Though the consumer journey is more variable and complex than ever, it’s clear that shoppers conduct online research before almost every offline purchase. The data confirms this. LSA research shows 70% of adults do internet research “every time” or “almost every time” before buying. During this process, consumers expect to find the accurate local business…
Despite the growing perception that websites no longer matter, consumers do value websites and have strong opinions about how they should function. A new study of 1,013 US consumers from Blue Fountain Media UX revealed consumer views on privacy, retail and e-commerce and website content. Keeping websites current is critical; 81% of consumers “think less…
There’s an intensifying debate about the value and role of websites. Some marketers argue that websites (especially SMB sites) have become irrelevant because of Google My Business and other major consumer sites such as Facebook and Amazon. Others say, however, that websites serve as “data hubs,” which provide accurate information to Google, Bing and other…
The Halloween season has scares to spare, but nothing probably sends chills down a client’s spine like a monstrously bad online review. What can you do to take the fright out of a customer’s negative response for your small business clients? We can show you! Why Reviews Matter So Much for Businesses Online reviews are…
Sometimes the most valuable tools to improve your digital marketing performance are hiding in plain sight. Such is the case with Google Seller Ratings (GSR). Google Seller Ratings are a Google AdWords (soon-to-be-known as Google Ads) extension that automatically displays your business’s average rating alongside your ads. Google says that ads with GSR achieve a…
There is no alternative to a small business (SMB) website, though some marketers may argue this is the case. While Google My Business and Facebook are critical to any digital presence, new tech, features and capabilities are allowing for more dynamic, customer-focused websites, central to the marketing stack. And aside from creating a catchy headline,…
In a data-driven world, brands require a more comprehensive, data-driven approach to managing their reputations. Most large brands I know view reputation management as the process of managing online ratings and reviews. And indeed having a system of soliciting and managing customer ratings/reviews is important. Ratings/reviews are the lifeblood of your reputation. The more reviews…
Domain names are more critical than many people realize. They play a central role in brand image and influence how easy it is for customers to find a business online. Plus, they can be important for ranking well on search engines. This is true even for businesses that have a physical brick-and-mortar location. After all,…
Imagine you have an appointment with a potential new client who is looking for small business marketing services. A week or two before you are supposed to meet in person, you decide to take a look at what the client already has going on, including the website. You lean back in your chair to relax…
What exactly is Google My Business (GMB) page doing for businesses? For many companies, the answer is simply, “I cover my bases with Google.” I understand that answer. I hear it all the time. But no business should ever operate on gut feel. A GMB listing takes time to set up and manage effectively. Marketers…
