Developing new business opportunities in today’s economic conditions

[TopFloorTech]

It’s no secret, the current economy has tightened the spending accounts and forced manufacturing to become more efficient in its processes. As a result, operations are forced to be certain they’re getting the best value in the products and services they contract out. This makes the due diligence process a more critical step than ever before moving forward with a new project. Therefore, your clients are searching out your competitors, to make sure they’re getting the best deal……… This is great news!

You may ask, “How’s this great news?” This means that your potential clients (your competitor’s current clients) are ACTIVELY searching for your products and services to compare. Which means, future business OPPORTUNITY! Now, you just need to be found where these prospects are looking…….THE INTERNET!

You may be saying “I already have a website.” Great! However, is it:
• Visually appealing?
• Descriptive of your products and services?
• Compelling and engaging enough for the visitor to stay?
• Have a STRONG Call For Action?
• Visible to the major search engines (Google, Yahoo, Bing)?

Just having a brochure/business card type of website is no longer enough! On the other hand, you could have the greatest looking website on the planet, but if your visitors aren’t engaged enough to take an action (contact you, request a quote, download a form, supply their contact info, etc) then it’s all for nothing. Furthermore, if these prospective clients cannot even find you on the major search engines, using Keywords that describe your business (not your business name), then you’re completely sunk.

Approximately 70% of B2B companies use Google as their search engine of choice. When searching relevant keywords, approximately 87% of searchers will not go past PAGE 1 of Google results, and 93% will not go past PAGE 3! Google returns (10) relevant organic results per page, in order of assumed relevance. What does this tell you…..YOU NEED TO BE ON PAGE 1 OF GOOGLE! For example, if your website is ranked #54 out of 2,540,700 possible results for the keyword ALUMINUM CASTING MANUFACTURER, you might as well be ranked #2,540,699! This is because very few will go that deep (PAGE 6) into the search engine results, before starting a new search with a new set of keywords, hoping for more relevant results.

Implementing a strategic Search Engine Optimization (SEO) campaign to your website will help you be found easier on the search engines. You can also place Sponsored Advertising on PAGE 1 of Google using Pay Per Click (PPC) marketing. However, once again, your website needs to be able to compel these visitors into taking an action and convert them into sales leads.

Putting together a well planned Internet marketing strategy is essential when attempting to position your business in front of new clients. Take advantage of these challenging times and the opportunity that presents. Remember, they’re out there looking for you……...so make yourself be found, and let your 24 hour salesman (your website) convert them into a lead!

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reply to this post or send me a message. I welcome any and all discussion in regards to Internet marketing and business development.

By - Ed Alf | Internet Marketing Sales Consultant for Top Floor Technologies – The leader in B2B Industrial/Manufacturing Web Development & Internet Marketing.

Email Ed for a FREE Website and Internet Marketing Analysis.