Successful Marketing For Local Business

Successful Marketing For Local Business.

How to Get more customers.

Know where your customer looks.

Customer now use many different ways to look for information. Do you know which keywords they are using to find your business?

80% of people search online before buying offline, is your information easy for them to find?

Think Like a customer.

Why do your customers use you?

What do they like and what they don't like'

How did they find you ?

All really good information for your future targeting.

Make sure customers know how to find you.

Tell them your website address add it to your email.

Put the contact details on all paperwork.

Use consistent information and use a mixture of successful marketing methods to promote your business.

Don't ignore customers

In the new era of social media it is even more important to talk to your customers,build a relationship,stay in touch.

Follow up with them and send updates so they feel, in the loop.

Know what works best.

Test,test and Measure each method you use to know which works the best for your type of business.Always try to improve each area, even a small percentage can have a dramatic effect on profit.Small improvements add up quickly.

Give your business a helping hand

You need to be at the top of the search results, a Google places page is ideal to be above your competitors,optimise it and get a professional look to your listing.Google is now presenting these place pages at the top of search results,

Manage your reputation.

People are influenced by friends and colleagues who give word of mouth recommendations, so be proactive in asking for reviews,but also show the customers where to go to give the feedback you want.Citations are one of the most important things for top rankings.

Take action any action.

Getting new customers just needs consistent action, it is a strategy to do on a regular basis,weekly if possible. Track the results, improve when you can and the you will see an increase in customers.

If you find this information useful please "like" it or post a comment Thanks !

If you want a FREE website critique so you can improve your site go to Annoco Ltd and enter your details.

Further sites online for more information on Local Business Promotion below :

• Local University Returns To Spokane … With a New Look - GetListed.org's Local University launched a year ago up in Spokane and was a big success. (See some of the feedback here.) We're headed back there next week for an encore engagement on February 25th — same city, same venue, ...

• Google Maps Optimization: 10 Likely Elements of Google's Algorithm - SEO for Google Maps? Yes, kind of. Written in July 2010, this post outlines what I feel are 10 likely elements of Google's local/maps algorithm. If you're looking to rank highly in Google's local search maps (the 7-pack), ...

• Printing Business Cards | alexking.org - Now that I'm self-employed, I need to get some business cards printed up. Anyone use a place they would recommend? I don't care where it is as long as they do quality work (and will work via web/e-mail/phone if they aren't in the Denver area). I'm not looking for a huge quantity at this point so a print-on-demand set-up is probably preferred.

• The Local Business Information “Cloud” - cumulus1.jpg. Gib Olander of Localeze, a business information provider to local search services, presented a concept at the SMX Local conference last week that I thought might be helpful for businesses who are trying to wrap their heads ...

• Local Business Owner Needs SERIOUS Reputation Management - Follow along with me, please: The story begins on Sunday, when our local newspaper runs an article about a local military man named Burke Jensen who's facing legal action because his new home isn't landscaped. ...

• 10 Likely Ranking Factors of Google's Local Search Algorithm ... - This is my current read on the state of the algorithm used within the Maps product. Matt has posted a valuable summary of factors that seem to influence Google Maps standings. I want to supplement that list and organize it in a slightly different way to clarify my understanding of the situation.

Surprising Simple Google Places For Your Business

Surprising Simple Google Places For Your Business.

The new age of the Internet means, the majority of businesses need to be on-line in one form or another.Even if you do not have  a website you need to update your details on Google places. Google is investing millions of dollars on " Local" and it now presents the local results above the organic in search results around the world. So whatever country your business is based in, go complete your places page now.

80% of people do their research on-line before they buy off-line, so whatever you think, you need a place on-line.The Google place page is simple and easy to complete just follow the prompts on each part of the form. Better results can be achieved if you do a little bit of work beforehand, on categories, keywords etc . But do not let this put you off, any partly completed listing that is "owner verified" with a few photos will benefit your listing on Google.

For your business to appear in the top 7 positions you will need a place page, the more details that are included the better the position. Ok so you might not want to do it yourself then get somebody who knows what to do to create your listing, it then only needs updating as and when.

The other point you need to consider is mobile, there are 4 times more searches done from mobile devices than from home computers, so if you do have a website is it mobile compatible ? Try it on a mobile does it load, how long does it take, can you read the basic information  ? If not you need to get it changed so people can use a mobile to find your site. People on the move use mobile devices, so if yours is not viewable on a mobile they will just go somewhere else.

