SEO Is Like A Rubik’s Cube

19 May 2014 by Taylor Reaume

Steamling your SEO campaigns is a bit like solving a Rubik’s Cube…

If you have visited Google’s home page today, you’ve seen that they replaced their logo with a rendition of the mesmerizing Rubik’s Cube. According to Wired Magazine, Google is celebrating the iconic puzzle’s 40th anniversary with an interactive Doodle.

At Search Engine Pros, this got us thinking that SEO (search engine optimization) is like a Rubik’s Cube. SEO is complex and requires an integrated, all-in-one approach to solve it. Getting one area perfect does not complete the picture if other puzzle pieces are incomplete. Instead of colors, here is what we’d put into an “SEO Solver’s Cube”:

Great Web Design: This part of the puzzle helps all the others fall into place. An old, outdated, or ineffective website can hurt your marketing strategy and keep you from achieving your goals. Our web marketing agency can help put your website to work. We can develop a web design plan, execute that plan through top web designers, and implement a branding strategy.
Blogs: Our professional SEO company can constantly publish high quality content on your behalf. Our marketing agency takes advantage of the best WordPress plugins, SEO tools, and top WordPress themes to make your blog capture the audience’s attention. A well-written blog also increases the opportunity for SEO optimization by providing content that generates back-links.
Newsletters: Newsletters and email marketing can sometimes be the forgotten cousin to the sexy blogs, but they keep your business in touch with prospects and current customers. While blogs usually focus on one topic, newsletters help you communicate to a wider audience on several topics. As a marketing consultant, we believe that the best marketing strategies should incorporate a newsletter component.
Social Media Marketing: In today’s connected world, it’s crucial to keep in touch through social media. Our Santa Barbara social media services can improve your exposure on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Our social media agency can develop a Facebook marketing plan that provides a mechanism for engagement, interaction and two-way communication.
Public Relations: Not only can a high quality press release communicate specific points about your business, it can also get picked up by many online news outlets, adding even more to your internet marketing and SEO effectiveness.
Pay-Per-Click (PPC): Use our PPC services to capture attention at the very moment a prospect is searching for your product or service. Ask us for a PPC campaign proposal.

Put it all together in a concise marketing plan and you’ve found the solution to your online marketing puzzle. Our Santa Barbara marketing group can help you with all aspects of online marketing, web marketing, social media marketing, SEO marketing, and PPC marketing.

Search Engine Pros is an ethical SEO company that stands ready to help you reach your online marketing goals. So stop playing with the Rubik’s Cube on Google and start working on your SEO strategy!

About Search Engine Pros: Search Engine Pros is a Santa Barbara web marketing firm which specializes in SEO marketing, online marketing, PPC (Pay Per Click Google Adwords), and SEO/web design. Visit the website and Facebook page or call 800-605-4988 for more information or to request a copy of 101 Ways to Drive Traffic.

Google Marketing Is Like A Big Rubiks Cube

Big budget results. Small budget costs.

Step 1. Design a site that captivates, informs and motivates customers to action.
Step 2. Develop a content publishing plan detailing specific steps to success.
Step 3. Delegate execution to a team with a strong track record for success.

Ready to get started? Fill out this form to receive a free web site analysis and rank report.

Smile, It’s Contagious!

Why Your Website Strategy Doesn’t Get any ROI

27 April 2014 by Taylor Reaume

“Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don’t know which half.” – John Wanamaker

Let’s face it – you’re still not happy with the results your website is generating for you. You’ve changed designs, updated copy, and added new photos, but it still doesn’t seem to be gaining any traction. At Search Engine Pros we offer personal and ethical search engine optimization that utilizes the latest, most effective online marketing strategies. Based on our experience, here are some reasons why your web strategy may not be providing a strong return on your investment:

