For small businesses, “business as usual” can be a challenge any time things, well, aren’t usual. From bad weather to natural disasters to other extraordinary circumstances, your local business may have to react quickly to get the word out about how you’re responding — and how your business is operating differently. Here are some quick […]
With so many places to leave ratings, reviews and feedback online, it’s hard to miss what a happy (or unhappy) customer has said about a business. And today, most consumers pay plenty of attention to your online listings, online reviews and overall reputation online. Watch our pre-recorded webinar about taking control of your online business […]
There’s no hotter lead than someone who’s actively searching for what you do…but how do you make sure they find you? A pay-per-click (PPC) advertising campaign like Hibu Search Marketing can help put ads your business in front of your local customers on Google, Bing and Yahoo. See how Hibu Search helps you get found […]
You already know how important your business’s reputation is, and how to manage it through great service and word-of-mouth recommendations…but what about your business’s reputation online? “All you have in business is your reputation” – Richard Branson Get your free guide to understanding how you can spread the good word about the good work you […]
You can’t talk about digital marketing and websites today without talking about privacy and security — and you shouldn’t! Almost 33% of all websites have inadequate security, and you can’t afford to let yours be one of them. Making your customers feel safe and confident about interacting with your business online needs to be a […]
Google shows MORE than just your site (if you know what to look for) When you work with as many small businesses as Hibu has, you hear a lot of the same reasons for needing a new website: Your site looks old Your site doesn’t have the functionality you need today You can’t find your site […]
Working exclusively with small businesses across the U.S., it can be easy to forget that Hibu has some pretty powerful friends too — like Facebook, who we’ve partnered with since 2016. See everything Facebook has to say about partnering with Hibu to work with local businesses as part of the Facebook’s Small Business Solutions program. [Video Transcript] […]
It’s no joke — saying goodbye to these marketing myths can help boost your business online We’ve highlighted some foolish digital marketing myths before, but there are 3 truths in online marketing: What used to work is always changing There’s always something brand new There’s a LOT of misinformation about both Catching on to what works now […]
This post was originally published on Localogy’s Marketing Bitz blog as “The Power of Crossposting on Social Media.” Save time, save effort and get more social by sharing posts across multiple platforms Having an active presence on social media is important for small businesses who want to grow their brand and gain new customers. With […]
Sometimes it’s the little things that mean the most to your marketing You love your local business. You work hard to make sure your customers love your local business, too. But when was the last time you took a few minutes to show your business how much you appreciate it? You don’t need to mail candy hearts […]
As a small business owner, you know there are plenty of conversations you don’t want to have with a customer. From problematic service calls… to billing issues… to unexpected interruptions in your service (like winter weather or power outages)… there are all kinds of calls and emails you’d like to avoid, even when the “bad […]
When it comes to mobile speed, time is money Everyone who uses a phone to browse online knows how frustrating it can be to wait for a site to load…or rather, to leave a site when it doesn’t load quickly. “Going mobile” is a subject we can’t get enough of — we’ve talked about 6 tips to […]
When it comes to promoting your small business, “word of mouth” can be just as important as “www.” Let’s focus on the simplest things you can do offline to promote your business today. Get involved in local events From 10k runs to sponsorships to giving back to your local community with a canned food drive, […]
With social media, listings on search engines and online ads — do you still need a business website? Yes, we think you do! We firmly believe two things about digital marketing: You need a synchronized solution that includes more than just a business website …but you still need a business website — and your customers […]
Running a small business is a 24/7 job. You always take your work home with you, and even if you’re not “on the clock,” you’re probably thinking about what you’ll need to do tomorrow. As more businesses move their marketing online, a big part of “what you’ll need to do tomorrow” is becoming “responding to […]
How to pack the house for your next business event Whether you’re planning an in-store demo, an on-site workshop, or organizing or sponsoring a community or charitable event, we’ve partnered with our friends at Yell to gather some great — and mostly free! — ways to make sure your event is visible online. Make a […]
Small businesses can save big on time and effort with ready-made content Facebook and other social networks are great for sharing news and pictures, posting your thoughts and more. In fact, for most people and businesses, social media is all about YOU: YOUR profile or Page YOUR posts and updates Connecting with YOUR customers So […]
Simple ways to add interest and drive interaction with your Facebook Page As most local businesses know, there’s a world of difference between “I have a Facebook Page” and “I use my Facebook Page to connect with my customers and grow my business.” Using both Facebook ads and posts is important. So is understanding the […]
