Here are the #TNT tips you may have missed during May 2017. Subscribe so you don’t miss any tips!
MARKETING TO MILLENNIAL PARENTS
Did you know that millennials have taken over baby boomers as America’s largest generation?
Hearing the word “millennials” might have you thinking of a 20-year-old snapping a selfie, but buying into those stereotypes could be hurting your business. The oldest millennials are approaching 40, and 40% of them identify as parents. Marketing effectively to millennial parents requires understanding how they parent.
If your business typically engages with parents, millennials are a part of this group and you should consider how to best reach them. You’ll want to learn how they differentiate themselves in the parenting role compared to previous generations.
SWITCH YOUR SITE TO HTTPS
Most of the page one Google search results use the HTTPS secure protocol, and this is estimated to increase to 70% by the end of the year.
Since Google announced a ranking boost to sites using HTTPS (secure green lock icon) more and more sites have made the switch. HTTPS URLs now make up half of the page one search results in Google, but when Google announced the change only about 7% of the URLs on the web were using HTTPS. In January, the Chrome and Firefox browsers started labeling some sites that do not use HTTPS as insecure.
Have you made the move for your website from HTTP to HTTPS? We have been steadily migrating our clients and all new sites. We can help with your site!
HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL BRAND
Creating a strong personal brand both on and offline is an important step to earn more visibility and build trust.
In this A-Z guide, learn about 26 big ideas to develop your brand such as showing the real you through authenticity, utilizing Google as your worldwide business card and taking advantage of content, design, and video.
For many small and medium businesses and service providers, having a personal brand is as important as having a company brand. You have a personal brand whether you consciously develop it or not, so pay atttention to the message you are sending.
NET NEUTRALITY, SEO, AND WEB MARKETING
You may have heard about net neutrality, but why should it matter to small business? Net neutrality, as it currently exists, means that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have to treat all web content equally. As a consumer, the ISP can’t charge more if you want to access certain sites, and website owners and services can’t be charged by the ISP to deliver their content to you.
The reason you should care about net neutrality is simple. Samll businesses deserve an equal footing when it comes to web presence. ISPs should not be in the business of deciding whether your customers can access your site without you or your customers paying for “premium delivery.” Net neutrality preserves an open, free, competitive Internet. Learn how this affects your search presence and marketing efforts.
The FCC, at the behest of the large cable and telecom companies, has proposed to roll back these protections for consumers and businesses. There is a period of public comment right now and you can add your voice proposal 17-108 on the FCC website: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/browse-popular-proceedings. One of the best things about the internet is how it has leveled the playing field for small businesses. In a pay-to-play internet, small businesses and innovative ideas are disadvantaged.
GETTING DISCOVERED
Recent developments and technology will impact local search in both the short and long term.
Smartphones and digital assistants have led to an increase in local search intent. Location signals, voice assistants, augmented reality (AR), and beacons are starting to impact search in the local space. Some are just on the horizon, but maps and location signals are firmly established already.
Learning about what’s on the horizon can prepare your organization to take advantage of new opportunities to grow your business.
