Tag: SEO

  • How to Optimize Website Pages for Google Discover Traffic

    How to Optimize Website Pages for Google Discover Traffic

    Well…What Exactly is Google Discover?

    Google Discover is a feed that appears on the homepage of Google’s iOS and Android application (APP) as well as the mobile Google.com homepage. When utilizing Google Discover, users can personalize their feeds so they can visualize content that directly aligns with them. This is separate from Google Search Ads because, with Discover, people aren’t required to enter a search query to have this interest-specific content visible. Essentially, Google Discover replaces the Google feed on mobile devices and provides relative content that is specific to the likes and interests of the user based on their mobile (iOS and Android) activity.

    Google Discover, Google News, and Google Alerts – They All Seem Quite Similar but They are Quite Different

    A magnifying glass over the Google News search page

    Google News versus Google Discover

    Aside from Google Discover, Google News features news headlines, local weather, and the top stories of the day on the main page, while promoting fact-checking on the right-hand margin. Specifically, Google News is an aggregator service that presents a continuous flow of backlinks to articles organized from thousands of publishers and magazines. It is available for users on a mobile application via Android and iOS as well as online.

    Google Discover, however, utilizes artificial intelligence to show users the information they may want to see, or have shown previous interest in. As a replacement for the Google Feed, it surfaces relevant content to the user, even when they’re not searching.

    Google Alerts versus Google Discover

    Google Alerts is a content change detection platform that is based on a free notification service. Essentially, it notifies the user via email when it finds new results, such as web pages, newspaper articles, blogs, or scientific research that matches the user’s search term(s). Aside from Google Discover, it’s been known that Google alerts haven’t been the most effective in terms of accuracy. With Google Discover, everything the user sees is based on their specific search history, rather than alerts they might not be interested in anymore.

    Why You Should Optimize Your Webpages for Google Discover Traffic

    Illustration with a man looking at a phone with the text "search" and a search bar beneath it

    Although Google Discover isn’t a prioritized platform that digital marketers keep in their immediate toolbox, it is one businesses are leveraging to grow, further develop their brand, and reach new customers. Optimizing your content for Google Discover allows your content to have a higher chance of reaching a larger audience due to its personalized approach. There will even be times when you’ll generate much more traffic through Google Discover than you would with organic search. For your marketing content to appear on Discover, it should be of top quality with your web pages indexed by Google. Discover helps your brand become relevant to what the user seeks. Based on what they search for and have an interest in, Discover brings your content that matches the user’s interests to the forefront, which optimizes your pages, increases conversion rates, and boosts your brand’s credibility.

    How to Optimize Your Website for Google Discover Traffic

    Illustration of a man running up stairs

    Content is automatically eligible to appear on Discover as long as it’s indexed by Google and meets Discover’s content policies. To get there, it is best to follow the below recommendations to optimize your website and web pages to improve your online foot traffic:

    • Ensure that your Google Business Profile, formerly Google My Business (GMB) is created fully and working properly.
    • Confirm that your Google Business Profile (GBP) is verified on Google. If it isn’t, learn how to verify it here.
    • Adhere to and comply with Google’s content policies.
    • Consider and implement a “Mobile-First” approach by starting from within and optimizing existing products/services for mobile users.
    • Make sure you develop a mobile approach that prioritizes the user experience (UX), including mobile friendliness and responsiveness.
    • Strengthen your copy and graphics and consider current events for future content that is relevant to what the user wants.
    • Utilize and leverage high-quality visuals such as organic photos and emotionally-triggering videos that bring the user in.
    • Recommend readers to follow your brand by utilizing call-to-actions (CTAs).
    • Research what your competition is doing so you can innovate unique solutions that help you stand out.
    • Write optimized page titles that capture the essence of the content you’re presenting to your target audience.
    • Implement AMP and Schema (structured data) so your content can appear in rich results in mobile search, like the “Top Stories” carousel or “Host” carousel.

    By following these tips and putting plans into motion, you’re well on your way to optimizing your website and being successful on Google Discover.

    How Schema (Structured Data) Helps Google Discover Traffic

    Illustration resembling different devices and device layout

    Schema, a type of microdata that creates an enhanced description that Google may use in search results to share as a snippet of your article, allows the reader to get a sense of what your article is about and how it may bring value to their related query.

    By using this form of structured data, you are essentially helping potential customers find your article easier- meaning a potential lead or conversion! Utilizing this data type can improve the appearance of your site for the relative search result(s), enable you to appear in front of a user that may not have seen your site without it, and increase the readers’ time on your page with the relative query and engaging content!

    There are many types of Schema out there such as Products Schema, Articles Schema, Recipes Schema, Events Schema, and many more. Each one serves its own purpose and there are some Schemas that can help your articles show up in the Google Discover feed. Most of the articles that populate the Google Discover feed often use some form of Schema.

    Illustration of a tablet, with different search related images over it

    For example, you will find that webpages populated in Google Discover may use Schema categories such as CreativeWork which houses structured data markups like Article, NewsArticle, Blog, and HowTo. Pages like this are often trendy and frequently searched for in Google and are perfect for Google Discover. With the implementation of Schema, Google has a lot more data to utilize to build a rich snippet or an enhanced search result page (which is really what Google Discover is).

    Aside from Schema, AMP is very important too. Google Discover feeds are mobile-only and having your website set up with Accelerated Mobile Pages just speaks for itself. Unfortunately, there is no secret sauce or surefire way to get your content into Google Discover, but utilizing Schema and AMP will increase your chances of showing up in the sought-after Google Discover feed and increase mobile traffic from Google Discover.

    Google Discover Will Keep You Ahead of the Competition & Stay Relevant in Your Consumer’s Minds or at Least on Their Phones…and We Can Help!

    At Reach Marketing Pro, our team of search engine optimization (SEO) experts will optimize your website and web pages to outperform your local competition and gain more visibility/exposure for your business. We partner with you and your business to look through your unique lens and grow your brand across multiple forefronts in the digital marketing realm. Whether you are familiar with the process of Google Discover or not, it’s always recommended to obtain a professional consultation on expert services to ensure that you are truly optimizing every aspect of your business’s online visibility can achieve. Leverage one of Google’s newest and most critical features to become a staple in your industry today by getting in touch with our team here.

