We Make Marketing Easy

Is Your Website Headed The Way of The Dinosaur?

By

I’ve noticed a trend lately that is a little disturbing.  This trend is a slow and steady decay of rankings for static websites with very few, if any, regular updates.

The reason for this decline is a recent emphasis by the major search engines to not only serve up the most relevant search results, but the most recent as well.  And if  your site isn’t updated with current, relevant information then you’re losing the game to a site that is.

The sad part is that this is something that could be fixed with very little effort and very little expense.

There are a number of excellent, open-source (free!) content management systems available to the small business owner.  If you have some technical skills you can make the switch yourself.  Otherwise, you’ll need to hire someone to help migrate your site to a new platform and teach you how to add new content quickly and easily.

Costs for this can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars depending on how many pages you currently have on your site, what functionality you want and whether or not you use a template or have a new design created for you.

Here are a few of the top open-source content management systems available today.

I’m sure there are lots of others that are very good but these are the ones we have had experience with.

And if you need some help converting your site give me a call.  I’ll be glad to take a look at it and give you a quote.

Photo Credit: Dinosaur Jr. by desdeaquinet on Flikr

Google Launches Real-Time Search

By

Clienst and prospects alike have been asking me about some of the real-time search functionality being built into Google and Bing.  Google announced today that real-time search is available to some and will be rolled out to all of their data centers over the next few days.

Here’s a video from Google with some examples of how this works.

I originally found this breaking news on Mashable. Click through for more details.  This latest change is one of the biggest reasons I have been encouraging my clients to get involved with social media even just a little bit.  With real-time search results at the top of the search results I expect that the local map listings will be below that and the top 10 organic (or natural) search results will be pushed even further down the page.

This is why you not only need to work on optimizing your web site, but you need to work on a complete online marketing strategy so that your information shows up no matter where people look.

This is not the only change coming so if you need some help preparing yourself, give us a call.  I’d be glad to work with you to get your company to the top of the search engines.

To your success!
Ken Partain

Getting Found in Google Maps

By

Recently WebProNews shared a short video interview with Brian Combs, Founder and Principal of ionadas.com.  In this short video Brian shares three things you need to do to get your company found in Google Maps.

One we have talked about here before and that is to claim your business listing in Google.  The second is to optimize your web site.  Huh! Imagine that.  And third is to integrate citation building, which is essentially having your company address information listed on your website and other internet properties such as directory listings and local business profiles.

With maps showing up in more and more searches and pushing down the top 10 natural organic results, its more important than ever for you to show up in these maps if you serve a local market.

Here’s the original video on the WebProNews site.

If you have trouble figuring this out on your own, give me a call.  I’d be glad to help you out.

Small Business Websites Holiday Savings

By

Now through the end of December 2009, we are offering a special deal on our small business websites.  As I mentioned in our December Monthly Marketing Newsletter, if you sign up with us before the end of the year for a new website for your business we will allow you to pay it out over 7 months with absolutely no interest.

All of the sites we create are built on the WordPress blogging platform and are very search engine friendly right out of the box.  We will install a complete set of our recommended plugins and show you exactly how to use it to maximize your web presence. We’ll also set it up so that it integrates seamlessly with your social media profiles on Twitter and Facebook.

WordPress is so easy to use.  If you can send an email or write a letter on your computer you already know how to use it.

The price is going up on January 1st, so if you have been thinking about a new website, don’t waste another minute.

A Great Big Thanks for Our Clients

By

Since Thanksgiving here in the United States is this Thursday, I want to send out a big thanks to each of our clients today. Tomorrow’s post will be a thanks to our business colleagues and marketing coaches. And then on Wednesday I’m going to show my thanks for my family and close friends.

Today I’ll begin with our most recent client and work my way back in time. Without each and every company listed here, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

Thanks to Pickens, Snodgrass, Koch, LLP, an Arlington, TX Accounting Firm.  By the way, they have an opening for a Senior Tax Position if you know anyone in the area that is looking.

