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If you said “yes” to any of the above questions keep reading …
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Search Engine Optimization, Blogs, and Mobile Web Marketing
The internet provides endless advancement and growth opportunities for businesses, whether small or large. However, there is a silent battle to gain exposure in local and national markets for businesses acquiring traffic to their websites. Techniques mentioned in the recent post, “Social Media Marketing 101 for Small Businesses,” provide excellent gateways to publicize your business online. In continuation of the post, other strategies such as search engine optimization, blogging and mobile web marketing can also work conjunctively to promote your business’s online presence.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a broad term that summarizes various techniques, methods and practices that collectively work to make your website appear on search engines, such as Google, Yahoo!, Bing and others, for specific keywords. Search engines determine your site’s placement in their results, also known as “page rank”, using numerous factors. From organic methods like link building and article submissions to commissioned advertising such as pay-per-click (PPC) and affiliate programs, SEO can help you aggressively bolster traffic to your website if properly executed. For more information about these services you can visit this SEO document.
Blogging certainly isn’t just a fad of old; in fact, if conducted effectively, is much like the social media opportunities listed in the previous post. Developing an engaged following of readers by providing valuable content and information can ultimately lead to generating business. A great place to begin blogging is by focusing on providing new information and ideas of value to your client base via e-mail. There are many blogging solutions on the internet, though I recommend using WordPress, which is currently driving this online article.
Mobile websites, applications and mobile web technology at large continues to evolve and impact business. The use of iPhones, Blackberries and other related devices are only becoming more common with no indication of change in sight. Companies with websites that incorporate elements of client interaction beyond reading general marketing materials, such as e-commerce stores and dynamic sites, tend to be the best candidates for more of an aggressive investment in mobile webs. Since these websites generally have higher traffic patterns because of on-going, repeat users, tapping into mobile web technologies can provide customers with a professional and polished experience from their mobile devices; however, that isn’t to say that small businesses wouldn’t benefit from these services. For more information on my team’s please read this mobile web services document. A mobile version of your website can be created as an add-on to any existing website, or as part of the development of a new website. If you do not have a website yet, we always recommend focusing your efforts on the core site first. For most of our clients, we recommend one of two mobile web strategies:
- Mobile-friendly website
- We can re-use static content from your website so nothing else is needed.
- Through creating an extra style sheet for mobile devices to read, we can remove animation, re-order text to one column, re-align images, etc. to allow existing content to function better on these devices.
- Mobile web applications
- Using the Sharp Innovations framework, we can create special versions of applications that would be difficult to display or use on a mobile device, including shopping carts, news tickers, search functionality and more.
For more information on our growing library of website enhancements in our framework, please contact us. I would be glad to give you a personal review of the back-end administrative functionality of what your team can manage, if any solutions seem appropriate for the needs of your business.
My desire is for you to only make investments for your business that truly make sense. I am glad to personally evaluate your company to give you an honest assessment. Just because you are not participating in some new social media or internet marketing technology doesn’t mean that you are missing out on anything that your business should be investing in at this moment. However, your business needs and model can change over time, so it is a good idea to revisit your marketing and technology plan annually to assess new opportunities that might exist.
I help my coaching clients focus on matters like these so they can see their business become more efficient, profitable and scalable, if desired. I also help them achieve better balance professionally and personally so they can see their business truly work to support their life purpose and vision. If you want to find out more about how this could be leveraged in your world, or if you want to discuss a business problem you are facing, feel free to contact me or call me at 717-615-2274. You are also welcome to share this article or other resources found on my blog. Feel free to contact me if you or an associate would like to join my blog or receive this article as a PDF.
God bless,
Joe