Business Advice

5 Best Practices for Local Business SEO

As search engine optimisation (SEO) has matured, it has created more opportunities for smaller businesses to get their websites noticed. Geo-based searches are an essential channel as more people use their mobile devices to hunt for what they want in their neighbourhood. SEO isn’t about ranking as high as possible for broad keyphrases – reaching locals is far more valuable in today’s congested digital space.

1. The key elements are still the same

Optimising your site for local search traffic still needs to have the basics done right. Titles, headings and meta descriptions are all still important. These HTML elements are simple to customise and ensure that the content of your website is accurately represented. Meta descriptions and titles are particularly important as these are displayed in search results. Your meta description and title are mini advertisements in themselves and should highlight key elements to convince users that your business is right for them.

2. Learn what your competitors are doing

Competitor research is as important, if not more so, for local than general SEO. When your business is operating in a smaller, more defined area, understanding how and why certain companies are dominating the search results is important. Knowing the competitiveness of certain keyphrases can help you plan your approach more clearly, whether that means implementing a higher budget PPC strategy or looking for content gaps your competition has left in the market. You might find that a big box brand dominates a large number of keywords, which might lead to your business not bothering to aim for those at all or you might spot a niche that they’ve missed.

There are many paid tools that can help you see what these other businesses are ranking for and how you compare. These include:

There are also free tools, including Google’s Keyword Planner, which offer a less precise overview but can point you in the right direction.

3. Claim your Google business listing

Google My Business is vital for local search. When people search for businesses, whether in the standard search engine or on Google Maps, Google shows those that match the search query, plus it highlights them on a map of the area.

Pizza

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To set it up, you first need to verify your website as local and authentic. Usually, Google sends a postcard with a unique code that proves your business address is in the suburb you claim and that’s pretty much all there is to it. From there you should add as much detail as possible, such as your business category, opening hours, description, prices and products, images, and posts.

4. Write local content

Google loves content and it loves it, even more, when it is targeted and ultra-relevant. Writing about your industry and products in a general sense will always be valuable but to truly harness the power of local SEO, your content should be focussed on areas closer to home. If your local audience is your primary target, then piggybacking local news stories and events can be a powerful way of showcasing your business. Write about events happening in the neighbourhood, talk about local parks, streets and landmarks, and demonstrate that you are a local authority and a part of the community. Writing a blog about the importance of your industry is great but making it relevant to the people who live in your neighbourhood is even better.

5. List your business on local directories

Another important part of local SEO is one of the simplest. Listing your business on local directories is a good way to take advantage of a larger site’s SEO power and get valuable backlinks to enhance your own. In addition, these directories can help build consistency of your Business Name, Address and Phone Number on the web which is an important local ranking factor.

A few local directories and good places to start are:

•    Hotfrog

•    True Local

•    Yelp

•    Yellow Pages

•    Startlocal

There is a wide range of free and paid options for local business, plus other directories are specifically aimed at certain industries, like Zomato for hospitality.

Prefer to listen?

Check out Cathy Smith’s interview with David Pagotto on the Small Business Talk Podcast – Episode 17.

Author Bio

David Pagotto is the Founder and Managing Director of SIXGUN. He has been involved in digital marketing for over 10 years, helping organisations get more customers, more reach, and more impact.

SIXGUN focuses on scaling organisational growth and building sustainable results for the long-term, with a data-driven approach to developing strategy. As a Melbourne based digital marketing agency, SIXGUN focuses on Search Engine Optimisation and Search Engine Marketing.

David is passionate about seeing organisations grow while working on his mission to support meaningful causes.

4 Things to do Before Spending Money on Marketing

Social Media People Global Networking Connections

Marketing is not as easy as it used to be.

You use to take out an ad in the newspaper or do a leaflet drop in letterboxes in your local area. If you were a really big business, you might do some radio or TV advertising.

Your business was competing with the other local businesses in your area and you had maybe 2 or 3 competitors and if you delivered a good service and kept your customers happy you were in easy street.

Today’s marketing story is very different. You are competing against lots of other business within your area, your state your country and even overseas. Your competitors could number in the hundreds or more.

How do you make your marketing stand out from the rest in such a noisy space where many other people offer similar services to you?

