We purchased 20,000 named e-mail addresses of companies within a 60 mile radius of Shrewsbury. We designed and produced a quality e-mailer CLICK TO VIEW. Of the 20,000 emails sent 2000 opened the mailer – of those 200 had a good look at the e-mailer and clicked on more than one link.

We then had a telesales company call 150 of those potential leads – the result 8 qualified leads that resulted in £8500 worth of business in the first week – and we still have 4 leads to follow up.

If you would like to find out more and trial a similar e-mail project please CLICK HERE

A quick call to the office confirmed this possible if we worked together and buttoned down the data and content – the usual cause of delays. Having been involved in designing and programming websites for more than 10 years we have the systems and team in place.

A site map was produced, spreadsheets populated with data and visuals designed. Week one – design approved, week two – programming and data population, week three – testing – and the site was ready to go live 31st August. And what’s more, since the site has gone live our client has passed us 2 referrals.

The differences aren’t obvious to the untrained eye – but there are many key areas in SEO that non web developers simply cannot do!

Successful SEO is about a combination of many disciplines – design, programming, articles off site, relevance, inbound links, page rank, social networking links and user generated content to name but a few.

Here are just a few of a very long and complex list that we recommend as part of our website programming and advanced SEO projects:

• Inbound links
• Inbound links from sites with matching content
• Inbound links from sites with high page rank
• well written content ( keyword and key phrase density)
• key phrases in content
• key phrases in title
• key phrases in description
• key phrases in h1 tags*
• key phrases in h2 tags*
• key phrases in links
• key phrases in inbound links (consistently)
• strong tags around key phrases
• alt tags with key phrases*
• title tags with key phrases*
• key phrases in image file names*
• key phrases towards top of content i.e. to the left of the page as it gets read first by search engines*
• well structured minimal code. i.e divs not tables*
• javascript in external files*
• css in external files*
• internal links throughout the site on key phrases
• high number of pages*
• all pages with different content/title/description*
• keyphrases in page/file names (mod_rewrite)*
• dynamic content for as many pages as possible*
• content added frequently*
• avoid flash navigation*
• avoid gateway pages*
• avoid image or flash navigation*
• automatic SEO on new page creation* (they don’t want to return to the SEO specialist every time they add a product)

The above list is just a small part of successful SEO but there are some key points amongst them.  Bold* identify built-in SEO programming areas the SEO marketers cannot do unless they have access to the programming source code and therefore access to your data.

External SEO companies cannot help on the programming optimisation because they are normally approached after a site is ‘complete’ and further advanced SEO is then identified as an urgent requirement.

Built-in SEO programming can only usually be completed successfully by the web developer when the site is under construction, or, better still, considered in the design prior to development.

Ironically the items marked with bold* above are rather important parts of basic SEO. That’s not saying that SEO cannot be achieved without looking at these items, however it will take a lot more time and money to achieve the same goals, without considering design and development first.

These 2 types of SEO marketing rarely cross paths because you can achieve effective results doing both independently. What I mean is, web developers can do their SEO, and if it is successful the website owner doesn’t need to look for an SEO specialist. However if a web developer hasn’t done a good job SEO-wise, then the SEO marketeer can do SEO marketing their way. Both achieve results… yet in both scenarios only one type of SEO is used.

Imagine what can be achieved when both methods are integrated from concept through to 1 year after launch!!

There are no magic answers for SEO. Anyone who promises the earth is unrealistic and by tomorrow their technique will be out of date or blacklisted. Many clients want the magic answer – but I’m afraid it doesn’t exist.

What I can say though is that the BeVivid team has designed, programmed and SEO’d over 150 websites using as many SEO techniques as the client’s budget allows. This means we get a good indication of what SEO techniques work and what do not.

Does it work? Today, 13/10/09, it does: type in Thomas the tank into Google. Our client’s relatively small e-commerce website, www.thomasthetankshop.co.uk, is on the first page; number 5, out of over 6 million. And if you do a Google UK search, number one – page one.

Thomas the tank on Google

External SEO companies can be good at long term SEO once the site is up to scratch – it’s horses for courses as they say…

Written by Peter L Riches, Managing Director of BeVivid Limited. Integrated Website Design, Programming and SEO. www.bevivid.co.uk

Shrewsbury based Lift & Lock was established in 2006 to
exploit worldwide patents for a door handle locking device
registered by two engineers and business partners, Phil
Jones and Pete Heeley. Although the idea was conceived five years ago the company’s success is now coming to fruition; thanks to marketing and e-business solutions provider BeVivid Ltd; through a sales and distribution deal with Millenco, one
of the UK’s leading lock manufacturers.

Looking like a conventional door handle, the lift and lock concept works by a concealed trigger, situated in the integral lock of the internal handle, immobilising and effectively locking the door when the internal handle is lifted. The door may be opened from the inside again by moving the handle downwards whilst squeezing the trigger. No keys are necessary and the internal handle remains in the raised position showing the building’s occupant that the door is locked and secure.

