Posts Tagged ‘Search Engine Marketing’
Sunday, December 20th, 2009
Are you an individual who runs a locally owned and operated business? If you are, your targeted market is likely the individuals who live in and around your community. Although your first though may be to reach your targeted market though local newspaper advertisements, radio advertisements, the yellow pages, and other local advertising techniques, you may want to start thinking about using the internet, namely search engine marketing.
It seems as if many locally owned and operated business owners have come to see the internet as an enemy. After all, with the popularity of online shopping on the rise, many business owners need to compete with online retailers. Yes, the internet may bring you and your business competition, but you shouldn’t completely write it off. Did you know that the internet, if properly worked, can actually bring you customers? It can if you use it as a form of local advertising and it can bring you business in more ways than you could have ever imagined.
Search Engine Marketing
As previously mentioned, search engine marketing is something that you may want to take the time to familiarize yourself with. Search engine marketing is a term that is used to describe a marketing approach that has been implemented and proven successful by many online business owners, but it can also work for locally owned and operated business owners, like yourself. What you need to know is that the way that customers shop and find companies to do business with is changing. For instance, did you know that 70% of shoppers surveyed by Nielsen//NetRatings use the internet to research local businesses? They did and this is something that you and your business can capitalize on.
The Importance of Local Search
One of the many ways that you can use search engine marketing to help you with local advertising is by having an online website and having it optimized by the search engines. You can either do this yourself or hire the services of a search engine marketing specialist or company. By having applicable content on your website, internet users can find it when they perform a local search. A local search is when a business owner uses the internet to help them find a local business. Local searches are often performed with phrases like “fine dining restaurants in Denver,” or “children’s clothing stores in New York.” By having applicable content on your website, your prospective customers can find it by performing a local search.
When customers use a local search to find a local business, they want to know what type of items you sell or what services you offer. That is why it is important that you have an online website outlining that information. You will also want to provide your prospective customers with your business address, so they can visit it should they like what they find online. Also, you may want to provide your prospective customers with easy ways to contact you. This can be done by placing your telephone number online or even by creating a business email address for yourself or your business.
What is even more interesting than the fact that 70% of those surveyed said they use the internet to research local businesses is the fact that 89% found their local search either “somewhat effective,” or “very effective,” according to Nielsen//Net Ratings. What does this mean for you? It means that if you aren’t already using search engine marketing as a form of local advertising, you may be losing a considerable amount of money.
Tags: local advertising, Search Engine Marketing, SEM, SEO, small business growth, The Long Tail
Posted in Search Engine Marketing | 1 Comment »
Sunday, November 15th, 2009
Are you a local business owner? Whether you run a grocery store, a clothing store, a jewelry store, or even a tax preparation service, there is a good chance that the majority of your marketing is focused on your local community.
Online Advertising
Although local advertising is a necessity, there is something that you may not know. Your local community is likely turning to the internet to research their options for buying products and services, even locally. That is why you may want to think about incorporating search engine marketing into your business’s local advertising plan.
As it was previously mentioned, a large number of individuals are now turning to the internet to research local companies that they may be interested in doing business with. That is why it is advised that all locally owned and operated businesses, even small businesses, use search engine marketing to their advantage. Unfortunately, many business owners do not realize just how many of their prospective customers are using the internet.
Search Engine Marketing: Necessary for Business in the 21st Century
There are many who assume that it isn’t enough to change their marketing plans. However, did you know that Nielsen//NetRatings performed a study that showed out of 2,866 individuals, 70% of those individuals had used the internet to research local businesses?
When you think about it, that number is pretty amazing. That means that a large number of individuals are now starting to change the way that they shop locally. In the past, many individuals relied on coming across a business own their own or hearing about a business through word of mouth. While these approaches are still used, it is plain to see that many more individuals are now starting to do their own research online. One of the many reasons for that is because it is easy.
A simple standard internet search, also known as a local search, and your prospective customers could easily find out information about you and your company, including your business telephone number, your address, as well as information on what type of business you run.
One of the best ways to make the most out of search engine marketing is to have you own online website. One of the best ways to acquire new customers is have a website filled with information about your company. For instance, if you sell products or services, you will want to describe them and so forth. Perhaps, the most important piece of information to have on your website is your business’s telephone number and possibly even a business email address.
Another study, conducted by WebVisible showed that 68% of prospective clients contacted a company using the telephone number they got off the company’s website. Although not as popular, 16% contacted the company in question by sending them an email.