1. Right Message to the Right Audience

Stop trying to be everything to everyone or you will find your message is so watered down that you will serve no one.

We have all seen ads in our Facebook feed that have stopped us.

The offer looks interesting, you click on the link and the text on the landing page seems to be speaking directly to you. Wow are they reading your mind? This is the right message to the right audience.

Girl holding take away cup and typing message on smartphone

This is the right language to a defined audience, they are targeting you to the right audience.

When thinking of the right audience for your business, break it down even further and think of one just 1 person.

  • Think of this person as your friend.
  • Give them a name
  • How do they talk, think, act, behave?
  • What do they buy?

Get to know your ideal customer as you would if they were your friend in real life. That way you will be able to speak their language, the type of words they use, they will feel “you get them” when they see your message.

You may be thinking if you get that specific you wouldn’t be able to serve other types of customers and you will lose business. In fact, you will find the opposite is true you will gain business because other people who sit just outside your ideal customer range will also be attracted to your message and many others who might not be even close to your target audience will still resonate with your message because you are being specific.

Nike’s target audience is

  • An Athlete or Sports Minded Person
  • 15- 40 years old
  • Traditionally Male
    (however recent target switching has seen Nike pick up approx. 20% of the Women’s shoe market.)

Nike is all bout how you “FEEL” in their shoes.

They run ads and events with very emotive wording.

Nike: Run with Me, Sports Improvement Clinic

I am definitely not in Nike’s target audience however that doesn’t stop me buying their shoes and being totally happy with my purchase.

Being very specific about your targe audience allows you to speak their language and is often how tribes are built around brand, it goes back to the old fashion way of servicing your customers.

Take care of your local customs and they will reward you.

2. Stop thinking of Marketing as Selling

Businessman bending under stack of problems

Think of marketing as relationship building. Stop thinking of marketing as selling, instead think of it as adding value to your customer.

Gran’s steak story.

You can’t ask for marriage without courting first.

Build a relationship, add value before asking for the sale. No one likes a used car salesman.

What problem does your customer have that you can solve?

Identify the problem.

Notice I said problem not problem”s” plural?

Deal with one problem at a time, just like helping one type of customer at a time.

Nike’s customers problem is sports shoes – beginning and end – sports shoes.

3. Relationship Building

A cakeshop solves its customer birthday cake problem.

50+ Busy Lady who doesn’t have the time, skill or knowledge to make a really special birthday cake that will impress her friends.

A cakeshop could build a relationship with their customers by talking about the 5 top flavours of cakes in the last year, season or month in its marketing. They could share ideas on birthday party decorations. Promote a balloon hire company, feature a downloadable invitation. Then show their latest Chocolate Fudge Sunday Cake which was the top seller for the last month.

They would be adding value and still letting the customer know they had cakes to buy without being pushy or salesy.

Customers – Idea customer will love to buy from you however they don’t want to be sold to. Let them make the choice to by rather than have them feel they have been pushed into a sale that might not be right for them.

Dishwasher story.

4. Marketing Your Story

Reading book

Story is the latest buzz word. Instagram has storied, now Facebook and YouTube are bringing our “reels” which is its version of stories.

The origin of story is primitive however stories are still just as relevant today as you can see by the uptake on social media because stories help us remember the message.

Stories paint a picture in our minds.

Pictures tell a thousand words.

We remember pictures.

Stories touch our emotions.

Our emotional brain makes the buying decisions.

Stories are emotional and emotions sell products.

In your marketing if you can evoke an emotion then you will captivate your audience and they will remember you and be more likely to buy from you.

Beer ads do this really well.

Corona Beer’s highway billboard that has an image of a beach and a mud 20’s couple

The slogan reads –
“where you’d rather be”

It evokes – holiday, warmth, longing, youth, FOMO.

Message on typewriter

The ad says nothing about beer and flying past on the highway you probably won’t even see the beer bottles on the sand.

Remember when doing your marketing whether is the messaging on your website, traditional media, flyers, leaflets or social media

  • Speak clearly to your target audience in their language

Right message, right audience

  • Add Value and Solve their problem

Stop thinking of Marketing as selling

  • Entertain them

Tell them a story, your brands story, an emotional story that they can buy into.

