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You are here: Home / Archives for Uncategorized

How to Undercut Google’s Pay-to-Play Model and Advertise on a Budget

Last Updated: November 11, 2020

It’s genuinely depressing to think about the totality of words we’ve wasted on Google’s pay-to-play model.

Not because we regret the time spent educating our readers, but because we wish this weren’t the reality of digital marketing in 2020.

And we know this is just as depressing for all the small, local service providers out there who feel like they don’t have a fighting chance.

But we’re done with despair. It won’t do anything to combat Google’s nefarious greed.

That’s why, today, we’re showing all you small business owners how to fight back.

In this blog post, we’ve compiled some of our best tips to market yourself online without handing all of your hard-earned money to Google’s coffers.

READ MORE: How Google’s Greed Is Slashing Your Website Traffic

Use Social Media Ads

Whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Yelp, or Twitter, your audience’s favorite social platform is the perfect place to advertise your business.

Use Word of Mouth

We know, we know: Nobody likes talking in person anymore!

Thing is, that’s not entirely true. Sure, people consistently prefer texting over talking on the phone, but that doesn’t mean everything has to take place virtually.

With memorable branding (including logos and signage), word-of-mouth, and face-to-face networking in your community, you can supplement your online efforts and really stamp out a place for your business on the local scene.

 

REPORT: Images of Cats Nearly Double Your Site Traffic

Last Updated: April 1, 2015

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A brand-new study from the Pew Research Center was published today, and as always, it contains lots of relevant and actionable information for us advertisers. However, there was one finding in particular that startled us. According to the study, which examined the analytics of thousands of websites, there is a correlation between website traffic and the presence of cat pictures. As the number of cat pictures increases on a site, the volume of site traffic does as well. In fact, site traffic increases by an average of 93%!

What’s Behind This?

If that sounds too bizarre to be true, we couldn’t agree more. But the numbers don’t lie. While correlation doesn’t always mean causation, it’s still a significant trend that you shouldn’t ignore. Websites from all different industries saw that their SEO efforts were greatly improved by simply adding cat pictures to their sites and sharing those pictures on their various listings on Google, Facebook, Yelp, Angie’s List, and so on.
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We aren’t exactly sure what’s causing this phenomenon, but there’s been lots of speculation that one of Google’s newer updates could be behind it. A study like this hasn’t been performed before, so there’s no telling for how long this trend has existed. While our industry’s technical knowledge of the relationship between web traffic and cat pictures is still very limited, it feels safe to say definitively that cat pictures improve your SEO.

What About Dogs?

Emmett
Shockingly, dog pictures had the opposite effect. According to the study, sites that contained images of dogs saw, on average, 36% less traffic than sites with no dog photos and 72% less traffic than sites with cat photos.
We urge you to read the full report here.
The takeaway? Find a cat picture and add it to your site today.

Hurting for customers? We can help them find you online pain-free.

Last Updated: May 30, 2010

As usual, Prospect Genius is being inundated with tons of new members, so I only have a minute to announce as many new associates as I can. Let’s skip the preliminaries and get started welcoming the newest PG members.

Based in Stamford, CT, Connecticut Electrical is your one-stop shop for professional electrical contractors and full-service electrical installation and repairs. From landscape lighting to beautify your property to generator installation that keeps the lights on even when the power is out, these expert electricians can handle all of your electrical needs. Don’t chance it with DIY electrical repair or installation: leave it safely in the hands of the pros at Connecticut Electrical, Inc.

Serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area, The Clean Drain Company is the master plumber you can rely on for all of your water main, sewer pipe, and drain installation, maintenance, and repair services. These professional plumbers in Dallas specialize in all types of plumbing services, so whether you need drain repair to fix that stopped-up sink or water heater repair to restore your hot water supply, these experts can help. Get your plumbing installation and repairs done right the first time: call The Clean Drain Company!

Don’t let broken down appliances get you down: Reliable Appliance is your answer for appliance repair in Colorado Springs. A fantastic way to save you money as well as ensure your appliances are in top working order, dryer repair, dishwasher repair, refrigerator repair, and more can help keep your household running smoothly. Let Reliable Appliance bring you the quality appliance repairs you deserve.

Whether you’re redecorating or furnishing a new construction home, the right window shades or blinds can make all the difference in the look of your space. Bella Home Blinds, Shades & Shutters offers a full range of window treatment options in the western Chicagoland area, and these experts can help match you with the right window coverings for your specific needs. From luxurious plantation shutters to quality vertical blinds, these interior decor specialists are ready to bring you the best in window treatments!

Connecting California customers with the free power of the sun, Go Solar Cooperative is your solar panel company in Sacramento. Offering solar pool heaters, solar water heaters, and photovoltaic cells for solar electricity, these professionals can customize your solar panels to meet the power needs of your home or office. Go green and save money on your energy bills at the same time–let Go Solar Cooperative connect you with the cost-effective benefits of solar energy.

