#1 Reason Why Local Business Owners Need A Website!

As you’re reading this post, I’m going to assume you’re asking yourself why, as a local business owner, you need a website.   Listen, you are not alone there are many local business owners that have not taken one step toward obtaining a site for their business.

Did you check out those numbers provided in the infographic above from mdgadvertising.com?  Think about the changing habits of your family and friends.  Where are they going to find information, place orders, etc?  Online.

The #1 reason why I believe local business owners need a website is because the consumer is searching for products and services online.  Plain and simple!  You need to be where they are so they can find you and not your competitors.

I recently came across a blog post from Entrepreneur titled “Why You Need a Website“.  This post is dated October 2004 and the answer is still the same…

Yes, if you have a business, you should have a website. Period. No question. Without a doubt.

Therefore, let’s make it easier for your local consumers to find your business when searching for your product or services online.

Whatever your reasoning for not having a business website now is the time to take steps and get the information you need to get your business a site today.

Want to know how others view your business online…

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• Your Business’ Online Reputation (lorriebrown.wordpress.com)

 

Your Business’ Online Reputation

Many local small business owners believe having nice website means their “Online Reputation” is intact.  However, there is so much more to online visibility than just a nice website.

There are many ways for local consumers and business owners to interact online to create the reputation of a business online.

In today’s online market place most of your online reputation is built outside of your website.  For example

• Social Media – Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn
• Review Sites
• Blogs

… just to name a few.

Are you beginning to understand the various ways your business’ online reputation can be influenced good or bad without involving your website.

Since I mentioned your website, let’s talk about a few practices that can build good reputation management.

These same practices go for any other web properties you may have as well such as Facebook Fanpage, Twitter page, or blog.

You can also utilize these practices with other web applications like Facebook Timeline, Twitter or your blog.

• Your business website is not your personal webpage – It should be managed professionally and kept business-related.
• Be polite in your public posts and responses. Never argue with a customer or reply with rude comments.
• ALWAYS comment on responses made by your customers and your potential customers – never ignore them. One of the best things you can do is to stay in communication with your audience and keep it as professional as possible.

Keep in mind to maintain your current customers and to win new ones is your goal.  You are online not to make friends or enemies.  Make sure you stay professional and keep your composure even when it can be very challenging.

Want to know how others view your business online…

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An Internet Presence Is Important!

As a local small business owner you probably understand that having an internet presence is important. You may even have an awesome website for your business.

This question is what are you doing with it?

Just some food for thought!

GET COMPLIMENTARY EVALUATION

LAB Small Business Services online complimentary evaluation will reveal how past, current and future consumers view your business online.

 

The Search Is On!

As a traditional local business owner transitioning from the days of the yellow pages and newspaper to online marketing I thought the Google commercial below is inspiring.  It shows how powerful it is to have instant information at your fingertips at anytime.

Google, the largest collector of information, recognized the importance of local searches to consumers. As a result, Google created Google Places  – it’s a way to present searchers what they’re searching for in their own local towns or cities – whether it is a restaurant, dry cleaner or attorney.

This is why as a local business owner you want your business online so you can be found.  Being located online is more affordable than you might think.

GET COMPLIMENTARY EVALUATION

LAB Small Business Services online complimentary evaluation will reveal how past, current and future consumers view your business online.

 

Local Business Websites

By now, as a local small business owner, you know the importance of having a website. However, I’m finding many local businesses without one or their site is beautifully outdated and non-productive. Websites aren’t just to look good but to provide a valuable service (experience) to your customers and those seeking your product or service.

Your website is giving your customers and local internet searchers the reason they need to do business with you and not your competitors.

How do you view your customers?  Below is a great clip from a business marketing giant, Jay Abraham, that addresses my point and I believe taking your website seriously is a major piece of the puzzle for building long-term business growth.

Just some food for thought!

GET COMPLIMENTARY EVALUATION

LAB Small Business Services online complimentary evaluation will reveal how past, current and future consumers view your business online.

 

Friday Basics – Marketing Local Business – The Difference

Friday Basics today will close out our three part series on Marketing Local Business  with “The Difference.”

Dinah Washington sung a song years ago called “What A Difference A Day Made.”  It’s a romantic song, however, what I love about it is The Difference one action made.

In part one of this series the action to change The Path for marketing your small business on the internet. In part two taking the action to switch from being The Hunter to The Hunted in your marketing efforts will make The Difference in your marketing efforts.

The whole point of making the decision to take the action to switch the path to internet marketing and becoming the hunted by your customers and leads is to make The Difference…

• in your visibility to your local market online
• in how you communicate with your customers
• in how you introduce your business and your product or service
• in improving your bottom-line

The Difference can be the “sun and flowers where there use to be rain”.

Enjoy Dinah!

GET COMPLIMENTARY EVALUATION

LAB Small Business Services online complimentary evaluation will reveal how past, current and future consumers view your business online.

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Marketing Local Business ~ The Hunter or The Hunted?

In part one of this series “Marketing Local Business – The Path” we suggested what path you should choose for your small business to go to the next chapter of growth.

