Rebranding: Is it worth it?

Choosing to rebrand is a big call and you’ve got to make sure it’s worth the investment.

So in this blog, we’ll look at the top reasons businesses choose to rebrand, what you should consider and the key benefits:

 

Top reasons why businesses choose to rebrand

Outdated brand image

Rebranding is often a strategic move to stay relevant in a competitive and constantly changing market. One of the most common reasons to rebrand is to reflect new consumer trends, changing values or customer interests.

 

Rebuild reputation

Rebranding can be a good PR move, to help a company distance itself from any negativity and communicate new values to regain trust.

 

Attract new customers

Rebranding can create a new identity that appeals to different demographics, while maintaining brand recognition.

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Mergers and acquisitions

Rebranding is often necessary after mergers and acquisitions to reflect the company’s new direction. Unifying two company identities makes it easier to deliver a clear and consistent message.

 

Changing company vision

As a company’s goals evolve, rebranding can help to align the company brand with its new direction and values.

 

International expansion

Entering new markets can mean a rebrand will help to appeal to different cultural preferences and improve brand recognition.

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Top 5 things to consider when rebranding

If you feel your business needs rebranding, then our expert team is here to help:

1) Consistent messaging

A big thing to get right in a rebrand is to develop a consistent tone of voice. Our experienced copywriters can create a clear, relevant and cohesive message tailored for your audience.

 

2) Strong branding

Pay attention to every detail of your branding, from colours to typography, to create a stronger identity. Our graphic design team is always on hand to help, as your brand colours, in particular, will say a lot about your business. Check out our previous blog on colour psychology to help choose the right colours for your business.

 

3) Logo Redesign

Your logo represents your brand so it needs to be right. If your logo looks outdated, or no longer matches your brand identity and values, it’s time to redesign your logo. Our talented graphic designers can create a fresh, well-designed logo that can breathe new life into your brand and make a lasting impression on your audience.

Free photo female logo designer working on her tablet connected to a laptop

4) Website design

Creating a visually appealing and user-friendly website is essential for making a positive impression on your audience. Our creative team can create a website that will showcase your business effectively online, generate more enquiries and drive sales.

 

5) SEO

Get your updated brand noticed, by optimising your website for search engines. This ensures that your business ranks highly in web searches, making it easier for potential customers to find you. Our expert team can help with Google analytics, SEO content creation and much more, just ask!

 

Recent Twitter rebrand

One of the biggest rebrands in recent months is Twitter rebranding to X in July 2023, as Elon Musk was keen to reinvent Twitter (which he bought for $44 billion back in 2022) and change the vision of the platform. But has the move away from the iconic blue bird and ‘tweets’ to X and ‘posts’ improved the brand?

Free photo person using new social media application on smartphone

Response to the rebrand

CEO of X, Linda Yaccarino, reveals the platform lost 11.6% of its daily active users since Elon Musk’s takeover, dropping from 254.5 million to 225 million users. A recent poll found 32% of people had a negative reaction to the rebrand, with a greater percentage feeling ‘very negative’ about it. Some critics are concerned the dramatic shift disregards Twitter’s history and identity, and may confuse and alienate existing users, damaging Twitter’s customer loyalty and reputation, at least in the short term.

 

Transforming the platform

It will be interesting to see how X develops, as Musk plans to create an “everything app” or “super-app”, similar to China’s WeChat, where a person can do basically anything they want on the platform, like shop, listen to a podcast and watch videos. Something we don’t currently have an equivalent of in the UK or US. Rebranding is just the start of this transformation, but it’s clear a rebrand has the power to make, or break, a brand.

 

Benefits from rebranding

So, what are the benefits from rebranding? There are some clear benefits you could gain when choosing to rebrand:

  • Improved brand perception
  • Increase in followers and customer loyalty
  • Updated image
  • Take your business in a new direction
  • Clear brand messaging
  • Better connection with company values
  • Attract new customers
  • Stand out from competitors
  • Boosted reputation
  • Easier expansion into other markets
  • Opportunities for partnerships and collaborations
  • Increased sales
  • Boost your market share

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If you feel your business could use a rebranding boost, our friendly team is here to support you every step of the way.

