Professionals in tend to under-estimate the power of the web to bring them business, and to bring them precisely the kinds of clients they want! And, a few, invest in a great web site, but then don't market it effectively! There are some wonderful sites that are virtually "hidden" out there on the web. Web marketing has one thing in common with other advertising: no matter how good the ad, it won't build your business unless lots of people see it.
I tell my clients to view web marketing as having two separate components: first is the creation of a site, and second is marketing it. Building a site requires creativity, design skills, and an understanding of color, images, and popular trends. Marketing a site, on the other hand, is a much more routine, repetitious, even boring task that must be done consistently over time. The following are my Top 10 suggestions for marketing your web site:
1. Hidden Title. This is the first of three critical items that are coded in the "Head" of every web page. It is the first thing a search engine sees at the top of your page. While this title is visible on browsers, most people ignore it. I've seen great sites that have no title at all! Use 3-8 words that describe what you do and flag your site for the search engines.
2. Meta Tag: Keywords. The second item in the "Head" of your page should be a hidden Meta tag with 15-25 words to help people find you. These are words people are likely to enter in a search request to find you. An Accountant might have a string that started with: "Accounting, bookkeeping, records, taxes,?."
3. Meta Tag: Description. The third item in the "Head" is a hidden sentence that describes both your page and your site. Make it vibrant, use as many of your Keywords as possible, and make it accurate. This is a one-sentence description of who you are, what you do, and why people should visit your page. You've got 15-20 words. Use them!
4. Visible Title. This is the first thing people will see, and it's what most people think of as the "title" of their page. Again, you want it to invite people, be accurate, and brief. While a beautiful logo or banner may look nice at the top of your page, remember that 3-5 powerful words will down-load faster. The words in your title will also connect with search engines in a way that your logo can't.
5. First words on page. The first few seconds as a page down-loads are critical, and a short statement of what you do will down-load faster than most images. First impressions count! And again, search engines can catalog a brief but exciting description of your business, but they won't catalog your pretty picture!
6. Have multiple pages, each with their own marketing system. A simple way to increase the "hits" on your site is to increase the number of entrance paths. Rather than have one long page, divide it into three pages, each with their own title, meta tags, and descriptions! If your pages are all linked within one site, you vastly increase the opportunities for people to find you.
7. Submit to search tools repeatedly. Search engines constantly up-date and expand their databases. To stay in the game, I suggest you re-submit your site at least once a month and re-submit after every change. Using the web to draw business is an on-going project, not a once and forget it task! There are services that will do this for you (for less than $100), or you can do it yourself. But schedule several hours every month, and do it!
8. Include your web URL on your other advertising. This seems obvious, but lots of people forget. Have your site on your business card, brochures, all of your advertising! If people are interested, want more information, or are just curious, make it easy for them to check you out. Display your URL on everything!
9. Exchange links. One of the best ways to increase traffic, and to target specific audiences, is to trade links with other sites that attract a similar audience. I recommend that you have a page dedicated to "Favorite Links" that have agreed to also put a link to your site on their page. "You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours" is a great way to build your web marketing impact.
10. Have something of value that changes often. Give your visitors something they can learn, do, or enjoy each time they visit. Let them sign up for your newsletter, post a "Joke of the Day" or a daily quote. It doesn't have to relate directly to your business. People love parenting tips, humor, inspiration or practical tips for better living (Think Martha Stewart!). Give them a reason to come back!
Have a wonderful week, and remember to have some fun!
? Copyright 2003 by Philip E. Humbert. All Rights Reserved. This article may be copied and used in your own newsletter or on your website as long as you include the following information: "Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at: http://www.philiphumbert.com
professional maid services Deerfield ..Yes, it can be done. Here are 7 ways that... Read More
The internet is a wonderful source of information and full... Read More
If your website is not generating a lot of sales... Read More
Think about it, when you browse any web site, you... Read More
Any time you use a URL in an Article, Web... Read More
You own a website and you want more traffic. More... Read More
When it comes to website marketing and promotions, you need... Read More
Submitting your website to the main search engines should be... Read More
Yes indeed, that's all you've got, 30 seconds to make... Read More
With all the "How To" articles, and great advice available... Read More
Writing articles for submission and distribution on the internet is... Read More
If you're having problems generating a lot of sales at... Read More
Web site traffic promotion on the cheap is labor intensive... Read More
You might have heard that banner advertising is dead. Nothing... Read More
There are many ways to market your web site, both... Read More
The Internet can be a confusing place to do business.... Read More
Quickly making money with a website is the dream of... Read More
It's easy to forget the fundamental components of Web site... Read More
Here's ten simple yet POWERFUL ideas for you to reflect... Read More
Creating a sense of credibility for your product and website... Read More
Write it, offer it for free on your site and... Read More
If you own a website, you definitely want to improve... Read More
Many people, in a rush to spike sales through the... Read More
What is link popularity?The quantity of links in different websites... Read More
Promote your website using articles - Internet is all about... Read More
quick home cleaning Lake Forest ..Professionals in tend to under-estimate the power of the web... Read More
The shortcut to succeed in business is to do what... Read More
Google is the most popular internet search engine and even... Read More
1. Directory Linking Create a directory of web sites on... Read More
Would you like to prevent Internet users from visiting your... Read More
Managing your online business from home is a great way... Read More
Consider for a minute my son's website for grass mowing,... Read More
Writing effective web copy begins with an understanding of what... Read More
Web site owners are realizing Jack Humphrey's Power Linking isn't... Read More
Finding the successful keywords is crucial in order to get... Read More
On a regular basis I receive e-mail through all my... Read More
When it comes to website marketing and promotions, you need... Read More
There are many ways to market your web site, both... Read More
The beauty of the Internet is that it allows you... Read More
Keeping it clean could give you a boost.By Mark White... Read More
Building links to your website is of huge importance and... Read More
Many online business owners and marketers use a variety of... Read More
What do you do next! you have been working so... Read More
Promoting a Website is not an easy task. New Website... Read More
Almost anyone who has tried submitting to free-for-all sites will... Read More
How many competitions are there running on the net at... Read More
How to build the ideal website for software archives. View... Read More
Though it's wonderful to get all those hits to your... Read More
Contests and Sweepstakes.They are web advertising magnets that draw huge... Read More
How much does an advert in Yellow Pages cost? How... Read More
Web Site Promotion |