Search Engine Optimization: 5 Issues Business Owners Face

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Over the last 2 years I’ve seen a significant increase of clients who are business owners or marketing managers turning to the web to gain attain online market share and an overall online presence in an attempt to remain competitive and tap into the vast opportunities the web has to offer their business.

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a fundamental for those who strive execute a successfull online marketing strategy. And while many of these people are split between learning the trade themselves, soon realize the need to outsource the skillset for their business. It just makes sense with the time, resources and knowledge involved in a solid search marketing micro and macro strategy (organic and paid).

However, those business owners who are new to the game, tend to face five issues. While these are not conclusive, they do shed some of the more common problems I see with clients and marketing managers today. Read more

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SEO Terminology

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I am sure that it’s useful information for newcomers. I have no doubt that Read more

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Website Analytics – What Tools are Right for Me?

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I recently had a client discussion about the significance of measuring the success of Online Marketing campaigns, and the importance of defining criteria of the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This discussion led to the big question – what analytical tool for my website is right for my business.

While there are many tools and free apps on the market any business could use, some great for mom & pop businesses, I’ll cover the use of the available tools to measure online business performance, and identified KPIs that would further help gauge the conversion goals defined for the site, and the web marketing efforts. If you’d like to learn more about what website analytics can do for your online business, visit our website analytic services page to get an overview of the areas where we can help you understand the business intelligence of how your website is performing, and where and how to improve the site to increase sales and conversion rates.

What is The Right Analytical Tool for Me?

web analyticsConversation rates and goal conversion. What is it and why is it needed? Goal conversion, which can be defined into separate conversion types, and measured via KPI’s, is simply a measure of a pooled data, and requires proper planning and delivery.
There are a number of analytical tools that are readily available and can be used for the purpose of website data collection and interpretation…interpretation in the basic sense. Some of these tools are free (hint hint mom & pops) and others smaller to more significant investments. Omniture Site Catalyst, Click Tracks, RedSheriif, Web Trends, Google Analytics etc. 

The appropropriate choice of which application to acquire should be based Read more

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Holistic Email Direct Marketing: The Framework Recipe

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Email channel, one of the most cost-effective e-marketing channels available today for both BtoB and BtoC, though many companies lack the understanding on how to harness it’s true potential and to streamline the integration of strategy, delivery and business intelligence.

In this overview, I’ll provide you a holistic snapshot of what a full organizational email plan (or CRM plan) requires to streamline all efforts different business units and processes within the organization. This email marketing framework can work within a centralized head office, or an organization with global offices and marketing efforts. Though for the later, system and process integration is integral – but user empowerment is decentralized to all locations. To digress….

Over the last +3 years, email marketing has change dramatically. As email marketing proliferates over 2008 and 2009 in the marketing mix of companies plans (or maybe it’s the CRM guys driving it), individuals discover the intricacies of how to properly get the performance out of the medium. Read more

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2008 Top Social Networking Sites (May)

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Reported in May, 2008 from comScore, the top social networking sites in terms of unique visitors is outlined below. LinkedIn saw the greatest percentage growth (not shown below – see below link), while MySpace and Facebook saw continued growth due to core focus on building interaction and engagement among its users.

No suprise to see LinkedIn climbing the charts so rapidly, as anyone familiar with this professional career social networking site would have saw a number of new features launch over the year, most providing good value to its users to draw them back into the site driving engagement, interaction and repeat visits.

2008 (May) Top Social Nework Sites

Reported by Clickz. Full chat found at http://www.clickz.com/3629976

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BtoB Markets & Social Media Marketing

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Social Media Marketing, or Social Community Marketing, is one of hot topics of 07 and so far of 2008. I find it interesting to hear numerous companies, clients and marketing peeps, jump on the coals of the subject, but struggle with the understanding of its application in their business model – especially for BtoB markets.

Social Network Marketing, or what I like to call “Social Community Marketing” helps companies capitalize on cutting-edge marketing techniques to build brand affinity and relationships through community, engagement, evangelism. As an increasing number of individuals obtain their research and information from non-traditional sources, the media of Social Marketing will help marketers gain unique insights into their market and what influences them.

Marketing via Social Media’s is the Web 2.0 of today and still in its infancy. Marketers struggle with its application and to make it work within their mix, and better yet, how to Read more

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Top Ten Success Secrets of Email Marketing

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Many would claim there are X secrets behind each web marketing channel – SEO, Affiliates, Email, etc. that will catipulate your business among the rest online today. While using the keyword of “secret” to attract your attention (ok, I’m also guilty of doing that in this post), the point taken is that there really are not any secrets (privately kept formulas / ingredients / methodologies, etc.) that marketers employ in their marketing, and especially email marketing. It’s simply a foundation of experience and knowledge that differentiates the marketer – or in this case the email marketers. Read more

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Email Marketing – The Essentials

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One of the hottest marketing channels, if not THE hottest marketing channel, being discussed in the Internet Marketing industry these days is the email marketing (email marketing services in Vancouver) channel.

Why? Considering the majorities are plugged in to using email to communicate – whether from their home computer, cell phone, crackberry (errr, blackberry, palm, trio), or at work, consumers and business worldwide utilize the email channel to communicate day-to-day. This channel has by far the greatest direct response (data supports 80% visibility – open rates – within the first 48 hours), is extremely cost-effective (when used properly) and is complimented with real-time data to gauge reach, visibility and response rate. Why wouldn’t more businesses and marketers be leveraging this channel? Read more

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Online Market Reaches 1 Billion Users – Is Your Business Reaching These People?

Consider to bring your business online, or starting a new online business, but weiry of becoming just another website among the million of business websites online today? Consider this – the Internet is growing at an annualized rate of 18% and now has reached one billion users. A second billion users will follow in the next ten years, bringing a dramatic change in worldwide usability needs.

Does your business service to a fraction of this 1 billion market population?

Read more

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Fundamentals of a Search Engine Optimization Strategy

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What’s the most important tactic or component of SEO? When embarking on a SEO strategy, many professional SEO consultants will have various answers. Some wil say link referral tests, other will say keyword analysis, and yet others may say content audits.

While SEO is a critical component of dressing up your website to attract the personal appeal of each engine – kinda of like the dating game, one of the first areas SEO strategist should define prior to advising clients on strategies are the fundamental building blocks of search engine optimization, and more broadly, the search marketing plan.  Read more

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