Key Takeaways

• Organic traffic is pivotal for a successful online presence and can lead to higher engagement and conversions compared to paid traffic, with proper SEO strategies playing a critical role in attracting this type of traffic.

• Effective SEO encompasses a combination of keyword research, on-page optimization, and off-page tactics like quality backlinks and internal linking to enhance site visibility and credibility on search engines.

• Continuous monitoring and analysis of organic traffic using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console are essential, allowing for the identification of trends and the measurement of strategic success, which is further exemplified by case studies showing significant growth following SEO and content marketing efforts.

Understanding Organic Traffic: The Basics

Organic traffic, the lifeblood of digital presence, is the stream of visitors flowing from the heart of search engines, arriving without the incentive of paid advertising. This contrasts sharply with direct traffic, where visitors arrive with purpose, typing your URL into their browsers like a familiar address. The beauty of organic website traffic lies in its origins; it’s driven by the user’s intent, guided by the invisible hand of search engine algorithms that match queries to your content. Understanding the balance between direct and organic traffic is crucial for a successful online presence and increasing website traffic.

Think of it as a matchmaker, connecting you with users already seeking what you offer. It’s not just about quantity; the quality of organic traffic is unparalleled, with visitors more engaged and more likely to:

• Convert to customers

• Spend more time on your website

• Interact with your content

• Share your content with others

Paid search traffic, a type of paid traffic, can often provide better results than any other traffic source.

Organic Traffic and Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

A deeper exploration of the digital ecosystem reveals that organic traffic isn’t a product of mere coincidence. It’s the reward for mastering the craft of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), the strategic tuning of your website to the melodies of search engine algorithms. When SEO is done right, it’s like a beacon that guides more organic traffic to your shores, with search engines favoring your site for its quality and relevance. To increase organic traffic, it’s essential to continue refining your SEO strategies, while also considering the potential benefits of paid search campaigns.

Through persistent SEO efforts, your website can achieve high organic rankings on search engine results pages, ensuring a lasting impact that keeps visitors coming. Think of SEO as planting seeds in a garden; with care and the right techniques, your efforts will grow into a bountiful harvest of organic traffic.

Keyword Research and Targeting

The journey to boost organic traffic starts with keyword research, discovering the sought-after phrases used by your audience. It’s a delicate balance, seeking out the sweet spot between high-search volume and low-competition keywords. Picture each keyword as a fishing line cast into the sea of search engines; the more strategic your choice, the richer the catch of organic traffic.

Remember, long-tail keywords, despite attracting fewer searches, reel in highly targeted, relevant traffic, enhancing your site’s organic search visibility in search results.

On-Page SEO Techniques

On-page SEO is akin to setting the stage for a grand performance. Your title tags and meta descriptions act as the marquee, enticing searchers to step into your world with the promise of fulfilling their queries. Incorporating relevant keywords into these elements serves as a direct pathway for search engines to your content.

Fresh content too plays a crucial role – it revitalizes your audience’s interest, indicating to search engines that your site is consistently updated with new information.

Off-Page SEO Strategies

Moving beyond on-page elements, off-page SEO comes into play, where credibility is the key. Quality backlinks serve as endorsements from other websites, vouching for your content’s reliability and relevance. Imagine each backlink as a bridge, connecting your island of content to the mainland of the web, and with each new bridge, your credibility grows, drawing more organic traffic to your shores.

Internal linking serves as your site’s roadmap, facilitating easy navigation for visitors and distributing traffic and SEO value across your pages seamlessly.

Enhancing User Experience (UX) for Better Organic Traffic

As we delve deeper, the impact of User Experience (UX) on retaining organic traffic becomes evident. Imagine your website as a boutique; a mobile-first design ensures your display is accessible and appealing, no matter the size of the shopper’s window – their device. The data from Google Analytics is your market research, revealing the preferences of your visitors and guiding you to optimize for every screen, be it a phone, tablet, or desktop, thus maximizing your reach and engagement.

