If you have a business and you want to find customers online, it’s extremely important to claim your business profile page on what most people still call Google My Business. The company recently updated the name to avoid confusion. Google My Business is now called Google Business Profile.

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With your business name, location and category, you can claim your profile page.  Once claimed, your page will appear in Google Maps.

It’s not until you put in some time and effort to make the most of your Google Business Profile that it will truly help guide customers to your online “door”—your homepage.

Who Needs a Google Business Profile?

Research reveals that 97 percent of consumers do a Google search to find out about local companies before hiring anyone. Further, when it comes to finding out details about a local business,64 percent use Google Business Profiles.

Most exciting, 16 percent of service companies say more than 100 calls received every come from consumers after checking a company’s Google Business Profile.

In other words, managing your company’s Google profile page is especially important for service companies looking to attract LOCAL customers–companies like plumbers, Heating & Air Conditioning repair, lawn care, bakeries, various types of restaurants and so many others.

Google Business Profiles are also a key marketing tool for professional advisors including accountants, financial advisors, lawyers, doctors, etc.

The world becomes “flatter” by the day, according to New York Times journalist and author Thomas Friedman, because the Internet makes it easy to buy from and interact with people on the other side of the world instantly.

Even so, most people like to hire local companies. In many cases, theyhaveto hire local; why would you hire someone to install a fence if their store was in another state?

It’s not feasible economically nor is it realistic to outsource local work to companies that are not local. This is especially true with today’s gas prices and the current supply chain challenges being experienced across the country.

When you need to hire someone to do something, what do you do? You Google it!

If you want your company to be at the top of the list when someone searches for the service you sell, allow us to pay attention to your Google Business Profile!

We Got You Covered!

Oh, and did we mention, claiming and updating your Google Business Profile is FREE? It’s true!

But the cost may be irrelevant if you are not tech savvy. And most people who are great at what they do don’t keep up with digital marketing best practices. Why would they?

Now, before you get tech-frustrated, it’s important to know that companies like Harmonia Media will not only manage your Google Business Profile but we will take additional steps to continuously update it so your website gets a whole bunch of Google love.

In other words, if Harmonia Media is managing your Google Business Profile, your company will come up at the top of Google results when anyone searches for a business like yours located near them.

Once we help you claim ownership of your company’s page on Google, a world of opportunity will open before your eyes. Local customers will find your website much faster than without a Google Business Profile that is optimized for search. That means MORE SALES!

We will add tons of content to your page and make sure people get all the information you want them to see when they come to your Google Business Profile. This includes your logo, photos, social media links, customer reviews and much more. We will also use this page to maximize search engine optimization (SEO)—another shot on goal to claim customers in your very competitive market!

Rest assured, we will keep Google happy with high quality content so your company gets the attention from prospective customers it deserves!

It’s time to learn what you don’t know about Google Business Profiles! Reach out today!

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This is the second blog post in a two-part series about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its impact on digital marketing: a.k.a. your website! Read the first article in this series here.

Who needs to be worried about ADA Compliance? 

YOU! If you have a website, don’t stop reading this article!

What is the ADA? 

The ADA is the acronym for the American Disabilities Act. It’s a civil rights law that makes it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities. It first became law in 1990 and an amended version went into effect on Jan. 1, 2009. The amended version redefined the concept of “disability.”

Of course, the ADA protects people on the basis of race, age, color, sex, religion and national origin. When it comes to employment, public places, transportation and government buildings, all people who define as disabled are entitled to accommodations.

Most people know all of this as it relates to elevators and ramps and other brick and mortar accommodations. Here’s what you may not know…

Why should companies care about the ADA?

There is another market sector impacted by the ADA: telecommunications.

Simply put, if your website and other electronic means of communicating with the public are not ADA compliant, your company can be fined significantly.

The “why” your website needs to be ADA compliant is easily answered. To avoid hefty fines and, quite frankly, not being of service to a presumably large number of potential customers, it’s important to make sure your website is ADA compliant.

