Author: southernviewmedia

So, you have probably heard the term SEO tossed around when it comes to digital marketing. SEO, also known as search engine optimization, is constantly changing. Keeping up with the latest SEO trends is absolutely vital when it comes to staying ahead of the game. It’s important to analyze, revise, change and adapt to each change that presents itself in this ever-changing field of digital marketing. If you are wondering what’s in store for 2019 SEO trends, Southern View Media has you covered.

Meta Description

You have probably noticed the featured snippets of information when you are searching a topic in Google. When you type in a simple question or phrase, you may not even have to open the web page because the result is displayed at the top of the results. These little snippets, called meta descriptions, are vital to have on your website so they are can be optimized for a search engine result. Marking up your content will help let Google know what is on your site and help search engines display your business in search results.

Optimized Mobile Pages

A majority of people you see browsing the internet are usually doing it on their mobile phone. If your website isn’t loading quickly on a mobile device, it’s probably onto the next one for them. Optimized mobile pages help make your website as fast as possible. However, it’s important to remain mindful of the fact that AMP can strip image content from your pages so your website may not be able to use it. Have the team at Southern View Media check out your site and let you know the best route to take.

Content is EVERYTHING

This is a trend that will probably never go away. Content is, and always will be, king. If you don’t have good content, then you will probably be lost down the rabbit hole in the search engines. Make sure your content is in-depth and helpful to those who visit your website. Check the pages where viewers are bouncing to see what you can change to make it more user-friendly. Don’t get us wrong, bounce rates aren’t always a bad thing. But, if you can get users to browse other pages on your site then that’s a pretty good sign you have great content.

Brand Building

Are you not on the brand building bandwagon yet? Well it’s time to jump on before your business gets left behind! Building a brand has always been important, but it is also a key factor in SEO this year. Google capabilities have improved tremendously, now allowing them to see where your brand name is mentioned in content. These mentions will help with your brand’s ranking. In addition, Google is able to see whether the mention is positive or negative, so if you have a negative review it can hurt your search ranking.

Running a business is a hard enough task by itself. It can be hard to find the time to focus on building your brand, creating meaningful content and truly focusing in on SEO. Check us out and see how we can help with your business’s digital presence. Visit www.southernviewmedia.com. We are a Google Trusted Agency and will be happy to answer your questions. For a free consultation to formulate a strategic and affordable plan, call us today at 251-517-9425.

So, you’ve launched your business’ website and it looks pretty good, right? However, just because you’re officially online doesn’t mean your work is done. Having a website is so much more than just, well, having a website. In order for your company to have a strong online presence, it is essential to keep your site’s content updated. Why is this so important and how can it affect your business? It may surprise you why you need to keep your website’s content updated regularly.

What is Website Content?

Your website’s content is more than just the biography section or your business hours. Content is everything, literally! It’s the text, pictures, sounds and any video or animation that makes your website more visually appealing. Basically, it’s all the aspects needed to grab hold of a user in order to keep them clicking throughout your site. These little things can make a potential customer spend more time on your website. That means they’re learning more about your business!

Professionally and Visually Appealing

First impressions are everything when it comes to your website. If your website appears out of date or cluttered, you may not receive as many clicks. Stay on top of website design trends by updating your site with the latest technology. A user may become turned off if the site is difficult to navigate or if the links are not functioning. The average person only looks at a website for four seconds before determining whether to keep reading or try another site.

Also, as your business evolves, it’s important to update content such as contact information, employees’ names, and the products and services you offer. Having the correct information gives a more professional appearance and will build confidence in your customer base.  

Updated Content Equals Better Search Rankings

Google is continuously updating its algorithms in order to enhance the search experience for its users. A website with relevant, up to date user-friendly content will rank higher in the search queries. Neglecting to update your content regularly will lower your rankings and may result in the loss of potential customers. A blog is a good source of content because it can be updated daily which can improve your rankings. Keywords can also be implemented which can improve your site’s onsite Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

Increases Customer Base

Keeping your website’s content current and updated can help you grow your customer base. If your site has captured an audience, then people will be more likely to revisit once new content becomes available. More traffic to your website can also improve your search rankings. Google tends to reward frequently visited websites with a higher ranking in search results.

