Business & Marketing – Page 13

3 Projects to Improve Auto Financial Services Websites

Throughout my experience in online marketing, I have found that the auto financial service industry has a lot of great opportunities in improving its sites. From making use of responsive design to improving the user experience to creating useful, link-bait time-sinkers, there are several specific steps that auto financial services companies can take to energize their sites.

In this article I will detail 3 projects to improve these sites.

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The Importance of Healthy Internet Marketing Strategies

As an online marketer I get contacted on a daily basis by potential clients from around the world. A common denominator among them is that they are looking for a quick solution to an urgent problem:

For two years we have been running an email newsletter. Four months ago we started noticing that our subscribers are dropping out like flies. Can you buy us a couple email lists?
We rank well in our desired keywords on Google. We receive about 30% of our traffic from mobile phones, however they quickly bounce off our site. Can you creates us a mobile online media plan to increase our mobile traffic?

The answer to all of these questions is: “Yes, I can.” However, these are two perfect examples of what healthy Internet marketing strategies are NOT. Chris, Kilbourn, Founder and CEO of Utah-based Tofu Marketing, explains it well: “You’ll never hear us throw around the term ‘traffic’ as though it is the be-all and end-all of Internet marketing. Instead, we are an online marketing agency that focuses on sending qualified leads to your website.” He adds: “We understand that 10 qualified leads are worth more to you than 10,000 or even 10,000,000 totally unqualified visitors.”

The two scenarios are asking for “unhealthy” solutions: quick fixes that will do a lot of harm in the future. In this article let’s discuss about how to develop healthier Internet marketing strategies for each one.

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Responsive Design is 2013’s Web Design Trend

In a May 2013 webinar, Peter Goodman, VP of Salesforce Marketing Cloud, discussed the current state of advertising in the social media space. He took a look at the major advertising platforms on the leading social networks.

Goodman explained how social advertising is the hottest topic in advertising, forecasted to reach a $11 billion in the US by 2017, according to BIA/Kelsey in April 2013. He explained that one of the critical decisions for advertisers is what placements to select. Goodman has found that while desktop placements see an engagement of 1 to 3%, mobile placements see over 3% engagement. If you are a US advertiser, you also need to consider that eMarketer, reported that in 2012, 62.2% of US Gen X-ers and 62.2% of US Millenials access the Internet from mobile devices monthly.

If you combine these two statistics, it becomes clear that any successful digital marketing strategy in the future needs to have a mobile component. So, this is why responsive design is 2013’s design trend.

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Younger Consumers Turn Up Digital Music Listening

As a previous user of Pandora and a current user of Spotify, I understand the increasing trend of U.S. consumers ages 13 to 35 to use digital sources for music listening.

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Strategizing for Entrepreneurs

Most see the do-it-yourself entrepreneurial business as fairly lucrative because they are the sole beneficiary of revenue although most don’t see the work that goes into it. Common mistakes continue to repeat itself in this business which plagues entrepreneurs each year. The key is to seek guidance as well as to follow the standards that work.

Entrepreneurship is the definition of hands on learning in a fast paced environment. People tend to choose this lane because they can work under their own terms, on their own time. They are capable of choosing their own team to work with and working in a field they truly love rather than a job that may just pay the bills. But what is required of the business is an internal drive because in the beginning everything relies on you, you are the business. Major attention to all costs is also a large part of the self-starter job because there isn’t any room for financial mistakes. Seek outside advice from credible sources and relations so that you are prepared for what is to come.

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How to Choose a Marketing Agency

Choosing a marketing agency can be difficult but if you base your decision on basic marketing principles then you can find the right company for your brand.

Finding an agency that understands your target customer base is critical. Your agency needs to have expertise in your industry because it needs to understand your company’s place in your market. The more experience that an agency has in your industry, the better the chances that it can develop a specific strategy for your particular need. Besides a portfolio of relevant clients, here are some other important criteria to consider.

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The Challenge of Online Selling for CPGs

Back in February 2013, we reviewed that online sellers are quick to think that in order to increase their sales, all that they need to do is to attract more people to their sites.

While this is one part of the equation, it is not all of it. One industry that has a particularly big challenge in turning digital shoppers into digital buyers is the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPGs).

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5 Best Manually Picked Databases of Anything Free

Everyone loves freebies, but not everyone knows how to get them. They seem to believe that they have to be some kind of money-saving guru to get something for nothing, and that just isn’t the case. All you have to know is where to look, and you would be amazed at the free stuff you can find. From product samples to full dinners without paying a cent, it is out there.

These are my five personal favorites for free birthday meals, super cheap products and giveaways.

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9 Tips For Brilliant Online Writing

1. Look for an unusual angle

Don’t try to compete with the dozens of others writing about the same topic in pretty much the same way. Instead, write about a unique topic or use an innovative approach to a common topic. Your page will rank better with search engines and your content will garner more attention in social media.

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The Importance of Securing Your Domain Name

On February 19, 2013, TV personality and restarenteur Guy Fieri became the poster child of the importance of securing your domain name. According to GuyFieri.com, the launch of Guy’s American Kitchen & Bar in New York City was supposed to make the headlines for “a wide-ranging menu full of the big, bold flavors Fieri is known for, as well as three full bars, a California-centric wine list, and an extensive draft beer program featuring signature beers craft brewed for Fieri”. Instead the restaurant made the headlines for its Honky-Tonky Double Barrel Meat Loaded Blast and Guy’s Big Balls.

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