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Online Branding

Businesses and Search Directories

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Here are some helpful tips for new or existing businesses seeking listing advice on search directories. When it comes to listing your business to multiple search directories, a useful tip that not many people know about is that you can change them manually which is free. Usually, in each directory, there is a link or button that allows you to claim the listing. While there, you can edit the information to match your business perfectly.

Although automatic listings services are available, some companies do not let you keep the updates they provide once you stop using their services on a monthly basis. Even then, automatic listing services do not always cover every single directory which you would still have to edit yourself. The advantage of hiring a marketing agency instead allows you to control your budget while keeping the updates the agency has done for your business. Remember, the improper information listed about your company on search directories could greatly affect the number of visits.

Extend Reach Through Instagram Hashtags

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A majority of businesses today are shifting towards social media to attract new potential customers. Ever wonder why you are not receiving the desired likes or followers you deserve? Hashtags on Instagram posts are one of the easiest ways to engage with customers and ensure brand loyalty.

By using hashtags, it allows you to be discoverable by anyone using the app while extending your potential reach. Another advantage is that it allows you to link events and promotions specifically through your business name.

Now that you understand all the benefits of hashtagging in Instagram, the next step is to see what types of Instagram Hashtags are out there. Usually successful Instagram pages use hashtags that are simple yet explain what the post is all about. Keep in mind that sometimes it is better to use common keywords such as “food” for example because they are easier to find.

Just remember, hashtags only benefit your business rather than hurt it as long as it has context with your page and posts. Lastly, hashtagging is not only limited to Instagram but is also on other social media platforms as well such as Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Tumblr. What are you waiting for, start incorporating hashtags into your Instagram page now and gain the exposure you need!

Your Facebook Social Media Presence

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With over 700 million active users, Facebook is the largest social media platform. People have been using the platform for years to connect and network with others. However, Facebook can also allow businesses to utilize the networking opportunities. You can grow your business and connect with more people through Facebook and here are the reasons why:

By creating a Facebook business page, you are able to connect with customers like never before. People that like your page are interested in your business so by creating a page you are allowing for interested customers to directly communicate with you and build relationships with your business.

One of the most important things regarding putting your business on Facebook is the fact that you are allowing for your business to grow a loyal fan base. With so many users online, businesses can put out relevant and useful content on their pages and in turn, interested customers will catch on and become fans of the company.

Getting on Facebook will also help you in regards to SEO (Search Engine Optimization). By creating a page with continuous content, you will increase your rankings on Google. Everything you post will be indexed by search engines so next time your website or business will show up earlier on Google.

You are also able to exponentially expand your company by getting on Facebook. Every time someone likes your page or a post you wrote, it pops up on all of their friends’ news feeds. This serves as an easy and free form of advertisement that can grow to hundreds or thousands of people throughout the internet. Having a Facebook page also allows for users to quickly share your business with their friends and ultimately expand your customer base as well.

You also need to beat the competition! If your competing businesses are on Facebook, they currently have an advantage over you. To make sure you can best compete with other businesses, it is important to take advantage of all possible platforms that can serve to be beneficial to your business. Joining Facebook is one of these platforms.

However, one key factor to keep in mind is that you don’t want to forget about your page and stop posting content. This will only hurt your business. You need to make sure to continuously create posts, while making sure not to spam people. This is where RG Pacific can help. how to get quality backlinks RG Pacific manages social media accounts and we will make sure to properly engage audiences to maximize potential gains. For a quote on social media marketing you can click here.

How Much Does an E-Commerce Online Store Website Cost? Depends on What You Really Need

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As an E-Commerce Development company, many bricks-and-mortar retailers always call and ask me this question before anything else is discussed- “how much will an e-commerce website cost me?” And I always reply with the same response, “What do you need?”

An online store can go from simple to complex, because its functionality can vary. Are your customers local or national? Do you sell to consumers or wholesalers, maybe even dealers? Do you drop-ship? Will your site be public or private? Those are just a few questions that I pose to retailers looking to get online, and the answers are different each and every time. For a few hundred dollars, you can get an online store up. Yahoo, Godaddy, and template based websites give you E-Commerce sites for cheap. BUT do you really want to give your customers the impression that you are a run-in-the-mill company? Will you be comfortable knowing your online store will look like thousands of others?

Imagine this: You are walking down the hallways of your local shopping mall. On one side you have Coach, which is a store that stands out, exudes class and brand. On the other side, you have a ROSS store (no offense to those who love that store), a location that looks like a low-end clearance store. Which store you think will appeal more to your customers? Visualizing that scenario should give you an idea of what it takes to create an Online Store.

There is so much functionality that can be done. An Online store can be customized in two ways- look and feel, and functionality. The way your online store looks is vital. The homepage must be an attention grabber, similar to what you experience when walking into a retail store. Also consider that 46% of local searches are done on mobile phones now, so if your business has a local reach, a “responsive” design, which has both a web and mobile version, should be considered. Functionality will really determine your overall investment. A simple store will allow categories, product detail pages, and checkout. But what if you want to add more?? Coupon codes, social media sharing, posting reviews, price comparison, filters, and other options are add ons, but for many retailers, must haves. Those development tools are functions that you should consider in order to realize an adequate budget.

