The one thing that came through from the discussions at the meeting was the problems small businesses have with marketing their products and services especially through the internet.
all the companies there have or are putting up a web site. Their biggest issue is that nobody knows that they exist. This is mainly because within you chosen field of business there are thousands upon thousands of companies out there all doing a similar product or service as you.
So with this in your mind, how on earth are you going to get to the top of the listings on Google? the simple answer is that without spending considerable money, you're not.
So what's the options?
Firstly you need to do some analysis on:
1. What your really offering?
2. Who are you offering your service or product to?
3. What is the profit on each sale you make
4. How much of that profit are you willing to spend on marketing?
5. How much cash are you prepared to spend right now to test the options available to you?
6. How much time are you prepared to give to increasing your presence on the internet?
Firstly write all the above down and then write out you answers, most people never do this so prove me wrong and do this exercise.
From this you will get a clearer picture of you position, it will also focus your thoughts.
So the options:
Increase your internet presence and exposure through cash (Pay your way to the top) or through time. (Less cost, more time in front of the computer)
The Money Route:
Pay an SEO Company to optimise your web site, but be careful here, not all SEO Companies are the same, there are some very good companies that will not let you waste money on unnecessary optimisation and some who will shaft you for every penny they can. Best way to find the good companies is to ask other web site owners who they use or recommend.
Look at Pay-Per-Click campaigns through Google. This works great for some companies, most campaigns fall well short of expectation. If you do this route, do it small to start. Set a budget and stick to it, and most importantly monitor the results. You will soon realise that it is either working or not. By working I don't just mean that you're getting a few sales from it. Do a Profit and Loss analysis to see what the ratio of cost to sale is.
I bet most of your business comes through recommendation, mine does.
The Time Route
This option cost little or nothing, and for a small company is a great way to start.
Forums
What ever your industry, there are Forums where you can post reply's to questions asked.
The point of this is:
1. Most of the time it's a potential client asking the question.
2. You set yourself up as an expert
3. You should always have a signature at the bottom of any post to a forum with:
a: Your name
b: Your phone number
c: your email address
d: Your web address
4. Within the answer you can put a URL (web address) to your website, or a specific page on your site which could answer the posters problem more fully. If you don't have a page that helps explain the issue then write one first and get it up on your site before answering the forum post.
5. tell them to call you, if they would like to any help with the issue.
6. Explain that you have a service which will help them with their problem, and tell them who to talk to with a phone number.
There are many more FREE ways to promote your business but I will leave them for my next blog entry.
Oh, that brings me to my next tip... Always leave them wanting more.
If you would like to discuss your option and some good advice please fell free to call me on 07867 546 101 we also have a service which can offer an initial consultation to focus on what you need to achieve and how to achieve it in the quickest possible time and then show you how to technically implement those ideas.
Or join our facebook group where we share lots of info like this
Andy Phillips
Mobile 07867 546 101
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