Link Building Introduction

Link Building is the act of establishing multiple direct links from other websites to point back to yours. E.g. Like when a Sensis Yellowpages listing features a direct website link back to the business website and there is no link back to Sensis.

The more direct links pointing back to your website, the more ‘popular’ it is deemed to be by the search engines, including GOOGLE. Link Building increases your websites ‘Link Popularity’ and can increase/improve on your overall search engine ranking.

Domain Name Scams - Part Two

Back in 2010, the US Federal Trade Commission stopped a group had reportedly made $4,261,876US from email scams targeting domain name registrants (www.netregistry.com.au).

This is alarming as scammers in Australia continue to target small and big business using sneaky tactics.

Your domain name information is available to the public making it easy to create unsolicited correspondence directed at you. These are usually a request to renew an existing domain name (transferring it to a different company) or to purchase a new domain name that you do not need (a slight variation from your existing domain).

These types of scams, now being delivered via email and the post, are targeting those who fear loosing their website and website address. Of course any small business owner or big business employee is fearful of loosing their presence online. Imagine your website being temporarily (or even permanently) “switched off”.

How do you protect yourself?

1. Keep in touch with your web designer – make sure you are aware of where your website address ‘came from’ and how much you paid for it.
2. Keep a note of when your website address is due to be renewed. (.com addresses are yearly and .com.au addresses are every 2 years).
3. Read any invoices and emails carefully – if in doubt, talk to your web designer. Scammers have been reported offer you other web services you may already have or do not require like Hosting.
4. If you want to change who your domain name is with – compare the price and the company. A lot of these scammers charge a premium and sometimes do not even register your domain for you.

Another scam involves overseas companies send you an email claiming that one of their clients wish to use your business name as well as purchase a collection of domain names similar to yours. E.g. www.yourbusiness.com, www.yourbusiness.co, www.yourbusiness.asia and so on. They basically seek your permission offering you first dibs on the list of domain names. Not only can you purchase those same domains from most domain name companies, you may not need them in the first place AND, I always question wether or not their client actually exists.

A few minuets to check your records and/or to speak to your web designer my save you money AND even your website.

Webgirl

If you have a web question or would like further information, email karen@web-sta.com.au.

Domain name scams

In the past 12 months, there has been an alarming increase in Domain name scams.

There is a growing trend for some interstate and even international IT companies to directly post you or email you an invoice for a web address that you don’t even own. e.g: You may own the .com.au version of your website address but they are invoicing you for the .com version that you have never agreed to purchase. The result, you end up paying a premium for the second website address, that you do not need, and usually, it is never pointed to your existing website, so you never derive any benefit from it.

Another popular scam is offering you a free gift, like an ipod shuffle, with your domain name purchase or renewal. Avoid these promotions. Firstly, you should not pay any more than $20 for a .com web address or $45 for a .com.au web address. Secondly, the gift is not actually a gift, you are paying for it, and at a premium. You would be better off going and buying it direct. Thirdly, I have heard stories of people having to chase up getting their free gift as well as proof that they actually own the new website address.

Here are some ways to check you are not being ripped off or scammed –

1. If you receive an invoice, talk to your original person who set up your website. Make sure you are meant to be receiving it.
2. Visit whois.domaintools.com and type in your website address to determine when your website address was last ‘modified’ (purchased/renewed). The date to renew your web address will be 2 years from this date for a .com.au and 1 year for most .com addresses.
3. Read your invoices carefully. Double check the website address and match it to your own. Keep an eye out for alternative spelling too.
4. If you do decide to purchase these new domain names, talk to your website designer or go online and buy direct from an Australian supplier. You could possibly find a cheaper offer.

Promoting your website

ONLINE

□        Add your business (and web site address) to free online business directories like www.truelocal.com.au. Google likes this.

□        Find online directories that are specific to your industry and list/register your business on these. There are heaps of free ones available.

□        E-mail signature - add your web site link to your e-mail signature.

□        If you have any Yellow pages/Sensis advertising or any other online advertising, contact your account holder to arrange your web site address link be added.

□        Social media - create a business Facebook or Twitter account. Search for existing business as­sociates and grow your facebook community.

□        Blog - A Blog is basically a collection of online articles or news stories that you publish online for people to read.

PRINT

□        Advertise in the local newspaper/magazines, ensuring you add your web site address to all future newspaper or magazine ad designs.

□        Write an editorial for your local newspaper.

□        Update your business cards, flyers, letterheads and anything print to include your new web site address.

□        Posters, if appropriate, get posters done to display around town including your web site address. You can approach other business owners, like coffee shops or small businesses to display your posters (or business cards).

OTHER

□        Contact your existing clients to let them know you have a new web site. Email them a direct link so that they can easily click through.

□        Send out an e-mail marketing campaign or printed newsletter to your existing contacts.