As you can see, the internet plays an important role in your business and it has actually been doing so for a while now, even if you didn’t realize it. That is why it is advised that you incorporate the internet and search engine marketing into your local advertising plan, if you haven’t already done so.
Tags: Charles Preston, local advertising, online advertising, Search Engine Marketing, SEM, SEO, small business growth
Posted in Search Engine Marketing | 1 Comment »
Friday, October 9th, 2009
Are you the owner of a business that is considered to be a locally owned and operated one? If you are, what forms of local advertising do you use?
If you are like most locally owned and operated business owners, there is a good chance that you use local phone books, newspapers, and the mailing of fliers. While these are nice local advertising methods, you need to think about incorporating the internet into your local advertising plan, if you haven’t already done so.
When it comes to using the internet as a form of a local advertising, the process is often referred to as search engine marketing. An example of search engine marketing involves creating an online website for your business.
By having information about your business displayed online, your prospective local customers can find it. If you have enough information about your business, they may just show up; however, a study conducted by Nielsen//NetRatings showed that 68% of survey participants got the telephone number of a business and many intended to use it to contact the business in question. In short, the more information you supply, the better.
How Can Search Engine Marketing Help Your Business?
Although it is nice to know that search engine marketing can help your business, you may be wondering exactly how so. What you need to realize is that many consumers don’t just use the internet to shop online anymore. Instead of using their local phone book, many consumers are now using the internet to search for and familiarize themselves with local businesses, like yours. Out of 2,866 people surveyed, 70% stated that they had used the internet, namely a local search, to help them find a local business.
What does this mean for you?
This means that prospective customers are using the internet to learn more about your business, like where it is located, what you offer, and so forth.
What is nice about this form of local advertising is that if individuals who come across your business online like what they see, they will likely come to your place of business or contact you for more information. For many consumers this is nice, as it can save them time and wasted trips. Should someone find what they want with your business, you will likely have acquired a new customer, thanks to the internet and a local search.
While getting one new customer, from a local search is nice, did you know that you will likely get more than one? Another study conducted showed that Nielsen-WebVisible found that 54% of survey respondents would recommend a business that they found in a local search to those that they know. The top methods of referrals were recorded as being verbal recommendations, as well as emailed links.
What does this mean for your small business?
It means that even if an individual doesn’t come across your business’s online website through a local search, they may still hear about it from someone else who did.
In short, there are a number of different ways that search engine marketing can help your business. An increase in customer counts, customer referrals, and profits are just a few of the many reasons why you should be relying on local searches, search engine marketing, and online local advertising.
Tags: Charles Preston, local advertising, Search Engine Marketing, SEO, small business growth
Posted in Search Engine Marketing, Small Business Growth Strategies | No Comments »
Monday, June 9th, 2008
Each Day, there are millions of Americans that rely on their websites to make them money. For many, their website is their only source of income. If you are one of those individuals then you can benefit from website marketing, if you haven’t already.
Unfortunately, the problem is that there are many website owners who believe that there isn’t anything that website marketing could do for them. This is simply not true.
What Can Website Marketing Do For You?
Anyone who wants to benefit from website marketing has the ability to do so. As previously mentioned, those that have a websiteto generate income for themselves and their family can find the most benefits from website marketing, but it doesn’t stop there.
You Can Benefit From Website Marketing
No matter what type of website you have, or plan on developing in the future, website marketing can help.
Website marketing comes in number of different forms. No matter which form, the goal of website marketing is to increase the number of internet users who make it to your website. This is most often done with a creative marketing strategy. In a way, website marketing is similar to off -the- internet marketing. Storefront retail stores use various marketing techniques to drive in customers and you are encouraged to do the same with your website.
Website marketing is most often offered by a trained and experienced professional. It is possible that you may be able to develop your own website marketing plan; however, many online business owners find it easier to pay for assistance. Since this assistance will most likely paid for, you are encouraged to examine what the proper marketing can do for your website.
Online stores are rapidly getting increasingly popular. In addition to large online retail chains, many individuals are developing their own businesses by selling homemade products and merchandise.
If you own your an online store, no matter what you sell, it is likely that you could see a large increase in profits from the proper website marketing. When selling is involved, the more internet users that visit your site, the more likely it is that your sales will increase.
In addition to online stores, there are many individuals who are offering a service over the internet. This service may include, but is not limited to, web design, freelance writing, and even website marketing. As with online stores, if your website is used to promote a service that you are offering for a small fee, you will find website marketing invaluable.
