When dealing with e-commerce sites, it can be difficult to achieve search engine optimization (SEO). This is because most e-commerce sites don’t have a lot of unique, relevant content to generate keywords. Often these sites are simply product and navigational pages with duplicate content. Without searchable content, ranking high on searches can be nearly impossible. So how do you get a higher SEO on your e-commerce sites? An article by Adam Thompson, senior partner at RYP Marketing, gives 5 simple techniques to increase your e-commerce SEO.

His first tip is to write category descriptions. On many e-commerce sites, optimization focuses on keywords from category pages. Thompson points out, however, that most category pages are mostly images and links with little to no descriptions. One way to fix this is to write descriptions or introductory copy for each category that can be displayed before or after the product listings.

Another tip for increasing keyword-targeted content is to write expert product reviews. Writing and publishing reviews that include images, video, detailed product testing and analysis, and other value-added content that shoppers might find useful is a great way to generate searchable content.

Thompson provides other tips, as well as examples of how these tips have been successful. Read the full article to see how you can increase your e-commerce SEO.

One of the best ways for a business to capture leads is with a landing page. Done properly, a landing page can get a high number of website visitors to provide their contact information for future lead generation. Knowing how to create a successful landing page, however, can prove difficult. A recent article on Hubspot provides three tips on creating an effective landing page.

According to the article, before you create a landing page, you need to understand the idea of “call-to-action buttons.” In order to convince people to navigate to your landing page, you need a call to action message that will motivate them to learn more about your business. Once you have a compelling message to drive people to your landing page, there are a few easy things you can do to improve your page.

First, make sure your landing page matches your “call-to-action message.” People follow a link expecting to immediately find information of the topic. If they don’t recognize the information on the landing page right away, they are likely to leave.

Second, keep the required information fields to a minimum. Four essential fields exist for starting lead generation: Name, Phone Number, E-mail, and Company. If any additional information is needed, consider making it “optional.”

Third, make your landing page flexible, so it can prove useful later down the road. Keeping your landing page easy-to-change will save you valuable time and resources.

These are just a few quick tips to help you build a successful landing page. Read the full article for more information.

If you have ever used Facebook, you are well aware of the “Like” buttons. This simple feature allows users to “Like” something they read and post it directly to their Facebook page. In fact, nearly 65 million users are “Liking” things daily. This feature is incredibly popular among content creators and online marketers, and soon they will have another way to access “Likes.”

A recent article explains how MailChimp, an e-mail marketing service, will be releasing a new version of its application that will integrate “Likes” into e-mail campaigns. This means that marketers will be able to add a “Like” button directly to their e-mails. These like buttons will work exactly like they do on the web. When a subscriber clicks the “Like” button the campaign will be posted directly to their Facebook page. All the “Like” behaviors will be tracked by MailChimp and be accessible through a campaign social stats section.

This new “Like” feature will require e-mail recipients take a more social and long-lasting roll, rather than simply following a link. MailChimp is hoping this new feature will greatly enhance user engagement, especially with e-mail marketers. Read the full article for more info and a video walkthrough.

So you’ve decided to take your small business into the online market. You know who you are targeting, know what you want to say, built your website, and are ready to sit back and watch the numbers come in. Only one problem: no one’s coming to your site. You ask yourself, what did I do wrong?

Surprisingly enough, you are not the only person asking this question. In his latest book, “Local Online Advertising for Dummies,” Court Cunningham discusses 10 of the most common mistakes small businesses make when starting their online market. Most mistakes, it turns out, are not in the execution, but with the thinking or perceptions behind it. Luckily, Cunningham points out that many of these mistakes can be easily avoided or corrected. So if you are having trouble with your online market, make sure you aren’t falling victim to these common errors.