If you want to be in the top few positions that Google present to the potential customer, get a places page and check the mobile compatibility. You will be way ahead of your competition if you do. If you want a professional listing with a full performance report on your website go to annoco.co.uk

Google Improves Hotpot Recipe

With the growth of the Internet seemingly surging towards the social aspects of mobile technology and the large social media sites like Twitter and Facebook,having huge loyal followers Google have introduced "Hotpot".Jamie,Gordon and Nigella need not fear this new heavyweight competitor, as hotpot is an App not the well loved stew from Lancashire in the UK.Basically it is a reviewing system for local business that uses a star rating from people you trust, friends and colleagues to give local recommendations.Google are trying to get the Gmail account holders to become social on the Google platform instead of the other social networks.Linked in with the places format it could well be a strong performer for local searches where Google is known to focus future development. This could well provide a strong social proof for local businesses and should be much easier to get customers to review your business than the likes of Yelp,Tripadvisor and Qype.

Use your new powers wisely grasshopper !

Lancashire hotpot is a dish made traditionally from lamb or mutton and onion, topped with sliced potatoes, left to bake in the oven all day in a heavy pot and on a low heat. Originating in the days of heavy industrialization in Lancashire in the north west of England.

If you need help to implement this Internet marketing service for your business visit Annoco Ltd.

Goverment Google

After a recent article in the Guardian newspaper in the UK, people are starting to criticise the capitalism of the Mighty G.They consider that the collation of information that the libraries and museums etc around the world had in store could have been collated by them for the greater good of mankind. No advertising or payments required. Are we that stupid to think that somebody,apart from the Wikipedia format would produce the "public search engine " for free. Read the full article here Google Is Polluting The Internet If Google had not had the revenue stream to bank roll the development of the web our financial position would be even worse than it actually is. Perhaps the banks could be  " public money lenders " with no interest loans. Or is that what they thought they were, until people defaulted. We are where we are let's move on, use the opportunity to your benefit, reach across the world to new customers. Local business marketing is the cheapest method of reaching new customers that local business as ever seen. Use it wisely, we could then pull ourselves out of this poor economic climate and go on to prosper.

Microsoft's Xbox Kinect Review

Microsoft's Xbox Kinect Review.

A controller free system for the Xbox 360 games console. This is trying to change the way people interact with the game.

It uses the players physical movements with nothing to hold and no buttons to press.It also recognises voice commands to control the screen movements.This could breakdown the techy problems that some people have with the competitors models.You might need a chunk of change to own one, but this could help bit.ly/bjxtTZ

Google Values UK Internet £100 Billion

Google Values UK Internet £100 Billion

Google are now in the middle of a changing phase, the importance of a local maps listing is being replaced

To see just local results, you can now click the “Places” icon in the left column, which replaces “Maps.” Previously, clicking Maps took users into Google Maps. Like the other icons Places is now a filter that delivers new results and keeps users on the Google search engine results page.

The new Place Search features only local businesses on the first page. It seems that unless publishers are among the favoured links they will likely have to resort to paid search now to gain exposure on page one of Google. I haven’t had time to do extensive or  testing on this, but I would imagine this pattern carries through across all local categories.Local SEO was focusing on “getting into the 7 Pack.” That’s all gone now. Now, fully detailed Place Pages will assume much greater importance, as will being present and reviewed in the various sites featured in the directory links. I’m sure someone will put together a  comprehensive list  but Yelp could be a winner here.

By making local business marketing (and Place Pages) more prominent than even they were before, users will likely respond with more local queries and rely on Google more heavily for local information. The overall volume and percentage of queries on Google looking for local information will increase dramatically.

The Secrets Of Local Business Marketing On Google.

Your Success On Google Depends On..

Local business marketing, the type of marketing that has been done for decades,The Secrets of Local Business Marketing is essential to any local business being successful online.Now this seems like a contradiction in terms but let's just take a moment to think about it.The most used and frequented sites on the internet are Ebay, Amazon, Facebook followed by the large directory sites like Autotrader,Yell and Tripadvisor.

This is because they all use other methods of marketing to become a "brand" or household name

TV,radio magazine and advertising, coupons promotions, discount vouchers create loyalty from the customer.

So you should learn from this, what can you do to promote your business using local business marketing? They try to engage the customer with reviews,competitions they send them special offers regularly.

