Google rolled out its latest Panda update to the search engine's algorithm. It is designed to push sites with bad content down the rankings. SEJ has published a list of those most negatively effected. Thank heavens ask.com got drilled, that site is the most unhelpful site on the planet. Check out eBay. Headed in the wrong direction.
Having a website is a great way to provide information to your customers, but if you want to maintain a dialogue with your customers, you should make sure to include social media in a way that complements the rest of the content on your website. People love sharing ideas with each other and with the businesses they support, and social media serves this exact purpose. Here are some ways to boost social engagement for your website.
Embed a Twitter Feed
If you have a Twitter for your business, it is a great idea to embed your Twitter feed right onto the side panel of your website so that customers will see frequent and real-time updates from you, which will make them feel more connected to your business. Tweet at peak times of customer activity so your Twitter will get as much exposure as possible.
Include Social Media Widgets
You have a website, but your customers may not know that you have an active presence online in other places like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram or SlideShare. Embed widgets onto your site in a place where your customers can see them and easily click on them to be directed to your other social media platforms in a new tab. Customers will then return to your website again and again, because it will provide them with access to all of your social media platforms in one convenient place.
Maintain a Blog
When you keep a blog on your website, it gives customers a chance to read about who you and your employees are. A blog is a great way to give customers a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of your business, including pictures and videos, and let them know about company events you will be hosting or attending. Customers like to feel included in the operation of your business, since they are investing their money and energy to buy and use your product to support your business. Encouraging readers to leave comments will assure them that their voices are being heard, especially when you reply to those comments directly or address them in future posts.
Make Sure Your Website is Optimized for Use with Mobile Devices
People use their smartphones and tablets constantly, both at home and on the go. If your website is designed to be compatible with mobile usage, your social engagement will increase, because people will be accessing your website more often, accessing your social media through the website, then engaging with that social media. No one wants to scroll up, down, left, and right, or zoom in to tap tiny links, just to navigate a website on their tiny cell phone screen. If you make it as easy as possible for customers to use your website on their computer, smartphone or tablet, they will feel more comfortable engaging with your content and will also respect you for being technologically savvy.
Make the Most of Your Online Presence
There are so many ways to share information with your customers and give them a chance to provide feedback or share ideas with each other. Let your website shine as the main hub for all social engagement opportunities, and your online presence will bring you customer loyalty as well as profit for your business.
"During these tests we noted that the vast majority of the customers (81/100) clicked on Google Adwords rather than the natural search results.
When we asked participants what they thought the Adwords were (and why they were appearing at the top of their search results) typical responses included:
“…the first 3 that meet my search criteria, presumably the best.”
“…best match for what you have put in the search. They have got the words that you have put in or are the most popular.”
“…the most searched I guess.”
SOURCE: Behavioural Research Consultancy Bunnyfoot
A 2013 study by eMarketer found that a larger percentage of sales managers rate telephone calls as “excellent” or “good” – more than any other PPC lead type. It’s why phone calls are the very conversion marketers most need to track to accurately measure ROI from paid search. We use a transcription based system with real time text/email alerts for our clients.
A new study by Facebook Strategic Preferred Marketing Developer Marin Software shows that search campaigns actually perform better when they are done in concert with a Facebook campaign.
Great new research from Ipsos MediaCT which shows how consumers conduct local searches.
Snapchat, Instagram, Whatsap, kik.. they may be media darlings and teen favs, but Facebook is the king of revenue. I think as more advertisers get introduced to Facebook's superior targeting capabilities Facebook's income will continue to grow exponentially.
Still think mobile is a fad? Check out these new statistics from Cisco. Smart companies are getting ahead of this revolution.
Good article on how to convince your boss to invest in Social Media Marketing. He was more diplomatic than me. I'd simply say "eat or be eaten."
http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/ridiculous-arguments-against-social-media-list
I love, love, love Facebook Advertising. It is one of the best buys any business can make. However fixing the right rail is like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
http://adage.com/article/digital/facebook-s-unloved-rail-desktop-ads-a-facelift/292566/
