Web site maintenance, website management and web consulting services

While you’re fighting against 10 million competing websites for a number 1 Google ranking for ‘Aquatic supplies’, 300 people in the South of England are searching for ‘pet shop in Ashford’. Of course those 300 people aren’t going to find your business because you’ve probably ignored the power of local search engine marketing. And to make matters worse for you, those 300 people are ready to buy right now.

As business owners, we tend to ignore micro-niche markets and focus on the big picture. And we’re losing out. So, as a primer to local search engine marketing, which is a topic I’m starting to study in depth, here are a few things you can do to help your website achieve search engine stardom within 50 miles of your office.

Submit your website to local search engines and local online directories.

There are loads of options to choose from. Start with Google Maps, Yahoo Local, MSN Local Search, and the Yellow Pages. Once you’re listed on the major sites, start exploring your region for local business portals, local directories and even your local chamber of commerce’s website.

Build links from local businesses.

In fact, why not build a network with other local businesses? There are probably dozens of local businesses in your area facing exactly the same marketing challenges as you. If they have websites convince them to enter into a reciprocal linking arrangement. Even better, give them a reason to provide you with a one-way link.

Build a blog.

Not just any blog, a hyperlocal blog. Write about your town and how your business is helping people/businesses in your region.

Spend money on local advertising.

Google Adwords lets you geo-target your advertising in most countries. Don’t waste your advertising budget on people who are more likely to buy from their local pet shop than yours. Target the people who live 3 blocks away, but don’t know you exist.

The facts about local vs. global search engine marketing

1. Local search marketing is cheaper.
2. Local search marketing (in most cases) is easier.
3. Local search marketing yields faster results.

I’m encouraging all my clients to let me develop local search marketing campaigns for them. If your business could benefit from more local customers, I’d recommend you do the same.

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This rather short post isn’t directly related to website management, but it might just get you thinking about the opportunities your online business is missing out on.

In the past 6 months I’ve used my website to:

1. Build a client base. 6 months ago I started from scratch with a new direction and a new target market. I’m making money, even when I’m on holiday.
2. Help people grow their own businesses. I don’t take this lightly. People put their trust in me and I do my best to make sure I don’t let them down.
3. Build a database of subscribers. It’s not huge, but I now have the ear of some good people who actually care about what I have to say.
4. Prove to 2 web design companies that I can manage their client websites on their behalf. This brings me some additional income without any marketing costs.
5. Get a couple of Google #1 rankings. Which in turn bring me more traffic. Which in turn cuts my marketing costs even further.
6. Meet some really interesting people. You know who you are.
7. Get back in touch with some old friends. This hasn’t helped my business directly, but I suspect something interesting is about to happen.
8. Hire a professional to help me manage client websites (and I only posted the job application yesterday).
9. Learn a lot about what I do for a living, all while getting paid.

Obviously my business goals are different from yours, but without this website I’d be spending a lot of time cold-calling and a lot of money on advertising.

So ask yourself, what has your website done for you in the past 6 months? If you can’t list any important achievements, it may be time to hire a professional.

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This is a guest post by Steven Chappell.

No one can deny that the Internet has radically changed the way we do business in this technological era, and practically every business today from the small company to the huge enterprise recognize and utilize this powerful medium to sell their products and services.

The influence that the world wide web has had on economy in recent years is incredible. According to The IMRG Capgemini E-retail Sales Index, over £46 billion was spent online in 2007, with around £15 billion of that amount during the holiday season alone (Nov 1 to Dec 31), marking a 19% increase over the previous year.

This growth of online spending makes it crucial for you to choose the right e-commerce platform for your business in order to have a competitive site for your customers. There are many different platforms available at varying prices, but the choice can be a little bit overwhelming for the inexperienced.

Some of the most important features of any platform that have to be considered are, security, scalability, reliability, and support. When choosing an e-commerce platform it is vital that you take these aspects into account as you not only want to make it as easy as possible to accept payments from your customers, but you want them to feel assured in the knowledge that their transactions are completely secure. It is also important to evaluate the different costs associated with each platform.

Let’s consider three e-commerce platforms that are well established, and how you might decide which one is best for your business.

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