Jul

19

Google Plus Project’s +1 Button Changing Web Marketing With Social Media

By Internet Marketing Experts

I think it is fair to say that Google Plus Project, otherwise known as G+, has exploded onto the web marketing scene in a very short time. Statistics around the web indicate that in the first week, 35% of all new links shared on Twitter were related to the G+ Project.

google plus projectAt first glance everyone seemed to be declaring that the Google G+ Project would be the end of Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Skype. I cannot imagine that G+ would have the ability to knock these behemoths down. Certainly not in the short term and long term the other communities fulfill other needs that G+ will not be able to. What I do believe the critics are missing is the effect on web marketing. Perhaps these critics are not web marketers, but more likely either seeking attention through competitive propaganda or have an inability to adopt and adapt to new changes within the Internet industry.

Certainly Google’s G+ Project will eventually change the web marketing world. Since this is Google’s own product, they will prefer social tick marks through the +1 Button over those coming from Twitter, Facebook and social bookmarking. You cannot help but see that this will impact organic search results. Web pages that generate many +1′s will probably populate earlier on Google search results than those websites that do not.

I will avoid detailed discussions related to the features offered through the Google G+ Project in this discussion, which include sharing Photos, Chatting, Hangout, Spark, Huddles, and Instant Uploads. As a web marketer, all of these other features are social community add-ons that mimic the likes of GoToMeeting, Skype, Flickr and others. None of these will necessarily affect web marketing in terms of search results; only make more features available for Google to allow for Adwords advertising on Google web properties versus on the Google Ad Network.

What Is The Need for Google Plus Project?
First and foremost, if we go back many years when Google got it’s start, part of their objective was to be the world’s information source. To that end, any information including communications, are fair game to be pooled under one roof for better accessing, interpretation and availability based on content relevancy. Information from social communities certainly falls into the process of aggregating information and in line with Google’s objectives.

Secondly, a few years ago if you logged into your Google account, you had the option of commenting on web pages in search results. I think it took one comment to realize that nothing we did would have an effect on website rankings, because the comments were only relative for our own account. Now why would I comment on web pages if my comments are not shared with anyone? Exactly! So, the comment we had on our own website is no longer there and the Google Plus Project seems to have replaced this feature more effectively. Now, all comments, ticks, etc. are shared with people in our community. Certainly seems to be more effective for web marketing.

Perhaps not the last reason, but certainly another important reason, would be related to anti-spam. Google has always sought out ways to reduce spam in the search results. So much so, that it has made it more difficult and complicated for businesses to rank legitimate information and websites (this is also known as job security for web marketers!).

Spammers have infiltrated social communities and found ways to get their information indexed through these communities and/or impacted search engine results for their websites. Since most popular social communities are not as good as Google in terms of anti-spam, one would expect Google to take a pro-active role. Content in the project can be better monitored (aka controlled) to minimize spam, fraud and less reputable websites.

G+ and Web Marketing
google plus one buttonThe +1 button is available through web search results now and also through other social communities, blogs, etc. A Google +1 button plugin is available for WordPress blogs and eventually, this will be as wide spread as other sharing tools for Twitter, Facebook, Delicious, etc.

Since these “social activities” are taking place on Google, it is hard to imagine that the number of +1 button clicks a given page gets would not have an effect on the organic rankings! Not only is the +1 button included on every post within Google Plus and on content publishers’ websites, but it’s literally sitting next to every single search result that Google returns. Does anyone doubt that this will affect search engine ranking position (SERP) results?!

It would be similar to doubting that star ratings on local business listings won’t affect search engine results that come through the local business listings. Let’s get realistic. As of November 2010, Google was able to marry a website with a local business listing and display average star ratings for a website based on the results in the local business listing. Star ratings are quantitative and therefore mathematical! Still don’t believe this will affect SERP?

If we believe that the number of +1 clicks will affect SERP and also display accordingly to content relevancy to my G+ community, then the more people in my community, the more people I can effect with +1 clicks.

