1. Slow Load Times.

Perhaps there’s nothing worse than clicking through to a website only to have to wait. And wait. And wait. And wait. Get the idea? No one likes websites that load slow (or sometimes not at all). Having this issue is a surefire way to skyrocket your site’s bounce rate.

2. Page Errors.

Whether it’s an expired security certificate problem, a script that fails to execute correctly, or any other glitch that presents an error message, this pet peeve is both cumbersome and worrisome for visitors. You don’t want to be associated with having a site that looks like it’s been hacked or otherwise unsecure.

3. Hard To Read Text.

Take it easy on your visitors’ eyes. It’s hard enough to get people to pay attention to your message-and if you make it too hard to read with small text or low contrast text and background issues, you’re sure to run into trouble.

4. Sensory Overload.

Less is more; simple is better. These two adages rein always true on the web. Don’t distract your visitors from what they need to see and interact with by putting too much extra stuff-whatever it may be-on your site, in the way.

5. Auto-Play Multimedia.

This is not work friendly or friendly to visitors in any way. No one likes to click through to a site to be bombarded with audio, video, or a virtual “guide.” It can be startling in many instances-and just annoying in others. Always give the visitor the option to initiate any multimedia features themselves.

6. Pop-Ups.

Only in very rare cases should pop-ups be used. And unless you want to be permanently branded as a “never-visit-again” kind of site, never force your visitors to click on a pop-up message to proceed with their browsing in any way. Blocking visitors from interacting the way they want will ensure they never visit again.

7. Forms That Reset.

Ever start to fill out a web form (such as checking out on an e-commerce purchase), click “Next” to find out that you missed a required field? And then, when you go back, you’ve got to re-enter all of the information from the very beginning all over again? This is not visitor friendly.

It’s a good idea to work hard to make your site as free from common visitor pet peeves as possible.

Author: Web Spider, Inc.

Full Service Internet Marketing Agency

SEO, SEM, PPC Management & Web Design

Get a Free Website Review by going to WSpider.com

http://blog.wspider.com

http://www.WSpider.com

All Rights Reserved Worldwide

1. A Copywriter Can Save You Time

More specialized or focused than a general blog post or subject article, copywriting can be a time consuming process. By allowing someone to take on the job of copywriting and editing, you are essentially maintaining your focus on your business at hand saving you time. There is no doubt that outsourcing for such a task is becoming the norm for many micro or small businesses. Business owners have come to understand that it is easier to concentrate on money making core activities of the business rather than allowing their concentration to be shifted into other aspects.

2. Use A Copywriter As and When You Require Their Services

The advantage of using a copywriter or ghost writer is that you don’t have to hire them to write the promotional material from scratch. You may have already sat down and worked tirelessly on your document or web text, however you are just not sure of how it comes across or how it will be perceived by a third party. A copywriter is able to proofread the article smoothing out any issues and making sure it comes across professionally, free from grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. This is certainly a cost effective way of using the services of a copywriter whilst still enabling you to enhance your brand and generate leads.

3. Consistent Copywriting is Crucial to Your Business

Consistency is important throughout all of your marketing and promotional material from your website text through to your brochure and other copy material. A professional copywriter will take your brand and existing text into consideration in order to assist you in achieving a competitive advantage by use of the written word. Attracting the customer and eliciting a positive response from them in terms of the text is your aim and consistent and direct copy is one way to achieve this.

4. Maintain Professional Copywriting

As copywriting is usually geared towards promotional or marketing activities, it needs to be professional in order to deliver the results. A copywriter is able to concentrate specifically on your project rather than slotting it in between other tasks or completing it in their lunch break. The text itself requires a strong focus on the content and keywords for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) purposes. Having well-structured and search engine friendly copy is imperative to raise the profile of your business – and a copywriter or ghost writer can deliver on this aspect enabling you a bigger bang for your buck.

5. Maximize Your Website Investment with Clever Copywriting

Words create action and having a clear “call to action” in your text will ensure that the copy on your website does not just comprise wasted words. An expensive looking website will fail to impress if the words do not inspire any interest or be unsuccessful in delivering the right message. Essentially too much or too little text will miss the mark entirely.

Copywriting is an art form and an important factor to effective marketing. Some of the key points to quality content are killer headlines and if marketing online, keyword rich content. Get yourself noticed with great copy.

To read more about our services, visit http://www.bauhiniasolutions.com/copywriting/

Author: Nicole_Graham

Well, not so fast. Unfortunately, there’s a little bit more to the story when it comes to using a ready made web design theme or template…

Everybody’s Doing It!

First things first, if the theme you might be thinking about is a great design and is available somewhere on the web, the bottom line is that there are going to be many sites that end up using the exact same theme-perhaps even thousands and thousands. The other thing is, the best available templates tend to be niche-specific…so by using a pre-designed theme, you could end up sharing the exact same website with your competition or with other organizations in your field. This is usually not a desirable thing, especially when it comes to distinguishing your own unique brand.

