How to Invite Facebook Friends to Your Facebook Business Page

When you first create a Facebook page for your business, you're missing the key ingredient to building a good community right off the bat -- people! Luckily, you probably have some some friends and family who take an interest in what you do and would be happy to show their support as you build up your base of users. Using a built-in invite feature in Facebook, you can invite your current friends in a few steps.

1) Sign in to Facebook and click on your page's name under the "Pages" section on the left side of the screen.

2) Click the "Build Audience" menu option at the top of the screen. This will open a drop-down menu. From there, click "Invite Friends."

3) Show all of your friends by clicking the "Recent Interactions" button near the top of the box, and then clicking "Search All Friends."

4) Click the check box next to the friends you'd like to invite to your new Facebook page.

5) Click the "Submit" button when finished. The friends you selected will be invited to like your page.

WebDrafter.com, a PA Web design company, helps companies create better looking websites, improve search engine placements, and build up online communities on networks like Facebook and Twitter. Interested in learning more about how we can help your business? Get in touch today at (866) 421-3723.

5 Reasons Your Search Engine Ranking is a Big Deal

Chances are, if you're here, you found this blog post through a search engine and might already be sold on the importance of search engine rankings and search engine optimization's role in improving them. You may have a partner or supervisor, however, who doesn't quite see the need to spend time and resources on optimizing your website to increase traffic from search engines. We've compiled a list of five facts that your search engine ranking is a big deal.

1) Approximately 42% of search engine users click on the #1 ranked site after a search. The second result gets 8%.

2) 62% of users will click a link on the first page of the search results.

3) 40% of SEO campaigns achieve a return on investment (ROI) of 500%. Compare that to pay-per-click campaigns (PPC) -- only 22% of those campaigns reach that lofty mark.

4) Organic search results convert users into buyers at a rate 25% higher than PPC campaigns.

5) 77% of search engine users will click an organic search result over a paid result.

While pay-per-click advertising is a nice supplement to an advertising and marketing campaign, search engine optimization efforts convert more users and reach a high return-on-investment a lot more quickly. WebDrafter.com, a PA Web design company, also specializes in SEO and SEM. Interested in improving your search placements? Call us today at (866) 421-3723.

Quick Twitter Tips

Just starting out on Twitter? It's a thriving, growing network, and a great channel for reaching out and interacting with past, present, and potential customers, as well as the members of your community. Just creating an account and firing out updates (called "tweets") isn't enough, though. There are right and wrong ways to use the service as a business. Here are two quick tips.

Tweet as a person. Given the choice, most Twitter users would rather connect with a person over a faceless entity. Use the bio section to let users know who's behind the account. If multiple users will be updating the account, consider marking each tweet with a set of initials at the end to let users know a different employee is at the helm.

Example: @Pandora_Radio

Reach out. Many businesses and websites are tempted to use Twitter as a way to broadcast information about themselves as though it's a bullhorn. Resist this temptation. Take part in conversations with your users and those in your community.

Example: @MidtownEats

Keep checking back here for more website and social networking tips, and remember to check out WebDrafter.com for all of your PA Web design needs!

Why Have a Website Redesign?

So, the website you had built for your business is finally starting to show its age.

The look, which was "in" at the time, has gone out of style like the Web design version of bell bottoms. The sidebar is littered with links to sites that no longer exist. Your header has social media icons for networks that no one is using anymore. And your content hasn't been refreshed since the day it was first written. Traffic has dropped, conversions have dropped, and your company's credibility is on thin ice.

If you can relate to even one of these scenarios, or something similar, it's probably time for a redesign.

The basis behind a redesign is always based upon improvement. There is something that can be improved, or many things that can be improved, but that's where the journey always begins. If you break it down even more, you might find it necessary to have your site redesigned for:

• Sales optimization
• Better organization of information
• Rebranding
• Staying current with Web design best practices

Regardless of your motivation, again, you'll always find it is based around the idea that your website can be improved in some way.