Furthermore, insights into user navigation patterns via Behavior Flow facilitate a smoother user experience, akin to a maître d’ steering guests in a restaurant, resulting in improved traffic retention and engagement.

Content Marketing and Organic Traffic

Entering the realm of content marketing, it becomes apparent that it’s more about creating impactful narratives than simply broadcasting messages. High-quality, engaging content is the cornerstone of organic traffic, inviting visitors to linger and explore. It’s a strategic game where the use of long-tail keywords and a robust linking approach can transform your site into a magnet for the most relevant traffic.

Content marketing done right can be a powerhouse, as demonstrated by the meteoric rise in organic traffic experienced by companies that have stitched together compelling narratives around their topics.

Blogging Best Practices

Blogging forms the heartbeat of content marketing, and following best practices can greatly enhance your website’s visibility. Regularly publishing content is like sending out a constant signal to search engines, prompting them to revisit and re-evaluate your site. It’s about creating content that speaks directly to the hearts and minds of your audience, fostering a connection that translates into sustained organic traffic.

The importance of engaging visuals shouldn’t be overlooked; they generate interest and foster social sharing, thereby expanding your organic reach.

Long-Form vs. Short-Form Content

When it comes to the debate between long-form and short-form content, the former often emerges as the champion in the arena of organic traffic. Long-form content is like a sumptuous feast, offering a rich array of information that satisfies the search engines’ hunger for high-quality, in-depth material. This comprehensive approach can lead to increased social sharing, a wider spread of keywords, and ultimately, a stronger bond with your audience, reflected in higher conversion rates.

Short-form content, on the other hand, is akin to a quick snack – perfect for topics that require brevity and are unable to sustain a lengthy discourse.

Analyzing and Monitoring Organic Traffic

The last component is analytics, where tools like Google Analytics function as a lens to examine the intricate details of our website’s traffic. It enables us to dissect organic traffic, pinpointing its origins and the behavior of users as they interact with our content. But it’s not just about passive observation; by aligning the tracking code on your site with Google Analytics and setting up filters, you can ensure the data you’re seeing accurately reflects your audience’s actions.

This level of insight is akin to having a strategist in your corner, constantly refining your approach to attract more organic traffic.

Identifying Organic Traffic Trends

Recognizing trends in organic traffic can act as a roadmap for your strategy and alert you to changes in the digital landscape. Combining the analytical prowess of Google Analytics 4 and Google Search Console gives a comprehensive view of how your audience finds and interacts with your site. Tools like Semrush offer additional layers of insight, with reports that chart the ebb and flow of organic visits, allowing you to adjust your sails to the prevailing winds of search engine algorithms.

It’s this vigilance that can protect against the impact of errors, algorithm changes, and shifts in traffic sources, ensuring your website remains a beacon for relevant traffic.

Setting Goals and Measuring Success

To effectively navigate the realm of organic traffic, setting clear goals is imperative. This is where goals come into play, and conversion tracking in Google Analytics 4 becomes the compass by which success is measured. By targeting specific user actions and analyzing the performance of different landing pages, you can gauge the effectiveness of your organic traffic strategies. This process is akin to charting a course, with each conversion milestone marking progress towards your ultimate objective – a website teeming with engaged, converting visitors.

Case Studies: Successful Organic Traffic Growth

Numerous success stories pepper the landscape of organic traffic growth, each providing valuable insights. Company A’s 200% surge in organic traffic after an SEO overhaul is a testament to the transformative power of technical, on-page, and off-page optimizations. On the other hand, Company B’s 150% increase in organic search traffic within nine months highlights the success of focusing on long-tail keyword targeting and content optimization.

These narratives are not just stories; they are blueprints for success, demonstrating the tangible results that can be achieved through a commitment to strategic SEO and content marketing.

