Coupons are an essential part of a web marketing strategy for mortar-based businesses with websites. We recommend’em at ArcherSEM to our clients for multiple reasons. And now that Google Places (as well as other local business web listings) are featuring coupons, we have integrated coupons into our digital marketing plans for all of our clients.
Of course, the initial benefit of coupons is the ability to entice first-time customers to come through the business doors and convert them into loyal customers of our clients. But with our coupon digital marketing concept, we use coupons as a link development tool that will:
* boost traffic
* raise a site’s rankings
* create positive word of mouth via the web sphere
Google Places is the first place we look to place coupons for our digital marketing clients with mortar businesses. The first step is obviously to create a Google Places account (see our other blog entry on Web Marketing with Google Places). Then, go to the Coupon tab on the Google Places. (see photo).
Click on the “add coupon” link and provide the information you want about the offer.
You can find other business directory listings that do offer coupon or special offer features (like Dex and Yellow Pages) as well.
Next Step: Link Development
That’s the first step to creating coupons for our customers. The next step: link development. At ArcherSEM, link development is the hidden 50% of Search Engine marketing. By creating a network of links that point to a client’s website, we work to boost the client’s search engine rankings.
For link development, coupons are an invaluable tool. There is a vast array of coupon sites out there that will link to our client’s site — if someone takes the time to contact a coupon site and make an introduction. For our Phoenix internet marketing clients, we can work with local websites that feature local businesses in the greater Phoenix DMA. Or, we will reach out to our Mommy blogging contacts on the web — Power Mommy blogs are very open to listing coupons on their sites.
Talk to our main link development expert (Joe) about how ArcherSEM can create an online marketing strategy for your business that incorporates coupons!