Websites for Individuals

How to See Who is Linking to Your Website

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I’ve said it before – an overwhelming majority of the business owners I meet these days want to talk about search engine optimization and Internet marketing. That’s fine by me. I love talking about it.

Last night I was at a networking event and was reminded of a very common theme that I have experienced lately: business owners are generally aware of the importance of inbound links (links from other websites to their website), but a lot of them (anecdotally, I’d estimate as many as 8 out of 10) don’t know any of the following:

  • How many links are pointing to their website
  • What links are pointing to their website
  • Exactly what pages on their website are the recipients of links

Read moreHow to See Who is Linking to Your Website

Stop Doubting Video & Embrace It

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I’m always amazed at business owners who doubt leveraging the awesome the power of video for their website. Although I experience it less these days, I still talk to enough doubting business owners to make me believe the world is not yet as convinced as it should be. Video is the future, if not the present, people!

In fact, I’m sort of embarrassed this blog is in text, not video, but bear with me. I’ll get there eventually.

When someone gets to your website, you have only a few precious seconds to convince them that A) your service is worth buying and B) more importantly, they should buy from you. If your website is loaded with novels of text that someone has to read in order to understand what your business is all about, forget it. No one will read it. You need to shorten your pitch by doing things like showing people via video the value of your product or service.

Today I came across  another great example of  a business leveraging the power of video. Surprisingly, it was done by a bank! Banks aren’t usually known for using social media effectively.

Here’s why this video is so great:

1.  Within 2-3 minutes, you know exactly how the product works AND that it’s ridiculously simple.

2.  USAA took something that might make some people apprehensive (mobile deposits) and used actual customers to ease any potential fears or hesitations about complexity or security. This is brilliant. What’s more powerful than seeing real people make those deposits in only a few seconds?

3. Existing USAA customers will undoubtedly see this app as a value-add while people that aren’t customers might reconsider.

    You can’t watch that video and not think that the service is very cool and a complete no-brainer.  Want proof? According to USAA’s Twitter account, $1.5 million has already been deposited using this new app in just three days.

    If your website is not using video to help sell your products or services, start thinking about it right away. And if you need help coming up with a video content plan, let us know.

    If you have other good examples of videos being used on websites you use, include a link in the comment section.

    Brand5 Launches First of Its Kind Facebook Page

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    Matt Hasselbeck’s Facebook PageWe launched a Facebook Page (membership required) for our client, Matt Hasselbeck. Hasselbeck is the All-Pro quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks.

    What’s exciting is that this is the very first page to be created for an NFL player and possibly the first for any US professional athlete from the four major sports (we are still trying to confirm that last fact).

    What exactly is a FacebookPage? Here’s how Facebook describes it,

    “Every Facebook Page is a unique experience where users can become more deeply connected with your business or brand. Users can express their support by adding themselves as a fan, writing on your Wall, uploading photos, and joining other fans in discussion groups. You can send updates to your fans regularly — or just with special news or offers.”

    We are proud to be on the cutting edge with this. Facebook is the hottest thing going right now. It is truly the ‘killer app’ of 2007. With nearly 60 million members and growing, it makes total sense for every brand to get in front of Facebook users. Facebook, moreso than any other social networking website out there right now, facilitates connections amongst its users with similar interests (in this case the popular leader of the Seahawks).

    Facebook is incredibly viral. Without any marketing or fanfare whatsoever, nearly 60 users have become a fan of Matt’s page already.

    Websites and Amateur Athletes

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    There are a lot of “can and can’t-do’s” out there when it comes to athletes and their websites. We here at Brand5 know. We manage websites for two professional athletes (Matt Hasselbeck and Julie Wells).

    Athletes are brands. Their names are no different than the name of a company. No one else can use them without the athlete’s permission. Seems like a simple rule, but that doesn’t stop every greedy hanger-on who wants a piece of the pie.

    Things are seemingly much more complicated when it comes to college athletes. A recent story involving Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow recently caught our eye. Tebow’s school, the University of Florida, has stepped forward to say that no one can represent Tebow with out Florida’s permission. While it’s not surprising since the NCAA has infinite power, what would happen if Tebow stepped to the forefront and said that he owns his name, not the NCAA and not Florida?

    Instances like this are happening more and more. Look for it to bubble over in the coming years as amateur athletes get more and more web savvy, entering college with their own established web presences.