Your website is your hub for all your online business dealings
As a website and marketing developer, I have found that it is crucial for businesses to understand that having a website or that having an online-presence — no matter whether it is eBay, Etsy, Shopify, et.al. — is only one leg of the process and does not equate to online sales. It sets you up for online sales, but it is not the right tool for the next phase of this process.
Think of it like this. A carpenter has a toolbox full of tools, however, even with all those tools, a building will not get built without the carpenter putting his skills to the task.
Regarding your website “Understanding the all the components (the ones that drive conversions) is separate from the build — although still integrated with your overall strategy.” ~ Trevor Greenfield from Redwood SEO
Along with your website — other things to think about!
Getting noticed — via SEO, Social Media, et.al. — is only part of the plan. In today’s modern marketing, it is crucial to know the different awareness levels of your varying targets so your outbound messaging has the right timing to the intended target. This often overlooked ‘timing’ component is a crucial step.
More information about marketing your website…
Your Website — if designed correctly — will allow you to deliver the right message at the right time; a crucial component of inbound marketing, I suggest you contact me directly and we can chat about you and your business.
If you are looking for more information about marketing your website, I have written about this in two blogs that may interest you.
Poor online password security leaves popular online accounts susceptible to hacking
SOURCE: ABC News
Online Password Security experts at Dashlane® have identified the password weaknesses of popular websites – ones you’re probably already using at home and work.
The latest research in online password security also shows that individuals and businesses are equally likely to experience the consequences of poor online password policies.
From July 5 – July 14, Online password security experts at Dashlane® examined 37 popular consumer websites and 11 popular enterprise websites against five password security criteria:
1. Does the website require users to have passwords that are 8 or more characters? When creating a new account on each website, Dashlane® researchers attempted to create passwords less than eight characters irrespective of the sites’ stated minimum password requirements.
2. Does the website require users to have passwords with a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols? When creating a new account on each website, Dashlane researchers attempted to create passwords with all letters (“aaaaaa”) or numbers (“111111”).
3. Does the website provide an on-screen password assessment meter to show users how strong their password is? When creating a new account on each website, we wanted to see if the site provided any notification, such as a meter or color-coded bar, they were credited as providing an assessment. Sites that only provided confirmed password length or where requirements were met did not receive credit.
4. Does the website allow 10 incorrect login attempts without providing additional security (CAPTCHA, account lockout, 2-Factor, etc.)? Dashlane researchers attempted to log in using incorrect passwords. If the tester was able to continue entering incorrect credentials after 10 attempts without receiving any security mechanism, such as a CAPTCHA code or the account automatically locking, the site did not receive credit.
5. Does the website have support for 2-Factor Authentication? A website was given credit if they offer any two-factor or multi-factor authentication.
In the study, a website received a point for each criterion they performed positively, for a maximum, and top score, of 5. A score of 3/5 was deemed as passing and meeting the minimum threshold for good password security. SOURCE: https://blog.dashlane.com/dashlane-password-power-rankings-2017/
Dashlane® is the is the only online password manager and secure digital wallet I recommend. It is because they are the best!
It keeps track of all your passwords, and auto-fills all forms including logins and checkouts.
For online password security, Dashlane® uses military-grade encryption and never stores your master key anywhere.
Without it, no one can unscramble and use your passwords.
You should use Dashlane® at work — share this with your coworkers and keep your whole team safe.
Best thing is, with this link below, Your first YEAR is only $20!
Marketing your business is like farming — planning, patience, and diligence, will bring your reward.
While physical marketing still exists, content marketing is how marketing predominantly happens today. So in marketing your business, you must plant the seed for your ideal customer to see; then maintain the best practices available regarding landing pages & content; and last but not least, stay on task to navigate the natural disasters.
This process is crucial to the results that most are looking to achieve. In fact, the parallels between marketing and farming are almost identical.
“Many people hope that inbound marketing will provide a quick fix for their marketing and sales goals; however, like food, it takes time for potential clients to be ready to buy.” ~ Lydia Di Francesco — Marketing and Brand Awareness Expert
So “How do I start” you may be thinking… simply read on.
The Start Of Marketing Your Business — Plant Your Seed
“Prospects go through stages. Your job is to nurture them like a plant as they move from seed to seedling, to healthy, full-grown, productive, and alive.” ~ Pamela Wilson — Author of Master Content Marketing
SOURCE: topdogsocialmedia.com
As with any business, you must start somewhere — marketing your business in today’s business landscape is no different.
Planting the seed that you are an expert or have the best widget is a process. You must create a way for the message to get to the intended target (i.e. advertising, emailing, etc.), develop compelling content (e.g. a strong benefit-driven message), and enlist a capture mechanism to get gated material.
Maintain The Best Practices Available in Marketing Your Business
“The right sales and marketing strategies play an essential role in the success of your business. Developments in technology have opened up entirely new ways to market and sell products and services. Best practice now involves harnessing the power of the Internet, email and mobile telephony to increase the effectiveness of getting products and services to the customer.” ~ Info Entrepreneurs
Discovering what works for marketing your business can be a challenge for many small businesses. The resources mixed with the budget are often limited; and then there is message creation, timing insight, and the whole ‘what do I do now’ factor. These all play a part in the development of a concise plan and knowing these will help you succeed with marketing your business.
That said, this mid-funnel methodology is broad in scope and often is different for each business. So rather than drone on, I recommend you allow me to talk to you about it at no cost to you. Set a chat time in 3 clicks via my online calendar.
Stay On Task And Navigate The Natural Disasters
“The best way for your business to cope with a natural disaster is to have a plan before it strikes. Time and clear thinking are luxuries in an emergency situation, which is why it is so important to be prepared.” ~ Government of Queensland, Australia
And while [they] are talking about getting your business ready for a natural disaster such as flooding and cyclones, the methodology is the same.
The reality, not every campaign will work out. There will be some trial and error in the beginning, but this information is super valuable when you go to develop a strategy and business plan that will be the ruler by which you can measure your progress. This plan is the sailing plan by which business owners navigate economic trends, industry forces, natural disasters and other variables.
Have You Heard Of Marketing Your Business With Inbound Marketing?
If you have not been under a rock for the past 5 years, surely you have heard of “inbound marketing”.
In summary, it is the act of setting in place a system that approaches the potential customer with engaging content and compelling CTA’s (calls to action) and drives a potential ‘ideal client’ to your proverbial business doorstep.
That all said, the timing must be right! Download our free guide to help you deliver the right message to the right target at the right time.