Summary

As we draw this exploration to a close, remember that the pursuit of organic traffic is not a sprint but a marathon. It’s a journey of continuous learning, refining, and adapting to the ever-changing digital landscape. By embracing the strategies discussed, from SEO to content marketing, and committing to ongoing analysis and user experience optimization, you can increase your website’s visibility and attract a stream of visitors that are not just numbers but potential stories of success. Let this be your map to a thriving online presence, and may your digital footprint grow deeper with each step you take.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is organic vs inorganic traffic?

Organic traffic comes from search engines and is not paid for, while non-organic traffic comes from other sources like social media, paid ads, or direct visits. This distinction helps understand how visitors find your website.

What is organic social traffic?

Organic social traffic refers to the free traffic generated on social media platforms or websites from unpaid sources, such as search engine results or organic searches. It includes visitors who discover content through natural methods, without paid distribution.

How do you generate organic traffic?

To generate organic traffic, use long-tail keywords, leverage on-page SEO, create video content on YouTube, and promote your content on social media. Additionally, consider influencer marketing, become a guest blogger, and answer questions on Google’s People Also Ask.

What organic traffic means?

Organic traffic refers to unpaid visitors coming to your website from sources such as search engines like Google, Yahoo, or Bing. It’s essentially free traffic.

Can the user experience on my website affect my organic traffic?

Yes, a strong user experience on your website can positively impact your organic traffic by improving user retention and engagement. Consider focusing on mobile-friendliness and easy navigation.

Are you interested in finding out more? Browse the rest of our blog for other marketing tips. If you’re ready to create your first email, survey, sign-up form, or landing page then register for a free trial to get the tools you need to build powerful marketing campaigns!

The post Boost Your Website’s Visibility: Proven Strategies to Increase Organic Traffic appeared first on VerticalResponse.

Creative Ways to Turn Your Content Into Cash

When it comes to monetizing your content, thinking outside the box is key. Here are a few creative ideas that can help you transform your valuable content into a lucrative income stream:

1. Offer premium subscription plans: Take your email marketing to the next level by offering exclusive content and perks to subscribers who are willing to pay a monthly fee. This can include in-depth industry insights, expert interviews, or access to a private community where members can network and learn from each other.Creating premium subscription plans not only provides an additional revenue stream, but it also allows you to establish a deeper connection with your audience. By offering exclusive content, you can provide your subscribers with valuable insights that they can’t find anywhere else. This can help you position yourself as an industry expert and build a loyal community of subscribers who are willing to invest in your knowledge.Furthermore, the private community aspect of the subscription plan can foster networking opportunities among your subscribers. They can share their experiences, exchange ideas, and learn from each other, creating a valuable and supportive environment. This added benefit can be a strong selling point for potential subscribers, as they not only gain access to premium content but also become part of a community of like-minded individuals.
2. Create and sell digital products: If you have a niche expertise or a unique perspective, consider packaging your knowledge into digital products such as eBooks, online courses, or webinars. These offerings can provide immense value to your audience while generating a passive income stream for you.When creating digital products, it’s important to identify the specific needs and pain points of your audience. By addressing these challenges through your products, you can position yourself as a problem solver and provide practical solutions. This not only enhances the value of your digital products but also increases the likelihood of attracting customers.Additionally, digital products offer scalability and flexibility. Once created, they can be sold repeatedly without incurring additional production costs. This means that you can continue to generate income from your digital products long after the initial creation. Furthermore, you have the freedom to update and improve your products based on customer feedback, ensuring that they remain relevant and valuable over time.
3. Partner with brands for sponsored content: As an email marketer, you have built a loyal and engaged audience. Leverage this trust by partnering with relevant brands to create sponsored content. Whether it’s reviews, tutorials, or sponsored newsletters, working with brands can provide a steady income stream while still delivering value to your subscribers.Sponsored content allows you to collaborate with brands that align with your audience’s interests and values. By selecting the right partners, you can ensure that the sponsored content resonates with your subscribers and adds value to their experience. This can be achieved through authentic product reviews, informative tutorials, or exclusive offers and discounts.When entering into sponsored content partnerships, it’s crucial to maintain transparency with your audience. Clearly disclosing that the content is sponsored helps build trust and ensures that your subscribers understand the nature of the collaboration. By being transparent, you can maintain the integrity of your content while still benefiting from the financial support provided by brands.