When you think of your marketing treat it like you are telling your most trusted friend about this great new product service you have found and what to let them know all about it. Building a story and keeping the interest of your customers is a great way to give information and promote without the pressures of sale pitches, it is a much softer approach and will reward you well.

 

5 Questions That Will Move Your Business Forward in 2019

It’s over, the year has rushed past and many of us are looking to the future. What will next year bring? Have you already started planning, hoping, wishing for a better year, where do we go from here!

Fireworks - Celebrate Business Success in 2018

Are you a goal setter, someone who has it all mapped out? Or like the majority of the business community are you just reactive and letting the Universe send whatever it feels like your way?
“Ok so it’s time to plan”, they say, let’s make 2019 the best year yet!

STOP

Hold on a second, this may seem counter intuitive however you need to look back before moving forward. Reflect and close out this year first. Take some time to see how far you have come.

Celebrate Your Wins.

Did you achieve your business goals in 2018?

Often, we are too focused on the destination so we forget to enjoy the journey. Celebrate the small wins, the little steps you took along the way and you may be surprised how much you have achieved this year without
even realising it.

Reflect on The Year That Was

Sit down and take out a pen and paper (yes old fashion I know); write down the answers to these 5 questions.

Remember “The jar of stones”. To get the rocks, gravel, sand and water ALL into the jar you must put each component into the jar in the correct order. You must add the large things first – the rocks, then work down to the smaller things – the sand and water; so that all the components will fit into the jar. However, if you add with the smallest thing first – the water or the sand you will no longer have room for the rocks and gravel.

Was your year full of busy things, did you spend too much time on little stuff that didn’t move you towards your big goal? Did you even have a big goal? Don’t beat yourself up, just reflect and learn from the mistakes you made and move forward.

5 Questions That Will Move Your Business Forward in 2019

Don’t rush, allow yourself some quiet time to really reflect and answer these 5 questions and you will be in good shape to move your business forward into 2019.

  1. What went well, things I am proud of?
  2. What can I change moving forward?
  3. What goals did I achieve this year and what steps
    did I take to make it happen?
  4. What goals did I set this year that I didn’t achieve
    or that weren’t completed; are they still important?

Now you can move forward. Take your time to do questions 1
to 4 first.

  • 3 Things I would like to achieve in 2019?
    Remember less is more.

Why Look Back to Move Forward?

The past can often hold valuable clues to making our future everything that we wish for and more. By writing down your answers on paper with a pen can really cement these things into your brain.

“But I don’t want to remember”, you might say.

This is not a punishment, it’s an exercise to identify your strong points and amplify them. You can also identify weakness and put in place measures to counteract them. You can’t fix it, if you don’t know you have problem!

“It’s not till you let go of something that you see how much it’s been
holding you back.” Marie Forelo

One of my weaknesses is “shining objects”, over the years I have bought way too many courses and software tools which I thought would move my business forward. Some did, many others just made the sellers rich and ended up clogging up my hard drive. By reflecting on my expenses, I can see what I have bought, revise them and even finish some course that may be relevant now that that I am further along in my business journey. Others, like software tools have reoccurring monthly or annual fees so I am now able to cancel the ones that I longer use. All these small tweaks move my business closer to my larger goals.

How to prevent “shining object syndrome” well that is a conversation for another day, however unsubscribing to emails from people who are constantly try to sell you products is a really good start.

Look Back to Move Your Business Forward

Happy New Year 2019

Finish what you have started first.

Yes those task can be part of your new goals for 2019 or you may decide to put them to bed and close them off forever; either way make a decision and stick to it. Many business people spend way too much energy on old habits that no longer service their business.

Get your map, plan your journey, break it down into smaller
steps and make your business fly in 2019.

Enjoy your journey.

Article by Cathy Smith at CATCO Enterprises – Business Owner and thought leader who has helped hundreds of business owners achieve their marketing goals over the last 17 years.

Why is Content Marketing Important for Your Brand?

The 30 Day Content Marketing EbookContent marketing is important for your brand because it is a powerful way to create brand awareness and allow customers to engage with you. Content marketing is a solid marketing strategy that has brought success to many brands and businesses from startup to much larger companies. When done correctly, content marketing creates an ongoing benefit that can be utilised for years to come.