Could you use your database of customers more effectively,most businesses could increase sales and profit by reactivating previous customers by offering a discount or compelling offer.

Put your website details on all your business paperwork, add it to your email signature.How about working with other businesses in your area that do not compete with you, to cross promote to your customer lists.As an example luxury cars and a jewellery store.

You have to drive people to take action, go look at your website,pick up the phone to book a table, come and visit your shop, whatever it is it requires clever local business marketing to attract the customer to your business instead of your competitors.

A well thought out local business marketing campaign can pay for itself very quickly, so remember to think outside the "Online Box".

Online success requires marketing effort offline.Read more here Marketing consultant.

Local Internet Marketing Service

Huge Demand For Local Searches

The demise of regular print ads and other technology changes in the world of marketing have resulted in the growing importance of a local internet marketing service. This is the type of service needed by local businesses to ensure that by focussing their efforts on the online markeplace more potential customers will find them. Most business people are already aware of the fact that advertisements in magazines, newspapers, direct mail and Yellow Pages are becoming less and less effective even though advertising costs have risen. This article examines these developments that have paved the way for a local internet marketing service.

 Advertising rates for local newspapers have been on the increase,but response rates have been going down as newspaper sales dwindle. Why would people read yesterdays news in the newspaper when the news that they can get through online sources are almost instant? Many print based newspapers are now producing an online version, but people are still using the social networks and mobile based applications.Your business needs to aware of these changes.

Even the Yellow pages directory style is going online because it's faster, more accurate and can be updated more often. Google have stated that " Local is the future of Google " and they have appointed Marrisa Meyers to spearhead this development, she is considered one of the most powerful woman in America, so they are taking this very seriously and so should you. Once again, a local internet marketing service is required to make sure that your business is properly represented on the internet.

In the next 3 years local business advertising is expected to double , Amazon, Facebook, Ebay and Groupon are all looking at the best way to capitalize on this opportunity are you ?

Easy Online Promotion For Local Business

Online Promotion For Local Business.

Recent research indicates that growth in local search is overtaking normal Google searches. The practice of using online search  to find local businesses and services grew by 58 percent, reaching a total of 15.6 billion searches last year.Local Searches in the major search engines are increasing every year, so your business needs to be doing online promotion of some type to make the most out of this new customer trend.

54 percent of your customers use internet searches instead of Yellow pages and 70 percent go online when shopping locally for products and services, it is essential to your business’ success to have more access to your local market The search engines use different methods to move your website to the first page of Google, this is different for local searches than in the general search category.  Your company name and location, links to your website pages, Phone number, post code, contact information for your business, directions and local maps, photos , videos and your business hours. All of this  business information which is taken from dozens of different sources by the search engines will, if done properly make your business the top local choice for potential customers!

 

 

It is time to make the decision, to get an online presence that attracts the customers to your business, a fancy site is all well and good but does it bring in paying customers ? Your site needs to be web optimized and linked to other marketing strategies to benefit from the rise in local search numbers. www.annoco.co.uk

Local Online Advertising Lancaster

Online Advertising Lancaster 

Is the the most important thing that any local business can do to get more customers.More and more people are using the internet and mobile devices to search for local information and business details.The visibility of the local Google maps make it prime real estate that people are paying with their PPC campaigns to be above. But you can be there for FREE. Your business in front of thousands of new customers and it only cost you a bit of time and effort. I have done a short video to explain the benefits for your business, take alook then do something about your website or business details.Online advertising can let the small local business compete with the brand names for a fraction of what it use to cost using newspapers and yellow pages.

View on screencast.com »

Local Online Advertising Lancaster

Local Online Advertising is now a complete must for any business. If you have a website so much the better,but you really don't need one, but it is advisable. Here i have done a quick video to explain the benefits of being in front of the people searching on Google. Internet promotion and the use of mobile devices is just going to increase, so invest in the time and effort of local online advertising NOW. It doesn't matter what type of business you have it will benefit from being visible online.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Online Advertising - For Local Business.

Online Advertising Lancaster

Online advertising for local business is the equivalent of having control over your very own media empire, just like the barons of the newspapers or the TV moguls. It is now possible to quickly and at a modest cost put your sales message in front of thousands of potential customers. Never before in our lifetime as the individual been able to reach the masses of people around the world with the simple use of online advertising National newspapers or magazines only have limited distribution, usually within the country of publication, but now you can reach more customers than they can ! It is time to think about the so called "global village" put your message out there, let your customers find your information 24/7. It is a fact that 80% of people search online for local information before buying offline. With the ever increasing use of mobile devices to search for information, technology is helping the small local business to get extra business in this difficult economic climate. Make sure your web site is formatted for mobile search, otherwise the customers will just go to your competitors.You can take your billboard and place it in the corner of every persons room, on the computer screen.