Thanks to Jade Electrolysis, a Vancouver Hair Removal company.  Jade Electrolysis is run by Jennifer Desloges and is currently offering training and Electrolysis Franchise Opportunities throughout Canada.

Thanks to Management 2000, a franchise consulting firm.  Management 2000 offers consulting, training and planning for companies considering franchising to grow their business.

Thanks to West Direct Express Courier, a Calgary courier and delivery company.  If you are in the Calgary area area and need a document or package delivered, across town or across the country, check them out.  They are the best in Calgary.

Thanks to Marketing Consultants of Nevada, a consulting company that can help you open your own independent dollar store.  In this economy owning a dollar store can be a very smart move.

Thanks to Number Junkies, a Calgary small business bookkeeping company.  A Quickbooks Pro Advisor, Donna Folden can help your small business get your books up to date and keep them that way.

Thanks to Greenbaum Marketing, a franchise marketing and website development company.  Martin Greenbaum really knows how to market your franchise, whether big or small.  He is very active in the International Franchise Association and speaks throughout the country.

Thanks to Light It Up Electric, a local electrician serving Frisco, Plano, McKinney and all of North Dallas.  This is one of the companies I have actually used personally and Todd Guernsey, the owner, is excellent at diagnosing and fixing electrical problems.

Thanks to Glenhill, Inc., a Chicago graphics and website design company.  Al Snyder, the owner, is also an Authorized Duct Tape Marketing Coach.

Thanks to the Lucid Group of Companies, a Calgary real estate investment and development company.  This is a company that seems to be doing everything right when it comes to real estate throughout Canada and the U.S.

Thanks to Glue Solutions, a Calgary graphics and website design company and Authorized Duct Tape Marketing Coaching company.  These guys do great work on designing and building websites and then helping small business owners market themselves more effectively.  They build websites that are graphically pleasing and coded very well which makes it much easier to optimize for top search results.

Thanks to Better Optics, LLC, a provider of quality binoculars, rifle scopes, spotting scopes, range finders and other accessories.

Thanks to NexTec Group, an accounting software consulting company with offices in Los Angeles, Seattle, Houston, Cleveland, New York and New Jersey.

Thanks to Clean-Co Systems, a Houston hydroblasting and specialty cleaning company.  Clean-Co Systems offers chemical cleaning, Vacuum Truck service, Hydro Excavation, Dry Ice Blasting and Tank Cleaning.

Thanks to Line-X of Arlington, Texas, the leading spray-on bedliner company in the Dallas – Ft. Worth Metroplex.

Thanks to Collin County Sprinkler and Lighting, offering sprinkler repair and installation throughout Collin County and the surrounding area.

And last, but certainly not least, is Country Place Living, a rural senior living franchise company.  Country Place Living offers franchises of small, quality senior living centers in rural areas, which are typically underserved by larger senior living centers.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

As I said at the beginning, we would not be where we are today if it weren’t for you.  I look forward to serving you for many more years.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Small Business Search Engine Marketing Video

By

As you can see in the video above, my friend Matthew Scott at Strategic Incubator asked me to do a short video linking where we live with what I do for a living.  This is the very first video I have done for anyone and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Matthew’s request spurred me to go buy the new Flip UltraHD mini video camera.  I have to say that it lived up to everything I have read about it.  It was easy to set up, easy to operate, easy to manage the videos on my computer and easy to upload the video to YouTube.

The popularity of video is taking the web by storm.  If you are a small business owner, there is absolutely no excuse for not getting one of these cameras and putting some video on your website.  There are other mini video cameras available on the market that may be just as easy to use and they are all about the same price.

So just take the plunge and step out ahead of your competition.

Coming up in the next few days I’m going to share some ideas I have about using video in your small business.

