Your Website is Your Best Marketing Tool. Here’s Why.

There’s a lot of advice from so called experts about the best way to market your website floating around the web. Most advocate starting free blogs and using social bookmarking sites and surfing around commenting on other people’s blogs in order to drive traffic to your own, and then to direct traffic from your blog to your website. But wouldn’t it be more effective and less time consuming to direct traffic to your website? Some of those techniques actually do work, but they only work on a small scale. If you’re a business owner that is thinking big and you want to start racking up some serious website hits you need to go beyond those small business marketing tools and use your resources more effectively.

What is the single most effective marketing tool that you have? It’s your website! Your website tells people about you, and about your products and services. It lets them sign up for more information or make purchases, and gives them information about you. Your website is the most important marketing tool you have, and how are you using it? Are you promoting your website directly or are you wasting time promoting a blog that leads back to your website? You should be focusing all of your efforts on your website if you want to get more internet traffic.

Here are simple things that you can do to make your website work harder for you: Update the content on your website on a regular basis. You don’t need to add new items everyday but you should be adding a few new things at least once a week. That will keep people coming back to your site on a regular basis to see what’s new. People will get tired of a heavy sales pitch really quickly and start surfing right on by your site.

Instead of boring them with the pitch use articles and other information to keep them interested and to give them a reason to come back to the site. Making your site an authority site on a niche topic that happens to sell products or services is a fantastic way to draw internet traffic. Search engine optimize everything. Search engine optimization is an absolute necessity if you want to get thousands or even millions of hits a day. No other type of Internet marketing will ever be as effective or drive as much traffic as search engine optimization will.

If you try to appeal to a broad audience you won’t be very effective. Trying to get your site noticed on the web is much easier when you focus on a small niche and do whatever you can to attract that niche market. Even if you think that niche is too small to give you the success that you’re looking for do it anyway. You might not have a huge local population interested in that niche, but you could find millions of people all over the world searching for that niche online.

Your Website is Your Best Marketing Tool. Here’s Why.

How Testimonials Can Be One Of Your Best Marketing Tools

Testimonials can not only give your business third party recommendations, they can also be your best marketing tools. Actively source testimonials and promote them on your website, work samples, brochures, proposals etc. Make sure you ask permission to use them and always publish the client’s full name and business name or full name and suburb.

Initials alone and a suburb look fabricated. A great way to promote your services is to publish testimonials from a variety of clients to cover a range of your offerings. For example, if you have a graphics/printing/signage/storage business, collect different testimonials such as:

· A client stating they had no idea how to present a product and you designed everything for them, how grateful they were and how many comments they received on the striking brochure

· A client with clever signage on their car saying how often they get stopped or contacted for appointments because people notice the effective sign writing

· A client who has used you for printing for years, is always happy with the print quality and values the fact that you print in volume and warehouse for them because they don’t have the space to do so themselves

Publishing testimonials from 3 raving fans like this will do more for your product than you just expressing that you are a print, graphic and signage specialist. People reading your testimonials will also learn of other services you provide they may not have been aware of, and this reinforces your skill set.

If you think the word testimonial might scare people off, then ask customers “for their story” instead. When customers email you with praise, copy what they wrote, add a title and their name and ask them if you can use the following statement in advertising material and in your website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Sherryn_McBride/485831

How Testimonials Can Be One Of Your Best Marketing Tools

Mobile Business Apps - Best Marketing Tool for Small Businesses

A lot of words and statistics can be used to build the case that mobile devices have grown and continue to grow into one of the most popular technological advancements. Just looking around would convince the most skeptical among us. And as with all new developments, the speed with which these new developments are improved and made more accessible, is directly proportional to their popularity. As a result, mobile is changing and improving… FAST!

For business marketing, an online presence is an ongoing evolution from the days, not too long ago, of just having a website, which developed into a mobile website, to developing an online social presence, and to now developing your own mobile app. Many large businesses have been in the mobile app marketing arena for some time. They realized the many benefits and conveniences mobile apps provided their customers and, with proper management, the increased revenue and customer loyalty they would gain. They also had the resources to fund the exorbitant development costs required to create a custom native app for all the mobile platforms and were able to still do it cost effectively.

Technology marches on! Today, mobile apps are no longer within just the reach of the largest corporations. For the purpose of this article, we will not get bogged down in the technical difference between custom native apps, mobile web apps, hybrid apps, mobile websites, etal. The focus is going to be on what appears to be the best option for small businesses. The target… an exceptional User Experience (now commonly referred to as UX), easily managed content and affordability.

