About Facebook
Last week, Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, spent several days testifying before Congress (both the Senate and the House of Representatives). At the same time, celebrities, politicians, knowledgeable and clueless ‘experts’ began to chime in with their opinions ranging from doom to “who cares.”
Take a moment to think over the history of Facebook. Ten years ago, Facebook hardly existed. Six months ago, people were predicting that Facebook, Google and YouTube would come to rule the world. Last week, Facebook was under attack by almost everyone concerned (including Mr. Zuckerberg). Some of those people announced that Facebook would follow MySpace into the digital graveyard.
There is no doubt that Facebook has suffered a big black eye from the Cambridge Analytics fiasco, but let’s not rush to the conclusion that it is going into headlong decline. The users that Facebook has lost in the last few days are expressing concerns over their personal data being insecure. That is a real and legitimate concern, but it probably does not affect small business, professional practice or service provider sites. To begin with, those types of Facebook users want their data shared! They want potential customers, clients, patrons or contributors to know their address, phone numbers, business abilities, etc. That is why they are on Facebook, Google +, YouTube or Pinterest!
The indirect effect that the Cambridge Analytics affair may have is that fewer people will be going to Facebook for sharing of personal experiences and information. That may spill over into a somewhat smaller audience to see your products, services, created content or branding strategy on Facebook. It should not change the digital marketing solutions that are working for you. The users that do abandon Facebook are not going to take up newspaper reading or going to local libraries to get information about the best dentist, hair stylist or auto mechanic. They are going to stay on their mobile devices transmitting or looking for information of all types.
If you don’t believe this, take a look at any of the press photos of Zuckerberg while he testifies. Behind him is a row of earnest people, all bent over and looking intently at their mobile device of some type. If Facebook comes under some form of government regulation, it is likely to rebuild consumer confidence by adhering to personal privacy guidelines. This will not change the importance of creating digital marketing solutions that involve social media. SEO techniques, SEO link building and local SEO services directed at the local market are still going to be the keys to success. This too shall pass!
Meanwhile, if you are struggling to find digital marketing solutions that work and branding strategies that make your business stand out, turn to Axiom. Axiom Administrative Services is more than an internet marketing agency. Axiom has the professional and small business SEO skills needed to get your web presence the ranking it deserves. Our business marketing team can combine traditional marketing tools like direct mail advertising with local SEO services to build your branding strategy. Please visit Axiom’s small business services page or call Axiom at 800-888-6348.
What is “CLICKBAIT”?
Clickbait is a common method used on websites to attract attention, to hold the viewer on the website and lead him or her down a path of webpages. If this sounds a little vague, think about it and you will realize that you have probably been lured into some clickbait’s path a few times yourself.
Imagine that you are on the homepage of a national news organization’s website. As you scroll down, you will start to see banners or large icons with text messages like, “Best States for Veterans” or “Ten Best Investments for Today.” Sooner or later, one of these clickbait tags is going to make you curious enough to click on it. You start to go through a series of slides or webpages hoping to get to the interesting part, but along the way you are going to see several commercial messages about real estate, mutual funds or other vaguely related subjects. That is how many people perceive “click-on-me” advertising.
The term, “clickbait” has a negative reputation, but it is sometimes undeserved. There are legitimate, above-board ways to use this tactic. At Axiom we believe that branding strategies, SEO techniques and digital marketing solutions should all be straight forward, honest and objective. There are ways to utilize the clickbait tactic to build branding strategies, and maximize a small business Search Engine Optimization program while still being above-board. Let’s consider an example.
You operate a small business that does exterior and interior painting. Your website is devoted to your business essentials (name, address, location etc.), qualifications and experience. Those are essential elements for a good business website, but probably not enough to engage the viewer. Engagement is a key element in building branding strategy. You want the web viewer to associate your business with house painting in your city.
To accomplish this, you can place several links that lead the browser down specific paths. For example, one could start a slide show that answers the question “Water or Oil-Based Paint?” Another could be titled, “How to Prep a House.” Putting these on your website keeps the potential customer or client engaged with your company and its branding strategy giving you the opportunity to convert the curious browser into a customer or client.
In summary, click baiting is legitimate as long as the inviting banner, text, icon or other link-object is not deceptive and the material provided is relevant to the needs of the user. This material should –
- Stay on the topic suggested by the banner and end with a ‘Call To Action’ like, “Contact Us Now for a Free Estimate.”