Are you looking to improve your current website? Get in touch with PA Web design company WebDrafter.com at (866) 421-3723

Internet Marketing: What to Avoid Doing in Your Campaign

Getting your website to the top of the search engines is a great feeling. However, watching your online presence languish below the top results is frustrating, and can be almost enough to swear you off using the Internet to market your business.

It's understandable, but the rewards of Internet marketing are so great, that you can't avoid them. So, if your efforts are not getting you where you want, your campaign might include strategies that should be stayed away from. Here are 10 mistakes many make when going forward with an online marketing campaign:

1. You decide to go it alone
   Internet marketing might seem easy enough. Do a few things here and there, and instant success, right? Not exactly. There are things you can do yourself, but Internet marketing companies exist because they know proper techniques. Deciding to throw caution to the wind and not obtain some form of professional help can lead you to implement techniques which will hurt you in the long run, and can take a while to fix.
2. You have a website, and that's it
   Yes, the most essential step of Internet marketing is to have a website that looks great and serves readers well. But, if that's all you have, then you're likely to not see the search engines – and potential customers – respond. With so many websites out there, you need to give yourself a competitive advantage and begin marketing online.
3. Your website has no clear call to actions
   You want people to come to your website. But, once they're on it, what should they do? Not directing people to certain pages (notably those where they can request contact from you or buy products) is a mistake that will leave you without an ROI. Your website should contain clear call to actions so your visitors know what to do.
4. You don't know what your competitors are up to
   You need to be aware of your competition, and keep an eye on them. If you're not, you could be losing business without even knowing it. Checking on your competitors to see what they're doing and whether it's working can provide you with ideas for strategies, especially if they're forgetting to promote a popular product or service.
5. You're copying content from other websites
   One of the worst thing any website can have is duplicate content. The three major search engines (especially Google) heavily frown upon plagiarism. If you're swiping text and pictures from other websites, it's time to get in touch with a professional Internet marketing company to begin putting together original content.
6. Your website contains false information
   The Internet loves nothing more than to expose liars and phonies. Your website needs to have true information. If you're promoting products and services with inaccurate information, you're just asking for trouble, and need to rectify this immediately.
7. You don't have a presence on social media
   It's not enough to just promote your services and wares, but you have to engage persons in a conversation about them. Social media engagement has become a big factor in proper Internet marketing and SEO, so if you're not using social media to get your message out there, you're missing out a big customer base.
8. You're not aligning your efforts
   The efforts you make for your online marketing campaign should all align with each other. You have big news on your website? Put it in a blog, then put information out on social media and social bookmarking websites. To obtain optimum results, everything needs to work in coordination.
9. You're not paying attention to search engine trends
   What worked in Internet marketing a year ago, or even a month ago, might not work now. Paying attention to search engine marketing trends for changes to algorithms and techniques can help you to maximize your efforts, and not waste time on practices that no longer generate the same bang.
10. You gave up too quickly
    It's all about patience. While there are things you can do to obtain immediate results, the vast majority of Internet marketing should be centered on establishing your website in a position that will generate good, long-term value, and not just a one-time increase.

Agree? Disagree? Let us know on our Facebook page, on Twitter (@WebDrafter) or by adding us to your circles on Google+.

Online Marketing: Where to Start?

In this highly digital age, it's important each business have an effective, well thought-out online marketing campaign to ensure the maximum possible success from your website.

But, where should your business start when it comes to getting found by consumers? There is a number of great, reputable Internet marketing companies (like WebDrafter.com) out there that can greatly assist your efforts. So, when looking around, here are a few things to think about when considering your Internet marketing campaign:

Blogging

As discussed last week, the benefits of blogging for your business are vast. It's great for SEO, great for sharing materials on social media channels and great for promotional purposes.

Customer Testimonials

Prospective customers/clients want to know what kind and the quality of work you've done for other clients/customers. Gathering testimonials will greatly assist in your online marketing efforts, and getting creative (filming a testimonial vs text) is even better.

