Luke's BLOG on Web Strategy - Website Strategy - Web Marketing Strategy

The Internet Connection Growth – Totally Connected

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 09:11:00 GMT

All Work and No Play Makes You a Dull Boy or Girl

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 05:26:00 GMT

We all want to succeed in business, but at the same time it is important to remember we must keep up the delicate balance in our life. Here are 10 tips from top CEOs on how they successfully manage to maintain a great life/work balance...

Click - Read The 10 Tips Now

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Helping Customers Save Time Boosts Your Web Profits

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 05:22:00 GMT

No matter how rich or poor we are, no one can add a second more to their life. Time is equal. 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week. That’s it.

If you want to sell more to customers then read on...

Our time is a precious resources. Keep in mind the old saying "time is money." We need to spend it wisely ...and we do need to spend it if we want to build a business.

Your customers are also more time-pressed and have limited time. They are aware of it, and they are looking to make savings and beat the clock. They are looking for time-efficient ways to shop, to be more effective and efficient.

Your website and online service has the potential to SAVE your customers time.

If you can save your customers time you instantly have a BIG selling point. A benefit like that can lead to higher sales and profits. So think of ways that your website and the delivery of your goods can save the customer time?

EXAMPLE:
Website selling antique toys offers gift wrapping, which saves the customer time by achieving two things at once.

EXAMPLE:
Website that offers express post, so customers get their goods quicker.

EXAMPLE:
Beauty therapy Website that offers a range of express services like “Mini Makeovers”, “Lunchtime Face-Lifts”. I’ve taken advantage of this strategy myself and offer a 2 hour consult called “Lunch With Luke”.

You still need to satisfy the customers need for unique, professional, easy, great value and emotionally satisfying experiences. When they do spend time on your website, make it as enjoyable as possible. Then you make the sale and deliver your product or service in a way that saves the customers time.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Is Your Business Sick? Take Account Now!

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 06:26:00 GMT

Q: Are you able to pay your debts when they are due?
Q: Does your business pay you a wage?
Q: Are you making enough sales?
Q: Do you get repeat business?

If you answered "No" to any of these questions, then the key question to ask is will your business ever be viable?

If your business is not likely to be viable into the future, then you need to explore how you can adapt to become profitable. Don't hang onto the status quo to long. By the time your bank account is dry... it's too late.

Businesses fail for a host of reasons. Bad luck plays a role, sure, but disaster usually strikes because of a more fundamental flaw. Here are some fundamental questions that can help a struggling business turn it around and make a profit:

Q: How much cash do you need to make to break even?
Q: What are your strengths and your point of difference?
Q: Is there a different product or service you can offer?
Q: Can you raise prices?
Q: Can you bundle products and services to create specials?
Q: What else can you offer (up-sell) when the customer is buying?
Q: Can you bring in a partner to inject funds and/or expertise?
Q: Can you be more efficient and cut costs?
Q: Can you chase up unpaid invoices more efficiently?

If your business is showing warning signs, then act now.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

The Power Of Branding And Why Customers Buy From You

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:25:00 GMT

Branding is what your customers think about your product or company.

Customers buy an Apple Ipod before considering any other competing MP3 player. Technically the Ipod has proven to be a poor quality MP3 player, that often breaks down. The customers buying decision is not based on real quality and value, it is based on brand power.

When you think Volvo, you think conservative and safe.

When you think Nike, you think of sports shoes worn by top sports celebrities Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods and of course you think about the Nike swoosh logo and the slogan "Just Do It."

A brand is the visual, emotional, rational, and cultural image that you associate with a company or a product. It is the sum of all the characteristics that make your offering unique:

Reputation
Customer Service
A Promise
Price
Feeling
Attitude
Logo
Product Line

Your brand is WHY customers buy from you.
If the customer’s fantasy about your brand matches the fantasy they want to fulfil, they will buy from you.

Managing the brand
As a brand manager it is your job to make sure that your brand matches the customer’s wants and desires.This starts with finding out what your customers want. When you are clear on what your ideal brand looks like and what your brand stands for, be consistent in establishing the exact brand message to the world.

For help establishing your brand, website and logo design give me a call or email.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Protesting Against Business While They Consume Business Products Daily

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 05:23:00 GMT

eCommerce Best Practice For Selling More

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 04:33:00 GMT

The Australian eCommerce landscape has evolved rapidly over the last five years. Every year we see MASSIVE growth in online spending.

Small businesses in Australia are increasingly adopting online business models and now most well established bricks and mortar businesses have built a significant online presence.

Location, location, location. The Internet is the biggest, most convenient market in the world. It’s right there on everyone’s desk or in their pocket.

eCommerce is not merely about shifting products for a price. It’s about providing a fantastic customer experience.

If you want to sell online then you have to explore what your cusatomer really want, need and desire. Once you are clear on what it is that your customers value, you can create the best solutions to deliver the right experience – be it online, off-line or on mobile devices.

Some consumers see benefit in having access to a vast product range, others appreciate the convenience of having bulky items home delivered, for others it's the convenience of shopping at a time that suites them and without having to travel to shopping centres, for some it is gift wrapping, extended warranty, quality and satisfaction guarantee, flexible payment options, some want a bargain, some need to save themself time and some only want the best-top of the line products.

As the seller it's your responsibility to identify what is key for your consumers. Most consumers will desire a comination of benefits. Make sure that you clearly, loudly and continuously inform your website visitors that you understand their need and precisely deliver the perfect solution. Ensure that this benefit and customer experience is rolled out across your entire eCommerce process.

Explore with current users and customers, in what areas does your website fail to satisfy? Go deep to really understand the emotions of your customers. Once you know the feelings they're after, you can develop strategies to satisfy.

Businesses need to enable their customers to buy easily, fast and safe. By meeting the needs and desires of your customers, you will prosper online.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy
Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Launching Your Brilliant Business Idea. Now What?

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:54:00 GMT

Starting a new business is never easy. A great starting point is using this checklist to ensure you have all of the basic issues covered.
DOWNLOAD: Checklist For Starting Your Business

Planning should always be the first step in developing a business. A plan gives your business direction and helps you prepare for a lot of what you may need to overcome in the future. To help you plan, download these two templates:

DOWNLOAD: Develop Your Winning Business Plan with this Template

DOWNLOAD: Develop Your Winning Marketing Plan with this Template

2 MORE CRITICAL TIPS FOR HIGH PERFORMACE

Innovation is critical to develop new and effective ways of doing everything.
- Copy any great ideas from your competitors.
- Seek to be different and stand out from the crowd.

Cash Flow is a BIG killer issue for new businesses. It always takes longer to develop a new business than you expect. Implementation, customer education, sales process and market acceptance take EXTRA time, so plan for it.

MORE HELP: 21 TIPS FOR MORE CUSTOMERS AND PROFIT

DOWNLOAD: 21 Powerful Business Success Tips

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If you’restarting a new business you’ll need a professional website and excellent branding (logo, business card). We can help you achieve the look and feel you’re your customers will be impressed with and sold on. We can help you create a website that sells.

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To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Social Media Policy – A Guide For Your Business

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 04:00:00 GMT

The clothing company GAP Inc. presented the following social media policy to all of its 134,000 staff.

It’s a straightforward, conversational tone, which was well received and understood by their employees. It covers everything clearly and doesn't use legal jargon so it’s easy to understand.

Please keep in mind...

There's really no such thing as "delete" on the Internet, so please—think before you post.

Some subjects can invite a flame war. Be careful discussing things where emotions run high (e.g. politics and religion) and show respect for others' opinions.

It's a small world and we're a global company. Remember that what you say can be seen by customers and employees all over the world and something you say in one country might be inaccurate or offensive in another.

Respect other people's stuff. Just because something's online doesn't mean it's OK to copy it.

Your job comes first. Unless you are an authorized Social Media Manager, don't let social media affect your job performance.

How to be the best...

Play nice. Be respectful and considerate, no trolling, troll baiting, or flaming anybody, even our competitors.

Be yourself. Be the first to out that you are a Gap Inc. employee—and make it clear that you are not a company spokesperson.

If you #!%#@# up? Correct it immediately and be clear about what you've done to fix it. Contact the social media team if it's a real doozy.

Add value. Make sure your posts really add to the conversation. If it promotes Gap Inc.'s goals and values, supports our customers, improves or helps us sell products, or helps us do our jobs better, then you are adding value.

Don't even think about it...

Talking about financial information, sales trends, strategies, forecasts, legal issues, future promotional activities.

Giving out personal information about customers or employees.

Posting confidential or non-public information

Responding to an offensive or negative post by a customer. There's no winner in that game.

As you can see, Gap Inc. has figured out a social media policy doesn't have to come from the legal department, and that a straightforward, conversational tone probably makes the greatest impact with employees.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

UP-SKILLS- Course you can - WEBSITE MARKETING

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 02:15:00 GMT

If you are heading in the wrong direction, motivation won't save you, you need the right lesson to turn you around.

In business everyone knows they need help with their accounting and legal issues, but most never get help with marketing. This is why 4 out of every 5 Australian businesses go broke within the first 5 years.

There are so many people that own or work in dying businesses, and they simply don’t have the marketing skills to turn their dire situation around. Marketing is the life blood of any business. No customers equals no business.

Why don’t more people learn more about marketing and in particular website marketing? The Internet is booming and customers are choosing to shop online. Most people don’t realise how much good and easy to use information and courses are available to help them.

The 80/20 rule is real and frightening. Due to inadequate marketing only 1 out of every 5 businesses survive the first 5 years.

Right now the single most important skill anyone can learn is "how to market products and services on the Internet". If they did, there wouldn't be 80% of businesses going broke in their first 5 years. Growing a business and making more profit isn't rocket science. I've detailed the 10 easy steps to online success in my book "Website Masterplan".

Like all education, learning about Internet marketing is progressive and needs to evolve with new technologies. For example the incredible rise in social media popularity. My own Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LukeHayes.web) now has more than 11,000 FANs that tune in to everything I have to say online.

Passion and desire is important, we are guided by our emotions. They call me the Crocodile Hunter of Website Marketing because I’m so enthusiastic and passionate like Steve Erwin. When you enjoy what you do and achieve extraordinary business results, learning and working is fun and easy. Although if you are heading in the wrong direction, motivation won’t save you, you need the right lesson to turn you around.

They call me the Crocodile Hunter of Website Marketing because I’m so enthusiastic and passionate like Steve Erwin. When you enjoy what you do, achieve extraordinary business results, learning and developing expertise comes easy.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Running Your Business From Home Base

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 03:21:00 GMT

POSITIVE WORK LIFE BALANCE
In a recent study they found 86.5% of people running a home based business enjoyed the flexibility.

