Category Archives: Small Business Website

Help for small business websites.

Facebook Timeline

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If you have a Facebook business page it will get a face-lift March 30th.  The opinions continue to fly on this latest change, but it becomes mandatory and you’ll see a drastic change in your web page.

Now you have a profile photo and a “cover” photo.  The Facebook rules are – your cover cannot look like a real website banner.  No phone numbers – no sales pitch.

The simplest way to be creative is to create an image 851 pixels X 317 pixels.   Make a montage of your logo, photos, graphics of any kind.  It’s a great size to work with.  Have fun and enjoy this one piece of the Timeline change you CAN control.

Or use a big photo:
DouglasSimonPhotography

What to Do About Yelp

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Yelp has been making the news lately and not for good reasons.

When Yelp came online and began finding their niche it was welcomed and steadily increased users who love to review restaurants and auto repair shops; and it continues to expand into all businesses.  People who belong to Yelp and post reviews call themselves “Yelpers“.

My clients have expressed trouble regarding their hard sales tactics.  Recently talk radio has been talking up accusations of bogus reviews targeting businesses declining Yelp’s paid advertising.  Clients telling me their positive reviews are buried, under the negative reviews and they are suspicious of who posted the reviews.  It is hard to determine what is truly going on.  Both sides are at odds.

It’s troublesome for your online reputation.  Reviews do matter. 

If you receive a negative review on Yelp, Google or any of the many directories – address it.  Sometimes it’s a case of mistaken identity.  The reviewer mixed you up with a similar business.  Look in your records  for the poster’s name, date or location (if included).  If you can’t find a record of the person respond to the review asking for an invoice number, or more information.  Present your business as trying to right a wrong and you’ll go a long way in damage control.

Some clients will never be happy with your service.  The public recognizes this, too.  The action of responding to a negative review will reflect your business practices and the reader will get your message.   Don’t respond with anger. 

Finally, walk away – if you have responded to the review and he’s not giving up – let it go. 

Don’t let these things drive you crazy.  The Internet gives everyone a voice: right or wrong – it’s the ultimate Soapbox!

Get More Traffic

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You want the maximum visibility for your website.  In today’s climate, that means being actively involved in driving your site so that your customers can find you each and every time.  Gone are the days of “create it and leave it” websites that are static and unchanging.  Websites have become the cornerstone of business marketing. You need to take steps to fine tune your site to make it a more effective marketing tool.  

Reciprocal linking is part of your search engine optimization plan.  Part of your ranking from Google is based on reciprocal linking.  Simply put, every link to a website is a vote for that site, which helps boost your Google ranking.  There are guidelines to be followed and it must be monitored to check link validity (based on relevance to your industry).

 Over the past two years, online directories have become invaluable.  These directories are small bits of internet real estate you can leverage to drive customers to your website.  Think of them as ads scattered over the internet and you’re controlling their message.  They now allow more content than ever before and, most importantly, many are review oriented.  Online reviews are another huge factor in gaining positive Google results. 

 Reviews on sites such as Yelp, Google, Yahoo, etc. are not screened by you.  As a result, customers trust the reviews to be accurate and that equates to added value to your products or services.  Yes, you may get negative reviews, but you can address any issue through the directory.  Again, that builds customer confidence in you and your company.

 Much of your traffic will come from search engine results. Keywords are indicators of the most important topics, service or product on each web page.  These are words your customers will use to find you.  Controlling your keyword strategy can make or break or your site.  If your site is more than 2 years old, it’s time to review your website.  Google has made drastic changes to the way it analyzes keywords and Meta data on a webpage. 

 I provide a package plan with these services and more. Visit BrendaSimon.com .

QR Code

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This links to my website when scanned.

QR means Quick Response code.  Created in Japan and used for over a decade the QR code is similar to a store bar code which is scanned for pricing, inventory, etc., but the QR code is 2 dimensional.  It’s utilized by smartphones and other mobile phones-camera enabled.  Already estimates are 31% of smartphone users – take advantage of this – 14 million mobile users scanned a QR or bar code by June 2011.  That is 6.2% of all mobile users.   The object is to make it easy for consumers to get connected to you. 

