Welcome back to this week's SBIM Weekly, the email that summaries news and helpful links for small/medium sized business owners. We scour the internet to keep you on top of what's important to you and your business.
Here's what's news for this week:
1. Google's going to put +1 on Adsense ads - interesting
http://davidjenyns.posterous.com/adsense-display-ads-will-now-feature-the-1-bu-hwsws
2. Google Plus let's you see your contacts' +1s - this data will shape the future of search
http://mashable.com/2011/11/22/google-news-plus-on/
3. New Facebook phone rumour - not surprising but will be huge if it happens
http://www.searchenginejournal.com/facebook-android-phone-buffy/36870/
4. Duplicate content in a post panda world - good article on important website factors
http://www.seomoz.org/blog/duplicate-content-in-a-post-panda-world
5. Internet TV explosion in 2012, the year for internet TV
http://www.reelseo.com/internet-tv-to-explode-in-2012/
6. YouTube
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Email List Marketing Made Easy
Email list marketing is not particularly difficult but it is amazing how many online businesses are not being successful with their campaigns.
Below we will take you through a few approaches, including a couple of cases studies with our own businesses, showing you the kind of results that can be achieved from following a very measured approach. Hopefully it will help steer you in the right direction with your future email marketing campaigns.
The Four Day Cash Machine Approach
Firstly we introduce an idea we followed from Frank Kern called the “Four Day Cash Machine.”
This involves a series of four emails on consecutive days as follows:
Email 1 – Product launch email outlining what the deal is and stressing that it’s only open for 4 days at the special rate. Give them a reason for the great offer – for example you want to gather testimonials and therefore you are prepared to “give away” the product at such a low price in return for their
Below we will take you through a few approaches, including a couple of cases studies with our own businesses, showing you the kind of results that can be achieved from following a very measured approach. Hopefully it will help steer you in the right direction with your future email marketing campaigns.
The Four Day Cash Machine Approach
Firstly we introduce an idea we followed from Frank Kern called the “Four Day Cash Machine.”
This involves a series of four emails on consecutive days as follows:
Email 1 – Product launch email outlining what the deal is and stressing that it’s only open for 4 days at the special rate. Give them a reason for the great offer – for example you want to gather testimonials and therefore you are prepared to “give away” the product at such a low price in return for their
Monday, November 28, 2011
3 Reasons To Claim Your Google Places Listing
[caption id="attachment_5890" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Get more visitors through Google Places."][/caption]
Not claimed your Google Places listing yet? Tsk, tsk!
It really should be a priority for your online business to be doing the things that will get you noticed and this is one of those things. It’s becoming more important so stop putting it off and get it done!
If you’re not convinced yet then maybe we can persuade you with the following reasons.
1. Universal Search Has Taken Over
You have probably noticed how every week or month something changes with how Google presents its search results.
A major change was a few years back when they introduced their Universal Search system which, instead of just serving text results, started to include news, video, images and local listings.
Then maps were added – based upon businesses and their Google Places listings – and this represented a big shift that had the SEO community wondering what to do
Not claimed your Google Places listing yet? Tsk, tsk!
It really should be a priority for your online business to be doing the things that will get you noticed and this is one of those things. It’s becoming more important so stop putting it off and get it done!
If you’re not convinced yet then maybe we can persuade you with the following reasons.
1. Universal Search Has Taken Over
You have probably noticed how every week or month something changes with how Google presents its search results.
A major change was a few years back when they introduced their Universal Search system which, instead of just serving text results, started to include news, video, images and local listings.
Then maps were added – based upon businesses and their Google Places listings – and this represented a big shift that had the SEO community wondering what to do
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Your Google Places Ranking Guide
To get a Google Places ranking is really very easy and needn’t take much time; so it’s another tool in your SEO “kit bag” that can help make a difference.
Just in case you’re not familiar with Google Places, this is the system whereby your business is identified on maps that Google serves in search results – you know, the maps with the red pins labeling locations?
Most businesses are NOT using Google Places correctly and therefore it’s easy to gain an immediate advantage over your competition and this brief guide shows you how.
