Four States Small Business Blog

In the vast landscape of the internet, search engines, such as Google, play a pivotal role in connecting users with the information they seek. For businesses and content creators, mastering the art of search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for visibility and success. One key aspect of SEO is understanding the ins and outs of the search results page (SERP). In this blog, we'll explore the key elements of the SERP, providing insights on how to rank up effectively.

 

Sponsored Results and Ads

Sponsored results almost always appear at the top of the Google search results page. Businesses bid on keywords with Google Ads to have their business displayed when users search for those terms. While organic results rely on relevance and quality, sponsored results depend on effective ad campaigns and budget allocation, as well as relevance and quality. Crafting compelling ad copy, choosing the right keywords, and optimizing landing pages are crucial for success in the sponsored section of the SERP.

Featured Snippets

Featured snippets are concise, informative snippets that appear at the top of the search results page, providing immediate answers to user searches. Earning a featured snippet position is highly coveted, as it boosts visibility and credibility. To optimize for featured snippets, focus on creating content that answers specific questions concisely. Use structured data markup to help search engines better understand and extract relevant information from your content.

 

Maps Results

For businesses with a physical presence, local search results are pivotal. Maps results, often seen as a map pack, display local businesses relevant to the user's query. Organic map results are based on relevance, distance, and prominence, while sponsored map results are influenced by paid advertising. Additionally, for more map visibility, you can pay to promote your business listing. To enhance local visibility, ensure your business information is accurate and up-to-date on Google Business Listing. Encourage positive reviews, as they contribute to prominence in local search results.

Organic Search Results

Organic results are the standard listings on the search results page, appearing below the featured snippets, sponsored results, and maps results. Achieving high rankings in organic search requires a comprehensive SEO strategy. Focus on creating high-quality, relevant content, targeting essential keywords for your business. Regularly update and maintain your website to stay in line with search engine algorithms and user expectations.

How to Rank Up in Search Results

Mastering the intricacies of the Search Results Page is crucial for anyone looking to enhance online visibility. Whether aiming for the prized featured snippet, navigating sponsored results, dominating local maps, or securing high rankings in organic results, a comprehensive approach to SEO is key. By understanding each element on the search results page and tailoring your strategy accordingly, you can rank up and connect with your target audience effectively online.

Boost Your Online Presence with Zimmer Marketing

Zimmer Marketing's web development team is pushing the boundaries of website design and performance. Fast, visually appealing, and SEO-friendly websites are no longer the exclusive domain of multi-billion dollar companies. If you want to give your business a competitive advantage online through content marketing and cutting-edge design, we're here to help!

 

 

Topics: Website Design, Digital Marketing

In the digital era, where online presence is paramount, the synergy between web design and content marketing plays a pivotal role in determining a brand's success. In this blog, we'll delve into the profound impact of web design on content marketing, assess whether content marketing is truly worth the investment, and explore the costs associated with this powerful digital strategy.

Topics: Website Design, Digital Marketing

Are you trying to determine the quality of your website design? Evaluating your business website can be a challenge, but it's essential for your business success. That's why we've compiled this quick guide to help you accurately assess your company's online presence.

1. Layout

Your website's appearance must be balanced and arranged logically. The content on your site should be arranged hierarchically, with the most important information and brand positioning messaging positioned further up on your homepage. Your content sections need to be paired with well-placed call-to-action buttons. Finally, pay special attention to your website employing mobile-first and responsive design to fit various screen sizes.

A great example featuring a perfect layout is this design we did for  Superior Roofing !

2. Colors

Your website should be consistent with your brand and logo while following solid principles of color use in design. A bad use of color can be both offputting to users and make your website difficult to read and navigate. For instance, having green font over an orange background would be a poor combination, while white on orange can be a good match.

We recently completed a new website for  Windows for Less , which exemplifies ideal color balance.

3. Navigation

Your website's navigation should be intuitive and avoid crowding screen space on the page. For mobile-friendly versions of your site, this can take the form of a hamburger menu, while desktops can feature top-bar navigation styles or collapsible sidebars. Whatever your site's navigation style is, your menu should be simple and avoid having too many pages listed at once. For example, your top-level navigation may have five to seven pages. Further pages, such as those for individual service types, are ideally set up as child pages under a main services page to ensure your top-level menu is manageable.