  • Why You Should Align Your SEM and SEO Marketing Strategies

    Why You Should Align Your SEM and SEO Marketing Strategies

    Search Engine Marketing vs. Search Engine Optimization – Serving Two Different Search Intent Purposes

    Illustration with SEO features and SEM features on separate sides

    Let’s explain the difference between SEO and SEM. Search Engine Marketing, otherwise called SEM or Pay-Per-Click (PPC), is a form of paid search that costs a business money to boost its ranking or placement in search engines.

    Search Engine Optimization is a strategy that helps increase a business’s placement in search engines. You’re probably wondering, why pay for SEM if SEO is free?

    Overall, Search Engine Marketing has a greater impact compared to Search Engine Optimization, because SEM focuses on the customers’ intent (what they type into the Google search bar). For instance, when a customer types in “jeans for sale” or “best sushi near me” these searches show that the customer intends to buy and convert a lead into a sale. Paid search (SEM) is a perfect match for this marketing strategy, as it increases your return on investment (ROI).

    Where SEO comes on top is when search queries are more research-oriented and informational rather than based on user intent. “How to crochet a baby blanket” or “when does the World Cup start” are research-based searches that focus on retrieving answers or solutions. Rather than using the searches to purchase a product or service, the intent is to learn something new. Understanding intent is a critical component to understanding digital marketing. Although Search Engine Optimization doesn’t technically generate revenue, it doesn’t mean that you should scratch it completely. The reason why is while a customer discovers your content, they’ll become a customer eventually. SEO works on building trust with users and fostering long-term relationships. Understand the unique benefits SEO and SEM provide, and utilize them to spearhead a powerful digital marketing strategy.

    Why You Should Integrate SEM and SEO

    Illustration with a person and their shopping cart in front of a search page

    Now that you know what SEO and SEM do; it’s time to combine what they both do and implement them into a cohesive digital marketing strategy by building off the “search intent” discussion mentioned earlier. It’s time to put what you learned into action!

    First, we need to create a list of SEO-driven keywords that are relevant to your brand. Then, separate them into three individual lists based on the level of intent. For example, one list would be for buyer-intent keywords to drive sales, one list would be for research-intent to boost Google Search rankings, and the other list would be for middle-ground intent keywords where it’s more challenging to decipher between an intent to buy/convert or an intent to research/learn.

    Putting these best practices into place will help you utilize your paid search marketing budget more efficiently by focusing heavily on crafting targeted keywords relative to an intent to convert. Placing research-based keywords that are meant for Search Engine Optimization into the Search Engine Marketing/Pay-Per-Click marketing strategy can cost more in the long run without seeing a positive ROI. If your PPC budget allows for increased spending on more buyer-intent keywords with money left over, then add in more research-based keywords.

    Illustration with a laptop that has different search results on it

    The overarching purpose of aligning your SEO and SEM strategies together is to prevent unnecessary expenditures on paid searches. Both SEM and SEO heavily rely on keywords—that’s what drives traffic. Targeting keywords through SEO research that’s relative to research-based keywords saves you money in your SEM/PPC marketing approach. This way, you’re covered in each step of the online journey for buying a product or service since the user will always research (SEO) before making a purchase (SEM).

    So, if you haven’t learned already, boosting both of these marketing strategies will drive enormous potential to launch a powerhouse digital marketing team that increases brand awareness, drives recognition, and boosts a higher ranking in Google Search engines through a multi-touchpoint approach.

    Trends to Keep in Mind for Your SEO and SEM Strategy

    Illustration of a woman holding a magnifying glass over the large text "trends"

    Trends are always changing. Here are key things you should prioritize to initiate an effective digital marketing strategy:

    Ensure your website is SEO-friendly. Incorporating optimized keywords that associate with your business, brand, and target customer will generate digital foot traffic and increase the chances of user purchases.

    Maintain a friendly user experience (UX) when updating your website content. Creating an enjoyable and simplified experience for new and returning customers will not only boost brand loyalty but also drive more traffic to your site.

    Craft a mobile-first experience. Curate an approach that innovates product design for mobile devices first. That way, your website will be accessible across multiple digital channels, no matter if a customer is on their phone or computer.

    In a growing digital age, data-driven campaigns will continue to grow and become more accessible in the future. As technological advances continue, there will be an increased ability to personalize SEO and SEM campaigns as well as target opportunities for paid advertisements.

    Please note: always ensure the data you receive is not crossing illegal boundaries, as privacy is a highly debated topic.

    When do These Two Specific Strategies Become Essential to Your Marketing Operations?

    Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing are both essential strategies to a company’s marketing operations. It doesn’t matter if someone is just starting a business or has been working for an established corporation for over a decade—you should implement SEO and SEM into the overall marketing plan. If an entrepreneur isn’t familiar with either of these two marketing strategies, invest the time to research and learn the ins and outs of them or hire a marketing professional.  

    What Happens If I Don’t Utilize SEM and SEO Together?

    Illustration of puzzle, with 3 out of 4 pieces, and a man standing where the missing piece is

    To keep it simple, not utilizing SEO and SEM strategies will not allow your business to make a maximum impact on a digital scale. For example, if you don’t use promotions with Paid Social or Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Campaigns, your business won’t generate promotional growth and increase product awareness. Putting your brand out there is what will drive traffic. Not refreshing your website content or leveraging proper Search Engine Optimization practices can result in a poor Google Search ranking or minimal website traffic. Not using SEO or SEM strategies together will cost more in the long run. If you want to grow your business, find ways to develop and implement digital marketing strategies that incorporate SEO and SEM.

    Let Our SEM & SEO Experts do the Hard Work for You!

