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Three Websites Walk into a Bar… to meet a prospective client

December 27, 2009 by Marc Leave a Comment

The bar must have WiFi. Now stop me if you have heard this one before … but three websites each from different photographers (or any service or product that the prospect was searching for) meet a prospective client. Each may present only one page to try and make a sale.

One website shows the prospective client a photo and plays a song.

Another website shares with the prospective client her five most recent blog posts, all on different varied topics.

The last website presents the prospective client a targeted page explaining what they have to offer the prospective client, showing their work and why the prospect would be making a good decision to chose them.

Which website do you think made the sale? My vote also goes to the last one, the one presenting what they do and why they should be chosen. All in a comprehensive approach using text, graphics and media in an up to date, regularly updated and subscribable mode.

Because of the popularity of Flash based websites, a surprisingly high percentage of the competition takes the first approach. Out of frustration with Flash websites or poorly designed static websites many people are trying the second, making their blog the landing page. Experiencing more “meetings”, but not as many leads as they hoped.

And some are gaining a competitive advantage by utilizing the third website’s approach. A website based in WordPress, with a well crafted dynamic landing page designed to make an effective 30 second sales presentation to site visitors and search engine. While the rest of the site includes a traditional blog and attractive galleries together with all the rest that today’s website needs.

Now think about your website, which approach does yours take? Does your website give you the competitive advantage when it “meets” a prospect on line? And does it easily gain high search engine results at low cost?

There are many problem websites out there. Here is a website which just reviews and critiques websites with different problems, problemwebsites.com. Unfortunately some of these problem websites are fairly recent and look to have been expensive. Sadly, it is not uncommon. Some of the most popular photographers’ website templates from companies such as Bludomain, Photobiz, Showit Sites and others share the initial presentation limitations and search marketing problems of Flash.

But, that does allow wise marketers an opportunity to gain a significant competitive advantage. If you would like more information, have a question or would like to know how I might make over your website to gain a real marketing advantage just send me an email with the form on the right.

Filed Under: BluDomain, Internet Marketing, Sales, Wedding Marketing Tagged With: blogsite, blogsites, BluDomain, search engine optimization, search marketing, search optimization, SEM, SEO, social media, Social Networks, twitter, web/blogsites, website marketing, Websites, Wedding Marketing, WordPress

My Favorite Twenty Plugins for Using WordPress as a Website Content Management System

December 26, 2009 by Marc 3 Comments

Recently I was talking with Kerry at Camera Dojo and he asked what my choice plugins were when using WordPress as the content management system (CMS) for a total website. Below, in no particular order, is the “default” plug-in pack that I install when I begin setting up a WordPress based website and why. Some of these are common and will be used on almost any WordPress install, others are almost unique to the needs of using WordPress as a website CMS.

WP Memory Usage Marvelous simple plugin that shows the active hosting PHP version, memory limit and current memory usage on the Dashboard. A current WordPress web/blogsite needs 64MB and PHP5 to operate well, this plugin will tell you easily what are the settings for the hosting. This is info you need early so it is one of the first I activate.

Reveal IDs for WP Admin Adds the entry ID back into the administration panel of posts, pages, categories etc. Needed for things like excluding a category from a dynamic menu, etc.

All in One SEO Allows you to fine tune Titles and Descriptions for every page and post.

Image Friendly SEO Just to make sure that every image has a proper Title and Alt attribute, even if the site administrator forgets.

WP Super Cache With what seems to be Google’s increasing emphasis in 2010 on page load speed and to enhance your site visitor’s experience this plugin is more valuable than ever.

WordPress.com Stats A very nice companion to Akismet (they both use your WordPress.com API key). It shows useful site visitor stats on your Dashboard providing a quick source of timely metrics for your site.

WordPress DB Backup The database is where most of the content and access for a WordPress site resides. Backup early and often, even more so while building the site.

Twitter Friendly Links Have your Tweets show a backlink to your website’s URL not to bit.ly or some other third party service.

