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Showing posts from July, 2011

Building an Effective Web Presence Step #6 – Get Found

Over the past five months we identified steps one through five in the process of building an effective web presence:   1) Define your ideal client; 2) Identify specific goals; 3) Create a call to action; 4) Give customers what they expect; and 5) Be a better communicator. The sixth step is:  Make sure your website is properly optimized for the best possible organic search results.  First let’s define “organic” search results. The definition of Organic Search Results is the search term results returned by a search engine (like Google) derived from what the search engine thinks is important (as opposed to returning paid listings or advertisements). In other words, “organic” results are the “free” results. With 96% of Google users not clicking past page one of search results, it is critical that your site be found on page one… either with the organic results, a Google places listing (more on this in a future article), or through pay-per-click advertising.  Achieving top organic rankings

Building an Effective Web Presence : Step #5 - Be a Better Communicator

Over the past four months we identified steps one through four in the process of building an effective web presence: 1) Define your ideal client; 2) Identify specific goals; 3) Create a call to action; and 4) Give customers what they expect. The fifth step is: Be a better communicator across your web presence . We continue to talk in terms of your "web presence" rather than just your "website", because a web presence encompasses everything you do to market your business online. This definitely includes your website, but it also includes your email marketing campaigns, your social media efforts, blogging, and more. Effective communication is not a one way process when you are face-to-face, and it shouldn’t be online either. Too many businesses exercise one way communication online by pushing the common message, "I’m the best, buy from me." Truly successful businesses work online to engage their prospective customers for the purpose of starting

Building an Effective Web Presence - Step 4 : Give Customers What They Expect

Building an Effective Web Presence Step #4 – Give Customers What They Expect Over the past three months we identified steps one, two, and three in the process of building an effective web presence:   Step 1 - Define your ideal client. Step 2 - Identify very specific goals for your web presence.  Step 3 – Create a clear call to action. The fourth step may seem obvious, but consider how many websites you visit each week and don’t find what you are looking for. What do you do when you don’t find what you want?  You probably leave and move on to the next one.   Step 4 - Give Customers What They Expect . Ask yourself this question.  When a prospective customer gets to your website, what do they expect to find?  Make sure you give it to them, or make it VERY easy to get. The obvious but often overlooked: •            Professional look (first impressions still count) •            Error free (spell check, links work, no error messages or plug-ins required) •           Con