Search Engine Marketing

The Search Engine Marketing is set to boom, some analysts suggesting it will double in size in 2009.

How, and why, does this affect the UK IFA?

Most large insurers and life assurers etc are now doing over 60% of their sales online.

A few years ago the IFA was lagging far behind. However most IFA practices now have a website but unfortunately the majority still get only a small percentage of their new business from this source. The reason is simple that most IFA websites simply don't compete in the search engine marketplace. Having a web site is fair enough but it has to PERFORM.

Too many IFAs still have their heads in the sand about this, insisting "I still get my business from referrals"! Well I'm sorry but you think like that you are doing yourself a huge dis-service.

If 60% of new business is being done via enquiries from the internet and you are not getting any then all you are actually doing is handing the business to your competitors.

So what is the answer?

1. Get a website if you don't have one already.

2. Create "niche" websites i.e. a different site for niche topics such as "early retirement", "monthly savings plans", "school fee planning" etc. Having one website covering all your services and products simply doesn't work in the current marketplace.

3. Make sure your websites are optimised for Search Engines - brochure sites are better than nothing but will not produce new business in any volume.

Check out the following:-

XsitePro V2 - the best web-builder to create search engine friendly niche websites. You could easily build a site a day. It costs just $197 (around £100) and that is a one off fee. You can build as many websites as you like. Trust me its idiot proof - even the most internet illiterate IFA could be building websites in minutes.

XsitePro Home Page

XsitePro FREE Brochure

XsitePro Testimonials

Axandra iBP - the most popular search engine optimisation software on the market. It is used byt the likes of Ebay, Siemens, Zurich Assurance etc but it is even EASIER to use on smaller websites. It is the ONLY SEO software to give a Top 10 in Google or your money back guarantee! If you havent already got it you should have it.

Axandra Customer List

Axandra Home Page

Axandra FREE Search Engine Optimisation e-book

IFA Sites in Google

You are probably aware that the vast majority of IFAs have a website but have no natural presence in Google. The IFA market on Google UK is totally dominated by the Big Two directories; SearchIFA.co.uk and Unbiased.co.uk.

So, what can you do about it? Two things

1. Join the two directories (and there is no doubt you should).

2. Improve the performance of your own website.

That is far easier said than done. However there are tools available that really DO work.

Perhaps the best, in terms of performance AND value is the IPB from Axandra

Don't just take my word for it - search Google for Axandra IPB Reviews and you will see many other independent reviews of this simple software that is guaranteed to rocket your Google positions and your traffic.

XsitePro Upgrade

For those of you interested in building high grade, single topic, websites that perform fabulously in Google you can read the post below about XsitePro.

There will be a NEW version out in the next few months and the price will increase from $197 to $297.

However, anyone buying it now will get the upgrade FREE when it comes out - thats a saving of $100.

I have put up a webpage describing my own experience of using this great web building too here XsitePro My Personal Review

Google Adwords and IFAs

Further to my post about this last year (Google Adwords) I received a rather abusive "comment" from an anonymous poster. Unfortunately the post was too offensive to publish beside which I dont like posters who log in anonymously anyway - something to hide??

The jist of his comment was that my figure of 16 IFAs using Adwords was ridiculously low and he went on to state that "thousands of IFAs are using Adwords".

Well, firstly the original post was almost a year ago now so obviously the numbers have increased!

However I have just run a diagnostic on Google and there are still only about 40 IFAs using the system "properly" for the MAIN high volume keywords i.e.

IFA,
Independent financial adviser,
Independent financial advisers,
Independent financial advisor,
Independent financial advisors,
financial adviser,
financial advisers,
financial advisor,
financial advisors,

There are more using the geo specific searches such as "ifa in birmingham" etc - but the searches on these are so low they should only be used as peripherals to a main campaign.

Google Adwords is easy and cheap and brings quality searches and potential clienst direct to your web pages.

For further information just click the Google Adwords button in the top left corner of this website.

Google friendly Websites

Have you ever thought it would be a good idea to build LOTS of Google Friendly websites? I mean not one "company" site but a site for each topic (SIPPs, Unit Trusts etc).

