When developing web content, the web writers at Webcopyplus often draw attention to the benefits of our clients’ products and services. It’s upbeat, and it’s effective.

But there is another avenue. Web content can also convey what the perspective customer stands to lose in a situation. It plays on, and builds, fear.

“Don’t miss the chance to get the Website Optimization Package for half the retail price.”

You’re applying pressure. It works. But it can also hinder trust and strain loyalty.

A time element can increase the pressure, and conversions. For instance, you could add: “This deal in only available until midnight tonight.”

It’s persuasive because people are afraid to miss opportunities.

Google recently announced the Google Chrome OS for PCs, making people more puzzled about what the search engine king is up to.

Pandia puts forth an interesting argument that this is not another random innovation from Google, but part of a calculated long-term strategy for permanent Web domination.

Read: The long-term plans for Google world domination.

SEO copywriters are facing an extremely competitive landscape as an increasing number of businesses are realizing the vast value of  search engine optimization.

There are now more than 14 billion Internet searches made each month, according to comScore. Moreover, Google has noted its index comprises more than 1 trillion pages.

To view for yourself just how competitive the Web is, Google a term like website design New York, NY which brings up 13.8 million search results. That’s for a website design search specifically geared toward New York, NY! Even a search surrounding a much less populated Canadian city like website design Winnipeg generates 704,000 search results.

Continue reading →

In just over three months, Internet Explorer has seen its overall market share erode by 11.4%.

Where did that go? TechCrunch reports it went to Firefox, Safari, and Chrome.

Nearly 5% of that, or about half, went to Firefox 3.0, which currently has 27.6% market share.

Read the entire report on TechCrunch.

MarketingSherpa recently did a study that compared SEO improvements of companies that rely on in-house staff versus agencies.

It reported in-house SEO efforts saw a 38% lift during a six-month period. Meanwhile, agencies achieved a 110% lift during the same period.

It highlights the opportunity specialists can deliver. Limited staff or jack-of-all-trades can no longer keep up with the assorted online technologies and tactics. While this is the case for everything from web design to development to copywriting, it’s especially true in the SEO realm.

Consider the fact that today’s websites compete with more than one trillion pages, versus just one billion pages in 2000. With the Web getting more complex, and more competition vying for attention, deep knowledge in a specific area can equate to a major competitive advantage.

Few would argue the Internet has changed how we live and work. More than one billion people rely on it globally, and more are jumping onboard daily.

What’s especially interesting is that the demographics are expanding. For instance, a recent Pew Internet study revealed broadband usage among adults ages 65 or older grew from 19% in May, 2008 to 30% in April, 2009. Moreover, two groups of low-income Americans saw strong broadband growth from 2008 to 2009.

Web designers, developers and copywriters should take note as these trends could impact how websites should look and function, and what messages should be conveyed. For example, retirement homes often gear their web content toward sons and daughters of mature parents. However, if more mature people are surfing and spending time on the Web, it might be more effective to speak directly to the retirees or potential guests.

The study also revealed Americans value the Internet more than TVs or cell phones. Believe it. Even during the economic recession, more than twice as many respondents said they had cut back or cancelled a cell phone plan or cable TV service versus Internet service.

More and more people are realizing the Internet connects and empowers. And the smart businesses are making the most of this long-term and lucrative trend.

Google, Facebook, MySpace have all done it. Now another player, Yahoo, is dipping its toes into the self-service ad industry.

Yahoo recently unveiled its self-service option for display advertising aimed at small-to-medium sized businesses. The display ad solution is called Yahoo My Display Ads, and according to Yahoo it “puts display advertising within reach for businesses of all sizes.”

Should small businesses jump on board and start advertising with Yahoo My Display Ads?

To get the scoop on Yahoo’s latest venture, we chatted with Tamara Brooks, co-owner of Vancouver-based October 17 Media. Tamara is a seasoned marketing professional, having working in online marketing and the branding industry for roughly 12 years. With her business partner Brenda Cadman, October 17 Media has worked alongside clients such as Future Shop, Fitness Town, Canadian Gene Cure Foundation, Leahy Music, the District of West Vancouver, Homeworks Services Inc, Pennzoil Quaker State US, NAPA Canada and DDB Canada.

Continue reading →

Google has embarked on a public-relations offensive claiming it’s not so big as regulators are intensely scrutinizing its every move.

“Some analysts say that government opposition, here or in Europe, could pose the biggest threat to Google’s continued success,” noted New York Times’ Miguel Helft.

Experts are also saying the steady stream of headlines about antitrust investigations could taint Google’s image with consumers, who view the search engine company in a positive light.

To be sure, Google’s “Senior Competition Counsel” Dana Wagner faces a daunting task, considering:

• Google handles roughly two-thirds of all Internet searches.
• It owns the largest online video site, YouTube, which is more than 10 times more popular than its nearest competitor.
• In 2008, Google sold nearly $22 billion in advertising, more than any media company in the world.

But Wagner insists: “Competition is a click away.”

It’s true. Google is a search engine giant. But we need to remember, just a few years ago, Yahoo was on top of the world. And now Yahoo could lose its number two spot to Microsoft’s increasingly popular Bing.

Google’s got a grip on the market – for now. Fortunately, they still have worthy competitors gnawing away at their heels, looking for a bigger piece of the pie. It’ll keep them innovative and honest.

Read full story: Google Makes a Case That It Isn’t So Big.

When web writers get fancy, they create barriers for visitors to complete their tasks.

When web writers get out of the way, they empower visitors to navigate, gather information and get things done quicker, and with little effort. That’s why good web writers always strive for simple.

Clear, concise web copy fosters satisfaction amongst website users and promotes higher conversion rates.

To see different web writing styles, and find out which work best, check out Web Writing: The Good, Bad and Ugly.

Web designers can make or break a business. In fact, a good web designer can be just as valuable to a company as any director or VP.

The reason is a good web designer can make your business look established and credible on the increasingly popular Web.

Some 15 years ago, if you wanted to build a successful brand, you had to hire architects and trades people to build a facility, and then spend major dollars on print, radio and TV promotions.

Today, quite often, all you need is a well designed website.

Even if your business is just coming out of the gate, a relatively small investment can get you a professional presence on the web, allowing you to out-brand and outperform an established company in almost any industry.

Don’t undervalue what a good web designer brings to the table. With approximately 70% of the population using the Internet, a professional web designer can help you connect with prospects all over the globe, efficiently and with minimal cost.

And when seeking a quality web designer, remember the web design market has no boundaries. Whether your business is located in London, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Toronto or Vancouver, you can work with a web designer or web design firm situated in any city or country. That’s the beauty of the Web.

Partner with a professional web designer. Your brand will flourish and your bottom line will benefit, too.