Have you ever asked this question?
Why do I need a website for my business?”
If you are a business owner and have done well for the last 10 years, you might never have bothered getting a website for your business. So, how do we respond to this question? Here is our answer…
The reason you want a website for your business involves the same decision you make to market your business with coupons, giving out business cards or placing ads in newspapers; to gain potential customers, increase sales and grow your business!
Here are five reasons why you need a website for your business:
- You can be “open” 24 hours a day!
- You can get ahead of your competitors through search engine optimization.
- You own your website vs solely using social media sites. (They can eliminate your content anytime!)
- You can have several “stores” (websites) and have more opportunities to be in search results.
- Millions of people are searching and shopping on the internet instead of using local stores.
If you have finally decided to create a website for your business, here are five basic internet marketing musts!
- Create a website with a SEO foundation.
- As a business, join popular social media websites such as: Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, Pinterest, Youtube, and Google+.
- If you have an a physical storefront, add it to local directories such as Google local or Yahoo local.
- Ask clients to review your business on review websites such as Merchant Circle, Linkedin and Yelp.
- Measure your progress by using search engine analytics.
In this 21st century, there has been an explosion in social media, reviewing products online and getting the latest news updates! Don’t you think it’s time your businesss is found in users’ search results?
The popularity of keywords and the concept how society uses them every day was evident when Tom and I ate at TGI Friday’s. We love the Brownie Obsession and ordered it. What happened in a nutshell? We read the description and thought we would get drizzling Ghirardelli sauce on top of our brownie . Why did we think that? Because of the keyword phrase we focused on when we read the description.
A warm brownie made with Ghirardelli chocolate-fudge sauce. Topped with vanilla ice cream, caramel and pecans.”
Literally, the sauce was IN the brownie, not on top of it! But since we love Ghirardelli chocolate, the popularity of the keywords (brand) connected to us and we chose to order it. (Ching-ching $ to Friday’s!)
In society, you see people marketing their product in stores as well as drawing readers to books, etc… Using words with popular adjectives describing the keyword is common to see. That is the same principle with the popularity of keywords that you should use on your website or blog post.
Commonly called long tail keywords, a keyword phrase has three to five words in the phrase. A website page needs to refine search terms to the web page, as well as when the searcher is looking for something rather specific. Long tail keywords will narrow in on a market that might be smaller than normal, but the people searching for this product/service have a greater potential for a conversion then does one simple word.
For example, let’s say you are a Realtor and sell condos. You want to make unique keywords for every blog post you write. You wouldn’t use the keyword “condo” each time. You might write a simple keyword phrase like “condo for sale.” Better yet, you could narrow in to the people searching for more! Here are some better examples of longtail keywords you could use. Remember: each of your web pages and posts need unique tags.
~ South Florida condo for sale
~ Coral Springs, FL lakefront condo
~Viewpoint of Margate condominium for sale
Note how I describe a condo. By location, by different factors and specific associations. If I am a Realtor I will draw the people I really want vs. someone searching to rent a condo, or buy a condo in Colorado!
By integrating long tail search keywords, you are much more likely to draw targeted traffic to your website.”
The popularity of choosing keywords for marketing in business and on your website is an important aspect! You want to get customers into your doorway, to your website, in addition to optimizing your website pages for search engines. If you own a blogging website, apply this concept to your writing concepts and get started today!
Do you know the familiar saying, “one size fits all?” That may be true for many situations, but it is not true for search engine optimization (SEO).
Many times, business owners come to SEO specialists for complex problems with their company website.
- Their website doesn’t rank well in search engines. (Google, Bing)
- They don’t get qualified prospects or leads.
- Their conversion rate on their sales website is low.
When asking for a SEO price, there are a number of variables the SEO specialist needs to know, which will then determine what needs to be done for the client.
- What does the client want? (Goal)
- What are the SEO needs to search and find the client’s services and products?
- What keywords and phrases are used in search engines to find products and services the client is offering?
- Will the potential client benefit from additional SEO?
- How much time and effort do you want an SEO professional to put into SEO services?
