Get your name as far out there as possible!
Even though they may have a professionally developed website and show up on the first page of searches, many people don't consider that there are other ways to reach a wider audience.
The main thing about search engine results is that they are after the fact; the person searching already knows that they want that service or product.
The main thing about search engine results is that they are after the fact; the person searching already knows that they want that service or product.
Without additional advertising, a website doesn't reach people who have
been thinking about something, but have not yet gone as far as
searching.
From a business standpoint, these are the people you need to reach the most; when they decide to search, your site will immediately be bunched in a set of up to 20 other similar results.
Even if you show up at #1 for a search, most people will still click several other links in the results, purely to comparison shop.
If you can present yourself to people while they are still in the thinking- about-it stage, and your website has what they need, they are more likely to consider you for their needs and less likely to take the extra trouble of searching further.
So how can you achieve this?
There are both paid and unpaid methods you can use.
1. Paid - You can take out real-world advertising, such as in print, TV, radio, or even the sides of your vehicles. This is why I write this column each month: to reach people who know they need a new website, but haven't quite got around to it yet.
You can also pay for banner ads online with companies like AdChoices.
AdChoices has a wide range of services; simple banner ads targeted according to your specs, and 'smart' banners, targeting people who have been on your site, or searched your products/services.
Most readers will recognize this- after they have previously visited a site, and then it seems that every banner they have seen since is for that site.
2. Free - When it comes to unpaid advertising, social media can be the best source of referrals.
Products shared on Facebook or tweeted on Twitter can reach many people.
This is why our sites have "share" and "tweet" buttons on them. These lead people to your site, where you want them to be.
Because people have friends and followers with similar demographics and tastes, if one person shares a product from your site, all of their friends take it as a personal referral.
If you have concerns with your web site performance, now is the time to look into our WebUpdate system sites. Unlike WordPress and other free open source sites, Webupdate offers advanced SEO, security, social, and responsive features. Give your business the best competitive edge online.
The main thing about search engine results
is that they are after the fact;
the person searching already knows
that they want that service or product.
Without additional advertising,
a website doesn't reach people
who have been thinking about something,
but have not yet gone as far as searching.
is that they are after the fact;
the person searching already knows
that they want that service or product.
Without additional advertising,
a website doesn't reach people
who have been thinking about something,
but have not yet gone as far as searching.
From a business standpoint, these are the people you need to reach the most; when they decide to search, your site will immediately be bunched in a set of up to 20 other similar results.
Even if you show up at #1 for a search, most people will still click several other links in the results, purely to comparison shop.
If you can present yourself to people while they are still in the thinking- about-it stage, and your website has what they need, they are more likely to consider you for their needs and less likely to take the extra trouble of searching further.
So how can you achieve this?
There are both paid and unpaid methods you can use.
1. Paid - You can take out real-world advertising, such as in print, TV, radio, or even the sides of your vehicles. This is why I write this column each month: to reach people who know they need a new website, but haven't quite got around to it yet.
You can also pay for banner ads online with companies like AdChoices.
AdChoices has a wide range of services; simple banner ads targeted according to your specs, and 'smart' banners, targeting people who have been on your site, or searched your products/services.
Most readers will recognize this- after they have previously visited a site, and then it seems that every banner they have seen since is for that site.
2. Free - When it comes to unpaid advertising, social media can be the best source of referrals.
Products shared on Facebook or tweeted on Twitter can reach many people.
This is why our sites have "share" and "tweet" buttons on them. These lead people to your site, where you want them to be.
Because people have friends and followers with similar demographics and tastes, if one person shares a product from your site, all of their friends take it as a personal referral.
If you have concerns with your web site performance, now is the time to look into our WebUpdate system sites. Unlike WordPress and other free open source sites, Webupdate offers advanced SEO, security, social, and responsive features. Give your business the best competitive edge online.
Terry Young is the founder and CEO of Internet Marketing and Design. Since 1997,
his computer programming and graphic design knowledge have kept his company
at the forefront of the latest technology in web development.
