Successful internet marketing is, was, and will always be about great content. Whether its a press release, a forum, your blog, or the hundreds of articles you offer for free on your site, its all just great content. Great content is what allows you to never have to ask around for links to your site or even pay ridiculous sums of money every month to get them. If you have great content on your site people will link to you naturally. And this is the only sure way to gain the exposure and search engine rankings that you need for your website. Period.
Its always going to be and always has been about great content. If youre rankings have slipped recently and youre wondering why, it all relates back to great content in one way or another. An old saying in SEO is that you should set a goal to add at least one page of original content to your site per week. Although I definitely agree with this saying, I havent done a great job at sticking to it. Think about it: just set aside one hour per week to write about a subject that you know a lot about that is also related to what you do. Now add that article to your site and submit it to a few of the reputable content sites that will circulate your article while you retain the rights. Thats it.
Im often amazed to read articles or forums from those claiming that content is the new way to go for solid, long-term search engine rankings. Ive been involved in we content creation since 1998, and to be honest not a whole lot has changed. If you provide free resources that attract not only repeat visitors but natural links, traffic is the end result as it should be.
Great content is a powerful sales tool as well. Writing about subjects that havent already been covered in your industry lets your site visitors know that youre an authority on the subject. When that same visitor is ready to buy, they will turn to you as you have earned their trust by showing youre the most knowledgable. Its all about original, compelling content. While their is no silver bullet when it comes to getting good rankings in the natural search engine results, great content is as close as it gets.
So remember this basic fact when developing or improving your site. There are many more great reasons for including great content on your site than listed here, and the only way to find out is to get started.
Jason Hendricks has been designing, marketing, and operating websites online since 1998. As a successful internet marketing entrepreneur, he and his team offer targeted, ROI-focused search engine marketing and advertising services. His latest venture, Tidal Wave Media, provides real marketing solutions for a wide variety of clients both locally in Phoenix Arizona as well as nationwide.
If you would like to offer internet marketing articles to your website visitors, please feel free to contact Tidal Wave Media.
For news, tips, and the latest internet marketing tools, check out their website for more information. If youre interested in higher rankings or better ROI on your current spend, read about the internet marketing services that they offer.
When speaking with clients, I often find myself using the phrase Its no different online to explain the similarities and common characterics of traditional brick-and-mortar businesses with online business. The majority of my current clients have never developed a website nor run a successful online business (usually their first online endeavor) so its important for me to communicate online marketing information in ways that can be easily digested. I need the client to completely relate their experience and knowledge with the concepts Im explaining in order for them to gain full comprehension (and actually learn as opposed to just listening).
So lets elaborate on this and take it a step further. For a minute, lets just say that the online world (that I love so much) was still just an archaic system for scientists to share documents. No e-commerce sites, blogs, search engines, nothing at all. Youve never even heard of AOL, dial-up, or the internet whatsoever.
Youre starting a business and want to list some of the marketing related tasks to start your new retail storefront. Youve already rounded up a full selection of products/services and have your unique selling proposition all ready to go. Whats next
1. You need a great name. While including the name of the product or service that you sell (without making the name too long) is a great way to ensure customers easily recognize what you have to offer, its definitely not necessary. A name that customers easily remember and that seems to almost brand itself is far more important. Picking up an established name might be a good idea, depending on the companys history and public opinion of that company.
Online Equivalent: Choosing a domain name
2. Next is your logo, branding, and identity. Portraying the right image is crucial to your companys success. The store should include your branding where appropriate, be very functional to the consumer, and have a flow that encourages buying. You also want to ensure that your store is inviting to users and customers are made aware of special pricing. Consistency is also important and provides a general aesthetic appeal.
Online Equivalent: Logo and Website Design
3. Pick your location carefully. Have plenty of parking in a high traffic area, and make sure its a nice safe neighborhood with other quality businesses around you. If you can afford to do so, occupy your own stand-alone building instead of in a strip mall or large shopping mall.
Online Equivalent: Hosting Company or Server Co-location
4. Store must be easy for customers to get to and be easily accessible by all visitors. A well laid-out store is a great asset as it aids in the overall buyer experience. Prevelance is given to items that you feel are very important but clearly marked aisles are a must. Shelves must be well organized and help for finding what youre looking for be present at all times.
Online Equivalent: Site Architecture, Link Structure, and Site Map
5. Create marketing materials and educational brochures to inform potential customers while soft-selling by including company information and contact info, distributed via US Mail and by handing out to businesses directly.
Online Equivalent: Email Marketing, Press Releases, Article Distribution
6. Partner with other related businesses to get the word out about each others companies, or simply offer your sales/informational materials in their store without providing their info in your store. Find educational, government, and charitable organizations that you can provide products/services for at a discount or for free in exchange for advertising consideration.
Online Equivalent: Link Building, Directory Submission, Content Hosting (Pre-Sell Pages)
7. To expose your business to customers looking for exactly what you have to offer, advertise in relevant television, print, and classified ads.
Online Equivalent: Pay Per Click, Banner Ads, Text Link Advertising
8. Produce a catalog that details every product/service by department, and update it regularly. Ensure priority is given to certain items by assigning a high priority (featuring on cover and/or backpage).
Online Equivalent: Comparison Shopping Feeds, XML Sitemaps
Obviously this isnt an exhaustive list of the tasks involved in starting a company, just a short example to show that it really isnt any different online. While the tools and methods may be completely unrelated, its all just marketing. If executed poorly, positive results wont follow. But unlike traditional businesses if online marketing is done successfully the rewards can be exponentially greater since the boundaries havent even been predicted yet.
Jason Hendricks has been designing, marketing, and operating websites online since 1998. As a successful internet marketing entrepreneur, he and his team offer targeted, ROI-focused search engine marketing and advertising services. His latest venture, Tidal Wave Media, provides real marketing solutions for a wide variety of clients both locally in Phoenix Arizona as well as nationwide.
If you would like to offer internet marketing articles to your website visitors, please feel free to contact Tidal Wave Media.
For news, tips, and the latest internet marketing tools, check out their website for more information. If youre interested in higher rankings or better ROI on your current spend, read about the internet marketing services that they offer.