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Why is Website Design Important?

The importance of website design cannot be understated as it directly affects user experience and overall success. A well-crafted design not only attracts and engages visitors, but also encourages them to stay longer and explore further. It is crucial for building trust and credibility with potential customers and maintaining brand consistency and recognition.

On the other hand, a poorly designed website can result in high bounce rates and missed opportunities. In today’s digital landscape, having a well-designed website is crucial for businesses to stand out and provide a seamless browsing experience.

Common Website Design Mistakes to Avoid

When it comes to building or revamping a website, there are some common mistakes that can hinder its success. In this section, we will discuss the most prevalent website design mistakes to avoid. These include issues with navigation, layout, mobile responsiveness, loading speed, branding, color and font choices, readability, call-to-actions, pop-ups, and SEO optimization. By understanding and avoiding these mistakes, you can ensure that your website is user-friendly, visually appealing, and optimized for maximum performance.

  1. Poor Navigation

Poor navigation on a website can lead to a negative user experience and a high bounce rate. To avoid this, follow these steps:

  1. Ensure that menu options are clear and intuitive.
  2. Include a search bar for easy navigation.
  3. Use descriptive labels for navigation links.
  4. Maintain a consistent layout throughout the website.
  5. Make sure all links are functional and direct to the correct pages.
  6. Optimize for mobile devices, ensuring responsive design and easy navigation on smaller screens.
  7. Include a sitemap for users to easily find specific pages.
  8. Regularly test and update navigation to improve the user experience.
  1. Cluttered and Busy Layout

A cluttered and busy layout on a website can hinder user experience and drive visitors away. To avoid this mistake, keep the design clean and organized.

  • Minimize the use of excessive elements such as pop-ups, ads, and widgets.
  • Ensure there is enough whitespace to allow content to breathe.
  • Keep the navigation simple and intuitive.
  • Use a consistent color scheme and font choices.
  • Arrange content in a logical and user-friendly manner.

By implementing these strategies, you can create a visually appealing and user-friendly website that engages visitors and encourages them to explore further.

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  1. Slow Loading Speed

A slow loading speed can greatly affect the user experience and overall performance of a website. This can result in higher bounce rates, lower conversion rates, and a decrease in search engine rankings. To avoid these issues, it is important to optimize your website by compressing images, minimizing code, and utilizing browser caching. You may also want to consider implementing a content delivery network (CDN) and upgrading your hosting plan to improve loading speed.

Regular speed tests should be conducted and any necessary adjustments should be made to ensure a fast and efficient website, providing a seamless browsing experience for your visitors.

  1. Inconsistent Branding

Inconsistent branding in website design can have a negative impact on a company’s image and cause confusion for visitors. To avoid this mistake, it is important to follow these steps:

  1. Define your brand identity and messaging clearly.
  2. Create brand guidelines that clearly outline the use of colors, fonts, and logos.
  3. Ensure that your website design aligns with your brand’s visual identity.
  4. Use consistent branding elements throughout all pages and sections of your website.
  5. Maintain a consistent tone of voice and messaging throughout your site.
  6. Regularly review and update your website to ensure consistent branding.
  1. Poor Color and Font Choices

Poor color and font choices in website design can have a negative impact on user experience and overall aesthetics. To avoid this mistake, follow these steps:

  1. Choose a color scheme that reflects your brand identity and evokes the desired emotions. Consider color psychology to ensure colors align with your website’s purpose.
  2. Avoid using too many colors that clash or create visual confusion. Stick to a limited color palette to maintain a cohesive look.
  3. Select fonts that are easy to read and complement your brand’s style. Ensure legibility across different devices and screen sizes.
  4. Avoid using too many different fonts, as it can make your website look unprofessional and cluttered. Stick to a maximum of two or three fonts for consistency.
  5. Pay attention to font sizes and spacing to ensure readability. Use hierarchy to highlight important information and guide users’ attention.
  6. Consider accessibility by choosing colors and fonts that are visually accessible to people with color blindness or visual impairments.
  1. Difficult to Read Text

