Posted December 16th, 2009 by Tem Balanco
When building a website, customers accidentally overlook some of the more important aspects of providing information to a prospective customer visiting your website.
In the flurry of work required to get your website done, focusing on content, photos, your marketing message, sometimes the basics fall through the cracks. It’s understandable and in this blog post, I hope to help you with some of the basic pet peeves you can easily avoid on your website.
Not surprisingly, these issues relate to getting a hold of you! Making it easier and easier for your prospects to contact you and conduct business is a basic, but critical step in the success of your website. In past blog posts, I’ve suggested ways to speed up your sales cycle, this post covers the basics and the easiest pet peeves to avoid on your website.
Pet Peeve #1: Your contact Information is not on your home page
Often times customers just want to get a hold of someone and ask a quick question. The speed at which you can do that will determine your success. We hear from customers every day that they appreciate that we answer our phones live.
Many times a prospect has already decided to purchase something and they are looking to call you and make the transaction. Provide your full contact information on your home page, at a minimum your 800 # or business phone number. Let the prospect decide how they want to contact you, whether it’s phone, mail or email.
Pet Peeve #2: There is no phone number on your website
This is probably one of the most important things you can have on your website. Many people are comfortable with email, but most still prefer to conduct business over the phone. Don’t give them an excuse to go elsewhere, put your phone number on ever page on your website. Either at the top or at a minimum in a footer of your website.
Pet Peeve #3: The only way to get information is via email link or contact form
Many website owners only provide an email link as a way for the prospect for you contact them. Maybe it’s the lack of resources initially, but I believe this is a big mistake. Again, customers want to speak to someone fast and email as we all know is slow.
Even if you are on top of your emails, the perception to the customer is that you are not as professional as you could be by having a phone number listed on your website. Many services allow you to forward a 800 # to your cell phone. So, you do not need an expensive phone system to appear professional.
Bottom line: It’s best to provide FULL contact information on your website, that is address, phone email, contact page link. Let the customer decide which way they prefer to contact you. This basic change on your website will help you be more successful.
Posted November 23rd, 2009 by Tem Balanco
Flickr is a great way to upload and organize your photos online.
Although you can upload your photos directly to Site Builder Pro, some customers prefer to organize their photos on Flickr.
We’ve created a how-to movie on how you can add your Flickr slideshow to your website using Site Builder Pro.
How to add Flickr Photos to Site Builder Pro:
Posted November 23rd, 2009 by Tem Balanco
I recently read the 4 Hour Work Week and really liked it.
4 Hour Work Week gives you a new perspective on how to solve an old problem: How do you grow a business, but not be all about work.
The author goes through tons of great examples on how you can have a successful business, but still have balance in your life.
The goal is to not “really only work 4 hours a week,” but how you can make the best of your business resources, automate and/or delegate to make your business more successful.
The author puts some emphasis on his personal desire to travel the world and still run a successful business. This may not be your goal, but don’t let that aspect of the book dissuade you. I personally love to travel, but it’s not my goal in life, however, I still derived a lot of great tips from this book.
I highly recommend this book, I’m confident it will give you some great insight and perspective on how to better run your business.
Amazon Link
Posted October 25th, 2009 by Tem Balanco
Considering Facebook’s 300 million active users, and the thousands joining every day—along with its Alexa ranking of 3 (that is, Facebook is the third most-trafficked website)—businesses really must tap into the power of this online behemoth.
Facebook offers many features for strategic networking and generating visibility for your company.
Among them, Facebook fan pages are (currently) the only feature fully indexed by Google. By inserting keyword-rich text throughout your fan page and updating regularly, you can create tremendous search engine optimization.
Using Facebook’s Social Ads, you can then drive targeted traffic from the entire Facebook site directly to your fan page.
Once potential fans click through to your fan page, your goals are as follows:
- Immediately grab their attention and make them feel they are in the right place (they feel they made the right decision by clicking on your ad)
- Inspire them to become a fan
- Draw them in to engage with your page
- Keep them coming back—often called “stickiness” (your fans keep coming back to engage with your page)
The following 10 elements of dynamic Facebook fan pages will set you head and shoulders above the rest and keep your fans coming back for more.
