You need some kind of website analytics package in order to know who is visiting your site - there is no other way of knowing!

If you want to make more sales, get more leads or sell more advertising (who doesn’t?) then you need to get more visits from the right people - analytics packages can tell you what you need to know about what actually happens on your website so that you can make informed decisions and grow your business.

BUT not all website analytics packages tell you what you need to know.

You might have a free package with your hosting - webaliser is a common one, so too is AWStats but there are many more.  If you have a package available already take a look as it should show you some interesting things about what has been happening on your site up until now.

If you are serious about improving your website then you would benefit from packages that are a little more sophisticated - there are many out there, from free to mega bucks but it really does depend on your needs and most importantly what you plan to use the information for.  Don’t get caught in an information overload as there are stats available enough to drive you insane even on a tiny site!  As with all data analysis ask your self…. “WHAT do I need to know” and also “WHY do I need to know it”.

Some people like visuals so look for the charts and graphs that you like, others want detailed visitor paths, others want to be able to tag search behaviour and interact with the data…. there is no one perfect package but there are lots of options and I suggest you check some out for yourself before you invest in buying a package.

If you want to learn more about your website then an excellent freebie is Google Analytics - there are lots of graphs, charts and tables and many options to look at the data in ways that will help you improve your business.  Its a good place to cut your teeth and probably find some surprising results…

Here are some results that we have highlighted to website owners:

• 90% of your search traffic comes from the middle east because your business name is the same as their local stock exchange (lots of traffic but all irrelevant).
• the only search terms used to find your site include your company name (very common)
• the .com version of your site is pointing to a devil worship site! (make sure you know who controls your domains)
• an article written 12 months ago brings significant relevant traffic (write more articles).
• several people are blogging about your website which is boosting your rankings AND bringing you traffic (this is great).
• 80% of search traffic comes from Google, the next most popular source is AOL (why not Yahoo or MSN?)

The list of leassons learned is endless and you will soon learn what helps you the most.  Your website is a marketing tool and no matter the size or type of business you have it is possible to get more business through the web - it COULD BE your most successful channel so learn to understand your website, make informed decisions about improvements and make your business more successful.

If you don’t have the time or inclination to get down and dirty with your website analytics we can help you as traffic analysis and continuous improvement of client’s websites is integral to our approach.  Check out how Strategy Internet Marketing can help you make more of your online business by driving more traffic to your website and increasing your conversions.

What is all the fuss about blogging… is it really necessary?  The short answer is ‘no’ its not absolutely necessary but think about the benefits it could bring to your relationship with your prospects and clients…

I have wanted to write our blog regularly but I haven’t - why not? because its a real commitment to post regularly and I have felt that its important to blog regularly.

I have changed my mind, I would rather blog irregularly than not at all!

A blog on a website allows an oppotunity to create a conversation with your reader, its more personalised than a regular web page because you can share your thoughts, opinions and recommendations in a quick and easy fashion. A blog will have more of a personaility because you can mix up the topics, talk about business issues but also personal stuff and even tell some jokes - blogs should be easy to read and dip in and out of.

Here are a few benefits of a blog:

• Develops a relationship with your readers by commuincating with them in a more personalised way.
• Adds value to a reader’s experience by sharing knowledge and tips.
• Allows readers to get to know you and your company so they can understand more about how you work.
• You can even make money by making recommendations and including affilate links!

Engaging an Internet Marketing Partner involves a significant amount of trust.  Trusting that we know what we are doing, that we will deliver a good service, that we will get the results you want - this is one of my personal motivations for blogging - because I think a blog is an excellent vehicle for you to learn more about Strategy and feel more comfortable in your decision to work with us.

Therefore I would say that a blog is not essential to a website, its a choice to add another dimension to the way you communicate to your prospects and clients.  It is also good for SEO but that shouldn’t be the first reason you do it!

After intensive and very successful beta-testing, a “third way” of Internet Marketing is being launched at E-Commerce Expo 2007 by Strategy Internet Marketing: Pay-Per-Results (PPR).

John Courtney of Strategy Internet Marketing commented: “Until now there have been two main methods of Internet Marketing: Pay-Per-Click (PPC) and generic Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). Pay-Per-Click has become very popular because the client only pays every time a prospect clicks on his advert. Search Engine Optimisation, while very effective, is traditionally priced with up front fees which puts some clients off as it demands a financial commitment and the SEO company is paid regardless of how well they perform.

This Pay-Per-Results (PPR) method is really combining the best of Pay-Per-Click and the best of Search Engine Optimisation. We are only obtaining generic listings but we have priced it like PPC.

One electrical e-commerce client that Strategy Internet Marketing has been working with over the past few months on Pay-Per-Results (PPR) has seen dramatic increases in both traffic and sales and a substantial return on investment.

Strategy Internet Marketing is a division of Strategy Consulting Limited which has just celebrated its 10th Anniversary.

FURTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE FROM JOHN COURTNEY ON 07976 436757 OR 0117 377 8237 OR ON STAND 103 AT E-Commerce Expo 2007