The web today is all about information and if you (or someone you hire to provide internet marketing services) aren’t working each month to publish information, update calendars, or write about your gadgets, widgets and other customer experiences then your site is just sitting there DEAD! You will need a platform and strategy designed to provide fresh content on a regular basis.

Many factors have contributed to this revolution in the internet marketing. While money still needs to be invested in quality design and appearance it IS the months and years after the build that are most important. Finding ways to connect with your customers online is now a real possibility and is growing every day. Here are three areas you need to know about when planning your next website build strategy.

Open Source Content Management Systems, Why are these Important in Internet Marketing?

Great function that is free for all! Allows our developers to utilize a dynamic software system that you or the Revenflo Web Team to change a website, daily, weekly or monthly. It allows for the utmost in control. Also, because lots of people use the software there are new “plug-ins” and “widgets” coming out all the time. Some are very cool, when ever something new is happening on the web just plug and go. One more important thing to note, when the web starts to shift in a design direction simply find a new template (most are free or very low priced) and in a few hours your brand new site can be up and running.

• WordPress

• Drupal

• Magento

• Blogger

Quality Content is King in Internet Marketing

In Internet Marketing this holds the greatest opportunity for your site to become relevant in your business or industry. It will allow for you to position yourself as an expert and provide information that educates and moves people toward a buying decision. You can use this to tout new products or services without trying to SELL your customers. Listen, if they live in America they are trained to buy, you just need to be in the right place at the right time to take advantage.

Organic Web Traffic & Internet Marketing

With the right platform and optimization of content your site will communicate with the different search engines and produce better results and thus more visitors. When others like the information you write, find it relevant and like the site structure they will share it with their friends. This will produce the type of word-of-mouth (internet marketing version of course) marketing your business so desperately needs. This process may take years to build a good following. Advise, collaboration, dedication and creativity (plus a little blood) will be required to make it amazing.

One of the most compelling things about RevenFlo Web Team is, we have introduced a model of internet marketing and search engine optimization (SEO) services that helps you with continued service and solutions. This allows your website to produce continual engagement and leads for your business. Our Web Team model allows you to purchase team hours and utilize our areas of expertise at very affordable rates. Big or small projects all work the same. See our services page for more information: Internet Marketing Services

Why use Google Local?

Local SEO with Google Maps enables easy location of your local business online and offline. Jason Broadwater of RevenFlo discusses the importance of using Google Local for Business Indexing. Internet marketing should absolutely include a business listing at Google local, especially small businesses because it is free!

The RevenFlo Web Team works with small to mid-market businesses to increase their internet presence using a variety of off site marketing tools. With increasing ease of google searches such as with use of cell phones, having your business in Google local is the first step to increasing Web Presence through Internet Marketing. Click on video to learn more!

How Does Pay Per Click (PPC) Work?

Pay Per Click (PPC) is a method used by many Search Engine Marketers to drive traffic to a site. They use PPC to either get more exposure to a top ranking site, or to get that all important exposure for sites that aren’t yet ranking at the top for the key word phrases.

Jason Broadwater of RevenFlo explains the critical importance of a well managed web site in order to effectively convert PPC Internet Marketing into sales. Click on video to learn more!

Third Pillar of Web Marketing

We would like to extend our congratulations and best wishes to all of the soon to be graduates.  A special thank you to the two graduates we have had the pleasure of working with, Brandon Oxendine and Chris Richter.

There is a lot of great information on the site as well as all the details about the event itself.

Props to Ben Jack, the videographer and another graduating student we have had the pleasure of working with.

Learn more about the event HERE

Three Things to Know about Location-based Social Networking

South by Southwest (SXSW) is happening right now in Austin TX.  SXSW is a music, film and interactive media conference and trade show. It’s a celebration of innovation in a variety of media that sometimes makes a little history of its own. In fact, SXSW is credited as the venue where Twitter exploded a few years back. So what’s the next technology ready to blow? Technogeeks are pointing to Location-based Services, or LBS.

