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Why you Need to Check your Web Page Titles

5/29/2013

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why you need to title your web pages
You might read this title and think, of course I have my website titled. It says "Joe's Garage" on every page. But, there's more to it than that. I've seen lots of websites where every page says the same thing at the top (meaning the page tab): "Joe's Garage".  

However, you need each page to have a short and unique sub-title of what the page is about.  First of all each page having a separate short title helps the search engines know the difference between each page (if they all have the same title they're more likely to be recognized as the same page). The search engines need this information to help the searcher find what they're looking for.  Think of it as providing binoculars for each person who is searching for your services.

So, for example, the first page might say "Specializing on Domestic Car Repairs in Portland, Oregon" it will naturally put "Joe's Garage" before or after this, so no need to repeat it. Then, the trick is to make each page title be somewhat descriptive about what is on that page (keep it short, you have the page description for a longer sentence). For example, the page with your location and hours, needs to say that in the title. Try and think about the key words people will be using in their searches. If you're a local business make sure to use your town in at least one page title.

When you have page title the tabs will show the complete title (and more inportantly they will show up in the search. here's an example of how it will look on the page:

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And on the search:
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Here is an example of how it looks when no title or description is used.  On this page I am missing the opportunity to make it more clear what my business is and to help Google or Bing rank my page higher in searches.
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What would be better here is if I had the title say: "How to contact Plain Language Marketing for your Small Business Marketing Needs".  Then the total title would say "Contact - Plain Language Marketing - How to contact Plain Language Marketing for your Small Business Marketing Needs"  That whole title may not be visible in a search, but the Search Engines sees it and it helps them know if your page is a good fit for the searcher's query.

Adding Your Page Titles


So, how do you get to this part of your website to add in the title pages? Well, it depends on what your website is built on. Many online web editors have this option under Advanced or Search Engine Optimization. If you can't find it try a search for how to title pages in [your website builder, like Blogger or Wix or whatever it is].

If you are accessing your html, you'll find the page title option in the code here:

<!DOCTYPE html> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" dir="ltr" lang="en-US"> <head> <title>online marketing help for micro and small business owners</title> </head>

If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments. 

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Do you Need to add a Copyright your Website?

5/22/2013

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why you need a copyright for your website - plain language marketing
You've probably noticed copyrights with dates on many websites. If not, just glance down and you'll see mine.  Perhaps you've wondered why this is needed and if you need it for your site. The short answer is yes. But, maybe not for the reasons you think.

Copywriting is free and automatic. Once you write and publish information on your website it's copyrighted. However, having a date with a copyright on your website does a couple other things that help the authenticity of your website.

Firstly, having a copyright is a gentle reminder that all original text, images and sounds belong to the author and are not to be used without permission. 

Secondly, having a copyright on your website with the current year let's people know that you are still active. If you have a website that hasn't created in any new content or posts since 2010 then, it's fine to keep that year on it. But, once something new has been added, update it.

I often find myself looking at a copyright date if I am on a site that looks old and abandoned. If the copyright is old I leave right away. So, if you want to keep make sure your site is seen as active, keep the date current.

And how do you get that little copyright symbol? Not all website platforms offer you a choice of symbols to include it. You can always just write "copyright 2013. All rights reserved." Or if you want the symbol try this cool trick:

Hold the ALT key down and type in the number 0169. When you do that this is what you get: © . It take a second to work. Pretty cool, huh?  Now, get to that footer (the footer or bottom of the website is where copyrights are traditionally placed)! 


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How Your Local Shop Can Have  Stronger Impact on Google Search

5/17/2013

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Do you have a brick and mortar store?  If you do,  make sure your business is registered on Google's Places for Business.  97% of consumers search for local business online. With Google's Places for Business you can easily make your shop easier to find. 

Once your business is properly listed then a person searching your company will get a full profile with map and information right in the search results. It will look like this: 
example of Google's Places for Business and how your shop can benefit - Plain Langauge Marketing
Or this:
How your brick and mortar store can show up stronger on Google Search - Plain Language Marketing
This is super handy because once your business is registered in Google Places a person can find you on Google Maps without even having to know your address.  I have used this feature many times when trying to find a business while out in my car.

The other big benefit to registering with Places for Business is you get the chance to update, correct or fill out more information about your bunsiness. 

You might think your listing is okay because your name comes up, but take another look and see. Your business may be in the wrong categories, have wrong hours listed or not enough information.

Having your brick and mortar store fully registered with Google's Places for Business can only help you. Especially these days as people rely on their phones to help them find locations.

