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Why You Need a Website!

12/1/2015

I love working with small businesses. Most of the small business owners and entrepreneurs I work with are friendly, down-to-earth, “average” people. They are trying to run their small business on their terms. Most are high on energy, passion, ideas and enthusiasm. They are often limited when it comes to free time, technology knowledge and resources. One of the most rewarding experiences for me is when a new client’s website goes “live” to the world! The excitement they feel (okay, we both feel), when the entire world can see their energy, their passion and enthusiasm—it’s difficult to describe.

A client once told me “I love that I feel you are invested in my site. It makes me happy to know someone else cares about a shade this way or that… you love my “kid” (site) :) and are taking care of it and want the best for it! All great stuff—and just really thank you for the collaborative feel I get that we are doing this thing ‘together’.”

That’s why I love what I do and continue to do it every day!

I want all small businesses to get the best website possible. Often I hear from people, “I’m too small a business, I don’t need a website.” “I only work with locals, a website isn’t necessary.” “I’m a sole proprietor, it’s not worth it.” “Me, online? What for?” I wish I could create a pill that would explain not only the benefits that will come from a site, but how easy it can be to have one – and then distribute it like candy!

One of the great things about the Internet is that it has leveled the playing field when it comes to competing. It has also opened up the door for unlimited information. Most consumers, including senior citizens, will search online prior to making a purchase or picking up the phone. My own mother did an online search for ‘large soup pots’ before purchasing her latest turkey soup pot. And she now owns her first iPhone and texts with her grandchildren and shares links with me about information I should be paying attention to. When she wants to visit a new restaurant, she googles it. Finds out when it’s open, reads the reviews, checks out the menu, and sees the prices. She looks for a new nail salon by proximity and Yelp reviews.

Check out my site for a more detailed explanation of “7 Reasons Why You Need a Website.”

No one is too small or too segregated to not benefit from a website. A website is an important part of all businesses. In this day and age, it’s so important to have one. And my goal is to make it possible.

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Welcome - SEO Explained!

8/4/2015

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Welcome to my blog – and welcome to LMS Consulting!

I am Loretta M. Schoff, from LMS Consulting. I decided to write this blog after launching several client websites. My clients (and even prospective clients) consistently appreciate the time I take to educate them about online technology. It is important to convey the logic and value of brand marketing through website content, search engine optimization and email campaigns.

Owning and operating a small business is not easy. Most business owners juggle many balls at once -- it can often feel like a circus act. Technology can be confusing and most small businesses don’t have the resources and skills to manage it effectively.

I believe that most business owners just need a little help and guidance. My goal is to share my experience with small business owners and to help them better understand what technology and the internet can do for their businesses. You’ve heard the expression “a little knowledge goes a long way.” That is so true when it comes to running a small business and trying to manage so many different challenges. I hope that the little knowledge I pass along will go a long way!

Terminology can be overwhelming if you’re unfamiliar with it. It can seem like a foreign language. It doesn’t have to be that way. It can be simplified so that you understand it. Here is a perfect example:

SEO – stands for Search Engine Optimization. You’re saying to yourself “Exactly -- I’ve heard of that. I have no idea what it is or why I need it.” “Well, it’s really quite simple.”

When searching the Internet, you use the search box in your browser, probably Google, BING or Yahoo. You type in what you’re looking for, “crockpot recipes” for example. The phrase you typed in, “crockpot recipes,” is the Search.

Google, Yahoo, BING, Comcast – whatever search box you used to type it in, is the search Engine.

You then get results based on your search query. If you were really looking for “chicken crockpot recipes,” that would have given you a more precise result. That’s the Optimization part. Optimize just means make it good or make it better.

So if on your website you were selling children’s books for all ages, you would want to optimize your website with search terms that reflect your products. People might search girl’s books, boy’s books, coming of age books, children’s self-help books, teenage books, young adult reading, etc.

If you have a website now, take a look at your page titles, page descriptions, and keywords. This is where the optimization is set. A little tweaking here and there, can make a huge difference in the number of people that find your site.

If you would like help optimizing your website to increase visitors, let me know.

Thanks for visiting and reading. Comment below if you have something to share about this post or have a question for future posts.

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Why You Need a Website!

Welcome - SEO Explained!

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Why You Need a Website!

Welcome﻿ - SEO Explained!

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Archives

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Welcome - SEO Explained!