Notice how we collapsed the multiple services pages on  The Chimney Sweep LLC 's website into a drop-down menu underneath the button for the main services page.

4. Content Quality

The text, images, and videos of your site must be of excellent quality to wow visitors. Your written content should be confident, informative, and free of spelling and grammar errors. A good site utilizes shorter paragraphs and text blocks to avoid overwhelming casual web users scanning for specific information. Images and videos need to be sized correctly to prevent long loading times or a pixelated appearance. 

Our website for  MW Fence  offers a great example of informative copy in brief sections, along with a perfectly optimized auto-play video on the homepage.

5. Search Engine Optimization

The good news is that most decisions that will positively impact your website's visibility on search engines are very simple, often combining principles from the aspects mentioned above. While technical SEO can be a more complicated field, you can start addressing the basics immediately. Your website pages, headings, and content should address strategic keywords for your business in a manner that satisfies the user's search intent. There are many   research tools  that can help you identify important keywords for your business and shape a strategy.

Check out  All Dogs Dream  to see a good example of SEO supported by a successful blogging strategy.

Evaluating Your Web Design

If your website stacks up well in four or more of these categories, you are on your way to a solid web design to promote your business! But don't stop now; there's always room for improvement, and your website should always be evolving. If your site is satisfactory in three or fewer criteria, that's a sign to take swift action to improve your design.

Need A New Web Design?

Zimmer Marketing's web development team is pushing the boundaries of website design and performance. Fast, visually appealing, and SEO-friendly websites are no longer the exclusive domain of multi-billion dollar companies. If you want to give your business a competitive advantage online, we're here to help.

Get in Touch with a Marketing Consultant

 

Topics: Website Design

Zimmer Marketing is pleased to announce the launch of a new state-of-the-art website for a wonderful local business –   Erickson & Co. Mercantile! Over the fall season, our web team worked closely with the Erickson & Co. Mercantile to create the perfect website to promote their excellent artisan products in time for the holiday season! 

This website was part of a Zimmer Marketing giveaway package that Erickson & Co. Mercantile won by garnering many votes from the Four States community! The over $15,000 giveaway package included an advanced website, logo creation, professional photography, video production, and free radio for a year on KISSIN 92.5!

Topics: Website Design

As we move deeper into the 2024 election cycle, it becomes ever more crucial for your campaign to reach voters with your message. Although the competition for voters' attention is fierce, Zimmer Marketing can help you successfully deliver your campaign messaging to the Four States, including Southwest, MO, Southeast, KS, and Northeast, OK. Let's delve into the reasons that make Zimmer Marketing the go-to choice for your election campaign in 2024.

 

Amplify Your Voice through Radio

In a world saturated with noise, radio remains a powerful medium to connect with voters. Zimmer Marketing owns six radio stations in the Four States, reaching 90% of voters. The cost-effectiveness of radio advertising, coupled with its broad reach, makes it a strategic choice for any campaign. Plus, Zimmer Marketing can seamlessly integrate radio campaigns with digital media, ensuring your message resonates consistently across platforms.

Zimmer Marketing Radio Stations

• Newstalk KZRG
• KIX 102.5
• KISSIN 92.5
• Classic Hits 93.9
• Big Dog 97.9
• The Talker

Zimmer Marketing radio stations reach 400,000+ people per month! Having access to the ears of Joplin and the surrounding communities, Zimmer Marketing provides a direct line to the people.   While TV audiences decline, radio's expansive reach remains a golden opportunity for your campaign to engage with voters effectively.

 

Boost Your Digital Outreach with a Zimmer Marketing Website

In this digital age, a compelling online presence is non-negotiable. Zimmer Marketing not only excels in radio but also builds visually appealing, fast, and modern campaign websites. Each website is 100% original, ensuring that your online platform stands out from the crowd. Hosted on our secure server, our websites offer incredible reliability and speed.

 

SEO Development for Campaigns

In the digital realm, visibility is key. Zimmer Marketing's web copywriting team specializes in search engine optimization, guaranteeing that your campaign website is not just visually appealing but also ranks well in Google's search results. Being the SEO experts in the Four States, Zimmer Marketing ensures your website is seen by potential voters when it matters most.