Your website is the window into your company and what services you offer. Having a website with updated content will not only increase your customer base but will extend your company’s digital reach. Check us out and see how we can help with your business’s digital presence. Visit www.southernviewmedia.com. We are a Google Trusted Agency and will be happy to answer your questions. For a free consultation to formulate a strategic and affordable plan, call us today at 251-517-9425.

Everywhere you look you can see an element of graphic design. It’s on the billboards we drive by, the websites we visit and the social media we scroll through daily. While your brand’s content needs to be creative and attention-grabbing, it should also maintain a professional appearance as well. Following these do’s and don’ts of graphic design will help your company increase its brand awareness and attract a bigger audience.

Do Make it Simple

Most graphic designers are taught not to leave too much white space on a graphic. However, the last thing you want to do is cover every inch of space of your design with text and pictures. Make your visual simplistic enough that it provides the necessary information without overwhelming the reader. To keep your design simple, use up to three different colors, font styles and pictures.

Do Your Research

Researching doesn’t have to take a lot of time but doing so makes a big impact on your graphic. Producing a design with false information will make you look untrustworthy and you could lose potential customers. Ensure you have all your questions answered and allow enough time for edits before you run a final proof.

Do Stay on Top of Design Trends

Social media is constantly evolving and designers have to move with it by creating content that is current with trends and styles. It is also important to pay attention to what is not popular as well so your graphics won’t look outdated.

Don’t Clutter Your Design

If you have a lot of ideas it may be tempting to put them all on one design. However, too much text, varying fonts, pictures and too many color combinations can make your design look cluttered. It can also be confusing and may turn off potential customers. Use only the applicable information and keep wording to a minimum if there is text.

Don’t Steal

One of the most important rules of graphic design is to not steal artwork, text or anything that has been used by another company or designer. Not only is it morally wrong but it could bring about legal ramifications. Purchasing a license from a design or image website is not only inexpensive but can save you a lot of time searching for images as well as a headache in the long run.

Maintain Consistency

If people are familiar with your brand’s look and style, it is important to stay consistent. Straying away from your company consistent image may confuse people. If you decide on a new logo design, introduce it to your audience instead of “dropping” on them without an explanation.

Creative and attention-grabbing content is essential to a successful marketing and advertising campaign for your company. An effective and easy to read visually will grab hold of a potential customer and help increase your brand’s awareness online and in the advertising world.

Contact us to find out how we can help with your business’s digital presence. For a free consultation to formulate a strategic and affordable plan, call us today at 251-517-9425 or visit www.southernviewmedia.com. We are a Google Trusted Agency and will be happy to answer your questions.

The internet seems like a crowded place. Businesses stand elbow to elbow, in a query result that goes into the millions. As a local business owner, how can you stand out in the crowd? Optimizing your website with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the marketing tool you need to get your customers to find you.

Increases Website Traffic

A major benefit of SEO is that it helps produce higher website traffic from organic or natural search engine listings. People are more likely to click on the first results they see after a query and the right SEO can land you near the top. This could produce a huge return on investment for your web site or blog by merely increasing the number of people visiting your site.

Better Brand Awareness

With SEO, your website is likely to be among the first few search results people see after their query. The more people see your name, the more they are to recognize it and become aware of your business’s presence. Also, over time, they will become comfortable with your brand and you will gain their trust.

Brings in Target Audience

One of the best benefits of SEO is that it draws potential customers to you instead of you trying to find them. People who are looking for your product or service will see you listed at the top of their results. Thanks to the increased traffic your website will see, you are likely to see more potential customers. 

