How do you grasp your users’ attention? Visuals? Tips? How-To’s? Reposting content? There is a multitude of ways to present content on your business’ blog. With the emergence of new social media platforms, content can be displayed in a different way every time you write a blog post. Here are 4 steps to successful blogging for your business.

1. Variety in Content Style

Showing your content through different approaches is a great way to keep users viewing your blog. If a user sees an eye-catching picture or a list of points, they are more inclined to continue reading. For example, in a How-To post, pictures or a video showing steps may be more informative than a wordy post. Present content in a way that relates to your post and is engaging.

2. Optimize Your Content

Take advantage of search engine optimization. Make sure your business is optimizing the correct key words and phrases to show up in search engines. Consistency is important when optimizing. Double check your links to make sure users are being directed to the correct pages.

3. Blog now AND later

Out of sight, out of mind. The best way to stay on users minds is to frequently remind them who you are and why you are here. Blogging continuously throughout the month will help users stay engaged with your business’ content, driving more traffic to your website. Unique content will keep current users attracted and bring in new users.

4. Share Everywhere

Sharing links to your blog posts are a great and easy way to post on your pages such as Facebook and Twitter. Since blog titles are intriguing, posting links will make users wonder, “What is this post about?” This also attracts users who are on your social media sites back to your website. Post at different times and different days to see which provides the best feedback from users. Certain times may be more attractive to users than other times.

Make sure that content is engaging and is posted often. Blog posts should always somehow relate back to your business. It does not matter what format content is displayed in as long as you get the point across. The more unique, the better; pictures, videos, and how-to’s are great! SEO is key; make sure your key words and phrases are optimized and linked properly. To attract a larger group also post links to blog posts on your social media sites.

Contact an Internet marketing consultant today for more information on blogging for your business.

With the amount of social networks emerging today, more and more networks are becoming primarily visual, altering Internet marketing strategies. Instagram, Pinterest, and the new Facebook Newsfeed point towards visuals as their main attribute. This blog post will display 5 of the best attention grabbing visuals for your business to use on social networks.

Think about how you feel when you visit a website you have never viewed before. Is it confusing? Is it frustrating? Is it easy to navigate? Now take a look at your company’s website. Think about how your users feel and try to stay focused on meeting their needs.

I don’t think we’re speaking the same language

Search engines can see the aspects of your website as well as understand the details. However, users aren’t machines. Users can get confused with the terminology your company displays. Increase your website usability by making sure you use the full names of your products or services, the same way a customer would type it into search. Customers generally do not use your products or services daily and may not know the nicknames your company addresses them by.

I’m lost, can I ask for directions?

Being a new user on a website can be difficult.  If the website is too detailed and hard to navigate a first time user may become overwhelmed and lost. Since there is no person standing there to direct your customers, your website has to do the directing instead. Display the company’s most important information in easy to see places. Having information such as where to purchase products, services, and locations are very important… make these some of the first things the user sees. This also applies to creating a search engine friendly website; search engines can still get lost on your website if your information is not organized properly. All of your pages need to be tied together. Everyone that visits your site may not enter on the homepage; make sure pages easily link to other pages on your website.

Oops, we messed up

Running your company’s website means constantly updating website information. 404 pages are likely to occur no matter how hard you try to avoid them. For a user this is one of the most frustrating pages to see. Why would you return to a website that can’t provide information to you without a problem? Customize your website’s 404 page in case this problem occurs. Having a custom 404 page is like sending an “I’m sorry” card to a friend when you’ve made a mistake. Show the user you care about the inconvenience and are doing your best to fix it. Don’t just display a blank page; include links to redirect the user to other parts of your website or your company’s social networking pages.

Looking at the same website over and over again obstructs you from seeing what your users may not be happy with. Learn to look at your website through the eyes of users and search engines. Don’t let minuscule problems on your website result in losing customers. Starting with these steps, you’ll be on the way to a user and search friendly website.

Thinking about developing a new website for your company? Contact the Internet marketing consultants at Single Throw for a free website consultation.

The latest search feature from Facebook, Graph Search, shows users connections between people and places. Search results are personalized based on your connections and information you have provided on your Facebook page. Now you’re asking yourself, how do I use Graph Search? As a follow up to our post on 3 Things You Should Do to Prepare Your Page for Graph Search, this post will explain how.

Using Graph Search

To begin using Graph Search, start typing a search query into the search bar. For this example we will search ‘Car Dealerships near Wall, New Jersey’. As you start typing, multiple related searches show up that you can choose from. Graph Search will show you the exact phrase you typed in, as well as, similar searches that include car dealerships you have been to, you work at, your friends like, and more.

When you click on a search option, a list of results will be displayed that best fit your search.  The picture below shows our ‘Car Dealerships near Wall, New Jersey’ example.

Still not sure which one of these pages you want to look at? Refine your search even more.  To do this, look to the right hand side of the page. There are a few drop-down menus to narrow your search such as place type, liked by and visited by.  Graph Search will also pull your location to make the search more localized.

Graph Search is important for local businesses. With the new search features, Facebook makes it easier to find local businesses. In this case if you were looking for a car dealership nearby, you will be presented with options of the nearest local car dealerships to your current location or the location you type in. All of the information that these car dealerships have listed will be shown directly next to the picture. Most companies have information listed such as the address, website, friends who have visited the location and photos taken at the location which will be displayed next to the page picture in the search results.

Why is this information important for your business?

With the new search features your business has more opportunities to get in front of your potential customers. Use this new feature to your advantage by taking the necessary steps to make sure your business’ page is visible. Keep your page up-to-date with the most current contact information. Review your page settings to make sure your business is located in the right categories. And, most importantly, make your page public so it will show up in search results.

Pinterest has become a leading social network since its inception 2 years ago. It has recently been driving more referral traffic than Google+, LinkedIn and YouTube combined! Is your business using this social platform to your advantage? We have 4 tips on how to market your business with Pinterest.

1. Images are Important

Being a visual platform, the most important aspect of your social marketing strategy should focus on images. Be sure to pin unique and original images relating to your industry. Not only should you post images of your products, you should post images of your products in action. Consumers love to see how a product can be used.

2. SEO is Key

Pinterest has a simple search function which makes using keywords and phrases in your pins extremely important. When writing pin captions, and naming image files, use phrases that a person might use to search for your company. You will also want to make sure your pins are linking back to your website. While using a search engine optimization strategy with Pinterest may not help your company show up more often in search engine results, it will help pinners get back to your website easily.

3. Show your Presence

Pin, repin, comment, and like… often! Show your followers that you are active. Don’t only pin images relating to your company. Pin images that your followers may have an interest in and also relate to your company and products. Show followers you are not just a company, but a personality. Not every piece of content you pin should come from your website. Learn what your followers are interested in, that compliments your company, and pin away!

4. Making Connections

Pinterest should not be the only social media platform your company is using. Connecting your Pinterest account to your Facebook and Twitter gives you the option to display your pins with one click across all platforms. Using multiple social networks increases your following and shows that you are active.

Being a leader in visual social media, Pinterest is a great place for marketing your business. Let your existing customers know you are on Pinterest by telling them. Spread the word via social media and email marketing, and remember: pin, repin, comment and like. It’s as simple as that!