Progress Ramps Up for the Yahoo/Microsoft Search Alliance

Yahoo has currently started to move their back end technology over to the Bing platform. This transition is being made to give users more relevant organic search results by combining the Yahoo and Microsoft reach. The alliance encourages users to stay current with this progress and to be prepared for the eventual finished product.

Yahoo is also making strides in the realm of Paid Search Marketing. In the weeks ahead, MS Advertisers with Yahoo search marketing accounts will be able to import existing campaigns into the Microsoft ad Center via a “transition portal”. Yahoo will notify all search advertisers by e-mail when their current accounts will be eligible to transition over to the Microsoft ad Center.

The complete transition for the Yahoo/Microsoft Search Alliance could be complete for the 2010 Holiday season; however parties from both sides agree that they will not rush the transition, so do not be surprised if the finished product is not ready until 2011.

Here at DaBrian Marketing, we are excited to see how the complete transition will affect the Search landscape!

Google Analytics Flash Tracking Tip

We recently received questions regarding how to track flash banner advertising with Google Analytics from one of our current clients. The process uses the Google Analytics Component for Flash.

For instructions on how to download and install this feature, refer to the link below:

http://code.google.com/apis/analytics/docs/tracking/flashTrackingSetupFlash.html#getComponent

We highly recommend that you create a duplicate profile, filter the profile to track only these pageviews related to the specific banner, and use the URL builder to track the clicks for the banner ads.

You can also test landing pages by implementing Google Webiste Optimizer.

Check Out Web Analytics TV for more information!

Internet Marketing Lead Generation to Maximize ROI

In a recent article from eMarketer.com, companies worldwide stated that email was the best lead generation program based on quantity and the quality of the leads. Email blasts were followed by live events, webinars, and website registrations. “The effectiveness of online channels, coupled with the fact that prospects indicate the web is the first place they look for more information, makes it natural for companies to be increasing their investments in web design, email marketing and search engine optimization.”

“As more lead generation efforts shift to the Internet, tools to help develop, execute, and track campaign effectiveness will become a ‘must have’ rather than a ‘nice to have,’” said the report.

This is a clear sign that email marketing will continue to be a powerful marketing method. With that being said, the integration of social media marketing into email blasts will increase the possibility for your information to evolve within the social networks. Leveraging email marketing, social media marketing, SEO, and Pay-Per-Click will help with lead generation and brand awareness. Not all customers are in a position to purchase today, so brand awareness and a diversified campaign will pay off in the long-run. The ability to integrate internet marketing with traditional marketing methods will continue to be important as well.

Google AdWords Broad Match Modifier

In May 2010, Google began testing the broad match modifier in the UK and Canada. Last week, Google rolled out the broad match modifier globally with the exception of Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Arabic, and Hebrew languages. The broad match modifier is a Google AdWords targeting feature that allows advertisers to create keywords with more reach than phrase match and broad match. Now, this feature is available in the AdWords Editor and AdWords API. Keep in mind that by implementing this new feature; your clicks and conversion volume are likely to decrease.

Local Search Advantage with Google AdWords

Google AdWords has continued to roll-out enhancement features for advertisers. The latest feature is called Ad Sitelinks. This new one-line format will allow advertisers to add additional links into the ad copy of AdWords campaigns. Google will automatically determine if your ad qualifies to show Ad Sitelinks and whether to show two lines or the one-line format based on the quality of the ads.

Keep in mind that there are several other Ad Extensions that local businesses may find useful to improve search results. These extensions are locations, products, and phone extensions.

Analyzing Social Media Marketing Impact

Social Media Marketing is a global phenomenon. It’s much more than Twitter, FaceBook or Linkedin. There are millions of users communicating about products and services. Social Media is branding your business, products or services. The impact of social media can be measured by using web analytics tools. It is critical to develop KPIs for social media analytics to gauge the ROI of the time investment necessary for successful social media marketing.

Social Media marketing will continue to be a top priority for marketers. The ability to integrate social media marketing into every aspect of marketing campaigns is important for long-term success and increasing brand awareness. Contrary to popular belief, email marketing will continue to be a marketing medium that drives fans, friends, customers, and visitor to new information.

Remember our top 6 key steps for a successful campaign:

1. Research your opportunities to leverage social media marketing that consistently will reach your target audience.

2. Develop a strategy that outlines your business goals, purpose, metrics, and acceptable ROI.

3. Identify your organization’s Social Media Marketing Champion to carry the charge.

4. Identify your organization’s channels for a successful campaign.

5. Measure the campaign.

6. Remember that Social Media Marketing does not function independent of other marketing efforts. It impacts search engine optimization, pay-per-click, email marketing, banner advertising, and website performance.

Social Media Marketing: The “Hot Button” for Marketers

We have worked with numerous clients providing web analytics reporting, search engine optimization, search engine marketing, and more. More recently, social media marketing has been the “hot button” among many prospective clients. We have three specific points regarding social media marketing:

1. Clearly outline your business enterprise guidelines, policies, and rules of engagement. This will help you to develop a standard form of communication and the ability to hold contributors accountable for comments or their actions.

2. Social Media Marketing does not exist in a solo. It is more than Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, or YouTube. Social Media Marketing is everywhere.

Figure 1 Email Signature

Figure 2 Email Marketing Campaign

3. It’s up to the business to analyze which social media tactics are helping to achieve the business goals and objectives. The only way to measure social media is through analytics.