10 years ago to promote a new product or service was different. We had to register in the directory, preparing advertising for newspapers and telemarketing campaign. Busniess then sought to be seen by a wide audience, be as many people as possible, hoping to succeed in capturing the attention of some consumers.
A bit like throwing a ball into the crowd and hope that someone picks it up before it breaks. These resources have provoked strong reactions from consumers: lists of numbers "where he should not call" or digital recorders that can skip commercials. The message is clear: consumers do not like to be disturbed by unsolicited messages.
The consumer is now in control. For example, they use search engines to find exactly the information they want and they subscribe on social networks to brands with whom they wish to communicate. Therefore, companies must ensure that their online presence is optimal. In 2011, forget the book and think instead to Google. Here are three essential tools to explore to promote your busniess:
A bit like throwing a ball into the crowd and hope that someone picks it up before it breaks. These resources have provoked strong reactions from consumers: lists of numbers "where he should not call" or digital recorders that can skip commercials. The message is clear: consumers do not like to be disturbed by unsolicited messages.
The consumer is now in control. For example, they use search engines to find exactly the information they want and they subscribe on social networks to brands with whom they wish to communicate. Therefore, companies must ensure that their online presence is optimal. In 2011, forget the book and think instead to Google. Here are three essential tools to explore to promote your busniess:
1 - Build a website and optimize your SEO If you do not yet have a website, you should immediately start one. Use a simple and free tool like WordPress or blogger. This will allow you to display your services and showcase your products. Update your site regularly (ideally every week). Once your website online, you are ready to maximize the level of natural search (SEO). Do not forget to register your business on Google Places, it is like a directory to 2.0 sauce.
2 - Advertise on the web Natural SEO is a long process. If you find initially that your site does not appear for some strategic keywords, Google allows you to buy targeted advertising for each of these words. In addition to ads that directly respond to your future customers of research, you pay only for clicks, not impressions. Magic, is not it? Learn how to use Adwords now.
3 - Retain your community through social networks Social networks are the best way to share and communicate with your customers. This is a great way to build loyalty. Start first by establishing your social media strategy, which will allow you to set your priorities and consider a concrete action plan. Paint it a serious strand and invite your current customers and your employees will be most likely the best ambassadors of your brand. If you use Facebook, be sure to optimize your site to Facebook, allowing you to be there saw exactly you want.
These means are simple and inexpensive and allow you to promote your business in an efficient and targeted manner, which will give you better results than more traditional campaigns. At least on the web, everything is measured by the analytical web. You must know how to measure your performance and adjust yourself accordingly. And, as usual, do not hesitate to make use of web specialists to help you optimize your web presence. What do you expect?
A user-centered website
There are a few years ago, the success of a website boiled by creating a pretty site and able to move in all directions. This was the era of graphics. Even today, the design of a website is considered a project where the focus is on technology as information. Unfortunately, the creation of content is not a priority for many web agencies and is not subject to further study.
It's time to think in terms of usefulness and usability. Now the focus should be on the content: this is what the user picks a site. Opt for a user-centered approach is the key to success. It is an approach that meets the expectations and needs of the target in terms of language, content and organization of information. To be able to provide useful and usable content, preliminary work is needed to identify the needs and goals of the user.
You have to put in its place and understand its logic. Not easy!
Here are some tips that will help you succeed in your user-oriented approach:
Know your target
Remember to design a user-centered web site, you must first define its target, questioning herself and know its characteristics.
This information will help to decide as to features and content to offer.
If you have multiple targets, try to offer a gateway per target.
A method that allows you to understand your target will be the creation of a virtual character, persona, which embodies all the characteristics of the target. It is a technique that will allow you to humanize your target, to approach and understand the needs.
Provide a useful and usable content
To be useful, the content must meet the expectations and needs of the user.
To be useful, the content will be effective by allowing the user to reach his goal, and efficient by optimizing the conditions to accomplish its objectives.
