The Ultimate 2024 Guide to Enhance Your Startup Sales Process

by Buzzfactory Agency | Apr 24, 2024 | Enterprises, News

Kickstarting your startup is exhilarating, but starting off with a bad sales process can quickly turn that excitement into frustration. The initial energy of launching your innovative product or service can be stifled by inefficient lead management, unclear sales pipelines, and a lack of data-driven insights. What a waste!

This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to enhance your startup’s sales process, helping you transform leads into loyal customers and propel your business towards sustainable growth.

Common Challenges Faced by Startup Sales Teams

Buzz factory challenges problems startup sales team management pipeline fun kid

Is your startup struggling to turn leads into customers? Feeling lost about where those potential customers are in the sales process? Maybe you’re making guesses about marketing and pricing instead of using data. Is your sales team stuck doing boring tasks instead of closing deals? Do you wonder, will your sales system work as your startup grows?

If any of these sound familiar, it’s time for a change! By making some simple improvements, you can turn your sales process into a smooth-running machine that helps your startup grow and thrive. By implementing a more streamlined and data-driven approach, you can unlock the immense potential for growth that lies within your sales engine.

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Do you ask yourself…

How to enhance my startup sales process?

What are proven strategies to perfect my sales process?

Follow this step by step guide and see the magic happen.

Buzz factory illustration infography guide step by step for better sales process crm automation data target audience

Step 1. Define Your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)

Who are you trying to sell to? What’s your target audience? Understanding who you are selling to is crucial for tailoring your sales messaging and attracting high-quality leads.

Step 2. Implement a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System

Imagine juggling a dozen balls in the air – each representing a potential customer. That’s what managing leads and sales interactions can feel like for a startup without a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. A CRM acts as a central hub, organizing your customer data and streamlining your sales process and lead management, and provides valuable sales insights.

Pipedrive is, in 2024, a great CRM tool for startups, enabling startups to focus on closing deals. Pipedrive lets you check analytics with an incredibly robust reporting tool, while allowing you to easily expand sales teams and evolving processes. Pipedrive offers the best visual interface, seamless communication between your team members, and a lot more features.

For more information on Pipedrive,
check out our dedicated article here
or their platform here.

Step 3. Craft a Compelling Sales Pitch

Develop a clear and concise sales pitch that resonates with your ideal customer’s pain points and highlights the unique value proposition of your product or service. Use AI tools to save time and help you structure a well-written sales pitch.

Step 4. Embrace Sales Automation

Leverage automation tools to streamline repetitive tasks like scheduling meetings, sending follow-up emails, and qualifying leads. This frees up your sales team to focus on building relationships and closing deals.

A platform like Pipedrive allows you to save time and automate sales processes.

Step 5. Prioritize Data-Driven Decision Making

Utilize the data captured in your CRM to track key metrics, analyze sales performance, and make informed decisions about your sales strategy.

A CRM tool like Pipedrive allows you to safely keep track of your clients’ data and check analytics with an efficient analytics tool. Allowing you to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of your sales process and make adjustments based on data and real-world results. Be willing to adapt and iterate as your startup grows and market conditions evolve.

Ready to improve your sales process and boost your sales!

By implementing these strategies, you can transform your startup’s sales process from a source of frustration to a powerful engine for growth. Remember, a well-defined and optimized sales process is essential for converting leads into loyal customers and achieving long-term success.

Want to discuss how Pipedrive can specifically benefit your business? We’ll help you learn how to fit your unique needs and goals. Schedule your meeting, or contact us for more detailed information.

Let’s turn your sales dreams into reality!

Book a meeting with our expert now !

How Does the Pipedrive CRM Revolutionize Startups’ Sales Processes?

by Buzzfactory Agency | Apr 24, 2024 | Enterprises, News

What is a CRM tool?

What is the number 1 CRM platform? Can the CRM platform grow with your business? Will the CRM integrate easily with your systems? How to choose a CRM tool for your start-up? What is lead management software? What are leads in CRM (customer relationship management)? How does lead management work? How does Pipedrive offer a more efficient and cost-effective solution for startups compared to manual sales tracking? How can Pipedrive help startups in Switzerland with their sales challenges in the local market?

