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SEO Weekly Tips

6 Google Analytic Metrics to Track

Once you have your website online you should start paying attention to your website statistics.  Have you used Google Analytics before?  Have you installed Google Analytics?  Do you know which metrics to track?  If you are a new business just starting out online, Google Analytics may be unfamiliar and confusing.

Below are a few tips on which metrics to track to get an idea of what visitors are doing on your site.

1. Keywords Searched – Which terms bring the most traffic

2. Bounce Rate – Tracks % of people who went to your site and “bounced “ off after visiting only one page.  Maybe the user isn’t finding what they are looking for or there is no call to action on the landing page,  leaving no reason for them to explore your site further.

3. Conversion – When a visitor goes beyond browsing and takes action.  Signs up for the newsletter, fills out a contact form or makes a purchase.  This is the primary goal of your website.

4. Traffic Sources –Tells you where traffic is coming from.  Is it search traffic, direct traffic, referral traffic or from a paid ad campaign?

5. Content -Shows which content performs best.  Looking at your most popular pages will tell you what visitors are interested in.  It may also help you see where you are losing the audience.

6.  Social Media– If you use social media for your business this metric will tell you how social media is impacting your business.  It shows how many people are finding you on social media sites and whether you are getting any conversions.

Once you understand the basic metrics you may want to look deeper and get familiar with navigation patterns, new versus returning visitors and other more in depth statistics.

Google Analytics can provide a lot of valuable information about your website’s optimization.   We can help if you have any questions.

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SEO Weekly Tips

Optimize Your Website

This week’s tip is about optimizing your website.  SEO (search engine optimization) is essential to get your website on the first page of search results for your keywords.

A well optimized website will increase web traffic, result in higher search engine rankings and will satisfy customers because they will find what they are looking for when they search.  All this creates an opportunity for a lead or sale.

So what makes a well optimized website?

1.  Pages that perform well in search engines and have link titles and alt descriptions with keywords

2.  Compelling content that incorporates keywords in header and text will help conversions

3.  Pages that influence visitors to follow navigation to accomplish a conversion, a sale, a registration or a contact

4.  A well optimized website should produce the best results for both search visits and conversions

Many sites are not properly optimized to rank high in the search engines.  Optimizing your site just might help you stay ahead of competitors.

 

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SEO Website Design

Is Your About Us Page Effective?

Is Your About Us Page Effective?

If you don’t have an About Us page that is your first mistake.  Many believe this is one of the first pages people will look at.  People want to know who you are and what your company is all about and this page is a way to connect on a somewhat personal level.

Your About Us page can connect with people in several ways.

So what do you include on this page?

1. Give your name and post a professional current photo of yourself sharing whatever information in your profile you feel will connect with a prospect.  When they can put a face to a name it will be much easier to remember you.

2. Provide accurate contact information.

3. Provide a brief company description, how long you have been in business, and talk about your business philosophy.

4. Let them know how you can help.  Provide content that tells them what you have to offer, why you are special and what value you can provide.

If you are a small lesser know business, customers may not want to take a chance on you without knowing what you are all about.  Make the most of this page and market yourself!

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SEO Weekly Tips

5 Reasons to Establish a Brand

Why establish a brand?   Because it has Power!

Brand is the impression a customer has about a product or service.  It is your company reputation!

Some believe a brand is a combination of logo, words, colors, personality, price, and service.  A strong brand can influence your target market and may help entice others outside your target market.

Your brand should communicate to people what you stand for and highlight your uniqueness.

How you want your brand to be viewed by customers is up to you.  A successful brand will bring loyalty.   Here are 5 things a brand can do for your business.

  1. Identify your business
  2. Establish your reputation as an expert
  3. Connect you and your target market
  4. Build trust
  5. Make your business stand out from the competition

Clients play a big role in helping establish your brand.  You need to go above and beyond so you have satisfied clients who are willing to vouch for your success.  This will build credibility and brand.

Once you have a strong brand established, stick with it and continue to market your brand.

Whether it be a press release, webinar, social media, or whatever other channel you choose, you need to continue to put your name out there.  Keep reaching out to clients and prospects and you can turn a great brand into a stellar brand.

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Google Products SEO

How Can Someone Spend 00:00 Time on My Website?

Google Analytics is a service offered by Google that gives detailed statistics and reports about the visits to your website.  If you see you had a visitor to your website that spent 00:00 time on your site you are probably wondering how could that be possible?

The explanation is Google can only record a time stamp when a visitor goes to another page on your website from the landing page.  If they don’t click on any other links or browse another page it will not record any time and this is considered a “bounce”.

So why does Google track that type of traffic?  A possible reason is they want to keep track of non relevant traffic.  In Google’s eyes if the visitor only browses one page even for a decent amount of time, that is not relevant traffic.  A visitor looking at only one page is not finding what they are looking for and will not convert to a lead or sale.

The time on site metric is one of many that will help you with your SEO and paid campaigns.

