Dear {FIRST_NAME|Valued Customer},

You read the headline right – FREE Website Grader for the first 15 Responders! Simply hit reply to the newsletter and we’ll let you know if you got your email in to us in time. Not sure why you need a Website Grader? Read on to our SEO Article for the information you need in order to make your website work for you!

Dropping temperatures, falling leaves, and months ending in “ber” are among us – that means only one thing: it’s the last quarter of the year! NetSearch Direct always looks forward to the last quarter because it gives us one final opportunity to take the year from good to GREAT. To do this we’re reviewing campaigns across the board, hosting more seminars loaded with free information and insider marketing tips (the latest blogging one got rave reviews!), and toying with the idea of holding a workshop (stay tuned for details!). What do you have planned? Send us an email and let us know, and we’ll chat about ways to take your ideas from concept to implementation.

No Time Like the Presents: Think-Ahead to Holiday Shopping

The retail holiday shopping countdown has started. The busiest three months of buying is among us; but where are you? If you haven’t given your PPC campaign a holiday season makeover, mapped out your strategies to hit the target days, or even begun your PPC campaign-ing now’s the time! The most successful businesses are already thinking – and implementing – ways that they can revive their marketing for the last quarter. We’re listing our top three here:

1) Keyword Performance Review
When the weather changes and the holiday season approaches, customers are taking to their online searching with a different frame of mind. Now is the time to look over your keyword performance for the past year to identify trends. Right away you’ll be able to identify keywords that work for your campaign and those that may be seasonal. Even better, you’ll be able to notice keywords which attract the wrong kinds of attention – for instance, a dentist marketing a dental “bridge” may end up paying a significant amount of money for people looking for architectural bridges. With valuable marketing dollars on the line, you still have time to maximize your keyword performance for last quarter success!

We’re glad you’ve read on to this month’s SEO article which features one of NetSearch Direct’s favorite products: the Website Grader. Not only is it an extremely valuable tool for businesses, but the first 15 responders to this newsletter will get it for FREE. And if the idea of getting something for free when you have no idea what it is doesn’t tempt you, we’ve listed our top four reasons your website needs a checkup below. We hope it gets you thinking about your website, and the image that it presents of your business, in a whole new light.

1) Web Developers Aren’t SEO Experts
One of the biggest challenges in the SEO industry is repairing mistakes caused by web developers. We don’t mean broken code (although we have been known to fix a few bugs); we mean poorly constructed, Flash-laden websites with splash pages and dead links to name a few of the most critical mistakes. We don’t mean to knock them, but chances are when your web developer was learning content management systems and various code he or she never studied SEO. It’s critically important that your SEO campaign works in tandem with your website design; mistakes can cost you in rankings on the search engine results page, and worse, potential customers.

National Statistics

Viral Marketing: Spread Something Healthy

It’s that time of year again: doctor’s offices are stocking up on vaccines, pharmacies are ordering extra antibiotics, and tissue companies are stepping up supply. No doubt, the cold and flu season is upon us. But you can spread something healthy this year that can actually be profitable for your business. Tap into the power of viral marketing.

Viral marketing, as defined as basically marketing techniques that social networks to increase brand awareness or to achieve specific marketing goals (think profit!). So-called “viral” because of the lightening-fast way it spreads, viral marketing includes things like text messages to subscribers, YouTube and other videos, social website networking (think Facebook and Twitter), interactive games and software – anything that can be easily shared to create a stir. While you may not be ready to launch a full-fledged viral marketing initiative, you can select a few options to boost year-end sales and to position your business in front of the season’s holiday shoppers. Studies have shown excellent profit yields to companies who are jumping into the social networking/viral marketing pool because businesses can show off a more personable side, test out calls-to-action, and position themselves in front of customers in a very unique way.