Many small businesses today are just starting to realize the potential that search engine optimization can have on their businesses. Everyday more and more people are turning to search engines to conduct research on local and national topics, and the searches are very user specific. This is the main reason why the search engines are getting as much publicity as they are. It is almost impossible to pick up a publication and not read an article that mentions blogs, websites or search engines.

It is important to make sure that your investment in a website is used to its fullest. Investing in a company that offers search engine optimization can return many times over what was actually paid initially, and this is why optimization services are so popular. Our advice to all of our clients is to invest in their websites. Leave the optimizing to the professionals and have the tool work for you.

Online Newsletter

Offering an online newsletter is a fairly popular way to keep users informed about new happenings with your company and different products and services that you have to offer.

Online Calculators

This is popular with accountants and mortgage lenders. It makes sense to have a calculator in front of a user so they can calculate the expense of certain fees and interest rates.

Offer Email Updates

This differs from the online newsletter by just sending little bits of information rather than a full blown online newsletter. This can also be a more effective use of your time, than to come up with a monthly newsletter.

A Color Wheel

We have seen this used on a few powder coating websites or on websites that deal with picking colors. This can be a great tool to have the user pick their color online rather than explain it over the phone.

Online Coupons

This can prove to be a very popular way to bring users back to your website and make it useful to them. Offers can appear like a coupon and the user can print them out. There are many websites online dedicated to showing coupons for different products and services online.

Links to Other Related Services or Products

If you have a landscaping business, why not have links on your website where a user can get a siding job done on their house? Or a sprinkler system put in that you would recommend. May be a place to buy a fantastic looking concrete statue? These online links will position you as a knowledgeable professional that knows the in’s and out’s of the industry.

Articles and Tips about Your Services

Articles are a great way to showcase your knowledge about your business and make your website useful to online visitors. Writing articles also helps your business show up in the search engines for longer keyword phrases. Writing a quick article can sometimes be the difference between building that little extra piece of credibility for that online visitor to pick up the phone and give your business a call.

Being a local Minneapolis web design company that offers a wide spectrum of services, businesses can benefit from our experience in the web design field. Whether your business is looking for:

• A local Minneapolis web designer
• A professional website appearance
• Search engine optimization (SEO)
• Pay Per Click (PPC) website campaigns
• Cross browser compatibility (viewers see the same website in Internet Explorer or Mozilla, etc.)
• Website content creation
• Maintenance to most, already built websites
• Help with emails
• Increase targeted traffic to your website
• Optimizing images for the web
• PDF creation
• Complete consulting solutions for your website
• A specific multi-micro website solution for multiple products

Midwest Web Design can help you realize the potential your business can have online.

We have talked to many businesses that would love to have a website presence, but may not have the large budget to accommodate. This is the type of client we love to help and have helped since 1998.

So, if you have been thinking about how your business can benefit from having an online presence, get in touch with us today to find out how we can use our experience to help build your business.

Now more than ever, business owners trying to find ways to make money to stay in business. A website that is built with the search engines in mind can definitely help in a business trying to build their bottom line. So, when we hear the question, “Does my business need search engine optimization?”, then we like to ask the question, “What is your website trying to accomplish for your business?”.

If the business owner says, “Our website is just to portray an image.”, then search engine optimization is usually not a big concern to them. However, if you are the business owner that says, “I would like to use our website to generate business.”, we would highly recommend search engine optimization for your website.

What are the benefits of search engine optimization?

There are many benefits to search engine optimization.

• Higher rankings in the search engines
• Website easier to navigate for users
• Easy to scan and read text
• Website images optimized for faster web page load times

Obviously higher rankings in the search engines is one benefit, but also websites built with search engine optimization in mind are usually easier to navigate because of a more structured website navigation hierarchy. Text on each page of a website with search engine optimization is structured in a way that is easier to read, with headlines and html “H” tags (H1, H2, H3 etc.). Images on the website are optimized for faster viewing and enhanced with html “alt tags” that help with ranking in some regards and image searches that online users may use.

Ultimately, search engines and your online visitors make a decision about your website and where to rank your website or whether or not to do business with you.