So, you feel your business has nothing to do with the Internet. Are you sure? Irrespective of what your company is dealing in and where you are located, the Internet impacts on your business. Your clients are searching for companies on the Internet. If you do not have a presence or if you do not get noticed, you may end up losing a lot of business. On the other hand, you can capitalise on the Internet to showcase your business efforts to prospective customers across the globe. Online advertising is the most effective and cost efficient way of getting in touch with your customers.

 

Local Internet Marketing Puts Your Business in Front of People Who Take Action.

Local Internet Marketing Puts Your Business in Front of People Who Take Action.

People who use search engines to find local businesses or local business information do not search just for the sake of searching. They search to find an answer. And when they find, they do take action, in a recent study it was found that :-

• 70% will call the phone number on a website
• 60% have referred a business they found online to a friend
• 52% always or often go online first, then follow up with an offline purchase from a local business
• 14% will send a business link they found on the internet in an email to a friend.or colleague.
• 11% will put their details into an online form

Obviously the large number of people searching for local business information means that local search marketing doesn’t just expose a business to a lot more potential customers, it exposes the business to people who are ready to take some action now.

Whether your business is a major company with locations around  the country or around the world or you are a small business with just one location, local search marketing is absolutely essential to a successful marketing strategy if your potential customers are local to your business.You need to learn about Local Internet Marketing - online marketing that's designed to drive business not just to your website, but into your premises. We know that 86 percent of consumers who use the Internet to find a local product or service follow up with a phone call or an in-store visit and over 50% percent end up making their purchase offline. Can your business be found by your potential customers ?

 

Internet Marketing Service - Local

Internet Marketing Service - Lancaster

Internet Marketing Service - Lancaster.

Imagine you want to buy " something" and shopping for that item, has been a headache since the day you decided you wanted it. You want a particular make or model, but you don’t have to walk around shop after shop searching . Because, that is what local online search is meant for. It brings before you all the items/services  in your locality to your screen, without you taking a step outside the house.

 Be it  estate agents, herbal spas, doctors, health clubs or dentists, local search is proving to be a high priority for Google to present to the searcher . A reason for this is that  users are better at using key phrases that are town or county specific and from the perspective of sales and conversion, local search has seen a tremendous growth compared to  traditional search. In fact, it has helped online marketing move to offline purchase so much that many businesses have found their business sales increase through their Internet marketing service.

Why is Google preferred  by so many users? Well, the answer is in the search engine itself, especially its new  interface. When you search for say, “restaurant Lancashire”, along with the local search results you get another option “Nearby” that provides you with refining options where you can add custom location or choose the location that Google provides. This lets you find a result at the exact town you want.

 Google local business search and Google Maps are not new. Google can pull links and information that are connected to a particular location and present the results before you along with its map. Creating your own account in the local business listing ensures that your website is placed high in the search results when searched with the geographical location.

More and more people are searching for local information with applications like mobile phones and ipads, more than even desktops  or even a laptops. To ensure that your business and your website is listed on top in the local search results it must be listed on Google. You should think of your website as the secret advert ready to spring into action on your customers search device of choice.Our internet marketing service ensures your business is in front of your customers when they need it.

Google Instant And Local Business

Google Instant

 Critics have called Google’s new instant search feature the death of search engine optimisation and traditional search rankings, while others have been more moderate in their outlook that the feature simply demands a reassessment of how SEO is done. However the feature may be good for some.

Sites that already rank highly for high traffic keywords would likely receive more visibility as users were likely to see the same search results than before.Google begins suggesting sites the moment you type in a letter (type 'a' and you'll see Amazon, add a 'p' and you get Apple, etc), Sites that rank well for short search strings will get seen more often, and will get clicked more often.

Google Suggest  - another feature that automatically suggests phrases as the user types - is being more tightly integrated with Google through Instant, which in turn would entice users to follow the suggestions more often.

