Marketing is crucial to any business's success–especially digital marketing–but what does digital marketing mean exactly? Is it having a solid website that ranks well with Google and other search engines? Perhaps it’s appearing on social media feeds as ads or shares? These are just two of the MANY ways digital marketing can be utilized, but we’ve got others you haven’t probably haven't even considered. When you partner with us, we’ll create the perfect plan for your baby–we mean business. To kick off our partnership, we’ll schedule a discovery meeting. You’ll share what your goals for your business are, as well as where you’re currently at with the business, and what obstacles you’ve come across. In order to be effective at what we do, we want the full picture so that we can provide options that would benefit you the most. A lot of marketing agencies will only offer bundles that are very general “one size fits all” options. While these options may work well for some, we find that most businesses are too unique to fit into something this regimented. Superior Effect Marketing’s approach is to tailor a strategy to your specific needs. Your budget is important to us and we will make sure that we maximize your ROI. Website design and development is one of the most in-demand services we offer. Whether it is building a website from scratch, or making updates to an existing website, these services are essential in keeping your business ranking and discoverable online. Your website acts as a 24/7 storefront, providing information about your products or services to potential customers. No matter what industry you’re in, or what size your business is, a website builds trust, extends your reach beyond local boundaries, and offers insights into customer behavior. It's a fundamental tool for growth, engagement, and staying competitive in today's digital landscape. Businesses of all sizes need websites of all sizes. For example, a new client of ours, Eddie has been in the hair industry for 19 years. Recently, he moved from California to Duluth. While his books were full in California, due to the nature of his business, he is essentially starting his business over from scratch in Duluth. He wanted a way to establish himself in a new city to grow his customer base as quickly as possible without breaking his budget. The most effective option we presented for Eddie’s needs was a landing page, Hairstylist Eddie Ortiz. A landing page is a single page website designed for a specific action. Which in this case included; an introduction to Eddie himself, his business, a gallery of photos to showcase his work, testimonials, and a link to his schedule–all in a style we collaborated on. We were able to stay within Eddie’s budget and now he’s ready to reap the benefits of having updated his marketing game. A new venture needs a sharp website. A long-time client and friend, Gina Ramsey, came to us, ready to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming an author with the release of her first book, Burnt Gloveboxes. Gina needed a website to not only promote and sell her book, but to promote herself as a blossoming author, and to give people a means of reaching out to her for bookings. With the multiple facets to her career as an author, Gina needed a website that is a little more robust to provide a wider variety of information. Her site includes: an about the author page, testimonials, upcoming events, a sign-up for a newsletter, and of course links to buy her new book “Burnt Gloveboxes.” Now, Gina has a fun website, Author Gina Ramsey, that fits her style perfectly and has established her as an author with ease. Big companies require big websites. Of the many websites we’ve created, mended, or maintained, Superior Packaging Company (SPC) is one of the largest and unique. Their owner, Tom, came to us with the vision of setting his company up for success and becoming a leader of his industry by getting ahead of the game. After years of partnership, SPC is right where Tom imagined them to be, at the top of their market. The website itself exceeded his expectations by also becoming a successful form of commerce that does a fair amount of selling for him. With pages including; training, FAQs, products, etc.--it’s hard not to find what you’re looking for. Staying “on brand” is important for SPC so it’s important to us. While we love them, Superior Effect Marketing does MUCH more than websites... From Northern Minnesota… Northland Lodge is a charming resort in Deer River, MN on scenic Lake Winnie. Their owner, Pat, came to us about ten years ago after struggling with their previous marketing agency. That experience left a bitter taste in Pat’s mouth due to the lack of customer service and support he had received, so we knew we’d really have to wow him to show that not all marketing agencies are built the same. Needless to say, he’s been with us ever since! Outside of the initial website build for the business, the services we provide to Northland Lodge have expanded over the years. Two huge ones for Northland Lodge is Social Media Management and Blogs. Blogs are a great way to keep a website relevant, as they introduce fresh content. By strategically using target keywords, the site is able to attract organic traffic, and boost a website's authority and credibility. Paired with the management of their social media, we share their blogs on their Facebook page to drive interest, and to funnel customers to their website. Everything we write and post is done with planning and intention. Northland Lodge’s owner, Pat, has told us that every time we post a blog for them, the phone rings off the hook! We love posting content that connects with their customers, especially when it is directly linked to an increase in their bookings! To Northern Wisconsin… Located on the shores of the largest freshwater lake in the world sits Apostle Highlands Golf Course in Bayfield, WI. The course's general manager, Bill (or Billy-D as we call him), came to us wanting a website to really highlight the beauty of this course. When social media began to show potential as a way to promote a business, he was initially apprehensive of trying something new, but we were able to show him very quickly the impact a well run social media campaign can make! Posts, Polls, Reels, and Giveaways on their facebook page have all helped bring people in from all over the region. With Reels alone, we have been able to increase wedding bookings at the golf course! When a course is as beautiful as Apostle Highlands, all you need is to find a way to show it off, and the bookings will come. We are happy to be able to make such a positive impact for a great business! We’ve done this through more than just social media though. We keep their Google business page up to date on a weekly basis, and make sure their Google reviews are being responded to. Ongoing optimization is one of the most important services we offer. After all the work of putting together a solid online presence, maintenance is key. Whether you’re looking for one service… to start ;) or many services, let us help you figure out the best path for your business and lead you to success!
