tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:09:41 +0000FREE Expert Online Marketing Advice To Help You Get Better Results From Your Website and Sell More of Your Products and Serviceshttp://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/chrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)Blogger193125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-2923532404902943592Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:47:00 +00002009-02-02T16:36:39.166-05:00 Wedding Biz (this blog) has a new look, a new address, and a new direction in 2009. You'll find it at Marketing To Brides Online (.com). You'll still find posts here from time to time, and if you attended one of my recent Internet marketing teleclinics, related to search engine optimization, you'll know why I'll continute to post here from time to time.But if you're looking for my most recent http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/eFi8GFjROww/marketing-to-brides-online.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2009/01/marketing-to-brides-online.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-7129302388528791910Sun, 04 Jan 2009 11:00:00 +00002009-01-30T09:37:55.069-05:00googlecheap hostingCheap hosting is no place for your website. Let's face it, you're trying to do business on the Internet. The last place you want to try and cut corners is with your hosting. If your website is unavailable, if your web pages load slowly, if your website is hacked and someone installs a nasty little virus that brides get on their computer when they visit your website... (oh yes, it happens and http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/2Jl-1P19hQg/cheap-hosting-you-get-what-you-pay-for.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2009/01/cheap-hosting-you-get-what-you-pay-for.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-7020138805096198022Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:51:00 +00002008-12-31T13:51:01.218-05:00marketing to bridesPoor NavigationWhen a bride can't clearly figure out how to get from one page to another at your web site she'll usually just use the one thing she can count on every time - her BACK button - and leave. Navigation links should allow moving from your home page to any other page on your web site within two clicks. The most usable navigation (i.e. bride friendly) uses both TEXT links (underlined http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/msgr7HwMFO0/10-reasons-bride-will-leave-your.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/12/10-reasons-bride-will-leave-your.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-2982970934806918759Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:49:00 +00002008-12-21T13:49:01.101-05:00Ten Reasons A Bride Will Leave Your WebsiteIt's hard enough to get good traffic to your website. The last thing you want to do is lose a bride once she's there. If you're buying online advertising (which is smart!) you'll want to maximize your investment and make sure you don't give a bride any of these reasons to leave your website before making an inquiry.SlownessMost brides will leave a web http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/BexgwPfFATQ/marketing-to-brides-in-2009-ten-reasons.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/12/marketing-to-brides-in-2009-ten-reasons.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-3118305236533992209Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:45:00 +00002008-12-19T06:45:01.156-05:00google ppcppcadwordsgooglepay-per-clickI really like Google Adwords as a source of high-quality traffic. It's not perfect, but then no source of traffic on the Internet is.Think about it for a minute. A bride goes to Google, types in a search, a keyword search of three to four words (most likely), and then sees your ad.If you bid high enough you show up at the top before the organic search engine results. If you're not a top three bidhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/CJhTt-GHHi4/google-adwords-minimum-bid-to-show-up.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/12/google-adwords-minimum-bid-to-show-up.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-929195443177273525Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:06:00 +00002008-12-18T11:09:30.054-05:00click fraudadwordsgoogleHere's a great video that talks about click fraud at Google Adwords. If you're concerned about click fraud on your campaign this video discusses what Google is doing about it.Personally, I'm pretty comfortable Google is doing the right thing and keeping tabs on this. Adwords is their "golden goose" and I'm sure they want to carefully protect it.http://videos.webpronews.com/2008/12/16/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/3oV8G1vfczM/google-explains-click-fraud.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/12/google-explains-click-fraud.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-7465010910531889834Mon, 15 Dec 2008 18:39:00 +00002008-12-15T13:39:00.798-05:00marketing to brides#25 - It Will Be Hard To Get Top Ranked At Google Without Backward LinksAlso called inbound links, backward links are links pointing to your website from other websites.For the past 18 months backward links have played a critical role in moving up in position at Google.Inbound links to your website, not in the form of link exchanges, are an indication to Google that other people like your websitehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/-3HCoxRZ2SA/25-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/12/25-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-5783872545293866958Sat, 06 Dec 2008 18:37:00 +00002008-12-06T13:37:01.326-05:00search engine optimizationinternet marketing to brides#24 - Don't Confuse Search Engine Optimization With Search Engine Marketing - You Need To Do BothSearch engine optimization is different from search engine marketing.Optimization is the process of planning and modifying your website programming and page content to achieve organic