NEGATIVES AND DISADVANTAGES
On the flip side, home based businesses face unique challenges.

Lack of funds and low budget

Disruptions from family or friends

Having to do everything themselves

A sense of isolation and loneliness

Lacking authenticity and feeling inadequate

Irregular income and fluctuations in work load

Working in cramped area, spilling into your living space

WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS

Image isn’t everything but it is extremely important to appear to be professional. Have a professional sign designed for the front of your premises, a professional website and business card.

You don’t have to do everything yourself. In fact you probably started your business because you were good at something and enjoyed it, so don’t get distracted and drained doing tasks you don’t enjoy. Instead outsource. I have a book keeper that is inexpensive and manages the entire accounting process. I have a house cleaner and lawn and garden maintenance man. I even outsource my four children’s school homework to a senior high school student.

Stay fit and keep up regular exercise. This is also an opportunity to mingle with other people and get out of the house.

Manage your cash flow so you always have a stream of funds coming your way and build up a small reserve just encase you have a month with little income and increased expenses.

Keep your work area clear, tidy, professional and attractive. I’ve got a clean desk policy, so at the end of each days everything is packed up off the desk. Also fresh flowers once a week and some indoor plants. If you put a little effort into staying organised you’ll feel and work better.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

100% Sales Success In 4 Easy Steps - Dr Marketing

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 04:03:00 GMT

When you go to the doctor, the first thing they ask you is:

STEP 1: WHERE DOES IT HURT?
As a patient (customer) you tell the doctor what your problem is…

STEP 2: PAIN
The doctor confirms “YES you have a problem”.
- They tell you all about your problem.
- They tell you what the worst outcome could be.
- They tell you the dangers of not treating it immediately.

STEP 3: PLEASURE
The doctor tells you “Yes we can fix this problem”.
- They tell you “This is a common problem and I have the solution”.
- They tell you how good their solution is and the action that you need to take.

STEP 4: ACTION
Next thing the doctor has you booked in for surgery or buying the medicine they prescribed.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Curse Of Knowledge Blocks Your Customers Engaging

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 03:04:00 GMT

There is a psychological principal called the “Curse Of Knowledge”.

Business owners suffer from this curse.
The problem is you know so much about your business and products that it’s hard for you to image what’s important to your customers anymore.

You start raving on about your business and staff and partnerships and bla bla bla.

If you’ve ever had a conversation with an IT person about what is wrong with your computer. The IT person knows exactly what they are talking about, but the rest of us have no idea what their on about.

Your website visitors are only interested in the benefits, what’s in it for them.

You need to step into your customers shoes.
See what they really want and need.
Explain the benefits in a way they understand.
And present it in a way that persuades them to buy.

DO YOU NEED HELP
We can provide an objective view of your website content. Is it clear, easy to understand, and is it persuasive? If you need help, contact us now...

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Make The Customers Day and Life Better!

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 06:08:00 GMT

Make sure that your customers leave your business with a big smile on their face and an excellent first and last impression. The aim is to really make your customers day, make their life better. If you do this successfully your business will grow quickly.

Customer Service Focus
When you are on a mission to provide outstanding value and service, it makes you focus on what it is that your customers really want and appreciate? And how can you help them get it?

The Ripple Effect
Then your on your way
The easiest and cheapest way to generate more business and grow, is having existing customers spread the word. It’s cause and effect; when you look after your customer they buy from you again and promote you to their family, friends and colleagues.

The Rewards Are Gold
My mission is: TO BE THE BEST BUSINESS DECISION THAT MY CUSTOMERS HAVE EVER MADE. This philosophy is working well and my business is growing organically.

When you look after your customers and make their day, they feel great and so do you… plus the money roles in easily.

So do more than just sell… serve the customer. But don’t just serve them, thrill them, leave a lasting memory and impression.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Desire, Emotion, Lust... Feel the Excitement

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 06:09:00 GMT

FACTS AND FIGURES ARE…BORING
Nobody gets excited when reading what your product does. They do get excited when they can SEE and FEEL the joy from your product or service.

BIG BENEFITS SELL PRODUCTS
What are the BIG BENEFITS they will get when they have your product or service?

SHOW INSTEAD OF TELL
Do all you can to bring your benefits to life and evoke emotion in the reader. Here are four easy ways to present your content in a way that gets your website users to reach into the wall
1.   List the benefits as exciting bullet points
2.   Share testimonials (real customer stories)
3.   Show exciting photos (show instead of tell)
4.   Write so the reader can visualise (imagine having the benefit)

HUMANISE YOUR MESSAGE
Your marketing message needs to make an emotional connection. It should make the reader feel an emotion, activate their humanity.

DO YOU NEED HELP
To get your website visitors excited? I can help you make them feel...

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

The Killer Epidemic Of Invisible Headings

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 03:01:00 GMT

A Big, Powerful Headline is the single most important element on your website.

So why do most websites have headings in small font?
So why do most sites have boring headings with no benefits?

LARGE FONT SIZE
Make your headings stand out, it should grab your visitors eye balls and demand attention. You do this by using significantly larger font size, using a bright colour, and possibly dress it up with graphic design or an image.

Image a newspaper without big headlines? No one would read any of the articles.

SELL THE BENEFITS
No matter how good your website content or your offers are, no one will find out about them if the headline does not grab their attention and spark their interest.

Advertising Guru David Ogilvy said; “On average, five times as many people read the headlines as read the body copy. It follows that unless your headline sells your product, you have wasted 90 per cent of your money.”

DO YOU NEED HELP
Your web page headlines determine if visitor will read your copy or move on. If you need help getting your website visitors attention and interest, contact us now...

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Viral Video – How It Works (7 minute video lesson)

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 04:37:00 GMT

Web Video allows any of us to participate and be famous on the Internet.

Watch Video – Click Here

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

5 Awesome Landing Page Essentials For Achieving More Sales

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 01:49:00 GMT

Your websites landing page is your sales person. It's the first page that greets a new visitor to your website and convinces them to take action immediately. It provides a customized sales pitch for the visitor.

A bad landing page will cost your company sales.

An awesome landing page always achieves better conversion rates than simply dumping people onto your home page and hoping they’ll find what they need.

1. Be the perfect solution, not general
Know your target audience and the problem they have or the thing they desire. Then position your product or service as the perfect solution for them.

2. Keep important messages above the fold
Above the fold is the content on a web page you can see without scrolling.

When your web page first loads, the visitor should be able to see your value proposition and offer immediately and easily. There should be no scrolling required to understand exactly what is on offer.

Having a significant amount of back-up material, which is positioned down the page, below the fold is fine. This extra information can be important, because if a visitor is truly interested in buying, they'll probably want to read on to clarify exactly what they are going to get.

3. Clearly display your calls to action
Potential customers should never be thinking, "What am I supposed to do now that I'm here?".

Having an effective call to action is essential. The objective of your landing page may be to fill in an enquiry form, signup for a newsletter, register for an event or volunteering their time.

Don't just say it once, have multiple places on the landing page where you tell your website visitor exactly what they should do next. This action step that you want them to take should be obvious, it should be persuasive, it should be easy to find.

4. Have one goal for the landing page
Stay focussed on achieving one result from your visitor.

Don't try to sell them on 5 different products, sign them up to your newsletter, get them to register for a seminar, get them to fill out a survey and enter a competition. If you try to do too much you end up getting nothing.

Less is more. Stay focussed on one outcome.

5. Communicate that you are trustworthy
Trust is one of the biggest barriers to selling online.

Have a link to your privacy statement
Have your contact details easily accessible
Have a professionally designed web page
Have information about your company available
Have testimonials with pictures, logos, names
Have a guarantee to remove any risk
Have credit card logos, and a secure padlock
Have logos of awards, associations and suppliers

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Persuasion Is the Key To Selling

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:43:00 GMT

In 1900 the famous explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton was leading an expedition to the unknown Antarctic. He needed to hire men to join his expedition. He had little money and needed to enlist men that were motivated by honour and recognition. He ran the advert below in the London newspaper in the year 1900 and had over a thousand men apply.

Men Wanted For Hazardous Journey.
Small wages, bitter cold, long months of
complete darkness, constant danger, safe
return doubtful. Honour and recognition
for all involved.

To be effective at selling you need to know what motivates your customers to say “YES”. Then use persuasive language that moves your customers to take action and buy.

16 Common Customer Motivators:

Buyers want to avoid pain
Buyers want to gain pleasure
Buyers want to save time
Buyers want to have an easier life
Buyers want to have authority and power
Buyers want to be part of an exclusive group
Buyers want to feel safe and secure
Buyers want to have a peace of mind
Buyers want to save on trouble
Buyers want the people around them to be happy
Buyers love to receive compliments
Buyers like to invest in future
Buyers also love short term, instant gratification
Buyers like experience happiness
Buyers are fearful of being disadvantaged or ripped off

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Big Special Offer Dramatically Increases Sales

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:35:00 GMT

If you want people to take action make it irresistible. If you want to dramatically increase sales or boost newsletter subscribers, then add a SUPER offer.

Have you ever purchased something you didn't really want because the bonus you received was worth the price you paid? An irresistible offer is the number one reason why people buy something.

Present your offer as something of “high value”. The more valuable it is the more customers will remember and appreciate you and be compelled to take action.

If you don’t already offer a high value freeby on your website, I’d like to encourage you to do so. It’s the most powerful marketing tactic for small businesses. You should always include a BIG free offer whenever you want to motivate people to take action.

Don’t forget that your offer can be promoted in more places than just on your website. Consider where else do you have contact with customers? (Facebook, email, brochures, face-to-face, etc)

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Richard Branson Business Tips

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:21:00 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH35Iz9veM0

Facebook Timeline – Will It Effect Business

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:04:00 GMT

Facebook personal accounts have changed format to Timeline. This does not currently effect business pages.

Can we expect a similar change to the format of Facebook business pages in the future? There is good reason to believe that it will. Facebook have always kept the experience on personal and business pages very similar.

Facebook realise that businesses want to present themselves in a more visual way on Facebook. So no doubt Facebook are working away right now to improve the business page format as well.

Right now we can only speculate, but my tip is get used to the Timeline format, because it’s here to stay for a long while.

DO YOU NEED A PROFESSIONAL FACEBOOK BUSINESS SITE DESIGNED AND SETUP?

We can help. Click here to see our Facebook Business Page design service

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Cut Through Complexity By Planning for Success

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:54:00 GMT

Back in the good old days, business was simple.

