#1 Create a Google Places account
Here in Australia, and indeed many other parts of the world, online searching through mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets, is becoming accessible to everybody. The result is that people are more often using these devices to search for local businesses that are close to where they are. That is, they are using “location based” searching.
If you are on Google Places then when someone searches nearby, your business will appear on the map of where they are. So this is a very quick and easy way to generate more traffic to your website. Simply create a Google Places account for your business. Your listing is free and it is a great tool to make sure that you are found as a local business.
For maximum impact be sure to fill out your listing as accurately and completely as possible, including categories, pictures and your location.
#2 Create a Google+ account and engage with your customers and your business network
Google is by far the largest and most used search engine in the world. It uses a variety of factors, in fact more than 200, to determine what results appear on the page when people type a search into Google. One factor that is becoming increasingly more important is social sharing and searching.
The number of Facebook users in Australia each month is well over 10 million, YouTube 6 million, LinkedIn has 2 million, Twitter has 1.8 million and so on. So much is talked about and shared in these social networks, and Google is giving more importance to these results when determining what websites to show in Google.
Google+ is one of the newer social networks (still only around 600,000 users a month but growing quickly) and now is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of it. Google will definitely give more importance to Google+ results in 2012.
#3 Create a reviews page on your website and include key words and your location in the title
This year, the power of online reviews will start to generate significantly more traffic to websites. People are already looking online for comments from family, friends and others before making buying decisions. There are so many places that people can post a review about your business, including social media, on blogs, forums and online directories.
So why not take an opportunity to create a “reviews page” for your website, where you can add some testimonials from some of your clients. Make sure to setup the page in a search engine optimised way so that it will be found by Google when people search for reviews of your business type and location.
#4 Create a brochure with a QR code designed to be read by mobile devices
Imagine if someone is sitting waiting for something or someone, and then your brochure catches their eye. They quickly read about you or your service, and then scan a QR code with their mobile phone. This then leads them to a specifically designed page on your website, created to be read by their mobile phone that is interesting, entertaining or engaging in some way. It could be a special promotion or coupon. It could even lead them to your business app.
Have a think about where you could leave some of your brochures so that people waiting would see them. Perhaps in a waiting room, or at a local hairdresser, or anywhere that people sit waiting.
#5 Create a tips page on your website
A fantastic way to get more links to your website and therefore more visits, is to create a page of “hot tips”. This list needs to be something that is free, easy to understand, visually appealing and a relevant and desired topic of interest for your target market. The idea behind this tip, is that you want your page linked to by as many people as possible- links from people using Facebook, Google+, Twitter, links on blogs and other websites.
Not only will people follow the links and end up on your website, but also the more good quality links you receive, the more Google indexes your content higher. Therefore the more likely you are to show up in online searches for tips in your area of expertise.
The QR code from the previous tip could even link to this “hot tips” page. Don’t forget to include an option to subscribe to your email newsletter on this page and encourage people to sign up for more tips, more information and more free stuff.
#6 Push your website content to other channels
Your website might be full of the most relevant and interesting facts but if people don’t know that you are there, then they won’t come to visit you. Working on your SEO (search engine optimisation) and being found in the organic results of Google definitely helps, but there are a lot of businesses competing for the same spot.
If you are sure that your website is great, then it’s time to push the content out there. Post links on social media and see if you can get influencers involved. Perhaps you can ask directly for a social referral link or send out a personalised e-mail.
Other areas you could look at asking people include bloggers, journalists, adding yourself to content directories and even asking your customers. If they are happy with your service and products, then they’ll probably be happy to give you a mention to their social network.
People don’t always think of talking about positive experiences, so consider asking them directly to share. Just don’t be pushy.
#7 Include social sharing buttons on your website
Make it easy for people to share your website content, by including social sharing buttons on your website that are obvious and accessible. More and more people are using social online networks, very regularly to interact with people they know.
As the numbers increase, then the possibility of people talking about you and your business online, increases also. So provide the easiest way possible for them to share you by including share buttons.
P.S. You can share this list with your social networks by clicking on the social share buttons 
This article written by David from David Tiong Web Design, empowering businesses to step into the online world through website design and social media. You can also connect with me on Twitter at @DTiongWebDesign or add me to your circles on David Tiong Google+
Live Chat
