Uncategorized

Inland Empire Internet And Website Marketing And Advertising05 October 2011

Every time I talk to someone about their website, one of the first questions they ask me is 'How can I get to the first page of Google'? And I tell them, 'Hire me to do it for you'. You probably receive countless spam emails from companies far far away who promise you page one google results. Don't trust them without knowing their track record, they might be employing some illegal means for their results which can get your website slapped right off the #1 results page forever.

And be especially leery of that local 'Ad Agency' who can do it for you. They are most times outsourcing this and marking it up so they can put money in their pocket. You'll be better served doing a little bit of research and working with a media professional who will provide a combination of do-it-yourself techniques and more complex services they can provide.

One Ad Agency in my local area had me sitting in on a meeting on a Search Engine Marketing/Search Engine Optimization meeting with one of his potential clients and something very embarrassing happened to him. They asked him how come when they searched for Ad Agencies in the area his company's name didn't come up? He nearly swallowed his tongue and like a true salesman that he is offered some story about not needing to. What? Like I said, do some research and find a media professional.

When it comes to advertising your business, one wrong decision can literally cost you thousands of dollars. Even worse, that ill advised decision can undo many years worth of work you put into developing a strong brand in your industry.

Today I want to focus on one particular advertising vehicle that was once a staple in traditional advertising.

The Yellow Pages.

If you've been in business for over 5 years then you know that whatever use to work doesn't work as well or even at all anymore. Do you think people are still using the yellow pages? When's the last time you used yours to find any product or service. If you're still paying for a yellow page ad than most likely you're wasting your money. The yellow pages, in electronic form, have now immigrated to the internet using the same tactic they use to use with their porch delivered directory...the free listing. They scrape your business name, phone number and address and post it in their online directory then hope you'll 'claim' your business.

By all means claim it! It's free! When you claim your listing as the owner of the business you can put in all the basic information about your business. Correct name (The directories sometimes misspell it), your business address, your phone number, your hours of business are all things you need to enter when you claim your business address. Some directories also allow you to upload pictures of your business. Maybe put a picture of your product if it photographs well. If you're a hair salon put a couple of nice shots of customers hair having been done. Or put a picture of your logo if it's a well known brand in your area. Perhaps a picture of your storefront. Remember the point to putting pictures is to help build your brand so make it good. Some directories may even allow you to upload a video although most of them require you to pay for this feature.

Actually, after you have claimed your online directory you WILL receive a phone call or other correspondence from the directory. They will want to upsell you on additional features, capabilities and services. They'll try to sell you websites, search engine marketing and search engine optimization for your website. Don't buy into it. You can spend your money better elsewhere. Just by claiming your directory listing you have done what you've needed to accomplish. There are many directories out there so don't stop after just one. Spend an hour a week adding your listing to as many local, regional or national directories as you can. Why should you add listings to regional or national listings? I'm glad you asked.

Have you ever heard the term 'backlinks'? Backlinks are links to your website that appear in other areas of the internet. The more 'backlinks' you have the more relevancy your website has as it relates to your industry.

One of the thinks that the directories allow you to do is put in keywords and a link to your website. This is probably the most important part of claiming your directory listing. Keywords if you don't already know are just that 'key' 'words' that relate to the services you offer. If you were a media company that provided search engine marketing in a particular region of a state like we are your keywords might be Inland Empire Internet Marketing Professional. See how all these words have to do with what we do. Or if your company was a video production company in that same region your keywords might be Advertising. Now when you add your website address to the listing those keywords will be associated with you and keywords you chose to represent your business.

Now, when local potential customers go online and perform a search on Google, Bing or Yahoo for services like yours, the chances of you coming up in their search is greater. So the more directories you put your listing in the better. But you HAVE to enter keywords and the link to your website. But remember YOU DO NOT HAVE TO UPGRADE your directory account to have these benefits. Don't give in to their sales tactics! Your money can be spent better in other ways!

It takes lots of work and you have to be consistent with the work you put into achieving that goal. And once you reach that first page you need to work to keep it there. The tip I've given you today is only the beginning. I share these tips with small businesses because I know that often times owners have more time than money. It would be nice If you had the budget to complete all your advertising and marketing goals but you probably don't so go to work!

Fetch useful info about the topic of - read this web site. The time has come when proper info is truly only one click away, use this possibility.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related Posts:

Comment