As you see, an online store takes considerable planning. You must determine who your target customer is, what you want your visitors to experience, and how unique you want your online shopping pathways to be to your visitors. Once you figure out what exactly you need, you will be able to fetch adequate quotes with options that are ideal for your business.

 

Online Black Friday Sales Top $1 Billion. Time to Sell Online Better Than Ever

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CNN recently reported that Online Black Friday sales topped $1 Billion last week, the most ever. That is a 26% increase from 2011. All signs point to 1 thing- the time to sell online is now.

Bricks and Mortar stores only account for 45% of online sales, companies like Walmart, BestBuy, and Apple seeing a 32% combined increase from a year before. That data tells a very revealing story… 55% of online shopping came from 2nd tier websites, or small business or niche eCommerce companies. The data is telling- the time to sell online is now.

With the ability to create a powerful e-commerce website using 3rd party platforms like OpenCart, Magento, and WordPress, it is only logical that every small business in the retail industry needs to be online. 55% of local business search is mobile now. Online Advertising is more affordable than ever using tools like Google Adwords and Yelp Ads, and deal makers like Groupon and Living Social.

The good part about this new trend is that there is so much room to grow. Other than electronics, consumer polls show that there is no #1 site in many other retail categories like Womens Clothing, Sporting Goods, and others. A new e-commerce company can lay claim to a niche locally and even nationally.  With the increase of social media marketing and peer ratings, high budget advertising is really a thing of the past. Peer-to-peer marketing is now more vital than ever. Having high reviews, social media exposure, and competitive pricing go a long way today. Get in on it now!

How to Advertise on Facebook – Paid and non-Paid

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Facebook is the number one social website on the planet.  It has become its own eco-system on the web. It reminds me of AOL in the 1990’s… you would log in and enter a unique online world, not an empty hallway like Google and Netscape (remember them?) used to be.  Facebook holds more information about people than any other PR company can ever give you, and there are both free and paid methods to get business using that information.

One of the first strategies any online marketing strategist will tell you is to get a Business Page on Facebook.  It can become your business hub of your social media strategy. You can use it to attract a fanbase, similar to an email list or phone list, that allows you to convey a message to all at the click of a mouse. The goal is to get a broad audience, with the biggest companies having millions of followers. Interacting with others on facebook and being proactive amongst users will gain you a following in no time!

Another free key strategy on facebook is to be active in social groups. Similar to forums, you need to be aware that no one wants to be sold every second of the day! Engaging potential clients with issues and questions they have is just as important as pitching your new product or service. The more they see you as an online friend, the better the chance that their social circle will migrate to your business page

Online Ads are the main revenue source for facebook, and for good reason. Facebook gives you the power to concentrate your ads to a very specific audience. Filters like age, income, location, income, education, company, profession, etc. give you the power to center your message to your customer profile. NO ONE offers that in the real world, which is what makes Facebook a must for any business!

As you will see from the points noted above, your facebook marketing campaign needs to be centered on your online business strategy. Mainly, who is your customer?? This is key to be successful. Taking in mind what you now know, creating or re-writing your strategy tailored for Facebook is most likely essential.

Happy hunting!

Bricks and Mortar and an Online Store – Expand your Business on the Go

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I have had several clients in the past that were very hesitant to start an online store, with all virtually telling me the same excuse- business is fine, why complicate things? Surly a business owner, with little time to dedicate to learning about the internet and managing a website, can make more money concentrating on his business with walk in customers right? Wrong! Yes, in today’s ever changing social media landscape, that has become business suicide!

The internet today is everywhere. In every sector of the business community. Retail, Wholesale, Distribution, Manufacturing… You name the industry, I can find you the top dogs in the niche thriving online.  The internet is needed now because it is everywhere. People are online at home, at work, on the go (with mobile phones), and in the air (iPad’s and tablets). Therefore the old cliche of a 24 hour online business model is more true than ever now.  Social media has become a mainstay for many people of affluent culture, and the middle class is the biggest online contributor online.

If you are trying to package and sell your products to your customers locally, you all are aware that location is key. With the internet, you can pinpoint your customers by time, age, income, demograhic, and geographic location. Anytime, for a modest budget. Business owners are using an online storefront to present new products, sell last years overstock, reach new markets and cities, and build a CRM system that can help business in the coming years.

The biggest difference I tell clients about online marketing for their products online is this: Print, TV and Radio allows your to market to a general audience. You “hope” your kind of customer reads your message, which is why there are “slogans” and gotcha statements in ads. WIth online marketing, the opposite holds true. People visit certain websites and therefore you can find your target market in a few minutes, so your message is more personal and direct, you can talk to your customers personally. No newspaper or magazine can give you that kind of access.

An online store can be affordable and robust. Start an online brand and show off your products and attempt to sell your hottest items. Get to know your market and customers, and invite walk in clients to give you feedback about your website. You will find that everyone is on the web, people everywhere look for goods and services on search engines like Google. Not being seen online is like having a store in the middle of nowhere.

Remember guys… Location, location, location!

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