We’ve seen this report on Search Engine Optimisation (SEO Services) crop up a few times now, so thought we’d share – it’s fascinating!

One of the findings of the report entitled ‘The State of UK Business Websites 2010′ was that 47% of all business websites have none or very basic levels of SEO, which is worryingly high considering Google is now used by almost everyone to run their everyday lives and find suppliers and products. Think about it – when was the last time you used the Yellow Pages?

Check out the SEO report now by following this link.

If you feel you fall into this category or have any concerns or questions, please call us today on 0333 1234 404 and we’ll throw you some ideas. That’s why we’re here!

You may have noticed that the Google search box (where you type in your search terms e.g. ‘hotels London’) has increased in length recently.

The reason for this is more and more people are typing in long questions and not just short bog standard search terms (e.g. ‘hotels London’). Ultimately people (e.g. potential clients) are looking for the answers to their questions from a reputable source (e.g. you!).

As a business you have the opportunity to take advantage of this by answering their questions quite easily (e.g. by having a page or blog post on your website containing that question and the answer). Once you’ve helped that person, the chances are they’ll contact you directly as you’ve proved you know your stuff and are a trustworthy business.

Accounting is mind boggling to most people and as such there are hundreds of questions that people type in to Google hoping someone will be able to help. Here’s a few examples:

How can I avoid tax?
How do I fill in my tax return?
Do I need to be VAT registered?
Do I need to pay tax on dividends?

The list goes on!

Why not start a blog or add more pages to your website posing related questions and then answering them? This way when someone types in a question to Google your website will rank highly, as Google will see you have related content on your website.

If you can’t think of any questions, go to the Google homepage now and put yourself in the shoes of your customers and start typing in questions. You’ll see many other businesses (e.g. your competitors) taking advantage of this.

By doing this you will quite easily get high in Google as questions are not classed as ‘popular keywords’ (e.g. like ‘hotels London’ is) and therefore you’ll get more visitors and more enquiries, which is what everyone wants isn’t it?

Best of luck!

If you have any questions please get in touch today, we’ll be happy to help.

Also why not visit this page and we’ll hand pick 3 great keywords for you for free. No catch – again we’ll just be happy to help.

I’d like to say we made this video (but we’d be lying!), as it’s a really simple and clear snapshot of the complicated world of Google and Search Engine Optimisation. Brought to you by Google themselves!

It seems everywhere you look people are quoting research and statistics about the impact of The World Cup on Britain, the world, businesses and people in general.

Here’s what Simon Chadwick, Professor of Sport Business Strategy and Marketing at Coventry Business School had to say recently:

“A successful run to the 2008 world cup final would have led to a £2bn bonanza for the economy”

Alcohol seems to go hand in hand with The World Cup and this is what a spokeswoman for the British Beer and Pub Association had to say:

“we think it equates to between 20 and 25 million extra pints over the three matches”

But what impact has it had online?

Well, many are saying that even though traffic on British websites drops during games, the amount of people watching matches online has skyrocketed in comparison to previous tournaments. Data released by Adtech shows that traffic during the England and Slovenia game, saw traffic levels drop by up to 35%. What’s more search engine results suggest that 1 in every 88 Internet searches is World Cup-related

“Websites have hardly benefited at all from the actual games, in contrast to gains they saw from reporting before and after the matches when they were able to score points with the fast availability of online information” said Ken Parnham, UK & Ireland Country Manager, Adtech.

This is a good email subject line for dispelling a myth, uncovering a topical fact, shedding light on a complex situation or a special offer. For example this would be a good email subject line if used as follows:

The bitter truth about hiring staff

Great for a recruitment agency to talk about the benefits of temporary employment and flexible working etc or a HR specialist who can offer some advice on the subject.

The bitter truth about tomorrow

Great for anyone who is running a special offer that runs out the next day e.g. the bitter truth is that they will miss out unless they buy now!

The bitter truth about your printer

Perfect for anyone involved in efficiency or cost savings. Just replace the word printer with what you help people with e.g. boiler, telephone, car etc. Then tell them what they are missing out on and the benefits of coming on board with you.

If you’d like to get your hands on 8 tried and tested subject lines you can use today, please download our ‘8 killer subject lines’ now. Don’t delay these have achieved up to a 48% open rate!

Of course if you have any questions or need any help we’d love to hear from you, so please call us today on 0333 1234 404.

This is a good email subject line for those who have weekly special offers or changing stock.

For example:

Check out this weeks garden goodies
Check out this weeks DIY bargains

If you’re able to send an email on the same time and day every week and ensure it has a good email subject line it’s likely your email marketing will be even more effective as customers who have a nose for a bargain will look out for the next email.

If you’d like to get your hands on 8 tried and tested subject lines you can use today, please download our ‘8 killer subject lines’ now. Don’t delay these have achieved up to a 48% open rate!

If you like meeting people and local businesses, helping others, having a bit of fun and getting new clients then come along to 4 Networking. There’s over 30,000 members UK wide, so there will be one near you!

Give Mark a call today on 0333 1234 404 to get your free invitation.

Here’s some pics from the launch of the Poole (Dorset) group

Good email subject lines should aim to be intriguing and create a sense of urgency so the email stands the best chance of being opened.

Shhh! is a great way to start a special offer email as it gives the impression the email offer is exclusive to the recipient. People tend to react more quickly if they feel something is just for them or that they may miss out.

Here’s an example of how this good email subject line could be applied:

Shhh! Discounts just for you

Shhh! Only 5 XYZ available this weekend

Shhh! Don’t tell your friends about this offer

If you’d like to get your hands on 8 tried and tested subject lines you can use today, please download our ‘8 killer subject lines’ now. Don’t delay these have achieved up to a 48% open rate!

If you think about it news headlines have exactly the same purpose as email subject lines.

They are written to instantly attract your attention, compel you to read on and nicely summarise exactly what you are about to read.

Therefore the next time you’re trying to come up with a cracking subject line, check out the BBC or SKY website and see if a newspaper headline can help you come up with a winner.

You may have heard something like this before, but this is for real. The only way you’ll do well in Google is to pick the right keywords for your business and with thousands to choose from this can be extremely daunting.

Well, good news, simply visit this page and we’ll handpick 3 great keywords for you. No catch, we’ll just be happy to help. If you have any questions please get in touch today.