Starting out it can all be so overwhelming. But it doesn't need to be.
We have to get our products or services exactly right.
Then we have to figure out how to explain them to others through our website.
We understand the reasons people should buy what we are selling. But can we successfully explain that to our website visitors in convincing language they relate to, instead of jargon and lingo related to our industry?
Finally, we have to develop an action plan to market online and within our budget, which is often limited when first starting our business.
And how do we develop that marketing plan? Where do we get the information necessary to formulate marketing techniques that will actually work for us? The number of sources out there is simply overwhelming!
This is when getting feedback from a professional outside our own industry can be valuable. You can turn to an affordable Internet Marketing Consultant or an SEO consultant who understands and specializes in small businesses and new business start-ups.
What about Getting Internet Traffic to Your Site?
Some start by using pay-per-click marketing, like Google AdWords. The trouble is that AdWords can get expensive quickly. And it takes a LOT of time to set up and manage over time.
Starting out it may make sense to use AdWords. Plus, it can be a great way to test your keyword search phrases to find out which ones convert best. You can use AdWords for this purpose before beginning search engine optimization (SEO).
But ultimately...sooner or later...you'll need to optimize for the search engines (SEO).
SEO can provide you qualified Internet traffic without per-visitor costs. Think of it almost as free advertising.
You should also utilize article marketing, getting your message in front of article directory visitors and ezine newsletter subscribers. This can generate faster sales, while you're waiting on your SEO efforts to pay off.
Lastly, for most Internet businesses, they should use blog postings or opt-in email marketing to stay in touch with their prospective buyers, using a soft-sell method, over time. If all you focus on are people who make a buying decision they very first time they come to your site, you're missing out on the great majority of sales you can make!
How Much Traffic Do You Need?
Here are some questions you'll need to consider when making decisions about AdWords and SEO:
1. What is your monthly sales revenue goal from your website?
2. How much traffic to your website on a monthly basis will you need to meet your sales goals?
3. What is (or will be) your click-through rate, whether from AdWords ad impressions or organic SEO impressions? You need this number to determine the total number of monthly impressions you'll need for your AdWords ads and your organic SEO listings, to arrive at the monthly traffic number you need to your website.
4. What is (or will be) your conversion sales rate from your traffic? Again, you need this number also to determine the amount of monthly impressions you'll need.
Especially when first starting up, finding this type of data, evaluating it and then implementing a plan can be very time consuming and can almost drive a person crazy!
There are a lot of so-called experts you can follow. But how do you know if they know what they're talking about?
And without having these numbers (at least good estimates), starting AdWords or SEO is like throwing darts with a blindfold on!
Again, this is where talking with an SEO Consultant or Internet Marketing Consultant can help light your path. Your result can be more sales, MUCH faster.
Which Keyword Search Phrases are Right for Your Business?
Think of keywords as the windows or doors to your website. Without using the right ones for YOUR business, your website is like a house without windows or doors -- no one is coming in. Kinda the opposite of what you're going for. :-)
What makes good keywords for your business?
My advice to clients I coach is your keywords should:
1. accurately match what the search engine users INTEND when they type in their keywords to the services or products you offer (get inside their heads);
2. bring you enough traffic to be worth the AdWords or SEO effort;
3. offer affordable enough AdWords bid prices, if you're using AdWords;
4. have obtainable first or second page SEO results;
5. contain words in the phrases that suggest a searcher who is ready to spend money (unless you're offering something that is truly free) and
6. CONVERT directly to a sale, a sales lead, a sign-up...whatever your goal is.
Wrapping it Up
Be open to the value an affordable Internet Marketing Consultant or an SEO Consultant can offer you. Someone who has already gone down the road you're on can help you avoid the potholes along the way. And those potholes can be very expensive...
There are talented advisors out there who understand small businesses and new business start-ups. And they price their services for these businesses.
Using someone talented, you'll almost certainly make more sales, more quickly.
And following that advice and the other suggestions in this article, your Internet marketing plan should be off to a great start!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Hiring an SEO Consultant Vs. Hiring an SEO Company
When choosing between an SEO consultant and an SEO company to assist with Internet marketing for your business, there are many different points to consider. Many factors are dependent on the specific needs of the business, the maturity of the business’s website, and the owner’s preferences. To help business owners decide which choice is better for them, here are the top 10 tips to consider when deciding to hire an SEO consultant or an SEO company:
1. Budget—For businesses with modest Internet marketing budgets, an SEO consultant may be a more logical choice, as he or she is more likely to take on smaller projects, and can spend more time explaining the fine points of the work.