When should I start with search engine optimization?

As soon as possible. Of course we are going to say that, right? We are in the business! We all know that it will require a decision to spend some money. We recommend that you talk search engine optimization over with your business partners or decision makers and come up with some questions that you may have. As we all know, it is better to make an educated decision than to jump right on the bandwagon.

However, finding out information as soon as possible so you can make a decision is highly recommended. The faster a business makes a decision to implement search engine optimization the better. It can have a drastic effect on generating leads and ultimately more business.

So if your business has been hearing more and more about:

• online advertising and being found out on the search engines
• increasing conversions from online visitors to customers
• having your website being more effective for your business

Get in touch with us today!

If you own a business in a specific geographical area, we have some tips for your website. These hints and tips are focused to help your website in the search engines and make it easier for online visitors to find out more about the products or services you have to offer.

Place a Google Map on your website

It is a well known fact how helpful Google can be. Their Google Map program isn’t any different. It can help online visitors get directions to your business and show them where you are located. Just a word of caution, make sure that when you type in your address, that it is in the correct location. We have had instances of the map data not being up to date!

List the names of the cities where you conduct business

This can be good information if you drive as part of your service and drive only to certain areas within a 30 mile radius. Naming the cities you conduct business in is also good information that Google likes to see. You may rank high in the search engines by just naming a small city you can do work in!

Link to other local businesses that compliment your specific business

This is a great way to build some trust with online visitors. Listing other businesses that compliment your business gives the user a little more information about other services you work with. When that user contacts you, they know they are dealing with a company that is experienced in the industry.

Write an article about how you helped a local business or consumer

This is great information to show your online visitors and it looks good to the search engines. Not to mention, customers that are featured somewhere like to brag that they are featured and it may drive traffic to your website.

List testimonials of your work on your website

This is great information for online visitors to see. Consumers like to see that the company they are dealing with has a good reputation to work with.

List your business address on each page of your website

Having your website address on each page is great information for online visitors and for the search engines. When your contact information is listed on each page, an online visitor has instant information. This can be a critical component for your website. It is also a great way to help your website appear in local search engine results.

Place pictures of your work online or of local businesses or consumers that you’ve completed work for

As stated before, online search engines like to see instances of city names somewhere in your web page. Having a picture and a description not only shows online visitors where you’ve conducted work, but also is another instance of a local city name where you conduct business.

Now get out there are let your customers know where you are so they can do business with with you!

So you have finally decided to get a website for your business. Congratulations! You found a reputable Minneapolis web design firm with a solid portfolio and great customer service. You want a clean, crisp design and also be found in the search engines such as Google, Yahoo and MSN. Then it finally sets in, you are going to need text on your website. What should you say? Should you really include that? How long should it be? Need some help? Keep reading.

What should you say?

Even though you may think writing copy for your business may be easy, when it comes time to actually sit down and write, it may take a while to organize your thoughts.

I would recommend the following ideas for your “Home” or “About” page:

• How many years have you been in business?
• Write the story about how your business was started.
• What products and services do you offer and how do they differ from the competition?
• List the geographical areas you serve.
• Where your business is located.

For a “Products” or “Services” page, I would recommend:

• A picture of the product or service being completed
• A description of the product or service
• All of what is included with the product or service
• Any warranties
• What the user can expect when they have this product or service
• Any part numbers that are relevant to the product or other common names for the service
• A contact phone number

Finally, for a “Contact” page, I would recommend:

• Any and all contact information
• Phone number
• Email address
• Fax number
• Website address
• Business mailing address
• Google Map with driving directions
• Google Talk, AIM or other instant message programs

This information will help you get started on some of the types of text that visitors will find useful on your website. We have noticed when writing our own text that the above suggestions get the ball rolling and then it usually spirals into a bunch more content that you were unaware that you had wanted to put in.

How long should it be?

I would recommend breaking the information into some decent chunks, maybe 500 – 1200 words and spreading it around on different pages. If you do have a long page, I would recommend internal links that, when clicked, automatically scroll down the page to the desired content. If you choose to do this, place a “Back to the top” link at the bottom of the desired content section. It makes it easier for users to quickly get around your website.

