How do I measure marketing ROI?

Friday, 17 May, 2013 17:06

The goal of any business, regardless of the industry, is to return a profit.  If you’re investing your company’s money into marketing services such as digital advertising, press releases, and website design, you want to be sure that you’re at least making back the costs you’ve fronted.  To aid business owners in measuring marketing ROI, McCauley Services’ marketing coordinators offer the following tips:how to measure ROI

Track the source of your leads:  Maybe it was the compelling content of your latest e-newsletter writing or the attention grabbing graphic design of your current billboard; don’t be afraid to ask prospective customers where they heard about you.  You can do this through internal inter-office notes or you can make it part of your website contact form design, just make sure you’re listening to what your customers are saying about how they found you.

Do your market research:  Thinking about advertising in a new platform?  Don’t be afraid to ask your media representatives for references to see how similar campaigns have fared. While varying factors like industry and content will affect marketing ROI, media reference checks can still be helpful in identifying any major red flags before buying-in or signing any long term contracts.

Use your info wisely:  One thing many companies are guilty of is not using the information they glean from marketing research to change their practices.  By digesting the information you collect from your research and customer surveys, you can change your marketing strategy with more purpose and further increase the likelihood of a higher marketing ROI.

For more marketing tips or to consult one of McCauley Services’ Account Coordinators, contact their office.  You can also connect with McCauley Services on Facebook, Twitter, and Google + for the latest marketing news.

Google Now Introduced for Apple Products: Changes Search Engine Marketing

Thursday, 09 May, 2013 09:46

Last week, Google launched Google Now for iPhone and iPad.  The new mobile search engine automatically feeds search engine results pages (SERPs) to mobile users based on their location and search history of “suggested places” without having to search a specific query.  While Google Now isn’t new, it was first released as part of last year’s Android Jelly Bean update, what is new is the expanded audience with access to the product.google

What does the Google Now launch for Apple products mean for mobile marketing?  Google Now makes digital reputation management and the role of local-focused search engine optimization all the more important.  We’ve written before about the importance of digital reputation management and knowing what customers are saying about your business as a healthy component of customer relationship management (CRM), but now it’s even more important as those online business listings are being cast in front of not only those who search you, but also those consumers using Google Now who are simply around your business’s location.

While not every mobile device offers Google Now, according to the article published in WebProNews, last week there is talk of Google Chrome adopting the model which would exponentially increase the search engine’s visibility.  Just as they did last year with the launch of Google’s Panda algorithm and the effects it had on content marketing, the McCauley Marketing Services’ web development team will keep you updated on the latest search engine optimization news as it comes available.

To learn more about the SEO services from McCauley Marketing services, visit our website or contact our office.  You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google + for the latest marketing and advertising news.

Visually Appealing: Do I really need photos on my blog?

Friday, 19 April, 2013 17:41

The question about blog photos is one the web developers at McCauley Marketing hear often.  Even our Atlanta copy writers, admitted word smiths, are inclined to acknowledge that photos can make all the difference between clicking to read a story or not.  Despite the most witty headline and industry-specific SEM, a visual draw is important for most blog posts, especially for those that are feeding to social media platforms and must attract attention amid the noise of seemingly endless status updates.advertising mccauley services

It’s as simple as thinking back to grade school and visiting the library.  Which books did you pick up:  those with attractive covers and compelling illustrations or those with the thickest spines and smallest print?  A quick marketing tip if you’re just beginning to add photos to your blog posts is to keep it relevant.  If you’re posting a blog on website design tips and then add a picture of say a pirate or spaceship, chances are you’re just going to garner a higher bounce rate from viewers who click through and then click off of your site.  Blog photos don’t have to be professionally shot either. Sometimes a candid snapshot relating to your subject is best, as it conveys a human connection between the reader and writer.  It is important, however, to remain in compliance with copyright considerations and only share photos for which you have explicit permission and credit the source accordingly.

Visual appeal online is not a new premise. As we’ve covered before when discussing maintaining your online reputation, make sure that the photos you post on your company’s website or those affiliated with your blog and social media positively reflect your branding.  For more business blogging assistance, contact McCauley Marketing Services.  You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn for additional advertising and marketing news.