For a free virtual marketing ideas session with marketing experts, call us on 01962 600 147 or email info@tlc-business.co.uk

Unmissable dates that will generate buzz for your marketing campaigns

If you look hard enough, you’ll find there’s a national day for almost everything!

Instead of a paint by numbers approach to marketing, where you try to tenuously link all the national days in the calendar to your business, avoid the temptation to create marketing for the sake of it. You’ll actually lose people’s interest, rather than gain it! Instead, we recommend focusing on what is relevant to your customers and your business.

It’s never too late to start planning your marketing campaigns, so we’ve put together some key dates for this year and 2024 that you can make the most of. If you need some expert advice, our friendly team is always here to help.

 

Work related events

Trade shows and events

Don’t miss the opportunity to shout about the industry trade shows you are attending. It’s a great chance to showcase your products and expertise within the industry. The more people who know you are there, the better networking opportunity it will be. The same goes for award ceremonies and other industry events.

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Mark big anniversaries

Celebrate your business’ experience and achievements. Mark key milestones, such as your 50th anniversary, or the launch of your latest product or service, and share your successes with your customers.

 

Industry recognised days

Show support for charity campaigns or industry events that link closely to your business. It is a great way to support positive change and boost your company’s reputation.

 

Key times of the year

Halloween

You may have been one of the many businesses that offered their customers a treat, rather than a trick this Halloween. If not, you can always look to include it in your marketing plan for next year.

You know your customers best, if Halloween is likely to offend your customers, then avoid at all costs. But otherwise Halloween is a chance to have a bit of fun with your marketing, especially on socials. You may want to throw in some spooktacular Halloween competitions, limited offers and discounts, or even dress up and offer Halloween themed food.

 

Black Friday

Black Friday used to be a massive one-day sales event, where people were fighting to get the best deals, but now it’s more like a promotional period that lasts a couple of weeks and an ideal chance to capitalise on pre-Christmas sales.

Offer your customers some great deals and get the attention of bargain hunters, ahead of the Christmas rush.

 

Christmas

Christmas is obviously a big date in the diary – it’s a great chance to reward loyal customers with personalised discounts and rewards. It is also a great time to offer gift cards, which can make the perfect present and help you win extra business.

Don’t forget to offer great deals for Boxing Day too. Celebrating and supporting other religious holidays throughout the year works really well.

Free photo multiethnic group of people exchanging holiday gifts at christmas celebration in business office. colleagues giving presents in workplace decorated with festive xmas ornaments and lights.

 

Planning for 2024

New Year’s Day (Monday 1st January 2024)

As we are coming to the end of 2023, you might be starting to think about plans for 2024 and beyond.

Get the New Year off to a great start, by offering fresh promotions on New Year’s Day.

 

In addition to the events we’ve already covered, you can pick and choose which dates are relevant for your customers:

  • Valentine’s Day (Wednesday 14th February 2024)
  • Mother’s Day (Sunday 12th March 2024)
  • Easter (Friday 29th March to Sunday 31st March 2024)
  • May Day (Wednesday 1st May 2024)
  • Father’s Day (Sunday 16th June 2024)
  • Guy Fawkes Night (Tuesday 5th November 2024)

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These dates are especially ideal for hospitality businesses, but offering special promotions at key times of the year will work well for any business.

It’s important to note, these occasions can be sensitive for some, you may even want to offer your customers the chance to opt out of specific email marketing to respect their preferences.

 

Wellbeing dates in 2024

Marking key dates in your calendar doesn’t have to be just about boosting sales (although that’s important too, obviously), many are great for lifting morale, increasing awareness and showing support for things like wellness, mental health, inclusivity and equality.

