Online Reviews to Boost Your SEO Strategy

Online reviews have become an integral part of consumers’ decision-making process. For home service businesses, in particular, leveraging the power of online reviews is crucial for enhancing their online visibility, reputation, and ultimately, their search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. In this article, we will explore the importance of online reviews for home service companies, how they can positively impact local SEO, and the benefits they bring to businesses. We’ll also delve into the significance of Google My Business and provide valuable insights on how GoMarketing can help you leverage the potential of online reviews to boost your SEO strategy.

Importance of Online Reviews for Home Service SEO

Online reviews play a pivotal role in home service SEO, as search engines increasingly prioritize user-generated content when determining search result rankings. Here’s why online reviews are essential for your home service business:

» Enhanced Local SEO

Online reviews provide search engines with valuable signals of your business’s credibility and authority, which are critical factors for local SEO. Positive reviews act as a vote of confidence, leading search engines to consider your business as reliable and trustworthy. As a result, your website and Google My Business profile are more likely to rank higher in local search results.

» Increased Visibility and Click-through Rates

Reviews also impact click-through rates (CTRs) for home service businesses. Potential customers are more likely to click on listings with positive reviews, leading to increased website traffic and potential conversions. This higher CTR indicates to search engines that your business is relevant to users’ search queries, further boosting your SEO efforts.

» User-Generated Content and Freshness

Search engines value fresh, relevant content, and online reviews contribute to this by continuously generating user-generated content. Each review adds unique keywords, phrases, and long-tail queries, expanding the breadth of your website’s content. Regularly updated content signals search engines that your website is active, leading to improved SEO performance.

Also Read: Top 10 Digital Marketing and SEO Actions to Take for Home Services Companies

Benefits of Online Reviews for Businesses

The benefits of online reviews extend beyond SEO. Here are some key advantages that businesses in the home services industry can gain:

» Social Proof and Trust

Online reviews serve as social proof, influencing potential customers’ trust in your business. Positive reviews highlight your expertise, reliability, and customer satisfaction, fostering trust and encouraging new customers to choose your services over competitors.

» Reputation Management

Monitoring and responding to online reviews allow you to actively manage your business’s reputation. Addressing both positive and negative feedback demonstrates your commitment to customer satisfaction and showcases your responsiveness. This proactive approach builds a positive reputation and fosters customer loyalty.

» Customer Insights and Feedback

Online reviews offer valuable insights into customers’ experiences, preferences, and pain points. Analyzing customer feedback helps you identify areas for improvement and refine your service offerings. By actively responding to reviews, you can show customers that their opinions matter, fostering stronger relationships.

» Competitive Advantage

Having a strong online review presence gives you a competitive edge. When potential customers compare similar home service providers, positive reviews can be the deciding factor in their decision-making process. A stellar review profile sets you apart from competitors and positions your business as a trusted industry leader.

Responding to Positive Reviews

Responding to positive reviews is just as important as addressing negative ones. Here’s how you can effectively respond to positive reviews:

» Show Appreciation

Begin by expressing your gratitude and appreciation for the positive review. Thank the customer for taking the time to share their experience and choosing your services.

» Personalize Your Response

Tailor your response to the specific content of the review. Highlight specific details or aspects mentioned by the customer to show that you have read and acknowledged their feedback.

» Reinforce the Positive Experience

Reiterate the positive aspects highlighted in the review. Emphasize the customer’s satisfaction with your services and the value they received. This reinforces their positive experience and showcases your commitment to delivering exceptional service.

» Encourage Future Business

Take the opportunity to invite the customer to return for future services. Let them know that you look forward to serving them again and maintaining their satisfaction.

Responding to Negative Reviews

While positive reviews are invaluable, negative reviews can also present opportunities for growth and improvement. When facing a negative review, keep the following in mind:

» Stay Calm and Professional

Take a deep breath and approach the situation with a calm and professional demeanor. Responding in a defensive or confrontational manner will only escalate the situation.

» Address the Issue Promptly

Respond to negative reviews promptly to show that you value customer feedback. Acknowledge the customer’s concerns, apologize if necessary, and offer a resolution to rectify the situation. This demonstrates your commitment to customer satisfaction.

» Take the Conversation Offline

Whenever possible, provide contact information or encourage the reviewer to reach out privately to discuss the issue further. This allows you to address the problem in a more personal and private setting.

