This year we’ve decided to add a few new names to the review list:

• Yodle
• ReachLocal
• WebVisible
• Blitz Local
• YP.com (formally YellowPages.com / AT&T Interactive)
• Dex One
• Idearc (SuperPages.com)

This is your official sneak peak on what you can expect with the all new 2010 SEM Showdown – Best in Value by the one and only Search Engine Marketing Showdown.

YellowPages.com who is also known as YP or AT&T Interactive is better known as an online yellow pages business directory – for business owners it’s a service that’s filled with open ended advertising promises that will quickly drain your advertising budget or even your completely sabotage your business from very little ineffective results.

As a Digital Advertising & Media buyer I will no longer recommend YellowPages.com to any of our advertisers or any small businesses – period. Their crafty sales tactics combined with a long term contract are the exact tools that YellowPages.com rely on to lock into your cash while delivering less than desirable results – you can take that to the bank.

Lucky for our advertisers, our media buying services come with a full in-house legal counsel representation that is designed to act as a buffer from less than ethical businesses practices like that of YellowPages.com.

Here’s where it gets personal:

One of our clients were snickered into a stealthy contract that was based on exceptional results expectations that were almost too good to be true; and they were.

I got involved by sending Deann Mayeda, the Press and Media Contact for AT&T Interactive briefly telling her about my client’s dissatisfaction.

Deann quickly dismissed my claim and passed it down to a Colorado or Denver based YellowPages.com sales lead/manager. It seemed like she was eager not to address the problem while dropping the complaint to a lower level manager.

I’ll be kind to the lower level manager and not point him out but the base of the story is we came into an agreement to let this particular advertiser out of their contract based on misleading information, in other words a unethical sales tactics based on lies.

Since our default we’ve had two additional clients pop up who have had a terrible experience with YellowPages.com. All have said that Yellow Pages promised the world and delivered little to nothing – many of which bought into a bucket of clicks that typically turn into nothing more than useless traffic.

We’ve since opened this specific topic into a legal matter. If you feel YellowPages.com has misled you, I’d love to hear from you. Please leave your story in the comments section and email me at sean @ sean-h.com.

1) SERVE YOUR FRIENDS Many small business owners sometimes overlook their strongest marketing tools – their current customers. Small business owners hold a distinct advantage over larger companies because they are able to interact with each client at a much deeper level. If you are able to develop strong relationships with your current customers, they will want to return to you for years to come (and bring droves more customers with them).

2) GET ONLINE Don’t overlook the importance of the internet in today’s market. Recent research shows that over 92% of adults regularly research products online before buying them in stores*. Professional web development can help even the score with the big guys by giving a clean, professional appearance to your company. Be careful not to shortchange yourself on your website. It may be better to have no website at all rather than a poorly developed website. A professionally developed site can require a small investment up front; however the return on investment will be well worth it in the long run.

3) OPTIMIZE AND CONQUOR Having a great looking website is an important step, but it’s not much use to you if no one ever sees it. A strong Search Engine Optimization (Colorado SEO) talent can quickly put your website in front of hundreds or thousands of qualified buyers every month. Investing in a talented SEO company can lead to astronomical returns for a relatively low monthly expense.

4) BRAND THYSELF Just because you are a small business doesn’t mean you can’t look like the big guys. Personalizing company uniforms, pens, coffee mugs, Frisbees, or other items with your company logo can be surprisingly affordable and can help develop a strong brand image for potential customers. Not only will your company appear more stable, but occasionally giving away quality branded items (such as a coffee mug with your companies’ logo) may be a way to subtly advertise to that family on a daily basis.

5) BECOME A SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Small business owners can’t afford to be shy. Each and every time you come in contact with someone (familiar or new), try to let them know about your business. Certainly don’t be abrasive, but a surprising amount of leads can be developed by simply bringing up your passion in casual conversations. Everyone wants to have an “inside man” – all you need to do is let them know what you can offer them.