Does your website highlight these “motivating factors”? As a small business owner, you know what makes your company great. You hear it from happy customers all the time: “What keeps people coming back is the QUALITY of my work. “My PRICES are very competitive and fair.” “When someone needs me, I’m there — FAST.” “I am a fantastic […]
In our experience, most local businesses want a blog on their website… but very few take the time to publish blog posts on a regular basis. We get it — deciding on what to post isn’t easy, and finding the time to sit down and write is even harder. After a while, you probably find […]
Your small business may have a big footprint online Lots of small business still rely entirely on “traditional” advertising, using old-school marketing like print directory ads, direct mail, coupons – and yes, business cards and letterhead. And plenty of small businesses continue to get new, local customers using tried-and-true methods that have worked for years. […]
Everyone is used to seeing different types of content on Facebook — posts in the News Feed, and ads in the News Feed and sidebar. And if you’ve spent a little bit of time on your business’ Facebook Page, you’ve probably seen the option to “boost” one of your posts. But how is this any […]
Getting Savvy with Social, part 1 You already know that posts are a vital, foundational part of your Facebook presence. They help to make your Facebook Page a “community” where your visitors can find valuable information, and they show that your business is active online (and, well, in business). You may even know that without activity […]
What your site shows says a lot about your business Your Hibu Website isn’t JUST a pretty picture. It’s a tool that your customers are using to interact with your business…and that your potential customers are using to judge your business. Sure, both audiences expect your site to look good, but they’ll only stay there if […]
In the world of websites, differentiating between all the tricky terminology can be difficult. Using the wrong term can really confuse you or the people you’ve hired to work on your site — and can leave you with poor results. Being able to talk with web developers using the correct terminology is essential. You’re going […]
“Back to school” basics for marketing your business online For as long as most of us can remember, “Back to School season” has been a time to start thinking about the “3 R’s”: reading, writing and arithmetic. But if you’re a local business looking to boost your online visibility, there’s a different set of R’s you should be focused on. […]
We’ve all heard them, and most of us have even used them — but how many of us are confident about exactly what some common social media terms really mean? Here are some quick definitions to help you avoid a social faux pas. Profile vs. Page Facebook explains the difference as: Personal profiles are for […]
What you see says a lot When it comes to your marketing and branding, the colors you choose to use need to be more than just an arbitrary choice. Color is powerful, and when combined with your brand it serves as an emotional cue. With proper use, colors can encourage your audience to feel what […]
Chances are, you interact with a small business almost every day. From your hair stylist to your family doctor to everyone’s favorite — the local pizza shop! — your local businesses really are your neighbors. Here are three easy, fast and free ways to help spread the word about your favorites. 1. Connect with them on […]
Mobile-friendly. Mobile-ready. Mobile-optimized. By now you know how important it is for your business website to look and work well on mobile devices. Your potential customers expect it. Your return customers expect it. Even Google now gives slight preferential treatment to sites that are mobile-friendly. Since the beginning of 2017, mobile users have been responsible […]
If you’re just starting to take your online marketing seriously, you may be looking for the most affordable business websites out there to quickly jumpstart your online presence. But will a “cheap” website really give your business what it takes to succeed online? 88% of people will research a business online prior to making a […]
You can’t talk about marketing your business online today without hearing the word “optimized” — specifically Search Engine Optimization (or SEO). But SEO is a broad term that covers some very specific — and very different — online practices. On-Page SEO On-Page SEO is everything that’s built into your actual website: your site content, metadata and code quality. On-Page SEO […]
Promoting and marketing your small business online can take many forms. Once you’ve built an effective website, what are the best way to promote it online and offline? Start by thinking about your website as: A virtual extension of your brick-and-mortar shop or office A location that’s “open” 24/7 Your best salesperson The more places you […]
Your 5-step guide to digital marketing success in the New Year You already know that it takes the right mix of digital marketing to promote your business online, but how do you get started? Try adopting our five resolutions below — and remember that every digital journey starts with a single step. 1. “I will […]
Online marketing means more ways to promote your business than ever before. From websites to social media to email marketing to online videos, it’s hard to know what will work for you, and what works best together. Is a website enough by itself? Should you spend all your time on connecting with customers on Facebook? You […]
