Building the perfect backlink to your website is a powerful way to achieve higher page rankings and web traffic. Use these tips below to get higher traffic to your site:
Use high authority links: These links are from .edu, .gov or top publisher sites. Google looks for high-authority links when it crawls the web, and associating your site with high value links will grow your SEO .
Create valuable content: With all the online content being produced, make your content beneficial to your readers. Like this blog post, provide real value to website visitors. The better your content, with good backlinks, the better your chances of growing your rankings.
Use relatable, relevant links: Use industry specific keywords and links. If you work in construction, try linking your blog posts to construction news sites or online construction forums. Google will recognize the relevance of those connected links.
Hope these help! Good luck!
Thanks to our friends at Red Website Design for this great inforgraphic:
When building a business, every customer contact counts.
Your website is the easiest and quickest way for potential customers to find and learn about your business. Your website tells people what type of products and services you have, where to find you, and what hours you're open.
While this might seem like a simple task, it can be challenging to stay visible online. One of the best ways to be found on the search engines is to create and post more original content on a consistent basis that drives organic traffic.
Organic Traffic
Organic traffic is when the search engine sends potential customers to your website for free. Google looks through the content on your website when it matches what the searcher is looking for and your site is served up in search results.
Content can be blog posts, infographics, videos, and images. The goal is to create an information base that people find interesting and informational.
Your site becomes the resource for people trying to find specific answers online. Then they will come back or share your site with other people. This is content marketing and the foundation of organic traffic.
Types of Content
To have a successful content marketing program, you must put new content on your website on a regular basis. Content can be as simple as regular weekly blog posts, infographics, and videos.
The more varied your content, the more potential customers you'll attract. Varied doesn’t mean any type of content, but content that is connected to your industry or services. Learn more about how to create shareable content that will increase organic traffic.
For example, a real estate agent can blog about the community they live in and local events rather than simply announcing the next open house.
Infographics
People love images, and when you want to educate your viewers, infographics are a great tool. An infographic is basically content that educates developed in the form of an image. By using images and text, you can clearly explain even the most complex subjects. Here's a great resource on how to make an infographic.
Successful infographics on websites are frequently shared via social media sites which further increases your chances of more people seeing and coming back to your site. Thus, more organic traffic!
Videos
Videos are great at creating organic traffic as well. Most people will take the time to view a 1 to 3-minute video, but not everyone will read a blog post.
Videos should be well made and just long enough for an explanation or to summarize a product feature. How-to videos are often very popular for content marketing.
One quick idea is to create a short “how to” video, load it to YouTube, then grab the embed code and create a blog post where you quickly outline what the video is about and have the video as the main feature of the post.
Content marketing gives you opportunities to connect with potential customers anytime and anywhere. Not everyone will want or need the same type of information, so having a variety of content helps attract people to your site.
Infographics and videos help break down information into digestible bits. Blog content helps create a knowledge base on your site online.
Together, these tips will help you attract traffic which means more viewers and ultimately more customers.
Staying at the top of the search engine searches takes work. By using a variety of content, infographics, videos, and blog posts, you can increase your visibility on the search engine. The higher you are in the search engine, the more visitors and traffic you'll receive.
Your website is an important tool for your business. It allows consumers to view products, find information about your business, and contact you.
To assist your communication with customers, there are many different tools to consider. Shopping carts, galleries, and contact pages are important to attract customers and keep them coming back.
New tools are always being developed. Website chat tools are some of the newest tools used to connect with consumers and provide immediate support.
But should you use a website chat tool?
What is a Website Chat?
A website chat allows customers to connect directly with your business within seconds. When a customer wants to use the chat tool, they click on a button that often says "Chat Now." It opens up a new window where the chat takes place.
Consumers can use the chat to get info on products, technical support, or to answer other consumer related questions. It provides a quick way to connect with people who use or want your products.
Next, we’ll look at advantages and disadvantages a business should think through when considering whether to add chat to your business website.
Website Chat Pros
A website chat gives a business owner many advantages:
It allows visitors to connect with consumers in real-time. Your customers no longer have to wait for an email response.
You can help more people at the same time. An experienced service representative can help several people at once by managing multiple chat conversations.
Accents are no longer a problem with a website chat, nor are dropped calls. It’s simply about typing! Also, there are no long distant call costs incurred by the business.
Support can easily send links through the chat to further help resources on your website.
Chats can be easily reviewed and are documented as to what was “said”. Quality can be monitored, and you can train where weaknesses are found.
Chat can be turned off when you are away and appear "not available" as well.