It IS possible with software like Xsitepro - www.xsitepro.com

Once you have downloaded the easy to use software you can build as many sites as you like, from single page sites to sites with hundreds of pages if you wanted to at NO extra costs. You WILL need to buy a domain name for each site and have some web hosting space but they even help you with those if you need it.

However for a hosting package I would recommend www.1and1.co.uk (choose the Business or BusinessPro package) - you can buy all the space you could ever need (realistically) for about £75 a year. That would allow hundreds of sites if you were that way inclined.

Xsitepro costs $197 (around £110) but it is a one off cost for as many sites as you care to create.

Don't take my word for it - visit www.xsitepro.com and see for yourself.

Using Google Reader

You can now keep tabs on all the updates on all your favourite sites and blogs in one place using the new Google Reader.

Just click on the "Add to Google" icon towards the bottom of the right hand colum here and follow the easy intsructions. If you already use "my Yahoo" you may prefer that option.

You can then view all the updates on this blog plus any other sites you choose to add in one simple page. No more flicking through all your favourite websites to see if they have updated.

What is Google "Page Rank" (Google PR)

Several IFAs have contacted me (use the "comments" please guys) about Google Page Rank commonly known as Google PR.

Almost all believed that "page rank" means the position in which their site appeared in Google. It actually has NOTHING to do with that although it WILL affect where your site is placed. So, at the risk of repeating myself here is a simple guide to Google PR.

Page Rank is the system (named after Google founder Larry PAGE) Google uses to classify the "importance" of a website. Page Ranks vary from 0-10. I have never actually seen a"10" - it only gives google.com a 9.

You can read more about Page Rank at www.google.com/technologly/

You can see your sites PR (and that of any site you visit) by installing the Google Toolbar here

If you don't want yet another toolbar you can check any sites PR value here

Now to the crunch - if you want your website to appear well in google you MUST get a high PR - higher than 2 at very least and preferably a 4 or 5.

Google PR is ONLY applied by the quality of INCOMING links you have to your site. For exampke if you have 10 links IN and they all have a PR of zero then your PR will be zero. In an ideal world you will get thousands of inbound links all with PR3+ but this is very time consuming.

The easiest way is to BUY in some high PR links but these tend to be expensive at around £30 per month per link (if PR5 or above).

The BEST site I have ever found for link purchase is www.buyabutton.net (see previous post titled Achieve a High google Page Rank Quickly). The reason it's so good it that it has a ONE OFF FIXED price for a link of £25 NOT an ongoing monthly fee and it is a whopping PR6 site.

If you put the word MEL in the subject bar when you buy the link you will get the £5 upgrade (take the bold text version) FREE.

Remember this is just the START - you need as many inbound links as possible either purchased or self-generated. If you don't do these then you will simply fall behind other IFAs who ARE building links and we know who will be getting all the business don't we!!??

If you have questions just leave a "comment" and I will answer in the blog.

General Internet Marketing Tips for IFAs

This blog is currently receiving over 200 visits every day but please don't forget my other Blog

Internet Marketing Tips for IFAs

Nice take on Leads for IFAs

Google Adwords

I have just been checking Google and there are ONLY SIXTEEN IFAs using the Google Adwords programme. YES! Sixteen out of around 20,000 of you!!!

This is ridiculous - for as little as £0.01p per visitor you could be bringing highly targeted traffic to your website. Used properly it would probably cost less than two or three pounds a day - once case a month would see you in a large profit.

Just sign up for a Google Adwords Account TODAY using the button in the top left hand corner of this website. Spend a few hours learning it and your off - its INSTANT!

There are only two arguments against using Google Ads

1. Cost

2. Its compliacted

Well firstly, you can set your minimum bids and daily budgets as low as you like so that is NO excuse.

Secondly, it's NOT complicated - its VERY easy.

If you DO need help invest in one of these e-books. For about £20 it gives you all the help and tips you will ever need and you can even have your money back if they don't work for you.

