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What is SEO & Why is it Important?

What is SEO & Why is it Important For Your Business

 Having an online presence is becoming increasingly more important for business owners in 2023. A variety of digital platforms allow you to create an identity for your business that potential customers can read about before they ever call or visit for the first time. So, how do you make sure those potential customers can find you online? This is where SEO comes into play. In this post, we’ll explain what SEO is, why it is important for business success, and how to get started with some best practices.

What is SEO?

SEO, or search engine optimization, is the process of improving your website so that it appears higher in a list of search results on Google or other search engines. Improving your visibility with SEO is done through small modifications to your website over time, which will increase its rank and attract more visitors without using paid ads.

Why is SEO Important?

When customers search online for a product or service that you offer, your business needs to be easy to discover. According to SEO Expert, 92% of searchers will pick businesses on the first page of local search results. This means that within your local community, your website’s search visibility could be the deciding factor between you and your competitors.

 In addition to ranking high in search results, many of the best practices involved in SEO will help make your website more user-friendly. From easy navigation to working links, descriptive titles, quality content and more, optimizing your site will help your potential customers have a more enjoyable experience as they do their research. According to Sweor, 88% of online consumers are less likely to return to a site after a bad experience. This means that your website could have a high impact on potential new customers, especially if it is their first impression of your brand.

4 SEO Best Practices

SEO may seem complicated, but it is easier to get started once you understand the basics. These best practices are a great place to start. If you have questions, or if you would like to dive further into SEO for your site, our team at Adams Digital Services would love to help.

 1.  Avoid duplicating content

As you create titles, descriptions, and other text on your website, each page should have unique content. Having the same or similar content across multiple pages is regarded as less valuable to users and will not show up in search results. One example would be if you use the same word-for-word description on more than one page or section of your site.

2.  Create high quality title tags

In addition to having unique title tags for each webpage, your titles should use your target keyword as early as possible in the name. The first few words and phrases in the tag carry more weight in Google search results. However, it is best to only use one keyword per title. Your titles should also be interesting and compelling, since your rank will increase as more people click your link. For example, if your keyword is “digital marketing” then your title tag for a blog post might be “The Best Digital Marketing Techniques in 2022.”

3.  Optimize your images

There are some easy ways to make your images more search-engine-friendly. First, choose an appropriate file type. In general, JPG files load faster, but for images that show text, a PNG might be better.

Second, name the image files with descriptive text about what is depicted in the image. For example, an image of a dog chasing a frisbee might be named “dog-chasing-frisbee.jpg” with each word separated by a hyphen.

Third, use alt text to describe your images even further. The alt text is meant to be descriptive enough for those who cannot see the image. For the image of the dog, the alt text could be “Large brown and white dog chases a blue frisbee at a dog park.”

4.  Build internal links

Throughout your site, you should add links that direct users to other relevant or helpful pages on your site. As you create brand new content, you can link to it within the pages containing older content. This will help increase your site traffic across multiple pages, which will boost your search rank.

Say you have a web page that lists your dog grooming services. You could add a clickable hyperlink to each phrase describing a service. For example, the phrase “teeth cleaning” could be linked to another page or blog post that goes more in-depth about cleaning your dog’s teeth.

Getting Started

To begin optimizing your website for search, you may need to do a little research. First, you should find out which keywords, or search terms, are most commonly used by your target audience to find solutions. Think about your various topics, and brainstorm what someone looking for that topic might type in the search bar. You can also create a free Google Ads account and use the Google Keywords Planner tool to discover new keywords. This will help you understand your audience’s thought process as you optimize your site.

If you need help getting started with these best practices and other SEO techniques, call Adams Digital Services. We specialize in growing your business through custom digital campaigns that boost your brand’s online presence. Whether you are a brand new business owner or you have been open for decades, it is important to stay on top of relevant marketing trends and techniques. Give us a call or contact us to schedule a consultation.

Fun Mini Quiz:

What are the two most important signals used by Google to rank your website for search?

Find out on our Facebook or Instagram page!

[Answer: High-quality content and link building]

 

New Web Chat Product Launch

New Web Chat Product Launch

 Adams Digital Services is excited to announce that we are now offering a web chat product for our clients! This product, Zyratalk, is a 24/7 automated web chat platform for your website. We know that your customers are your highest priority, which is why we are offering a product focused on improving their online experience with your business. Zyratalk is one of the best and newest platforms in the industry, and it is available to all of our new and existing clients with a consumer-facing website.

Benefits of Web Chat

According to CampaignMonitor.com, websites that add a live chat feature typically result in higher customer satisfaction and increased conversion rates, leading to a significant return on investment. Additionally, the automation factor of Zyratalk’s platform means that each potential customer on your website is receiving instant support without you lifting a finger.