Fresh content

Keeping your website frequently updated is another great way to get your business out. Fresh content supremely helps your website get found on the major search engine.

Benefits of Having a Company/Business Blog

Your company has a website, possibly a Facebook page and maybe even a Twitter account. With all these resources, should your company or business be blogging?

The short answer? Yes.

But, with every other resource your company is using, why should you add blogging to your marketing repertoire? There are several great reasons, but here are three of the best:

Blogging is Great for SEO

When it comes to SEO, few things are as important as well-written, fresh content. If your company is having problems coming up with website updates, a blog can fill this void in a great, timely manner.

Blogging is Great for Sharing

We've all been there: trying to figure out what to share on Facebook, Twitter and other social networks. If sharing material is becoming tedious because you find yourself running out of things to say, then a blog is a great way to come up with content to share with your audience.

Blogging is Great for Promotion

If you want your company or business to expand, then a blog is a great way to promote products and services.

Does your company blog? Why or why not? Let us know on the WebDrafter.com Facebook page, @WebDrafter, on Google+ or with a comment. 

The Three R's of Vetting So-Called SEO Gurus

The Internet is full of self-proclaimed SEO experts, gurus, specialists, whizzes, etc. And while there are many great SEOs out there, for every one out there who knows their stuff, there are many more who are an SEO in name only and have no real experience, yet they may talk a great game.

But, before you fall for their lines, you should do a bit of homework and see if they know what they're talking about. However, the issue of trying to find out whether an SEO is good or not while knowing little to nothing about the practice can cause a bit of an issue. So, here are some tips as to what to look for when doing the research.

Rankings

The true indicator of any SEO is the results they generate for their clients. If they have a client portfolio, choose a couple and see how their site is optimized, then look for their search engine rankings for those keyword phrases. Where are they ranking? Top 10? Top 30? Top 50? Are you finding them without much effort, or do you have to go back a few pages before you see results?

Reviews

What are their clients – past and present – saying about them? If the SEO did a tremendous job, then there are sure to be positive reviews out there. If not, it's almost a certainty negative reviews will have been posted. Take a look and see what you can find. Reviews can tell you a lot about a company and its business practices.

ROI

The goals of every SEO campaign differ, but one common aim is to give the client a return on investment (ROI). Are clients getting this? Contact a few and get their insight. If many are, then the SEO is doing his or her job. If not, then it's time to look at other candidates.

Agree? Disagree? We want your thoughts. Let us know on our Facebook page, @WebDrafter or on Google+.  

What is a fair price for SEO services?

If you're thinking about SEO, your first thought is probably, "How much is this going to cost?" And it's a great question to ask, but isn't the easiest question to answer.

Unfortunately, there isn't a standard price when it comes to SEO. It depends on your needs, and your price. If you're wondering, "Then what is a fair price for SEO?" it gets a little more tricky.

The reason many agencies don't publish their SEO rates is because there isn't a "one size fits all" approach to SEO. Questions have to be answered before a price can be determined: What are your ultimate goals? How competitive is your industry? How much on-site work needs to be done to get your website where it needs to be? Who is your target demographic? How many services/products do you offer? After these are figured out, a price can be determined.

Let's look at this way: say you're a general contractor in a large metropolitan area. You specialize in roofing and siding. You want to be found for "(area) general contractor," "(area) roofing," "(area) siding," etc. You want to spend $1,200 in a one-year period to make this happen, and you want instant results in the search engine rankings. Due to the (most likely) long history of your competition, and the competitive of those phrases, you might not get very far.

But, let's say you're a general contractor in a small, suburban area and want to target that area for certain keyphrases. You'll probably see results in the rankings before the company in the larger area.

These examples apply to local SEO efforts. Now, if you're looking to launch a campaign on a national/global level using very general, competitive keywords and phrases, you might have to rethink your budget or time frame.

The ultimate answer: It all comes down to the industry, the target area and the budget.