Google Adwords Secrets

Google Adwords 123

Beating Adwords

Adwords and Adsense - some useful tools

If you are an IFA and interested in Marketing on Google here are a few tools that MAY be useful.

Firstly you should ensure you have both an Adsense and Adwords "account". (see previous post).

Secondly you need to go on a learning curve - the best is "trial and error" but here are a few tools that may help speed you up.

Adsense

Dave's Cool Little Website - useful info on how to make money form Adsense on your website.

Adsense Ready - 150 Adsense Websites

Adsense Secrets - This is Joel Comms e-book. Joel Comm is probably the #1 authority on Adsense

The Adsense Jerk - Totally loaded by using a 7 day Google Adsense System!


Adwords

Google Adwords Secrets - The Secret Fundamentals Of Google Adwords. Shoot Your Ad To The Top Of The List at REDUCED costs.

In addition there are many "forums" you can read. Perhaps the most well know is DigitalPoint which can be a mine of useful FREE information.

Achieve a High Google Page Rank Quickly

Firstly, do not confuse "Page Pank" with "position" on Google. You can read about the importance of Page Rank (PR) here.

http://www.google.com/technology/

A high PR is very essential if you want traffic to your website, as it will help your search engine position in time. You can check your own site's PR value here - if you dont have at least a 3 then you are NOT highly ranked (4 is OK and 5+ is good)

http://www.prchecker.info/check_page_rank.php

The best way to get a higher PR is to link from other sites which themselves have a high PR value. These need to be ONE WAY links NOT reciprocal ones.

I have seen that sites linking from THIS site http://www.sixshootermedia.com/buttons/index.html are ALL getting a high PR value even if that site is the only link they have. There are some really rubbish sites and blogs with button on that site and they ALL get high PR.

This site has NOTHING to do with me but if you decide to buy a button from here put MEL in the subject box when you send the email to them. If you do this you will get one of the enhancements (use the BOLD option) FREE thus saving a fiver (£5).

You will not see any great chanmge until Google's next PR update but it you do this quickly you should see a dramatic improvement in your Google PR before the summer. Also prices increase on the button site as more are sold so an early purchase now will save you more money.

If you want Google Page Rank (or even if you have it already now and want it to get bigger) - JUST DO IT!!

Advertising on Google

Have you ever wondered how IFAP and other IFAs get those "Sponsored Links" right at the top and down the right hand side of Google.

Well its simple - they use Google Adwords!

Anyone can apply and all IFAs certainly should. Imagine what just an extra hundred highly targetted visitors to your web-site might do for your earnings. Remember 8 out of 10 people looking for an IFA are looking on the Internet first (source IFAP). if you not getting any of them then your competitors are.

You can apply via the banner advert for Google Adwords at the top right hand side of this page.

If you need further help, there is a great e-book called Adsense Secrets. For further information on Adsense Secrets and how to boost your traffic from Google just Click Here!

Fantastic Marketing Resource for IFAs

Not necessarily Google related but I recently discovered a fantastic new marketing resource for IFAs. The IFA LIFE Business Development Forum for IFAs & Mortgage Brokers.

It offers lots of great discussions and information for IFAs interested in marketing and ideas in general.

Its easy to sign up for and makes a great read. Its far more than the "usual" IFA forums which I have always found to be full of moaners and (rather) silly "tit for tat" arguments.

The two guys running the forum seem to be making a great effort to genuinly encourage ideas and information exchange that will REALLY HELP its members as opposed to just pushing their own ideas and schemes.

I'm new there but its great and I will keep you posted.

Getting your Presence felt on Google

So - how exactly does an IFA get a presence on Google? Well the honest answer is with great difficulty.

The first thing to do is to ensure your own website is up to scratch and optimised for Google but the easiest way is to join the two main IFA "directories" www.searchifa.co.uk and www.unbiased.co.uk

BOTH give guaranteed TOP placements on Google for their members for a low fee.