CRMs are essential for startups, but picking the right one can be tricky. Startups face a sea of options with varying features, costs, and growth potential. Choosing a CRM that’s too complex can be overwhelming for a small team, while a basic one might hinder future growth and success. Finding the perfect balance is key for startups to maximize the benefits of a CRM.

Look no further. This article introduces a groundbreaking platform for startups looking to streamline their sales processes. Pipedrive is a powerful CRM tool and a game-changer, its user-friendly interface and customizable features make it an invaluable asset for businesses. Learn more here!

Buzz factory crm tool pipedrive pipeline data sales process woman tasks

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Why choose Pipedrive for your business?

What are the advantages of having a CRM tool for your startup?

Boost Efficiency and Productivity

Pipedrive’s intuitive design simplifies lead management, deal tracking, and communication, enabling startups to focus on closing deals rather than getting lost in administrative tasks. By automating repetitive tasks and providing clear visual pipelines, Pipedrive boosts efficiency and productivity.

Data-Driven Decision Making

Startups can leverage Pipedrive’s robust analytics and reporting tools to gain valuable insights into their sales performance. By tracking key metrics and analyzing trends, businesses can make informed decisions to optimize their sales strategies and drive growth.

Scalability and Flexibility

As startups grow, Pipedrive scales effortlessly to accommodate expanding sales teams and evolving processes. Its customizable features allow businesses to adapt the CRM system to their specific needs, ensuring flexibility as they navigate market changes.

Streamlined Lead Management

Pipedrive simplifies lead tracking and management, ensuring that startups can efficiently nurture leads through the sales pipeline. Its visual interface and automation features help teams stay organized and focused on converting leads into customers.

Enhanced Collaboration and Communication

Startups can benefit from Pipedrive’s collaborative features, enabling seamless communication within sales teams. By centralizing customer data and interactions, Pipedrive fosters teamwork and ensures that everyone is on the same page, leading to more effective sales strategies.

Improved Forecasting and Decision Making

With Pipedrive’s advanced reporting and forecasting tools, startups can make data-driven decisions to drive revenue growth. By analyzing sales performance metrics and trends, businesses can identify opportunities for improvement and optimize their sales processes for success.

How will a CRM tool like Pipedrive increase my numbers?

Buzz factory pipedrive crm startup sales process grow your business numbers

Pipedrive features include Leads Inbox, Web Forms, Chatbot, Live Chat,
Prospector, Web Visitors and many more.

Learn more about its incredible features

Tailor Pipedrive to YOUR sales process, no matter your industry.

Want to discuss how Pipedrive can specifically benefit your business? Book a free consultation with our team today!
We’ll help you learn hot to fit your unique needs and goals. Contact us for more detailed information.

Let’s turn your sales dreams into reality!

Book a meeting with our expert now !

The Importance of Compliance: Understanding Switzerland’s New Data Protection Law

by Buzzfactory Agency | Aug 4, 2023 | Enterprises, News, SMEs

Switzerland has recently enacted the Novel Federal Act on Data Protection (nFADP) to safeguard its citizens’ data. Approved by Parliament in the autumn of 2020, the nFADP will become enforceable on September 1, 2023. This fresh legislation represents an essential update to the 1992 Federal Data Protection Act, tailored to shield Swiss citizens’ data in the technologically advanced era of social media and digital advancements. The nFADP harmonizes Swiss data protection law with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), in an effort to maintain data flow with the European Union (EU) and bolstering the competitive edge of Swiss companies.

The nFADP introduces various changes for businesses, including the mandatory registration of processing activities and the implementation of the “Privacy by Design” and “Privacy by Default” principles, assuring additional security for personal data. Moreover, in case of a data breach, companies are required to promptly notify the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC). Additionally, the nFADP encompasses the concept of profiling and defines genetic and biometric information as sensitive data.

Compliance with this new legislation is important for Swiss companies, as it prevents reputational harm and potential fines. The nFADP empowers Swiss citizens with new rights to safeguard their data, necessitating companies to adhere to a series of steps to align with the new act.