Exploring New Monetization Strategies

The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and so are the monetization opportunities. Here are some new strategies that can help you stay ahead of the curve:

One of the most effective ways to monetize your email marketing business is by offering membership or micro-subscriptions. Consider offering different tiers of membership with varying benefits. This allows subscribers to choose a plan that aligns with their needs and budget, ensuring a steady and recurring income for your business. With membership or micro-subscriptions, you can provide exclusive content, personalized offers, and other perks to incentivize subscribers to upgrade to a higher tier.

In addition to membership, another strategy to consider is native advertising. Native ads seamlessly blend in with your content, providing a non-intrusive way to monetize your emails. By partnering with third-party advertisers, you can generate revenue while still maintaining the trust and engagement of your subscribers. Native ads can be tailored to match the tone and style of your emails, ensuring a seamless integration that doesn’t disrupt the user experience.

Affiliate marketing is yet another powerful strategy to explore. With affiliate marketing, you can promote products or services that align with your audience’s interests and earn a commission for every sale. This can be a win-win situation, where your subscribers benefit from valuable recommendations, and you earn a passive income through affiliate partnerships. By carefully selecting affiliate programs that resonate with your audience, you can provide genuine recommendations that add value to your subscribers’ lives.

Furthermore, it’s important to continuously analyze and optimize your monetization strategies. Regularly monitor the performance of different monetization channels and make data-driven decisions to maximize your revenue. Experiment with different ad placements, subscription pricing models, and affiliate partnerships to find the optimal mix for your business.

Remember, the key to successful monetization is to strike a balance between generating revenue and providing value to your subscribers. By offering a variety of monetization options and continuously refining your approach, you can create a sustainable and profitable email marketing business.

Leveraging Digital Platforms to Maximize Profits

With the rise of social media and other digital platforms, email marketers now have more avenues than ever to monetize their content. Here’s how you can make the most of these platforms:

Firstly, leverage social media channels to drive traffic to your website or landing pages. Engage with your audience, build a community, and promote your premium offerings to interested subscribers.

One effective strategy is to create engaging and shareable content that resonates with your target audience. By understanding their needs and preferences, you can tailor your social media posts to capture their attention and encourage them to visit your website. Additionally, consider collaborating with influencers or running social media contests to further boost your reach and attract new followers.

Secondly, explore the potential of video content. Platforms like YouTube offer excellent opportunities to monetize your expertise by creating informational videos, tutorials, or behind-the-scenes content.

When creating video content, it’s important to focus on providing value to your viewers. By offering practical tips, insightful advice, or entertaining stories, you can establish yourself as an authority in your niche and attract a loyal following. To monetize your videos, consider incorporating affiliate partnerships or sponsored content. This allows you to earn a commission or receive payment for promoting products or services relevant to your audience.

Last but not least, consider launching a podcast. This audio format allows you to reach a wider audience, attract sponsorships, and communicate with your subscribers in a more personal way.

Podcasts are gaining popularity, and this trend is expected to continue in 2024. To make your podcast successful, focus on delivering valuable and engaging content that appeals to your target audience. Invite industry experts as guests, share personal experiences, and provide actionable insights. By consistently delivering high-quality episodes, you can attract loyal listeners and open doors to potential sponsorships or partnerships.

Furthermore, promote your podcast across various platforms to increase its visibility. Share snippets or highlights on social media, collaborate with other podcasters for cross-promotion, and optimize your podcast for search engines. By implementing these strategies, you can maximize the reach and profitability of your podcast.

Unlocking the Potential of Content Monetization in 2024

As an email marketer, there has never been a better time to monetize your content. By exploring creative ways to turn your content into cash, staying updated with new strategies, and leveraging digital platforms, you can unlock the true potential of content monetization in 2024.