How can I upgrade my website so it’s ADA compliant?

The best way is to engage a digital marketing firm, like Harmonia Media, that has the experience and knowledge to make sure the transition to ADA compliance is a smooth one. You also want it done correctly so hiring someone who specializes in this work is a great idea.

Contact Harmonia Media about ADA Compliance NOW

Harmonia Media will make sure your website includes closed captioning capabilities for videos for the hearing impaired, text-to-speech capabilities for people who are unable to type, screen reader compatibility options for those who are visually impaired, etc.

According to the ADA’s written instructions, here’s what you need to do to your site to make sure it is in full compliance with the law:

• Make it easy to use a keyboard to navigate your site
• Create subtitles that appear when videos play
• Make it very easy to find information on your website with a sitemap that can be read by screen reader technology.
• Make sure content, design and development are easy to consume and use

When should I update my website to make it ADA compliant?

Yesterday. The Americans with Disabilities Act is the law of the land. If you haven’t been fined for disregarding it yet, count yourself as lucky. If you are creating a brand new site or refreshing an existing one, make sure ADA compliance is on your “to do” checklist.

Don’t forget to test compliance before you implement it. Can you imagine the frustration someone might experience if they saw the insignia for ADA compliance but couldn’t make a function work properly? In the customer’s eyes, it might even be worse than no compliance at all!

When it comes to testing, Harmonia Media won’t let you get caught with your pants down! We will test each aspect of ADA compliance as it’s added to your website and continue to do this until the job is done

WHERE is the easiest part of all!

By where, we don’t mean where you should be focused on ADA compliance. That’s easy: your website!

But there’s another “where: to think about. While getting up to speed on ADA compliance isn’t expensive, there are many reasons beyond “it’s the law” for why you should get it done sooner rather than later. A great one is that you can include the fact that you are ADA friendly in your marketing materials. Every bit of positive PR helps your bottom line!

An Extra B…

Bottom Line: At the end of the day, ADA compliance is the right thing to do and it’s also the law. But, if you are worried about the small expense of getting it done, may we suggest the following: ADA compliance, like so many other things, is the price of doing business these days. Keeping customers happy so they refer you and come back and buy again is the name of the game in today’s ultra competitive marketplace.

So, bite the bullet and contact Harmonia Media. We will make ADA compliance budget friendly and painless! 

When you get the urge to buy something, whether a new gadget or food or a replacement part for your stove (or absolutely anything else!) — where do you turn? Google or Amazon, right?

And, then, with a few keystrokes, you poke around, hopefully find what you are looking for and, if the price is right, you BUY NOW!

But, what if you have some questions? 

What if you cannot find what you are looking for when you click to get some more information on the product in your cart? 

What if the company’s website is difficult to navigate? 

Worse yet, what if you can’t figure out how to contact the company?

What do you do then? That’s easy! You bounce.

Enter Chatbots

You know ‘em. You love ‘em. Well, maybe not. But they are incredibly helpful and all research points to the fact that more customers will stay on your website and buy from you if you install a chatbot feature on your site. 

Top Reasons Your Website Needs a Chatbot Feature 

• You can answer customer questions fast
• You can personalize the user experience on your site–and people love that!
• Chatbots make people feel like they are able to help themselves in the moment
• Reduce call times and workload on your agents
• MORE SALES!
• Bottom line: your customers will be happier and less frustrated
• Smart chatbots are available when your live agents are not!

Life Without Chatbots

On the other hand, without a chatbot on your website, here’s the customer scenario:

They get frustrated when they can’t get answers to their questions. Then they leave your site and find another company selling the same thing, or something similar. And, if shipping is free and fast–woo hoo, you are delighted and practically standing by the mailbox waiting, right?

Get the Facts!

According to a recent report released by Drift, there are many reasons people get upset with companies and choose not to buy from them. The top three, the ones you can absolutely attend to and fix are these:

People hate it when…

• They can’t get immediate answers to seemingly simple questions.
• They get frustrated with the user experience of the website itself–this confusing navigation, slow loads, etc.
• They can’t easily find a phone number or way to contact the company.