Remodel Buddy SEO Podcast Resources

By

master-logo

Thanks for visiting our site. I hope you enjoyed the interview we did with Kyle Hunt at Remodel Buddy, a marketing coach company for remodelers and home improvement professionals.  Below are some helpful links and additional information for improving your online presence as a contractor.

The most important thing to start with is to claim your local business listings in Google, Yahoo and Bing. Below are the links to do just that. Each of them are free so there’s no excuse for not doing this right away.

Google:

Here’s the link to look up your business.

Once you have claimed your listing you will need to verify your information. Google will provide you with a PIN by phone or by regular mail. Once you receive your PIN you will need to log into the Local Business Center and verify your listing.

Yahoo:

You will need to go here to sign up for your Yahoo Local Business Listing. You will need a Yahoo login, so if you don’t have one, you’ll have the ability to sign up during the process.

Bing:

You will need to go here to claim your Microsoft Map listing. You will need a Windows Live ID, so if you don’t already have one, get one of those first.

We also have our own Local Search Engine Business Profiles that are very well optimized for local search. Approximately 90% of them are on the front page of Google for their primary keyword phrases. For a limited time, we are offering a 50% discount for the first year. After that, it will automatically renew each year for $99.

We also recommend that you get your business listed in as many relevant online business directories as you can. You can find a multitude of free directories in which to list your business, but many of them will be of little value to your business.

There are also a handfull of paid directories (along with a couple of free ones) that we recommend. Below is a list of those directories along with a link to get signed up.

If you don’t have the time or inclination to do this yourself you can take advantage of our Link Building Program and we’ll take care of everything for you.

Don’t forget about doing a few press releases.  The two sites we recommend are PRWeb and FreePressRelease.com.  As I mentioned on the podcast, PRWeb seems to give you a little more exposure and a lot more flexibility, but you will benefit regardless of which one you choose.

If you have your own web site already and you’re not getting the traffic you want or generating the leads you want, you may want to consider one of our SEO Plans. After all, that’s our specialty and we’re proud to say that every single site we have worked on has gotten front page placement in Google, Yahoo and Bing.

And lastly, if you don’t have your own website, what are you waiting for? Every single day people in your town are searching for your services online. If you’re not there, you’re losing money. For a very reasonable fee we can set you up with a small business website and blog of your own, one that you can add content to and edit as often as you please.

To your success!

Ken Partain (follow me on Twitter)

Should You Add Prices To Your Web Site?

By

I had a little debate with a client recently about adding prices to their website.  There are a good number of people who are searching online for the cost of the product they offer.

I suggested they add a page with their pricing on it.  They said no.  Their reasoning was that they couldn’t fully explain the features and benefits of their product without talking to the prospect.

I say Hogwash!  If you can’t fully explain the features and benefits of your product or service on your web site, where can you?  By the way, all the features and benefits are covered on this client’s site.

Your web site is the greatest employee of all.  It tells your story the exact same way to every single visitor.  It’s at work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and it very rarely, if ever, doesn’t show up for work.

A well written and optimized website can be your very best sales tool.  Take the time to do it right.  Share the benefits (and prices!), anticipate objections and address them and turn your website into a selling machine.

Obviously, we have chosen to include prices on our own site.  We have all our SEO Plan prices, Link-building prices, Article Marketing prices and Small Business Website Prices listed where everyone can see.  And depending on the client’s needs, we’ll put together a custom plan with just the right mix.

I’d love to know what you think.  Should you put prices on yoru web site or not?  And tell us why or why not?

Is Google Adwords Still The Top Marketing Tool?

By

Another thanks to Mark Isherwood for submitting his Top 3 Online Marketing Questions.

His first two questions were:

Do Traffic Exchanges Really Work? and Can You Really Expect Good Marketing Results from Twitter?

Today’s question is:

Is Google Adwords still the top marketing tool?  What else brings good results (besides SEO)?

First off, I’m going to make a couple of assumptions about the question.  1. It seems to me that you are referring to online marketing tools, and 2) that you want quick results (don’t we all!).

