Each week I receive multiple inquires surrounding one question  - "Laura, how do I increase the conversion rate of my website?"  Today I'm going to address that question.

It doesn't matter if they are referring to more sales or more leads they want their website to convert more of their visitors into customers.

Conversion optimization is a science, think of it like you would if you were merchandising a shopping aisle in a brick and mortar store. A consumer visits your website, knocks on your virtual door and enters your online store to shop. It doesn't matter if they are shopping for products or services there thinking is similar and you can use my tips to increase your website conversion rate. Before I share with you my 8 tips on conversion optimization, go ahead and grade your own conversion rate using the benchmark conversion numbers provided by MarketingSherpa in 2012.

• Professional and Financial Services - 10%
• Media or Publishing - 10%
• Other - 8%
• Education or Healthcare - 8%
• Software / SAAS - 7%
• Technology Equipment/Hardware - 5%
• Manufacturing or Packaged Goods - 4%
• Travel or Hospitality - 4%
• Retail or Ecommerce - 3%
• Non-Profit - 2%

How did you do? Are you seeing similar conversion rates?

If not, don't get discouraged take time to review my conversion optimization tips. Not only will they help, I think you will be surprised at how simple some of them really are to implement. 8 Conversion Optimization Tips That Will Help You Get Results

If you are seeing numbers higher than the ones above, perhaps you'll want to share a few of your own conversion tips in the comments below.

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In my opinion one of the most important features in a social network is the search feature. These social and search go hand-in-hand when it comes to using social media for business.

Search within social media networks allow us to

• Find our target customers or target businesses.
• Listen and monitor what's being said.
• Transfer online relationships into practical business relationships.

These three things are the core to engagement. Social networks generate a lot of content, but if we can't search to find what we are looking for we could be missing out on crucial information. In the past searching social networks has been frustrating and on some social network platforms it still is. There was so much content and the search features were so underdeveloped it was difficult to find what you were looking for.

If we get in the habit of using search as a part of our social network experience we will make these networks more resourceful and useful for all of us. One social network understood the importance of search and has created a resource that we can use for market research, education and engagement- that network is Google+. While it's no surprise since Google+ was started by a search engine. Learn how to use search in Google+ to gain a better understanding of your customers and what your market is searching for.

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What's the difference in a marketing strategy and a marketing plan?

This is a common question and unfortunately many view them as the same thing. They are not. A strategy identifies the goals and objectives, your marketing plan tells you how you are going to get there. Without both of these tools businesses will often find themselves trying to sail upstream without paddles.

Most businesses that have gone through the process of creating a marketing strategy and a marketing plan will tell you that having these and using them as a roadmap can often bring order into chaos. And, let me reiterate it is a process, it's not something you can do without putting thought and effort into it.

Your marketing strategy and marketing plan serve two purposes and are well worth the time investment. Let me show you the components in each one and educate you on how they can be used to assist in reaching your business goals.

Read more:  What's the difference between a marketing strategy and a marketing plan?

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Did you know that there are 7610 searches on LinkedIn per minute?  There are over 50 million unique visitors that use LinkedIn each week and in 2012 there were over over 5.7 billion professionally-oriented searches on the LinkedIn platform.

LinkedIn launched on May 5, 2003 and has earned the name "the social network for professionals."   A name that has been earned with now over 200 million members worldwide.

What do we use LinkedIn for?

• 61% of social media users use LinkedIn for professional networking.
• 81% of LinkedIn users belong to at least 1 group.
• Top use of LinkedIn for entry level users is job search.
• Top use of LinkedIn for middle management and top-level executives is industry networking.

90% of LinkedIn users think the site is useful because:

• It helps to connect to individuals in the same industry as possible clients.
• It's more professional than Facebook.
• It allows me to hire people that I wouldn't regularly meet.

So whether you are using LinkedIn to create new connections, strengthen existing relations, position yourself as an expert, cultivate leads, or searching for a job statistics show that LinkedIn is important.

Now, question is - are they finding you on LinkedIn? Learn how to optimize your LinkedIn profile so that you increase find-ability and are found when prospective clients or recruiters are looking for what you have to offer.

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