or "free" top positions in the search engines on a search engine results page (SERP).Search engine marketing is using http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/_qq2Hp2i54w/24-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/12/24-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-5636718483432262166Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:35:00 +00002008-12-01T13:35:01.260-05:00search engine optimizationSEOinternet marketing to brides#23 - Search Engine Optimization Involves A Lot More Than Just Adjusting A Few Page Title Tags And Meta-TagsI wish more webmasters would talk about all of the different variables related to search engine optimization, including: meta-tags, keywords in your page copy, content placement, content length (number of words per page), streamlined programming and coding, inbound links, outbound linking, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/cBcVw68DpV4/23-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/12/23-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-5869274619780846278Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:33:00 +00002008-11-25T13:33:01.058-05:00marketing to brides#25 - The Most Important Variable In An Over-All Search Engine Optimization Strategy Is Your Page Title TagI think most webmasters understand the importance of page title tags but what I don't think they understand is how carefully they have to be created.If the words brides are searching for when using Google, Yahoo!, or MSN, are not in your page title tag, it is very unlikely that you are goinghttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/RHswJDEQt7w/22-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/11/22-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-1976240693329206316Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:32:00 +00002008-11-20T13:32:02.547-05:00marketing to brides#21 - Getting Top Ranked At Yahoo! or MSN Doesn't Guarantee A Top Ranked Position At GoogleGetting ranked well at Google right now has a lot to do with the number of links pointing to your website.That said, the quality of those sites pointing to you is more important than the quantity.Yahoo! seems to really be focused on keywords and relevancy - in other words, does your website have the most http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/icSjo3Hhlq4/21-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/11/21-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-2604913624595203406Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:31:00 +00002008-11-19T11:32:45.811-05:00podcastsTesting audio link from tele-clinic/webinar...http://podcast.thebasementventures.com/telcorecordings/recording.rss?fileid=MN2124_11_11_2008_1070627&bridge=999834&email=http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/Al09rGo_RCA/testing-audio-link.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/11/testing-audio-link.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-7827277232260314604Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:31:00 +00002008-11-14T13:31:00.384-05:00#20 - Search Engine Optimization Takes A Lot Of TimeI wish more webmasters would discuss this with their clients.The simple fact is that search engine optimization requires knowledge, expertise, and time.Even with experience, it takes expertise and time to break a client into the top ten for any competitive keyword/keyword phrase position.If you do everything right, it can take months, even a http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/mirM47l_kwA/20-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/11/20-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-5893712152459800840Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:28:00 +00002008-11-12T13:28:01.438-05:00marketing to brides#19 - If You're New To Pay-Per-Click, Start With Google Adwords FirstIf you're new to the search engine marketing playing field I recommend you start with the Google Adwords "Standard" edition (avoid the "Starter" edition) because it is the fastest way to test and fine-tune your pay-per-click program - it generates more traffic than Yahoo! or MSN and I believe in the wedding industry the quality http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/7eFnSFWhDYM/19-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/11/19-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-1995059298534772040Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:25:00 +00002008-11-08T13:25:00.406-05:00marketing to brides#18 - Pay-Per-Click Advertising Is SmartPay-per-click advertising, also referred to as search engine marketing, works and if it's not working for you there is something wrong with your website or your pay-per-click campaign set-up.Driving targeted traffic to a website that converts visitors into inquiries - and then sales - is another no-brainer. Google offers Adwords, Yahoo! offers Yahoo Search http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/GiLYcgqLQl0/18-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/11/18-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-6597491259275520824Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:51:00 +00002008-11-06T08:55:06.969-05:00Orlando Wedding Ministers... brides are looking for you! Now is a great time to get into Wedding Planning Links. We can get you visibility at 4 different wedding planning websites - for one low price! We are top ranked for "Orlando Wedding Ministers" at Google (11/06/08). Call me today.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/HcJ1Lf0ZXsE/orlando-wedding-ministers.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/11/orlando-wedding-ministers.