The report makes one thing very clear. People don’t want to wait at all! They want information and they want it Right. In. The. Moment.

Which brings us back to chatbots!

This is not rocket science. Think about your own experience when you are shopping online. More often than not, you are not just “kicking tires.” You want/need to make a purchase. And if you have a question, you want an answer now.

On the other hand, let’s say you are just window shopping and need information to help propel you toward a decision. Then, you have questions and you want answers now.

Bottom line, people want to be able to easily find the information they need or contact you quickly to find out. And gone are the days when anyone is willing to send an email and wait. Today’s online shoppers would compare that waiting game with a colonial ancestor waiting for Paul Revere to ride by with the mail…someday.

This goes for forms, too. When someone fills out a contact form, the wait for a response is maddening. Customers feel the “need for speed” and sometimes any amount of time waiting is too long.

Chatbot technology is far from new, but Internet shoppers, according to the Drift report, say they will use a chatbot to get an immediate response from a company.

According to Drift: “Just 11% of survey respondents expect immediate responses from forms, compared to 42% for chatbots.”

People think about chatbots like they are having a real time conversation with an agent who can help right away.

Maybe it’s time you updated your web-based communications to increase “buy now” opportunities? Give Harmonia Media a call and we will suggest several ways to upgrade your users’ experience online.

We are ready to chat. Are you? Call (800) 531-3704 to schedule an appointment.

This is the first blog post in a two-part series about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its impact on digital marketing: a.k.a. your website! 

You may be thinking: “Do you mean is my office or building ADA compliant?” And, your answer might be, “Sure…ramps, elevators…we are absolutely wheelchair accessible, etc.”

But that’s not the question. The question is: Are YOU ADA compliant? Are you communicating with customers and prospects in a way that is in line with the Americans with Disabilities Act? Specifically, we are talking about your main form of communication: your website.

YES! I Want to Be ADA Compliant!

Help Me Now!

If you have no idea what we are really talking about here, you are far from alone. Most business owners don’t know that every aspect of their companies needs to be accessible to people with varying disabilities.

On your website, blind people, hard of hearing and deaf people, anyone with a disability that requires accommodation by the U.S. government’s ADA guidelines, must be given appropriate access to the information you offer online. They must also be provided with ways to contact and interact with you.

The truth is, ADA compliance is a good thing for you and your company. It makes what you sell available to everyone!

The challenge lies in the fact that making your website ADA compliant takes a bit of work by an experienced website company. Hey, since you are here and reading this article, why not give Harmonia Media a call about getting your website ADA compliant?

Upgrade Your ADA Compliance!

Contact Harmonia Now!

Think about it this way, if you happened to have a disability that made it difficult for you to surf the net and shop, you would likely only buy from companies that took your needs into consideration. Further, it’s the law. Every website must make it just as easy for someone with a disability to listen to your videos, read your copy, move throughout your website and more as it is for someone without a disability.

Digital marketing companies, according to this article, can make fast changes that cover “all disabled categories (auditory, motor, cognitive, and visual)” and provide access for all. Call Harmonia Media to learn more at

The good news: The ADA lists compliance guidelines and standards that your website must meet to be in good standing.

The not-so-good news? If you are reported for being out of compliance, you’ll likely be facing hefty fines–like thousands of dollars. In fact, just one fine will cost you far more than simply hiring a good web company to upgrade your website to be ADA compliant.

Don’t wait until you are faced with fines!

Contact Harmonia Media Today!

What Does It Mean to Be ADA Compliant?

As you already know, buildings must be able to accommodate people in wheelchairs. Therefore, ramps and elevators are required in addition to the staircases you already have in the building. Further, handicapped accessible bathrooms and parking are required for people who have trouble walking or may need more room for their wheelchair and other mobility-related equipment,

All of this has been the law since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990.