One of the key aspects to consider when monetizing your content is providing value to your subscribers. In a world where information is readily available, it’s crucial to offer something unique and valuable to your audience. This could be in the form of exclusive insights, expert advice, or industry trends that they can’t find elsewhere. By consistently delivering high-quality content, you can build trust with your subscribers and establish yourself as an authority in your niche.

However, providing value alone is not enough. To truly unlock the potential of content monetization, you need to think outside the box and find innovative ways to monetize your offerings. Traditional methods such as sponsored content or affiliate marketing can be effective, but there are also new and exciting opportunities emerging in the digital landscape.

One such opportunity is the rise of microtransactions. With the increasing popularity of digital wallets and payment platforms, it has become easier than ever for subscribers to make small, incremental purchases. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities for content monetization. You could offer premium content or additional resources for a small fee, allowing your subscribers to customize their experience and access exclusive content.

Another emerging trend is the integration of interactive elements into your content. By incorporating quizzes, polls, or interactive videos, you can create a more engaging experience for your subscribers. This not only keeps them coming back for more but also provides opportunities for monetization. For example, you could offer sponsored quizzes or interactive ads that provide a seamless and enjoyable experience for your audience while generating revenue for your business.

Furthermore, it’s essential to stay updated with the latest strategies and trends in content monetization. The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and what works today may not work tomorrow. By staying informed and adapting to changes, you can stay ahead of the curve and maximize your monetization efforts.

Lastly, leveraging digital platforms is crucial in unlocking the potential of content monetization. With the rise of social media and other online channels, there are numerous opportunities to reach a wider audience and generate revenue. By strategically promoting your content on these platforms, you can attract new subscribers and increase your monetization potential.

So, as you embark on your journey to monetize your content in 2024, remember to provide value, think outside the box, stay updated, and leverage digital platforms. With the right strategies and a commitment to innovation, you can unlock the true potential of content monetization and take your email marketing endeavors to new heights!

If you want to learn more about marketing, check out the rest of our blog. If you’re ready to start making content, sign up for a free trial to get the tools you need to make great marketing campaigns!

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1. The Emotive Strength of Your Palette

Your color choices aren’t merely aesthetic; they’re emotional catalysts. Each hue evokes distinct feelings, shaping how subscribers perceive your brand. To illustrate:

• Blue symbolizes trust and professionalism.
• Yellow resonates with energy and positivity.

When finalizing a palette, align it with the emotional message of your brand, ensuring a meaningful connection with your audience.

2. Craft Cohesive Campaigns with Color

Harmonizing colors across campaigns doesn’t just please the eye—it builds brand familiarity. The repeated exposure to a consistent color palette makes your brand instantly recognizable, boosting engagement and conversions. But remember, while continuity matters, introducing slight variations keeps your content fresh and engaging.

3. Stand Tall Amidst Email Clutter

With bulging inboxes, making a mark becomes a challenge. A distinct and vibrant color palette becomes your beacon in this sea of emails, compelling readers to take notice. Always align your standout colors with your brand’s essence for authentic representation.

4. Brand Recognition Beyond the Inbox

A consistent color palette transcends email borders. From social media to your website, the same shades boost brand recall. With repeated encounters, subscribers begin associating specific colors with your brand, heightening engagement and prompting more clicks.

5. Ensuring Readability for All

Beyond aesthetics, your palette must prioritize functionality. It’s essential to ensure your content remains legible and accessible. Opt for colors that contrast well, keeping in mind readers with visual impairments or those viewing emails under varying lighting conditions.

6. Decoding the Color Spectrum

Knowing the implications of your chosen shades will aid in a more strategic implementation:

• Green mirrors growth, health, and harmony.
• Red hints at passion, dynamism, and intensity.
• Orange captures creativity, enthusiasm, and warmth.
• Purple alludes to royalty, opulence, and enigma.