    We live and breathe digital marketing; we are Google My Business Experts, Google Partners, Google Analytics Certified, SEMrush Experts, AMP (accelerated mobile pages) Implementation Qualified, and Google Tag Manager Experts. As your digital implementation leader, we’ll partner with you to combine data-driven strategies and optimize performance with both your SEO and SEM marketing campaigns. Want to get the most out of your digital marketing?

    Contact us today to discuss your budget and establish your next steps.

    Don’t try and do it all—let us leverage tactical practices to improve your business’s search ranking and conversion rates.

  • Link Building Strategies in 2023: What Works & What Doesn’t

    Link Building Strategies in 2023: What Works & What Doesn’t

    What is Link Building in SEO?

    Illustration with various technology webpages with business figures and "links" around them

    Link-building in SEO is a way to construct one-way hyperlinks to a website to enhance your overall search engine visibility. If you’ve recognized these familiar terms—backlinking and interlinking—then you are familiar with link-building since those are two of its components. These tactics can be utilized across multiple methods that build one-way or a referral hyperlink so that prospective clients can find your website and purchase services much easier.

    Methods of Link Building

    Illustration of two people "link building" in front of a phone screen

    Developing an effective link-building strategy isn’t easy, so finding the best method is key to success. Here are some methods for link-building:

    • Content Marketing is beneficial when you create evergreen content that adds long-term value to your blog.
    • Guest blogging is another option to build shareable links and post relevant infographics without putting in the elbow grease.
    • Utilizing Link-building tools helps you identify and acquire the highest quality backlinks for your chosen topic.
    • Ensure you’re offering useful products and services
    • Email Outreach can be useful if the email is well-written and personable so that it entices the person receiving the email. With this method, be sure to elaborate how you will improve the user experience of visitors to their site.
    • Broken Link-Building is a useful tactic that takes advantage of broken pages across the web by discovering dead pages and asking linkers to swap links to a working page on your site.
    • Public Relations link-building methods include press releases and media pitching to secure editorial links that are directed straight to your website.

    Creating the Best Link Building Strategy

    Image of two webpages connected by "link building"

    There are multiple tactics that bring benefits to your link-building strategy.

    First and foremost, crafting something that is “link-worthy” should be #1 on your SEO agenda.

    Once that’s done, move forward with the following link-building recommendations:

    • Proper outreach to those who see your product/service as useful is who you should target. Don’t send a generic mass email to anyone; instead, stick to who will value your business. For example, utilize those who mentioned your target keywords in their article or who linked similar articles with a similar product/service, since that will result in higher response rates.
    • Serve as a guest blogger by reaching out to businesses and offer free written content to potentially bring them more visitors to their site.
    • Identify broken links and pages on a website so you can create valuable content to that resource. It’s better to connect content to a working site rather than a dead one.
    • Link unlinked mentions by using various tools to identify which links yours would be best paired with.
    • Look for lost links by reaching out to the prior contacted business and see if your link would be better suited somewhere else on their website.
    • Use list posts since bite-sized, easy-digestible content brings more value to the reader than large, hard-to-read paragraphs.
    • Utilize links from mediocre pages IF you believe your content is better than theirs. Make sure to check the links and then add them to yours.
    • Use paid promotions for linkable assets to provide value about your products/services to target audiences.

    Link Building Tactics to Run Away From

    Image of a thumbs down

    While there are some tactics that are go-to’s, there are some to stray away from.

    • Buying links is a tactic that is against Google’s SEO guidelines. It’s advisable to stay away from it, as it may come with repercussions.
    • Paying for each link-building opportunity is very costly and racks up quickly. The average private blog price is $350; you do the math.
    • Not checking and verifying the authority of the site can cause major issues because if you don’t understand your site’s credibility, you won’t know how you compare to the competition.
    • Not considering the link’s position on the page is something to highly consider! Is it embedded in the content? Is it buried in the footer? Make its location a priority.
    • Initiating cold outreach and mass-emailing potential links can have negative effects as a mass email has a more generic copy/paste feel. It’s best to cater the content for each point of contact so they don’t feel ignored.

    Why is Link Building Beneficial?

    Illustration of two laptops with a hand coming out of each screen, connecting to each other via "chains" representing link builing

    First off, link-building leads to higher site metrics and a stronger SEO score—this brings more people to your site and helps your business.

    Since backlinks remain as Google’s first choice ranking signal, it makes sense to see why it’s useful to link with reputable, popular websites. Leverage quality over quantity when it comes to making a positive impact in today’s search engine realm. Also, why not stick with something if it brings beneficial professional relationships with it? Backlinking brings continued opportunities to build and grow your business, create brand familiarity, and generate product awareness on partnering websites.

    There’s no better feeling than bringing back more traffic to your website!

    Is Link Building the Same as Backlinking?

    While both terms are popular tactics for SEO, they have slight differences. Link Building is creating links to your website from other websites. Backlinking is linking content from one website to a certain page on another.

    Don’t Be Afraid to Build a Link with Us!

    Implementing link-building strategies into your SEO is a time-consuming process that requires lots of attention and commitment. Making sure you work with someone who can put the effort and time into it that will generate the best results. Let our team of SEO experts help you get there.

    By staying updated on current digital trends and knowing what will get the customer to your website, our team leverages cutting-edge SEO and link-building tools to launch a successful strategy that aligns with your specific industry and niche product/service.

    Contact us today to get started.

  • Vehicles for Sale & Vehicle Listing Ads: A Strategy for Automotive Dealerships

    Vehicles for Sale & Vehicle Listing Ads: A Strategy for Automotive Dealerships

    What Are Vehicles for Sale and Vehicle Listing Ads?

    Illustrated image of a dealership displaying vehicle inventory

    Vehicles for Sale Listings are comprised of inventory directories located directly within search results through the dealership’s Google Business Profile, formerly Google My Business. Basically, how it works is prospective or repeat customers search and apply filters to navigate through the dealership’s inventory, outside of their direct website, to learn more information about a specific vehicle. Once they find the vehicle they want, it will potentially direct them straight to the dealership to make a purchase.

