Author Archives: The Web Guys
Your Business Needs Call Tracking
Having your phone ring with a fresh new lead is very exciting. However, not knowing how you attracted that lead doesn’t help your business track what is working to generate leads. Most businesses struggle to properly associate a caller to an ad source as a critical decision-driver behind knowing which of its marketing and advertising efforts are working. How does a business decide where to spend more, less, or nothing at all? With an increase in the number of smartphone users, fewer website forms are being filled out. More calls are being made because of the convenience of the one-click-to-call functions on cell phones and tablets. Other than tracking call sources by manually asking every caller where they found your number, and then putting that into a spreadsheet or by using old fashion chicken scratch, it is nearly impossible to track leads and conversions properly! Couple that with time investments, … Continued
How Do I Verify My Company’s Facebook Page? #FAQuesday
Last week in this space, The Web Guys explained why authenticating your company’s Facebook page is important. Today, we’ll walk you through the process of getting your page verified so consumers can easily find it on the popular social network.The first step is to access the settings on your business Facebook page.If you are an authorized administrator of the page, you’ll find the verification status near the top of the Settings. Click on the blue “Edit” link and then on “Verify this Page” to get started. Choose Your PathAt this point, you’ll need to determine whether you want Facebook to use the business’ publicly listed phone number or business documents to confirm that your page is the real deal. (Pro tip: If your phone system requires a caller to enter an extension number to reach an employee, opt for the documentation method. Although you can include an extension on Facebook’s verification-request form, we have had mixed success with that option.)If … Continued
Start at the Beginning for Digital Marketing Success
In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, it’s easy to get distracted by the never-ending array of shiny objects designed to get Web surfers’ attention. But even the latest and greatest innovations can’t accomplish much unless they’re supported by the right infrastructure.It is crucial for businesses to build a solid foundation for their digital marketing efforts before attempting anything else. At The Web Guys, we start at the beginning by designing engaging websites that appeal to potential customers and search engines alike. Craft a Custom Strategy Our website-development process begins with a deep dive into your business, exploring everything from its history to its ambitions. We also research the broader industry to make sure we understand the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for you and your customers. Understanding who your targeted audience is — and what they’re searching for online — empowers our team to create a well-thought-out website … Continued
Why Does My Business Website Need Images? #FAQuesday
Think about the last time you were scrolling through your Twitter feed and found something appealing enough to “like” or re-tweet: Were you drawn by your neighbor’s 140-character description of his new car or the photo of him grinning like a kid from behind the wheel? And that White Castle breakfast casserole you whipped up for the last family gathering — did you find the recipe in a dust-covered cookbook or through a link your friend posted with Facebook pictures of the finished dish? When it comes to cutting through the volumes of information Americans are inundated with every day, The Web Guys understands that few things are as powerful as an attention-grabbing image. Indeed, industry research shows that tweets with images are shared 150 percent more often than those with pure text, and photo-focused posts drive 87 percent of a typical Facebook page’s engagement. The stakes are even higher … Continued
What’s Happening at The Web Guys?
The Internet never sleeps, which means our work at The Web Guys is never really “done,” but we still like to hit pause every once in a while to reflect on our accomplishments — and recharge our batteries. So here’s where things stand as of fall 2015:A New AdditionWe never get tired of hearing kudos from businesses that trust us to design killer websites and lead their ongoing digital marketing efforts, but it’s particularly rewarding when those accomplishments allow us to grow our team. This week, we did just that, welcoming Danny Moore as TWG’s newest Client Success Advisor.Danny is an Indiana University graduate who worked at a social media startup in San Diego for a couple of years, building online communities for the likes of Lady Gaga and Nike before returning to the Hoosier state to raise a family. He and his wife, Lara, live in Fishers with their 18-month-old daughter … Continued
Why Do I Need to Keep Updating My Website? #FAQuesday
Anyone who has been through a business website launch knows it can feel like pulling off a minor miracle. Even with experts like The Web Guys handling the programming, content creation, and design, it takes a village — and months of hard work — to build a site that attracts visitors and turns them into customers. So it’s understandable that many companies aren’t eager to start making changes after crossing the finish line. But as we tell our clients, that natural inclination to take it easy could be a big mistake when it comes to search engine optimization.That’s because industry giant Google’s search algorithms tend to reward sites that have fresh, high-quality content, ranking them higher in search results. Ironically, it’s not a recent development; freshness has been a ranking factor since 2007, when Google began using its “Query Deserves Freshness” model to boost new content tied to “hot” topics. … Continued
Small Biz Surprise: Almost Half Aren’t Online
Once upon a time, running a small business required hard work, determination, and more than a little sacrifice. Mom-and-pop enterprises chasing the American dream hoped to find a niche in their neighborhoods — and if they were lucky, in their communities — that would draw customers and keep the cash registers ringing. Anything more than word-of-mouth marketing was an afterthought for many and a luxury for most. Sounds like a story set in the dark ages, right? If only. Although our increasingly global economy has today’s entrepreneurs targeting customers outside their ZIP code, a startling number of them still remain focused on managing day-to-day operations rather than sharing information about their products and services with the world. Case in point: Almost half of small businesses in the United States did not have websites in 2014, according to data released in December by SCORE, a Virginia-based association that provides workshops, counseling, … Continued
Why Do Websites Need So Much Content? #FAQuesday
Our clients run small businesses — car rental agencies, landscaping companies, maid services, you name it. Most of them are happy to hand The Web Guys the keys to their digital marketing machines and let us do the driving. We’re the experts, after all. But many still have questions about the process, and the most common one I hear as chief word nerd is related to those pesky things you’re reading right now. Q: Why Does My Website Need So Many Words? A: The simple answer is that words are the best way to tell the story of your business, products, and services — and to demonstrate the often subtle distinctions between you and your competitors. Sure, it’s great to have photos of the new travel trailers in your RV fleet, but will they make the phone ring as frequently as the list of camping must-haves included with every rental? … Continued
A Breakdown of Google My Business
The switch from Google+ and Google Places to Google My Business has arrived. Here is what businesses need to know about the upgrade. WHAT IS THE SAME +1 clicks Posts (#hashtags, tagging people or businesses) Page tabs (About, Photos, YouTube, Reviews) Google Analytics Insights (will still connect and analyze content of accounts) WHAT IS DIFFERENT Manage reviews, Google Analytics, AdWords and YouTube from one page Dashboard can be viewed and managed from one menu Ability to edit local search information Ability to edit Google Maps address(es) Ability to respond to reviews Formal, provided business listings No custom categories No payment options or additional details will be listed Company reviews and +1’s combined into one search-powered page Local pages that accept upgrade automatically converted to storefront or service area pages THE BENEFIT OF PROVIDED BUSINESS CATEGORIES One of the most effective changes of the “My Business” upgrade is the business listing. … Continued
Make Your Business’ Web Site Engaging, Intuitive and Professional
As the world becomes increasingly more digitized, a business web site is no longer optional. When looking for information, the average consumer’s first impulse is to head for Google — not the Yellow Pages. In the article “B2B’s Digital Evolution” on Google Think Insights, the author asserts: New research from CEB’s Marketing Leadership Council shows that potential business customers are increasingly using digital channels to form opinions about major purchases. Today’s business buyers do not contact suppliers directly until 57 percent of the purchase process is complete. The challenge for marketers is to be present in these channels at all times with content that educates buyers and helps guide commercial decisions. It’s important to realize, though, that not just any old web site will do. A well designed web site will have a higher conversion rate than one with a “one size fits all” approach, especially for younger, design-savvy visitors. … Continued
