#FAQuesday
Should My Company Be on Yelp? #FAQuesday
While online reviews may be the bane of some business owners’ existence, savvy entrepreneurs understand that whether they like it or not, Yelp is here to stay. Claiming and maintaining a Yelp listing isn’t the most glamorous part of digital marketing for your company, but it can mean the difference between appearing like a heartless business or a customer-focused member of the online/local community.
Email Marketing: Dead or Alive? #FAQuesday
In lieu of the recent political debates, we thought we would tackle one of our favorite online debates: Is email marketing dead or alive? I am here to tell you that email marketing is alive and well, and you shouldn’t let anyone convince you otherwise. Benefits of Email Marketing Email marketing is an incredible opportunity to communicate with your company’s past, present, and future customers. We work with clients — large and small — to design, develop, and deploy customized marketing campaigns with messages tailored to boost your bottom line. And the best part is that you don’t have to lift a finger; we handle all of the grunt work for you. When engaging with customers via email, your brand’s message is sent directly to a targeted audience. It’s an extremely affordable service that The Web Guys proudly provides for our customers, and the benefits are unending. I could bore you with positive facts … Continued
Should My Website Have an SSL? #FAQuesday
Great question. Let’s begin with the definition of an SSL. It’s an acronym for Secure Socket Layer. At the most basic level, an SSL creates a secure connection between an Internet user’s Web browser and the server where the website is hosted. The simplest way to determine if a website has an SSL is by looking for HTTPS at the beginning of the website address. HTTP by itself is short for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. Add the S, and you have Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. Before we get too technical, let’s flip back to the main point here – just look for the HTTPS or the lock icon in your browser. See what Google has to say on the subject. What Are Some Benefits of an SSL? Information Security – Having a secure connection between Internet users and your website means that information sent between the two (names, phone numbers, credit … Continued
Will Google’s Local Pack Changes Affect My Business? #FAQuesday
That tremor felt throughout the SEO world in early August may not have been as earth-shaking as Google’s spring Mobilegeddon update, but the latest change in local search results still set the industry abuzz. The Google “local pack” that used to show the top seven results was downsized to display only three, even when the search is conducted on a desktop computer. In addition to showing fewer business listings, the new local pack — dubbed a “snack pack” by some observers — was also redesigned to resemble the mobile interface, which makes sense considering that mobile search surpassed desktop earlier this year. So what does that mean for companies in the fourth through seventh positions that dropped out of the featured box? Don’t panic yet. What Will Happen to My Ranking? Although it may seem like a lost opportunity, Google assures us that the top three local-pack positions already were getting the vast majority of clicks from users, … Continued
How Do I Build Social Media Buzz? #FAQuesday
When it comes to generating online buzz for your company via social media, simply having a profile on Facebook or Twitter isn’t enough these days. To promote and maintain a steady stream of activity — and hopefully conversions — you’ll need to provide consistent, focused social media engagement. Here are three ways to seize control of your company’s social media channels and build lasting rapport between your brand and its followers. 1. Interact At The Web Guys, we’ve found that it often only takes an initial point of contact to get an online conversation rolling. Whether you “like” a post made to your company’s Facebook page by a fan or respond to a negative review, that first step of interaction shows current and potential clients that you value their input. If someone publishes a post to your company’s Facebook wall, letting people know how much they appreciate your company, make sure to thank them for … Continued
Should I Use Click-to-Call AdWords Campaigns? #FAQuesday
Google is constantly introducing new features and ad types to keep up with the ever-evolving forms of technology we use on a daily basis. One of the most recent additions to Google AdWords was click-to-call ads, and they’ve created a lot of buzz about who should be using them and why. Let’s cover the ins and outs of this new option to help you make the best decision about setting up your next advertising campaign. What does Click-to-Call Mean? Click-to-call (CTC) is a type of ad within Google AdWords. These ads will show on mobile devices when users search Google for relevant keywords. Clicking on a company’s CTC ad will connect searchers to the business by phone, rather than sending them to its website. These ads cannot be shown on desktop computers, since most aren’t set up to make phone calls. What are the Pros? These ads don’t require your website to have a landing page … 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
What Do We Do All Day? #FAQuesday
As a spunky and fun small business, no two days around our office are the same. Granted, we work with clients across the country in many different industries, so that in itself provides a colorful calendar of work. But that’s not all we do around here. The Chalkboard Besides being a retro reminder of our childhoods, the giant chalkboard in our office is a central place to communicate with the whole gang. We scribble team updates. We drink too much coffee and write inspirational quotes. It serves as the backdrop for impromptu staff meetings. And when it’s not being used for work, we obviously use it to play. The Glass Case of Success Secluded on the south side of our office lies our Client Success Team Headquarters. These jovial folks are the smiling faces that constantly answer phone calls and reach out to our clients. There is such a constant … Continued
Should I Respond To A Negative Online Review Of My Business? #FAQuesday
Since the Internet is often the first and last place potential customers go to find out more about you, online reviews are serious stuff. Our clients often ask us what to do when they come across a less-than-spectacular review of their business. Our advice is to address them promptly and professionally.
How Can I Start Blogging? #FAQuesday
Originally written largely as online diaries, blogs have become an important way for businesses to increase their visibility — establishing credibility in their industry and building a network of potential clients and partners in the process. Even small businesses have hopped on the blogging bandwagon. At The Web Guys, we often receive inquiries like those below from beginning business bloggers looking for direction. Getting started may seem daunting, but these simple steps will have you on the path to becoming a blogging pro in no time. 1.) What do I need to set up a blog? First things first: You’ll need a computer. Laptops are especially great for bloggers who are always on the go. Then, it’s important that you’re posting on a website that is designed with blog functionality and the latest blogging software. Website mobility is also essential for your readers who browse company news on their mobile … Continued