Get In Touch With A Marketing Consultant

 

 

Topics: Radio Advertising, Website Design, Video Production

In a world where convenience is king, voice search is accounting for an increasing amount of internet searches,   making up a full 20% of searches in the Google app. Whether it's asking a smartphone for a good place to eat or consulting Alexa for the closest hardware store, people are increasingly relying on voice commands to get things done. So, how can you ensure your digital presence is voice-search-friendly? Here are six ways you can prepare your website to receive traffic from increasing voice searches.

Topics: Website Design

The web team at Zimmer Marketing is continually working to push the boundaries of what is possible for business websites, to increase capabilities for smaller companies, and to improve user experience for their customers. Most recently, we've been expanding our horizon with the power of   PocketBase  as a backend for our advanced Svelte websites!

Topics: Website Design, Digital Marketing, Online Sales

Continuing our series on business website essentials, this week we'll look to 2024 and some in-demand features that you should consider including in your web design. It's important to remember that your website is not a static, one-and-done business asset but should be growing and adapting to show your company in the best possible light! Let's look at four website features to have in 2024!

Topics: Website Design

Last week, we started our series on business website essentials by discussing   what to put 'above the fold' on your homepage. This week, we're continuing with a look into how to develop content for your website that will help your site become visible on search engines and serve your web visitors well. We can summarize how to meet both these objectives in a single sentence:   Write content to satisfy user intent. But to better understand how to do that, let's get more specific.

Topics: Website Design

A website is one of the most important assets your business can have. Because of it's importance, it's worth putting serious consideration into the design and content of a business website. Over the next three weeks, we will explore best practices for web layouts. 

In this first part, we will turn our focus to the area of your website most often viewed, your homepage. More specifically, we're looking at the area of the homepage that visitors can see before scrolling or taking any action on your website. In a nod to the old days of the newspaper, this area is referred to by web designers as "above the fold." Let's look at some common elements you should put near the top of your website's homepage.

Clear and Compelling Headline

The headline (or H1) is the first thing visitors see, and it should be clear, concise, and attention-grabbing. Use language that conveys your website's purpose to your audience, and include a strategic keyword for your business. It should instantly communicate what your website is about and why it matters. This will provide your web visitors a great experience and allow your website to perform better with search engines. 

Engaging Visuals

Humans are visual creatures, so use high-quality images, videos, or graphics that resonate with your content and brand. A visually appealing element can quickly draw visitors in and set the tone for your website. Consider using a hero image or video that relates to your message.

Concise and Persuasive Copy

The text accompanying your headline should be brief yet impactful. Explain your value proposition in a few sentences, highlighting the benefits of your product or service. Focus on the problem you solve or the need you fulfill, and use persuasive language to compel visitors to explore further.

Call-to-Action Buttons

Don't leave your visitors hanging; guide them toward the next step with well-placed CTAs. Whether it's "Sign Up Now," "Learn More," or "Shop Now," your CTA buttons should stand out and entice users to take action. Use contrasting colors and make them easily clickable. CTAs should be close to concise and persuasive copy to help the user understand the next step to access more information, products, or services.

Navigation Menu

Include a streamlined navigation menu that offers a clear pathway for users to explore your website. Keep it concise, with essential links such as "Home," "About Us," "Services," and "Contact" to help users find what they're looking for quickly. For mobile users, consider using a ' hamburger menu' to save space and make navigation easier.

Testimonials or Social Proof

Boost credibility and trust by showcasing testimonials or social proof above the fold. Positive feedback from satisfied customers or impressive statistics can reassure visitors that they're in the right place and encourage them to engage with your content.

Important Information

If there are critical pieces of information visitors need to know immediately, such as your contact details, operating hours, or limited-time offers, make sure they are visible above the fold. This prevents users from hunting for essential information and helps build trust.

Above the Fold on Mobile v. Desktop

When designing your website above the fold, it's important to consider various screen sizes. Most users these days use mobile devices to view your site. And these devices have a smaller above the fold area than desktop or laptop computers. Because of this, it's wise to make design choices that prioritize the experience of mobile users. Since space will be limited, it's essential that you prioritize what to put at the top of the page to both improve user experience and drive conversions.

Get Your Advanced Web Design

Zimmer Marketing's web development team is pushing the boundaries of website design and performance. Fast, visually appealing, and SEO-friendly websites are no longer the exclusive domain of multi-billion dollar companies. If you want to give your business a competitive advantage online, we're here to help.

Contact a Marketing Consultant

New boost

Topics: Website Design