 

Key 2024 dates include:

  • Monday 15th January 2024 – ‘Brew Monday’ run by the Samaritans to shake up ‘Blue Monday’ (the most depressing day of the year) to remind everyone to reach out to each other over a cuppa, to support wellness and mental health.
  • Thursday 1st February 2024 – Time to talk run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation to promote good mental health and wellbeing.
  • Friday 1st March 2024 – Employee Appreciation Day – The perfect chance to reward your hard working staff.
  • Friday 8th March 2024 – International Women’s Day – A great way to recognise success and support gender equality.
  • Sunday 10th March to Monday 8th April 2024 – Ramadan – A chance to support Muslim colleagues who are fasting.
  • April 2024 – Stress Awareness Month – The ideal moment to promote wellbeing.
  • Sunday 7th April 2024 – World Health Day – Promote fitness and healthy living, you could even organise a sponsored team event.
  • Monday 22nd April 2024 – Earth Day – A good chance to focus on sustainability and promote eco-conscious products and initiatives.
  • Sunday 28th April to Saturday 4th May 2024 – National Small Business Week – Support small businesses and celebrate your own successes.
  • Monday 13th May – Sunday 19th May 2024 – Mental Health Awareness Week – Focus on removing the stigma and promoting positive mental health.
  • Saturday 29th June 2024 – London Pride – Celebrate LGBT+ culture.
  • Wednesday 5th June 2024 – World Environment Day Show commitment to sustainability.
  • Sunday 6th August 2024 – Cycle to Work Day – A chance to promote the benefits of sustainability and getting more active, plus the cycle to work scheme.
  • Tuesday 1st October – Thursday 31st October 2024 – Black History Month – Celebrate black history and culture.
  • Tuesday 10th October 2024 – World Mental Health Day – Promote positive mental health and focus on removing the stigma.
  • Friday 1st November – Saturday 30th November 2024 – ‘Movember’ – Raise awareness for men’s health issues including prostate cancer and depression, there’s also a great opportunity for company wide sponsorship.
  • Wednesday 6th November 2024 – National Stress Awareness Day – Promote health and well-being, share ways to prevent burnout.
  • Tuesday 19th November 2024 – International Men’s Day – An ideal opportunity to promote men’s health and wellbeing, and reduce stigmas.

Free photo medium shot happy partners meeting

 

We hope this blog has given you plenty of ideas for your upcoming marketing campaigns. If you’d like more marketing inspiration on what would work well for your business, please give us a shout.

For a free virtual marketing ideas session with marketing experts, call us on 01962 600 147 or email info@tlc-business.co.uk

The power of personalised marketing

Personalised marketing can make the difference between your customer engaging with your brand, or not.

Here are some of the top 7 reasons why personalisation is so important in the current world of marketing:

 

1) Prevent content fatigue

With 333 billion emails sent worldwide in 2022, it will come as no surprise that people get bombarded with tons of mass mail outs and copy and pasted generic messages on a daily basis.

Personalising your marketing will make sure instead of being an annoyance, the content your customers receive is relevant and welcomed. It will reduce the chance of them tuning out or becoming overwhelmed, especially as emails sent worldwide are expected to rise to 392.5 billion by 2026!

 

Free photo side view of cropped unrecognizable business people working at common desk

 

2) Increase engagement

With so many ways to get to know your customers’ likes and dislikes from their purchase histories to online behaviour, there’s really no excuse not to tailor your marketing.

When marketing messages are tailored to your customers’ individual needs or behaviours, they’re likely to engage much more.

 

3) Better customer experience

Offering tailored promotions and deals is a great way to grab your customer’s attention. Giving them more of what they want will definitely improve their customer experience.

Another top tip is it’s always best to address your existing customers by their name, so you are speaking directly to them.

 

Free photo business coworkers shaking hands during a meeting in the office focus is on a businessman

 

4) Higher ROI

Personalisation can lead to a better return on marketing investments. By targeting specific segments of your audience with messages that they find relevant, there’s a greater chance they’ll take the desired action, whether it’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or another form of engagement.

 

5) Build brand loyalty & a good reputation

Nearly two thirds of people (62%) would stray from a brand if it delivered non-personalised content, Statista’s recent survey finds.

By only delivering relevant messages, your customers will feel valued and understood, which will not only enhance loyalty, but also build trust and boost your reputation.

 

6) Stay competitive

As more brands recognise the value of personalisation, those that don’t adapt may find themselves at a disadvantage.

Customers have come to expect a personalised experience and companies that don’t deliver will be left behind.

