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Why Backlinks Are Critical for Your Online Success

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StrategyDriven Online Marketing and Website Development Article, Why Backlinks Are Critical for Your Online SuccessEach and every day, more people are creating websites for business and other purposes. The cyber-world is getting quite cluttered. It is more important than ever that your website is visible to interested eyeballs, But, how can you ensure that your site is even seen online at all?

One way to do so is by creating a strong backlink campaign when building out or revamping your website. Indeed, if you are serious about building a top-notch website, you may choose to work with a backlink service.

Website Backlinks: A Primer

To make matters as simple as possible, backlinks are hyperlinked connections from one website to another. A backlink, often just called a “link”, is an encoded pathway for one site to communicate electronically with another. You can think of them as roadways, using the transportation analog, or neural synapses, using the brain physiology model.

Links are easily seen on a webpage as a highlighted text string referred to as an “anchor text“. You can click on it and you will be quickly directed to another page on the web. It may be an internal link to another page on your site. But, in the case of a backlink, it will connect to another site in cyberspace.

Why Backlinks Are Important

High-quality backlinks make your site rank higher with the search engines like Google and Bing. Indeed, before your website site can rank, it needs links. The search engines use backlinks to “crawl” the web and make internet connectivity a reality. The better you help the engines with their operations, the better they will reward you.

Your reward comes in the form of high ranking on the search engine result pages (SERPs). You want to rank near the top for each of your keywords. Indeed, if you are not ranking in the top few pages, your site is essentially invisible.

Not all backlinks have an equal value to the search engines. Some are much more valuable than others. If you have a backlink to a popular, high-volume site, this will curry much more favor with Google than a link to a small site that is never seen. That is why high-quality links are of utmost importance.

If you have a site that has more than one page, be sure to practice deep linking. This is when you have backlinks not only to your homepage but to other pages on your site. For example, let’s say you have a site about coin collecting and you are in the business of buying and selling various coin types. You’ll certainly want links to your pages on dimes, quarters, and halves as well as your home page. Search engines love sites with deep linking and reward them with a higher ranking.

Why You May Need a Backlink Service

Hyperlinked connections from another website to yours can and do occur organically, but at first, the process can be excruciatingly slow. Because link building is so important in raising your site’s online visibility, it is often prudent to work with an SEO-savvy backlink service. A quality backlink service is up-to-date on the ever-changing SEO best practices. You want them working for you.

Tips for Finding the Best Backlink Service

These days, it seems like everybody and their brother has a shingle out on the web posing as SEO experts and site builders. The same is true in the areas of link building. Some of these are excellent firms, others are less scrupulous or savvy. How do you pick the best backlink-building service if you need one?

Here are several tips that will help you ferret-out the very best backlink service providers:

  • Will they evaluate your site content for quality as part of their service?
  • Will they assist you with internal link building as well as in the generation of quality external backlinks?
  • What do they know about SEO?
  • Can they provide a list of super-satisfied customers?
  • Are all costs and fees spelled out upfront?

The online world has become complex and busy. Quality backlinks will help your site will actually be seen.

DIY Marketing: Does it Work?

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StrategyDriven Marketing and Sales Article | DIY Marketing: Does it Work?As a small business owner, chances are you often find yourself in DIY situations. From managing your social media accounts to writing your own blog, there are many forms of DIY marketing. There’s no cap on what you can spend on marketing your product or service. However, to save money people often rely more on DIY than giving this over to the professionals. With that said, just how effective is DIY marketing? Can you reach the same number of qualified consumers when you opt to take care of marketing yourself? What is Digital Marketing? To learn the answers to these questions, and more, read on.

Digital marketing is just one part of overall marketing, but it’s a big one. Most people go online first when researching a product or service and digital marketing takes advantage of this. Digital marketing is the marketing component that relies on using websites, search engines, social media, emails, mobile app, and more to reach consumers and educate them about a product or service. It’s a great way to brand yourself and your business.

Is Your DIY Digital Marketing Working?

Marketing on a budget means you’ll have to do some DIY digital marketing. But how do you know if it’s working? Traffic to your website is one way to know. Are people clicking on links in your marketing emails? Are your Google Ads getting clicks too? These are just some questions to ask yourself after implementing a DIY marketing campaign. Others include:

Are you getting enough of a return on your time investment? In other words, are you getting results for the time you’re putting in? To figure this out, estimate your weekly DIY marketing schedule and multiply that by your hourly rate. Next, take your weekly investment, multiply that by 52 weeks, and divide by 12. You will then need to figure out your KPIs (i.e. clicks, calls, form fills, etc…) and compare the numbers. This should give you a good idea of what you’re getting for the work you’re putting in.

Is marketing on a budget working? If you’re doing DIY digital marketing and marketing on a budget, you can still make it work. The key is to keep analyzing your data, as described above, to ensure you’re getting a good return on investment (ROI). Otherwise, you’re throwing money away that could be used for effective marketing strategies. Some tips for marketing on a budget include:

Become an expert: Create new and meaningful content that answers your reader’s questions and you will see sales increase.

