Small Business Internet Marketing, Why Do I Need the Internet?

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.

iMedia Brand Summit – Day 1 – 13th September 2011

 

 

 

iMedia Brand Summit – Monday Night Keynote

I’ve been using a great mind mapping app on the iPad to take notes called iThoughtsHD. Great tool to easily take notes at meetings or conferences. I’m up in the Hunter Valley at the iMedia summit for the next couple of days and thought I’d share some of my notes. So here are the notes from the first nights keynote session.

iMedia 12th September 2011 - MindMap

The exiting opportunity for brands to become creator, publisher and platform

Christie Poulos, Jumpshot

  • If your content is crap the consumer will turn away
  • Enter the editorial space
  • Good content
    • Tell a story
    • Tap into emotion
    • Entertaining, informative or useful
    • Relevant
    • Clear message or brand value
    • Shareable
  • Case study
    • Red bull: the producers
    • STA Travel
      • Move
      • Shot in 6 weeks over 11 countries
      • 8 m views in 2 weeks on vimeo
      • 1 m views on YouTube
      • Double digit growth in flight searches
      • View the example
  • Commitment
    • Need to commit to your idea and follow it through
    • Red bull : the art of flight
      • Produced by red bull media house
      • 4.5 million views of trailer
      • 150,000 pre sold DVD

How to do customer service in the twitter world

From Loic Le Meur

The word of mouth in public has never been as fast and worldwide with the Twitter growth. More important than marketing or advertising is what your community, your users, are saying about your product or your brand.

Listen first to everything being said about your brand on Twitter search (follow the space as well, your competition and the key players)

Sort what you see into categories, here are a few:

  • complains
  • product suggestions
  • new features requests
  • business opportunities
  • congratulations
  • people recommending your products to their friends
  • etc

Decide if there is an action needed or not to every single one, I would go for the negatives and help request first

Answer them as fast and as best as you can

Get into a private conversation with the user if the conversation continues and follow up until he is happy

It is easy to describe how to do it best but much more difficult to actually apply it to your brand especially if people talk a lot about it. I think it is worth the time and resources investment.

Here’s the video of Loic talking about customer service and twitter

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