Also, the new page layout means a typical user will see fewer results ‘above the fold’ - so not only are these top few spots more valuable, there are fewer of them. So, it's going to be even more important that you do your keyword research, find the search phrases that are likely to be suggested when people are looking for your site, and rank well for those phrases.The launch of the feature publicly this week in the US / UK, sparked international debate, over what impacts the new search process might have on SEO and rankings,  internet-based marketing, ad sales and increasing traffic to your site.In theory it could potentially see a drop in rankings for websites using long keyword strings in favour of those who ranked highly with one or two keywords.

Google’s local response was short but tried to answer concerns.

“As with all changes  to search, there will always be people who work to optimise their pages to fit the Google experience,” a spokesperson said.

 “But it's important to note that there are no ranking changes with this enhancement and as always we continue to focus on showing users high-quality, relevant queries and search results.”

It's not a catastrophe - as some have suggested - but it would need a reassessment by business owners of their websites.When it comes to keyword research, now that results are displayed the moment you enter a single letter, we're going to need to rethink what a ‘search’ or ‘impression’ is! Single letters will probably be the most popular keywords . It will be interesting to see what constitutes an "Adwords Impression now.”

This could prove to be a minefield for local business owners trying to attract new customers with a successful internet marketing campaign.

Internet Marketing Services - Lancaster UK

Internet Marketing Services Getting your business site to page one on Google is essential if you want to have a successful marketing campaign. But most business owners just want to get on with,what they do best.We will do all the work behind the scenes with the web promotion, while you make your business a success doing the real work.As a business owner you can't be expected to know how to do everything the professionals,you wouldn't even consider trying to do the accountants job, so let us get your business noticed on the web and you can serve the new customers as they contact your business.

Internet Business Promotion

Local Internet Business Promotion

Annoco Ltd Google is providing search results based on geo targeted information. Your location as the searcher is used to provide results that Google believe are the nearest to the searchers location. As a business owner, your business needs to be in the 7 places available on page one so potential customers could visit your site.This is prime real estate, location location location.For a quick video explanation go to http://screencast.com/t/NmFkM2E0 NOW. This is Local internet business promotion at it's best. If you need help getting your business into these top positions we would be pleased to help Annoco Ltd Lancaster.

Cheap SEO - Back Links The Facts !

Cheap SEO - Back Links The Facts !

It is common advice to get good quality content onto your blog or website and then build some back links to them.Well as you can see from the table,unless they are from a high page rank site you will need a lot of them to have an effect on your blog or website.This is by no means a definitive table but gives a reasonably accurate guide to the link building required before you would see any results.

Hope it proves useful ! Using a structured approach,with consistent weekly effort will eventually get the results you want or we could do it in half the time ! Annoco Lancaster UK.

Location,Location,Location - Successful Marketing.

Successful Marketing is just like selecting a high traffic location for your shop in the mall, or picking the best views for your beach side home.The best sites get the most traffic every single time,with less effort and it grows like a snowball going downhill.You must select the  sites that are relevant and authoritative for your particular business, select maybe 5-6 of these and use them as feeder sites to distribute your content on. Add to these the social media sites like Facebook,Twitter, Myspace and Youtube and you could create the buzz needed to start your local internet marketing campaign. Make sure that your website is mobile optimised, more people everyday are looking for services using their mobile devices, most websites cannot be viewed, so you loose out big time. 5 times more people use mobiles than computers. You need to be consistent with your information and to regularly update items and content, optimisation is not a one hit wonder it builds slowly over time, so keep building your foundations.This is the first time in history, that you have the same media opportunities that the huge companies have. Social media management is in your hands and not the media tycoons of the past, use it to claim your choice of location.If you want to leave the internet work to other people, we would happily provide an internet marketing service to help you get more customers.

Be A Successful Local Celebrity

Internet promotion Should now be part of every local businesses marketing strategy. New " Digital Customers" are viewing information in the comfort of their homes,looking at clothes,choosing restaurants,booking flights and holidays. This is now taking over form the old Yellow pages and newspaper ads, Nearly every house has access to a computer or a mobile phone 24/7 so to get found, you need to be visible , or your competitors will be seen instead. Internet promotion should be part of an integrated system, yes you still use direct mail,posters and flyers, free coupons and other listings to be found, but it should be a part of a consistent approach. Not just a thing you do when business is slack ! If your customers can find your details 24/7, see menu's, prices,images and special offers you become the "local celebrity" you just don't realise it. Think about your details being in every house in the area ! New and updated information easy to find and contact, that's what you can achieve when they use their computer or mobile.You can even be within 3 feet of them 24/7 via their mobile devices, reports show that 87% of people have their mobiles within 3 feet of them at all times. Could you use this to send special offers,quiet times in the restaurant, new stock arrived, new house for sale or up and coming events ? Make internet promotion part of your successful marketing strategy.

