How can IM help a doc prep business

by SusanD
5 replies
Hi all,

I learned about this forum searching for "internet marketing forum". My name is Susan, I'm a web designer and I'd like to know how can IM help a doc prep business?

It's been over 3 years that a friend's business is not making money. He's done with cold-calling, some people promised him to call back but they never did. He asked me to create a website for his business out of frustration and I thought what would he do with it if he don't know how to create traffic. I'm checking legalzoom website for ideas and I want to know what you guys think for a different perspective.
#business #doc #prep
  • Profile picture of the author John A
    IM might work for some businesses, but not that much for others, it depends on the niche. You could design a website so that interested costumers can learn more about the business (read more about it on his website by directly visiting it) , but if what you want to do is to promote the business online (via search engine optimization), then it is a steep learning curve. A good fast alternative is PPC.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Susan, I'm guessing that by 'doc prep', you mean preparing documents like legal contracts, home closing documentation, etc. Am I close?

      If so, a regular SEO type website may not be the best way to go about things. As I understand from limited experience buying and selling my personal homes, a lot of that business depends on referrals.

      So I would set up a basic 'brochureware' site coupled with a business blog. Then I'd head over to LinkedIn, set up a profile, and start networking.

      When we sold our place in Nebraska, we were already living in Florida. Rather than make us go back for the closing, our realtor did a little networking, and we ended up hiring a local lawyer to walk us through the process, witness the signatures, etc.
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      • Profile picture of the author SusanD
        Susan, I'm guessing that by 'doc prep', you mean preparing documents like legal contracts, home closing documentation, etc. Am I close?
        I think that's exactly what it is. His propose design says that his business caters to mortgage loan.

        So I would set up a basic 'brochureware' site coupled with a business blog. Then I'd head over to LinkedIn, set up a profile, and start networking.
        That's a nice idea. I'm not sure if I could encourage him to create a LinkedIn account, he's not tech savvy. I could pitch him the idea of outsourcing a VA online.
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        • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
          Originally Posted by SusanD View Post

          I think that's exactly what it is. His propose design says that his business caters to mortgage loan.


          That's a nice idea. I'm not sure if I could encourage him to create a LinkedIn account, he's not tech savvy. I could pitch him the idea of outsourcing a VA online.
          Actually creating the account is dead simple. You fill out an online form.

          In fact, the mechanics of most of LinkedIn can be accomplished by filling in various web forms.

          Aside from that, it's basic networking - providing value to others where possible and letting others help him when they can. It's closer to playing "Six Degrees of Separation" than anything wildly technical.
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    • Profile picture of the author SusanD
      Originally Posted by John A View Post

      IM might work for some businesses, but not that much for others, it depends on the niche. You could design a website so that interested costumers can learn more about the business (read more about it on his website by directly visiting it) , but if what you want to do is to promote the business online (via search engine optimization), then it is a steep learning curve. A good fast alternative is PPC.
      I guess this will be a challenge alright. We could try PPC and see if it proved helpful compared to his ad on the local newspaper.
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