5 Simple Ways To Increase Website Traffic

When it comes to SEO (search engine optimization) most business owners have a hard time determining what the best course of action is to boost their website traffic.  It can be mind boggling and a bit intimidating when it comes down to it.  However, there are some tried and true techniques that you can do.

1.      Keep it fresh

Change the content on your site often.  Google and other search engines like this simple strategy.

2.      Do your research

Stuffing your site full of keywords used to be standard practice but that technique has become outdated and is not recommended.  In fact, you can be penalized for this practice.  The best way to utilize keywords is to use the Google Adwords Keyword Tool to search for local queries that have been generated for your industry or product.  See what key words people have searched the most and then pick a term that has a high search result that is not too competitive.  For example; if I chose the term “Tennessee Dentists” I would not get as high in the ranking because it is too competitive.  However, if I changed my focus to “Pediatric Dentistry in Nashville” or “Oral Surgery in Chattanooga” I may receive a more desired search result.  Once you have established good keywords for your business, use them in all of your online content.

3.      Build Solid Backlinks

Backlinks are links on another website that direct traffic to your website.  Again, this is a tricky area and abuse has led to Google penalties.  Avoid link farms and content farms.  Seek out legitimate backlinks on sites such as a chamber of commerce directory, a local business that will share your link on their website in return for you doing the same for them and local business directories.  This will give your site credibility and increase traffic.

4.      Create A Social Media Presence

No one can be on every social media platform out there.  However, you need to have a presence on the most popular. Create a business page on Facebook, create a Twitter account, and add Goole+1 or Pinterest. When you post or tweet, try to include a link to a special product or web page on your site.  Make the link relevant to the post.  This will draw traffic to your site.  Add social media icons to your website so people can share if they like what they see.

5.       Create A Blog

The first rule for a blog is to give the customer value.  Educate and make your blog a resource.  The fastest way to turn someone off is to be one huge commercial for your business.  Find a creative way to work in sales information that directly pertains to your blog article. Think of this as subtle product placement.  We see this technique in movies all the time. 

Try these simple tips and you should see a rise in website traffic.  If you don’t see the traffic increase desired then you may need to invest part of your marketing budget in an SEO campaign. 

5 Online Marketing Terms You Need To Know

As they say, “Let’s talk shop”.  Online terminology continues to morph into acronyms and terms that you may or may not know.  Sure, you’ve probably already heard of SEO (search engine optimization) and PPC (pay per click) but here are five more to add to your online marketing vocabulary.  Staying up on the latest jargon will help you know what to focus on to grow your  business.

Mobile Marketing. 

The number of consumers that have smartphones continues to grow and so does your potential to reach your target market.  If your audience is on the go then your business needs to be on the go too. It is important to make your website mobile or to create an app for your business.

Geo-Targeting.   Search engines use IP addresses to determine if a user is in the area that you are trying to market to. With geo-targeting, you can set your PPC campaigns and other online ads to only reach those in a specific city/state/region.

Day Parting.  Digital signs that advertise breakfast outside of fast food restaurants only run the ads during breakfast hours.  As soon as it gets lunch time they change their message to advertise to the lunch crowd.  Day- Parting works much the same way. You set up your ad to only display at certain times of the day or night that your target audience is online. By targeting a specific time instead of running your ad throughout the entire day you save money while maximizing your reach.

Unique Value Proposition (UVP). This is any characteristic that sets your product or service apart from the competition. It is the reason that you give potential customers to choose your business.

CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization). If you are selling a product or service then planning CRO is vital. Asking site visitors to sign up for a newsletter, open a free account, or other action helps marketers understand how effective the call to action is on their website. 

If you don't yet have a website or your site has simply become outdated, you should probably consider updating with a fresh new look and new content.  Help your site work for you instead of just sitting out there.

5 Things You Can Learn From A Zen Buddhist Master About Marketing

5 Things You Can Learn From a Zen Buddhist Master About Marketing

I recently stumbled upon some of the Buddhist teachings while conducting research on another project.  I discovered that some of the key fundamental practices can be applied to a solid marketing regiment.