The Path to Compliance with the new DPA

The nFADP presents a significant challenge to Swiss companies, particularly those that process large amounts of personal data. Here are some of the areas that companies need to take a closer look on:

Monitoring: evaluation of the current data protection standards. It is important to take stock of the collected, processed, stored and shared data. It is advised to estimate the data protection risks as well.
Appointing a Data protection advisor: The advisor is responsible for ensuring that the company processes personal data in accordance with the nFADP, advises the company on its data protection obligations and cooperates with the FDPIC.
Keeping records of all processing activities: Companies must keep a record of all processing activities. This includes data on the type of data processed and the purpose of the processing, among others. Companies must also document the technical and organizational measures they have taken to protect personal data.
Educating team members about the new law: Companies must ensure that their employees understand the new law and their obligations under it. This includes educating employees about the principles of “Privacy by Design” and “Privacy by Default,” as well as providing training on data protection issues.
Conducting a risk assessment: Companies should conduct a risk assessment to identify and evaluate the risks associated with the processing of personal data. This assessment should identify the likelihood and severity of harm that could result from a data security breach, and identify the measures that can be taken to mitigate these risks.
Implementing appropriate technical and organizational measures: Companies must implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data. This includes measures such as data encryption, access controls, and regular data backups.
Reviewing contracts with service providers: Companies that use third-party service providers to process personal data must ensure that these service providers comply with the nFADP.

This list is not exhaustive and does not cover all cases, but it should help to navigate through the new legislation. If you require help with reaching nFADP compliance, you can contact Buzzfactory for a free consultation.

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The importance of complying with the nFADP

Complying with the nFADP is essential for Swiss companies, as non-compliance can lead to significant fines. The FDPIC has the power to impose fines of up to CHF 250,000 for serious violations of the new law, and up to CHF 50,000 for minor violations. In addition to financial penalties, companies that violate the nFADP risk damage to their reputation, which can have long-term consequences for their business.

Furthermore, compliance with the nFADP is important for maintaining the trust of customers and stakeholders. By demonstrating that they take data protection seriously, companies can build trust with customers and differentiate themselves from competitors who may not be taking the same level of care with personal data.

The new Federal Act on Data Protection (nFADP) is an important legislative change that brings Switzerland’s data protection laws in line with the technological and social developments of our time.

How GDPR has influenced Data protection law internationally

While the new Data Protection Act in Switzerland does not provide the same level of protection as the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), both regulations are very similar. Except for companies that exclusively serve the Swiss domestic market, we can say that Swiss companies serving international markets should, in most cases, already be compliant with the nFADP (new Federal Act on Data Protection). This new act can be seen as an alignment with the European regulation, which has been a game changer in the world of data protection since its implementation in 2018. It was designed to give European citizens greater control over their personal data and to bring uniformity to data protection laws across the EU.

One of the advantages of the GDPR for companies is that it has created a level playing field for all businesses operating within the EU. Companies now have clear guidelines on how they should handle personal data, and the regulations ensure that everyone is playing by the same rules. This has helped to create trust and confidence in the digital economy and has improved the confidence of consumers in the companies that handle their data.

Another advantage of the GDPR is that it has forced companies to take data protection seriously. Many companies were previously neglecting their data protection responsibilities, but the reinforced control and reputational damage risks has pushed them to make changes to their policies and practices. This has resulted in improved data protection for individuals and has helped to create a culture of data privacy across Europe.

At a global level, the GDPR is unique in its scope and ambition. It is regarded as one of the most comprehensive data protection law in the world, and its principles are being adopted by countries outside of Europe. For example, California passed the California Consumer Privacy Act, and other countries have followed similar models as well since.

The GDPR has also paved the way for greater international cooperation on data protection issues. The regulation includes provisions for data protection authorities to work together across borders, which has helped to ensure that companies are held accountable for their actions regardless of where they are based.

Overall, the GDPR has been a positive development for data protection, both for individuals and for businesses. It has created an environment where data protection is taken seriously, and has helped to improve international cooperation on data protection issues.

