When businesses reach out to us for SEO services, we often have to step back to a basic starting point. While a company’s impulse can be to rush in consumers in any way possible, there is a foundation that must be built before SEO brings appropriate value. Web traffic to a business that has no professional front can be worse than wasteful; it can leave bad impressions on potential customers.
THE STARTING POINT – BRANDING AND BASIC WEBPRESENCE
There are two common holes that can’t exist in a business wanting to strongly compete on the internet.
BRANDING
Fair or not, branding can encompass everything that a customer feels about your business.
As you spread your brand through your marketing channels, it will repeat those feelings to your customers. You need a logo that is noticeable without being too complex, and colors that accurately reflect who you are. A competent graphic designer can help you create branding and style guides that represent you consistently across your marketing output.
BASIC INTERNET REPRESENTATION
It’s okay to begin simple. Starting out, this can be as little as a Google listing and a one-page site.
A sufficient one-pager can hold:
• A logo, for brand recognition and established feel
• A clear statement of your services. Consumers want to quickly answer the question “Is this what I’m looking for?”
• A clear statement of your service area and a clear statement of the way to access your services. Consumers want to quickly answer the questions “Is this accessible to me?” and “How do I access it?”
• Contact information-customers want it to be easy to request your services or ask for more information.
The Google listing will show up in the sidebar of the Google SERP, serving as a quick snapshot of your business. It’s created through Google My Business, and, as of August 2019, is free.
These two items can be created by do-it-yourselfers with a bit of time and patience, or by a website development team.
Many website builders are user-friendly even to people with limited experience(Weebly is one of these. We prefer it over such builders as Wix and WordPress, who advertise as simple and easy but complicate with more versatility and options than are necessary for a “simple” site platform).
We find that businesses often have one of a couple reservations when considering a digital marketing agency to work their business:
• The unknown: the functions of the internet can feel like a mystery. Loaded with misused industry terms, phantom search engine algorithms, and too many of “the best” site building platforms, the website scene has a lot to digest while running your own business.
• Web Developer-phobia: Many businesses have lost money to unscrupulous web development and marketing agencies. It’s understandable to be wary of digital marketing after such an experience, and as mall site can be a more comfortable way for a business to feel out their website developer before again risking large amounts of valuable resources.
We’ll say it again: it’s okay to start simple! The groundwork must begin somewhere, and as you feel more comfortable with your understanding of digital marketing, you’ll feel the need to expand your efforts. But to add building blocks, you need the foundation. The first step is eliminate the branding and internet holes that are turning away potential customers. World domination can come next.
If your company is dipping its toes into the world of websites and you’d like to discuss your options with someone in person, reach out to us! You can give us a call, use our contact page, or stop by. Our office is in Snohomish near Collector’s Choice Restaurant and next door to KT Nails. We look forward to hearing from you!