Yes, I realize if we were to hire a bunch of people from a third world nation for 50 cents per hour clicking away at our client or our own websites, we could affect SERP, but let’s move away from that thought for a moment because that loop hole could get closed very quickly based on geographic IP addressing.

However, it does mean that the more people you have in your G+ community, the more people you can impact. Rather than thinking about third world nations clicking away, think about indiscriminately creating the largest community you can possibly think of using– every community you already belong to, every email address you have, every connection you can get your hands on. Now that may have a much bigger impact for anything you +1!

Early Adoption and Adapting To Change
Once again, the Internet shows how quickly a technology can enter the market and how rapidly people will migrate to it. Early adoption is the name of the game in the world of Internet technologies. Adapting to the changes in the industry is a must and everyone else will be left behind. If the past 20 years has not shown us that businesses need to jump on board sooner rather than later, then you will undoubtedly be left behind.

The G+ user population will grow extremely fast, given the interest, Google’s reach and resources, and the need businesses have for their website’s SERP. Perhaps this will become the “Facebook for Business”!

It will be interesting to learn how well businesses will be able to keep up with all of the changes, given the growing “to do” list. G+ on the short term will add a host of additional “to do’s” and the number of marketing outlets to manage. G+ will also be too important to ignore.

Article Contact
Melih Oztalay, CEO
Smartfinds Internet Marketing
Direct: (248) 568.2241
melih@smartfindsmarketing.com
330 East Maple Road #503, Birmingham, MI 48009
http://www.smartfindsmarketing.com

Jul

13

Smartfinds and Proforma Partner to Expand Geographic Marketing

By Internet Marketing Experts

More than 750 locations to offer local business listing management nationally.

July 13, 2011 (Birmingham, MI): Smartfinds Internet Marketing (http://www.smartfindsmarketing.com), an Internet Marketing pioneer for more than 20 years and leader in web marketing including geographic marketing has officially formed a strategic partnership with Proforma (PFG Ventures L.P., Cleveland, Ohio, http://www.proforma.com) as a Preferred Limited Partner. The partnership will allow for Smartfinds’ Geographic Marketing Solutions, as well as, local business listings monthly managed marketing services to be offered across more than 750 Proforma locations across the North America.

“We are thrilled to partner with Proforma to bring our geographic web marketing expertise and help their Owners to expand their portfolio of web marketing services,” said Melih Oztalay, Smartfinds CEO. “Geographic web marketing is a fast growing industry and it makes sense that Proforma offers their business clients (national and local) a valuable service that every business will need to attract local customers.”

Proforma’s 750 plus Owners are located across North America, offering business clients marketing related services including promotional products, printing services, multimedia and eCommerce. With the addition of geographic web marketing services, each of the Proforma locations will now be able to offer web marketing to attract local customers. Specifically, Proforma will offer their clients a packaged marketing service for their Local Business Listings at a lower partner preferred cost. The geographic marketing package includes both broadcast data submission services to over 200+ websites plus monthly managed marketing services with major websites including consumer ratings and reviews, marketing content, and measured rankings and analytics.

Geographic web marketing is a way to attract local customers online through strategies that leverage a business’ physical location. When a customer searches online via mobile, web or GPS, a map appears with business listings related to the search criteria. When fully leveraged with the company’s marketing content, pictures, logos, videos, events, coupons, promotions, customer reviews and more, it helps to create a micro website for the client across each of the search engines. Geographic web marketing as a solution expands not only beyond Google, but also encompasses other elements that include Geo Tagging, Citation Marketing, QR Code Marketing, Consumer Rating and Reviews Management.

“Our goal is to help Proforma’s clients maximize their marketing dollars for reaching local customers whether the business is a national company or a local company. Afterall all business is conducted locally,” said Mr. Oztalay. “Our marketing staff is experienced with creating and managing Geographic Marketing that help a business stand out, support higher rankings and build their local customer traffic online. Businesses adopting Geographic Marketing early will generate higher rankings as their competitors continue to fall behind in a fast moving industry segment.”