Originally established as a residential glass service, today American Auto and Plate Glass specializes in auto glass replacement, vehicle customization, and even truck accessories. Helping you get both the replacement glass and the car and truck accessories you need for an awesome ride, these experts are ready to take care of both your home and your vehicle!

I’ve got to run–there are more new customers that need to be taken care of–but check back soon to hear about our latest additions!

Don’t fret, effective and affordable online advertising is in reach.

Last Updated: May 27, 2010

Without further ado, let’s dive straight into welcoming a few of the newest Prospect Genius community members!

Providing credit card processing services to businesses throughout New Jersey, BatchOut specializes in helping your company get ahead. From merchant accounts to ATMs to credit card processing terminals, these pros can help your business get the technology and professional expertise they need to do business in today’s modern world. Let this team of experts provide the equipment and know-how you can rely on for top-quality check processing, credit card processing, and so much more.

Bringing you the landscaping services you need to keep your home looking its best, MCA Home Services is your full-service landscaper in New Jersey. Whether you’re looking for sprinkler repair or installation to help keep your grass green, or landscape lighting to help accent and display your home and landscaping, these professionals have the skill and expertise to do the job right the first time. When you want your home and property to truly shine, you want MCA Home Services on your side!

Get the home of your dreams without the hassle and frustration of relocation: Convenient Kitchen and Bath Design is your remodeling contractor on Long Island. Specializing as bath and kitchen remodeling contractors, these experts can help you re-envision your existing home to improve its function, layout, and beauty. When you’re ready to update, enhance, and improve your home, you want the basement, kitchen, and bath contractors at Convenient Kitchen and Bath Design to help you. From 3D virtual design to careful craftsmanship, they have you covered.

Take your driving experience to the next level with help from the pros at Just-Installs Car Audio. Offering sales and installation on car audio video electronics of all kinds, these experts are committed to top quality at rock-bottom prices. Serving Chico, CA, and the surrounding communities, Just-Installs Car Audio provides great prices on everything from car alarms to car GPS. For the mobile electronics you want at the prices you deserve, this the car audio shop for the job.

Helping you update your home inside and out, Fiddleback Construction of Bangor, ME, offers interior and exterior handyman services, home improvements, and more. This team of deck builders, roofers, siding contractors, window installers, and carpenters has the experience, skills, and expertise to help you repair, maintain, and improve your home. An easy solution for keeping your house looking its best, Fiddleback Construction is your resource for quality craftsmanship and customer service.

Prospect Genius is here to help these and hundreds of other businesses get the affordable online marketing services they deserve. Contact us today to learn more.

If your business’s advertising strategy is from the Stone Age it’s time to modernize!

Last Updated: May 24, 2010

How time flies… Sorry I haven’t updated the blog in more than a week, but we’re keeping busy here at PG with a steady stream of new members. A handful of the latest small businesses to join up with the Prospect Genius online marketing community include:

Halina’s Custom Interiors. Serving the greater Tampa, FL, area, these interior designers specialize in quality window shades and blinds for residential and commercial customers. If you’re looking for the right mini blinds for your office, plantation shutters for your living room, or cellular shades for the bedroom, Halina’s Custom Interiors is ready to help. Their flooring contractors can even install a beautiful new floor to complement your new window treatments and the rest of your decor. Get the look you want without breaking the bank–call Halina’s Custom Interiors today.

Custom Sounds of San Antonio. Helping area drivers get the look and sound of their dreams, this car audio shop specializes in all types of car electronics and mobile enhancements. Keep the kids entertained with mobile video, soup up your sound with a new car stereo, and give your vehicle a great look with automotive window tinting. Custom Sounds of San Antonio can help you get the absolute most out of your ride–whether it’s a car, truck, or boat!

Comfort Home Appliance. Dishwashers, washing machines, and fridges: these modern appliances make our lives so much easier… that is until they break down. But with Comfort Home Appliance on their side, Las Vegas-area homeowners can get the appliance repairs they need without breaking the bank. Offering everything from dishwasher repair to refrigerator repair, these professionals have the hands-on skill and knowledge to get your appliances back in peak working order. Affordable and effective, appliance repairs from Comfort Home Appliance can help you save money and eliminate the hassle of broken appliances.

Major League Carpet Corp. Dirty, damaged, and scratched floors can make your home or business look shabby. But these carpet cleaning pros can help you get your flooring looking fresh and new again ASAP. Providing hardwood floor refinishing and carpet cleaning services on Long Island, Major League Carpet can make a major difference in the appearance of your old floors. For a deep-down clean that keeps carpets fresh, upholstery cleaning that gets your furniture grime-free, and floor refinishing that helps your hardwood shine, these experts are here to help.

Christopher’s Paving. Serving homeowners, business owners, and property managers across Long Island, these driveway contractors specialize in smooth, beautiful paving results. Whether you need driveways repairs to replace a crumbling section or want a pro for new driveway paving services, Christopher’s Paving has the knowledge and expertise you can trust for all driveway and parking lot projects. Let these pros help your driveway look its best!

I’m clean out of time for the moment, but remember to visit again soon to read about even more new PG associates!

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