LookupPage Blog | Professional Web Presence and Visibility

Don’t Have a Website? Where to Start

While it’s important for your business to have a presence online, less emphasis is placed on traditional websites for promotion these days. The social environment has proven lucrative for online businesses. Customer reviews, for one, are often known to increase sales.

Social Networking Sites

These types of sites generally allow for free membership, as well as extensive multimedia freedoms for better branding or product galleries. Sign up and create your profile, write your biography, import your contacts and start socialising.

• Facebook
• Twitter
• MySpace
• YouTube
  

Blog Sites

Another great location to make oneself at home is at one of the many free blog sites around the Internet. Less formal than traditional sites, but with added flexibility, blog sites allow you to create content and increase your online presence with ease.

Mini Sites

Don’t have a huge budget, but want a small site? There are many services out there offering free yet confined online space to the public. The construction tools are easy to use, and additional hosting is available if you want to build something a bit bigger.

• Yola
  

Business Directories

Now that you have at least one ‘official’ resource, it’s time for submissions to business directories. A quick search should yield many options for you, but industry specific or location based directories can be just what you need to reach your niche audience.

Business Lookup

With a LookupPage business account, you not only get a customisable page to display your company information, products and services and contact details, but also a customised URL with your business name.

e.g. www.yourbusinessname.com

This profile is guaranteed a top spot in Google search results for your business name, and even provides detailed search and traffic information so you can gain a better understanding of your market.

Sign up now for a LookupPage business account and do more business online.

How to Set Up Your Business Page

A LookupPage profile is a great way to increase your web presence – but a LookupPage business profile can be an indispensable online asset for commercial success.

With tops spots guaranteed in Google search results, traffic analysis, ad free messaging and space for plenty business details, the potential simply cannot be ignored.

Steps for Setting Up Your Business LookupPage profile

Navigate your way to the LookupPage for business page and decide which package you’d like to sign up for. With a pro account, you get all the bells and whistles, including a personal domain name and space for you business contact details.

Account Creation Details:

• Email address
• Password
• Business name
• First Name
• Last Name
• Captcha code for security purposes
  

Once you are sure that your details are all entered correctly (especially your password of 6 or more characters, in a case sensitive format), click the sign up button. A popup will ask you if you’re sure about your business details. Click “confirm”.

Upon confirmation, you will receive an email with your URL and account information. Next, you will be asked to fill in your customer information.

Customer Information:

• First Name
• Last Name
• Email Address
  

Billing Information:

• Address Line 1
• Address Line 2
• City
• ZIP Code/Postal Code
• Country
• Phone Number
• Method of Payment
  

Making the Payment for Your LookupPage Profile

Double check your details and click “next”. Input your payment details, depending on the billing method of your choice and submit.

Once the payment has been verified (to protect you from fraud), your LookupPage for business order will be processed, giving you the benefit of increased online presence and search engine visibility.

What is Twitter and why following LookupPage on Twitter is a good idea?

What is Twitter and what is it good for?

Twitter is a social media tool that allows its users to interact with one another by answering the question "what are you doing right now?" in less than a 140 characters [approximately 20 words].

In a relatively short period of time Twitter has created a mass following. From Hollywood Celebrities to CEO's of major companies, Twitter allows the immediate interaction with an engaged audience be it large or small.

Some of Twitter's most highly followed entities are CNN Breaking News and President Barrack Obama. The later has even announced the selection of his candidate for Vice President of the United States simultaneously via text messaging, email and Twitter.

Twitter is used nowadays by businesses from many walks of life. Many of them are twitting because it allows them the ability to inform and interact further with their current and prospective clients

Who can join twitter?

Anyone can join twitter and begin twitting in minutes, it is completely free.

Why should you be following LookupPage on Twitter?

Our tweets provide ongoing updates on how to improve your business' online branding in a cost effective manner. When we find an interesting case study, technology, or anecdote that businesses and professionals can benefit from, we share it with our readers.

LookupPage Tweets on a daily basis on topics that are vital for your business' online presence and its advancement. By connecting to LookupPage you will be kept in the know on issues of online visibility, branding, online reputation management and a variety of social media topics.

How do I get started?

1. Go to http://Twitter.com.
2. Click the get started button.
3. Enter your name, a password and an email address.
4. Use the settings button to add a bio of yourself or add a photo.