Claim Your Listing
It’s easy to claim your listing for free here. Simply fill in your business details and wait till Google sends you a PIN number through the mail so you can verify that you are the owner of that business.
Set Up All The Details Correctly
Go through and list all your details correctly and consistently, including address and service area (if applicable – online businesses may have no specific service
Just in case you’re not familiar with Google Places, this is the system whereby your business is identified on maps that Google serves in search results – you know, the maps with the red pins labeling locations?
Most businesses are NOT using Google Places correctly and therefore it’s easy to gain an immediate advantage over your competition and this brief guide shows you how.
Claim Your Listing
It’s easy to claim your listing for free here. Simply fill in your business details and wait till Google sends you a PIN number through the mail so you can verify that you are the owner of that business.
Set Up All The Details Correctly
Go through and list all your details correctly and consistently, including address and service area (if applicable – online businesses may have no specific service
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
More Outsourcing Strategies In The SBIM Weekly
Welcome back to the SBIM Weekly, the regular summary of news and helpful links for small/medium sized business owners. We scour the internet to keep you on top of what's important to you and your business.
Now before we get to this week's headlines (for those of you playing along at home with our recent Market Samurai blog post) I wanted to give you the update. The comments have been off the scale - people are loving it! We've had 145+ comments and that's just on my post alone.
Anyway as part of this exclusive promotion we've put together something special that will never be repeated.
In short, we took our best selling and most loved course "The Outsource Profit Machine" and turned it into a digital product - that means we can sell it at a fraction of the recommended retail price.
Please note this 80% off Market Samurai exclusive is strictly limited - it must end midnight Friday USA pacific time.
If you want to find out more visit:
Now before we get to this week's headlines (for those of you playing along at home with our recent Market Samurai blog post) I wanted to give you the update. The comments have been off the scale - people are loving it! We've had 145+ comments and that's just on my post alone.
Anyway as part of this exclusive promotion we've put together something special that will never be repeated.
In short, we took our best selling and most loved course "The Outsource Profit Machine" and turned it into a digital product - that means we can sell it at a fraction of the recommended retail price.
Please note this 80% off Market Samurai exclusive is strictly limited - it must end midnight Friday USA pacific time.
If you want to find out more visit:
Top 3 Mistakes Businesses Make With Keyword Targeting
[caption id="attachment_5857" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Learn how to do effective keyword targeting."][/caption]
If you’re a small business designing a website, understanding keyword targeting is one of the fundamentals of success; but it’s amazing how many mistakes are made with it.
Most businesses don’t understand that you can actually rank for any keyword that you like, if you build enough back-links and prove to Google you deserve it; taking time to identify what it’s worth going after and then taking the steps to get there is basic to your online business.
Here are 3 of the main errors that online businesses make when it comes to this important part of your marketing strategy.
1. Not Getting Inside Their Customers’ Heads!
Another mistake online businesses often make is not understanding fully what their customers are searching for – this is key to targeting the right website keywords. In fact getting inside the minds of your customers is
If you’re a small business designing a website, understanding keyword targeting is one of the fundamentals of success; but it’s amazing how many mistakes are made with it.
Most businesses don’t understand that you can actually rank for any keyword that you like, if you build enough back-links and prove to Google you deserve it; taking time to identify what it’s worth going after and then taking the steps to get there is basic to your online business.
Here are 3 of the main errors that online businesses make when it comes to this important part of your marketing strategy.
1. Not Getting Inside Their Customers’ Heads!
Another mistake online businesses often make is not understanding fully what their customers are searching for – this is key to targeting the right website keywords. In fact getting inside the minds of your customers is
How Search Engines Work: SEO Demystified
Any SEO expert who explains the main concepts of SEO in needlessly complicated language probably doesn’t want you to understand how search engines work; keeping it mystifying justifies his own existence!
We prefer to take another approach and that’s to strip SEO down to its basics so that a 12 year old child can understand it. Read on and you’ll see we’re not exaggerating.
The Google Algorithm – The Main Judge In A Gigantic Popularity Contest
You may hear the “Google Algorithm” mentioned as if it is some complicated system that it will take you years to understand.
In actual fact you can just think of the Google algorithm as the main judge in a gigantic worldwide popularity contest.
