From the category archives:

Web Site Marketing

Social Networks Now Outstripping Google & Friends

by Brendon Sinclair on June 9, 2010

Some interesting information with UK Hitwise claiming that “social network sites now receive more UK Internet visits than search engines…..May was the first ever month that social networks have been more popular than search engines in the UK.”

Of the social network sites visited in the UK, Facebook accounts for 55% of all visits, almost three times as many as the next most popular social network.

The really interesting bit of the graph put together by Hitwise is the steep growth of social networking sites, opposed ot the pretty flat line for search engine visits.

I, for one, certainly expect that growth to continue.

You might remember back in April I wrote “Why Social Networking Is Going To Kick Search Ass” – looks like I might even be on the money (there’s a first for everything!).

Cheers

Brendon

P.S: Hat tip to Tech Crunch.

Cheers,

1 comment     |     Permalink

Don’t Let Being Perfect Stop Your Success

by Brendon Sinclair on June 8, 2010

Chatting with a client last night about her web site design.

One thing I often point out is not to dwell too long on the web site design.

Sure, the web site has to look good, but it doesn’t have to be perfect.

Your web site content, offer and content are way more important to be spending your time on.

Being a perfectionist will reduce your chances of success.

Cheers

Brendon

Cheers,

1 comment     |     Permalink

There’s Only 2 Types Of Marketing

by Brendon Sinclair on June 4, 2010

There’s really only 2 types of marketing:

  1. When customers are looking for you
  2. When you’re looking for your customers

Here’s what I mean:

1.  Customers Are Looking For You

Let’s take Jack’s bike lift web site as an example.

Customers are looking for the product sometimes by doing a search in Google – so we make sure we have high rankings in Google and we might take Google AdWords ads for the sort of terms they’d search for.

2.  You’re Looking For Customers

But, you see, not a lot of people know about the product.

But when they see it they think “What a great idea – I could use that.”

So we want to find these people too.

When we’re looking for customers (who don’t realise they might like the product) we find associated areas when we might make them aware.

Some examples might be:

  • taking space at Bike Expos
  • buying ad space on cycling related web sites

Make sense?

Are you doing the 2 types of marketing?

Cheers

Brendon

Cheers,

0 comments     |     Permalink

Step 8 – Old Fashioned Print Media Still Works

by Brendon Sinclair on June 4, 2010

The quick recap on this little web site marketing series.

Step 1 – Added Google Analytics to your web site

Step 2 – Made up a simple web site marketing plan

Step 3 – Started implementing various search engine optimisation strategies (that is, stuff to help your web site get listed higher in the search engines)

Step 4 – Added your web site to Google Maps/Local/Places

Step 5 - Gotten involved in your niche community

Step 6 – Harness the power of social media

Step 7 - Public relations

Print Media Still Works

You know, despite the strong focus on online marketing strategies to get people to your web site, it’s important to realise that print media can still be effective.

Whether it’s an ad in your local newspaper, school newsletter or industry magazine, as long as you present:

  • the right information/offer to
  • the right people at
  • the right time, print media can get people to your site.

Test & Measure

As with any marketing, do it and measure to see if it works.

If you don’t do that then you’ll be peeing away your money (I was going to say “pissing” but I thought that might be a bit rude…..oh bugger, I just did!).

Cheers

Brendon

Cheers,

0 comments     |     Permalink

Step 6 To Web Site Marketing Success: Social Media

by Brendon Sinclair on May 27, 2010

We’re flying along with this little web site marketing series.

Let’s take a look at what we’ve (and by “we” I mean you) have done so far to marketing your web site.

Step 1 – Added Google Analytics to your web site

Step 2 – Made up a simple web site marketing plan

Step 3 – Started implementing various search engine optimisation strategies (that is, stuff to help your web site get listed higher in the search engines)

Step 4 – Added your web site to Google Maps/Local/Places

Step 5 - Gotten involved in your niche community

Step 6 -Harness The Power Of Social Media

I’m the 1st to admit that social media isn’t for everyone, nor is it right for every business.

But social media – and I’ll focus on Facebook and Twitter as social media for our purposes – could well have a very important part to play in marketing your business web site (I recently wrote how Social Media is going to kick Search Ass).

The important things to know about Facebook and Twitter before you start using them are:

  • you need to understand how social media works (otherwise you won’t use it),
  • if you don’t use them regularly, then they won’t work very well.

Start Today – No Ifs or Buts

So if you’re not using Facebook and Twitter, start today.

Signing up for both takes just a minute or 2, using them every day can take just a few more minutes and understanding how to use them for maximum effect takes a bit longer.

Like any interaction with your target market, whether that’s networking (and here), getting engaged in your niche community or social media, the key is this:

Provide value for the other person

That’s why Facebook and Twitter can be so valuable for the budding entrepreneur – the value you provide can be provided to hundreds, even thousands of people at a time.

