Search Engine Marketing.
Website Design.
Social Media Optimization.
and everything in-between
Have you ever wished you could sneak a peek of your competitor’s Facebook insights? Well, now you can thanks to the new timeline design for business pages.
I’ve just learned a new trick from Nathan Latka’s most current webinar and would like to share it with you.
As you may know, after you transition to the new timeline, you no longer have left-side tabs; they have been replaced by 111×74 pixel customizable app thumbnails. All you need to do is go to the business page that has already switched to the timeline layout and click on the “likes” thumbnail showing thumbs-up and the number of fans. If you don’t see it among the four application thumbnails displayed under the cover photo, you’ll have to click the little triangle to the very right in order to expand the selection.
A side note: While I was looking for a good screenshot of the “likes” thumbnail, I’ve noticed two things:
(1) Most brands, even very popular ones with a lot of fans and unlimited budgets haven’t switched to the timeline yet;
(2) Those who switched hide the “likes” info from the page by moving it further down on the app list.
So here is what you’ll see when you click the “likes” thumbnail:
In addition to total likes, people talking about this and people who checked in, we now have access to:
- Most popular week (determined by how many people were talking about this page)
- Most popular city (the city where most of the people talking about this page come from)
- Most popular age group (calculated from people talking about this page)
- Photos tagged here
- Most visited week (determined by how many people checked in)
- Largest party (the largest group check-in at this location)
This information gives business owners and entrepreneurs a better idea about their competition’s target market (at least the online portion of it) and the success of their marketing efforts. You could research your competitor’s Facebook activities during their “most popular week” and see what they did that worked. Or discover an unexplored age group for your product or service and target that niche. There are many possibilities, and it’s up to you how to interpret and use this data.
On the other hand, both your competitors and fans will have access to a snapshot of your Facebook insights. You could hide this thumbnail at the very bottom of the applications list, but there’s no way to make it private at this point.
What do you think about this new feature? Do you find it useful, unnecessary or invasive? Let us know in the comments below!
It is fairly clear how a shoe retailer can benefit from having a website. However, when it comes to brick-and-mortar and other service businesses, these benefits are not always recognized. Here are a few reasons why the investment in a website for a service business will pay off.
Be different
The fact that not every service business owner realizes the importance of having a website is the reason why you should get one. A website will set you apart from and will let you get ahead of your competition.
Be informative
Even though your service website is not e-commerce based and can’t directly sell anything, it’s still a powerful sales tool. It provides accurate information about your business 24/7, while your employees only work 8 to 5 and are prone to human error. Your website is a great way to keep your current and potential customers updated about:
- Your location and directions
- Your regular/holiday office hours
- The range of your services
- Current sales and specials
- Your service areas
Be accessible
If you are a contractor, you might not even have an office. Running a business on the go could work for you, but might not be as convenient to your customers. A website serves as your online location, your home base. When you are not available to answer the phone, your website will provide an alternative way to contact you – through an email or by redirecting to your social media accounts.
Be trustworthy
If we put buying shoes and hiring a bathroom remodler on a commitment scale, I would say the latter requires more commitment. Shoes can be chosen quickly and easily returned, while your newly installed tub and tile are not really exchangeable. Services in general can’t be returned, reversed and are rarely refunded. That’s why when people buy a service, they want things done right the first time, and they want to trust you as a service provider. A website is a great opportunity to establish your credibility through testimonials, blogging, reviews, etc.
Get qualified leads
Do you ever get calls from people asking about the services you don’t provide in locations you don’t service? With a website you can minimize such calls. Prospects who find your number on your website also find accurate information about how exactly you can help them. You will be getting calls from people who don’t just inquire about your services, but are already considering hiring you.
Still in doubt about getting a website? Take us for example. We are a Maryland web design company with services ranging from creating custom websites to implementing SEO and online marketing campaigns. Yes, we are in the industry where you are expected to have a website, but we do see how our website benefits both us and our customers. We have also developed websites for landscapers, remodelers, waterproofers and other service businesses that have witnessed increase in leads and sales.
