Flash Forward Sites

If you are on page 1 of Google, yes, new Customers will find you and you should get some calls.

However, if you are in the top 5, on page 1, then you are getting MOST of the calls.  Just like the alphabetical listing in the yellow pages, the top listing on the first page gets the most calls. It’s the same with Google, Bing, and Yahoo.   The top spot gets the most and the bottom spot gets the least.

So where are you ranking?  I have a new FREE ranking tool for you to try.  All you need is your business phone number.

A reverse lookup will happen to find your keywords.  Then you will see a report on how you are doing.

Page 1 of Google = Profitable Visibility.

If you find you don’t like your ranking, and someone else is getting all the calls, then go back and start with my previous tip to get listed.

Sometimes I ask people why they aren’t using Social Media.  Answers are usually…

• I don’t have time
• I don’t have a clue how to do it
• I have enough trouble with email

Even though Social Media is free, people seem to miss the benefits…

• Getting noticed even when there is lots of competition in your business
• Help you reach the right audience and share your message immediately
• Build relationships and loyalty
• Find customers

Maybe its the name. The word “Media” could easily make people think of Radio, TV, and newspapers. Those can be expensive. And that could easily be a barrier.

Radio, TV, newspapers,and other print media isnt social. Its a one way communication medium. There is no way to get instant feedback or comments from viewers and fans.

To help get more people involved, I suggest we use different words than Social Media. What do you think? Lets try PROFITABLE VISIBILITY. Doesn’t that sound like something you need?

Would you make time for Profitable Visibility?

Do you want to learn about finding Customers with Profitable Visibility?

To get started, just join ONE… Facebook, linkedIn, Twitter, or Google+. Then connect with me.

Tagging in Facebook is the ultimate in online ‘word of mouth‘ marketing.

Why? Because your message appears in the ‘tagged’ person’s newsfeed. Not only will the ‘tagged’ person see it, all that person’s Facebook friends will see it too.

Facebook Pages can be tagged also. This is great in testimonials when a Page is ‘tagged’.

Tagging can’t be easier. You just prefix a person’s name or Page name with @

There is another, little known, benefit to tagging. You get your name out there more. Lets say you have a favorite person you follow on Facebook. You could be their number one fan, by sharing everything they write and tag them in your share. Again, your Facebook friends would all see it, as well as all that person’s Facebook friends.

Boost your visibility by Tagging.

I would appreciate it if you shared this with your friends with this ->

Have you tried to search for your business name in Google? It’s best to put your business name in quotes when searching, to help weed out other variations.

How many results did google show? Was it at least 1000? If you are under 1000, you are invisible.

How about your contact info? It’s vital to have your business name, address, phone on other Directory sites. And it needs to be exactly like what you have on your website. For example, if you have STE for the word Suite on your website, all other sites and directories should also have STE.

For the next test. How many listings can you find with your business name and phone number?

Simply search for the last 7 digits of your phone number, as it appears on your website. And include your business name. Did Google find at least 500 results?

Here is an example. As I write this I have a friend who does an amazing job with countertops. If I search for “elegant finishes” 326-6004

Google is only finding 33 results. His business is invisible.

So what can you do to get your info “out there”, so potential Customers can find you?

1) Create a free Business Listing in Google Places.  Click on GET STARTED under “Get your Business Found on Google”. Keep filling in all the fields to provide all your information.

2) Easily get 100+ websites and directories at Univeral Business Listing.
You can see a current list where UBL will distribute your info at https://www.ubl.org/Distribution_List.aspx
Click on PACKAGES to purchase the plan you want. UBL charges you annually. Considering how much time it takes to get updated on 100 individual sites, the price for UBL is well worth it. Its a huge time saver. Enter your info once and UBL will add it to all the sites.

3) Here are some addtional websites to look at. Some of these may work for your business. If so, you can create an account or profile to list your Business.

http://biznik.com

http://bx.businessweek.com

http://dmoz.org

http://econnect.entrepreneur.com

http://local.botw.org

http://sta.rtup.biz

http://www.Answers.com

http://www.bizsugar.com

http://www.eventful.com

http://www.flickr.com

http://www.joeant.com

http://www.meetup.com

http://www.partnerup.com/default.aspx

http://www.rateitall.com/promote

http://www.startupnation.com

http://www.Twitter.com

http://www.webdirectory.com

http://www.webring.com

http://www.wepapers.com

http://www.wikipedia.org

4) Lastly, look up your competition the same way. What other websites are they using, that you have’t used yet for your Business. Many occupations have special or niche directories that you can use. You can find them easier by looking at your competitors to see where they are listed.