Search engines basically measure your popularity and they do this in the same way as humans do.
Measuring Popularity - Emulating The Human Way
When we create a research report how do we usually judge how much weight it carries?
I can go out and tell everyone that
We prefer to take another approach and that’s to strip SEO down to its basics so that a 12 year old child can understand it. Read on and you’ll see we’re not exaggerating.
The Google Algorithm – The Main Judge In A Gigantic Popularity Contest
You may hear the “Google Algorithm” mentioned as if it is some complicated system that it will take you years to understand.
In actual fact you can just think of the Google algorithm as the main judge in a gigantic worldwide popularity contest.
Search engines basically measure your popularity and they do this in the same way as humans do.
Measuring Popularity - Emulating The Human Way
When we create a research report how do we usually judge how much weight it carries?
I can go out and tell everyone that
Monday, November 21, 2011
Online Outsourcing Secrets Finally Revealed
Just curious, have you watched that presentation I did for the Market Samurai team yet? I emailed you a couple of days ago about it and if you're doing any business online - it's a must.
The fact is, marketing online (or off) is a "team sport" nowadays and everyone I know "kicking goals" in business has a great team behind them. So what's the secret to getting 'A players' to join your team at a fraction of what you'd pay someone locally?
That's what the guys over at Noble Samurai asked Pete Williams and I to talk about in a brand new Video Series that reveals the RIGHT WAY to do online outsourcing.
When done correctly, outsourcing can help you build a profitable business quicker, easier and with less money than you thought possible - it's the secret to my success.
Anyway, you can watch my first presentation here:
... and then check out the second video by Pete here:
These are cutting edge concepts, so check them out and let me know what you think. I really want
The fact is, marketing online (or off) is a "team sport" nowadays and everyone I know "kicking goals" in business has a great team behind them. So what's the secret to getting 'A players' to join your team at a fraction of what you'd pay someone locally?
That's what the guys over at Noble Samurai asked Pete Williams and I to talk about in a brand new Video Series that reveals the RIGHT WAY to do online outsourcing.
When done correctly, outsourcing can help you build a profitable business quicker, easier and with less money than you thought possible - it's the secret to my success.
Anyway, you can watch my first presentation here:
... and then check out the second video by Pete here:
These are cutting edge concepts, so check them out and let me know what you think. I really want
3 Steps To Effective Keyword Research For Small Business
Before writing your web copy and building your site you need to drill down into the nuts and bolts of your business and do keyword research. This will identify the phrases that you will target through your web copy and on-page SEO to get your site ranking with the search engines.
Some people fall into the trap of putting keyword research into the “too hard” or “too technical” bin when, in reality, it’s not difficult at all.
Here we show you three easy steps so that you get the results you are after.
1. Identify Your Top Products And Services
The first step couldn’t be easier. What are your main products and services?
If you are a Melbourne-based printer, for example, your main products might be printing services, brochure design, flyer printing etc.
That’s really all there is to the first step – knowing what your business is. Nothing difficult about that is there?
2. Use The Google Free Keyword Tool
Secondly you use the Google Keyword
Some people fall into the trap of putting keyword research into the “too hard” or “too technical” bin when, in reality, it’s not difficult at all.
Here we show you three easy steps so that you get the results you are after.
1. Identify Your Top Products And Services
The first step couldn’t be easier. What are your main products and services?
If you are a Melbourne-based printer, for example, your main products might be printing services, brochure design, flyer printing etc.
That’s really all there is to the first step – knowing what your business is. Nothing difficult about that is there?
2. Use The Google Free Keyword Tool
Secondly you use the Google Keyword
Thursday, November 17, 2011
The Basics Of On Page SEO – Part Two
[caption id="attachment_5820" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Make your site visitors feel at home."][/caption]
In part one of this post we looked at the concept of on page SEO: what it is, how it differs from off page SEO and three of the first things you can be focusing on to get your website in good SEO shape.
In the first part we focused on “back end” optimization techniques; here we will focus more on what visitors and search engines “see” when they land on your website and how to go about optimising these pages with further techniques.