    Vehicle Listing Advertisements are set up after you create a vehicle inventory data feed with the Google Merchant Center. With the added information, Google will then match the details to potential shoppers with the relevant vehicle makes and models they’re searching for. From a buyer’s perspective, think of it as Google being your personal shopper. You put in the features you want, and it provides relative vehicles you can see or a dealership that can ship it to you. All the information about your chosen vehicle will be at the touch of your trackpad—location, make, model, price, mileage, and more. All you’ll have to do next is contact the dealership to get the vehicle.

    Are These Features Worthwhile for Dealership Marketing?

    Illustration of the manufacturing process of car making to the point of sale at a dealership

    Since Google launched its new vehicle ads platform, it has helped dealerships reach new buyers much easier and faster via smartphone. This digital transition resulted in fewer buyers wanting to visit automotive dealerships and using online vehicle buying as a valued alternative to visiting dealers and test driving on the lot. It can be time-consuming to set up a Google Merchant Center since the process begins with creating the inventory for each feature, maintaining it, managing incoming available vehicles, and ensuring leads are tracked, etc. But when looking at the long-term effects and weighing the benefits versus the costs, the results are very much worth the effort.

    Take the statistics into account! Google claims that dealerships who’ve used Vehicle Listing Ads with existing search campaigns increased their conversion rates by 25%, with some seeing as much as 55% or more! Now that’s some premium fuel to kickstart your dealer’s engine.

    Can a Private Seller Create Vehicle Listing Ads?

    Illustration of two men shopping for a car on a phone

    Unfortunately, for those who are not a verified dealership, vehicle ads from private sellers, individuals, or automotive brokers are not permitted. Currently, the vehicle ad platform can only be used for dealers who advertise non-commercial passenger vehicles. However, with evolving supply and demand, available offerings can certainly change in the future.

    Other vehicle types that are prohibited, along with non-commercial passenger vehicles, include, but are not limited to:

    Recreational vehicles (such as RV’s, motorhomes, trailers, etc.)

    Farm vehicles and equipment

    Buses of all kinds

    Two-wheelers

    Trains

    Boats

    Airplanes, and

    Outdoor utility vehicles

    Hitch a Ride to Greater Marketing Capabilities & Sales Opportunities with Us!

    Illustration of two men shaking hands after one sells the other a car

    The post-pandemic world has revolutionized the car-buying process, including customer behavior. Stay-at-home orders triggered a massive shift to online shopping and the trend has only increased since. It’s necessary to remain ahead of the evolving demands and expectations by adapting to market needs. With that being said, the need for online shopping has reached a new level. Don’t allow your dealership to have a downward turn; let the newfound need to go “digital” initiate a drive to remain competitive in an ever-changing marketplace! For any dealership, being the top automotive provider is the goal and is critical for long-term business growth.

    Since Google implemented Vehicles for Sale and Vehicle Listing Ads in 2021, our team at Reach Marketing Pro has worked hard to perfect their process. Don’t rely on trying to perfect your own system; instead, let us take the wheel and drive you down victory lane. We’ll do the grunt work and put the pedal to the metal so that your dealership does what does best—sell vehicles!

    It’s time to hit the gas; contact us today to learn more.

  • Why Word Count & Keyword Density Matters in SEO

    Why Word Count & Keyword Density Matters in SEO

    What is Keyword Density?

    Keyword density is the number of times a keyword may appear on a webpage or within a specific piece of content as a ratio or percentage rate of the total word count. By noticing the number of times the keywords may appear, that calculates the overall keyword frequency on a specific webpage. Normally, a user or search engine would use Keyword Density to determine what a certain webpage may discuss.

    Is Keyword Density Important for Best SEO Practices?

    Illustration of a webpage with a key

    Keywords are a significant piece to an SEO strategy’s puzzle, therefore Keyword Density matters. By launching efficient keyword practices, you’re imminently positioning yourself in the place of people who have specific Keyword intent, meaning they’re more likely to find your content if the keywords they would more than likely search are embedded in your business’s webpage.

    Every day, we search certain keywords online to find specific content. To grow your search engine rankings, become an authority on the subject matter you’re representing. When you’ve found via the right keywords and Keyword Density per each piece of content, there is an increased chance of re-targeting, achieving higher conversion rates, and boosting customer loyalty—a major accomplishment and golden ticket for the everyday SEO Marketer!

    Where Will You See Keyword Density Used?

    Let’s play out a scenario; let’s say you’re reading an article about marketing. As you read through the article, you notice the word “social media” is used frequently, followed by secondary words such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Although the article’s overarching topic is related to marketing, its Keyword Density narrows its focus on social media marketing strategies. Incorporating these keywords into the article boosts its opportunity to rank higher in search engines for searched keywords, including “social media” or “social media marketing.”

    Things to Consider When Evaluating Your Next Piece of Content

    Illustration of a laptop with the the a key and the term "keywords" on the screen, next to a folder with files inside

    While there are no defined “rules or regulations” for Keyword Density, make sure to implement today’s best SEO practices to ensure you achieve optimal results.

    Focus on Achieving Topic Coverage – While loading content with the same keyword repeatedly is not a feasible long-term SEO strategy, focus on fully covering the topic at hand. Include subtopics to enhance your page’s search ranking and add a new level of flare and creativity.

    Incorporating keyword additions to prominent places (Title Tag, H1, URL, and Meta Description) – While it’s not ideal to “stuff” your article with keywords (known as keyword stuffing) include your main keyword in the Title, Header 1, URL, and Meta Description. That way, it is placed in prominent locations and will enable a higher search ranking for that specific keyword.

    Write naturally –  Readers want to see personality come out in the content they see! Don’t be a robot and write to what Google’s algorithms want to see. Let the words flow the way you want them to, and the results will follow.

    Now, while there isn’t a golden number that’s considered “too high” for Keyword Density in search engine optimization, it’s advisable to revise the content if goes above 2 percent.

