Each year, we hear from a handful of clients who wish to decrease their spending during the winter. Most often, it's due to the overwhelming costs of the holiday season. We want to make sure small business owners are able to enjoy the holidays with their families without stressing about their online advertising, so we've put together a guide for cutting back on advertising costs without doing long-term damage. Here's what you should, and shouldn't, do when you want to temporarily minimize your … [Read more...] about Want to Cut Back on Advertising Costs This Winter?
Google's New Policy Lets You Separate Business and Personal Accounts
Do you remember having to pass along your Google log-in information when you first signed up with us? That's because, due to one of Google's flawed policies, we needed it in order to access your business's listings and data. It was a flawed policy because it forced you to consolidate all of your Google applications under one username, regardless of whether they were for personal or professional use. This policy created a lot of headaches and confusion, which is why we're so relieved that it has … [Read more...] about Google's New Policy Lets You Separate Business and Personal Accounts
Outdated Google Hacks You Need to Stop Using
Google is constantly refining and updating its algorithms to generate the most helpful and relevant search results possible for its users. As a business owner in the year 2014, you're well aware of this. You've probably seen firsthand the changes—some more subtle than others—in Google+ Local, Google Places for Business, and even standard Google search pages. But did you know that these algorithm changes have a significant impact on the advertising strategies that businesses are allowed to … [Read more...] about Outdated Google Hacks You Need to Stop Using
How Having a Large Number of Customer Reviews Can Save Your Business
At Prospect Genius, we're pushing to improve our own web presence through increased customer reviews and social media activity. As we embark on this long-term project, we thought it would be helpful to illustrate why it's so important for your company to have a large pool of customer reviews online. In fact, customer reviews might be what save your business one day. Here's how. A Lot of Good Outweighs the Bad Negative reviews are like vinegar. If a salad dressing or cleaning solution had too … [Read more...] about How Having a Large Number of Customer Reviews Can Save Your Business
Online Advertising Can't Always Save You
Time and time again, we see desperate business owners frantically sign up for online advertising services as a last resort to save their companies. Their logic is that a quick advertising push will generate the leads they need to get their business back on track. Unfortunately, no form of advertising is going to turn your company around in one month. Here's why. Online Advertising Is Not a Life Raft Online advertising can be the vessel that carries you to your destination, but it isn't going to … [Read more...] about Online Advertising Can't Always Save You
Weighing the Pros and Cons of SEO and PPC
In the years we've spent blogging about the virtues of search engine optimization (SEO) and online advertising in general, we haven't focused much on the benefits of pay-per-click (PPC) marketing. Since PPC is a valuable and increasingly popular marketing technique, let's rectify that right now. But first... Which Is Better: SEO or PPC? Many online advertisers offer both SEO and PPC services as a way of accommodating the various needs of their clients. Some clients might seek a gradual, … [Read more...] about Weighing the Pros and Cons of SEO and PPC
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
Take Full Advantage of What Prospect Genius Has to Offer
You've already taken the perfect first step in signing up for Prospect Genius's online advertising services. But are you doing everything you can to optimize your campaign's success? Work gets busy, and it's easier to just leave your campaign in the hands of our specialists. While you can enjoy some success by doing that, you'll get much more bang for your buck if you become an active participant in your campaign. In this post, we'll highlight some of the services and features available from … [Read more...] about Take Full Advantage of What Prospect Genius Has to Offer
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
Beat the Competition by Promoting Your Seasonal Services
Capitalize on Winter's Seasonal Demands This winter, take the initiative. Promote your most popular winter service now and capitalize on its high demand before your competition does. You’ll be amazed at how much more business you can squeeze out of a service when local prospects are aware of it and are able to plan in advance. Plus, if you get the word out early enough, you'll be able to spread out your appointments over a wider time span, which means you won't have to turn away as many calls … [Read more...] about Beat the Competition by Promoting Your Seasonal Services