Most Internet marketers or online business owners create a strategy for driving visitors to their websites and increasing the online exposure through different channels, from social media like Facebook and Twitter to video sharing sites like YouTube and guest blog posting. Other folks also consider forums and blogs as part of their big strategy, and we should talk a little about how to properly use blog comments for driving traffic, increasing exposure, showing your expertise and even attracting prospects to your services/products.

First and foremost, you should create a list with the blogs your potential customers are interested in. If you are selling clothes, you should also be aware of related niches like fashion, gloves, hats, everything that might be read by your potential customers. Also take a look at their blogroll, you might find some interesting blogs to be aware of but also some potential places to get some links for yourself.

Second, you want to create the main strategy – how will you approach those blogs, how many blogs you will post on daily basis, how will you respond to other comments and so on. Do not forget to subscribe to comments and subscribe to blogs’ feeds as well to stay up-to-date with new blog posts.

Probably the most difficult part is to actually comment on those blogs. You definitely do not want to be marked as a spammer (comments like “great post” are a no-no!). Always try to add value trough your comments, maybe the author ought to add something, this is your chance of getting noticed by the owner and by his readers as well. Also, remember it is not always about links, this strategy should be used only for getting noticed in your niche circle, so be more personal: use your real name, add a gravatar and start increasing your awareness and drive some laser-targeted visitors to your website.

We have come across a great new job title: Network Weaving. A social media company in Glasgow has recently announced the appointment of their first Network Weaver.

So what exactly will this job entail? It seems that a Network Weaver’s job description includes a wide range of social media actions including:

• Sharing resources, links and information about a company

• Building relationships with network members by linking to their blog posts and commenting on blogs, be-friending them on on-line social networks and celebrating their contributions.
• Working with different people on multiple channels such as e-mail, Facebook, Twitter and blogs
• Engaging with an inviting others to join conversations – as well as facilitating those conversations.

And while some of these actions and conversations will be actionable, at other times they are simply to build relationships for the future benefit of a company.

We reckon that the Network Weaver job will become more popular in the next few years as more companies aim to engage in on-line and social media marketing.

WebCreationUK have social media packages available, speak to us for more information on social media and website design.

Marketing, SEO and networking can all go to waste if the visits to your website do not translate into conversions. But many sites fall short on the simplest of design and content points. Pay attention to the detail and you could be surprised by the increase in conversion rates.

Here are 5 simple tips for optimising your website for conversions:

The three second test: Internet users have a very short attention span so your website must have instant appeal. Competition is only a click away, so don’t make potential customers search for what they want. Use great design and smart, straight-talking headers to instantly grab a customers attention.

What’s the incentive? Tell the customer immediately – and in a small amount of words – what they will gain from your business as compared to the nearest rival. Eg Bargain priced running shoes; the cheapest car deals; longer-lasting ink cartridges; designer frames for just £50.

Easy navigation: A well-planned site map and lots of obvious internal page links will help even the least savvy internet users. The second that a customer has to work hard to navigate a site is the second they will click on to a competitor’s website.

Picture perfect: A great image can boost your site’s looks and credibility. Use good product images and not generic stock images. Back up pictures with specific and clear captions. Try to illustrate as many products as possible. Customers like to see what they want to buy.

Close the sale: Don’t leave customers wondering where to go next. Make checking out an easy and obvious step. You goal is to get a sale so make this as simple as possible.