Will Your Business Website Marketing Plan need a Favicon?

Do you have a favicon?

If you’re like most people, you may be scratching your head, just trying to figure out how to pronounce favicon, never mind actually having one.

So first of all, “favicon” is a jamming-together of the words “favorite” and “icon,” and it’s pronounced “fav-eye-con.” It’s the tiny icon that appears right before the “http” address in most modern Web browsers. Favicons also appear in browser tabs and in a Web browser’s bookmarks, hence the significance “favorite” in the word. Their use in business Website marketing so far has been slight. But that could change soon.

Google has experimented with a few favicons. Go to most Google pages now and you’ll see a lowercase “g” surrounded by blue, red, green and yellow blobs. Go to CNN’s Website, and you’ll see a simple favicon containing CNN’s famous red letter logo.

Even though they’re pretty small, most business Website marketing experts notice the branding opportunities in favicons. A small, compact icon that’s always next to your Web address is a great way to give people something visual. The favicon also makes it easier for visitors to distinguish and remember your Website.

But why are we talking about favicons for business Website marketing now?

Because it looks like Google is experimenting with including favicons in their search results. As with most new Google features, right now only a random few have reported seeing these, so it looks the feature is still in the testing stages.

Right now, business Website marketing experts may tell you that a favicon provides a nice, professional flourish to a Website. But if you don’t have one, it’s not exactly something to lose sleep over. That could change if favicons start appearing in Google’s search results. In order for your Website to stand out, favicons will be necessary.

This also raises some interesting questions for business Website marketing professionals. Will the search results pages look cluttered with too many little icons? And what about favicons for Google AdWords that appear on search results pages?

 

Why Page Views are Losing Importance for Online Marketing Services

All online marketing services know that page views count for something. They can be an important indicator of how well a Web site’s pay-per-click advertising campaign is doing. And they can be a great way for online marketing services to monitor what marketing strategies and tactics work on a particular Web page and what ones don’t.

According to Internet marketing analyst Eric Peterson, we can expect to see the importance of page views reduced while the Web user’s duration, or time spent on a Web site become increasingly important.

Peterson notes that new insights can be uncovered by online marketing services when page views and duration are used together. It can give online marketing services a clearer view of a Webpage’s effectiveness.

And Web analytic companies and online marketing services are listening. Nielsen and comScore are both incorporating duration into their algorithms. This means that research conducted by online marketing services will likely become more precise and effective.  

Sign up for Search Engine Optimization Program to Increase Online Sales in 2009

The surveys are in! According to BtoB Magazine’s survey 2009 Marketing Priorities and Plans, nearly 70 percent of spending in 2009 will be done online. What does this mean for your business? Have you implemented a search engine optimization program yet? If not, you’re going to be working harder for less productivity. Search Circus has a search engine optimization program that will fit your budget and needs.

A search engine optimization program is the best type of guarantee that more people will find your business rather than your competitor.

The survey asked marketers in what ways they will likely spend more in the upcoming year. These are the results:

• Nearly a tie between email marketing (68%) and Web site development (66%)
• Search (50%), online video (46%) and social media (46%)
• Other places include Webcasts (42%) banners (30%) and sponsorships (25%)
• Traditional media will also increase spending in 2009 through direct mail (36%), events (31%), telemarketing (21%) and print (20%)

However, without a doubt, starting a search engine optimization program now, will garner more sales over your competitors and traditional media marketing. Contact the SEO specialists at SearchCircus.com today, to get ahead of your competition with a search engine optimization program!