Posts Tagged ‘WSI Net Advantage’
Monday, November 14th, 2011
Because they often lack the funds, personnel and other advantages that larger companies enjoy, small business owners face a constant struggle to keep up with the marketing efforts of their bigger-marketing-budgeted competitors.
The good news is that when it comes to SEO, those resources aren’t as much of a factor. The algorithms that Google and other search engines use don’t care about your marketing budget, they care about whether you’re providing your end user with high quality, relevant content.
Here are some ideas for improving your user experience and boosting your SEO, without worrying about your marketing budget:
- Provide as much relevant, unique content as you can, including videos, transcriptions, FAQ pages, articles, and the like.
- Don’t be afraid to show users who you really are. The more you profile the unique personality of your company, the more likely consumers are to choose your site over another, generic one.
- Take advantage of local search by making sure that your company profile appears on sites such as Google Places and Yahoo Local.
- Check your speed. Since load times are now being used in search engine algorithms, it’s important to make sure your site isn’t holding your users up.
Most importantly, focus on your clients and potential customers’ needs. What information is most valuable to your end user? If you can figure out what your ideal market is looking for, and make your best effort to provide it, you can’t go wrong.
Rather than trying to pack your site with content you think will attract the search engine spiders, fill your pages with useful, relevant information and materials to attract your target clients. Remember, at the end of the day, they’re the ones who are going to be buying your products and services, not the spiders.
Tags: budgeting for seo, improve seo, kevin dean, search engine budget, search engine optimization, seo budget, seo budgeting tips, tips for seo, WSI Net Advantage
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Friday, October 28th, 2011
SEO services can be pricey and hard to understand, but once you take a good look, you’ll see that the value is long lasting and well worth the money. An effective SEO campaign can increase your online visibility and in many cases, lead to a coveted first page Google ranking.
When deciding how much to invest in your SEO project, you want to consider what a first page ranking would mean to you and your business. Obviously, the number one benefit would be increased exposure which can generate valuable leads; most Internet searchers rarely travel to page two. However, you’ll want a more comprehensive analysis than that.
The variables that go into determining SEO value include:
- The number of searches for that keyword in your area
- The pay per click (PPC) click-through-rate times a multiplier (Google suggests that a natural search generates 3-10 times the number of clicks)
- The cost per click for that keyword
Basically, what you’re searching for is a fair market value analysis of the keyword conversion rate. Your conversion rate can then be compared to your other methods of marketing including PPC, newsletters, and other avenues that drive traffic to your site.
Once you identify the value of attaining an organic first-page ranking, you can then compare it to the value of a lead, how many leads turn into clients, and what is the lifetime value of your average client. Then you are able to determine your overall return on investment (ROI).
To learn more about valuing your Search Engine Optimization project or to get a more in-depth analysis of your marketing campaign, feel free to contact us directly. We’re always happy to help.
Tags: conversion rate, cpc, Google search, how to, kevin dean, keywords, marketing, marketing campaign, newsletters, organic search, PPC, search engine optimization, traffic, value sep, WSI Net Advantage
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Tuesday, October 18th, 2011
More and more consumers are turning to online review sites and conducting their own research before purchasing products or services. Whether they’re looking for a new restaurant, are interested in purchasing web design services or, want to buy the latest book on landscaping, the savvy shopper is going to check online reviews first. That’s why it’s super important that you keep track of your online reputation and, if possible, make sure that it is sparkling.
A great way to maintain your online integrity and character is to collect reviews from your happy customers. Encourage your satisfied clients to comment on your great products and impeccable service on sites such as Google Places and Yelp. That way, future clients and prospects will be able to read awesome reviews and know your company is the one for them.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
• Identify what the top review sites are for your industry
• Create a personalized profile on each site
• Invite happy clients to comment on those sites
Don’t have time to stay on top of every online review site and run your business at the same time? No problem. As customer reviews become increasingly important to the success of business, several third-party review services have popped up to help you out. A great one you might want to try is Customer Lobby. For a fee, Customer Lobby will gather, manage and publish new reviews for you each month.
These days, comparison shopping is done through reading reviews. Any investment you make in managing your online customer reviews, whether on your own or through a third-party site, will pay off when your future client reads all about how fantastic you are.
Tags: how to manage online reputation, kevin dean, online help, online reputation, online reputation help, online reputation management, reputation help, WSI Net Advantage
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Tuesday, October 11th, 2011
According to Nielsen, “Smartphones now make up 40% of all mobile phones in the US,” and, “Expanding wireless networks in emerging markets open the possibility for mobile broadband subscribers to outnumber wired broadband subscribers within the next decade.”
In simple terms, smartphones are taking over and that means more and more people will be accessing the Internet from their mobile devices rather than just a traditional desktop or notebook computer. This puts increasing pressure on Internet businesses to design (or redesign) their websites so that they’re mobile-ready.
That means your:
• Website can be read by normal eyes
• Navigation can be used by normal-sized fingers
• Clients can find what they’re looking for
When your clients visit your website from their mobile phone, they’re not looking to go super in-depth with your content. Rather, they are generally looking to get a few key bits of information quickly and easily. To be truly mobile-ready, it’s important that your website is designed so that your clients and potential customers can effortlessly access what they need.
