‘Got a question the other day from a reader wondering when and where it was appropriate to list his show’s website.

I give you my answer in this photo of a Florida license plate.

The state of Florida is so interested in driving traffic to their “Official Portal of the State of Florida” that they aren’t just putting the name of their state on their license plates, their plugging their website!

So there’s your answer.  Put your website everywhere you can.  Especially if your domain name isn’t the exact title of your show.  And with domain name squatters pouncing on more names than ever these days, odds are you’ve had to come up with some modification of your title for your URL (which reminds me . . . if you haven’t read the post of mine from last year on why you must grab your domain name asap, read it now.  I’ll wait).  Putting your site address in as many locations as possible is also important if your site isn’t coming up at the top of a Google search of your show.  (Need an example of what I’m talking about?  See this search for Awesome 80s Prom compared to this search for Memphis).

Websites are now a part of a show’s branding, like a tag line, a logo, or even the trademark sign.

And if a state government is doing a better job than Broadway at marketing their sites, then we’re even further behind the times than I thought!’

Source: Ken Davenport

Where Should You Put Your Website? is a post from: OE Design Blog

Well the plumber was smart. I found him in the HotFrog directory because it was listed on page 1. I then looked through the list. I didn’t pick number one on the page. I picked the guy that wrote in his ad ‘Mention this advertisement and pay NO CALL OUT FEE on your plumbing work.’ I took a quick look at his website. He had a Blog. I was impressed, and the fact of the no call out fee, it addressed my fear of him charging for just walking through the door.

I just discovered a python in my roof too at the same time. Again I hopped on Google and typed in snake removalist Gold Coast.

The snake handler – well it didn’t appear that he had his own website (but in fact he did), but was listed with a whole bunch of other snake men and was the guy with my local area listing. No fear here. The snake had already planted enough fear in me to just get the man for the job.

So what did I learn from this experience?

1. Page One Position On Google Is Vital – without it you are going to lose business to the other smart guy.

2. You Can Still Gain Online Business If You Don’t Have Your Own Website – get listed in directories or with groupings of others who are located in other areas.

3. Create A Point Of Difference & Back It Up With Great Service – when people get to your website make sure that you are different. My plumber friend stood out from the rest of the plumbers by not charging a call out fee if I mentioned the ad. It removed my fear of a hefty charge. He also had a blog that gave handy tips. When he arrived he was dressed professionally and spoke professionally. He had a good vehicle with clear signage. His work was impeccable.

So small business owners – pay attention. There are customers like me out there who want to do business with you. Apply just these three things to your business today and start beating your competition to the door.

Google, The Plumber & The Python is a post from: OE Design Blog

Google penetration in Australia is currently 93%.

Google penetration in the USA is currently 67%.

Although Blogger doesn’t attract as much traffic as YouTube, MySpace, and Facebook – people are drawn to those sites from blogs.

Put soul back into your business by using YouTube, MySpace, and Facebook as part of your blog strategy. Create a social media page. Put up pictures, videos plus more. Use these in your ecommerce section of your website.

Join local search listings.

Embed YouTube videos in your blog.

Other great sites are: Photobucket, flickr, snapfish.

Go to http://maps.google.com.au put your business name in there and see if you’re there V – put pictures/ video/ services etc.

Other great sites are: Hotfrog, dlook.

Blogging is not hard.

Blogging best practice:

• no hype
• personal
• attitude
• not defensive
• write like you talk
• post frequently

Add a bit of controversy!!

Write or hire someone to write 200 – 400 words weekly.

Automatically update facebook/ myspace.

Use RSS Feed to update multiple sites simultaneously. What is RSS? It is Real Simple Syndication.

When you create videos have them only of 1-3 minutes in length. Include tags so that they are indexed.

Here are some other ideas…

• Open a Facebook account at www.Facebook.com
• Link your Blog and your Facebook page to your website. Link from you website back to these pages
• Open a Google Analytics account and add to your site http://www.google.com/analytics/
• Create a site map and submit via www.google.com/webmasters/sitemaps/
• Consider opening accounts with Flickr, YouTube and eBay

Blogging For Business is a post from: OE Design Blog