August 12, 2019
This post provides various scenarios that you can turn into opportunities to ask for reviews, plus templates for asking that you can adapt to your style.
June 13, 2019
Did you know 85% of people trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation? And, 49% of consumers say a business needs at least a […]
June 12, 2019
Note: Found Bytes is produced for the ear and designed to be heard. If you are able, we strongly encourage you to listen to the audio […]
May 29, 2019
Curious about a Google rank checker? Learn how you can get all the details about the state of your local business listing on Google each month […]
May 23, 2019
When it comes to local businesses, online reviews (and specifically Google My Business profile reviews) are King and Queen. In fact, 9 out of 10 people […]
May 8, 2019
Now that you have your promotions underway, it’s time to talk about showing some love to the most essential part of any business: your customer. Your […]
April 18, 2019
Moving locations has always been a challenging moment for any small business. And with more and more customer searches happening on mobile, getting found on Google […]
January 28, 2019
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you know about the importance of having a website for your business. But perhaps you feel that your business is […]
January 16, 2019
Google My Business. This free tool is gaining importance but do you know how to use it successfully? Google is always changing, and Google My Business […]
January 14, 2019
A staggering 46% of online searches have local intent. Here are 6 reasons to take advantage of the free Google My Business platform.
January 10, 2019
One of the best features of Google My Business that sets it apart from other listing platforms is the ability to communicate directly with existing and […]
December 20, 2018
As a business, trying to crack Google’s organic ranking algorithm can be a difficult task since there are so many moving parts factored into the equation (more […]
December 19, 2018
Have you joined the bandwagon and begun using social media to market your small business? If so, that’s wonderful! However, as you know, what constitutes effective […]
December 11, 2018
Chances are, you found this blog post after scrolling feeds on your phone—the same phone you’ll use to search for something later today that you don’t […]
November 26, 2018
You can market until you’re blue in the face, but if you aren’t trying to appeal directly to your target audience, you are likely wasting your […]
November 20, 2018
Google My Business itself is not a public-facing, searchable directory (such as Yelp), BUT your listing on Google My Business is what many other public-facing, searchable directories pull from.
November 16, 2018
Now a common way to engage with businesses, it’s no wonder that many people turn to social media seeking customer service. They see it as a […]
November 5, 2018
Just as there are unsung heroes on every sports team, the world of marketing has their own unsung heroes, and you need to be sure you are fully recognizing them. With Social Media taking center stage these days, it’s easy for less glamorous marketing tools to become lost in the shadows. Online business listings are a crucial element of your marketing strategy. If your contact information is wrong, how are customers going to find you?...
October 12, 2018
There are a plethora of options when it comes to online advertising, but if you can get the milk for free, leave the cow in the […]
September 26, 2018
Feedback is one of the most valuable things you can receive from your customers. Not only will it help you improve your business, but it will […]
July 1, 2018
Getting listed on directories and review sites is one of the best things you can do for your business. You expand your reach and increase your […]
May 25, 2018
Feedback is important, but how you handle it is even more important for small business owners. With Facebook, Yelp, Google Maps, Angie’s List, and countless other review […]
May 24, 2018
Consumers have always looked for validation from others when seeking out products and services. Here’s how to gain social proof for your business to make it […]
May 15, 2018
When you create your business profile on social media platform, review sites, and business directories, it’s crucial to include a description of your business that grabs […]
March 23, 2018
With many traditional marketing strategies losing their potency towards newer generations, businesses need to start thinking outside of the box. Though it’s been around as long […]
March 8, 2018
Surveys and polls can be invaluable to business owners like you—when done right. SO what is the so-called “right way” to get these results? Read on […]
February 13, 2018
What you do and create on your end is only half of the equation for your online reputation. The other half comes from how the general […]
February 5, 2018
Thanks to review sites like Yelp, Google+, and TripAdvisor, you don't have to go far to find what hundreds of people have to say about a local business. Why are these sites so important? Monitoring and responding to your customers' feedback can have a huge impact on your business!...
January 29, 2018
Reputation can make or break a small business. The great business mogul Warren Buffett once said, “It takes 20 years to build your reputation and five minutes […]
January 26, 2018
These days the first thing a potential customer does when they’re looking for something is look it up online. Even if they hear about a new […]
January 14, 2018
There are so many different outlets to get your business “out there” into the online world, which is so very important these days. Listings, Local pages and Social Media are just a few of the many options. Maybe you have a website, but what else are you using to get noticed? What do you need to excel? What can you do to be the best? Get started building your online presence with three easy tools...
