Negocios y Comunidad en Solano

Free search engine optimization and paid search marketing could both be right for your small business, depending on your needs. Search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) are two different ways of reaching the same goal: To get more customers from online searches. So What’s the difference between SEO and SEM? This video will help you decide which approach is best for your business.

Don’t have time to get more online reviews for your small business? Here are a few tips to ask customers for their feedback. Is asking your customers to leave online reviews of your business at the bottom of your priority list? If so, you’re missing an opportunity to spread the word about your business (for free, no less). You just have to invest some time. How much time? Probably not as much as you think. In fact, you need to add no more than a few seconds to your regular interactions with customers. Here are a few tips to help invite positive reviews in an easy yet ethical way:

It’s best to target a few review sites rather than just one. You want to make sure positive reviews appear in as many places online as possible. But you also want to stay focused so you don’t get overwhelmed monitoring and posting responses (and so that you don’t overwhelm your customers with requests!). Because of Google’s major prominence at a search engine, it’s the main place I would recommend you to get reviews.  However, for bars and restaurants, Yelp and Facebook can also be very important.  For doctors, it’s Healthgrades. For lawyers, it’s Avvo. These industry-specific review sites can also help your Google rankings because they have high domain authority.

The best site for you may depend on the type of business you own. These sites are important for just about every small business owner: Google Facebook Bing Places Yellow Pages Better Business Bureau Trustpilot Manta If you run a service-based business, these sites are important to know about: Angie’s List (contractors) HomeAdvisor (contractors) Kudzu (contractors) Yelp (restaurants and retail) OpenTable (restaurants) TripAdvisor (travel and hospitality) Healthgrades (medical) RateMDs (medical) Avvo (lawyers)

Yes! In fact, you should make a habit of asking customers for reviews. It’s one of the best ways to get more of them. (The exception is Yelp) “I recommend a review strategy to almost every single client,” “It is important to continually ask for feedback in more ways than one.” Here are some pointers to help you craft a review strategy: Where do you want reviews? Google? Facebook? Yelp? Provide directions when offering customers a link where they can post a review. When will the suggestion for a review happen? Is it before they convert or after? How will you help your customers understand the benefit to leaving you a review? Make sure you communicate that to them. Who will respond? Have a response strategy, and not just a canned response. Customers want to engage with real people.

Think that customer comments don’t really matter? Here’s why online reviews need to be a key part of your digital marketing strategy. You probably heard talks about online reputation, but have you ever wondered why it matters for your business? If you do most of your transactions in person, do you really need to worry about what people are saying about you online? Without a doubt. When making purchase decisions, customers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.  That's why it's important for your business to promote positive reviews and respond directly to negative feedback. Here are three reasons why your online reputation matters:

  Joining a chamber is an important step for your business in Solano County, but it’s only the first step.  To fully realize the benefits, it’s important to identify and take advantage of everything your chamber offers and become personally involved... this lets your chamber know what’s important to you, and helps you shape where you live and work.  As you’re thinking about your business plans for the upcoming months, consider joining your local chamber as a part of your marketing and business strategy goals.