The QR code is scanned by a phone for a brand (your business).  This can be in your print ad, business card, a poster in your store window, etc.  The code is used to link scanners to digital content.  If you sell product packaging use your QR code to send consumers to more product information.  Connect the QR code to your website, your Facebook page or your contact information.

The code is free.  Google QR code generator and you’ll find multiple choices.   Most QR codes are set to link to a webpage, but you can configure to your phone number or text.

You choose the size generated – from s, m, l or xl.

This links to my Facebook page.

It’s proven to work – and one more step for your marketing plan.  Looking for more detailed information? – read more.

Anti-Virus

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We all need to keep our computers protected with anti-virus and anti-malware software.  Many of us grew up on Norton anti-virus, or MacAfee’s anti-virus software.  Still most new computers arrive with trial software preloaded from one or the other of these manufacturers.

Free anti-virus has come a long way.  Microsoft offers Microsoft Security Elements – no charge;  AVG is well respected, and there are more.  This is a comprehensive resource of free anti-viruses and performance test results for each. (Scroll mid way down for the article.)  It’ll help you make the right choice for your computer.

Mobile Websites

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Some interesting statistics about mobile surfing.  Globally Internet mobile usage is under 10%.  It doesn’t sound like much, but it is actually a remarkable pace in the infancy of mobile online access.

Who is viewing pages on what devices?  Apple is number 1 in the US and UK.  In the US Apple accounts for 45% of page views, and Android for 39%.  Globally Android is number 3 behind the iPhone. 

Then you get into browsers..Android browser is #1 in North America with 37% of the page views, #2 globally with 20% .  Opera gets 24%, with Apple’s Safari browser coming in fourth place.

This data is helpful to web designers as they create mobile websites.

Inbound Links

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It’s becoming a familiar song.  Build links.  It’s not glamorous, nor quick.  It takes time for one link, but it still works.  Perhaps because it IS a bit tedious.

Organic search results are still the best for everyone’s Internet experience.  Recent tests say 88% of users never click on paid ads.  We’re still looking at the organic search results.  That means opportunity for small budgeted businesses.  Pay attention to your websites ranking organically.

If you don’t have a links page consider asking your web designer to create one and mange the links.  It’s important to make the links page part of your website, and not let it become a link farm, which will have an adverse effect on your website ranking.  Check each website you’re considering reciprocating links with, both aesthetically, but more importantly – industry related and their page ranking, make sure they are not a link farm. 

When submitting your linking information they will want the anchor text (your business name most likely), a description (keep it short but keyword heavy) and  the page you want them to link to (typically your home page). 

One small step at a time, but it works.

Mobile Website

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With iPhones, iPads, smart phones and more surfing is taking place on a very small screen in ever increasing numbers.

While most websites are viewable on these devices, users want an even leaner experience.  Especially when bandwidth consumption factors into their mobile phone bill.  The parameters for a mobile website are tiny.

Do you need a mobile website? If your website is an online brochure – most likely you don’t.  You might want only something to be bookmarked and viewed on a desktop if your user needs to see details in large photos.

If your business is a service like auto body – a mobile website can be worth the investment.  While waiting after a minor accident – your clients will turn to their phone and you might lock in a client before the tow truck arrives. Great for the client, great for your business.

Your mobile website will be stripped down of most graphics, adding things like a clickable phone link to call you from their phone and QR code to locate you quickly.  Lean, simple and user friendly from design to code.  It’s all about making it easy for mobile users to connect with your business.

Website Layout

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Google just announced they are changing algorithms in respect to websites who use ads on their sites.

These can be affiliate ads, even Google Ads, which raises questions yet to be answered.

On a web page the term “above the fold” means what appears on your screen without having to scroll. This has always been the critical space to get out your message.

Thus the clutter of ads when you land on websites displaying ads. The goal is to have these ads viewed, and clicked, generating revenue. 

If you have laid out your web pages for your visitors you most likely won’t be effected. There is even the possibility your site will gain a bit in the search engine results!

Since mobile phones web designs have been moving toward simplicity, less clutter, less busy and distracting.  If you’ve followed that, you are doing fine.

If concerned – contact your web designer to evaluate your website.

If you’re looking for a web designer please visit my site.