Lack of an Overall Strategy: Over 81% of consumers make buying decisions on the internet, and your business needs a total strategy to attract their attention. A sexy website alone isn’t enough to do the job. Your strategy must include all elements from “The Strategic Circle” for website marketing success.
Consumers Can’t Find You: A website that just talks about your business without any search engine optimization (SEO) will not appear in search results.
Nobody is Linking to You: Search engines look for websites that have links to and from other sources as a way of establishing credibility and topical relevance. Back links are online referrals for your business.
Not Functional on all Devices: Consumers are now accessing the Internet from PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones. Websites that don’t translate well to all devices are missing out on potential traffic.
No Social Media: Your customers like to stay in touch and are using social media to do it. Be sure to have links to your Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages and keep them updated, too. Have a constant stream of outgoing information, try to link up with online influencers, and respond quickly to requests for information.
One Language Limitations: In a bi-lingual and multi-lingual world, a website that only provides information in English excludes a significant portion of the buying public. The key to International SEO is optimizing a page for foreign language natural search.
Not Driving Customers to Your Site: Sometimes a little extra push is all a consumer needs to be motivated to visit your site. Properly worded and placed pay-per-click (PPC) Google Adwords can provide just the right touch at the moment of decision.

As online marketing professionals, our role is (1) to help you gain a better grasp of what is often a complex maze of decisions; (2) to help ensure that decisions you make are carried out; (3) to keep your strategies up-to-date.

Our clients include small business owners, financial professionals, lawyers, doctors, and corporations – people who struggle for time to carefully focus on their online marketing goals. The Accelerator Plans we offer are advanced marketing plans designed to optimize your internet presence and grow your customer base. All project related information is stored in the project center. Google Analytics and Get Clicky tracking software are utilized to fine tune efforts each month.

As your marketing partner, we’re experienced enough to be proactive, not reactive. Working with a marketing agency should be fun, not annoying, and tiresome. We handle all the time-consuming details in a cost-effective way for you. Remember that the true cost of working with our company is ZERO when considering year-end business growth figures. Inaction is much more expensive in terms of lost market share and lost revenues.

SEO Marketing | Web Marketing

Noozhawk Reviews Search Engine Pros & SBBE

31 March 2014 by Taylor Reaume

Craig Allen: Santa Barbara Business Expo a Resource Gold Mine for Business Owners

NOOZHAWK – The Second Annual Santa Barbara Business Expo (SBBE) will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort, 633 E. Cabrillo Blvd.

The 2013 expo brought in more than 175 attendees, the majority of whom were local business owners. The overall impression expressed by attendees was the high level of professionalism, the warmth and attentiveness they received from the exhibitors, and how much they learned from the speakers.

This year’s expo is expected to draw more than 500 guests, most of whom will be local business owners, business leaders and entrepreneurs seeking to increase their visibility and profitability.

The SBBE is an interactive business convention designed to provide business owners, entrepreneurs, students and consumers the tools and resources to connect, learn and network. The expo has been designed to facilitate this dynamic activity with a careful selection of speakers and exhibitors, as well as the overall expo layout and program. The expo is a Business-to-Business (B2B) event, as well as one that enables the local business community to become aware of the resources that are available.

The SBBE was founded and is directed by Sandy and Gino Goe, local business owners and entrepreneurs who have a vision and mission to bring the business community together by encouraging collaboration, improving profitability and encouraging social responsibility by giving back to the community. The Executive Planning Team consists of local business owners and professionals who share in the vision and desire to serve.

All types of businesses are welcome. Both men and women entrepreneurs and large and small businesses will benefit from the dynamic speakers, the programs and the overall expo floor complete with tables for successful networking with like-minded business owners.

The second annual SBBE will bring together some extraordinary keynote speakers, authors and service providers, all to help business owners improve their online presence, while benefiting Hope Refuge. These keynote speakers will address a wide array of especially challenging topics all business owners face, and will include:

» Sloane Reali (The Power of Voice)

» Gary Kravetz (Executive Search)

» Patty DeDominic (Leadership, Stewardship & Impact)

» Ellen Reid (How to Be an Expert in Independent Publishing)

» Taylor Reaume (How To Rank Your Web Site by Helping Others First)

» Melissa V. Moreno (Start-Up Funding 101)

» Calla Gold (Using Online Networking to Increase Your Off-line Networking Results)

» Nick Cavarra (Effective Social Media: The Five Top Channels)

» Ernie Halter (What Is Crowd Funding and Why Is It Important in Today’s Marketplace?)

