Think Big Blog

Smart Web Traffic, Part I

Marc Arner — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:35:44 +0000

Imagine you had a great idea for a business - a strong idea that you know had the potential to make a lot of money - and you could not only easily identify the perfect audience for this business but they were all in one place. Perhaps your perfect customers are all in one town because you offer a product that is conducive to their particular lifestyle; it is a perfect complement. Then imagine that instead of opening your business right in the center of town where your acknowledged audience could easily find you and visit you often, you open up far from town in a place that is difficult to find. Does that make any sense at all? Of course not. Most people see the logic in this scenario but fail to recognize that they do something that makes just as little sense when they launch a web site without doing any online marketing. Who cares if you offer the greatest product in the world and you know exactly who your audience is and where to find them? They can’t find you. And in the end this is all that matters. There’s always big talk online about web traffic but the traffic that really matters is smart web traffic - the web site traffic that includes those to whom you can easily make a sale because you offer the perfect product for them.

Those who engage in online marketing on their clients’ behalf - a web site optimization firm - understand smart web traffic; it’s what they are always working to generate. This is the point of the search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns. Not only is it meant to generate interest by the search engines, it is meant to generate interest among a particular audience. More to come in the next post…

Finding More Web Site Traffic in a Crowded Online Market, Part II

Marc Arner — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:59:12 +0000

In the last post we explored the potential of businesses to not only stay afloat but differentiate themselves in a crowded online market; enough so that they are able to attract the web site traffic that will allow them to grow their business going forward. As we discussed, there is a two-fold plan that allows for the most success in this regard. The first, obviously, is to make sure that people are able to find your web site at all and this is done by making sure that the search engines are able to find your site. The first part of the plan, therefore, is engaging in online marketing - through search engine optimization (SEO) or pay-per-click (PPC) so that visitors will be able even be able to find you. Qualifying those visitors is best done through the strategic use of keywords - something that is done in both SEO and PPC. The keywords that you choose and are used in your online marketing should speak to your potential audience; should be able to pinpoint your target market because they are using the precise words that used to find exactly your products and service. The better researched the keywords the better chance for your success.

* Phase Two. Getting visitors to your site is only half the battle in online marketing. You need to give them something, once they get there, that makes your site worthy of them continuing to explore your products and services. This means that your site had better be user-friendly, attractive, interesting, and able to deliver the value that is expected by our visitors and potential customers. A web site optimization firm can help you implement and manage a SEO or a PPC campaign but you need to be able to deliver what your customers have come to your site to find.

Finding More Web Site Traffic in a Crowded Online Market, Part I

Marc Arner — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:38:22 +0000

If the online game was won simply by attracting more people to your site - even if they clicked on it and then almost instantly logged out - then the process of online marketing would be far more simple indeed. This, however, is not how it works because ultimately the point is to attract not only visitors - but qualified visitors - to your website; customers. These are the people who will grow your business - who will help you stand your ground online. But the question remains how to get them there. There is actually a two-fold phase in not only attracting web site traffic in a saturated market but retaining these visitors so that they may actually be converted into customers. This is always the ultimate goal. The first phase is positioning your site so that it may be discovered by your potential customers and this is done through comprehensive online marketing.

* Phase One. Web site owners that want to compete in a crowded market and make sure that their site is found by their potential audience need to make sure that it can be easily searched by the search engines. There are several ways to go about this - the choice of which is determined by what works best for the company. Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process by which high rankings on the search engines is achieved organically. This is done by the implementation and management of a strategic SEO campaign that may include the selection of purposeful and relevant keywords, the infusion of those keywords into web site content, the application of a linking strategy, and more. Others may choose pay-per-click (PPC) that allows them to purchase a beneficial position on the search engines. Either plan requires diligence and a commitment to manage the process - to keep the page rankings high and people visiting the site. This is often done most effectively through the use of a web site optimization firm.

Working Web Site Traffic, Part II

Marc Arner — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:01:43 +0000

In the last post we talked about the importance in online marketing of putting together a solid plan and - beyond that - working that plan each and every day. There is management that is needed in order for an online marketing strategy to be successful, to generate more web site traffic and grow the company’s brand on another level. Those who understand how hands-on this process is hire a web site optimization firm to not only implement the strategy but manage the details.

We first discussed the management necessary in search engine optimization. There is the choosing of keywords, the creation and implementation of keyword rich content, the management of a comprehensive linking strategy, and much more. This is not a one and done process - something that is put into place and allowed to run its course. Management is absolutely critical to success and a web site optimization firm offers ongoing management that includes course correcting an SEO plan to adjust to changing trends, changes in the company, and more.