Be resourceful, use the internet!

Go out to websites and look at what people use for great paragraphs. What ever you do, do not steal others’ text. This can get you in serious trouble. You can, however, see different writing styles for different industries and then come up with your own unique style of writing for your own website.

Be sure to include keywords!

Finally, keep in mind the keywords you would like to rank for in the search engines. Include a few keywords throughout your text so that the search engines can pick them up. Don’t stuff your paragraph with keywords. This could lead to penalties and possibly get your website banned. So keep it natural and let the search engine ranking begin!

Stand out from the competition

Everyone today uses the search engines to find what they are looking for. Search engine optimization helps the pages on your website rank higher, closer to the first position for some desired keywords. This allows your website content to be found by online visitors who will then get in contact with you for the services you provide. The key factor is being able to show close to the top, if not at the top. This will set your business apart from your competition and give you a competitive edge. Search engine optimizing your website will also make the code cleaner and give your visitors a more consistent look throughout the website. This is important when the visitor comes to the website and is trying to gather information in order to find out if you are a trustworthy business. Online, it is important to fit all these pieces together to help stand out from the competition.

Showcase all of the services/products that you offer

Over the years, we have seen many businesses that do not place all of their products or services they offer on their website. This is a huge mistake. Many of today’s online searchers use a variety of keywords to help them locate information. We have had experience with businesses who put product ID numbers on their websites and then get found when a searcher types in the information because they need to repair that specific product. Just for having that information listed on their website! We have other clients who place terms of other services they provide on their websites and get business for that service a couple of days after they post it to the web. Now, this does not mean that you should stuff all sorts of keywords on your website page and then you will rank #1 for all of them. Google is a little smarter than that, but placing references to other services you provide with as much relevant information is a great way to get higher placement. Placing more information about all of the services your business offers is a great way to let your business stand out from your competitors.

Use targeted keywords that online searchers may use

It is possible to conduct some research to find out which keywords people are using to search. Binding this information with some creative thinking can open up keyword possibilities that searchers may use to find your services. For example, if you are in the business of landscaping and you would like to use more targeted keywords to help increase business, you may choose to include the name of a city close to where you do business. So maybe you will setup a web page for “landscaping Fort Lauderdale Fl” and fill it with relevant content. This should give you some decent ranking for this particular term if there is not a surplus of competition for that particular term. Then it is a matter of checking your analytics package and seeing if traffic is being generated for that particular term.

Analyze traffic with a website analytics package

Analyzing traffic is a great way to generate ideas about future content to write about and try to optimize your website for. Generate content and then look at your analytics package to see what keywords searchers are typing in to see your page. This can also be used to write separate content for the same main topic and keep the user on your website. Website analytics packages contain a wealth of information and can also tell you where users are coming from, how long they stay on specific pages, and what page they left your website. This can help you to see the visitor’s path and place more relevant content to where your visitors are gravitating on your website.

Search engine optimization can help your business stand out from the competition and help online visitors get the information they are looking for. This can then have a positive effect on your bottom line and help your business increase sales. For more information about how search engine optimization can help increase your business, give us a call at 1-877-977-9327.

Is your website being found in the local search results?

It should be. Many online searchers today will search for keywords along with the city they live in to find local results. This can be a huge benefit to your business. Many people, us included, would prefer to do business locally. It is very convenient to be able to drop by and get to know the people you are working with. Having your website properly optimized can help Google locate your address and phone number and be found locally. There is also an option to add your business listing with Google and they will place it in their results as well.

Importance of having a website that is properly optimized

Show up before competitors

The search results and SEO is similar to the real state motto “Location, location, location!” There are few people who go past the third search result page when they are searching for certain information. Listing on the top, or close to the top of the first page is the ideal location for customers to click and find the information they are looking for. The faster the customer gets in contact with you by being at the top of the search engines, the faster you can let them know what you have to offer.

Conversions

Along with the optimizing for the search engines, it is also very important to have the website optimized for usability. Make sure there are no broken links, broken images, and spelling or grammar errors. Make sure the navigation is clear to the user and that the text and font are easy to read. Make sure you have calls to action, contact information on every page (preferably at the top of the page) and that the graphics are crisp and clear. All of these factors play a role in increasing the conversions on your website and turning visitors into customers.