About Smartfinds Internet Marketing
Internet MarketingThe most critical element of SmartFinds Internet Marketing services is the creativity and imagination to apply the technological aspects of the digital marketplace to the marketing objectives of a particular business. Initial research provides SmartFinds the ability to develop a digital strategy that can be measured every step of the way to insure business growth and revenue generation. Some of SmartFinds’ clients have included ComForcare Home Care, Delphi, Flagstar Bank, Guardian Industries, Soave Enterprises, McCann Erickson, Penske Automotive Group, Wendy’s, Ziebart and others. You can learn more about SmartFinds at http://www.smartfindsmarketing.com.

About Proforma
Promotional ProductsPFG Ventures takes its customers’ businesses forward with Proforma. The company franchises more than 700 Proforma locations across the US and Canada, offering an array of office supplies (such as forms, labels, and stationery), customized promotional products, and printing and e-commerce services. The company has served more than 50,000 clients in a range of industries, including education, finance, food and beverage packaging, health care, manufacturing, and retail. Clients have included Honda, Beck’s, the University of Minnesota, and the New York State Nurses Association. After establishing Proforma in 1978, Gregory Muzzillo formed PFG Ventures in 1994 to help franchise the brand. http://www.proforma.com

New Release Contact
Melih Oztalay, CEO
Smartfinds Internet Marketing
Direct: (248) 568.2241
melih@smartfindsmarketing.com
330 East Maple Road #503, Birmingham, MI 48009
http://www.smartfindsmarketing.com

Jul

28

Out The Window Advertising Agency Partners with SmartFinds Internet Marketing on Local Listings Services

By Internet Marketing Experts

Bill Hagen’s Out The Window Advertising partners with SmartFinds Internet Marketing to introduce businesses to the benefits and components of Geo-Marketing, including Geo-Listings, Mobile Marketing and Geo-Social Marketing

FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA & DETROIT, MICHIGAN – July 28, 2010 (OUT THE WINDOW ADVERTISING | SMARTFINDS INTERNET MARKETING) – Out The Window Advertising (www.reachoutthewindow.com), a full service Arizona-based advertising agency, and SmartFinds Internet Marketing (www.smartfindsmarketing.com), a metropolitan Detroit-based agency which provides businesses with Internet marketing services and solutions, have recently partnered together to provide businesses with an opportunity to learn the many ways that Geo-Marketing can positively impact their bottom line.

The benefits and components of Geo-Marketing, include Local SEO, Geo-Listings, Mobile Marketing and Geo-Social Marketing. Geo-Marketing helps consumers to find local businesses, products or services through web searches, mobile searches and mobile applications. Geo-Listing Security, Consumer Reviews, and Reputation Management are additional components of the services offered.

“The partnership between Out The Window Advertising and SmartFinds Internet Marketing is an exciting opportunity to effectively introduce Geo-Marketing services to our clients,” commented Bill Hagen, President of Out The Window Advertising.

Most recently, Out The Window Advertising was ranked the 5th largest ad agency in Arizona by the Phoenix Business Journal. The team at Out The Window excels in the planning, development, placement, and creative execution of Television, Radio, Print, Direct Mail, e-commerce, social media and customer retention campaigns for over 90 clients nationwide.

Out The Window Advertising’s impressive client portfolio includes automotive dealerships. Commented agency President Bill Hagen, “Our car dealership clients are eagerly aware of the need for local marketing, local business marketing, and local dealership marketing.” Hagen added, “It’s interesting that the automotive industry relies on early adopters of automotive technology, and in the case of Geo-Marketing, car dealerships are themselves early adopters of Geo-Marketing technologies. The dealerships understand the importance of being found quickly by mobile and digital customers.”

SmartFinds Internet Marketing CEO, Melih Oztalay, stated “We are excited to partner with Bill Hagen and Out The Window Advertising in our effort to share the benefits of Geo-Marketing. We are currently working with Out The Window Advertising’s client base to claim and update local listings on behalf of 150+ car dealerships. Car dealerships are just one of many local businesses dependent upon local consumers for their revenue.”