Personal websites or blogs are also rapidly increasing in popularity. More and more individuals are tossing up a personal blog or website. Website marketing can also increase the number of visitors to your personal webpage or blog. The only problem, for many, is that most do not receive money for running a personal website or blog. Unlike with websites selling merchandise or a service, a personal website or blog will not pay for its own website marketing. However, that does not mean that you could not
benefit from it.
If you are interested in promoting your website to the general public with website marketing, you will have to decide what you will do next. Website marketing specialists can be found all over the internet. You can easily request their services, many for a small fee that brings about a big ROI (return on investment). To implement your own internet marketing strategy, you are encouraged to get researching today because it is likely that you will have a lot to learn but can anticipate great results.
Tags: Charles Preston, Search Engine Marketing, SEM, small business growth, Website Marketing
Posted in Search Engine Marketing, Small Business Growth Strategies | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 3rd, 2007
Search engine marketing appears to be a great way to advertise but is it right for you and your business? If you are not already employing search engine marketing(SEM) for you business is there a way to forecast the return should you decide to invest in it? Is there a way to measure the results you are getting if you have already invested in SEM?
The answer is mostly yes. By utilizing data discovered in recently released research surveys and with the help of a few free online tools you can put begin to take some of the guesswork out of search engine marketing ROI.
By using Overture’s free keyword suggestion tool (inventory.overture.com) you can get an idea of how many times a keyword is getting searched each month. Another free tool to use is called Good Keywords and can be downloaded from www.goodkeywords.com.
Let’s say for instance that you are a mortgage broker in the Denver Colorado area and you are interested in getting more leads for your business. You have a website and are considering search engine marketing to bring in some new leads. You get a quote from a search engine marketing provider who can guarantee top 10 positions among the major search engines for 6 months for your keywords for $1,500.00.
The question now becomes is it worth it to you to spend the $1,500.00. To figure this out we need to look at some numbers.
Analyzing SEM ROI
Berrier & Associates estimate that 65% of all traffic generated by a search in a search engine will go to the sites listed within the first 10 results (first page) returned for that search. By using Overture’s keyword suggestion tool you discover that the term “Denver mortgage broker” gets approximately 540 searches a month.
Using this criteria a first page position for “Denver mortgage broker” would bring you approximately 65% of 540 searches a month = 350 visitors to your site each month. Having a compelling title tag in your website’s pages might even boost this visitor number since the title tag is what appears as the clickable link in the search results.
The formula we just used would then be applied to all the other keywords you are targeting such as “mortgage Denver” which gets approximately 2,600 searches a month or “mortgage company Denver” with 466 searches a month. A first page placement for any of those would yield similar results.
So let’s say we just use the “Denver mortgage broker” key phrase as our example with its estimated 350 visitors a month for a first page position. You would now need to know what your website conversion rate is. The website conversion rate is the ratio of leads or sales you get per visitor amount. The average website conversion rate is about 1-2% or 1-2 leads or sales for every 100 visitors according to Shop.org.
Analyzing Conversion Rates
If your website conversion rate is average then you would expect on average 2-3 good leads from your site each month for that one first page listing. Then depending on your sales conversion rate which is the number of sales per leads you get on average multiplied by your average sale price you can begin to calculate what your return might be.
So let’s say as a mortgage broker you make roughly $2k on each deal you broker and your sales conversion rate is 1 sale for every 3 quality leads. In any given month then you could estimate 1 sale at $2k out of the 3 quality leads generated from your website which came as a result of the 350 visitors you got from being on the first page of Google, Yahoo or MSN for the term “Denver mortgage broker”.
Calculating ROI
You paid the search engine marketing company $1,500.00 dollars for 6 months of first page listings. From one of those first page listings you stand to gain $2k x 6 months = $12,000.00. That sounds like a really good return for money invested.
In closing the methodology outlined in this article to calculate search engine marketing ROI is by no means 100% accurate due to several factors but it is a good way to get a “feel” for what you might get back for your marketing dollars. Its also a way to get business owners to start thinking about how to better track their e-business. I have just finsished building a quick and easy seo tool that will enable you to do these calculations automatically available for free at this link [http://www.seocalc.com]SEO Tool
Tags: Charles Preston, keyword optimization, marketing ROI, Search Engine Marketing, SEM, SEO
Posted in Search Engine Marketing | No Comments »
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