How to Get More Online Reviews

To generate more online reviews and strengthen your online presence, consider the following strategies:

1. Request Reviews: Reach out to satisfied customers and politely ask them to leave a review on relevant platforms. Personalize your request and make it easy for them by providing direct links or instructions.
2. Incentivize Reviews: Offer a small incentive, such as a discount or a free service, to customers who leave a review. However, ensure that your approach complies with the policies of the review platforms you use.
3. Streamline the Review Process: Make it as simple as possible for customers to leave a review. Include review links or buttons on your website, in email signatures, and on social media platforms. The easier it is for customers to leave a review, the more likely they are to do so.

Business Reviews on Social Media Platforms

To maximize your online review presence, it’s essential to utilize popular social media platforms where customers can leave reviews. Here are some key platforms to consider:

» Google Reviews

Google reviews are highly influential as they appear prominently in search results. Claim and optimize your Google My Business profile to encourage customers to leave reviews on your listing.

» Facebook Reviews

Facebook provides a platform for customers to review your business, recommend your services, and share their experiences. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on your Facebook Page.

» Yelp Reviews

Yelp is a popular platform for customers to discover and review businesses. Claim your Yelp Business Page and actively engage with customers who leave reviews.

» Industry-Specific Platforms Reviews

Depending on your home service niche, there may be industry-specific platforms or directories where customers can leave reviews. Examples include Houzz for home improvement services or Angie’s List for contractors. Identify relevant platforms in your industry and optimize your presence there.

The Importance of Google My Business

When it comes to online reviews and local SEO, Google My Business (GMB) is an invaluable platform for home service businesses. Here’s why GMB should be a key focus for your online review strategy:

» Local Search Visibility

A well-optimized Google My Business profile increases your chances of appearing in local search results, especially on Google Maps. Positive online reviews on Google My Business act as social proof, attracting more clicks and driving traffic to your website.

» Customer Engagement

Google My Business allows customers to leave reviews, ask questions, and interact with your business directly. Engaging with customers on this platform demonstrates your commitment to customer service and boosts your online reputation.

» Business Information and Insights

Google My Business enables you to provide essential information about your home service business, such as contact details, business hours, and service areas. Keeping this information up to date ensures that potential customers can easily reach you and have accurate expectations. Additionally, Google My Business offers valuable insights into customer behavior, such as the number of views and actions taken on your profile, allowing you to analyze customer engagement and make informed marketing decisions.

» Google Knowledge Panel

A well-optimized GMB profile can lead to your business being featured in the Google Knowledge Panel, a prominent display that appears alongside search results. The Knowledge Panel showcases key information about your business, including reviews, contact details, website link, and even photos. This increased visibility enhances your online presence and further boosts your credibility in the eyes of potential customers.

Summing Up

In the dynamic world of online marketing, leveraging the power of online reviews is a game-changer for home service businesses. At GoMarketing, we understand the significance of online reviews in boosting your SEO and helping your business stand out from the competition. Our home services digital marketing expert team is well-versed in creating effective digital marketing strategies that harness the potential of online reviews to drive more leads and conversions for your business. Don’t miss out on the tremendous benefits of online reviews. Contact us today at (805) 413-7893 to embark on a journey towards enhanced visibility, a stellar reputation, and long-term success in the home services industry. Let’s make your business shine!

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Introduction:

Digital marketing and SEO are vital in helping home services companies increase their online visibility, attract qualified leads, and grow their businesses. With the ever-increasing competition in the digital landscape, it’s essential for these companies to implement effective strategies to stand out from the crowd.

This blog post will delve into the top ten digital marketing and SEO actions home services companies should take to boost their online presence and drive more conversions.

1. Develop a Strong Website:

A well-designed and user-friendly website is the foundation of your online presence. Ensure your website is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and mobile-friendly. Optimize your website’s structure and content using relevant keywords related to your home services. Create dedicated landing pages for each service you offer to improve your search engine rankings and provide a seamless user experience.

2. Optimize for Local Search:

Home services companies primarily serve customers in specific geographic areas. Therefore, optimizing your website for local search is crucial. Start by creating a Google My Business listing and providing accurate and up-to-date information about your business, including your address, phone number, and operating hours. Consistently update your business information on local directories and online review platforms. Incorporate location-specific keywords throughout your website to improve your local search rankings.

3. Build a Strong Content Strategy:

Developing a content strategy is essential for showcasing your expertise and attracting potential customers. Create informative and engaging blog posts, articles, and how-to guides that address common questions and problems your target audience may have. Incorporate relevant keywords naturally into your content to improve your search engine rankings. Additionally, consider diversifying your content with videos, infographics, and case studies to appeal to different learning preferences.