» Robin Eschler (Funding Options for Small Business)

» Devon Johnson (Loan Fund Manager — Small Business Loan Fund)

Attendees will find expert solutions for some of the most frustrating aspects of developing an effective online marketing strategy. The expo will, in addition to the featured speakers, provide extensive guidance on key marketing trends; emerging web technologies; best business practices; business services for business owners and entrepreneurs offered by exhibitors; on-site headshots by Linda Blue Photography; professional fashions and accessories; an author’s showcase; growing business relationships in Santa Barbara; local resources for financial, personal and professional needs; and strategies for connecting with prospective clients within the community. Business owners, professionals and entrepreneurs will find actionable intelligence that will directly address some of the most challenging issues we all face when building our online presence.

learn more about how a web site marketing strategy can help your company grow

“Business owners today are struggling with their web strategy, and attending this event will help them take their businesses to the next level,” according to Taylor Reaume, one of the keynote speakers featured at the expo and founder of Search Engine Pros.

“My speech will stress the importance of adding value to others first, and being a helpful resource to others around you. There are many ways to add value to people around you. For example, business owners can create educational top 10 list articles, sharing remarkable statistics and time-saving resources, and connecting their audience with trusted partners.

“Adding value to people will naturally increase the numbers of hyperlinks, or ‘votes,’ for the business owner’s web site. If the business owner can successfully increase the number of hyperlinks pointing into their website each month, they will see a direct correlation with the increase in their Google rankings.”

Admission fees (general admission and students) are $10 per person, and include access to all exhibits, author showcases and the art show. VIP Seminar tickets are $125 per person, or $195 for two. VIP access includes all areas available to general admission ticket-holders, plus entry into the exclusive stage area, which includes keynote speakers, workshop style presentations, refreshments and a VIP gift bag.

Santa Barbara Events For Business Networking In April

Rafﬂe tickets will be sold to beneﬁt Hope Refuge, whose vision is to provide a refuge for American girls rescued out of the sex trafﬁc industry in California. The Goleta-based organization is raising funds to acquire a facility to set up a home. All proceeds from the raffle will be donated to Hope Refuge, and additional donations can be made at the expo.

SEO Marketing | Web Marketing

How To Make Your Website Sexier

31 March 2014 by Taylor Reaume

Does sex sell? Many marketers think it does. Just ask the editors of Sports Illustrated whether having images of bikini-clad models on their cover helped sell any magazines! Consumers want to be associated with products, services and brands that help them feel good about themselves. Your company may be able to increase its sales by having a website that plays into this need for self-appreciation. Your web site needs to be sexy to convert visitors. Even the greatest SEO marketing strategy will do no good if it draws traffic to your site only to bore the visitor.

At Search Engine Pros we offer personal and ethical search engine optimization that utilizes the latest, most effective online marketing strategies. We have helped clients in every type of industry improve the appearance and sexiness of their websites without sacrificing SEO strategies or content. Based on our experience as web site conversion optimization specialists, here are some suggestions you can use to make your website sexier:

Smashing Design: Start with a dynamic website design that pops out, invites visitors to stay, and leads the eye on a coherent journey through the information you need to impart.
Looking Good: Closely inspect the graphics you use to draw attention to your website. Photos should have attractive people that will appeal to the visitor’s eye. Graphics should be clean and classy, with a feel of elegance and sophistication.
Beautiful Buttons: Most web designers fail to focus on the little things that can make a web site more attractive. Those “submit, cancel and download” buttons don’t have to be just a dull gray square. Use some color, beveled edges and gradient fill to really make them pop.
Social Sharing: You want visitors to let others know about your site, so it’s important to make it appealing to share on social media. Make sure your social sharing buttons look great, load quickly, offer choices that will help your SEO, and fit with the overall feel of your page.
Relevance: Nothing is sexier than finding out what visitors want and providing it. It’s the online equivalent of “I hear you.” Is your website screaming “It’s all about me, Me, ME!” or is it saying “Here is how I can help you achieve more in your life.” If your content doesn’t live up to the hype, no sexy photos can help make a sale.

Need our help? Call upon the professional web design conversion experts at Search Engine Pros and we’ll help you design eye-catching banners and embed powerful calls to action which will lower your bounce rates, boosts conversions, increase the time people spend on your site (which will increases rankings and doubles your sales).