How do I follow LookupPage on Twitter?

Once you are logged in go to http://twitter.com/LookupPage and choose the follow button. It really is that simple! You can also become a follower of LookupPage through a button on our blog:

Top Tips for Sharable Blog Posts

Creating content can be a time-consuming process, but take the right steps towards shareable blog posts and your content will have an increased impact on your audience and ultimately on your online presence.

Here are some top tips for creating shareable blog posts:

• Eye Catching: No one likes to read extended volumes when looking for a one-word answer or simple explanation. Use photos, diagrams and other visuals to get your point across.
• Easily Scanable: Remember to make use of bolding, bullets, paragraphs and italics to make your information easy to digest at a glance.
• Provide Value: You don’t have to be a know-it-all to provide interesting content. Ask pertinent questions or compile a list of resources to create content which your audience will find irresistible.
• Tone: Without dumbing down your content or talking over heads, write in a manner that is easy to read and understand for professionals and amateurs alike.
• Outgoing Links: Make use of outgoing links to share your resources and increase the credibility of your content. Other bloggers who you have linked to are also likely to take notice of your content via the link.
• Encourage Sharing: This can be accomplished by portraying oneself as a collaborator and industry commentator. But to create physical sharing opportunities, include ‘favicons’ in your blog post template, so readers can easily share your content on the social network of their choice (Facebook, Twitter etc).

 

Third Party Twitter Apps For Your Browser

The Twitter micro-blogging service is a handy tool for sharing links, engaging in conversation and general information release. But how can one add even more convenience to this priceless platform? Third-party Twitter apps for your browser.

• Tweecious: In order to combine micro-blogging and social bookmarking, Tweecious feeds links from your Twitter account through to your Delicious page. This means that the moment you tweet a link, it will automatically be listed on your social bookmarking profile.
  
• TwitKit: Available on Windows, Mac and Linux, TwitKit allows for easy customisation and organisation of friends and followers in the handy sidebar. TwitKit also boasts features which other clients don’t yet include, such as public timeline view and tweet deletion.
  
• TwitterBar: This handy Firefox add-on places a Twitter button in your address bar to make posting links a lot easier. Simply click the TwitterBar button to post the URL from your browser directly to your Twitter account.
  
• Twitter Search: The search bar in Firefox is a helpful tool for quick searching between different search engines or sites. Add Twitter Search to your list of Firefox add-ons and search Twitter directly from your browser.
  
• TwitterFox: One of the most popular Twitter add-ons, TwitterFox, provides pop-ups in the right hand corner of your screen to keep you up to speed with your friends’ tweets, @replies and even direct messages to you.

Tips for Self-Promotion Through Social Media

Social media is a great playground for branding, marketing and self-promotion. But promotional efforts are often ignored or dismissed if they hold no benefit for the audience.

Here are some tips for self-promotion through social media to help you reach and engage with your online audience:

1.     Go Multimedia

Text is one way of reaching the public, but content like videos, audio and podcasts, images and other dynamic media can greatly improve your branding potential.

2.     Create a Wealth of Information

With multimedia content in hand, position yourself as a source of information for the public. Use these social media sites as platforms for article syndication and promotion.

3.     Be Ready for Questions and Conversation

Given the nature of social media, being a curator of industry documentation is one thing, being a responsive member of the social media and social networking sphere is another.

Use these platforms to seek out the relevant circles and connect the dots for those who are asking questions which you can answer, or research and answer.

4.     Collaborate With Competitors

While it may not always be appropriate, working with competitors in a social media environment to serve the public can be to the benefit of both parties, the consumer and often the industry itself.

5.     Cross Pollinate

Make sure to link between all of your social media profiles, and include links from your website or blog, providing a convincing reason why they should click on it. e.g. ‘Follow me on Twitter and let’s talk shop’, ‘Watch my free educational videos on YouTube’.

6.     Import or Invite Your Contacts

Most social media sites have a contact import function, meaning you can submit your email or other social media details to find friends on the service, or send them an email if they aren’t already signed up.

7.     Set Up Alerts

There are many services out there that you can use to alert you when certain terms are used online. Google Alerts, for one, notifies you when content is created using your specified keywords so you can identify opportunities for promotion.