Difficult to read text can lead to a poor user experience and hinder the effectiveness of a website. To ensure readability, follow these steps:

  1. Choose a legible font: Select fonts that are easy to read, such as Arial or Times New Roman.
  2. Use appropriate font size: Opt for a font size that is neither too small nor too large, ensuring comfortable reading on all devices.
  3. Contrast is key: Ensure sufficient contrast between the text color and background color to improve readability.
  4. Avoid excessive use of decorative fonts: Fancy or cursive fonts can be difficult to read, especially in large blocks of text.
  5. Break up content: Use headings, subheadings, and paragraphs to organize text and make it easier to scan.
  6. Consider line spacing: Use adequate line spacing to prevent text from appearing cramped and overwhelming.
  7. Utilize bullet points and numbered lists: These formatting options help to break up text and make information more digestible.
  1. Lack of Clear Call-to-Actions

Lack of clear call-to-actions can hinder user engagement and conversions on a website. Without clear instructions, visitors may not know what actions to take, resulting in missed opportunities. To avoid this, consider the following suggestions:

  1. Use prominent buttons or links to guide users towards desired actions.
  2. Clearly communicate the benefits or value proposition of taking those actions.
  3. Use persuasive language to encourage users to take action.
  4. Place call-to-actions strategically throughout the website, including on key landing pages.
  5. Test and analyze the effectiveness of different call-to-actions to optimize conversion rates.

By implementing clear call-to-actions, you can improve user experience and achieve your website’s goals.

  1. Too Many Pop-Ups

Having an excessive amount of pop-ups on your website can greatly harm the user experience. It can disrupt the user’s browsing flow and hinder their ability to navigate your site. Pop-ups that appear too frequently or are challenging to close can be bothersome and aggravating for visitors. Instead of overwhelming your users with pop-ups, consider using them sparingly and strategically. Restrict the number of pop-ups on your website and ensure they offer value to the user. This will contribute to a favorable user experience, enhance engagement, and potentially lead to conversions.

  1. Not Optimized for SEO

Neglecting to optimize your website for SEO can significantly harm its visibility and overall success online. Search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for boosting your website’s ranking on search engine results pages. Failure to optimize your website for SEO will result in missed opportunities for organic search traffic and potential customers.

To avoid this mistake, be sure to conduct thorough keyword research, optimize your meta tags and headers, create top-notch content, and establish quality backlinks. By implementing effective SEO strategies, you can enhance your website’s visibility, attract more organic traffic, and ultimately expand your online presence.

Tips for Avoiding Website Design Mistakes

Building or revamping a website can be an exciting process, but it’s important to avoid common design mistakes that can hinder its success. In this section, we will discuss seven key tips for avoiding website design mistakes. From planning and strategizing beforehand to utilizing high-quality images and graphics, each tip will help you create a visually appealing and user-friendly website that effectively showcases your brand or business. So, let’s dive into these essential strategies for a successful website design. error

  1. Keep it Simple and User-Friendly

Keeping a website simple and user-friendly is essential for a positive user experience and effective communication. Follow these steps to achieve this:

  1. Streamline navigation: Ensure clear and intuitive navigation menus.
  2. Organize content: Use logical and structured layouts to present information in a clean and easy-to-read format.
  3. Limit distractions: Avoid clutter and excessive visuals that can overwhelm users.
  4. Optimize loading speed: Optimize images, reduce plugins, and use caching techniques to speed up page loading times.
  5. Responsive design: Create a responsive website that adapts to different screen sizes and devices.
  6. Readable typography: Use legible fonts and appropriate font sizes to enhance readability.
  7. Intuitive forms: Design user-friendly forms with clear labels and minimal required fields.
  8. Provide clear call-to-actions: Guide users with prominent and understandable buttons and links.
  1. Prioritize Mobile Responsiveness

To prioritize mobile responsiveness in website design, follow these steps:

  1. Use a responsive design framework that automatically adjusts your website layout to different screen sizes.
  2. Optimize images and media files to ensure faster loading times on mobile devices.
  3. Design with touch-friendly elements like larger buttons and easy-to-tap links.
  4. Ensure that your website is easily navigable with a mobile-friendly menu and clear navigation options.
  5. Test your website on different mobile devices and browsers to ensure compatibility and smooth user experience.