1. Title your page
When first creating your fan page, you need to choose a title; it could be your brand name, personal name, or business name, as well as a few descriptive words. Typically, the shorter the title, the better, because each time you add content to your fan page your long title will append to each post.
2. Choose a picture that pops
This is not a well-known fact, but Facebook’s ideal size for a fan page image is 200 pixels wide by 600 pixels high (it looks rather like a bookmark shape).
Whenever you post on your own fan page, the thumbnail image that appears will show a section of your main picture, so you may need to experiment with your graphic to get the image just the way you want it.
3. Secure your username
As soon as you get your first 25 fans, you’ll be able to register your unique username (often called a vanity URL) at http://facebook.com/username. For example, instead of being a long, unmemorable link, you can shorten the link by using your brand name, company name, etc. (mine is http://facebook.com/marismith).
4. Set a landing tab
You can create a fully customized “landing page” for your non-fans, with images, keyword-rich text, links, even video. How? Just add the Static FBML app, paste in your FBML code (very similar to HTML), then edit your fan page settings to select the specific tab you wish non-fans to land on.
For examples, see http://facebook.com/droz, http://facebook.com/gary, http://www.facebook.com/ellentv, http://www.facebook.com/cocacola, http://www.facebook.com/ONE, http://facebook.com/paysonjewelry.
5. Write an appealing About Us/Bio
There’s a small text box area just under your fan page picture; use this area very strategically to essentially summarize what you do, whom you help, and how you help them. Even better, include a call to action with a hyperlink (be sure to include the “http://” so it’s clickable).
6. Import your blog posts
Using the Notes app, pull in your blog feed so that each time you make a blog post, your fan page automatically updates and your fans can read and comment on the post. Doing so also helps to consistently add content to your fan page and keep it fresh and engaging.
7. Show posts by page and fans
There may be strategic reasons for showing posts only by you on the fan page, or only by your fans, but I highly recommend setting it to show both. That way, anyone who comes to your page can see the interaction from both sides.
8. Encourage your fans to add content
Your fans can add their own photos, videos, and comments on your “wall.” Allowing and encouraging your fans to add their own content will make them feel more a part of your online Facebook community, and when they tag themselves that content goes out into their feeds creating more visibility for you.
9. Respond to your fans
Providing quality content is just one aspect of building a good Facebook fan page (or any social networking presence, for that matter). Another critical aspect is engagement. By actively responding to your fans’ comments, questions, suggestions, ideas, etc., you show that you’re a company that cares, listens, takes action, and engages your community.
10. Broadcast to Twitter
Using the new Facebook fan page to Twitter app http://facebook.com/twitter you can write status updates up to 420 characters that will go out as a tweet on your Twitter account and truncate at about 120 characters with a bit.ly link back to your fan page. Great for cross-promoting and extra visibility!
Writtin by Mari Smith (www.marismith.com), who is dubbed “the Pied Piper of the Online World” by FastCompany.com, is a social media keynote speaker, consultant, and trainer. She is also president of the International Social Media Association. Reach her via mari@marismith.com.
What is MarketingProfs?
MarketingProfs is a great resource for how-to marketing articles and advice for small businesses. For more information, go to http://www.MarketingProfs.com
Posted September 22nd, 2009 by Tem Balanco
In 1997, when Tom Peters coined the term “personal branding,” few had any idea of exactly what it called for and how to achieve it. Today, personal branding has become the standard for career development and a necessary part of how we communicate with others online.
Blogs and social networks only add to concerns—and opportunities—for our brands. We now have “personal e-branding”; that is, we have to take who we are in reality and compose an Internet version of it, without losing authenticity. That transparent nature of our brands allows for open dialog among peers, including admitting mistakes and communicating a clear opinion on where we stand on various topics.
As we market ourselves as brand over the Internet, we must be conscious of how we present ourselves and how people perceive us. Due to the nature of the Internet, most people have neglected “small things” that could actually help propel our brands to superstardom.
What may go unnoticed by some, will turn into a competitive advantage for others.
