Getting customers to call your business for a job isn't easy. That's why many business owners decide to team up with an online advertising agency to help them generate leads. However, generating leads is only half the battle. Once the leads come in, it's the business's responsibility to close the deal. If you miss a lot of calls, you're missing out on jobs—and essentially paying your advertiser for nothing. At Prospect Genius, our extensive data show that a large percentage of local businesses … [Read more...] about You Might Be Paying Your Advertiser for Nothing
Optimize Your Site Before You Bid on AdWords
Google and Michael Jordan: Not So Different? Think of Google as a celebrity sponsor: His or her mass appeal will sell a product, but they don't want to advertise a brand that they can't vouch for, lest they ruin their own reputation. This rule applies to PPC ads shown on Google's search results pages. To protect their brand, Google tries to ensure that the ads they display are actually related to the searches performed. So even though your PPC (a.k.a. "AdWords") ad might match the keywords in a … [Read more...] about Optimize Your Site Before You Bid on AdWords
DIY and PPC Don't Mix
As a small business owner, you're accustomed to a hands-on lifestyle, teaching yourself how to do things and taking pride in the results. That's what leads many business owners to attempt their own online advertising, particularly their own pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns. Unfortunately, PPC is deceptively complicated, making it an expensive, time-consuming, and discouraging venture for most DIYers. For that reason, PPC is best left to the pros. Stick to What You Do Best Whether you're an … [Read more...] about DIY and PPC Don't Mix
SEO Is Crucial. Make Sure You Can Afford It.
Signing up for an SEO program is a long-term financial investment. Many small business owners mistakenly sign up for SEO services without considering that they'll need to pay for several months of lead generation before they see a return on their investment. Instead, they rearrange their budget just enough to pay for the initial setup fee and the first month, hoping that will be enough to amplify their web presence. Unfortunately, that's not the way SEO works. SEO Is a Slow Build SEO, especially … [Read more...] about SEO Is Crucial. Make Sure You Can Afford It.
Keep Calm and Carry On: How to Respond to a Negative Review
Customer reviews are a blessing and a curse. When you have countless satisfied customers leaving you glowing reviews on directories like Google+ Local, Yelp, Facebook, Angie's List, CitySearch, and so on, your business gets a huge boost and your self-esteem soars. But as soon as you notice one negative review, a record scratches and the party stops. You can't believe what you're reading. It's upsetting to read negative things about your company, especially when you try so hard to satisfy every … [Read more...] about Keep Calm and Carry On: How to Respond to a Negative Review