With the Internet becoming a more and more competitive arena for businesses, new channels are constantly being explored to build brand recognition. One effective strategy is the rapid rise of online video marketing, which is used to promote both products and services. Using video to help sell your product or service is a highly effective way of increasing traffic to your business website. With popular video hosting sites such as YouTube and Vimeo, online videos are also effectively used in viral marketing. There are several key benefits to creating a business marketing video. Primarily, video is a powerful format when […]

Social media has now become an integral part of internet marketing. No longer limited to business branding and promotion, it is now also a well-utilized  channel  for customer service. The great thing about using social sites to reach your customers is that you don’t need to be a corporate giant to gain exposure. Marsha Collier, author of The Ultimate Online Customer Service Guide, believes that small businesses are better equipped to gain more from social media. Given their size, it’s easier for them to focus on their customers and communicate with them.  To stay in the lead, every kind of […]

A poorly-designed landing page can ruin your marketing efforts in an instant, which would be a pity considering you’ve managed to convince people to go that far into your business website. Having an effective internet marketing plan that succeeds in getting potential clients involves having a well-thought out landing page that is both appealing and convincing. Follow these simple tips to make sure your landing page works for you rather than against you: Keep it Short and Sweet – Once your visitors are on your landing page, give them clear and simple directions. Icon links usually work best for this […]

Following up on last week’s post on “Reach Out to International Markets with Your Ecommerce Website,” here are 10 practical tips to help you on your way to reaping the rewards of eCommerce for your small business. Good eCommerce web design is all about thinking what your customer’s needs are and anticipating what they will look for when they visit your site. To maximize the chances of converting visits to sales, there are several features you should have that will make the process smooth and efficient for everyone. Search Field – This is the first thing visitors will look for […]

For the past decade, e-commerce has been making its mark on the web. More and more entrepreneurs are setting up business websites that not only promote their products but also allow consumers to purchase online from anywhere in the world. Nowadays, all it takes is a payment gateway and shipping address for companies of all sizes to increase their revenue and grow their business without having to spend heavily on traditional marketing and advertising. If you are considering upgrading your small business website to accommodate eCommerce, there are a few things you’ll need to understand in order to make it […]

Whether you’re a multi-national business giant or an entrepreneur single-handedly running a small business, the benefits of an effective press release for your company are undeniable. Unlike common advertising where consumers have grown wary and desensitized, people tend to be more trusting of information from an official press release as this is regarded as more credible. What’s more, press releases play a big role in search engine optimization, since you are at liberty to throw in keyword rich phrases that consumers are likely to search for. For a press release to be effective, it must be well thought out and […]

Blogging has evolved from just an individual’s online commentary to a corporate must-have tool that almost every business giant is taking advantage of. Small businesses are not excluded from the benefits of blogging and studies have shown that more and more entrepreneurs have joined the bandwagon and realized the importance of creating a blog. Whether your small business is just starting out or has already carved a name for itself, one thing is for sure: having a blog on your small business website offers many benefits to your product or service and generates consumer interest resulting in added brand awareness. […]

Branding your business with content is just as important as creating a brand image for yourself or your company. In the same way a company brand builds trust and credibility, branding your small business website with content demonstrates to your prospects that your product matches their needs. What sets you apart from the competition? What are your unique features? Do you provide a personal touch to your service or are you more known for being a no-nonsense hotshot that delivers quick results? The Design People offers practical tips and pointers on how interesting and effective content can do wonders for […]

Before hiring someone to design your business website, there are several factors you need to take into consideration. Coming up with a beautiful website that is both functional and efficient requires good communication between you as the client and your web designer. If you are ready to hire a designer to do your website, consider both aesthetics and functionality before signing that contract. These questions will help you determine if you are on the right track: Qualifications and skills? – Before you hire somebody, know what it is you want from your business website. Will it be a basic website […]