There is no one best solution for every type of business out there. There are advantages and disadvantages to all the mobile options. The key is selecting the best fit, ie., the option that provides the greatest number of benefits to the business and their customers, at the best price. After doing the research, it’s difficult to present an unbiased presentation of these facts when the best choice for most small businesses is so clear. In short, the engaging customer features available, the ease of complete control of the content and the affordable price, the native mobile app built using a template (NMAT) is the next best marketing tool, to improve the bottom line and increase customer loyalty.

To be clear, custom built native apps that are built from the ground up, require hand coding for each app on each mobile platform, Apple, Android, etc. This is a very expensive process. Coders are very well paid and the end result provides a great, custom, UX. The new alternative, NMAT, is building an app using an already coded template system that can be customized in appearance, function and content. This option provides similar features as the custom app, to choose from, at a fraction of the cost, with a very similar UX and can be totally controlled on-line.

Here is a quick look at the comparison of benefits between mobile website and native apps.

Device Features – Apps have full access to all of a mobile devices capabilities including camera, GPS, data storage, etc. for the best UX. Mobile websites currently have limited access.

User Installation – No installation required for mobile websites. A bit of motivation is required to search and find a mobile business app. In the gaming industry, this should not be an obstacle. Most customers will be motivated to find your app to benefit from the content including offers and discounts.

Speed – A mobile app is much faster then a mobile website creating a better UX.

Owner Maintenance – The maintenance of a NMAT is much simpler these days with the app hosted in the cloud. Online Content Management System Dashboards (CMSD), allow clients to change the content of their app and send messages 24/7. Custom native apps are much more complicated to update. Mobile website are updated as easily as a web page.

Offline Functioning – Without a wifi or cell service connection, mobile websites are not accessible. Native apps have offline accessibility giving them the edge in this category.

Development Costs – Custom native apps are extremely expensive. Both Mobile websites and NMAT’s involve the least cost and are very affordable. Possibly with future technological advancements, mobile apps for small businesses may go the way of betamax, and mobile websites may overcome many of their current shortcomings and become the dominate mobile format. But for now, and probably for the foreseeable future, native apps are the best marketing tool available for small businesses. For maximum benefit, your app can be used in conjunction with your mobile website and gain additional user benefits such as the ability for customers to log in to their personal accounts.

Now to the good part. Here’s a look at what benefits a mobile app can bring to your business and your customers. The power of the mobile app to engage and communicate with the customers, is in it’s features.

Mobile App Benefits

The features currently available that can be built into an app is what ‘powers’ the benefits and makes it such a perfect fit for small businesses. In addition to the traditional listing of your businesses’ general information including facility amenities, specials, event calendars, contact info and directions, etc. that you would find on any standard mobile website, apps offer features that better engage customers and fully utilize their mobile devices capabilities making for a very personal and fulfilling UX… that they will want to share. To be clear and further illustrate the benefits of an app over a mobile website, this summary of features will include only those that are available in a mobile app format, and not a mobile website. There are dozens of features available for businesses to choose from to use in their app. We will look at just a few of the more beneficial ones here.

1. Content Management System Dashboard (CMSD) – This gives businesses complete control over the content of their app 24/7. Managing an app is very much like managing your social online presence. It requires daily attention and creative management. The CMSD makes it easy and efficient to make changes to your apps content and appearance, and an easy to use preview feature allows you to view your changes instantly.

2. Push Notification keeps your customers well informed – This feature allows you to send graphically attractive, instantaneous messages to your customers with offers to encourage their immediate or future attendance in your facility. The geo-fencing targeting option within this feature makes targeting your customers more like using a scalpel then a sledge hammer. Strategically used, push notification can keep your customers well informed, connected to your business and continually coming back.

3. Offer QR Code Coupons – This feature requires customer attendance a predetermined number of times before unlocking the value of this coupon. With attractive offers, this feature has the potential to increase customer attendance and increase revenue. QR codes are easily created within the CMSD and available for printing on any and all marketing materials that can be placed in the various departments around your facility.

4. Offer Loyalty Cards – This feature is a virtual stamp card designed to reward your current customers for multiple purchases or actions. It is a simple task using the CMSD to design the number of customer actions required to redeem the offer. This helps remind your current customers that you appreciate their business and helps solidify their loyalty.

5. Offer GPS Coupons – GPS coupons are made accessible when customers are within a predetermined distance of your facility. The number of check-ins required to redeem these coupons, and the time frame, is created using the CMSD. Creative and strategic thinking will make this feature very useful.