Relevant information for visitors and search engine optimization (SEO)

Keeping the information on your website relevant to the topic of the page is important also. If you specialize in selling dog houses, place relevant information about dog houses on the first page. This will answer any questions that the visitor has about your dog houses and entice them to contact you and ask some questions, or finalize the sale. I’d be careful about also placing information about real estate houses on the same page, the user is on your website and found your website looking for dog houses. Give them the information they are looking for. Keeping the content information “tight” around a particular subject or topic increases the power of your website to show closer to the top of the search engines for particular related phrases.

Why have a professional website design?

In today’s world, a website is an extremely useful tool. I can’t think of another advertising tool as versatile and effective than a professional website design. We have all seen the “Build It Tonight” website templates, but when it comes to being found on the search engines, you’re better off having the professionals get the job done right.

Professional Website Design + SEO = Traffic = Conversions = $$$

PLUS it is important to take in the value of Client Retention, how long they will be customers and other services you can provide for them

Establish Trust and Credibility

Establishing trust and credibility is very important on the internet. Recently I was searching for a lawn care provider to take care of my lawn. I found a few in my area on the search engines and had a look at their websites.

One of the websites had an incomplete “About Us” page with random text. Why would I go with a company that can not even come up with text on a page that is so vital when someone is looking to find more information about their company?

Having all the pages on your website filled with relevant text about your business should be priority number one. This is your opportunity to showcase your professional business on the internet.

Usability

Having a website that is easy to navigate is one of the true signs that a professional web design company is indeed a professional. When visitors are able to contact you from any page, find the information they are looking for and able to make a decision, that is when you know your website was built professionally.

Additional Products/Services You Have to Offer

When your visitors know about the other products and services you have to offer on your website, it is a great way to increase sales and show that you are a professional company. When you have that additional information about your other products and services, visitors can learn more about those specific items or services you offer and establish that professional image that you want to portray.

When a little extra thought is put into the information you are placing on your website it can help your visitors make decisions is another way how you know that your website was designed professionally.

Lead Generation

When your website is educating potential clients and letting them know more about what you can offer them, they can make a buying decision. Leads are generated everyday by a company’
s professionally designed website. It is important to have these leads contact you by email, phone or any way possible! Having your website generate leads for you also cuts down on the time you have to educate those potential customers because they will already have done some research on your website.

When it comes to getting your professional business website built, let a professional web design services company use their experience, expertise and knowledge work for you. It will save you money in the long run, and continue to build up your professional image.

Albert Einstein once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Having answers to common questions placed on your website can save you time, money and possibly insanity (according to Einstein) . One of the best values of having a website is the ability to present information to potential customers. Making your website informative for the user will establish you as an authoritative figure in the field and will encourage customers to return.

It would be to your benefit to have answers to commonly asked questions placed on your website. Having answers to questions also filters out potential customers that would not fit with your business. We have heard from clients who remark that having a FAQ (frequently asked questions) page on their website works great for them. When a customer starts asking them questions about their business, they forward that person to the website to find answers to their questions and it ends up saving them both time. The business person saves time by being able to forward that person to the website to find the answer and the customer saves time by being able to bookmark, favorite or print the information out for later review or further questions.

When answers to specific questions are on your website so that customers can find them, you present your business as an authoritative figure in your field. Think about all of the knowledge you have gained from being in business. Think about the perfect client and the qualifications they have. For example, in the web design business, the budget of a client is highly dependent upon the scale of the website. We refuse to do business with customers who expect that we will do a $10,000 job for $500. No doubt, your business runs the same way, or you wouldn’t be in business very long. Therefore, placing information about minimum budget requirements on your website can help you filter out those clients who don’t have the budget to do business with your company.

The more information you place on your website, the better. Don’t get too overwhelmed, remember that you can always add more information as time goes on. Look at it from your own perspective. When you go to a website and you don’t find the information you are looking for, do you look elsewhere? Before your customers get to that point, hopefully you have answered some of their questions and they can give you a call.