1.     Keep it short and simple
If it is long and complex you risk customers mistyping.

2.     Use keywords
Target keywords that describe your business and / or service for SEO visibility. 

3.     Keep it local
If you are a local business consider including your city eg. hastingskennels.co.nz

4.     Be memorable
Millions of domain names exist, so coming up with a name that is unique, appealing and catchy makes sense.

5.     Use appropriate domain extension
Extensions appear at the end of your website address.  They do have specific uses so choose one that works for your business.  Below are the more common domains that people are familiar with:

Common domain extensions explained:  

• .nz – your country eg. .uk for United Kingdom.
• .com – the most popular, but bear in mind legal implications if using out of the USA.
• .co – a company, commerce or community.
• .info – informational site.
• .org – non commercial organisations, not-for-profits.
• .govt – government.
• .edu and .school – education.
  

Additional domains and protecting your brand
To protect your brand, purchase various domain extensions, this prevents competitors from registering other versions.

You don’t need to build a website for every domain, just forward extra domains to your primary website.

6.     Act fast
Domain names sell quickly.  They are also inexpensive, so when you have that great idea, register it!  And keep an eye out for the new domains that are coming.

During 2014 hundreds more domain name extensions are coming, read about them here

Written by Kathleen Boyd

Writing for social media is different to other print forms.  Social media engagement is a different experience; the reader spends less time reading so it requires short writing.  But you still need to engage your reader.  
Here are 10 rules to help get the right tone. Plus one more for free!

1.      Write as you speak.  It’s more casual and friendly. If you’d feel odd using a word when you talk, don’t use it in your writing.

2.      Use personal pronouns ‘you’ and ‘your’ more than ‘we’.  The focus is on the reader rather than on your brand, product or business.

3.      Use contractions – don’t, can’t, you’re, etc.  It’s more natural ‘speaking’ (and more compelling) with easier flow.

4.      Use short words as if you are writing a headline.  For instance, ‘take apart’ rather than ‘deconstruct’; ‘soon’ not ‘in the immediate future’.

5.      Use short sentences of 14 to 16 words (or less).

6.      Avoid negative words and phrases.  Positive alternatives are quicker, and an upbeat message is more engaging.

7.      Aim for balance between representing your brand and sounding like a real person.  Social media tends to be in a person’s intimate space so your message needs to be personable not ‘commercial’.

8.      Exclamation marks are for real excitement.  Hold back so they mean something when you use them.

9.      Be wise with abbreviations and emoticons.  Yes, they are youthful and light, but what’s the impact on your brand or message?

10.  Read your copy aloud before you post.  Does it sound right?  Your ear is often more reliable than your eye.  It’s also a great way to proof your writing.

And one more pointer for good measure. 

11.  Spelling, grammar, punctuation all still matter.  Short writing is no excuse for sloppy writing.  It doesn't matter in social media, you say?  It does to the decision makers, the influencers, the important people you want to convince to do business with you.


Posted by Dale Cowie

In this day and age it is the rare business that does not have an online presence.  So how do you take your business from offline to online?
 
1. Personalise
Get your unique domain name.  There are many different companies that sell these and you can get yours from as little as $12 per year.

2.  Build a great website
A website is the first step to boosting your online presence. Ensure you have a great web designer who not only will make your site look good, but design it so it’s easy for people to navigate through.

3.  Tackle Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Make sure your business is at the top on Google (or at least the first page).  With so many businesses becoming wise to the benefits of SEO a good strategy is vital.

4.  Master social media
More than just Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, there are dozens of social media platforms that you could be using for your business. Investigate what will work for you, then guild your brand and showcase the human side of your business online.

5.  Incorporate email marketing
A cost effective tool that allows you to incorporate your branding and message professionally to reach customers and prospects.  Make sure you have sign up forms across all your social media platforms.

6.  Take action with video
Video is a great tool to promote your business, a 60 second video that captures your audience can prove more engaging than a 600 word About Us page.

7.  Showcase to blogging
A great way to let your personality shine through and provide useful, compelling content.  Blogging also helps with SEO.

8.  The old fashioned way
Once you are up and running if you have something newsworthy to report that ties in with your new online presence, eg. a workshop, award, competition, let the media know.  Send out a press release to the local papers (they may even put it online).

9.  Review, maintain, evolve
It doesn’t just stop once you are online, you will need a strategy to maintain your online presence and your investment.


Article prepared by Kathleen Boyd.

Get in touch today to grow your business online.