It's easy to do, it's free and gives you a great way to control the most commonly seen listing of your business on the internet and maps.  It's win-win!  Get started with this link.
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Call to Action - What it is and Why you Need it

5/13/2013

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Call to Action, or CTA, is a internet marketing term used for a button, banner, graphic or linked text that is meant to prompt a user to click it and therefore create a sale, complete a form or whatever action is desired.

Call to Action buttons or banners are very effective and I recommend having them in your email newsletters and on most websites.

CTA prompts work because visitors and readers need to know what the bottom line is right away. I can't tell you how many websites I have seen where it isn't really clear what they want me to do. I might be somewhat interested, but I don't really know what to to do with that interest. If I see on the home page a button that says "See Gallery" or "Shop Now" or "Sign up for Newsletter," then I know. I understand immediately what my next step is if I am interested in this website or business.

Real Life Example Detour:

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Samples of Call to Action buttons I made recently for a client. These were used on the website and in the email campaigns.
When I took over the email campaigns of a company recently the first email I designed was exactly the  same content as one they had previously run. The only difference was my design and a clear graphic CTA buttons like you see above. The companies Click through Rate (the amount of people who clicked on the button and went to the website) went up an average of 150%! So, for example, if 100 people clicked on the link in his previous email (a text link that was just the name of the product) 250 people clicked on the link that I created. 

You might be thinking, well, I don't have the graphic skill or programs to make those kinds buttons, but that's okay. It's not just about the look. It's also about what it says. You can always create a CTA link with text like this: BROWSE NEW FABRICS NOW >

How to Create Call to Actions for your Business

Because you know your website and business so well, it might be hard to imagine that people may not know what you're about or what you offer when looking at the site. But it is possible, believe me.  There's no reason not to be completely clear and specific with what you want. Some things to keep in mind when making a Call to Action.

1. Think about what you want people to do most on your site. Buy something? Get on the email list? Fill out a leads form?  Once you find out the most important thing for that page you know what your call to action needs to be.

2. You can have a CTA on more than one page. Some will not need it, but most could use one. On your contact page, how about a "Get Directions" or "Contact Us" Call to Action.

3. Wording is important. You want to use words that are inviting.  For example: "Order Information" sounds like work for the visitor. What about saying "Get More Information". If you want them to buy something say "Shop Now" or "Add to Cart" instead of "Buy Now". 

4. Play around with it. Try different colors and words. Watch your stats and see what people respond to the most.

5. Know your customer. If you know them well, you will know how to word things for them.

6. Make sure your Call to Action prompt is at the top part of your website. You don't want it to only be visible once they scroll down. Most people don't scroll down.

7. Make sure the link works.  Sounds stupid I know, but any CTA is taking a person to another page. If that page doesn't come up or is the wrong page, most will abandon the whole thing. 

Your Assignment

These are a few ideas. We can explore Call to Actions more in the future. Let me know of any thoughts you have about this. For now your assignment this week is to take a look at your website's landing page. Try to look at it as a stranger. Is it completely clear what you want your visitors to do?  If not, work on a CTA idea this week and implement it.  Let me know how it goes.
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Why all Small and Micro Businesses Need a Website

5/4/2013

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A recent survey using data from a number of consumer surveys reported that 58% of businesses and 40% of non-profit businesses don't have a website. What? This seems like a much larger number than it should be. Although, just in my personal researching I do find lots of local businesses that don't have a website and the only way I can find them online is through business listings, Yelp reviews and maybe a Facebook page.

A Facebook page for your business is better than nothing, but it really is no substitute for a website. In fact 98% of businesses say it is not a replacement for a website, so I am guessing they have seen a difference as a owner and a consumer.

Do you trust a company that doesn't have a website? 56% of consumers say they don't. Most people want to know that a business is going to stick around before they seek them out and buy. Most people want to see images of a shop or a product before they take the time to go there. If your business is a restaurant make sure you post images of the interior and menu at the very least on your Facebook page.

So, if you are a micro business or small business, what is stopping you from starting your website? Yes, it takes time and I know time is of short supply for a small business owner, but a simple site can be put up rather fast.

Here are some pretty easy website builders that you can use. you can also hire someone to create it (this is the kind of work PLM does - feel free to contact me) and then you will be able to easily edit it after it's been built.

If you don't have a website, check out these free website builders and then make sure to read the PLM blog posts so you can help your new website be the best it can be.

Google Sites
Weebly
Webs
Wix


So, you're open, you're a business - now get a website and prove it.



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    About Micro Tutorials

    The Micro Tutorials you find here are designed to share one small tip of online marketing help at a time. With a couple of posts a week you can slowly learn and implement the new information. In a little while your website and marketing efforts will be be more productive.

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