Read the full article

Social networks are becoming one of the fastest growing communities on the Internet and marketers are taking note. According to eMarketer, 57.5% of Internet users will use a social network at least once a month in 2010. With this many people interacting, it’s no wonder businesses are trying to reach out to social networks. But is it really worth their time? According to recent studies, the answer is yes.

Even though the majority of social network users spend their time engaging with friends and family, brand recognition and interaction is occurring. According to one article, 33% of Facebook users have become fans of brands on networks. And that’s not all. Another study showed that 51% of Twitter users had friended brands.

Still, social networks are not considered a major resource when it comes to people looking to purchase something. Search engines remain the primary source of information when it comes to consumers, but the numbers for social networks are growing. So for all marketers out there who think social networks are only good for interacting with friends, Debra Williamson, eMarketer senior analyst, believes “brand interactions are real, valuable and growing.”  Read the full article.

It’s no secret…We depend on voices of authority for guidance before buying practically anything, and today’s consumers have a wealth of information and choices available at their fingertips. To help buyers make the leap from curious browsers to loyal customers, here’s what they want to know:

• You represent a trusted brand
• You are a knowledgeable advisor and a go-to source of information
• You have your customers best interests at heart

Case Study:

Bell Rock Growers is the pet industry’s pioneer grower and supplier of green nutrition products. The company was the first to distribute live wheat grass to pet stores nationally. Along the way, they realized there was a serious information gap with pet owners.  Many considered wheat grass to be a fun novelty item, but didn’t fully understand the health benefits of including it in their pets’ diets.

To help educate retailers and customers and support sales, Bell Rock Growers worked with Parallel Interactive to develop and market an eBook on the benefits of wheat grass for pets. Key messages from the eBook on the power of green nutrition are also included in their website, ads, press releases, media interviews, trade show booth, store displays, product catalogs, and packaging.   To date, the eBook has received over eleven thousand downloads from Bell Rock Growers’ website, coverage in national trade and consumer magazines and is used as a selling tool with online dealers.

Bell Rock Growers’ marquee product, Live Pet Grass®, has become a leading cat SKU (stock-keeping unit) with major retailers.  They’ve since extended the Pet Greens® products to include a popular line of dog and cat treats and an earth-friendly therapeutic grooming line, all made with nutrient-rich wheat grass.

Want to learn more about the value of thought leadership? Check out the following articles: Why Thought Leadership is Your Most Valuable Asset and Do’s and Don’ts of Thought Leadership Building

In its simplest form, eCommerce, is where doing business meets the Internet. While individual companies and whole industries continue to move toward online eCommerce at their own pace, collectively the future dictates the Internet be integrated, institutionalized and accommodated. ATG, a trusted specialist in eCommerce, has created Optimizing the eCommerece Experience, to help you maximize your eCommerce efforts as you integrate your online and offline sales channels.

eMarketer recently reported that mobile application development will soar in 2010, while social media investment is predicted to taper off and remain near 2009 levels. Read More about other hot trends for 2010.

If you think websites do not have an undue influence on consumer purchasing patterns, you should read Research Shows Websites Influence 97% of Client Purchasing Decisions. This article reveals the extent the results of a recent poll in which almost 100% of consumers admitted being influenced by a company/product website when making buying decisions. The article makes the case that various applications of web technology are now considered essential elements of a fully integrated marketing communications program. Additionally, the article goes on to explain that a poorly designed website lacking clear, cohesive content and navigation can actually hinder business success. Finally, the article contains a link to an intriguing webinar that discusses the way in which outbound marketing efforts should be reduced for inbound ones (using the web and social media). In fact, the author reveals how cost effective such marketing efforts are – showing SEO, social media, and email campaigns to be much lower cost than more traditional forms of marketing – and to offer much higher returns.

According to “2010 Marketing Trends Survey” from StrongMail, next year looks like it will be a big year for eMarketing, with email and social media initiatives leading the way. Besides these hot new trends for 2010, businesses are focusing on improving their ability to measure and analyze the success of their online campaigns. Read More