In the meantime, check out some of these forms of digital marketing to help your business have a successful 2012! Notice there are 12? Pick one a month and knock it out of the part in 2012!

Here are 12 tactics for improving your small business digital marketing efforts in 2012.

1. Written Content: Google rewards good writers.

The web pages ranking at the top of Google have one thing in common: they all feature well written content. Yes, optimization is important, but not so important that you forget about spelling, grammar, and good sentence construction. Most visitors will hit the back button when they encounter poorly written text. When creating or updating content contact a professional writer, or at least make sure it is reviewed multiple times before going online.

2. Business Blogging: Start with relevant, aspire to be remarkable.

A business blog is a valuable in getting your marketing message out to your customers and is one of the most cost-effective methods of marketing that there is, reaching both customers and search engines at the same time. A good business blog will reinforce and enhance your company’s brand.

3. Mobile Website: Your customers are mobile, are you?

The increase in web enabled mobile phones over the past few years has increased the demand for mobile websites as well. Approximately 40% of adults use the internet, email or instant messaging on a mobile phone daily. Creating a mobile website that is simple to navigate than the full content version ensures customers can access your products and services quickly and easily on the go.

4. Search Engine Optimization: What are you ranking for?

You know SEO is important but you can’t just pick your keywords and scatter them around your site. To make SEO work for you, you need to be active in developing keywords that will drive targeted traffic to your website and generate leads. SEO must me regularly managed maintain its effectiveness.

5. Social Media: Gathering friends and followers.

The rise in social media has become a great way to bring attention to your business.

By building your network to include clients, potential clients, vendors, and partners you can share your business with a diverse audience instantly, and regularly. However it is important to maintain brand consistency, create relevant posts, and avoid oversaturation with too many messages, to maintain appeal with your audience.

6. Email Marketing: No, this doesn’t make you a spammer.

The trick to effective email marketing is content! When developing an email newsletter the most important part is to provide interesting and useful content for your readers. Start out with a catchy title to get their attention and then offer news, tips, and valuable information. Also, don’t send out so many emails that you are just cluttering up inboxes, moderation is key in email marketing.

7. Website Refresher: Avoiding site stagnation.
When was the last time there was a significant change made to your website? Can’t remember? Then it may be time for a website redesign. Even a simple update to your pictures or colors can make an old website fresh again. Encourage customers to visit your site more than once by keeping your site appealing, attractive, and up to date.

8. Web Video: Bringing content to life.

Utilizing video is a great way to interact with your customers and provide them with information outside of traditional written content. A web video shows your product or service in action. Short 2 minute videos allow potential customers to see how they would interact with the product or service and visualize themselves doing so. A visual representation can do wonders in turning a potential customer into a purchaser.

9. Call to Action: Nudge your users in the right direction.

A call to action is a request for the user to do something. It might be to click on a link, fill out a form, join a newsletter, or add a product to the shopping basket. The point of the call-to-action is to help your potential customers navigate your site successfully and to bring them closer to a touch point with your company. A site’s call to action should appear on every page, avoid coming across as pushy but don’t miss an opportunity to connect with a visitor.

10. E Commerce: Power and Profitability.

Online shoppers in the US spent $177 billion dollars in 2010. The e-commerce world has accelerated dramatically over the past decade turning traditional methods of shopping upside down. If your products are not available online you are not only preventing your customers from having access to your products 24 hours a day but limiting your global reach. The boundaries between brick and mortar stores and e-commerce will continue to fade as more businesses make their products available online.

11. Managing an Online Reputation: Your customers are talking, the whole world is listening.

One of the most common fears of small business owners when it comes to developing an online presence is encountering a bad review or rating by a customer. The internet can be a double edged sword, as many opportunities as it presents to build a brand reputation, it can also be harmful and destructive to the brand you have so carefully cultivated. You must tune in to the online conversation and actively engage in it. While not each good review requires a response, the bad reviews demand special attention and should be addressed with the goal of winning back the customer.

12. Customer Service and Support: Nobody likes to feel alone.

A user’s online experience with your company doesn’t stop at the edges of the monitor. Your customer service department can have a huge impact on your company’s online presence. From return policies to offering multiple ways to contact a service representative proving quality customer service can make or break the experience for many customers. To achieve long term business success, quality customer service and the user’s needs must always be in the foreground of your business strategy.

It is no longer enough to just have a website and let customers come to you. Your business must be active in the process of extending its reach.. Developing a complete online presence can be an incredibly powerful marketing tool, but it must be taken seriously and managed correctly. A complete web strategy includes many ‘moving pieces’, whether you are running a shoe store or a doctor’s office one message is the same, provide an outstanding user experience across the web.