- Be helpful to the customer or viewer, even if they do not convert.
- Fit into your digital marketing solutions plan and SEO strategy.
Unfortunately, click baiting has earned a bad reputation because of the many deceptive or suggestive examples seen (even on nationally known webpages). People click away to find the “Top 10 Quarterbacks Ever” only to wind up on a magazine subscription page. If you are going to use this tactic, make sure you do it with the viewer’s best interest in mind.
At Axiom, we always keep the client’s best interest in mind. We know that creating content is difficult and time consuming. If you are struggling to find digital marketing solutions that work and branding strategies that make your business stand out, turn to Axiom. Your business deserves more than a cheap web design, and Axiom is more than an internet marketing agency. Axiom Administrative Services has the professional skill and small business SEO skills needed to get your web presence the ranking it deserves.
Our business marketing team can combine traditional marketing tools like direct mail advertising with local SEO services to build your branding strategy. Please visit Axiom’s small business services page or call Axiom at 800-888-6348.
Should You Use Google Analytics?
Digital marketing solutions and professional SEO services count on gathering accurate statistics about web traffic. Both amateur webmasters and professional SEO services measure their website’s performance using data that is available from Google Analytics. For a professional web developer, an internet marketing agency or a local SEO services provider, these statistics about page views, visitor location and many other topics, are an invaluable resource.
Without getting too technical, here are some questions Google Analytic data can answer –
- How many people visit my website?
- Where do they live?
- How many “convert” into leads, email listings or customers?
- What other websites send traffic to me (SEO link building)?
- What blog or other content do visitors like most?
- What is my website’s speed?
You can create a Google Analytics account by going to “analytics.google.com” and following the setup instructions. Learning to use Google Analytics can seem overwhelming, and it is time consuming. If your website has a serious social purpose or an economic motive (like making money), it is worthwhile to learn this skill. On the other hand, if you have a WordPress or Wix template-based site devoted to your grandchildren or to your cat pictures (there are many), then analytics of any type will just bore you.
For serious websites, data from Google Analytics can help you develop your branding strategy, digital marketing solutions, SEO strategy and SEO link building. The ultimate aim is to drive more web traffic to your site and to increase the conversion rate of viewers to customers. That is a great point –for most people, the purpose of a website is not to be technically excellent, it is to get more clients, patients or customers.
Rarely, there are small-businesses or professional people who can do this on their own. Others turn to cheap web design or settle for a static webpage constructed from a template. This is fine for private, limited use, but if you are on the web for professional reasons, it is wise to turn to skilled developers and professional SEO services.
If you want digital marketing solutions that work and branding strategies that develop and keep clients, customers and patrons, turn to Axiom. Axiom delivers more than a cheap web design, and Axiom is more than an internet marketing agency. Axiom Administrative Services has the professional skill and small business SEO skills needed to get your web presence the ranking it needs and the market position your enterprise deserves.
If you are curious about Google Analytics, the YouTube service is full of lessons and demonstrations. While you are there, check out the AXIOM YOUTUBE CHANNEL. Our business marketing team can combine traditional marketing tools like direct mail advertising with local SEO services to build your branding strategy. Please visit Axiom’s small business services page or call Axiom at 800-888-6348.
Axiom is BBB Accredited
Axiom Administrative Services is now accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
Broken Links, Lost Opportunities
One of the reasons the internet has become so popular is its ability to create links to other sites, resources or references. Imagine students of the past sitting at a library table with a stack of books in front of them. If they were reading one book and needed a reference from another source, they had to literally open a second book and search for it. Today’s reader, researcher or consumer simply clicks the link and the resource appears.
Having a good number of functioning links is one of the factors used by search engine evaluators to rank web pages. Ideally, these include both internal links (to navigate within the site) and external links to related subjects or resources. SEO link building is an important part of any SEO strategy and an essential part of all digital marketing solutions. Link management is an important part of maintaining a website. A broken link can stop search engine robots dead, preventing them from indexing a website. At that point, branding strategies and SEO techniques mean little; it is far less likely that the web page is going to be seen in relevant searches.
