Why Isn’t My Website Working? Here are 3 Reasons & Fixes!

Posted on November 28, 2017July 28, 2021 by admin

To be clear, let’s define “working.” The object of your website is to be your online home. There are a variety of ways prospective customers can make their way to your website. However, once they get there, the object is to keep them there long enough to become intrigued, interested and ready to take action. The “action” you want, of course, is a purchase.

OK, back to the initial question. Why isn’t your website working for you? If customers are making their way to your homepage, or any other page on the site, then your SEO is working. Whether it’s paid SEO such as Facebook advertising or organic SEO such as onsite optimization techniques, the customers are lining up.

But, then, they aren’t buying. They may not even be hanging out long enough to browse. Here are 3 reasons why your website isn’t delivering the success it could.

1. Wrong Focus. Your customers are searching for solutions to their perceived problems. For some, a problem could be serious such as needing to find an oncologist. Others may be simply searching for a gift for a loved one. Many are searching for whatever it is you sell.

However, some companies make the mistake of focusing their websites on solutions without much care for the customer’s challenge. People like to talk and read about themselves. If your website doesn’t feel welcoming, people won’t stay — and they most certainly will not buy. Instead, they’ll “bounce.”

The FIX: The solution for wrong focus is a content refresh. Consider repurposing your content so that it “speaks” to your prospect. Enough about you, more about them. When they feel like they are in the right place, they’ll stay long enough to learn more about your solutions.

2. Brand Confusion. Does the site imagery match your brand? All websites should convey a sense of pride in the brand. If your website is giving off a contrary image, you’re dead in the water.

For example, a restaurant website that features photos of a poorly lit dining room, badly plated food or worse is sending a clear message: you don’t want to eat here.

Alternatively, beautiful photos and decadent food descriptions convey a message of elegance. If your customers enjoy your website, imagine how much they will enjoy the restaurant experience?

The FIX: View your website through fresh eyes. Invest in better graphics. Make sure your site is both inviting and representative of the message you want customers to receive. If your brand is elegant, use images and colours that represent your high-class company. If your business is fun and funky, your web design should be, as well.

3. Lack of Call to Action. This is a biggie. Even if your web copy is top-notch, your SEO is on point and your photos are exciting and engaging, failure to provide appropriate calls to action leave customers high and dry.

The FIX: The problem is big, but the fix is simple. Add “learn more,” “read more” and even “contact us now” buttons throughout the site. Weave these calls to action into the content, as well. Don’t overdo it, but make sure there are multiple shots on goal so your customers can do what you want them to do: buy.

Have you ever thought to yourself, “Hey, I need to focus on my work, not my website?” You’re in luck. At Harmonia Media, “our work” is your website!

Contact us today for a free consultation about taking your digital marketing strategy to the next level.

3 Ways to Attract Eyeballs with Great Social Media Content

Posted on November 9, 2017July 28, 2021 by admin

As with everything else, when it comes to content marketing — especially for social media — there are many ways to get the job done. However, there are some tried and true best practices (yikes, next I’ll be saying “paradigm shift” and “think outside of the box!”) to make sure you are connecting with your intended audience, driving traffic and, hopefully, exceeding business objectives.

Know Your Audience.

Let’s start in the most obvious place. WHO are you trying to communicate with on your social media platforms? If you take the time upfront to get an understanding of who needs what you are selling, you can write with the tone, attitude and authority appropriate for the conversation. Don’t make the mistake that everyone is a potential customer. Digital marketing is most productive when it’s targeted, strategic and focused.

K.I.S.S.

The old acronym K.I.S.S. (Keep it Simple Sweetheart!) most definitely applies to social media strategy. First of all, you have a limited character count. Second, statistics reveal that you have 15 seconds to capture someone’s attention on a blog post. It stands to reason that you have far less time to hold a pair of eyeballs when it comes to social media. To make people click, be creative, direct and uncomplicated. Whatever you need to say, simplify it and direct them to a landing page on your website that continues the conversation.

Call to Action

Would you be surprised to learn that companies spend countless hours and dollars creating social media content that goes nowhere fast? It’s true. That’s because the posts fail to actually instruct the viewer in any meaningful way. Call to action matters throughout your digital marketing strategy. But it’s especially important when you have only 140 characters to get the job done.

One more thing, as a bonus tip: consider doing what you do best and allow Harmonia Media, digital marketing experts, to manage your social media and more. Give us a call and we’ll tell you why the buck stops here.

Conventional Content? No One’s Got Time for That

Posted on November 2, 2017July 28, 2021 by admin

OK, maybe that seems a bit harsh. If you have a website, you need content. And, if you are like the vast majority of companies with websites, you have way too much (or far too little) content. Moreover, let’s face it, it’s not great.To succeed on the web, your content needs to be GREAT. Better than the competition. Sparkling. Fill in your choice of superlatives here ________________.

However, even the best content ever needs to be consumable. And, by that, I mean scannable. Forget everything you learned in school. Well, not everything…nouns and verbs are useful. But there is no need for long, involved paragraphs. No one’s got time for that.

Not All Content is Created Equal; Make it Scannable — or Don’t Bother

Fall in love with bullet points
Use short sentences and paragraphs
Don’t be afraid to use bold, but be judicious
Add links for credibility! Like this one.
Add headings to break up the dull grey text.
While you’re at it, all images to keep the conversation lively.

One last note…

This is less about scannability and more about readability. Make your content interesting. Make it FUN! Whether you are writing it or are hiring a copywriter, run it through your own BS meter; give it a good read through. Would you read this copy if you found it online? Does it help or hinder someone’s interest in connecting with you?