Agree? Disagree? Let us know on Facebook, @webdrafter or on Google+.  

Organic Search Engine Marketing vs. Pay Per Click: Which Is Better for You?

There are two types of search engine marketing campaigns: organic and pay-per-click. Organic (or natural results) is the result of search engine optimization and "traditional" SEM campaigns, while pay-per-click results are advertisements: you place a bid and depending on certain metrics (competition, cost, etc.), your ad will show up and you'll pay every time someone clicks on the listing.

While it's often best to do both together, you might want to opt for one or the other. And while many choose to go with organic SEM, some choose to go exclusively with pay-per-click advertising through outlets like Google AdWords, Microsoft Advertising, Facebook ads, etc. Here are the pros and cons of using just PPC:

Pro: You are only charged for the clicks you get

You won't pay a fee each time your ad shows up (also called "impressions"). You'll only spend when your ad is clicked on.

Con: You can burn through your budget quickly

Depending on the competitiveness of your keyword phrases, you could spend quite a bit to get your ad to show up.

Pro: Location targeting

PPC marketing is the easiest way to target your advertising to certain localities. All it takes is the click of a button.

Con: Fraudulent clicks

Fraudulent clicking is an unethical practice done by competitors and unscrupulous PPC agencies. Since you pay for every click, some may try to kill your budget with repeated clicks in order to get your ad(s) delisted.

Pro: Quick results

Organic SEM efforts can take months to materialize, while PPC efforts are immediate. You'll begin to see traffic almost instantaneously.  

Con: Can be fleeting

Once your budget is spent, your ads will no longer appear. And when that happens, traffic to your site can drop off quickly. 

"When Will I Be on Google?"

If you're looking at SEO or search engine marketing, then you no doubt have one ultimate goal: ranking at the top of Google, Bing and Yahoo. Having the No. 1 ranking for highly competitive keywords and phrases places your website far above your competitors, and when your website earns a No. 1 placement, you're almost certain to get the most traffic – and business – instead of your competition.

But, it's difficult to say when this will happen. If you're wondering, "When will I be on Google?" or when your website will rank at the top for a certain phrase, don't expect it to be an overnight thing. Companies who promise top rankings in a certain period are most likely looking at you as low-hanging fruit ripe for the picking. So, why can't predictions be made about search engine placements? There are several reasons:

Algorithms are always changing

Search engine algorithms are always changing to make for a better user experience. These are trade secrets, and techniques and strategies that may have worked six months ago might not today. And when a change happens (especially in Google's case), rankings can be affected.

Rankings are the results of effort

You've created a great website, and you're ready to roll. You let it go, waiting for things to happen. Three months later, they haven't, and you're getting frustrated. Understandable, but rankings don't happen just by creating a website. A great SEO campaign can get your site the rankings and traffic you desire. If you want your website to rank No. 1 for an extremely competitive term, know it will only happen after a great deal of effort.

New competition everyday

While you're waiting for your website to get to the top, so are your competitors. And the battle for rankings can be fierce, and if you don't have an Internet marketing tank on your side, then your website might be a forgotten casualty.

Have questions or a comment? Share your thoughts on the WebDrafter Facebook page or tweet us @webdrafter.

Questions to Ask Your SEO Company

Searching for an SEO company can be hard if you're not familiar with what search engine optimization and search engine marketing entail. So, it's important to make sure you're not losing business even before work begins underway.

Here are three questions you should ask SEO companies before you make your final choice:

"Do you have references and/or case studies?"

Any SEO company that exalts its abilities should be able to prove they can walk the walk and not just talk the talk. If you ask for references and case studies so you can see whether they know their stuff or are just blowing hot air, and you get nothing, then they are probably hiding something you'll want to give more consideration to the other contenders.

"How will it take until I see my site at the top of Google?"

We'll touch on this in more detail next week, but no one can or should guarantee you "No. 1 rankings." When you ask this question, you shouldn't receive a definite answer, and if you do, then it's highly advisable you look elsewhere.  