In most cases that means:
• Location
• Phone Number
• Email Address
• Products or Service Offerings
Still, making a website that is useful for your mobile users depends on your business and what information your customers would need at their fingertips. There’s no one-size-fits-all design. But, if you keep the points above in mind, you’ll be better prepared to serve your clients no matter what device they use.
Tags: internet ready, kevin dean, mobile devices, mobile-ready, mobile-ready website, smart phone, what is mobile-ready, WSI Net Advantage
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Tuesday, October 4th, 2011
Last week, the world’s most beloved search engine Google, turned 13 years old. In those few short years, the Internet has been revolutionized and along with it, so has everything else. The human experience is increasingly centered on a constant interaction with the World Wide Web whether via traditional desktop computers, smart phones, laptops or tablets like the iPad.
Because we’re constantly connected, the way we function in our lives has evolved drastically to the point where a majority of our daily decisions are made only after we consult the Internet. Looking for a restaurant for your date? Yelp.com. Need a cheap hotel in Albuquerque? Kayak.com. Planning a road trip from Brooklyn to Toronto? Mapquest.com.
If you’re like most of us, nothing you do anymore happens before you get a chance to research or read reviews about it first. And, the same thing goes for your customers. According to a brilliant new ebook from Google’s Jim Lecinski called, Winning the Zero Moment of Truth, “a full 70% of Americans now say they look at product reviews before making a purchase.”
So, when your customers are considering buying your product or services and they go online to find out more, what are they discovering about you? Have you ever tried researching your own products or services to see what kinds of conversations are happening around them? Do you know how you measure up on the various review sites for your industry?
The days when simply having a website was good enough to create an effective online presence are gone. To build customer relationships and create interpersonal dialogue between your business and your target clients, you’re going to have to develop a presence across social media (Twitter, Facebook and the like) as well as on the top review sites in your market.
To create and maintain a successful Internet business, it is vital that you monitor and participate in the online discussion around your products and services. Most importantly, if you discover that there isn’t any online conversation about your business, it’s crucial that you find a way to get one started.
Tags: better client relations, building client relations online, connect with clients online, Jim Lecinski ebook, kevin dean, WSI Net Advantage
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Tuesday, September 27th, 2011
This week, Facebook had its annual developer conference where CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced several big changes that are coming for the over 800 million members of social media community.
Now, rather than a person’s profile and wall only reflecting their life since they joined Facebook, members can use their account to create a scrapbook of their entire history. The new profile page is called Timeline and it will allow you, should you so choose, to organize and document your entire existence.
When people visit your page, they’ll be able to see a comprehensive story about you, rather than just – what Zuckerberg likened to the first 20 minutes of conversation with a new friend –a brief profile and your most recent status updates.
Another significant change is coming to the dearly beloved Like button. Facebook developers have expanded on the capacity of the Like button and are launching Facebook Gestures. Facebook Gestures will allow users to more precisely describe their feelings about a particular product or activity or whatever else they might be commenting on.
So, what do Timeline and Facebook Gestures mean for social media marketing? It means that simply acquiring a huge number of “likes” isn’t going to be as relevant as it was, say last week. As Facebook users become more specific about whom they are and what they’re interested in, companies are going to have to follow suit.
Facebook’s changes are intended to enhance personal connections and further the emotional bond users feel with their accounts. Companies that use Facebook for social media marketing will need to reach consumers on a personal level. Marketers are going to have to offer something of value to foster their relationships.
Bottom line, compelling content and interpersonal communication is now more vital than ever.
Tags: content, facebook, facebook gestures, interpersonal communication, kevin dean, marketers, marketing, new facebook, WSI Net Advantage, zuckerberg
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Tuesday, September 20th, 2011
Choosing good keywords for your website isn’t as simple as you might think. It’s important to use proper phrasing as well as make sure your words and phrases fall in line with the search terms your potential clients might use.
The best keywords are short phrases that describe your services and products in everyday words that your target market would enter into search engines. The tricky part is that while you don’t want your keyword phrase to be too broad (plumbing), you also want to avoid being too specific (toilet flapper valve kit).
Keyword selection isn’t a precise science, so you’re going to have to use a little trial and error to find the ones that work best. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
• Avoid industry terms and insider lingo
• Use a two-four word phrase rather than a single, broad term
• Stay away from highly competitive terms
• Use “buying” terms rather than “research” ones
• Be precise and pinpoint your niche
Once you’ve come up with your list of keywords, don’t think you’re finished with that part of your SEO plan. It’s important to keep track of your keywords and their rankings with an analysis tool such as Google Analytics, and don’t be afraid to replace or update the ones that aren’t working.
Remember: don’t go overboard when using your keywords on your website or in your marketing materials. Filling your pages with the same repeated phrase not only makes you look spammy, it angers the search engine spiders, which can lead to a drop in your rankings – the exact opposite of what you’re trying to accomplish.