Thich Nhat Hanh has been a Buddhist monk for more than 60 years.  His students call him Thây which is the Vietnamese word for “teacher”. He founded Plum Village in Southern France, the Buddhist meditation practice center and monastery where he lives.  In a recent interview with OprahWinfrey, Thich Nhat Hanh discussed the tenets of Buddhism – including mindfulness, the development of a practice (a regular activity, such as mindful walking, that redirects you toward right thinking), and enlightenment. 

These principles have been the foundation of the Buddhist religion for more than 2,000 years.  They are not only fundamental steps to enlightenment of the human spirit but can also be classified as vital factors to a successful marketing plan. Although the comparison between the two may sound mismatched, they do exhibit striking similarities.

The following quotes from Nhat Hanh not only apply to life but also to best marketing practices. 

~ "Every thought you produce, anything you say, any action you do, it bears your signature." ~

Corporate branding plays a key role in how your customers perceive you.  Being consistent throughout print and digital marketing efforts sends the message that you are a viable business while evoking a feeling of trust and credibility.  Actions speak louder than words which is why poor customer service can be detrimental. Word of mouth travels fast and poor customer service can swiftly destroy the reputation that you have worked so hard to build.  You are - as you are perceived by the customer.

 

~ As you walk, you touch the ground mindfully, and every step can bring you solidity and joy and freedom. ……………there is a time for everything; one thing at the time. ~

Yes, every step you take should be mindful. Each marketing strategy should be implemented with purpose, with consideration to budget and ROI. A solid marketing plan is essential to business growth.  How do you know which road to follow if you don’t have a plan to get there?  Start- up businesses often fall into the “let’s do everything” trap.  Without researching your target market and competitors, setting budgets and creating a marketing agenda, a new business can waste precious marketing dollars with little to no return. It is much like throwing darts in the dark hoping that one will hit the bulls eye. A detailed marketing plan will redirect you toward the right path; the path that leads to growth and success.

~ There is the mud, and there is the lotus that grows out of the mud. We need the mud in order to make the lotus. ~

No marketing plan is set in stone.  It should be tweaked from time to time.  If something isn’t working it should be evaluated and possibly even discontinued. What works for one business may be totally wrong for another. Take note of each marketing effort and remember to track the results. How else will you know if the money you just spent on a campaign was worth it? Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. If it weren’t for mistakes the world would not have penicillin, microwave ovens, potato chips or ink-jet printers. 

~ We have to continue to learn. We have to be open. And we have to be ready to release our knowledge in order to come to a higher understanding of reality. ~

Marketing can become stagnant if not open to change.  Don’t be afraid to try out of the box guerilla marketing ideas. Put yourself out there and people will talk.  Conversation is what you want because conversation leads to referrals and customers.  Doesn’t every business dream of being a household name?  No one ever knows all there is to know about marketing. Trends change and new technologies soon become standard practice. With the use of QR codes, mobile apps, social media and mixed media, digital technology has engaged the consumer like never before. Be open and seek to learn how to capitalize on newly introduced opportunities.

~ Development of a practice

I can’t forget to elaborate on the importance of regular activity.  Marketing works best when it is repetitive.  Doing something one time is going to yield poor results.  Doing the same thing multiple times will produce a favorable result.  It takes the average consumer a minimum of three touches to remember your name and two to three additional touches to be able to explain what exactly it is you do so that they can refer you or become a customer.  Therefore, if you plan to send out a postcard mailer you should budget for at least three mailings.  Whatever your marketing strategy, do it.  Yes, do it and do it consistently on a regular basis. Doing something is a step in the right direction.  Doing nothing will generate nothing.  Develop a practice and stick with it. 

Read more quotes here http://www.tumblr.com/blog/creativesoupthings

Eco-Friendly Business Practices

There is an increasing global awareness to preserving the environment.  From the use of green materials in home construction including energy efficient appliances, solar panels and low flow water systems to mandatory curb side recycling, the signs are all around us.  How can this trend to “go green” translate to your business and marketing?  You can move toward a green business in a number of ways.