 

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7) Enhance cross-selling and up-selling opportunities

When you understand a customer’s preferences and purchasing behaviour, you’re in a better position to recommend complementary or premium products and boost your sales.

If you need support personalising your content, our experienced marketing team is always here to help.

 

For a free virtual marketing ideas session with marketing experts, call us on 01962 600 147 or email info@tlc-business.co.uk

Top tips for website design

If you’re looking to upgrade your website, or create a new one from scratch – we’ve put together some top tips to make your website stand out and grab people’s attention – for all the right reasons!

But don’t stress, if you want support creating web content, our talented graphic designers and copywriters are always here to help.

 

Easy to navigate

There’s nothing more frustrating for users, than spending loads of time trawling through websites to find the information they need.

For a positive user experience, each page of your website should have a clear purpose. Limiting the main menu items can also make it easier for users to find what they need.

 

Mobile friendly

Making sure your website looks good and functions properly on mobiles is a must. So busy people can access your website anytime and anywhere.

 

Free photo elderly man is using mobile phone

 

Fast loading speed

Simple things like compressing images, will help your website to load quickly. Optimising your website with efficient coding and browser caching will create a user-friendly experience.

 

Readable fonts

Don’t make life hard for people clicking onto your website. Use an easy to read font and keep a contrast between text and background to make your text clear and stand out.

Less can often be more. A clean and uncluttered design can help make your website more readable.

 

Consistent branding

Choose a colour scheme that is visually appealing and matches your brand. Keep this consistent throughout your website, to make your brand instantly recognisable.

 

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SEO-friendly design

Make sure your website is designed with SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) in mind, so it ranks highly in people’s web searches. This includes optimising meta tags, creating XML sitemaps, using semantic HTML and ensuring content is crawlable.

 

Avoid autoplay

Whether it’s video or audio, avoid auto playing any media when a user lands on your page.

Instead of engaging people with your page, it can actually have the opposite effect and make people want to get off your web page as quickly as possible. Something you definitely want to avoid!

 

Clear call-to-action (CTA)

When someone new lands on your website, don’t lose them. Steer users to engage with your website by using clear Call-to-action (CTA) buttons, such as ‘Contact Us’, ‘Shop Now’, or ‘Learn More’.

Woman holding tablet with newsletter signup page on screen

Footer content

Don’t forget to put the space at the bottom of your website to good use. The footer is a great place to include important links, copyright information and contact information.

 

Added security

Make sure your website is secure. The best way to secure your website from threats is to regularly update all your software and make sure you have the relevant SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates to protect sensitive data like personal information, credit card numbers or log in details.

 

Get feedback

Before you launch, or relaunch, your website, it’s a good idea to get feedback from different users. They might spot issues you haven’t noticed, acting on their feedback will help to make your website launch a success.

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Keep up-to-date

Web design trends change. Stay updated with the latest design trends so your website remains current and somewhere people are happy to visit.

 

For a free virtual marketing ideas session with our marketing experts, call us on 01962 600 147 or email info@tlc-business.co.uk

How to use video successfully

In our last blog, we touched on how visual content will really make your message stick in people’s minds.

 

So now we’ll share some top tips on how to use videos successfully, to get people talking about your business:

 

First impressions count!

It’s essential to capture your audience’s attention in the first few seconds. A compelling hook will engage people with your message and make them much more likely to watch your entire video!

 

Know your audience

To connect with your audience, you’ve got to fully understand your target audience: their demographics, interests and what matters most to them.

Most importantly, tailor your video content so it resonates with them. You don’t want to send your audience to sleep!

 

Keep it short

Most people have short attention spans. So keeping videos short, will prevent you from losing your audience.

We find videos that are 2 to 3 minutes in length work really well. If you want to share lots of information, it’s best to create a series of short videos.

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Tell a story

Create a story that grabs your audience’s attention and delivers a powerful message.

Make it something your audience can relate to and something they won’t forget in a hurry!

 

Create high quality content

Poor graphics and wobbly camera work are a big no-no. A low quality production will detract from your message and mean people are less likely to watch until the end.

