Internet Marketing Podcast, Web Usability Blog – Intuitive Websites

Content Distribution

In this podcast Glenn and Tom talk about the right way to get content distributed on the Web. They review how to write content for blogs, corporate sites, eCommerce sites, FaceBook and other types of Websites. Here is an outline of their discussion.

What is important to know about online content?

• Content drives the Internet and is never done.
• Content must be Web friendly.
• Content varies greatly depending on the type of Website and strategy.

What do you mean by types of Websites?

Here are the types of Websites most common on the Internet and each needing different forms of content:

• General company Website driving leads or branding.
• eCommerce Websites, content is product focused.
• Blogs and articles or content posting Websites.
• FaceBook and other social networking sites.
• Develop content and strategy for each site type.
• Track results for each.

How does content motivate Web users to action?

• Motivations are different on each Website.
• Content drive searches and word of mouth.
• Users look for content, including photos with captions.
• Website call to action is almost always content focused.
• Know how your target market uses each Website.

Key action items for the listener:

• Develop a strategy and content wish list for each Website.
• Hire a writer to post content.
• Track the results in your stats as users vote on the content they like best.
• Modify and continue to add content to drive results.
• Realize that your Web strategy is constantly in need of fresh content.
• Register your brand on all social networking sites.
• Your Web visitors and search engines will appreciate the effort.

This has been the Intuitive Websites Internet Marketing Podcast. For more information and to see all the available podcasts and much more, visit IntuitiveWebsites.com.

 

 Content Distribution [20:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Add comment August 19th, 2010 Intuitive Websites

The Intuitive Websites ROI Calculator

In this podcast Glenn and Tom talk about the Intuitive Website’s ROI Calculator found at this link: Website ROI Calculator. Listen in as Tom and Glenn use the ROI calculator to discuss Web budgets and how to maximize return from Web marketing.
Here is an outline of their discussion.

What is the ROI calculator and why is it important?

• A tool for determining ROI from lead generation and eCommerce Websites.
• Use it to develop projections, set budgets, monitor Web marketing spend and determine potential return from Web marketing efforts.
• Follow the instructions on the ROI Calculator Website page found on the link above.

How should the ROI calculator be used?

• First determine if you are looking for lead generation or to sell products online.
• Prorate one time charges monthly.
• Determine the timeframe for ROI calculations, usually monthly.
• Be ready with your monthly spend, include time estimates as well.
• Reset the calculation as needed to determine your budgets.
• Click on the question mark link for a definition of each field.
• The orange fields are calculated for the user.
• Press the blue button to get your ROI.

Key action items for the listener:

• Determine and set budgets for Web marketing.
• Understand the value of a sale in short and long-term.
• Understand et value of all Website conversion rates.
• Visit the ROI calculator and learn how to use it.
• Use ROI calculations to drive Web marketing.

This has been the Intuitive Websites Internet Marketing Podcast. For more information and to see all the available podcasts and much more, visit IntuitiveWebsites.com.

 

 The Intuitive Websites ROI Calculator [18:20m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Add comment August 19th, 2010 Intuitive Websites

Microsites and Multiple Websites

In this podcast Glenn and Tom talk about the use of microsites and strategies for multiple Websites. This podcast topic was a request from one of listeners in Australia.

“I have a podcast topic suggestion: servicing different countries and the options for (search) optimizing your presence in each. For a while I’ve been advocating that organizations should h3ly consider ‘localized’ microsites for each major geographic market; but then I read a blog from Google the other day, and now I’m not so sure. What are your thoughts?” Tim Martin – - Australia

What is a microsite?

• Part of a multiple Website strategy
• Smaller Websites as apposed to one large Website
• Used for different countries, very different markets
• Sometimes used for SEO purpose, but be careful
• Simplifies navigation for the user
• The microsites have one unique domain
• They may link to the main central Website
• Usually have various domain names in this strategy for each microsite
• There is a downside and they can also be a problem for users and Google

What are the keys to making this type of strategy work?

• Develop a strategy first and then implement the microsites
• Have a very clear goal for this strategy
• What is the ROI and how does it effect the bottom line
• To better meet visitor needs, the Website user is what matters in this strategy
• These Websites MUST add value not confusion people
• Microsites must be convenient for the user and their needs
• Make each microsite easy to understand with a clear, direct purpose
• Microsites must have depth of content

When does it make sense for a company to have multiple Websites?

• When you are differentiating brands, services or products
• When you are providing stand-alone resources or information
• When the micorsites can stand alone and be consistent
• The sites can benefit from SEO if done with the right strategy
• Microsites must have depth of content
• Can be used for a short promotion or incentive

What are a few problems that can happen in this strategy?

• Confusing the target market and competing with your main Website
• Upsetting SEO guidelines in Google
• Upset the Google linking strategy
• Higher hosting costs and site maintenance time
• Difficult to keep content updated and sites can become stale or irrelevant
• There is no trick or quick fix to Web marketing

What are a few examples of successful microsite strategies?