Yelp Not Coming Back to Google Places

via google.com

So Yelp think that Google are not giving the customers enough choice ! Is a directory listing not just filler content on Google pages any how ? A search result should give the person searching a choice.

Astounding Mobile Facts

Astounding Mobile Facts.

Successful Marketing in the very near future will include mobile devices.

“In the last twelve months, customers around the world have ordered more than US $1 billion of products from Amazon using a mobile device," – Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com (July 2010).

“There are more than 150 million active users currently accessing Facebook through their mobile devices. People that use Facebook on their mobile devices are twice more active on Facebook than non-mobile users.” – Facebook official statistics (August, 2010).

Those statistics -

1) Mobile subscribers will surpass 5 billion in 2010 (that's over 70 percent of the world population) and growing rapidly, led by China and India.* What other medium offers that reach?

2) Half a billion people accessed mobile Internet worldwide in 2009. Usage will double within five years as mobile overtakes the PC as the most popular way to get on the Web.

* But with 233 million mobile Web users in China alone, is this estimate conservative?

3) By 2011, over 85 percent of new handsets will be able to access the mobile Web.

* Please note that this does not mean smartphones – you do not need a smartphone to access the mobile Web (but it does make for a richer experience).

4) The number of 3G handsets is growing fast. 3G means faster access the mobile Web (assuming a 3G network is available).

* While very high 3G handset penetration helps to keep Japan at the pinnacle of mobile Web, very low 3G penetration in China hasn't stopped rapid growth.

5) Mobile devices sales fell slightly in 2009, while smartphone sales showed strong growth albeit from a small base.

6) SMS is still king of mobile messaging with five trillion messages sent in 2009. Despite the popularity of mobile email, IM and MMS, SMS is predicted to exceed 10 trillion in 2013.

7) Estimates for expenditure on mobile advertising and marketing worldwide ranged from US$1.4 billion to $7.5 billion in 2009, all analysts forecast rapid growth. But with annual mobile advertising expenditure of US$1.14 billion in Japan alone, are these estimates on the low side or is Japan still light years ahead of the rest of the world?

8) What do consumers use their mobiles for? According to this US data: 1. calls; 2. SMS; 3. mobile Web; 4. apps; 5. games; 6. social networking; 7. music.

How will consumers use their mobiles in the future? The key drivers for mobile usage are expected to be (in order of importance) money transfer; (Local) location-based services; mobile search; mobile browsing; mobile health monitoring; mobile payment; near-field-communication services; mobile advertising; instant messaging; and mobile music.

9) The top five mobile network operators worldwide that derive more of their revenue from data than other operators are all Asian: Smart Philippines, Globe Philippines, SoftBank Japan, NTT DOCOMO Japan, KDDI Japan. Also four of the top five MNOs for (loyalty) are also Asian. Also includes top five for subscribers, revenues, monthly average revenue per user (ARPU).

Japan, Asia and Europe are light years ahead of the United States in the mobile marketplace.

Information collated from mobithinking.com

Animoto - Successful Marketing

via animoto.com

97% of searches are now for local information.The majority of which are done with mobile devices.Can your website be found by your customers and is it mobile friendly ? Go to http://www.annoco.co.uk for a cost effective solution and more new customers.

10 Methods to Promote Your Mobile Text Marketing

Let's face it, it's easy to sign up for a text marketing service and have your own keyword and a short code for your customers to text into. But that alone won't make you any money and you will be no better off 30 days from now from when you first signed up to start mobile marketing. In order for text marketing to really increase your sales you need to promote your short code and give your customers a reason to text in. Here are the ten easiest ways to promote your mobile text marketing  call to action:

1) Add a new post to your blog or Facebook. Do this every other day as other messages will push yours down the page.

2) Use Twitter and add "Retweet please." This will get the message to  spread further than just your followers. People who know your business will share it with friends.

3)Inform your customers.Major stores, at the check out always ask if you want to sign up for their credit card and save 10% on the spot. Same goes for your mobile marketing campaign. Offer an immediate reward for signing up now.Your auto-reply message will display on their phone instantly after they text your keyword to the shortcode.