There is no “one size fits all” SEO package. Every client is unique and different. That is why many times when talking to a SEO expert you don’t get a simple reply. There are many variables that need to be addressed in order for us to know how much work and effort will be involved to get the outcome the client is hoping for. Many times search engines can change their algorithms (the way the search engines determine how search results are created.) As a SEO company, we need to diagnose what is wrong with the website to know how to treat the problem. Sometimes there are quick-fixes and many times there isn’t a quick-fix that will add value to your site.
There are three main points you should take from this article:
- There is always changing growth with search engine optimization, social media and the technology of speed and precision from the internet.
- SEO is very unique and detailed.
- Your company’s website can get more sales and leads from search engine results.
Contact SEO Does Matter, Inc. today for free internet marketing consultation!
Many online marketers wonder whether RSS feeds help search engine optimization or SEO on their website. Yes! RSS for SEO plays an important role in enhancing your website’s online visibility. They must be integrated in every website you have.
Google picks up RSS feeds quickly. Optimizing RSS feeds is easy with the help of a site named Feedage; it is an RSS directory site! You can add multiple websites after creating an account with them. To gain more information, read the post, “How to Get the Most Benefit from Feedage.com” on the feedage blog. Once you promote your web content, you will observe the difference and the importance of RSS for SEO.
It is not uncommon to find sites without RSS feeds. Hence, I wish to inform all website owners about the importance of RSS for SEO online. If you integrate RSS feeds on your site, it will be noticed and picked by search engines easily and frequently. Incorporating RSS feeds is simple and can be done quickly in no time.
Still, many businesses don’t add RSS feeds to their sites solely due to not being made aware of the opportunities! Some businesses might not be familiar with the SEO advantages of RSS feeds for their site. This post will assist you in getting familiar with RSS feeds and help you in taking a vital step to make your website more SEO-friendly!
If you are unsure or need assistance about RSS for SEO, just call or email us and we can walk you through the process. RSS feeds are a basic yet important step for novice as well as intermediate web business owners to take. If you grasp the importance of RSS for SEO, create an account today! It’s free! Don’t let another year pass you by with a great opportunity for SEO.
Question: How do you improve your social SEO?
Answer: Previously, SEO and social media were considered to be two separate things. SEO assists people in finding your website through search results, while social media help you to keep them engaged. It was believed by SEO pursuits that both the aspects had no impact on each other. However, that’s not true today!
Social networking has a significant impact on search results; it directs traffic to a site and the more the traffic it draws, the greater the impact on search ranking of a website. However, social media has much wider impact on the success of a website beyond drawing traffic- people use the search function of their favorite social networking for finding any business.
The following are important handy tips to optimize your internet business presence for social networking search.
Build your Brand on Major Social Networks
Social SEO tips are not useful unless you have a brand profile on major social networks. Millions of people search for businesses each day while they are logged into their preferred social networks. If they do not spot you there, they will find your competitor. The most popular social media sites great for businesses include:
- Google +
- Youtube (for videos or presentations)
- Pinterest or Instagram (for images)
If you do not have your profile page on each of these social sites, create a business page for each one.
Put the icons of each social network on the home page of your website. Besides enhancing public visibility that you have social media in place, search algorithms love to identify that your site – the most dependable representation of your brand — is guiding and directing to your social media brand pages. Don’t forget to put social media links on your site’s homepage as well as other pages under your site’s menu.
Place Social Sharing Plug-ins on Your Site
Allow visitors on your site to comment, share, follow, +1 and like on all pages of your site using social media plug-ins provided by all major social networks. The traditional comment box has been replaced by Facebook comments. The greater public interaction about your brand on social network, the higher will be the chances of being found on social networks.
Get Liked, Shared, Followed, Repinned
It is important to get likes, followers etc; many businesses think that setting up their social media presence is sufficient. Getting likes, shares and followers is necessary in order to get fruitful results from your social media search. Invest in adding images, calls-to-actions, adding links to your website and keeping your comments simple to comprehend. Smart social media marketing will benefit your business!