Here are 5 ways content marketing can help your brand stand out from the crowd.

1.  Gain Your Audience’s Trust
2. Build Your Brand Identity
3. Showcase your authority in your industry
4. Improve Engagement
5. Google Loves Content

1. You’ll Gain Your Audience’s Trust

There is so much noise on the internet it can be confusing for your audience to know who to trust.

We all like to deal with people we

KNOW – LIKE – TRUST

However, how can you establish this trust when you have not come into contact with this potential customer before?

It can take a lot of work to gain people’s trust and content marketing is a great way to begin to establish this trust. By answering questions that your potential customer has in relation to your service (Using FAQ’s) and speaking their language the trust relationship will be created much quicker and often before they have even met you.

2. Build Your Brand Identity

BrandPeople will often buy products and service by brand recognition, this is why franchises work so well. Even though people may not have done business with a particular brand they will know what to expect ahead of time and that helps to reassure them. When people see that your brand has lots of content and can be found in many places online that will start to create brand awareness for you. Essentially you are letting the world know what your brand is all about and establishing an identity online. Solid brand recognition is a major factor in people’s buying decisions.

When in doubt your potential customer will default to the familiar which is why people often repeatedly use businesses even though they may not be very happy with their service or resulting product – they are familiar and so that makes it easy for them.

When people go looking for information on a product content marketing is an easy non-threatening way for people to research your company and the chances are people who can remember your brand will use you over your competitors when they recall your brand.

3. Showcase Your Authority In Your Industry

When you are looking for a solution to your problem you will generally look for an expert on the subject. Content marketing can successfully build your authority as an expert in your field and a trusted source for the solution to the problem.

The more content that you produce that is relevant to your business, the higher the likelihood that you will build trust with your audience. Content can help new audience members discover you for the first time and strengthen your reputation with your existing audience. By creating genuinely useful content you will have a great opportunity for your brand to be known as the solution to their problem and the place to go creating that know, like and trust that will be converted into sales.

4. Improve Engagement

EngagementEngagement is the name of the game if no one reads or cares about your content you have probably missed the mark with your audience. When you create a successful content marketing campaign that speaks to your audience you will have an excellent engagement rate from your audience and this can then be converted into sales if your offer is what they need.

5. Google Loves Content

Although your primary objective should be your audience, not Google, the reality is if you don’t play the “Google Game” how will people find you. Google loves content, there are plenty of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) benefits to content marketing. When you are consistently publishing valuable content, you will be able to rank for more keywords on search engines. Valuable content will bring traffic to your site when done correctly.

Traffic breeds traffic and the more traffic you get the more you will be able to establish your business and brand as a presence on the Internet and that will allow more to get to know about you.

Content marketing is a great way to bring in more people to your site because they will be interested in your solutions to their problem. These people will be highly engaged audience on your site, meaning they are less likely to bounce out right away after they land on your page. Another factor that Google counts when determining rankings and this will help boost your rankings on search pages.

Why is Content Marketing Important for Your Brand?

ApprovedAs you can see content marketing important for your brand and as your brand starts sticking in people’s minds, then it will be easier to gain their trust. You’ll find that when you have captured people’s trust, getting them to follow your content and take action to purchase becomes much easier.

By successfully positioned yourself and your brand as authorities in your industry you will be able to create content that resonates with your audience and that will ultimately convert into sales.

Want To Learn More About Content Marketing For Your Brand?

Why not try our The 30-Day Content Marketing Plan which is a is a is a step-by-step blueprint for creating fresh content that converts. This is the easiest way to chart your path from beginner to content marketing expert! Easy, actionable and you can do it. What are you waiting for, start your content marketing journey today?

The 30-Day Content Marketing Plan is the perfect guide for you, start now.

Article by Cathy Smith

3 easy ways to create unique content that your audience want to read

3 easy ways to create unique content that your audience want to readCreating content is a great way to keep your website up to date and a can be a great part of your content marketing strategy. However, creating content for the sake of creating content is a waste of your time.

You need to create content that your audience actually want to read and share. But how?