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When it comes to the world wide web the only thing you can rely on is change. The internet has obviously transformed the way we live, communicate, conduct business, and if you’ve been paying attention over the last couple years – you now possess the potential to transform yourself into a brand. This shift does come with some caveats, especially through the lens of SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Let’s explore the importance of becoming a brand to maintain a strong online presence, and let's dive into the methods to accomplish this standing.
Anyone with access to the internet can cultivate a digital persona that resonates as a brand. Whether this transformation is a blessing or a curse is a matter of perspective. Many small businesses and independent entrepreneurs are satisfied with being recognized as entities rather than full-fledged brands. However, considering how SEO factors in, there's minimal room for disagreement – embracing a brand identity is crucial to secure lasting online presence. "If you can't beat them, join them," takes a new meaning following each Google algorithm update. The fundamental reasoning is clear – brands form the foundation of ‘Google's Knowledge Graph’, the framework that weaves the fabric of online information together. In other words, Brands are King. By establishing your businesses presence as a brand, you position your business to capture Google's attention and acknowledgment over the long term. One telltale sign that you – or your competition – have become a recognized brand in Google's eyes is the presence of a non-local (generic) knowledge panel upon searching for your brand. In other words, your google business page pops up. This is a solid indication that Google acknowledges you as a bona fide brand, more than just a mere entity. This feature also reveals the brands you're affiliated with, a handy piece of information for competitive analysis. To gauge your competitors' status, this step should be an essential part of your audit – awareness of these affiliations is shared by Google itself. Becoming a brand isn’t necessarily ‘quick and easy’. It's a journey that demands a cohesive team strategy. To effectively brand yourself or your business, consider integrating the following steps into your branding strategy: 1. Strengthen Your Online Presence Your branding starts with your website and content. Make sure your site has thorough information about your business, leadership, culture, and history. Remember, just having these tags doesn't make you trustworthy. Create meaningful content and structure it to help Google understand your brand. Also, use the "same as" property to link to your official channels. 2. Weaving a Web of Associations A crucial part of building your brand involves connecting with other respected entities, or “backlinking”. This links your brand into a complex network. While we may not know exactly how Google's connections work, there are strategies to help create these links:
3. Being everywhere helps people remember you. To be recognized, spread your brand across different platforms. The goal is to make people search for your brand, something Google notices. While it might seem overwhelming, you can do it smartly:
4. Curate Positive Mentions The culmination of your brand-building venture involves curating favorable mentions to amplify positive sentiment and broaden their visibility. This practice bolsters social proof and augments conversion rates, warranting its incorporation into your strategy:
Building a brand is a big task that takes a lot of time and a lot of effort. The good news is, the possibility is accessible to everyone, and if done correctly can lead to quick rewards like more website visitors, better search engine rankings, and higher sales. If SEO data is any indication, it's necessary for lasting online success. Embrace branding and let us help your online presence soar in the digital world. In today's fast-changing business world, it's crucial for companies to keep up with the latest technology to stay competitive. One big game-changer is having an online shop. This is basically an online store where people can buy things. The mix of modern technology and how people shop these days makes it a great idea for your businesses to have an online shop as a key part of your business strategy. No need to dig through the racks, we’re making it easy for you to find the information on the benefits of integrating an online shop into your business strategy. Regular stores only have the capacity to attract customers who live nearby. However, online shops are like magic. They can talk to people from all over the world. This means more potential buyers and a chance to sell to groups that might not even visit a brick and mortar. Plus, online shops don't sleep, so they're open all day, even when people in different parts of the world are