Why We Trump Free Web Design Platforms

February 26th, 2010

We are revolutionizing the way Columbus, Ohio website design is being done. From SEO to basic website development and website design, we are giving consumers a fresh approach to building a website as well as a small business. How you may ask? We believe that the most important thing to a results driven web site is collaboration. We make the experience of web design personal from start to finish. Pick up the phone and give us a call, we will always be here to answer. We also believe in the power of SEO and will walk you through every step of the process from choosing effective keywords to social media optimization to getting your pages ranked in Google.

Free website design platforms are great, but that’s all they give you- a website design. You don’t get own your source code, there is no expert integration of SEO keywords, and your generic website design falls flat. You get a robotic website design service with no personal touch and no personal attention. There is a reason why professional website design services exist.  Simply, there’s good website design, and then there’s just website design. You really get what you pay for.

Having mywebWOW!com build your website is a partnership. We  provide you with all the web design service you could ask for at an affordable price. Columbus, Ohio has been good to us. Now we want to be good to Columbus, OH.

SEO Good News Travels Fast!

January 29th, 2010

Our SEO client PCHSlive.com had yielded great traffic generating success so fast that another health care service provider Frontier Health Care Serviced wanted a piece of that action!  Actions speak louder than words.  Dollar for dollar, SEO websites usually generated the greatest return on your marketing investment.  So, give us a call today and inquire about what we can do for you!

New Directions Counseling Services – New SEO

January 27th, 2010

New Directions Counseling Services (Family counseling and Marriage counseling in Columbus, Ohio) has come to the realization that they need to take advantage of the investment that they made into their website and push it to a new level:  get it noticed in Google!  Their plan is to utilize our SEO (Search Engine Optimization) services, and obviously we think it is the best way to manage their online marketing dollar!  Welcome aboard!

What is new at Columbus Ohio SEO Service?

January 21st, 2010

We have updated our SEO package and if I do say so myself, I am very excited about the affordable SEO services that we are offering businesses in the Columbus and central Ohio areas!   This is a good way to insure exposure on all the major search engines and at the same time effectively manage your advertising budget.  Tired of the big Columbus SEO firms snubbing you because you aren’t bringing a million dollars to the table.  Look no more, we are open for your search engine optimization business!

New Web Design Client: JF Painting Services

January 21st, 2010

We would like to introduce to you one of or new clients:  JF Painting Services .  Being a leader of contacted painting services for over 20 years, here in the central Ohio area, getting awesome results for your commercial or residential painting needs is their primary concern!  Not only did they ask us to perform their web design, they also asked us to handle their SEO needs and are very appreciative for the request!

Go ahead and check them out at:  www.Columbus-Ohio-Painting-Services.com !

SEO Services: Google Mapping

January 12th, 2010

Need an edge in people finding your business within search engines such as Google?  Why not try our Search Engine Optimization of getting you listed on Google Maps?

Google Maps is a function that is often activated when you type in a gepgrapgical information when conduction an online search?  An example of some our clients would be one of our Tan Envy Spray Tanning service provider.  Type in “Tan Envy Spray Tanning Louisville Kentucky” and you will find our client!

Other clients include “OVI Lawyer Columbus Ohio” (Columbus Ohio DUI Lawyer) and STNA classes in Ohio (STNA Training Provider)

5 Marketing and Branding Trends for 2010

December 27th, 2009

Once upon a time, we did not have the tools needed to predict loyalty metrics, though we do now. Thankfully, we can now measure the direction and velocity of consumer values 12 to 18 months in advance of the marketplace and consumer articulations of category needs and expectations.

Here is a list of five trends for marketers for 2010 that will have direct consequences to the success – or failure – of the new year’s branding and marketing efforts.

1.) Forget content being king. Value is “where it’s at.”

Even on sale items, consumer spending will continue to be replaced by a reason-to-buy at all. Brands without authentic meaning will suffer.

2.) “Because I Said So” is no longer good enough.

Brand values can be established as a brand identity, but they must believably exist in the mind of the consumer. A brand can’t just say it stands for something and make it so.