    How to Calculate Keyword Density

    Image of a webpage with highlighted keywords followed by the calculation to find keyword density

    The formula for calculating Keyword Density is straightforward:

    Divide the number of times a keyword is used on a specific page by the total number of words on the given page. Next, multiply that number by 100.

    The above formula isn’t the only way to calculate Keyword Density. There are multiple types of Keyword Density checkers that help measure (in percentage) the number of times a keyword or phrase appears in comparison to the number of words on a webpage. Optimizing your overall SEO doesn’t have to be a challenge.

    By simply copying and pasting your content into a checker tool, it will calculate the level of density for you!

    Keyword Density and SEO Marketing Professionals at Your Fingertips

    Our team of experts love to dive into the world of SEO. Since Keyword Density is a critical component of SEO marketing, we utilize and leverage proper optimization techniques and strategies to help you appear higher in SERPs, and ideally, leaps and bounds ahead of the competition.

    Reach Marketing Pro has a surplus of Google algorithm trend knowledge to initiate keyword research, content creation, content analysis, and updating content months (even years) after its integration. There are many factors that come into play when ensuring every piece of content is formulated properly for the best results.

    Ready to kickstart your business’s SEO strategy? Contact us to connect with your Keyword Density partner and discuss the next steps.

  • How to Manage Your Business Online Reputation Properly

    How to Manage Your Business Online Reputation Properly

    What is Online Reputation Management?

    Online Reputation Management (ORM) is a combination of utilizing marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and public relations initiatives that work together to promote, protect, and encourage your brand’s online presence. Various ORM strategies include monitoring and improving your rankings in search results, managing positive/negative online reviews, and crafting a positive social media presence through creating engaging content. 

    Your business’s online reputation is significantly important for your brand’s success. More than 88% of small businesses monitor their online reputation, while 79% of shoppers rely on online reviews to purchase products or services as much as personal recommendations.

    Unfortunately, with all businesses, no or few reviews can automatically deter a potential customer away, so it’s important to continuously develop your online reputation to ensure success.

    Is Online Reputation Management a Type of Marketing Strategy?

    Illustration of a man with "likes" and "stars" around him

    Online Reputation Management (ORM) is a combination of utilizing marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and public relations initiatives that work together to promote, protect, and encourage your brand’s online presence. Various ORM strategies include monitoring and improving your rankings in search results, managing positive/negative online reviews, and crafting a positive social media presence through creating engaging content. 

    Your business’s online reputation is significantly important for your brand’s success. More than 88% of small businesses monitor their online reputation, while 79% of shoppers rely on online reviews to purchase products or services as much as personal recommendations.

    Unfortunately, with all businesses, no or few reviews can automatically deter a potential customer away, so it’s important to continuously develop your online reputation to ensure success.

    How to Improve My Current Online Business Reputation

    Illustration with people looking at a phone and PC screen with "stars" insinuating reviews

    In order to boost your online business reputation, it’s time to focus on its current position. We have provided a few tips and ways you can improve your current online reputation.

    • Utilizing a Reputation Management software, which is designed to monitor users’ online reviews of products and services. This software also helps your business monitor the web so that you can respond to negative reviews and encourage positive ones.
    • Leveraging Automated software integrations which enables systems to integrate with one another.
    • Joining social networks with professionals who specialize in the same field. That way, you can host conversations about trending topics and boost each other’s online reputation.
    • Optimizing your business’s URL makes your web page more understandable by search engines and furthers your SEO rankings in the SERP.
    • Asking customers to leave reviews, preferably sooner than later.
    • Actively addressing and responding to both positive and negative reviews in a professional manner.

    By taking these factors into account, you will be well on your way to having a stellar online reputation.

    What Should I Do If I Receive a Negative Review?

    First thing’s first, negative reviews are a part of every business. If, and when because it will likely happen at some point, you get a negative review on Google or an additional website your business is promoted on, make it a priority to respectfully respond in a timely fashion, preferably within 24 hours. When this happens, this helps prospective and already existing customers understand how you approach someone who had an unhappy experience and handle/resolve their situation. Remember – just because you received a negative review doesn’t mean your business is in trouble. Take every review left by a customer, positive or negative, as a way to learn and improve your business’s products, operations, and marketing.

    Having an Online Reputation for Your Business is Necessary

    Illustration with multiple people around a computer screen adding hearts and stars to a review

    The social proof in reviews and 1-star or 5-star ratings help customers shortcut their research and make decisions faster with more confidence. Between reviews and word-of-mouth referrals, others will see your brand’s online reputation as one of the first impressions they see. We all know how important first impressions are, so be sure that you are fully utilizing and monitoring an online reputation marketing strategy effectively to see the best results.

    Reach for Those 5-Star Reviews with a Robust Reputation Management Strategy

    When it comes to brand perception, our eyes are keen on the details with your online reputation At Reach Marketing Pro, we have the software you need to automate and review the reputation management process. Our team of online management experts utilize current strategies, automations, reputation management software, review solicitation campaigns, and CRMs to improve the number of reviews you receive across various platforms such as Google and other industry specific review channels. Though it may seem like a lot, we offer specialized pricing that is custom based on your budget. When you partner with us, you gain a team of dedicated account managers who will utilize robust reputation management tools and tailored custom reputation marketing strategies to get the results you desire.

    Like what you’re reading? Reach out to us today to get started.

  • How to Improve Your SEM Marketing Strategy

    How to Improve Your SEM Marketing Strategy

    First of All, What is SEM?

    Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is leveraging paid strategies to increase your business’s search visibility. With SEM, brands pay for advertisements to appear as search results on search engine results pages, otherwise known as SERPs. Search engine results pages utilize targeted keywords so that when a user searches them, they see an ad from the brand. SEM and SEO are similar, however the main difference is that SEO is focused on optimizing a website to gain more traffic from organic search results, and SEM focuses on gaining traffic and visibility from both organic and paid search.

    How Exactly Can SEM Help You

    SEM provides benefits to your business by increasing your online presence, enhancing your brand awareness and visibility, and leading to more online leads, thus generating sales. SEM can make the process of implementing and managing advertisements more easily and quickly. Another added benefit of SEM is that businesses will only pay once an action is applied onto an advertisement.

