more info), there are a lot of crap ones too (it’s $5 only, so it becomes harder to find good ones).
• Blackhatworld has a lot of great SEO services that can make your website go up to page 1 fast without being hit by Google Hammer. Do check out the services they offer there.

Training SEO

I have failed on one website, as I did too much SEO, my main keyword got pushed to 200+ (penalty) and I have to slowly regain Google’s SERP. I’ve learned a lot so now I’m applying it to other websites. On the other website, I’ve managed to push things up, getting it up to first page (#4) in just 2 weeks! It was done with all white hat SEO and I believe Google does reward Good work. But do take note that SEO practices do change every now and again as Google updates its algorithm, so there’s really not a universal SEO checklist.

I never liked SEO from the beginning, I thought I should focus on my website and build it the perfect way I can. But now I realize the importance, good content is never enough, what’s important is to also get the search engines on your side so people can find you (it’s like opening a shop in the middle of nowhere, if people can’t find you, even if you sell the best products ever, no one will see or buy it). There are plenty of websites that allow you to learn SEO online free, so don’t waste your time just focusing on your website learn search engine optimization now.

What’s your SEO Best Practices Checklist?

Other Articles you might also like:

1. Cheapest ways of learning making money with Domains / Domaining
2. PageBoss: Free Website Analysis from Major Websites (Google Yahoo Live Alexa etc.)
3. How to increase Google Adsense PPC CTR (Click Through Rate)

At first, this malware virus infected certain pages so I went ahead and checked and it seemed clean. I also installed sucuri scanner which did the malware viruses scan and declared our website clean. I requested for a review and the approved, our website went back to normal. After a few weeks, the worse happened, the malware virus infected the homepage which resulted to our website being branded as an attack site and stopped users from entering our website.

I never knew how to resolve this before, and after countless hours of researching and reading many different support forums and blog posts about it, I tried the following solution:

Solution to Malware Virus on WordPress Clean up

1. I installed all types of malware virus scan plugins in WordPress (there are a lot of free virus and malware remover)
• Sucuri Malware Scanner (I reinstalled and made sure to update it)
• Malware Finder
• Get Off Malicious Scripts (Anti-Malware) **The best malware spyware removal tool
2. Sucuri Malware Scanner and Malware Finder cleared the website and declared the website malware free but Get Off Malicious Scripts found a lot of malware virus. (make sure to remove all the file exceptions, as some hide from other file names)
3. It detected TimThumb.php which I forgot to update (there’s a loophole), and found a lot of decode base eval etc. that was embedded on our codes. It was able to clean it up automatically and renamed the malware virus infected files with a _bad which allowed me to clean it very easily.
4. I thought it was over but Google cleared but my server memory was always overloading. I was clueless and didn’t know what to do. I had nowhere to go to for help as I’ve searched all the forums thoroughly. I found one forum that he hired an expert to fix his website, I went and contacted him.
5. His name is Michael Vendemar (michael(at)endlesspoetry.com), he charged $65 / hour and really did a great job of cleaning the last few remaining malware to the website and fixed up the website.
6. He found the remaining malware hidden as a .jpg file, and it went thru via the TDO miniforms that we left behind before. Also, the overload was caused by the 404 that was requested from timthumb and the solution was to have a static 404.php page.

I was very happy that we’ve finally fixed our website nicely. I was really worried as to how far the malware virus had hit us. Now our website is malware virus free and is using only 1/4 of the memory that it used to take before.

Did anyone have any problem with Malware Virus? What was your experience?

Other Articles you might also like:

1. TechFilipino is now back up! beware of the WordPress PHP Virus
2. Viruses in Japan is now illegal
3. Why I love WordPress on my minisites, it’s the free wordpress themes

I actually installed it in my iPad and got quite busy and then I noticed that my wife was on my iPad for a while everyday. I asked her about the game she’s playing and she said it was streetfood tycoon! (note: she’s not the gamer type). So I looked at how she played and noticed why she was hooked.