Pay-per-Click - If SEO is a public relations campaign, then PPC is an advertising campaign. Either way it must be managed. In this case, the web site owner - the advertiser - purchases a top spot in the sponsored ad section of the search engines in order to capitalize on the keywords that they think are most effective for their business. PPC management is an integral part of making sure this goes off without a hitch and is ultimately successful in delivering the site with increased web site traffic - and hopefully visitors that are in keeping with the company’s overall customer base.

Whether you choose SEO or PPC, management is essential to success. Turn to a web site optimization firm to help you realize your goals and grow your business online.

Working Web Site Traffic, Part I

Marc Arner — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:35:30 +0000

When you’re looking for consistent branding, there’s no getting around how important web site traffic is to marketing survival. In this day and age an effective web site can be the glue that holds the whole thing together; and you wouldn’t trust something this important to just anyone. A reputable web site optimization firm helps to define a marketing plan and works that plan day in and day out; there is nothing more important than having a professional team that is wholly committed to your web site and the web site traffic it generates.

So there is the marketing plan - the strategy that is developed and put into place that is meant to catapult a site to the top of the search engine rankings and, as a result, generate more web site traffic; and there is the working of the marketing plan - the elbow grease that goes into managing and fine tuning an online marketing strategy every day. No matter what method of online marketing is chosen there is management that goes along with that method.

Search Engine Optimization - This is the nitty gritty of online marketing - the elbow grease of getting your name out there the same as you would with any comprehensive public relations campaign. A solid SEO campaign will include the choosing of appropriate keyword phrases, the integration of a linking campaign, and the work on the web site itself to make sure it is search engine friendly and easily searched. There is day to day management that goes along with an SEO campaign and web sites that want to see success must work with a web site optimization firm that not only develops a solid strategy for online marketing but can manage that strategy along the way - in addition to making changes when they are needed - changes which are inevitable. More in the next post…

Rules of Online Competition, Part II

Marc Arner — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:05:54 +0000

In the last post we talked about competing online - finding your niche in your chosen industry, recognizing your competitors and engaging in the competition according to strategic rules of play. Those who are successful online understand how important it is to align themselves with professionals that can offer true leadership in this arena; a web site optimization firm that knows the rules, what you’re playing for and how quickly those rules can change. Previously we discussed some of the things that are important to know when engaging in successful online competition including understanding strategy and finding ongoing online marketing management that has proven leadership experience. Strategy differs for every web site but includes some combination of search engine optimization, pay per click and a variety of other strategies that may include linking campaigns, optimized content, optimized video and more.

Some of the other things to consider when you’re getting into the online marketing game include:

Flexibility - There is no science to online marketing - it is about knowing the market, knowing the search engines, accepting the fact that things change on a dime and being able to adapt seamlessly. Ongoing online marketing management should include working with a team that is comfortable within an environment that is always changing.

The Element of Surprise - Any good battle can be won with the element of surprise. Online marketing doesn’t have to predictable and it should never be cookie-cutter. Look for ways to present a product, announce news and create a buzz while still honoring search engine optimization techniques. A reputable web site optimization firm will work with you to create a strategy.

Pick Your Battles - Not every battle needs to be fought. For example, while a number of competitors seem to have cornered the market on a particular keyword phrase it doesn’t mean that you have to compete for it when it may be too highly competitive and require too much of a financial investment to see any traction. Look to your web site optimization firm to provide sound advice and alternative means to capturing your audience’s attention.

Rules of Online Competition, Part I

Marc Arner — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 02:19:59 +0000

Succeeding online boils down to effective online marketing; success in this case is not a destination that you reach but rather a journey that is successfully navigated. The long and short of it is this - there is a competition continually brewing online between web sites - many of which are competing for the same business. It used to be that there would be one or two web sites online that spoke to a particular audience but now the online market is all but flooded with competitors. Everyone understands how important it is to establish and manage their online presence; it represents an overall business in an environment where most of the consuming public now looks for its information. Ignoring your web site can be the kiss of death for any business. So how do you engage successfully in online marketing and grow your online business as a result? Like anything else, it helps to know the rules of engagement.