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-3062861854388776387Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:24:00 +00002008-11-03T13:24:01.432-05:00marketing to brides#17 - Online Advertising Is SmartOnline advertising is a requirement in today's competitive chase for the online bride and groom.The days of a "free ride" and free traffic are over and free link exchanges are mostly useless for driving quality traffic these days.Once you have a good website, one with a track record of converting bride/groom visitor sessions into inquiries, phone calls, and sales,http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/ftmTyrqs4T8/17-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/11/17-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-4322855285926916224Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:21:00 +00002008-10-28T13:21:00.687-04:00marketing to brides#16 - Website Analytics: Review Keywords RegularlyIn your website statistics you should also find "referring keywords," or the words people used to find your website through a search engine.If the keywords you are targeting with your page copy and in your search engine optimization strategy are not showing up in your keyword referrals, there is something wrong with your keyword strategy, search http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/VBwEgMO5TDo/16-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/10/16-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-1801990974300353145Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:18:00 +00002008-10-21T13:18:00.148-04:00#15 - Website Analytics: Make Sure You Identify ReferrersThere are many things to look at when reviewing your website statistics but one of the most important things to review is referrers.Referrers show you which other websites are sending you traffic and how much are they sending. This is particularly important if you're advertising online as it will confirm that you are getting traffic from http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/yiw0JO6WP7s/15-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/10/15-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-7045180643579311073Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:16:00 +00002008-10-16T13:16:00.650-04:00#14 - Average Time On Site Is A Useless MeasurementWhen your website statistics, these days being referred to as "analytics," refer to the average time spent per visit on your website, don't put too much emphasis on it.There are too many variables involved for that number to mean much, in most cases.Some search engine spiders act as a real person and impact that number. Some brides will load yourhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/Gkc7XSbqzd4/14-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/10/14-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-8213511067698217140Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:13:00 +00002008-10-11T13:13:00.394-04:00#13 - Half Of Your Traffic Is No GoodRoughly half of your visitor session traffic is absolutely no good.It is not qualified traffic and probably isn't even a bride or groom.It could be a competitor, possibly a search engine reviewing the pages at your website, or some other unqualified visitor.I tell my clients to take their total visitor session count and divide it by half. That will give you a http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/lqiJLcVCFhs/13-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/10/13-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-267965081738485658Sun, 05 Oct 2008 17:07:00 +00002008-10-05T13:07:00.523-04:00#12 - Hits Are Not Individual Brides And GroomsThe next time your webmaster says "hits" when talking about traffic at your website, fire him.Why? Because either they don't know what they are talking about or they are intentionally misleading you."Hits" are not real people. "Hits" are not real brides and grooms. Real people (i.e., brides and grooms) create "Visitor Sessions."When a bride visits a http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/tKuTXZfmFVw/12-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/10/12-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-607106726472804662Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:05:00 +00002008-09-29T13:05:00.700-04:00#11 - Online Inquiry Forms Work Better Than Email LinksOnline inquiry forms will help you get better leads from your website because you'll get better information, you'll get more information, and it will be easier to qualify your prospective new client and give them the information they're looking for.If you've done a good job telling a bride what you'll do for her, why you are a better choice http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/G5019OM0aT4/11-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/09/11-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-5167388234534420722Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:04:00 +00002008-09-24T13:04:00.688-04:00#10 - Follow-Up On All Inquiries By Phone.A personal follow-up on all of your inquiries by phone will get better results and turn more of your website inquiries into sales.Email follow-up is almost useless these days and if you use email as your primarily follow-up with the brides who have made inquiries through your website you're probably losing significant sales to competitors who use the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/3XvK-UNIQZA/10-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/09/10-25-things-your-webmaster-will-not.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8609345.post-1518584625625280690Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:11:00 +00002008-09-19T15:52:14.086-04:00trial offersscamsmisleadingWord Butler ... hmm Just a quick note to let you know if you stumble upon this site http://www.wordbutler.com/ or click on one of their Google Adwords ads... watch out of the "Free Test Drive" offer. All I got was an email and BIG PITCH - no "free test drive."No trial... just sales pitch (on landing page and via email).Seems if you buy the offer is risk free, you can get your money back, but my http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChrisJaegersMarketingToBridesBlog/~3/jXZO4pnVlzw/wordbutler-offer-too-slippery.htmlchrisjaeger@gmail.com (Chris Jaeger)0http://weddingbiz.blogspot.com/2008/09/wordbutler-offer-too-slippery.html