Tip 1: Name and Topic Associations
If you want to be known for a specific topic, then people have to be able to connect your name to it. Every time they see your name, the topic should surface in their minds. Likewise, every time they hear your topic, your name should come to mind.
But how do you accomplish this?
First, pick a domain name that is either YourName.com or YourTopic.com.
Second, take the title tag of your Web site that aligns with this domain, and put the topic and then your name: “Your Name—Your Topic.” That way when your site is crawled and ranked in Google, it will start the association.
Third, use your name and topic in the keyword meta tags for your site.
Tip 2: The Consistent Brand
From your avatar to your picture, your blog, your social network profiles, and even your writing, you need a consistent brand as it appears everywhere on the Web.
Way too many people fail at consistency because they rush into promoting their e-brand without first planning their strategies. All of your “main” pictures should be the same; that is, use the same graphic (headshot) for all of them. This includes your avatar (LinkedIn/MyBlogLog, etc.), your Facebook picture, and the image you have on your blog or personal Web site.
If you are young and trying to be successful, but you use different pictures, people will tune out or forget who you are and so fail to make the necessary associations. If you are already a name brand, such as Donald Trump, you can get away with picture inconsistency.
And when writing, remember that your tagline, name, picture, and bio should be as consistent as possible, if not identical, as you establish your own blog, guest-post for other blogs, write for online resources, and display your profile on various social networks.
If you’re promoting your brand through multiple social networks, you need to retain and reuse the same interests, work experience, education, and status fields. If you don’t, your viewer will be confused and you won’t be remembered.
Tip 3: The Social Network Sheriff
TechCrunch has highlighted over 2,000 companies in its crunchbase.com database, and about 80% of them are social networks.
Some 3-5 social networks are announced each day, and people keep joining them. I’m quite worried that people are making a serious personal-branding mistake by registering for all of these networks.
Issues that arise:
Maintenance — If you register for every social network, how are you ever going to maintain your presence on each one? What if you switch jobs or decide you don’t like a certain hobby any more as you age? As the number of social networks that you register for increases, so does the time you need to spend updating each one.
Personal information — By registering for all social networks, you are giving your information to many Web sites. Typical registrations consist of your email, name, user name, password, and more. Why would you want everyone to have this info? It is a way to open up privacy and identity-theft issues.
Your checklist:
Volume: A social network is only as strong as the number of people who are a part of it. Think about it: If a message board has no messages or a blog has no comments—if there is no one to interact with on a social network—why join? If people in your location aren’t using it, then it makes no sense to join.
Credibility: So the social network has a million users; that’s great. What if the million users are people who have nothing to contribute? There is no point in being part of something that can’t serve as a support system and resource for your personal brand. If the people on the network aren’t credible, then you won’t get anything out of it. To me, LinkedIn is the most credible social network on the planet right now because it contains profiles of Fortune 500 executives and leading entrepreneurs.
Relevancy: Totspot.com is a social network for mothers and their babies. If you are a single male who attends college, this network certainly isn’t for you. It’s a waste of your time and others’ if you sign up for every social network but have no conversation common denominator.
What goes unnoticed by many can be an advantage for the few. By taking the step to not only build a personal brand but also seek new ways to get your name out there, you will be more successful.
When people become busy, they tend to lose sight of what they are actually doing and how they are being perceived by the public. So consider the “small things,” which can quickly amount to “big things.”
Websites to increase your personal branding:
http://www.crunchbase.com - CrunchBase is the free database of companies, people, and investors that anyone can edit.
http://www.facebook.com - Facebook is the most popular social network. More and more people are using it to network with friends, family and potential clients
http://www.linkedin.com - Linkedin is a popular business networking service. It’s free and allows you to exchange information, ideas and network with others.
Written by Dan Schawbel who publishes Personal Branding Magazine (www.personalbrandingmag.com) and blogs at the Personal Branding Blog (www.personalbrandingblog.wordpress.com). His upcoming book is called Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success (Kaplan, Spring 2009).
What is MarketingProfs?
MarketingProfs is a great resource for how-to marketing articles and advice for small businesses. For more information, go to http://www.MarketingProfs.com
Posted July 14th, 2009 by Tem Balanco
Microsoft’s latest foray in to search engines is getting a lot of attention.