I remembered playing lemonade tycoon (one of my favorites) / dinner dash / etc, these games were really fun to play and challenging too. It is also great to inspire people to have their own business, and to experience how it is to run a foodcart business. What’s also funny is that they feature some really funny characters that relate to real life celebrities (including manny pacquiao, he was named differently). Lots of upgrades and position to improve your food cart business in every level.

Streetfood Tycoon is just awesome, my wife completed it in 5 days (She was able to earn all the upgrades). If my non gamer wife loves, understands and haves fun with the game, well so can anyone =). I would definitely recommend anyone with an iOS device to go and download this app. You can download it free in iTunes.

Other Articles you might also like:

1. How to Watch Live NBA games in your iPhone, iPod or iPad for FREE
2. iPhone, iPad, iPod Joystick for Games, Fling and Fling mini
3. Megavideo for iPad / iPhone / iPod Touch

DOTA App: Plant Wars

At first, I thought that it looks somehow like a kids game, but it was placed in the strategy category in games (app store). I tested it out upon downloading and somehow I was surprised that the game was so similar to the way DOTA was played. I played it on my iPhone 4 and iPad 1, it went really smoothly and the controls were superb (touch is way better than a mouse). The game is much more simpler than DOTA app, you can choose different heroes, battle it out with the ai and you have sidekicks that help you battle the other side. The objective is to destroy the main base of the other side. The characters look really cute, like in kid’s games, but don’t be fooled by it, the game is still as harsh and as fun as DOTA app. The only downside to this is that it is a 1 on 1 type of game (one hero to one hero), and each hero only has 3 types of magic. The game is simple but it could be too simple for some (I like it simple).

DOTA App: Legendary Heroes

As I enjoyed playing Plant Wars, I researched for other games that is similar to it. What I found was Legendary Heroes, I believe I saw it before but I thought that it is a MMORPG (you’d have to be online to play) or it is just another game (boy, was I wrong!). This is the more “older” version of Plant wars, it has more mature looking heroes and graphics not too far from DOTA app. There are 8 heroes to choose from, each having their unique set of skills and magic (4 magic skills per hero). And, unlike plant wars, it can go as far as 3 heroes per team (3 vs. 3). You can also control 3 heroes if you want to or leave some for the AI and control one just for yourself. I really like this game, but I’m having a hard time playing it on iPhone (my Fingers might be too big) and I cannot see what I’m tapping. But, overall, this game is highly recommended for all the DOTA app fans out there.

Any other DOTA App for iPhone, iPad or Android, you can recommend?

Other Articles you might also like:

1. How to Watch Live NBA games in your iPhone, iPod or iPad for FREE
2. Streetfood Tycoon for iOS, iPhone, iPad and iPod: A Proud Filipino App
3. How to get iPhone and iPad FREE in-app purchase

I first downloaded The Simpons tapped out when it first came out but didn’t really pay attention as it needed to be online. But as I came to see my brother play it almost everyday, I was intrigued and gave it a shot. What got me interested is that you get to rebuild your very own Springfield (after Homer blew it up while playing his myPad, lol!). You get to see more and more Simpson’s characters as you build new buildings and perform quests.

The whole point of the Simpsons tapped out is to build all the buildings that they have (to unlock characters, which you can assign to do jobs) by doing jobs and quests and earn money and donuts (yes, you use them to build special buildings and speed up tasks). Another cool feature of the game is the social part, where you add friends and interact with their buildings (you earn more for each friend you add, giving you 3 interactions with their buildings every 24 hours). You can actually purchase donuts using real money if you can’t wait that long (lol!).

So if you’re a huge Simpsons fan, The Simpsons tapped out maybe the game for you. The only downside here is that it takes a long time to play the game as you have to wait for minutes or even weeks for certain tasks to complete. But overall, I love the game, I always wanted an opportunity to make my own Springfield and control different characters and see how your friends would build theirs.

The Simpsons Tapped Out is available in:

• iOS – iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
• Android (Coming Soon)

The Simpsons Tapped Out Cheats and Tips:

• Get Jebediah Statue and 10 donuts – Tap Homer 10 times until you get the award
• Keep adding more friends to earn more money and donuts every day (Add me up, my id is techfilipino)

**Update: The Simpsons Tapped Out seems to be taken out of the AppStore, the server seems to be overloaded (as many players are playing) so they pulled it out for now. But it still can be downloaded via Installous for Jailbreak Phones.