What happens when you start running out of ideas? Here are 3 simple ideas to help you create content ideas that your audience will want to read.

1. Ask Your Audience

2. How Tos

3. Have an Opinion

1. Ask Your Audience

What are the questions you get asked over and over?

What questions and repeat comments are you getting on social media?

Answer these questions for your content

questionAfter you have answered all your FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) then you could do a search and see what other questions please are asking. Go to one of the many questions and answer sites on the Internet like

  • Quora
  • Yahoo Answers
  • Reddit

There are plenty of forums that you can browse. Try Facebook for industry specific pages, groups and your competitor’s pages and see what questions are being asked.

Ask your audience either in person or via social media. What are your common challenges when looking for a product like ours . . . . ?

Once you start looking you will find plenty of ideas from these questions and answers; that you will be able to use to build your content on.

2. How Tos

Create how to videos or instruction sheets. If your product has specific things that need to have “how tos” are a great way to show your audience what needs to be done. You can also create “how tos” on complimentary services that may come before or after your product.

For example, if you sell planter boxes you could make a “how to” on soil types and how to get the most out of planting out your planter box with a particular type of plant and then giving water instructions.

3. Have an Opinion

OpinionNo one will read a boring wish washy article, you need to be firm and have an opinion. You could start by checking out the latest trends in your industry and discuss how you feel that this trend will affect your industry.

For example, I could discuss the ongoing changes in the Facebook algorithm and whether it is still worth spending time and money on marketing on Facebook?

Your bold and choose topics that are interesting to your audience have an opinion on current subjects that affect your industry.

Questions that you could answer would be where your industry is headed, any upcoming technologies and trends that you think are maybe going to happen, plus what is old hat and will going to get left behind.

3 easy ways to create unique content that your audience want to read

Creating content should be fun for you and interesting for your audience, by using the 3 ways listed above you will have many different areas to discover some really unique ideas to create content on.

Article by Cathy Smith

Is WordPress Safe for my Website?

WordpressYes, if you look after it!

I get asked all the time, is my WordPress safe? Like a car, if you maintain your WordPress website, it will be safe. No, not 100% safe as no computer software is; however the risks can be eliminated and maintained.

Website Hacking

Websites can be hacked in numerous ways, regardless of the platform that the website is built on eg. WordPress.

Websites can be hacked via:

  • File Uploads – malicious code
  • Brute Force Entry – trying to guess password+log in
  • Denial of Service – steady stream of traffic from hacker bots
  • Cross Site Scripting – code entered or executed from URL of a site.
  • Malware
  • And many more

(According to Wpmudev.org )

SecurityPrevent Hacking

To prevent your website from being hacked, start with protecting your computer.

Hackers prey on easy targets. Just like home security if your door is locked, the burglar will probably rattle the door and move on. If your computer is secured, you will be halfway there.

How to Maintain Your Computer to Prevent it From Being Hacked

To keep your website safe you need to start by maintaining your computer. Have up-to-date security on your computer.

  • Computer virus checkers
  • Scan your computer regularly
  • Install a firewall on your computer

Secure and Keep Your Website Updated

To maintain your WordPress website make sure you:

  • Use solid password lowercase, uppercase, number, special character eg & * ) % etc and not a password you use in other places.
  • Don’t use admin as your usernameSSL
  • Don’t log on to your WordPress admin on public unsecured WIFI
  • Have a security plugin on your website
  • Keep WordPress and all plugins updated
  • Backup your website regularly and test that your backup works
  • Choose trusted web hosting
  • Make sure you have an SSL certificate installed

Will my WordPress website be hacked?

That is a question few can answer. Yes, the chances of an attempt being made on your website any website no matter whether it is WordPress or not is probably high. If you follow the above advise and keep your website well looked after and maintained, the chances of a website hacking attempt being successful will be greatly reduced.

Best Ways to Prevent a WordPress Website Being Hacked?

Get a professional web designer with years of experience to set up your website; they will be able to add the correct security and implement the appropriate procedures to keep your site safe.

Website maintenance packages include core software updates, ongoing security, malware protection, back up services and more. If you don’t have the time or will to be consistently looking after your website, hire a professional to help you.

Where to get help looking after my website?

