Business Website Marketing

WHY DO I NEED THE INTERNET?
I’m sure I don’t need to tell you how obsolete directories like the Yellow Pages have now become. When was the last time you looked for the phone number for anything in the yellow pages?

Even the online yellow pages and other local business directories don’t get the same use and inquiry rate as Google, Bing or Yahoo, and if you are listed in these directories, your ad is exactly the same as all your competition.

Today’s consumers realise that just because a business can afford a big colourful ad in a flashy directory, this doesn’t always reflect the standard of service and local reputation of that business.

A listing on the first page of a search engine like Google has to earn its place, by providing the most relevant information and quality, based on the type of business it is.

This gives the searcher much greater confidence that the link they are about to click on, will take them to a site that will provide them with the most accurate and trustworthy information available.

WHAT THE STATS SHOW
Recent tests on web searchers habits show a pretty strong argument as to why you need to be listed not only on the first page of the search results, but in the top 2 or 3 places.

Statistics show that the business organically listed (un-sponsored ads) in the number 1 position in a search engine like Google, will get clicked 36.4% of the time, number 2 position gets 12.5%, while the number 10 spot will get less than 2.2%, and the other 7 positions between that, shares the remaining 48%.

Only a very small number of searchers even look past the first page of results!

If you’re not listed on the first page of Google it’s not hard to do the math to work out how many enquiries, specifically targeted to your business, that you are potentially letting go to your competition!

GETTING ACCESS TO THIS EXPOSURE RIGHT NOW!
If you want to get the most from your website or webpage, it’s not enough to just set it up and hope it gets found.

There are several things you can do to make sure when someone is searching a term that is related to your business, that the search engines bring up your web address in the top of their search engine results pages (SERPS).

With a well structured website that utilises good on-page search engine optimization (SEO), and a good off page SEO campaign this can combine to create a powerful online marketing tool that will drive your sight to the top of the search results.

If you want a consistent flow of new targeted inquiries then this is right where you need to be.

Think of the potential if you could pick up one, two, three or more new clients every month without expensive advertising or marketing campaigns, all on auto pilot.

Let the people who already know they need your services, FIND YOU!

For more Local Small Business Marketing ideas, check out local entrepreneur for other Small Business Internet Marketing services and how it can boost your business.

The task of business website marketing often falls flat as business owners are unable to properly manage their website given the lack of time and resources. Proper website management is required to successfully market your services and provide the most accurate content for potential clients.

Always make sure that your content is up-to-date and accurate. This will improve your likelihood of being found by major search engines. The more detailed and relevant your content is, the better chance of you getting visitors to your site. Make sure your information is current and makes sense with what is going on in the world today. Nothing is more off-putting than information that is three years old and not at all relevant to the advances of today.

Make sure that your site is accessible and viewable by everyone. Obviously you want it to look good or people are not going to enjoy going to your site, but leave the excessive Flash animations or crazy color schemes to someone else. Give your viewers something that they like to look at and something that anyone can get information from.

If you need to represent something, either a product or service that requires good visual representation, make sure to spend the extra money getting professional looking photographs to showcase your products. Because people on the web cannot physically see, hold, or touch an object, they require visual images to make them comfortable with their purchases. Proper business website marketing should take advantage of this by investing in a service, namely professional photographs, to display their product’s worth.

A great way to open the door to more traffic is through link affiliations. Linking your site through various other content rich sites will help prove your credibility, quality and amount of traffic. The use of a link network helps one another through the use of URL linking from one site to the next and will give viewers the opportunity to be exposed to other sites with information similar to what they are looking for. It’s usually a win-win situation.

Business website marketing through the use of SEO, search engine optimization, is another route to go. It involves determining key words that are identifiable within your targeted audience, to be put into your website content. This helps increase your chances of being found online by being ranked higher on search engines. SEO writing is a great method of marketing which can help your chances of being successful online. Many web site design companies and freelancers offer this service to companies, however, it’s important to understand that the Internet is a very competitive marketplace and it takes time and dedication to make it a profitable place to be.

Colin Reay is a entrepreneur and has been working with websites and personal branding since college. Go here for more on how you can get your own website or visit our blog for more information on building your web presence online.