Commissioned to develop a new ID and marketing strategy for the business as well as promotional literature, website and exhibition stands BeVivid Ltd determined the products’ respective target markets. Lift & Lock handle sets, usually fitted to a uPVC or similar door on new build developments but also including models that fit old doors, are the products upon which marketing activity has and continues to be concentrated. This multi-point lock range has also achieved accreditation from Secured by Design, the UK police force initiative offering advice on the best way to secure domestic and commercial property through effective design.

Peter Riches, MD at BeVivid Ltd explains: “Working in partnership with Lift & Lock, as opposed to an outsourced supplier, is the key to their success. It has enabled us to develop a consistent approach to fulfilling their requirements, identify the relevant market sectors and act as a springboard to generating new ideas. We have helped them set up two areas of the business using two distinct products: ‘LockGuard from Lift & Lock’ targeting the retro-fit market via end users and installers, and ‘Security Guard Plus’ aimed at OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and all new-fit markets. It is estimated that there are25 M locks sold in the UK per year so the retrospective and ongoing fitting potential is massive. The next step is to have Lift & Lock products specified by architects.”

Phil Jones, director at Lift & Lock, said: “Although we are good at engineering, design, manufacture and day-to-day running of the business, we really needed expertise in getting our products to the right markets. BeVivid have been instrumental in identifying the respective market segments, with Peter effectively taking on the role of marketing director. Our first major success came at the recent Glassex exhibition where we generated interest well beyond our expectations. Millenco were not only impressed by the product but also the professionalism of our approach which helped to secure the distribution deal.”

Pictured are (left to right): Phil Jones, director, Lift & Lock and Peter Riches, MD BeVivid Ltd.

The ever popular Shrewsbury Regatta is a major fixture in
many rowing club’s calendars. Attracting entries spread from
Glasgow to the Thames the regatta is particularly popular with university crews looking for a fun weekend. “From a business point of view…” says Peter Riches, managing director of BeVivid, one of the region’s leading e-business solutions companies, “this is an ideal venue to network with other businesses in the area and enjoy the beautiful River Severn. A quality lunch was served to all sponsors and the Pimms and lemonade flowed all afternoon. We took the opportunity to launch our new e-commerce software, All the Little Shops™, which allows independent retailers to create their own e-commerce shop online and trade via a single payment gateway. Registration is free to the site and many contacts were made.” Danny Callaghan, of Callaghan Fine Paintings and specialises in exciting contemporary bronze, also a sponsor said, “ a great turn out yet again and it is good to see a proactive approach taken to help the independent retailers in Shrewsbury. These little shops make all the difference to the shopping experience in Shrewsbury – I agree they are the soul of this town centre and form the backbone of retailing in town centres around the country. ”BeVivid clients are invited to register here for a complementary lunch, fine wine and Pimms at next year’s event by clicking here. Places are subject to availability – so please register early.

Packed with new options and innovative features, many suggested by our current clients, the new BeVivid WMS is already proving to be bigger and better.

After 3 years of development, we launched the latest version of the BeVivid Website Management System in early 2007.

Using cutting edge web programming techniques, the new system allows our clients even more control over their website or on-line e-commerce website. Our clients can easily manage their website content, upload pictures (using BeVivid Auto-Resizing Technology) and control their navigation menus.

Those clients launching a BeVivid eShop, e-commerce, system will have the added benefit of complete control over their products, product ranges, delivery options, special offers, order history and registered customers and much more…

With all the improved and added features, we are confident the BeVivid WMS will prove a huge hit with both our new and current clients.

A Shropshire businessman’s acceptance onto the National
Business Link Consultants Register has resulted in an
additional service to his clients, and in particular those
looking to diversify from their current business activity.

Peter Riches, MD of Shrewsbury based BeVivid who provide marketing and e-business solutions for clients throughout the UK, is one of only a handful of people on the Register in the county specialising in this field.

The most recent client to take advantage of his registration is Dave Riley MD at Rebound Sports Ltd. A local entrepreneur who also runs a furniture company, Riley spotted the idea for Rebound, which he describes as an “Innovative racket and ball game”, on a business trip to China in the summer of2006 . With the help of BeVivid and a matched funding grant through Business Link West Mercia he launched the company at the end of September2006.

He said: “The help and guidance from Peter and his team at BeVivid has been invaluable. Not only did Peter advise me on the grant application, but we tapped into his wealth of marketing experience in brand design and management, to promote our e-enabled website at www.reboundsports.co.uk. Consequently sales have exceeded all projections set out in Rebound’s business plan. We are already exporting to Jersey, Eire and Denmark with deals to the other Scandinavian countries in the pipeline. In addition, Rebound has secured a contract to supply Lakelands Ltd, one the UK’s leading leisure retailers. We’ve also had the product endorsed by Shropshire’s only LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) registered coach, which is a terrific accolade.”

Accreditation was a stringent process for me, but I believe my marketing background with the Mars Organisation and running a full service marketing agency for14 years certainly helped.

As a result BeVivid is more informed on the procedures needed to qualify for potential grant frunding.