1. Your Web Page Copy – Keyword Focus
What you actually do with your keywords in the web copy of the relevant pages of your website is equally as important as your page titles and descriptions.
Each page should be focused on 1 or 2 keywords, no more. For instance you can have a main keyword phrase like “Melbourne SEO Services” and then a variation or two such as “SEO services” and “search engine
In part one of this post we looked at the concept of on page SEO: what it is, how it differs from off page SEO and three of the first things you can be focusing on to get your website in good SEO shape.
In the first part we focused on “back end” optimization techniques; here we will focus more on what visitors and search engines “see” when they land on your website and how to go about optimising these pages with further techniques.
1. Your Web Page Copy – Keyword Focus
What you actually do with your keywords in the web copy of the relevant pages of your website is equally as important as your page titles and descriptions.
Each page should be focused on 1 or 2 keywords, no more. For instance you can have a main keyword phrase like “Melbourne SEO Services” and then a variation or two such as “SEO services” and “search engine
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
The Basics Of On Page SEO – Part One
[caption id="attachment_5809" align="alignleft" width="345" caption="Learning the basics is vital in mastering SEO."][/caption]
The beauty of on page SEO is that you can do it once and it can last for the life of your website. That makes it doubly important for you to get it right first time, so that you can forget about it, let it do its job and concentrate on your off page SEO, which is more time consuming.
Below we take you through what you need to know.
What Is On Page SEO?
On page SEO essentially tells the search engines what’s on your website pages. You are making it easy for the search engine web crawlers to find and index your pages and associate them with the right keywords, so that you have a good chance of being listed high in the search results for those keywords. That brings you traffic and, hopefully, sales.
That’s why it’s important. Now what is the right way to go about it?
Fundamentals
1. Know Your Market
It’s fundamental to the success
The beauty of on page SEO is that you can do it once and it can last for the life of your website. That makes it doubly important for you to get it right first time, so that you can forget about it, let it do its job and concentrate on your off page SEO, which is more time consuming.
Below we take you through what you need to know.
What Is On Page SEO?
On page SEO essentially tells the search engines what’s on your website pages. You are making it easy for the search engine web crawlers to find and index your pages and associate them with the right keywords, so that you have a good chance of being listed high in the search results for those keywords. That brings you traffic and, hopefully, sales.
That’s why it’s important. Now what is the right way to go about it?
Fundamentals
1. Know Your Market
It’s fundamental to the success
Monday, November 14, 2011
Learn The Outsourcing Process In The SBIM Weekly!
Here it is... SBIM Weekly, the regular summary of news and helpful links for small/medium sized business owners. We scour the internet to keep you on top of what's important to you and your business.
Before getting stuck into this week's news, I just wanted to share with you something I'm quite proud of. I've been asked by the team at Market Samurai to make a video
about the way we have built our outsourcing team.
I know I'm biased but it's definitely worth the watch - it's 100% pure content and actionable steps. If you do any business online you need to build a team. Watch
the way we do it here at Melbourne SEO Services:
http://www.noblesamurai.com/blog/outsourcing/outsourcing-video-1-how-to-build-a-team-of-a-players-2717/
And remember to place a comment on their blog too! I'll be watching out for it.
Now onto our regular program... here's what's news this week:
1. How Siri will eat into Google's search market share - I can see this
Before getting stuck into this week's news, I just wanted to share with you something I'm quite proud of. I've been asked by the team at Market Samurai to make a video
about the way we have built our outsourcing team.
I know I'm biased but it's definitely worth the watch - it's 100% pure content and actionable steps. If you do any business online you need to build a team. Watch
the way we do it here at Melbourne SEO Services:
http://www.noblesamurai.com/blog/outsourcing/outsourcing-video-1-how-to-build-a-team-of-a-players-2717/
And remember to place a comment on their blog too! I'll be watching out for it.
Now onto our regular program... here's what's news this week:
1. How Siri will eat into Google's search market share - I can see this
Getting Into Email Marketing? Read Our Aweber Review
Looking to buy (or already own) AWeber? Click here to grab these free bonuses.
We use AWeber for email marketing. Here's why.
