Online Marketing TipsOnline Marketing Tip's and Tricks

Local SEO expert knowledge about online marketing news, tips, tricks, how-to's and 101's.

Quick Post: Google’s Gmail and Google Apps Go Down….

Google is producing 502 and 503 errors with in Google products like Gmail, Chat, and Google Apps. I have personally reached out to some of the senior talent at Google with no luck on finding out what went wrong today.
I believe the Googler’s are on it and any issue that has presented itself has been handled and learned from.
I will keep everyone posted on any updates I receive… Have a great weekend!

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Change…. Everything Online is Changing

The way we view the internet and the online communities that are popping up as social media sites is going to forever change. With Google+ pushing Facebook to produce the most optimal user experience, which is providing users with a more emotional connection.

I’m not going to bore you with all the notes of changes that Facebook is preparing to release. But some changes include highlighted posts that are most likely important to you and prioritize them at the top of your feed when you log in. Another new addition is the ability to expand recent posts, “kind of like Twitters real-time notification tool bar”. The Album layout has also gone under an overhaul, and now appearing in your news feed stack with 3 photos’ that creates a unique viewing experience.

But let’s not forget about the online super power Google. Google+ developers are definitely ahead of the curve with such feature as drag and drop content to photo effects that spruce up your photos and albums.  I’m sure Google+ has a few tricks up their sleeves as well and we will see their counter strike after Facebook goes live with the new releases.

But the true winners are the users. With these two heavy hitters battling for market share, they will continue to optimize the user experience which means more bells and whistles for all of us.  I see a new online bubble being created and I’m going to call it the “Social Bubble Yum” keep it popping, because we love it.

“Let the best man win”!

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Categories: Google Local Optimization, Local SEO, Online Marketing
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Locally Grown Traffic

Locally Grown Traffic: Use Local Search Marketing to Attract Real Customers to Your Small Business

For small businesses, all business is local. But how are your customers actually finding you? The phonebook? Forget it. Recent polls published online have shown that over 75% of people never use the phone book for anything, and if your target demographic is say, under 50, there’s a good chance not a single customer of yours has ever found you in the yellow pages.

There’s a much greater chance that the people you’re trying to reach are looking for you by searching on Google or another search engine. These are people who are ready to buy your products or services right now. Over 82% of local searchers follow up with a phone call, or show up in person to your place of business. This means that if they can’t easily and quickly find you, they’re not coming, and they’re not buying from you. They’re buying from your competition, and they will more than likely continue to buy from your competition.

The point is this: If your business isn’t actively and aggressively engaging in local search marketing, you are actively and aggressively losing money.

Consider these facts:

  • 97% of Internet users in the US gather shopping information online
  • 51% of those consumers explicitly characterize their behavior as “Shop Online, Purchase Offline”
  • 73% of all online activity is related to local content

The statistics above should be sobering to you (and your balance sheet) if you aren’t actively targeting local search in your marketing strategy. The consumers who are typing (your product) and (your town/zip code/etc) are the ones who are ready to spend money now, and more importantly for you, they are highly influenced by how easy it is to find you in the list of search results. Your position in the search rankings has more to do with your success than your physical location in your city.

Why it’s good to be Number 1

  • The first item listed on Google’s search results gets 36% of the clicks.
  • The 2nd item gets 12.5%
  • The remaining items on the first page of search results get 9.5%, 7.9%, 6.1%, 4.1%, 3.8%, 3.0% and 2.2%.
  • What’s left? Not much.

If you’re local business isn’t showing up on the first page of results, you’re essentially not even in the game. And even then, if you’re not #1 or #2, you’re essentially fighting for scraps. As shown above, the people doing these searches aren’t just window shopping. These are customers you’re missing out on because you’re business is essentially invisible to them.’

