One of the benefits of keyword research is, you can learn plenty about the phrases and words people actually use while searching online. In fact, your keyword assumption may be quite different. You may also believe that search engines no longer place importance on keywords. However, this is not the case. The reality is, keyword research is still vital for SEO. Here are some reasons why keyword research is still important:

Keywords You Choose May Be Wrong

One of the first steps in SEO is keyword research. If you decide to skip this step or get this wrong, you are setting yourself up for a letdown. Keyword research ensures the right keywords for your business are used.  A few examples of using the wrong keywords include:

1. Incorrect usage

2. Low search volume

If you choose keywords with no significance to your web content, visitors who click through search results are likely to leave your page. The bounce rate for your web page will increase, negatively impacting SEO.

Keywords with low search volume have almost no individuals searching for them. Web content related to these forms of keywords will likely not be seen. The reason being, nobody is searching for those types of keywords.

Keywords Provide Information about Your Webpage

After you’ve finished keyword research, you’ll start assigning the best keywords for each page of your site. Keep in mind, you must ensure the keywords are relevant to your webpage. You’ll also want to ensure that the chosen keywords are used properly.

Keywords help to communicate with search engines making them a necessity for SEO. However, for your webpage to tell a story to various search engines, there must be a foundation that you’ll do with keyword research.

Keyword Clustering Requires Keyword Research

Keyword clustering helps with optimizing a single webpage for several keywords. It also helps to improve ranking. Still, keyword research is needed before you can begin clustering.

Keyword Research is Still Vital for SEO

Keyword research is still vital for both your search engine rankings and SEO. If you don’t do keyword research, the chances of choosing the wrong words are increased. This results in little to no traffic to your webpage. However, with keyword research, you can start to drive more traffic to your site, engage more individuals, secure conversion as well as revenue.

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Grow Brand Awareness

Through your content, more awareness and leads for your business is generated. You are able to demonstrate your skill and expertise over and over with your content.

Content Marketing Builds Consumer Trust

The more content you create for your business to share with your target audience, the more obvious it becomes that you’re an expert in your desired industry. To help people resolve problems, they trust and hire experts.

Improves SEO Efforts and Expands Your Reach

Your reach is naturally expanding with content. Relevant blog content published on your site or guest sites attract consumers who have an interest in the services and/or products your business offers.

Moreover, your site search engine ranking can also significantly improve when content is published regularly. The reasoning for this is when your content and website are linked to the to them on the internet, these search engines are informed that your site offers value.

Cost-Effective Way to Gain New Leads

Here is another reason why content marketing is important, all the new leads your business has gained through the content. A small business that requires consistent traffic to their website to expand their brand and increase sales will find how vital lead generation is to them. In addition to the content being excellent for lead generation, it is also highly affordable.

Helps Influence Conversions

Conversion statistics provide an excellent look at why content marketing is important. The following are only a few of these stats that show the importance of this marketing tool in regard to enhancing website conversions:

• According to the Content Marketing Institute, 61 percent of online consumers in the United States, decided to make a purchase after reading a recommendation on a website blog.
• ABG Essentials states this marketing tool provides 6 times higher conversion rates than other online marketing tools.
• As reported from HubSpot, partly because of their content marketing efforts, inbound marketers have the ability to double the average website conversion rates – from 6 percent to 12 percent.
• From CrazyEgg – Video content provides an excellent return on investment (ROI) and considerably increases conversions.

Consumers Want Great Content

The fact is that consumers want great content.

• Internet users spent 20 percent of their time on content.
• 68 percent of individuals devote time to read about brands that they’re interested in.
• At least once a month 57 percent read content marketing titles.
• 80 percent of individuals value learning about a company through online custom content.

Content marketing grabs the attention of the consumer which in turn builds your business in today’s digital age. This is the reason why content marketing is important to your business. By investing now in correct content marketing, you and your business will be rewarded for years to come.

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I made a video (link below) that outlines some of the sections that you should definitely make sure to have on your marketing plan. I also am giving away a FREE copy of a marketing plan template that I use.

You don’t have to use all of it, but it will give you a good idea of what you should have laid out for your business to have a successful marketing campaign. This will also help you stay on track better since you can see the goals and really break them down.

Sections of the Marketing Plan 

You need to make sure that your marketing plan has all of the specific sections that will lay everything out for you.

• Who are you? What is your business? Why is this valuable to the customer or client?
• Who is your audience or target audience? – what person would use your service or product and why?
• Who is your competition? Why are you better to use than them?
• What kind of marketing do you want to do or think is the most effective when thinking about your target audience?
• Overall goals – main goal and then broken up into different goals

Remember to keep track of everything – you want to know how many followers you start with, how many jobs you get or things you sell to make sure you’re moving up and not down. If you are moving up, keep up the good work! If down, re-evaluate your marketing and do something else that works.

Tips for a Marketing Plan

These tips can help you create the best marketing plan and also make sure that you have actionable, attainable goals that you are able to reach when considering your marketing efforts.

• Use the SMART method (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-Based)
• Set up a strategy to reach the marketing goal you set up whether you are going to send out 10 letters a day or 20 emails to get 2 new clients, do it!
• Assess your resources. Are you using qualified people to help? Do you have a budget to do something bigger? Something better?
• Always establish time frames and stick with them. Know what you want to accomplish and when.
• Remember! Try everything! You never know what might work and what might not!

When putting together a marketing plan, create goals that are easily attainable and something that can help you grow. Even if your business is growing slowly, it is still growing! Of course, if you need help, make sure to contact me today and I’d be more than happy to help with marketing plans and making them actionable!

If you missed out on the video where I talked about what the marketing plan was and what it does, check it out here on Facebook!

Make sure to CLICK HERE for your FREE Marketing Plan Template!

The post Creating a Marketing Plan: Tips for Small Businesses & FREE Plan! appeared first on Web Design & Marketing Services.

With a group behind you, you know you’re spreading the right message. Do something great and do something you wouldn’t normally do that is going to make a positive impact on someone else.

Outlaw Clothing Brands Promotes a Happier, Friendlier World

The brand itself is a way of life, a way to change how the world views each other. It is a way for someone to actually show that they are ready to make a change and be a part of something bigger.

I wanted to add in some of his own comments so that you could get a feel for the owner of the company and know more about what they stand for and what types of changes they are looking to make, as this can be a big part of why you choose to use their brand over others.

Max Outlaw –

“Outlaw Clothing Brands promotes a lifestyle in which small changes made every day help us work toward a better life and a better world. Selfless acts, intentional kindness and going against the grain aren’t the societal norm. BE THE CHANGE | BE AN OUTLAW. I’ve been told that I was meant for more in this world. And one thing that I’ve always done is help the ones around me. The end of the day I believe everyone is capable of being the right needed in the world. The change. And because it isn’t the majority rules that’s what makes you an Outlaw.”

“The biggest reason for individuals to look more into our brand is that we give to the causes that help create a better world. One recently is the convoy of hope. Another we are reaching to is the boys and girls club. I’ve always known my heart was different. I’ve always wanted to use myself and personality to bridge everyone together.”

“This brand is a start of multiple ventures. So through this business and brand, I will create new jobs and inspire others. As well as I’m certain this is needed, I’m excited to call out greatness amongst everyone. My biggest success thus far is knowing the culture of change is needed. My brand is the answer to familiarize everyone it’s ok.”

I’ve spoken about them in my video, so if you want to take a look and see all that they stand for and learn a bit more about the company and what they do, then check them out. Of course, you can go straight to the source and check out Outlaw Clothing Brands website for yourself and make a difference and be the change, be an Outlaw.

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