When you consider the economy of an ancient Hunter gather societies, they only had about 100 products to trade.

Today’s modern societies have over a 100 million products and services. That’s a lot of choice and complexity.

This complexity simply means that you need to plan your business and website strategy. The planning ensures you are heading down the right road with a clear vision and that you have the resources to do what it takes. Planning ahead also gives you focus and a tremendous feeling of self confidence and personal power.

Making the planning process easy for you, get your copy of the Website Masterplan book.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Your Business Must Be Your Passion

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:39:00 GMT

When it comes to running your own business and website, being passionate
is essential. Otherwise you will give up before you succeed.

Click To View Video
By Steve Jobs (named by Time Magazine as the Business Person of the Decade).

To your passion and web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Top 7 Google Algorithms That Never Change

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:40:00 GMT

Google Algorithms
A mathematical formula Google has created for judging and calculating which web pages are the best, and should be at the top of a Google page.Google makes roughly 500 small improvements to their algorithms in a given year. The basic SEO strategies never change and I have listed 7 of them below.

7 Critical SEO Strategies to get your website ranked at the top of Google:

Regularly create new, high quality content for your website.
Spend time researching and choose the right keywords to target.
Add images and make sure the image name includes the keyword phrase.
Get as many quality backlinks to your website as possible from high ranking websites.
Make sure your keyword phrase is in the Title Tag of your web page.
Make sure your keyword phrase is in the heading at the top of your web page.
Where possible use keywords in your web page URL’s.

Researching Keywords
A good tool to use to research keywords is Google Keyword Tool. https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal.

If you need assistance with SEO, it would be a pleasure to help you get to the top.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Anonymous Facebook Comments - Should I Delete?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:41:00 GMT

YES DELETE
You don’t want to provide your competitors with an easy way to insult your business and run you down… so feel free to delete this type of malicious comment as soon as possible.

If a Fan uses rude/profanity, racial and ethnic slurs, if they post hateful, threatening, or pornographic content, if they bully and intimidate other FANs for their comments or make disparaging personal remarks… feel free to delete their comment.

If you are questioned by a FAN for deleting their abusive comment and it clearly falls into the above category, you can feel comfortable explaining your acceptable policy.

DO NOT DELETE
Firstly it’s important to know that if you have a bad product or service, people are going to post negative comments on the Internet… and you have a much bigger problem than just negative comments.

When you receive criticism on your Facebook page it feels like a dagger in the chest. Stay calm. Think before you react.Yes I know your first instinct is to defend yourself and go on the offensive. Is typing an angry rebuttal with equally abusive comments going to be smart considering everyone on the web can read it?

A Facebook manager has to be able to accept the good and the bad. You don’t want to insult clients and FANs by dismissing their criticism… don’t delete these negative comments; instead work to resolve the problem.

If you receive constructive criticism, thank the person for their suggestion at the start of your response. You can go on to explain what you did or will do to sort this out, or simple let them know you will consider their advice.The key is toshow your FANs and the online community you are engaged and care. If you do you’ll find that people will be forgiving and supportive.

There will always be the potential for positive and negative feedback. It’s the way you react to it that shines either a positive or negative light on your business.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Google Advertising Is Getting More Expensive

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:46:00 GMT

The main reason is because Google is forcing the bid price up. They have been doing this for the past few years. This is the problem that occurs when a company like Google has no competition.

You’ll notice in your AdWords account that Google turns some of your keyword phrases off . This keyword phrase will then be highlighted and a message next to it saying “BELOW FIRST PAGE BID AMOUNT”. Google will also provide a figure that they expect you to increase your bid amount to if you want to continue advertising.

Here are 5 ideas for improving your Google AdWords effectiveness:
#1 Test different Google ads, you may get an improved conversion rate.
#2 Stop advertising for keyword phrases that are not attracting buyers.
#3 Make sure your website landing page is relevant and persuasive.
#4 Consider only advertising on Google not on their broader content sites.
#5 Don’t bid higher to be in #1 position. Any position from #1 to 5 works.

Make sure you analyse how many new clients you are getting directly from your Google Advertising. THIS IS CRITICAL. Does your ad spend provide a return on investment or not? If it does, then keep advertising.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Making New Year's Resolutions?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:47:00 GMT

Cheers to a new year and another chance to get it right... and YES you're right "time flies". The good news is that you're the pilot.

46% of Australian's make new year's resolutions. They learn from yesterday and plant new years's seeds for a year of growth and success.

EXAMPLES:
1. This year I will start my own business
2. This year I will learn something new
3. This year I will get organised

TIPS:
Write your resolutions down
Create a plan to achieve your resolution
Commit to succeeding and following the plan
Tell people about your intentions so you are committed
Read your resolutions every day for the month of January

To your happiness and success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Christmas TIP – Holidays For Business Owners

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:48:00 GMT

We start our Internet businesses for the freedom and flexibility it provides. Then we get so passionate and caught up that it's easy to become a work-a-holic.

Fortunately Christmas arrives and provides the perfect opportunity for a break from life, experience new things and spend time with the special people in our lives.

Here are 10 MASSIVE benefits from taking a holiday:

Holidays are a treat to celebrate your hard work.
Getaway from your busy life for a while, recharge, enjoy and be happy.
Rest and relaxation rejuvenates your mind and body (energy and motivation).
Chance to rekindle your relationships (romantic, family and friends).
Holidays create the best memories with the special people in your life.
Sightseeing… Experience amazing beautiful places, landscape and scenery.
You will indirectly learn something from experiencing new places and cultures.
You meet new people, expanding your contacts and relationships.
Holidays give you a different perspective of life.
Holidays refresh your mind and bring you back to work and life with a clear new outlook.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Christmas Marketing Count Down

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:49:00 GMT

Capture the busy Christmas buying rush! Australian's will spend more money this week than at any other time during the year.

Get clear on who you are targeting. Are they existing customers or new customers?
What big specials can you offer? It has to be incredible value so you grab attention. Consider a loss leader (a product sold at a low price (at cost or below cost) to stimulate other profitable sales.)
Remember most of the buying is for gifts, so how can you package up your products or services as gift items?
People are buying gifts for others, but they still want to treat themselves. Can you offer a two for one?
The closer we get to Christmas, the more motivated customers are to buy. Can you offer gift vouchers, gift wrapped products, gift baskets or bundles, or last-minute special offers?

We can help you get your email newsletters, special offers, Website updated, Facebook page designed... ready to maximise your profits this Christmas.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Best Small Business Advice Ever

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:50:00 GMT

The absolute best business teacher you can get right now is from several of your existing customers… and there will be no charge!!!

You will learn more from your customers than any other business expert in the world. Choose the appropriate customers to ask:

Why do you enjoy being my customer?
Has there been any moments of disappointment?
What else do you wish my business did?
What are you glad that my business does not do?
Who else should you tell about my business?

It is so obvious when you think about it, isn’t it? But you know like 99% of business owners you haven’t done it.

NOTE: Your customers won’t pipe up and tell you these things unless you ask. Once you find out what customers love, hate, want and need you can fine tune your offering.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Top 20 FACEBOOK Business Pages

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:50:00 GMT

Based on FAN engagement.
Very cool and they really know how to do EXCELLENT social media.

www.facebook.com/natgeo
www.facebook.com/burberry
www.facebook.com/walmart
www.facebook.com/Disney
www.facebook.com/Starbucks
www.facebook.com/victoriassecret
www.facebook.com/MTV
www.facebook.com/subway
www.facebook.com/McDonalds
www.facebook.com/Levis
www.facebook.com/converse
www.facebook.com/cocacola
www.facebook.com/xbox
www.facebook.com/oreo
www.facebook.com/Starburst
www.facebook.com/FerreroRocher
www.facebook.com/nikefootball
www.facebook.com/redbull
www.facebook.com/BlackBerry
www.facebook.com/Nutella

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Anyone Can Succeed On Facebook

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:32:00 GMT

I’m giving you free tips and insights here all the time and there are hundreds of other social media experts providing free quality advice.

There are other businesses in your industry that are on facebook. Keep an eye on what they are doing on their FACEBOOK WALL (offers, tips, competitions, etc).

You just need to make an effort. You need to set aside some time each week to get ideas and knowledge and then.... take action.

The last point “Take Action”, is critical. Your actions determine your destiny. If you don’t implement your ideas and provide value to the world, you’ll get no benefit in return.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Facebook and Blogging Critical Pull Marketing

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:33:00 GMT

The world has changed and traditional push and interrupt marketing doesn’t work as well as it used to.

Facebook and Blogging provide us with a new, easy way to communicate with potential customers and market our products and services.

Stop pushing messages at people, because they are getting good at blocking. Instead start attracting.
Stop interrupting people when they don’t want to hear from you. Instead start engaging.

Use Facebook and Blogging tools to deliver excellent quality content that your customers will actually love - earning you quality leads, loyal customers and help you grow your business organically.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

8 BIG Tips For Selling More Online

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 01:14:00 GMT

Provide all of the information required to understand your product and make an informed buying decision (e.g. Colour, size, features, etc.)
Make your navigation easy to find, make the labels easy to read and understand, provide search functionality if you have a lot of products.
Add video into your website to increase conversion rates. Nothing sells like quality video.
The more payment options you provide the more sales you will make.
The easiest customer to sell to is an existing customer. So send them special offers.
People are more likely to buy after reading positive customer reviews and ratings.
Provide shipping information on a web page that is easy to find and read.
Leverage Facebook to build a community, show off your products and drive traffic to your website.

============================

If your website needs a tune up take action now. Give your website the look and feel that customers will be impressed with and sold on. We can help you create a website that sells.

============================

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

4 Steps To Create A Facebook Business Page

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:16:00 GMT

Leverage Facebook to build a community, show off your products and drive traffic to your website.

Below is an easy to follow, step-by-step guide to set up your business on Facebook. Let’s get started.

Step 1. Visit: www.facebook.com/business/pages

Step 2. Click on the button: “Create a Page”.

Step 3. Specify which category your business falls under.

Step 4. Add content to your page, just follow the Facebook prompts.

