Paul Chaney - Practical Ecommerce https://www.practicalecommerce.com/author/paul-chaney Independent analysis and strategy for online merchants Thu, 23 Jan 2025 14:34:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.4 10 Local Business Customer Rating and Review Platforms https://www.practicalecommerce.com/10-local-business-customer-rating-and-review-platforms https://www.practicalecommerce.com/10-local-business-customer-rating-and-review-platforms#comments Mon, 22 Feb 2016 07:30:04 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=120514 Want to get more customer reviews? There are plenty of reasons to do so. They help build brand awareness, increase credibility, and improve search rankings. Plus, they let you know the customer's mindset about your business, and its products or services.

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/10-local-business-customer-rating-and-review-platforms/feed 2 Conversion Rate Optimization: Scent Trail or Primrose Path? https://www.practicalecommerce.com/conversion-rate-optimization-scent-trail-or-primrose-path Mon, 15 Feb 2016 11:01:08 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=120425 Conversion rate optimization is the practice of managing pay-per-click ads, landing pages, and websites to increase sales, leads, or other desired actions from visitors.

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]]> 6 Local Business Online Marketing Essentials https://www.practicalecommerce.com/6-local-business-online-marketing-essentials Mon, 08 Feb 2016 07:31:40 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=120338 There are many online marketing avenues that a local small business could take, but which are essential and stand the best chance of ensuring success? After all, business owners have a limited amount of time to pursue marketing activities, so they need to focus on those that are most productive.

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]]> Local Marketing: Position Yourself as a Community Expert https://www.practicalecommerce.com/local-marketing-position-yourself-as-a-community-expert Mon, 25 Jan 2016 07:30:40 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=120182 In a recent installment of "10 Great Local Marketing Ideas," a monthly series we run here on WMT, Lisa Sanderson, a real estate agent in Stroudsburg, Pa., asked, "Have you ever searched online for information on your local area and couldn’t find what you were looking for exactly?"

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]]> Using Social Networks for Long-form Content: Pros, Cons https://www.practicalecommerce.com/using-social-networks-for-long-form-content-pros-cons https://www.practicalecommerce.com/using-social-networks-for-long-form-content-pros-cons#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2016 12:30:17 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=120060 One marketing trend growing in popularity is the use of social networks to publish long-form content, not unlike what you would see on a blog. That's particularly true of Facebook and LinkedIn, each of which has developed platforms to facilitate such activity, and there is even talk of Twitter changing its model to accommodate longer content, believe it or not.

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/using-social-networks-for-long-form-content-pros-cons/feed 2 25 Ways to Use Twitter for Marketing https://www.practicalecommerce.com/25-ways-to-use-twitter-for-marketing https://www.practicalecommerce.com/25-ways-to-use-twitter-for-marketing#comments Mon, 11 Jan 2016 07:29:56 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=119922 Although marketing through social media is the norm, Twitter is still an enigma for many. I can't recount just how many times I have heard business owners and marketers tell me, "I just don't get Twitter."

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/25-ways-to-use-twitter-for-marketing/feed 6 Google Maps: A ‘Social Network’ in Disguise https://www.practicalecommerce.com/google-maps-a-social-network-in-disguise https://www.practicalecommerce.com/google-maps-a-social-network-in-disguise#comments Mon, 04 Jan 2016 12:29:44 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=119824 Gone are the days when Google Plus was the epicenter for local business information. Google My Business now owns that domain, for the business owner. For users, Google Maps has become a replacement for Google Plus Local and is somewhat of a social network in disguise.

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/google-maps-a-social-network-in-disguise/feed 2 Local SEO: 9 Ways to Take Advantage of ‘Near Me’ Search https://www.practicalecommerce.com/local-seo-9-ways-to-take-advantage-of-near-me-search https://www.practicalecommerce.com/local-seo-9-ways-to-take-advantage-of-near-me-search#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2015 07:30:16 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=119042 Google searches that include terms like "near me” or “nearby” have doubled since 2014, with 80 percent coming from mobile, according to a Google Trends report.