**Update: My account just crashed, I was automatically upgraded to level 11 (from level 7) and have inherited the money, donuts and land of my brother (by visiting his city). I wonder when it would be fixed. I can’t log in and when I do it just crashes.

What do you guys think of The Simpsons Tapped Out? If you’d like to add more friends, please leave a comment with your ID so people can add you up. Add me up, my id is TechFilipino!

Other Articles you might also like:

1. Pah iPhone Game – Great iPhone app ideas
2. The Top Video Games Coming In 2012
3. Pay what you want Ibis Hotel Singapore

Zombies Run App is a smart new app that is for Working out and play a game at the same time. How it works is that it tracks your movements either via GPS or accelerometer, and as you go further the story slowly unfolds. You don’t need to do anything but focus on your workout and it moves the story with you.

You become one of the runners (scavengers / errand boy / etc.) for your city (somewhere in the UK), where you do missions to help people in it. It tracks your speed and distance run, and the coolest thing I found about it is the zombie chase feature. It’s somehow like a way to do interval training, Zombies run app will tell you that Zombies are after you so you have to run fast / sprint to get away (you could die in the story if you didn’t run fast enough). Oh and not to forget, you can even play your own music while running and it will automatically fade or pause when there’s a story line and you can build up your own base with the supplies you collect in every mission.

Zombies Run App is available in the following Gadgets:

• iPhone
• iPod Touch (No Zombie Chase)
• Android (Available Spring 2012)

Running away from Zombies (photo by The Walking Dead Series)

I actually enjoy and use zombies run app very often, it just makes you want to take one more step further. The creators of this app are absolutely genius, a good workout and makes you work harder (zombies chasing you, who wouldn’t?!). I highly recommend this app for everyone to try out. I can’t wait to have more stories or more versions of this type of app. By the way, make sure that the place you’re running at is safe (clear of cars or things) and enough room for you to run around.

Here’s a video of what Zombies Run App is all about:

Have you guys tried Zombies Run App? What did you think of it?

Other Articles you might also like:

1. Infect the Philippines and the World with Zombies, play Infectonator World Domination
2. Online Interactive Movies: Survive the Outbreak and Bank Run
3. Make your iPhone 3D by adding Pic3D sheet

Now here’s a really cool iPhone app that us, Filipinos, would appreciate communicating with others internationally. Imagine being able to chat with other nationality and language without changing your own or theirs… The new Transfire, the instant messaging with translation services…

Transfire iPhone App

Let’s say for instance, you have a cousin in United States who only speaks English. You are located in Philippines and only speak Filipino. With Transfire, you can now send and receive chat messages translated in real-time. “Maligayang Kaarawan!” you write and “Happy Birthday!” appears in your cousin’s phone. “Thank you,” he responds and you receive a message saying, “Salamat sa inyo.”

Transfire XP brings the first chat and instant-messaging app with real-time, translated text.  The application features a user-friendly interface, fast message delivery, and supports over 50 languages.  There are many options to connect with your friends and contacts.  Transfire XP finds contacts on your local phone or device, and supports contacts from gchat and Yahoo Messenger. Support for more chat platforms will soon be added, including Facebook, ICQ, Baidu and many more.

The incredibly fast and accurate translation is made possible by integrating Google Translate with Transfire’s own custom instant and chat-messaging service enabled with push notifications.  Eliminate the language barrier from your social network and stay connected with friends and family across the world.

 
Transfire users come from a wide-range of places for a variety of uses. The app is enjoyed by social chatters, travelers, international businesspeople, language students, and more. “The use of chat applications continues to grow as a replacement for text messaging. Transfire is on it’s way to becoming the gold-standard in instant messaging and translation for your iPhone.
 
So those who’d like to try it out, try to go to appstore and check Transfire XP.