Then, in 2010, the ADA was enhanced to enable other types of disabilities to be accommodated. For example, Braille signs and certain types of tiling on floors and walls that can be felt without looking are now required for ADA compliance.

By the way, these rules apply whether your building, parking lot, restrooms, etc., are privately owned (like an office building) or publicly owned (like an airport.)

Now, all forms of advertising are included in the ADA. This means that websites and social media platforms must meet ADA standards, as well. Not only is this a good business practice, but making sure everyone who may want to visit your website is able to have the same experience is important for your bottom line.

Plus, as we said, lack of ADA compliance denies differently-abled people their federal civil rights. The ADA expressly prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities–and this applies to limitations that can be seen and those that can’t.

While it’s true that you won’t get slapped with a hefty fine until you get reported or found out some other way, it’s also true that many judges have ruled in favor of people who file lawsuits.

The time is now! And, we can help. Contact Harmonia Media and we will do all the work to make sure your website is completely inline with all ADA guidelines. 

By Emma Richter

As the world keeps turning, more advancements keep coming. With that, generations adapt to these advancements, all in their own way.

From Baby Boomers to Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z’s there is such a variety of people, so there has to be a variety of marketing techniques to cater to each generation.

According to a Consumer Research Report done by Data Axel- “Generation Shifts in Marketing Preferences,” it is clear that we need to market differently to each generation in order to receive the best possible outcome. People clicking BUY NOW!

“At the time that the digital innovation floodgates opened on markets, the habits of Baby Boomers and Gen X were considered the `norm,’ whie millennials were deemed `digital savvy,’ and Gen Z wasn’t even on the radar,” the Data Axel claims.

So what does this mean? Well, in the simplest of terms, it means that each generation responds to marketing efforts, all in their own way.

Baby Boomers 

Let’s start off with Baby Boomers–people who were born in 1946-1964. This older generation has had to adapt to each new digital and marketing advancement, which is not the easiest thing to do. Of course many have embraced technology, others have ignored it.

Making sure your content is tailored to Baby Boomers is crucial in order for it to connect and, hopefully, compel people to learn more and even buy. The study shows that Baby Boomers are particularly focused on spending less. So, if we use mobile phones as an example, touting a low mobile plan would appeal to Baby Boomers. At the same time, millennials are all about the bling and the latest tech.

Whatever the age, a company’s goal must be to make people feel like they are being heard and directly spoken to with messaging. Everyone wants to feel a level of comfort before they pull the trigger and spend money.

Think about your grandparents, aunt and uncles and even parents that fit into the Boomer generation. What is one thing that they want? If they are tech savvy, they crave easily accessed technology and customer support so they can independently be a part of the “e” world.

This group of people, 50ish to 75ish aren’t likely to be tapped into TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. Maybe they are on Facebook, maybe not. Bottom line: social media is not the way to go to connect with Baby Boomers. Instead, use emails and maybe even snail mail to push them toward the web. Make sure you boast about easy-to-contact customer service and ease of returns. Don’t make technology difficult for them or they won’t bother.

And, remember, quality is key for Baby Boomers. Stress product/service quality, as well, if you want to turn tire-kicking Boomers into buyers.

Gen X

Right behind them, is Generation X, also known as the generation that is more financially stable and powerful than ever. This generation refers to consumers that were born from 1965-1980.

The vast majority of this generation is well plugged into technology. The Internet was born during their tenure. To market to Gen X, according to the report, focus on how your company rewards customer loyalty.

If a Gex X-er feels loved by their favorite brands, they will buy and buy again.

Emails with direct discounts or even physical mail with discount codes and deals is what makes them stop and think that they should take their time and check it out.

Just like the generation before them, the Gen X society really values the quality of a product. It’s the high quality or low quality that will keep them coming back or stalling their interest.

Millennials

For some reason, millennials seem to get a bad rep. When really, all they want is to see a drastic shift in marketing tailored toward them and the generations to come. Millennials are considered the population that were born between 1981 and 1996. The digital world truly evolved in front of their eyes.