Broken links cause so many problems that they may render digital marketing solutions and even a good SEO strategy useless. Visitors to the site will be turned off by the experience of a broken link and search engines assume that the broken link is the end of the line for a site and look no further. If you are operating your own website, you must take it upon yourself to constantly check for dead or broken links. This takes a lot of time and effort; it is easy to see why this falls to the bottom of “To-Do” lists.
There are software solutions that can check for broken links. However, learning to use these solutions can be time-consuming and not worth the time of many small business or professional people. If you are serious about your website, the best solution is a professional internet marketing agency and the professional SEO services they provide.
If you are struggling to balance the demands of your business with those of website maintenance, Axiom can offer a solution. Axiom Administrative Services has the professional skill needed to guide your web presence to the rankings it should have. Axiom is more than an internet marketing agency. Our digital marketing and business marketing teams are able to combine traditional marketing techniques like printing and direct mail advertising with creative web services. Please visit our home page to find out how Axiom Administrative Services can fill your digital marketing needs.
We understand the needs of small businesses, professional practices and nonprofits. Please visit Axiom’s small business services page or call Axiom at 800-888-6348.
Axiom Administrative Services Honored with A+ Rating from BBB
The Better Business Bureau of Longwood, FL has honored Axiom Administrative Services with an A+ Rating, its highest ranking. The American public turns to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for dependable information about a business or charity, its reputation and history. Customers and consumers know that BBB Accreditation signifies trust and integrity, an unwavering commitment to honest and fair-dealing and a history of customer satisfaction.
Select businesses earn BBB Accreditation by undergoing a thorough evaluation and upholding the BBB Code of Business Practices. The A+ Rating from the BBB means that Axiom has passed a stringent examination that includes business history, competency in their field of business, compliance with all laws and regulations, transparency of business practice and a history of successful resolution of any complaints. “A+” is the very highest rating that a business can earn from the BBB, and Axiom is honored to have received this impressive ranking. The public recognizes the BBB Seal as a sign that a business or non-profit organization is trustworthy and dependable.
Axiom Administrative Services was founded in 2009 to provide expert service in the field of digital advertising. That area of enterprise has grown impressively over the years. Businesses of all types, service providers, professional practices and non-profits all understand the importance of digital marketing, social media and internet presence. Digital advertising has revolutionized the ways in which business and non-profit organizations communicate with the public. Digital advertising and marketing is an enterprise that changes literally every day, requiring constant dedication, education and reeducation just to stay current.
Axiom provides digital marketing solutions to small business, non-profits and service providers. Axiom’s work for the OurSeniors.net organization is one of its most unique and successful online, social media and traditional print marketing efforts. Both Axiom and OurSeniors.net have realized the importance of marketing to seniors. In the state of Florida, seniors comprise about twenty percent of the total population and must be targeted in any successful digital advertising effort.
OurSeniors.net combines a dedication to serving the needs of seniors and their loved ones with a proven record as a way for professionals, small businesses, service providers and non-profits to communicate with the senior market. The OurSeniors.net organization has assembled a team of professionals and businesses that all share a special sensitivity to the needs of the senior marketplace. Axiom has played a big part in the success of OurSenors.net, providing digital marketing, social media and online support, as well as a traditional printed magazine. OurSeniors.net Magazine is published four times yearly and widely distributed in both the Volusia-Flagler and South Florida areas.
The Better Business Bureau A+ Rating is an important accomplishment for Axiom. It reflects years of trustworthy, dependable service while meeting the digital advertising needs of all its clients, including OurSeniors.net. It means that Axiom has maintained the highest business and ethical standards as it meets the challenges of marketing in the digital age.
Axiom’s business team can combine traditional marketing tools like printed and direct mail advertising with local Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and digital marketing services to build your marketing and branding strategy. Visit Axiom Administrative Services online (www.axiomadminserv.com) or by calling toll-free at 800-888-6348.
Dominating Local Searches
A lot of attention is paid to national and worldwide search results. The internet is big news these days, and that attention is natural. But to a local small business, a service provider or a professional practice, the race between Facebook, Amazon and YouTube may seem irrelevant. If you are a dentist practicing in Port Orange, the important thing to you is search results for a query like, “Dentists in Port Orange, Florida.”
Search engine optimization services and internet marketing agencies must pay close attention to local SEO services. As a business owner, there a number of things you can do to make dominating local search results easier.
