Pinterest is the latest entry into the on line social media world. Individuals are able to “pin” or “like” images of items that they have interest in to a social platform. No doubt, the Pinterest virtual pin board or digital scrapbooking service has rapidly increased in popularity and has become a big success for its founders — but does Pinterest have value for you?

Pinterest is a great way to promote and market your business online for free.  When a follower pins or repins your photos, a hyperlink will also be displayed noting the site it originated from. Many types of businesses have been successful in using Pinterest to showcase their work, creativity and new products.  A lot of companies pin pictures of newly arrived merchandise weekly so followers can see the latest inventory available. It has on some sites started to replace the normal online catalog of products.

Pinterest can also function as an informal market research tool. The social media site is a great way to stay up to date with trends, generate new business ideas, and even find new potential business opportunities. By surveying what is being posted and repined, businesses can get an idea of what is trending and use this information as a tool for product development and design enhancement.

Some businesses are using Pinterest for inspiration.  Sharing what inspires your company with pictures will inspire others and establish your company as a leader in your field of expertise.

The secret behind Pinterest working for your business is getting content to be shared quickly and frequently. This will help in moving a consumer from browser to purchaser.  Bottom line – Pinterest can be a great source referral traffic. Is it right for your business? The best way to know that is to consider the above, evaluate whether Pinterest members represent your client type and make a list of ways that your business can utilize Pinterest.   In our next blog – we provide some tips on using Pinterest for your business effectively.

Content is critical for any website.  Whether it is information or new products – what you have on your site is key to generating traffic.  Users want and expect to see or learn something valuable each time they visit.  Updating your site frequently will attract both visitors and search engines.

Search engines reward websites that update often by moving them up the rankings.  If a website is updated often, then search engines consider it a consistent source of new information and awards it some points that can help move its listing up in the search results.  Conversely, if your website never changes, search engines may penalize you by moving you down in the rankings.

It’s the same with visitors.  If your website never changes, why would someone who has already read it want to come back?  If I came to your website today, then came back next month and nothing has changed, I would probably think that nothing is really happening with your business or you have the same old products.  Giving your visitors a reason to come back with new information and new offers will increase the chance of closing a transaction.

Updating content allows you to track what affect the changes have in your website’s performance. Knowing what works and what doesn’t in terms of attracting traffic and customers can help make a website successful.  If your website never changes, then how do you know if it is operating at its peak performance?  To learn what that is you can analyze your data, make changes, and track the affect the change had on performance.  Who knows, that one piece of information that currently is not on your website may draw in a whole new type of customer.  But you’ll never know if you never post it.

Web content and maintenance is a process.  Many people create their website and forget about it.  Updating your site and reviewing your strategies can enhance your success.