FACEBOOK CONTENT TIPS:

Photo: Use an eye-catching, recognizable photo of your business's name, storefront or popular product

Location: Claim your Place and be sure to provide a location on your Page so people know where to find you

Info: Write a short blurb that clearly describes what your business is, and include helpful links and contact information

Apps: Enhance your Page with custom apps that can let you share your menu, stream video, and more

Wall posts: Add updates, photos, videos and links about your business to your Wall - these will show up in News Feed, where your fans and their friends can comment and share

DO YOU NEED A PROFESSIONAL FACEBOOK BUSINESS SITE DESIGNED AND SETUP FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

We can help. Click here to see our Facebook Business Page design service

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

3 Google AdWords Tips

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 03:53:00 GMT

Keywords: Avoid general keywords. Be specific and choose words and phrases a customer would use to find your products of services. Keywords that are too broad may show up on searches that are less relevant to your business.
Your ad: Send customers to the right place on your website. Make sure that your ad sends customers to the most relevant page on your website. If they're looking for a specific product but land on your home page, they may not be able to find what they really want.
Call-to-action: Make your product or service easy to buy. A clear call-to-action like Buy Now, Sign Up Today or Learn More will encourage customers to take the next step.

For more tips like these, head over to the AdWords Online Classroom, where you can watch step-by-step videos that show you how to improve your AdWords performance.

If you prefer expert help with your Google AdWords campaign, contact us today. We’ll help you drive more traffic to your website.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

8 Facebook Business Etiquette Tips

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 03:51:00 GMT

Facebook and other social networking sites provide an excellent way to connect with potential customers and build relationships.

Be careful not to turn people off and damage your business reputation. Yes you can still promote your products and services, but do it in a subtle way.

Be helpful and give value
Don’t drink and Facebook
Keep it clean and civilised
Listen to others and share
Make thoughtful comments
Make your page engaging
Thank FANS for posting on your Wall
Respond to Wall comments within 24 hours

Be warned that old school, in-your-face self-promotion doesn't work in the social environment.

DO YOU NEED A PROFESSIONAL FACEBOOK BUSINESS SITE?
We can help. Click here to see our Facebook Business Page design service

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

STOP Worrying It’s Useless

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 03:47:00 GMT

So you're worrying... about cash flow, about making your marketing dollars go further, worried about staff, about not enough visitors or sales, worried you never have enough time, worried about tax, worried about how to get customers to refer you, etc.

STOP worrying it’s useless. Save your energy for the work at hand and use it to take positive action. Worrying does not change outcomes. You need to concentrate on the right things, not decision making out of fear and exhaustion.

Life and business are more enjoyable when you are not worrying. You think and perform better when you are happy. When you are positive you attract whatever you need to help you win.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

8 Harsh Realities Of Writing For the Web

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 03:41:00 GMT

When customers arrive on your website you have a few seconds to win their interest, or you lose them and they are off to your competitor. Below are 8 critical things you should know about online content:

1. Write for your audience.

Who is your audience?
What are they looking for?
What do they need to know?
What are they trying to achieve?
What do they know about the topic?
What will they lose by not reading this?

2. Your headline has to stand out and grab interest. So make the font larger, maybe even a different colour. Make sure it uses catchy language, see the headlines on the magazine cover below:

3. Be useful, relevant and interesting. People are busy so they are choosy about what they read. Point out exactly why they should invest time reading your content.

4. Search engines hate duplicate content. Don’t copy chunks of content from your own website or others. Yes get inspiration from elsewhere but make it your own original piece.

5. Wall of words never gets read. Break it up using bullet points, numbering and images.

6. Write small bite sized chunks not fat paragraphs. Reading from computer screens is about 30% slower than from paper. Keep it succinct and use as few words to get the message across as possible. Short, simple sentences make it easier for the reader to absorb.

7. Stay focussed on a single point.The reader is there because they are interested in the topic, your goal is to deliver excellent writing on that point. If you have a different topic then write a completely different piece and let the reader choose.

8. Use sub headings so the reader can quickly scan.Most people don’t read word-for-word when reading online, and they skip content that is not relevant to their immediate goals.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Retail Wars – Online Wins (3 minutes)

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:07:00 GMT

Traditional retail shops have been run over by a bus, but online shopping is growing at lightning speed.

Aussie consumers (many of them your customers) will spend $36 Billion shopping online by 2015.

Will they be shopping on your website?
Will they be able to find your website?
Will your website be up to scratch?
Will your website be good enough to compete against the international invasion?

Watch this short George Negus story about the battle between Internet V’s bricks-and-mortar. Important for every business owner.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

6 High Impact Customer Engagement Ideas

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:06:00 GMT

There’s nothing you’re selling that can’t be purchased elsewhere so you need to give customers reasons to choose you. You need to engage your customers and leave them saying that you are FANTASTIC.

1: Stand In Your Customers Shoes
Ring your own phone number, visit your website and buy a product, fill out an enquiry form, comment on one of your BLOG posts… Identify areas for improvement and take action.

2: Sell Benefits
Make sure your website sells the big benefits and doesn’t’ just rave on about you. Get really good at translating features into benefits. The words are what motivates a customer to spend money.

3: Build Community and Communications Channels
Build an Email subscriber list and communicate with your customers regularly. Build a Facebook page with lots of FANS and give them value weekly.

4: Listen for Feedback
Any comments on your Facebook page, to your BLOG posts, or emails from your website; Act immediately. Be responsive and show customer’s you really care and are there to serve their best interests.

5: Surprise Customers with Unexpected Value
Find little extras that you can give or do for the customer. That unexpected bonus is a benefit that will be appreciated, remembered and talked about.

6: Demonstrate Trust and Integrity
Bad news travels fast on the Internet and a negative comment can live on the Internet forever. So go out of your way to show customers that you are excellent at what you do, that you are real and honest and always have customers' best interests at heart at all times.

Satisfying customers is the minimum requirement, engaging them and leaving them feeling super happy is the real key to marketing success.

If you’ve got any great ideas please comment below.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Get Customers Using Your Facebook Page

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 03:47:00 GMT

Do you have a Facebook business page? If yes, then you may have noticed a new statistic provided by Facebook “TALKING ABOUT THIS”.

It appears in the left column of your page, under the number of "LIKES". See example below:

This new statistic includes any interaction that Facebook users have with your page. For example;

Liking your page or a comment, photo, album or video
Posting to your wall, answering a question or leaving a comment
Mentioning or photo-tagging your page
Liking or sharing a check-in deal, or checking in at your place.

If you want to start your own “Facebook Business Page” we can help.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Google SEO – Get To The Top

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 23:32:00 GMT

91% of first time visitors to the average website come from Google. Make sure your website is found at the top of Google.

WHAT IS SEO
SEO are changes that you make to your website to get listed at the top of Google.

KEYWORDS
Find out what are the keywords that people type into Google to find information about your products, services and industry. Use this free Google Keyword Tool to find the most popular keyword phrases.

SEO BASICS

Use keywords in your headings, sub-headings and body copy.
Rename images on your website to include the keywords.
Use keywords in your Title tag and Description tag.
Get links from other websites pointing to your website.
Where possible use keywords in your web page URL’s.

If you need assistance with SEO, it would be a pleasure to help you get to the top.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Growing A Business Takes Time & Perseverance

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 07:52:00 GMT

You wouldn't expect an infant to get up and start walking in the first few months. You have to be realistic. It’s the same with your business; you need to give it time to mature.

Starting a home based business can be done in a few months, but making that business consistently profitable will take a lot longer. The exact time frame depends on the industry, your start-up capital and the owners passion.

Passion is a major, major, major factor as it controls energy, effort, creativity, focus, desire and perseverance. So if you’re going to start your own business don’t just sort of try, really commit and do it.

If you want to start your own website then get a copy of the bestseller “The Website Masterplan”. It will help you create a successful and profitable business, giving you the tools you need, practical advice and truck loads of motivation. that you are proud to call your own.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Big Sell Online Is Killing Traditional Retailing

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:50:00 GMT

50 minute Video - click to watch now

There has been a change in consumer behaviour from buying in traditional offline retail shops, to buying online. Traditional retailers are struggling. Online retail sales continue to grow.

The power is in the hands of the customer, with greater choice and better prices online they are choosing to shop on the Internet.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Google Plus

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 07:22:00 GMT

Google+, a social network like Facebook.

Watch a demo here: www.google.com/+/demo

Joining and inviting friends is easy: https://plus.google.com

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Is Google Anti-Competitive?

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 07:11:00 GMT

Google’s informal corporate motto and slogan is “Don’t Do Evil”.

Yesterday the American senate had Google in court for a Senate hearing on anti-competitive behaviour. Is Google guilty of restricting other businesses ability to compete? Should Google be restrained to create a level playing field?

The CONCERN is that Google keeps creating new products and giving them away free, which sends hundreds of business broke. Even if smaller businesses find a way to differentiate, Google controls the world’s biggest search engine and makes sure that its own products are featured at the top of the Google search engine above any competitors.

EXAMPLES:
- Google Analytics is provided free and this has wiped out the entire analytics industry.
- Google provide local search and maps free, this has wiped out an entire industry.
- Google now provide satellite navigation free and their competitors in the industry are struggling to survive or already bankrupt.

Advertising on Google (AdWords) has become significantly more expensive in the last few years. Google keeps forcing advertisers to pay higher fees. The problem for advertisers is that Google has no competition so there is nowhere else to advertise online.

While we should remember that Google's excessive market power does generate a lot of money for the world economy, creates thousands of jobs and entire new industries. The important issue is to ensure Google don’t use their monopoly to unfairly put thousands of business out of business.

Yesterday’s Senate hearing was just the start. The findings did not look good for Google, so we can expect some more investigation or even legal proceedings.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Target Consumers Who Have Money to Spend

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 01:19:00 GMT

Look at your best customers. What do they have in common? My bet is, that they all have at least one important characteristics in common. They all have money.

Yes I agree there are other profiling tools that should be looked at. Examples include; age, sex, family size, education, location, opinions, interests, etc. But when it all boils down to making a sale, it depends if the customer has the capacity to spend.

If the prospect does not have the ability to purchase, no amount of persuasive copy, hard-to-beat offers, great service or award-winning graphics will yield a sale.

Generally speaking, if a customer can just scrape the funds together to buy from you, they are often the most difficult customers to deal with. So you have to consider, do you need the headaches associated with this type of customer.

So avoid contacting prospects with low or no purchase capacity

Alternatively if you get a customer that has money. They are usually happier to spend, as long as they get good value and the result they expected.

To all marketers: Target customers with the ability to buy your products or services. Identify them and go after them. They buy more, they buy more often and they are usually easier to deal with.

www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Say “NO” to Doubts, Fears & Anxiety

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 23:56:00 GMT

Yes it’s tuff out there but there are thousands of Aussie businesses are still thriving and making big profits. Hopefully you’re one of the many that is unaffected by the economic wows. Any business in any industry can grow and prosper right now.