8.     Create a Portfolio

By creating content, having conversations and answering questions you can showcase what you are capable of achieving. Facebook notes, MySpace image galleries or YouTube videos; try to keep one area designated to your portfolio of commissioned work, and also that which came about simply by connecting socially with your audience.

9.     Don’t Go Too Far

Social media is fickle in the way that the public aren’t as responsive to hard-sell tactics or imposing marketing. A conversation, however, is often more appropriate.

Remember to always give the consumer space on social media sites, but also to be ready to tend to their needs in a transparent manner.

Twitter For Busy People

Twitter, the love-it-or-hate-it micro-blogging service, is designed to be a flexible source of information titbits. But the brevity can often make for a fast-paced feed which can be difficult to keep track of.

With Twitter’s API, there are many services out there to help with this type of effect. Twitter For Busy People, for instance, compiles a list of those you follow in chronological tweet order (i.e. latest tweets at the top).

The first section is a compilation of those that have tweeted in the last hour, followed by the last 24 hours, and finally those over 24 hours and beyond.

This can be especially useful for identifying active users, and finding those who add little value to your feed (and therefore creating the need for services like Twitter For Busy People in the first place).

The results page shows only the profile picture of contacts, but the hover function provides more detailed information, including:

• Profile picture
• Username
• Name
• Bio
• Latest tweet and the time
• Working links within the tweets
  

Drag the bookmark button to your browser to add the service to your list of frequently used sites.

10 Ways to Dominate the SERPs for Your Company Name

Search engines, especially major service providers like Google and Yahoo!, are the primary source of online traffic, serving millions daily.

It is for this reason that not occupying the first results for a search request for your business can be detrimental to your online success. Luckily, there are ways that you can dominate your SERPs (Search Engine Results Page):

1). Content Creation

Before we go any further, the importance of ongoing content creation cannot be stressed enough. Without it, search engine spiders cannot properly determine your intentions, and acknowledge your business as a professional organisation.

2). Optimise Your Images

Adding relevance to your content is extremely important. By implementing descriptive image names, captions and surrounding text, your website or blog has a better chance of being recognised by search engines.

3). Align Yourself Alongside Competitors

Do some searches for your direct and indirect competitors and make sure to register at the same sites as them.

4). Join Business Directories

Register your business with a number of the many directories available online. Those that are industry specific, or locally focused, will help you and your target market.

5). Blog and Syndicate Your Posts

Blogging is a great way to create content in a more casual environment. By syndicating your content and making it easy to share, it can provide more search engine benefits than a traditional, static website. Read more about content syndication.

6). Be Topical

Spamming, keyword stuffing and misdirection won’t get you anywhere, but taking a topical angle will increase your chances of being represented within your industry.

7). Spread Your Presence

Always be on the look out for new areas to promote yourself, whether it be a blog comment on a competitor/consumer site, or a popular social network.

8). Consolidate Your Efforts

It’s no good using varied spelling of your business name, or not linking between your profiles, sites and blogs. Consistency and interconnectivity usher in consumers and search engine spiders through your online presence as a whole.

9). Run a Pay Per Click Campaign

Generally, the top spots on search engine results pages are the most used, with traffic percentages dropping further as one moves down the rankings. While a Pay Per Click (PPC) campaign may cost you money, it reinforces your branding and improves credibility.

10). LookupPage For Business

With a LookupPage for business profile you can customise your own address (e.g. www.businessname.com), guaranteed to feature on a top spot on Google search results for your business name.

Your information is added to the LookupPage business directory, while the traffic and search analytics allows you see what impact your business is making online.

Register your business with LookupPage and dominate the SERPs.

Business Brand Building Tips

Conducting business online is a convenient way of reaching a broad, yet targeted audience. That said; it can be a very competitive arena, so it’s important to stand out from the crowd.

Here are some brand building tips to help you or your business rise to the top:

Don’t have an official website? These days, social media and networking sites can provide enough online real estate for businesses. A LookupPage Pro profile, for instance, is guaranteed to show up on the first page of Google and other top search engines.

A LookupPage profile allows for business information, images or logos and contact details to be included. Pro users also get www.YourName.com or www.BusinessName.com (or similar), depending on whether they have selected the personal or business package.

If you are going to release information from various locations (social media, email newsletter etc.) make sure that the information is standardised. It doesn’t necessarily have to be an exact replica, but to avoid diluting your branding efforts, keep the information, formatting and tone as similar as possible to reinforce your positioning and build credibility.