*http://www.smallbusinessnewz.com/topnews/2008/04/24/google-92-percent-of-customers-research-buys-first

Powerful Marketing Resources:

• SEO Company – SeanHakes.com
• Phoenix SEO – ScottsdaleSEO.net
• Denver Internet Marketing – DenverInternetMarketing.net
• Yodle – Yodle.com
• Denver SEO
• Contractor Marketing

Denver, Colorado – July 13, 2010 – A Denver based marketing and ad agency, iClick Creative, announced the appointment of a new VP of Operations today.  Brandon Smith will assume the position as the company moves forward into an exciting era for iClick.  Smith will be taking on one of many new positions expected to be created by iClick over the next several months.

iClick Creative specializes in web development and  Search Engine Optimization (SEO) services , focusing primarily on clients in the Denver area.  SEO is quickly becoming your businesses most important growth initiative as consumers make a web search their first step in shopping for  products and services.  iClick recently announced the launch of an innovative online interactive service called “iClick Chatback.”  The service allows online visitors to communicate directly with live operators, dramatically increasing client conversion rates from web traffic.  The firm anticipates creating as many as 20 new positions over the next few months. To learn more about iClick Chatback or other web marketing services, visit them online at www.iclickcreative.com.

iClick Creative offers powerful strategic internet marketing services  for clients.  Services include web development, Denver SEO services, visitor interaction, online social media optimization, and more.  iClick also has in house access to an in-house print advertising and Denver Web Design firm.

Official Release: iClick Creative, LLC – Lakewood, CO – June 27, 2010

Live, interactive sales representatives – right on your webpage! Dramatically increase your companies’ conversion rates, and only pay for the quality leads delivered to your doorstep. iClick Chatback is finally here….

A strong online presence in today’s marketplace is quickly becoming an absolute requirement for a business’ success. Recent surveys show that approximately 92% of all consumers research products and services online before purchasing them in stores. It seems there are only two types of businesses left: Those going online, and those going under.

At iClick Creative, we ensure that each of our clients have professional and functional websites to appeal to customers and generate interest. Next, we put the website in front of millions of viewers through the use of groundbreaking SEO and online marketing techniques. Through this process, our clients receive attention from huge volumes of qualified buyers with industry-leading conversion rates. While this process has proven to be extremely effective, we wanted to find ways to take client conversion rates to the next level. After months of hard work and research, we are proud to say we have found a solution with dramatic results.

iClick Creative is proud to announce a new service being offered to our clients starting July 1, 2010 – iClick Chatback.

How iClick Chatback works: Imagine a qualified potential customer who is looking for a professional roofer in the Denver area. The customer conducts a search through Google and finds your website, right on the front page. The customer opens your website and starts reviewing your “About Us” page, but he or she still has more questions about your companies’ qualifications and experience.

With a slew of other roofing companies available on the web, the customer simply returns to Google and browses for another roofing company instead of calling to request more information about your company. Situations like this happen far too often simply because, much like a physical retail store, many potential customers are hesitant to reach out to ask for assistance unless it is offered to them (generally in the form of a sales representative). Situations similar to these can account for the loss of hundreds, or even thousands, of potential customers.

Now imagine the same situation, except this time the customer is automatically greeted by a friendly online representative, right there on the webpage. The representative may ask, “Hi, thank you for visiting ABC Roofing, Inc. Can I help answer any questions you may have about our company?” The customer may then reply, “Hi, do you have any experience with tile roofing?” Now that a dialogue has been started with the customer, one of our online agents may reply, “ABC Roofing has completed several tile roofing projects recently, but each project is a little bit different. Would you like one of our consultants to call you to discuss some of the differences?” The customer agrees and iClick immediately forwards the customer’s name and phone number to your business – turning a potential customer, into a purchasing customer!

How iClick Chatback worked for us: iClick Chatback trials using actual client websites produced overwhelmingly successful results almost immediately, producing lead after quality lead. Below are some screenshots from our trials. Notice the high volume of interactive customers, which was developed within less than ten minutes of activating the service:

What are the costs: Here’s the best part – you only pay for the qualified leads provided to you by our agents. Our modest fee schedules are designed to ensure a consistently high return on investment. After all, our goal is to help your business thrive to ensure a long, continuing relationship with iClick for many years to come.
iClick Chatback services will begin rolling out on July 1st of this year. For personalized pricing, or for further details, call or write to us today!

Brandon Smith
Brandon@iClickCreative.com
720-560-3548

Denver, Colorado (April 23, 2010)

The average website converts at 6%, iClick Performance Websites on average convert 15-20+%. The average small business website has an average fail rate (afr) of 94% which means 94% of website visitors leave for one reason or another. iClick Chat Back now allows strategic customer interaction with website visitors who typically wouldn’t contact or make a website purchase. In addition, iClick Chat Back serves as a tool to turbocharge any small businesses website marketing goals by promoting high performance website conversions and lead generation though this interactive chat-back feature.

iClick Chat Back comes as a complimentary service for all iClick Performance Websites and is also an affordable add-on for any small businesses looking to have their website ‘come alive’ with strategically targeted live ads that promote a greater ROI and lower cost-per lead (CPL) rate.