Conclusion
Strengthening your foundation by optimizing your social network for search will not only enhance your search rank in social networks, but it will also improve your site’s overall search engine results. Improve your social SEO and you will see your website’s ranking improve in search engines!
You really have to hand it to the experts behind Google, because these guys have the ability to dictate what happens online with their algorithm updates. In 2012, Google updates include: Panda, Venice, and Penguin. Did Google updates have a huge impact on your website?
If you have not updated your SEO status to agree with the current Google updates, you noticed a drop in your ranking in search results. You need to know that it is vital to have great ranking for your website. If you do not have this, it will definitely affect your online business prospects. Take note of the following recommendations:
Links Used Correctly:
The concept of link building has really changed. In 2011 and 2012 , Panda and Penguin updates effected link building. The point is that the quality of your link is more important than the quantity of links you have. This means that if you have too many irrelevant links, Googlebot spiders can spot these links and ignore them or even penalize you for trying to play games with links.
Links from article directories will not do you much good and neither will links from link farms and paid link builders. What you really need to rank high are links from reputable sources and the links need to be relevant to the content of your website.
These days, Google promotes natural links. If you have a habit of stuffing your content with links and keywords, change this practice or you will be penalized. An article laced with keywords may be good for search engines but it is not good for the reader. Google prefers to rank articles high if articles benefit the reader and not just to the search engine. Penguin updates do not favor content which Google thinks is mis-using the concept of links and link anchor texts because such content will be considered an abuse of the system and penalized.
Guest blogging offers several advantages for linking and improving a website’s SEO and online presence. Here are the key benefits:
- Quality Backlinks: Guest blogging on reputable websites in your niche allows you to earn high-quality backlinks. These backlinks signal to search engines that your website is authoritative and trustworthy, which can improve your search engine rankings.
- Increased Visibility and Traffic: By contributing valuable content to popular blogs, you expose your brand to a wider audience. This can drive more traffic to your website as readers follow the links back to your site.
- Building Relationships: Guest blogging helps you build relationships with other bloggers and influencers in your industry. These relationships can lead to more collaboration opportunities and further link-building efforts.
- Establishing Authority: Writing insightful and well-researched guest posts establishes you as an authority in your field. This can enhance your credibility and attract more readers and potential customers to your website.
- Diverse Link Profile: Guest blogging contributes to a diverse link profile, which is beneficial for SEO. A varied link profile with backlinks from different authoritative sources is more natural and positively viewed by search engines.
In summary, guest blogging is an effective strategy for acquiring quality backlinks, increasing visibility, building relationships, establishing authority, and diversifying your link profile, all of which contribute to improved SEO and online presence.
Understand Quality Content:
Before Panda updates, a lot of published articles published online were senseless. These articles preferred quantity to quality and used the keyword stuffing to get visibility from search engines and, at that time, it worked. These days, keyword stuffing will not work because Google has a desire to index valuable content.
SEO is not dead….but the game has changed! Be smart. Use good material and linking practices so Google robots can “read” your blog posts. Give websites value and write articles for your readers instead of search engines!
There are a lot of interesting things on the internet and sometimes we wonder whether we can use these articles, images and videos on our own sites, personal or professional. The lines can be very blurry when it comes to website copyright laws and the following can provide a little more clarity into the subject:
Website Copyright Laws Explained
Everyone who deals with content creation, reuse and distribution should brush up on intellectual property rights and its difference with patents. All original creations automatically get copyright from the time they are created. No official application is required to guarantee that right under law, unlike the case with patents. The details can get complicated and are definitely beyond the scope of this article.
Just because there is no official paper declaring a piece of work as having copyright, that does not mean anyone can copy it with reckless abandon.
Even if people have posted their content in publicly accessible sites to share with others, the work remains their own and any attempts at reproduction should have their express consent. The gist of the copyright law is that no one can reuse content unless authorization from the creator has been obtained. Some think that proper attribution is enough but this is not true in all cases. The lack of permission still invites a host of lawsuits, more so for highly popular content that is instrumental in increasing the number of page views and similar commercial endeavors.