November 29, 2017
According to BrightLocal, 88% of online shoppers trust reviews posted to consumer websites over word of mouth. Who knew that the opinions of strangers would make […]
November 16, 2017
A company’s reputation is as important as their products and services. Often times it takes one disheartened customer to voice their disappointment and suddenly, you’re seeing […]
November 15, 2017
When you hear the term “online presence”, you might immediately think of social media channels, your business website, and your search engine rankings. These are all […]
October 11, 2017
Did you know consumers use online listings as their primary source for deciding which business to buy from? If consumers don’t have the correct information about your company, they won’t be able to reach you. Updating your online listings ensures that your business details are complete and accurate throughout the web, no matter where your customers may find them...
September 25, 2017
Where there is business growth, there is marketing; but where there is marketing, there is not necessarily a growing business. There is a plethora of options […]
August 22, 2017
Your brand is a collection of all the thoughts and emotions that come to mind when a person thinks about your business. From your logo to […]
August 15, 2017
For people who are looking to spend money on products or services, it can often be difficult to know which one to choose. When presented with […]
June 13, 2017
One of the biggest challenges a small business owner faces is keeping up with big businesses. These larger companies—with their big marketing budgets and bulk purchasing […]
June 7, 2017
Branding is very important to companies big and small. It defines who they are and depicts a literal image and message to not just their customers, […]
May 30, 2017
Everyone struggles to respond to negative feedback, especially when it relates to maintaining your business’ reputation. How long should I wait to respond? What’s the appropriate […]
May 24, 2017
In today’s interconnected digital world, online reviews hold more power than ever. In fact, they can make or break a small business. Positive reviews can build […]
May 22, 2017
Customer loyalty is worth its weight in gold to your business. With the convenience of the Internet, consumers have more access to your competition now than […]
April 3, 2017
In today’s web-focused world, reputation management has become a crucial area of focus for businesses. More digital channels and greater user access have caused online reputation to […]
March 27, 2017
Reputation is a keystone element of a business’s success and survival. The tricky part about reputation is that it is not just the result of what […]
March 15, 2017
Many small business owners know about online business directories, but aren’t quite clear on how advantageous they are to their business. Online directories are not just a digital […]
March 8, 2017
Online directories are a key player in your small business growth. They help to develop your business reputation, increase your online visibility, and place you in […]
February 22, 2017
In today’s society, word of mouth flies across mobile devices and social media platforms. People are eager to consume information so they can make quick decisions […]
February 7, 2017
Your business reputation makes its way into every facet of your business’s existence. It both impacts and is impacted by the way people read your emails, […]
February 1, 2017
A business reputation important, but also complicated. While it has many aspects that you can’t control, it also has many aspects that you are responsible for. As […]
January 24, 2017
Reputation is important in business because it isn’t just one aspect of your business. It is made up of all of the aspects of your business. […]
January 23, 2017
Every business has a product and/or service, which is what they deliver to their customers to meet their needs. Every business has a brand, which is how […]
September 14, 2016
This post goes over the six key elements of guerrilla marketing strategies to keep you in line with your your business’s brand and goals.
September 13, 2016
While you cannot control what other people post online about your business, you do have some control over the outcome of a negative review. This post will go over how to respond to negative reviews, so that you can mitigate the damage and protect your business's reputation.
September 7, 2016
A niche market strategy serves to help you to find a profitable niche for your business, to properly serve and market to that niche, as well as to maintain other aspects and values of your business. This article provides some guidelines to consider when forming your niche market strategy.
August 23, 2016
In this post we’ll go over the benefits of landing pages that set them apart from your business website and make them an effective lead generating and marketing tool.
August 17, 2016
Learn how to increase your online presence through your website, business listings, and social media—no matter what stage of digital marketing development your business is in.
August 16, 2016
Here's a checklist of some of the basics every small business owner should take care of to give their website a leg up over their competitors.
August 9, 2016
There are two ways to enhance your online presence in relation to search engines: organic search engine optimization and paid search advertising. This post will go over these two types of search engine strategies, and how they can help you build your online presence.
August 2, 2016
While there are many benefits of niche marketing, finding your niche market can be difficult. Among the different types of customers that you can market to for your business, which one do you pick? How do you find the most profitable fit for your products and services? This article will give you some guidelines on finding your niche market.
August 2, 2016
Social media is a great way to engage with your audience, but what works for every business and audience will be different. This post will give you some general ideas for improving your social media presence and your posts in such a way that will increase audience engagement.
July 27, 2016
Live Chat is commonly associated with customer service, but what many people do not know is that it is also a great sales and marketing tool. Live chat can help existing customers, new customers, and potential customers, and when leveraged properly, can drive more sales through leads. Live Chat has the power to provide a wide range of benefits for your business. Below are six of the many benefits of Live Chat and how to make the most of them for your small business.