1. Real-Time Progress Reports—Owners who like to be able to pick up the phone and find out how the project is progressing may prefer an SEO company. The company’s project manager should know the progress of each project at all times.
1. Work Done In-House or Outsourced—SEO companies have the resources to perform the work in-house; whereas most SEO consultants must outsource the work to smaller firms and trusted freelancers.
1. Synergies—The synergies between different Internet marketing strategies are a big part of the short-term and long-term success of a campaign. This factor tends to favor SEO companies, since every specialist on the project can speak and work directly with other team members.
1. Expedience—This largely depends on the size of the project. For smaller projects, an SEO consultant may be a better choice, as he or she can provide faster turnaround times. For larger projects, an SEO company might be a better choice—but speed of completion is far less important than the quality of the work performed.
1. Individual Attention—Under most circumstances, SEO consultants are able to provide more individual attention on each project, and it is definitely in their best interests to do so. However, there are plenty of smaller SEO companies that can also devote extra time to each project.
1. References—Both SEO consultants and SEO companies should be able to provide several references to whom a business owner can speak about their previous work.
1. Limited Expertise—Search engine optimization is a huge, diverse field and it’s simply not possible for one SEO consultant to do everything well. Ethical consultants will tell you this up front. Most SEO companies aren’t able to “do it all,” either, but they generally have the resources to give business owners more options.
1. Continuity—If addressing questions or concerns, an SEO consultant will usually be a better choice, as SEO companies more likely to experience turnover.
1. The Owner’s Instincts—This is purely subjective, but will ultimately be one of the biggest factors. It is definitely in the business owner’s best interests to speak with several consultants and companies, and to pay attention to how those people answer questions. Are they evasive? Do they tend to lead the conversation in another direction instead of answering questions?
These tips demonstrate that there are no clearly defined answers as to which approach is better. The best choice for your company is highly dependent upon the specifics of your situation and your familiarity with Internet marketing. Keep mind that many of these tips are generalizations and may or may not apply. As with any other business decision, conduct your own research, gather the facts, and make informed decisions.
1. Budget—For businesses with modest Internet marketing budgets, an SEO consultant may be a more logical choice, as he or she is more likely to take on smaller projects, and can spend more time explaining the fine points of the work.
1. Real-Time Progress Reports—Owners who like to be able to pick up the phone and find out how the project is progressing may prefer an SEO company. The company’s project manager should know the progress of each project at all times.
1. Work Done In-House or Outsourced—SEO companies have the resources to perform the work in-house; whereas most SEO consultants must outsource the work to smaller firms and trusted freelancers.
1. Synergies—The synergies between different Internet marketing strategies are a big part of the short-term and long-term success of a campaign. This factor tends to favor SEO companies, since every specialist on the project can speak and work directly with other team members.
1. Expedience—This largely depends on the size of the project. For smaller projects, an SEO consultant may be a better choice, as he or she can provide faster turnaround times. For larger projects, an SEO company might be a better choice—but speed of completion is far less important than the quality of the work performed.
1. Individual Attention—Under most circumstances, SEO consultants are able to provide more individual attention on each project, and it is definitely in their best interests to do so. However, there are plenty of smaller SEO companies that can also devote extra time to each project.
1. References—Both SEO consultants and SEO companies should be able to provide several references to whom a business owner can speak about their previous work.
1. Limited Expertise—Search engine optimization is a huge, diverse field and it’s simply not possible for one SEO consultant to do everything well. Ethical consultants will tell you this up front. Most SEO companies aren’t able to “do it all,” either, but they generally have the resources to give business owners more options.
1. Continuity—If addressing questions or concerns, an SEO consultant will usually be a better choice, as SEO companies more likely to experience turnover.
1. The Owner’s Instincts—This is purely subjective, but will ultimately be one of the biggest factors. It is definitely in the business owner’s best interests to speak with several consultants and companies, and to pay attention to how those people answer questions. Are they evasive? Do they tend to lead the conversation in another direction instead of answering questions?
These tips demonstrate that there are no clearly defined answers as to which approach is better. The best choice for your company is highly dependent upon the specifics of your situation and your familiarity with Internet marketing. Keep mind that many of these tips are generalizations and may or may not apply. As with any other business decision, conduct your own research, gather the facts, and make informed decisions.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)