Don’t think you are done when Google shows you reached 500. The steps above are to help get you started. This is just the begining for promoting your business and website. You want to continuously be on the lookout for other places to list your business.

If you have a smartphone, I’m sure you have done it. You have used your phone to view websites. Restaurants, stores, banking, and finding nearby places – right?

Google reports that nearly 30% of searches come from phones and tablets.

How about your own site? Are you getting mobile traffic? If you followed my tip on collecting statistics then you know if you are.

If you are ready for a mobile webpage, here is an easy way to create one yourself.  There are several sites that let you build a Mobile webpage.  One such site is WinkSite.com.

When you use such a tool, remember to simplify your web page.  Consider what are the top 3 or 4 actions a mobile person needs to do.  Call you?   Get directions to your location?  If you are a restaurant, see your Menu?  How about showing your specials?

Keep it simple and easy for your Mobile page.

Once you use a tool to create your Mobile page, now you need to make it work with your website.  Preferably, your website detects that the device is a smartphone or tablet, and presents your Mobile page instead of your full website.

That takes some editing of your Website to add some code, which you can get from MobileESP.  If this part seems to complicated, call or email me and I can help.

What does your Business Page wall look like? Are your fans leaving comments and asking questions? Or is it full of posts that you put there.

Remember, the real power of a Business Page comes from comments and shares from your Fans.

Why?

Because as Fans make comments and share with others, Facebook will display those comments in the news feed of the Fan’s facebook friends. This results in more visibility and sometimes gets more Fans involved in the conversation.

So try to get your Fans engaged and have conversations with them. Here are 2 techniques to help:

1) Post Pictures or Videos. People are more likely to comment on your photos and videos than a text only post.

2) Ask a simple question where the answer is just one or 2 words. People don’t want to spend a whole lot of time typing. But you’ll see that quick one or 2 word answers work much better.

Try them both. And you’ll see more feedback from Fans.

Are you an Author? Would you like to sell more books?

It’s the new look for your Facebook Profile. It tells the story of YOU, with your pictures, videos, and posts that you have in Facebook.

Watch this short video on Timeline.

Currently, we can control WHEN we want our profile to use this new Timeline layout. Just click GET TIMELINE on the video above, to do it now.

Eventually, Facebook may force everyone to use this new layout. But for now, do it when you are ready.

Once you click GET TIMELINE, Timeline will organize your pictures, videos, and posts. You can choose to edit or remove items. Then when you are ready, click PUBLISH. You have 7 days to complete your editing and tweeking. After 7 days Facebook will automatically publish what you have.

Want to know more about Timeline? Check out this complete guide on Mashable.

You have many options today, for taking credit cards. And you’ll see special advertised deals with rates as low as 1.59%.

But don’t be fooled by these low advertised rates. You need to look at the whole picture. And in the Merchant Agreement, they list all the other fees. Sometimes these fees are spread out in the agreement, so you need to read it thoroughly or you may miss some of the hidden fees.

Along with that 1.59% transaction fee, watch out for:

• A Setup fee
• Monthly Statement fees
• PCI Compliance fee
• Currency conversion fee
• Monthly minimum charge when you don’t have the minimum number of charges that month
• Interchange fees that are charged on rewards cards
• Extra fees for taking American Express
• Early termination fee since you need to sign an annual contract

Square charges 2.75% per transaction.    This is perfect for swiping cards on the spot.  Square gives you a free card swipe, that you plug into your Android phone or iPhone.  Anywhere you have a cell signal, you can take a credit card.

Depending on where you take credit cards, either of these solutions will be great for you.  And you can have both, since there is no cost at all, until you make a sale.

While I really like Square, there is a couple other competitors.  See a comparison.

Remember, look at ALL the fees involved in the processing of your credit cards to determine your true cost.

Facebook made more changes.  This time Facebook changed how it reports all the great data it is collecting.

The new reporting should make it easier to see what is working and what is not, on Facebook.

You can see some of the details here on ALL FACEBOOK.

Keep in mind you don’t get to see your “Insights” data until you have 30+ LIKEs on your business page.  So keep growing your LIKEs.