In addition, consider these suggestions:

  • Keep content concise and easy to read on smaller screens.
  • Avoid using Flash or other technologies that may not be supported on mobile devices.
  • Regularly update and maintain your website to ensure it remains mobile-responsive as new devices and technologies emerge.

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  1. Consistency is Key

Consistency is crucial in website design, as it plays a significant role in creating a cohesive and professional user experience. To achieve consistency, follow these steps:

  1. Establish a style guide: Create guidelines for colors, fonts, and imagery to maintain a consistent visual identity.
  2. Use consistent navigation: Keep the navigation menu in the same place across all pages for easy navigation.
  3. Maintain consistent branding: Use the same logo, tagline, and messaging throughout the website.
  4. Ensure consistent layout: Keep the layout consistent across pages to provide a familiar user experience.
  5. Use consistent language: Maintain a consistent tone and voice in your website content.

The concept of consistency in website design dates back to the early days of the internet when developers realized the importance of providing a seamless and familiar experience for users. By maintaining consistency in design elements, users could easily navigate websites and understand the brand’s identity. This approach continues to be a fundamental principle in modern web design, ensuring that websites are user-friendly and visually appealing.

  1. Use High-Quality Images and Graphics

Using high-quality images and graphics is crucial for effective website design. Here are some steps to ensure you achieve this:

  1. Choose high-resolution images that are clear and visually appealing.
  2. Optimize images for web use by compressing file sizes without compromising quality.
  3. Use appropriate image formats, such as JPEG for photographs and PNG for graphics with transparency.
  4. Ensure images and graphics are relevant to your website’s content and enhance the overall user experience.
  5. Consider using professional graphic design software or hiring a graphic designer to create custom graphics.
  6. Regularly update and refresh your images and graphics to keep the design visually appealing and up-to-date.

Fun Fact: Studies show that websites with high-quality images and visuals are more likely to engage and retain visitors for longer periods of time.

  1. Test and Revise

Testing and revising are crucial steps in website design to ensure optimal functionality and user experience. Here is a list of steps to follow:

  1. Conduct user testing: Gather feedback from real users to identify any usability issues or areas for improvement.
  2. Check for compatibility: Test your website on different browsers, devices, and operating systems to ensure it functions correctly across various platforms.
  3. Review loading speed: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to assess your website’s speed and make necessary optimizations for faster loading times.
  4. Proofread content: Double-check all text on your website for errors, readability, and clarity.
  5. Test navigation: Ensure that your website’s navigation is intuitive and easy to use, allowing users to find information quickly and easily.
  6. Check for broken links: Regularly scan your website for broken links and fix them promptly to maintain a smooth user experience.
  7. Optimize for SEO: Ensure that your website follows best practices for search engine optimization, including meta tags, keywords, and relevant content.
  8. Monitor analytics: Use tools like Google Analytics to track website performance and make data-driven decisions for improvement.

The Impact of Good Website Design

The impact of good website design is significant on user experience and business success. It improves credibility, encourages user engagement, and boosts conversion rates. A visually appealing and user-friendly design aids visitors in navigating easily, finding desired information, and staying on the website for a longer period.

A well-designed website also optimizes loading speed, ensuring a seamless browsing experience. To reap these benefits, consider implementing:

  • responsive design
  • intuitive navigation
  • clear calls-to-action
  • visually appealing graphics

Additionally, regularly updating and maintaining the website keeps it fresh and relevant. By following these suggestions, you can ensure the positive impact of good website design on your online presence.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common website design mistakes to avoid when building or revamping your website?

Some common website design mistakes to avoid when building or revamping your website include using too many fonts and colors, having a cluttered layout, not optimizing for mobile devices, not having clear navigation, and not including a call to action.

How can using too many fonts and colors affect the overall design of a website?

Using too many fonts and colors can make a website look unprofessional and overwhelming. It can also make it difficult for visitors to read and navigate through the site.

