SPARKS! and the Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland will be teaming up on Thursday, April 20th at 8.30 AM to present “Search Engine Optimization: Simple Strategies to Improve Web Performance“. The event is part of BBB’s Trusted Advisor Series designed to provide business owners and their employees with current information about a variety of topics.
To register and learn more visit the BBB’s website.
What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?Is Search Engine Optimization (SEO) important? If a website launches on the internet and nobody sees it does it make a difference? [Tip of the cap, George Berkeley]
SEO is the process of optimizing a website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). The goal of SEO is to improve the visibility of your web content to users when they are searching. It is a fluid journey, not a destination, that involves a lot of different factors technically, logistically, but more often, logically. Let’s look at the two main elements of SEO; on-page and off-page.
On-page SEO involves optimizing the content – text, images, and code – on a site to make it easier to be crawled and indexed by search engines. At a minimum, it is making sure the keywords and primary topics of a web page are properly formatted and in sync with the technical elements. These are things like meta tags, coding that the search engine sees that are invisible to the reader, structure, navigation, and page speed of the website..
Off-page SEO is a way of improving the site’s visibility by securing links (“backlinks”) to its content from external sources. These can include social media pages, online directories, and other authoritative websites like news and industry blogs. It can help validate a site, just like getting a referral from a high-profile customer.
We’ll share more in the coming months about the myriad other aspects of SEO. But the key takeaway is that SEO is an important tool in the digital marketing toolbox that can help your website perform and help you to grow your organization.
SPARKS! can help you learn how your website is performing in search and create ways to boost your visibility.
SPARKS! and the Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland will be teaming up on Thursday, April 6th at 8.30 to present “Reaching Your Customers Online: A Digital Marketing Primer”. The event is part of BBB’s Trusted Advisor Series designed to provide business owners and their employees with current information about a variety of topics.
To register and learn more visit the BBB’s website.
So, to answer a question we often get at SPARKS! – “what exactly is digital marketing?” – here’s a quick-and-dirty summary of the key elements.Businesses and organizations must rely on some type of marketing in order to grow. Traditional tactics – advertising and trade shows, for example – are stalwarts and an important part of the overall recipe. But a key element that many small businesses overlook is to optimize what is perhaps the easiest gateway to their audience: their digital assets.
Digital marketing refers to the use of online (aka digital) channels, such as search engines, social media, email, mobile apps, and websites, to promote a product or service. It is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of techniques and strategies, all of which are designed to reach and engage with a target audience in a digital environment.
For most organizations, an informative, engaging, mobile/user-friendly website lives at the center of the digital universe. But what about the other spokes in the wheel? Digital marketing can be broken down into several different elements, including:
Global Tensions Present Cyber Threats Across The InternetThe White House has recently released a statement warning US citizens of the threat of ‘malicious cyber activity’ in response the the war in Ukraine. Many of the recommendations are consistent with SPARKS!’ messaging over the years:
You can view the view the entire White House Fact Sheet online.
Email isn’t the only platform vulnerable to hacking. The security platform Malwarebytes reports an increase in phishing attempts targeting Facebook and other social media users. Remember, don’t open any suspicious email links and go to the actual website to login and verify any communications or changes.
While social media was once thought to be a tool used primarily by younger people, chances are it’s now a part of your life regardless of what demographic you fit into.
While the number of social media users across many different platforms increases each year, so do the ways those platforms can be utilized. Sure, you can still use Facebook to look at adorable baby photos of your niece, but you can also connect with clients and grow your business.
There are a ton of ways taking advantage of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can help take your business to the next level. If you’re looking to increase your leads, improve your search engine ranking, create brand recognition, or develop relationships with customers, a strong online presence is essential.
Over the years, we’ve seen social media take on an even deeper importance as it’s become an essential tool in the fight for equality, justice, and social change. Across the country and all over the world, people use social media to amplify their voices and make a difference.
Here at SPARKS!, we’re constantly using our social media pages to keep you informed and up to date as we navigate COVID-19, celebrate holidays, and promote exciting client news.
If you’re interested in taking your social media channels to the next level, or just want to chat about how we can help you meet your website needs, contact us today or give us a call at 410-244-5111.
It’s been almost three months since our lives, both personal and professional, were upended by the virus. But you have to keep your business up and running, even during uncertain times like these. Here are some tips on how to generate sales and keep your consumers engaged while still operating virtually.