CATCO Enterprises have been building, running and maintaining a large range of websites for over 10 years.  Need help with your website, support or website maintenance, call Cathy and the team at CATCO Enterprises – first 30 mins is FREE!

Should my Small Business Have a Website?

WebsiteYes.

Even with social media, a website is still a very important tool for your business.

Think about your own behaviour – what do you do when you want to find something?

9 times out of 10, we “GOOGLE IT”.

Most people now use Google search like we used to use the phone book.

5 reasons why small business should have a website

Here are 5 reasons why your small business should have a website:

1. Credibility
2. Your Customer Expect It
3. 24/7 Salesman for Your Business
4. Answer FAQ’s
5. Showcase Your Services

1. Credibility

When looking for a product or service, most people will do a Google search as their way to find what they are looking for. Having a fast loading, nicely styled website that reflects your brand is immediately going to build your credibility in their eyes. Even when friends or family refer businesses to us, we still go their website to check the business out and see if we think they are credible before making a decision.

2. Your Customers Expect Your Business to Have a Website

Google searchA website has become a minimum standard for all businesses no matter the size and your customers will expect you to have one. Guess what it is almost certain that your competitors will have one and if by some odd chance that they don’t, what a perfect way to stand out from the crowd.

3. 24/7 Salesman for Your Business

With our modern lives, FIFO, spilt shift, lots of people don’t keep regular hours anymore, having a website means your business never has to close. Even better, you don’t always have to be behind the counter. Depending on the type of products/services you sell, you could be selling online to customers you have never met from all over the world. Even small micro business can benefit from a brochure style website.

4. Answer FAQ’s

Do you or your staff consistently get answered the same questions over and over again? Answering FAQ’s on your website makes that so much easier.

5. Showcase Your Products/Services

Online sellLet people have a good look at your products so they know that you have to offer. There are so many ways a website can reach customers that you may not normally have the opportunity to service otherwise from your physical location.

Should my Small Business Have A Website?

Absolutely, from extending your market share to servicing your current customer a small business website really is a must. It is no point having the most fantastic product, wonderful customer service and a great location if no one can find you.

Need help with your current small business website or need one for the first time?

Contact Cathy at CATCO Enterprises and have a chat, the first 30 minutes is FREE. What have you got to lose, start with a chat?

Should I Hashtag on Facebook?

Hashtag symbolFirstly, let’s talk about what hashtags are and what they are designed to do.

  1. Hashtag

“A word or phrase preceded by a hash mark (#); used within a message to identify a keyword or topic of interest.”  (sproutsocial.com)

  1. Hashtags are for search
  2. Hashtags can follow trends

So reading the above you would think that using lots of hashtags on Facebook would be a great idea like you use them for Instagram or Twitter

… Unfortunately, you are wrong.

In the most part, hashtags are not searchable on Facebook and certainly not when added to private profiles.

Should I hashtag on Facebook?

Sparingly, only hashtag on Facebook to emphasise a point or as a brand, not as a general search tool component. Using more than 2 hashtags on Facebook has been shown to be detrimental to your post reach, another reason not to use hashtags on Facebook.

Are hashtags searchable on Facebook?

Technically, yes they are. Hashtags have become searchable on Facebook if they are on a public profile or business page and are not currently searchable on mobile.

Tip

3 tips to think about if you want to use hashtags on Facebook

1. Keep it simple

2. Create Emotion

3. Proofread hashtags – avoid embarrassing mistakes

1. Keep it simple

Use a maximum of 2 hashtags per post on Facebook. If you use unique or branded hashtags, they will stand out and you are more likely to be noticed.

2. Create Emotion

Use hashtags to emphasise a point and create emotion. Be funny and use hashtags that are clever.

3. Proofread your hashtags

Be careful what hashtags you put together and read them well to make sure your reader is getting the meaning you intended.

#roadskills

Could be

#RoadsKill or

#RoadSkill

And I am sure you have seen plenty of inappropriate hashtags that started out quite innocently.

Facebook likeShould  I hashtag on Facebook?

Sparingly and with purposes, then YES.

Remember to add value to your audience. If the hashtag doesn’t add value to your message then don’t use them.

Need help?