Why is it important to optimize a website for mobile devices?

With the majority of internet users accessing websites through their mobile devices, it is crucial to have a responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes. Failure to do so can result in a poor user experience and lower search engine rankings.

What role does clear navigation play in the success of a website?

Clear navigation is essential for ensuring visitors can easily find the information they are looking for. If a website has confusing or unclear navigation, it can lead to frustration and a high bounce rate.

Why is it important to have a call to action on a website?

A call to action prompts visitors to take a specific action, such as making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or contacting the company. Without a clear call to action, visitors may not know what to do next, resulting in missed opportunities for conversions.

How can I avoid website design mistakes when building or revamping my website?

To avoid website design mistakes, make sure to plan and research thoroughly, use a consistent design and branding, prioritize user experience, and regularly test and update your website. It can also be helpful to seek feedback from others and hire a professional web designer if needed.

What Are the Different Types of Marketing Strategies?

When it comes to promoting your business, there are a variety of marketing strategies to consider. In this section, we will explore the different types of marketing strategies that you can utilize to reach your target audience and increase brand awareness. From digital marketing to traditional methods, such as print and television, to more modern approaches like content and social media marketing, we’ll cover the diverse options available. Additionally, we’ll touch on the growing trend of influencer marketing and how it can be used to enhance your digital presence.

  1. Digital Marketing

Digital marketing is a vital aspect of a comprehensive marketing strategy, especially in today’s digital age. To effectively implement digital marketing, follow these steps:

  1. Identify your target audience and understand their online behavior.
  2. Set clear goals and objectives for your digital marketing campaigns.
  3. Conduct market research to identify the most effective digital channels and tactics.
  4. Create engaging and relevant content that resonates with your target audience.
  5. Optimize your website for search engines and utilize social media platforms for increased visibility.

A small business owner utilized digital marketing techniques to enhance their online presence. By targeting their ideal customers through social media advertising and creating captivating content, they experienced a substantial increase in website traffic and sales. Digital marketing helped them reach a broader audience and accomplish their business objectives.

  1. Traditional Marketing

Traditional marketing, which has been utilized for decades, encompasses conventional advertising methods such as print ads, television commercials, radio spots, billboards, and direct mail. Despite the growth of digital marketing, traditional marketing remains relevant and can successfully reach specific target audiences. It allows companies to connect with consumers through tangible and familiar avenues. Traditional marketing can be especially effective in reaching older demographics who may have less involvement with online platforms. However, businesses should thoughtfully consider their target audience and marketing objectives before deciding to implement traditional marketing tactics.

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How to Create an Effective Marketing Strategy?

In today’s digital age, having a strong marketing strategy is crucial for the success of any business. But where do you start? In this section, we’ll discuss the key steps to creating an effective marketing strategy. From defining your target audience to choosing the right channels and tactics, we’ll cover everything you need to know to improve your digital presence and reach your marketing goals. So let’s dive in and learn how to create a powerful and impactful marketing strategy for your business. error

  1. Set Clear Goals and Objectives

Setting clear goals and objectives is crucial for developing an effective marketing strategy. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Define your overall business objectives.
  2. Identify specific marketing goals that align with your business objectives, including setting clear goals and objectives as step 2.
  3. Ensure that your goals are measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART goals).
  4. Conduct market research to gain insights into your target audience, competitors, and industry trends.
  5. Use the research findings to set specific objectives for each marketing channel or tactic you plan to use.
  6. Break down your objectives into smaller, actionable steps.
  7. Allocate resources and set a realistic timeline for achieving each objective.
  8. Regularly monitor your progress, make adjustments when necessary, and celebrate milestones.

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How to Improve Your Digital Presence?