AWeber is a reliable and high performing email marketing solution which we use here at Melbourne SEO Services. Email is one of the very best ways you can use to contact your customers with your products and services. In fact the subscriber list is considered by many to be the most important part of a marketing campaign and allows the owner to market his goods with a high probability of success. Many businesses use this means as evidenced by the fact that the major autoresponder companies’ businesses are thriving.
It is true that the ‘money is in the list’. By building an email list through opt ins on the squeeze page, the business owner is ‘future proofing’ his business. You’ll always have a highly targeted traffic source regardless of what happens with the search engine algorithm or an unexpected paid advertising rate
We use AWeber for email marketing. Here's why.
AWeber is a reliable and high performing email marketing solution which we use here at Melbourne SEO Services. Email is one of the very best ways you can use to contact your customers with your products and services. In fact the subscriber list is considered by many to be the most important part of a marketing campaign and allows the owner to market his goods with a high probability of success. Many businesses use this means as evidenced by the fact that the major autoresponder companies’ businesses are thriving.
It is true that the ‘money is in the list’. By building an email list through opt ins on the squeeze page, the business owner is ‘future proofing’ his business. You’ll always have a highly targeted traffic source regardless of what happens with the search engine algorithm or an unexpected paid advertising rate
Use Automated Directory Submissions For Smart SEO
[caption id="attachment_5770" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Do not build links all in one day."][/caption]
For every high quality backlink you target for your website there are potentially scores of other links you may be missing out on …unless you are using directory submissions to help your SEO efforts.
With a good directory submission service you can take a “shotgun” approach to links which automates the whole process and nets you many backlink “prizes” from just one “shot”. We discuss this approach in more detail below.
Building Backlinks
Core to your off-page SEO efforts is building backlinks; the best approach is to go for quantity as well as quality and to diversify both the places you are getting links from and the text you include in the actual links.
With online marketing putting all of your “eggs in one basket” rarely works and so it is with links; we need to use all the many and diverse tools available to us – many of them are
For every high quality backlink you target for your website there are potentially scores of other links you may be missing out on …unless you are using directory submissions to help your SEO efforts.
With a good directory submission service you can take a “shotgun” approach to links which automates the whole process and nets you many backlink “prizes” from just one “shot”. We discuss this approach in more detail below.
Building Backlinks
Core to your off-page SEO efforts is building backlinks; the best approach is to go for quantity as well as quality and to diversify both the places you are getting links from and the text you include in the actual links.
With online marketing putting all of your “eggs in one basket” rarely works and so it is with links; we need to use all the many and diverse tools available to us – many of them are
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Two Search Engine Ranking Factors You May Overlook
[caption id="attachment_5752" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Use search ranking factors to your advantage."][/caption]
We all know that the likes of keyword optimisation and back links are major search engine ranking factors for your website, but there are a couple of others that you may not have considered. We look at these below.
1. Website Commenting
The trend of commenting on articles or features posted on your website or on your YouTube channel has stemmed from the popularity of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, which give everyone a “voice.”
It is arguable that this has minimal impact on search engine ranking currently, but there is little doubt that it will have a big role in the future – so it’s a good idea to get ready for it now.
Google’s release of the Google Plus social network earlier this year proved that it is well aware of the importance of social media to the Internet as a whole; whether it takes a big chunk of the social
We all know that the likes of keyword optimisation and back links are major search engine ranking factors for your website, but there are a couple of others that you may not have considered. We look at these below.
1. Website Commenting
The trend of commenting on articles or features posted on your website or on your YouTube channel has stemmed from the popularity of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, which give everyone a “voice.”
It is arguable that this has minimal impact on search engine ranking currently, but there is little doubt that it will have a big role in the future – so it’s a good idea to get ready for it now.
Google’s release of the Google Plus social network earlier this year proved that it is well aware of the importance of social media to the Internet as a whole; whether it takes a big chunk of the social
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Old Spice Viral Video Parody | Get Serious Man.
There is no denying it: The Old Spice ads, first launched at the Superbowl in February 2010, have been a smash hit for both the company and the advertising agency behind it. The social media numbers are astounding: 40 million You Tube views in 12 months; A Twitter increase of 2700%; Facebook interaction up by 800%; Traffic to oldspice.com increased by 300%. And Old Spice became the number 1 all-time most viewed branded channel on You Tube. This all led to a sales increase of 107% for Old Spice body wash. Needless to say the company is overjoyed.