As a growing number of people do their research and shopping online, it is important for your website to stand out from the rest. Web chat conversations are beneficial to your customers because they offer a more connected experience, higher engagement, and convenient, round-the-clock support. By offering such quick and easy assistance, you are communicating that you are responsive, available, and interested in your customers’ needs. These attributes will give you an edge over your competition and contribute to more customer acquisition.

How Does it Work?

When someone clicks on your website, the web chat will pop up in the corner of the screen with a greeting message, followed by response buttons that the user can click on. The response options are customizable so that you can offer the most relevant information for your customer base. For example, some options might be “Chat with us”, “Call now”, “Schedule an appointment”, “Leave a review”, or any other action item or link to information.

Next, depending on which option the user chose, they will either be taken to another page on your website, or they will begin a chat. Zyratalk allows the user to type the first message of the conversation, whether it be a question or a specific request. The chat detects keywords in their responses, and adapts the conversation accordingly.

Throughout the conversation, responses from your business will be completely automated until the conversation with the consumer is complete. The goal of each chat is to capture the consumer’s name and contact information. If this is done successfully, the chat is considered complete. Afterwards, the conversation thread will be sent to the appropriate person within your company, and you will have an opportunity to follow up with each potential lead and offer further assistance.

Customization

Zyratalk offers several customization options within the platform. The initial greeting message and response options can be customized to each page on your website. For example, if a consumer is exploring your financing page, the chat box will show a message about your financing options. This feature can even be used on your careers page to qualify potential candidates that may be interested in applying at your company. You can also customize each automated response that appears, according to keywords provided by the consumer during the conversation.

Additionally, you can choose which department receives the conversation thread after it is complete, depending on the subject discussed. For example, a conversation about your available staff positions would be sent to Human Resources, while a request for an appointment could be sent to your customer service team.

Our team at Adams Digital Services will take care of all the page-by-page customizations for your chat platform. We will also incorporate your branding into the chat box so that your colors and logo are facing the consumer throughout every interaction.

Why Zyratalk?

We are mostly excited about Zyratalk because the platform has seen excellent success rates so far. RS Andrews, an HVAC company in Atlanta who uses the platform, had over 1,300 web chats started in 2022, and 97% of those chats were completed. We believe that this platform offers huge potential for our clients to gain new leads and harness the power of online engagement. Plus, Zyratalk is adaptable for all types of users, as it works on both desktops and mobile devices.

How to Get Started

If you are interested in adding this new web chat feature to your website, it is easy to get started. Adams Digital Services will take care of installation, customization, upkeep, and monitoring on your platform. We are now offering this product on a month-to-month basis, which can be cancelled at anytime.

In order to achieve the highest success rate with Zyratalk, we suggest implementing an action plan for following up with these web chat leads. Experts claim that the most important factor in converting online leads is a timely follow-up call from the company. We’ll take care of the automation so that you can continue to provide your top-notch service.

Let us know if you would like more information about Zyratalk and its features and benefits. We are happy to discuss investment and overall value, and how this new product might impact your business going forward. Just give us a call or reach out on our website, www.adamsdigitalservices.com!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

50 Pros Listing

Adams Digital Services – November 10, 2022

‍Adams Digital Services gets recognized as a Top 50 Advertising, Digital Marketing, and Branding firm by 50Pros.com, an online listing used primarily by Fortune 1,000 companies to discover & hire top firms and agencies.

‍This is excellent news because it sets us apart from other advertising, digital marketing, and branding agencies in the Augusta, Georgia, area. We want to share our expertise with our clients to help them succeed and grow.

‍Augusta, GA – November 10, 2022 – 50Pros announced today that Adams Digital Services has been vetted and met its qualifications as a top 50 Advertising, Digital Marketing, and Branding firm within these directories. 50Pros uses an internal methodology & approach to determine if a firm is 1) competent in their field, 2) able to produce stellar results, 3) reliable & trustworthy, and 4) well-equipped for long-term potential. As an exclusive and higher-end directory platform serving Fortune 1,000 companies, 50Pros limits its listing to only 50 firms within 50 service categories.

‍This recognition signifies that the CSRA is being fortified as a hub/destination for Advertising, Digital Marketing, and Branding. Adams Digital Services is making a difference in our area for these categories.

‍Our CEO/Founder said, “This is an exciting adventure for our company to get into a larger space with our products and services. We believe many companies out there provide the same services, but we excel in our customer service and ability to make a difference for our clients.”

‍This distinction allows us to offer the same opportunities to the Fortune 1000 companies that we offer our smaller clients. It is a distinction we are proud of for our business, industry, and community.