Strategy - The game in this case is online and the prize you are playing for is web site traffic. Ultimately the gatekeepers to reaching that prize are the search engines. The engines will examine you and rank you according to their very specific algorithms and it helps tremendously to work with a web site optimization firm that knows those algorithms and understands how quickly things can change. Consider this the most important game of chess that you have ever played - your moves matter but so do the moves of your opponent and in this case your search engine allies.

Leadership - Someone has to manage the chessboard from moment to moment and it likely is not you as you are already engaged in the business of running a business. This is where the help of professionals becomes strategic and necessary. Don’t skimp on management; find a web site optimization firm that has proven leadership experience.

Get Set with a Web Site Optimization Firm

Marc Arner — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:01:12 +0000

Those who are just starting out in business know the many pressures that are put on them right from the start. There is enormous pressure to come out of the gate with gusto because the consuming public does not have that long of an attention span. You have a short period of time to catch their attention and a very short opportunity to keep that attention. Businesses across all industries have sunk big money into figuring out how to make a splash that will get the attention of their intended audience and do so in a way that will allow them to stay in that audience’s good graces long enough to conduct some business. Web sites have their own set of challenges and that includes competing in an enormously saturated market. How do you make a splash online? How do you get the attention of a web savvy audience? And how do you continue to keep their attention long after the novelty of a new site wears off?

A web site optimization firm can be instrumental in this capacity - offering web site owners the guidance that they need to distinguish themselves from the competition in a way that not only allows them to elevate their rankings on the search engines but also to become a standout in terms of what they offer visitors. The ultimate goal here is always to grow a business and a web site optimization firm understands that growing a business through online marketing means increasing web site traffic, establishing a solid brand in an online arena and giving the online audience what they want in terms of product and service so that ultimately visitors become customers.

Those looking to start a business cannot afford to ignore their online presence. Focus on web marketing the right way with the help of a web site optimization firm.

Taking a Web Site to the Next Level, Part II

Marc Arner — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:26:32 +0000

In the last post we talked about what many companies are doing at the present time - examining the options available to them in this New Year, investigating the potential use of their budget, and making decisions accordingly. Those who are looking at the potential return on investment involved in hiring a web site optimization firm will obviously take into consideration the benefits that will be delivered to them through such a relationship. There are many businesses, however, that have crafted a web site, only to launch it online and let it be - without giving any online marketing a thought. What they have likely found is an initial burst of web traffic followed by a steady decline. No one can find you if they don’t know you’re there and without online marketing - undertaken by true professionals - you will not be able to effectively manage your online presence.

We initially looked at the first benefit of using a professional web site optimization firm including the benefit of experience. There is much to know about operating successfully online and a reputable web site optimization firm understands the online arena enough to be able to effectively counsel their clients on how to proceed from one month to the next. Some other benefits that come from choosing to work with a professional web site optimization firm include:

Management. Anyone who works in online marketing knows how quickly the environment can change. What was important one minute to ranking web sites on the search engines becomes less important the next and is replaced by something else. Professionals know how to adapt accordingly and offer their clients day to day management; something that most people do not have time to do themselves.

Strategy. Simply setting off to do marketing - any marketing - online does not bode well for success. A professional web site optimization firm will put a solid strategy into place that may include search engine optimization, pay per click, optimized press release distribution and a variety of other marketing venues.

Taking a Web Site to the Next Level, Part I

Marc Arner — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:02:42 +0000

As the New Year begins and business starts to gain momentum again after the holidays, companies far and wide are examining their resources and gathering pertinent information so as to make the best decisions for their future. Finances have been tough all around and most companies are caught up in simply trying to stay afloat; but there are still decisions that must be made including how best to spend an allocated budget for the year. For those looking to promote their online presence they will understand the merit in taking their web site to the next level by getting assistance from a web site optimization firm.

Of course, as with anything else, the benefits of using a web site optimization firm must be held up against the money that will be spent on such a campaign. After examination most web site owners will immediately see the benefit of putting money towards a well managed search engine optimization or pay per click campaign. The benefits of working with a professional web site optimization firm include:

The benefit of experience. Putting a site online is only a part of the process of finding success on the Internet. Online marketing takes solid understanding and a level of expertise that most web site owners simply do not have. A reputable web site optimization firm will have experience in promoting a variety of web sites through a variety of different online marketing channels. They will also understand that there is no fixed science to online marketing; that it must be adjusted as things change - and things will change often. You want to work with a web site optimization company that not only understands how to increase web traffic but can predict and provide counsel regarding online changes.

More benefits of working with a professional web site optimization firm in the next post…