WWW: World Wide Who? “Creating Good Business Exposure”
February 25, 2008 by OneIMS · 1 Comment
We are all familiar with the adage: “If everyone was jumping off a cliff would you do it too?” While the correct answer may be no, it is not always the case. In today’s highly competitive market, being everywhere and doing as much, if not more than your competitor, is compulsory. I have heard from many small business owners that they have managed to survive for years (even decades) without a website, so why get one now? While not having a website may not have made a significant impact on their sales years ago, today’s world is very different, and the era of websites is one bandwagon you want to jump on.
From businessmen to tech-savvy teenagers, the Internet has become a place of knowledge. Nowadays, before making a decision about where to find a service or buy a product, most people do their homework and research online. So whether you are a car dealer, a shoe store, a restaurant or an educational institution, you want to be found—and a website can do just that for you.
Moreover, the use of Blackberry phones and other e-mail and internet ready phones allows people to search wherever they are. Just days ago, I wanted to find out if there was an Italian restaurant nearby. What did I do? I simply entered “Italian restaurant” and my zip code in a text message to Google. Seconds later, I received a text with the addresses and phone numbers of Italian restaurants in the area. How simple was that? I didn’t necessarily expect to be able to view a menu or reviews on the restaurant, but I got the most important thing I wanted: an address and a phone number. That night, I had a delicious dinner at a restaurant I never knew existed. Had it not been for the Internet, I would have probably never gone there.
When people are looking for basic information, such as your phone number or address, being online opens yet another venue to be found. The era of phonebooks is over. No one thinks: “Let me go find the 20lb phone book to search for a restaurant in the area.” Instead, people are thinking: “Let me Google restaurants in the area.” The beauty of this is that the Internet can be accessed from your computer, laptop or phone from just about anywhere—Your phonebook? Well, we’ll limit that to your house—unless you carry a spare one in the car—and even then, phonebooks are regional publications. That is to say, they cover a certain area. The Internet, unlike your phonebook, covers the entire world when it comes to information.
So say goodbye to your phonebook and say hello to your website. No matter how basic the site, being part of the “internet phonebook” is worth the effort and money. If you are considering moving with the new age, contact a professional team like OneIMS to help you achieve your goals and stay under budget.
For more information, contact OneIMS at info@oneims.com
“SERP’s UP-Catch the Wave”
February 11, 2008 by OneIMS · 2 Comments
You’re probably wondering what SERP is. SERP is an acronym for “Search Engine Results Page”,the many pages on a website that lists the results of your search in any given search engine. The Internet is a vast place filled with plenty of businesses wanting to be number one. Being on the first SERP page can mean maximum exposure and sales.
Did you know that most people never go past the first search results page? Today, people want instant results. No one is going to click through to page 25 to find your business. Furthermore, being one of the top three results on the SERP can boost your sales and give you the upper hand against your competitors. Search engine placement services can guarantee you top-three status on various search engines.
What exactly is search engine placement, you ask? Imagine the SERP page (and especially the top-three results) being like a giant auction. The highest bidder gets the prize. Search engine placement is a service that takes into consideration your industry, your market, your products and brand to create search results. Let’s imagine you are a small business that sells vacuum cleaners. Now put yourself in your customers’ shoes. What would they search for? Maybe “vacuum cleaners store in Chicago”, or “Dyson vacuums, Chicago”. Search engine placement specialists use keywords, in this example, vacuum cleaners and Chicago, to place you on the SERP page. The more competitive the market, the more expensive it is to be in the top-three results. Similar to your front window, you want to show everyone up-front what you offer without allowing them to turn to your competitor.
Having an Internet presence is vital today and being found easily online is priceless. The SERP is your storefront. You want people to know you’re there and you want to be the first to pop-up. No matter your company size or your industry, you want to be found. Imagine you move into a new city. You have no idea where anything is. The first thing you do is search for the amenities you need—a fitness club in your area, dry cleaners, restaurants, etc. Which website are you more likely to visit? The first one listed on the SERP or the one listed for a result on the 40th page? I think we both know the answer.
Just as in real estate location is everything, location on SERPs is also everything. Aside from being top in results, customers tend to give more validity, trust and value to those businesses on the SERP. So be seen!
OneIMS offers affordable, guaranteed search engine placement services. For more information please visit OneIMS.com
Principles of Advertising: #1 – Know your audience
February 1, 2008 by OneIMS · 5 Comments
As I write this, I’m looking at a postcard on my desk telling me to stop in and check out the latest women’s designer jeans and handbags at a local high-end boutique. You might be wondering what’s wrong with that. Unfortunately, this advertisement fell on deaf ears since I’m not the audience they most likely intended to reach. On the other hand, if they had sent out a postcard for a discount on men’s suiting it would’ve caught my eyes.
Let’s be honest…how many trees do you kill a day as you’re going through your paper mail? We are constantly bombarded with advertisement and marketing pieces that are irrelevant to us. Believe it or not, that’s marketing dollars well wasted. Are you one of the many who advertise your business similar to the boutique owners in my story?
The number one principle to keep in mind when you’re advertising is to know your target audience. This is true no matter what medium you use to communicate your message. Knowing your audience goes beyond your basic demographics.
Effective advertising is an art. It is a form of purposeful communication to a specific group of people. Just as you use different styles of communication with your family and friends, advertising also requires you to conform your style to those whom you are targeting.
Consumers are more receptive to advertisement that appeals to them. Your advertising efforts will prove to be more fruitful if you have narrowed down your target and the message is relevant to them.
The point is: Know, that you know, that you know your target audience before spending advertising dollars.
If you’re looking to send a targeted campaign, contact us at 1-888-ONE-IMS1 today!
