Website or Social Media
April 20 2010
Does Social Media replace the need or value for a website?
Social Media does not replace the need for a stategically planned, designed, and managed website. It is a piece of the puzzle to using the web to grow your business. Website + Social Media Optimization = Qualified Sales Leads
However, there may be instances where focusing on a social networking presence before investing in a website may be the right path for a business or organization especially if there is a shortage of capital to spend on your marketing efforts.
Social Media and networking allows you to find where your customers are spending time online, then you can cultivate online relationships with them through LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Once those relationships are established, you can direct them to your website a.k.a the closer.
Compare LinkedIn, Facebook, etc. to networking events that you attend through your different local membership organizations. When you attend those events, it is an opportunity to meet several new potential clients at one time, you do not close deals at these events, you cultivate relationships that lead to new business.
If you are not ready to jump into social networking with both feet, it is still important to do two things:
1. Create a Company Profile on LinkedIn
2. Create a Business Page on Facebook
LinkedIn and Facebook pages will index well in search engines, and provide inbound links to your website. LinkedIn Company profiles can have keywords/phrases that are associated with your business. There are several ways that you can use Social Media to drive quality to your website, but at a minimum the 2 steps above will improve your web presence today.
A website adds great value to your business. It is your company's on-line office space. Only you determine how it will be laid out, what information will be provided, and how it will be promoted. A company's website should have specific call to actions that drive visitors to move forward with becoming a client.
Social Media does not replace the need for a stategically planned, designed, and managed website. It is a piece of the puzzle to using the web to grow your business. Website + Social Media Optimization = Qualified Sales Leads
However, there may be instances where focusing on a social networking presence before investing in a website may be the right path for a business or organization especially if there is a shortage of capital to spend on your marketing efforts.
Social Media and networking allows you to find where your customers are spending time online, then you can cultivate online relationships with them through LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Once those relationships are established, you can direct them to your website a.k.a the closer.
Compare LinkedIn, Facebook, etc. to networking events that you attend through your different local membership organizations. When you attend those events, it is an opportunity to meet several new potential clients at one time, you do not close deals at these events, you cultivate relationships that lead to new business.
If you are not ready to jump into social networking with both feet, it is still important to do two things:
1. Create a Company Profile on LinkedIn
2. Create a Business Page on Facebook
LinkedIn and Facebook pages will index well in search engines, and provide inbound links to your website. LinkedIn Company profiles can have keywords/phrases that are associated with your business. There are several ways that you can use Social Media to drive quality to your website, but at a minimum the 2 steps above will improve your web presence today.
A website adds great value to your business. It is your company's on-line office space. Only you determine how it will be laid out, what information will be provided, and how it will be promoted. A company's website should have specific call to actions that drive visitors to move forward with becoming a client.
Think before you purchase a domain
April 2, 2010
It is getting more and more difficult to find the perfect domain. Either someone is already using the domain you want, or someone has already purchased the domain, and is just waiting for you to want it enough to give them a few thousand dollars for a domain that should cost $8 a year.
Your domain should be easy to say, easy to remember, and easy to type. Your domain may or may not include your business name, depending on who you are targeting, it may be more useful to have your domain include your targeted keywords.
Here is a link to a blog from a few years back, but the tips are still very useful "How to choose the right domain"
Search Engines evalute how long you have had your domain as apart of the process when they determine your relevancy. Therefore, you do not want to be changing domains often, so make sure to think it through before registering a domain for your business.
Your domain should be easy to say, easy to remember, and easy to type. Your domain may or may not include your business name, depending on who you are targeting, it may be more useful to have your domain include your targeted keywords.
Here is a link to a blog from a few years back, but the tips are still very useful "How to choose the right domain"
Search Engines evalute how long you have had your domain as apart of the process when they determine your relevancy. Therefore, you do not want to be changing domains often, so make sure to think it through before registering a domain for your business.