In conclusion, the new Federal Act on Data Protection (nFADP) is an important legislative change that brings Switzerland’s data protection laws in line with the digital privacy challenges of our time. Its implementation follows the application of GDPR at a European level as necessity to level with this standard. The nFADP presents a significant challenge to Swiss companies, particularly those that process large amounts of personal data. However, by taking proactive steps to comply with the nFADP, companies can protect themselves from fines and reputational damage, build trust with customers, and differentiate themselves from competitors.

If you need assistance with implementing or assessing your current data privacy practices, feel free to reach out to our specialists.

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Resilience, Adjustment & Digital Strategy: The best vaccine against COVID-19 for your business

by Buzz Factory Agency | Feb 18, 2021 | Covid19, Enterprises, News

A Different World

In total, the average internet user spends almost 7 hours per day using the internet across all devices, equating to more than 48 hours per week online – that’s 2 full days out of every 7. – The Next Web, 2021

The year 2020 was a real disruptor for all businesses, big and small. What started off as a temporary shift to a different way of working evolved into the “New Normal” for everyone. With lockdowns, restrictions on travel and socializing and an unprecedented increase in customers spending time online, many businesses were hit hard. While we as a society were moving away from the brick and mortar model of business to fully digital services, last year expedited this whole process massively.

The entire customer behavior has evolved in less than a year. Before COVID-19, a business’s website was used for just part of the entire buying journey. However, we’re seeing customers transition from the top funnel all the way to the bottom funnel entirely online. The main reason for this is that physical stores have experienced local shutdowns and consumers have been advised to stay home. Consumers are also spending much more time online because they’re staying home for much longer each day and want some stimulus to get them out of boredom.

This is where businesses have successfully adopted a digital presence, leveraging the situation and embracing the New Normal. Here at Buzz Factory, we recommend businesses to evolve into this digital model so they can thrive and survive. Failing to recognize the need to go digital will be devastating for any business moving forward, as it seems like the customers have become comfortable with buying online.

At a global level, nearly 77% of internet users aged 16 to 64 now say that they buy something online each month. – Global Web Index, 2021

We’ve been helping our clients activate their businesses online. If your business has been struggling because of the events of last year, we are here for you. Our team of experts will work closely with you in helping you recover your business and get on the path of growth. Being a Swiss marketing agency, we understand the challenges of local businesses and we’re here to help you, offering professional services in a variety of areas, including:

✓ Branding

Branding for digital is not the same as branding for conventional channels. With our specialist support, you can get branding that will deliver online. The attention span of online consumers is much shorter and that makes it critical for your brand identity and communication to be distinctive and clear, so that they remember you and you remain top of mind.

✓ Search Engine Optimization

Commonly referred to as simply SEO, this service focuses on optimizing your website for search. Most of the people look for services and products in search engines. If you’re not showing up on Google, chances are you’re not going to attract a lot of customers to your website. That is why your website needs to be optimized.

✓ Social Media Advertising

Social Media Advertising gathers information from social media networks and can bring remarkable success to your business, creating devoted brand lovers and driving leads and sales. This allows the marketers take advantage of preferences information to target different audiences according to their interests. Your customers are already interacting with brands through social media, and if you’re not communicating with your audience directly through social platforms, you’re missing out!

✓ Web Development

Your online efforts rely on a website that delivers. Your website is your online store. With Buzz Factory, you can get a great looking website that is optimized and structured to enhance the customer experience and retention.

✓ Digital Marketing Consulting

Since digital is an ever evolving channel, our consultant service allows you to identify potential opportunities. We will help you understand the platforms that will address your specific business goals and challenges.

✓ Pay Per Click Advertising

PPC ads are used to give your brand and campaigns the extra boost and visibility online. This will help you show up at the top of search engines and in relevant websites as display ads, to attract your customers wherever they might be online.

✓ Customer Relationship Management

CRM systems allow you to better manage your customers, nurture them, convert them into leads and potentially retain them for repeat sales and upsells. We are partners with some of the industry leading CRM solutions, offering you nothing but the best. Being a Pipedrive Elite Partner, you can be rest assured that you’re in safe hands.

✓ Email Marketing

Email marketing continues to be a popular platform for businesses to reach potential customers, despite it being one of the oldest methods of digital marketing. It is effective because it allows you to reach your potential customer’s inbox. It also allows you to build a loyal subscribers list who you can attract by offering special deals and offers. Email marketing is very cost effective and a good tool to have in your marketing efforts.