Also Read: What Googles New Algorithm Means For Your Websites Content

4. Leverage Social Media:

Social media platforms provide excellent opportunities for home services companies to engage with their target audience and promote their services. Identify the platforms that resonate most with your target markets, such as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, and create compelling profiles. Share valuable content, including tips, before-and-after photos, and customer testimonials. Actively respond to comments and messages to build relationships and establish trust with your audience.

Also Read: 10 ways your HVAC or any company can become a social media star

5. Run Targeted PPC Campaigns:

Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, such as Google Ads, allows you to reach potential customers actively searching for home services. Conduct keyword research to identify high-intent keywords related to your offerings. Create targeted ad campaigns that lead users to relevant landing pages on your website. Monitor and optimize your campaigns regularly to maximize your return on investment (ROI) and ensure your ads appear to the right audience.

6. Focus On Customer Reviews:

Positive reviews can significantly impact your online reputation and influence potential customers’ decisions. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on platforms such as Google My Business, Yelp, and Facebook. Respond promptly to positive and negative reviews to show that you value feedback and are committed to customer satisfaction. Display customer testimonials prominently on your website to build trust and credibility.

Also Read: The Power Of Online Reviews For Home Service SEO

7. Use Email Marketing:

Email marketing is an effective tool for staying in touch with past and current customers and nurturing leads. Build an email list by offering valuable content, exclusive discounts, or free consultations. Segment your email list based on customer preferences and purchase history to deliver targeted and personalized messages. Send regular newsletters, updates about new services, and special promotions to keep your audience engaged and encourage repeat business.

8. Create a Referral Program:

Word-of-mouth referrals are powerful for home services companies. Encourage your satisfied customers to refer friends, family, and colleagues to your services by implementing a referral program. Offer incentives such as discounts, cash rewards, or exclusive benefits for successful referrals. Make it easy for customers to share referral links or provide referral cards they can distribute.

9. Utilize Video Marketing:

Video marketing has become increasingly popular and can help home services companies showcase their expertise and build trust with potential customers. Create videos demonstrating your services, highlighting customer testimonials, or providing helpful DIY tips. Share these videos on your website, social media platforms, and video-sharing websites like YouTube. Optimize your videos with relevant keywords and compelling titles and descriptions.

10. Monitor and Analyze Data:

To continuously improve your digital marketing efforts, monitoring and analyzing data regularly is essential. Utilize analytics tools like Google Analytics to track website traffic, user behavior, and conversion rates. Identify trends, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions. Adjust your strategies based on the insights gained from your data analysis to optimize your digital marketing and SEO efforts.

Conclusion: Implementing these top ten digital marketing and SEO actions can significantly enhance home services companies’ online presence and success. By developing a strong website, optimizing for local search, creating valuable content, leveraging social media, running targeted PPC campaigns, focusing on customer reviews, using email marketing, creating a referral program, utilizing video marketing, and monitoring data, these companies can attract more qualified leads, build customer loyalty, and achieve long-term growth in the competitive digital landscape.

Ready to start using AI to boost your business? Get in touch with GoMarketing at 805-413-7893 or fill out our online form, and learn how we leverage artificial intelligence marketing to achieve your business goals.

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It’s that time of year again. Yep, you guessed it. Trend forecasting season is upon us!

As digital trends evolve, marketers must stay aware of the changes to quickly adapt to emerging technologies that help develop business, generate leads, improve relationships with existing customers, and gain a competitive advantage.

Are you keeping pace with the latest digital marketing trends to put your brand ahead of the competition? The future trends you used to guide your digital marketing strategy may now be outdated. So, where is digital marketing heading in 2023? Here’s where you should be focusing your marketing efforts in 2023.

Youth Centric Marketing Campaigns

Despite not being at their peak purchase power, the amounts spent by youth are higher than the other age groups. If a product assures them of its worth and offers a great experience, chances are that the millennials will buy it.

Interactive content that resonates with the audience’s mindset, problems, causes, and aspirations will likely foster a brand community and boost sales. Another and probably the most crucial factor about this age group is that almost all of them are tech-savvy. Hence, they are at ease with the changing technological scenario, and most of them own gadgets

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Here are some of the ways through which modern web marketing experts are connecting with the youth.