It’s worth investing in the right equipment (or hiring a trusted videographer to create the video for you) and checking the quality of your audio and video before sharing it.

 

Optimise for mobile

Many people watch videos on their mobiles, so it’s no good trying to cram in loads of text. Your message will get lost and your video will appear cluttered and unattractive on a small screen.

Make sure your videos are mobile-friendly with a clear design and visuals, so viewers are hooked until the end.

 

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SEO optimisation

Once you’re happy with your video and the content you are sharing, use relevant keywords in your video titles, descriptions and tags, to improve search engine visibility.

That way, your video will pop up when people search for related content, making it much easier to discover.

 

Include a Call to Action (CTA)

The outro (end of your video) is the perfect time to have a strong Call to Action. Guide your audience towards your website, hitting subscribe, or making a purchase – and keep your viewers hooked!

 

Share on social media

Sharing your videos on social media is a great way to reach a bigger audience.

Find out which platform works best for your business and content. Instagram videos are short and visually engaging, Tik Tok videos are brief and follow the latest trends, while YouTube allows for longer and more in-depth content. Don’t forget to focus on platforms that are most popular with your target audience so your video gets the most views.

 

Photo a person holding a smartphone with a popup application icon using a smartphone application to communicate messages and play social media using technology over the internet communication network

 

Keep up with new trends

It’s essential to stay relevant and adapt to changing trends and technologies, to give your audience what they want and expect.

 

Engage with comments

Encouraging viewers to comment on your videos is a great way to create some buzz around your content.

When they do comment, respond quickly, as this will help to build loyal followers.

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Experiment

Don’t be afraid to try new formats, styles and topics. Experimenting can help you discover what really connects with your audience, so you can fine-tune your video marketing strategy and get the best out of your business.

 

Analyse success

Use analytics tools to track the performance of your videos. Pay attention to metrics like views, engagement, click-through rates and conversion rates. Find out what video content is successful and use this information to give your audience more of what they love.

 

Consistency

Regularly posting new videos is key to keeping your audience engaged. Consistency helps build trust and keeps your brand top-of-mind, so you can develop a strong following.

Free photo camera recording a video for a diy blogger

 

Comply with regulations

Be aware of data protection and copyright laws, especially if you’re using music, images or footage from third parties, so you don’t end up with a hefty fine.

Our experienced graphic designers are always happy to help you create new video content.

 

For a free virtual marketing ideas session with marketing experts, call us on 01962 600 147 or email info@tlc-business.co.uk

Making your marketing work for busy people on the move

It’s no secret that many people are short on time and are already trying to cram too much into their hectic schedules. That’s why it’s essential to make your marketing work for busy people on the move.

We’ve put together some top tips for how to grab your audience’s attention – and if you’re struggling with time yourself, we’re always here to help you put it into practice:

 

Mobile optimisation

Making sure your content is easily accessible on mobile devices should be at the top of your to-do list!

93% of the UK population now use mobile internet, with people spending over four hours a day on their mobile phones on average, Statista reports. So it’s crucial to provide a seamless and user-friendly mobile experience.

Pay close attention to making sure people will be able to view your website, emails and landing pages clearly on their phones, to help your audience engage with your brand.

Free photo hands of unrecognizable woman using smartphone at desk in office

 

Use concise messaging

Busy people have limited time to spare scrolling through tons of text, so keep your marketing messages brief and to the point.

Use clear and attention-grabbing language to convey your message quickly, and, of course, get their attention!

 

Add visual content

Visual content is easier to consume on the go and can quickly convey your message.

So aim to mix up your standard marketing materials and incorporate eye-catching images, infographics and videos, it’s a great way to leave a lasting impression and stick in their memory.

 

Share attention-grabbing social media posts

Staying active on social media platforms will help to connect with your target audience on the go.

Regularly posting engaging content, responding to messages promptly and using social media advertising, will help to build strong connections with your followers.

 

Use location-based marketing

Make the most of location-based advertising and notifications, to target busy people with relevant offers, based on their current location.

Location-based advertising works really well to drive footfall for businesses with physical locations. For exclusively online businesses, targeting specific demographics or interests, will give you a better chance of reaching and connecting with your audience.

