Search Engine Optimisation

For a company that is dependant on an Internet presence it is of utmost importance that their website appears highly in the search engine rankings. The Tradepage Promotions Service is crucial for the success of a website reaching and attracting the desired audience. Remembering that search engines remain the most successful means of website marketing and promotion online, Tradepage continues to focus on and provide successful Search Engine promotion services and strategies.

An outline of these services are listed below Search Engine Optimisation Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a form of online marketing used to increase a websites search engine friendliness. It describes the process of improving the volume and quality of organic traffic results in search engines like Google and Yahoo, using targeted phrases, in order to increase the ranking of a specific site.

Search marketing for websites has already proven itself a valuable part of an overall integrated campaign, for both branders and direct marketers. The Tradepage website promotions service is crucial for the success of a website reaching and attracting the desired audience. Bearing in mind that nearly 90 percent of web users find websites through search engines, we continue to focus on and provide up-to-date search engine optimisation.

There are no secrets or fast track methods to ensure your website rockets to the top of the search engine rankings. Rather, it is the combination of a clear, meaningful website which adheres to the search criteria of the Search Engines and the concentrated submission of the site to the Search Engines, that achieves the desired rankings. This involves the integration of the site and content design, together with a concentrated Search Engine submission strategy, that includes: Website Design – Creating a site with content and design features, which are appropriate and relevant both to visitors to your site and to search engine crawlers. Keyword Analysis – With the use of analysis software we research the optimum combination of keywords for your website.

Submissions – We undertake manual submissions to the top search engines and directories. Link Analysis and Research – Any company serious about website optimisation needs to empark on an inbound linking strategy. Inbound links form a strong part of Google’s scoring system (Page Rank), which in turn assists your site in achieving better results. Statistics Reporting – We provide a statistics facility which monitors all activity on your website on an ongoing basis.

For a free website review and more information on our SEO packages please email roy@tradepage.co.za

5 Reasons a Self- Employed Person Should Take A Vacation

So you think you’re not justified in taking time away from your business because you’re self-employed? Here are five great reasons why you should definitely take a vacation:

1. Physical down time

You work hard to grow and maintain your business. Trying to be superhuman will certainly take its toll if you allow it to. Give your body a break by taking in some R&R.

2. Mental down time

Your days are filled with busy, sometimes even hectic, day-to-day activities related to your business. If you don’t allow yourself to get away from it once in a while, your peace of mind and general well being will most definitely suffer. Get out and play. Your mind will thank you!

3. Spend time with loved ones

Your family and friends see you working, working, working, and sometimes rarely coming up for air. Both you and they will appreciate spending some quality time together.

4. See the world (or your own back yard)

The important thing is to do something you enjoy, whether it’s travelling or, if that’s not your cup of tea or you don’t have the budget for it, spend time at home. If you also work out of your home, this could be challenging. The key is to stay out of your office during your vacation time. Try getting creative with this. Make your office “off limits” by closing the door and placing a sign on it. Do whatever it takes to keep your mind off working. How about a hobby or a day trip to the beach? Think of what you can do within your budget that’s fun. Or do nothing at all!

5. You have a life

Although this one is a no-brainer, it surprises me how many small business owners don’t feel as if they deserve time off. There is too much to do, and not enough hours in the day to get it all done. Well, I’ve got news for you. It’s always going to feel that way! Only you have the power to allow yourself time off. Even if you prefer only to take a day here and a day there instead of a week-long (or longer) vacation each year, that’s a whole lot better than never taking time off. Trust me, you’ll feel better about yourself and your work if you take regular vacation time. You’ll be healthier, too!

Editor

4 Practical Tips For New Entrepreneurs

These tips can help you get off to a productive start

It’s a great time to be an entrepreneur—in the last decade, technology has leveled the playing field and propelled an entrepreneurial revolution. As an entrepreneur, you now have more access to information that enables you to make more intelligent choices more quickly. You have an advantage over big businesses in that you’re lighter, more flexible, and faster on your feet. You can target new markets more quickly, and you can turn on a cent.

 But being a successful entrepreneur requires that you look at the big picture and follow a plan through from beginning to end. Rieva Lesonsky, editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur Magazine gives some practical guidelines that can help you when beginning your own enterprise:

 1. Don’t Quit Your Day Job.

Consider starting your business part-time, especially if it’s online, while you’re working and have a steady income. It usually takes six months to a year to get a business going and you don’t want your ability to make your house payment to hinge upon your company being an overnight success. Start with what you can manage, financially and time-wise, and scale up as your business grows.