1. What is Location-based Networking?

As Wikipedia puts it, an LBS is “an information and entertainment service, accessible with mobile devices through the mobile network and utilizing the ability to make use of the geographical position of the mobile device.”

Simply put, Location-based Social Networking is akin to a communal GPS system that tells you not only YOUR location, but also that of your subscribing friends and select businesses that you have chosen to follow.

But beyond “OMG! Ur @ mall? Me 2! C U @ food court!!”  Does Location-based Social Networking have a potential impact for your business? Absolutely.

Location-based Marketing is another arrow in your Inbound Internet Marketing quiver.  Inbound marketing means driving interested customers to your location or website by using the tools of Internet Marketing and Social Media. It is a marketing option that is cheaper then traditional advertising (or outbound marketing) and can show a greater return on investment.

The key is that “interested” customer. You know that if someone takes the time to visit your site, they have some nascent interest in your product or service. They’ve nibbled; it’s up to you to reel them in.  Location-based Social Networking can help.

2. How does Location-based Networking Work?

Social media is playing an ever-increasing role in shaping people’s buying habits. In chatrooms and on Facebook, people are constantly trading opinions, praising and complaining about this or that shampoo, snack food or new restaurant. People form their opinions, or seek validation for them, based on their friends’ views.

So far, this is old news. What’s changed is immediacy.  Using such networks as Foursquare, Loopt, GyPSii, and so on, potential customers are receiving more immediate word-of-mouth and making purchase decisions quicker than ever.

So, say Loopt-user Marge is on her iPhone, telling fellow subscriber Sally about this great new boutique she discovered. Sally is interested, and says she will have to go there sometime. Marge says, well, according to Loopt, it looks like you’re only a few blocks from the place—what are you waiting for?

Or, let’s say you own the boutique. Regular customer Marge has “opted in” to your loyalty program. Using Location-based Marketing, and assuming her phone is on, you know when Marge is physically within range of your location. So you hit her with a “25% off for the next hour only” coupon.

These are just a couple of examples, but new applications – useful and otherwise – are being developed every day.

3. How Do I Get Involved in Location-based Networking?

Smart devices like 3G iPhones and Blackberry support Location-based applications, and wireless companies are creating/partnering with/buying services as we speak. Here is a list of some of the most possible Location-based networks to start your research:

• Brightkite
• Citysense
• Foursquare
• Google Latitude
• GyPSii
• iPling
• Loopt
• MobiLuck
• Plazes
• Whrrl

If you have any questions about using social media to market your products and services, contact RevenFlo today!

About Custom Paper Tube

Custom Paper Tube (CPT) has nearly six decades of combined experience in every aspect of the paper tube industry.  They began production in 1990 in a small rented building in York SC, with a single spiral paper tube winder and one piece of converting equipment.  Within four years, they moved into their our own building in 1994 and, after several expansions, proudly serve the Southeast US from a 75,000 square foot manufacturing facility.  The South Carolina plant manufactures a complete line of paper tubes and ships regionally to the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia, Mississippi and Florida.

More recently, Custom Paper Tube expanded its operations to Arlington TX.  Custom Paper Tube Southwest, Inc. consists of a 50,000 square foot plant in the heart of the Dallas Fort-Worth metroplex. This location offers the complete line of paper tube products and ships regionally to Custom Paper Tube has made a rock-solid commitment to superior service at every step of your customer experience.  From ordering to delivery, they will not be beat on service!