In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for any business looking to succeed. In this section, we will discuss the various ways you can improve your digital presence and stand out in a crowded online marketplace. From optimizing your website for search engines to utilizing social media platforms, we’ll cover the top strategies for increasing your online visibility and reaching your target audience. Additionally, we’ll explore the benefits of investing in paid advertising, collaborating with influencers, and monitoring and analyzing your online presence to continually improve and grow your digital footprint. error error

  1. Invest in Paid Advertising

Investing in paid advertising is a crucial step in creating an effective marketing strategy to reach a wider audience and drive business growth. Here are the key steps to follow:

  1. Define your advertising goals: Clearly define what you want to achieve with your paid advertising campaigns.
  2. Identify your target audience: Gain a deep understanding of your ideal customers to ensure that your ads reach the right people.
  3. Select the right advertising platforms: Thoroughly research and select the platforms that align with your target audience and advertising goals.
  4. Create compelling ad content: Develop engaging and persuasive ads that effectively convey your brand message and value proposition.
  5. Set a budget and monitor performance: Allocate a budget for your paid advertising campaigns and regularly monitor their performance to make necessary adjustments and optimizations.

By following these steps, businesses can effectively utilize paid advertising to increase brand visibility, drive traffic, and ultimately boost sales.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a marketing strategy and why is it important?

Marketing strategy refers to the overall plan and approach used by a business to promote its products or services. It is important because it helps businesses to reach their target audience, increase brand awareness, and ultimately drive sales.

How can I improve my digital presence?

There are several ways to improve your digital presence. Some effective strategies include creating a professional website, regularly posting relevant and engaging content on social media, utilizing search engine optimization techniques, and using email marketing.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when implementing a marketing strategy?

Some common mistakes to avoid when implementing a marketing strategy include not conducting enough market research, not defining a clear target audience, not setting specific and achievable goals, and not regularly evaluating and adapting the strategy.

How can I use social media to improve my digital presence?

Social media is a powerful tool for improving your digital presence. You can use it to engage with your target audience, share valuable content, promote your products or services, and increase brand awareness. It is also a great platform for customer feedback and building relationships with customers.

What is the role of search engine optimization (SEO) in improving digital presence?

SEO is crucial for improving your digital presence as it helps your website and content rank higher in search engine results. This makes it easier for potential customers to find your business online. By optimizing your website and content for SEO, you can increase website traffic and improve your online visibility.

How often should I review and update my marketing strategy?

It is important to regularly review and update your marketing strategy to ensure it is still effective and relevant. This could be done on a quarterly or yearly basis, depending on your business goals and market trends. It is also important to regularly track and analyze your marketing efforts to make informed decisions for future strategies.

The Small Business Guide to Surviving the Pandemic

If one thing has become clear, it’s that small businesses can’t just wait out COVID-19 and hope for the best. We’re over eight months into the pandemic, and no one knows how much longer it will be before a vaccine is approved and distributed.

According to research by The Atlantic, it could be well into 2021 before even 11% of the US population is fully vaccinated. That means we could face at least another year of pandemic restrictions.

Small businesses who hope to survive will have to take action in order to stay solvent. If you’re working on a plan for getting through the pandemic, here’s where to start.

Be Flexible

It’s time to pivot.

What do your customers need now that they didn’t need before? Is there an alternative way you can continue to provide the same product or service? Or is there a related offering you can switch to? Stay true to your business, but make sure you’re still able to provide what your customers need.

Many product-based businesses have seen a decline in their wholesale numbers, but an increase in their ecommerce sales as customers shop more online. Can you increase your direct-to-consumer sales to close that gap?

Service-based businesses have to figure out how to continue offering their solutions in a COVID-safe way. That could include moving your service to an online model, or taking it outside into the fresh air where air particles can dissipate more easily.

Unfortunately, there is no “one size fits all” business plan for a pandemic. Start by searching for other businesses in your niche to see what’s working for them.

Stay Connected with Customers

If there was ever a time to over-communicate, it’s now. We’re not talking about those “We’re all in this together” emails — people have had quite enough of those!

Instead, think about practical communication. Supply chains have been interrupted, leading to longer wait times for many physical products. Some businesses that operate brick-and-mortar locations are open for shorter hours and have increased cleaning protocols.

Managing expectations through these changes is key to preventing disappointment and creating a bad customer experience. What can you do during this time to go above and beyond for your buyers?

Customer onboarding, checkout procedures, email funnels — revisit these customer touch points to ensure they’re making your buyers feel appreciated and supported.