» Content is King

To market to Generation Z, creating eye-catching visual content is essential. Make it a point to always use bite-sized content, whether it’s in text, video, or image form. The quicker you can get your message across, the better.

Also, optimize your content for mobile viewing and interactions. Keep in mind that a massive percentage of Gen Z prefer using their smartphones over tablets, laptops, and desktops. Skip the lengthy, unnecessary introductions in your blog posts and videos and get straight to the point. Remember, you have less than ten seconds to convince the youth that your content is worth paying attention to!

Also Read: How to Write SEO-Friendly Blog Content

» User-Generated Video Dominates Social Media

One of social media’s top video marketing trends is user-generated content (UGC).

User-generated content involves real users of your product or service talking about it and its positive effects on their lives. Such videos can be, for example, a testimonial or a review of your product in its natural habitat. User-generated video content feels authentic to consumers, which helps it stand out through the seemingly endless digital noise.

A Stackla study found that consumers are 2.4 times more likely to find UGC more convincing than branded content, so keep this in mind when crafting your 2023 strategies. As more social platforms integrate new video features and focus on video-first algorithms, video marketing will become even more critical throughout 2023.

» Audiences Will Use a Variety of Platforms

Speaking of social platforms, channel diversification is one of the top video marketing trends to keep an eye on in 2023. Since users are scattered across the new social landscape, you should diversify your platform mix to reach audiences everywhere they gather.

Each media platform has a unique audience and targeting advantages, so focusing on several will be vital to growing and retaining your entire audience.

» Influencers Lead The Way

Influencer marketing is highly effective when marketing to Generation Z. The digitally-savvy generation relates more to influencers than traditional celebrities. Influencers know what their audience likes and share their expertise to help them decide what to buy. They can help significantly spread your message and increase sales in their target demographic.

Partner with influencers in your niche who support causes that align with your brand, products or services, and social interests.

» Social Media Shopping

The advent of social media has revolutionized how businesses interact with their audience and provided a medium for them to sell their goods and services. Integrating social media and e-commerce has opened doors for an online marketplace for customers from all levels of society to buy products and services that match their expectations.

Social media shopping is a popular social media trend that transcends various industries. Moreover, it is an effective way to make your products available to your customers while they interact and engage with them.

Focus On Customer Experience and Add Value By Being Human

» Amplify Beliefs and Values

Millennials and Generation Z are attuned to today’s political, environmental, and socio-economic issues. They greatly care about and act on these problems online and in real life and support brands that do so too. When spending money, the youth today prefer to take their business to socially responsible brands.

To market to the younger generation, communicate your core values and share how you contribute to improving society. You can further increase your chances of success by connecting your brand, services, and marketing to the causes you support.

» Authentic, Humanized Branded Content

Given recent happenings worldwide, almost everyone is seeking light relief in their everyday lives—including how they align with brands.

Creating digital content that offers an authentic, humanlike personality complete with honesty, humor, vulnerability, and everything else we seek in our personal relationships is an excellent way to build brand loyalty in 2023. An effective way to create these bonds is by featuring mascots or characters throughout your digital marketing, whether we’re speaking of video, email, or app designs.

Of course, these personas must feel authentic and relevant to your brand. A fun and friendly face your target market can relate to is a great way to create loyalty through digital marketing.

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Ultimate Guide To Home Services Marketing In 2023

» Consumers Will Demand Seamless Omnichannel Experiences

Home service consumers will demand seamless omnichannel experiences across their entire journey. To earn their trust, you’ll need to ensure they feel understood and valued every step of the way.

A staggering 83% of customers say they require a positive experience to stay loyal to a brand. If you fail to provide seamless consumer experiences, the stakes are high, as up to 82% of consumers would switch providers due to a bad experience.

Home services companies must embrace personalization across all channels to triumph over the competition in 2023. Focus on providing a seamless experience as prospective clients transition from online research to phone calls to in-person interactions.

» Online Reviews Are Critical

Did you know that 86% of people are willing to pay more for services from a company with higher ratings and reviews?

Sure, a trusted friend’s advice remains the most trusted source for choosing a service provider. However, the rise of review sites makes it more essential than ever for businesses to pay close attention to their online reputation. Positive reviews significantly increase your legitimacy and trust from potential customers shopping for a vendor.

Happy customers are an invaluable asset to utilize, especially when competing with other local home repair contractors. Reviews on sites like Yelp, Google, Facebook, and others can be a blessing and a curse, so managing your customer reviews and comments is vital.