✓ Marketing Automation

With so many channels and platforms in digital marketing, it can get a little difficult tos schedule and manage everything. With our marketing automation solution, you will be able to better organize and schedule your regular communications going out from the various marketing platforms. This allows you to focus on things that require more attention from you while the communication with the customers is all scheduled and running on autopilot.

With Buzz Factory on your side, you will be able to adopt the latest in digital marketing and be on course to recovery.

But Why Digital?

“4.66 billion people around the world use the internet in January 2021, up by 316 million (7.3%) since this time last year. Global internet penetration now stands at 59.5%.” – We Are Social, 2021

To understand the importance of digital, it is important to see the impact COVID-19 has had on consumers. Suddenly, the internet has become oxygen for businesses – the only platform not impacted by the pandemic. In the last year, we’ve seen substantial growth in social media and search. When businesses stopped doing out of home branding, print ads and on-ground activations, digital marketing soared, with more innovative approaches of reaching the customers coming regularly.

This is the only channel that allows you to have a two-way interaction with your customers. Whatever you do on digital can be tracked, allowing you to make informed decisions with the help of analytics provided in real-time. This is completely different from the conventional marketing methods, in which you have to spend all your marketing budget on a campaign and then have to wait for any results and insights after the campaign finishes. Digital gives you control.

“One of the standout digital stories in 2020 was the rise of ecommerce, with the COVID-19 pandemic driving consumers all over the world to embrace online shopping. At a global level, nearly 77% of internet users aged 16 to 64 now say that they buy something online each month.” – Global Web Index, 2021

Time is of the essence here. Your competitors are already online, reaching your potential customers. If you don’t move fast, you will see yourself losing the market share and the competitive edge that you think you had over your competitors.

person using a smartphone posting on instagram

Time to Embrace Digital

“Working from home looks like it will remain an enforced part of many people’s working lives for the foreseeable future, so we should see further innovation in products and services designed to help with remote working over the coming months, especially in the areas of communication and team cohesion.” – The Next Web, 2021

The time is now. It is your moment to understand that going digital is the only way. The numbers don’t lie. The consumer trends don’t lie. Think about it – how has your own behavior as a consumer has changed in the last one year? Are you more open to buying online? Is Ecommerce more attractive to you? Are you banking online more often? Are you hosting events, webinars and team meetings virtually? All these are signs of things to come. In fact, businesses are also seeing how going digital is cost effective and much more efficient.

Going digital allows you to be much more agile. With resources going digital and the added flexibility on the way you work, you will see new possibilities opening up for you. This will help you diversify your supply chain and look at ways of doing business that were previously not possible. In all this, your own digital and web presence will be integral.

All businesses are looking for well informed decisions and are cautious of how they spend their time and money. This is why it is important to get trusted information, advice and strategy. We are here to help guide you in all these decisions, offering consultancy on what areas of digital will work best for you, your marketing and your overall business operations. We will help you on your digital transformation journey. Together, we will achieve that competitive advantage that is crucial for survival in these testing times.

“In Europe, overall digital adoption is almost universal (95 percent), compared with 81 percent at the start of the pandemic. In normal times, getting to that level would have taken two to three years. Strikingly, the biggest increases came in countries that had previously been relatively cautious about shopping online. Germany, Romania, and Switzerland, for example, had the three lowest online-penetration rates prior to the COVID-19 crisis; since then, usage increased 28, 25, and 18 percentage points, respectively—more than in any other markets.” – McKinsey, 2021

There’s hope for those who get the message. This need for digital adoption means new opportunities. It allows you to get out of the brick and mortar model of your business and reach your consumers in their homes. The first few steps always seem more daunting, but with a partner like Buzz Factory, these steps will be taken with wise insights, ensuring that you are on your way to success.

Learn more about our 3 hours of free consulting

What we’re offering

Our team of specialists and consultants work closely with local businesses like yours. Our approach is simple and effective – we consider ourselves an extension of your business. Your success translates into our success. We start with understanding your business, the goals and the main issues that you want resolved. Based on the information you provide, we will provide you with a tailored solution, addressing your specific objectives. We understand that it can never be a “one size fits all” solution and that is why we always treat each client of ours individually.

