The Importance of a Web Presence

Are you a business owner? Does your business have a website? If you said yes, then you are headed in the right direction. So many business owners don't realize the importance of having a web presence. And, some of those that do, are now so focused on the new age of social media, that they forget that a website continues to be paramount to your business's success. Your online presence, and the SEO and marketing that go along with it, can make or break a business in today's fast paced, highly informed, information based society.

While there are people who simply don't use the internet for much of anything, the numbers don't lie; the vast majority of the US buying population are extremely tuned in to the online world. More and more consumers will turn to the internet, FIRST, before committing to a purchase, or even to make their purchases. As consumers we look at the quality and ease of use of a website as just as important as the actual product. After all, if your online presence is sloppy, out-of-date and difficult to use, what kind of attention to quality is lacking in your actual product?

But, before a consumer can judge your product based on this not-so-new, but ever changing marketing media, they must first be able to find you! That is where your sites SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes into play and ultimately your social networking presence as well. Many website owners don't really understand SEO, and those who say they do, often misconstrue the rules of SEO. But, in this ever changing environment, I'd rather see a website owner misunderstand the rules of SEO than dismiss them all together.

So, what IS SEO? Search Engine Optimization is the unseen rules that search engines such as Google, Bing, Yahoo Search and many others, use to determine a sites placement when a user searches for certain search terms (keywords) on their site. For instance, if I go to Google and do a search for "Dachshund Race"; one of the main keywords for our client, National Dachshund Races. Our clients site is second only to You Tube and Wikipedia in the results. This is premium, optimal placement. Wikipedia, You Tube and several other very large sites with enormous web presences are very nearly impossible to outrank if they show up in the results for your keyword so it is considered excellent placement if you manage to outrank them but still best seating positioning if you are first in line after one or two of these internet mega-giants. If you want to 'beat' these particular players in the SEO game for your particular keyword or business, there is only one way to do it. Have you ever heard the term "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em"? Well, that's exactly what you'll need to do!

Social Networking sites are the top of the line when it comes to online marketing and SEO for your website and ultimately your business. Not only does it give you a prime chance to place your fingers on the pulse of your existing customer base and more closely tailor your goods and services to the wants and needs of those already attuned to your business, but it gives you a unique opportunity to test new ideas out on them. What better way to decide whether a new marketing strategy or product line will be well received than to get feedback from those clients who already love you? And instantly, no less!

But, there is more to this than just nurturing relations with customers who already love you. This is your opportunity to engage new customers, find out why they haven't already tried your products, or if they did, what turned them sour! It also let's you court new clients to your business. And this is just the top of the iceberg as far as potential goes with social networking.

Having accounts on major social networks also greatly improves your SEO. For instance, for many of our clients, when you type their name into Google you will find that their Facebook, Twitter, You Tube channel, and other social network links show up either just before, or just after their own links.

One, last thing before I let you go; signing up for a Facebook and Twitter account is not enough. You need to actually USE them! While having an account that you don't use much will still help your SEO, it can actually have the opposite effect on your customer base if you don't actively participate and use your account. Consumers today like to interact with people, places, and even product owners and developers. It makes them feel like a part of the bigger picture and when they feel included, they become more dedicated, better clients. So, don't hesitate! Get out there and USE your Twitter and Facebook pages! And, if you feel like you just don't have the time to keep up with all the different social networking sites, look into one of the many services out there that allow you to create one post and have it reach all of your social networks in one click.

There is a reason and a method for all this madness. Get your finger on the pulse of society's largest marketing tool! Don't miss out on your full potential. Make sure you have a website that has been optimally optimized for search engines and that you have and USE the social networking tools available to you. Have a blessed day ya'll!