Websites People Read

Learn of Industry Changes Immediately: Google Alerts

I am constantly on the look out for new ways to communicate effectively on the web.  I want to know the leading trends so that I can share the news here and also try them out for myself.

I use Google Alerts.  I have a number of keys words and phrases set up through Google Alert to send me an email when they are used on the web.

The obvious words to set up are your name and your company name but I also have industry phrases selected.  For example "website writing" is a phrase I have set up on Google alert.  And today it paid off.  I found a new blogger by the name of David Kirkpatrick who wrote a post using the ph rases website writing called SEO content.

I learned something from his post.  He recommends having links in the post to other locations within your blog.  I was aware of this technique for websites but truthfully never considered the benefits for my blog. 

My business tag line is Words People Read and just like websites people read, I utilize key words and phrases in all my customer writing.  (Shameless plug to incorporate what I learned from David).

So have you used key words in your website writing; blogs and/or websites or do you just have copy that is "thrown up there" as David says of some of the sites he's viewed?

Have you utilized Google Alerts?  What other uses have you found Google Alerts offers that benefit your business?

Deborah

Consumers Adding Local References to Search

This past week I attended the State of the Web 2008 address sponsored by Web Association, a NE Ohio non-profit.  Three expert panelists discussed the trends in marketing on the web.  Over the next week or so I'll be sharing some of what I learned.

The first and easiest to implement involves how consumers are searching on the web.  Over the last year searches which include geographical terms rose to 30% of all searches.  In other words people looking for a pizza place type in Pizza "name of my town" to find just what they need, where they need it.

Why do you care?

Well, if you aren't registered in a variety of on line directories and/or your website doesn't have geographical words in the content - you may be missing out on a potential customer.

Interestingly, the panelists went on to quote that 92% of consumers are researching a buying decision on line but then the majority of them DRIVE to shop in the store.  I found that fascinating.  So they search on  line but don't follow through with the on line purchase.  That trend will gradually change, but I imagine it is because people what to touch/taste/feel/smell the item before purchasing.

Therefore businesses that previously didn't feel the need for web presence because they only service a small community, now need to rethink that decision.

There are a variety of local directories that you register your business even if you don't have a website.  Places like:

Yellow Pages
CraigsList
Local
True Local
InfoUSA

The only cost is the time it takes to enter the information.  Add your name, phone, address, directions, product/service description, email, hours - you name it - share the information that best describes your business so when local shoppers are searching - you are one of the options.

If you have a website, include geographical terms in your content:  NE Ohio, County Name, City, Community - use these words not only in your content but also in your Title Tag and Meta Descriptors.

Are you using local words in your content?  Do you have other places you register your company that you can share? 

Deborah

SEO Helps Holiday Shoppers Find Your Site

It's time for holiday shopping and more and more transactions take place on the Internet. 

Search paths returned through Google generate nearly 14% of an e-retailer’s revenue, through Yahoo, 3.25%, and through MSN, 1.87%.

“Search engine marketing can have tremendous impact on traffic and sales, so there is no reason for retailers not to continually refine their search marketing strategy throughout the year, but especially during the holiday shopping season,” says Ken Burke, Chairman, Founder and Chief Evangelist of MarketLive Inc., provider of e-commerce services. “Even with the holiday shopping season approaching, there is still time to refine and implement more effective search marketing strategies, but retailers have to act now.”

If you have an ecommerce site, Market Live has a free research report that will provide information on the search behaviors of retailers in your industry.  You'll also receive SEO tactics that have proven to improve your results.