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/local-seo-9-ways-to-take-advantage-of-near-me-search/feed 4 Hyperlocal Marketing: 5 Ways to Drive In-store Traffic https://www.practicalecommerce.com/hyperlocal-marketing-5-ways-to-drive-in-store-traffic Mon, 19 Oct 2015 07:30:01 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=118767 The dictionary defines the term hyperlocal as “relating to or focused on a very small geographic community.” Hyperlocal marketing, therefore, consists of marketing activities that also concentrate on a tight geographic circle. Most local business marketing fits within the hyperlocal category.

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]]> 10 Niche Social Networks for Small Business Marketing https://www.practicalecommerce.com/10-niche-social-networks-for-small-business-marketing https://www.practicalecommerce.com/10-niche-social-networks-for-small-business-marketing#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2015 11:30:10 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=118260 If you thought all social networking activity took place on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Google Plus, think again. There is a preponderance of niche social networks that appeal to nearly every interest and taste, many of which are ripe for small businesses to inhabit and participate.

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/10-niche-social-networks-for-small-business-marketing/feed 3 Get More Guest Reviews with TripAdvisor Review Express https://www.practicalecommerce.com/get-more-guest-reviews-with-tripadvisor-review-express Thu, 24 Sep 2015 11:30:36 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=118212 TripAdvisor now offers a free service called Review Express that lets hotel and B&B owners who have their business listed on the site send review request emails for up to 1,000 guests.

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]]> Beacons: Local Retail Game-changing Technology? https://www.practicalecommerce.com/beacons-local-retail-game-changing-technology https://www.practicalecommerce.com/beacons-local-retail-game-changing-technology#comments Mon, 14 Sep 2015 07:30:10 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=118077 Beacons, a new technology designed to drive customer loyalty and in-store sales, is growing in popularity among larger retailers. But is it something smaller retailers can use?

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/beacons-local-retail-game-changing-technology/feed 3 7 Ways to Get Yelp Reviews (without Violating Its Policy) https://www.practicalecommerce.com/7-ways-to-get-yelp-reviews-without-violating-its-policies https://www.practicalecommerce.com/7-ways-to-get-yelp-reviews-without-violating-its-policies#comments Thu, 10 Sep 2015 11:30:22 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=118051 Yelp is possibly the most restrictive of all the business directories and review sites when it comes to asking for customer reviews. Basically, “asking” is forbidden, according to its policy guidelines.

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/7-ways-to-get-yelp-reviews-without-violating-its-policies/feed 14 Google Local Search Updates Could Affect Your Ranking https://www.practicalecommerce.com/google-local-search-updates-could-affect-your-ranking Mon, 17 Aug 2015 07:30:23 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=117627 Google just made a series of updates that have bearing on how well local businesses appear in search results. Here's a rundown of the changes and how they could affect your ranking.

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]]> Local Businesses Still Need a Google Plus Page, for Now https://www.practicalecommerce.com/why-your-business-still-needs-a-google-plus-page https://www.practicalecommerce.com/why-your-business-still-needs-a-google-plus-page#comments Mon, 10 Aug 2015 11:30:13 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=117540 Google is in the process of slowly dismantling Google Plus, its ill-fated social network. The first signs occurred when Vic Gundotra, then head of the Google Plus project, left the company in 2014, and Google moved many of the project's staffers to other areas.

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/why-your-business-still-needs-a-google-plus-page/feed 4 8 Mobile App-building Platforms for Local Business Use https://www.practicalecommerce.com/8-mobile-app-building-platforms-for-local-business-use https://www.practicalecommerce.com/8-mobile-app-building-platforms-for-local-business-use#comments Mon, 03 Aug 2015 07:30:13 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=117409 The rapid rise of mobile device use has forced local businesses to rethink their marketing strategy to include mobile-optimized websites, mobile advertising, and mobile-enabled customer loyalty programs.