Hold Zoom Meetings
If a big part of your business is connecting with people one on one, you can still make that happen by using Zoom or any other video conferencing technology. Set up meetings with your clients to make up for the lack of face to face time so you can still develop personal connections. Creating unique relationships with customers will also make them more likely to support you through challenging times.
Study the Competition
If a competitor has a good idea that’s helping them to stay afloat, there’s no shame in using it for yourself or your company. If you notice that a particular company seems to be doing better than expected during this time, try to find out what they’re doing that’s helping to make them so successful.
Utilize Paid and Free Software
Chances are that you and your employees are still working from home. Stay in touch as efficiently as possible by using software that makes it easier to communicate and make it feel like you’re right there in the office with your team.
Create Sales Online
Lin Qingxuan, a cosmetics company in China, achieved 200% growth compared to the prior year’s sales by using WeChat, a messaging app. They created a sales ranking among their employees to increase motivation. A similar strategy could help to make the most of a difficult situation.
Prepare For a Recovery
When this is all over, you’re going to need to have a plan. Get everything in order now so that when the time comes to go full speed ahead you’re the first one out of the starting gate.
We Can Help
Businesses are slowly starting to open back up, and we can help you reach your audience. Give us a call at 410-244-5111 or contact us today so we can help get you started on the road to recovery.
First of all, we pray that all of our friends, Clients and their families are healthy and managing through these difficult times. Our team is working remote and available for support requests and opportunities to help anyone with their digital marketing needs.
Our hosting provider has informed us that they have the resources in place to maintain the uptime and support we would normally receive. Their teams have been remote for two weeks now, and operations are functioning normally.
We will post any updates here, so please check back – or better yet – contact us if you have any questions need anything. Our phones – 410-244-5111 – and emails are operating as usual.
Like all of you, we hope to resume normal operations shortly. In the meantime, please follow the guidelines of our public officials, wash your hands and stay home. We need you healthy, and will get through this together!
Onward and Upward!
Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is impacting every facet of life for citizens on a global scale. As health officials continue to recommend against unnecessary large gatherings of people, parts of our daily routine that we once took for granted are being inevitably altered.College students are going home for the semester, companies are conducting business remotely, and events are getting cancelled left and right. If you were planning on holding a large gathering but don’t want to take any chances, live streaming or web conferencing might be the way to go.
Streaming on a Budget
Whether it be a church service or a business conference, setting up a capable live stream is easier than you think. The first thing that you need to do is make sure you have the proper equipment. The type of equipment you’ll want to get depends on what your budget’s going to be.
The good news is that no matter how much or how little you’re willing to spend, you can produce a quality live stream on any budget. If you’re looking to go the free route you can even stream on Facebook Live, YouTube, and other platforms using just your smartphone. If you want your live stream to look a little more professional, however, there are several items you can utilize.
Streaming Platforms
Now that you’ve got all the necessary equipment, it’s time to decide which streaming platform you’re going to use. Facebook Live is a popular platform that companies and individuals utilize all over the world. It’s easy to use and shouldn’t take you long to get the hang of regardless of your technical expertise. YouTube Live is another easy to use streaming platform. If you’re looking for something more specific, you can check out platforms like YouNow, Open Broadcaster Software, and Live.
It’s Time to Stream
You’ve got the equipment, you know which platform you’re streaming on, all that’s left is for you to actually produce your live stream and put it online! The Coronavirus has interrupted our sense of normalcy and made business as usual impossible, but using tools like a live stream can help ensure that you or your business doesn’t miss a beat.
Web Conferencing
It might seem like the world is grinding to a halt because of COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean you can stop conducting business and letting work get away from you. Web Conferences are the perfect way to stay in touch with your team and make sure everyone is staying on task, conduct meetings with clients, and more!
Web Ex is a video conferencing application that allows you to stay connected from home. So no matter where you are, you can hold meetings and get things done. Zoom, GoToMeeting, and TeamViewer are also popular video conferencing options. Research what’s available to find out what would work best for your business.
We’re Here for You
No matter how your business is being impacted during these uncertain times, you can count on SPARKS! Marketing Communications to be there to meet all of your digital marketing needs. Contact us today!
**We’re not endorsing any particular platform (they ain’t paying us for that!). Just passing along the info so do your own homework for the solution that is right for you.
We’re still in the friendly confines of 224 Schilling Circle in Hunt Valley, but we’re now down the hall in Suite 240. Stop by and say hi!
