The Value of Social Media for Your Business

What to Know About Social Media
What to Know About Social Media

In the eyes of many business owners the value of social media is shrinking. Does that mean that you should move out of posting to your blog, Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn?

It depends on where your audience is and how active your followers are. Although you may never be able to say that you got a lead from Twitter, there may still be value to your business and brand by posting on the Twitter platform.

For most businesses, I like LinkedIn posting, for news and information I like Twitter, and to connect with and announce promotions to consumers, I like Facebook.

Each platform has a unique use for your business, but when the value stops, it is time to look carefully at where you invest your time and money and make sure that your investment still makes sense.

If you need help with social media or analyzing which platforms are the best fit for your business and audience consider our services to provide a honest opinion and quality content.

The Future of Google Ads is Dimmed by Amazon Advertising

Nancy C. McCord, Owner of McCord Web Services LLC
Nancy C. McCord, Owner of McCord Web Services LLC

Google announced that earnings from Google Ads had dropped this last quarter. Feeling pressure from newbies on the block, like Amazon, is sure to shakeup the Google Boardroom.

Google Ads has been king – that is until recently. With renewed pressure from Bing Ads – now called Microsoft Advertising – which appears structured to expand in unknown marketing arenas, Amazon is also now strongly entering the pay per click platform mix.

Amazon has an accredited professionals program and I will be starting my training this week. Not only has Amazon changed the way we buy online, but it may now be the biggest contender against Google for the e-commerce pay per click dollar.

Have you seen this yourself, you are looking to buy a product and now do not even go to Google, but rather start your search on Amazon? I am doing just this myself. Do I click on the Amazon Sponsored items – you bet I do as usually they are a great deal and the price is right. Add to that free prime shipping and Amazon is rapidly becoming my shopping search engine. I rarely buy now items on Google.com – and only if I cannot find it on Amazon.

Amazon has tested services too, so they are just not all about selling products. I have seen cleaning services and pest control service programs on Amazon. Tie that in with the super smart Alexa devices and app that are becoming assistants of choice in millions of homes and Google should be worried.

As I certify for Amazon advertising, I will keep you posted on what I see and learn.

Bing Ads Becomes Microsoft Advertising

McCord Web Services is a Microsoft Advertising Partner
McCord Web Services is a Microsoft Advertising Partner

Just this last week Bing Ads rebranded itself as Microsoft Advertising. This is an interesting update for a platform that looks to move outside the box consumers have put it in.

With advertising from Bing Ads appearing on Windows PCs in many areas and on Microsoft properties, it makes perfect sense to move beyond the Bing platform and make the name more descriptive.

I expect that there will be additional integrations with Microsoft products in the months to come as the powers that be re-brand the platform and enlarge offerings.

The Bing Partners program portal has been updated to reflect this new name and branding.