How to Market Your Business Online

Marketing and promoting your business online can be difficult if you don't know where to start. Below are a few tips that I use for marketing my business online.

WEBSITE DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND SEO

A good looking website is a must for any business serious about having a business online but it's more important to have your site optimised correctly so people can find you and then do business with you.

This means researching the services you provide in your industry - know what keyword phrases people are likely to use when searching for your services / products. A free tool for this is Google Keyword Tool.

Below are a few key SEO tips to include when optimising your website:

Browser Page Titles: Each browser page title should be unique, include the keyword phrase for that particular page and be no more than 10 words long.

On Page Headings and Paragraphs: Structuring up your articles makes them easier to read and allows us to use keyword phrases in a more appropriate way.

H Tags: Your articles main title should be in a H1 tag and include your keyword phrase. There should only be one H1 on the page. The first intro paragraph should be set in a H2 tag and include a variation on your main keyword phrase. Other sub headings should be in H3 and body copy in p tags.

Keyword Phrases: Use your main keyword phrase twice on your page in the Heading and Intro text. Then use variants of that phrase. For example:

Main keyword phrase: Brochure designer

Variants: brochure design, brochure Design Company, tri-fold brochure

Spelling and Grammar: In light of Goggles last algorithm updates all you need to do is write good web pages for people using correct spelling and grammar. People are more likely to link to well written informative articles from their social network accounts if you write for people and not search engines. Do not be tempted to stuff keywords all over your pages because Google will mark you down for it.

Metadata: Ensure you have a metadata 'description' that includes your keywords. Don't write more than 25 words.

Note: The metadata 'keywords' box is now pretty much redundant.

Images: All images should have alternative text so that Google can see what that image is about.

Interlinking: Create hot links using keyword rich anchor text so that people can easily find other page content on your website.

CAPTURE VISITORS EMAILS WITH A PROMOTIONAL OFFER

Create a special offer or download PDF around a specific product or service people search for. Then create a form for people to complete to access the information giving you emails to market to in the future.

CREATE A BLOG AND BECOME AN AUTHORITY IN YOUR INDUSTRY

Add a Blog to your website where you can easily create new content for your website that is 'on theme' for the main keyword phrases you want to be found for. Ideally post two new articles each week on your site. You should then promote those articles on Facebook and Twitter.

ADDITIONAL WAYS TO GET MORE BUSINESS

Create joint ventures with other related business who could put work your way. Let them outsource to you.

Outsource as much admin work as you can and concentrate on the bit that you do well - the bit that makes your business unique

Ask for 5 backlinks to your site from other local website owners in related industries

Develop relationships with existing clients and stay in touch with them. Call them from time to time for a catch up and to see if they have any work in the pipeline that you can help with.

Always ask for a testimonial after a successful job well done. Your more likely to get a better referral and they inspire potential customers to call you.

Neil Forrester Follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Google+. There's more on me at the About Us page.

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