Forget about what’s happening out there, outside of your business. Your focus needs to be on:
- What can I do right now to get new customers?
- What products or services can I provide to my existing customers?
- What can I do to save money?
- What can I do right now to make my business more efficient?

Make sure your dream, passion and focus is still alive and well. In these times more than ever you need to get innovative and creative, stay positive and take action daily!

www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

SEO For Sites Built on Adobe Business Catalyst

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 23:47:00 GMT

Search Engine Optimising with BC (Adobe Business Catalyst)
Websites that use BC are 100% search engine friendly. You just need to follow a few basic instructions...

All of the major search engines are able to access and index all the content on your B.C. website. By content we mean your normal web pages, announcements, FAQs, images, literature such as your PDFs documents, shopping catalogues and more.

Of course if you choose to make any content secure (for example in a private members area) then we automatically exclude it from the list that is available to the search engines.

3 Basics of SEO
To make your website site search engine friendly you need to do 3 things. You only ever do this once and after you have done this, you can sit back and remain assured that every time you add content to your website the major search engines know about it!

1.   Create a sitemap for your site easily by logging into your website Admin / Click on the Admin link (top right of page) then select the option Google/Yahoo/Live Optimisation. This will automatically trigger our system to create your Sitemap in the exact format specified by Google and YaFor hoo. It can take up to 24 hours for the sitemap to be complied.
The search engines will then pick up your sitemap and add all the content on your website to their database. At anytime you can check and view the sitemap document that we produce located at http://yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml (simply replace yourdomain.com with your own domain). example mine is: http://Lukehayes.com.au/sitemap.xml

2.   Go to Google Webmaster Tools and register for a Google account, login and follow the instructions to submit your sitemap Google. Google will on regular intervals access your sitemap which is housed at Business Catalyst.

3.   Go to Yahoo Site Explorer and enter your URL. www.yourdomain.com
For example mine is:   www.Lukehayes.com.au

These are only the first 3 steps in fully optimising your site - you should research the topic further to get the best results.

www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Video Testimonials Supercharge Web Sales

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:24:00 GMT

A recent worldwide survey by Nielson reported that 78% of consumers find word of mouth the best way to find a good supplier. The most effective way to get word of mouth working for you is to record your happy customers, trusted celebrities or industry experts to go on camera and rave about how great you are.

Absolutely nothing persuades and sells like a good video testimonial.

Potential buyers are naturally cautious when trying to decide if they should buy from your website. Testimonials are supposed to build consumer confidence by demonstrating that other people have bought from you and they are satisfied (social proof).

Who better to convince and sell for you, than existing customers who are completely satisfied with your offering?

For years the standard for providing social proof has been written or typed testimonials. are not credible and your website visitors are not going to be convinced, simply because you cannot believe them.

A video testimonial allows your happy customer to talk directly to your prospect. This is very personal and trusted because video does not lie. The person either said it right there into the camera or they didn’t.

Here are some of the benefits of video testimonials:
•   Connect with your customer’s on a human level
•   Improve your web visitors research experience
•   Easy way for your visitors to enjoy content
•   Quickly capture attention & establish credibility
•    Adding your video is free using YouTube.com
•   Video testimonials are proven to persuade & increase sales

Video testimonials are guaranteed to increase your website conversion rate.

www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Retail Revolution Video

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 05:06:00 GMT

60 Minutes - Watch the video (13 minutes): The Retail Revolution

Online purchases are growing, while traditional retail stores are closing down.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Invest In Your Website or Die…

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:21:00 GMT

The price of being in business is constant investment.

There are thousands of businesses speeding down the road to failure.
Q. Why don’t they apply the brakes?
A. Because doing nothing is easier!!!

In business you cannot afford to sit on your hands. It is essential that you invest your time and money:
•   You need a strategic plan
•   You need a professional website
•   You need professional marketing materials
•   You need professional services eg. book-keeper
•   You need ongoing promotion (new & old customers)

But so many businesses flounder around until they are broke. Isn’t that just the craziest thing you’ve ever heard?

You don’t have to spend several thousand a month. It’s different for every business. You’ll need start-up capital and a willingness to re-invest a percentage of your profits back into the business.

Re-Invest In Your Business
-   Start with 100% re-investment
-   Eventually you can start to take a small wage.
-   Eventually you can start to take a decent wage.
-   Eventually you can take a wage and profits.

If you are unwilling to invest in your business, don’t expect customers will.

www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Great Web Design Will Transform Your Business

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:19:00 GMT

First impressions are critical. If they are not instantly impressed, they lose desire and trust. Then they quickly click away to your competitors.

Easy navigation is essential. If they can’t quickly find what they are looking for, then your frustrating the potential customer and encouraging them to leave your site.

Irresistible offers create sales. If the offer is really good people will buy. We all love a bargain.

Your website is the most visible and accessible marketing piece you have. So MAKE SURE you create a brilliant website. The objective is to impress your visitors and turn them into paying customers.

My web design team can help you succeed online.
Click here - see the best web design solution
Click here – see this year’s design portfolio

Turn your visitors into customers with a impressive visually, easy to navigate and great offers that are irresistible.

www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Beware Death By Discount

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:33:00 GMT

Internet based coupon marketing has been chanted as “The Future of Online Marketing”.

The growth of this strategy and its meteoric rise over the past 12 months has been impressive… but now I’ve had the opportunity to speak with several business owners who have tried the strategy out and the results are mixed.

Here's the negative side of the story.

The sales pitch…
“It’s so easy. You make an incredible offer. Don’t expect to make any profit on this first sale but consider all the new clients you’ll gain, the extra add on sales and repeat business”.

The reality of discount shoppers…
Most new clients that are attracted to coupon bargain offers are not interested in loyalty, or your expertise or your other products and services. They only want their super bargain.

Should I give it a go?
It’s possible that some discount shoppers may start a new habit and buy from you a second or third time. If you decide to give to give coupon marketing a go work out:
- What is the cost of delivering your “Special Offer”?
- Cost of your time?
- Cost of your products?
- Fees to the coupon company?
Will your current LOYAL clients still be willing to pay full price in the future?

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Google SEO Starter Guide

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 03:49:00 GMT

This document is published by Google, so you are getting these SEO insights direct from the source.

Google guidelines are relevant to all web managers who want their website to rank highly in the search engine. This is a list of the main things Google is looking for to rank a website highly.

The optimization strategies discussed are simple to do and apply to all websites regardless of size or industry.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

3 Main Social Media Challenges

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:32:00 GMT

Lack of time
Unsure how to determine ROI.
Lack of knowledge about social media.

THESE CHALLENGES ARE EASY TO OVERCOME
If you are experiencing these challenges then we can help. Facebook is the most popular website in Australia and too good an opportunity to pass up.

DO YOU NEED A PROFESSIONAL FACEBOOK BUSINESS SITE?
We can help and we can make it easy for you
Click here to see our Facebook Business Page design service

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

I AM YOUR CUSTOMER

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:31:00 GMT

I am your customer. Satisfy my wants, add personal attention and a friendly touch, and I will become a walking advertisement for your products and services. If you ignore my wants, show carelessness, inattention and poor manners, and I will simply cease to exist as far as you are concerned.

I am sophisticated -- much more so than I was a few years ago. My needs are more complex. I have grown accustomed to better things. I have money to spend if you give me great service and value.

My ego needs the nourishment of a friendly, personal greeting from you. It is important to me that you appreciate my business. After all, when I buy your products and services, my money is feeding you.

I am a perfectionist. I want the best that I can get for the money I spend. When I am dissatisfied, then you need to take heed: The source of my discontent lies in something you, or the products you sell, have failed to do. So find that negative source and eliminate it or you will lose my business and that of all my friends as well; for when I criticize your products or services, I will talk to anyone who will listen.

I am fickle. Other businesses continually beckon to me with offers of "more for my money." So if you want to keep my business, you must prove to me again and again that I have made a wise choice in selecting you and your products and services above all others.

THE AUTHOR: AN UNKNOWN CUSTOMER

============================

I use this POWERFUL customer service message as part of the induction for all of my new staff. I hope you will to.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

3 Massive Checkout Page Mistakes

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 00:08:00 GMT

No matter how good your web design, your offer or your call to action, if your checkout page is crap then you will lose sales. If the customers experience friction, negativity or problems during the checkout process, they will abandon your site and the sale.

Forced registration before you are allowed to buy SUCKS. If you want people to register make this an option after the sale has been successfully achieved. Another way is to have two options “Register” or “Checkout Without Registering”.
Security concerns are a major deterrent. Reassure the user you are safe and secure by including SAFE messages and the padlock icon. Also make sure there are no errors messages or other red flags by testing your eCommerce system monthly.
High price surprise turns more customers off than anything else. Especially don’t add a ridiculously high delivery cost in and surprise people with it at the end.

I do this all day every day and know things you don’t. So if you want help planning your new website it would be a pleasure to help you.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Kicking Business Goals In Difficult Times

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 03:49:00 GMT

What do companies like Microsoft, CNN, Google, FedEx, Burger King, MTV, Hewlett Packard, Disney and PayPal?

They all got started during difficult economic times, when most businesses were in a slump. The founders of these successful companies were not paralysed by fear. They had a great idea to fulfil a need in the market, they were passionate and willing to work hard at it and create companies built to prosper and last.

Business confidence is low right now and the Europe and US economic tsunami is depressing. But there are infinite possibilities and opportunities available to all of us right now… and for every down-turn there is an up-turn.

Are you going to be motivated and resourceful enough? Are you going to be prepared to take advantage of the really good times and opportunities?Do you have what it takes to thrive, and not just survive, in any economic environment?

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

5 Ways to Survive Google’s Latest Update

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:51:00 GMT

The latest update was code named PANDA. If you think about Google working out it's ranking of websites as a cooking recipe, then this panda update would be like adding in a pinch more salt or a bit more sugar.

Many top ranking sites dropped in the rankings in the last month. Panda is the reason. Google is now putting a major emphasis on Social Media. Facebook is the main social networking site.

Here are 5 easy ways you can use Facebook to improve your social networking.

Get a Facebook Fan page designed for your business and link to it from your website. Also provide links on your Facebook site pointing back to your main website. Make sure your Facebook page is professionally designed so visitors click LIKE and become a FAN.
Add a Facebook LIKE button to your website so people can vote for your website.
Add a Facebook SHARE button to your website making it easy for word to spread.
Add a link on your personal Facebook profile to your business website.
If you have a BLOG allow people to easily Tweet about it or LIKE it on Facebook.

Click here to learn more about our Facebook service. We can take care of your Facebook strategy, improving your SEO ranking and driving more traffic to your website.