Walmart is currently the number one solar initiative company in America with more photovoltaics on their buildings than any other company and they also run some of their buildings with wind energy.  The hospitality industry as well as hospitals and other large offices use eco-friendly cleaning products which reduces the environmental footprint. Restaurants are taking advantage of local food sources adding fresh homegrown flavor while reducing the amount of miles driven by delivery trucks.  Organically grown foods are healthier choices produced with little to no pesticides. The printing industry offers recycled paper stocks and soy based inks. Health and wellness continues to be a growing trend in 2013 so targeting that segment of the market is key to business growth.

If you are making an effort to be “Green” your target market needs to know.  It is good marketing to boast that your business is eco-friendly.

If applicable to your business, add the green recycling symbol to your website and marketing materials. Print marketing materials on recycled paper.  Use eco-friendly promotional items for giveaways. Imprinted pens now come in biodegradable corn plastic and recycled cardboard.  Design menus to showcase entrees that feature locally grown items. Include a few lines in your marketing media that highlight how your business is helping to save the environment whether its on-site solar power, renewable energy, cotton imprinted wearables, lowering the office thermostat to conserve energy or the use of a simple green inspired business card. 

By acting on these and other “Green” marketing strategies you will not only be doing your part toward a greener environment but also adding like-minded customers to your customer base. Consumers trust companies that adopt eco-friendly business practices.  So, If making a difference is important to you then consider incorporating environmental business strategies into your formal marketing plan to create a competitive advantage. 

How small business start ups need to think Big Branding

Like it or not, if you own a business you wear many hats including  marketing. You may not have gone to school for marketing but your business growth directly depends on how you perform this inherited task. The first hurdle to overcome is how to look big.  Looking big instantly sends the signal that you are  not a "fly by night" company, are trustworthy and established. Who in their right mind would trust their money to a bank named Fred's Bank?  However, (and I hope this example isn't a real bank name) First Trust Bank instantly sets your mind at ease.  How our customers perceive us is key to establishing a loyal customer base.  Branding is just that; how customers perceive you. 

Let's take a look at some big name players.  The Target Bullseye ©  never wavers throughout print and digital media.  The color is the same red on TV as it is in the Sunday sale paper and it has become so well associated with the store that it can stand alone without the word Target appearing with it. The same goes for other well branded companies such as Nike. The key is consistency throughout all channels of media.


Small business start ups typically have limited resources to devote to design and building a brand. There is nothing wrong with starting out with a template website and a business card. However, the look and feel of both print and digital branding must convey " I am the same business".  This can be accomplished by using a well designed logo on both, the same color treatments throughout, the same fonts, and a consistent message, slogan or theme. Repeat the use of elements from an iconic or  graphic logo to add continuity which will start to build your brand.Your brochure should look like your website.  Your website should look like your signs.  Whatever you decide to use in your marketing plan, be sure to define yourself.  Your customers will feel at ease and you will look like you have been in business for years.  Don't neglect the one thing that will set you apart from the competition; your identity!

Internet Versus Print

 Stop asking yourself the question ‘Should I use print or online advertising?’ The answer is yes. "Yes" you should print and "Yes" you should use online channels. Both mediums should be employed if you want to attract new customers, increase sales, and encourage interaction with your brand. The real question is how to use paper and screen together, in harmony, to make your return on investment sing.”

"A good marketing strategy should always include both online and offline media. By only concentrating on one, you will exclude part of your market."
At Crigital, we continue to see a growing need for print as POP, Packaging and Direct Mail as well as a variety of other channels. Perhaps the fastest growing channels are those utilizing cross media with the integration of several traditional resources with new technology.
Call or email a Crigital Media Marketing Team Member today. We'll show you just how easy it is to get your marketing plan started and stay brand consistent with our unique mix of traditional and "new school" print and digital marketing products and services. 615.225.8509