"Will I receive a report?"

If the company will also be administering search engine marketing campaigns, then you should receive from them a report of what was done on a monthly basis. They should be more than willing to answer affirmatively when you ask this question, and if they don't, then they're probably not as ethical as they're making themselves out to be.  

Is your SEO company reputable?

For every good SEO and Internet marketing company, there is another that seeks to do little more than take your money while not giving you the results and ROI you deserve. Sure, you might rank No. 1 for a keyphrase, but if no one is searching for it and therefore isn't generating traffic, are you really at the top or is your bottom line getting skimmed?

So, how do you know if your SEO provider is ripping you off? Here are three key signs you're not getting your money's worth:

You never hear from them

At WebDrafter.com, we touch base with our marketing clients on a monthly basis, so we can find out what's happening on their end, and vice versa. This way, we can learn about specials and products they wish to promote and feature, while getting news and tips about their respective industry.

Sadly, some companies never hear from their provider. And when this happens, their probably not seeing results either, which leads into the second sign …

You don't know what they're doing

If you're not receiving a report outlining what your SEO firm is doing to help your site's rankings and traffic, then your investment most likely isn't providing you with a return. Or, if you do receive a report, but don't understand what it all means, and get the runaround when you ask questions, you're probably getting ripped off. As a site owner, you need to know what is being done, as some tactics can hurt. Don't be afraid to call them up and demand answers. And if you can't get them, then it may be time to find another company.

You're guaranteed "No. 1 rankings on Google"

"We'll express submit your website to Google, Yahoo! and Bing!" You've probably seen a self-proclaimed SEO expert guarantee you this, while telling you they will be able to get your site ranked No. 1 on Google and "all other major search engines OVERNIGHT." There's just two problems:

1. There's no such thing as "express submission" when it comes to Google, Yahoo! and Bing.
2. No one can guarantee any sort of rankings.

If you've heard this from your SEO provider, you'll more than likely want to begin looking somewhere else.

Further reading from WebDrafter.com:

-          Avoiding Search Engine Fraud

-          Are You "Low Hanging Fruit" for SEO Fraud?

-          Search Engine Optimization Fraudsters

-          SEO Companies Are Stalking You

Can Pinterest Benefit Your Business?

Some social media usage has nothing to do with driving traffic to your own website; instead, it's about being more visible, being seen as an authority in your particular industry, and being helpful to those who don't quite understand your field the way you do. Not only are you doing a great thing by helping those who need help, you're also becoming someone they trust and might bring business to down the line.

When you come from this angle, and you're in an industry that works with the site's main premise, Pinterest is definitely an avenue to consider.

Pinterest is an online pinboard that puts a heavy emphasis on visuals. When a user "pins" something from a website, they're allowed to choose an image from that website to represent the content they're linking to. When you visit the profile of an established Pinterest user, you'll see a number of boards and an array of photos, each linking back to a website.

Take a step back and look at the kind of business you're in. Does it lend itself well to photos? If the answer is yes, ask yourself another question: will people be interested in what you're sharing?

This is the Pinterest account of Myrtle Beach, SC (the city). Myrtle Beach did a great job providing useful content that is also very visual. They have a board called, "Things to Do in Myrtle Beach," a board dedicated to hotels in Myrtle Beach, a board of favorite places/spaces, and a board highlighting the southern food that you're likely to find in Myrtle Beach. In a way, the Pinterest account is recreating the Myrtle Beach experience in photos, and convincing people that they should go without being pushy.

I can see Pinterest being useful for businesses like flower shops, travel agencies, Web design companies, clothing designers, landscaping companies, architects -- really, any business where visuals come into play, or can be utilized in an interesting way. And, as Pinterest continues to grow, I'm sure we'll see more companies jumping on board.

Website Redesign for The Wave Pizza Cafe

We're happy to unveil the new website design we recently completed for The Wave Pizza Cafe, located in Duck, NC. During the winter, the Outer Banks-based pizza shop remodeled its kitchen and added a few new beers to the menu; now it has a brand new website design to complete its makeover.

