FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE HIRING A SEO PROFESSIONAL
You've heard about search engine optimization, but you're not entirely sure if it's for you. Luckily for you, we took the time to break down the factors to consider before hiring an SEO professional. Download our white paper for all the information you'll need. In addition to the white paper, you'll receive emails from us periodically on all things digital marketing.
Local SEO services has a few different mobile search criteria-including load time and proper rendering of your site in mobile environments. Mobile Searchers are typically more tech-savvy and less patient with website shortcomings, so how can a webmaster or business owner create a mobile web presence that appeals to this new, growing and ready to buy sector of search traffic?
Responsive Website Design. A responsive website design should render properly in whatever device it appears on. A complete page that renders properly on all devices will help to create high rankings for that website on mobile search, not to mention a positive user experience that will make conversion more likely.
Optimize Local Search.Local search results, like Google + Places, are designed for mobile users, who are usually searching for 3 key components: Location, Hours of Operation, and Reviews. Make sure that your local listings are complete and up to date and that you continue to encourage customers to place reviews on your local sites.
Match Analytics to Site Performance. Website analytics will show you which devices are being used to view your site, and the growth in mobile traffic. Use these numbers as a guide in optimizing your local search. Make sure that you test your site for compatibility with the browsers that your clients are using, and if you see a flat or small increase in mobile traffic, it is almost a sure sign that you are not delivering a positive mobile site user experience, as the amount of mobile searches being done is definitely growing.
Bottom Line:Mobile search is continuing to increase, and the growth in traditional search is flat or decreasing. Make sure that your mobile presence delivers a positive user experience by rendering properly in mobile search environments and providing clear information about locations, specials, hours of operation and a quick profile of your business.
Eric Van Cleave is a Partner in Zenergy Works, A Santa Rosa, California based SEO, Website Design and Development, and Online Marketing Firm.
An online SEO survey by SurveyMonkey has provided some insight into the “pet peeves” of website visitors. 68% of those surveyed stated that the No. 1 reason users would block a website from their search results was the presence of too many ads on the site. The second most popular reason was poor quality content, with 60% of those surveyed naming that reason.
42% of those surveyed said that if a search rendered less than perfect results, they would leave the search, but 34% said that they would abandon that search and return to Google to create another search.
Only 26% of the respondents would block a website from their search because of errors in spelling and grammar.
Bottom Line: Most websites do not have an abundance of ads, but this survey gives a warning to webmasters to make call to action on the site prominent, but to fall short of annoying. Google Panda is not the only reason to create unique and compelling content for your site, as viewers find content that is uninteresting or poorly crafted to be a major turnoff. Is your bounce rate over 50%? If so, the above may be 2 factors to consider in improving your site’s performance.
Eric Van Cleave is a Partner in Zenergy Works, A Santa Rosa, California Based Local SEO Services, Website Development, and Online Marketing Firm.
Everyone tells you that you need a web presence (they’re right), but a web presence can only get you so far if you’re working off of a poor web design. Petaluma residents are well-versed in local businesses. They’re used to venturing downtown or exploring the hidden nooks of the city and finding wonderful locally-owned shops and services to give their business to. If there’s anywhere where the “Go Local” sensibility is strong, it’s Petaluma. That means great things for small businesses, but it also means that competition can be high, especially when people are judging your website design.
The days of people finding businesses to try by getting recommendations from their friends and looking in the Yellow Pages aren’t gone. They’ve just evolved… a lot. An individual’s circle of friends isn’t just the people they see on weekends anymore – it’s everyone they connect with on Twitter, Facebook, Yelp, and the multitude of other social media sites out there. The Yellow Pages do still exist, but most people opt for Google instead. A very large chunk of consumers are now going online before testing out local businesses. Even folks who live in Petaluma will seek out online reviews and check out websites before making a choice. This is where web design becomes very, very important.