3.) Old tricks don’t work/won’t work anymore

Consumers are smarter than you think they are – they’re on to brands trying to play their emotions for profit and they don’t appreciate it. The same is true for insincere celebrity pairings.

4.) They won’t need to know you to love you

As the buying space becomes even more online-driven and international, front-end awareness will become less important. A brand with the right street cred can go viral in days, with awareness following, not leading, the conversation.

5.) Engagement is not a fad – It’s the way today’s consumers do business

Brand engagement is new goal for marketers, regardless of how they choose to spread their message.

Is your Business Ready for Social Media?

December 20th, 2009

Social Media has evolved into a powerful online tool in today’s world – companies now specifically employ people to handle various aspects of their social media campaigns, yet other companies still have yet to leverage this powerful tool.

Companies that are successful in this regard know who they want to target, how to react to online conversation, and how they can measure their online presence. These initiatives have helped them further strengthen their total brand presence, both online and offline.

However, if your company is still contemplating entering social media, you need to take your current online reputation into account. Your customers could be using different forums to talk about your product and these conversations could be positive or negative. Ask yourself:

•    Do you know where on the web they are talking about your brand?
•    Are these conversations affecting your brand?
•    Do you have a plan to defend your brand in case their opinions are negative?

If your answer is “NO” to any of these questions, then you need to take immediate steps to protect and enhance your brand online. Moreover, your action now can pave the way for your future growth, as social media is here to stay. Twitter, Facebook and MySpace are going to be your new playground – your customers are already there, and they are waiting for you to talk to them.

Companies that have taken steps in this regard are already way ahead of you, and are reaping the fruit of their labor.  They know what their customers want and can change their products accordingly.  Their products are sure to be successful as they provide what their customers want and empower their customers to evangelize for them.

By entering this arena, you will lay the foundation for your social media activities.

Can Traditional Advertising and Social Media Peacefully Co-Exist?

December 13th, 2009

Traditional advertising and social media marketing are two completely separate entities, right? Traditional advertising is one-way communication comprised of marketing collateral, print, and broadcast materials, while social media is a two-way communication where you go where they are and interact. In social media marketing, we’re taught to tread lightly, listen first before we speak, and get to know people first – in other words, you need to shake the consumer’s hand before you reach for their wallet. But at what point is it ok to blatantly and directly sell people?

Let’s explore social media marketing a fit further, specifically blogs. Isn’t a blog an indirect sales pitch? Bloggers write with the ultimate goal of establishing themselves or their brand as a leader. That, arguably, is advertising, as the article is being placed and promoted on the various platforms for readers to find, notice, and read. This seems all too similar to creating a print ad and placing it in various publications for buyers to find, notice and react. Blogs, we know, are only one part of social media marketing but this is not where the similarities end.

Traditional advertising invites and welcomes people to their brick and mortar or online store to buy what is advertised, in addition to encouraging the consumer to see what else they have to offer. Social Media Marketing is about creating profiles on the various platforms to also invite and welcome people to learn about who you are and what you have to offer.

There is a difference, though. Social media provides an opportunity to interact, where that opportunity does not typically exist with traditional advertising.

So can the two media peacefully co-exist? Absolutely, provided both are done strategically and with the understanding that they are two very different tools that work beautifully in tandem, but not in place of each other.

Four Basic Approaches to Marketing ROI

December 8th, 2009

When it comes to measuring the return on your marketing investment, there are as many answers as there are variables. Obviously, metrics are not a one-size-fits-all proposition.