Other Articles you might also like:

1. iPhone 4 Fragrant Casing – Jelly Belly Smelling iPhone
2. Most Expensive Phone in the World is an iPhone, Goldstriker iPhone 3GS Supreme
3. Pah iPhone Game – Great iPhone app ideas

There are a whole lot of top video games (in 2012) that have been confirmed and whether you are a working person in an office or still in your first few years of life, there is something for everyone on the way. Here is my pick of the top video games in 2012.

Top Video Games 2012 – GTA V

Although hardly anything has been revealed about the brand new Grand Theft Auto game (2012 release hasn’t even been confirmed as of yet) it is safe to say that if this game is coming out this year, it will be one that stands a fantastic chance at becoming game of the year and selling the most.

The only thing that has been confirmed so far is the setting as well as the fact that it looks like planes are back and the return of the big map seen in San Andreas (although reports are suggesting it won’t be empty land like a lot of it was). An official release from Rockstar stated “it’s Los Santos and the surrounding countryside – and a very big map”.

Top Video Games 2012 – Halo 4

Once again not much has been revealed about Halo 4 and will no doubt not be revealed until E3 this year. The trailer of course features Master Chief and Cortana and as of yet these are the only two characters confirmed for the game (who cares about anyone else anyway??).  Players can expect more supreme storytelling and multiplayer action than ever before when the game is released fall 2012.

Remember that this is the first full game (excluding Halo Anniversary) that 343 Industries have worked on within the Halo franchise so they are really going to go for it for the first game in the confirmed new trilogy.

Top Video Games 2012 – The Last Of Us

There seems to be a common theme with these titles but once again very little has been revealed on The Last Of Us other than it is a survival horror game and that the graphics look incredible. You might be thinking that we have more survival horrors than we actually need on consoles at the moment but when developers Naughty Dog (Uncharted series) come into play, you should now be interested!

This game is shaping up to be a fantastic Playstation 3 exclusive.

Top Video Games 2012 – Hitman: Absolution

The Hitman series has been gone for six years now and was long overdue another game. One of the best parts of the Hitman games is that you can choose how to complete your mission in a number of different ways. For instance, if you want to kill the milkman, dress in his clothes to get into the house to take out your target then you can do. On the other hand, you can also just go in guns blazing and take everyone out as quick as possible, the choice is yours!

Another game can only boost the popularity of the series and it would be good to see how Agent 47’s world comes to life once more in 2012.

Top Video Games 2012 – Far Cry 3

In all honesty, I am still struggling to complete Far Cry  2 due to the fact you seem to be constantly under attack from everyone in the game. On the other hand, that isn’t do say I don’t dislike the second game and it is a fantastic game with awesome fire effects and a real sense of tension. The third title looks to take ideas from both the first and second game and combine them into a game that no one has ever seen before.

These are just some of the fantastic titles that are on the way this year and is by no means a complete list. Others include Mass Effect 3, BioShock Infinite, Max Payne 3, Luigi’s Mansion 2, Alan Wake’s American Nightmare and on top of all of this we have two confirmed hardware launches in the Playstation Vita and Wii U.

2012 is a big year for gaming and it doesn’t matter if you work in office space or are in retirement, there will be a game for you!

Other Articles you might also like:

1. How to Watch Live NBA games in your iPhone, iPod or iPad for FREE
2. iPhone, iPad, iPod Joystick for Games, Fling and Fling mini
3. Heyzap.com: Online Games embedded on your website

 One of the coolest things I found out was about Cashsense, I was invited to their prelaunch event (a while back). And now they’re back with bigger and better plans which I believe is really beneficial to people who send remittances to the Philippines. So here’s all about Cashsense Remittances Philippines…

I personally receive funds from abroad, the biggest challenge sometimes is to physically go to the bank or remittance center, endure the long queues and be charged high up fees (and not to mention my losses on exchange rates). Before in the UK, I was used to paying and receiving everything online and it took me quite a while to adjust to paper and pen when I got back home. So Cashsense, for me, was really cool.

Our Remittances from OFW towards the Philippines currently faces these challenges:

• Credit Card is required to complete an immediate remittance transaction
• You have to Physically go to the remittance center to send money
• Expensive Fees
• Time delay on Remittances Philippines
• Security on carrying the physical cash (talk about the number of holdups in the news!)