» Email Marketing Remains A Powerful Tool

Why consider email marketing for your plumber digital marketing strategy when you can dance on TikTok and go viral?

Hold your jig: Email marketing remains a crucial marketing channel in 2023. However, like all channels, the best practices change often. Let’s look at the four most important 2023 email marketing trends, plus how you can implement them starting right now.

• Use Personalization – The fact is, personalization works! Use personalization in your email to drive open rate and engagement. This could be as simple as including the recipient’s first name in the subject line or contacting them on their birthday.
• Use Interactive Content – What’s the goal of email marketing? To get conversions, right? Consumers want interactive emails. Almost 60% of people report engaging with interactive email content.
• Use Artificial Intelligence – AI allows you to utilize advanced computer science techniques to get insights from big data and customers, helping you write email copy, clean up lists, optimize send times, and send automated newsletters.
• Look at Examples From Your Industry – Are you trying to set up a great email campaign as part of your HVAC digital marketing strategy for 2023? Look at successful ones that get replies within your industry!

Also Read: The Top 10 Digital Marketing Trends in 2021-2022

Wrapping Up!

Adjusting to the digital marketing trends for 2023 is essential for any business trying to remain relevant. However, balancing between trends is vital because once a trend becomes widespread, it frequently deviates its direction or disappears from the market entirely because of oversaturation.

When planning your digital marketing campaigns for 2023, remember to ask yourself: Will your content remain valuable if the current trends change? What will happen to my marketing should that happen?

» Take Your Homes Services Business To The Next Level With Our Marketing Services

Digital marketing for home services can make a big difference for your business. Our online marketing strategies at GoMarketing are ideal for home service contractors wishing to reach their target audience through search engines and social media.

Also Read: SEO Solutions for Home Services Companies

No matter the size of your business, you will benefit from our effective digital marketing solutions. At GoMarketing, we are here to help your business get the right results through a bespoke online marketing plan that incorporates tried and tested SEO tactics and emerging industry trends, such as video and niche researching. To learn more about how you can grow your home services business, contact our digital marketing agency in Thousand Oaks today by calling (805) 413-7893 or fill out our online form!

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Email marketing is a pivotal part to advertising your business online… we have all learned that from the copius amounts of email flyers we each receive in our inboxes (or junk folders) every day. So how do you get started? Here are some quick tips that should give you a little idea as to how it will help your business, as well as a few tips on constructing your own email campaign. A great email marketing campaign is a wonderful supplement to a well rounded online marketing program.

Email Marketing – Why do it?

• It works! – People will respond when you reach out because people like to be engaged! If you have something an individual may take interest in, and you have that sacred email of theirs, they will want to hear from you. Remember that email marketing is an effective way to engage your customer.
• Direct advertising for your brand – Email along with Direct mail marketing produce sales but it also keeps you fresh in the customer’s mind. Establishing your brand = becoming the go-to professional in your area of expertise.
• Share news, updates, tips etc. – To reiterate, people are highly protective of their email address (some have multiples; one for highly personal use, one for work, one for online shopping and gathering coupons, the list goes on.) When they hand over that email, they will be expecting something from you. This is the perfect opportunity to share tips and expert advice to them, let them know about how to access you through social media, and to ultimately develop a trusting relationship with them.
• It’s fun! – Email marketing allows you to flex your creative muscles. It’s an opportunity to get your voice out. A chance to practice your design skills. And last, a fun way to learn more about how your customer thinks and learn how to better appeal to them. It sounds weird, but it’s really pretty fun when you get into it!

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• Protect your personal email – One of the main concerns for companies when marketing via email is getting their email, or at worst, their email server black-listed. This is not usually the case unless you spam A LOT and OFTEN. Regardless, the benefits outweigh the cons to email marketing through an email service. Have them send it on your behalf!
• Starting up can be tricky – Email marketing can be a psychological game as much as it involves design, layout and written content. Companies like MailChimp (online email marketing service) offer a slew of interesting guides for appealing to customers. There are also rules to email marketing that nobody would know without looking into – and these services really like to help.
• Easy to Manage Contact Lists – I’m getting a headache just thinking about trying to email market to a decent number of individuals through Outlook or Gmail. People subscribe, unsubscribe, send your email to junk and more. Email marketing services like Constant Contact and MailChimp will track everything your readers do with your email and give you the info. As well, lists will update themselves when people unsubscribe etc.
• They’re Free! – Not entirely true, but unless you are sending out thousands of emails a month, you won’t have a problem.