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Customers

Customer Service Facts

Good News: In 2011, 7 out of 10 Americans said they were willing to spend more with companies that provide excellent customer service (american express survey)

Bad News: In 2011, 86% of consumers stopped doing business with a company because of bad customer service (Harris Interactive)

Good News: Resolve a complaint in the customers favor and 70% will do business with you again (Lee Resources)

Bad News: 91% of unhappy customers will not willingly do business with you again (Lee Resources)

70% of the buying experience is based on how the customer feels they are being treated. (McKinsey)

78% of consumers have bailed on a transaction or intended purchase because of a poor service experience (american express survey)

Provide outstanding customer service and you have a 60-70% probability of selling to an existing customer.  (marketing metrics)  The probability of selling to a new prospect is 5-20%.

 

 

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Uncategorized

How to Handle Unhappy Customers

All businesses need to know how to handle unhappy customers.  Every business will have them. There is no cookie cutter approach for handling dissatisfied customers.  Here are a few fundamentals that may help.  Knowing what to say and how to say it may save the relationship.

I. Listen actively to their problem or complaint.

2. Try not to interrupt.

3. Do your best to understand express empathy and apologize.

4. If you know what will fix the problem offer a solution.  If you are not sure what the solution is ask the customer what you can do to make them happy.  If it’s doable, take action as soon as possible and follow up in a few days to make sure they are happen with the resolution.  You can even go above and beyond and send a hand written note or give a gift certificate or great discount.

5. If there is absolutely nothing that will make the customer happy, remain polite and professional. Apologize that things didn’t work out as they would have liked.  Offer a refund or partial refund if possible and move on.

Remember, your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning. (Bill Gates )  Use this valuable feedback from the customer and continue working on improving your business practices.

 

 

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Customers Featured

How Can I Find New Customers?

Finding new customers can be a challenge for many businesses. The best scenario is that customers find you. They find your business through an internet search, social media or are referred to you. If customers aren’t finding you here are some ideas we found in our research to help get new customers.

Attend meetings and seminars that your prospects might attend and follow up with any contacts you make.

Study your successful competitors. Where do they advertise and network?

Claim your listing in Google Places and other big directories like Yahoo, Bing and Chamber of Commerce. Keep your company name and contact information consistent in all listings, add a good business description and photos. Spend a little time on your profile. Readers want to get to know you and adding a professional looking photo of yourself will help. Explain how your business will provide solutions to their problems.

Ask for feedback from customers. Use whatever you learn to make changes to your website. Did they have trouble ordering, were they just shopping around for better prices?

Sponsor events. Contact the organizers of the event and offer to give away your product or service as a prize during the event. In exchange ask the group to promote you.

Organize an event. It is a good way to introduce your business or service to participants and prospective sponsors.

Put a little money into updating your website. Did you know that 80% of Americans now spend as much time online as they do in front of the television? This means you have to have a top-notch site to grab those customers.

Provide outstanding customer service. Customer service can make or break a business. Treat people with respect and patience to establish your company as a caring and reputable brand. People will learn about you by word of mouth.

Be a little old fashion. Call businesses who advertise on their cars if you feel your product or service could be beneficial to them. Be honest, open, straight forward and let them know right off the bat how you can help them.

Lastly, be professional and kind to every one you meet. Every relationship could be a potential customer or lead to a potential customer. You just never know where that next customer will come from.

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Featured SEO

Video Marketing

Are you SEO strategies not working out well and you feel like you are behind your competition?

You may want to try Video Marketing.

Video marketing and mobile marketing are on the rise.

According to the Content Marketing Institute’s (CMI) benchmark report released in 2012, approximately 52 percent of B2B brands reported using video marketing as a content strategy in 2011.  In 2012 it went up to 70 %.  CMI reports that 58 percent of B2B marketers believe video is an effective tactic and helps conversion rates.

People love to share video across the web.

Video engages people and after watching a good video of your product or service consumers might be  persuaded to call or  fill out a form.  Using popular video-sharing websites can help a company lessen the technical burden and help mix video with social media marketing campaigns.  Two popular video-sharing services are YouTube and Vimeo.

When using video include strong descriptions and keywords in the titles.  It may also be beneficial to add text of the content posted.  Combining video with well written content may jump start your SEO for 2013.

Video Marketing Can Help your website convert more visitors to clients.

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Uncategorized

What MotivatesYou?

Running a business in today’s economy on a good day can be a tiring and stressful venture.  On a bad day it can be even harder.  It’s easy to get overwhelmed if you don’t find ways to stay motivated. What motivates you?  Is it just the fact that you love what you do? Do you read daily motivational quotes?

This question: How do you stay motivated everyday was asked of the community members on Manta.com.  Here are some comments in response to that question. The number one answer seems to be

1. “Being my own boss motivates me.

Other motivators:

2.  “I look at my kids. That’s all the motivation I need.”

3.  “I think of all the people whose lives will be positively impacted by what I do.  How I can help the community.”

4.  “I love what I do and am motivated by others who love what they do and are successful. “

5.  “I read my mission statement which reminds me of my goals and purpose.”

6.  “I attend motivational seminars or view podcasts.”

7.  “I pray for guidance and encouragement.”

Whatever your motivation, each day is a new chance to get it right, to be stronger and better.  Make sure you find your motivation and have the courage to continue.  Yes, running a business can be a roller coaster but when the roller coaster goes down it has to go up again.  That uphill ride can be exciting and rewarding so here is a quote to get you started.

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up ”  Thomas Edison

 

 

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