Design Agency

Submitted by: Warren Miller

Online search engines have replaced phone books for 54% of Americans searching for local businesses. As a result, it is now more important than ever for businesses to ensure that they have a high-quality online presence. If not, they may never truly realize the power and potential of the Internet to deliver qualified, low-cost sales leads.

It’s widely accepted that businesses that market online have the ability to both reduce their overall marketing costs while also reaching more targeted prospects in order to add to their bottom line. The Internet is no-longer up-and-coming: it’s here and now, and if you’re not leveraging it to its full potential for your business, you are significantly reducing the effectiveness of your marketing. If you’re currently using direct mail or display advertising as a part of your overall strategy, the Internet can help slash these costs and can even improve response rates from within the local community.

Marketing on the Internet starts with an effective website. A good website is much more than a pretty design – it needs to be well designed, well worded and well structured for search engines to present optimum value. At the same time, it must be designed with the ultimate goal in mind: converting visitors into prospects and converting prospects into buyers.

The statistics show that over 60% of local commercial searches result in a purchase. Without an effective online presence for your business, these customers are finding someone else. But with an active campaign to increase your search engine rankings as well as an involvement in online marketing, you can reach these highly targeted prospects to make sure their resulting purchase is from you.

According to a comScore research report, the number of people actually searching for products and services online increased by 21% in 2008. So the Internet is a growing trend and more and more people are looking to buy online.

Why? It’s convenient and a great way to save time and often save money too. Remember that a lot of people are time-poor in today’s hectic 24/7 society. Having more people searching for products and services is one thing. The important question is: are they spending more money online?

A comScore study reported that US e-commerce spending in 2008 reached a staggering $214.4 billion – a 7% increase over the previous year. So importantly, more people are spending more money online too – they’re not just information seekers. They’ve got cash to spend and they’re going to spend it online somewhere.

If you are a business owner, the only question you should ask yourself is: will it be with you or your competitors? In today’s marketplace, and today’s economy, having an online presence is more important that ever. If your business does not currently have a website, or is not getting the desired results from the one you do have, it may be time to focus on getting it where it needs to be. If not, you may be leaving some very real money on the table.

About the Author: Warren Miller is the lead marketing consultant for

Lazer Promotions

– a ‘new media’ marketing agency that delivers customized solutions through new technologies. They also run the

Lazer Alliance

membership club that helps businesses get ahead online, featuring various solutions, consulting and more. The

Lazer Promotions Blog

is updated daily with business news and advice.

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=397906&ca=Marketing

Charity Holiday Corporate and Business Gifts for Clients

by

meganm

Charity gift cards are one of the holiday gift ideas that is becoming increasingly popular, particularly as a small business holiday gift. The business world is no exception when it comes to gift-giving for cultivating good relations with existing clients or employees. The year end or holiday gifts that are typically given employees and clients is the best time to show your appreciation. Charity gift cards have become a meaningful option for these year-end gifts among corporations and companies of all sizes.

Charity gift cards as corporate gifts are beneficial to all involved. The recipients are given the opportunity to pass the giving on by choosing where they would like the funds to be donated. The corporations who choose to use charity as their holiday gift to their employees and/or clients are benefited by the tax deduction, the appreciation of those they give them to, and the satisfaction of helping those in need. The clients or the employees also take receiving charity gift cards as a positive approach on behalf of the company and a sign of respect, allowing them to do a greater good through their participation in choosing the charity to benefit. This unique and innovative gift idea even allows a small business to customize their redemption pages, with CharityChoice’s easy to use online wizard, to include a company logo and message. Plastic gift cards are in stock with expedited shipping available, so advanced planning is not needed to take advantage of this great PR and branding with your small business gift. The IRS allows corporations to take a charitable donation deduction of up to 10 percent of their net income. If a corporation chooses to donate more than this 10 percent, they are allowed to carry over the amount to future years. The feedback from recipients of these holiday business gifts has been nothing but positive and enthusiastic, as they are able to pick a cause close to their heart. Everyone is able to reap the benefits of charity gift cards, but most importantly, we are acknowledging the need and doing our part by offering our support during this financially challenging holiday season.

Looking for a great

holiday business gifts

or

holiday gifts

? CharityChoice offers many options when it comes to giving back to charity this holiday season!

Article Source:

Charity Holiday Corporate and Business Gifts for Clients