awake at different times. Regular shops need to cover overhead and pay for things like employees, rent, electricity, and general maintenance and repairs. On the other hand, online shops don't require the same level of investment and continued upkeep like your traditional stores. Sure, setting up an online shop might cost some money at the beginning, but it's often cheaper in the long run. This means more money can be spent on making products better, telling more people about them, and giving customers a more pleasant experience. Online shops are like secret spies (but the good kind). They can watch what customers do, such as what they look at and what they buy. This information is super constructive. It's like knowing what a friend likes and surprising them with cool gifts that will become their faves! Your business can use this info to sell items and services that people want, show ads that people like, and make sure customers are happy. Wouldn't it be great if shopping was as easy as clicking a button? Well, that's what online shops do. People can shop from their cozy couch or even while they're waiting for the bus. Online shops can also remember what people like and show them more things they might like. It's like having a personal shopping assistant. Everyone nowadays has a tiny computer in their pocket – a smartphone. People use it for everything, especially shopping. Online stores can be like a cozy corner in the smartphone world, where shopping is a breeze. No matter if someone uses a computer or a smartphone, the online shop will look and run with ease. Imagine a shop that can change its shape and size anytime it wants. That's what online shops can do. If the weather changes, a new trend pops up, or people start liking something new, online shops can change with them. This will help your business always stay in the game and be ready for anything. Having an online shop isn't just a cool idea anymore – it's something your business really needs. It will enable you to talk to more people, save money, understand your customers, make shopping fun, and be ready to adapt quickly to changes. As the business world keeps changing, online shops are like a guiding light showing the way to success. We all learned how valuable and necessary online shopping truly was during the pandemic, and now it is completely mainstream. If you don’t have an online store, you should definitely consider it! First step, give us a call, drop us an email, or submit a contact form on our website - we’ll help you get your store up and running on your schedule and within your budget!
As you’ve probably already gathered, SEO is crucial to the marketing world. In our blogs, we’ve told you what it is and why it’s important. However, the most frequent question we are asked by our clients is: ‘How long does SEO take before we start seeing results?’ Another question asked often is: ‘What SEO strategies are we implementing for your business?’ We’re opening the blinds to shed some light on the subject. SEO results are described as a significant uptick in organic traffic. Organic traffic refers to the visitors who visit a website through unpaid, natural, or organic search engine results. In other words, these are the users who find your website by clicking on a link that appears in the search engine's results pages (SERPs) without any direct payment or advertising involved. It’s essential to have patience with SEO results because on average, it takes months to a year to see results. However, there are 3 important factors that help your SEO.
Does a year seem like a long time? We think so, too. Luckily we know how to speed up the process. We offer an in-depth SEO audit. This can pinpoint precisely how to fix your site and how to beat the competition with prioritized recommendations on what actions will make the most significant impact. When you partner with us, we continue to keep an eye on your SEO because we know it’s not a one-time thing.
As a marketing firm, it’s our responsibility to stay up to date on all things social media. So, when Threads by Instagram was launched on July 5th, 2023 we knew it was our duty to pay attention. We’ve been keeping an eye on trends with the new app and how we can use it to better our partner’s businesses. In its first week, Threads had 100 million users–which blew competitors’ numbers out of the water. At two weeks 150 million users, we started to notice some trends. We hope you brought your adventure hat because it’s time to explore the world of Threads by Instagram. Did you know that the average user is on 6.6 social platforms? Well, are you ready for a new one? Or maybe replace another one *cough* Twitter *cough*? Threads has glaring similarities to its competitor Twitter but has much higher engagement. For example, Threads is generating 31.4 likes (hearts) per post versus 4.9 on Twitter. With engagement like that, we think it’s crucial to hop on the bandwagon.