    Consider These Factors to Improve Your SEM Marketing Strategy

    Illustration with a magnifying glass over a webpage with other icons (coins, dollars, calculator, gear icon, phone, internet, graph)

    To successfully lead a search engine marketing strategy, the following tactics and tools are helpful.

    Aim and Purpose: It is important to understand the aim and purpose of the campaign. By doing so, you will set up goals and establish milestones that point forward. This will result in helping your team analyze metrics better and ensure your campaign will perform at the level you desire.

    Audience, Scope, and Targeting: Identifying specific targeting parameters, geographic regions/locations, time, conversions, and search terms will help with your ad’s showing capacity to the right people at the right time.

    Keywords: Targeting the right keywords aids in the refining process. To be strategic, your business would not just choose a set of keywords and forget them later on. Instead, monitoring their performance removing keywords that aren’t generating leads will need to be reevaluated to ensure a successful SEM strategy.

    Search Query Intent: Information, navigational, and transactional types. You need to understand the intent behind the keywords chosen for your campaigns; knowing this will help you build better keyword groups for specific ad campaigns.

    Landing Pages: Creating a proper landing page will help your audience find what they’re looking for once they click on an ad.

    Re-Marketing and Display: Both strategies are a great way to keep your brand or offer in front of a customer close to converting and bringing them back to the site so they can complete their purchase.

    Testing: Conducting testing on advertisement extensions, product feeds, long-tail keywords in ad copies, ad copy trends, and ad creatives will help boost landing page performance.

    Continuous Optimization: To boost your business’s SEM, optimizing each aspect of every campaign will help maximize performance. This would include refining keywords, targeting parameters to landing page performance, quality scores, and everything in between. More importantly, ensure you are keeping up with available census data and marketing insights so that it aligns with your SEO marketing!

    Why Keywords are an Important Part of Any SEM Strategy

    Blue illustration with a desktop computer with a generic lined-page with "Keyword Targeting" underneath

    Keywords help identify and determine what your company is known for. By using the right keywords, your team will understand what content to market in the paid search marketing realm. More importantly, you shouldn’t bid on just any and every keyword out there, even if they are relevant. Keyword research is the blueprint for your online marketing efforts, hence driving every decision you will make. Intent of keywords matter for paid search and you don’t want to overspend.

    For example, let’s talk dealerships. You should avoid wasting your entire budget on a keyword such as “Ford F-150” because it is way too broad. The intent is more informational than commercial or transactional, and the search volume of this keyword could result in you splurging through your entire budget. Instead, focusing more on phrases such as “Ford F-150 for Sale” or “F-150 Near Me” are more specific searches and showcase a commercial, transactional intent where the user is looking to convert or purchase.

    Don’t Forget About Your Google Ads Bidding Strategies

    Colorful graphic with different business people collaborating over different aspects of a search page

    Google Ads provide a cost-effective way for businesses of all sizes to reach a virtually unlimited, targeted audience. These advertisements are extremely flexible, and you can start, stop, pause, or adjust your bids at any time. When you set up a Google Ads campaign, you will notify Google how much you’re willing to pay for your ad to be shown. Otherwise known as your bid, Google’s automated bidding strategies adjusts bids for you based on the ad’s likelihood of getting a “click” or conversion. With manual bidding, you notify Google of the maximum amount you’re willing to pay per click (PPC) on your ad and can then make adjustments based on performance

    We Know There’s A lot to Consider When it comes to SEM

    At Reach Marketing, we understand the importance a proper SEM strategy brings to the table. If you plan to compete in today’s competitive landscape, you can’t overlook the value of search engine marketing. It’s just one piece of the marketing pie, and a significant slice at that!

    We have a team of SEM experts who are available to improve and optimize your business’s SEM marketing strategies.

    Contact us here to schedule a free consultation.

    By partnering with your business, we will make sure that you’re bidding and appropriating the correct keywords, creating the best campaigns, building the most effective landing pages, and combining marketing strategies to obtain the best long-term results.

  • How Retail Coupon Marketing Increases Your Sales and Leads

    How Retail Coupon Marketing Increases Your Sales and Leads

    What is Retail Coupon Marketing?

    In Retail Coupon Marketing, retailers offer digital coupons for their target or prospective customers. This marketing strategy is aimed at persuading the customer to make a purchase on the retailer’s website by offering a certain percentage off their purchase, free shipping, or a special type of promotion.

    How Can Retail Coupon Marketing Help My Business?

    Incorporating Retail Coupon Marketing into your business’s strategy allows you to take advantage of your customers’ interests. In the end, we all want to save money, and presenting your products to consumers for less than the retail price will attract more buyers and boost your sales.

    One disadvantage that could happen for your business is that coupons can cost additional expenses for creating them and may reduce the overall profitability your business would bring in for that specific product. Sometimes the risk of cart abandonment is higher. A key takeaway for this is to analyze the difference between new customers and existing customers returning to the store to use the coupons. 

    However, there is always light at the end of every dark tunnel! Even if profit margins might be lower due to utilizing coupons, you run the chances and opportunities to increase your lead generation rates and bring more long-term customers into your store. When this happens, your businesses’ sales will be higher than before due to your larger clientele. The famous saying, “You have to spend money to make money” has never been truer until now.

    Physical Paper Coupons vs. Digital QR Code Coupons

    Illustration of people walking out of a store after they purchased items

    I think we have all been there when a few coupons are printed out at the grocery store, and the next day you cannot remember if you put them in your purse or threw them away with the grocery bag.

    A Printable Coupon is recognized as a physical gift card (Amazon, for example) that can be sent to your family and/or friends during special occasions. A Digital Coupon is any discount, offer, or promotion that is offered by an online retailer to current or prospective customers. They come in different forms, including downloadable coupons, mobile coupons, coupon codes, and automatic discounts. Growing by popular demand, digital coupons have become one of the leading methods for using coupons in the online retail world.