Whilst this article won’t extend to how to use Facebook and Twitter for maximum effect, I’ll finish off by saying the most important part of social media, aside from providing value, is to find your own style in using these valuable tools and stick with that.

Cheers

Brendon

Cheers,

0 comments     |     Permalink

Step 5 – Get Involved In Your Web Site Niche/Community

by Brendon Sinclair on May 24, 2010

Okay, you’ve launched your web site and started marketing it.

Because you’re smarter than the usual bear, you’ve found my web site and read all the articles, over 2,200 blog posts and free stuff on this site.

Then you stumbled across this series on web site marketing and, following what I’ve suggested have already:

Step 1 – Added Google Analytics to your web site

Step 2 – Made up a simple web site marketing plan

Step 3 – Started implementing various search engine optimisation strategies (that is, stuff to help your web site get listed higher in the search engines)

Step 4 -Added your web site to Google Maps/Local/Places

Next Up – Get Involved In Your Niche

Next up is for your web site marketing is getting involved in your niche.

You see, the best sort of visitors for your web site are people who visit similar sites.

So if you have a swimming equipment web site, you’d get yourself involved in swimming niche web sites.

This might take the form of:

  • Commenting on related swimming blogs
  • Getting involved in swimming discussion forums
  • Offering to buy an ad on a swimming related web site
  • Providing your product as prizes to swimming web sites who might like to offer your products as a prize

What you’re doing by being involved and engaged in the community is building the awareness of your web site.

The Key Is Providing Value

By far the most important thing to do here is provide value.

Don’t jump on related niche sites just to promote your products or services.  You’ll find yourself ostracized real quick.

What you need to do is get on and provide great value to the users of these other web sites in a non-selling way.

When you do this in a consistent way, you’ll very easily build your brand as a related, trustworthy and valuable resource.

Bit by bit, all of those blog comments, forum comments and helpful emails will result in great awareness of your site (along with a decent boost in visitors) and, as a result, greater chance of web site success.

Cheers

Brendon

Cheers,

2 comments     |     Permalink

Step 4 – Starting Local with Web Site Marketing

by Brendon Sinclair on May 21, 2010

A ton of searches are done locally these days – by that I mean people often search for a product or service within their local area.

So if they live in Sydney and they’re looking for a plumber, they’ll search for “plumber Sydney” rather than just “plumber”.

It’s very important to get yourself in front of these searchers and a very simple way to do this is to list your business with the Google Places (used to be called Google Local Business Centre).

It can significantly lift your profile and get you seen by lots more people interested in your business.

Results From Businesses Listed in Google Places

Video Explanation

Google has put together a neat little video explaining Google Places.

Cheers,

2 comments     |     Permalink

1 Simple Step To Customer/Supplier Loyalty

by Brendon Sinclair on May 20, 2010

It can be hard to build a working relationship with customers or suppliers.

But there is 1 very simple step that helps a lot:  Beer.

Yep, beer.

Boags Premium Beer to be precise.

My beer fridge - How the hell did soft drink & water get in there??!

My beer fridge - How the hell did soft drink & water get in there??!

You see, Dan Rippon does computer repairs in Tweed Heads and beyond.

And Dan’s been appreciate of some information and inspiration I’ve given him over the years.

So yesterday Dan called in with a carton of beer and to say thanks.

Dan Has Tapped Into A Powerful Strategy

By calling in to say “Thanks for your help” Dan has tapped into 3 very powerful techniques.

1.  Rewarded behaviour gets repeated.

2. People like people who like them – Dan’s demonstrated he likes me by giving me a gift and saying thanks.  (He also said “Man, you are sooooo good looking Brendon!  I wish I looked like you!”  (Get in the line Dan, get in the line.))

People are more like to buy from people they like.

3.  Social gifts (like beer) gets shared. By me being able to share the beer makes me feel good and most of that goodwill is attributed to Dan.

It also means his generosity gets mentioned by me a few times and that helps build his brand in my head.

Dan’s Nice Touch

Now, Dan knows I’m a Tasmanian lad.

He also knows (I presume) that Tasmania has the finest beer in the world (as well as food, women, cricket teams, actors, writers and more).

If It’s Tasmanian It’s Good

Basically, if it’s Tasmanian you can bet your ass it’s good!

So that’s why he bought me a carton of Boags finest.

And I noticed he bought the Tasmanian beer and assume he put some thought into it.

And $$$ too, because Boags Premium is one of the more expensive beers.

I like Dan’s style!

More positive brand building in my perception of Dan.

Smart Marketing

Saying “Thanks” can be one of the most effective marketing strategies you can implement.

But here’s the thing – you can’t say “Thanks” and give gifts as part of your marketing campaign because people will see it for what it is – a cynical grab for your business.

Give gifts and say “Thanks” because it’s just plain good manners.

Thanks again Dan and cheers!

Brendon

P.S:  And Dan gets added benefits like a blog post and the mention that he does computer repairs at Tweed Heads.

Cheers,

1 comment     |     Permalink

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →