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Google Changing URL Structure

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Google Changing URL Structure

Google changing URL Structure

Well-structured URLs offer users a quick hint about the page topic and how the page fits within the website. To help mobile searchers understand your website better when it’s shown in the mobile search results, today Google is updating the algorithms that display URLs in the search results to better reflect the names of websites. Now Google will be using the real-world name of the site instead of the domain name, and the URL structure of the sites in a breadcrumbs-like format.

See the full article in the Google Webmaster Post

SMB VoIP Phones are experiencing a ‘Radical Transformation’

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A ‘Radical Transformation’ Is Brewing in SMB VoIP Phones

Having just a VoIP phone system isn’t cutting it any more
Owners want Advertising Accountability

SMB VoIP phonesSMB VoIP phones are commonplace, but that’s not enough any more. Business owners are expecting accountability and higher ROI when it comes to spending advertising dollars.

SMB VoIP PhonesSMBs want VoIP Systems

SMB VoIP phones create a significant reduction in phone/long-distance/fax costs, support more mobile workforces, offer advanced call handling features, and make changing ISP providers easier.  It also allows companies to stop using MPLS networks to route intra-office calls.  But you should expect more…

What’s The Transformation?

Imagine a phone system that tells business owners, as a call is coming in, where the caller found the business, what web pages they visited leading up to a call, and what email correspondence they’ve had with the business previously. Read an article about how call tracking is increasing ROI for SMBs.

More Information

Read the entire ‘Radical Transformation’ article at StreetFight Magazine.

Why Your Business Should Use Social Media Now

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Why Your Business Should Use Social Media Now

Are you a small or mid-sized business (SMB) trying to figure out the real value of social media and what it’s impact could be in and on your business?

why business should use social media

 

The answer is: Clear Results! Businesses are flocking to the social media sphere in droves. According to LinkedIn, nine in 10 SMBs use or plan to use social media. Ninety-four percent use social media for marketing. Seventy-three percent use social media and social ads. Half of SMBs have increased their spend on social media compared to the previous year, higher than that of any other marketing channel. Why? Here is a quick list of reasons why your business should use social media:

1. Social media drives new business and increases sales –

  • According to Crowdspring, 50% of small business owners reported the gain of new customers through social media, most notably through Facebook and LinkedIn.
  • According to LinkedIn, “82% report that it is effective for lead generation.”
  • HubSpot’s State of Inbound Marketing says that, “77% of B2C and 43% of B2B companies say they’ve acquired customers through Facebook.”

2. Social media marketing increases awareness –

  • “100% of business decision-makers use social media for work purposes,” according to Forrester.
  • “68% of consumers check out companies on social networking sites before buying.”
  • According to iMedia, “70% of marketers say that [social media] content marketing has increased their brand awareness.”

3. Better customer service and relationships –

  • “52% of enterprise brands say social media is the top driver for [customer] relationship building and brand engagement.” (Spredfast)

4. Credibility –

  • According to a Morpace Omnibus Report, “a whopping 68% of Facebook users say a recommendation from a Facebook friend would make them more likely to buy a specific product or visit a certain retailer.”

5. Targeting –

  • Your business can use social media advertising to target by zip code, keyword, demographics, and more.
  • Today you can reach just about anyone through social media. To wit, according to this article from Convince&Convert:
    • “56% of Americans have a profile on a social media site.”
    • “55% of Americans 45-54 have a profile on a social media site.”

6. Audience ownership –

  • In this day of monstrous CPMs and fragmented media, why continue to rent your audiences by running newspaper and radio ads when you can buy your own highly targeted audience comprised of your best prospects through social media? Sure, it takes time to build, but like any good asset, it is worth the investment.

7. Web traffic and SEO impact –

  • According to iMedia, “71% say content marketing helped them improve their site’s rankings.”
  • In a local search usage study by Balihoo, “91% of local searches use Facebook to find local businesses online.”

8. See what is being said about your business –

  • Use social monitoring tools and research to find out what your customers are saying about your business. Successful businesses use this valuable information to enhance customer relationships and business.

9. Competitive intelligence –

  • Wondering what is going on with your competition? Use social media monitoring to track your competitors and avoid surprises.

10. Recruiting –

  • According to this study:
    • “92% of companies use social media for recruitment.”
    • “73% of companies hired successfully through social media.”

11. Save advertising money –

  • 77% believe content marketing helped boost their site’s traffic. (iMedia)

12. Better customer service –

  • According to Social Media Today, social media drives better customer relationships, bigger brand affinity, and a mechanism for instant customer feedback.
  • According to New Media & Marketing, 88% of consumers would be less likely to buy from a company with unanswered questions or complaints from customers on their Facebook page.

I hope this has been clear enough on why your business should use social media now. The earlier you start learning the better. If you and your staff are too busy or too uncomfortable with the process to do it yourself, you can always hire an expert. There are social media agencies and consultants of all shapes and sizes, and there is sure to be a partner out there to help lead your organization out of the abyss!

Stats courtesy of The Social Media Beast

What was your most interesting takeaway from this article?