License to Copy Sites
There are certainly a lot of people who find it flattering and even useful for others to copy and re-purpose their works. It is for these authors that some websites have been developed. People can go to some websites to search for articles, images and videos that content creators have made publicly reproducible. However, those who plan to use these must read the license carefully and honor its limits.
There are numerous websites which provide various works for members who pay a certain fee or for authors who want their work to be copied. These are some popular sites that would fit under this category:: Creative Commons, GettyImages, Corbis, iStock Photo, Copyright and iCopyright.
When In Doubt
Always err on the safe side of the law. Pause to acquire the creator’s consent before proceeding, especially if the online content got attention for its commercial value. After all, it is only basic courtesy and should rightly be observed. It also protects the commercial project by ensuring that legal requirements have been complied with to the letter. All authors are unique in their views about content reuse and will set their limits accordingly. And remember: It is best to ask their input on the matter so that their wishes are respected!
Marketing is crucial for the success of an online business for several reasons:
- Visibility and Brand Awareness: Marketing efforts increase the visibility of your online business, making it more recognizable to potential customers. Through various marketing channels such as social media, search engines, email campaigns, and content marketing, you can raise awareness about your brand and offerings.
- Customer Acquisition: Effective marketing strategies help attract new customers to your online business. By targeting the right audience and conveying the value of your products or services, you can convert prospects into paying customers, thus growing your customer base.
- Competitive Advantage: Marketing allows you to differentiate your online business from competitors. Highlighting unique selling points, showcasing customer testimonials, and offering promotions or discounts can help you stand out in a crowded marketplace and gain a competitive advantage.
- Customer Retention: Marketing is not just about acquiring new customers; it’s also about retaining existing ones. Through targeted marketing campaigns, personalized offers, and excellent customer service, you can build customer loyalty and encourage repeat purchases, leading to long-term business success.
- Revenue Generation: Effective marketing strategies drive sales and revenue for your online business. By optimizing your marketing efforts to attract high-quality leads and convert them into paying customers, you can increase your revenue streams and achieve sustainable growth.
- Market Research and Insights: Marketing activities provide valuable insights into customer preferences, behavior, and market trends. By analyzing data from marketing campaigns, customer feedback, and competitor analysis, you can make informed decisions to optimize your offerings and marketing strategies.
- Adaptability and Flexibility: Online marketing allows for greater adaptability and flexibility compared to traditional marketing methods. You can easily adjust your campaigns, target different audience segments, test new strategies, and measure results in real-time, enabling you to stay agile and responsive to market changes.
- Brand Authority and Trust: Consistent and effective marketing efforts help build brand authority and trust among your target audience. By delivering valuable content, engaging with customers, and maintaining a strong online presence, you can establish your online business as a trusted authority in your industry, leading to increased credibility and customer trust.
In conclusion, marketing is essential for the success of an online business as it drives visibility, customer acquisition, competitive advantage, revenue generation, customer retention, market insights, adaptability, brand authority, and trust. By investing in strategic marketing efforts, you can position your online business for growth and long-term success in the digital marketplace
Google did a great job with this SEO video for a new business! If you are a new startup company, take a look at this SEO video to get the basic steps of SEO!
For those who appreciate simple bullets, here is a basic outline of what this 10 minute video discusses:
- Using Google Webmaster Tools
- Domain background
- Googlebot
- Analytics
- Website design
- Website strategy
- Customer conversions
- Writing good content
- Anchor text
- Sitelinks
- Website mistakes
- Website load time
- Search engine ranking
- Get involved with social media marketing
Once you’ve watched this SEO video, you might realize there is a lot of variable with search engine optimization and internet marketing. That’s where you want to find a SEO firm ( like SEO Does Matter 🙂 ) to take care of the online marketing to get good search results! If you’d prefer to learn SEO and maintain your own website, we can teach you what you need to know with SEO consultation in person or by phone. Don’t hesitate another day, watch this Google video and get started today!