Melih Oztalay has over fifteen years experience with Internet and digital services in developing strategies that utilize all facets of the World Wide Web. As a Internet marketing agency, SmartFinds Internet Marketing’s major focus is to develop multi-directional marketing campaigns to drive traffic to client web sites from more than just search engines.

Anyone interested in learning more about the ways in which businesses can use Geo-Marketing to be more easily located by local consumers may visit www.smartfindslocallisting.com. For more information about Out The Window Advertising, please visit www.reachoutthewindow.com.

About Out The Window Advertising

Bill Hagen Out The Window AdvertisingOut The Window Advertising was recently ranked the 5th largest ad agency in Arizona by the Phoenix Business Journal. The team at Out The Window excels in the planning, development, placement, and creative execution of Television, Radio, Print, Direct Mail, e-commerce, social media and customer retention campaigns for over 90 clients nationwide. For a true “one-stop shop,” Out The Window Advertising offers the use of their “In-House” production facility for all client projects. For more information about Out The Window Advertising, please visit www.reachoutthewindow.com.

About SmartFinds Internet Marketing
Internet MarketingThe most critical element of SmartFinds Internet Marketing services is the creativity and imagination to apply the technological aspects of the digital marketplace to the marketing objectives of a particular business. Initial research provides SmartFinds the ability to develop a digital strategy that can be measured every step of the way to insure business growth and revenue generation. Some of SmartFinds’ clients have included Delphi, Flagstar Bank, Guardian Industries, Soave Enterprises, Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau, McCann Erickson, Wendy’s and others. You can learn more about SmartFinds at www.smartfindsmarketing.com.

Contact: Esther Lastacy, 330 E. Maple Road, Suite 503, Birmingham MI 48009, 866.501.5758, esther@smartfindsmarketing.com.

Jul

27

SmartFinds Internet Marketing Introduction, A Michigan 50 Company

By Internet Marketing Experts

SmartFinds Internet Marketing Introduction, A Michigan 50 Company

Internet MarketingAt SmartFinds Internet Marketing, an agency for businesses for stratecgic Internet marketing solutions, we take a rational approach to an irrational medium. Our digital marketing and advertising expertise along with our business intellect attracts multitudes of sophisticated team members, partners and clients.

In 2009, SmartFinds Internet Marketing was recognized as one Michigan’s “50 Companies to Watch,” an awards program sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Small Business Administration of Michigan, the Edward Lowe Foundation, and presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business. You can learn about SmartFinds’ authority in the topic of Internet marketing at their Internet marketing blog. Follow SmartFinds Internet Marketing at Twitter.

Our energy and our ability to deliver sound strategies for our clients are directly tied to our entrepreneurial culture. We thrive on wit and passion for what we do, and our team is collectively involved in our leadership style of serving our teams, our employees, our partners and our clients.

When a client comes for big, meaningful ideas, we take these ideas and exceed expectations through collaboration and helpful education. We do not provide them simply with “services”, but rather act as an internal swat team of digital media experts – an extension to their organization.

We have been in the Internet business since 1994 and in the Advertising and Marketing business since 1987. We have a team of 13 that includes project managers, writers, creative developers, technical developers, advertising team and marketing team.

Five major sections of the business: Research, Strategy and Planning; Creative Development; Technical Development; Digital Marketing; Digital Advertising; Management, Measurement and Analysis. Our new Local Marketing services with Local business listings for local business marketing to reach local consumers through web searches and mobiles searches was started in January 2010. More information on local marketing can be found at the local marketing blog. You can follow SmartFinds Local Listing on Twitter.

KillerStartUps.com reviewed the SmartFinds Local Business Listing services in November 2009 with their own editorial commentary about the direction of the local listing industry and the affects upon the traditional yellow pages.