Creates a Better User Experience

Customers not only want the best products and services at the best prices, they also want a great experience. Optimizing your website will create a better user experience than a site that is not optimized. 

Improves Presence on Google

Broken links and slow page loading are just some of the elements that can affect your position on Google’s ranking ladder. If your site ranks low, chances are it won’t place high on the list. Google is the most used search option and you want your business seen by its users.

Increases Conversion Rate

Now, this may be the first time you’ve heard the term “conversion rate” and that’s ok! A conversion rate is a user’s journey within your website. The better the journey they have, the more likely they are to return to your site. To further your conversion rate, your website should load fast, be easy to navigate and load efficiently on digital devices like cell phones and tablets. Users will be more likely to return to a site that is easy to use and allows them to find what they need without all the jargon.

Help your business succeed by utilizing SEO to increase your profitability. With all the elements of SEO working together, consumers will be more aware of your company and the services you offer.

Contact us to find out how we can help with your business’s digital presence. For a free consultation to formulate a strategic and affordable plan, call us today at 251-583-2605 or visit www.southernviewmedia.com. We are a Google Trusted Agency and will be happy to answer your questions.

The website has become today’s storefront. It’s the first place the public will go to check out your business. Who you are. What you do. How you do it. However, creating web content week after week can be challenging. From a rich blog to interactive content to new posts and pages – it can get daunting. But staying the course to keep your site robust is a must! How can skimpy web content hurt you?

Let’s take a look at 5 big ways skimpy web content can actually drive business away.

Competitive edge

No matter what type of business you are in, there is always competition. People have more choices than ever today as to where they spend their time, money and attention. Maintaining a website that is rich with content that provides valuable information gives you a competitive edge. Remember, if you aren’t doing this, your competitors are.

Repeat visitors

You can learn a lot from your analytics. Next time these are reviewed, take a look at the repeat visitors to your site. If this is an area of improvement, skimpy content is likely to blame. The average first visit to a page is only a few seconds. But the repeat visits last longer. You are essentially nurturing an audience when you provide full content that keeps them coming back. These repeat visitors can also become your ambassadors through word of mouth as well as social shares.

More information, please

Speaking of analytics, skimpy content will lead to skimpy analytics. The system just won’t have enough to pull from to tell you what you need to know. Ideally, analytics are pulled monthly to see the trends, sources, opportunities and more. If your site is neglected in terms of low content, sparse blog posts or outdated pages, you’ll get pretty skinny analytics that don’t help you like they really can.

Staying timely and relevant

In any industry, staying relevant is important. Skimpy content that doesn’t speak to the trends in your industry leaves your visitor wondering if yours is really the one with which they want to do business. If you’ve ever visited a site that looked really outdated or neglected, you know what we mean.

Google rankings

Search Engine Optimization is the key to landing first-page ranking on engines like Google, Bing and Yahoo. Of course, AdWords helps. Sometimes purchasing AdWords isn’t feasible at the time. This is where keyword strategy comes in. Skimpy content that is simply flat words on a page with no thought behind them hurts your business. Google will pass these over quickly in favor of keyword dense sites that follow the buyer’s journey. One or more of these sites will be your competitor.

These are five real ways skimpy content hurts you. Taking it on yourself can be too challenging. Our Southern View Media experts are trained in all the above and more to build rich content that drives your audience. Give us a call today!

Your online presence is too important to let it become obsolete. If you are managing threats from competitors SEO, you can take care of any problem before it becomes irreversible. Call Southern View Media to find out how we can help with your business’ digital presence. For a free consultation to formulate a strategic marketing plan call us today at 251-583-2605 or visit www.southernviewmedia.com. We are a Google Trusted Agency and will be happy to answer your questions.

© Southern View Media 2018: Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. “We Put You Online So You Don’t Get Left Behind.”