Threads is new and obviously has a lot of potential. We will be continuing to pay attention to trends as this platform grows. However, we recommend hopping on the Threads train as soon as possible so your business can fully benefit from its infancy. With our years of social media marketing experience, and the tools that Threads has supplied, we’ll ensure your business is threaded with the keys for success. If you’re looking to add this new platform to your social marketing strategy today and want some help, we’re ready to create the right content Threads pushes to its users (your potential customers!)
While social media marketing has taken hold of the world, there are plenty of businesses and business owners who still like to incorporate traditional marketing as part of their strategy. For us, these are some of our favorite clients because they TRULY understand their changing client base! Case in point. Superior Packaging Company is a local company that manufactures load securement products for the shipping of goods. Their president, Tom, has allowed us to implement a multifaceted approach to his marketing. He remains loyal to his long time customers by ensuring that they are marketed to in more traditional ways that they have been accustomed to, such as email newsletters and a personal touch that many industries just don’t provide anymore. He also recognizes that as those people are starting to retire, he needs to be able to capture their replacements, a new demographic of customers that rely on social media marketing to discover his services. Tom looks to us for suggestions on what new technology and ideas are able to expand his reach, and has embraced the use of video on social media (LinkedIn’s algorithm favors video content), and began using QR codes before they truly went mainstream. These approaches, paired with a well maintained, and easy to navigate website, have not only improved customer experience, but it has simplified Tom’s process, as requests from all these funnels go directly to the same device, allowing Tom to quickly fulfill requests. Based on the testimonials we’ve received, his customers are so happy, and very often shocked, with how quickly he is able to respond to them, and how promptly they receive their orders! A multitiered marketing campaign has really served him well, and he has been able to drive sales from all demographics with this approach. The key is knowing your customers! And Tom REALLY knows his customers!
We spent the time fully understanding GA4 so you wouldn’t have to. Did you know that after 11 years of Google running Universal Analytics (UA), they just replaced it with Google Analytics 4 (GA4)? On July 1, Google officially said goodbye to UA and there is no going back. Now its replacement, UA, has received backlash throughout the marketing community. The biggest complaints include “not being user friendly” or generally being “hard to understand.” Analytics are crucial for digital marketing as they provide valuable insights, enable data-driven decision-making, measure campaign performance, facilitate targeting and personalization, optimize strategies, and assess ROI. On top of that, the digital marketing world is constantly evolving, so you have to constantly keep up with it. Well, you don’t have to worry about keeping up with the crazy world of analytics when you partner with us because this is the kind of thing we specialize in to ensure your company is leveraging analytics effectively. With our Google Analytics-certified team, we will enhance your marketing efforts, increase your company’s competitive edge, and achieve better results! Get ready to learn how we adapted GA4 quickly and how we can use it to leverage your website’s online rankings.
There are a few key differences between UA and GA4. Universal Analytics hit types include page hits, event hits, eCommerce hits, and social interaction hits. In contrast, Google Analytics 4 data is event-based, assuming that any interaction can be captured as an event. Universal Analytics property hit types translate to events in a Google Analytics 4 property. Events represent a fundamental data model difference between Universal Analytics and Google Analytics 4 properties. A Universal Analytics event has a Category, Action, and Label and is its own hit type. In Google Analytics 4 properties, every "hit" is an event; there is no distinction between hit types. For example, a page view event is triggered when someone views one of your website pages. Google Analytics 4 events have no notion of Category, Action, and Label, and, unlike Universal Analytics reports, Google Analytics 4 reports do not display Category, Action, and Label. Therefore, it’s better to rethink your data collection regarding the Google Analytics 4 model rather than port your existing event structure to Google Analytics 4. One of the main points of contention for users who are weary of GA4 is the overload of information and deciphering what's important and what’s not. We won’t lie–it’s a little overwhelming to look at. Luckily, we’ve put in the hours necessary to fully understand GA4 and how to use it to best help our clients. We know what we're looking for and where to look for it! We know how to set up and analyze the data to understand it fully. This way, we can create adjustments and pivot your marketing to increase ROI! For example, we can find out the most successful focus groups and redirect your budget to market to that group. You don’t have to stay up-to-date with the little intricacies of the marketing world when you partner with us because that's what we do best and we love it! In today's highly competitive digital world, it's crucial to not only understand, but to actively use the power of keyword clustering to maximize your SEO efforts. Our team understands the importance of data-driven strategies and we are here to help you understand why keyword clustering is necessary for your business to succeed. We’ll unlock untapped potential and drive meaningful results for your business through the power of SEO and incorporating data types relevant to you, your site, and most importantly, your customer. Are you ready to learn all about the power of keyword clustering?
