DHS LLC

Posted By cynthia on April 1, 2009

The purpose for Search Engine Submissions are to increase your Link Popularity.

Link Popularity has to do with the number of links in the world wide web that point back to your website. The links can come from any type of website (personal, business, Search Engines, directories, specialty sites, online ads, social media, blogs, etc.). The most valuable links are those that come from popular websites that receive a lot of traffic and have achieved high rankings themselves. Or, from partner directories that are used to pick up new website listings. Each time these sites are visited (crawled) by the Engines your link on their site is bound to be picked up. The more quality links out there that point to your website the better your website looks to Google and other top engines and directories giving you higher rankings and better placement.

Search Engine Submission is the act of submitting and registering your website’s domain to Search Engines, Directories and even Specialty directories. Specialty directories are those that are industry specific. When your site is submitted a request notification is added to their database for your site to get listed. Some requests are approved automatically others can take weeks or months before your domain is reviewed and added to their database. Once your site is listed it can remain in their database for as little as a month and on others much longer. Changes in their listing methods can result in your site being dropped. This is why it is important to submit your website address frequently, to ensure that the link to your site remains listed.

The bottom line, Google and other top Search Engines base your position ranking and popularity on how many links in the world wide web point to your site. They figure that if there are many links pointing to your website then your website must be important and worth displaying before other less important sites. The goal is to have as many links out there pointing to your website.

Last month, I explained how you can submit your web site to Google and MSN through your admin control panel. If nothing else, it’s important to at least go through this process once per month. It only takes a couple of minutes and will make a difference.

You establish a web presence with a website, now you need to make it work for you. You do this by building your link network. A web marketing plan should include link marketing as part of the strategy.

Category: Link Marketing | No Comments »
Tags: building links, link building, link exchange, Link Marketing, link popularity

Posted By cynthia on March 31, 2009

The demand for impeccable customer service is on the rise.  As customers tighten their budgets they are also being more selective in their purchases and taking into consideration the quality of service provided. Excellent service has always been tops on my list, even if I have to pay more for it. I’ve had too many painful experiences where service/support is non-existent or it’s much too complicated to get any help. As the market becomes more competitive and budgets get smaller, customer service is one area where there may be room for improvement.

According to TARP, 68% of customers choose to take their business elsewhere because of poor service. Below are some ways to keep your customers happy and coming back for more:

1. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. What better way to inspire confidence in your service and reassurance to the customer that their hard earned money is not going to waste by providing a full refund.
2. Listen to your customer and I mean really listen. Hasty, canned responses particularly over the phone, can be enfuriating. If there is absolutely nothing you can do, it often helps to take down the customers information and have someone else return the call. This allows for emotions to cool down. Do try to offer some alternative solution or offer if possible; customers will remember this.
3. Encourage feedback whether it be via an old-fashioned suggestion box or a field for service improvements and suggestions on your website. Your customers will feel more like a partner and less like a money dispenser.
4. Thank your customers. Offer discounts or other rewards to repeat customers. Make it a habit to send out birthday or customer aniversary cards. It’s an innexpensive way to show your appreciation for their business and a reminder that you are there for them.
5. If you don’t know, point the customer to someone who does know and make sure to deliver accurate contact information.
6. No pressure. Pressuring customers only makes them feel uncomfortable. Be helpful, answer questions, and let them know you’re accessible for any additional help they need.
7. Have a website. Develop a user-friendly website that is maintained and updated regularly. Utilize fast-growing social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook or one of many other services where you can reach out to your target audience.
8. Solve problems quickly. We all make mistakes but if they are appropriately and efficiently handled then customers will keep coming back and they will let all their friends know. Similarly, if their complaints are not met, customers will likely voice their opposition as well.

Checkout http://www.customerservicemanager.com for more tips, news, and events all focused on exceptional customer service care.

Good read are: Customer Service: How To Do It Right! and Customer Service: The Key To Your Competitive Edge by Peggy Morrow, a leading consultant for customer service loyalty. (http://www.peggymorrow.com).

Is there something you do for your customers that they appreciate and you would like to share? I’d love to know!

Category: Customer Service | 2 Comments »
Tags: customer centric, customer focus, customer service, improvement strategies

Posted By cynthia on March 29, 2009

Social Media is not a new concept. Back in the mid 90’s, I remember bulletin boards and forums as the main outlets for people around the world to exchange knowledge and information about products, services or how to’s. These are still going very strong today. However, with so many technological advances and shared technical know how, techies have produced hundreds of amazing communication tools that enable the public to instantly reach out and collect feedback on anything and everything.

These “Social Media” platforms like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn (and hundreds of others) have become the marketing and social tools people and companies use to build a community following; very powerful for branding. Used correctly, these tools can be extremely valuable. The value is a two way street where regular people share their thoughts, feelings and opinions and businesses can reach out to seek valuable feedback prior to undergoing what could potentially be costly product or service releases. It’s a mutual exchange that can benefit all parties. By considering what people want, businesses can tailor their developments accordingly. Ultimately, this exchange can be tremendously significant. 

A word of caution, employing “Social Media” is time consuming, requires continuous management, monitoring and active interaction. It can trigger controversy that could potentially get ugly if not handled correctly (sometimes even if handled correctly). It is important to manage your Social Media with professionalism, honesty, courtesy and sternness. Rest assured that there will always be someone trying to rain on your parade. Don’t be too quick to dismiss those attacks. Give them the value they deserve. In many cases these attacks lack foundation and are based on ignorance or they could be a misunderstanding, it may very well be an opportunity in disguise.

Social Media as a personal tool is a great way to build a virtual community of acquaintances, a place to exchange ideas, tap into what others find interesting, a place to be heard.

Social Media as a business tool is another way to get the word out about your products and / or services. A place where you can tell the world what your company is about and offer valuable information that will allow consumers to make the most of what you offer. Value is the keyword here. Social Media is not about pushing what you have to offer; it’s about offering solutions and sharing benefits of what you have.

There are literally millions of articles that provide step-by-step how to start your Social Media network and tons of true or self-proclaimed experts who are readily available to offer their help. 

Here are links to a couple of sites that offer extensive help to businesses or individuals considering using Social Media:

Jason Falls shares many excellent articles and helpful tips at: http://www.socialmediaexplorer.com/

Chris Brogan publishes great recommendations that will help you in planning and in focusing on your efforts: http://www.chrisbrogan.com 

The next two sites also provide Social Media insight but are broader in spectrum. These talented individuals have perfected the use of Social Media in their business practices:

A must read are the publications of Anita Campbell. She is the Editor in Chief and CEO of Small Business Trends where she shares powerful insights about business, Social Media and more: http://smallbiztrends.com/

Wendy Piershall, a mom who turned her blogging hobby into a professional and successful business offers excellent information for entrepreneurs looking to venture online: http://www.sparkplugging.com 

Whatever “how to’s” you read about Social Media, keep in mind that Social Media is about offering something of value.

Category: Social Networking | No Comments »
Tags: employing social media, sm strategies, sm tactics, social media, using social media