In fact, Bing has received great reviews and could potentially challenge Google’s dominance.
In this tip, we discuss how you can take advantage of Bing’s popularity and make sure your website is listed on Bing.
Online web statistics companies show that Microsoft’s Bing search engine is slowly increasing it’s market share, possibly challenging the dominant search engine, Google.
In fact, with just about 2 weeks after it launched, it has surpassed Yahoo! for the #2 spot. Bing is also poised to gain market share as Windows 7 comes out this fall.
So, what can you do to take advantage of this? We have some basic tips you can use below to take advantage of the rise of Bing:
1. Realize that Google is not the only game in town
Often times, and it’s understandable until now, the focus is just on Google. Realize that Bing’s popularity will continue to increase and should be on your radar in terms of online search engines to target.
2. Mind your links
Bing will give more weight to internal links. Google values external links more. Make sure all your internal links, links that link to other pages within your website, are working properly. You can also create new and updated internal links to help Bing re-index your site and better rank you for your industry’s key words.
3. Make sure you’re listed on Bing.com
If you have not yet done so, make sure your website is listed on Bing.com. Here is a direct Add URL link: http://www.bing.com/docs/submit.aspx
Microsoft’s Bing is Increasing in Popularity:
Posted July 14th, 2009 by Tem Balanco
iPhones are becoming more common with our customers. Checking email on your iPhone is quick and easy.
We have created a how-to movie that shows you how to configure your domain-based email on your iPhone.
How to Configure Email on iPhone:
Posted June 10th, 2009 by Tem Balanco
Looking to add a simple payment option to your website, but don’t need a full shopping cart? Paypal may be the perfect solution.
Adding a Paypal “buy now” button to your website is quick and easy.
We have created a movie to show you how you can add this to your website.
How to Add Paypal To Your Website:
Posted June 9th, 2009 by Tem Balanco
What’s the most common thing visitors do on your web site?
Okay, so some of you might offer more…uh…visual adult entertainment. But for the majority of us, our visitors come to our sites seeking information. Simply, most come to do one thing: read.
But so often, the value placed on the site’s words isn’t commensurate with the value we place on, for example, its cool design.
At least, that’s the view of content guru Gerry McGovern, who says that “the ability to create and publish quality content is a critical skill in the information economy.”
Speaking at a San Francisco conference last month on web site usability, Gerry laid out his prescription for the twelve golden rules of writing powerful content that will pull readers or customers into your site. I’ve condensed them here for you to ten. (Yep…I’m always an editor!)
1. Know your reader. Don’t think of your “audience” as a faceless customer base. Gear your content to a particular person you think best represents the face of the people who use your site. Maybe he’s a 72-year-old retiree who is fond of cruise line vacations. Whatever. Write to HIM.
2. Develop a style and tone. Develop a voice that speaks to that individual. Be sure that your site writers and copywriters adhere consistently to that style and tone. Develop tools to help: invest the time and energy to pull together a style guide and word and phrase glossary. Otherwise, your style and tone comes across as flat as the beer at a college keg party.
3. Understand legal and copyright issues. If you outsource any writing on your site to freelancers, have a clear understanding of copyright and fair use laws. For example, will writers producing articles for your site maintain ownership of the piece, or would you prefer to buy their words for your own exclusive use? There are many shades of gray <www.publaw.com> in between those two extremes.
4. Size does matter. In web writing, shorter is actually better. The “word count” feature on your tool bar should become one of your most intimate friends. Readers online are impatient; it’s difficult to read documents on a screen that run longer than 500-700 words. This rule doesn’t apply only to text. Think short headers (4 to 8 words), short article summaries (30-50 words), short sentences (15-20 words), and short paragraphs (40-70 words). Really. It. Works.
5. Be direct and compelling. Remember Faulkner’s words: “Kill your darlings.” Those pieces of text on your site that are so well-crafted they bring tears to your eyes should be your first target: Strike them out. Really. Stick a stake straight through their beautiful hearts. As coarse and unlovely as you view them, practical bullet points and straight-to-the-matter text are what you want.