In the current day, millennials are building careers and nurturing families, and want to do so in a successful and efficient way. This is where personalization really comes into play. Emails with consumers’ names in them, saying “Hey YOU, Yes YOU! Come and try our brand” gets attention. Even better, offering a discount code to encourage them to try whatever you are selling. This will really get their attention.

It’s through personalization that millennials feel heard and cared about, which in turn, keeps them coming back.

Emails are millennials’ top choice of communication from brands, with social media coming in at a close second, according to the report.

Gen Z

Social media drives this generation. Gen Zers spend the most time on social platforms

than anything else in the technological universe. Ranging from the year 1997-2012, Generation Z has slowly but surely taken over social media.

Gen Z shoppers get news and shopping ads from social feeds, so your company must be part of the conversation within the daily traffic on all social platforms.

In fact, according to the report, “63 percent of Gen Zers want you to connect with them over social media. They are closely followed by millennials; almost half want to hear from brands over social media.”

This statistic is something that shouldn’t come as a surprise, as it just goes to show the timeline of technological advances, with social media launching right around the time that Gen Z started to make an appearance.

If there is one thing that this study shows is companies must tailor marketing strategies for each generation because everyone shops and buys differently. Data Axel’s study of 1,000 consumers of all different generations makes one thing very clear: age matters when it comes to consumers’ buying habits.

Want to Increase Web Traffic Across the Board with All Generations?

Harmonia Media will help! Contact us for a free consultation today.

Striving to do your very best is admirable and an incredibly great quality we want to see in our family, friends, coworkers and, surely, ourselves. However, trying to be perfect is a far cry from working hard to do your best.

Go at all your endeavors with optimism and give it your all–but don’t try to be perfect.

There is no such thing as perfection. It’s a moving target. What’s perfect to me may be quite off the mark for you. Trying to be perfect all the time is a setup for failure. And, let’s be honest…it’s EXHAUSTING.

Why suffer when help is one click away? Find out how a virtual assistant can help you get things done so you can take a step back and focus on what’s really important.

Learn more about Harmonia Media’s newest service offering: Managed Virtual Assistants.

People who are always looking to be perfect see the world as right or wrong, black or white, yes or no. There is no middle ground, no place for compromise. It’s a grueling lifestyle for certain, especially when you realize you’ll never, ever win at the game of perfection. Try as hard as you want; you’ll be forever spinning your wheels while those around you do their best, understand their limits and strive for the best they can be.

The truth is, trying to always be perfect–whether it means getting straight As, losing weight fast, being obsessed with working out, impressing your boss, etc.–will put heavy strain on your psyche. These efforts, according to the medical community, usually lead to feelings of not being good enough. Your self esteem suffers greatly and your mental health takes a toll.

Depression and anxiety, anyone? If you are someone who is always trying to live up to the expectations of others, especially completely unrealistic expectations, you are likely quite familiar with mental health challenges.

Give yourself a break already! If you needed someone to say that to you, there you go! I said it! Take a step back. Ask for help and don’t be afraid to take it when it’s offered.

For example, are work tasks piling up around you? Every time you cross something off of your “to do” list, do more things get added?

Why not outsource some of those tasks to a virtual assistant who can do the time-consuming projects–like formatting documents, setting up Powerpoints, following up with leads and general bookkeeping activities.

There are so many things a virtual assistant can do. Will they do it as well as you could, if you had all the time in the world to do everything you ever wanted to do? Maybe not. But if you are able to take one deep breath for every task crossed off your never-ending list of to-dos, you’ll feel a whole lot better about life in general.

By Bari Faye Siegel

Leadership teams plan a year or even just a couple of quarters ahead. Picture it. You’re in the conference room. Someone is taking notes. There’s a white board with org charts on the wall—if you’re fancy, maybe someone is writing directly on a glass wall. 

If this is you, how do these plans move from the white board into a real strategy with milestones and directions for your team? Not sure? Then it’s likely your alleged “plan” taunts you daily from the not-yet erased window wall. What exactly are you waiting for?