“We’ve made it clear that our clients are our first priority and we will continue to show our dedication to our clients by creating new innovative ways to capture more online visitors and deliver an even greater return on investment – period. iClick Chat Back is another way to help our clients thrive online and create a powerful, never seen before return on investment by promoting greater website visitor engagement.”

- Sean Hakes – President iClick Websites

Small business owners who have not yet experienced the difference and high-powered performance of an iClick Performance Website you can discover why more small business owners are switching to iClick Websites for all of their local online advertising needs – call any of the friendly iClick Websites staff members today: 1-800-496-1722

Contact: Josh Thill
iClick Websites, LLC

Phone: 303.954.4174
Fax: 866-931-7950
Email: josh@iclickmediagroup.com

New York, NY – April 13, 2010

“Local business owners are the hardest working people I know, so I am excited about the opportunity to make their job easier in taking that critical step online,” said Yodle CEO and co-author of the book, Court Cunningham. “Yodle believes strongly in educating local business owners about the value of online advertising, and this book will empower them to make the best possible marketing decisions.” He adds, “A large number of people on the Yodle team contributed to this book, and I could not be more proud of the result.”

In the span of a decade, the number of consumers searching online for local businesses has gone from virtually nothing to more than 80%. Despite this shift in consumer behavior, there remains a significant amount of misinformation in the local business community about how to capitalize on this trend. This book is the first of its kind to take a holistic approach to educating local business owners on how to make the right advertising choices for their business. Other books have covered Facebook, website design or paid search advertising independently, but this book brings all of these topics and more into one complete marketing strategy.

“Local Online Advertising For Dummies helps companies plan and launch effective local advertising programs, draw traffic to their websites, create compelling social media campaigns, and more,” said Andy Cummings, Vice President and Publisher, Wiley Technology Publishing. “Co-Author Court Cunningham is a leader in the advertising industry and has included loads of practical how-to information and real-world advice.”

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About Yodle: Yodle, a leader in local online advertising and named fastest growing local online advertising company by industry analyst Borrell Associates, connects thousands of local businesses with consumers in a process so simple and cost-effective that business owners can’t imagine any other way to advertise. Yodle has developed an integrated approach to signing up and serving local businesses that are transitioning their marketing budgets online. Yodle is headquartered in New York, NY with a presence in 25 major cities across the United States. For more information on the book or to purchase a copy, please visit the Yodle Dummies® site.

For Dummies®: With near universal name recognition, more than 150 million books in print, and over 900 + topics, For Dummies is the world’s bestselling reference series. With loyal customers around the globe, For Dummies enriches people’s lives by making knowledge accessible in a fun and easy way. Described by the N.Y. Times as “more than a publishing phenomenon, but a sign of the times,” For Dummies span every section of the bookstore, covering everything from health to history, music to math, sports to self-help, technology to travel, and more. The Dummies brand has expanded into new products and categories with an extensive licensed product line, including fitness and hobby DVDs, grilling kits, business software, cleaning products, automotive kits, craft kits, and apparel. For more information, visit Dummies.com. For Dummies is a branded imprint of Wiley.

Zorik’s interview begins 15:25 into the show. Click here for the download at TheStreet.com or you may download for free on iTunes by searching for The Real Story.

Denver, CO – March 12, 2010

iClick Media Group which has quickly grown to become a leader in online marketing services has proven itself as a fierce local advertising contender who provides not only traditional web design, seo, sem and social media marketing but overall online ad buying services for local businesses around the United States.

For more information on iClick Media Group please visit www.iclickmediagroup.com.

iClick Websites, LLC Secures Early Stage Financing

DENVER, Colo. – March 10, 2010 – iClick Websites LLC., a performance based local internet advertising company who provides small business owners with powerful, localized online marketing & tools has announced it has successfully closed an undisclosed amount of capital from a early stage private investor.

“iClick Websites is doing very well financially, that being said we are excited to have raised some additional early stage capital to invest in upgrading our technology as well as investing in great talent who can continue to provide award winning online marketing support and service to our growing customer base,” said Adriana Aguilar, President and General Manager for iClick Websites, LLC.

About iClick Websites, LLC

iClick Websites provides powerful local internet advertising services to small businesses around the United States. iClick’s recipe contains the secret sauce that allows small business owners the ability to thrive off a growing online community. iClick Websites services include professional web design, landing page design & tuning, user experience, search engine optimization, ppc management, graphic design, web hosting, domain name registration, performance analytics and call tracking.