Simply put, if they are not reading it (at least some of it that catch their eye) what is the possible point of having words on the page at all?

OK… you can stop worrying about your content now. We got this. Contact Harmonia Media today for a free consultation about your content and your entire digital marketing program.

Kick Writer’s Block to the Curb with these Social Media Content Tips

Posted on October 26, 2017July 28, 2021 by admin

All great writers (and plenty of not-so-great writers) get kicked in the butt by writer’s block occasionally. And, quite frankly, it’s usually at the worst time possible. There’s a deadline coming up… Your editor wants an update on strategy… The calendar is looking fairly sparse and your idea bank is empty…Don’t despair. We’ve got you covered. You may not win any Pulitzers with these tips, but done well, all social media and digital content can succeed in driving traffic in droves. (Besides, nothing gets the creative writing juices flowing like meeting a deadline and anticipating the next.)

Hashtag it Up!

You’ve seen it all on your Twitter and Facebook feeds, I’m sure. It’s National Cookie Day! It’s National Go For a Walk Day! It’s Hug Your Best Friend Day.

Do you know what I know for sure? Whatever business you are in, whatever you are selling — there’s a day (or seven) that’s perfect for a quick social media mention.

Now, you may have to get creative. Recently, I was working on a social media campaign for a travel agency. National Oreo Day was around the corner. Mmmmm…. Oreos. Ok, I’m sorry, where was I? What does a travel agency have to do with cookies? I spoke with my client about some of the restaurants he has travelled to and asked about his favourite desserts! Bingo! There’s a pub in Tahoe that serves an amazing Oreo pie: #NationalOreoCookieDay.

Real Holidays

On the flip side of absurd hashtag, celebrations are the days we love to gather with family and friends. You know, real holidays? You can turn any topic into Valentine’s friendly post. Where do you think Christmas in July came from? Marketers!

Go beyond the calendar and look closer to home, as well. Is it the anniversary of your founding, the launch of a product, etc? We are really just talking about anchoring content to important dates.

Quirky sells. Take a look at Google and it’s daily logo change. You probably couldn’t care less about some of the widely bizarre and unheard-of things Google celebrates on the daily. But, admit it, when you visit Google and you see the regular colourful logo it’s, well, eh.. not as fun.

Go Beyond Your Product or Service

We all like to do business with companies we believe in and that makes us feel good about ourselves (and spending our money.) Next time you feel stymied by writer’s block, look a bit deeper into what’s interesting about your company – beyond what you sell.

Maybe there is a truly interesting person in your mix? Perhaps your CEO has an amazing story that led to the founding of the company? Suggest a volunteer activity and take and post photos showing your team doing good. How about customer case studies?

There are plenty of things to write about. Pick your head up and look around.

Be Helpful

Assuming your business is providing the world with something useful, there are likely plenty of pieces of advice you can share. Start a Q&A aspect of your blog and, when content is scant, approach someone in the office and ask them to tell you one thing they want customers to know about your product or service. Turn it around and write it up as a Q&A. Bam! Instant branded, useful content. (Once you have a handful of these tips, you can add them to the FAQ or create a video series.)

It’s true, writer’s block is a b*tch. But, there are ways of getting around it. Incidentally, a cold glass of milk and a handful of Oreos has been known to give writers a boost of creative energy. Believe it.

While you are munching, contact Harmonia Media to find out how we can help you take your digital marketing to the next level of success.

Hate Writing? You’re In Luck, Creating Content is Our Passion

Posted on October 17, 2017July 28, 2021 by admin

Let’s get down to the facts. If you are doing business on the web, you need great content.If the words on your site are boring or confusing or, quite frankly, poorly written, no one is going to stay for long. Your bounce rates will be (probably are already since you are reading this) off the charts. And sales? Forget it.

Period.

Seriously. If the words on your site are boring or confusing or, quite frankly, poorly written, no one is going to stay for long. Your bounce rates will be (probably are already since you are reading this) off the charts. And sales? Forget it.

…….Crickets…..

That being said, if you are like most people, you would rather go to the dentist than sit down and write something. And, perhaps, you are also facing one of the truly unfortunate realities of the burgeoning digital economy: you can’t find a copywriter who gets your company.

There are plenty of people who want to be writers. Heck, they even list “copywriter” as their profession on LinkedIn. However, when it comes to getting great copy — the kind that sucks the reader in, keeps them reading and creates a need to know more — many companies find it to be incredibly difficult.

That’s because great copywriters are hard to find. It might even seem impossible.

At the risk of sounding like a cheesy pizza parlour, you’ve tried the rest…. Give Harmonia Media a chance to change your mind about finding a great copywriter.

Let’s talk. You’ve got content woes? We have content pros. Contact Harmonia Media today for a free consultation about your digital marketing needs.

We All Know Content is King; It’s Time to Stop Talking & Start Writing

Posted on October 10, 2017August 13, 2021 by admin

Top 5, 7 and 10 lists are all the rage in blogging and, let’s face it, these clickbaity headlines are hard to resist. So, when the Content Marketing Institute puts out a list of 25 predictions about where content marketing is headed, I can’t help but pour another cup of coffee and settle in for some serious reading.

Content Marketing in 2022: Very Personal, No Silos, and Lots of Voice points out myriad ideas about where the world of digital marketing is headed. And they are great points — all of them.

However, at Harmonia Media, we believe these predictions should be regarded as a “To Do Now” list. There is no time to lose when it comes to getting personal, conversational and focused on UX.

The time is now to make sure your digital marketing content sings! For every day you only think about improving your web content, believe me, your competition is rocking ahead of you. Contact Harmonia Media today for a content consultation.

Author: admin