 

Add QR codes

Adding QR codes on your marketing materials will allow busy individuals to quickly access additional information or promotions with a simple scan or tap. They’ll definitely thank you for the time you’ve saved them!

Stay relevant

When sending email campaigns to busy subscribers, it’s essential to create relevant content, and where possible personalise it, to increase the chance of engagement. Otherwise you’ll lose them at ‘hello’.

 

Offer time-sensitive promotions

Creating limited-time offers, or flash sales, will create a sense of urgency and drive immediate action from people on the move. Or before you know it, taking up your promotion will have landed at the end of a very long to-do list, that they may never get round to completing.

 

Voice search optimisation

With voice-activated devices becoming a popular part of everyday life, making sure your content is optimised for voice search queries, is becoming more and more relevant.

This allows busy users to find your products or services quickly through voice assistants like Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant.

Check out our recent blog for the best ways to feature in voice search results.

 

For a free virtual marketing ideas session with our marketing experts, call us on 01962 600 147 or email info@tlc-business.co.uk

How to master event promotion

Have you got an event coming up, but are unsure where to start when it comes to promoting it?

As marketing experts, we’ve put together the ultimate checklist to help you successfully promote your event. If you get stuck, we’re always happy to help:

 

1) Target the right marketing channels

Before you start promoting your event, think about your target audience, who they are, what their interests are and what would engage them most.

Don’t waste your efforts promoting your event on channels that your target audience doesn’t use. Push your event where it will be seen most, this could be on social media, through email marketing, website promotion, print media, radio, TV, or collaborations with influencers and partners. We find taking a multi-channel approach is great for reaching a wider audience.

 

2) Compelling messaging

Now you’ve got your audience’s attention, make sure your message is clear and includes all the relevant event information, highlighting what makes your event stand out.

You’ll be surprised how many people forget to include essential information like the date, time or location!

 

3) Timing

Make sure you plan ahead and give people enough time to add your event to their calendars.

To boost attendance, create a schedule to regularly communicate with your audience, to keep your event at the forefront of their minds.

4) Create a buzz

Generate excitement around your event by offering incentives, exclusive offers, or early booking discounts.

Sharing testimonials and reviews can also boost credibility and attract more attendees. Giveaways or incentivising people to share and spread the word about your event also works well in B2C.

 

5) The right collateral

Invest in visually appealing promotional materials that aligns with your event’s branding, whether that’s printed banners, flyers or promo videos.

Don’t forget to use high-quality images, graphics (and videos) that capture attention and convey the atmosphere and experience attendees can expect.

 

6) Visible online presence

It’s important to get your event visible online. Create a dedicated event landing page with detailed information and an easy user-friendly registration process.

Spend some time on SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) as it’s vital for your event to rank highly in web searches. Also make sure your Google My Business and social media pages are up to date.

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7) Thank sponsors

Remember to thank any sponsors, collaborations or partners you had for your event. This can help to build strong relationships, which could lead to continued support for future events.

Tagging them on social media will acknowledge their contribution and also widen your reach, as your posts will appear in their feeds, reaching their followers too. Sharing their content will also help to boost your profile and help to maintain long-term connections.

 

8) Get feedback

It’s always a good idea to get feedback following your event, so you can continue to grow your event’s popularity and success.

Useful things to look at are ticket sales, web traffic, social media engagement, as well as open rate for email campaigns.

 

If you need support ahead of your next event, contact our event marketing experts on 01962 600 147 or email info@tlc-business.co.uk

Is PPC a good idea? The pros and cons of PPC

Deciding whether to invest in Pay-Per-Click, known as PPC advertising, is a big decision!

To help you decide whether to take the plunge, we’ve put together the key advantages and disadvantages of using PPC.

But first, you might be wondering what PPC is, or what it involves:

 

What is PPC?

PPC (Pay-Per-Click) is a popular form of online advertising, which allows businesses to display their ad on search engines or websites.

There are various platforms available for PPC advertising, but one of the most well-known platforms is Google Ads.

 

How PPC works

Businesses looking to advertise, bid on specific keywords or target audiences, relevant to their market, to boost their online presence and drive their web traffic.

