The fact is that there is no separation between offline and online anymore. So it’s surprising to think that many business owners still question why they need a website. And for those who do have websites, many of them think that online marketing involves nothing more than waiting for the traffic to roll in. But, sadly, it’s not that simple.
In order for your website to really work for you, it needs to have a comprehensive marketing plan in place. Now i’m not suggesting you need to spend lista iptv. thousands of dollars hiring an ad agency, because there’s a LOT that you can easily do yourself.
So here is a quick list of the things you can do to bring more attention (and traffic) to your business’ website. Plus, how to create an integrated system between your website and other online channels like social media, as well as a major online marketing tools that too many businesses overlook (or don’t use well).
But, in reality, most businesses don’t need a flashy website… they just need a simple site with a few pages that answers basic questions and helps visitors through the process of making a decision about taking the next step (which could be anything from buying something to making an appointment to figuring out how to get to the business).
It should also be professional and attractive so you can let potential customers know that your company can be trusted. And make sure everything is spelled correctly. If your website is poorly put together or has obvious errors, it will give the impression that you don’t care about how you are perceived… or have a poor attention to detail.
And one more thing on website design… don’t use Flash! It may look cool and offer all kinds of great effects, but sites should be built in HTML/CSS in order to be compatible in every browser and mobile device. Flash doesn’t work on iphones or iPads.
Get Positive reviews for Search engine Juice
Now that you have your simple and attractive website up and running, it’s time to start getting traffic to it. Most of your traffic will probably come from search engines. In fact, about 20% of all searches performed on Google, Bing, & Yahoo are for local businesses, so you’ll want to make sure you have important keywords in your page titles and content.
You can enhance your ability to be found by tapping into local business directories, the most important of which (in the united states, at least) are Google+ and Yelp. These two directories are vital because they also involve consumer reviews, which are part of what influences consumers to buy or not to buy from you.
And because these directories rank so highly in search results (and, in the case of Google, they display their own ratings anywhere your business is mentioned), having top quality, five star ratings is vital if you expect to get anyone clicking on your business name. And, incidentally, those rating show up next to your ads in Google as well.
Both Facebook and Twitter still rule the social media world, though Google+ is also a force to be reckoned with, as the content there is fully integrated in Google’s search results. All three platforms are great for keeping in touch with your customers. Set up a fan page on Facebook, a Google+ account for your business (which is integrated with Goggle’s mapping platform and reviews), and get your company a Twitter account as well. Then start adding friends by searching for people in your local area.
Build a List
Having an email list of your customers and prospects is one of the most overlooked assets of any business. Imagine being able to dial-up a bunch of sales, simply by sending out an email. That’s the power of having your own list, and it’s something your competition probably isn’t taking advantage of either… so maybe you should.
Building a list is simple. Just use any and every opportunity to invite your customers and prospects to provide their email address. You can offer an incentive in exchange – something of value like a coupon or a free sample of your work always works. And once you have a list in place, be sure to connect with them regularly in order to stay in front of them as much as possible.