  • Timelines Making a timeline of marketing actions can be very helpful because it allows you to see what you did, when you did it, and track response, such as sales, inquiries to the call center, etc. By comparing marketing inputs and outputs you can get a sense of what drives sales.  If you can identify a correlation, the math is pretty straightforward and you can get a good idea of what drives your ROI.
  • Grids Many marketers prefer to use grids because of the limitations of timelines. They are very easy to make in excel and you can overlay activities of different durations, plus they allow you to insert additional information. However, grids also have their drawbacks.  For example, intensity can be difficult to measure, plus grids can also get cluttered, confusing, and unwieldy.
  • Tracking and Two-Variable Modeling Another approach is to track all activity using a variety of metrics.  With tracking, you lose the visual simplicity of grids, but you can include as much data as you want. You don’t have to guess beforehand what you think will be most relevant.  After tracking for six months or so, you should have enough data to build two-variable econometric models. However, if there is too much market activity, it will be hard to find a two-variable model that explains more than 50% of the variation in the data.  A model that offers more doubt than certainty is of questionable value.
  • Multivariate Modeling Some of the world’s premier marketers use multivariate modeling.  While prohibitively expensive for most companies, you can include a variety of marketing and economic factors and get much better models than you can using only two-variables. However, multivariate models are extremely complex, plus designing them is extremely difficult. A successful multivariate effort requires a delicate balance of high level quantitative skills and street level business acumen.

How to Build a Strong Brand Identity in Seven Steps

November 30th, 2009

One of the biggest challenges for any small business owner is creating a strong brand identity that emotionally connects with consumers, is easily recognizable, and fills a need with consumers. Marketing and advertising support your brand identity though the use of various mediums and engaging with customers though social media, as well as face-to-face interactions. Interacting with customers will provide you with a wealth of information, as well as continue to support your brand’s identity once you have established trust with the consumers.

How to Build a Strong Brand Identity

Visual Presentation. Consider all of the ways you present your brand to customers – whether it is online, offline, business cards, or brochures, etc. Have these elements been deliberately designed and are they consistent with your brand’s overall statement? The professionalism of your materials affect the way that customers view your brand and equate to perceived value.

Value. What advantages are there to becoming one of your customers? Will your brand enhance customers’ lives in some way?

Quality. How well (or poorly) a product is made and performs is reflected in customer satisfaction.  Also, take into consideration the quality of the customer service you offer. Is support readily available? Is your team knowledgeable and courteous?

Availability. How easily can customers purchase your product? Is this only available in stores, only available online, or a limited time offering?

Price. Does the cost reflect the product’s quality and perceived value? Extremely low price points will leave the customer questioning the product’s quality, while extremely high prices allow the customer to look for reasons not to buy from you.

Presence. Do your customers have to find you or are you finding them? Do you homework prior to advertising to find out who you customer is and where they are.

Commitment. How committed are you to your brand and the customers?  What is your reputation? How are you viewed by customers, as well as the industry?

Building a strong brand identity is about knowing who you are, where you fit in and what differentiates you from competitors. Your customers will be loyal to you, so long as you are loyal to them.

Social Media: the Rules of Engagement for Small Businesses

November 22nd, 2009

Many marketers forget that they should not be marketing to themselves, particularly when it comes to social media. The key to social media marketing is that if you are going to engage in it, you need to do so because it makes sense to your business. Online marketing can be a terrific thing when done correctly, but one size does not necessarily fit all.

Social media rock star Chris Brogan says that there are five things every small business owner should do online immediately:

  • Start a blog. Yes, blogs are cheap and easy. Should every business blog? Probably not.
  • Start listening. In other words, find out what others are saying about you. Fair enough – recon is always a good idea.
  • Try Twitter OR Facebook. These are both great ways to find potential business, but choosing one of these vehicles must be strategic – go where your customers are.
  • Get the word out. If you’re going to blog or have a social media presence, you need to let people know you’re out there, whether you’re putting your blog’s URL in your email’s signature line or your Twitter ID on your business card. I’m very fond of referencing the line about the proverbial tree in the forest – if no one knows how to find your blog, does it really matter how brilliantly it’s written?
  • Try moving the needle. Invite social media-types into your world by enticing them with promotions and let them promote you through good word-of-mouth.

How to Prioritize Your Social Media Time

November 15th, 2009

Let’s be honest – time is precious and we can’t spend as much time on social media as we’d like to, especially if we want these marketing tools to work. The key, like anything, is organization and setting priorities so you optimize your time spent. How should you prioritize? Here is a list of factors to consider.