6. Detailed Analytics – Be completely informed on all aspects of your customers usage of your app. See what’s working and what’s not and make adjustments. The analytics available directly on the CMSD provides valuable information to app managers.

7. One Touch Calling – A simple feature that makes calling more convenient for your customers. A good customer service.

8. Event Attendance – Want to highlight a special or recurring event to your customers and get a sense of how many customers will be attending? This feature will provide that benefit and also help get the word of your event circulated by allowing users to notify their friends and family of their plans to attend.

9. Third Party Integration – There is a wide variety of 3rd party websites that can be integrated into any app. customers can sign up on your email list directly into services such as Constant Contact, iContact, Get Response and others. Also, integration of all the popular social media and advertising web sites is available.

One other very big benefit of having a well managed and informational rich app, is that it will cut down on the time currently required to give out the same information to customers calling on the phone. Another is the directions feature. One touch and the app will guide them to your location from wherever they are. An app is like every other online presence channel that you currently manage… you do get out of it what you put in. When the decision is made to create an app, a plan should also be in place for the personnel and time required to manage it to reap it’s maximum benefit. It will make your business better.

Mobile apps are now like where websites were 15 or so years ago, you had to have one to keep up. In another 5 years or so, every serious small business will have a mobile app. Now’s the time to get a jump on the competition and lead the way.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Gary_DeNoble/239171

Mobile Business Apps - Best Marketing Tool for Small Businesses

Social Network Contests - The Best Marketing Tool

Regardless of the products you are selling or the size of your company, Facebook contests could be an effective way for you to get in touch with an untapped market and advertise your business online free of charge. Even though most individuals still think of Facebook as mostly a social networking tool, it is likewise an excellent way to identify individuals who are keen on certain kinds of products that is promoted to them in an entertaining and creative way.

A Facebook contest could take on a variety of forms and thousands of successful contest ideas have been introduced on this social site every single day. In general, it will be more effective if you are offering some kind of a prize which your potential audience would be excited to win, but this does not have to be extremely costly; gift cards, small prizes linked to your business and various other low-cost items can work very well.

First and foremost, you have to ensure that your business has its own devoted Facebook page. To do get this, you need to first have a personalized profile on the website. Once you have created the fan page for your business, you should now focus on getting visitors to your page. You can begin by promoting the page to all your friends on this social network site, however if you are serious about receiving a substantial following, it is advisable to make the most of Facebook paid adverts which can target individuals in certain demographics.

Once you have created a large group of followers, you need to launch your very first contest. Keep in mind that you have to decide what you want to accomplish from the contest. If you want to get new customers, then you can make it a prerequisite for members to highly recommend your Facebook page to their friends to be able to enter.

Ultimately, you will become more successful with these contests and with consistency this could end up being your best marketing tool when it comes to brand recognition and building fans.

Social Network Contests - The Best Marketing Tool

Twitter Tools - Helping You Generate Network Marketing Leads

If you’re a home business owner using Twitter to build your business, then this question may have crossed your mind before. To build a following on Twitter and build solid relationships with those people, then convert them into MLM leads takes time and effort. Well, below, I will list 6 TwittIf you’re a home business owner using Twitter to build your business, then this question may have crossed your mind before.

To build a following on Twitter and build solid relationships with those people, then convert them into MLM leads takes time and effort. Well, below, I will list 6 Twitter tools you can use for your Network Marketing business.

Marketing your MLM business on Twitter is something you should definitely be doing. If you are not doing it yet, then you should start.

Here’s Why You Ought To Have Some Presence On Twitter

Twitter is one of the most trafficked websites today. According to Alexa, it’s ranked as one of the top 20 most trafficked websites.

Twitter potentially has a viral effect, and if you provide value and connect with the right people, your name, brand and presence can be spread across many different Twitter users

Twitter can become a traffic source for your blog

Twitter can become a consistent source of MLM leads for your business

You can easily connect with industry influencers and leaders on Twitter. You are immediately exposed to their followers, and, if you provide valuable information, this can be very good for your business.

The Disadvantage Of Using Twitter

Though Twitter has many advantages for Network Marketers, there are of course drawbacks.

You have to dedicate time to Twitter. The more Twitter followers you have, the more messages are going to pass by your profile. To build your business, you need to connect with people. Amongst the many tweets, there is spam, noise and there are genuine tweets which are from people looking to connect with like-minded people. Some of these tweets can be perfect to start a conversation with other people. Going through all these tweets can be time-consuming.

You have to follow users and respond to other Twitter users who follow you.