Here at Buzz Factory, we’ve been actively engaged with Swiss businesses ever since the pandemic started. We’ve helped a number of businesses make the transition from being conventional to fully digital. We are here to help your business make the same move. We are here to help you regain your competitive edge and attract the new customers who are sitting at home, waiting for you to interact with them.

We are so confident that you will love the service we’ll provide and the results we’ll be able to get you that we’re offering a FREE 3 hours consultation with our specialists. You won’t be bound by anything and this consultation is to give you an idea of the potential you can reach if you work with Buzz Factory and help us build your online presence.

We know you want the best for your business. We are here to help you achieve that. If you’re ready to see how we can help you embrace the New Normal and generate strong revenue from your online presence, simply follow this link. We’ll book you for a FREE 3 hours consultation with our specialists. We hope it will be valuable to you and you will gather some good insights for you to make a more informed decision on how you’d like your business to proceed in 2021.

How to Grow Your Instagram Audience

by Buzz Factory Agency | Dec 12, 2019 | Enterprises, Nonprofits

Fun fact – more than 50% of Google search results end up with zero clicks. With the scrolling feeds of Social media on the other hand, there are no click-throughs (read: barriers) for users to engage with your content.

There are multiple techniques literally designed into the functionality of social media apps that increase visibility, maximise engagement and remove communication barriers.

One such platform used by small-to-large scale businesses successfully (for quite some time now) is Instagram. Using ‘the gram’ properly for your business can bring in higher conversions. But, the question on many marketer’s lips is how to grow that Instagram audience in the first place.

Here are our top tips to get you an all-star, follow-worthy Instagram profile:

Use Your Biography Wisely

It’s the first thing Instagram users will read about you, so what better place to start? Yep, that’s right – it’s your description or biography. There’s only 150 characters to play with, to summarise your business AND offer enough value for them to hit that follow button. Choose them wisely!

Be straightforward and clear. Customers like to-the-point information; they want to know your profile’s purpose instantly and, more importantly, the topics you’ll discuss there.
Consider a thought-out hashtag – it can help you reach even more users.
The “Highlights” feature is a trick not to miss (and you can literally add 100 of them!) Divide them into distinct topics like Sales, About us and Fun.
Best of all, Instagram allows one direct clickable link so make sure your bio description utilises one already. But think carefully about the link because it has to be really important and relevant. It’s a real call to action and it has to be strong.

Your profile picture shows alongside the bio too. It’s worth noting that this circular picture (and your username) is the only thing most users will see of you, say, when you comment on a post, unless they choose to view your profile.

Pick an image that captures the essence of your brand and feed. If you’re running a business, it’s recommended you choose your business logo or, for a personal account, pick a photo of you with clear graphics that stand out, even as a small icon.

Focus on the Aesthetics of the Feed

person holding smartphone taking picture of a bridge during daytime

Surprise surprise, Instagram is a visual platform… and yet Hubspot found that 72% of users have purchased something they’ve seen on the platform.

Aesthetic sells. This applies to the feel of your page, as well as the individual posts, and your feed is the meat of your profile. It might sound obvious, but it has to look great; high-quality and consistent. The little squares making up your feed are the second thing customers instantly see when they go on to your page.

Ideally, before even launching your account, consider the style and the theme you want to emulate (bold and colourful, black and white, pastel).

Colour-coordinated themes make a cohesive and appealing Instagram feed. Make sure to incorporate your brand’s colour scheme into your feed and keep the same guidelines every time.

Go for Catchy Content

So, what’s catchy? While there’s no definitive answer, there are rules of thumb you can follow:

Prioritize quality instead of quantity
Make sure you know what you’re posting
Be smart and entertaining!

With IGTV, Instagram is tapping into Youtube’s longer-form video content potential. It’s the perfect platform to showcase a product or concept in greater detail. Keep in mind; the needs of your customers should be met with the content.

Pick more topics and you’ll reach users from different walks of life, instead of posting into a vacuum.