I’m sure that we could assemble 100 people in a room and we would have about 100 different answers to what the top marketing tool might be.

Adwords is Google’s version of pay-per-click advertising, also referred to as paid placement.  The other major search engines, Yahoo and Bing, also offer paid placement, so I’ll lump them all together to answer this question.

Pay-per-click definitely has a place in your marketing toolbox, but in my opinion, it’s not the top tool.  From where I stand (and I’m a bit biased), Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is one of the best ways to attract qualified visitors to your site, for the money.

In a recent article, Is Pay-Per-Click Losing It’s Charm?, I mention the fact that the percentage of clicks in the paid placement area of the search engine results page (SERP) has dropped dramatically over the last few years.

I believe this is because more and more people realize that they are ads and therefore prefer to click on the natural results that the search engines believe are relevant, not just the advertisers.

My approach to online marketing is a more holistic one, that includes small business websites and blogs, article marketing, link building and directory listings, email marketing, social networking, social bookmarking and local business profiles.

I believe if you focus your energy on providing good content that your target market can benefit from and you spend a little time each and every day in all of the areas mentioned above, over time, you will build a strong following and loyal customers.

My approach may not bring a million visitors to your site tomorrow, but it will certainly build a strong foundation so you can attract a million visitors down the road.

If anyone else has thoughts to add, please leave them in the comments below.

To your success!

Follow Me on Twitter

Do Traffic Exchanges Really Work?

By

I want to thank Mark Isherwood of JMJ Web Services for submitting his Top 3 Online Marketing Questions.  His questions require a bit more time and thought, so I am posting them one at a time over the next three days.

His first question is this:

Do traffic exchanges really work?  If so, should they only be targeted to other marketers?

First off, let me say that I have no personal experience with traffic exchanges so I had to do some research in order to answer your question.

For some background information, view this article on Traffic Exchanges at Wikipedia.

After reading this and several other articles, here is what I think.

Traffic exchange programs may result in lots of hits and pageviews for your web site, but they will generally be very low quality visitors, many of whom are there just to get credits so they can get people to visit their own site.

It appears that traffic exchanges have been designed specifically for web site owners and other marketers, so I don’t see how you could target anything but other marketers.

There are times when you will want to team up with other marketers in order to expand the reach of your message, but I don’t think traffic exchanges are the answer.

It seems to me that traffic exchanges could take up a lot of precious time for very little bottom line results.

Here’s what I would recommend:

Instead of spending time clicking through other sites just to get other people to click on yours, find a small number of people who offer complementary products and services to yours and who are working to reach the same target market.

Create a sort of mastermind group with them and brainstorm for ideas that will help your target market solve their problems and ease their pain.

Create a list of keywords that your target market may be searching on for help and write articles that will meet their needs.  Optimize and add these articles to your web site.  Maybe even start a group blog and add the articles to it with a link back to the person’s site in your group who specializes in that topic.

This goes a long way toward establishing yourself and your group as subject matter experts who are knowledgeable and trustworthy and will attract those in need of your products and services.

As your target market begins to know, like and trust you, they will be more inclined to spend their hard earned money with you.

Mark’s other two questions:

Can you really expect good marketing results from Twitter? It would seem that you are only marketing to those who follow you.

Is Google Adwords still the top marketing tool? What else brings good results (besides SEO)?

To your success!

Follow me on Twitter!

Welcome!

Ken Partain - Small Business Marketing ConsultantHello, my name is Ken Partain and I personally oversee every single SEO and Website development project that we take on at IPG Search Marketing and I stand behind our work 100%.

Read Our Client Testimonials

Contact Us!

Ken Partain
511 Ancient Oaks Dr
Marble Falls, TX 78654
United States
Local: 1.512.651.2963
Toll-free: 1.877.334.8022

IPG Search Marketing on Google+

Our Latest Blog Posts

Connect With Us