Created in 2009, the “Like” button is a symbol that we have all gotten used to seeing and using on a daily basis for nearly a decade. This powerful little icon gives users the opportunity to engage in social media posts along with, comments, status updates, links to news stories, videos, and pictures, all shared by friends and family. Another element the button provides is the ability for users to “like” advertisements which can be a driving force for increased traffic to your social media platform.

Facebook

The pioneer in liking and sharing of social media content. One little like by a user can have a profound impact on a post. A form of social media approval, it allows users to give a “thumbs up” on content you have posted or shared. This item will then show up on that user’s Facebook friends news feed which is viewed by all their friends and family. The more people who see the liked item (and like it themselves) the more impact it can have on the original post. More exposure will lead people to your Facebook post which they can like as well and will add to the snowball effect as it shows up in people’s news feeds. These features can help create more brand awareness, bring more attention to your website or Facebook page and potentially lead to new customers.
The button also shows how many people have liked an item. This feature can give you an idea how of much of an impact your content is having on users.

Instagram

Acquired by Facebook in 2012, this photo filter app now has more than 600 million users. An algorithm is in place to help determine which posts users see first. Loathed by some but praised by others, the algorithm looks at how much and how quickly a post receives attention. The more likes and comments your post receives in a quick amount of time, the more likely it will be the first thing users see when they open the app.
These two features work together to garner more engagement for your post.
Timing is everything with an Instagram post. Posting at a time when your item is more likely to be seen will increase the chance for more likes. Studies have shown that lunchtime (between 11 am and 1 pm) and nighttime (7 pm and 9 pm) are the best times to schedule a post.

LinkedIn

Similar to Facebook, but with a business side, a liked post or comment will be shared within a person’s network on LinkedIn. Known as “connections”, these people within your network will be able to see the activity you have liked. They will then like and share your post and more traffic can be increased toward your profile.
The true beauty of the like button, that separates it from other forms of interactions, is its simplicity. No major thought, no articulation, just pure binary emotion. A single click of the mouse can communicate interest, support or sympathy.

Contact us to find out how we can help with your business’s digital presence. For a free consultation to formulate a strategic and affordable plan, call us today at 251-583-2605 or visit www.southernviewmedia.com. We are a Google Trusted Agency and will be happy to answer your questions.

© Southern View Media 2018: Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. “We Put You Online So You Don’t Get Left Behind.”

Social media is a critical part of the success of any business. Consider this: even if your business is not on social media, your competitors are.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”2718″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Have you heard the term network marketing often? We’re sure you are aware of the term, but do you know what it means? 

Turn the heat up this summer by launching your most aggressive marketing campaign yet. Do you need some ideas to fuel your creativity? Southern View Media can help you with these campaign starters.

Get Social

If you’re not utilizing social media to grow your business, then you’re already 20 years behind your competitors. Summertime provides an endless range of opportunities for you to promote your business. Try some of these marketing strategies:

• • A summer vacation photo contest. The winner gets free product or services from your business.

• • Provide summer tips for customizers looking to utilize your business during the hot season.

• • Load your newsfeed with photos, videos, and blogs that are related to summertime. Your media posts can range from entertaining to instructional.

Get Out More

How often do you or your business get out into the community to create awareness of what you have to offer? Here’s an idea:

print up 500 flyers, get in the car and hoof it down the sidewalks, downtown, in the parks, or wherever else there are people. Make sure that you stay within city ordinances regarding solicitation. If 500 flyers and 3 hours of work lands you 5 more clients, then it’s mission accomplished. Here are some other ways to spread the word.

• • Print up some coupons with your logo on it. Offer free or discounted services for first-time clients and pass them out.

• • Set up a booth at a local city festival or other large gathering event and display your products or services.

• • Go to the beach and hand out free custom water bottles with your company logo and contact information on the labels.

• Join some professional organizations in town and offer to host a cookout or other summer event for other business owners. It’s the perfect way to network. **If you need help printing materials, we can design them and print them for you!