When it comes to creating compelling content, there’s a wide variety of tools you can utilise. A common favourite is Canva. To create animated GIFs there’s Giphy. If you want to get a bit more technical, there’s also Lumen5, Remove.BG, Pixlreditor, Adobe Lightroom… chances are, if you can dream it, there’s a tool to make it come true!

The more a post is shared and engaged with, the higher priority it garners on the feed and the more audience it reaches, just like a social-media snowball.

This means, you should interact with your Instagram followers regularly. Ask for their feedback, reply to their queries and thank loyal customers. The more you chat with people on your feed, the more likely they are to bring business to you.

Give Back to People

Followers choose you for a reason. Besides your services or products, what else are you offering to your visitors?

Organize lucky draws, opportunities and giveaways on your Instagram feed (being careful to follow the rules) This is a tried-and-tested way to promote your brand while increasing your Instagram following. The more people participate, the more recognition and audience you get. Win-win!

Giveaways are not all that hard to organize. Combine newly-launched products alongside some old bestsellers. Collaborate with other brands or influencers. Just make sure you aren’t giving away sub-par content or products. Show through your freebie how much value comes when paying you.

The Fun Stuff

Instagram updates so much they have a blog dedicated to telling you about new features. If you’re thinking of growing on Instagram it’s worth keeping an eye on the ever-changing trends.

Upload stories Every. Damn. Day. Yes, you got it right, daily is key! It shows your social availability and commitment and builds trust between you and your followers. Come up with innovative and unique story ideas such as conducting a Q&A session or creating a poll.

Is it a video, is it a GIF, no, that’s a boomerang – and we all love a good one. Think up cheery boomerangs of your products or clients. What about a brief “How to” guide using boomerangs on your Instagram stories?

It’s called social media for a reason. Make some friends and share the love with guest bloggers and influencers to collaborate and boost both parties. Influencer involvement is an organic way to essentially share visibility between several, like-minded accounts.

Finally: Consistency is Key

While going viral is often the dream, the reality is that follower counts won’t quadruple overnight without the use of questionable automation or bot use. If you want legitimate followers, minus the risk of getting your account shadow-banned, it takes patience and time.

Winging it with posting a single picture per week probably cut it either. Plan your content ahead of schedule. Is there a notable calendar date coming up? Prepare a photoshoot beforehand! With some effort, you’ll have content to spare, even on the days you’re not feeling inspired.

Lastly, don’t give up if you haven’t yet reached your desired goal. Hang in there, keep actively engaging – all it takes is one big account to notice and repost you and the Instagram odds could begin shifting in your favour.

Domain Authority, Why Does It Matter?

by Buzz Factory Agency | Nov 29, 2019 | Enterprises, Nonprofits, Search Engine Optimization

Who doesn’t want to make the podium after participating in a contest? Do you hate feeling like a champion? For most of us, we love to come out on top, but the podium can’t accommodate all the participants… Can it?

Competing for a place on a podium is similar to competition between websites. In the digital world, having top Domain Authority means you’re on top of the food chain. You get a lion’s share of visitors – a mouthful of high-quality traffic, and above all, a rock-solid Domain Authority. Your site is respected, easy to find and lucrative.

But how do we know if a website is a winner?

Domain Authority predicts how a website will rank and perform on search engines for various keywords.

To begin with, Domain Authority (DA) is like a grade that every website gets. Primarily, it’s based on the quality of the content on the website. Other factors that influence your authority include:

Number of visits
Quality of visits
Relevancy of the content
User experience
Length of visit etc.

How and Why was Domain Authority Coined?

DA’s Launch

Domain Authority is a term first coined by Moz that has become the industry standard. It’s an assessment scale that gauges the quality and relevancy of a website against Google’s (seemingly complicated) ranking metrics, and gives it a numerical score. There’s a simple tool that evaluates every website, observing how these sites perform on search engines.

What it is

In simple words, Domain Authority is a grading scale with quality scores ranging from 1 to 100. Sites with the highest domain authorities have a numerical score close to 100. The higher the score, the better the website ranks on Google.

For perspective, those nearing 100 are the big giants, Fortune 100, heck even Top Ten. We’re talking Facebook (DA 96), Amazon (DA 96), and Wikipedia (DA 86).