General Safety Tips for Email Marketing (There are a lot of rules – One good rule of thumb… if you think something looks too much like a spammy ad, it may as well be)

• Spam language – DO YOU HATE BEING WRITTEN TO LIKE THIS? Spam blockers don’t like the yelling “tone” of all caps either and they will assign negative points to your email for it. Spam blockers have a number of these rules built in for blocking content. Examples include, but are not limited to: excessive exclamation point usage, use of red or green font, too much pricing talk, too much talk about “male enlargement” and the like, etc. The rules are really pretty extensive simply because spammers have become so crafty at avoiding spam blockers.
• Use the guides! – They’re there for a reason. Email marketing services are scared of spam too. If your email attracts too much bad attention, they can get in to trouble. They make these guides to help you avoid spam situations and to protect themselves.
• The Giant Image – Many companies send out flyers and ads that are made up of one giant image. Unless you need to showcase something visually, it’s better to avoid large images that take up a bulk of your email’s space. An email service like Outlook won’t even open an email image without approval. If you don’t think the recipient will have interest opening images from you, avoid it or your email is worthless.
• The Golden Rule – I think that the Golden Rule can be applied to many things in life. I think that email marketing is a perfect example. Think about it to yourself before you send that email. Don’t send someone an email that you wouldn’t want sent to yourself!

If you are looking to start advertising your business, email marketing is a great way to start. Give us a call today to get started! GOMarketing is the solution you need! (866) 736-1232

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Naturally, you’ll want to try to get the e-mail addresses of everyone who comes into your store or place of business. Offer visitors a small, inexpensive gift (a five percent discount on their current purchase, for example) if they give you their e-mail address.

Most businesses will find that they get most e-mail addresses from customers or potential customers from their company’s website.

To do so, you’ll want to place a form on your website where people can type in their e-mail address. It’s often wise to offer them something free — an incentive — for doing so. You can offer visitors a free report, a free gift, or even that five percent discount mentioned above.

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Many services businesses are successful at getting e-mail addresses by offering their website’s visitors a free report. Plumbers, for example, can offer a short, five-to-10 page report on easy fixes to run-of-the-mill plumbing problems such as a leaky toilet, etc. Painters can offer a report on painting tips. Dentists can offer a report on the latest in veneers.

The ideas really are endless.

You’ll need to sign up for an auto-responder (such as AWeber, Constant Contact or any of the many auto-responder services available online today) so that you will be able to “capture” the e-mails and create your list. (Your auto-responder also will be able to send your free report immediately to anyone who signs up for it. Sending it right away is critical.)

Obviously, the more people you get to visit your site, the better chance you’ll have of getting their e-mail address. Social media marketing (Twitter, Facebook, etc.), article marketing, forum posting, blogging and commenting on other blogs all are ways you can help people visit your site. You’ll also want to be sure your site itself is optimized, of course!

Even if you have just a handful of subscribers (just 25, for example), start sending e-mail messages. You should aim to send your list something at least once a month. At minimum, send something every three months. This can be in the form of a newsletter that offers tips or links to news articles your target audience will find of interest.

Obviously, if you have sales or specials to promote, send them as necessary.

Let GoiMarketing.com create a great e-mail campaign for you. We can set up an auto-responder, write a free report you’ll offer your site visitors and can even write the e-mail newsletters you’ll send out. We look forward to serving you.

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The website EmailStatCenter.com, a leading authority on e-mail marketing metrics, recently presented some interesting statistics on the use and efficacy of e-mail marketing.

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Just some of the site’s statistics:

The site reports that 56 percent of U.S. marketers plan to spend more on what it calls “newer media” marketing (such as websites, e-mail marketing, mobile, search, and social media) in 2011 (from the Association of National Advertisers, 2010).

Reporting on a statistics from Econsultancy, “How We Shop in 2010,” EmailStatCenter.com said that more than 60 percent of respondents (to the Econsultancy survey) said that at least 50 percent of the e-mail programs they participate in are of value to them.

Econsultancy also reported in “How we Shop in 2010: Habits and Motivations of Consumers,” that 42 percent of consumers surveyed said the best ways to receive ads for sales and specials is via e-mail.

That same Econsultancy report stated that 68 percent of U.S. consumers aged 18-26 use e-mailed coupons online.

ExactTarget, “Subscribers, Fans and Follows: The Social Profile” (2010), reported that 56 percent of U.S. Internet users interact with brands only via marketing e-mails they receive. Compare that percentage to the 1.3 percent who only interact via Twitter and the 0.7 percent who do so via Facebook.

