Business Website Advice

The nightmare of anyone putting in the time and effort to write an e-newsletter is having it erroneously end up in the Spam folder. It can be so frustrating.

Often it’s due to user error. We’ve used trigger words or formatting techniques that activate filters. Let the pros remind you of what to avoid and some truths on who is responsible.

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Better late than never. Get increased exposure and a choice backlink to your website. I’ve just joined Hotfrog, New Zealand Business Directory which started in June 2008.  You should too. Read the rest of this entry »

Increased numbers of Kiwi travellers are staying home for their holidays. Here are some tips to tempt them your way.

Think newsletter or a dedicated page on your tourism website.

Perhaps you form a tourism marketing alliance with a couple other providers. Read the rest of this entry »

Last week writing about increasing conversions I mentioned reducing your Bounce Rate and increasing Pageviews.  If you had to pause and wonder what I was talking about this post is for you. 

Here’s a fairly painless way of  increasing your understanding of the common terms used around website traffic reports, not just Google Analytics.  

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Clients tell me they get bombared by agreessive directory promoters to pay heaps of money, $1000’s, to list in new directories. They promise huge numbers of visitors and tell you time is short, you have to beat your competitors who are buying premium listings which strategically places them at the top of sections.  You’ll loose out. 

I say most of the time this is hype.  Read the rest of this entry »

While increasing website traffic is on everyone’s mind, even more important is increasing conversion rates.  We want more buyers! 

I thought it timely to share with you my answer to a reader who asked for more info on the topic.  Here’s my answer. Read the rest of this entry »

You suspect the online directory you’re paying for is not sending you business. How could that be and how might you fix it. Read the rest of this entry »

Admit it. You would be curious to know if anyone was twittering about your business.  Here’s how to check. Read the rest of this entry »

Twitter has gained enough critical mass or reached the tipping point or whatever that stage is when we can’t ignore it any longer.

I’ll trial it for six months, now that I’ve read the post by Jo Couchman (@nzwebwoman). I knew I couldn’t keep my head in the sand much longer. (There must be twitter-lingo for my non-twitter-status, my mind wonders.) Read the rest of this entry »

Local search has changed big time. Your business can now appear on Google’s first page for local searches whether you have a website or not. 

Searchers can enter just one-word - just one generic keyword query - and get offered back the new Google 10 Pack (sometimes 3, even 2, funny that) with a map, for their local area.  All that without querying for location.  Previously you had to enter the location (geo-modifier), no longer for local. 

It worked for every generic keyword I tried: barristers, web design, gifts, yacht. Go ahead, test it for you generic keyword.

It means you can compete locally against the big national websites. As with most things, local search with the Google 10 Pack has its pros and cons.  For instance…

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