Nature of the Situation

Custom Paper Tube had the industry expertise and the customer base but were lacking a web presence.  They came to RevenFlo as a referral and wanted to build a site that highlighted their customer service as well as their varied product range.  In addition to a site that spoke to their experience, they wanted to achieve a few other things:

• Perform well in search engines
• Equipped to work with the new web (rss, social media plugins, etc)
• A presence that adds equity to the brand through clear and compelling messaging
• online platform to assist in converting prospects into clients
• Offers a fresh Web 2.0 feel

Nature of the Solution

RevenFlo approached this web build as an operational solution.  CPT will be using the site to generate activity and communicate with prospects.  With that being said, we wanted to build a site that offered the ability to leverage SEO, social media, content updates and allowed administrative control for content marketing and communications.  We also needed to build a site that offered the ability to engage with prospects.

Web Strategy and Planning

RevenFlo offered a strategy to build a site in WordPress that would offer the functionality as well as the SEO optimization that Custom Paper Tube desired.  We developed a strategy document that encompassed how we would gather information, design a site that offered the aesthetics and functionality that CPT was seeking as well as allow them to showcase their products and communicate effectively with prospects and clients.

Web Design and Development

We designed an easily navigable site that web savvy users have come to expect.  The site educates consumers on the products and services that CPT provides.  It offers the ability to integrate promotional marketing and update content and .  The site speaks to the variety of services they offer as well as the regions that CPT is able to service.  We worked to ensure intuitive navigation for first time and returning visitors.   Go to the site and check out the results!

Web Marketing Management

We look forward to working with CPT on their additional site as well as their selected social media outlets.  As we move forward and the objective is to consistently grow CPT’s online presence and their organic search engine rankings.

Web Maintenance and Training

We provide maintenance work for Custom Paper Tube on an as needed basis.  We are able to assist them with any update or changes they would like made to the site per their request.  In addition to maintenance we provided training to staff on how to utilize the open source technology and how to yield the greatest results from an SEO and web marketing standpoint.

Summary

CPT now has another means of attracting prospects, promoting their brand and communicating with clients.  The WordPress site allows for administrative abilities to update content and industry information as needed.  The social media, SEO, and SEM possibilities are only limited by CPT’s imagination.  We look forward to the completion of their second site as well as a long working relationship with them.

If anyone is interested in learning more about our practices and methodologies feel free to email us at info@revenflo.com or call 803.328.6033.

A 2009 survey done by the Association of National Advertisers found that between 55-65% of advertisers felt Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing were the most effective new media channels for advertising. That’s huge! In that same survey, it was found that the most common problem among advertisers was being able to prove ROI up front (45%).  However, even though they couldn’t prove the numbers in the beginning, the results spoke for themselves. It’s not a question of whether or not the web works for promoting business and achieving increased sales. It does! The real question is: How do you optimize your online presence to reach its maximum potential?

There are two main costs associated with being engaged on the web: the cost to become established (launching a website, setting up Twitter accounts and FaceBook fan pages), and the ongoing cost required to stay current and ahead of the competition (usually through ongoing content creation, analytics, SEM, and SEO).

The first cost is easy to prove, especially if your company doesn’t have an existing website. Your business has a healthy profit margin of 30%, your average sale is $150, and the website cost $9,000 to create. 200 new customers later, and you’ve broken even and are making a nice return on investment. Every customer that finds you through your website after sale 201 is like manna from heaven. As an added bonus, your existing customers can either become reengaged (meaning more repeat sales) or easily refer you to family and friends.

Unlike offline marketing, where information is scarce and expensive to come by (requiring surveys and focus groups in a variety of markets), the web comes with a variety of free tools made to help you get the information you need. Even though the information is easily found, making sense of it is still as difficult as ever. That’s why an experienced professional can help you sort through it, give you a better understanding of what’s happening with your online presence, and make adjustments to increase sales.

So, calculating ROI every time they do this? It’s pretty much just like taking your car to a mechanic. Sure, your business vehicle will give you a good ROI, but not if you don’t maintain it.  The same is true for your website. If you don’t adjust your PPC spending, or create relevant, useful content to keep visitors coming back, you’ll find your site stalled on the internet with other people passing you by, and pulling into your competitors’ parking lots.