You have to network with users and send useful and valuable messages. All this takes an incredible amount of time.

Twitter can lead to “busy work”, where you can spend hours on end, with no result to show for it.

These drawbacks of using Twitter are the very reason that Twitter tools for Network Marketing business owners are essential to your MLM Success on Twitter.

Why You Should Be Using Twitter Tools If You Want To Find Success

You don’t have to spend countless hours on Twitter doing unproductive work. 30 minutes a day on Twitter can be more than enough time.

You can work with efficiency. All you have to focus on are specific terms and messages, and weed out all the noise.

You can automate some of the tasks with Twitter tools, leveraging your time and efforts

You can free up your time to focus on adding VALUE, networking with your Twitter followers, and marketing your MLM business on Twitter the right way.

Here are 6 Twitter tools you can start using immediately to help put efficiency into your Twitter marketing efforts for your MLM business.

Social Oomph

Social OOmph helps you automate a lot of aspects of your twitter marketing.

The first thing you want to automate, is following back people who follow you, and sending them a welcome direct message. You can alternate the messages you send for different people you connect with. This in itself saves you a great deal of time, and this welcome message is your chance to set the stage and get your new Twitter follower to like you and want to connect with you.

You can monitor mentions and retweets, so you can filter through the noise and spam and only focus on the important messages. People who retweet your tweets and send you direct messages and the people you want to focus on, to take your relationship further.

You have access to Twitter statistics. You can see how your friends, followers and tweeting activity are growing.

You can schedule tweets to automatically go out onto your Twitter account. This saves you a lot of time, and helps keep an active Twitter feed.

These are some of the functions you will get with Social Oomph, but there is a lot more functionality that I will cover in a later article dedicated to Social Oomph.

Search.Twitter.Com

This is a tool you can use to monitor particular search terms. You can find out what people are saying related to the Network Marketing industry, particular MLM companies, specific leaders and products. This can be an opportunity for you to join in the conversation through a public reply. Not only that, but it can be the beginning of a blog post idea. More interestingly, you can keep tabs of what people are saying about you, your company and products you use and promote.

Using whatever search criteria you use, you can subscribe to the RSS feed of this search term. You don’t have to keep coming back to search for the same thing over and over again, as this will be delivered to you via RSS.

TweetDeck

This is a desktop Twitter application that you can use to monitor multiple Twitter profiles.

You can use this Twitter tool to monitor your direct messages and mentions without even leaving your desktop. You can tweet from your desktop and perform many different functions from this one tool.

Tweetdeck can be used to have real-time conversations in an easy-to-use interface. You can also share pictures and videos and manage multiple accounts with this tool.

This handy Twitter tool is my favourite desktop client for twitter. It has so many other functions, some of which I have never even accessed. Best of all, it’s free!

TweetAdder

This is by far one of the best Twitter tools for network marketing business owners. This tool lets you automate a lot of tasks that would normally take ages to perform.

From scheduling tweets, to adding followers in your particular niche, this tool saves you a lot of time. You can search for users to follow based on criteria such as how many followers they have, what keywords they have in their profile, where they are located, what language they speak, and many different search criteria.

TweetAdder can be scheduled to follow people automatically, over a period of time, randomly. You can also schedule tweets to go out after certain intervals. This saves you a lot of time, as you set the criteria of who you want to follow, and you set up your tweets once. After that, you can focus on adding value to your followers, and networking and connecting with those you follow. If you have multiple Twitter accounts, then you must have this Twitter tool for Network Marketing.

TweetAdder may give you the power to automate a lot of tasks, but having a lot of followers does you no good if you do not connect with them, add value and network. Add value, and your efforts with TweetAdder will be worthwhile.

Twitterfeed.com

Use this service, to feed your blog RSS feed to Twitter, automatically. Every time you post content on your blog, it’s automatically tweeted to your followers. You can also use this service to feed blogs you enjoy reading and trust, to Twitter.

Bit.Ly

This is a free URL shortening and tracking website. It lets you shorten your URLs that you will share with your Twitter followers, and track the opens. This can help you tweak your messages and improve your open rates for the links you share on Twitter.

These Twitter tools are only tools network marketers can use. Without connecting with people, adding value and networking, these Twitter tools will not help your MLM business in any way.

There are countless other tools you can use to marketing your MLM business on Twitter, but these are just the few tools any Network Marketer can get started with and gain significant results from their Twitter MLM efforts.

The point of it all is to track your interaction with people, improve your efforts, and generate MLM leads via Twitter.

Twitter Tools - Helping You Generate Network Marketing Leads