Periodically review your RSS feeds. It’s so easy with all the tools out there to subscribe to something you think might have value long term, but suddenly realize that you can get the same information somewhere else, plus some of the original article/topics that got you to subscribe in the first place come infrequently. Purge some of these that are not as relevant as I once thought.

Focus on your niche. There is so much info on the Internet that it could easily overwhelm you. Instead, focus on your core markets/interests and spend more time on those trusted sites.

Monitor your time. While your time is limited, it seems as though everyone is asking you to do more and more. The Internet can easily suck you in and, despite your intentions, you’ve wasted hours instead of minutes. Be aware of your time and use it wisely.

Skimming is Essential. As much as you would love to be all things to all people, truthfully, you cannot. There simply is not enough time in the day to read everything, so you need to master the art of skimming articles quickly to see if they are really what you’re looking for. Yin 30 seconds, you should be able to skim an article and determine whether or not it’s of interest to you.

Who’s watching/reading you? If you blog, there are metrics in place that allow you to monitor views. Look at these periodically and focus your efforts on those topics where you’re getting the most action.

The Cardinal Rule of Twitter

November 8th, 2009

As you use social media, your immediate goal is to grow your network as you promote your product. At the same time, you should seek out others to follow, ideally based upon a common interest, industry, profession, location, etc. You will also be sending out tweets that relate to what you do and those like interests of your prospective followers and clients – those messages should also have keywords included so that potential followers will find you in their searches.

However, the way in which many people and companies attract followers is their downfall. Many people set up their account and then start following as many people as possible indiscriminately in hopes that those people will in turn follow them back. They’re easy to spot – they’re the people who are following 5,000 people and only have 1 follower. Another equally easy to spot user is the one with insanely high follower and follow numbers. For example, if the Acme Widget Corporation has 5,145 followers, but also follows 4,989, then Acme may have a largely artificial following. Do 5,100 people really care what Acme has to say? Does Acme really spend his hours and days tracking the tweets of 5,000 followers? Not likely. Acme is just one of 5,000 users trapped – everyone seems to be talking, but no one is listening.

Instead, you should cultivate a natural following – Follow someone on Twitter because you care about what they have to say, and they have a genuine interest in you. If someone tweets a question describing a problem or need to which you may have the solution, you have an opportunity to help someone else. The more questions you answer, the more people you serve and the stronger your reputation and your following will become.

How do people find you? Content is king – post over the course of each day, but don’t blast out a dozen tweets within a short time – it can be like being the loudest and most obnoxious person in the room. Focus on a handful of topics – in the morning, post about the latest good news impacting your local community; afternoon, focus on your industry or an aspect of your profession; evening tweets can be more laid back—with content that might be entertaining or thought-provoking. Plan out your strategy – but keep it simple and always deliver value at every opportunity.

Plastics Recycling Company (www.Plastics-Recycling-Company.com): The World Wide Market

November 1st, 2009

Not all of our clients are just thinking of doing business in our local market.  Plastics Recycling Company is targeting the state of Ohio and the world beyond.  The domain name was a no brainer to convey the line of business: www.Plastics-Recycling-Company .

It is obvious that the Plastics Recycling Company recycles waste industrial plastics, but how do you get the word out, especially considering that this concept isn’t exactly new.  It was observed that there were not as many recyclers within the state of Ohio, so we are targeting this region for our new client.

When you are thinking globally, getting Google rankings becomes harder and harder, unless it is for a very unique service.  Plastics recycling wasn’t the case here, so it will take work, but mywebWOW! is up to the challenge.

New Website Design Client Press Release: www.NoahsToo.com

November 1st, 2009

Noah’s Too – known for their innovative Columbus Ohio dog boarding establishment, is more than just your run-of-the-mill kennel.  Pet pampering is their specialty and they we looking for a means to spread the word via internet.  Doggie Day Care and Doggie Day Camp and just a few of the terms they like to use to describe their service.  They came to mywebWOW! for a solution.

