Blog

This post looks at how mobile devices are unchaining us from our computers. And also how the ability to access digital information from anywhere can help you better keep up with your clients, customers, bolster your knowledge and generally boost your online presence.

Ok so, I’m definitely “that guy.” Inline at the store, in the corner at Starbucks, walking around in the mall, in the waiting room at the dentist…ON HIS PHONE. But, I’m not the guy constantly talking on it. Nope, I’m the guy quietly beavering away at something on my ‘little box’ as my Nan would put it.
Read the rest of this entry »

In a recent Visual Blaze blog posting, where I briefly mentioned the TechCrunch article on the First Quarter decline in online advertising, I wanted to circle back and talk a litte further about it and what it might mean.

TechCrunch Online Ad Revenue Decline Graphic

I do not find it surprising to see the numbers gradually decline and then during the current economic recession that it drops off the table. The biggest reason for this I believe is that companies were forced to analyze where and how they were spending money to maintain longevity through the current times. Then the conversation goes something to the tune of: “We are spending X amount of money per month on banner ads and pay per click advertising. Do we have the figures that show it is generating revenue?” (In due fairness that line of thinking probably was applied to many business line item expenses like training, printing costs, employees, etc.)

So the recession then caused companies to pull in closer to their vests and not throw money out there into online advertising campaigns that they really could not configure easily. Data driven decision making is key. If impressions and click through rates aren’t tagged into the ROI, then they get dumped. And if those numbers are not there, what ability do we have to try a different strategy. Will a different image, catchier headline, or higher ad placement increase the numbers? Or, perhaps, there isn’t the data to support the ROI from online advertising and different online marketing strategies are being investigated.

So there needs to be a creative strategies to gain attention that tie into data that can then be continually analyzed and allows the strategy to grow and evolve. Just to throw out a couple of replacement techniques:

• branded Twitter campaign
• keyword-dense landing pages
• interactive viral marketing pieces

Do you know the purpose of your web presence? There are really two reasons for having your business online. The reasons aren’t necessarily exclusive in that they are an either or situation and oftentimes it is a happy medium.

1. Educate and/or inform visitors about your company’s services or products.

2. Convert interested visitors into customers.

My personal belief is that the converted visitors are then classified into paying customers as the ultimate goals. Isn’t that what marketing and advertising attempts to do? Obviously with paying customers you increase revenue and hopefully increase profits.

Lead Generation Websites are a growing trend in web development, especially as online advertising dollars are shrinking. Sites used to be completely focused on Point 1 above in informing and educating visitors. It was about pushing information out like buckshot from a shotgun blast. Now we look at ways that we can drive visitors that know what they’re looking for and are closer to the point of making a decision about your specific product or service.

A contact form in your site is only one strategy to help generate leads. There are many, many other strategies that the Visual Blaze creative team can bring to the table. But the bottom line is, if your web presence does not have any dedicated components like contact forms, Twitter feeds, blogs, interactive info-graphics, surveys, etc. then those people are actively looking for that information somewhere. Can you afford to have that be your competition?