Does SEO work? Do AdWords click ads work? Absolutely. One client example below has gained a huge competitive advantage by ranking high (tons of #1's) for over 300 keywords (some that are easy to get, some that are difficult). Remember, Google indexes pages, not "a website", so you can potentially rank for just about anything. One of the biggest mistakes is targeting only the homepage for SEO and AdWords. Your targets must be related to the page, not as a single 'global catch-all'. There is nothing worse than search results that take you to a page that is irrelevant to what was searched for.
Want proof? Check out the year to date report from the first 5.5 months of 2008 related to web search. This validates that web leads turn into dollars...sometimes huge dollars. We capture leads in real time knowing what page they came from and most importantly, from people who voluntarily filled out a form to gain access to information they are seeking. Sounds easy, and it can be easier than you think depending on who you are targeting.
What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
SEO is what we do to tell the search engines that we exist and that we are relevant. Remember, relevance is everything. This is accomplished by adjusting content, placing tags in the code that make the site more relevant, and most importantly developing a linking strategy. One way links back to your website with the correct linking text is key. In fact, what is done "on site" or to the code is necessary, but only accounts for a small percentage of everything done "off site", or creating links back to you.
"This is overwhelming... what can I do to promote my site?"
Island Virtual will consider your budget and objectives to help determine the right marketing strategy. The same rule for building a brick and mortar business applies online. The "build it and they will come" mentality is ridiculous at best. They won't come unless you kindly invite them or tell them to. I promise.
Services include:
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for natural search listing placement
- Pay per Click ads (you are only charged when your ad is clicked)
- Google AdWords
- Yahoo/Overture
- MSN AdCenter
- Business.com
"I found a service that 'guarantees' I will be #1 on Google"
STOP! RUN! Then call us. No one can guarantee something they do not own. In fact, if someone tells you this, refer them to Google's policy. The only way to guarantee yourself #1 on Google is to be the highest bidder for a keyword in a Pay per Click campaign. Anything outside of that is fraud.
Natural Searches versus Pay per Click (PPC) Advertising
If a million people click on your paid ad, you will be out of money. (Of course you can set a budget!). However, if a million people click on your website because of natural search results, it costs you nothing except for the SEO fees. It is the radical difference between fixed and variable costs. Any smart business person knows that you can make much more money in the longrun on fixed costs. However, Pay per Click can be extremely powerful. I have seen clients make $50k in sales a month with only $1000 spent on paid ads.
Island Virtual will help you define, design, and promote your website.
Call now. 808-778-0765