Online Advertising Marketers

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Brenda Simon

With online advertising marketers soliciting your ad dollars things get confusing quickly. It’s a lot of information to absorb and digest. My biggest concern is ad campaigns including a “new”, “second” or “mirror” website. Your website is the cornerstone of your business online. It has never been more critical to know the value of your website, your domain name. All marketing needs to point to this very website-your domain name. Everything pointing to it helps drive traffic to your site, and that’s the goal. All your advertising needs to be directed to your website. You are then in control.

This second website benefits the advertiser seller, typically giving them a tracking phone number – so they can report to you, which sounds good. But the same can be accomplished by pointing to your website with your phone number, (Google AdWords do this very thing). They simply give code to you to place on your website. This hands the control back to you.

As I’ve mentioned before, having a duplicate website (“mirror”, “second”) is NOT a good thing. Google made this clear a year ago when it began penalizing and banning duplicate content. Even if the content is not exactly duplicated the more one site looks similar to another – the less Google gives weight to it, thus effecting how it returns your site in searches. Currently one client has a second website and both this mirrored site and his true website are suffering in Google’s ranking.

Perhaps the simplest way to view advertising online is to ask: Is it strengthening YOUR website?

Webmaster Services

Posted on March 25, 2012 by Brenda Simon

As a response to many recent inquiries, I am now offering a new monthly program for Webmaster Services.

Every second, over 4,500 searches are performed across the Internet. With that in mind, it’s critical that you are able to be found by those customers seeking your expertise.

This is not a lock-you-in 12 month program as many large companies are offering. It does not include a new website, to which these large companies direct these organic services and any new traffic (and not your existing “true” website) – which means once you cancel – it all goes away. My program directs everything to your website. If you decide to cancel – what you have paid for stays in place supporting your website. This is a critical difference. For large companies it is about their control over your product. My offer is to support and drive your website – keeping YOU in control of your online presence.

I’ve priced my package at a competitive rate and I will continue to give you the same personal service I offered when we created your website.

I’ve outlined some of the components of Webmaster Services on my website to help you understand their relevance. Please call me with any questions. I look forward to working with you to build a stronger online presence.

Victory Baptist Church, NH

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Brenda Simon

Reading the fine print – does matter. It’s time consuming to read the “I Accept” these terms for every online transaction, or conversation. But this one sheds light on the importance of taking a bit of time. Read this article to see what you’re agreeing to using Pinterest.

As an artist and musician copyright is of great meaning and value to me and my created work.

Facebook Timeline

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Brenda Simon

If you have a Facebook business page it will get a face-lift March 30th. The opinions continue to fly on this latest change, but it becomes mandatory and you’ll see a drastic change in your web page.

Now you have a profile photo and a “cover” photo. The Facebook rules are – your cover cannot look like a real website banner. No phone numbers – no sales pitch.

The simplest way to be creative is to create an image 851 pixels X 317 pixels. Make a montage of your logo, photos, graphics of any kind. It’s a great size to work with. Have fun and enjoy this one piece of the Timeline change you CAN control.

Or use a big photo:
DouglasSimonPhotography

What to Do About Yelp

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Brenda Simon

Yelp has been making the news lately and not for good reasons.

When Yelp came online and began finding their niche it was welcomed and steadily increased users who love to review restaurants and auto repair shops; and it continues to expand into all businesses. People who belong to Yelp and post reviews call themselves “Yelpers“.

My clients have expressed trouble regarding their hard sales tactics. Recently talk radio has been talking up accusations of bogus reviews targeting businesses declining Yelp’s paid advertising. Clients telling me their positive reviews are buried, under the negative reviews and they are suspicious of who posted the reviews. It is hard to determine what is truly going on. Both sides are at odds.

It’s troublesome for your online reputation. Reviews do matter.

If you receive a negative review on Yelp, Google or any of the many directories – address it. Sometimes it’s a case of mistaken identity. The reviewer mixed you up with a similar business. Look in your records for the poster’s name, date or location (if included). If you can’t find a record of the person respond to the review asking for an invoice number, or more information. Present your business as trying to right a wrong and you’ll go a long way in damage control.

Some clients will never be happy with your service. The public recognizes this, too. The action of responding to a negative review will reflect your business practices and the reader will get your message. Don’t respond with anger.

Finally, walk away – if you have responded to the review and he’s not giving up – let it go.

Don’t let these things drive you crazy. The Internet gives everyone a voice: right or wrong – it’s the ultimate Soapbox!

