Monday 18 April 2011

Dana Kohlbeck column: Merge SEO with social media strategy for impact


Peanut butter and jelly. Macaroni and cheese. Social media and search engine optimization (SEO). Alone these things are good, but paired with its complementing partner, and wow — a dynamic duo.
In the case of social media and SEO, these activities go hand-in-hand to maximize a business's online presence.
In fact, both Google and Bing recently confirmed that the sharing of links such as blog posts, whitepapers, press releases and webinars via social media sites matter, and can positively impact organic rankings within search engines. The more site content is shared through social media channels, the better the opportunity for higher search engine rankings.
As social media continues to increase in volume and frequency, an interconnected SEO and social media strategy will only become more valuable — and essential to a business's overall marketing plan.
More evidence of this intertwined strategy comes from a recent MarketingProfs 2011 marketing trend study, which confirms that customers do indeed crave content. They want to research and make informed decisions, helping to justify their purchase decisions for goods and services.
Parallel the customer's need for content with another important trend: the desire for product recommendations. Word-of-mouth approval from a friend or colleague plays a significant role in the purchasing process; and today, many of these conversations are taking place via social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
These trends support the case for both a traditional and social online presence in order to provide consumers with what they are looking for. Ongoing dialog about products and services occur on social media channels; however the website is still a go-to destination for fresh, in-depth sales and technical information specific to a product or service.
Also, business marketers appreciate that traditional websites serve as a place to create a total brand experience; whereas social media forums are where customer conversations take place. A business can engage and even facilitate discussions via social media platforms, but it cannot control what is said.
Now, imagine the possibilities when social media and website SEO strategies are deliberately and thoughtfully combined. Businesses who take this approach will see the fruits of their planning and execution; they will enjoy a widespread online presence, easily accessible and memorable to clients and prospects, and be viewed as a go-to source for information — surely, a tasty combination for consumers.
Dana Kohlbeck is an account manager for Coalesce Marketing & Design Inc. in Appleton. She can be reached at 920-380-4444 or dana@coalescemarketing. com.


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