July 26, 2016
While guerrilla marketing for small business has many benefits, it also has its risks. The elements that make up a successful guerrilla marketing tactic can just as easily create negative experiences for your customers. Follow these tips to ensure your guerrilla marketing strategy is a success with both satisfying and growing your target audience.
April 8, 2016
You should be continually maintaining your listing; adding your business to new directories and updating with fresh relevant content to keep the attention of Google, and more importantly your customers!
February 25, 2016
You hear the term a lot. Best Practices. You just want to know how to do something and whether or not it’s the most efficient way, and instead you get some jargon about “best practices suggest...” Following best practices. Against best practices. But, what are best practices?...
February 18, 2016
When you step out of the door in the morning, you like to put your best foot forward. When you stand on the floor of your business, you want to make a similarly good impression. You want to project a trustworthy, proud, professional image. But what’s your digital image? Your logo, your website... it all counts...
September 15, 2015
There’s a lot to learn about your online reputation and what goes into your digital rap sheet. Your reputation comes from sources all across the Internet, on social and review sites, forums, and beyond.
Your customers are sharing their opinions - good and bad - and you need to know what they’re saying, everywhere they’re saying it. Overwhelmed? Don't be. We’ve compiled a list of our top posts (and their key takeaways) covering everything you need to know - on every platform....
September 11, 2015
Sure, bad reviews like these can be comical. But for a business owner, they can destroy a reputation or keep you from creating a healthy public image. The simple truth is that online reviews matter. And, if you run a small business, user reviews on sites like Yelp.com can dictate your success. Here's how to take the reins and nail Yelp for your business!...
August 13, 2015
Uh oh! Taylor Swift may have bad blood with her exes, but now you just found yourself in some bad blood, but with your customers! What happens if you do come across a negative comment or criticism? Here are some tips about how to handle this bad blood....
September 30, 2014
When a customer is looking for a local product or service, can they easily find your business? Maps and Search utilize the power of Google+ to help users find anything and everything they're looking for in your local area. So where do you start to get found on Google Maps? It all starts with Google+....
August 12, 2014
In an age where research for products and services is done primarily online, the way your brand is represented on the Internet is more important than ever. Customers can make a quick opinion about whether they trust your business just by glancing at your brand’s online profile. What factors can affect your online reputation?...
May 30, 2014
With summer on its way, folks are out and about, busting out their iPads and smartphones as they walk the streets to shop and search for businesses - just like yours! With a little guidance and some quick tips, Listings, Local pages, and Social Media can enhance your brand and get you found! These online tools are easy and an affordable way to dip your toes into the digital water this summer...
April 24, 2014
Did you know consumers use online listings as their primary source for deciding which business to buy from? If consumers don’t have the correct information about your company, they won’t be able to reach you. Updating your online listings ensures that your business details are complete and accurate throughout the web, no matter where your customers may find them...
April 14, 2014
This Thursday, April 17th, Propel Marketing is hosting digital marketing specialist George Leith to talk about Reputation Monitoring, digital media, and so much more. We sat down with George to talk about Reputation, Social Media, and what he sees for the future of digital...
March 7, 2014
There’s a good chance people are talking about your business online. For both the good and the bad, being aware of how your brand is perceived by consumers is extremely important. Responding to reviews can be very tricky, so to help you get started, we’ve put together a list of our top 3 tips for crafting a response online....
December 30, 2013
Google+ has made a complete overhaul in their layout… Why you should care? If you use Google for directions, use YouTube to make comments, or leave reviews on Google pages, then you have already been using Google+ - and so have your customers! Google recently updated the layout of Google+ to make it simpler for customers to find everything they need more efficiently and effectively!...
December 3, 2013
Diving into the world of digital marketing can be overwhelming. Where do you start? Like most unfamiliar areas of life, it is best to take baby steps and lay down your foundation first...
August 16, 2013
It’s Friday night and you want to try a new restaurant. You know the drill- pull out your smartphone or jump online and Google that new hot spot that just opened up or simply type in “Best Restaurants (insert your location here).” How do restaurants and local businesses use online reviews and social media tools like Yelp to manage their reputation and leverage customer purchasing patterns?
August 8, 2012
It is no secret that dissatisfied customers tend to share their complaints with others. Word-of-mouth has always posed a threat to your brand and reputation, but with roughly 2.27 billion users on the internet, the damage caused by word-of-mouth is in a whole new arena...
May 8, 2012
Does your business listing stand out to potential customers in their local searches? According to recent statistics, 97% of consumers search for local businesses online. Search engines like Google and Yahoo recognize this and have created Place Pages which can easily move your business to the top of the search results.
February 22, 2012
How many customers are you losing out on due to a bad review? The dangers of not knowing what’s being said about your business are immeasurable. A bad review that goes unanswered can seriously tarnish your business’ reputation!