Major Clients include: American Community Mutual Insurance, BASF Chemicals, Big Boy, Checker Sedan, Delphi, Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau, DTE Energy, Flagstar Bank, Guardian Industries, McCann Erickson, Penske Auto Group, Soave Enterprises, Vietnam Veterans of America, Wendy’s and others.

Our CEO, Melih (“may-lee”) Oztalay, is a 16 year veteran of the Internet. As the CEO of SmartFinds Internet Marketing located in Birmingham, Michigan, providing Internet marketing solutions and services to businesses. The agency’s recent focus on local business listing management services helps small and local businesses reach local consumers through web and mobile searches. A recent interview by Metro Mode Media provides more information with Melih Oztalay and being an entrepreneur in the State of Michigan. Connect with Melih Oztalay on LinkedIn.

As a digital marketing agency, we are results oriented in our strategic approach. While our competitors are service providers and task oriented, our focus is to manage and aid all aspects of the client’s sales and business growth through integrated strategic marketing programs.

Follow SmartFinds at the following locations on the web:

SmartFinds Local Listing on Blog.com.

SmartFinds Internet Marketing on Google’s Blogger.

SmartFinds Internet Marketing on BizJournals.com.

SmartFinds Internet Marketing on Tumblr.com.

SmartFinds Internet Marketing on Vox.com.

SmartFinds Local Listing on WordPress.com.

Jul

25

Blog Resources from SmartFinds Internet Marketing

By Internet Marketing Experts

If you're looking for resources on Local Business Marketing, look no further than the below locations.  Each is a blog with information about Local Business Marketing.

Let your local customers find you and start generating leads from new  online marketing sources.  Your local business listings show up in  search results and on mobile devices when your customers are around  town.

Blloggs

Blog Catalog

Blog Lines

Blog Rankings

Blog Search

Blogarama

Buzzerhut

Feed Map

Feed Nuts

Google

Google Blog

Gozoof

Ice Rocket

Ice Rocket

Loaded Web

MV Blogs

On Top List

Sarthak Blogz

Search Sight

Technorati

The SEO King

Weblogs

You Say Too

Zimbio

It is certainly no secret what to do. The secret is knowing how you market your website, business and brand. Knowing how to execute Internet marketing tactics and strategy is a matter of experience, creativity, resourceful and expertise. Innovation has no limits. Imagine what SmartFinds Internet Marketing can do for you!

Jul

16

Internet Marketing Entrepreneur Melih Oztalay

By Internet Marketing Experts

Melih Oztalay EntrepreneurA Question and Answer with Melih Oztalay. 

Oztalay has two words for Metro Detroit: early adoption. In the eyes of this downtown Birmingham-based entrepreneur, it’s a key phrase that will go a long way towards reinventing the region’s economy for the 21st Century

Oztalay started SmartFinds Internet Marketing in the early 1990s as an Internet service provider, getting in on the ground floor of the economic juggernaut that changed the world. His 13-person company specializes in everything from search engine optimization to mobile application advertising. He’s kept his firm at the forefront of technology trends, sometimes dragging Metro Detroit’s conservative business culture with him.

In the early years of his company, Oztalay couldn’t help but fantasize that he’d be retired on a South Pacific island if only he had set up his business in California instead of Michigan. Why? Because the dynamic entrepreneurial culture on the coasts doesn’t just make early adoption a priority, it makes it a necessity. Oztalay believes Michigan needs to be bolder, become a trendsetter instead of just waiting on the sidelines to see if something takes off.

“We’re just not open to innovation that is outside of our manufacturing space,” Oztalay says. He adds that introversion has broader implications than just job creation and profit margin expansion. “It’s difficult to change that culture,” Oztalay adds. “That goes to the fact that we’re not able to retain our next generation here in Michigan. They don’t see a future here. They only see what we had.”

Read more at: http://www.metromodemedia.com/features/MelihOztalay0171.aspx

Visit SmartFinds Internet Marketing at www.smartfindsmarketing.com and their geo-marketing services at www.smartfindslocallisting.com