Can Potential Clients Find You?

According to World Internet Usage Statistics (2008) 74.4% of North Americans are using the Internet. That’s over two hundred million people, and studies show that the Internet is playing an increasingly important role in people’s daily lives. When someone needs information or assistance with something, chances are they are going to turn to an Internet search engine to do so. Google trends goes so far as to claim that the Yellow Pages will be toast in four years.

Why is this important to you? Because within these numbers lie an unending stream of potential clients. That being said, are you aware of what all of these potential clients are going to find when they do a search for you, your business or what you offer?

Try this; in each of the major search engines (at the least Google and Yahoo) do a search for your name. Take a look at the results, are you listed there? If so, is your information current?Are there links to your website where those potential customers can learn more and ultimately contact you? Now do another search for your business name and note the same things. You can follow that by searching what you offer. To go a step further, you can add your location to what you offer, (for example, legal services, Hickory, NC).
What did you find? Ideally, of course, you want to be the number one result, but you should at the very least be in the top ten. Not only that, the information listed there should be up to date, detailed and as complete as possible. It should lead a potential client ultimately to your website where they should find content that will make them want to return and become a repeat visitor.

I did a comparison of an small established company I knew had been in business for quite some time and my own company which isn’t quite 2 years old. One would think that the established company would have better results, but amazingly their results were very disappointing.Although their name and the business owners name did show up in the top ten results, the information was outdated and led nowhere. Nothing linked to a website that gave information or would draw potential clients to visit or even recall the company.

My own results were just the opposite. 9 out of 10 results lead to my business, all of which were direct links to my website or to place that ultimately would lead to my website. Even doing a search for my field and my location snagged two hits in the top ten and I just relocated to the area a month ago.

Why such a difference in results? After all, I’m a young business with a practically non-existent marketing budget. The difference is, I’ve utilized online marketing strategies that include social media networking and a very active blog.
I realize that you can read all you want about the effectiveness of utilizing online marketing strategies, but if it’s something you don’t understand or have never done, it’s not going to hit home. But perhaps by doing a few simple searches you can see how you might be missing out on an endless supply of potential clients who are in need of what you offer.

If you find your results are less than stellar, take the steps to increase your online presence, make sure that information already online is up to date and detailed and make sure your website is doing more than just sitting out there on the web.

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Not sure how to beef up those search engine results? Let someone with experience help you. Contact me for more information. Social Media/Blog Marketing is just one of the services I offer through Clerical Advantage.