Google Reader was launched in 2005 as a way for people to discover and connect with their favorite websites. It developed a loyal following, but over the years usage began to decline. Earlier this year they announced the plug will be pulled on July 1. If you haven’t found an alternative yet (it’s only 25 …
Sales
Google Authorship & Social Search
The What, Why & How Google Authorship was launched a few months back. It’s a way that a search engine can distinguish (and reward) individuals who contribute online content. Have you noticed pictures of people when doing a search? Those intrepid folks have linked authorship to their Google Plus profile. About a year ago my …
Groupon Marketing: Heroine or Heroin?
Tips to Structuring Groupon Deals for Success Groupon email marketing (and other similar services like AmazonLocal and SweetJack) can be a heroine for businesses looking to get the word out about their products and services. However, Groupon can be like heroin if not done right. I’ve seen small businesses, in the quest of getting a much-needed cash …
Demystifying the SERPs
If you’ve been working on your business’ SEO for a while, no doubt you’ve heard the acronym SERP a zillion times. Literally, it stands for Search Engine Results Page. But that is not enough, because the real meaning lies in the SERPs contents, and in how they were chosen to be SERPs. Every search engine …
Business Networking: Part of An Online Sales Strategy
Are you missing out on great business networking opportunities? Many business owners do just that by focusing solely on online sales efforts while ignoring offline person-to-person engagement. We believe you need a balanced lead generation approach, and there’s a direct link to strategic networking and online stats tracked by Web Analytics. The thought of face-to-face …
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Keyword Research: Bedrock vs Quicksand Part 2
We’re finishing up our discussion on keyword research and creating a plan that’s the foundation of website development. Trending & Cultural Interpretation Keyword Research also includes trending information. Building a site on a dying keyword or choosing keywords that have killer competitors makes no sense. By using an analytic approach, the research should cross-reference trending …
Marketing to Youth: 3 Things Businesses Need to Know (Part 2)
The second of a two-part post about marketing to youth and what businesses need to know. Let’s get to it… 2. Target Social Media To successfully market to youth, it is essential to stay up-to-date on the latest trends. Facebook was the second most visited site in the US in 2011. Also in the top …
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Online Sales: When Live Chat is Done Well
Can We Help You? Live chat (also called web chat) can be a very effective online sales generator. A prospect lands on your site for something specific – like hours of operation, services provided, or even a menu of prices. For some businesses, having a representative available to answer questions through live chat can significantly …
Mobile Shopping Survey Results
Why Consumers Use Smartphones We’ve probably seen the headlines about mobile-friendly websites. Mobile search is on the uptrend, with greater emphasis on how consumers access brands while on the go. Some companies gear mobile shopping apps to youthful audience segments, but you could be leaving out a big part of your audience. Let’s look at a …
The Dreaded Email Unsubscribe
Email marketing, while a staple in most marketers toolkit, has its challenges. According to a recent Mashable Business article, a dismal 91% of email users who have previously subscribed to an email newsletter will later decide that they do not want to continue receiving that newsletter. Although this bleak statistic is certainly disappointing to email …