4) Put a call to action on one of your business reviews. Readers only visit an average of three business listing before deciding on a place to visit. Give the readers a good reason to visit your business by placing a mobile call to action that puts your offer right on their mobile device.

5) Create a mobile phone graphic and put a call to action on your website.This can be an easy way to capture and convert web visitors into sales. Write a new blog post about your mobile campaign and what type of offers they can expect from you.

6) Design simple "box Flyers,"  the pizza businesses know how powerful these can be to get customers to return their business. Retail and restaurants should add the mobile call to action on the bottom of receipts or include it on review cards or comment slips that are available for customers .

7) Involve your staff. You can't do it all and the success of any marketing idea often is down to their enthusiasm. Make sure staff know about the text marketing campaign, how it works, how they will benefit  and when they tell customers about it will lead to higher opt-ins.

8) Send emails promoting the text marketing campaign and describe the benefit customers will receive for signing up.Usually businesses that offer something free to the customers on their next visit build a mobile database the quickest.

9) Put a poster in your window. This will help capture new people not visiting your business and will get other customers trying you out for the first time. When has a coupon or special offer lead you to try a business for the first time? Give people a reason to visit your premises.

10) Make it part of other traditional marketing such as newspaper, direct mail or radio . Don't start a new campaign in direct marketing if they are not part of your regular marketing strategy but if they are, adding the mobile call to action will increase the effectiveness by capturing opt-ins and delivering your offer right to their mobile device leading to higher conversion rates.

Most of these ways to promote your text marketing such as social media and blogging takes only a few minutes. Other methods are equally as simple and only take a little time. Building your list with mobile marketing is mostly hands-off and the results in conversion rates and return on investment are the highest of any marketing startegy. Take some time in the beginning and your text marketing efforts will pay off in the years to come.A great attention seeking headline will increase your sales, customers and profits. 

UK Online Sales Booming.

Here is a recent report i found to confirm the expected growth in online business sales. 

IMRG, an industry body for global e-retailing, said web sales leapt 18% in July compared with the same time last year. They haven’t risen that much since 2007.

An incredible £5bn was spent shopping on the internet during the month, a record for 2010, says IMRG, with the average UK shopper spending £81 online. 

Yesterday, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) said sales rose by 1.1% in July, well ahead of expectations.

"It is really encouraging to see growth levels returning to those seen pre-2007 and before consumer confidence was knocked by the financial crisis and the recession."

UK consumers spent £5 billion online in July alone, an increase of 18 percent on the same time last year and the largest increase since 2007 before the recession began. If the trend continues it means people in the UK will spend a whopping £600 billion online over the next ten years, up from the £250 billion it spent over the last ten.

Online businesses have been doing extremely well, seeing an average revenue growth of eight percent and a sales conversion rate of 4.35 percent, but it is actually the companies with both an online and offline presence that did best, with an 18 percent revenue growth and 4.49 percent sales conversion rate.

The evidence mounts that the UK  will need to invest more in their online business presence and put it at the heart of their marketing strategy.

Local business searches are given a high priority on Google and knowing how to get your business in front of your customers with an internet marketing service will be critical to your success.

Facebook versus Google

Facebook Places

 

 Although the service is currently only available in the US, Facebook said it will be rolling out the tool to other countries in the coming months.

What does that mean for your business? Well, it means that Facebook is providing your business with a powerful tool for promoting your business, expanding your customer base, and marketing your brand. That is, assuming you take steps to embrace Facebook Places and use it effectively. Here are three ways your business should take advantage of Facebook Places:

1.With Special Offers. Provide special discounts or promotional items for customers who show that they have checked in with Facebook Places during the current visit. The business can use signs in the store, or at the cash register, as well as Twitter and Facebook to encourage users to check-in to Facebook Places to receive the special offer.

2. Promoting Your Business. Word of mouth is one of the most effective forms of advertising--that is why location-based services like Foursquare or Yelp have grown so much in the first place. Encourage customers to share their experience with your business, and engage them to promote the business for you by providing specials or discounts for customers who post photos or reviews of the business, or share Facebook and Twitter updates from the business with their friends.

3. Rewarding Customer Loyalty. Getting customers is good for business, but getting loyal repeat customers is the key to a truly successful business. Give customers a reason to keep coming back by providing a special discount,the business can create a special offer just for the designated Facebook Places "leader" and exploit the natural competitiveness of customers to drive return visits.

Using the power of internet promotion.