Support a Charity

Local charities are always on the move during the summer. They’re also looking for volunteers. Get together with the team members of your business and come up with a cool way to support a charity. You might want to even host a fundraiser. This will not only increase your exposure, but it will also let people know that you are a contributing member of the community.

Beef up Your Referral Incentives

With increased activity during the summer come increased opportunities to get referrals. Although discounts, free products, and gift certificates are great incentives, it’s time for you to get creative and try something different. Whatever you do, you need to develop an incentive program that is downright irresistible to your clients. Translation: something they will actually use within a short period. Some examples could be:

• • Cash. Everyone loves cash.

• • Gift certificates for your business or another business in town.

• • Vacation giveaways.

• • Strike up partnerships with corresponding businesses related to your field to develop win-win incentives for referrals.

• Prizes are great incentives. Create a custom package prize filled with summer items that are ideal for a family outing out on the beach.

Free (or Low cost) Advertising

There are dozens of free advertising opportunities out there for business owners who want to take advantage of them. Although we could list hundreds, here are some quick, easy, and effective advertising opportunities for free.

• • Public bulletin boards: colleges, offices, government buildings, etc.

• • Business partnerships and advertising trades

• • Magnetic signs, bumper stickers for cars and vans

• • T-shirts for your team

• • Drop business cards off everywhere you go. Make sure they land in somebody’s hand

• • Public speaking and event teaching

• • Create a press release and send it to all applicable local media outlets

• • Find local directories and add your business info to all of them

• • Attend local networking events

• • Join the chamber of commerce and other official business agencies

• • Provide free consulting

Contact us to find out how we can help with your business’s digital presence. For a free consultation to formulate a strategic and affordable plan, call us today at 251-583-2605 or visit www.southernviewmedia.com. We are a Google Trusted Agency and will be happy to answer your questions.© Southern View Media 2017: Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. Get Online or Get Left Behind!

Finding a blog subject week after week can be a challenge. Don’t get locked into a rut by answering the same questions or detailing the same situations. Here are a few places to get inspiration when you need to write a blog and haven’t decided on a subject.

Business Interest

Tie your blog into the business function. A business needs to convey good information about their mission, products, and services. The more information a website has, the better they are received by their customers. Find a theme to expound on, and share that information.

Smaller Interest

In many cases, there is a broader group of categories which will tie into the website. For instance, a restaurant may want to showcase the ethnic background of their dishes by giving historical information. A sporting-goods store could tie into events, history, rules and competitions, and more. A design service may tap into history, function, supplier information, and how-to information.

Competetive Websites

Watch your competition. You may not need to mimic them exactly to benefit from their influence. You may get an idea totally different from theirs but triggered by a key word or thought. As a subject-matter expert in your line of business, go above and beyond in a blog to provide important information to consumers.

Forum Questions From Customer Websites

Since the exchange of information is the most important reason to have a website, you can always go to the customer forum and address a question found there using a blog format. Whether it covers a DIY problem, a warranty issue, performance problem, or troubleshooting issue, you may be able to add information to the blog which may have escaped you when you answered a question in the forum.

Current Events

Not all blogs have to relate to the business. Consider breaking the mold by using current events for every other or every third blog. Whether a catastrophe, celebration, holiday, or big news story, these offer a great opportunity to draw interest from other areas.

As you read through this list, you probably had several ideas come to mind. Make a journal, or a list. Ideas happen all the time, and you can learn to capture those thoughts and convert them into blogs for your website. When you just don’t have anything, go to the list for an idea.

Your blog is a great way to engage your readers. You have the opportunity to teach new methods, introduce new products, offer your services, showcase your talents, and so much more. By changing up the content of your blogs on a regular basis, you will keep the interest high.

In the end, a blog is only valuable if it is read. The best information will lay unused if nobody is drawn to it. Take the time to research your topics, and find an interesting way to present the information. You will see a real benefit to your business.