 2. Find Your Niche.

The days of general stores are over. Particularly online, consumers are looking for stores that specialize. You have to find a need—something a specific group of people want, but can’t get at the big chain stores—and fill it. Advises Lesonsky, “You can’t compete with the big guys, so you have to find where the big guys aren’t and go into your niches.”

 3. Have an Online Presence.

Even if you’re not planning to start an online retail business, consider that the Internet can still play a valuable role in your company. Having an online presence eliminates the limitations of physical location and broadens your customer base by, literally, millions. It’s also a great tool for promoting yourself and letting people, even in your own area, know that you’re there, and what you’re doing.

 4. Refuse to Quit.

Successful entrepreneurship requires creativity, energy, and a drive to keep going when you fail. Few people realize that before Bill Gates created the extremely successful Microsoft 3.0, he created a Microsoft 1.0 and 2.0, both of which flopped—but he kept at it. And that determination and refusal to give up is what will separate successful entrepreneurs from unsuccessful ones. Says Lesonsky, “Arm yourself with optimism to get beyond the ‘No’ or the trouble. There’s nothing wrong in failure—just don’t repeat the same mistake!”

 Editor

2 Little Words That Work Marketing Magic

Use these two little words to strengthen customer relationships, increase repeat business and promote referrals.

In his classic best-seller, How To Win Friends And Influence People, Dale Carnegie’s second chapter is entitled The Big Secret of Dealing With People. The secret is summed up in this principle: Give honest and sincere appreciation.

 Carnegie said there is only one way to get anybody to do anything – by making the person want to do it. How can you encourage customers to say good things about you and give you referrals? By giving them what they and all human beings crave: honest and sincere appreciation.

 The Two Magic Words

 The big secret of dealing with people (or customers) is often overlooked or forgotten. It’s simply saying “thank you” consistently, personally and, above all, sincerely. These two words work marketing magic because customers want to feel important.

 Saying “thank you” is an act of kindness, besides. But don’t say “thank you” for the sake of flattery. It must be sincere. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “You can never say anything but what you are.”

  “Thank You” Promotes Referrals

The uncertainty of referrals can be disconcerting. Can you control them? No. Can you influence them? Absolutely.

First you must provide a valuable product or service for customers. (You’re already doing this, right?) But perhaps you can make an even bigger difference in their minds by your continued interest after you’ve delivered the product or service.

Each customer has a different level of satisfaction with your products and services. However, all customers to whom you say “thank you” are satisfied that they’re important to you. This can determine whether you’ll continue a relationship with them and get referrals . . . or not.

 “Thank You” as Direct Mail or E-mail

 If you’ve never used direct mail and are considering it, start a thank-you correspondence program. If you’ve used direct mail or e-mail but haven’t sent thank-you letters or e-mails, start now.

 The thank-you letter or e-mail to your customers is targeted (you know them, they know you), personal and effective. It’s guaranteed to receive a positive response.

 Furthermore, it’s a pleasant surprise if it’s snail mail. They see your envelope. They think, “this must be something for me to review, to sign, or worse a bill”. Surprise! They’re appreciated; they’re important. And you’re the one telling them so.

 Write a thank-you letter or e-mail at every opportunity. But don’t send one with an invoice or other correspondence. Always send it separately.

 Writing the Thank-You Letter or E-mail

The thought behind a thank-you letter or e-mail may seem simple, but writing one can be tricky. Here are 9 tips for writing a winning thank-you letter or e-mail:

 1. Keep it brief. A half dozen lines (or fewer) are sufficient.

 2. Make it sincere. This is crucial. If you aren’t careful, it can sound awkward, even when you’re trying to be sincere.

 3. Start with “thank you”.  E.G. Dear Ms. Johnson (or first name, if appropriate): Thank you for  . . .

 4. Make the tone warm, but professional. Be friendly, but keep it businesslike.

 5. Reinforce a positive. Jog their memory of a positive aspect of the relationship.

 6. Offer your continued support. E.G. If I can help, please call . . .

 7. End with “thank you”.  E.G. Thanks again for . . .

 8. Use an appropriate closing.  E.G. Sincerely, Best regards.

 9. No ulterior motive. Make it a pure “thank you,” otherwise sincerity is jeopardized.

 Remember: Saying “thank you” is part of building strong customer relationships over time. Use these two magic words consistently and watch your repeat business and referrals grow.

Editor