They Almost Never Turn Out As Good As They Look In the Demo.

This is the other major caveat to using an existing template to build your new website around. The demos for the themes that sell you on the option before downloading or purchasing the theme are tweaked and perfected by design professionals before becoming available on the market. They would often make it seem like it’s just a matter of copying in your content, and wha-la, your new site is perfect and up on the web.

Again, unfortunately in the real world, this is just not the way it actually works. Tweaking and editing a theme to fit your specific needs and content is not for the faint of heart. Most amateurs end up giving up and hiring a professional to finish the task. And the bottom line here is by the time you spend the time and money on the theme, and then have to pay someone to specifically un-build and then re-build the theme to suit your exact needs, it’s usually less expensive to create a fully custom site from scratch in the first place.

WSpider, Inc.
Full Service Internet Marketing Agency
SEO, SEM, PPC Management & Web Design
Get a Free Website Review by going to WSpider.com

http://blog.wspider.com

http://www.WSpider.com

All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Author: Julia_Pritchard

Image via Wikipedia

What is search engine ranking anyway?

It’s some kind of rating assigned by Google and other search engines to any particular site by employing certain algorithms which include search engine optimization, incoming traffic, ease of use, inbound links, title bars, and other criteria.

These are 3 simple tips to help boost your SERP ranking:

1) Your Title is Where the Money Is

The most outstanding keywords related to your service must be included in the title bar, and this rule is applicable to every single page on your site. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Yet, you will be surprised that this simple rule is frequently overlooked by a large number of webmasters. If you seriously want to improve your search engine ranking, make sure to use key phrases in the title bar, but don’t overdo it. The phrases should be short, snappy and attention-grabbing.

2) Create Valuable Content

What do most internet surfers look for? The answer is too obvious–information. And that’s what you must give them. Once you have a list of relevant keywords, use those keywords as a foundation for creating valuable content. Don’t use graphic text to stress your keywords because search engines can read plain HTML text better than graphic text. Excessive use of graphic text will only nullify your attempts to boost your search ranking.

3) Backlink Creation

The popularity of a site is judged by the number of inbound links it has. Learn more about link building and see what techniques you can use to increase the number of quality backlinks from high PR websites.

Never stop to improve your ranking. This is an ongoing process not a one-time execution. Be prepared for a continuous work. To reach the top is hard, but to remain at the top is much harder.

Generate Web Traffic Fast
Go to my blog– http://www.webincomeformula.com for more tips, tricks and traffic generating techniques.

Author: James P. Allen – EzineArticles Expert Author

What Exactly Is Twitter?

Twitter is a social networking web site that can be utilized to send relatively brief messages of about 140 characters to acquaintances, family members, friends, or to the general worldwide Internet community.

Common Uses For Twitter

There are numerous applications for Twitter, but the main uses include, news, instant updates, and communication with friends and family. For example, LA Fire fighters employ Twitter to keep the community abreast of potential fires and other emergencies. In addition, news agencies use Twitter to provide up-to-the-minute news updates. While companies and public services are beginning to utilize Twitter more and more, most Twitter users utilize the web site to keep family and friends updated on their current activities.

Utilizing Twitter As A Mass Media Outlet

If you run a business, you can utilize Twitter to publish news and updates about your specific business or your products. The proper method involves posting a clickable link to the full article or press release. Business owners should consider the overall value of the release to customers and allow them to “discover” the material via Twitter. Proper etiquette is essential to effective marketing on Twitter. Overt advertising tends to alienate followers and will usually serve to create bad feelings among potential consumers.

The Internet’s Bulletin Board

If you’re looking to promote sales or special events, Twitter represents an ideal forum. For example, Schlotzsky’s Deli uses Twitter to keep customers updated on sandwich specials and new menu items. When promoting your business on Twitter, it’s crucial to realize that the web site is designed for conversation and timely news. Make sure that you post in a personal and conversational manner. Twitter followers aren’t interested in being subjected to blatant advertising.

Instill personality Into Your Specific Brand

Twitter is a marvelous instrument for providing your brand name its own unique voice. To succeed at Twittering, you simply must reveal your specific personality and post text with a singular flair. This can make a considerable difference in your overall success and can help increase your total amount of Twitter followers. Without followers, Twitter will not be a valuable marketing instrument for your small business.

Client Support and Small Talk

When you start using Twitter, you’ll immediately discover that the web site mostly lends itself to conversation. Twitter represents an opportunity for you to talk to your prospects and potential consumers. If this doesn’t interest you, then you should probably refrain from incorporating Twitter into your overall marketing strategy. Make acquaintances, be an acquaintance and respond to your followers. Demonstrate to your following that you would like to engage with them. This sort of attitude allows for optimum client support and tells your followers that you are a trustworthy, personable individual.

