What It Takes to Be an Effective Online Marketing Company!

Thinking about taking the plunge into the internet age, or trying to finally crush it online?

What should you look for in an online marketing company?

Finding an effective online marketing company may be a bit more complicated than most people realize!

The Basics, of Course

Look for an established business with a real office. Sure, there are a lot of folks out there ‘doing’ website and SEO, but the truth is most of them can provide only a minimal level of excellence without a support staff and a network of related service providers.

Should I look for somebody local? Yes. It really helps to be able to sit in an office with somebody and see their facial expressions, listen to the tone of their voice, and get a sense of how they conduct themselves in person. This is doubly helpful when you run into challenges (not getting to page one fast enough, ads not running in the right places, service outages). And you’ll always run into challenges at some point if you take this on as a serious endeavor.

Get a few testimonials. Talk to their customers if possible. You can’t expect every client they’ve ever had to be ecstatic, but if there aren’t a few true believers, they may not be capable of hitting home runs.

And, most important, try to figure out their “why?” Why do they do what they do? How will they help you communicate your core mission to the world? Plain old SEO “experts” are a dime a dozen. The ones that are truly worth working with can bring something more to the table. They’re A-players who relate to the world on a deeper level, and that depth will help raise your game, too. Look for people with a clear purpose.

So, then what?

So, now you’re looking for a company that is truly a full-service provider. You want a company with an integrated system for domain registration, web hosting, website design, programming, a dedicated content management system, and expertise in content writing, SEO and pay-per-click. Otherwise, they’re basically doing the same job you’d do for yourself – grabbing third party solutions and trying to get them all to fit together. Do they really have people who are proficient in all of those different areas? 

We think you get it...

We just hear too many horror stories. Companies signing up with some anonymous “expert” who contacts them by email. Businesses paying their receptionist’s sister-in-law to design their website. Entrepreneurs getting on board with the “free website” nonsense that ends up becoming the bane of their existence. Don’t let it happen to you!

Real success online takes experience, expertise, and hard work. It’s not necessarily inexpensive, but remember: price is what you pay, value is what you get. A little time invested in knowing what to look for and asking the right questions can make the value equation work in your favor. Invest in the right partner to position your company properly online.

We’re always happy to chat with serious people who want to get their business to the next level. Feel free to call if you’d like to dig deeper into what makes an internet marketing company worth hiring.

To learn more about other helpful tips and news about SEO and web design in Ann Arbor, sign up for our Black Belt SEO Tips & News!

How to Make Your Website Design Look More Exciting Through Text 

Do you feel like your web page is too wordy?

                                                            

Is your text stale?

Do you want your website to look new and modern?

Is your website boring? 

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may need some help! Many people make their own websites from scratch but lack the skills to make them look exciting. Anyone can make their own website, but not everyone can make a kickass one! 

Where do you start? You may think adding pictures on your site will attract more readers, but that’s not always the case. Pictures help pull people in, but if the content looks like one giant essay, no one will read it. However, the text on your website is very important. Use friendly, everyday terms when writing and ensure that your text is easy to read.                                                                                                     

After sitting down with one of our clients, we came up with a new website design for their business that is visually friendly while also showcasing original, compelling text content. After making these changes to their site, they began receiving more calls. Keep in mind, it’s not always enough to get people to your website, you have to keep them there! 

                                                                                                                                                

You’ve probably heard about the benefits of SEO, but SEO is only half the battle when gaining more clients from your website. You must have a visually appealing website design to attract potential clients. Wouldn’t it be great if a client told you they decided to contact you because of their experience with your website? Having a visually appealing website helps boost your company’s credibility, and this will allow you to create lasting relationships with your clients. Your website is often the first impression for your company and it has to be stellar!                                  

As for the website text, it must be clear and concise. The use of large and bold text helps draw attention to your content. It makes the reader assume the content is important and therefore more likely to continue reading. You want your text to take up valuable real estate space. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so make your text encompass the space like a photo. Below is an example of how one of our clients is putting their best foot forward: 

                                                            

What’s great about having us manage your website is you can have the peace of mind knowing it’s getting done by professionals. We specialize in website design by sitting down with you one on one to figure out your wants and needs. We build lasting relationships with our clients so you can do the same with yours. Here are a few more tips to make your website kick ass! 

                                                            

Chopping up Text 

A paragraph should be no more than 5 - 7 sentences. You want to keep the text quick and to the point. Clients make decisions very quickly and if your content looks like too much to read and sort through, they will move on to another site. 

                                                            

Making your page look inviting

There are many tools to make your text look exciting. Companies are using bold text as the new anchor for their homepages instead of the traditional stock photo. Making your text bold creates importance and emphasis, but what about turning it into art? Make a grid layout to allow click through and be more interactive. Even give your text some flare with Merz- type style to give a nod to the history of graphic design. Artist Kurt Schwitters invented this style to describe his work made of scavenged fragments and objects. Also described as any material that can be used for artistic purposes. 

Easy to navigate

Creating a clear hierarchy is important to help your client navigate your page. When visiting your site for the first time, clients take a full scan of the page and decide where they should click first. Through your choice of typography, you can guide the customer where to go. A good website shows the client where to start and what to read. 

We’ve helped many businesses like yours here in Ann Arbor. They gained the traction they needed to boost their sales and keep their business growing. Our client Steve Mussio said it best, “The owner, Nick, is willing to meet you face-to-face, listen to your concerns, and meet your needs. Let Nick and his team at SEO Ann Arbor help you increase your business opportunities. They are experts in marketing and will take you to the top! SEO Ann Arbor is important part of my business!”

                                                            

If you would like local help with your website design for Ann Arbor, call Michigan SEO Group at 877-815-6974 to arrange a time to meet or get your questions answered. If email works best for you, contact us at: info@michiganseogroup.com

                                                                        

Let’s sit down, have some coffee, and let Michigan SEO Group get to know you!