With the success of things like the Old Spice commercial, the demand for viral marketing campaigns has skyrocketed, but many businesses don't know where to start. So in response to the high demand, Melbourne SEO Services has just announced a new service to help small businesses create, and more importantly, optimise their videos for the greatest chance of viral success.
The original Old Spice video was pretty funny and since we like
With the success of things like the Old Spice commercial, the demand for viral marketing campaigns has skyrocketed, but many businesses don't know where to start. So in response to the high demand, Melbourne SEO Services has just announced a new service to help small businesses create, and more importantly, optimise their videos for the greatest chance of viral success.
The original Old Spice video was pretty funny and since we like
How To Use Article Directories For SEO
If you’re not constantly building backlinks to your website, then you’re not focusing your off-page SEO in the right area.
Backlinks should be occupying the majority of your SEO time and a great way to build them is by getting articles written and submitted to article directories. Below we look at how you can do that effectively.
Article Directory Submission
There are specific sites that are set up to publish your articles and allow you to include a backlink to your site.
A couple of the larger article directories are EzineArticles and Go Articles and both have submission guidelines listed clearly on their sites for writers to follow when uploading their content.
The basic premise is that they exchange your content for a backlink in a win-win relationship.
A good strategy is to choose a few different submission sites and submit at least one article per week, because SEO works best when it is an ongoing effort of organic growth; this tends to be more effective
Backlinks should be occupying the majority of your SEO time and a great way to build them is by getting articles written and submitted to article directories. Below we look at how you can do that effectively.
Article Directory Submission
There are specific sites that are set up to publish your articles and allow you to include a backlink to your site.
A couple of the larger article directories are EzineArticles and Go Articles and both have submission guidelines listed clearly on their sites for writers to follow when uploading their content.
The basic premise is that they exchange your content for a backlink in a win-win relationship.
A good strategy is to choose a few different submission sites and submit at least one article per week, because SEO works best when it is an ongoing effort of organic growth; this tends to be more effective
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
I like getting notes like this...
That was fantastic – thank you David!
I feel we have much to do but with knowledgeable guidance and experience – it's the 'right' direction to work on.
I love your systems David, you have a great feel for what your customers need and the order in which they need them – you seem very well set up.
The encouragement was welcome too – thanks.
Looking forward to understanding more of what you've suggested and executing it – looking forward to the results in time too :-)
Very happy with today's discussion.
Thanks again David.
Cheers
Jen=======
That was for a one-on-one consultation with me... want something similar? Find out more here:
That was for a one-on-one consultation with me... want something similar? Find out more here:
Quality Backlinks Source - Our Build My Rank Review
Looking to buy (or already own) Build My Rank? Click here to grab these free bonuses.
Find out why Build My Rank is in our link building toolbox.
To rank higher, your site needs incoming links from different sources. They need to be links from authority sites with targeted keywords and surrounded by relevant content. A link network that we use to great effect here at Melbourne SEO Services is BuildMyRank (BMR). This service provides high quality one-way backlinks to your sites. It is a blog network link building solution.
You simply write a small unique snippet or article with your keyword anchor text in it and submit it to their system. You get one link per 150 words. If you want to write larger articles and put a couple of links in there you can. BuildMyRank pushes this out to a set of low to medium PR blogs in their network. They have over three thousand PR1 to PR6 sites. They also create an RSS feed from your post and submit it to RSS directories, bookmark your
Find out why Build My Rank is in our link building toolbox.
To rank higher, your site needs incoming links from different sources. They need to be links from authority sites with targeted keywords and surrounded by relevant content. A link network that we use to great effect here at Melbourne SEO Services is BuildMyRank (BMR). This service provides high quality one-way backlinks to your sites. It is a blog network link building solution.