For example, universalizes contextual content you offer for download by converting them to PDF.
Speak the user's language
The user should feel concerned. We must talk to him about what interests and needs.
It must interact with it, analyze its behavior and adapt content from your findings.
At this stage, the choice of words is very important. It allows users to not only find your content on search engines, but also to feel familiar with the content and so to act.
Facilitate access to content
Once we know the target, user-centered approach continues with the design of an accessible website: information must be found quickly and easily.
For example, make sure the "breadcrumb trail" to be effective, ie that allows the user to locate the site easily.
Remember the importance of building an information architecture that offers benefits for the user, and involves an effective navigation.
We must also consider the relevance and brevity, keywords, language of the target and respect for agreements to improve web web browsing.
The user-centric approach still continues with optimized structure for each page. And on your side, how do you make your content attractive and effective?
2 - Advertise on the web Natural SEO is a long process. If you find initially that your site does not appear for some strategic keywords, Google allows you to buy targeted advertising for each of these words. In addition to ads that directly respond to your future customers of research, you pay only for clicks, not impressions. Magic, is not it? Learn how to use Adwords now.
3 - Retain your community through social networks Social networks are the best way to share and communicate with your customers. This is a great way to build loyalty. Start first by establishing your social media strategy, which will allow you to set your priorities and consider a concrete action plan. Paint it a serious strand and invite your current customers and your employees will be most likely the best ambassadors of your brand. If you use Facebook, be sure to optimize your site to Facebook, allowing you to be there saw exactly you want.
These means are simple and inexpensive and allow you to promote your business in an efficient and targeted manner, which will give you better results than more traditional campaigns. At least on the web, everything is measured by the analytical web. You must know how to measure your performance and adjust yourself accordingly. And, as usual, do not hesitate to make use of web specialists to help you optimize your web presence. What do you expect?
A user-centered website
There are a few years ago, the success of a website boiled by creating a pretty site and able to move in all directions. This was the era of graphics. Even today, the design of a website is considered a project where the focus is on technology as information. Unfortunately, the creation of content is not a priority for many web agencies and is not subject to further study.
It's time to think in terms of usefulness and usability. Now the focus should be on the content: this is what the user picks a site. Opt for a user-centered approach is the key to success. It is an approach that meets the expectations and needs of the target in terms of language, content and organization of information. To be able to provide useful and usable content, preliminary work is needed to identify the needs and goals of the user.
You have to put in its place and understand its logic. Not easy!
Here are some tips that will help you succeed in your user-oriented approach:
Know your target
Remember to design a user-centered web site, you must first define its target, questioning herself and know its characteristics.
This information will help to decide as to features and content to offer.
If you have multiple targets, try to offer a gateway per target.
A method that allows you to understand your target will be the creation of a virtual character, persona, which embodies all the characteristics of the target. It is a technique that will allow you to humanize your target, to approach and understand the needs.
Provide a useful and usable content
To be useful, the content must meet the expectations and needs of the user.
To be useful, the content will be effective by allowing the user to reach his goal, and efficient by optimizing the conditions to accomplish its objectives.
For example, universalizes contextual content you offer for download by converting them to PDF.
Speak the user's language
The user should feel concerned. We must talk to him about what interests and needs.
It must interact with it, analyze its behavior and adapt content from your findings.
At this stage, the choice of words is very important. It allows users to not only find your content on search engines, but also to feel familiar with the content and so to act.
Facilitate access to content
Once we know the target, user-centered approach continues with the design of an accessible website: information must be found quickly and easily.
For example, make sure the "breadcrumb trail" to be effective, ie that allows the user to locate the site easily.
Remember the importance of building an information architecture that offers benefits for the user, and involves an effective navigation.
We must also consider the relevance and brevity, keywords, language of the target and respect for agreements to improve web web browsing.
The user-centric approach still continues with optimized structure for each page. And on your side, how do you make your content attractive and effective?