As you can hopefully see, there are real customers to be gained by using the techniques and services available to you to optimize your local search engine marketing. Local SEO and small business search engine marketing should be a primary focus as you look to gain customers and improve your bottom line. If you’re not doing local search engine marketing, you can bet that your competition is. Don’t let your business become invisible to the people most likely to become your next customers, or you’ll soon disappear.

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Online Marketing for a Successful Sales Funnel

 

I have taken a look at a few of the small businesses in my local area lately to see what they were doing and not doing.

To my surprise a lot of small businesses are still using print marketing.  So I asked the question do you have a website and about 90% off them did, but were not informed of the importance of online marketing.

The problem is that after doing a search none of these businesses I had visited were on the first page of Google in there service area for the keywords that they were  advertising via a print marketing campaigns. In my opinion this is a broken sales funnel and will not provide the most optimized ROI.

The underlying issue is that when a prospect receives a printed solicitation for a service or product, 80% of the time  the prospects are going to do a search on Google to see reviews and other competitors as part of their research.

So here is a online marketing tip to help create successful sales funnel.

Now since prospects are doing there due diligence online and looking for reviews. its more important than ever to have a great online reputation.  So staying on top of their businesses online reputation is key in today’s business market.  Every business needs to understand that today’s word of mouth is online; from the positive and negative reviews, blog posts, and social mentions are all key factors of today’s online successful sales funnel.

Now out of the approximately 80% of the prospects that do research the internet approximately 90% of them never leave the first page of Google. So with that said,  if any business is investing in offline marketing, it’s essential  to complete the sales funnel by investing properly to ensure their businesses Google Places profile and website should be on the first pages of Google in the local area for the particular keywords advertised offline via print, TV, radio, mailer, etc.

Most businesses today can take advantage of a Local SEO company that can help in local search engine optimization.  LocalSEOSites.com is a company that can help with achieving front page placement on Google in the local area as well as Reputation Management.

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Once on Google+ Always on Google+

 

Hello to all, Just a quick post before the weekend about Google+. The earning reports are out and Google is booming. And I bet Facebook wishes they went public instead of holding out.

Larry Page posted last night on Google+ Circles that I’m really proud of the Google+ team right now”.

I bet with over 10 million users and still in beta what more can Google ask for.

“I guess a lot.”

The question remains at Google. What features do loyal Facebook users need in order to join Google+? Is it video chat? Done. Is it a private and manageable network ?Done. Or maybe its FarmVille. Well OK Facebook has Google+ on that.

But Facebook users have driven Google to create a Social platform that will not only reach a wider range of individuals, but also integrates Search. So personally feel that loyal Facebook users owe it to Google to try Google+. I also feel once on Google+  always on Google+.

I personally can’t wait for Google+ for business and hope we are one of the companies chosen for the beta roll out. “Pick me! Pick me”!

But I do admit that I have one request. Google I would like a Google+ Iphone App so that I don’t have to buy a new phone (Droid).

What’s your request for Google+?

Leave a comment here on Local SEO Sites blog and see if you can get a Google+ developers attention.

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Does Facebook “Like” Google+

Google+

Like it or not Facebook has definitely woken up the gentle giant and Google+ is his name.

The Google “buzz” is; with a dominate market share in the search industry Google can really use this influence to take advantage of the Social Media market. Google plans to market through the sharing of  positive experiences with a particular business and/or web site by adding a Google+1. This is than shared with everyone in your Google+ network or Contacts.

With the ability to create, social Circles within Google+ Vic Gundotra Senior VP of Social for Google has also incorporated video chat to keep in touch with friends and family for free. Not to mention you will never be bored again,  because Google+ “Sparks”.  Check the Google+ Spark’s live feed for content and videos of interest only to you.

So are you ready to sign-up? Census says yes you are.

“Warning” don’t trip on the book and land on your face running to sign-up for Google+. In fact Google has not even launched Google+ to the public as of today July 5th 2011. The new Google app is an invite only community during the beta roll out and is at full capacity. In addition, Google+ invites are selling for $75 each on Ebay.com. So you may want to break out your wallet.