Reach out to influencers: With the help of an influencer, you can reach hundreds of people looking for a product in your niche and the cost is negotiable in some cases.

Giveaways and samples: Giving away a product or sample is a risk-free way for customers to try your product.

In the end, does DIY marketing work? Yes. However, for really in-depth digital marketing that shows the highest ROI, it’s best to leave the marketing up to the professionals. They will be able to strategize a digital marketing plan and then carry it out. Of course, if you love DIY marketing, you can still take on many projects to add a personal touch and be more involved with day-to-day marketing.

6 Rules for Defense Start-Up Innovators

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StrategyDriven Starting Your Business Article |Defense Start-Up|6 Rules for Defense Start-Up InnovatorsThe defense industry is changing in the United States of America. For years now, huge corporations such as British Aerospace Engineering and Raytheon have completely dominated the market and swooped in to poach promising innovators. Inventors and programmers have found themselves swallowed up in vast bureaucracies, working on projects that they feel morally uncomfortable on and with less than savory people.

Recently though, the defense needs of the United States have begun to shift. The asymmetrical aspects of America’s security, as well as the growing threat of flashpoints with China and Russia, require constant innovation at a quick pace. Cyber defense and information security are massively complex and quickly evolving fields.

As such, the work of developing new solutions has diversified. Smaller companies, including recent startups, can offer the DoD and its allies’ tailor-made solutions in a fraction of the time it would take a giant like Boeing. This is because of optimization. A smaller group can dedicate all its resources to the development of a single product and does not have to negotiate the labyrinth of internal politics large companies face.

Of course, small startups cannot compete with larger corporations when developing flagship systems like aircraft, but the market has truly opened up for innovators. Here are some key things to consider if you want your defense startup to earn national security contracts.

Specialize

Try not to get carried away with too broad a range of innovations. The department of defense is ideally looking to fill requirements most simply and cost-effectively possible – after all, it is taxpayer’s money that you are vying for. Companies with a clear specialization that can dedicate their time to achieving solutions to one problem will get a better look in. It is also far more cost effective for the company.

Take Part in Accelerator Programs

Accelerator programs are advantageous in several ways. Firstly, they swiftly educate startup innovators on the make-up of their market. Unless you have experience working in the defense industry, it can seem like an incredibly daunting place. It has a unique culture and very stringent security. It can be a welcoming place, but it certainly takes some getting used to. Accelerator programs allow startup innovators to bed into their industry.

Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, they are networking hubs. One of the most challenging aspects of working in the defense industry is gatekeeping. Company representatives are often wary of outsiders, and government officials are rightfully very selective of their interactions. Working in conjunction with an accelerator program, startups can network in an incubated environment, where all parties are encouraged to collaborate.

Thirdly, they open doors to funding and investment. Financing for any startup is difficult enough to secure. Funding for defense projects is even harder. Because defense projects often rely upon public funding, there is a huge amount of risk oversight required before any organization tied to the government can invest. Programs such as the Boston Accelerator Program can link your startup with investors in a supportive environment. The United States Air Force funds one of the program tracks and keeps a close eye on developments from participants.

Partner Up

This is a good rule of thumb for any startup, not just those looking to innovate in the defense field. Partnering up is the most cost-effective way to develop new products and gain insight into your industry, particularly if you are new to it. For instance, if your team has developed a new piece of aviation software, partnering with an aerospace hardware development company will allow you to integrate your software into products you might not have been able to access on your own. This will put you in a much better position: defense buyers are more likely to buy software with real-world applications that are already in use.

Steer Clear of Politics and Avoid Espionage

This is easier said than done. Politics and the defense industry are intertwined, but if you want some advice from us? Steer clear. The political landscape within the pentagon can change drastically overnight, and with every firing comes a sacrifice of influence. Try and stay politically neutral, no typing your innovation to any one military mind or geopolitical culture.

You would be equally wise to leave espionage to the spies. Do not compromise your reputation by falling into the manipulative world of spooks, honey traps, document sharing or financial misuse. This is all serious stuff and is best avoided, no matter how tempting it becomes to boost your startup with subterfuge related contracts.

Software is the New Hardware

In the past, defense startups were faced with a daunting task: they had to fund the development of hardware. This was an immensely costly process and required huge investment – often without ever getting off the ground. Times have changed. There has, however, been a culture shift.

Startups specializing in software and AI for the defense industry are now in very high demand. Investment is flowing into software development from state and private interests. Software and AI development is far less risky to develop than hardware. However, there is a catch: attracting the best minds in software development to your startup is no easy task. With the market so stacked with software developers, you have to pitch hard and pitch intelligently to get the right team together.

Innovate in Information Defense

We live, sadly, in an age of information warfare. The truth matters and the objectivity of the truth are less and less easy to define. From ‘fake news’ to the ‘St Petersburg troll factory’, the control of information has dominated discourse on security in the last few years.

Of course, the control of the truth has always been a part of warfare, but the Department of Defense is scrambling to deal with the proliferation of information threats from potential adversaries. Existing corporations are not in a position to develop information security solutions quickly enough to deal with threats. Startups specializing in information defense will more than likely catch the attention of military strategists.