    Sometimes, maintaining a track record of print coupons can be a hassle, making it less accessible to customers. In 2020, about 90% of customers used coupons, with more than half of them preferring digital coupons on their phones and 68% of customers believing digital coupons create more loyalty.

    The Benefits of Digital QR Code Coupons for Retail Marketing

    Illustration of a variety of people surrounded by retail objects such as a phone, grocery basket, and credit card

    Remember seeing those interactive white and black code boxes we use our phones to scan? Of course, you do! QR codes are used to link to a website’s landing page so you can either see a restaurant’s menu, certain products, or promotional coupons. Retailers benefit from this marketing strategy because they allow their customers to have information in the palm of their hands, and all they have to do is scan a simple barcode. As an added convenience, QR codes are easily accessible, environmentally friendly, minimize waste, and can simply be stored in your phone whenever you need them.

    Our Customized Product Q-Pon Revolutionizes Retail Coupon Marketing

    To get the process started for your Coupon Marketing needs, we offer an exclusive customized product, “Q-Pon” which transforms your digital retail program by overhauling your coupons and specials page to make it accessible for customers to grab and go in just a click of a button. After seeing how much retailers are struggling with finding a unique design and approach to their marketing strategy, it’s time to do something different.

    By combining advanced, data-driven SEO, SEM, and social content for marketing campaigns, it targets surrounding local target areas and users in smart intervals. Just think of it as a one-third web design service, one-third Search Engine Optimization (SEO) service, and a one-third digital e-wallet functionality. No matter how small or large the job is, Q-Pon provides a one-way, easy access for your sales to get the boost it needs.

    For a free demonstration of “Q-Pon”, click here to learn more!

  • What is the Best Automotive Marketing Strategy?

    What is the Best Automotive Marketing Strategy?

    There Should Be a Focus on Comprehensive Dealership Marketing Strategies

    Illustrated image of a gray car with a "sale" sign on it. Behind the gray car is a glass building labeled "Car Dealership" with multiple vehicles inside

    When trying to find the answer to a never-ending question, begin with a simple Google search. Sometimes, the best answer could be right in front of you at the top of the web page. If you were a customer looking to purchase a new vehicle, you would first go to google to find the nearest dealership. Second, you would look at their online business reviews and overall reputation. If everything seems promising, you will then schedule a time to visit the lot and test drive. On the other hand, another way would be to listen to or see an advertisement on the radio, TV, or in print advertising spots.

    Having a comprehensive automotive marketing strategy is the best way to promote your products and services. Rather than focusing on quick-fix solutions for customers, implementing a slow and steady marketing strategy could show better benefits in the long run.

    It’s important to remember that your focus cannot just be on one strategy, but on every component of your marketing plan. By covering all of your bases, it will allow your team to reach the maximum number of prospective customers. Having a strong auto marketing strategy is not just about having positive online reviews, but optimizing your dealership’s Google search ranking, online presence, brand exposure, and customer loyalty.

    How To Improve Your Automotive Marketing Efforts

    A comprehensive marketing plan is comprised of multiple components that are critical to a dealership’s success. Let’s take a look at each one and how it plays a role in having a successful automotive marketing strategy. The more moving parts your train has, the better it will perform.

    SEO

    Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a process that generates new traffic to your website from free, organic, editorial, or natural search results in search engines. When your dealership’s website is optimized properly with rank-worthy content, users will be able to easily navigate and see what you have to offer, making it compelling and unique from other dealership websites, which will be the key to winning.

    Local SEO

    Local SEO is a subset of Search Engine Optimization. However, it specifically affects the visibility and ranking of your dealership’s website or web pages in a local geographic area. If your dealership has a physical location or serves as a geographic area, it can benefit from local SEO.

    Mostly blue illustration with two figures looking at a target and chart

    SEM/PPC

    Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is a digital marketing strategy that is used to increase the overall visibility of a website in search engine results pages (SERPs). Leveraging clever paid search campaigns will benefit your dealership’s brand and capitalize on inventory-specific campaigns for new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles. Pay-per-Click (PPC) is a type of internet marketing strategy that makes advertisers pay a fee each time their ad is clicked on by a prospective customer. Tracking to see how many times an ad is clicked on will show how effective the advertisement is.

    Social Media Marketing

    Social Media Marketing is an essential tool to integrate into your auto marketing strategy because it allows your team to promote its brand, its products, and its services across multiple social channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Tik-Tok, etc.). Since each social outlet has its own unique audience, creating dynamic content will help capture more customers and generate leads.

    Reputation Management

    Reputation Management is a marketing and public relations effort that works on how your dealership influences what and how people think of your brand. For example, think of the difference between receiving a 5-star review and a 1-star review. Some customers may choose a different dealership due to seeing a 1-star review online. Maintaining a strong online reputation will help strengthen your customer loyalty and overall brand development.

    Fixed Operations Marketing

    Fixed Ops Marketing has been a long-time struggle for automotive dealerships. Paying close attention to this marketing strategy will allow you to take back control of the business and drive traffic into the service department. Steadier service traffic makes staffing needs easier, and an increase in volume always adds a boost in productivity! So even during slower months, the business will grow.

    Suite of Automotive Products & Services Designed to Boost Your Sales

    Illustration of a car dealership with multi-colored cars in front of the building in the parking lot

    Based on what your automotive marketing strategy is focused on, our team has crafted customized product solutions that are created, updated, and monitored for each of our clients. Whether it is to sell more cars, increase your vehicle reservations, schedule more service bay visits, or increase automotive part sales, we have a solution for you.

    • Absorption Boost This cutting-edge product completely overhauls your dealer’s automotive specials, its service center, and parts center web pages to boost its fixed operations. By combining a stronger visualization with a custom design and QR code scan-to-wallet functionality, absorption boost targets surrounding local target areas and users in smart intervals. With an easy-to-navigate specials page, customers will have better functionality to digitally scan, download, and save your coupons on their phone, making the buying process so much easier.