Stay Connected with your Team

Away from the office hub, is your team still pulling together? Some people thrive in the work-from-home environment. But for others, the social, buzzy vibe of an office is a huge part of what they like about their job.

For extroverts — especially those who live alone — this has been an incredibly difficult and lonely time. Checking in with your team regularly is a must.

A daily or weekly team- or office-wide virtual huddle is a good way to stay connected with your staff. Encourage online non-work gatherings too, like a 10-minute morning coffee or a virtual happy hour on Fridays as an opportunity to bond.

One-on-one check-ins can help too, so team members can share any concerns or struggles they are having in a private setting.

Trim the Fat

Money is tight for many businesses right now. How can you trim expenses without damaging the customer experience?

If your entire team is working from home, can you get out of your office lease? You may need a new office in 12 months, but that’s 12 months of rent and utilities you can save.

Is it time to shop for better rates for Insurance policies or products? Is there a piece of software you can do without? Or maybe a new piece of software you can onboard that will save you money in other areas?

Think lean and make sure every penny spent is one that has to be spent.

Keep Marketing-business development as your highest priority

If you slowed down, you’re marketing earlier in the pandemic, it’s time to ramp it back up. The holiday season is here, and people are still buying.

But it may be a good time to reassess your marketing strategy. Remember the Pareto Principle — 80% of the results come from 20% of the actions. Once you identify which 20% of your marketing strategy is bringing you the best results, you can laser-focus on those methods. Maybe you’ll find that 80% of your business is coming from 20% of your repeat customers, so you should focus on retargeting that 20%.

Finding new leads is still important, it’s the most important thing. NEW leads – inquiries are the lifeblood for a business.

You have limited time and marketing dollars, so make sure you’re putting those resources where they’ll do the best with the highest ROI return on investment during this tough time.

COVID Pandemic Audiograms For websites and social media posts

Local businesses need two things…

  • They need people to know they’re still open and still in business.
  • They also need to let people know that it’s safe to do business with them, that they’re following all guidelines, that their premises are clean, and that their employees are taking steps to conduct business in a contactless, safe fashion.

Here are the three messages for the dental niche:

Businesses need a cost-effective way to let people know they’re open for business and it’s safe to do business with them.
Our Audiogram system has customizable branding for these niches in English and in Spanish !

  • Call Andy 832.677.4620 for pricing details branded with your information.

Each niche contains THREE audiograms, a social distancing audiogram, a “we wear masks” audiogram, and a “we follow all rules and guidelines” audiogram.

  • Dentists
  • Chiropractors
  • Roofers
  • Plumbers
  • Heating and Air
  • Restaurants
  • Fitness
  • Hair Salons
  • Plastic Surgeons
  • Automotive
  • And, a generic set, which you can use for any business
  • Call Andy 832.677.4620 for pricing details branded with your information.

Increase Your Traffic With Great Content

Increase Your Traffic With Great Content

When it comes to increasing organic search, content marketing through blogging or guest posts is the fastest way to build great traffic. However, content marketing is a quality game and not a quantity game. If you have horrible content, people won’t bother reading it or sharing it, which is basically the entire point of building a company blog. Therefore, when I write content, I constantly ask myself if I would take ten minutes out of my day to read it and if I’d share it with others. If you wouldn’t do either of those things, then you really need to look at your content strategy again.

Search engines are rewarding people and companies who are getting high-quality, consistent content coming from them. Things such as author rank are going to have a big effect on organic search results. Put a plan in place to not only create content to publish online, but also to be able to maximize the value of the content so that it is properly distributed across social channels and has a chance to go viral.

Write articles rich in content. Quality articles will get ranked better in search results. Make sure that your articles address the needs of your readers, and that they can find all of the information they need in one spot. This is the most effective means for increasing traffic to a website; offering people something that they cannot obtain elsewhere, or at least, not to the level of quality that you are offering it.