• Automotive Sales – Car Dealerships
• Stand alone international Websites
• h3 brand variations – Pepsico
• A stand-alone blog or news Website
• Insurance or mortgage company providing news
• Financial information Websites
• New product announcements
• Promotions, surveys or tests (A/B testing)
• Get a great domain name for your product, service or other key content
• The Intuitive Website’s Four Step Process Website

What are the key action items for the listener?

• Revisit your strategic Web marketing plan to determine if microsites are appropriate for your business plan
• Research the needs of the target market and site users
• Play by the rules of Google and add depth to all your Websites
• Be ready to monitor the microsites and keep them updated

This has been the Intuitive Websites Internet Marketing Podcast for more information and to see all the available podcasts and much more, visit IntuitiveWebsites.com.

 

 Microsites and Multiple Websites [19:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

1 comment June 5th, 2010 Intuitive Websites

Website Budgets

In this podcast Glenn and Tom talk about setting budgets for Website development and Web marketing work, an important topic in today’s economy. Here is an outline of their discussion.

What does it cost to build a Website?

• This is an easy question to ask, but not so easy to answer
• First determine what platform the site will be built on
• CMS – HTML – DreamWeaver, etc…
• Also, review the required functionality of the Website
• Secondly, determine the amount of design needed
• Third, review the actual components of the Website, content, graphics, photos, videos and other elements
• These elements drive your budgets, which are almost all based on staff hours
• Budgets and pricing have begun to stabilize with less variance

What are the various parts of a Website project and how do they get broken into budgets?

• Review the Intuitive Websites Four Step Process
• Strategic planning
• Design elements
• Technology platform
• Functionality
• eCommerce or catalog Website
• Written content
• Photography, video, audio and other media
• Marketing the site on an ongoing basis

What drives variations in Website budgets and pricing?

• Knowledge and skill base of the Web marketer/designer/developer
• ROI and expected results from the Website, see the Website ROI Calculator.
• Client’s understanding of Web marketing is critical to getting the budget right
• Project leadership and management
• Development schedules and meeting deadlines
• You pay what you get for…

We end each podcast with an action item plan. What are the key action items for the listener?

• Re-visit your goals and Web strategy
• Test ROI estimates and budget forecasts
• Visit the ROI calculator on our Website
• Get educated about Web technologies, design, marketing, content and all other Web issues and Website elements.
• Know what you are paying for!

This has been the Intuitive Websites Internet Marketing Podcast for more information and to see all the available podcasts and much more, visit IntuitiveWebsites.com.

 

 Website Budgets and Cost [18:55m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Add comment June 5th, 2010 Intuitive Websites

Google News and Website PR

In this podcast Glenn and Tom talk about Google News and online PR as a
method for driving traffic to your Website. One of our clients requested
this topic, Brett from HardtoFindItems.com.

What is Google News?

• The future of news and information.
• Online news portal, like a newspaper on the Web backed by the power of
  Google.
• It can be customized for each user.
• Extremely current and updates can be posted immediately see Google
  latest news.
• All stories are included and can be very niche.
• Google fast flip lets the user see all their favorite news sites in
  one place.
• Another way to get your pages indexed by Google.

How can companies and Websites take advantage of Google News PR online?

• First develop a content distribution strategy.
• Know the difference between information and news.
• Your PR must be relevant news.
• Find the PR sites to submit your custom news articles.
• Press releases should be very relevant and key word rich.
• Include the right contact info in each release.
• Have a strategy for conversion from PR traffic.
• Your news can be fed anywhere online where it is relevant.
• It supplements your current content strategies.

Here is a List of Free PR Websites and their Alexia rank:

• http://mashable.com/2007/10/20/press-releases/
• Free-Press-Release.com (2,425)
• 24-7pressrelease.com (Alexa Ranks: 12,951)
• clickpress.com (16,379)
• ecommwire.com (29,418)
• free-press-release-center.info (23,322)
• i-newswire.com (12,808)
• newswiretoday.com (22,199)
• pr9.net.com (15,806)
• prbuzz.com (118,660)
• prcompass.com (85,418)
• prurgent.com (17,766)
• pressabout.com (20,259)
• pressmethod.com (19,814)
• prleap.com (23,091)
• prlog.org (1,243)
• theopenpress.com (26,034)

Here are two very good paid PR Websites:

• PR.com
• PRWeb.com

Who is going to do all this work?

Brafton.com, HelpaReporter.com, IntuitiveWebsites.com and related sites
can write PR articles for you.

We end each podcast with an action item plan. What are the key action
items for the listener?

• Develop a content strategy for news and PR about your Website.
• Review the major PR sites we have discussed and find the best one for
  you.
• Assign writing to an internal or external team member.
• Track results and monitor search engine rankings and traffic.
• Track conversions back to the press releases.

This has been the Intuitive Websites Internet Marketing Podcast. For more information and to see all the available podcasts and much more, visit IntuitiveWebsites.com.

 

 Google News and Website PR [15:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Add comment March 22nd, 2010 Intuitive Websites