I’d like to suggest you consider assembling a vision board.

I don’t know about you, but when I hear the term vision board, I immediately think about teenage girls cutting “everything bridal” photos out of magazines in pre-, pre-prep for their someday engagement.  

Interestingly enough, however, business-wise, a vision board is not a collection of  dreams and  wishes for the future. But it is all about the future and a vision board can be a vitally important component of a go-forward, growth strategy. 

Let’s take those white board/glass wall notes (as well as the goals that are in your head and the milestones that are scribbled on napkins and get organized and on-board with a tangible vision board. 

Need Help Planning Your Marketing Strategy to Increase Sales Goals? 

Harmonia Media will Help! Contact us for a free consultation.

Vision boards allow various departments or teams to develop smaller goals and effective strategies for growth. Once combined, leadership can see the broader, bigger picture and determine next steps to achieving objectives through various steps—big and small. 

Would you ever consider going on a cross country trip, with multiple stops, without GPS or at least a map? Probably not, especially if you want to stay on course and get there by your deadline. 

Same goes for a vision board. By plotting out your strategy, step by step, you are not only communicating your vision for company growth to your team but also giving them a roadmap to get where you need them to go. 

Now, might they encounter stormy weather, a breakdown or traffic that slows down progress? Of course they might. In fact, they likely will. But the trusty vision board, always a work in progress, will not only keep them on course but offer some potential new routes to explore on the journey. 

This works thanks to the “power of visualization.” This power turns a vision board into a guide that spells out how to turn your vision into reality. In fact, studies reveal visualizing a goal may motivate you to work harder to succeed. 

Harmonia Media will help you put together a go-forward strategy that will drive new customers to your website. Contact us for a free consultation.

Heaps of Honey, 

Leave Out the Vinegar

By Emma Richter

Being nice really does go a long way and customer service is no exception. Businesses all start from nothing, but should strive to offer service with a smile.

The world alone is full of unkind things and people, right? Why bring that same energy into your workplace? Even virtually, customers can feel apathy and certainly contempt.

Want to attract customers who will happily refer your company to friends and family? Sprinkle a heavy dose of kindness and watch your client relationships “rise” from tire kickers to long-term customers.

Consider motivational speaker and prolific author Zig Ziglar. He was, and posthumously is, a true proponent of kindness in the business world. Ziglar, ever the optimist, traveled the world for four decades, spending time professing his recipe for success.

Though Ziglar went around the world sharing his “special sauce,” there was always one aspect of his demeanor and lectures that never changed. Ziglar was all about kindness, which is something he brought into his daily motivational speaking career.

Striving to be the next Zig Ziglar is a daunting task, but there is no harm in putting effort into being a kinder person—especially when running a business.

Face it: Do you enjoy doing business with and paying your hard earned money to mean, nasty people? Of course not. And, nowadays, people have a seemingly never-ending number of choices when it comes to plunking down money.

Actually, customers call them choices; you call them competitors.

Businesses flourish or die off based on the quality of personal relations and customer service. So, it is important that kindness is what drives every conversation, every transaction and every interaction with people who do business with your company.

Focus your team on building the kind of relationships that keep customers coming back for more. Why?  Because going out of your way to help someone pays off when it comes to your bottom line.

Though not coined by Ziglar himself, his belief in this cliche was definitely part of his message: “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.”

In other words, get creative and stand out from your competition. But do it with kindness.

Some ideas to sweeten the pot: hold sales and offer discounts, use customer loyalty programs or attract interest with fun social media contests. The list of ways to impress customers and make them feel the love is virtually endless.

So save the vinegar for salad dressing and pour on the honey with friendly customer service. You’ll have new customers eating out of your hands.

At Harmonia Media, a boutique, client-centric digital marketing company, we believe every good relationship begins at the beginning. We can help you drive traffic to your website with great SEO and compel people to buy with high-quality content.

 

Contact Harmonia Media for a free consultation – but only if you want more customers. That’s our house special of the day – every day.