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/8-mobile-app-building-platforms-for-local-business-use/feed 6 How to Use Digital Loyalty Programs to Retain Customers https://www.practicalecommerce.com/how-to-use-digital-loyalty-programs-to-retain-customers https://www.practicalecommerce.com/how-to-use-digital-loyalty-programs-to-retain-customers#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2015 11:30:34 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=117316 Customer loyalty programs operate based on the well-founded notion that it is less expensive to keep a current customer than to find a new one. Providing rewards in the form of points, cash back, and discounts on merchandise can help achieve that goal.

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/how-to-use-digital-loyalty-programs-to-retain-customers/feed 8 Marketing to the ‘SoLoMo’ Consumer https://www.practicalecommerce.com/marketing-to-the-solomo-consumer https://www.practicalecommerce.com/marketing-to-the-solomo-consumer#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2015 13:30:44 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=117150 Three characteristics define today's consumers: They rely on the influence of social network friends and followers when making purchase decisions; they shop locally as well as online, and they are increasingly dependent on mobile devices to find business information.

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/marketing-to-the-solomo-consumer/feed 1 How to Use Foursquare and Swarm to Promote Your Business https://www.practicalecommerce.com/how-to-use-foursquare-and-swarm-to-promote-your-business https://www.practicalecommerce.com/how-to-use-foursquare-and-swarm-to-promote-your-business#comments Mon, 06 Jul 2015 13:30:14 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=116886 Foursquare started the social "check-in" craze a few years ago. It has since changed its business model to become a recommendation engine based on user ratings and reviews, similar to Yelp.

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/how-to-use-foursquare-and-swarm-to-promote-your-business/feed 4 7 Home Service Marketplaces to List Your Business https://www.practicalecommerce.com/7-home-service-marketplaces-to-list-your-business https://www.practicalecommerce.com/7-home-service-marketplaces-to-list-your-business#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2015 07:30:48 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=116568 Consumers can now purchase services from local vendors on-demand and pay for them online, via home service marketplaces. Amazon recently entered this space with its “Home Services” store, but many comparable sites exist that cater to the service sector in one form or another.

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/7-home-service-marketplaces-to-list-your-business/feed 1 7 Web Marketing Automation Tools for Small Businesses https://www.practicalecommerce.com/web-marketing-automation-tools-for-small-businesses https://www.practicalecommerce.com/web-marketing-automation-tools-for-small-businesses#comments Mon, 25 May 2015 11:30:37 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=116133 Marketing automation platforms can help small businesses with their web marketing efforts. Many platforms are affordable and easy to use. They combine multiple marketing functions into a single interface, which saves time.

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/web-marketing-automation-tools-for-small-businesses/feed 6 7 Restaurant Rating Sites, for Owners to Monitor https://www.practicalecommerce.com/7-restaurant-rating-sites-for-owners-to-monitor https://www.practicalecommerce.com/7-restaurant-rating-sites-for-owners-to-monitor#comments Mon, 20 Apr 2015 11:30:09 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=115501 Not only do people talk to each other when sharing a meal at a restaurant, but they also talk about the restaurant on rating-and-review sites. As such, it is in the restaurateur's best interest to find out what's on patrons' minds in terms of their experience with the establishment.

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/7-restaurant-rating-sites-for-owners-to-monitor/feed 1 6 Local Business Online Marketing Platforms, Apps https://www.practicalecommerce.com/6-local-business-online-marketing-platforms-apps https://www.practicalecommerce.com/6-local-business-online-marketing-platforms-apps#comments Mon, 13 Apr 2015 07:30:57 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=115302 For a small business, managing multiple online marketing channels is a complex process that can require a sizable amount of the owner's time and resources. Knowing how to produce content that resonates with customers and prospects, learning the nuances of how various channels work, and understanding the contribution each makes to ROI, only adds to the challenge.