□        Offer a freebie to entice people to click on your web site. This can be a free e-book or discount voucher.

□        Announce your new web site address at any networking events that you attend.

□        Put a sign on your business vehicle/s.

□        Bumper stickers - encourage your family, friends and existing clients to display your bumper sticker on their vehicles.

Branding Bits

When is comes to advertising, many people fail to consider branding. Branding is made up of all of the logo/s, colours, design, graphics, theme music, staff uniforms, signage, business stationary and even web design used to promote your business. The key to good branding is consistency.

By using the same designs, logos etc throughout all of your advertising, potential customers are more likely to recognise your ‘brand.’ Even your slogan should be consistent to help cement YOUR BUSINESS in people’s minds.

More often than not, small business owners get one company to create their business cards, another to create their vehicle signage, yet another to design their newspaper advertising and another company to design their website. If these different suppliers do not communicate with each, you are more than likely, left with a bunch of different ‘looks’, inconsistent designs and a greatly reduced public awareness of who you are and what you do.

The website is usually the last advertising medium created, so all of the originally logos, colours and ‘branding’ have morphed and new ideas have been created, slogans don’t match because it is easier to have a website changed then get new business cards printed. This results in people visiting your website, not recognising it as yours and potentially leaving it.

The solution: Get all of the different designers to work together. Decide on the logo you will use along with your official colour scheme and associated images. Most design companies can and will be happy to work together. Just ask them. This will ensure that your ‘branding’ is consistent. Follow in the footsteps of some of the big companies. Brand’ like the banks or the BIG fast food chains where EVERYTHING they do (from packaging to pens) is consistent and instantly recognisable.

Spread your wings with social media

What is…Facebook….Twitter?

Facebook is a social networking website where you can find and invite ‘friends’ or attract ‘fans’ to your own profile or business page. You can also add images, photo galleries, updates, website links, surveys etc. Very interactive.

Twitter acts as an instant messaging system where you ‘tweet’ a message no longer than 140 characters. Imagine short 1 or 2 sentence updates of what is going on in your business. In Twitter, you attract ‘Followers’. You can also ‘follow’ other people’s Twitter accounts.

Both Facebook and Twitter can be added to your website, blog, email signature helping further promote your business. Adding Twitter and Facebook only promotions/discounts/freebies is a great way of attracting new ‘friends, fans or followers’.

Now, some business owners/managers will be struggling with their current workload and would be muttering “I don’t have time for this social-media-stuff” while reading this article.

Not so.

It might take you 30 minutes to set-up (or find yourself an IT savvy teenager to help you). Then, 20 to 60 minutes per week is certainly achievable and a reasonable amount of time to commit to your new online social-life. Facebook especially can also help you keep in-touch with the local business community, local issues and sometimes, even open some great networking opportunities.  Social media helps you promote your services, share your expertise and generally ‘get your name out there’. Example: for my business, Facebook and Twitter provide me with an easy platform help promote my latest work and my clients as well as share little tips and updates with those who want them.

Now, to save even MORE time, you can download programs like www.digsby.com or www.tweetdeck.com that will allow to you interact with both Twitter and Facebook at the same time (brilliant).

Become an online social butterfly!

 

Blogging – What is it and why?

Originally, Blogs started as online diaries, where individuals would right about their personal lives and experiences to share online. From articles, project instructions and event updates through to images and YouTube videos - it is amazing what it is you can ‘Blog’ about. Blogging can not only be FREE, it can also prove beneficial with appearing in search engine results.

Why should you bother?

To establish yourself as ‘the expert’ in your industry. If you are the ‘Garden Guru’, ‘Marketing Mogul’ or ‘Catering Queen’ in your area, letting people know how much you KNOW is part of this process. In addition to other advertising, a blog can go into more detail about what you do, who you are and ‘how much you know’.

Here are some tips:

1. Provide information that helps your readers.
2. Keep it professional - avoid blogging about family, pets and personal life unless it directly relates.
3. Blog on a regular basis – once a fortnight is manageable.
4. Write like it is your actual website – keep the search engines in mind and incorporate keywords and phrases relevant to your business.
5. Provide images, diagrams, video content – most people crave visual stimuli.
6. Do not copy – Be aware of copyright laws. Be original and reference other people’s work when applicable.
7. Provide a link back to your website at the bottom of each article.
8. Brand it – most blog software allows you to pick a template and add logos to suit your business image.

Other things you can Blog about:

□        Organisations/charities that your business is involved with/support.

□        New staff, new services, new products.

□        Interesting research results relevant to your industry.

□        Educational/entertaining YouTube videos or diagrams.

□        Industry related DIY instructions.

To Get you Started!

www.blogger.com – EASY and FREE

www.wordpress.org or www.wordpress.com

www.lifetype.net

www.geeklog.net

www.b2evolution.net

www.typepad.com