If you’d like to learn more about how a website marketing strategy can help your company grow, visit our booth at the 2014 Santa Barbara Business Expo at The Fess Parker DoubleTree Resort, 633 E. Cabrillo Boulevard on Saturday, April 5 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Search Engine Pros Founder, Taylor Reaume, will be presenting from 9am-9:30am on “How To Rank Your Web Site by Helping Others First”. Add yourself to the SBBE Event page, Click LIKE on the fan page: https://www.facebook.com/BusinessExpoSB to stay up to date. Download the event flyer here

SEO Marketing | Web Marketing

The Hottest SEO Tips for 2014

30 March 2014 by Taylor Reaume

If your business isn’t increasing its customer base each month, you might have an SEO (Search Engine Optimization) problem. SEO is how your company gets found on the web. At Search Engine Pros we offer personal and ethical search engine optimization. Over 81% of consumers make purchasing decisions online. What that means to your business is that SEO is no longer optional.

When consumers use keywords to search for products or services similar to yours, your company will benefit by appearing at the top of their results. With that in mind, here are some of the hottest SEO tips for 2014 you can use to help your business grow:

Using The Three “Pillars” of SEO: According to Entrepreneur.com, effective SEO has three pillars – links, content and social media. Content attracts the attention of your target demographic, social media gets the word out to a wider audience about what you do, and links from other sites help build the credibility of your business. These elements must be incorporated into an ongoing SEO strategy that is consistently working to keep your website fresh, relevant, and dynamic.
Mobile Optimization is Rising: As more and more consumers turn to mobile devices to perform their search functions, businesses will need to have a responsive website as well as a mobile content strategy.
Social Matters: Google is increasing its monitoring of social networks to look for mentions of your brand, product, service, or content. Having Facebook posts and “links” that circle back to your blog will help to capture Google’s attention.
It’s All Relevant: Businesses can’t just increase the amount of content and social media they use to promote their brand; it must be relevant to members of their target audience in order to make them take notice, click, share, or visit the website for further information.

Search Engine Pros offer a wide range of quality online marketing solutions, all designed to give your business the very best possible return on investment. We can provide an All-In-One Plan to cover every aspect of your SEO process or help with specific areas with our PPC Pro (pay-per-click), SEO Writer Pro, or Social Media Marketing Pro.

Curious to learn more about your business that can benefit from a cutting-edge web strategy? Search Engine Pros Founder, Taylor Reaume, will be presenting at the 2014 Santa Barbara Business Expo which will be held at The Fess Parker DoubleTree Resort, 633 E. Cabrillo Boulevard on Saturday, April 5 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

SEO Marketing | Web Marketing

Social Media Marketing on St. Patrick’s Day

17 March 2014 by Taylor Reaume

Although marketing is a year-round endeavor opportunities sometimes come along that you shouldn’t miss. Associating your business with a holiday can increase your chances of search engine optimization. Many consumers are searching for variations of “St. Patrick’s Day” key phrases on Google, and this presents a unique opportunity to catch their eye and lead them to your web site. Social media tie-ins can be used by both B2B and B2C marketers. Here are some tips for marketing your business with social media on St. Patrick’s Day:

Expand Your Reach: Don’t stop at posting a nice blog about how your business ties in with the holiday. Post a Facebook update and photo with a link to your article, Tweet about it, send it to your Google+ circle, and find a great picture to link to it on Pinterest. Social media content that includes mention of a holiday helps increase engagement with your target audience, and don’t forget the hashtags!
Make It Relevant: Social media is a conversation that should not just be about your business. Make it relevant to your target audience. Offer a useful tip, insider info, or short piece of news that helps your audience use your product or service more effectively and you will increase engagement and improve the potential for sharing.
Build on What’s Happening in Your Community: If your target market is in a community that has a big St. Patrick’s Day parade or celebrates the holiday in some other way, try to find a way for your marketing to build on that. For example, a sign company could post about the best signs in the St. Patrick’s Day parade or a florist might write about the perfect flowers for a St. Joseph’s Day table.
Content Marketing Works: A constant stream of relevant information is required from your business to stay top of mind, generate top search engine results and drive website traffic. Be straightforward, encourage sharing, and tell audience members what action you want them to take.
Social Media Works for B2B and B2C: Don’t think that your business can’t use social media because of who your customers are. Although it might seem more obvious for B2C to work ideas around a holiday, that doesn’t leave out the B2B marketers entirely. Think about what the holiday represents and how it ties in with what your customers need. Sending holiday greetings with valuable information is both powerful and effective. Most businesses are leaving out the “valuable” part – make sure you are adding value with your content.

