by Lousie McDonnell, 2Market
The Internet can be a great way of finding new customers and increasing sales.
But simply developing a website and launching it on the world wide web will not have an impact on your bottom line. In fact don’t be surprised if no-one is visiting your website at all. That’s why I’m always sceptical when I hear comments like, “I tried the Internet, but it just didn’t suit my business”. Nonsense.
I believe that Google is now being used in Irish homes in the same way the “Golden Pages Directory” would have been used in times gone by. The Internet or more specifically Google is used more and more by consumers whether they are searching for local cinema listings, a new car, to check their bank balance, a holiday, perfume ..... the list goes on..
So – how do you ensure your business gets some of the action! I believe businesses need to put a strategy in place which complements their marketing and sales activities in the real world. This online strategy will probably incorporate some or all of the following activities:
• Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
• Internet or PPC Advertising
• Email Marketing
• Social Networking.
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Getting found in Google. When someone does a search for a key word or phrase related to your business, you want to be on the first page of results. That’s what SEO is all about. It involves working on your:
• website content
• page titles and descriptions
• links to and from other relevant websites.
Internet or PPC Advertising
These are the sponsored links that are found above Google’s organic listings and also on the right hand side of the results page.
If you are not achieving good results in Google organic results then PPC Advertising, using Google’s Adwords, may be a good option for your business.
You set up a campaign which involves choosing keywords and phases, on which you place a bid. The cost of your bid depends on the popularity of your chosen keyword and phrases. If the quality of your ad is good enough and your bid is higher than the competition, then you will achieve the number one position in Google. You are only changed when someone clicks through to your website.
Email Marketing
This is a great way to drive your target audience to your website. You need to build up a database of email addresses of customers or potential customers. It is important that you use specialist email programmes, so that your email is not treated as spam by your recipients email servers’. Then if your content grabs your recipients’ attention and is persuasive enough you should achieve click throughs from your email to your website. A compelling “call to action”, will facilitate converting this traffic into sales!! Check out my last blog for more information on email marketing.
Social Networking
This involves using social networking sites to find new customers. The premise is that people like to do business with people they know. Whether its FaceBook, Twitter, Flicker or LinkedIn, your contacts will also have contacts with whom you may end up doing business. The only cost usually is your time. Does it work – it sure does. Think outside the box and you will achieve results and increased sales.
2Market Online Marketing
2Market has created and implemented successful online marketing strategies for businesses not only in Sligo and Mayo but all over Ireland. Our clients like our no nonsense approach and of course our success rates! See what our customers say about us on our testimonial page. And please feel free to contact us to see how we can help your business win more online sales.
Call Louise McDonnell on 096 37777 or feel free to fill out an online enquiry form at www.2market.ie.
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