Here’s where I found Cashsense to be different:

• Users who register an account with them automatically receives a free VISA ATM card.
• Be able to pay to more than 20,000 bank branches in 18 countries (adding more monthly) and Domestic Transfer (All done online, in your homes!)
• Pay received in minutes! Can be withdrawn in any 10,000 ATMs nationwide (via the Free VISA ATM card), transferred to bank accounts, door to door or pick up.
• 1 Flat Fee! (like Western Union) and great exchange rates (check their website for more info)

Aside from the Remittances in the Philippines, what I really find cool about Cashsense is their free VISA ATM card which promotes E-Commerce in the Philippines. Most of us here are afraid of transacting online, afraid that we might get hacked and all our money will be gone thus stopping online buyers from buying. Here’s something like a prepaid credit card, move all your funds somewhere and use it to buy stuff online. This way you can limit risks and get the stuff you want delivered to your doorstep!

I like what Cashsense is doing, not only are they helping our fellow OFWs abroad in sending their hard earned money to their families. But also helping local businesses into more advanced way of shopping for our people and promotes more online purchases.

By the way, for those who are looking for an affiliate program for the Philippines. Cashsense is offering an Affiliate Program where you earn money for the remittances you send to them. Check it out.

Other Articles you might also like:

1. Shopinas.com – Safe Online Shopping Portal in the Philippines
2. Credibility that Online Marketing gives to Philippines Companies
3. Viral Video Online Marketing for Philippines Companies

E-Commerce in the developed countries are a really big business, but here in the Philippines, it has only in the beginning stages. Many people here still don’t believe that shopping online is secure, and when it comes to buying from online merchants, you probably can say at least one incident that you’ve heard that the merchant was bogus. However, I believe all of that could change, thanks to Shopinas.com Online Shopping Portal in the Philippines!

When you say shop online, one thing that pops into the minds of Filipinos is Multiply. But there are a lot of concerns which are:

• Anyone can open an account and post pictures, not all sellers are credible
• Credibility is measured via ratings, therefore there’s a slim chance that a new comer could gain trust easily (High barriers to entry)
• Shops all look the same (changing templates is difficult to some)
• Payment is done via meetup, bank deposit, paypal, etc. (Slow and potentially unsecure, inefficient use of your time)
• What happens when they send or give you the wrong product or cons you?

I share these concerns with many Filipino Shoppers and find it very difficult to simply trust whoever sells what. But Shopinas.com has got an answer for those concerns. Shopinas is a portal where “Sellers” can open up Shops to sell their products to “buyers”.  Here’s the difference:

• Not everyone can open a shop, people need to submit I.D.’s to Shopinas office to open one
• Credibility is not an issue, as Shopinas acts as somehow a guarantor to the merchant’s credibility. Therefore new shops have a lot of opportunity to sell.
• They have cool new templates that look 2.0-ish and looks pretty modern than what I’ve seen so far locally.
• Payment is done via credit card, thru their secure system. (No more bank deposits etc.). Prepaid credits are also available, so those who are hesitant to use their cards can use this!
• There are no Transaction Fees! (They earn from logistics from Air21).
• Since shops are legit, there’s really small chance of being conned by bogus sellers.
• Being part of Air 21, this ensures that Shopinas is able to deliver your products at a good cost and with faster times.

It’s really cool that a Filipino Company has finally ventured into E-Commerce and has done great improvements to encourage purchasing items online. I have browsed thru the shops and have been quite amazed by the number of local brands that have joined them ever since they started. The website is only about 1 1/2 year old but it seems to be gaining good traction.

I’m really really excited to see this company grow and become the premier online shopping portal in the Philippines, I can see only big things for them. They are also heavily promoting their website by having a team in the PBA called Shopinas Clickers (LOL, love the name!). I was also honored to have met Shiela Lina, CEO of Shopinas, via our Blogapalooza Event as one of the sponsors. Expect more improvements from Shopinas, they’re listening to your feedback…

Other Articles you might also like:

1. NetHaggler: Haggle your shopping finds (haggle shopping website)
2. CashSense Online Money Remittance Philippines
3. Guide to Buying an Apple iPad in the Philippines