Website Chat Cons
Although a website chat has many advantages, it has disadvantages too:
Not all users will understand how to use it. You may frustrate users that aren't "tech savvy" if you offer this but not a phone number.
Some users will prefer email or phone support (so make sure you still have them available).
Website chat tools don't work well on mobile devices. That’s a growing area but there are some limitations currently.
Service providers must respond in a timely fashion. Chat users expect quick responses and may leave the site if no one is monitoring the chat. This requires adequate staffing of capable people. The person monitoring must have some solid product knowledge and also the skill to communicate quickly and professionally in the chat.
Many companies have launched website chat tools to help connect with customers. If a chat could be helpful to your business, there are many programs available.
Always weigh the pros and cons of new technology to find out if it's right for your business at this time.
WaveApps is a fast, simple and incredibly capable way of managing your small business accounting online. It's similar to Quickbooks Online, yet totally free! To sign up, a business name, email and street address are all that’s needed.
WaveApps takes care of:
Accounting
Invoices
Payroll
Additionally, WaveApps connects with many banks and credit unions nationally, making it easy to sync transactions and balance your books.
Set Up Accounting
WaveApps makes it easy and safe to link a bank account or Paypal accounts to the service for real-time accounting information. View transactions, pay a vendor or receive payments from clients.
Create an Invoice
The app allows users to accept credit cards as well as physical payments. Wave Payments is automatically built into invoices, so the user is paid quickly.
Credit card processing is one way WaveApps makes money. It's free to sign up to receive payments via credit card, but the app takes 30 cents per incoming payment and an additional 2.9%. The same fee that PayPal and Stripe charge for incoming payments.
WaveApps also generates income via sidebar product ads and paid customer support. It is a totally web based software so you can login from any Internet connected device.
If you travel or are on the go often outside the office, this accounting tool is for you! Login from any Internet ready device.
Payroll
Have employees? No problem! Payroll is super easy with WaveApps:
Review and approve payroll with a few clicks
No penalties, payroll accuracy is guaranteed
Free direct deposit
Automatic accounting
This feature starts at $19 per month
Overall, the usability of the app is great. It has a convenient WordPress-style dashboard on the left side of the screen. The dashboard has large, easily clickable buttons that are simple (and not frustrating) to use from any type of device.
The dashboard allows the user to simply:
View and print all transactions
Print and view all invoices
View and print all bills
See, analyze and print all reports including balance sheet, income statement, and sales tax report
Upload pictures of paper receipts to be seamlessly integrated into Wave’s accounting tools
Easily add or subtract employees from payroll
Access a network of local Wave Pro Accountants who can help organize and optimize books, offer tax help as well as customize WaveApp for a tailored experience
In addition to this great platform, WaveApp offers live help with a direct line to the headquarters (no robots!) and live online chat support. They're working hard to give users access to “power in numbers” business savings deals such as tax services and other necessities.
Overall, WaveApps offers a seamless approach to managing small business finances. The free version is robust, and the service also offers accounting management for your personal finance and bank accounts. Wave is one of the best QuickBooks alternatives.
Another great alternative to QuickBooks and WaveApps is Bonsai: an all-in-one business management and financial suite for freelancers and small businesses. Along with other features, they have integrated accounting, invoicing, and tax features seamlessly allowing users to fully automate their workflow.
If you've grown weary of Quickbooks software and want a less costly solution, then WaveApps is something to consider but if you are still worried about managing the tool you can hire an Accountant. It’s much easier today to search in Google. Simply type in Accountants plus your area. if you’re near Coventry, Goggle “Accountants Coventry” and you’ll find companies that can help you.
For a lot of small business owners, entrepreneurs, or independent contractors it can be expensive to have the tools and technology to run your business.
For instance, many entreprenesures end up providing their personal cell to business contacts when just getting started.
This leads to a mix of personal and professional texts, voice mails, and phone calls, not to mention having to put a personal cell phone number on public websites or business cards.
Enter Convoi, the iPhone based app designed and released by Citrix, the same people who brought you GoToMeeting. With this free app, you can add a second phone line to your iPhone instantly!
How Convoi Works
After a user downloads the app to their iPhone, they can choose the preferred area code for the business line. It has to be a US or Canadian area code only (Note: New York City and Alaska area codes are not available).
It doesn't have to be local to where you live, which can make your business appear larger or local in other areas. No additional hardware is required to purchase, nor is there any IT set-up.
Total installation takes around 30 seconds and there is no cost! Within minutes, you are able to use your Convoi line and post that number on your website, business cards, or send it out to contacts.
