Why be on the Inernet

Why be on the internet? Because most people use the internet first, to find trades, restaurants and businesses.

Your Business needs the Internet

Andy Why be on the Inernet , , ,

One of the switches on my oven failed last week. I went straight to the internet and started searching in Google. After the listed Ads, which I usually ignore, I found a helpful map showing locations of electricians. I rang a few near me and discovered I needed to source the part myself, so I searched Google for Oven repairs and didn’t really like the pricing – the electrician was cheaper but they didn’t have the part needed, so I searched Google for oven parts and found 3 shops on the neat map interface with the list of businesses down the side. After a few calls I found the switch and organised the electrician. Yes I did have to drive into North Geelong as Geelong Appliance Spares has recently moved. Yes the electrician could have ordered the part for me, but the job would have cost more in multiple visits and taken longer.

While searching, I did not notice any Internet based Yellow pages ads in the process. I know these are expensive. I am recently aware of just how much some of Telstra’s extra bundled internet services cost businesses. So my guess is some businesses are opting out.

As I looked at each search result, in each case I looked at their website  to see what they offered, how professional they looked, hours open etc. A website has 5-10 seconds to gain my trust or skip to the next result.

I did not use yellow or white pages or the local version I still have in a kitchen cupboard. 

Interesting fact – 60% of internet usage is from mobile phones.

It is my belief and the belief of the eBusiness Institute, that if your business is not on the internet in the next few years, you will not be found and will loose business. 

Younger people use the internet for everything. Over 60’s are using the internet. Even my 80 year old neighbours are really good at the internet. So if you havn’t made the leap yet, get a website. It cheaper than you think and heaps cheaper than Telstra or the commercial news papers.

Call Andy on 0452 260 051 for a free initial assessment of your needs. I am much cheaper than the bigger Geelong based agencies. I can build a great website for your business.

NAP is Important

Andy Why be on the Inernet , , ,

Name, Address, Phone No is NAP. NAP is really important. Your business has a name, address and phone number listed in many places, your shop front, business cards, website, yellow and white pages and up to 20 internet directory sites like Hi Pages and Google My Business. 

The different internet search engines all search the internet constantly looking for supporting evidence for your website details. When these bots find other references they make links back to your website. These backlinks increase the authority of your website. This increases the search popularity or your website. 

For this to work your name, address and phone number needs to be exactly the same everywhere it is listed. Every listing should have the same format, punstuation and spelling.

Some examples: 

  • 0392342345 or 03 9234 2345 or 9234 2345 – it doesnt matter which, as long as you always use the same one. For the sake of the customers, pick one that is easy to read.
  • Arnies Plumbing or Arnie’s Plumbing
  • Air St or Air Street
  • 53 John St or Cnr John and Paul Streets

None of the examples are right or wrong. The important point is what whichever you like, you stick with. A good guide is your listed mailing address.

It is especially important if you have moved, to find the old entries you created and update them. 

Your business should get a boost when all the listing are the same.

If you need help contact Andy at Andlyn WEBsites on 0452 260 051 for a free quote.

Phone 0452 260 051
Monday to Friday 9-6