Conclusion: Your branding color palette is more than just a design choice—it’s a powerful tool in your email marketing arsenal. By meticulously choosing colors that mirror your brand’s essence and desired emotional impact, you pave the way for memorable campaigns that captivate subscribers and catalyze action.

If you want to learn more about marketing, check out the rest of our blog. If you’re ready to start making content, sign up for a free trial to get the tools you need to make great marketing campaigns!

The post The Power of Branding Colors in Email Marketing: Boosting Engagement & Conversion appeared first on VerticalResponse.

Do’s

• Pick up a good HTML coding software: there are plenty of options like Dreamweaver, Notepad ++, and Sublime Text. These will work just fine!
• Code Mobile First: Most email is now read on mobile devices, so it’s important to code your email with this in mind. Use a responsive design so that your email looks good on both desktop and mobile devices.
• Keep email width under 650 pixels wide: You want your email to be easy to read, so keep the width under 650 pixels. This way, recipients won’t have to scroll horizontally to read your email.
• Use Tables when coding your email: Tables will help you control the email’s layout and make sure everything looks neat and organized. You can also use CSS to style your HTML email, but be aware that not all email clients support CSS.
• Choose Inline CSS: It’s more likely to be rendered properly by email clients than embedded or linked CSS because email clients often strip out or ignore embedded or linked CSS.
• For extended content, link to an outside source: You want to do this If you have a lot of content that you want to include in your email. That way, recipients can click through to read the rest if they’re interested.
• Use images hosted on your website or a third-party image hosting site: This will ensure that your email looks good and loads quickly, even if the recipient’s email client doesn’t support images.
• Stick to the 80/20 rule: 80% text and 20% images. Too many images can make your email look like spam and can result in your email being sent to the recipient’s junk mail folder.
• Use a URL shortener for long URLs: Large links inside your email can look like spam, so use a URL shortener to make them look neater and more professional. There are great shortener alternatives like Bit.ly and TinyURL which you can even link to your own domain

Don’ts

• Embedded videos: Email clients can’t display embedded videos, so your email will just show a blank space where the video should be.
• Image-only emails: Like with embedded videos, email clients can’t display images by themselves. Your email will just show a blank space where the image should be. Always include text in your email to make sure your content will be read no matter what.
• Stay away from large images: They can make your email take longer to render or even worse and look like spam with the risk to be placed inside the spam folder. Instead, try to keep your email under 100kb.
• Designer fonts are pretty but not a good idea: Stick to common fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, and Verdana. email clients may not have the same fonts installed, so your email could end up looking very different from how you intended.
• Background images: Using background images inside an email is not recommended because email clients often block images by default, so your recipients would have to enable them to see the background image. Even if they do enable images, still some email clients may not display them. Alternatively, you can use a colored background instead
• Javascript and embedded Forms: email clients don’t support Javascript or forms, so your email will just show a blank space where the form should be. A more convenient approach would be to link to a form hosted on your website

Have you found these tips useful? Do you have any other suggestions? Share them with us in the comments below!

Happy emailing!

The post The Do’s and Don’ts of Building HTML Emails appeared first on VerticalResponse.

Great question. Like a marketing funnel, an email funnel is a method of attracting potential customers and converting them to established customers through email. This method works well because you can control the messages your email recipients receive, unlike social media where content can get lost in the mix or get pushed aside with algorithm updates.

You want the email funnel to match up with the buyer’s journey below. This journey matters because potential customers go through different mindsets before purchasing. By understanding their journey, businesses can more aptly communicate with people where they’re at and give them the information they need to move on to the next stage.

(image courtesy of Mohit)

Why should I care about email marketing funnels?

Other than having control over who gets content, it’s a strong way to communicate with your customers. Even if you don’t convert recipients into customers at the rate you aim for, the information you can glean from analyzing your funnel is priceless. Likely, you won’t have to add anything new to your marketing strategy; it’s just about taking the emails you already send and making a greater impact through the use of funnels.