The app will also sync with the contacts already stored in your phone. When you dial out through the Convoi line, people receiving your calls will see your Convoi phone number and not your personal cell.
This also applies to text messages sent. Further customizations allow you to record a different voice mail message and even choose a ringtone set to that number specifically.
The Convoi app will first attempt to use WiFi for incoming and outgoing calls to avoid using phone minutes. If WiFi is not available, Convoi uses cellular data.
Other Convoi Features
Besides supplying a separately identified phone line to your existing mobile device, the Convoi app hosts a number of other features to create an easy, on the go experience for users. These include:
Free conference calls (up to 40 people) with no access codes needed or additional cost. The app will call the contacts listed for the conference automatically when it begins, and will display the faces or initials of all participants.
Group text messaging as well as individual text messaging. Messaging with work with any SMS inbox, meaning even contacts without the app can still receive messages.
Centralized call, voice mail, and text history for easy reference.
A Do Not Disturb feature that allows you to schedule open and closed business hours and avoid calls during downtime.
Voicemail transcription.
While currently only available for iPhones, the Convoi app is being developed for Android phones as well ensuring simple and easy virtual business lines for all mobile users.
So if your business is in need of a identity separate from your personal life, or simply a quick and easy conference call tool, the Convoi app might be just what you need!
As your business grows, another need may be a phone system for your team. This is where VOIP comes in. The best VOIP services can help your team be effective and be cost conscious as well.
Press Release
Web Marketing for Business Presentation
GOSHEN, IN, - Mike Gingerich, a Web Technology and Internet Marketing Consultant for Digital Hill Multimedia, Inc., along with Troy Rumfelt, President of Digital Hill presented, "Web Marketing for Business" to business owners and Dealers of Borkholder Buildings in Nappanee, IN (Elkhart County) today.
The presentation was done at the invitation of Borkholder CEO, Dwayne Borkholder, and was designed to inform the Borkholder Dealer Network on the social, technological and business changes necessary to stay competitive today, with a focus on effective websites, Internet Marketing, and Social Media. The event was a follow-up to the successful launch of a new Borkholder website, New Energy Homes, a new division of Borkholder, which focuses on building Net Zero Green homes and buildings. New Energy recently opened a model Net Zero home in Nappanee, Elkhart County. Digital Hill built and launched the new website for this Elkhart County Manufacturer.
Below are slides from this Internet Marketing and Social Media Presentation:
The one unique aspect of the presentation is that I was struggling mightily with laryngitis! I had lost my voice 2 days earlier and was struggling to be able to speak. I tried to save my voice for that moment and then let loose. I sounded like a raspy Rod Stewart! I had to pass the baton halfway through to our company President, Troy Rumfelt, who capably carried the second half of the presentation! What a day!
For over 12 years, Digital Hill Multimedia, Inc. has specialized in Web Design, E-Commerce, SEO, Web Hosting, Social Media, Flash, 3-D Animation, Web Application Development, and Internet Marketing and Promotion Strategies in Goshen, Elkhart County, Northern Indiana and throughout the country. They can be contacted at 1-888-537-0703 or www.digitalhill.com.
1. Miniature golf, Par 3 courses, 18 hole golf courses - The keyword phrase you're going after determines what type of course you're playing on. Coming up number one on Google for the phrase "New York" would be like playing in the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club and winning. However, going after the phrase "Ligonier grocery stores 24 hours" is like playing on your favorite miniature golf course, quick and easy.
2. A perfect game is impossible - Nobody can hit 18 hole-in-ones in a row. But, just like golf, in SEO you just have to play better than the your competitors to win. In SEO, your competitors are the organic links on the first page of Google.
Digital Hill Multimedia will be presenting a FREE lunch hour seminar Wednesday, January 27, 11:45 a.m. at the Middlebury Chamber of Commerce, Middlebury, IN. The seminar will be an informative and interactive seminar geared to businesses.
Social Media Marketing Seminar
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR Log (Press Release) – Dec 30, 2009 – Digital Hill Multimedia will be presenting a FREE lunch hour seminar Wednesday, January 27, 11:45 a.m. 1:00 p.m. for the Middlebury Chamber of Commerce. The seminar entitled, “Social Media for Business: Cost Effective Marketing Using Social Media on the Web”, will be an informative and interactive seminar. Attendees can expect to have these questions and more answered:
• I thought Social Media was just for my kids or to connect with friends; can it really help my business?
• Can Social Media Marketing work for my type of business?
• I don’t know much about Facebook or other Social Media; so is this something I’d have to learn and would require lots of time and money?You will learn about new, cost effective and measureable marketing techniques including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Blogging, and YouTube, and how these social media platforms can be used by many diverse businesses and organizations in a cost effective way to market their business and products / services.