Now they are an established presence for the term “Columbus Ohio Kennel” and working their way up through the Google rankings for dog boarding.  Now their potential clients know that they exist!

You just can’t assume that just because you put a website online people will find your business.  Proper website design and SEO implementation can make all the difference in the world!

Taking The Dentistry Website Design/SEO Challenge: www.EastonDentist.com

November 1st, 2009

Dentistry in the Columbus Ohio area is a competitive business from an online marketing perspective.  In a service oriented economy here in Columbus, there is surely no shortage of dentists and they are looking for any edge on getting marketing exposure.  Don’t believe it?  Go ahead and throw a website up there without a marketing plan and then sit there scratching your head as to why no one can find it?

Your Columbus Ohio small business website design company – mywebWOW! – was not afraid of the challenge.  After interviewing the client – www.EastonDentists.com (desiring to be your emergency dentist in the Columbus and New Albany area) -  a workable SEO marketing plan was developed and implemented.

We welcome our new clients and are eager to see how their new SEO marketing plan progresses.  Why not stop by their dental site and see if their marketing approach could also work for your business?

SEO Enhanced Website Designed For Marketing Improvement: www.PCHSlive.com

November 1st, 2009

Premier Health Choice Services was looking for a online marketing improvement and came to mywebWOW! for a solution.  The end result was the search engine optimized site: www.PCHSlive.com .

Not only does this site improve this educational service providers presence on the internet, but not have given them increased exposure on Google maps.

With a domain name not clearly identifying the business goals of this institution (provider of STNA classes in Ohio), we designed a marketing plan that has quickly raised their rankings within Google and now directing curious online searchers to their business.

Do you want us to do the same for you?

Is Social Media Actually Free?

October 31st, 2009

One of the biggest untruths in social media, and attempting to use social media for marketing, is that it’s entirely free. Of course, this comes from the “free” price that goes along with signing up for accounts on sites like YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. It doesn’t cost you one cent from your bank account to open a basic account on these sites, but there are costs involved when you are considering entering into the social media space – since these costs are not immediate, the illusion that marketing efforts in social media cost less becomes even greater for companies looking for cheaper solutions to reaching their audiences.

Your Employees’ Time is Money. Many companies seem to forget to figure into the larger picture is how much it costs them in time and resources of employees, tools and equipment. While it may be free to sign up for the account, the real cost comes with your employees maintaining those accounts and keeping them active in the social communities. Just creating the profiles and leaving them there doesn’t mean you are automatically going to gain a foothold in a social media community.

The tools are free, but they could end up costing you in the end. As every marketer knows, you still have to measure efficacy. While tools such as Google Analytics and Google Alerts, there still is a cost of your employees’ time. Also, the free tools do have a limit of scope, and you may have to upgrade to more expensive tools.

When you hear all the hype about Twitter, Facebook and YouTube and how these wonderful “free” tools are helping companies reach new people every day, step back away from the hype and ask yourself how many man hours it took for that team to attain that success with the social media site. How much time really went into research and planning? How are they measuring success?

How to Get More Bang for Your Social Media Buck

October 23rd, 2009

Everyone seems to want to do social media marketing, but very few people actually understand how to measure its efficacy. While you’re deciding how effective your social media strategy is, there are critical issues you need to examine.

Size really does matter. When it comes to social media for a company, one size does not fit all. A smaller company has to focus limited resources on a few resources. For example, once you examine time required and costs, you may have to decide between twitter and a blog and decide which will deliver a better return on your investment.

Decide who you’re selling to. B2B and B2C companies require different skill sets to sell their wares. Things that might work for B2C global brands may fail miserably for a mid-size firm in the B2B domain

Social media has a “If you build it, they will come” mentality. There is no such thing as overnight success in social media – success is built in layers over a period of time. Finding your voice and generating feedback or conversation takes time, so perseverance and quality content are essential.

Begin with the basics. Focusing on a corporate blog should be the core activity of any social media strategy to begin with. This is where here you can build a responsive audience over large distances for building your firm’s social network. Afterward, you may have the knowledge and resources required to join and succeed with other social media channels.

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