Get More Traffic

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Brenda Simon

You want the maximum visibility for your website. In today’s climate, that means being actively involved in driving your site so that your customers can find you each and every time. Gone are the days of “create it and leave it” websites that are static and unchanging. Websites have become the cornerstone of business marketing. You need to take steps to fine tune your site to make it a more effective marketing tool.

Reciprocal linking is part of your search engine optimization plan. Part of your ranking from Google is based on reciprocal linking. Simply put, every link to a website is a vote for that site, which helps boost your Google ranking. There are guidelines to be followed and it must be monitored to check link validity (based on relevance to your industry).

Over the past two years, online directories have become invaluable. These directories are small bits of internet real estate you can leverage to drive customers to your website. Think of them as ads scattered over the internet and you’re controlling their message. They now allow more content than ever before and, most importantly, many are review oriented. Online reviews are another huge factor in gaining positive Google results.

Reviews on sites such as Yelp, Google, Yahoo, etc. are not screened by you. As a result, customers trust the reviews to be accurate and that equates to added value to your products or services. Yes, you may get negative reviews, but you can address any issue through the directory. Again, that builds customer confidence in you and your company.

Much of your traffic will come from search engine results. Keywords are indicators of the most important topics, service or product on each web page. These are words your customers will use to find you. Controlling your keyword strategy can make or break or your site. If your site is more than 2 years old, it’s time to review your website. Google has made drastic changes to the way it analyzes keywords and Meta data on a webpage.

I provide a package plan with these services and more. Visit BrendaSimon.com .

QR Code

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Brenda Simon

This links to my website when scanned.

QR means Quick Response code. Created in Japan and used for over a decade the QR code is similar to a store bar code which is scanned for pricing, inventory, etc., but the QR code is 2 dimensional. It’s utilized by smartphones and other mobile phones-camera enabled. Already estimates are 31% of smartphone users – take advantage of this – 14 million mobile users scanned a QR or bar code by June 2011. That is 6.2% of all mobile users. The object is to make it easy for consumers to get connected to you.

The QR code is scanned by a phone for a brand (your business). This can be in your print ad, business card, a poster in your store window, etc. The code is used to link scanners to digital content. If you sell product packaging use your QR code to send consumers to more product information. Connect the QR code to your website, your Facebook page or your contact information.

The code is free. Google QR code generator and you’ll find multiple choices. Most QR codes are set to link to a webpage, but you can configure to your phone number or text.

You choose the size generated – from s, m, l or xl.

This links to my Facebook page.

It’s proven to work – and one more step for your marketing plan. Looking for more detailed information? – read more.

Custom Website

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Brenda Simon

New to the online world is Arrow Animal Hospital, my client who just launched their website this week. This is a basic 10 page website. Website photos by Douglas Simon Photography.

This is a spectacular facility – not only is the building stunning at 6300 square feet, but so is the lobby, exam rooms and the most fascinating part to me–behind the scenes. With extensive dental care, ICU, surgery room, x-ray room, boarding and more. This place can handle chihuahuas to Great Danes! It is amazing how technology has provided so many tools to keep our pets healthy. If San Dimas, California is convenient for your pet’s care – give them a call. An extremely dedicated vet – who has an extraordinary passion for cat and dog care.

Arroww Animal Hospital in San Dimas, CA

Anti-Virus

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Brenda Simon

We all need to keep our computers protected with anti-virus and anti-malware software. Many of us grew up on Norton anti-virus, or MacAfee’s anti-virus software. Still most new computers arrive with trial software preloaded from one or the other of these manufacturers.

Free anti-virus has come a long way. Microsoft offers Microsoft Security Elements – no charge; AVG is well respected, and there are more. This is a comprehensive resource of free anti-viruses and performance test results for each. (Scroll mid way down for the article.) It’ll help you make the right choice for your computer.

Website Design

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Brenda Simon

Your first website is the hardest. What colors do you want for your design? If you have a logo you can “brand” the website with those colors. What if you don’t have a logo? Not to worry. Many of my clients don’t have a logo. Don’t let this stop you from taking your business online.

Some business categories have identifiable colors. The auto industry leans toward red, white and blue color schemes. Medical facilities — blue tones. There are classic color schemes which are appropriate for business and others geared toward entertainment websites full of bright color combinations.

Try to find 2-3 websites you like. This will greatly help your web designer begin creating your custom layout and is a big time saver. Getting the color design you are happy with is the biggest foundation step. The better prepared you are the more efficient the website creation process will be.

Color is not your thing? Some of my clients have no idea about color, and happily let me create 2-3 designs for them. They choose one, and we’re off. You can be as involved with the color scheme as you want! It’s about having choices.

website client

Custom Web Designer

Yearly Archives: 2012