The 3 Keys to Generating New Business Online

When we meet with a business owner for the first time, one of the most common questions we are asked is "How do I secure new customers through the Internet?" The answer consists of 3 key factors:

 
1.  High Search Engine Visibility - The large majority of searches for a business on the Internet start on a major search engine (Google, Yahoo, Bing).  In order for a business to generate new customers from a search engine it must have a high amount of visibility on the first page of results (95% of search engine user activity comes from the first page of results).  This involves, not only having the website of the business on the first page of results, but also a business blog, articles, videos, map listings, Facebook page, and listings on top directory sites  (Citysearch, Manta, Yellowpages.com, Superpages.com, Yellowbook.com, MerchantCircle, etc.) that show up on the first page of search engine results for important keywords of the business.

2.  Positive Online Reputation - When a potential new customer finds a business online they will often times want to dig a little deeper and make sure it's a reputable business before moving forward.  For example, when someone types in "Dentist Boston, MA" on Google, and they find a dental practice in the results, they will often check out business ratings and reviews on Yelp, Facebook, and Google Places among others to make certain it's a credible and popular business.

3.  The Website! - In our experience this is the most overlooked aspect to generating new business online.  A lot of businesses are spending big chunks of their marketing budget on promoting their website online yet their website is not setup to generate new customers effectively.  They are spending money to send new visitors to a website that does not answer the basic question "Why choose us?"  In this highly competitive environment, where most businesses have several local competitors, it's imperative that a business's website not only describe its products and services but also tells the visitor why they should pick up the phone and call you.  Does your website make it easy for new visitors to contact you?  Does your website have special promotions for new customers?  Does your website convey that you are a highly reputable business and an authoritative presence in the industry?

In today's world it takes a comprehensive and strategic approach for a business to grow from the Internet;  A high amount of visibility where the market is searching for your type of business, a great reputation being displayed online, and a website that ties it all together - completing the process of obtaining new customers. 

Our firm has successfully executed this approach for many businesses across all industries.  Please call (978) 494-4119 for a free business consultation today.

How Users Search For Local Businesses

One of the most common questions we get asked by clients is "how many people are searching for my business on Google and how are they searching for it?"

Third Door Media recently conducted a survey with a panel of 1250 local consumers based in the U.S. (broad mix of ages, gender and location).  The first interesting result was that 59% use Google at least once a month to search for a local business:

The second interesting result was that 54% use a local modifier in their search terms (ex. Dentist Boston or Dentist 02101) rather than just "Dentist".

The survey also shows that 17% of searchers never use a local modifier in their search terms, with this percentage rising to 21% among younger searchers. However, older searchers are more inclined to add a local modifier to their search terms — 63% usually do.

To take it a step further, when a geo-modifier is used, here is the breakdown of what type:

In conclusion, it's very important for a business (and its marketing firm) to understand not only who and how often people are searching for it online, but also specifically how it's being searched as well.  This data is very useful in customizing an online marketing campaign to the target audience of the business.

Call us at (978) 494-4119 to schedule an online marketing consultation for your business today!

Small Business Saturday

We support Small Business Saturday on behalf of our firm and our clients

The 2nd annual Small Business Saturday is

a day dedicated to supporting small businesses

on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.

On November 26, we’re asking millions of Americans to shop small at their favorite local stores and help fuel the economy. When we all shop small, it will be huge.

Help spread the word - "Like" Small Business Saturday on Facebook and join this growing movement!

https://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday

Are You Using Technology To Your Advantage?

During our marketing workshops, one of the most important topics we discuss with business owners is how to harness the amazing growth of technology to help their productivity.  Many business owners feel as if they are busier and working harder than ever, yet their overall productivity is lower than ever.  They are investing more time and energy into their businesses but they are not seeing growth.  The main reason is that they have not yet seized the tremendous opportunity that new technology has created for them; rather they have allowed technology to work against them.

The bestselling author, Neil Strauss, made a very insightful and accurate reference to this issue recently:

It's easy to be BUSY these days, but more and more people are having
trouble being PRODUCTIVE.

We are in the Information Age. We have an incredible body of
unlimited knowledge and access to over a billion people available
instantly--and we can carry all this information and connectivity on
a device we can literally fit in our pocket.

It's incredible--an amazing period of history to all be living
through together--but it's also a challenge.

And the challenge is this: Are you living your life or are you
being distracted from it?

We completely agree with Neil about this challenge that all of us face.  There is so much information constantly being thrown at us now, that we often mistake the feeling of being busy and productive for actual production.

Business owners need to transform their businesses to align them effectively with the Information Age, and in order to do that they need to utilize technology to their advantage.  The exponential growth of the Internet and technology presents an incredible opportunity to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace...with the right guidance and strategy in place.

Call us at (978) 494-4119 to discuss how we can help you with this challenge and take your business to the next level.  It's time to let technology work FOR you and your business!

http://www.networkforsolutions.com/

Social Media Stats 2011

Is Your Business Keeping Up With Google?