]]> http://www.bevivid.co.uk/blog/fairtrade-coffees-a-fair-trade-as-shropshire-company-sets-up-new-retail-website/feed/ 0 http://www.bevivid.co.uk/blog/search-engine-optimisation-at-its-best/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=search-engine-optimisation-at-its-best http://www.bevivid.co.uk/blog/search-engine-optimisation-at-its-best/#comments Mon, 25 May 2009 16:22:15 +0000 matt http://www.bevivid.co.uk/blog/?p=32

Get your heart beating…

Launched at the start of November, the website has already exceeded initial sales targets. The Manchester based defibrillator stockist www.defibshop.co.uk is delighted. On speaking to the online manager Jayne Stoneman for this feature she said,”We are amazed at how quickly the site has taken off. Only this morning another order came in for over £1000 and was paid for via the payment gateway, and we have also had 3 enquiries today from the site.”

The BeVivid team has been closely managing the online marketing of the website in its infancy to ensure the site grows and builds on the volume of traffic it receives. Mark Hulme, Head of Internet Services commented – “We are really upbeat about this site… our client is proactive and has supported the initial launch with a pay per click, Google Adwords campaign. It is great to see all the hard work that has been put into the strategy and programming of the site paying off.”

This site reinforces BeVivid’s commitment to websites that really work for our clients. Fully optimised, it builds on our experience of SEO and online marketing, providing the DefibShop with the perfect tool to develop sales for a product relatively new to the UK market.

The site also links to a first aid training site developed and hosted by the BeVivid team, www.imperativetraining.com so training in the use of defibrillators can be given as part of an integrated Health and Safety package.

A Shropshire coffee wholesaler has launched a new retail
website in time for Fairtrade Fortnight 2007 which starts at
the end of February.

Established in November 2006 The Fair Trade Coffee Company enlisted the services of marketing and e-business solutions provider BeVivid; both Shrewsbury based companies; to design and create www.thefairtradecoffeecompany.com

Having supplied shops, pubs, restaurants and businesses throughout the UK since 2001 husband and wife team Mark and Tracey Derham decided to set up a retail arm to their business. Including complementary accessories they sell a variety of tea, coffee and sugar from countries in Latin America and Africa including Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Tanzania, Honduras, Kenya and Ethiopia.

Registered with the Fairtrade Foundation and keen to dispel the myths that Fairtrade produce is poor quality and farmers are allegedly no better off than their colleagues employed by multinational corporations, managing director Mark Derham said: “We’ve sold Fairtrade produce for over two years and demand is such that it now accounts for40 % of our turnover. A lot people attending our stand at the BBC’s Good Food Show last November tried our coffee and thought it tasted great, which was one of the deciding factors in setting up the retail website. In addition, our supply chain is very short so I know the names of each cooperative and that our importers pay the growers’ premiums before the goods leave the farm. We feel it’s important to spread the Fairtrade message to consumers and the BeVivid team’s knowledge and experience has been crucial in helping us achieve this aim.”

Peter Riches, MD at BeVivid and a business advisor on Business Link West Mercia’s consultancy register said: “Mark initially approached us about building a website but after advice on the best way forward and a successful Best Practice grant application through Business Link we also created a brand, logo, literature and complementary marketing materials for the new venture.”

The Fair Trade Coffee Company will have an exhibition stand in Shrewsbury’s Square on Saturday 03 March between 10am and 2pm as part of Fairtrade Fortnight 2007.

Pictured (left to right): Mark Derham, MD The Fair Trade Coffee Company and Peter Riches, MD BeVivid.

Shifnal based Robert Harrop Designs has been
producing a range of licensed characters from
well known TV series and magazines, including
The Magic Roundabout, Mr Benn, Camberwick Green,
Thunderbirds, The Beano, The Dandy and their own
Doggie People^TM brand since the company was established in
1986. They enlisted the services of marketing and e-business solutions provider BeVivid Ltd, Shrewsbury to design and create www.robertharrop.com.

Daniel Buckley, production development manager at Robert Harrop Designs, has noticed a marked increase in traffic to the site since it was launched in March. He said: “The previous website was OK but nothing more than an extension of our catalogue and only updated once every six months or so. Apart from having a very attractive new site the integrated system enables us to update information and images instantly. Members can now subscribe online to join the 3500 strong Collectors’ Club, communicate with each other through the increasingly popular forum and visit our online factory shop where they have the benefit of being able to purchase exclusive limited editions, which since we started running last month sell out in a matter of days. Our UK stockists are also very pleased as the search engine optimisation tools promote the area of the site where they are listed whilst at the same time providing them with an enhanced internet presence.”

Peter Riches, MD at BeVivid Ltd said: “Search engine optimisation or SEO is the ongoing modification and manipulation of a website to maximise its marketing potential on Internet search engines with the overall aim of increasing the number of visitors to it. Although automatically built into all of our designs the Robert Harrop site in particular highlights the benefits this powerful tool has to offer. Not only does our client have full control over data and image input but their forum and list of stockists are also ranked high with the likes of Google, MSN and Yahoo – the big3 search engines.”

Pictured (left to right): Daniel Buckley, production development manager, Robert Harrop Designs, figurine of Dennis the Menace from The Beano magazine and Peter Riches, MD BeVivid Ltd.