Twitter Tools Integrates your WordPress website with your Twitter account.

Page Links To Allows you to use pages or posts as navigational links to non-WordPress site sections or off-site resources.

Redirect Parent to First Child Use the parent page just for site organization. This plugin will automatically redirect the parent page to its first currently published child page

PHP Code Widget Similar to the standard text box widget, but it will also allow PHP code to function

Widget Logic With a full site I usually don’t want every widget appearing on every page. This plugin adds a conditional statement field to every widget that you can use to control on what pages the widget appears.

My Page Order Easy drag and drop reorder for your page navifation

My Category Order Easy drag and drop reorder for your category navigation

Google Analytics for WordPress If you want to be a successful internet marketer you will use Google Analytics, this plugin makes it easy to add Analytics to WordPress sites.

Google XML Sitemaps A must have! Automatically builds a compliant site map and notifies Google, Bing etc of the maps location on your server.

Yet Another Related Posts Plugin (YARPP) Excellent for building interior links. It gives you a list of linked posts and/or pages related to the current entry, introducing the reader to other relevant content on your site

Sociable or Sexy Bookmarks Encourage your site visitors to share your site content across the web. I use either one depending upon the site’s target market.

cforms II My favorite contact form tool.

When I published this post these plugins were current and mostly behaved well with each other. As time passes that may change. If you have questions, please feel free to send me an email.

Filed Under: Internet Marketing, Websites, WordPress Tagged With: Blogs, CMS, content management system, Internet Marketing, plugins, search optimization, SEO, web/blogsites, website marketing, Websites, WordPress

Anyone using MySpace for marketing these days?

December 7, 2009 by Marc Leave a Comment

This morning I came across an interesting article in the Financial Times, titled “The Rise and Fall of MySpace” It outlines some of the management issues of bring … bought by a large media empire while trying to keep up with the likes of Facebook and Twitter. It is an interesting read, and focuses on big business and Rupert Murdoch. But it created a question for me, what is happening for the small businesses that use MySpace to reach potential clients. Is it better or worse these days?

Like very many, I began social network marketing with MySpace. But the nature of the site was such that it was very laborious for little results. Then Facebook opened up to all age groups and had great easy quick features assist marketing and a good application system.

So I have been wondering how, is MySpace these days for marketing? Does it seem like the MySpace population is staying younger and more focused on music and entertainment? Or is it improving and since they still have a huge base, it can be effective? What tips and advice might anyone have about using MySpace? Please leave a comment.

Filed Under: Internet Marketing, Social Networks Tagged With: Facebook, Internet Marketing, marketing, MySpace, search engine optimization, SEO, Social Networks, twitter, website marketing

Black Studios Photography – Success Improving Bludomain Search Results and Site Traffic

December 2, 2009 by Marc 1 Comment

Mike and ElizaBeth Black of Black Studios are always working to enhance their services and business. So recently Mike set out to further increase the search results rank and site traffic of his Bludomain website (which is also hosted by Bludomain). Mike had worked meticulously to improve the search results of his standard Bludomain site following all the advice he came across. Some it it worked, for a while, and he would see his search rank improve a little only to then begin slipping after a a few days/weeks.

Then he came across my blog posts on the “structural” way to greatly improve Bludomain by adding a WordPress based landing page to replace the standard Bludomain splash. And then adding new content using WordPress posts and pages for things like a better blog and price, contact and about pages. Taking advantage of his existing domain and Bludomain gallery site, but putting the rest of the content into a from which is much much better for search engines.

So we went to work. Mike had me add the Kertesz II for Photographers WordPress based site to his Bludomain hosting account. This allowed hem to work on adding content and moving logos and things to the WordPress based site while leaving the existing Bludomain site uninterrupted. The when he was ready, as part of the services I includ, I switched his new landing page to replace the old splash page, did some other adjustments, menu changes and tweeks including setting up the new contact form and voila the new Black Studios website.