SEO Myths and Truths: Part 1

Monday, 08 April, 2013 08:59

SEO Marketing Company Atlanta GAJust like you wanted to be voted most popular or best dressed in high school, everyone wants their business to be on the first page of search engine results (SERPs).  The fact of the matter is, that just isn’t always possible, but that’s not a bad thing.  Each well run business has its strengths, so it’s about honing in on those existing positives and identifying and acting on those areas that need improvement.

As a full-service marketing company in Atlanta, we often hear client after client ask us if we can promise to get them on the first page of Google.  Yes, with a thoughtful marketing strategy and diligent SEM, this is possible for some key terms; however, any company who makes you absolute guarantee about first page placement may be utilizing black hat SEO techniques.  To help dispel some of the other common SEO myths, the web developers at McCauley Marketing Services have devised a list of frequent SEO myths and the truths related to them:

MYTH:  We don’t need to bother with SEO, our customers come from existing relationships.

FACT:  No matter what your industry is, you should have at least an SEO foundation on your website.  Even if your customer base comes predominantly from word-of-mouth or continued patronage, there are always going to be parties trying to learn more about you online.  You need to present information that will portray you in a positive, relevant light online when your customers are comparing you to your industry competitors.

MYTH:  SEO is a one-time deal.

FACT:  All top tier search engines are businesses seeking to provide the most updated and applicable content to searchers as possible. Therefore, they have to constantly update the search engine algorithms they use to sift through the ever-changing information on each subject available on the web.  Yes, having a site with quality website copy and engaging user experience design is a great start, but the way in which it’s presented needs to be maintained so that it is still deemed valuable by the search engines and their changing rules.

MYTHS:  Keywords are all that matter for SEO.

FACT:  This statement is like saying the Miss America contestants who provide a good interview response will automatically win the crown.  Comprehensive keywords are part of the recipe for SEO; however, you must also consider factors like content accessibility, relevance, website design, interlinking, and others that contribute to the quality of your website.

For more information on SEO best practices and the SEM services available at McCauley Marketing Services, visit our website.  You can also join the conversation by connecting with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google +.

Maximizing User Experience in Website Design

Monday, 01 April, 2013 12:20

If you’re in the advertising industry or if you’re a consumer, website user experience affects you online each and every day.  The way in which the websites you visit are organized has a profound effect on how you view the company or product being promoted as well as the way in which you use their services.How to Build a Successful Website

If you’re working in the industry, then you’ve no doubt noticed the influx of job listings and employers seeking experts in the field of UX design (user experience). That’s because, although web designers don’t always like to admit it, function trumps form when it comes to website design.  Successful UX experts can blend the two seamlessly to deliver a website that consumers find aesthetically pleasing as well as informative.

If you’re unsure of how your website’s user experience stacks up against the competition, start with this simple evaluation:  visit your website’s homepage and see if you can answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions about your brand and its services.  Can you easily navigate to different areas on the site with details about each of these questions?  If not, your site may be in need of revision.

When revising your website, whether on your own or through a professional web developer, remember to keep the content as concise as possible.  No matter what your industry, being verbose does not serve you well and typically only succeeds in increasing your website’s bounce rate as users navigate to other sites that provide the requested information more easily.

It’s also important to display your company’s value proposition on every page.  Make sure consumers understand the benefits your products and services offer and give them a reason to call you.  On a final note, make sure it’s easy for users to contact you.  Prominently displaying your contact information and basic branded material on every page will further help re-enforce your unique benefits to consumers.

To learn more about the website design and SEM services available through McCauley Marketing Services, visit our website and continue to read our blog.   You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest for the latest marketing news.

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All data provided on mccauleyservices.com and mccauleyadvertising.com is for educational purposes only and should not be misconstrued as business advice. McCauley Marketing Services makes no representations as to accuracy, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Market research and marketing plans and only be compiled with a thorough business analysis and careful observation of each business. It is highly recommended that you seek the professional guidance of an advertising professional before implementing any of the described avenues.