What are the parts of the funnel?

The email marketing funnel has three broad stages: Attraction, engagement and nurturing. The most important thing is to have strong content across all of these to lead customers through the buyer’s journey with email.

Attraction

This is the widest part of the email sales funnel. It aligns with the awareness stage of the buyer’s journey. It’s where you connect with the widest range of customers by using a certain page or post. On the page, you can include something like an opt-in form to collect their email address. To do this well, you’ll need to have enough traffic and interest to be able to understand which topics people want to learn more about. Then, you’ll be able to craft a compelling reason for readers to trust you with their emails: What can you offer your subscribers that’s valuable? Search engine optimization can help you gain traffic while analyzing that traffic will help you see which content is most popular.

Engagement

Once you’ve attracted people, you’ll want to engage them with compelling content — this aligns to the consideration phase of the buyer’s journey. Since you have their email, you can send them relevant content based on what they’ve expressed interest in. Some ideas are eBooks, blog posts, videos or other information about topics important to them. This is where you should focus on building authority and trust by providing helpful content. You can end your emails with specific calls to action (CTAs) that you want subscribers to take, such as exploring other content from you or engaging with your business in some way.

Nurturing

The final part is where it all comes home. You will persuade your subscribers to purchase, the decision phase of the buyer’s journey. The engagement emails from the previous part of the funnel have helped your business gain trust from the readers who are considering which business to buy from. To drive home that your business is the right choice, you need to continue to share relevant content and connect it with your services. Now’s the time to offer discounts, limited-time promotions, free trails or other incentives for the reader to decide to buy. By having specific CTAs, you can point potential customers in the right direction by getting them to buy something, to donate, or to do whatever the ultimate goal of your business is.

When your email marketing is aligned with the buyer’s journey, you are sure to see conversions that satisfy your business.

The post Email marketing funnel: Matching message to buyer journey appeared first on VerticalResponse.

A/B testing allows you to see how one version of your content compares to another, so you can determine which performs better. To run a test, you create two different variations of a piece of content and then send one version to one group of your audience, and the other version to another group. The version with the best results can then be used to guide your content or design strategy.

You may already be implementing A/B testing when creating email subject lines. But you can improve the overall quality and effectiveness of your campaigns by also running these five tests:

Images

Do email campaigns with stock photos perform better than those with images you’ve taken yourself? Are photos with people in them more attractive than photos of products? A strong image can entice a reader to continue scrolling through the message or click through to your website, so it’s important to put some thought into the way you’re using photography. Find out what is most compelling to your readers by A/B testing images.

Headlines

Creating an attention-grabbing headline can be difficult, even for the most experienced writers. And while a headline is typically no more than 100 characters in length, there’s so much to consider. Should the copy be funny? Which words pack the biggest punch? How long is too long? There is no one-size-fits-all headline formula, but you can test different variations of your copy to find out what works best for your audience.

Layout and link placement

Do your emails get more clicks when links are placed at the bottom of messages, or when they’re at the top? If you’re trying to drive traffic to a website or product page, it helps to understand which areas of your emails people are engaging with. Experimenting with the layout and, more specifically, link and call to action (CTA) placement can help you design an email that attracts more clicks. You can use the heat mapping feature of VerticalResponse’s Advanced Reporting Email Analytics to find out where clicks are happening on the page. Compare the two versions of your email and then adjust the layout accordingly.

CTAs

Find out what gets costumers to click your CTA buttons by varying elements such as the color, shape and text. But before you start testing, make sure that all variations follow best practices. That means you’re using contrasting colors for the text and background, the language is action-oriented and the copy is legible. Your tests will be more effective and provide you with more helpful results when you use two strong variations.

Landing pages

Landing pages are so powerful because they focus the visitor’s attention on a single task. Trying to get more newsletter sign-ups? You can create a landing page specifically designed and optimized to collect email addresses. Want to introduce your customers to a new product or service? Build a landing page that describes why this new offering is so great.