In order to rank well on the internet’s largest search engines, your social media sites must contain informative, original content that contains the relevant keywords from which you’d like to capture traffic. Part of the success of your business depends on your ability to generate top ranks on Google and other major search engines.

Successful businesses today are creating remarkable content for their blog, and re-purposing the content to their social media channels. By consistently adding value to your target audience, you’ll stay top of mind, and increase loyalty levels.

Search Engine Pros can help your company utilize social media more efficiently to achieve its internet traffic and revenue goals. Marketing your business effectively with social media will increase the number of coins in your pot o’ gold!

Email Marketing | SEO Marketing | Social Media Marketing | Web Marketing

Search Engine Pros to Exhibit / Speak at Women’s Festivals

7 March 2014 by Taylor Reaume

Santa Barbara, CA – March 6th, 2014: Search Engine Pros, Santa Barbara web marketing firm, will be an exhibitor this year at Women’s Festivals 2014. Taylor Reaume, founder of the online marketing agency, will join an all-star roster of speakers at the Festival which will be held on March 7th and 8th at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real in Santa Barbara, CA. Each year the Festival celebrates women in leadership by bringing together amazing resources, inspiring speakers and wonderful entertainment.

In adhering to this year’s theme of “Tech, Talk & Trade,” Reaume will discuss common pitfalls of web site marketing strategy, SEO marketing, social media marketing, and email marketing to help attendees develop a winning corporate internet marketing strategy. He will discuss average budgets and online marketing costs associated with growing a business on the web using Google Adwords marketing and SEO campaigns. Reaume will also present web marketing pricing models and answer questions about how to get the best price on web marketing services. Attendees will leave with an understanding of the importance of search engine optimization and Google search marketing when growing a business online.

“I’m happy to be associated with one of the premier events in Santa Barbara for empowering women,” commented Google marketing consultant Taylor Reaume. “Today’s women in leadership roles need a solid understanding of how to use the power of search marketing to enhance the visibility and viability of their Santa Barbara companies. I’m hoping to provide advice on the best WordPress strategies, email marketing tactics, and online marketing plans that attendees can implement themselves to give their business a boost. Attendees who visit our booth will receive a 30 page web site health diagnosis and Google rank report.”

SEO, or search engine optimization, is the process used to affect the visibility of clients’ websites in search engine search results. The goal is to utilize tactics which result in higher or more frequent appearances of client information in the search results list. As a web marketing strategy SEO programs consider how search engines work, what the target demographic searches for, and the keywords used in the search process. SEO strategies may include social media marketing, a high quality SEO press release strategy, or Google AdWords marketing programs.

“Bring a resume by our booth if you’re a college student, or a freelancer writer / web designer. We’re looking for self starters to join our team of web marketing professionals,” said Reaume.

The Women’s Festivals celebrates the accomplishments and nurtures the dreams of women in an interactive, multi-cultural, and multi-tracked program and expo focusing on the critical areas of women’s lives: Personal, Professional, Philanthropic, and Planet. Their goal is to help facilitate premier gatherings for women’s self-empowerment worldwide. Interested parties can purchase tickets or connect online to get up-to-the-minute updates.

About Women’s Festivals: The Women’s Festivals is a sponsored project of the NAWBO-California Education Fund. Women and men from throughout the world will attend the Santa Barbara event on March 7, 8, and 9 at Earl Warren Showgrounds. The festival will include a professional business expo, awards program, and educational and enlightening discussions led by renowned speakers and authors. Visit the website and Facebook page or call 805-565-9967 for more information on attending or exhibiting at the Festival.