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/6-local-business-online-marketing-platforms-apps/feed 1 TripAdvisor: How to Claim and Promote Your Listing https://www.practicalecommerce.com/tripadvisor-how-to-claim-and-promote-your-listing https://www.practicalecommerce.com/tripadvisor-how-to-claim-and-promote-your-listing#comments Mon, 30 Mar 2015 11:30:16 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=115054 With more than 315 million monthly users, TripAdvisor is the leading consumer rating and review site for the travel industry. TripAdvisor allows hotels, restaurants, attractions, and vacation rentals to claim and manage their listing, which creates opportunities for consumer engagement and business promotion.

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/tripadvisor-how-to-claim-and-promote-your-listing/feed 14 10 Ways to Deal with Negative Customer Reviews https://www.practicalecommerce.com/10-ways-to-deal-with-negative-customer-reviews https://www.practicalecommerce.com/10-ways-to-deal-with-negative-customer-reviews#comments Mon, 23 Mar 2015 11:30:26 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=114986 Consumers often rely on the opinions of others when making purchase decisions. According to Zendesk, a customer service software platform, 88 percent have been influenced by an online customer service review when deciding what to buy.

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/10-ways-to-deal-with-negative-customer-reviews/feed 4 How to Use Yelp for Local Marketing https://www.practicalecommerce.com/how-to-use-yelp-for-local-marketing https://www.practicalecommerce.com/how-to-use-yelp-for-local-marketing#comments Mon, 16 Mar 2015 06:21:38 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=114853 Yelp enables people to search for local businesses based on customer ratings and reviews. It covers a broad range of industry sectors including food, beauty and spas, health and medical, home services, and many more. As a business owner, you can use Yelp to showcase your products and services, and connect with customers and prospects in your local area.

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/how-to-use-yelp-for-local-marketing/feed 1 Location-based Marketing for Small Businesses https://www.practicalecommerce.com/location-based-marketing-for-small-businesses https://www.practicalecommerce.com/location-based-marketing-for-small-businesses#comments Tue, 10 Mar 2015 10:45:37 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=114767 As Internet users become increasingly mobile-savvy, they rely on smartphones and other mobile devices to discover new businesses, find directions, read consumer reviews, and access business contact information. One way local small businesses can take advantage of this trend is through the use of location-based marketing.

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/location-based-marketing-for-small-businesses/feed 1 5 Consumer Review Sites that Impact Your Business https://www.practicalecommerce.com/5-consumer-review-sites-that-impact-your-business Tue, 03 Mar 2015 11:32:11 +0000 http://webmarketingtoday.com/?p=114643 Thanks to sites like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Angie's List, local businesses often find themselves at the mercy of consumer reviews. Because people rely on the opinion of others, reviews have the potential to influence purchase decisions either positively or negatively, depending on the review.

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]]> 3 New Twitter Ad Features for Ecommerce Merchants https://www.practicalecommerce.com/3-New-Twitter-Ad-Features-for-Ecommerce-Merchants Tue, 10 Feb 2015 18:40:18 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=80154 Twitter recently launched three new features that extend the platform’s usefulness as a marketing tool for ecommerce merchants. The features are group direct messages, video, and quick promote advertising.
Group Direct Messages
Twitter now ...

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]]> 10 Ways to Use Instagram for Ecommerce Marketing https://www.practicalecommerce.com/10-Ways-to-Use-Instagram-for-Ecommerce-Marketing https://www.practicalecommerce.com/10-Ways-to-Use-Instagram-for-Ecommerce-Marketing#comments Thu, 05 Feb 2015 09:18:18 +0000 https://www.practicalecommerce.com/?p=79963 The photo-sharing site Instagram is in a transition phase between personal and business use. Unlike Facebook or Pinterest, for instance, the site offers no business-specific features.
That has not stopped retailers ...

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]]> https://www.practicalecommerce.com/10-Ways-to-Use-Instagram-for-Ecommerce-Marketing/feed 2