…It looks nice but nobody can find it.

Many costly websites fall short when it comes to bringing in the business. They’re like a billboard in the desert.  They look good but nobody finds them (unless they already know where you are). 

Website design and support techniques exist to help you maximize traffic to your site. Many are simple while others can be more complex.  Whether you seek professional help or decide to go it alone, the first step is knowledge.  Too often, such techniques are overlooked or underutilized because they require additional time and effort and are often unknown to the site owner or developer.  Combining proper website development with maintenance, search engine optimization (SEO) and a website promotion strategy will enable you to GET FOUND & GET BUSINESS on the internet.

To be effective, you need a website that will be found by your potential customers when they are searching for your product or service!  Do you know what your rank is with Google? If not, go to http://www.prchecker.info/check_page_rank.php.  Hopefully, you have at least a “3”.

Keywords are just one key.  They may not even be visible to the viewer but they help search engines such as Google learn what your site is all about. META-data is information stored in an alternate part of a web page’s code than the web content that people actually see.  It provides important information and guidance regarding the page to search engines.  This key tool is frequently not utilized or underutilized because it can be difficult, yet it is invisible to the viewer.

Other simple answers include local listings (which can be free or inexpensive), inbound links, social networks, and blogs.  Content is more important than just another pretty page:

• Change content. Google and visitors like fresh content.  That doesn’t necessarily mean creating a new website.  While you may be bored with your site, most visitors will be seeing it for the first time.
• Organize content. Searchers need to find what they are looking for quickly or they will look for your competitor’s site.
• Remember, content is king. Some flash animation and photos can help tell your story but conveying who you are and what you do is more important. Avoid “splash” pages and animations that waste your visitor’s time.  Flash is not Google friendly.
• Search engine optimization. Even customers you know may not know that you can provide the product or service they are looking for.
• Be social. Social sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and the new Google Buzz can help drive traffic to your site and establish you as an expert in your field.

There’s so much more.  On the Internet, a smaller company can market against a larger company.  Size of budget and number of employees is less relevant.  David can beat Goliath, if he (or she) is smart about using the Internet.

Want to learn more?  Come to our FREE networking event and seminar, “Get found, get Business Online”, Thursday, March 4 at 5:30 pm. For Info & to RSVP go to: http://tinyurl.com/yz6z6mf.  Any questions?  Please do not hesitate to send us an email or call.

Email:  jsteinhoff@metasenseusa.com
Call:     Jatin or Jerry at 856-873-9950
Online: http://tinyurl.com/yz6z6mf

If you do not believe that there’s a place for you/your business in the social internet, watch this…

 Socialnomics

When was the last time you considered making a purchase for over $1,000? Which of the following did you do?

•  Used the yellow pages
• Got on a plane to go to a trade show
• Responded to a print advertisement
• Responded to a direct mail advertisement
• Did a search in Google or another search engine
• Asked a friend for advice, and they emailed you a URL as a response

 According to Marketing Sherpa, 98% of those surveyed did an internet search in some form.  Today, the buying process starts on the internet.

Welcome to the web!  Welcome to the age of internet conversations and relationships. Welcome to the world of Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and more. These are not insignificant time-wasters, something for the young and unsophisticated, something frightening or irrelevant for businesses and marketers or something only relevant to consumer marketing or large corporations. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube are tools for connecting people with other people and promoting and maintaining communications. And, as with any other social media tool, marketers/business people have an opportunity to use these tools to expand their communications and engage with customers directly… taking their message directly to the consumer. And, as the video makes evident, this can be done economically and with high target accuracy.

No doubt, 2010 will be a challenging year.  One can only speculate as to what will happen with the economy, unemployment and trade.  Creating or enhancing online visibility can have a significant impact on how a company, your company, fairs in the new year.  Will you be able to take advantage of the new opportunities and grow your business?

• On the Internet, a smaller company can out-market a larger company.
•  Size of budget and number of employees is less relevant.
• David can beat Goliath, if he is smart about using the Internet.