As for the number of brands with which Internet users in the U.S. engage via e-mail, the ExactTarget report said that U.S. users interact with an average number of 11.8 brands via e-mail compared to 7.9 brands via Twitter and 9.4 percent via Facebook.

CrossView (2010) reported that just nine percent of American shoppers (those who shop in-store), preferred to receive promotional messages on social media sites, as compared to the 37 percent who liked receiving information on specials and sales via e-mail.

Our takeaway for you? E-mail marketing is a powerful tool. Yes, marketing via social media is growing, but e-mail marketing currently beats the pants off of those marketing sectors. If you’re not marketing to your prospects via e-mail, you’re losing business. Period.

GoiMarketing.com can put together e-mail marketing platforms and plans for your firm. Contact us today so that we may learn more about your marketing goals and challenges. We look forward to hearing from you!

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“But where’s the proof?” you may be asking. You want proof, we got your proof.

EmailStatCenter.com, which bills itself as “The Leading Authority on Email Marketing Metrics” (and for good reason), amasses statistics on the efficacy of e-mail marketing from studies from all over. EmailStatCenter.com is the place to go when you’re looking for the facts to back up e-mail marketing claims.

Here are just a few.

On the Return on Investment a business receives when using e-mail marketing:

Consumers who receive both email and direct mail on average contribute about $17 in revenue and $4 in margin per household.- Merkle “Driving Successful Email and Direct Mail Integration” (2010)

Email marketing will generate an ROI of $43.52 in 2009. DMA (2009)

How marketing via e-mail compares to other forms of marketing:

• Over 60 percent of respondents said that at least fifty percent of the email programs they participate in are of value to them. – Econsultancy “How We Shop in 2010: Habits and Motivations of Consumers” (2010)
• 42 percent of consumers said the best way to receive ads for sales and specials is via email. – Econsultancy “How We Shop in 2010: Habits and Motivations of Consumers” (2010)
• 68 percent of US consumers aged 18-26 use emailed coupons online. – Econsultancy “How We Shop in 2010: Habits and Motivations of Consumers” (2010)
• US Internet users engage with an average of 11.8 brands via Email, compared to 9.4 brands via Facebook and 7.9 brands via Twitter. – ExactTarget “Subscribers, Fans, and Followers: The Social Profile” (2010)
• 56 percent of US Internet users interact with brands only via marketing emails, compared to 1.3 percent who interact only via Twitter and 0.7 percent by Facebook. – ExactTarget “Subscribers, Fans, and Followers: The Social Profile” (2010)
• 37 percent of US in-store shoppers’ preferred method of receiving retail promotions in via email. – CrossView (2010)

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As for how e-mail helps a company make a name — or brand — for itself, look at these reports:

• Nearly a third of survey respondents (32 percent) said they have stopped doing business with at least one company altogether as a result of its poor email practices. – Merkle (Feb. 2009)
• 54 percent of respondents in a consumer survey said they had a more favorable opinion of the companies that send them email. – Epsilon (Oct 2008)
• 44 percent of respondents in a consumer survey said that email from financial services companies make them feel more loyal towards the companies and their products. – Epsilon (Oct 2008)
• 57 percent of consumers feel they have a more positive impression of companies when they receive email from them. – Epsilon “Branding Survey” (Feb 2009)
• 40 percent said that simply receiving email has a positive impact on their likelihood to make a future purchase a company. – Epsilon “Branding Survey” (Feb 2009)
• 71 percent remember email communications when making purchases at the sending company’s web site. – Epsilon “Branding Survey” (Feb 2009)
• 50 percent said they’re more likely to buy products from companies who send them email, whether their purchases are online or at a place of business. – Epsilon “Branding Survey” (Feb 2009

Your take away from all of this? E-mail marketing works. The ROI you receive on your e-mail marketing efforts is better by far and above than just about any other form of marketing. If you’re ready to see your marketing efforts bring you real results, contact GoiMarketing.com today. We’ll help you put together a great e-mail marketing plan, one that will bring you more customers and more business quickly.

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E-mail marketing is inexpensive and quite effective. You also may see that people not on your e-mail list start receiving your messages because your recipients will forward your special offers, sales notices, etc. to their friends and family members.

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One tip: don’t crowd your e-mail message with too many offerings. Instead, send information about just one product or service. Or send an e-mail that just announces a special sale. Don’t ask your recipients to wade through your message to get to something in which they’re really interested. One topic per e-mail is a good rule of thumb to follow.

