making the most of the beyond website for your business 111012

Making the most of the Beyond Website

Making the most of the Beyond Website

Tips for a more usuable website.

BEYONDWEBSITE

Front end (Public i.e not signed in)

Front end (Public i.e not signed in)

Beyond has a public front end and a dedicated members section.

Member Profile – How to sign in.

www.beyondni.co.uk – Front end (Public)www1.beyondni.co.uk – Members only section.

Sign into Beyond Website:

Members Section – User logged in.

B2BREQUESTS

B2B Requests.

• Ask for help from other businesses within the Beyond Network

• Especially suitable for services such as accountancy, graphic design and websites.

• Businesses can contact you directly with advice / quotes

Members Section – User logged in.

B2B Requests

Members Section – user logged in.

Add a new request by clicking here

Members Section – user logged in.

Link to your websiteFill out as much detail as possible regarding the issue you are having.

Describe what the problem is.

Members Section – user logged in.

Public Section (not logged into members area)

This is what a request will look like to other Beyond Members

BEYONDBLOGS

Blogs

• Promote your business and services• Add a link to the blog to help direct more traffic

to your website.• Talk about news and information relating to your

business• Free publicity• Useful as another method of promotion for a

website.

Access the Blogs Function here

Members Section – user logged in.

Past Blogs

Members Section – user logged in.

Name of Blog

Blog Content

Members Section – user logged in.

BEYOND

MENTORING

Mentoring can offer:

• Business advice• Assistance to help focus objectives• Boost morale and offer support• A sounding board for ideas and business strategy• A platform for sharing expertise and help build

business skills• A wide network of support and useful contacts

View and request support online.

• Choose between Individual Mentoring or Collaborative Mentoring

• Find out how the Beyond Mentors can help you

• For more info and to apply for mentoring online go to this address:

WWW.BEYONDNI.CO.UK/MENTORING.ASPX

BEYOND

DIRECTORY

The Business Directory

• Completely Free• Increases local exposure• Provides an inbound link to your website• Relevant to the local area• Page Rank of 4/10

Sectors within Beyond Directory

Public Section (not logged into members area)

Public Section (not logged into members area)

Address and Tel No’s

Free link to website

ImportantProfile Information

Public Section (not logged into members area)

• All changes to Member info / Directory are done within the members section.

• Lets update your own Business profile and directory by logging into the Beyond website.

www.beyondni.co.uk

WEBSITE TIPS

• Google Plus• Google Local• Google Shopping• Google Checkout• Google Maps• Google Adwords• Youtube

Present your site in a way that Google can understand

• Google can’t read pictures (Alt Tag descriptions)

• All media must contain a decription

• BUT write for your audience! Not what you think Google would like.

• Keywords and search term phrases are important.

Make sure Google knows you’re there!

• Upload an accurate site map• Add your business to relevant Directories, E-zines,

Email Signatures etc• Use all the free tools!

Google Webmaster Tools - www.google.com/webmasters/toolsSitemap creator - www.xml-sitemaps.com/Google Analytics - www.google.com/analytics

Build good quality, relevant links with other websites

• Keep it relevant to your business.• Avoid automated link building programs• But Submit to Google and Yahoo• Don’t cheat – you will get Blacklisted!

http://www.google.co.uk/submit_content.htmlhttp://search.yahoo.com/info/submit.htmlhttp://www.beyondni.co.uk/Business-Directory.aspx

Adhere to website standards• Ask your developer to code with W3C in mind.

(World Wide Web Consortium)

Update your site regularlyTry to create new and interesting high quality content on a daily basis if possible. At least weekly.

Find your niche – Explore keywordsGoogle Keyword Explorer

How would you search for your website?

• DON’T BE MYSTERIOUS!

• Phone Number• Email Address• Address• Contact Names• Product Prices• Hours of Operation

SOCIAL MEDIA gives your business the opportunity to reach out and actually connect with your audience.

• Your competition is using it.

• Your target audience is using it.

• It’s the next generation of Word of mouth marketing

• Social Media Networking sites have high Page Rank

• It’s Free!

Check your progress on PR Checker and Google Analytics

• Be patient! 2 – 3 months for changes

https://www.google.com/analyticshttp://www.prchecker.info

ANY QUESTIONS?

EMAIL: michael.forster@downdc.gov.uk TEL: 028 4461 0856