Whatever you do, don’t use content generators. While once a popular choice by a new web industry, today they are not considered useful. It is much better to put creativity to work. Content generated articles will be shunned by Google and other search engines and visitors will be disappointed with the content they find, which means they’ll leave your site. Good content will increase your visitors and that will increase your traffic flow.

Never make the mistake of copying and pasting from another site. The search engines are too smart and will know that’s what you did. You will be penalized for it and that is going to result in a decrease in traffic.

Your content is key – What an easy way to increase your free traffic.

By Andy Alagappan : Call US for a FREE 30 MIN Web Site Marketing and Lead Generation analysis and Video Strategy consulting @ 832-677-4620 .281-570-5804 .

How To Be Found On Local Web Searches & Drive Local Customers to Your Website

How To Be Found On Local Web Searches & Drive Local Customers to Your Website

Have you ever searched for a local business or shop online? You are not alone, there are plenty of others out there looking closer to home for what they want. Appearing for these queries requires local search, and it’s vitally important to the success of your business.

Location, Location, Location

It doesn’t matter where you’re based, you need to be found in the search engines if people are searching for products and services in your area. Even though the global village is getting bigger, people still want to source their goods and services locally.
Local businesses live on local custom.

Being Found by on Local Google Searches
For most local searches, Google now shows map listings with (usually) seven businesses listed. Obviously, placement in this list is highly coveted and the strategies that we use to rank businesses well in local results are the subject of this article.

Take Ownership of Your Google+ Local Page
Many local businesses already have a Google+ Local (what used to be called Google Places) page, but often these have been automatically generated by Google and are not managed by the business itself.

There are a number of advantages to claiming your Google+ Local listing, including being able to link it to your website, add pictures and videos, update contact information and write a nice detailed description mentioning the products and services you offer.

If your unclaimed listing is already showing up in Google search results, click on the listing and you will notice a “Manage this page’ button towards the bottom. This will take you through the verification process, which usually involves requesting a postcard with PIN number or an automated phone call to your business phone line to make sure that you are the authorised business owner.

If your listing isn’t showing up, or you’re not sure if Google has an automatically-generated listing for your business, you can try creating a new listing. If Google finds duplicate details in their system, they’ll ask if you’d like to manage the existing page rather than creating a new page.

When you’re managing your Google+ Local page it’s best to include as much information as possible because Google tends to favour fully completed listings. So be sure to add pictures, videos, opening times, contact information and anything else you can possibly cram into that page to give Google exactly what it wants.

Establish a Process for Obtaining Reviews from Customers
It should be the goal of every local business to try and get as many reviews from their customers as possible. Getting your customers to leave reviews on your Google+ page is a great way to boost your local visibility and attract more clicks to your site.
The main obstacle for most local businesses is actually creating a system for collecting the reviews. Early on they might ask a select few customers for a review on their page, then every so often they’ll do another spurt of requests, but in most cases they don’t have a fixed repeatable system in place, seriously limiting the number of reviews that they collect.

Creating a system doesn’t have to be hard work to either build or implement. In fact, with a little creativity, it can even run automatically. For example, if you have followed our advice you will already be collecting customer information for your database, so as part of your email marketing sequence of your early automated emails can be a simple request to leave a review along with a link to your Google+ page, Tripadvisor page, Trustpilot or any other review site that you are targeting.

If you’ve dealt with a customer who is particularly happy with your service, or you have gone out of your way to help a customer and want to make the most of the goodwill that you have generated, why not ask, “If you think we have done a good job for you, would you be willing to leave a short review on our Google+ page (include your link). It really helps us to grow our business and show potential customers what sort of service we offer.”

If you or your team follows up with customers or clients after the sale is made, ask for a review. If you sell or deliver a physical product, drop a “Will you review us?” postcard in with each purchase.

However you decide to ask for your reviews, focus on making it as easy as possible for your customers to leave them. Google+ page URL’s are long and difficult to type correctly, so you might want to consider making a reviews page on your website which has links to the different review sites you want to direct your customers to.

Create Pages on Your Website to Target Each Location
One of the main challenges for local businesses that target a number of different local areas is including enough quality and relevant content to their websites to target each individual area.