Start by pretending that you are a local customer searching for a provider of your product or service. What are the key words that you would use in looking for that subject? Make a list of the words that occur to you and ask several other people to do the same. Be imaginative and think of broader categories; if you are in the carpet cleaning business, include keywords and phrases like “home maintenance,” “house cleaning,” “cleaning services” and “carpet cleaning.”
Make a list of essential information that should be on your website, such as business name, address, phone number, business hours, web address and contact information.
Gather images like your business site, examples of your service, satisfied customers and your business logo. Your business logo is very important; if you do not already have a logo, consider a professional logo design service.
Claim a spot in local business service listings at sites like Google’s business.google.com, Facebook’s facebook.com/business/products/pages or Yelp’s biz.yelp.com.
Get professional help to optimize your website. The days when a cheap web design would do the job are gone. An effective website must now be fast and mobile-friendly, key words must not only be present, they must be in the right places. There should be simple navigation and there should be no technical problems with the web design. A good internet marketing agency should provide local SEO services and SEO link building as well as a branding strategy that links your business to your city, town or even zip code.
Some of these steps are possible on your own, especially things like gathering information and claiming spots in business service listings. Others are beyond the technical abilities and outside the time constraints of most people. If this applies to you, digital marketing solutions that work and branding strategies that make your business stand out can still be had. Turn to Axiom, an internet marketing agency with the professional and small business SEO skills needed to get your web presence the ranking it deserves. Axiom Administrative Services can combine traditional marketing tools like direct mail advertising with local SEO services to build your branding strategy.
Please visit Axiom’s small business services page by clicking this LINK or call Axiom at 800-888-6348.
The CRITICAL Importance of Visual Content
There is one trend in the internet world that overwhelms all the others. That trend is visual content. The creative people who devise branding strategies, professional SEO services and even logo design services are all keenly aware of the growing dominance of visual content in both social media and the wider internet. The Pew Research Center reported recently that, in 2017, more adults used YouTube.com (an entirely visual site) than visited Facebook.
All effective digital marketing solutions must now take this into account. Advertising pros have long known that, compared to written or sound-only material, visual presentations are more engaging, remembered longer and more likely to produce action. Visuals significantly increase the engagement of an audience because they quickly capture attention; visuals can tap into the conscious and unconscious emotions of an audience much faster than printed or spoken words.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that people remember much more of what they see than what they merely read or hear. One market study found that Facebook posts with images drive 2.3 times more engagement than those without images. If you want to engage people on social media, or on the wider internet, you must show them visuals that can tell a story and build your branding strategy.
Good digital marketing solutions will grab the attention of an audience and effectively engage them in that branding strategy. When you start the process of building a website or developing a branding strategy, start working on your visuals before the launch. Creating a photo or video of someone using your product or service makes it easier for people to imagine themselves doing so. The term, “engaging visuals,” can include still images, screenshots, graphs, videos, memes and GIFs or even a copyrighted logo from a professional logo design service.
All of this is sound advice, but there is a problem; if you are a small business operator, service provider or professional practitioner, how are you going to find the right visuals to convey your message. If fact, have you thought carefully about what your message (your branding strategy) should be or what digital marketing solutions you will employ? The internet is full of visual images for sale or, in some cases, free.
If you have any doubt, do a search for an obscure term like, “Birthday Cat Memes, Images and Gifs.” You will almost certainly find a bunch of visual images suited to a birthday card for cats. If you do not know, a meme (in terms of digital marketing solutions or a branding strategy) is an image or video that is copied and spread rapidly by internet users.
But how do you go about resizing these images to fit your website or Facebook business page, what about copyright, what is the best image title for SEO link building or page ranking purposes? Most professionals, business owners or service providers do not know! But they should know that these tools and skills are absolutely essential to their success. If you are struggling to develop branding strategies and digital marketing solutions that work, it would pay you to turn to a professional internet marketing agency and search engine optimization company. Axiom Administrative Services has the professional skills needed to guide your web presence to the rankings it should have.
Axiom knows how to create, optimize and place visual content. Axiom can produce and embed video demonstrations or educational material in your website or social media platforms. Axiom is more than an internet marketing agency. Our local SEO services, small business SEO and individual digital marketing solutions are combined with traditional marketing techniques like printing and direct mail to achieve maximized results. Please visit us to find out how Axiom Administrative Services can fill your digital marketing needs. You can contact us by calling 800-888-6348.