6. Titles are critical. Headings on the web are even more critical than they are in print. They should be short, of course, but also descriptive. Think keywords and search engines. Tempting as it may be, avoid clever headlines: Save your creativity and double-entendres for the subheads.
7. Summaries should - guess what! — summarize. Many of your so-called readers are actually scanners. Scanners impatiently look for the good stuff they need, so be sure that any summary truly offers the essence of a longer piece…and entices the reader to read on. An accurate summary is also critical for top search engine results and for other web sites that might want to link to yours.
8. Write for searchers. Throw plenty of relevant keywords into your headlines and summaries. Google will love you for it. And like all solid love, it’ll be returned in spades.
9. Create web documents. Okay, so there are those times when a longer piece of text really is necessary. You just have too much to say to cram into 700 words. In that case, you have two options: Publish it as an Adobe PDF file, or write a punchy summary in HTML that links to a whole ‘nuther web page. Break up that lengthy document in any way you can: Pull out quotes in a larger font size, use sub-headings within the text, break out interesting sidebars, or use hypertext links to break up blocks of text.
10. Edit, edit, edit! Get that first draft out. And then get out your chainsaw and slice it neatly in half. After that, produce your choicest set of editorial surgical tools and precisely cut and remove excessive words and verbose prose. Be your own editor, before your readers take a look at it. It’s less painful to criticize yourself than to hear it from others.
Really. I should know.
Written by Ann Handley, the chief content officer of MarketingProfs (www.marketingprofs.com). She writes for the MarketingProfs Daily Fix (www.mpdailyfix.com) and authors her own blog, Annarchy (www.annhandley.com).
What is MarketingProfs?
MarketingProfs is a great resource for how-to marketing articles and advice for small businesses. For more information, go to http://www.MarketingProfs.com
Tags: Power-Writing for the Web: 10 Golden Rules
Posted April 13th, 2009 by Tem Balanco
Twitter is a great new free micro-blogging service that allows you to broadcast your thoughts to followers in quick, 140 character chunks. As a user, you can follow people or companies and get real-time updates.
140 characters may seem kind of small, but that is the great thing about this service, it forces you to be succinct in your thoughts.
More and more businesses are starting to use Twitter. Companies like Comcast, Whole Foods, Delta Airlines and many more are using Twitter in various ways including promotion, customer service and branding.
At OneWebHosting, we are still thinking about ways we can effectively use Twitter to serve our customers.
For now, we feel it is a great compliment to our blog and an effective customer service tool.
You can follow us here: http://www.twitter.com/OneWebHosting
Here are some ways Twitter can benefit your business:
1. Use Twitter for Promotions
You can use your business Twitter account to “tweet” last minute discounts or promotions to your followers. The key idea is it is real-time, followers can get the promotions on their phone (should they choose) and this can spur sales.
2. Use Twitter for Customer Service
Chances are you have a toll-free number, a business email address, so too can you use Twitter as a customer service tool. We are looking at using Twitter to deliver real-time server updates, tips and suggestions, much like we do with our blog. Think about ways your business can benefit from this real-time communication to followers of your account.
3. Use Twitter for Competitor Search
Twitter has a great search feature located at http://search.twitter.com. You can search for keywords that pertain to your business or your brand to see what people are saying. You can use this for ideas and inspiration on how to improve your business. You can also search to see how competitors are using Twitter for their businesses.
So, Twitter may or may not make sense for your business, but I thought I would share our thoughts on it.
If you start using Twitter for your business and want to share your thoughts, let us know!
Posted April 13th, 2009 by Tem Balanco
We are often asked by customers about how to get professional quality stock photos to be used on their websites. A great website we use for our marketing materials is called iStockPhoto.
iStockPhoto is a online service that features royalty free stock photos, icons and illustrations. Images cost between 1 and 20 credits, depending on the size and each credit is about $1. With iStockPhoto you can add great quality, professional stock imagery to your website for a very affordable price.
Simply search for keywords that pertain to your business or business concept and you will find tons of great images, illustrations, icons or video that match your keywords.
