You understand the importance of having a website…but, can anyone find it—without typing in the URL? In other words, is your website created with Search Engine Optimization (SEO), also referred to as “Natural Search”, in mind? If this term is not familiar to you, your website might not be optimized and therefore, not easily found. Website optimization is an ongoing process. But, doing at least a few simple things ensures that your website can be more readily found.

• Make sure your website has the right keywords, in the right places, so the search engines (Google, Bing, etc.) can find your site
• Consider joining groups where your site can be linked from other sites (Chambers of Commerce, for example)
• Social media (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.) can help boost your search results

• Press releases, blogs, and other online content that resides on your website can also help improve your search engine results

A Press Release is something that everyone should be familiar with: it is a short, informative alert about something potentially newsworthy sent to the media in the hopes that the press will do a story on the topic presented. These days, strategic PR campaigns can bypass the media to reach prospects directly.  But, PR should not be done in a vacuum.  It should be part of your overall marketing strategy.  And, when done well, it can help your sales efforts by:

•    Generating new revenue

•    Increasing website traffic

•    Boosting your online presence

•    Improving Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

In tough economic times many businesses are forced to cut back on certain spending. Ironically, marketing is the first area to be reduced or eliminated yet, it is one of the only functions focused on growing your business

Here are a few reasons to continue marketing in a down economy when every one else is pushing “pause”:

• When other companies stop marketing, they are no longer ‘front-and-center’ with your target audience
• By continuing to market your business, you gain visibility amongst your prospects, your existing clients, as well as your competitors’ clients and prospects
• When you have fewer companies competing for consumer awareness, your marketing message will really stand out
• In tough economic times, ad sales reps may be willing strike a great deal with you – e.g. offering a larger ad for the price of smaller one, adding a spot color at no charge, or running your ad longer, at no extra cost