To increase your brand awareness and also gain a better market understanding, mingle with your audience in the many social spheres online. Depending on your industry, there is much potential to engage in honest and open conversation with your audience.

The Twitter micro-blogging platform, for instance, can help with customer relationship management (CRM) while spreading your online presence and gaining priceless information from customers and potential customers. Engage with them by asking and answering questions to create meaningful two-way conversations.

When branding a business on the Internet, online reputation management (ORM) cannot be stressed enough. It’s a great way of finding negative mentions or ongoing commentary about your business. Online reputation management provides an opportunity to alter these opinions and even convert them into sales – never mind the cross-selling potential through positive commentary.

Gain a great footing for better branding, increased reputation awareness and online visibility with a LookupPage for Business account. 

Using LookupPage for Business to Recover from Bad Publicity

Many businesses have suffered over the years due to streams of negative publicity being created and applauded online. Often, one single instance of negativity can convince others to share their opinion of the business, creating a snowball effect of bad press.

Brand Recovery using LookupPage

Sometimes, preventative measures are too little, too late. But, by using LookupPage to help a business recover from bad publicity, you will be aware of any harmful attention and realise the potential to use this as a springboard for success.

As LookupPage profiles are displayed high up at the top of the search engine results pages, they can push negative entries down the ranks or onto tertiary results pages.

Most businesses have a traditional website, blog and social media profiles. A LookupPage account provides a profile to link between these and creates the go-to contact card for the public.

A good profile can be used to build credibility between sites – by making your contact details easy to find and helping your pages rise to the top of the search engine rankings. It is also a helpful tool to muscle out any bad publicity which may be currently sitting at the top of the search engine results.

Your LookupPage profile is not only useful for finding industry peers, you can also be informed of the visitors to your profile and find out which search engine was used to get there. This useful information can be especially useful during a brand emergency.

Sign up for a LookupPage Business Profile, and be on the frontline of the fight against bad publicity.

Looking At Your Company’s Google CV

Search engines, especially Google, are a primary tool of research for millions of people worldwide.

Test your company’s Google CV by searching for your company name, services or products, and then the different variations (which information seekers may use to find you).

Analyse the results by counting the amount of official results against the unofficial and the positive commentary versus the negative. Mark off areas for improvement, or where negative mentions can be responded to (such as blog posts).

Take a look at the Google CV of your competitors (especially the top spots) to find places where you can present your business.

Improving Your Company’s Google CV

Improve your company’s Google CV by making sure you own as many of the top spots as possible. Claim back more of your Google CV by creating a presence on the many popular social media sites available online.

When it comes to owning your company’s Google CV, LookupPage can be a major help. The top spots on search engine results are generally the most often clicked-on and used. Naturally, this is an area you will want to be present.

Sign up for a LookupPage business visibility account and you’ll be guaranteed a ranking on the first Google search results page. The profiles are easy to create, and help you to manage your resources. Plus, traffic and search analysis are sure to provide valuable insights into your market.

Secure a Top Spot on Google Search for Your Business with a LookupPage Business Profile

 We are excited to announce that using LookupPage you can now promote your Business in addition to your personal profile online.  By creating a profile for your business at Lookuppage you can Guarantee online visibility on Google's 1st results page when people search for your business. Doing that makes it possible for you to have control over the information people find about your business online.

Creating a LookupPage business profile is FREE and simple. Your business profile can feature your business logo, business address, links to your websites and any other information you want to share with your prospective clients.

Premium business pages on Lookuppage receive a unique domain name [www.YourBusiness.com – or similar] and LookupPage guarantees online visibility for that business on the 1st page of Google search results. These are only 2 benefits out of many. An excellent example of a Premium profile page is www.OxfordCarService.com .

To create a business profile using LookupPage:
1.    Go to the LookupPage homepage at www.Lookuppage.com.
2.    Enter an email address and a password in the right-end signup box.
3.    Select "I'd like a business page".
4.    Enter your business and personal name.

In less than a minute your profile will be up and running. At this point all you have to do is add a logo or additional information to your profile so people will know more about your business and why you are great at what you do!

These days, what others say about you online is as important as what you say about yourself. It is vital not just to have your information "out there" but also to guarantee that this information will rank highly in major search engines.

This is the page for Oxford Car Service :