You simply write a small unique snippet or article with your keyword anchor text in it and submit it to their system. You get one link per 150 words. If you want to write larger articles and put a couple of links in there you can. BuildMyRank pushes this out to a set of low to medium PR blogs in their network. They have over three thousand PR1 to PR6 sites. They also create an RSS feed from your post and submit it to RSS directories, bookmark your
5 Areas Of Website Analytics You Need To Focus On
[caption id="attachment_5577" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Use web analytics to understand your site visitors."][/caption]
Measuring results is important in everything we do in business and is one of the keys to constant improvement; so once you have your site up and running, what website analytics tools do you use to monitor its performance?
There are five key areas we have identified that you can focus your attention on – not only to point out weaknesses of your site, but to see what’s working well.
1. Number Of Visitors
The number of visitors you get is one determining factor of how successful your online business will ultimately be, as site traffic means leads – it’s the equivalent of people passing your high street shop.
Seeing an incremental increase with some welcome spikes in numbers now and again should mean that you are doing the right things, though obviously it’s difficult to be specific with numbers; if you are operating in a small niche
Measuring results is important in everything we do in business and is one of the keys to constant improvement; so once you have your site up and running, what website analytics tools do you use to monitor its performance?
There are five key areas we have identified that you can focus your attention on – not only to point out weaknesses of your site, but to see what’s working well.
1. Number Of Visitors
The number of visitors you get is one determining factor of how successful your online business will ultimately be, as site traffic means leads – it’s the equivalent of people passing your high street shop.
Seeing an incremental increase with some welcome spikes in numbers now and again should mean that you are doing the right things, though obviously it’s difficult to be specific with numbers; if you are operating in a small niche
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
3 Blog Commenting Tips To Put Your Website To The Top!
Blog commenting is often misunderstood and generally not used enough amongst website owners; it takes time and effort but it can offer a rich seam of online gold – namely backlinks.
Below we look at three ways your business can use comment links for your all-important off-page SEO efforts; that ultimately means better rankings, more traffic and more leads.
Target All Backlinks
One of the most commonly misunderstood areas of backlinking is the value of “no-follow” blog comment links. These are links that webmasters instruct search engines not to include in the linked website’s ranking in their index and are meant to deter spamming.
The much-esteemed SEOMoz website ran a study where they took the best ranking websites and reverse-engineered what these sites were doing; common to them all was that they commented on blogs, even when the links were “no follow”.
Rather than spending too much time on whether your link is going to be a “no follow” link,
Below we look at three ways your business can use comment links for your all-important off-page SEO efforts; that ultimately means better rankings, more traffic and more leads.
Target All Backlinks
One of the most commonly misunderstood areas of backlinking is the value of “no-follow” blog comment links. These are links that webmasters instruct search engines not to include in the linked website’s ranking in their index and are meant to deter spamming.
The much-esteemed SEOMoz website ran a study where they took the best ranking websites and reverse-engineered what these sites were doing; common to them all was that they commented on blogs, even when the links were “no follow”.
Rather than spending too much time on whether your link is going to be a “no follow” link,
Monday, November 7, 2011
9 Steps To Writing Great Sales Copy
Some people freeze when it comes to writing sales copy; but it doesn’t need to be a fearful process. It’s possible for anyone to create a great sales message by following some simple guidelines and, while it may take some practice and fine-tuning, it will come.
Following are nine steps for writing sales copy that should help your business sell more.
1. Headline
You need to “hook” your visitors, whether they have come to your webpage from organic search traffic or via an email or other online marketing campaign. Prepare a headline that engages your audience and gets them thinking they need to read the smaller print that follows. You only have a few seconds to capture their imagination.
2. Story-Telling
Being able to tell a short story in your sales copy achieves several purposes.
Story-telling is traditionally how knowledge has been passed on, because information “sticks” better when attached to a story. Also it engages the audience on an emotional
Following are nine steps for writing sales copy that should help your business sell more.
1. Headline
You need to “hook” your visitors, whether they have come to your webpage from organic search traffic or via an email or other online marketing campaign. Prepare a headline that engages your audience and gets them thinking they need to read the smaller print that follows. You only have a few seconds to capture their imagination.
2. Story-Telling
Being able to tell a short story in your sales copy achieves several purposes.