Tags: blogging, buying terms, kevin dean, keyword, keyword management, research terms, search engines, SEM, SEO, Social Media, WSI Net Advantage
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Tuesday, September 13th, 2011
As Internet marketers, we’re always looking for a way to push our businesses to the next level. A great way to drive a ton of visitors to your site is through creating and uploading YouTube videos. Sure, there are other video sites on the Internet, but YouTube is far and away the most popular and most visited of them all.
According to their website, YouTube receives more than 45 hours of uploaded content every minute and over 3 billion videos are viewed every single day. These statistics make YouTube an indispensable marketing tool for businesses of every kind. Whether you upload a DIY commercial, a series of how-to videos or simply an introductory clip that showcases your staff, YouTube is a great way to get information into your clients’ hands and bring more attention to your company.
Of course, with all of the competition, you want to do whatever you can to push your video to the top of the rankings. So, here are some tips for you:
• Always include your keyword or keyword phrase in your video’s headline. You want your target market to be able to find it easily.
• Keep your video short, sweet and entertaining. If folks stop watching your video before it’s over, you’ll be dropped in the ratings.
• Promote your video in other areas. For starters, be sure to blog about it, Tweet about it and list it on Facebook.
• Make sure to list your video in the proper category for the best results.
• Write an accurate, eye-catching description for each video you upload.
A final tip for getting your YouTube videos ranked higher in search results is to watch your video statistics. YouTube provides users with comprehensive information on their viewers’ demographics as well as other factors. By staying on top of this information, you can adjust your keywords, content and descriptions accordingly.
The most important thing to remember is to have fun! If you have a good time writing and shooting your video, most likely your viewers are going to have a good time watching it. Use your videos as a way to create a relationship with your audience that will keep them coming back for more … and, don’t forget to smile for the camera!
Tags: category, DIY, eye-catching descriptions, have fun shooting, how to, kevin dean, keyword, power of video, promote, showcases, utilize video, video headlines, WSI Net Advantage, youtube
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Tuesday, September 6th, 2011
As any good Internet marketer knows, SEO stands for search engine optimization. Basically it’s a fancy term for “try to get your page ranked #1 on Google.” You should know that there are no sure fire methods for increasing your ranking on search engines but there are several strategies that we can offer that will help.
To increase your ranking on search engine results and drive more traffic to your website, try these ten tips and tricks to establish your presence on the Internet:
• Keyword Research: Make sure that the terms and phrases you use on your website are ones that your target market are looking for. Think from your clients’ point of view to come up with the best ones.
• Increase the Links: Try to get as many links leading to your website from around the Internet as possible. Also, make sure that they don’t all lead to the home page. Look to blogs, social networking sites and the like to increase your traffic.
• Be Original: Unique, interesting content is mandatory for attracting the attention of search engine spiders. Believe us, nothing will get you dropped to the bottom of the results like copying and pasting material from other sites.
• Keep Current: Just because your keywords are perfect for your target market today does not mean that they’re everlasting. Check in on their effectiveness from time to time and make sure to adjust as necessary.
• Stay in Touch: Be sure that your website and business information are listed on local guides like Citysearch or Yelp, and submit articles to sites like EzineArticles. You’ll get your business name out there and begin to establish yourself as an expert in your field.
Realize that SEO is not a one-shot deal. In order for any optimization strategy to be effective, you have to be persistent. Now, getting ranked #1 on Google (or Yahoo or any other major search engine) isn’t easy, but with a little hard work, you can definitely increase your presence and begin your journey toward the top.
Tags: be original, increase the links, kevin dean, keyword research, search engine optimization, search tips and tricks, SEO, seo tips, seo tricks, tips and tricks, WSI Net Advantage
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Tuesday, August 30th, 2011
It’s so exciting to see the count on your Twitter followers rise. One of the most fun parts of living in the Twittersphere is watching for milestones: 50 followers, 100 followers, 1000 followers. And, one of the most disappointing things about the Twittersphere is checking into your account to only discover that your numbers have dropped.
It’s normal to experience a fluctuation in the quantity of followers you have on Twitter. People follow and un-follow based on a lot of different factors and you shouldn’t take a drop in your numbers personally; it’s just a part of how Twitter works. Still, we would like to offer some tips on proper Twittiquette:
• Tweet. It’s important to contribute to the conversation on a regular basis. A lot of people make a habit of un-following accounts that aren’t active.
• Be interesting. Share fun tips. Provide helpful hints. Give something of value to your followers.
• Build relationships. Don’t just send out one-way tweets. Have conversations with your followers and the people you follow.
• Know when to take it outside. A couple of tweets back and forth between you and a follower is fine but if your conversation goes beyond 3 or 4 exchanges, move it to direct messages.
• Be yourself. People want to follow accounts that come across as genuine and sincere. If you’re forcing it, people will catch on, even in only 140 characters.
Sometimes people get intimidated by Twitter and make it out to be a bigger deal than it really is. Don’t be one of them. There are no solid rules or regulations really, it’s just about getting in there and having a good time. If it helps, think of Twitter as a worldwide cocktail party. Mingle, interact with different people and be nice; you’ll always be invited back.
Tags: 140 characters, conversations, follwers, how to, keep followers, kevin dean, Social Media, tweet, twitter, twitter tips, WSI Net Advantage
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