The results -

Within days Mike’s search results rankings moved up 2-3 pages in Google, and continues to improve. Mike also reports his site traffic is up about 200 visitors a month. And this is the site’s new main page -

Send me an email and let me see if I might do the same for your Bludomain site.

Filed Under: BluDomain, Client Websites, Featured Tagged With: BluDomain, Internet Marketing, photography, search engine optimization, search marketing, search optimization, SEM, SEO, web/blogsites, website marketing, Wedding Marketing, WordPress

Newest WordPress Real Estate Website – EveryHomeOnline.com

November 30, 2009 by Marc Leave a Comment

It has become well accepted by Real Estate marketing experts that WordPress is a great way for Real Estate professionals to communicate and interact and network on line with buyers, sellers and others. So you can think of what will happen when WordPress becomes the basis for a complete Real Estate website.

A website that is the best way to showcase your real estate listings as well as your expertise, the community and personal information. Why bother having two separate real estate sites, when you can have a powerful, amazing, easy to use site with “best-of-class” search engine results? A site that has your listings, an IDX if you wish, your blog and even integrated with Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin.

Please take a look at one of my latest Real Estate websites – EveryHomeOnline.com

The site owner wanted a similar color palette to the well known Trulia.com real estate site, but with more style and landmark localization. All the graphic design was made just for him. He also required the listing display to have a photo gallery with more potential images and Google map integration, but have it be something that could be done easily and nicely displayed.

Over the last two months I have completely revised the working of my Real Estate websites. They are now even easier and quicker to add listings complete with maps and unlimited photo galleries. Now you (or your assistant) can upload and create a display gallery of up to 80 additional images in just 5 minutes!

Being WordPress and being SEO optimized from the ground up means that your sellers will see that you present their home high in Google’s search results with the side benefit that buyers are more likely to also see your listing first on your site. My father was a real estate broker, I have been too. I try to make sure my sites will perform better than any, in terms of online marketing for Real Estate brokers without being compromised by also being easy to use. Plus they are very affordable with no need for ongoing maintenance and support costs. Send me an email, Let me know what I might do for you?

Filed Under: Client Websites, Featured, Real Estate Tagged With: Facebook, Internet Marketing, Linkedin, marketing, real estate, real estate websites, search engine optimization, social media, Social Networks, twitter, web/blogsites, website marketing, WordPress

Total Health Concepts’ Denver Dispensary – New Website

November 28, 2009 by Marc 1 Comment

This is my non-traditional site of the season. Recently a client asked me if I might do for a their new legal medical marijuana dispensary what I had done for their other businesses’ internet marketing efforts. (Yep, it is legal in Colorado, has been since 2000.) Looking to learn something new and keep the client happy I said yes.

Specifically they wanted an economical website, one that they could manage themselves. More importantly it needed to have superior search engine marketing potential while moving far away from the “classic” look still presented by many similar businesses. Total Health Concepts (THC) wanted a “clean, unique, healthy mainstream professional” look to the website that would reflect well on their new Denver area medical dispensary. Their business goal is to seek a competitive advantage in everything they do.

Because they wanted easy do-it-yourself interface for adding new content, articles and upgrades combined with “best of class” search engine marketing the site foundation would be WordPress. But what would it look like?

After spending a lot of time learning and understanding this business category’s marketing language, standards and rules and exploring the look and performance potetial competitors’ websites, this is what we created to meet the needs of Total Heath Concepts online marketing and strategy for the new dispensary.

Still some detail work to do, but I am pleased to say the owner is happy with the look, plus it is getting good reviews and comments from others in the same industry. I like the almost instant Google indexing that we were able to get for a brand new domain name. (WordPress combined with certain webhosts makes a huge difference in getting a new website into the Google index.) The site is now getting content and products added by the staff as they are getting ready for grand opening of Total Health Concepts new Denver dispensary in early December.