    • Dealer VIP Advantage Have you ever wanted to watch your vehicles in production sell before they even arrive on your lot? Our digital web experts create custom codes for your VIP landing page that shows all vehicles in production ready for pre-order, making it easy for customers to purchase the vehicle they want at the click of a button. Best of all, our Dealer VIP Advantage solution is OEM and Dealership brand-centric.

    Knowing All the Strategies Can Be Overwhelming

    We’re Here to Make it Easy

    As you can see, our professional team at Reach Marketing Pro has expert knowledge in both traditional and digital marketing strategies. Whether you are looking for a one-off service or a full-fledged ongoing campaign, we are here to help create, initiate, assist, and oversee your Automotive Marketing strategy!

    Visit our products page to learn more.

  • What are the Best SEO Tools and Software?

    What are the Best SEO Tools and Software?

    When you have a goal to increase traffic and user engagement to your website, utilizing an SEO tool will help with your business’s search optimization strategy. Here we will define what SEO is, how it can impact your online traffic, the best SEO tools to use, and how our SEO specialists utilize the best software tools that produce long-lasting results.

    What is Search Engine Optimization or SEO?

    Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a process that involves incorporating specific keywords and content that helps your website rank higher across various search engines. SEO is used to generate more engagement to a specific website, web page, or piece of content. When a company wants to boost its SEO strategy, they normally hire an SEO Specialist who focuses the majority of their time on analyzing the website’s overall health and identifies areas of improvement that can be optimized to improve your search rankings.

    How SEO Specialists Use SEO Tools

    Illustration with multiple male & female figures who are standing in front of a large webpage with a SEO label

    Investing in an SEO Specialist can provide positive, long-term results for your online traffic. An SEO Specialist navigates your website and makes improvements on the front-end and back-end that can significantly improve the search performance of your website. SEO tools and software assist SEO Specialists during this process by enabling them with the data they need for proper optimization. These SEO software tools are used for keyword searches, organic data, and backlinking, which all benefit your business’s search engine rankings.

    Keyword Searches involve incorporating keywords into the content you put on your website, so they show up as relevant results when similar keywords are searched online. Keyword data refers to the keyword volume of a particular keyword phrase on a monthly basis as well as the SERP position (Page 1, Page 2, Page 3 on Google) of your website page for any given keyword phrase.

    Backlinking includes an internal and external effort for linking websites together through relevant keyword phrases and content topics. For example, if another business or individual links to your site, then you now have a backlink from them, or vice versa, which can improve your SEO and their SEO. It’s a mutually beneficial search relationship.

    Organic Data involves analyzing the website metrics, after combining keyword research and backlinking into your website, and extrapolating useful analytic insights to implement on your site pages. That way you can ensure your content ranks, and continues to rank, at the top of organic, unpaid search engine results pages (SERPs).

    The Best SEO Tools and Software to Use

    Illustration with a magnifying glass over text on a laptop. The background is blue and has various SEO terms

    With so many moving parts that are involved with SEO, it can be hard to master at the beginning. However, there is software that’s considered to be the best SEO tools on the market today. Based on our research findings, the best SEO tools are:

    • Ahrefs for SEO Keyword Research has been recognized as being second to Google when it comes to website crawling. When you want to determine your competitor’s backlinks, Ahrefs specializes in link building, keyword research, competitor analysis, rank tracking, and site audits.
    • Google Search Console provides detailed information on how Google crawls, indexes, and serves websites. Best of all, it monitors and optimizes your overall search performance.
    • Semrush is an all-in-one suite that improves your website’s visibility and provides marketing insights. SEMrush delivers optimized specialties in SEO, PPC, SMM, Keyword Research, Competitive Research, PR, Content Marketing, Marketing Insights, and Campaign Management.
    • KWFinder is a keyword research platform that helps you find long-tail keywords with low competition.
    • Moz Pro is used to gather data on your site’s search rankings, page optimization, site crawl, and backlink metrics.
    • SpyFu offers competitive intelligence used by digital marketers to improve their performance in online research.

    Based on what your specific needs are, these are some of the best SEO tools to use in today’s marketplace. No matter the tool you choose, your online presence is in good hands and you will see dramatic results.

    When Using SEO Tools and Software, How Long Will It Take to See Results?

    Short answer: It can be anywhere between 4 to 12 months to see results. Sometimes longer depending on the competition level of the chosen primary keyword phrase. However, the speed at which you can see verifiable results depends on how well combine ranking factors into your executed SEO strategy. For example, if you target low-competition keywords, you may start to see results quicker than if you target high-competition keywords. Think of it this way – SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. If you want to see long-lasting results and not fall backward, slow and steady always wins the race.

    Why Should I Use SEO Tools if It Takes a While to See Results?

    A collage of animated webpages, forms, and graphs

    Think back to each passing New Year. The typical New Year’s resolution is to go on a diet and lose some weight. Most of the time when this happens, this sudden resolution ends after only a few months because people would not see any significant changes as quickly as they would like to see. That is why it is called a lifestyle change, rather than a fad diet or a “quick fix.” SEO is the same way. Results do not change overnight. Instead, it takes consistent optimization for a minimum of 4 months until you begin to see a change in traffic or your google search rankings. If you stay diligent and continue running your marathon, you will reach the finish line and see a significant improvement.

    SEO Professionals That Handle Your SEO All at One Cost

    Reach Marketing Pro is a leading industry expert on what it takes to grow your social engagement. We offer a full-fledged SEO marketing service that kickstarts your organic strategy from the ground up, creating captivating content using graphics, photos, and videos across your website pages and blog posts. Our close-knit team includes Search Engine Optimization Specialists who can boost your SEO rankings by utilizing the most optimal SEO tools and software on the market. By leveraging proper optimization, data-driven keywords, and SEO marketing strategies, we will have your business ranking higher in SERPs – ahead of your competition. We are industry experts who specialize in content creation, backlinking, website crawling, SEO, and keyword analytics that can benefit your business’s website traffic and profitability in the long run.

    Visit our SEO services page to learn more.