3M Graphics
Merchant Member
You may be surprised to learn that as many as 84 percent of buyers in both the business-to-business and business-to-consumer realms begin researching purchase options online - well before they have any interaction with your business (Google/Shopper Science Study, April, 2011). How can you make sure that prospective customers are finding you when they search the Internet?
Here are five tips from 3M’s search marketing experts that may help your business find great results online.
Ensure Address and Phone Numbers are Searchable
People are visual creatures, we like pictures. But search engines aren’t people; they’re machines - they can only "see" text, not images. Images are very important aspects of a website, but your contact information should never be an image. You know search engines can "see" your information if you are able to highlight it with your cursor. If your contact information is in a graphic or an image, it won’t appear when someone conducts a local search (ex: "lighted signs, Houston TX). Moreover, if your business relies heavily on local business‚ include your phone number and address on every page of your website.
Identify Keywords
Google Adwords is a web-based tool that allows you to see the keywords and number of searches for terms that have been used when looking for products and services. Once you have identified the best keywords‚ use them throughout your website copy to describe your products and services.
Register on Local Business Pages
Search engines have local directories (such as Google Places and Bing Business Portal) that make local searching easier for local businesses and mobile searches. This is an easy and free way to advertise your business.
Cultivate Inbound Links
An inbound link comes from another website that links to your website. Examples include social media‚ like Facebook and LinkedIn. Other sources to consider include the local Chamber of Commerce and companies you do business with.
Your web analytics tool will help you identify who links to your website. You can also see who links to your competitors’ websites by typing "link:www.example.com" into search engines like Yahoo, Bing and Google. For example, link:www.3MGraphics.com will list all the websites that link to the 3M Graphics website.
Include Website Address in Advertisements
When you place an advertisement in a print publication‚ make sure your website address is included on the ad. And if the publication has an electronic listing‚ make sure you include an ad on that as well. It may cost a little more‚ but it makes it even easier for interested parties to find you. They just click and go directly to your website.
With any website change or update‚ it can take two to three months to see results. Watch your traffic‚ ask your customers where they found you‚ and make adjustments as necessary.
Want to download a PDF copy of this? Visit 3M Commercial Graphics website. You can also sign up to receive monthly education updates directly in your inbox.
Here are five tips from 3M’s search marketing experts that may help your business find great results online.
Ensure Address and Phone Numbers are Searchable
People are visual creatures, we like pictures. But search engines aren’t people; they’re machines - they can only "see" text, not images. Images are very important aspects of a website, but your contact information should never be an image. You know search engines can "see" your information if you are able to highlight it with your cursor. If your contact information is in a graphic or an image, it won’t appear when someone conducts a local search (ex: "lighted signs, Houston TX). Moreover, if your business relies heavily on local business‚ include your phone number and address on every page of your website.
Identify Keywords
Google Adwords is a web-based tool that allows you to see the keywords and number of searches for terms that have been used when looking for products and services. Once you have identified the best keywords‚ use them throughout your website copy to describe your products and services.
Register on Local Business Pages
Search engines have local directories (such as Google Places and Bing Business Portal) that make local searching easier for local businesses and mobile searches. This is an easy and free way to advertise your business.
Cultivate Inbound Links
An inbound link comes from another website that links to your website. Examples include social media‚ like Facebook and LinkedIn. Other sources to consider include the local Chamber of Commerce and companies you do business with.
Your web analytics tool will help you identify who links to your website. You can also see who links to your competitors’ websites by typing "link:www.example.com" into search engines like Yahoo, Bing and Google. For example, link:www.3MGraphics.com will list all the websites that link to the 3M Graphics website.
Include Website Address in Advertisements
When you place an advertisement in a print publication‚ make sure your website address is included on the ad. And if the publication has an electronic listing‚ make sure you include an ad on that as well. It may cost a little more‚ but it makes it even easier for interested parties to find you. They just click and go directly to your website.
With any website change or update‚ it can take two to three months to see results. Watch your traffic‚ ask your customers where they found you‚ and make adjustments as necessary.
Want to download a PDF copy of this? Visit 3M Commercial Graphics website. You can also sign up to receive monthly education updates directly in your inbox.