Filed Under: Client Websites, Featured, SEO Tagged With: Internet Marketing, marketing, medical marijuana dispensary, search engine optimization, Search Engines, search marketing, search optimization, SEM, SEO, website marketing, Websites

Setting Up The Best Facebook Page For Your Business

September 11, 2009 by Marc 3 Comments

Facebook Pages can boost the internet marketing of your small business significantly. They are well indexed by Google and other search enginges, plus Facebook itself is becoming a significant search engine. Not only is it a way for increasing your presence in natural or organic search, Facebook is a major potential communication channel for reaching many of your current or prospective customers. I get almost a quarter of my client communication through Facebook.

Over the next few days I will putting up Facebook Pages for a few of my small business clients. I have a checklist that I follow to make sure the Facebook Pages I create will be optimized within what Facebook allows in service and features.

If you want a Facebook Page for your business I would be pleased to do it for you for a small charge. Or if you are a DIY’er these are two of the best current online articles I know of to guide you through the best practice initial setup and creating a page with innovative features. To start a Facebook Page go here after you are logged into Facebook, but first read the two articles linked below.

The first article, “10 Key SEO Strategies Every Facebook Page Owner Should Know” is one you should read through before you even start a Facebook Page. Don’t even start your business’ Page until you know what you want to name it and what you would like as a good vanity URL

The second article showcases a few of the most innovative and ambitious Facebook Pages. “10 Successful Facebook Business Pages” has business pages with many features that may or may not be suited to your business or circumstance, but it shows what can be done with some of the applications in the Facebook application library.

Good luck, a Facebook Page will be a good thing for your business, any type of business, and let me know if I might help.

Filed Under: Internet Marketing, SEO, Social Networks Tagged With: Facebook, Internet Marketing, search engine optimization, Search Engines, search optimization, SEO, Social Networks, website marketing

How To Bend The Internet To Your Will

September 10, 2009 by Marc Leave a Comment

The internet is huge and complex, but we need to only affect a very small portion of it to achieve marketing goals that will make us as small business people very happy. But it takes creativity and understanding to affect the internet and achieve website marketing impact that will achieve the goal.

Fortunately it seems that Anthony Bourdain has a remarkably strong grip and understanding on the quicksilver that is the internet. And Robert Donoghue shares a lesson he learned from Bourdain which help may show the way to bend enough of your corner of the internet to achieve your goals.

The question at hand was how to find good restaurants, and his answer was to take the city you want to go to and just google up some restaurant names that serve the dish you’re after. Then got to chowhound or another foodie site, and rather than asking about restaurants, you put up an enthusiastic post talking about how you just had the best whatever you’re looking for at one of these restaurants.

… Posters will show up from nowhere to shower you with disdain, tell you how that place used to be good but has now totally sold out and – most important to your quest – will tell you where you would have gone if you were not some sort of mouth breathing water buffalo.

Very subtle but it shows the effect and the channel by which just one person and a few words can “harness” the internet for their goal. I came across this a couple of years ago, and I often remember it when I am trying to come up with some way to help a client achieve their internet marketing goal. Blindingly obvious once it is explained. And something to think about when facing the huge complexity of internet marketing.

Tonight I am contemplating how to use Bourdain’s subtle approach to help create more linkbacks to a new website. Don’t know yet exactly how/what I am going to do, but you gotta love Anthony Bourdain … smart creative insights into life, love, food and even the internet.

If anyone has similar ideas or lessons please leave a comment.

Filed Under: Internet Marketing, SEO Tagged With: Internet Marketing, marketing, search engine optimization, search marketing, search optimization, SEO, social media, website marketing

Facebook and Friendfeed

September 7, 2009 by Marc Leave a Comment

This is an excellent Washington Post article by Chadwick Matlin that discusses Facebook’s recent acquisition of Friendfeed. And even better, provides insight into the use of Friendfeed and how Facebook may use its advantage, the ability to aggregate peoples activity from across many social media sites. The article really helped me better appreciate the value of Friendfeed in reaching into and participating in social media.

Fortunately WordPress based websites, like what I provide, can integrate with Friendfeed now. Look at the range of free WordPress plugins available for Friendfeed. If you need help or have questions just send me an email.

And may you have a good Labor Day holiday!