Almost every one in five small businesses are now tweeting regularly, according to research released recently by O2, the mobile phone provider. (“Small Businesses are Catching Twitter Bug,” Richard Tyler, The Telegraph, 16 March 2009) Although the larger, multinational firms were the first to jump on the Twitter bandwagon, increasing numbers of small to medium businesses are catching up. In many ways Twitter is an even more useful tool for these mom-and-pop operators than for the big players who have the deep financial pockets to fund large advertising budgets. Twitter, on the other hand, is free, simple and easy to use and is the newest, most useful tool for small businesses looking to increase sales and profits.

Cost savings

Small businesses that use Twitter save on marketing and recruitment costs. A substantial amount has been saved by firms who use Twitter instead of traditional marketing methods, an impressive cost reduction from the small business perspective. (“UK Small Businesses Flock to Twitter,” News Desk, smallbizpod.co.uk, 17 March 2009) Small businesses often have little, if any, advertising budget. Having a Twitter account is much cheaper than maintaining a web page or an email distribution list, and for smaller enterprises, the immediate intimacy of tweets suit their business philosophy and approach better than impersonal, sweeping advertising campaigns.

Spread the word

A crème brulee cart operating in San Francisco grew by word of mouth via Twitter and within a few months the proprietor had quit his day job to keep up with demand. (“Mom-and-Pop Operators Turn to Social Media,” Claire Cain Miller, New York Times, 23 July 2009) Such a success story illustrates that direct marketing, especially the word of mouth kind that Twitter espouses, is a powerful tool for small businesses looking to expand their customer base. Business owners can also tweet about discounts or new, just-in products, reeling in new customers and enticing regular ones.

Relationship management

Twitter is useful for small businesses wanting to keep in touch suppliers. The microblogging tool allows small businesses to connect to other small companies, promoting a sense of community that goes beyond traditional geographical borders. An antique store in Texas connects with customers in New Jersey and orders supplies from out of town – all transactions that were made through Twitter-based relationships. (“Mom-and-Pop Operators Turn to Social Media”) Twitter has the ability to increase the range of small businesses contacts, whether with suppliers, potential customers or support services like accounting and consulting firms.

Feedback loop

Small businesses rarely conduct market surveys as these are too expensive and time consuming for the average small to medium enterprise. But what about grass root surveys? Twitter allows the small business to monitor what people are saying about their business and their products. You can ask for active feedback and criticism, respond to questions and deal with any disgruntled tweets through Twitter. Listening to what’s happening on the ground can also help small businesses decide on a strategic direction.

Keep your enemies closer

Competition is fierce for the small to medium enterprise. Twitter lets small businesses monitor their competition. What new initiatives are on the horizon and what can you do to keep ahead? If your competitors are not on Twitter, you can search for tweets that mention them so you can see what others are saying about them. Competitive intelligence is a good reason for small businesses to use Twitter and stay a step ahead of the crowd.

Differentiation

Being able to build a presence can make or break a small business. How to differentiate your shop or enterprise from everyone else’s? Twitter allows a dash of creativity, humour and humanity in marketing your business. Tweets are personable and twitter accounts can be as funny or outstanding as you want them to be – the better for your customers to remember you by. A car dealer in Albany, New York, has the attention grabbing twitter profile “iamhuge”, a silly and memorable profile name that fits in with the business’s general marketing pitch and attracts curious customers to his website, Twitter account and dealership. (“Being HUGE on Twitter: A Small Business Case Study,” Rebecca Kelley, website: 10er20.com/blog, 4 August 2009)

Short summary:

Twitter is not just for the big guys. Small businesses are signing up for Twitter accounts in droves. There are many and myriads benefits of using Twitter to the small business, including cutting marketing costs and keeping tabs on competitors.

If you need to generate free traffic for your blog, blog forums are a great place to start. You know for a fact that you won’t be flogging a dead horse as all of the users are there because of a shared interest in the topic.

There are many such forums: Blogger Forum, Bloggeries and Blogst Forum are a few well known sites. A Google search will yield a vast number of results; it’s worth checking to see how active any forum is prior to registration – that way you can start with the busiest.

Remember to carefully read any forum’s rules prior to posting and abide by them. Also, don’t spam boards with multiple posts just containing the link to your blog – all that will do is alienate potential visitors.

The benefits of using blog forums aren’t limited to advertising your blog link and accumulating traffic:

You can make posts asking others to appraise your blog and point out positive and negative aspects; ask people to critique the style, layout and content. Bear in mind that opinions differ hugely so it doesn’t mean something is bad if one or two people don’t like a particular aspect – that can just be a matter of personal taste.  If you consistently get negative comments about certain parts of your blog, however, take them on board and think about what changes you can make to improve those areas.