On your personal Facebook profile add a link to your website

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

7 ways to improve your business on Facebook

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 04:33:00 GMT

Maintain a relationship with customers.
Help customers by answering their questions.
Give value (tips, videos, quotes, latest articles, news and deals).
Create buzz around your products or business.
Demonstrate your expertise and be seen as an industry expert.
Provide links back to your main website.
Hold online events, discussions and conversations.

DO YOU NEED A PROFESSIONAL FACEBOOK BUSINESS SITE?
We can help. Click here to see our Facebook Business Page design service

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Professor Randy Pausch - 10 minute video

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 03:50:00 GMT

Imagine being a professor, you're dying and you give your last lecture. Inspirational, a tear jerker and great lessons.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Do You Have What It Takes To Be An Online Entrepreneur?

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 03:40:00 GMT

There are massive benefits and up-side to running your own business, but do you have what it takes?

It’s not enough to say you want to make money and be your own boss. Everyone wants those things, but not everyone can achieve those goals. It takes a special person.

Do you have a deep commitment to building your own business and a proven willingness to stay focused?
Do you have perseverance and a positive attitude? Challenges will continuously come up for a business owner and it will break a weak entrepreneur. As a business owner you need to keep up the good fight and never shut down and give up.
Do you stay organized and plan ahead? Successful Internet business owners don’t fly by the seat of their pants. They are flexible but never disorganized.
Are you able to create and follow successful systems? McDonalds have created a system that allows teenagers to run their business in a consistent and profitable way. If you don’t create successful systems you will always be frustrated and never grow your business.
Do you feel and act with confidence? A confident person is magnetic and persuasive. If you allow fear and anxiety to overwhelm you, you will repel people, including customers.
Do you understand the principal of customer satisfaction and have a customer service attitude? You need to give your customers amazing value giving them every reason to do business with you again in the future. If you don’t get repeat business and recommendations you will struggle to build a profitable business.
Do you know how to start, promote and sell online? You need to know the basics of website marketing or take action to learn. You won’t accidentally take your website from point A through to point Z. Invest the time to learn: Website Masterplan Book

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

3 Legal Requirements To Managing Your Email Subscribers

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 04:58:00 GMT

One of the BIGGEST benefits to online marketing is email marketing. Every profitable website takes advantage of email. It’s so easy to gather information on your existing and potential customers and communicate with them for free.

Here are 3 critical legal requirements to managing an email subscriber list:

1. Be Trustworthy
Keep their content safe and don’t let any other person see their information.

2. Let People Un-Subscribe Easily
Make it easy for people to get off your list.

3. Have A Privacy Statement
If you are collecting customer information then you should have a Privacy Statement on your website.

For all government privacy law information visit: www.privacy.gov.au

Your customers need to know they can trust you, as the basis for any genuine relationship. I even added an Anti Spam Policy to my website to show my website visitors I was trustworthy.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Searching Google: Desktop V’s Mobile

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:19:00 GMT

When people are not searching Google from their Desktop computers, they are using their mobile phone to search Google.

When people take a lunch break and leave their desktop computer, they then use their mobile phone to search.

On weekends when people are not focussed on working at their desktop computer, they then use their mobile phone to search.

During holidays people aren’t using their desktop computer, instead they use their mobile phone to search.

Businesses having a strong presence on Google has never been more important. These statistics prove that you can reach consumers in the office, in their homes and when they are on the go.

We specialise in designing mobile friendly websites and we’d like to help you.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Cool New Look Of Google Search Page

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:07:00 GMT

Today Google launched a new design for its search results page. They have added some options down the left side of the page and given it a fresher new modern look.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

32 Songs - Music To Motivate Business Owners and Entrepreneurs

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:15:00 GMT

32 powerful songs to help get your passion burning, and your motivation to win and profit focussed.

Eye Of The Tiger - Rocky Movies
You Haven't Seen the Last of Me - Cher
Beautiful Day - U2
Move Along - The All-American Rejects
Drive - Incubus
One Step at a Time - Jordin Sparks
Independent Women - Destiny's Child
Let's Get It Started - Black Eyed Peas
Start Me Up - The Rolling Stones
Redemption Song - Bob Marley
I Want It All - Queen
No Boundaries - Adam Lambert
Tubthumping (I Get Knocked Down) - Chumbawamba
Bad Day - Daniel Powter
Dare You to Move - Switchfoot
Sea of Faces - Kutless
Who Am I - Casting Crowns
You Are Loved - Josh Groban
I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
Hero - Mariah Carey
Stand - Rascal Flatts
So Small - Carrie Underwood
Standing Outside the Fire - Garth Brooks
Celine Dion - Fly
Born to Run - Bruce Spingsteen
One Moment in Time - Whitney Houston
Hit Me With your Best Shot - Pat Benatar
Lose Yourself — Eminem
Supersonic - Oasis
I believe - Yolanda Adams
I'm Walkin' on Sunshine - Aly & AJ
3 little birds - Bob Marley

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Get Your Free Facebook Web Address

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:30:00 GMT

Step 1. Facebook provides free Facebook business pages. You can set one up yourself or find out more about our service to set this up for you. Facebook Business Page

Step 2. Once you have a Facebook business page you need to get 25 people to LIKE your Facebook page. So contact your family and friends to visit your Facebook page and become a FAN.

Step 3. Once you have 25 Fans you are allowed to register your Facebook web address. You can use this on your website, email messages, business cards, etc. You simple visit this page: http://www.facebook.com/username/ and choose your desired web address. If it is available you are allowed to register it. Yes it is free.

Important Tip: Once you set your Facebook web address it cannot be changed or transferred. So be careful.

My Facebook web address is: www.facebook.com/lukehayes.web

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Google WebmasterTools – Free Tool

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:30:00 GMT

Google finds ERRORS and shows you so you can fix them. When your website is error free it will be a lot more tasty to Google and the site will achieve a better ranking.

Google discovers if your website gets hacked and Malware is added. They’ll even email you if they find something really bad.

Google shows how often people link to a web page.

Google shows how often a web page is displayed in search results.

If you want some help setting up Google Webmaster Tools contact us today. It would be a pleasure to help you.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Google Places – Free Listing For Your Business

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 01:14:00 GMT

Does your business service a local area?

20% of all Google searches (12 billion per month) are local in nature.

When a user conducts a search on Google and uses a location as part of their keywords search, they expect to see local businesses in the list that Google presents. So Google now focuses on presenting local businesses.

Use Google Places to create your free listing for your business in Google’s Map directory.

When potential customers search on Google for local information, they'll find your business: your address, hours of operation, even photos of your storefront or products. YES, it’s FREE.

You can update and edit your Google Places listing anytime

You can create a free account click here. Or if you need help contact me and The Luke Hayes team will set it up for you.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

5 Critical Landing Page Criteria

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 05:24:00 GMT

Most of your web visitors arrive on your Home page first. Your Home should be like the cover of a magazine; visually attractive, clearly tells the user what you do, attention grabbing and exciting. Get it wrong and your in trouble...

Google is the most popular way people find websites and Google doesn’t always send visitors to your Home page. Google will refer people straight to the page on your website that is the most relevant to the keywords that the user has typed. So any page on your website could become the landing page.

Knowing that every page on your website could be the landing page, you need to make sure every page fits these 5 critical landing page criteria.

Is it obvious what your business does and what you offer?
Is the page professionally design, attractive and credible?
Is it easy to find your contact details?
Is it easy to find what I’m looking for, clear navigation?
If the landing page is a sales page have a clear call to action.

No matter which page your web visitors first land on, make it an excellent first impression.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Easy Video Content - Production Checklist

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:31:00 GMT

Web visitors who view a product video are 85% more likely to buy.

Video in email marketing increases click-through rates by over 96%.

(statistics by Internet Retailer, April 2011)

Video is cheap and easy to produce, keeps visitors on your website longer, increases brand building power and increases sales conversion results. Below you'll find the 6 essentials for producing professional web videos.

1. CAMERA
Get a video camera that has a USN cord that plugs straight into your computer.

2. TRIPOD
You need to keep the camera perfectly steady while shooting; otherwise your video will look unprofessional.

3. SOUND
Relying on the cameras microphone is rarely adequate. An external microphone will capture and produce quality sound.

4. GOOD LIGHTING
The subject must be well lit from all sides which removes the problem of shadows.

5. EDITING SOFTWARE
If you have a Mac then use iMovie, if you a PC then use Microsoft's Movie Maker.

6. YOU TUBE ACCOUNT
It's free to open a YouTube account. They will compress your video file and make it available on all devices (PC, Macs, iPhone, etc)

Producinmg video in-house has never been so cheap or easy. Evan small business can now afford to have video on their website.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Benefits of Social Networking – The Lovers and Haters

Tue, 10 May 2011 02:47:00 GMT

Social networking has two sides.

On the one side it can provide an easy way to keep up relationships with family and friends. It can also provide you with the opportunity to develop new relationships which can be fun, heartfelt and lead to meaningful relationships.

Social media is also enabling online communities to form and provide better services, support and information than any one expert can do on their own. A great example of community corroboration is Wikipedia.

There is also a positive side for business, providing an excellent way to reach and communicate with customers. Customers can comment and spread the word. Even the best advertising can’t compete with a personal recommendation.

On the other side it can be a problem that causes constant distraction, self-centred mindset, ignorance to others, lack of real-world social interaction, social masking of who you really are, gossip, stalking and even feelings of obligation to respond or post.

People have different ways of connecting to others, at work, school, and traditional real-world social event and now online as well. None can be judged better or worse. They all have benefits and drawbacks.

5 Essential Traits of Successful Web Leaders

Tue, 10 May 2011 02:27:00 GMT

If you lack any of these 5 web leadership traits, you severely handicapped your potential.

1. They start with a plan
The most obvious way to give your business dreams life is to create a website plan. The website planning process allows you to discover challenges and create solutions, and to discover new opportunities and better ways to move forward.

2. They learn from mistakes
Especially the first two years of your Internet business you will inevitably make mistakes. Successful website marketers learn from those mistakes.

3. They are willing to invest
Start-up costs are significantly lower for a web business, but you can’t build a million dollar business with $50. Invest in a quality website. Invest in expertise. Invest in promotion and attracting customers.

4. They are positive and passionate
Every successful Internet business without exception has been fuelled by a super passionate business leader. So get your fires burning!

5. They take action
Your actions determine your destiny. What distinguishes all profitable websites is the owner was willing to do the work. Thomas Edison said: “Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.”

If you want help and direction, buy Website Masterplan. 100% satisfaction money back guarantee.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Free Directories: Increase Your Web Popularity

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 04:32:00 GMT

Increase the traffic to your website and get more sales!!!