Perfecting Your Product Launch Process

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StrategyDriven Marketing and Sales Article |Product Launch|Perfecting Your Product Launch ProcessLaunching a new product is perhaps one of the most daunting things you’ll experience as a new business owner. There are many different things to think about and focus on when you launch a new product. As a result, you might find yourself struggling with your first few product launches. Perhaps one of your products doesn’t get as much attention as you’d have hoped, or maybe you’re unsure how to market your products effectively. Timing also plays a huge factor in the success of your product launch.

There are many different things to think about when it comes to perfecting your product launches. So to help you out, we’ve put together a couple of tips to ensure that your future launches will go smoothly and efficiently.

Get accustomed to using social media

When it comes to getting a new product noticed, it’s vital that you start using social media as soon as possible. Spreading a product via word of mouth is arguably one of the best ways to get high conversion rates with your leads. This is especially true if you’re able to target the right audience with your products. It takes a bit of market research to be able to take advantage of social media, but it should be an integral part of your marketing strategy.

Finding the right audience

And speaking of finding your audience, it’s a good idea to identify the types of customers that you’re trying to appeal to. Creating customer profiles, even as a small business, is an effective way to help you overcome many of the initial challenges of securing an audience for your products and services. Once you’ve found the right audience, you want to try and appeal to them as best as you can to draw their attention and hold it for long enough until they purchase something or at least share your brand with others.

Take your product management process seriously

When it comes to product management, it’s important to understand the responsibilities involved so that you can take it seriously. The process involves shaping your products and marketing launches down to the smallest detail. You need to create comprehensive plans that get everyone involved in the process. From designers to content writers, there’s a lot involved in the product launch process and you need to start planning ahead. You may want to even consider hiring a product manager if you’re a growing business that needs more employees to handle all of the tasks and responsibilities involved.

Make use of different forms of media

There are lots of different ways to consume media these days. From watching videos to listening to podcasts, there are lots of different places where you can advertise your brand and reach an entirely new audience. Make use of videos, audio, images and even traditional marketing to get your brand out there. Don’t just stick to one form of marketing–diversify your strategy to appeal to a wider audience and reach further than you could before.

6 Tips for Preparing Your Business Move

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Moving your Business|6 Tips for Preparing Your Business MoveThe move is not a stage reserved exclusively for individuals. Indeed, whether it is to integrate a more modern space or for economic reasons, a company may also have to change premises. In this case, the company has to hire a professional mover. You should know that moving a business turns out to be a very specific task and that not all movers are able to carry it out.

Let’s see together what these specificities are and how to find the right mover for your company.

1.Good material and psychological preparation for the move

You must take into account the technical difficulties of the relocation, but also the human factor. To reduce the stress inherent in any move, it is essential to communicate the move with employees and start preparing the office for the move. Preparing the office involves removing any junk or unwanted items that you don’t want to take with you, if there’s a lot of this it is worth hiring an unwanted furniture removal service to clear it for you. Informing employees involves communicating the new location, move dates and any disruptions to work.

2. The administrative procedures of the company before the move

Several months before leaving permanently, the manager of the company must terminate the commercial lease (s) (commercial leases) of the old premises. Be careful; read your lease carefully before submitting a notice of departure.

3. The appointment of removal manager

The volume of work required for a successful business move means that it requires hiring relocation services. An internal team can sometimes face insurmountable difficulties, especially when the employees are new to this field. It is, therefore, recommended to delegate this task to professional moving companies.

Thanks to their mastery of business transfer skills, they will be able to draw up coherent specifications as well as manage the budget accurately.

4. Who should you notify of your change of address?

For businesses, postal details are of paramount importance. External collaborators (customers, suppliers, and shareholders) need to send documents regularly (invoices, purchase orders, complaints, etc.).

The change of address on letterheads, invoices, or even business cards must be planned in order to maintain a serious image of the company. Ideally, the upstream preparation will have already allowed the stock to flow naturally over the months while waiting for delivery day. Otherwise, you can print these official documents a few weeks before the move.

5. Take an inventory of your furniture and IT equipment

With regard to IT equipment, it is essential to delegate a manager to it who will have to detect obsolete elements and who will have to plan the transfer of each IT unit from one room to another.

On the relocation day, the movers will have already received dispatch instructions on arrival to facilitate the distribution of moving boxes. The transport of the computer park is delicate since these machines often contain precious and confidential data.

The designated person is, therefore, often responsible for backing up company data. Labeling is also an essential step to take in the aftermath because it simply allows employees to get back to their jobs more easily and quickly after the move.

6. Develop the specifications and schedule of operations

Once the details of the move are known (signed lease, fixed date, employees notified), the move should be planned and organized. In other words, you have to prioritize the parts to be moved. For example, some departments will have to wait last, such as customer service or after-sales service. This kind of precaution is necessary in order to avoid oversights and unpleasant incidents.

To calculate the cost of the move, it is important to refer to the estimate of your mover. In general, it is based on the specifications and the schedule of operations. It is imperative to have excellent time management and optimization of each trip between old and new premises.