A/B testing your landing page design and copy can help you eliminate any distracting content or formatting that prevents visitors from converting or performing the desired action. You should test images, headlines, and CTA copy and color — just as you would with your email messages. But you’ll also want to consider the placement of your lead capture form and whether you should include testimonials or social proof in the form of online reviews and media endorsements.

The key thing to remember about A/B tests

When running any type of A/B test, remember to alter only one variable at a time. This way you can be sure that your results are conclusive, and you can easily track the source of any changes. After you’ve identified your winning variation, don’t stop there. Keep running tests, so you can continue to improve your marketing strategy and the way you communicate with customers.

The post 5 A/B tests you can start running today appeared first on VerticalResponse.

Multiple routes to revenue

By partnering with VerticalResponse, you have two ways to generate additional revenue:

1. Expand your product offering to your clients with a co-branded version of the VerticalResponse app, and let them manage their own email marketing.
2. Professionally manage your clients’ email marketing for them using the VerticalResponse app.

When you partner with VerticalResponse, our interface can be customized with your logo, colors, contact information and pricing.

Features for your convenience — and your clients’

Partnering with VerticalResponse is an easy and convenient solution for you and your clients:

• Manage multiple client accounts — from one to hundreds — using one interface and one login.
• See individual or group reports of clients’ campaign performance.
• Quickly share reports with clients.
• Receive live customer support. You also have the option to set yourself up as the first-level support for your clients, keeping a direct relationship with your customer.

Get all the great benefits of VerticalResponse

You and your clients enjoy all the features of VerticalResponse you already rely on:

• An easy-to-use email editor with professionally designed templates, including coupons, invitations, announcements, newsletters and more.
• No design or coding skills necessary to use the app.
• Real-time reporting on a variety of key email metrics.

Learn more about the benefits of partnering with VerticalResponse at this page. Or call (866) 683-7842, option 2, to start your partnership today.

The post Partner with VerticalResponse to bring email marketing to your clients appeared first on VerticalResponse.

One tactic proving to be successful when done well is the use of push notifications. We define this term here along with all the other mobile marketing words to know. Like texts, push notifications are sent directly to a user’s mobile home screen once they’ve downloaded an app. Unlike texts, they have permission settings and a wide range of customization options that can increase user engagement.

What’s the big deal about push notifications? Push notifications have an average open rate of over 90%. A study done by Localytics shows that users launched an app an average of 14.7 times per month when they accepted push notifications versus those who declined and therefore only opened at an average rate of 5.4 times per month. The study goes on to say that 65% of the users who allowed the notifications also returned to the app after 30 days compared to just 19% of those who opted out. This is a huge incentive to encourage users to accept these messages.  Once you have permission, keep working to maintain it.

At their best, push notifications give users instant access to relevant and valuable information. For businesses, push notifications are a direct line of communication. They offer the ability to share deals and special promotions that encourage action.

Now for a word of caution: Given the direct and personal nature of this communication, push notifications must be used wisely as no one wants to be inundated with alerts. Poorly designed messages, or alerts sent too frequently, result in users turning off notifications or deleting the app altogether.

How do you get around being silenced, or even worse, deleted? When requesting this type of attention, make sure you have something of significant value to share. Here’s a good gut check:

7 Questions to Ask Before Sending

1. Is this customer expecting this type of communication from you? A good onboarding experience and setting expectations are everything.
2. When was the last time the user received a push notification from you? Determine how often is not often enough and too often.
3. Is this the right time and place for the customer to receive a notification from you? Take into account time zones and location.
4. Has this message been successful with customers in the past? Answering this question requires you to track and analyze the performance of your efforts — a sign of any good marketer.
5. Is this message part of a broader marketing strategy? Push notifications should be complementary to your website, email marketing, search marketing, social media, print, and other forms of advertising.
6. What’s in it for them? If you’re just thinking about promoting your business, you’ve already lost.
7. Are you following the Golden Rule? “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

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