Then anytime someone searches for those keywords, the ad will appear at the top or the bottom of the search results page, marked ‘Ad’.

Advertisers pay a fee each time one of their ads is clicked on by a user.

Free photo business man owner of the company in the office

Pros of PPC

1) Targeted advertising

PPC allows you to create an effective ad campaign by targeting relevant keywords, demographics, locations and much more.

PPC is a great way to reach people who are most interested in what you have to offer, so you can get the best results for your business.

2) Immediate results

Unlike SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), which can take months to show improvements in search engine rankings, PPC is instant, giving you immediate visibility and drives traffic to your website.

Once your PPC campaigns are set up, you can start generating clicks and conversions straight away.

3) Cost control

With cost-effective PPC, you have total control over your advertising budget. You set the maximum amount you’re willing to pay for a click, and you only pay when someone clicks on your ad. This allows you to adjust your budget as needed, to get the right results for your company.

4) Easy to measure success

PPC platforms make it easy to monitor impressions, clicks and conversions, so you can track your campaign and achieve success.

5) Brand exposure

Having your ad present for key searches will mean even if users don’t click on your ads, they can still see your brand name, messaging and offerings. This exposure can increase brand awareness and recognition amongst your target audience.

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Cons of PPC

1) Complex and time-consuming

PPC platforms have complex interfaces, which can be hard to get to grips with. It takes time and effort to learn how to set up effective campaigns, choose the right keywords, write compelling ad copy and manage bidding strategies. Our expert team is always here to run successful campaigns for you.

2) Cost

Although you have control over your budget, PPC advertising can become expensive, especially in competitive industries where the Cost Per Click (CPC) is high. If your campaigns are not well managed and fine-tuned, you can keep spending without achieving your desired results.

3) Ad blocking

You may find tech-savvy and younger audiences use ad-blocking software or browser extensions to hide ads, which can reduce the visibility of your PPC ads. Taking a multi-channel approach, running content marketing and social media campaigns can help you reach a wider audience.

4) Dependency on platforms

PPC relies on third-party search engine platforms. It’s important to be aware of any changes to their algorithms, policies or pricing structures, which will impact your campaign. Staying compliant with the platform’s policies is essential to avoid account suspension and prevent any disruptions to your campaign.

5) Ad fatigue

Over time, users may become immune to seeing your ads, especially if they repeatedly encounter them without taking any action. Ad fatigue can diminish the effectiveness of your campaigns, resulting in a lower click-through rate and conversion rate. It’s important to keep refreshing your ads, so your audience remains engaged.

Free photo man faces financial crisis, studies notification from bank, calculates figures. male student studies math, prepares report

 

For a free virtual marketing ideas session with PPC experts, call us on 01962 600 147 or email info@tlc-business.co.uk

How to choose the right CMS platform

Don’t leave finding the right CMS (Content Management System) platform for your website down to chance.

It’s an important decision that will impact your website’s performance, plus how easy it is to use and scale up in the future!

 

What is a CMS platform?

CMS (Content Management System) is software that helps people create and manage websites, without requiring extensive coding knowledge.

CMS platforms have tools for creating and organising content, customising templates and design, managing users and SEO (Search Engine Optimisation).

Popular platforms include WordPress, Wix and HubSpot. But, there are over 800 CMS platforms available in 2023, so you are spoilt for choice! It doesn’t make it easy to narrow down which is right for your business though – so we’ve put together the ultimate checklist to consider, before leaping into anything!

 

What to think about when choosing the right CMS platform for your business

 

Define your requirements

The best place to start is by taking some time to think about your specific requirements for your website.

Consider factors such as the type of content you’ll be managing, how much customisation you’ll need, how scalable it needs to be and the technical expertise of your team.

Easy to use

Having a user-friendly CMS platform is essential, especially if you will have non-technical users managing the content.

Look for platforms with intuitive interfaces, drag-and-drop functionality and visual editors that make content creation and editing straightforward.

 

Scalability

It’s one thing finding a CMS matches your needs now, but what about the future?