Another tip: You might also want to include a special offer for e-mail recipients only. Send them a special code that they can then place in a box on your website to receive a free gift, a chance to win a prize, or to receive a free report or sample of your product.

E-mail marketing now is branching out into text message marketing, allowing companies to send special offers and announcements directly to a prospect’s cell phone or smartphone. Present a special offer on your website to visitors who give you their cell phone number. You can then send information about sales and special events/offerings directly to your customers and target audience. Text message marketing is quite effective; text messages are almost always read by recipients! Those who receive text messages also are more liable to answer surveys and use coupons sent to their phones.

More and more people are using smartphones today, so for best results you’ll want to start crafting e-mail campaigns that look good on a smartphone’s small screen. Keep your message brief and be certain to have an obvious and clear call to action.

Keep in mind that e-mail marketing’s main purpose is to create a relationship with your prospects. You’ve invited them to accept your e-mail or text message and they’ve accepted, one-on-one, one at a time. E-mail marketing is a wonderful way to really get to know your prospective customers, and to allow them to feel that they really “know” you.

Considering starting an e-mail or text-message marketing campaign? Contact GoiMarketing.com. We’ll create and implement an affordable and effective campaign based on your exact needs, challenges and goals. We look forward to hearing from you.

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• According to a December article at SmallBusinessTrends.com, 20 percent of all U.S. households are “mobile only,” meaning they access the Internet only through a mobile device, not through a desktop, laptop or other “wired” device.
• There are more than four times the number of cellphones on the planet than there are PCs.
• Many experts are predicting that mobile marketing and advertising revenue will grow to $3-5 billion by 2012.

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So what does this mean for a business owner? It means you should at least start looking into marketing to your prospects via their mobiles.

Text messaging is one relatively simple way to do so. This is similar to e-mail marketing, but instead of getting e-mail addresses, you need to gather your prospects’ cellphone numbers. You can get these numbers the same way you get e-mail addresses, by capturing them via your website. You do this by offering people something — the chance to win a prize, for example.

You also can get phone numbers using “traditional” marketing (such as a newspaper or magazine ad) as well as an ad on the Internet. Many such ads invite people to call for more information and you could include a short message code, as well. Prospects could then “message” this code via their mobile phone to get information on your product and/or service. Voila, you then have their cell number.

Brick and mortar retailers can use this in in-store events. Highlight a short code at a product which people can then use to get more information about the product. This will do two things: 1) you’ll get the cell number and 2) you’ll be able to give the person the exact information about the product you want to give.

You also should be sure to build an interactive platform that allows mobile users to purchase an item right then. Otherwise you could lose customers if you can only give them information but don’t allow them to purchase the item.

Contact us here at GoiMarketing.com about marketing to your prospects via their mobile phones. We look forward to helping you capture the growing mobile market.

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Here are some “offbeat” but effective ideas for marketing your products/services offline:

Whenever you mail anything, even if it’s a bill to the electric company, enclose a brochure or flyer in the envelope. You’re not paying anything extra for this “direct mail” piece — you’re already mailing the bill — but you never know. The person opening your envelope might just be able be in the market for what you’re offering.

Once your customer has purchased something, immediately offer him something else. For example, send a thank you note to a customer for his purchase and enclose a coupon for 20 percent off his next if he does so within, for example, 60 days.

Try bartering. Partner with another company. For example, a promotional items company could provide embroidered company t-shirts to an advertising agency in exchange for billboard space. A janitorial service could clean a printer’s office in trade for flyer printing. Be creative in your bartering ideas and don’t be shy — you never know who will say yes to your query.

Speaking of partnering, if you send out direct mail pieces, offer to send out another, non-competing company’s promotional material as well, so long as it will do the same for you when it sends out its promotional mailings.

Postcards are absolute marketing gems, made all the more so because of their low cost. Recipients will read a postcard so long as the front catches their eye and the sales message is brief. Be sure your website address is printed prominently, of course.

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Stickies are great for business. Those yellow post it notes also will be read if you place them on the envelopes of all and everything you mail. Be sure you keep the message very short — no longer than 10 words or so.

Finally, newsletters are a terrific way to keep current, past and potential customers interested in your product/service. Send the newsletter regularly — at least quarterly. If  the cost of printing and mailing a newsletter is too much for your budget, consider sending a newsletter via e-mail.

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