Sample Business Website Copy: SEO for Texas Small Businesses

 

Should Texas small business owners learn SEO? 

First and foremost, what on earth is SEO? SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, the strategy of designing a website and creating content that will rank high in the major search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing. The popularity of optimization techniques started around early 2000s. However, even until now, a lot of Texas small business owners still don't have any idea what it is and how it will improve their business. 

Components of SEO

Search Engine Optimization is a step by step process that has evolved technically over time. It involves an understanding of the following major concepts:

• How search engines work
• What keywords to choose and use for your website
• Optimization of graphics and design
• Website and content submission 
• Link Marketing
• Auditing and Monitoring your progress

Notice that I didn't mention Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or blogging? That's because they are part of Search Engine Marketing. SEO, on the other hand, focuses on how to strategically position your website and your brand so does online searchers will easily find you on Google, Yahoo, or Bing. 

At first, it looks like a heck of a lot of hard work, but if you study diligently or discuss with an experienced SEO professional, all the pieces will fall together. And yes, plenty of “nobodys” became “somebodys” on the Internet because of successful SEO techniques. 

Understanding how search engines work will make you realize that a brand new website or domain won't make it to the top of Google until after several months. If you know what keywords to choose for your website, you will stand out among your competitors in similar niche. When you hire a web designer, make sure that they are aware of optimizing graphics so they will be search engine friendly. Same goes with the text of your website. It is also possible to rank high in the search engines if you network online and monitor which marketing techniques work for you. 

Even Texas small business owners who have no clue what SEO is can learn how to optimize their website. You don't have to earn a degree to understand that you shouldn't post irrelevant material in your online store or spam your subscribers. Remember that even though you're trying to make it high on the search engine rankings,  you still need to look after the reason why you're in business: your customers. 

To learn more, read our blog for more SEO techniques specifically targeted for your Texas small business!

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Sample B2B Article: Building Websites for Texas Chiropractors

 

Building Websites for Texas Chiropractors: Where to Begin?

Chiropractors in Texas are in demand, and yet it's sad to discover that plenty of them do not have the means to connect with their customers who are mostly surfing the Internet. Gone are the days when phone directories are the first point of reference when we feel pain and need the service of a good massage therapist.

A lot of Texas chiropractors are not aware of the options they have when it comes to bringing their business online. The good news is that the options abound -- it's just a matter of deciding whether you should  build your own website, try a decent priced website builder, or hire a graphic web designer. 

Here are my insights for Texas chiropractors who need to start a website:

Only opt for a free website if you're absolutely aware of what you're doing. I'm not kidding. If you don't have the slightest idea about HTML or what SEO means, don't attempt to build your own. The reason is, although building a website by yourself is a simple process that can be learned, much of what constitutes a real working small business website nowadays is optimized and interactive. In other words, if your website is going to look boring and won't show up on Google when your customers search for you, forget starting a website by yourself. 

A website builder that guides you as create your own could probably work for your chiropractic business. The equation here is simple. If you try online site builders, you will go through a series of steps that will lead you to finish a website for your chiropractic business. These website builders are meant to make your life easy by letting you fill in the missing information within the templates that are already built in for you. As a matter of fact, some website builders for chiropractors are so sophisticated, they won't look like a chiropractor actually built his/her own website. In any case, you probably still need to do a little bit of research on putting links, HTML, or widgets to your site. 

If you're not into website building at all and want to focus mainly in your medical practice, the best bet is to hire a web designer that is not only low-cost, but can handle the all-around task of good design, optimization, and user-friendliness. Some web designers use high-end templates that will amaze your customers. Others code the websites from scratch. As a Texas chiropractor, you don't need a complicated website to show off your services. Let your customers find information easily, connect with  you with widgets and forms, and find coming back to your website appealing. Better yet, let everyone who searches you on Google find you on the top of the search results.

If you're a chiropractor in Texas and have not made the leap to get your business online, it's never too late. These days, you owe it to yourself to create an online presence that will draw your customers to you, through the help of a website that works for your chiropractic business. 

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Insightful B2B and Marketing Articles

 I can change the world!

One famous advertising guru said, "People don't really need you. They don't need your products or services. Real success in business is being able to sell to customers DESPITE not being needed." 

If that sounds cynical, it may also be the truth. 

But hey, it does not mean you should pack your stuff and go home! What's great about business is that if you believe in your services and product ("I can change the world!"), you can become an evangelist of your cause. If you care about your customers, then you will become a recognized expert in your industry. Expertise builds confidence. Confidence builds votes. And votes are transformed from being unnecessary to something customers can't live without. Not only will they need you; they will also WANT  your product or service. Now that's something to cheer us up!

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The power of wall posting

Wall posting is visibility. I remember back when I was in fourth grade, my English teacher had a project called The Wall. On the wall, if you had the best handwriting, best poem, or best essay, your work would be posted on the wall for everybody to see. Wow, what a source of pride! My papers had been tacked on the wall so many times. Since then, people at school have known me for my writings. 

Wouldn't it be cool if your business came up with something similar to The Wall project? Post pictures of great employees, most frequent visitors, or announcements that boost business. In some places, they even do it in public laundromats as a way for many singles in the area to meet. People like checking out things posted on the wall. Take advantage of it. 

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Curiosity, dead squirrels and new clients

In one of my online profiles, I had a motto that said "Curiosity killed the squirrel." Yikes! I just realized that so many more squirrels get killed on the road than cats, but I'm guessing it's really not because they are curious, but indecisive. So maybe a better motto would be "Indecision killed the squirrel!"

Plenty of businesses capitalize on the powerful natural instinct of human curiosity. But curiosity shouldn't equate to being (metaphorically) squashed on the road. Instead, it should be a means to gain new contacts (networking style). New contacts may mean new business. If you send some people something like brainteasers, puzzles, or anything interesting, they will respond and inquire. Fact it, we have earned new friends and clients with this marketing technique. If you haven't tried it for yourself, now is the time to do so. 

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You can never have too much information

One of the most understated but useful techniques in creating web content is research. Little do customers and even business owners know, too little or too much information can be a pain. For example, one of our latest gigs was to create content for a fashion website. However, the owner did not care to provide information on basic stuff to put on About Us and FAQs. We had to practically drill him. If the project requires a certain number of words per page and there was no information provided from the business owner, we have to do our research and be creative. 

Now the fun part. Here are a few techniques/shortcuts here that I've used when researching for content:

1. When somebody called and you missed it but the other party didn't leave a message, try the Reverse Phone Lookup of whitepages.com. Chances are you'll find the owner of the phone number listed. 

2. Search all the major engines. Unfortunately, I just found out a while ago that whatever you find on Yahoo will also show up exactly on Bing. 

3. Forum posts. When you're researching, don't just look into articles that show up on Google search results. Read forum posts as well. They actually provide more in-depth and reliable information regarding the topic. I've fixed a virus in my computer by reading a forum about people who were looking for the same solution. 

4. Yelp. Better than the BBB, you can find more detailed information about whether a business is reliable or not. Yelp.com is where people express their opinions about establishments they visited. Of course, the opinions are mixed, but it's up to you to weigh them. 

5. Ctrl+F. What's simpler than using this shortcut when looking for a keyword in a document? I've passed so many exams using this. I didn't need to read the whole page but using the Find function I can zero in on what I need to know. Also, if you're looking through a whole pile of names NOT listed alphabetically, try typing the initial in the Find box and press Enter repeatedly until you find it. Smart, eh?

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