Email Marketing | PPC Marketing | SEO Marketing | Social Media Marketing | Web Marketing

Top Ten Ways to Increase Your Customer Base in 2014

15 December 2013 by Taylor Reaume

Dear Friends,

Happy Holidays to everyone! I hope 2013 has been a great year for you and that everyone continues to realize the benefits of SEO and social media marketing in 2014. Many of our clients have benefitted from having an online marketing plan. If you’re not marketing online you’re missing out on one of the most effective ways of attracting customers and closing sales.

Here are the Top 10 ways to increase your customer base in 2014:

Increase Your Google Ranking: Use our free Google rank analysis to find out where you are now, and learn how you can do better.
Initiate a SEO Marketing Strategy: Search Engine Optimization is the fastest way to get found online. SEO copywriting provides you with unique and interesting content that generates rankings in the search engines, and boosts credibility levels with your customers.
Try A Pay-Per-Click Initiative: Increase clicks to your site and decrease the cost of those clicks by optimizing your ad positions.
Make Your Website Work Harder: Have Search Engine Pros conduct an objective site analysis and provide you with a free 30 page report that tells you how well your website is working.
Use Email Marketing to Maintain Top-of-Mind Awareness: Send out powerful high impact monthly newsletters that remind prospects to buy.
Ask for Referrals and Testimonials: Use the nice things that clients think about you to build credibility and increase sales.
Optimize Website Code: Having Google Friendly Code is crucial to generating thousands of targeted visitors to your website every month. Simple edits can generate top rankings in 3-6 months’ time.
Use Press Releases: Increase profits with search engine optimized press releases that attract media attention and engage consumers.
Get Social: Social media marketing is the newer, better, faster way to reach customers.
Convert Website Visitors to Customers: Use eye catching banners and embed powerful calls to action to lower bounce rates, boost conversions, increase time on site (which increases rankings) – and double your sales.

Search Engine Pros are trained across multiple disciplines, guiding you every step of the way, helping you maximize profits through a low cost, highly effective online marketing plancomprised of search marketing, SEO marketing, email marketingand SEO enhanced press releases. When you need a unique approach that brings results, call on the Pros!

Find out more about using the internet to boost your sales in 2014 by inquiring via our contact form. You can beat your competitors with a well-defined web strategy, social media and web marketing. Search Engine Pros can help you meet your online marketing goals. Outsource your online marketing to our team and let us show you how great 2014 can be. https://www.youtube.com/embed/54sZd0x2u3k?rel=0

From all of us at Search Engine Pros,

Happy Holidays and here’s to your business growth in 2014!

Taylor Reaume

Web Marketing

Holiday Internet Marketing Strategies

29 November 2013 by Taylor Reaume

Dear Friends,

I would like to take this time to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for the clients who have inspired me in so many ways, and for the members of my team who help make our clients’ marketing goals come true. This has been a great year in many ways, and yet I am looking forward to even more next year.

Many businesses look at December as a kind of down time, but I think it’s the perfect time to lay out a strategy for the upcoming year. Because 2013 is so rapidly coming to a close, I want to offer a few end-of-year marketing strategies as my way of saying thanks:

Check Your Google Rankings: Your Google ranking can be the most valuable asset your business has. Score a high ranking and increase your probability of potential customers finding your business. Have a low ranking, and your business is much more difficult to find. Get a free Google rank analysis now, discover areas in need of improvement, gain valuable insights, and start developing a marketing plan to increase your online visibility.
Learn About Web Marketing Success: Use The Strategic Circle as a marketing benchmark analysis to learn about the multitude of ways your website impacts your marketing. Answer the questions about email, website design, Pay-Per-Click marketing, social media, press releases, and search engine optimization to find out whether your website is working as hard as it can for you.
Receive a Website Analysis: Let Search Engine Pros conduct an objective site analysis and provide you with a free 30 page report that tells you how well your website is working and gives you useful suggestions on how to make it better.
Make a Commitment to Learn More About Marketing: Subscribe to our e-newsletter and get a variety of Free Marketing e-Books every month.
Learn While You Lunch: Come to Verde Restaurant every Friday from 12:30-2pm. For $20, you’ll get lunch, a drink, and a chance to hear me talk about how to market your business online.