Google made over 500 changes last year to it's algorithm that determines search result rankings.  Does your business have an expert Internet marketing firm to keep your website updated to these changes?

10 Reasons to GO LOCAL

Why Support Locally Owned Businesses?

1.  Local Character and Prosperity - In an increasingly homogenized world, communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character have an economic advantage.

2.  Community Well-Being - Locally owned businesses build strong communities by sustaining vibrant town centers, linking neighbors in a web of economic and social relationships, and contributing to local causes.

3. Local Decision-Making - Local ownership ensures that important decisions are made locally by people who live in the community and who will feel the impacts of those decisions.

4.  Keeping Dollars in the Local Economy - Compared to chain stores, locally owned businesses recycle a much larger share of their revenue back into the local economy, enriching the whole community.

5.  Job and Wages - Locally owned businesses create more jobs locally and, in some sectors, provide better wages and benefits than chains do.

6.  Entrepreneurship - Entrepreneurship fuels America's economic innovation and prosperity, and serves as a key means for families to move out of low-wage jobs and into the middle class.

7.  Public Benefits and Costs - Local stores in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure and make more efficient use of public services relative to big box stores and strip shopping malls.

8.  Environmental Sustainability - Local stores help to sustain vibrant, compact, walkable town centers-which in turn are essential to reducing sprawl, automobile use, habitat loss, and air and water pollution.

9.  Competition - A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.

10.  Product Diversity - A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based, not on a national sales plan, but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.

Google+ Growing Fast!

Google’s new social network, Google+, might be one of the fastest-growing networks ever, having already reached 10 million users according to one estimate.

Paul Allen, of Ancestry.com — not to be confused with Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen — has developed an interesting methodology to calculate the number of Google+ members.

He sampled a number of surnames from the U.S. Census Bureau data and compared it to surnames of Google+ users. By comparing surname popularity in the U.S. with the number of users on Google+ with each surname, he can guesstimate the percentage of the U.S. population that signed up for Google+. Finally, he calculated a ratio of U.S. to non-U.S. users to generate an estimate for the number of Google+ users worldwide.

The result? Google+ has approximately 9.5 million users worldwide, with 2.2 million joining in the past 32 to 34 hours, according to Allen’s estimates.

This is amazing growth even for a giant such as Google: We cannot remember any social network reaching so many members so quickly after its release.

Coming from a third party, the data is obviously unofficial (we asked Google for comment on these numbers, but haven’t heard from them) and should be taken with a grain of salt. If they’re true, they indicate that Google might finally be conquering the social networking arena.

At Network for Solutions, we will be following this very closely to determine how and when we utilize Google+ to help our valued clients.

Stay Tuned!

http://www.networkforsolutions.com/

Social Media

In 2009, 27% of small businesses (50 employees or fewer) had company Facebook pages. In 2010, that increased to 41%. Does your company have one? Are you leveraging it to grow your business effectively?

http://www.networkforsolutions.com

Social Media Revolution 2011

http://www.networkforsolutions.com

Time & Money

"Money is not the primary asset in life...Time is"

-Gordon Gekko

Mr. Gekko, the anti-hero from the Wall Street movies, is certainly not the most honorable character, to say the least, but he was right on the money (no pun intended) with that quote. This view on time is not that of the 1980's Gekko from the first movie; it's the view of a man who has just spent 8 years in prison and has come to the harsh realization that the most precious thing of all is time.

At Network For Solutions, we believe in this principle whole-heartedly, from a personal and business standpoint. The reason our firm exists is because our clients realize that they have a limited amount of time each day to run their business. To take precious hours out of the day and attempt to market their business, in a complicated landscape, is not the best use of time. They could have used that time to do what they do best; run their business. Instead they partner with us for our expertise and resources to grow their business.

Most people, at certain points along the way, will take a step back to assess their personal life and how they're spending their most precious resource. Am I spending my time wisely and focused on the right things? Am I making the most of my time here?

We believe that business owners should take the same approach. Am I maximizing my time running my business? Is it a smart decision to spend valuable hours of my day trying to market my business? Or would it be wiser to invest money to partner with a marketing firm and devote that time saved to running my business?

These are the assessments we engage in with our clients. As consultants we want to gain an understanding of the business, the vision and goals; and use our expertise to help them get there.

In a recent survey published by Inc. Magazine on Work-Life Balance, over 30% of small-business owners admitted they would rather have more time than more money. At Network For Solutions, we clearly understand how money is a valuable asset for a person and a business, but, as Mr. Gekko realized, it's not the most important asset. Perhaps the author, Harvey Mackay, put it best:


“Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't

own it, but you can use it. You can't keep

it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it

you can never get it back.”



http://www.networkforsolutions.com

Did You Know?

In 1996 there were 100 million Worldwide email accounts...At the end of 2010 there were 3 billion.

In 2010 there were 170 billion pieces of mail sent...and 107 TRILLION emails sent.

From 2009 to 2010, email use by Seniors increased 28%.

In 2004 AOL had 23 million users...At the end of 2010 they had 4 million users.