For a moment, think of yourself not as a business owner, but as an online consumer (which statistics show you probably already are). How do you feel about a business when you come across their website and find a shabby-looking web design? Or when it’s a pain to find any information about the business? You probably move on pretty quickly, right? So do your potential consumers if they either 1) aren’t impressed by your website, or 2) can’t find you online at all.
As you can see, something that you might not have considered a big deal and just thrown a few bucks at your friend to toss a website design on the Internet for you might actually be detrimental to your business. Think of your website as the window to your storefront. If it’s dirty, cracked, or the display items are sparse and uninteresting, people keep walking. You want to show them something bright and shiny to get them into the store! And Zenergy Works can help.
We’ve done work for Petaluma businesses like yours, both in web design and Local SEO Services. If you’d like to see an example, check out On The Spot ChemDry or our extensive portfolio. If you need an updated web design, we’re your people. Let us introduce you to the crew and make sure you’ve got a nice, pretty window for people to look through.
Websites are becoming much more complex to design and build effectively. Search Engine criteria, social sharing, call to action, compelling and original content-all have become more important than ever. The more complex a website becomes, the more likely that it will miss basic website rules that can hinder the user experience and conversion. The overriding basic goal of every website should be to is to address, and solve, the problem that motivated the website visitor to come to the website in the first place. If this can be accomplished in an entertaining and unique fashion, that is the best case scenario. The following mistakes need to be avoided in any website design, and are addressed in the form of questions you may wish to ask yourself when you evaluate your website through the eyes of a new visitor.
Why Are You Here?
Be right up front with the problems that your organization can solve, and how you can solve them better than the competition. If you have an Unique Selling Proposition (USP) or a service or business model that is superior to your competition, by all means, be right up front. Do not be shy about the features that make your business unique.
What Do I Do Next?
Whatever the action you wish a website visitor to take, whether it is to make an appointment, sign-up for a newsletter or webinar, buy product or receive additional information, you will need to have a clear call to action. Buttons that clearly state the next process for the viewer such as make an appointment, buy now, search our catalog, etc. are the preferred method. However, a call to action can also be a link built into the text in the interior of the site. Each page should have at least one call to action in a prominent position to encourage conversion.
Where is the Important Stuff?
Current website design strategy calls for a liberal use of white space and to avoid “clutter”. Don’t let the avoidance of clutter lead to important information like how to make an appointment, reasons that the website visitor should do business with your firm as opposed to your competitors, and the special features or pricing that you offer be buried on a page that is only linked from the sub navigation. Make the basics easy to find.
Are All of These Bells and Whistles Distracting?
The website that uses the newest and most visually appealing technology might be a great showpiece for the Website Designer, but often does not deliver the best user experience. Flash graphics or gigantic JPEGs may look great, but can often cause problems in load time and mobile access. I am a major proponent of websites that are visually appealing and reflect the uniqueness of the business, but it is important to find a balance between form and function. Your website visitors will be impressed with an easy to navigate site with simple, but functional graphics.
Is This Site for Me?
Your website should be designed for the market that you need to reach. If most of your website visitors are under 40, digital compliancy such as a responsive design or an app, if justified, should be explored. Also be careful to create content that is written in the jargon of the age group or market that you wish to reach. It is ok to have complex words in a site designed to reach Physicians, but not necessarily for an Auto Repair Shop. Current slang is ok for a Skateboard shop, but not a Pharmacy.
Why Are These Guys Trying So Hard to Impress Me?
Certifications, awards, and links to information that help the potential customer to understand the accomplishments of your business are important conversion tools. Too many of these on the home page may create a logjam of information, and give the impression that you are trying just a bit too hard to be impressive. All of your accomplishments should definitely be on your website, but spreading them throughout the site in the About Us page or even creating a separate page for Awards and Professional Certifications is a better option than creating too much clutter on the home page. Social Sharing buttons should appear on each page of the site.
Bottom Line: Something about a New Year always makes me want to get back to basics. The basic issues listed above are important to remember. Please remember that these are the basic website design practices that lead to websites that convert website visitors into customers.
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