The differences between the two are mainly:-

1. SearchIFA.co.uk gives top natural listings whereas Unbiased.co.uk relies on "paid for" or "sponsored" listings. Natural listings are preferable as they get more clicks and are not reliant upon competiton - a sponsored listing could easily lose its place if another bidder is prepared to pay more.
   
   
2. SearchIFA.co.uk limits its membership whereas Unbiased.co.uk will add as many IFAs as it can. As both get similar visitor numbers (often 60-70,000 a month) then clealry the former has a big advantage if you are lucky enough to get on of the slots.

Firefox - an update

I have been using the Firefox Browser now for two weeks and I can't believe I used Internet Explorer for so long. Why? Well 3 simple reasons.

1. Its faster than Internet Explorer

2. Its more secure than Internet Explorer

3. You can view as many webpages/websites as you like at the same time using the "Tab" funtion.

Apparently it already has a 10% market share with over 500,000 new users every day.

The vast majority of websites are set-up/optimised for Internet Explorer and because Firefox makes graphics "shrink to fit" it is possible that your site may look "odd". The download takes less than two minutes and even if you don't actually use it, its worth downloading just to check how your won website looks on it.

You can download Firefox by simply clicking the banner in the top right hand corner of this blog.

Google and the Firefox Browser

Google has purchased the Mozilla Firefox browser.

If you are still using Internet Explorer you are now way behind the times. Not only is Firefox faster but it has a host of functions not available in even the latest versions of IE.

To download the Firefox Browser just click on the Firefox link in the top right hand corner of this page.

Ready Made Adsense Websites

Every wondered how some people make so much money from Google Adsense - this will give you a good idea how and why.

300 AdSense Ready Keyword Rich Websites

Getting a High Listing on Google

By far the most common question I am asked is "how do I get my site listed at the top of Google".

Well the practical answer is - you can't! The search engines are now so dominated by directories and portals that is is virtually impossible to compete. However you should ignore search engines at your peril because 80% of people looking for an IFA are looking on the Internet first. If you want to compete for the business you simply have to compete on Google.

The answer is to join directories such as www.searchifa.co.uk and www.unbiased.co.uk

www.searchifa.co.uk puts EVERY member at the top of Google (and Yahoo and MSN too for that matter). if you join you instantly get the high level exposure required. This may or may not lead to enquiries but at least you are competing.

Make Adsense Work

For those of you who have now got a Google Adsense Account you can get Joel Comm's hugely sucessful e-book "What Google Never Told You About Making Money with AdSense" here - it costs about about £40 but you should get that back within the first month if you follow his tips.

For those of you who dont want to spend 40 quid - try the Free Adsense Course from the Adsense Jerk here

Just remember - you get what you pay for!!

Google Adsense and the IFA

By now you should have heard about Google Adsense - the advertising phenomenon that is taking the internet by storm. If you have a website you MUST have google adsense. All you have to do is sign up for an account which you can do easily by clicking the Google Adsense Banners on this page.

Once you have signed up all you have to do is add the code to your website and google will automatically add RELEVANT adverts to whichever web pages you choose to add the code to.

IT REALLY IS THAT SIMPLE!! - Just see the Google Adsense Banners at the top and bottom right hand side of this page!!

This is IDEAL for IFAs as "financial" adverts are currently attracting very high premiums. Some mortgage adverts for example will pay you up to $4 every time someone clicks on an ad'. There are many stories of people earning $50,000+ from Google adsense every month. Whilst this is unrealistic for the average IFA site due to lower visitor numbers is is VERY feasible to earn a few hundred dollars a month.

Put simply its CRAZY NOT to use Google Adsense - you don't even have to worry about competitive Ad's taking your visitors as you can filter out any advertisers you don't want to carry. DON'T worry anyway about losing visitors, the ones who are clicking these ad's would be leaving anyway so why not make some money out of them!?

Just click the Google Adsense banners at the top of this page - its FREE to sign up, easy to use and you have absolutely nothing to lose.

If you are REALLY serious - buy Joel Comm's ebook about Making a Fortune from Adsense here - Joel is widely regarded as the #1 in this field, even TheAdsenseJerk recommends him.