Over 90% of consumers now make buying decisions on the internet, so your web marketing strategy has to be running at full force every day to attract their attention. Don’t sit back while your competitors get ahead with their web strategy, social media and web marketing. Search Engine Pros are trained search engine marketers who help you meet your online marketing goals. Outsource your marketing to Search Engine Pros and let us do all your online work while you work with your customers.

May you remember all the things you have to be thankful for this year,

From all of us at Search Engine Pros, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Taylor Reaume

SEO Marketing | Web Marketing

First Impressions Are Everything

7 July 2013 by Taylor Reaume

What does a 30 second commercial have in common with your home page?

Both must effectively communicate a USP, or unique value proposition, in under 30 seconds.

Did you know that the large majority of visitors at your web site leave after 30 seconds, never to return again?

Let’s examine this a bit further.

There’s an old marketing mantra; “It’s better to be different than it is to be better…”

Most 30 second commercials are lifeless and uninspiring, just like most home pages.

When you’re giving a 30 second commercial at a networking event, it’s crucial to be able to quickly describe what you do and appeal to your target audience on the spot. The purpose of your 30-second USP or “commercial” is to communicate who you are, who your company is, and what you do, quickly.

Your 30 second commercial should ask one or more compelling questions that tune directly into the “WII-FM” (what’s in it for me?). A compelling statement shows how you can help others and ends with why the customer should act now.

What makes an exceptionally good 30 second commercial? A good 30 second commercial communicates how you are different (not just better) from your competition.

Marketing is the battle of perceptions, not products. It’s essential to set aside some time to brainstorm a set of smart USP’s.

A good 30 second commercial doesn’t just compete (we’re the best game in town), it eliminates (we’re the only game in town worth your time/money/attention/etc.).

But what about your web site? Does your web site clearly communicate your unique selling proposition? Does it get visitors to a warm and fuzzy feeling before 30 seconds? As internet marketing consultants and web marketers with proven track record for success, we advise our clients to set aside several hourly strategy sessions with us to focus on their USP.

Your web site home page should have distinct sections, or segments that appeal to visitors specific interests.

Think about all the people that visit your site for a moment. How many distinct groups can you create?

By breaking the visitors into distinct groups and then cataloging everything we know about each one, it makes it easier to create content targeted to each important demographic.

For example, if you have a hotel web site, it’s likely that there are four major categories of people visiting your web site. Each group has different needs that we need to identify.

Business travelers.
Main interests: e.g. a staffed business center

Leisure travelers.
Main Interests: e.g. a guide to local attractions.

Conference attendees.
Main interests: e.g. fitness center

Families.
Main interests: e.g. kids area

Couples
Main interests: e.g. romantic dinner package

International visitors.
Main interests: e.g. bi-lingual staff

By presenting different messages for each major category of visitors, we will more effectively communicate our value offering, and improve the effectiveness of our marketing.

The idea is to segment your offering and speak directly to the needs of the market segment. If you have more than eight major market segments, you might need to simplify your business model.

Below are some creative questions that may help you get started in categorizing your target audience.

What are the four types of buyers in your business? (appeal to those buyers with specific sections on your site)
What are the eight most common objections in your business? (answer those objections with informative tag lines on your site)
What are the main benefits of you vs. your competition? (Speak to the benefits, not the features)
What makes you different? (highlight the ways you are different with tag lines on your site)
How do people find you? (ask if the visitor came from XYZ place, click here)

Segment and categorize your audience – by interest and/or desire. The idea is to stay in front of them with laser – focused marketing messages specifically matching their interest/desire.

Remember, “It’s better to be different than it is to be better…”

Objective Perspective is key to success with online marketing strategy

As search engine marketing professionals, we’re known primarily as SEO copywriters and WordPress web designers. However, over the years we’ve worked hard at developing our understanding of traditional marketing concepts and learned how to apply them to our online marketing strategy. Our team of marketing professionals are trained across multiple disciplines. When you need a unique approach that brings results, Search Engine Pros are your “Navy Seal” team of internet marketers, guiding you every step of the way, helping you maximize profits through a low cost, highly effective online marketing plancomprised ofsearch marketing, SEO marketing, email marketingand SEO enhanced press releases.

Taylor Reaume

Founder/e-business Coach

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