For example, you might offer a wedding planning service to a number of different counties around your local town or city. Your challenge is rank the business in an area outside of where your business is located.

However, because you would be competing against actual local competitors situated in the towns and cities you are targeting, there are some things that you should never do. One of these things is a Google+ Local ranking. Unless a local business has an office (or virtual office) in each town, it is extremely unlikely that the Google+ page will show up on maps far outside it’s area. In this case, organic SEO and Pay Per Click advertising is useful.

To combat this and target organic SEO in this instance, you could set up pages on your website targeted at each local area. These pages will be optimised for the area and include plenty of locally relevant content.

So, for the wedding planning business for example, you could set up a page for each of your different target areas and write a guide to getting married in that particular area. You can use links to different local wedding venues and suppliers and write about the different styles of weddings popular in each area. The result would be a set of highly optimised pages targeting a very wide area, but with focussed locally relevant content.

So if you need to target lots of local areas for your business, work out which sort of targeted content you can create which will be genuinely useful to each of the local audiences.

Putting this content on distinct pages will give them more chance of ranking well in each area, and also builds more affinity with your audience.

We’ll Drive Local Customers To Your Site
We understand how important this is for your customers to find your online and we can direct local customers to your website.

How Local SEO Will Help Your Business

• Get found by local customers online
• Gain more traffic from customers searching for your location
• Increase your conversions
• Raise your local profile
• Enhance your branding
• Get more people contacting you in person (phone/in store)

Optimising your site so you’re found locally will help boost traffic and conversions hugely. It will also increase your footfall and encourage more people to get in touch personally. Get ready to say “hello” to your neighbours.

Local Search Results on Mobiles
Think about the number of people searching on the move. Mobile technology and mobile Internet have been a game changer. More people are searching when they’re out and about, providing you with a great opportunity to attract new custom on the move. It’s true and we can help them to find your business.

By choosing to use our services you’ll get more from your local search campaigns. Not only are we dedicated, highly experienced and knowledgeable, but we take a personal interest in seeing your campaign succeed.

If you succeed, we succeed; and that’s the way we like it.

Whether you have existing SEO campaigns, or are looking for an agency to help with a new strategy, we can help. We develop local campaigns that will complement, not replace your existing SEO work.

So, if you’re fed up with not getting found by your local customers in the search engines contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you.

By Andy Alagappan : Call US for a FREE 30 MIN Web Site Marketing and Lead Generation analysis and Video Strategy consulting @ 832-677-4620 .281-570-5804 .

Use Long Tail Keywords to Generate Free Traffic

Use Long Tail Keywords to Generate Free Traffic

Are you wanting to generate free traffic? Great news – you can do this and you can do it ethically, which ensures you will keep Google and other search engines happy. You can increase the traffic you generate using long tail keywords.

What are long tail keywords? A long tail keyword(s) is specific to that which a searcher looks for. For example, if you sell interior paint, your research might lead you to learn that potential customers might also search ‘can you use exterior paint inside.”

This is a very specific phase and if you answer this question on your website you can attract traffic related to that term and then from there you can link to your product that would you recommend. You can see how the long tail keyword phrase expands who your visitor might be and that means increased traffic to your site that you might otherwise miss.

To ensure the best value from your keywords, you should implement them on your site in a manner that makes them clear and easy for your visitor to navigate. Take the time to carry out your research properly not only t find your regular keywords but also to find the best long tail keywords. You may find that you need to turn keywords around on some pages or change one word in the keyword phrase. Search is fluid and to enjoy the best results from your keywords you need to also be fluid.

It’s helpful to write a number of quality articles on keywords that are very specific. Staying focused with long tail keyword terms also have a better conversion rate. There are a number of tools on the market that can help you determine your best long tail keywords. These tools can help you to focus on the most promising organic keyword(s).

Long tail keywords are often overlooked and that means if you aren’t taking advantage of them, you could be missing out on generating an increase in free traffic to your site.

By Andy Alagappan : Call US for a FREE 30 MIN Web Site Marketing and Lead Generation analysis and Video Strategy consulting @ 832-677-4620 .281-570-5804 .

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