A simple strategy is to list your website with free online directories. This can lead new visitors straight to your website and play a significant role in improving your search engine ranking.

The problem is that there are so many websites where you can place a link and description about your website. Here are a dozen Australian directories where you can list your site for free.

www.cracker.com.au
- Click on "Place an Advert"

www.HotFrog.com.au
- Click on "Add your business now"

www.GumTree.com.au
- Click on "Post Ad

www.truelocal.com.au
- Click on "Business Centre"
- then click "List Your Business"

www.ozeclick.com.au
- Click on "List Your Business 4 free"

http://sydney.craigslist.com.au
- Click on "Post to classifieds"

www.street-directory.com.au
- Click on "Add Your Business"

www.localbusinessguide.com.au
- Click on "FREE – add your business now"

www.bigroo.com.au
- Click on "Add a Free listing"

www.turnpike.net/directory.html
- Click on "Add URL to Directory"

www.dmoz.org
- Select the category where you want to be listed
- Click “suggest URL” located on top navigation

www.google.com/places
- Click Get Started
- You will need to set up a Google Account

www.dlook.com.au
- Click on the button Advertise
- Click on the button Add Free Listing
- Add details of your business
- Choose Advertising Plan (Free Listing)
- Categorise your business
- Add Tags
- Add Service Hours

www.aussiepages.com.au
- Click Login Now on top right of the page
- Click Submit Listing
- Fill details to create an account
- Confirm email address
- Login to your account
- Click Add Listing and fill in your business details

www.searchmysuburb.com.au/getlisted
- Click Click Here To Register Now
- Fill details to create an account
- Confirm email address
- Login to your account
- Click Add New Business Listing on the left side of the page
- Choose Advertising Plan (Free Listing)
- Fill up the form with your business details
- Click Submit (Note: After your listing has been submitted a representative will contact you to confirm your details.)

www.startlocal.com.au
- Click Add Your Business Free on top right of the page
- Fill details
- Confirm your email
- The team will review your listing before it's being published on their site

http://www.aussielocal.com.au/
- Click Add a business link
- Fill details to create an account
- Click New Listing on the left side of the page
- Fill in your business details
- The team will review your listing before it's being published on their site

www.ufound.com.au/SignUp/free.aspx
- Fill in the form with your and your business details
- Confirm your email address

www.aussiedirectory.com.au
- Click Submit Link on the left of the page
- Choose Regular Listing and fill in the form details
- The team will review your listing before it's being published on their site

www.livepages.com.au/free_listings.php
- Click Start Listing Setup
- Fill in the details
- Click Activate Listing
- Confirm your email address

www.aussieweb.com.au/add-listing.aspx
- Fill in the details
- Submit your listing

www.streetcorner.com.au
- Pick your city
- On the top navigation click on the link: FIND IT LOCAL
- Then click on the sub navigation link: BUSINESS
- The click on the link: ADD BUSINESS

www.ineedto.com.au
- Click on the button: Advertise with us
- Choose FREE at the bottom of the page
- Fill in the details

www.ourpatch.com.au
- Click on the button: Business Directory
- Then click on the button: List your Business
- Choose Free
- Fill in the details

www.bondiclassifieds.com.au
- Click on the button: POST A FREE AD
- Login / Register
- Fill in the details of you and your business
- Confirm your email

www.yellowbook.com.au
- Choose your state
- Scroll to the bottom click on: Add New listing
- Fill in the details of you and your business
- The team will review your listing before it's being published on their site

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Web Marketing Strategy
www.LukeHayes.com.au

Watch Video - Make Money with Social Media

Mon, 09 May 2011 06:45:00 GMT

ABC News presented a short story on the benefits of Social Media and the path to success. Luke Hayes was one of the website marketing experts interviewed.

Funding Your Small Business

Tue, 10 May 2011 04:54:00 GMT

How much money do you need? Yes do a budget. Now double this budget because I can guarantee that you’ll need more money than you expect and getting your business going and profitable will take longer than you expect.

Can you work out of your home until you are profitable and financially comfortable? Technology gives small businesses this amazing opportunity and advantage over larger organisations. If you need to meet with clients do it in the comfort of your local coffee shop. This is much cheaper and easier than renting your own office space.

Saving money and cutting costs is key. Many start-up businesses will work for an employer while getting their own business started. You may have some investments you can cash in, or a loan from family. You may need a business bank loan to kick start your new venture.

I do this all day every day and know things you don’t. So if you want help planning your new website it would be a pleasure to help you.

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Keep It Short - Today's Web User Demands Concise Info.

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:33:00 GMT

I'm finding that people are viewing my BLOG posts more than my articles and reports. I conducted my own survey and found that it’s because people want the great information (quality tips, news and information), but they want it in a concise format.

This is also true of promotional messages like emails. People are too busy for long winded emails. Be persuasive, but also keep it short and SWEET.

www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Add Free Google Gadgets To Your Website

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:40:00 GMT

Yes you can add any of the great new features to your website for free.

Check it out:
Google Gadgets.

You can add a currency converter, clocks, weather forecasts, dictionary, inspirational quotes, shipping cost calculators, live chat windows, traffic information, joke of the day, calorie calculator, live news feeds, instant Wikipedia search, instant Google search, etc, etc, etc. At the time of writing this there are more than 50,000 free Google Gadgets to choose from.

Warning: Don’t clutter your business website up with useless gadgets like the addictive Pacman game. Only use gadgets where they add value to your website and the user experience.

www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

How to Get Free Publicity Online

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:34:00 GMT

People don’t look to libraries anymore for information they go to the Internet. The same is happening with news, with people looking to the Internet for information, gossip and breaking stories.

The more that people go online to get their news and information, the greater the opportunity for you to reach your customers through publicity online. Just make sure your content is news worthy content.

Here are 3 great publicity Internet services that can get your news releases and articles all over Australia and the world:

www.digg.com
www.prweb.com
www.aapmedianet.com.au (Australian service)

You’ll need to get creative and come up with an interesting story or angle. The more attention-grabbing or fantastic your story is, the quicker and faster it will spread through the media.

I’ve found that having links to free resources in my press releases works brilliantly. It makes the article more valuable to publish which is attractive to the media outlets, and the links lead readers back to my website which is beneficial to me.

Make it happen: Once you get some publicity in the media it snow balls. Other media outlets will see your story or article, and then they copy each other. They’ll run their own version of the story.

www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

How To Maximise Business Profits and Performance – Web Smart

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:35:00 GMT

In the current economic climate, cost saving is as priority for all businesses.

Your website is an efficient way to attract and serve your customers over-and-over for free.

Take a close look at your web strategy immediately. How can you use the site to:

• Attract new customers and reach out into new markets.
• Promote your goods and special offers.
• Provide service and information resource.
• Proactively sell to your website visitors

If selling online is a good opportunity for your business then go for it. It’s easy to set your site up to accept payments automatically and have the money deposited straight into your bank account. Now that’s smart business.

eCommerce website starter package. It makes it so easy and cost effective to get started quickly.

www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Niche Marketing - Specific Solutions For Specific Problems

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:36:00 GMT

Have you got a specific solution for a specific problem?

6 months ago I helped a client develop a small website to target a specific niche market. That niche was “Concrete Cancer”.

(Is your concrete cracking? If yes, call us now – we can fix it.)

The great thing about a niche website is it is so inexpensive to create, but the potential up-side is enormous. In only 6 months the Concrete Cancer website has added an extra $28,520. profit to this builders bottom line.

If you have an idea for a niche website then go for it. The risk is low because set up costs are low. For example I had an idea to sell an eBook on Netball Skills – specifically for 6 to 10 year old girls. The start up costs for this business were less than $620. Check it out www.NetballStar.com

If my Netball eBook idea didn’t work it wouldn’t have broken my bank. BUT: it’s been incredibly successful. I’m averaging 10 sales a week at $40 U.S. each. I’m getting sales from all around the world. Paying customers instantly get to download the eBook, and the money goes straight into my bank account.

TIP: Just do some research to make sure that your Niche idea is providing a service that the niche group wants and are willing to pay for. If it looks profitable, then go for it.

www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

WARNING: Avoid Splash Page Rubbish

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:37:00 GMT

What the hell is a Splash Page? It’s a branding / advertising web page that the user sees first, before they are given the option to continue to the main content of the site.

Don’t waste your visitor’s time with this rubbish. They certainly don’t have time to waste. There are too many other great websites that will instantly present them with what they want and need.

Get your visitors straight to your home page or a sales page which will be visually exciting and tell the person exactly what great offers and content you have inside your website.

Do not waste the visitor’s time by forcing them to go through your good for nothing splash-page.

Let’s impress and persuade your visitors, not waste their time.

www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Tips For Preparing A Web Design Brief

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:38:00 GMT

If you are the client:
• Do the research and discover what you do and don’t like.
• Do the research and find images that you like. For example: www.iStockPhoto.com
• Do the research and find great ideas on your competitors websites. Don’t copy and paste someone else’s content, but take the good idea and re-make it for yourself.

If you are the designer:
• Make sure that you have helped the client do the necessary research. Sometimes this is just guiding them to what they should look for.
• Make sure that you get a clear brief from the client before you start designing. Starting design work with only a vague idea of what the client wants and needs is a mistake. If you here the client say “I know what I ‘ll like when I see it”, put your foot down and say “NO, that won’t work, we need to get clear now”.

Achieving Business Objectives:
It’s important to check that the website design plan you have created will:
• Achieve the business goals for the website. These could include branding expectations, online sales, building a community, rewarding existing customers, providing information and education, entertaining the user, selling advertising, providing value to customers or members, etc…
• The scope of the website will be manageable for the client to manage once the website is complete. For example if the client wants to manage the site in-house once completed, make sure they have the tools, skills and the website is not to complex.

Having a clear design brief is a key element in developing a successful website.

www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Amazing Free Resources For Web Designers

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 04:20:00 GMT

There is countless free stuff on the Internet for web designers. Here are a few of my favourites:

50 free textures and backgrounds

21 Typography applications and fonts

1000's of Free Icons

I hope that these free resources are helpful for you.

I hope that these free resources are helpful for you.

If you would like to list any more great freebies for web designers please add the link and description in the comments section of this BLOG post.

www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Why Do Customers Shop Online Primarily To SAVE Money

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:39:00 GMT

We already knew that humans loved a bargain. Research has just prove that this is especially true on the Internet.

According to a recent Retail Daily survey which asked Internet consumers: “Why do you shop online?