Professional photos for your website:
Standing out from your competition, especially when it comes to your website, is very important. By using professional imagery, you can do this and with little cost.
Check it out, we use it regularly and it may be a great resource for your website: http://www.istockphoto.com.
Posted April 13th, 2009 by Tem Balanco
Word of mouth marketing is often overlooked by business owners as a way to grow their business, especially in tough economic times.
In this brief article, I’d like to talk about why word of mouth marketing is so important and how you can use your website to make it a part of your business operations.
Prospective customers always ask their friends and family for referrals to products or services they are looking for. A personal referral is a powerful thing. Most of our customers come from personal referrals.
Why is word of mouth marketing so important?
There are a couple of reasons why word of mouth marketing is important. First of all, people are social animals and like to discuss with friends and family about their experiences. If they find a service or a product they really like, they enthusiastically spread the word. It allows a business to pass the first test, that is, being qualified as a company you should potentially work with.
The power of numbers is also a top reason. You tell a few friends and they tell a few friends, pretty soon, the word spreads quickly.
Another reason why word of mouth marketing is important is that, unlike advertising, it is effective. Nothing beats a personal referral.
How can you integrate word of mouth marketing to your business?
Here are some tips on ways you can use technology and your website to encourage word of mouth marketing:
1. Make sure your customers are happy and satisfied
The first step in getting referrals is to make sure you are doing a great job with your current customers.
If your customers are not happy with your service, they are unlikely to refer someone.
Also, if you can satisfy your most outspoken and critical customers, chances are you are doing a great job and they will tell others.
2. Simply ask for the referral
It seems obvious, but often times businesses don’t ask for a referral. In your email communications to existing customers, have a tag line that says something like “Know someone what could use our service? Let them know about us!” This can go on your outgoing email signature, auto-response forms, etc.
If you have a contact form on your website, as part of your reply, we suggest having a “forward-adable” feature so the person visiting your site can forward your response to a friend.
You may even consider having an affiliate program which can reward your customers for spreading your message.
3. Integrate social media features into your website
By using new social networking services like Twitter, you can encourage more word of mouth. Twitter is a great tool you can use to deliver real-time updates and encourage people following you to share the benefits your products and services with friends.
If you use our Site Builder Pro, we have a Goodie called “Tell-A-Friend” you can easily add to your website.
By using word of mouth techniques within your business and in an automated fashion, you can ensure your happy customers spread the word and help grow your business.
Posted March 9th, 2009 by Tem Balanco
Microsoft PowerPoint is the most widely used presentation program for PC. A lot of small businesses use PowerPoint to sell their services.
Often times customers will email prospective clients their Powerpoint presentations as an attachment via email.
Now you can share your PowerPoint presentation on your website.
In this movie tutorial, we show you how to convert your PowerPoint presentation using a free service called Slideshare.net and add your PowerPoint presentation on your website.
If you use PowerPoint, this is a great way to share your presentations online and give your customers even more convenient access to your business materials.
How to use Microsoft PowerPoint on your website:
Posted March 9th, 2009 by Tem Balanco
Looking to add a calendar to your website? Google Calendar now integrates with Site Builder Pro!
Using Google Calendar, you can add events and invitations effortlessly, share with business associates, friends and family (or keep calendar items private), and search across the web for events you might enjoy.
Google Calendar can easily be integrated with your website whether you use Site Builder Pro or have a custom designed website.
One of the great things about integrating with Site Builder Pro is that you can manage your calendars on Google and when you make changes, they appear on your site automatically without the need to re-publish.
Google Calendar also allows you to receive email or mobile text-message reminders for all your calendar events. You can also set different types of reminders for each of your events.
So, if you’re looking to add calendar features to your website, we suggest you check out Google Calendar.
How to Google Calendar to your website:
Posted February 11th, 2009 by Tem Balanco
A common question we get here at OneWebHosting is how to add audio to a website.
Customers typically add audio for various uses like background music, podcasts, conference call audio, etc.
In this tip, we show you how to add an audio file (MP3) and how easy it is using our Site Builder Pro. Even if you don’t use our Site Builder, you can still use our MP3 code generator located in this how-to movie.
How to add audio (MP3) to your website:
