It happened again to me today. I was sent an email telling me to check out the new website of a local business. Apparently the site looked much better than it did before and was really supposed to help this business grow.
Here's the problem… IT WAS NOT GOING TO HELP THEM GROW !
In fact, I believe that this site was going to lose them money. Yep, it will lose them money. Why? Because it was built to only look good. and wasn't built with business and sales in mind. In the end, this business is going to suffer by getting bad advice.
This happens more times than I can count and so I decided to give you some of my thoughts on it. The big question for your business – Are you being led down the right internet marketing path?
1. Are you getting your advice from someone who understands how business and technology intersect or are you getting your advice from someone who has only spent their existence in a dark room in front of their computer?
It is really important that you are making the right choices when it comes to your business marketing. Unfortunately, since most business owners don't know a great deal about online marketing, they leave it up to their 'web guy'. This can often be a major mistake since their is a big difference between someone that knows how to build a website and someone that understands how to grow a business.
It is important that before handing over the keys to your "new" business marketing to someone, make certain that they actually KNOW how to grow a business instead of just creating a pretty web page.
2. Is your website optimized (enhanced) so that your potential customers can find it or was is developed to just look pretty?
When developing a business website, it is important that the website is built with sales in mind. This means that it should be built so that potential customers can easily find it. Why else would you build a website unless you only want an electronic brochure?
Instead, make certain that it contains all of those important onsite search engine optimization factors that will put you ahead of your competition.
3. Is mobile marketing on the top of your to do list?
You've heard about it and most likely have used it in some way. It's mobile marketing and you need to integrate it within your business.
Why is this so important?
Well, as of this writing, it is now predicted that mobile phone searches will overtake computer search by 2015. This is an enormous amount of growth. As a business, you just can't afford to miss out on this opportunity.
4. Are you creating new website content?
Search engines are changing. It is becoming more important than ever to create fresh, new content on your website. You must give the search engines something to come back to. You must give your audience something that is worthwhile and beneficial.
A stagnant unchanging website will be the death of any hope for ranking well. However, those that will win are those that continue to produce unique and informative content.
5. Is video part of your plan?
People suck up video like crazy. They can't get enough of it. It continues to grow in popularity and can really make a difference in your business.
However, most businesses do not understand how powerful video can be. They incorrectly associate video with a television commercial, which it certainly doesn't have to be. Videos can consist of anything from product promotions to testimonials. These can be created and distributed so you attract many more potential customers.
It's important that you understand the importance of moving your business down the right path of internet marketing. You can choose to learn about it yourself or form a partnership with someone that can do it for you. Either way, it's vital that you not bury your head in the sand and hope that "that internet thing" is just going to go away. Take the right actions to ensure your success.
Steve
