Have you been avoiding Google Analytics because it’s just too hard to learn? Here’s a gentle introduction to using it to understand your website visitors.
Author: Myrna Greenfield
How the “Six Ps” of Marketing Can Help Increase Sales
I met a young man at the Livestock Institute Conference in Dighton, Mass. who wants to sell more eggs from his family farm. He had lots of questions:
- “How can I increase the profit on my egg sales?”
- “How much should I sell them for?”
- “Who should I sell to?”Unfortunately, it’s impossible to give a quick response to these types of questions, because the answer is always, “It depends.”
Continue reading How the “Six Ps” of Marketing Can Help Increase Sales
Boost Your Local Search Rankings with Google My Business
Are You Taking Advantage of Google My Business?
Google My Business (GMB) is the best free tool that your local business or nonprofit can use to help customers find you online. You provide Google with information you want to share about your products or services, events, photos and videos, and more. Google consolidates this info into a “Knowledge Panel” that displays on the right-hand side of search results when people look for your business by name. Continue reading Boost Your Local Search Rankings with Google My Business
Using Google Search Console Analytics Reports to Get Found on the Web
Trying to attract more visitors to your website? Using Google Search Console can help you understand what specific keywords or phrases are getting people to click through to your site.
The Google Search Console Analytics report is just one of the free tools available in Google Search Console, but it’s my favorite tool for DIY SEO.
Before we get into the specifics of the Analytics reports, here’s what you need to know about Google Search Console.
Continue reading Using Google Search Console Analytics Reports to Get Found on the Web
Who Are Your Target Customers?
Knowing what makes your customers tick will help you make marketing decisions, from pricing, distribution, and choosing the color of your logo, to deciding what to put on your website and using Facebook effectively.
When you know why people are drawn to your products or services, you can focus on attracting customers who will be excited about what you offer.
Here are some tips to help you find the best customers for your business or organization.
SEO for Reluctant Small Business Owners
Common Sense SEO
If you’re like most small business owners, you’re reluctant to spend $500+ a month to hire a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) agency.
Reputable SEO firms provide a host of useful services that can benefit your business, but unless you’re relying on web traffic to woo customers, you probably don’t need to hire an expert to get found on the web.
Here are three “common sense” SEO practices that you can do on your own.
How to Increase Repeat Business
Inspiring a Second Purchase
Which is more important, a customer’s first purchase or their second?
While obviously a customer has to try—and like–your product or service once before they’ll buy it a second time, the second encounter is crucial for developing loyal customers. By the time a customer has made that second purchase, they’re well on their way to becoming a regular.
Here are some ways to encourage that second sale and establish a devoted customer base.
DIY Market Research
Market research is simply the process of finding answers to your questions about the market, your customers, and your competitors. Whether you’re launching a new business or growing an existing one, you can use Do-It-Yourself (DIY) market research to answer key questions, such as:
- What trends are on the horizon? How can I use them to help me create or improve my products?
- Are there people who want to buy my product or service, and if so, what’s the best way to reach them?
- How many potential customers can I attract?
- Who’s my competition?
- Who are my current customers? How do they like what I offer?
Market research firms can provide the information you need or research it for you, BUT they usually charge thousands of dollars. Here are some free and low-cost tools you can use for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) market research.
Google Analytics: Get MORE From Your Website
Every small business and organization should have at least a basic website. Even if you mostly talk to your customers on social media, you need a digital location where you can control how you present your business and where you store your digital content. (Don’t have a site yet? Here are some tips about using “Do-It-Yourself” website builders.)
Just having a website, however, isn’t good enough; your site should help you achieve your goals. Whether your primary goal is to attract customers, get newsletter subscribers, or let people know about your sales or daily specials, you need to know if your website is delivering for you.
Continue reading Google Analytics: Get MORE From Your Website
How to Get More from Twitter
Facebook is the undisputed social media king and Instagram is the new queen, but Twitter is a quick, easy-to-master marketing tool for many small businesses, nonprofits, and consultants. It can help you increase your visibility, drive web traffic, build relationships with customers and prospects, position yourself as a thought leader, or just keep up with trends.
This article is written for existing Twitter users, but if you can text, you can Tweet. Here’s a guide to get started on Twitter. (And even advanced users might find this Hootsuite Guide to Twitter Marketing helpful.)