Do you know which keywords have the highest search volume in your industry? Chances are, you do. However, that can be a problem if that keyword is being used by EVERYONE in your industry. In a way, it becomes obsolete due to its overuse. Our advanced search volume analysis provides valuable insights that drive our optimization efforts for your site effectively. Using keywords that are still relevant, but not as competitive. By targeting high-volume keywords, we'll capture a larger share of organic traffic and position your brand in front of potential customers actively seeking your products or services. This is one of many ways we maximize ROI (return on investment). The world of Google and Social Media moves fast. It's critical to deliver content that resonates with your target audience among the white noise of the internet. Our keyword clustering methodology takes into account the relevance of keywords, grouping them based on common themes and user intent. By aligning your content with keyword relevance, and a seamless user experience, we'll increase engagement, driving higher conversion rates! One constant about marketing your business that has been true for generations is that it's essential to stay ahead of your competitors. As a part of the discovery session with your business, we also perform an analysis of competition levels. This enables us to identify keyword opportunities with lower competition, granting you a competitive edge. By strategically targeting these keywords, we'll improve your chances of ranking higher in search engine results, attracting quality traffic, and outperforming your competitors. While standard broad keywords are valuable, our data-driven approach includes a thorough exploration of long-tail keywords. These highly specific phrases allow you to capture niche audiences actively searching for exactly what you offer. By incorporating long-tail keywords into your keyword clusters, we'll enhance your visibility, drive promising leads, and boost your conversion rates. Understanding the intent behind search queries is the key to delivering content that truly connects with your audience. Our analysis of user intent enables us to categorize keywords based on informational, transactional, or navigational intent. By aligning your content with user needs and expectations, you'll build trust, establish your brand as an authority, and drive larger engagement levels, leading to a higher rate of conversions. For businesses targeting specific regions or cities, our keyword clustering takes into account the power of local SEO. We analyze location-specific keywords and search volumes to tailor your content strategy accordingly. By optimizing for local search, you'll connect with nearby customers who are actively seeking your products or services, driving foot traffic and boosting ROI. Staying on top of the latest trends can play a major role in expanding your reach. Our trend analysis methodology allows us to identify emerging keywords and topics that can propel your SEO strategy forward. By capitalizing on these trends, we’ll position your brand as a thought leader, attract new audiences, and stay relevant in the ever-changing online world. At SEM, we believe in data-driven strategies that deliver exceptional results. Our comprehensive keyword clustering services empower your business to unlock the full potential of SEO. By incorporating search volume analysis, keyword relevance, competition levels, long-tail keywords, user intent, geographic considerations, and trend analysis into your keyword clustering wish list, you'll be equipped with optimized content, which will attract organic traffic and achieve your SEO goals. We’ll always keep your business up-to-date, so you don’t have to worry. Making a Splash! Well, it FINALLY feels like summertime in the Twin Ports! While the spring was really rough from a weather standpoint, it has been really good on the business end! Our Social Media Output Has Really Been Making a Splash This Summer! We have taken Apostle Highlands Golf Course out of seasonal dormancy, and brought the golf course back to life just in time for Summer. A beautiful course on its own, we have been making sure their followers know that the course is an ideal place to book for a wedding venue. By creating targeted posts, and maximizing Facebook’s algorithm to our advantage, we have drummed up interest in using Apostle Highlands as the perfect backdrop for wedding season. In fact, the typical response we get every time one of these posts hits social media is 3 inquiries within the first 24 hours. Not too shabby! Now that’s some high converting marketing! We have also been managing social media for Northland Lodge on Lake Winnie this summer, and the engagement has been amazing! You can always tell when a business owner loves their job and their business. The comments just overflow in such a positive way from both current and past guests! We’re so excited to be experiencing summer 2023 along with them (from a distance). Big Websites Are No Problem! We have a brand new client - Bad River Health Clinic! We are thrilled to be partnering with the Bad River Health Clinic to design and develop a brand new website. After many hours of research and designing mockups, meeting with key individuals, we received the green light and are officially beginning