Archive for Google Local Search
Niagara Advertising: Niagara Local Search Marketing.
Posted by: | CommentsWhat is local search? Simply put it’s when a person is searching for information about a local business in Niagara on the internet. When that searcher types in the product or service they’re looking for into Google, if your business is listed on the first page of the search results it’s very similar to being in the highest visibility area on the busiest street in town.
Today it’s not enough to have your business listed in the Yellow Pages. You see people in Niagara are using the internet to search for products and services more than they are the phone book. Google and the other search engines are giving businesses in Niagara an opportunity to include their business listing in their local search directory.
Because it is the goal of Google and the others to provide the most relevant results to a given search, it’s very likely that your business will show up for your product or service in Niagara if you’ve taken the steps to get listed.
Many online searches are done on mobile phones these days. That’s even better news for Niagara business, and more reason for them to get listed in the directories. You see, smart phones provide local search results with clickable links which make it easy to call the Niagara business in question. But you need to be listed to make this work for you.
You can also help your potential customers get to know you before they visit your business in Niagara by adding video to your local search listing. Or how about offering electronic savings coupons to entice the searcher to visit your business. Hey Niagara business…this is all FREE!
It takes a little effort and time to learn how to get listed, but it’s not rocket science. This is probably the most powerful advertising you can do at NO COST! If you’re not comfortable trying this yourself you can hire someone to do it for you…probably less than $400.00 bucks.
Using internet marketing in Niagara and being listed in the local search directories is a sure fire way to generate more sales and new customers. So what are you waiting for Niagara?
Need help with this? Give me a call!
Murray.
SEO Video: A New Video Service from Web Traffic Solutions
Posted by: | CommentsI’m really happy to announce our brand new program called SEO Video.
SEO Video is designed for anyone who wants to sell anything on the internet. It’s an inexpensive, totally hands-free method to get your product video created and distributed throughout the internet.
Here’s an SEO video for the car market that will give you an idea of how this all works.
This is a great marketing service for;
- Car Dealers
- Realtors
- Boat Dealers
- RV Dealers
- Motorcycle Dealers
- Scooter Dealers
- Ebay Product Sellers
- Private Car Sale
- and many more applications.
If you’d like to learn more about SEO Video, please give me a call at 905-328-6957 or send me an email at murray@webtrafficsolutions.ca
Google “Nearby”: Is Your Website Ready For This New Google Change?
Posted by: | CommentsGoogle Nearby can Help Local Business…
If you rely on local web visitors for your business, Google has made a significant change in it’s search results that you need to know about.
People searching for products and services that you offer can now customize their search to return only geographically targeted resutls. If your SEO company is on top of the continual changes that Google makes to its algorythms, you’re likley in a good SEO position and will benefit from this change. If not, you’ll want to ensure that your website is ready.
Google has added a new tool in the Search Options panel called “Nearby” So far it’s only available on Google.com in English.
How does it work?
- Type in a search, let’s use the example that Google uses, “things to do on st. patrick’s day”.
- Now look at the left sidebar panel for a tool called “Nearby”.
- When you click on it other custom search options will open allowing you to enter in a city, region, or state.
As Google continues to focus on perfecting local search options, local businesses will continue to be presented with tremendous opportunities to be found in the search engine results ahead of the larger, national, competition.
Make sure your SEO understands this stuff and is working on your website to get you top listings in Google local search.
Here’s the article on the Google blog.
Web Design: Does Your Lawyer Website Produce New Clients? Here’s How!
Posted by: | CommentsAs a lawyer you know that you need a web design. But just having a website is simply not enough if your intent is to generate business from your website.
It’s important to plan your site and how you will build your website, right down to the finest detail. You’ll want your lawyer website to be professional and attractive, but you’ll also want it to be practical and optimized properly for the search engines.
So the first thing you’ll want to do is determine what exactly you want your website to do for your law firm. Will it just be used for branding? Or do you want a legal client generating machine? Either way you’ll need to find a web design company that will work with you to produce just the right lawyer website for your firm.
A good web design company will counsel you on the best practices of web design. How to get traffic to your website, and several other up-to-date marketing strategies. There will be lots of questions that need to be answered, such as;
- Who will provide the content for each page?
- Who will provide images?
- Will there be video included?
- Will live video shooting sessions be required?
- How many pages will be required to provide the website you need?