Today we will tackle identifying if your business is The Hunter or The Hunted in your marketing efforts.  Let’s begin with The Hunter. According to Wikipedia “..is the practice of pursuing.”  If your business is The Hunter your spending most of your marketing efforts (time and money) chasing down your prospects or leads using the traditional methods of building your bottom-line.

According to Brian Halligan, Hubspot, “… most small businesses still use outdated and inefficient marketing methods … – that people increasingly find intrusive.”

Chances are your business is following this method of marketing which we call Outbound Marketing or playing the role of The Hunter.

In today’s world if you’re The Hunter in your marketing efforts there is good news.  It’s easier and more effective to evolve into the role of The Hunted.

The Hunted is what we call Inbound Marketing.  It’s customers and prospects searching for your product or services.  The traditional thought of becoming The Hunted can create an uncomfortable feeling, however, in this case The Hunted works diligently to be found.  If you become The Hunted you place yourself where The Hunters can easily find your business using inbound marketing.

As an owner marketing using local internet search for your business the choice between the role of The Hunter or The Hunted will make all the difference in your bottom line.

Tomorrow in part three we will conclude with Marketing Local Business ~ The Difference.

GET COMPLIMENTARY EVALUATION

LAB Small Business Services online complimentary evaluation will reveal how past, current and future consumers view your business online.

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• Marketing Local Business ~ The Path (lorriebrown.wordpress.com)

 

Marketing Local Business ~ The Path

In this 3 part series we are going to discuss the basics in marketing your products and/or services.  This series will share with you, the local small business owner, why the next chapter in your local business growth is internet marketing.

Let’s start with “The Path”.  The old path once driven in acquiring new customers locally has changed and has become the road less traveled.

The old path is the traditional forms of marketing local business such as,

• directory advertising
• trade shows
• full and half print ads
• cold calling

This is the old path due to the high cost and it’s becoming less and less effective in producing leads compared to the new path called internet marketing,

• website
• mobile marketing
• social networking (facebook, twitter, etc)
• blogging

The new path, internet marketing, is less expensive and potential customers are seeking your business/service.

That’s two reasons (less expensive and customers seeking you) to consider switch from the traditional path or at least expanding to include marketing online.

Oh, there’s one more important reason to consider internet marketing it’s called visibility.  Claiming your piece of your local online real estate.  You want to be there when your local customers are looking for your products and services.  Don’t disappointment them.

Tomorrow, in part two of Marketing Local Business find out if you are the “The Hunted or The Hunter”.

GET COMPLIMENTARY EVALUATION

LAB Small Business Services online complimentary evaluation will reveal how past, current and future consumers view your business online.

 

Hello… I Can’t Find You!

There is nothing more frustrating than searching online for a local flowershop, mechanic or beauty salon and can’t find them.  When you type in their business name nothing comes up.  Or you get incorrect information on an out-of-date directory site.

How about this one, You type in your city and a service (like plumbing) and you get results for business’s 20 to 30 miles away and it takes hours for them to service your need.  When you know you have many local plumbers in your area. 

Everyday there are local customers or potential customers searching on line for your product or service and can’t find your business.

If you are business owner that is invisible online then make this 2012 your year to get your business visible online.  It’s really simple to get started.

1. Get an evaluation.  You don’t know what you don’t know.  Get a snapshot of what your business looks like when someone is search for your product or service local.  You can do this yourself by typing in your business name, service or product in Google Search
2. Next take the necessary steps to build your business’ visibility so your local market can find you.  It’s that simple.

Now, I do understand with so much information coming from everywhere regarding small business’ getting online it can be overwhelming.  So, do be afraid to ask for help.  That’s why I’m here and created LAB Small Business Services.  If you want to run your business and let me assist you then call me today.

If you have the time and what to do it yourself you can start with the basics.  Google has an excellent guide called “How-To-Guide For Getting Your Business Online.”  It’s a step-by-step guild that provides you will all the information and tools to get your business online and visible to your local market.

Whatever you decide, it’s important to your business to get visible online as soon as you can.  It’s important.

 

Small Business Marketing Strategy Online

The most powerful small business marketing strategy online, I believe, is building visibility and credibility in the local marketing.

Search around the Internet for local businesses in your neighborhood.  Search for your business online.  What do you find?  If you find …

• Incorrect or missing information
• Wrong address
• Bad, out dated or no reviews
• No consistency
• Outdated website
• or don’t find business

Then, your local consumer is finding the same thing.

Many small business owners work hard to keep solid visibility for their business location and create a professional atmosphere that is pleasing to their customers and remain clueless to how their business is viewed online.

This strategy begins with the business owner typing in keywords (2-3) into the search engine (Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc.) that a local consumer would type if they were looking for your product or service.  Are you happy with what you found?  Chances are you do not like what you found.

Next, type in your competitor(s) into the search engine with the same keywords.  What do you see?  Chances are they are clueless as well.

Now, start cleaning up and building your image and also increase your visibility.  You will be amazed at the results.  Here’s a tip:  If you find that one of your local competitors uses this strategy then just become more visible and reach out to your local consumers using mobile or maybe social networks.

Start now and do not wait to begin using this powerful small business marketing strategy. Do what your competitors are not doing, yet.  Remember, you are not alone.   We are here to assist you with affordable online marketing and image solutions.

Get your FREE Consultation Today!

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