Plan now to attend this event and learn:
• How to create a presence for your business on Facebook
• Why YouTube is important to your business
• Why you should consider “tweeting” on Twitter
This is an overview seminar that will introduce various types of social media options and how they can be used for business. There will be a question and answer time at the end. Feel free to bring your lunch and eat while the seminar is being presented. This is not a “how to” seminar that goes into all the details of setup of each social media platform but is an idea –generating broad introduction to each social media option and ways you can use them for marketing. Presenters will include Internet Marketing Consultant Mike Gingerich, Digital Hill President Troy Rumfelt, and Internet Marketing Expert Chad Pollitt
No Cost to Attend!
# # #
For over 12 years, Digital Hill Multimedia, Inc. has specialized in Web Design, E-Commerce, SEO, Web Hosting, Flash, 3-D Animation, and Internet Marketing and Promotion Strategies throughout the Country. Contact us at 888-537-0703 or http://digitalhill.com.
Social media is the new face of the Web. Just as the Internet revolutionized information sharing during the 1990s, social media is radically altering how people communicate and share information today. If you want to succeed on the Web, a solid social network presence is required. Search engines like Bing and Google have recognized the power of social media, opting to include updates from Facebook, Twitter, and other social sites in their search results. Optimizing your business for social media is quickly becoming a must to gain top SEO ranking.pamorama.net, 6 Ways Social Media Can Enhance Your Business, Nov 2009
You should read the whole article.
This is a very good read from Brian Solis. I recommend it to you.
By Brian Solis - Forrester recently released a new report tracking the future of US interactive marketing through 2014. Authored by Shar VanBoskirk, with Christine Spivey Overby, Niki Scevak, and Angie Polanco, Forrester predicts that interactive marketing is poised to grow at a 16% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Even though interactive marketing will approach $55 billion by 2014, the report also observes that not all industries will keep pace with this growth. READ NOW »
I'm excited to announce the launch of a new website for Chicago consulting firm, Balanced Growth, LLC.
After months of work and fine-tuning the new Balanced Growth website was launched earlier today. Boasting a wide range of web tools enabling the firm to communicate updates, easily expand areas of the site, and communicate news via a traditional news area as well as their blog, this site reflects the innovative nature of Balanced Growth.
I am proud to have been the Project Manager for this site and look forward to coordinating their Internet Marketing Strategies as well.
At this time of year it is often a time to look back and take stock of the year. As I do that with my work I'm amazed at the explosion of Social Media. I've been using various forms of social media for a few years but I am amazed from a internet marketing perspective as I look back on the growth of platforms like Facebook in the past year.
A year ago, our business didn't have a Fan Page, and some team members weren't even on Facebook. Now, we have multiple Fan Pages for various aspects of our business; we've been rolling out Fan Pages and social media strategies for clients for over 6 months; and we're about to launch our first Facebook App! My how times have changed!
So as we look ahead to 2010, what do you expect will happen with Social Media?
My thought is that Facebook is going to continue to grow and become a even stronger "world" within the world wide web. I expect that Facebook users will login and sometimes never leave that day! Everything they need will be within Facebook; their friends, search, shopping, information, e-mail, etc. Stats direct from Facebook say users are spending nearly 55 minutes a day on Facebook, and I expect that to increase.
So is your business ready? Do you have a Social Media strategy and within that a strategic Facebook strategy? No longer is having only your website a real option. Now you must be represented on a number of these other strong platforms with Facebook being a primary place of representation. Look for more apps and tools that allow you to expand what Facebook does for you and prepare to engage in the new world of marketing: Social Media.
Internet Marketing Consultant - Mike Gingerich
This is a good read on trends in marketing in the current economy and how marketers are making decisions. Budgets are tighter, sales cycles longer, and sales leads require increased nurturing.
Digital Hill offers leading edge marketing solutions that give you the biggest "bang for the buck" using e-mail marketing blasts and other online marketing campaigns.
You will learn about new, cost effective and measureable marketing techniques including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Blogging, and YouTube, and how these social media platforms can be used by many diverse businesses and organizations in a cost effective way to market their business and products / services.
By Brian Solis - Forrester recently released a new report tracking the future of US interactive marketing through 2014. Authored by Shar VanBoskirk, with Christine Spivey Overby, Niki Scevak, and Angie Polanco, Forrester predicts that interactive marketing is poised to grow at a 16% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Even though interactive marketing will approach $55 billion by 2014, the report also observes that not all industries will keep pace with this growth. 
