Getting Found in Google Search

All of my clients want to know how can you get to the first page of Google's search results. It does take work. Google wants results to be relevant and accurate. That is why they tweak their “behind the scenes” programing.

Relevancy

To be relevant, your website webpage must include keywords. You have to be targeted. Your entire site should not have the same keywords.

Lets say you are a travel agent. You home page should have the most common phrase searched by your target market. Use Google Adwords to find out if anyone is searching that keyword phrase. If not, don't waste your time.

So back to our example, if your customers are all business professionals, then your website copy and keywords should reflect that. If your ideal customer is a stay at home mom, then they probably aren't searching for “travel agent.” I would think they network through friends and family and so spending a lot of time increasing your keyword ranking is not a good investment. Ask some of your clients. Find out how they would look for your service or product.

Ok, back to the topic at hand...

To be relevant with Google, your site should be frequently updated. The best and easiest way to do this is with a blog. Each post should focus on a keyword or keyword phrase. Back to the travel agent example... if you have some an upcoming special... say a cruise to the Bahamas... write a post about the fun (maybe inexpensive) things to do while you are there. At the bottom of the post, mention the special.

If you don't like to write (or don't have the time), you have a couple of options:

• outsource it
• find private label content you can use
• try video blogging (recording 3-10 minutes)
• try creating a narrated slideshow that you turn into a video

In Bound Links

In addition to having a frequently updated website, you need to have relevant inbound links. Of course you can list your self in directories. But also keep in mind every time someone Tweets or shares your business Facebook page links, those can (or should be) inbound links. So, if you update your site with the blog, have it automatically Tweet an update. If someone shares that because it's great info, then you have another link to your site.

Other options for inbound links include:

• writing or posting articles to article websites like ezinearticles.com
• posting on forums or other people's websites (in a non-spammy way)
• including in all newsletters and posts “share with a friend” links

Google Places

If you are a local business in an industry that is highly searched for, I suggest checking out Google Places and consider paying for a listing. Google Places is an amazing service when folks are looking on their smart phones or tablets. Just this last weekend I searched for the hotel we were headed to. Because their name is generic a LOT of other listings popped up. Because they paid for an enhanced listing with Google Places, their listing stood out from all the others. That was a huge time saver.

Google+

Because Google is the king of search, if you have a Facebook page, are a business that folks might search for (by what you do, not necessarily by your name), then I highly recommend getting a business page on Google+. You can then post your site updates/blog posts there.

Pinterest for Visual

If you have visual products for sale or can connect with your customers visually then get yourself on Pinterest. This is a visual social media site. Think of it as an online scrapbook. If you have products on your webpage, then you can then pin them to your Pinterest profile. They will be linked from your website. If you make them interesting... a make them look great. The traffic will come.

Some great examples include pictures of recipes. Then the link goes to the actual recipe. I've also seen items for sale (like on eBay or individual websites). They sometimes will place the prices on the picture in photo editing software.

You don't have to include just things you sell. You can pin things your clients might be interested in like local attractions, cool ideas that your target market would like (food or kid related work great).

Summary

It is now easier than ever to actively engage on the internet so that your business can be found. However, “set it and forget it” does not work. You can pay thousands for a cool looking website, but if you aren't creating engagement (or networking with those who do) then you are wasting your money.

Need more help or have further questions? Drop me a line.

Small Business Marketing Focused Business Blog

Your business blog is probably the single most important tool you can use to gain added traffic to your business website. (It is also probably the easiest.) Whether your business blog is part of your website or a separate entity, it is important to know how to focus your blog to help drive customers to it which, in turn, ultimately drives customers to your business.

Specific Purpose

A focused blog is one that has a specific purpose. Your business blog’s specific purpose it to get others to want to buy your products and/or services. Therefore your business blog should include lots of details about your business including: stories about how your company began, how you came to be the owner of it, where it’s located (if it’s brick and mortar), etc.

Administrative Help

Here are some great resources when you are thinking about getting some help. Virtual assistance is a fantastic way to get more done in less time. I have an assistant now for one project and it is so wonderful to forward emails to her with a bit of direction and then I can consider it done.

I'm using another assistant for a short term project who has knowledge that I don't. He is creating a little program for me. I found him on what used to be called Rent-A-Coder. It is now called vworker.com.

Here is a great video when thinking about getting help.

Steps to Twitter and Facebook Revisited

Todate, the most read blog post on elianevans.com is 6 Steps to Using Twitter and Facebook Together.

I just updated it a bit. One of my collegues, Trey Pennington, died last fall and some of his profiles are no longer active. You can see his still active Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/drtreypennington.

On my search for more examples of slamming profile images, it is hard to find individual people.

Small Business Marketing Q & A

Amy from Dreamy Destinations

Recently I asked one of my newest small business marketing clients, Amy of Dreamy Destinations, some questions about her business. She is a small business owner. Here are her answers and my feedback.

Q & A

Elian: What is your greatest challenge when it comes to your online marketing?

Amy: My greatest challenge to online marketing is getting people to "like" my Facebook page so I can get my message out more effectively.

Elian: What would you like to be able to do that you can't at the moment such as social media, using a particular program/software, etc?

5 Ways to Improve Connection with Customers

Your customers are busy. They have tons of email in their inbox and if they are on Facebook, their feed is full of updates from friends, businesses and organizations they follow. So, how can you stand out?

A common advertising statistic is that a person receives 3000 advertising impressions a day! I am going to focus on the most cost effective ways for your business to be top of mind.

Twitter in Your Marketing Mix

For those who are busy, Twitter may appear to be a hobby or a time waster. Here are 4 reasons why Twitter should be part of your marketing plan. I list out why you should at least have an account (and learn the basics) even if you don't actively tweet (aka send Twitter messages).