Ability CRM’s recently launched website, www.abilitycrm.com, is an example of the FastSite program that Fasturtle® has developed for businesses as turnkey solutions for getting a new website. Fasturtle®’s FastSite program was built specifically for businesses that understand the need of an online presence, but do not necessarily need the extra bells and whistles of a larger scale website. “FastSites are special in the rite that they incorporate the brand of a company while using pre-determined technology to help keep costs down,” says Eric Olsen, CEO of Fasturtle®. Ablity CRM also wanted to take advantage of the control they would have to be able to update their site whenever they want without having to call anyone.

Ability CRM’s new website features all of the information on their services, news and events, white papers, client testimonials, integrated videos and an easy to use contact form.

About Ability CRM
AbilityCRM started providing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions in 1998. Since then they have helped hundreds of companies in many markets throughout the United States improve their business. May 2009 marked a new milestone for AbilityCRM with the launching of www.alwayson-crm.com. This is AbilityCRM’s Cloud based CRM / XRM system to help companies receive all the benefits of a CRM system without the hassle of hosting it themselves.

Above and Beyond Senior Placement Service’s recently launched website, www.aboveandbeyondseniorplacement.com, is an example of the FastSite program that Fasturtle® has developed for businesses as turnkey solutions for small businesses getting a new website. Fasturtle®’s FastSite program was built specifically for businesses that understand the need of an online presence, but do not necessarily need the extra bells and whistles of a larger scale website. “FastSites are special in the rite that they incorporate the brand of a company while using pre-determined technology to help keep costs down,” says Eric Olsen, CEO of Fasturtle®.

Above and Beyond Senior Placement Service worked with Fasturtle® to increase their web presence by adding social media features such as Facebook and is looking into adding a YouTube channel later to their website. The new website also allows for people to easily gather information, request a free consultation, read testimonials, and contact Above and Beyond Senior Placement Service.

About Above and Beyond Senior Placement Service
Above and Beyond Senior Placement Service was founded in 1994 by Susanne Schaeffer. They specialize in assisted living, full time nursing care and pairing clients with independent senior communities. They have hundreds of excellent references from families who have utilized their FREE services.

About Fasturtle®
Since 2000 Fasturtle® has been a leading provider of website marketing solutions and award winning website production. Fasturtle® is a Ranking AZ top 10 website and internet marketing firm located in Scottsdale Airpark in Arizona. Services offered include custom website design and development; as well as internet marketing, including social media and search engine optimization. Call (480) 348-0467 or visit www.fasturtle.com for more information.

Avery Company’s recently launched website, www.averycorporate.com, is an example of the FastSite program that Fasturtle® has developed for businesses as turnkey solutions for getting a new website. Fasturtle®’s FastSite program was built specifically for businesses that understand the need of an online presence, but do not necessarily need the extra bells and whistles of a larger scale website. “FastSites are special in the rite that they incorporate the brand of a company while using pre-determined technology to help keep costs down,” says Eric Olsen, CEO of Fasturtle®.

Avery Company worked with Fasturtle® to create a website that is easy to navigate, while at the same time updating their look. The new website also allows for people to easily gather information and contact Avery Company.

About Avery Company
Gary Avery, the founder of Avery Company, has an educational background in mechanical engineering, but he spent his early years in “for sale” commercial real estate. Through the course of listing and selling commercial real estate, Gary was asked to market a United States Post Office property and, at a later date, a senior housing complex with services. The experience achieved by means of marketing and closing these two properties afforded him the ability to launch a business plan to exclusively act as a rainmaker in these two unique industries nationwide.

About Fasturtle®
Since 2000 Fasturtle® has been a leading provider of website marketing solutions and award winning website production. Fasturtle®is a Ranking AZ top 10 website and internet marketing firm located in Scottsdale Airpark in Arizona. Services offered include custom website design and development; as well as internet marketing, including social media and search engine optimization. Call (480) 348-0467 or visit www.fasturtle.com for more information.

Contact: Lynn Bryan

Phone: 480-348-0467

Email: lynn.bryan@fasturtle.com

After years of working with partners, Mr. Bregman decided to branch out on his own with a practice under his name. This required a new logo and identity which Fasturtle® was able to provide. Using the colors that he has used for years, they created a type based logo with his initials and subsequent name. In doing so, they were able to avoid confusing his current clients, but also create an updated look targeted to attract new clients.

Mark Bregman’s recently launched website, www.markbregmanlaw.com, is an example of the FastSite program that Fasturtle® has developed for businesses as turnkey solutions for getting a new website. Fasturtle®’s FastSite program was built specifically for businesses that understand the need of an online presence, but do not necessarily need the extra bells and whistles of a larger scale website. “FastSites are special in the rite that they incorporate the brand of a company while using pre-determined technology to help keep costs down,” says Eric Olsen, CEO of Fasturtle®.

Mark Bregman worked with Fasturtle® to increase their web presence by adding social media features such as Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter and a blog to his website. The new website also allows for people to easily gather information, request a free consultation, read testimonials, watch videos, follow Mark Bregman on social media sites and contact Mark Bregman.