 2010 should start with a plan.  The options available to improve your business’s online visibility are almost limitless. You may have or create a website where you showcase your product or service, take orders and/or capture data. But you cannot assume customer will automatically come to you. There’s Search Engine Optimization, Pay Per Click, Social Media and more.  Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube are all tools. You need to go where your constomer lives… online. If your customers, prospects, and influencers are there, you should be there… listening, engaging, sharing, and helping.

The market is changing rapidly… Search Engine methodologies are changing and becoming more sophisticated. There’s a growing, more competitive Social Media environment. More businesses are developing Social Media Marketing programs.  To achieve Online Visibility in the new year will require commitment.

Not already on…

• Twitter?  (www.twitter.com)
• Facebook?  (www.facebook.com)
• LinkedIn?  (www.linkedIn.com)

Sign-up TODAY!

 You already have the skills, you just do it offline.  It’s called networking…

• Meeting people
• Building relationships
• Asking questions
• Answering questions
• Building trust
• Building a reputation

 Meet people and start conversations

• Answer questions – help others
• Ask questions – trust others’ advice

Become a real member of the community

• Add value to the community
• Ask and answer questions

 A word of caution:  Communicating on the internet DOES NOT mean only writing about the products and services you sell. Write about the things your audience wants to learn about.  Write about yourself, your interests (which include your business) and what makes you and your business unique.  Mix it up!

Can you find your company?

 Try this:

 Google: (your product or service), (your state).

 Did you find your business?

 Do it again.  This time use your product/service, city and state.

 Any better?

 Did you find any of your competitors?  Were they ahead of you or behind you?

Chances are that right now someone is looking for your product or service on the web.

Will you be found?  MetaSense can help!

 Any comments?  Please comment so that I know I’m not the only person reading this.

 Jerry Steinhoff

Embrace the internet in your business for 2010!

 Check out this link originally sent to me by Marilyn Kleinberg of eWomenNetworkSJ.

Social Media Revolution

Other recent milestones include the fact that Facebook nearly doubled its fan base in the past year with over 350 million users reported.  According to HubSpot, brand/product pages make up 39% of Facebook pages and local business and local professional services make up 14% of all face book pages.

 Pepsi is breaking its 23-year Super Bowl ad streak to invest in the online community. Do they know something you don’t know?  Domino’s Pizza is using the internet to totally turn around its company and product image.

 Closer to home, local companies are revamping their websites, setting up Facebook Fan Pages and using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. to advance their personal and business image… and they are having fun doing it… at little or no cost.

 The internet is one reason some local businesses are thriving in this down economy.  Chances are that right now someone is searching the internet for your product or service.  Will you be found?

 Joan Stippick of Connecting South Jersey recently started a LinkedIn Group of the same name (Connecting South Jersey).  Within two weeks, she had more than 200 members.  She had fun with it.  She posted discussions and solicited discussions from others.  She started a “Where in South Jersey” contest (now on its third round) to stimulate activity and get people involved.  It’s working for her, for its members and for her business.

 I know you’re skeptical.  Many people have said to me, “I know I should do it but I don’t know how to start” or “I don’t know what to do.”  Internet marketing is the hottest topic right now.  Go to a seminar or participate in one or more of the numerous webinars online.  Or, better yet, just dig right in.  Sign up for Facebook or LinkedIn or Twitter if you haven’t already done so.  These sites take you by the hand.  Create a fan page on Facebook. Join a group on LinkedIn. Better yet, start one.  It’s like going to a networking event.  Only thing is, your potential audience is bigger and you don’t have to leave your business or home.  While making a purchase recently, I had the store owner sign up for Facebook. It’s that simple. Need help?  Give us a call or send me an email.

 While you’re at it, check out your website.  If it has “copyright 2000” or something like that, it may be time for an update.  There are things you can do to make it more Google friendly.  We can help!

 … Jerry Steinhoff

May your Christmas sparkle with moments of love, laughter and goodwill,
And may the year ahead be full of contentment and joy.
Have a Merry Christmas.

From : Metasense Family
www.metasenseusa.com

Metasense is an agile company based in the U.S. with an extensive international partner network. Founded in 1999, MetaSense built an organization that strives to consistently exceed your expectations. We want to be your preferred e-commerce partner!