I  have been using Google+ for a couple of weeks now. And I must say “Facebook better have something more than a new Apple Ipad and Iphone App” which is rumored to be released in efforts to ward off the Google giant.

Google is now ready to make an impression that they are here to dominate the internet all together including social. In addition, with the majority of individuals going to the internet to Search, Google is now ready to capitalize on its reputation, with the integration of “Google +1 button” and “Google+” .

And a quick note to all Business Owners. You can take advantage of Google+ by getting the Google Business Listing optimized so individuals can share your business through out there Google+ Circles. Can you say referrals!

 

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The battle begins; Facebook vs. Google. But what does this mean for your business?

The Online Marketing and Advertising battle begins. What can Small Business Owners to capitalize on this battle.

The battle begins; Facebook vs. Google



Yes, we all remember the battle of Microsoft and Apple that started over two decades ago now and continues to this day. Now the new giants of this Online Marketing culture has emerged and definitely has made an impact on today’s worldwide population. Google the creator of many, but only the master of one Search and Facebook the social fly, connecting the world to a stream of updated actions, interactions, and status updates via a web based application.

Ok we can see that they are two different beasts altogether, but they both want what the other one has. This leads me to say that if these two multi billion dollar worldwide platforms are battling for each other’s market share to be able to get in front of more people. More people means more opportunity to sell more advertising at a higher premium. Yes I said higher premium. The cost to advertise via paid advertising such as PPC ads on these particular networks are increasing substantially. For example, Google’s overall net earnings for 2004 were approx. $400 million which was a 278% gain over the previous year. Take that to the bank!

But what does this mean for your business?

The way the market is shifting towards another tech boom with online interaction and communication. I feel if you have total saturation and organic optimization of these two powerhouse platforms, that you will be giving your business the opportunity to shelter itself from the burden of the increased cost for advertising on Google and Facebook. Which means higher ROI for you and your business, correct?

So Dominate the search organically when individuals are looking for your service or product via Google be on the first page where approx 90% of searches end. As well as dominate your social network of followers with a branded Facebook business page. Providing your business with Search Engine Optimization will ensure that you do not have to Pay Per Click for the keywords that matter to your business. In addition, penetrating your local market and network via Facebook with an attractive business page will encourage and inform your local target market of your products and/or services with the ability to communicate live with your business.

“PAY now and SAVE later!”

 

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Local SEO means “bye bye” Yellow Pages

Local SEO vs. YellowPages

Local SEO means bye bye Yellow Pages. . San Francisco is looking to band the Yellow Pages from being delivered to business and residences unless personally requested.

The year is 2011 print media has been tossed out the window like a bad habit. Consumers have traded in there piles of phone books for a green alternative such as a laptop or smartphone. This enables them to find more relevant information from across the internet. The saying “let your fingers do the clicking” has never been as relevant as it is in today’s marketplace.  Today people want to read reviews and research online the places they visit or purchase products from beforehand. I guess this creates some sense of security for an individual that does not have a reference or past experience with a particular business or service.

The internet is the key to today’s economy. And for a business owner to be found by a prospect or client when needed is the key to doing business. This was the idea with the Yellow Pages, and now has moved onto online Search with Google and Bing at the forefront. This new innovation has given individuals the opportunity to find exactly what they are looking for by researching reviews, and past experiences through online directories and syndication sites.

So I ask you to ask yourself; when was the last time you picked up the Yellow Pages to find a local business such as a Dentist or Roofing Contractor in your local area?

Ummm exactly, because you most likely don’t remember in that it’s been so long, right?

Now with that said, ask yourself is your business optimized across the internet with a web presence and social media profile.

Because in today’s economy business owners need every advantage possible to be successful, and being found online with a positive reputation makes cents and if it makes cents it makes dollars. So don’t short change you or your business and be found online.

Reputation Management and Local SEO are the keys to driving new business through the doors now that the Yellow Pages are fading out. Online Directories are the foundation on which this will be based on.