If you're ever in Duck, stop by for their weekday lunch special (2 slices and a drink for $5). If it's a Monday or a Tuesday, you won't beat The Wave's price on PBR cans ($1).

Thinking about a website makeover of your own? Visit WebDrafter.com today for a free Web design quote.

SEO: When to Listen To or Question Your SEO/SEM Provider

How do you know the SEO you paid for will help people find your website? Is your SEM company doing what needs to be done to get your website great search engine placements?

If you don't know the answers to these questions, you're not alone.

Search Engine Watch recently posted a great blog on when to listen to or question whoever is providing your SEO. Author Kristi Hines had a number of great points including:

"QUESTION When They Say They Can Guarantee You Results Within a Specific Timeframe.
 The only thing that can be guaranteed as far as placement within a search engine is an advertisement via Google AdWords or similar program.
 The goal of any search optimization efforts is to put a favorable influence on search engines to rank your website. If someone says they can guarantee you No. 1 ranking within 30 days, then they are either going to spam you to the top with short lived results or take your money and run."

A proper SEM campaign takes time. It's not something that happens overnight. As one commenter noted, it could take weeks, months or, in some cases, even years.

"LISTEN When They Say They Can’t Guarantee You Results
 It's probably not something anyone wants to hear when they sign a contract, but be sure to listen to those who are honest when they say they can’t guarantee you results. The world's top SEO may not be able to help you, especially if they have suggested you add link-worthy content or properly optimize your website and you’ve chosen to ignore them."

This is important because there are many companies out there who guarantee you will receive X amount of clicks in a certain timeframe. You'll receive the clicks, but it won't result in visitors using your products or services. At WebDrafter.com, you can trust we won't make you guarantees or promise you things we know aren't likely to happen.

As a small business owner or someone needing SEO and/or SEM for their website, the blog is worth taking a few minutes to read. Check it out by clicking here.

Website Design for Prescription Heating & Cooling

We recently completed this new website design for Prescription Heating & Cooling, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) company based in the Twin Cities region of Minnesota.

Prescription focuses on services like HVAC installations and repairs, and provides a cost-effective maintenance plan to keep your systems running efficiently.

Check out the new Prescription Heating & Cooling website and keep them in mind for any heating or cooling-related services you may have in the future!

Wohlwend Concrete Website Design by WebDrafter.com

WebDrafter.com is happy to feature its recent website design for Wohlwend Concrete.

For years, Wohlwend Concrete has been dedicated to residential and commercial concrete and masonry work in the Twin Cities MN.

Visit www.wohlwendconcrete.com for more information on their residential and commercial services.

Looking for a new website design?  Visit www.webdrafter.com for a free estimate now!

All Source Website Redesign by WebDrafter.com

WebDrafter.com is proud to unveil the newly redesigned website for All Source Building Service and Supply Co.

For over a decade, All Source has been proud to serve businesses in the Twin Cities MN metro with professional, office cleaning and consumable supply services.

Visit www.allsourcemn.com today to request a free commercial cleaning estimate.

Make efforts toward getting a fresh web design by requesting a free estimate for website design at www.webdrafter.com.

Using Social Networks to Become More Visible

Marketing clients of WebDrafter.com benefit from a wide variety of services designed to drive traffic from search engines and other relevant websites. The more traffic you have coming to your website, the more chances you have to convert website visitors into paying customers. But your website is just one way for you to interact with potential customers.

Another service we've worked into the equation is social media management, which takes a less formal approach to telling people about the products or services you offer. We aim to increase your audience on networks like Facebook and Twitter, and provide answers to questions from potential customers who could one day bring you business.

We'll cover exactly what each network can do for your business in the future. Until then, know that there are multiple marketing and communications channels working around the clock for your business -- to increase brand recognition, increase traffic, and, ultimately, increase your bottom line.