SEO for Better Online Marketing

Search engine optimization for a business can reap untold benefits if used properly. Thanks to AdHere Creative, here are 4 tips for search engine optimization on your new business' website.

1. Use web analytics from day one. Using analytics is a great way to review website traffic. Use this information to analyze your site's use and set goals in tailoring your SEO.

2. Avoid writing content for SEO purposes. Unnaturally filling your site's content with keywords is a cheap way to generate traffic. Instead, focus on creating quality content that users and customers want to witness. In doing so, your site will gain honest popularity.

3. Take advantage of page titles and meta descriptions.
You can, however, strategically place keywords in titles and descriptions. Make sure they feel natural and are aligned to what a customer would commonly search for when looking for a product or service your company provides. This is a great way to optimize your search engine rankings without compromising content.

4. Plan to expand.
This one is simple. Search engines improve and companies expand, and you should ensure that your site and its content will continue to develop and improve alongside those changes.
(Source: 4 SEO Marketing Strategy Tips for New Websites)

According to Titan SEO, the top five benefits of SEO are:

• Increased Traffic
• Return on Investment
• Cost Effectiveness.
• Increased Site Usability
• Brand Awareness

(Source: Top 5 Benefits of SEO)

Spotlight: Amazon.com

In  my own experience, Amazon.com has amazed me with its ability to constantly appear at the top of my search results. No matter what you search for, if it could possibly be a product for sale, Amazon will probably appear near the top of your search results. Just search the word "gallium," for instance, which is a fascinating metallic element, and Amazon.com will be near the top letting you know you can buy it from them!

Web Analytics for a Better Business

Until recently, I never realized the potential that Google has to help out small businesses. As it turns out, Google has many tools for businesses big and small to better utilize their given market. Speaking of analysis specifically, Google Analytics is a wonderful tool for small businesses and even space traveling organizations alike. Thanks to Distilled.net, here are a few good reasons you might want to consider using Google Analytics.

Its Free. Not only is the service free, but the training is as well. In addition, countless online sources are available, all for no cost to you.

API Access. The Analytics API gives you easy access to the information. Moreover, there are different analytic packages that allow you to use the information in a variety of ways.

Custom Reports. This is simple. You can view your data whenever you want, and however you want.

Profiles. You can create different profiles to view the different aspects of your online business presence. For instance, you can view how much traffic comes through your blog, or from what countries your viewers are from, etc.

AdWords. For anyone that doesn't know, and there are few, Google's AdWords is a great way to direct search engine traffic to your site.

Customizable. Customizations are easy, and if you feel you are in over your head, just simply consult one of the many online resources available!

Google Analytics cannot do everything, but its a great place to start. Every business online should have some form of analysis, and Google Analytics is a good and affordable place to start.

(Source: Why You Should Use Google Analytics)

As I hinted at earlier, even a "stellar" organization such as NASA relies on Google Analytics. NASA uses the tool to see how many people view their content on mobile devices. This comes into play often, as NASA likes to post live feeds. This is a great way to ensure their viewers receive the highest quality feed possible.

(Source: Top Ten Companies that use Google Analytics)

Tips for a Better Looking Website

The look and feel of a business' website can be a make or break it point in the eyes of many potential customers. You don't have to be a tech-savvy person to understand when a website is bad. So in order to give your business' website a more professional appearance, here are 5 quick tips.

1. Keep it clean and clutter free.
We have all been surprised, more than once, at the amount of information that is spilled out on many webpages. Especially with the movement towards mobile, websites need to cut down on the clutter. This can be really annoying for regular users of sites, who know exactly what they are looking for and don't want to have to sift through meaningless clutter to find it.

2. Do Some Web Recon.
This is simple. Taking a look at other websites, especially big company's sites, can teach you a lot about good practices and what a professional appearance consists of.

3. Put visual hierarchy to use.
Speaking of research, it only takes a moment to learn where a user's eyes typically maneuver around a website. Take advantage of this trend by placing your content and links accordingly.

4. Make your text easy to read.
My biggest pet peeve is when a website will place light colored text on a bright background, or vice versa. No one is going to enjoy your website's colorful theme if they cant read what it says.

5. Get the most out of the mobile version of your website.
As I touched on earlier, this is increasingly important in today's world. More and more people are accessing websites from their mobile devices, and depending on your websites content, some may be using mobile almost entirely for access.

(Source:5 Web Design Tips for a Professional Site)

A great example of a well executed website, as always, is Apple. What do you expect from industry leading tech geniuses? Apple's website, seen here, is well crafted, with a clean appearance, no needless clutter, and a logical arrangement of content. Apple also has a great mobile site that doesn't compromise on the professional appearance.

Promoting Business through Blogging

Blogs are no longer simply a means for individuals to creatively express themselves to the online world. Blogs can now act as a channel to help individuals and businesses establish their online presence in the marketplace.

Establishing a blog to use for your business is a great way to engage customers in an affordable way. This is also an excellent way to introduce new products, services, concepts, or policies to your customers. As with any online presence, it is important to place your customer first and center your content around them and their wants and needs (Source: How to write a successful blog that also promotes your business).

A great example of this is the AT&T Networking Exchange. With this site, AT&T keeps customers updated with a plethora of diverse content, including news or useful company-related content. Best of all, the pleasing aesthetics and professional layout help the user feel at home. It is also important to note that many of the best blogs will have new content regularly, sometimes daily.