Check out our “About Us” page to learn more about our team.

‍Our focus is on growing your business with the best customer service in the Advertising, Digital Marketing, and Branding industries. We appreciate our clients trusting us with their business! If you are looking for a new Advertising, Digital Marketing, and Branding agency, please reach out to Lisa Adams-Jennings at 803.467.9787 or via email at Lisa@adamsdigitalservices.com.

How to Start Your Social Media Presence

How to Start Your Social Media Presence

How to Start Your Social Media Presence

The many facets of social media can be intimidating, especially because of how quickly they change and evolve. For beginners, starting a social media presence for your business may feel like an impossible task. You may be wondering what platforms you should be on, how often to post, what type of content to publish, and more. After all, social media plays a huge role in your brand identity and how your customers view and interact with your business online.

 The key to being successful on social media is to view it as an ongoing process. Anyone can start a social media account, but it can be difficult to start growing your platform and gaining new followers that turn into new business. However, if you follow the five simple steps in this post, you can successfully start a social media presence that reaches your target audience and enhances your business.

  1. Create and optimize your accounts

First, set up your accounts on the platforms that align with your audience. Every business should start by claiming their free Google Business Profile. Then, create a business page on Facebook and a business account on Instagram. These two platforms are owned by the same parent company, Meta, which means you can easily connect the two profiles. If you have a younger target audience, you might consider using Tik Tok. To connect with other businesses and professionals, you may also want to join Twitter and LinkedIn.

Once you have created your accounts, work on optimizing them with accurate and relevant information such as your display name, username, phone number, website, and email address. Then, you should upload profile images that are easy to identify, such as your logo or brand colors. Lastly, type a short description about your business, also known as a bio, which should ideally be 1-2 lines or a few bullet points.

2.  Observe your competitors

Before you start posting content, take some time to research your competitors and how they use their social media platforms. Pick 2 or 3 of your top competitors and scroll through their profiles, making notes about what they post, how they interact with their audience, and how much engagement their content receives. Remember, your target audience will be the same or similar to theirs.

As you observe the competition, you will begin to see a pattern of what works and what doesn’t. Incorporate their best practices into your own social media plan while maintaining a unique brand identity.

3.  Make a plan

The best way to start growing your platform is to set specific, achievable goals and make a plan to work toward them. Your goals might be based on post impressions, engagement, new followers, or conversions. Think about the type of content that would help you reach each of your goals, and then write down some ideas for specific posts.

After you finish brainstorming, begin creating and organizing your content. Try to use consistent colors, fonts, and templates that help identify your brand. Use a mix of informational, promotional, fun, and engaging posts that appeal to your audience. Make sure to include captions, images, links, hashtags, and other elements. Next, determine how often you want to post your content. You can either use a scheduling software to publish your posts, or you can create a detailed content calendar and upload them manually.

4.  Get the word out

When you are ready to launch, make sure people know about it! The first step to gaining followers is to tell people you are on social media. You can do this by sharing your new business page on your own personal accounts and asking friends to do the same. You can also start following other business accounts and interacting with their content.

If you want to take it a step further, incorporate your social media channels into your paid advertising. Consider doing a giveaway contest where new followers can enter to win by sharing your page. Encourage your existing customers to write about their experience with your company or share their recent purchase on social media. As you grow your followers, keep them engaged by posting interesting content, special offers, and exciting updates that they will look forward to.

5.  Stick to a consistent schedule

As we mentioned, social media is an ongoing process. Platforms are constantly changing, trends are evolving, and it is easy for followers to become disengaged. The most important driver of success on social media is consistency. Never let too much time pass without posting content or interacting with your followers.

 As a rule of thumb, always create and plan your posts in advance so that you are not pressed for time in the midst of your busy schedule. Continue tracking the success of your content by setting new goals consistently. Pay attention to the timing of your posts as well, and try to schedule your most important content on the day and time that produces the best results.

Best Practices

Congratulations, you are officially on your way to having a successful social media presence for your business! Increasing your brand awareness in the digital realm is a great way to take your business to a new level. Just remember these best practices as you continue on your way to success.

First, be creative. Do not be afraid to think outside the box and try new ideas that make people pay attention. Second, always be professional. Even if you receive rude and hateful comments, choose the high road and represent your brand in a positive manner. Third, don’t hesitate to ask for help. If you feel overwhelmed, burned out, or just too busy, Adams Digital Services can help you build your social media presence from start to finish.

Our marketing professionals at ADS will create custom graphics that represent your unique brand and appeal to your target audience on a consistent basis. Just give us a call at (803) 467-9787 or visit our website.