Then there will be questions about the web designer;
- When can you expect completion of the project?
- What kind of support will you get after the website has launched?
- Who will keep the website up to date?
- Will the designer be available for consultation on a regular basis during the development period?
It’s wise to take your time to make sure you’re making the right decisions. Many web designers will have portfolios you can inspect. Although they may not be lawyer websites you’ll be able to get a feel for the type of work the designer can produce.
As the designer for referrals. It’s one thing to show you websites they claim to have worked on, but it’s much more valuable if you can speak to the client and get some first hand information and advice in working with the prospective web designer.
When searching for the right web designer to work on your lawyer website, you can consider hiring a freelance web designer. Some of these folks are very talented and can often save you some money. The key of course is to find the right one that will not only provide you with the lawyer web design you’re looking for, but will make it do what you want your website to do for your law firm. A little due diligence is in order here.
The internet is continuously changing. This means that your website will require frequent updates to keep your visitors and the search engines interested. Usually the best person to work with you on the updates is the person who created the site. They will understand the culture of your law firm and the marketing message you want to project.
The basic principles of a lawyer web design are pretty much the same as in all other websites. If you take the time to find the right web designer they’ll be able to guide you through all of the confusing stuff and make your lawyer website come together smoothly and quickly. You’ll not only end up with a lawyer website you wanted, but one that will produce actual business for your law firm.
If you’d like to know more about our lawyer web design options, you’re welcome to contact me anytime.
SEO: Should the Lack of Massive Hits Concern Me?
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s inevitable that every conversation I have with prospective, or even current clients, will eventually get around to the topic of “hits”. It seems that this is a common term that the offline masses are familiar enough with to believe they have an understanding of it, and many believe that “hits” to their website should be the prime objective.
So what it a “hit”?
A simple definition is that a visitor has landed on one of your webpages, and it’s recorded in your analytics program as a visitor, or “hit”.
So should you be concerned when you’re not getting “massive hits” to your website?
The short answer to this question is NO.
It’s not difficult to attract “hits” to a website. Anyone who follows just he basics of SEO with very little or no understanding can accomplish that.
But the question really should be; should I be concerned if I’m not getting “targeted Visitors” to my website. The answer to this question is ABSOLUTELY!
What do I mean by “targeted visitors”? These are folks who are searching online for a specific product or service. A solution to a problem they currently have. A local business that can provide whatever it is that will solve their problem.
They’ve already done the research, know what they want, and in many cases have already decided to buy…they’re just looking for a place to buy.
Let’s say you own a brick and mortar shoe store and you place an ad in the local paper promoting free coffee and pastries on Saturday. Or perhaps you own a car dealership and offer $20.00 free gas and a car wash just to take a test drive.
These types of marketing strategies are used frequently by offline businesses in the hope of attracting customers, or “hits” to their store.
You might have a really busy day catering to these visitors, but at the end of the day how many shoes did you sell? How many cars did you sell? How many of your visitors, or “hits” came to your store because they were truly interested in your product? How many of these could be classified as “targeted visitors”?
I’m not saying that this is a bad promotional strategy, but most of the folks who visit your business through a promotion such as these are not “targeted visitors”, and will visit to take advantage of your free offer, with no immediate intention or interest in purchasing your product.
The same thing applies to your website. In order to get business from your website, you need to attract “targeted visitors”. Those who are searching online for your product or service already with the intent to buy.
How do you get “targeted visitors”?
In a word; “Research”. You must do some in-depth keyword research to find out what terms people are using when they are interested in buying your product or service.
Here’s the shoe store example;
If your SEO strategy is broadly focused on the term “shoe”, you’ll attract lots of 
visitors, if you can get ranked in Google for that term. But those folks may be looking for anything from shoe repair, to dress shoes, designer shoes, basketball shoes, etc. Not very targeted. Most of your non-targeted visitors will leave your website within the first 10 seconds because they didn’t immediately find what they’re looking for.
So you must dig into some keyword research to find the valuable terms that people are using that are “relevant” to your product or services.
By doing a little research and finding valuable keywords and phrases that are relevant to your business, you’ll be attracting the right visitors, and you’ll be providing your visitor with exactly what it is that they’re looking for. Your chance of actually doing business with these people is much greater. A visitor who is searching for “nike air force basketball shoes” is a much more “targeted visitor”.
These folks aren’t just browsing, they are interested in that particular brand and type of shoe.