Answer: 80% of them said it was to “Save Money”.

If you know that your consumers are looking for Savings, Specials, Discounts and Bargains…then this is exactly what you should be promoting.

Here’s a smart quote from a marketing man – Axel Anderson: “If you want to dramatically increase your sales, dramatically increase your special offers.”

Let’s give our website visitors exactly what they are looking for, a money saving bargain. Promote it on your website in a way that instantly catches the shoppers attention.

www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Nobody Gets Wealthy As An Employee

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 04:07:00 GMT

Do you have a dead end job?
Do you have a job that's not going anywhere?
Do you have options???

If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and dream of building your wealth, then start your own business.

Nobody gets wealthy by working for someone else. Even if you work hard (70 or 80 hours a week) you may become financially independent, but you’ll never build wealth. You’ll never have freedom, flexibility or the opportunity to scale back your time at work while increasing your income.

The only person who gets wealthy from your long hours and hard work is the business owner.

Sure being an employee is less responsibility but it’s a dead end. The illusion of job security is false, as an employee you can be terminated at any time.

www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Offer Specials And Sell More... Profit More!!!

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:40:00 GMT

According to the Retail Daily Survey, 80% of consumers say they’re shopping online to “Save Money”.

The down turn in the world economy creates financial uncertainty. This will create consumer fear making people more savvy and shrewd with their spending. This will drive more people on line looking to save money.

So provide BIG deals in 2009 “Specials Offer!!!”.

If the offer is good more people will buy from you.

People want great value. So make sure that you offer discounts, bundles, free bonuses or free shipping. Make sure they are front and centre on your website so they are easily spotted.

www.Lukehayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

7 Ways a Professional Writer Can Help You

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:08:00 GMT

The web is changing but content will always be king. Through effective communications you demonstrate your expertise, gain credibility, provide value to visitors and persuade them to buy from you.

1. Develop Your Web Content
• If you are not a great writer, if English is not your first language or if you are busy, consider getting a professional writer to create your website content.
• A professional will ensure that your content is brilliant.

2. Sales Copy
• Good sales copy compels the reader to act.
• When a professional sales copy writer crafts a message it is persuasive and irresistible.

3. Email Newsletters
• Email marketing is brilliant for maintain relationships and creating sales.
• But if you don’t have the writing skills, content ideas, or the time then consider a professional writer.

4. Blog Writing
• A well written BLOG establishes your credibility, and communicates with your target market on a regular basis, especially if they subscribe to your RSS feed.
• A professional writer can provide you with dozens of short impressive BLOG posts, then you simply add one each day.

5. Write Articles / Reports / eBooks
• Most Internet users are looking for information. The search engines prefer recommending sites that provide lots of information.
• You can attract more visitors and keep them on your site longer if you provide quality content.
• You can provide quality content for free, at a price or as a bonus or incentive.

6. Press Releases
• People are turning to the Internet for News and Information. The traditional news providers (TV, Radio and Print) are all in decline. So press releases on the Internet or through the traditional media outlets can get you eye balls (new readers). This is a great way to let people know about your new product or service, let them know about an exciting award that you have won, or any news worthy event that you can come up with. Professional press release writers are great at coming up with news worthy stories.
• Press releases are a great way to get the media considering a story about you (free advertising).

7. Editing and Proof Reading
• Are you unsure about your grammar and spelling? Then invest in a professional editor or proof reader. They will make sure that what you have written is error free and sounds great.
• A second set of expert eyes will make your content perfect and significantly more impressive. So you don’t have to waste hours re-reading and trying to perfect it, just do your best and then let a skilled professional finish it off.

www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Secret to Web Millions in 2011 – Step 2.

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:07:00 GMT

Excellent, you have completed step 1. If you haven’t it is in the BLOG post directly below.

… So now you have a list of website targets for the year ahead.

Each of your goals requires an action plan how are you going to achieve this important target?

97% of New Year’s resolutions are never achieved. That’s because there was never a plan to achieve the goal.

Plan your success. Create an action plan that guarantees you will succeed. Be a real competitor in the web market place and play to win.

www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Secret to Web Millions In 2011 - Step 1.

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:32:00 GMT

Remember your playing the game of business to win. You have to score runs. If your not even keeping score in the game then your not really playing, your just practicing.

I want to encourage you to make this the year that your Internet business has a massive profit breakthrough. I want to encourage you set some goals for 2009 and play to win!!!

Here’s the simplest goal setting process that I have found, and it’s so powerful that it will definitely double your results. That’s a big promise, and I mean every word of it. Setting clear goals for your website is CRITICALLY important.

There is only 2 steps. The first step is: Start by writing a list of things that you are hoping to achieve online this year. Not only will you be dramatically happier if you achieve these things but they challenge you to play the game harder and produce results.

When you have targets you are focussed on success. You can’t afford to procrastinate. Having goals motivates you to take action.

You can make a real difference in your life this year. And it all starts by stating clearly what you want. That’s it, you just have to set specific targets and you are on your way to doubling your results.

I’m giving you 24 hours to complete Step 1. (write a list of what you want to achieve). Tomorrow I’ll give you the final step.

Take action right now…

Website Marketing Strategy
www.LukeHayes.com.au

Facebook Content Strategy - Keep It Fresh

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:42:00 GMT

A successful social media strategy REQUIRES your COMMITMENT to regular CONTENT.
1. Don’t abandon your Facebook site and let it become old and stale.
2. You must commit to develop and grow your content regularly.

1. DON’T BECOME OLD & STALE
How many times have you landed on a website, a blog or a social media channel, where you can tell the company started out with good intentions, but they have let the site go? Your experience is disappointing so you leave.

You must maintain your Facebook site. If you can’t commit to doing it yourself, then find someone else in your organisation that can do it, find guest bloggers to contribute or simple pay and outsource the task to a content provider.

2. REGULAR CONTENT
Your Facebook FANS are connected to your Facebook site. Every update on your Facebook site instantly beams to your FANS.

What To Provide: Work out what your customers will find valuable, helpful and impactful. Maybe you could provide insights and tips, ideas, inspiration, how-to’s. The key is aim to be VALUABLE, HELPFUL and positively IMPACTFUL.

Images: There is so much text on a Facebook page that it easily gets ignored. So use interesting pictures to draw attention to your content.

Great Content Writing Tip: Kristina Halvorson in her book “Content for the web” suggests that you be; professional, not academic; confident, not arrogant; clever, not cutesy; savvy, not hipster; expert, not preachy.

DO YOU NEED A PROFESSIONAL FACEBOOK BUSINESS SITE?
We can help. Click here to see our Facebook Business Page design service

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

5 Simple Ways To Increase Your Web Sales Conversion

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 04:10:00 GMT

5 Simple Ways To Increase Your Web Sales Conversion

1) SHOW LOGOS OF PAYMENTS ACCEPTED

2) SHOW SECURITY

3) PROVIDE CONTACT DETAILS - CREDIBILITY

Provide your contact details clearly. Make them easy to find. People need to know your real, your there, that they can contact you if they need too.

4) BUY NOW BUTTONS NEED TO BE OBVIOUS

Some sites aren’t clear that they sell online. Products, prices, descriptions, delivery details, your return policy and guarantees should all be obvious and easy to understand. Make sure you clearly have a big button “Buy Now”.

5) OUR COMMITMENT - GUARANTEES
Shopping with us is guaranteed 100% SAFE.
Your total product satisfaction is 100% Guaranteed.
We DO NOT charge your Credit Card before shipping your order.
We will never disclose your personal information to third party.

DO YOU NEED A PROFESSIONAL WEBSITE?
We can help. Click here to see our web design service

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

How To Start You Facebook Business Site

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 03:06:00 GMT

Facebook Business Site enables you to share your business and products with Facebook users.

It is very similar to a personal Facebook account, the similarity makes it easy for people like you to manage their Facebook business site once it is set up.

The design of your Facebook Business Page is customizable. So you can create a visual look that matches your existing branding. The content options are flexible and infinite, so no matter what you want to sell or promote on Facebook it is achievable.

By default your Facebook site must have a Wall tab, Photos tab and an Info tab. There are also several core Facebook Business Page applications available including Events, Reviews and Discussions. Professional designers can also build other functionality and add more navigation tabs to your Facebook business site.

You can do it yourself
Click here for details about creating your own Facebook business site.

Professional design
If you would prefer professional help then give as a call or read more about our Facebook Business Page design service

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Get Your Site Top Of Facebook

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 12:16:00 GMT

Facebook has announced it’s going to take Google on as a search engine.

They will rank websites using the same criteria as Google and also using the Facebook “Like This” votes.

The more Facebook users that vote for your website the better. So add the Facebook “thumbs Up” icon to your website.

You can see an example of this on the right hand side of this website. Where you see the little thumbs up icon, please click the word LIKE.

Get ready for the Facebook search engine now.
To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Aussie Businesses MUST Compete With Global Websites

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 04:14:00 GMT

SPECIAL AUSTRALIA DAY MESSAGE

The Internet is booming and it is high time that Australian businesses started to play to win and profit.

Most Australian businesses have sub-standard websites. You can’t spend $100 on a website and expect to get a quality result. Australian businesses are way behind world quality and standards.

Australian’s spend 20 billion online, but 40% of Australian Internet purchases are made on overseas websites. That’s terrible. Aussie businesses have the home town advantage but we are losing 8 billion dollars’ worth…missed opportunities!

It’s a global market place that we’re competing in, so stop aiming to be the best in Australia. Stop looking at how badly your local competitor is presenting themselves online, instead start looking at what your competitors are doing over-seas. Aim to be as good, if not better than the best in the world.

The time is now…the opportunity is now. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie…

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Facebook Provides Free Statistics On Your Site

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 08:49:00 GMT

When you have a Facebook business site, you are promoted to Facebook’s half a billion users. So you want to know at a simple glance how your Facebook site is performing for you.

Each week Facebook will send you an email called “Your Weekly Facebook Page Update”.

Monthly active users
(Visitors to your Facebook site that did something other than just read)

People LIKE this
(how many people in total have clicked on your Facebook LIKE button)

Wall posts or comments
(how many new wall posts or comments in the last week)

Visits this week
(number of unique people that visited your Facebook site)

Visit your Insights page
(a link through to more detailed statistics)

DO YOU NEED A PROFESSIONAL FACEBOOK BUSINESS SITE?
We can help. Click here to see our Facebook Business Page design service

To your web success,
www.LukeHayes.com.au
Web Marketing Strategy

Best Selling Author of Website Masterplan

Luke's BLOG on Web Strategy - Website Strategy - Web Marketing Strategy

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