In 2004 Facebook had 1 million users...At the end of 2010 they had 600 million users.

There were 36 billion photos shared on Facebook in 2010.

How Google Works (Click Graphic to Enlarge)

Infographic by the Pay Per Click Blog

IBM: Lessons from the Great Depression

IBM is currently the 48th largest corporation in the world, but even the smallest local businesses can learn a valuable lesson from how this great company positioned itself for future success during terrible economic conditions.

This article was written by Kevin Maney on 10/10/08 during the heart of our current recession:

IBM has a habit of being a beacon during economic calamity. Of course, its earnings yesterday helped everyone feel for at least a moment that the world wasn't coming to an end. But that pales in comparison to IBM's feat during the Great Depression. Hopefully, we'll see more of the same from the company.  I know about this because I wrote a book about the guy who built IBM, Thomas Watson Sr., titled The Maverick and His Machine.

IBM may seem pretty staid today, but Watson was actually quite the gambler. As the Depression killed off IBM customers and forced others to cut back on orders, Watson pledged that he would not shut a single factory or lay off a single worker. In fact, he recognized that while his competitors were down, he could make investments that would better position IBM when the economy turned around. 

In 1932, he announced that IBM would spend $1 million -- an enormous sum for the company then -- to build a stand-alone R&D lab in Endicott, N.Y. every competitor at the time was slicing R&D. Watson added employees and expanded factory capacity. If no one was ordering IBM punch-card machines, Watson told the factories to keep making machines and spare parts and store them in warehouses. 

As sales stalled, this put enormous financial pressure on IBM. Investors started pitching a fit. In 1932, IBM shares fell to 1921 levels. The board of directors started discussing firing Watson, but he held them off. As the late, great Peter Drucker told me about Watson, "He didn't know how close he'd come to collapse."

In 1935, Watson's stubbornness paid off. That year, FDR signed the Social Security Act, instantly creating enormous demand for data processing machines. The government needed them to process claims and companies needed them to gather and send information to the government. IBM had been stockpiling machines and investing in new technologies, while competitors had shut factories and stopped R&D. IBM cleaned up -- and in fact that moment was the slingshot that allowed IBM to utterly dominate the IT industry for the next 50 years.

In the process, Watson got rich during the worst economic despair in U.S. history. In the late-1930s, he was one of the highest-paid Americans, making more than $350,000 a year -- more than $5.2 million in today's dollars. 

If today's executives remember that lesson, we'll get out of this economic jam a whole lot sooner.

1/23/11 - Even the smallest of local businesses can learn from this story.  Are you in "retreat" mode? Or are you positioning yourself for future success.  The businesses that are taking advantage of the opportunities that an economic recession provide will be the ones who dominate the competition in the future.  Contact http://www.networkforsolutions.com/ to discuss.

The Social Media Revolution

Strategy 2011: The Key to a Successful Website

Would you start a business without a plan? Probably not. Having a solid business plan is fundamental to the success of an organization. In the same way, every website needs a strategy.

Why it matters
A website's success is determined by whether or not it accomplishes its purpose and helps grow the business. A website strategy will detail the site's objectives, provide guidance on its development, and specify the goals it should be measured against. In other words, it will not only provide you with the roadmap to success, but also give you the markers you need to gauge its performance and make educated decisions.

Understanding the risk
Many websites do not have a clear strategy guiding their growth, and lack any measurable goals. This is a problem that is exacerbated by the fact that websites are often designed, updated, and maintained by several different agencies, or departments within a business. Without a clear website strategy that ensures these groups are working towards the same business goals, things can quickly go awry and a website's performance could suffer.

The big difference
Websites that have a strong strategy are well optimized for search, have the most relevant content, are popular, and usually generate conversions in a few clicks. In fact, a solid strategy can make the difference between a website that's a mere informational resource, and one that's a valuable tool that helps an organization achieve its objectives.

5 Tips to make it happen
A clear strategy is key to a website's success. Below are some tips to help you develop yours:

1. Define goals: Involve all your decisions makers in defining the goal of your website and how it will achieve business objectives. Be sure to secure the support of executives and key decision makers within your organization.
   
2. Put someone in charge: They should be familiar with web development and marketing. Their role is to prioritize and guide all website strategy efforts to ensure resources are being used effectively. They should also establish a chain of command to communicate and explain the website strategy to your management team, agencies, and employees.
   
3. Define your audience: Based on the goals of your website strategy, clearly define the users you want to visit your site. This will enable you to determine what content you need on your site and where these users will search for it.
   
4. Value your conversions: Prioritize and determine the dollar-value of your website's conversions based on your business objectives and online goals. Doing so will aid your budget and resources decisions and help you measure success.
   
5. Track and analyze: Choose an analytics package that will enable you to track your website's key actions and analyze user behavior. This data will allow you to understand your evolving audience, and measure the success of your website strategy.

To leverage your website as an effective tool to help your business grow, make sure it has what it needs to get the job done: a clear strategy.