Five Questions To Ask When Choosing A Website & Social Media Manager
Social Media Marketing Managers and Website Builders are popping up right and left. Ten years ago when the merchant services industry was accelerating. Small and midsize businesses are being contacted five to ten times a day with the same pitch, “I can get you to the first page of Google!” Similar to an Interview Process, I have constructed an article of five easy questions to ask any sales representative, to separate the clowns from the ringmaster.
Website and Social Media Guru
Rule #1 of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), there is no such thing as a SEO guru. If someone tells they are a SEO Master or Guru, hang the phone up immediately. Google changes their algorithm daily, what appears on the first page today, maybe not tomorrow. So the question to ask is simply, “Can You Give Me Five Examples of Clients You Have Already Worked With?”
If they are able to provide this list, go to the pages and see what you think. Is it the image that you would like your company to project. Do the examples give you a positive feeling and make you want to do business? If you still have interest, ask, “Give me an example of five keywords that you currently place on the front page of Google with?”
Take these five keywords they provide you, and type them into not only Google, but also Bing, Yahoo, and Ask.com.. See where there examples rank and how the listings looks to you. Remember Google is not the only search engine, and there are more and more coming. A factor to weight in is the keyword itself. Long tail keywords, such as, “Dynamic Modern Marketing,” or “Hair Salon in South Compton Los Angeles,” have search volume too.
Social Media Marketing works the same way, ask to see five examples of work they have done before. Based on your viewing, you will be able to tell if it makes sense to you. Check the follower amount, ease of navigation and overall experience. How many clicks does it take to get to the Goal or Call To Action?
At this point if everything seems to make sense, go back to the old ”What Makes You better Than Your Competition?” Do not wear your nicest shoes on this day, because the sales representative is going to puke for 20 minutes why they are better than the next guy.
Last question, just like the interview process, “Where do you see your company and services in five years?” What new products and services are your company developing to set you off from the competition. In this age of Digital Darwinism, every day brings a new product or service that is better than those that were available before. Ease of Use, Rapid Return On Investment (ROI) and creativity is key.
All in all, there is an excellent opportunity when you have your ducks in a row with regards to Internet and Social Media Marketing. These five questions will give you a measure of successful representative and the schmoozers. I hope this article is helpful in picking the right service provider for your business. +Jrh
How much contact is your business currently getting in reference to having someone else manage your website or social media marketing? Answer in the comments section! +jrh
