3 Reasons Why Your Business Must Use a Digital Agency
We understand that outsourcing work which you believe can be completed in-house may not seem like a good use of valuable resources. However, the question must be asked, if you decide to keep things in-house, can you dedicate the necessary time to be successful?
Let’s be honest, digital marketing isn’t easy. In order to succeed, it takes time and effort, something that few businesses can afford on top of their core work.
Below we have outlined 3 of the main reasons we believe outsourcing work to a reputable digital agency (such as ourselves!) is a great use of your finances.
No. 1 – Reducing The Workload
All businesses are faced with one insurmountable issue – there are only so many hours in the day!
Staying up to date with essential work can be tough enough. Adding additional work into the mix can be very time consuming and a distraction.
Outsource work such as website maintenance, SEO, Social Media management and content creation. You can then can focus on the aspects of your work which need your attention.
No. 2 – Reaching Areas Other Agencies Cannot Reach
Can you justify paying the money needed to access some of the more important tools relating to online marketing?
Simple economics highlight the fact that it’s nearly always far more economical for agencies to pay for the best digital marketing software and services.
Whilst any business can gain access to almost any online tool, digital agencies are able to offer the chance to tap into the best in class tools due to those same tools being used across a large array of clients.
No. 3 – Offering a Fresh Pair of Eyes
The truth is that your own personal perspective of your business and reality may not be the same thing.
Sometimes, a fresh pair of eyes and some outside input can help to take your business in new directions which can really push things forward.
An agency such as Footprint Web Design can help deliver a clear and fresh perspective of any business.
Further Information
Footprint specialise in creating bespoke websites designed to help take your business to another level. We have been providing web design Surrey since 1998 and if you’d like to speak to us regarding any of our services, give us a call on 01883 372488 or contact us via Facebook and we’ll be happy to talk you through your options.
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Don’t Make These 5 Mistakes When Asking For Reviews
Google has recently introduced a fairly comprehensive list of ‘does and don’ts’ relating to gathering reviews from business. Whilst many fall under Google’s ‘Prohibited and Restricted Content’ guidelines they can also be applied to your review gathering practices across all platforms.
To help steer you away from practices which may land you on shaky ground, we have outlined the top 5 review gathering practices avoid:
No. 1 – Do not use review gating
‘Review gating’ is one of the more recent additions to Google’s Review guidelines and essentially means that local businesses can no longer use a third-party tool to filter out negative reviews. In the past, software has enabled businesses to cherry-pick positive reviews by using software to filter out bad reviews and create a false impression of their business.
As of 2018, this practice is no longer permitted, with Google guidelines stating:
“Don’t discourage or prohibit negative reviews or selectively solicit positive reviews from customers.”
No. 2 – Do not review your own business
The whole point of allowing customers to leave reviews is to try and gather honest and unbiased accounts of genuine customer experiences. Leaving a review for your own business (or asking a member of staff to leave one on your behalf) flies in the face of this and is against Google Review guidelines for obvious reasons.
No. 3 – Do not review competitors
Leaving false reviews relating to competing businesses is classed by Google as “posting content about a competitor to manipulate their ratings”. Whilst Google doesn’t specifically state in its guidelines what the penalty for this practice may be, we are very confident that at the lower end of the scale, the review in question will be removed, whilst at the higher end of the scale, your website may even be subjected to a Google penalty, which can lead to a world of trouble for your business.
No. 4 – Do not accept or offer money to leave a review
Google does not condone incentivising customers to leave a review for your business. By offering any form of kickback (money, vouchers, prizes etc) to leave a review, you are clearly creating an environment where the reviewer is more likely to leave a review which may not be true in return for financial gain.
This goes very much against Google’s wishes to offer an unbiased overview of customer experience and one that may leave you liable for punishment from Google.
No. 5 – Do not encourage reviews in bulk
It is just simple bad practice to generate a large influx of reviews over a short period of time as opposed to a drip feed over longer.
Whilst it is always tempting to try and bolster your review count in one swift go, a consistent approach is a far better way to provide an overview of customer experience that is authentic, useful and accurate.
Further Information
Footprint specialise in creating bespoke websites designed to help take your business to another level. We have been providing SEO Surrey since 1998 and if you’d like to speak to us regarding any of our services, give us a call on 01883 372488 or contact us via Facebook and we’ll be happy to talk you through your options.
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What’s New About Google My Business?
Google My Business offers the chance to take charge of what people see when they do a local search for your business. Google My Business gives you the tools to update your listing and engage with your customers from your phone, tablet and computer. All for free.
Help your listing appear when people are searching for your business or businesses like yours on Google Search and Maps. Google My Business makes it easy to create and update your listing — so you can be found, and bring customers in.
Google My Business complements your existing website by giving your business a public identity and presence with a listing on Google. The information that you provide about your business can appear on Google Search, Maps and Google+.
Take charge of what people see when they do a local search for your business
Need to adjust your hours for the holidays? Or add a new phone number? Make changes in a few easy steps with Google My Business, and your listing will update across Search and Maps.
Turn snapshots into sales
Draw in new customers with photos of your products or favourite menu items – pictures show what’s unique about your business, and you can add as many as you like.
Encourage loyalty by starting a conversation
Reviews are now a two-way conversation between you and your customers – be the first to know when you get a new review so that you can respond right away.
Further Information
Footprint specialise in creating bespoke websites designed to help take your business to another level. We have been providing SEO Surrey since 1998 and if you’d like to speak to us regarding any of our services, give us a call on 01883 372488 or contact us via Facebook and we’ll be happy to talk you through your options.
