Helpful Marketing Tips

Website Traffic Tip – Use Your Web site as a Marketing Nucleus

People often times dismiss the powerful presence of the web. They spend countless hours and tons of money on a web site only for it to lie dormant for months on end. This dormancy is not giving your site the chance to get maximum exposure. Why not use your web site to your advantage and market it effectively? It’s already there, so make it work for you!

Here are 5 quick tips on helping get more website traffic (organically..aka FREE!):

  1. Use WordPress as your Content Management System(CMS) – It’s one of the most user-friendly website development and management systems out there with tons of users (a great support group for when technical issues arise) as well as thousands of great plug-ins to enhance your website. It also has very good “permalinking” features that will help Search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo understand the content of your pages before scanning them.
  2. Use high quality SEO plugins – There are hundreds out there but a couple of the most popular are SEO Ultimate and SEO by Yoast for enhancing website traffic
  3. Make sure your page load speeds are minimal – Nothing worse than waiting on a site to load (hello browser back button!). Google “Page Load Speed Test” and find a free scanner to check your sites pages.
  4. Content has and always will be King. Focus on well written “natural” content. When I say natural, I mean not stuffed with a keyword every other word. Not only is that incredibly annoying, it’s also frowned upon by search engines as well as your Actual Readers. You cannot afford to have either to dismiss your site.
  5. Get linked/listed on some related sites that already have good traffic going to them. This will often times help you rank higher and also give your site credibility (good sites don’t link to bad sites… it is usually the other way around)

Having a company web site has made it ridiculously easy and cost effective to communicate to your consumers. It’s never been easier to get your information in front of your target audience. With so many forms of advertising available, you should be able to churn some website traffic relatively easily. Make sure you keep the information current (remember, content is king!) and give helpful advice to your viewers to keep them coming back time and time again. Also, you can offer incentives on your web site for consumers to save money by using your products or services. With these simple steps you can make your web site a powerful weapon in your overall marketing arsenal.

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Marketing Edge: Referrals Make The Register Sing

It’s very clear to most people that there is a lot of power behind referrals. Referral marketing is the easiest, most cost effective, and targeted type of marketing available. No matter what industry, setting, or environment, referrals give any product or service an extra boost in the eyes of a potential consumer. Hearing about a product or service from a trusted source instills confidence in the buyer that they won’t get stuck with something that doesn’t live up to their expectations.

Start by asking your current clients to refer you to their close friends or relatives. This could have an immediate impact and prove to be the cheapest form of advertising you’ve ever done. Another great way to get a buzz going is to construct an incentive based referral program. This could be as simple as offering a free product for every referral. Get creative, but make sure that your incentive is worthwhile.

Take these extra steps the next time you’re in touch with one of your customers and expect to get much more than a “sure thing” in return.

Marketing Edge: Are you generic or unique?

Combine your brand name awareness and loyalty and you get brand equity. Products that have a strong level of confidence in their brand name and have loyal customers tend to have a higher percentage of consumers than their competitors. There is a sense of attachment between customers and the brand.  Consumers are willing to pay more for a product or service they prefer.

Brand equity comes with years of perfection and customer satisfaction. Not just anyone can acquire it. Your brand is your strength; take it beyond its limits. You want your brand be recognized and remembered by your customers.

Make sure that you aren’t the Average Joe on a busy street.

Give Them The Scoop!

Take a moment to think about a story or newspaper article you recently read that really grabbed your attention. Was it the catchy headline, the imagery, or some other factor that made it hard for you to stop watching or reading? Recent studies confirmed most people keep reading articles because there was an informative and interesting storyline.

A great article for your business should grab the attention of your targeted audience, and inform them about what your business offers. Marketing success can start from a variety of places, and one of the most powerful is positive press. People trust and love to buy from companies that have been featured on TV commercials or in reputable publications. Write press releases that appeal to consumers’ inquisitive sides, and distribute them to local publications, television, and radio stations. This will give you a chance to showcase your business’ news and events to thousands of people who could be in need of what you do.

Take Advantage of Technology

It’s a fact that first impressions are lasting ones. As far as your business is concerned, the first piece of tangible advertising you normally give to a prospect is your business card. Your business card can work wonders if you have the right look, feel, and message. Your first impression should be unique, separating your company from your competitors.

With so many marketing and collateral options available today, it is difficult to identify what items will fit your needs best. Interactive business cards are a great means to get your name out there in a very modern, cost-effective way.  These cards can double as your traditional print brochure, reducing your company’s expenditures and streamlining your collateral. If you want to increase your brand awareness and set yourself apart, interactive collateral and business cards could be your golden ticket…or card!