New websites

One thing is clear; you can’t create a website from scratch thinking that it’ll get full marks as soon as you launch it. That doesn’t mean it’s necessarily an uphill struggle though.

Yes, new websites will most likely start with the lowest grade. But raising their Domain Authority is achievable for every site, and if done smartly may not be as difficult as it seems. All it takes is some consistency, adaptability and time. These are key. Another thing to note is that aiming for 100 isn’t always necessary!

As Hubspot quite rightly point out, it’s comparative authority to your peers that counts, and not necessarily overall, especially as the highest ranking sites can lower the scores of those lower down the list – it’s all relative, and it’s always changing.

The Scoring Criteria

Hang on! Let’s break down exactly how those ‘biggies’ have managed to score so high. Can you spot what Facebook, Amazon, and Wikipedia’s websites have in common? (Apart from enviable Domain Authority!)

Unimaginable space for content – massive content creation opportunities

Millions of online users and visitors
Loads of backlinks

Actually, that’s not rocket science, is it?

So, scoring depends a lot on these factors; content (& capacity), users and backlinks. But primarily, it has to do with the number and the quality of every visitor backlink connected to your domain.

If you started your research into Domain Authority imagining a website that instantly scores 100 out of 100, the above points have dragged you back into the real world. That said, you can still get to a top position with consistent efforts.

Basics of Getting the Best Domain Authority in Your Niche?

Content and Backlinks

For now, let’s stick to your industry, because that’ll give you a niche start. And there’s no better way to start than to align with the score of your competitors. You’ll soon find out that you can quickly improve by following the best practices:

Come up with high-quality content
Create opportunities for the users to generate backlinks

You know backlinks, don’t you? These are the links that are connected to other websites and linked to yours. No-one likes working in a silo.

Now, let’s move on to more technical aspects.

SEO, Traffic, Page Authority

Moz uses 40 factors to calculate DA – this includes SEO and the traffic that your website receives. It does so by calculating the authority of your webpages. The page authority, in turn, depends upon the quality of backlinks to a specific page on your website.

Now, let’s remove one myth right now!

If you think Domain Authority is the fix-all formula to rank your website (or webpages) on the first page of Google, well, you’re certainly optimistic! Google is known to use 200 factors to measure rank, alongside other search engines with similar approaches. However, Domain Authority is widely accepted to be a notable one.

It’s a smart – and most importantly, measurable – way to make sure you’re giving Google another good reason to rank your website. To keep tabs on your site’s DA, you can get an extension in chrome called MozBar.

How to Improve Your Domain Authority

This is for all those website developers and owners who’ve been facing a hard time in getting quality traffic or acquiring more backlinks. Consider the following:

Your Domain’s Expiration Date

Okay, so this first one isn’t a big one, but it is a cheap and easy fix! Apart from all the other great reasons to watch your domain expiration date, the proximity of your domain to its server expiration date can affect your DA. It could be well worth the handful of dollars to make it last for the next 4-5 years and it’s arguably the least work-intensive way to improve the ranking.

Strong Link Profile

Having a high number of relevant PR links to and from your website will help you score better – it’s literally one of those 40 assessment requirements discussed earlier.

Adding links on a website improves it’s Domain Authority quality
Make sure the website you’re linking to already has a high Domain Authority in its own right; otherwise, it won’t improve your score
More importantly, your website’s name should be mentioned and there must be a link at the back of it.

High-Quality Content

Content is king, and this applies within Domain Authority too. By consistently creating relevant, well-structured and thought out content on a website, the Domain Authority will rank in a higher place.

Finally

In the end, much like SEO, Domain Authority is an ongoing practice. To be able to maintain a good DA score, ensure that:

Your website remains active and its domain is not expiring
It garners engagement, longer view times and activity through high-quality content
Visitors coming from other sites have sufficient backlinking opportunities
Above all, there should be a foolproof SEO strategy to keep supplying you with quality traffic every moment.

If it sounds difficult, don’t panic. Buzz Factory can help you score better and keep performing well on SERP, making your site a high-ranking Domain Authority.

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