Category Archives: Blogs

Is SEO on life support?

Somehow yes…

Search Engine Optimization became very popular a couple of years ago when marketers discovered that search engines
were using their own algorithm to sort websites by search inquiries.
Their first algorithm was not very intricate and it was very easy for “SEO Experts” to fake a good reputation.
Building backlinks was the way to go. You could pay less than $100 and get thousands of backlinks made by a data entry robot.
Now, backlinks still count but “quality” is much more important than “quantity”.

Every year, Google ( the main actor) is adjusting its rules to meet user needs ( NOT marketer needs ).
To be published at the top of the page for certain keywords, you want to optimize for your potential clients and your qualified traffic.
We do not optimize solely for search engines.

These are the 5 most important actions you can take to become a success story.

1- Great looking website
2- Authentic reviews
3- Social media signals
4- A little something special
5- Brand mentions

We’ll review each action in future posts!

How can you ask for a testimonial?

Let’s make it clear, a fake testimonial is easy to do.

” I used your products for 6 month and I have seen a huge difference, I can’t believe what I see everyday when I look at myself in the mirror” – P. Martin
20 seconds…

Such testimonials have no credibility and can even harm your business. However, a proper testimonial is a great marketing tool.

1- Ask for full name and location
2- If you can get a testimonial from a well-known person, go for it.
3- If you can get a picture, even better.
4- People love stories..

 

How to ask?

The best way to ask your satisfied clients, is to ask them personally. Write them an email or ask them in person.
Also, make sure you make it easy for them. Where should they go? You need a testimonial on Angie list, Google Place, Yelp? Provide a direct link.

Some businesses reward their clients if they write a testimonial… I don’t like the approach. A testimonial should be made without any pressure.

Make them write their enthusiasm!

client: – I’m so happy I finally got my computer fixed. The other companies I visited told me I would have to buy a new one.
Business owner: – I’m very honest with my clients because overtime, they will remember me. If you are satisfied, I would greatly appreciate if you could write us a testimonial. I’ll send you the link.
Testimonials are very effective and free! Don’t be lazy and do it properly.

 

Weigh your online presence

Ok, so you run a business…?  Good news!

but.. where are you?  I can’t see you.
To be able to weight your online presence you have to write:
1- The name of your business
2- The industry
3- The area you cover
4- Your name ( if you also want to market yourself).
Google the name of your business  ex:  Little preK
Is your website showing up in the first page ?  If so, you get 5 points.
If not, google the name of your business + your location  ex: Little preK Atlanta
Is your website showing up in the first page? If so, you get 4 points
If not … google The name of your business + the area + the industry  ex: Little preK Atlanta preschool
Is your website showing up in the first page?  If so, you get 3 points.
If not.. google the name of your business + the area + your name   ex: Little preK Atlanta Tom Bayer
Is your website showing up in the first page?  If so, you get 1 point
If not… we are very sorry 🙂
Of course the first step would be to focus on improving your ranking for your brand ( and/or your name)
Once you get at least 4 points. You can move to the next step:
Google important keywords for your business ex: preschool Atlanta
Is your website showing up in the first page?  If so, Bingo!  Keep going…
If not, call us!

What is a good reputation

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What is a good reputation?

A reputation is harder to build than to destroy. You can spend years in building a good reputation.. but this could be vanished in a matter of hours.
Your professional reputation is the key to success.  If your reputation is lacking or if you fail to build a good one, you will be unable to grow: no business partner, no affiliate,no new customer, no returning customer, no money lending, no employee…
A good reputation is the bag of good experiences you carry with you.  Good experiences toward your customers but also toward your financial institutions, business partners, affiliates, employees, suppliers etc.
A good reputation is the ability for others to identify good faith in the way you conduct your business.
The top 5 reasons why businesses end up with a stained reputation:
1- Advertise more than they deliver
If you advertise you can deliver your pizza in 30 minutes, make sure you can make it at least 95% of the time.  If you fail, have a plan B ( free pizza?).
2-  Don’t resolve conflicts
If you receive a complaint from a customer, try to make him happy..  yes sometimes, it may seem impossible ( the old ” The customer is always right” non sense :).
3- Make false claims
If you make the claim to buy only local products…  remember that China is overseas.
4- Lack customer service
Once a customer paid and received your product or service, he’s still a customer and should be treated like a potential customer.
5- Fail to provide a good experience
Your clients, patients, partners, employees should leave your place of business with a smiley face.  A smiley face is 30% contagious while an angry face is 90% contagious.  When people are angry, they are more likely to speak about their bad experience.  A good experience is always expected.
How can you build a good reputation?
1- Offer more than what your customers expect.
Being the best can be your standard.. but don’t claim it just yet.
2- Remember that everyone is a business representative
A person leaving your place of business can speak freely about you… never underestimate the marketing power of your employees.
3- Focus on delivering “a wish comes true”
If you don’t feel your customers are completely amazed by your “solution”, make an extra effort.  Once again: A smiley face is 30% contagious while an angry face is 90% contagious
How can we help?
We can advertise your good reputation.  A reputation always comes from “outside”, you can’t promote your own reputation, you need a third party. Think about it, any business can pretend to be the best … but we need evidence.
We have the formula to promote your reputation.  We know where to advertise, we know how to make your excellent feedback stands out.  We also know how to hide your no so good customer experiences… cause, let’s be honest, no matter what you do, some customers may be a pain.  That’s the plain truth.  Don’t let them ruin months or even years of effort.
The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear – Socrates