About Mark Bregman
Mark has practiced in downtown Scottsdale since graduating in the top 25% of his class from the Arizona State University College of Law in 1979. Prior to law school, he was trained as an IRS field agent. He achieved high distinction on the Bar Examination and has been recognized by his peers and Phoenix Magazine as a preeminent lawyer in Maricopa County.

About Fasturtle®
Since 2000 Fasturtle® has been a leading provider of website marketing solutions and award winning website production. Fasturtle® is a Ranking AZ top 10 website and internet marketing firm located in Scottsdale Airpark in Arizona. Services offered include custom website design and development; as well as internet marketing, including social media and search engine optimization. Call (480) 348-0467 or visit www.fasturtle.com for more information.

Contact: Lynn Bryan

Phone: 480-348-0467

Email: lynn.bryan@fasturtle.com

We would love to hear your feedback and thoughts about the designs so please drop us a quick message or vote for the one you like best on our Facebook Page!

In addition to our intern, we have hired a sales supper star, Christine Ostrander. She is sure to rise to the top with her go getter attitude and “won’t take no for an answer” ways. Eric Olsen has personally elected to move forward with extensive training giving her the intricate details of Fasturtle®, ensuring she provides our clients with the legendary customer service we are aiming for.

One final note for those of you out there drudging through the interview process, to avoid a “terrible” interview please, please, please go prepared, know a little about the company, and as if should even need to be said, Dress to Impress, first impressions count for 80% of the process.

Welcome aboard Christine and Brian, we wish you success and good fortune.

2. Write regularly and consistently, people return to your site because your information is fresh, new and exciting.

3. If your readers took the time to read the article you spent so much time writing, they may want to share it as well, make it easy, and always include the Tweet and Facebook Like buttons on your work.

4. Write catchy headlines that grab people’s attention quickly. Make sure they are keyword rich for search engines.

5. Provide subscription buttons such as: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google + so readers can easily follow you and your work.

6. When tweeting your 140 character message, include # tags to deliver it to the group of individuals you want to see the information. Example #leadership or #seo

7. As your following continues to grow on the different social media outlets, be sure to highlight this feat on your company blog, or monthly newsletter. People like being recognized for their efforts and if you show your appreciation to them, you are more likely to continue growing.

8. Run polls using the Facebook Question Feature. Engage and involve your audience for optimal feedback

9. Create a contest or competition on Facebook or Twitter for your followers.

10. Respond, Respond, Respond!! Always make an effort to reply to mentions on twitter or comments posted by fans on Facebook. Show you are engaged and appreciate that they are taking the time read what you have to say.

Fasturtle® understands that first and foremost, clients are the foundation of the success story that makes Fasturtle® what it is today, and without that support, Fasturtle® would not be going strong after 10 years. Fasturtle® hopes to say thank you by offering some service incentives this year to the great dedicated clients partnered with Fasturtle®.

We would love to hear your feedback, so let us know if there is anything great Fasturtle is doing for you or if there is anything you think Fasturtle® could improve on.

*excludes Hosting or Email Marketing Plans

In response to this, the Arizona based company, Fasturtle®, created a website to eliminate these problems. Specific to B2B or B2C, JustGoPhoenix.com is the city’s way of finding out what is going on in targeted industries. “I am excited to be a part of something which exemplifies freedom of speech that will create a way for companies to publish information unedited by outside parties,” says Olsen. The site is also designed as a resource for people that might be relocating who wouldn’t otherwise know the industry trends of a new city. By referring to the site, they can pool information about a specific industry instead of having to search for each individual company.

In addition, job listings are featured to counteract the struggle and cost of finding qualified employees. In his own search for valuable employees, Olsen found that his choices for affordable listings were slim and wanted to provide an alternative to the big employment sites and niche job listing sites.

Currently, Phoenix is the test market for the site, with plans to expand to the top 25 cities in the United States. Each city will have a minimum of 30 blogs ranging in topics anywhere from Automotive to Fashion to Medicine. With enthusiasm from the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce and positive feedback from companies that are currently posting, Fasturtle® plans to promote JustGoPhoenix.com as a rich new source of business information within our communities with the theme of “Your City, Your Business, Your Voice.”

For more information on Just Go Phoenix, please visit the website, at www.justgophoenix.com.

About Fasturtle®

Since 2000 Fasturtle® is has been leading provider of website marketing solutions and award winning website production. Fasturtle® is a Ranking AZ top 10 website and internet marketing firm located in the Scottsdale Airpark in Arizona. Services offered include custom website design and development; as well as internet marketing, including social media and search engine optimization. Call (480)348-0467 or visit www.fasturtle.com for more information.

Contact: Lynn Bryan

Phone: 480-348-0467

Email: lynn.bryan@fasturtle.com