RevenFlo Offers Search Engine Optimization Services

It takes time to get it right. It ALSO takes time to create a strategy for your company, target high quality linking opportunities and test the results.  The good news is that Revenflo has the tools and talent to get you in the game effectively.  So, give us a shout, and get your business found on the search engines with RevenFlo.

For those of you that are new to social media there are some things that you will want to avoid.

Social Media Law #1

A major mistake is employing one approach for several different social media outlets.  Do not do this, approach each outlet authentically and keep the target audience in mind.  Take the time to research the social media sites and select ones that seem most relevant to your company.  Make sure you have outlined marketing objectives and have an understanding of the functionality of each outlet.  Approach each profile differently based on the social media outlet and craft meaningful messages that are relevant and timely to the target audience.

Social Media Law #2

Incomplete profiles are not a good idea.  Creating incomplete profiles all over the web is not something any company should aspire to.  Without a comprehensive profile you cannot expect to engage with prospects and clients.  Would you be interested in a profile that is not complete and lacks meaningful information?  Underdeveloped profile information can lead people to several conclusions that are not conducive to success in business.  A prospect that is looking up your company may assume that you are no longer in business or perhaps that you lack the ability to finish a project.  That is not the type of message you want to convey to clients and prospects.  Take the time to complete personalize your profile.

Social Media Law #3

Give people compelling information and they are more likely to engage with you. There is so much information available on the Internet and with real time updates it is important to have current information.  Keep your readers interested and make regular updates to all the profiles you create.  If you start a blog, make a commitment and stick to it and post articles on a frequent basis.  Outdated sites speak volumes about the culture of your organization and can lead clients and prospects to believe that you lack time management or perhaps you abandon projects.

Social Media Law #4

Assign a dedicated individual or group to manage your social media campaigns.  Make sure you do your research and set measurable goals and objectives for your social media campaigns.  In the event you do not have the time/staff to dedicate to social media employ a company or an individual that understands social media and can help you achieve your goals.  Be sure to research your audience and set up a realistic social media strategy.  Once you have a strategy in place be sure to stick with it long enough to measure the results and decide where your energy with be most effective.  Best wishes with your social media endeavors!

Social media is any form of online media where people are able talk, share, comment, network and bookmark online.   Most people are familiar with Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flikr, etc.  There are more and more social media outlets emerging as the online community continues to grow.

RevenFlo offers social media campaigns to all of our clients and we can customize campaigns to complement websites we design as well as existing websites.  Social media is a means of communicating with your existing customers as well as prospects.  In addition of being a means of communication, a strong social media presence can increase organic SEO as well.

Based on the large turnout for the lecture, I am assuming many people are interested in social media and understanding how to use it effectively.  It was interesting to hear his perspective, especially coming from someone who is so steeped in the print industry.  Here are the main points that I got from the lecture:

• Social Media has caused a shift in power; creating media has been removed from the professionals.  You now have an opportunity to speak directly to your consumers and prospects.
• In many cases it is free (outside of the cost of acquiring a computer and Internet access).
• You no longer need established media to each your customers and prospects- this is an insane concept if you really think about the potential that this opens up for all of us, especially business owners!
• Twitter is equivalent to a river of news- it is chronological and you can tap into it on an at will basis.
• Shift in publishing power equates to a shift in content.  Blog sites, etc-you can find all kinds of information on the Internet that may not be as prevalent in the traditional print media.
• Google has introduced real time web results-this makes updating content even more imperative.
• People are going to Facebook almost as regularly as Google.
• Twitter has an asymmetrical following.
• Many companies are experiencing success in offering incentives to clients and prospects via Twitter.
• Companies are also improving their customer service/utilizing social media to address customer service issues.

Overall I enjoyed the lecture and gained additional perspective on how business owners (in particular) can leverage social media to engage prospects and acquire clients.  I would love to hear from anyone who attended and get their feedback on the content and what new information they walked away with.