Online stats to start the working week off with a scare

Everyone likes a nice dose of stats in the morning

These are gleaned from a variety of sources – probably a bit out of date but the links should guide you to the latest scary numbers:

• 81% of B2B purchase cycles start with web search, and 90% of buyers say when they are ready to buy, “they’ll find you.” (Earnest Agency)
• More than half (53%) of marketers rank content creation as the single most effective SEO tactic. (NewsCred)
• 57% of B2B marketers say SEO has the biggest impact on lead generation. (NewsCred)
• Organic search leads have a 14.6% close rate, compared to 1.7% for outbound marketing leads. (NewsCred)
• 33% of clicks from organic search results go to the top listing on Google. (Social Fresh)
• 85% of B2B buyers believe companies should present information via social networks. (Iconsive)
• And yet – only 20% of CMOs leverage social networks to engage with customers. (Marketing Land)

But what does it mean and what can you do today in order to make sure you and your business are in the best position to capitalise?

I recommend the following:

1. No need for a knee jerk reaction – most of your competitors will be in the same position you are, and the ones which are able to benefit from the above are way out ahead of you already so a few extra days won’t make a difference
2. Make sure that within a week every page of your website has your contact details clearly visible, make sure you include a landline no – just having a mobile makes you look flaky, and make sure you have an address. No address increases your flakiness (if there is such a word)
3. Make sure within a week you have clear calls to action on most pages. FREE quotes, FREE downloads, no obligation quotes, time sensitive discounts, 1^st time purchaser discounts, 90 day guarantees, free advice, etc. etc.
4. Make sure that within 2 weeks you have:

• Social media marketing strategy agreed
• Landing page optimised
• A good SEO strategy and plan
• Someone with at least some copy experience to review your site and make keyword recommendations
• Identify resources either inside or outside the business to help

Or just do nothing. You know that’s really what you want to do. You know all that online stuff is just bollocks. It sure will make it easier for your competitors, and people like me who create, manage and develop awareness throughout the purchase decision buying cycle.

Tomorrow and for the next few days I’m going to focussing on simple solutions you can do to enhance your online foot print.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net