Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Online Presence is not just about having a nice Website. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Customer Reviews are just as important to the success of a business as having a Website that ‘talks’ about the business and what it offers.
Below are just some of the benefits of having a good Website with Search Engine Optimization.

1. Credibility
Websites, Reviews and Business Citation listings help a business appear more prominent, professional, transparent, credible and established. Business email addresses (ie: service@mycompany.com) are also more CREDIBLE and professional. What makes you more comfortable, ‘service@mycompany.com’ or ‘giveusyourmoney@gmail.com?’
2. Competitive opportunity – Equal playing field
Google doesn’t care which company is larger or which has more money to spend on Marketing.  Google cares about providing relevant content to its users.
3. Enhances ALL other marketing efforts
Whatever else you do to promote your business, you can direct people to your website. Everything from Business Cards to TV or Radio ads to Social Media are an opportunity to reference your Website. While every other marketing option limits the amount of time or space that you have to relay your marketing message, Websites can provide unlimited opportunity to ‘speak’ to your customers.
4. Always accessible
The Internet is 24/7/365. Even if your business closes for the night or the holidays, customers can always find your website, even while you sleep.
5. Target a wider, more specific market
Print, TV and Radio ads are exposed to a massive amount of people that may, or MAY NOT, be interested in what you sell, with the hope that potential customers are reading, watching or listening to your marketing message at the specific time the ads appear.
The Internet provides an opportunity to expose your message to even more potential customers that are already interested in what you sell. Your business information can be presented whenever potential customers search the Internet for your product or service and you can target ads for specific customers that are more likely to be interested in what you sell.
6. Get more new customers!
A properly optimized website can be found by people looking for what you sell. Even if your current customers are being referred by ‘word of mouth,’ finding your business information online further emphasizes that you are a good company to do business with.

What does your Online Presence say about your business?
It is a good idea to check by first searching for your product or service (in your area) to see how you appear to potential customers searching for what you sell. Search on different search engines, (Google, Bing, etc.) and search for different keywords, (bakery, donuts, cakes, etc.). Then go back and do a search for your company by name. Make sure that your business information, NAP (Name, address, Phone#), is accurate and consistent in all areas.