If you need help with your social media or marketing, give Cathy and the team at CATCO Enterprises a call on 0409 489 464 for a free 30 minute session.

 

Does Your Business Need a Marketing Tuneup?

New ideaRunning a successful business is not always as glamourous as we are lead to believe. You have to try and work on the business while working in the business. In the beginning, you are “ the everything” and as time goes on, you need to learn to delegate and let some of these tasks go as other team members and staff are brought into the business.

Light Bulb Moment

Often we learn so much that we replace some of the things that we used to know. Have you ever been to a seminar or had a conversation with someone and listen to them talk about a subject and had a “light bulb” moment. Geez, I know that… How long ago was it since you had thought about it? Something the old becomes new again and maybe, just the solution you are looking for.

Having someone look from the outside into your business might be just what you need. Not because you didn’t know how to run your business or know what the solution is. For that matter you even knew you that had a problem, an outside perspective will always be different. Not right, not better but different and together, you may be amazed at the ideas you can come up with.

WritingThings We Know?

As part of my job, I write / check, post a lot of articles. These articles need to be 300 words or more. Way back when someone showed me to check the word count by going review/word count in the word so that is always how I do it. Today, my new assistant watched me do that and said: “I always just look at the bottom of the screen”. Bottom left is the word count.

Did I know this?
I have no idea, if I did, I sure have forgotten it!

Does Your Business Need a Marketing Tuneup?

What have you missed? Not seen the forest for the trees?

Maybe your website needs a fresh look, an outside perspective?
Contact CATCO Enterprises for a free website audit.

4 Mistakes That Will Cause Your Website to Underperform

All websites are not created equal.Bad User Experience

Here are 4 mistakes that will cause your website to underperform.

  1. Bad user experience
  2. Designs that Don’t Work
  3. Slow Loading Pages
  4. Pages that All Look The Same

Bad User Experience

Your viewers are impatient, they want what they want and they want it NOW!

The worst indicator for Google is the back button. When a viewer comes to your website and hits the back button and bounces straight back out, Google sees that as a bad sign. Now to be fair, the viewer may only be looking for your phone number and they got exactly what they needed; however, in most cases, they bounce because they didn’t get what they were looking for.

Google is a business too and if your website is not making their customers happy by delivering them with what they are looking for, Google will send them to other websites that do.

Designs That Don’t WorkBad Design

If your design is too hard to navigate around or your viewers are left confused, it is unlikely that they will find what they are looking for and probably will leave. People are impatient and have lots of choices, so are more likely to leave than try and find it within your site.

Your design needs to be clear, concise and on brand so that you don’t confuse your viewer.

Be careful going too MINIMALIST, or you won’t have enough information for Google to verify that your website is trustworthy. Minimalist design looks great however, you still need to provide “the meat in the sandwich”; the content that backs up your images and let Google and your viewers now they are in the right place.

Let your viewers know that you can help them with your products and services to solve the problem they are looking to have solved.

Slow Loading PagesWant a better experience

With a lot of people are viewing your website on mobile devices, slow loading pages will be the death of your website. There are many things that can cause your pages to load slowly.

  • Large image file sizes
  • Old and redundant code in the back of your website
  • Bad code
  • Badly designed pages
  • Videos that haven’t been optimised or embedded properly
  • And many other reasons

If you only do 1 thing to fix your current website, check out your page loading speed.

Pages that Look All the Same

If all your pages have the same large header that takes up most of the top of the page and it is all your viewer will see when the page first loads. Your viewers won’t know that a different page has loaded.

Don't let your website be another mistake

Large headers are a great visual on your homepage, it gives immediate validation that your viewer is in the right place.  Once your viewer clicks on something else and wants to learn more, you need to show them a different look so that they know they have loaded a new page. If your product is very visual, you may want to stay with a large image at the top of the page (although there are better ways to do this). If you do stay with a large image, then make sure that you can change the images for each page so that there is no doubt that a new page has loaded.

4 Mistakes That Will Cause Your Website to Underperform

By correcting these 4 common mistakes, your website will give the user a much better experience and they stay longer on your site because they are getting the results they want; finding the information they need to solve their problems.

Need help with your website?

Contact Cathy and the team at CATCO Enterprises for a website audit of your current website.

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