Finding a flexible CMS platform that can handle increasing traffic, content volume and changing content without impacting performance, will make sure it can adapt and grow with your business.

 

Content management features

Take a close look at the CMS’s core content management features, such as content creation and editing.

Will the CMS support the specific content types you’ll be using, for instance text, images and videos? Does it provide collaboration tools for multiple content contributors? If not and this is important to your business, keep looking for a CMS platform that does!

Customisation

Another biggie is finding a CMS that makes customisation easy. Having a CMS that aligns with your branding and design requirements will save you time.

CMS platforms that allow you to easily modify the website’s design and layout, customise templates and extend functionality through plugins, themes or modules, work really well.

 

SEO capabilities

Choose a CMS that prioritises SEO, so you’ll have all the tools to enhance your website’s search engine ranking and attract more traffic.

Consider the CMS’s built-in SEO features or its ability to integrate with popular SEO plugins. Look for features such as customisable meta tags, SEO-friendly URLs, XML sitemap generation and easy content optimisation options to improve your site’s search engine visibility.

 

Security

Security is one of the biggest factors in choosing a CMS, with so much sensitive information contained on your website, it has to be secure.

Pay attention to the CMS’s security features, including user roles and permissions, data encryption and password protection.

Free photo device protected by cyber security

 

Integration options

If you plan to use other e-commerce platforms, such as CRM systems and analytics tools, make sure the CMS is able to integrate with them!

Seamless integration can enhance your website’s functionality and make your life easier!

 

Cost

Make sure you find a CMS platform that fits with your budget! Beware of any hidden costs, consider the CMS’s licensing fees, hosting costs and any additional expenses related to themes, plugins or professional support.

Our team is experienced in handling CMS platforms and are happy to create and manage your content, on a CMS platform that best suits your business.

 

For a free virtual marketing ideas session with CMS experts, call us on 01962 600 147 or email info@tlc-business.co.uk

Emerging voice search trend is a game changer for marketing: Are you ready?

It seems hard to imagine a time without smartphones and virtual assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri, but the recent surge in popularity of voice-enabled devices is starting to have a big impact on marketing.

Now voice searches are becoming a common part of everyday life, adapting your content to fit with the changing way people are searching for information is becoming more and more important to stay relevant. Here’s how …

 

Use a different tone of voice

In contrast to traditional text based searches, for voice searches people tend to use more natural conversational language, reeling off longer queries and asking complete questions.

Changing your tone of voice to create more conversational content that matches people’s typical voice commands is more likely to get picked up in voice search results. It will also help to engage with your target audience more and build customer loyalty.

Answer frequently asked questions

When voice assistants respond to a voice query, they often provide a single answer.

To get your content to feature in voice search results, it’s best to throw in keywords and provide concise, well-structured answers to frequently asked questions that relate to your industry.

 

Feature in local searches

Voice search is frequently used for local queries, such as finding nearby restaurants, stores, and services.

To feature in these local searches, businesses should prioritise local SEO (search engine optimisation). This includes optimising location based keywords, keeping your Google My Business listings up to date and getting positive reviews and ratings, to make your business stand out.

 

Focus on mobile devices

Recent stats show that 71% of consumers prefer to conduct queries by voice instead of typing. A large number of those people are using mobile devices, so it’s important to make sure your website is mobile-friendly.

A seamless mobile experience is essential, so it’s worth spending some time to improve your page’s loading speed, as users have come to expect fast voice search results on their smartphones.

Speak to your target audience 

Gaining a better understanding of your target audience, what they are searching for, so you can create content that directly addresses their needs.

Providing relevant search results can increase your visibility, leading to higher web traffic and a boost in sales.

 

New paid advertising format

As voice searches increase in popularity, it could change the future of paid advertising. One to watch out for, is voice assistants potentially introducing voice-based ads.

Businesses need to stay on top of this and look to explore advertising that works with voice search platforms, focusing on new ad formats specifically designed for voice-enabled devices.

One thing is clear, adapting to work well with voice searches is a big marketing opportunity that will give your business a competitive edge.

 

For a free virtual marketing ideas session, call us on 01962 600 147 or email info@tlc-business.co.uk