 

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Local SEO Sites – Road Trip to the Search Marketing Expo (SMX West)

Search Marketing Expo

A handful of the LocalSEOSites team started our travel to the Search Marketing Expo (SMX West) Monday night with a red eye drive from Irvine to San Jose, California. We decided to do the six hour road trip as a team building experience and take advantage of the beautiful coastal ride.

We first attended the Google Local Tactics conference and found that our business model is right on track and even more that our reputation management platform (OMAP) is an added feature that most of our competition does not provide. This puts LocalSEOSites.com ahead of the curve in regards to the SEO/ SEM services that are offered amongst the industry.

The most exciting point of the trip is the validation we received regarding the importance and evolution of Local SEO as a service that will continue to be dominating the search marketing market. Google, Bing and the rest of search engine industry are continuing to develop their search algorithm for a better local search platform; and it’s not just search but also the Social Networks. Leading the move is Facebook with their newest added feature, Deals for Local Place Check-ins.

What does mean for business across the US? It means that if you’re not optimizing your local presence, than you’re missing out on the 92% of the population that is currently using local search technology to find the services or products that your business could offer.

To sum up the road trip and our visit to SMX West, we would like to use the words of Charlie Sheen, “WINNING, Duh!”. From the valuable speeches to the relationships we have built, it’s great to know that LocalSEOSites.com is on an enterprise level but offers all the services and support for small or large business alike. We strive to be the best at we do and now it’s showing. LocalSEOSites.com provides real results with integrity, accountability, and quality at the forefront of the local search marketing industry.

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4 Most Common Small Business Search Engine Marketing Mistakes

Most Common Search Engine Marketing Mistakes

Scared of being erased from the first page of Google?

Once you get the taste for ranking on the search engines it becomes a bug. A nervous tick that keeps you awake at night pondering how your website can rank higher for more keywords. In some instances for a small business owner trying to gain exposure on the internet without a large web presence they may be tempted to trick the search engine but this can lead to disaster.

Have you ever been flagged in your Google Places account or had your website appearing on the 1st page one day and the 7th page the next? Then you need to read this article about the 4 most common mistakes small businesses make when utilizing search engine marketing.

1) Patience – Instant gratification is great but anything on the internet takes time. It is normal to expect movement in rankings after changing your web presence although the search engines have to do their due diligence first. We suggest making optimizations to your website all at once then allowing the changes to be indexed and cached by Google before making more changes. Allow 3 – 4 weeks for changes to reflect.

2) Grey Hat SEO – One of the most common issues we see are small businesses padding the name of their Google Places Listing with keywords. This may work for a little while but ultimately will hurt your ranking once the search company’s robot finds out. It is never a good idea to just pad the keywords in instead of working them into the content. Some websites we come across have html files, alt/title tags and images being named long strings of keyword. A better approach would be to utilize one keyword in these elements or mash words together that are different but create many keywords you are going for.

3) Web Presence – More websites is not always a good idea. Sometimes we get clients with 5 – 10 websites all for the same company. If each website had different information including telephone numbers and different overall intentions they would be alright but still unnecessary. However, if each website has the same contact info and site data it will only creates confusion for the search engines.

4) Paid Placement – Another common mistake we see from small business owners is PPC through Adwords for placement on the 1st page. It is ok to use paid placement to rank if you are waiting for your organic growth from local SEO but you can lose that placement as soon as the money dries up. Organic ranking on Google does not get charged per click and will not go away once you stop paying, do not be fooled by front page placement that is not through search engine optimization.

It is true that anyone is capable of getting to the first page of Google but the internet marketing industry is changing rapidly and the algorithm for searches is always expanding. Also there are more robots scanning the web than ever looking for improper usage of linking and content.

If you can find a local SEO company with a good reputation, competitive price tag and a team that is accountable plus answers the phone, then you may as well go with them. They will be able to do the job quicker and more efficiently than someone who does not work with the search engines daily.

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