Story-telling is traditionally how knowledge has been passed on, because information “sticks” better when attached to a story. Also it engages the audience on an emotional
Secrets To Overcoming Objections In Sales Online
[caption id="attachment_5672" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Are you credible enough to your customers?"][/caption]
Online sales techniques are not quite the same as offline sales, as you nearly always have another major objection to overcome – and that’s one of credibility.
If you’re meeting somebody face to face then it’s much easier to form an opinion, rightly or wrongly, of whether someone is trustworthy, genuine and seems like they are able to deliver.
Online, all you have is your reputation, your own content on your site and testimonials to present your case for credibility. The all-important question is – how can we make our visitors feel comfortable about buying from us? And thus make us succeed in overcoming objections in sales online, if any.
Understand The Objections
Before being in a position to handle objections you need to understand what they are.
All the time when the customer visits your site there will be a conversation going on
Online sales techniques are not quite the same as offline sales, as you nearly always have another major objection to overcome – and that’s one of credibility.
If you’re meeting somebody face to face then it’s much easier to form an opinion, rightly or wrongly, of whether someone is trustworthy, genuine and seems like they are able to deliver.
Online, all you have is your reputation, your own content on your site and testimonials to present your case for credibility. The all-important question is – how can we make our visitors feel comfortable about buying from us? And thus make us succeed in overcoming objections in sales online, if any.
Understand The Objections
Before being in a position to handle objections you need to understand what they are.
All the time when the customer visits your site there will be a conversation going on
Thursday, November 3, 2011
5 Top Website Usability Tips
[caption id="attachment_5652" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="Make it easy for people to use your website."][/caption]
Unless your website is easy to navigate around and find information on, you may be left with confused visitors not interested in buying from you.
If you are in the process of designing or re-building your site, following these basic steps will greatly enhance your website usability.
One Page One Purpose
You’re not publishing a book so you don’t have to worry about using extra paper! It’s therefore better to create extra pages than to cram information on one page.
Keep every page unique to a sole purpose – this will help to create clarity for the reader and if all the pages are indexed on a well-designed menu then the relevant information will be easy to find; there’s nothing worse than having to scroll through irrelevant information to find what you need.
Also keep reader options on any given page to a minimum – too much choice
Unless your website is easy to navigate around and find information on, you may be left with confused visitors not interested in buying from you.
If you are in the process of designing or re-building your site, following these basic steps will greatly enhance your website usability.
One Page One Purpose
You’re not publishing a book so you don’t have to worry about using extra paper! It’s therefore better to create extra pages than to cram information on one page.
Keep every page unique to a sole purpose – this will help to create clarity for the reader and if all the pages are indexed on a well-designed menu then the relevant information will be easy to find; there’s nothing worse than having to scroll through irrelevant information to find what you need.
Also keep reader options on any given page to a minimum – too much choice
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
4 Online Copywriting Tips For Creating Web Content
[caption id="attachment_5642" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Online copywriting should be easy to understand."][/caption]
Ever rocked up to a website and cringed at the web copy because it doesn’t hit the right notes at all? Well, online copywriting certainly doesn’t come naturally to everybody but it’s an important part of your web presence so following a few tips can help this aspect of your web marketing.
Below we take you through four of the main copywriting tips for generating web content that gets a strong marketing message across, without appearing too “forced” or “awkward”.
Write To One Person Not Groups
A great starting point is to really know your avatar. This means climbing into the skin of your target audience and picturing what they are looking for. Think of one person - your ideal customer; then write everything with this person in mind, as if you were writing it exclusively for them.
This will help you keep your copy on-point,
Ever rocked up to a website and cringed at the web copy because it doesn’t hit the right notes at all? Well, online copywriting certainly doesn’t come naturally to everybody but it’s an important part of your web presence so following a few tips can help this aspect of your web marketing.
Below we take you through four of the main copywriting tips for generating web content that gets a strong marketing message across, without appearing too “forced” or “awkward”.
Write To One Person Not Groups
A great starting point is to really know your avatar. This means climbing into the skin of your target audience and picturing what they are looking for. Think of one person - your ideal customer; then write everything with this person in mind, as if you were writing it exclusively for them.
This will help you keep your copy on-point,
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