this new project, and it is full steam ahead. This project is shaping up to be quite large in scope. In addition to the standard design, development, and SEO implementation, we’ll also be showing off our photography skills! Real world photography and videography is a current marketing rule of thumb today. Long gone are the days of stock photography. The goal of their director is to create a website that showcases their clinic and serves as a tool for the entire community. To say that we are very excited to be partnering with Bad River would be an understatement since our Emily is a member of Bad River! It’s always exciting when your work and your roots come together in an unexpected way and we can’t wait to unveil the final result! Teamwork Makes The Dreamwork! One lightbulb moment we have discovered (but kinda always knew) is working together as a team versus working remotely really does work more effectively. We are able to provide needed checks and balances to ensure that our output is thoughtful, creative, and high quality. Plus, if we’re being honest, we really just enjoy being around one another! This week we had an outing to develop some authentic, real world, summertime content for our favorite Rugged Outdoor Gear Manufacturer, Littlbug Enterprises. How many business settings exist where hiking and taking pictures are considered a full day’s work? We’re grateful for every member of our team and excited that we get to share our workdays with people that we enjoy hanging out with! Who says you can’t mix work and pleasure! If you are looking to make a “splash" with your social media and website this summer, contact us today and we can certainly help improve your online presence I think we can say with 100% certainty that the internet is here to stay. Not only is it here to stay, it is evolving faster everyday! This can be great if you’re a business owner who captures leads through your website, as long as your website is being managed properly… A recent study shows that 68% of all website visits start with a search, a powerful way to capture new customers. However, that same study also showed that 99% of these searches never click to view the second page of results. So if your website isn’t ranking on the first page of Google's search result, the site isn’t doing much for you. But fear not! Some analysis and tweeking to your site can always improve your ranking! One of our leading services at Superior Effect Marketing is Search Engine Optimization, and we’ve got the statistics to prove it!
You may be asking yourself, “How can I ensure my website ranks well?” The truth of the matter is, a lot of work goes into a good google ranking. At Superior Effect Marketing, for an existing page, we start with an SEO (Search Engine Optimization) audit. We will pull data that will show us what is working well, but we’ll also be able to pinpoint areas of opportunity. Once we are able to focus on those problem areas, we can formulate a strategy to begin turning things around. Keywords, technical coding and tags, optimized content, google reviews, and how often fresh content is added to your website are all taken into account. We then create and implement a strategy that will turn your deadsite back into your website! “But these things were done when I had my website built, why aren’t they working anymore?” This is a very fair question! Most people view the internet as a fairly stagnant thing, but in reality, it’s almost become a living thing! New websites are published every day, and the algorithms can change without warning. Because of this, your website needs to be updated fairly often. You wouldn’t buy a new car and never change the oil, right? For our retainer clients, SEO updates are performed on a regular basis (monthly and quarterly). This helps the website stay relevant and current, but also helps ensure your website performs well in Google’s algorithm. If you go too long without an update, Google will assume that you’ve abandoned your site, and you will see your ranking plummet. This is why we really stress the importance of blogs, fresh content, and asking your customers to leave you Google reviews! These are vital in ensuring your site ranks high, which will keep you visible to all those potential customers! “How can I get my website back on track?” Reach out to us! While you may try to accomplish this yourself as a cost saving measure, the truth is, it takes time and some skill to hit all these points. As we mentioned earlier, the Internet and Google are changing on a daily basis, and who has the time to keep up on all the new information - WE DO! Why waste your time and potentially cost yourself money by not hiring out for these technical aspects. That is time you could be spent working on your actual business, hopefully doing what you love! And as luck would have it, SEO is what WE love! It’s a mutually beneficial partnership! At Superior Effect Marketing we know how much time, money, and effort has been put into your website's success. So, let US make sure it isn’t for nothing–we’ll make sure your website isn’t a deadsite. SEO
We know it. We get it. We'll make it work for you. |
Summer NitschSummer and her team have years of experience in all realms of marketing. Her favorite is Search Engine Optimization and trying to figure out what Google is up to next. |