Return the favor and critique others’ blogs. Not only are people more likely to help you if they see you are willing to reciprocate, by viewing lots of blogs you will get an idea of what works and what doesn’t and will learn to view your own blog more objectively.

By reading lots of forum posts you will also find that you pick up lots of helpful tips and tricks from other blog owners on subjects such as content, advertising and affiliate marketing. Absorb as much information as possible and make notes on anything of particular interest; you can implement good ideas to make your own blog more successful.

Don’t expect to post your link on a few forums and suddenly gain tons of readers – you will only get out as much as you are prepared to put in. Advertise your blog on as many forums as you can to gain maximum exposure and you will be rewarded with a steady increase in traffic.

Groups
The original method of community-building marketing, groups are still popular, and for good reason. A group can serve as a center for everything related to your brand. It encourages people to participate in discussions about your brand, share it with others, and serves as a great way to communicate with your customers and partners.

Groups have a few disadvantages, however. You can’t send messages to your entire group if it’s over 1,000-1,500 members (though this restriction is slated for removal), limiting communication with your group members. Groups also attract more spammers than other methods of advertising, and you might find your time being consumed by dealing with this spam. Also, you’ll need to get a Facebook Page if you want to use applications, nifty widgets that make your page more functional.

Pages
Similar to groups, but with some crucial differences, Pages are fairly new and specifically designed to help businesses advertise their brand and engage Facebook users. They have similar advantages to groups, in that Pages allow you to promote your brand and engage potential and current customers.

Some major advantages that Pages have over groups are in the customization and communication potential. Flash, HTML, and Facebook applications can all be added to Pages, and groups have relatively few options for customization. While groups promote your brand on the profile pages of your group members, Pages stand out more. You can message your entire membership, regardless of how many fans your Page has.

Pages are also visible to people who aren’t registered Facebook members, so they will be indexed in Google and other major search engines. This is crucial if you’re trying to manage your brand and get it showing up in search engines.

Another important advantage of Pages is that the URL of your Page will be customizable. Having a domain with your keywords and little else can be invaluable for SEO purposes, and simply to make the Page address easier for people to remember.

You can even see visitor statistics, create events and invite members to them, and promote Pages with social ads.

Most of these advantages point towards Pages having the upper hand for long-term brand promotion, whereas groups are better for attracting attention quickly and for a short period of time. It’s faster to spread the word and invite new members to groups.

Which is better?
Each method of Facebook marketing has its own advantages and disadvantages. Though similar in many ways, the real question to be asked is whether you want to build a community or a formal presence. Either way, success on Facebook takes a great deal of commitment, resources, and two-way conversation.

Groups and pages are just two of the many opportunities to advertise on Facebook, so consider starting one or both of them to promote your brand.

Facebook is the leader of the pack of social media. According to TechCrunch in November 2008 more than one in five people who used the Internet visited Facebook. The growth of Facebook has increased ever since. Facebook has become essential for business marketing. This new style of customer contact requires implementing new and innovative ideas about marketing.

Facebook is a great way to keep up with friends and family. But you don’t necessarily want your clients to see the baby pictures your mom posted. Businesses large and small should take care to present a well defined and controlled image of their products and services. Facebook fan pages are an excellent choice for business.

Personal Facebook pages allow you to share information about yourself and to connect with friends and family. Fan pages have many of the same features as personal pages. You can still share articles, photos, videos, and applications, but the fan page is organized around a theme. All of the content on your Fan page is related to your business.

Strategies for making your Fan page a success

Make your Fan page a resource
Consider your customers interests. What information do they need? Post articles and links to useful information on your wall. Your Fan page is an opportunity to showcase yourself as an expert. Provide these things for your customers and they will return to your page again and again.

Connect
Interact with customers. Make use of all of the Facebook tools. Respond to comments. You may not want to list your entire product line. A sample on your fan page could lead new customers to visit your website for more. Spamming is always a bad idea, but targeting offers to customers who show interest can lead to increased customer loyalty.

Be human
Pictures and personal information put a face on a company. As long as you present an image that enhances your business, personalizing your Fan page is a great way to get followers.

Be present
Fill out your profile completely. Keep article, photo and video content current. It’s not enough to throw up a page and be done with it. Make sure to respond to customers who become fans. Create a group for your business. You can also participate in groups related to your business.

Innovate
Facebook moves fast. Don’t be afraid to try the latest thing. Explore webinars, and other interactive media as options to improve business relationships.

Creating Facebook fan page is great first step toward integrating social media into your marketing plan. Don’t forget to provide links from your website to your Fan page. Make sure to connect your Facebook fan page to other social media so your network will grow. In no time your Fan page will be the central hub of your successful online marketing campaign.