Small Business Tips

Make Your Business Stand Out with Google Guarantee & Upgraded GMB Profile

August 4, 2020 by Advertising

Back in April 2019, Google tested a subscription-based service for a monthly fee known as Google Guarantee. Such certification means your Google My Business profile gets an upgrade, which is supposed to make it easier for customers to choose your company over others when they’re conducting an online search.

The Google Guaranteed badge is available for businesses that pass a Google screening and qualification process through Google Local Services.

If your business is backed by Google Guarantee, and your customers (who found you through Google) aren’t satisfied with work quality, Google may refund the amount paid for the service. The upper limit of lifetime coverage for claims in the United States is $2,000.

Your business can be a part of Google Guarantee if you meet these eligibility requirements including a background check. The cost of the program is $50 per month or $600 per year.

What does Google Guarantee cover?

This new Google badge covers claims up to the amount on the job invoice up to the lifetime cap for coverage. Services, however, must be booked through Google Local Services. The Google Guarantee doesn’t cover add-on or future projects, damages to property, dissatisfaction with price or provider responsiveness, or cancellations.

Whether Google Guarantee becomes successful and available to all business is still to be determined, but it’s definitely something to look out for when updating your Google My Business profile in the future. The competitive advantage may be worth this upgrade!

Advertising is Simple is in the business of making advertising simple and we begin by creating you a great website to show off your brand. We make sure that your site has all the necessary features so that you can create a lasting impression and take pride in your web presence. To view our website portfolio, click here.

Advertising Is Simple | 302.407.0431 | info@AdvertisingIsSimple.com

Delaware and Phase 2 of Economic Reopening

June 16, 2020 by Advertising

As of June 15th, state of Delaware officially entered the Phase 2 of the economic reopening. As the gradual recovery from COVID-19 continues, it doesn’t mean that our job stops right there. While our local businesses can operate now at greater capacity, child care centers can reopen and summer camps can resume, we are still required to wear face coverings in public and should adhere to all responsible social distancing guidelines.

That being said, you’re probably wondering now what can you expect from the Phase 2 of the economic reopening in Delaware? We did our research and we have the answers!

The following is general guidance that applies to all businesses in Delaware and Phase 2 of the Economic Reopening:

Industry Guidance:

Restaurants, most retail establishments and houses of worship can now operate at 60 percent of their fire code occupancy limits. Gyms and personal care services, such as hair salons, barbers and tattoo parlors, are still limited to 30 percent of their fire code occupancy limits and reservations are still required.

Child care facilities they can reopen for all Delaware families, although under certain group-size limits and other restrictions.

Museums, galleries, libraries, historical attractions and arts education institutions may reopen but must follow social distancing guidelines.

Summer camps, summer schools and private instruction also may resume, although group and classroom sizes must be limited and face coverings must be worn.

CLICK HERE to see more details on industry-specific guidance.

Here at Advertising Is Simple, we continue to be of resource and helpful advice for any and all small business owners who are currently struggling with the effects of COVID-19. If you have any questions regarding how we can help you with all of your marketing needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re all in this together!

Advertising Is Simple | 302.407.0431 | info@AdvertisingIsSimple.com

Phase 1 of Delaware’s Economic Reopening & Recovery

May 12, 2020 by Advertising

According to the statement released by Governor Carney, the state of Delaware is expected to start Phase 1 of economic reopening and recovery on June 1st. That is, of course, if Delawareans continue to practice social distancing and containment of COVID-19 proves to be effective.

While the details of the reopening won’t be released until next week, the general framework of what we can expect can be found here.

Phase 1 of Delaware’s Economic Reopening & Recovery

Over the next couple weeks, we will build on the interim steps we took today, allowing certain small businesses to safely operate curbside, or by appointment only. We have heard the voices of small business owners loud and clear, and expect to move forward with a rolling reopening of Delaware’s economy. We will not hesitate to allow additional businesses to open before June 1, if we can do so safely.

In addition, Governor Carney announced a statewide expansion of the COVID-19 testing program in partnership with Delaware’s hospital systems, community health care centers, primary care physicians, and long-term care facilities.

Governor Carney also shared that the State of Delaware will lift restrictions on Delaware beaches and community pools at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 22, subject to strict social distancing requirements and other restrictions. Ice cream shops and trucks will reopen with restrictions effective 5:00 p.m. this Friday, May 15. Read more here.

The bottom line is, without healthy communities, we can’t expect a healthy economy. That is why it’s up to all of us to practice all safety precautions and regulations announced by Delaware and the surrounding states.

Delawareans can’t let up. Even once we move into Phase 1 of reopening, we still need to maintain social distancing to avoid a dangerous rebound in COVID-19 cases. Wash your hands. Don’t go out in public unnecessarily. Don’t gather in large groups. If we continue follow public health guidelines, we have a real shot of getting Delaware moving again starting June 1.

Advertising Is Simple | 302.407.0431 | info@AdvertisingIsSimple.com

Here’s Why Traditional Advertising Is So Important Amid the National Lockdown

May 4, 2020 by Advertising

Timing is an important factor when considering how to market your business. While COVID-19 and the national lockdown forced a lot of small businesses to close down, we can’t help but think how the traditional advertising is still a force to be reckoned with. Here’s why.

Radio Advertising

If you’re looking to reach a local audience at a more affordable cost, nothing beats radio advertising. It connects with the right people at the right time. It is easy to build a strong presence on the radio because people actually listen to radio ads and they don’t do the channel surfing the same way TV viewers do during program breaks.

According to the Nielsen’s 2019 Audio Today Report, which was recently made available, 272 million Americans listen to traditional radio every week, an increase of 7 million or about 2.5 percent, from 2016’s figures.

It’s been proven that radio provides a friendly environment for advertisers and the consumers respond positively to ads they hear on the radio. Believe it or not, Radio continues to be the number one mass reach medium, topping both TV and internet.

Businesses with a local target market really have no need to advertise on the national level. They should consider taking their radio advertising to regional and local stations.

Local radio stations tend to be an important way for the surrounding community to stay informed on events and news. Businesses can more easily connect to the community and their target customers by advertising on these stations. Most local radio station listeners are loyal and engage with their favorite station by calling in for contests, making comments or music requests. That means that if you advertise regularly, you’ll be better able to brand your business and create brand awareness.

Here’s an example of a radio ad we converted into a video promoting some of our local businesses:

TV Advertising

For decades now, TV advertising has been a very effective way to reach and engage with potential customers. Not to mention, local cable ads are very affordable. With the use of both audio and visual effects, TV ads create a mixture of motion and emotion. TV creates a more powerful impact than either of the two by themselves. That’s why television commercials can transmit more information to the viewer.

But that’s not it. When done right, video advertising enables you to display your product, demonstrate its use and the advantages of buying it. It can also help businesses connect emotionally with potential customers, which is so important in today’s climate.

Here’s an example of a local TV ad for one of our clients:

Multi-Screen Advertising

Did you know that the average US adult spends 78 thousand hours of the life watching TV? Knowing that statistic, it’s hard not to think that businesses should still be investing their marketing budgets in TV advertising. There’s a great opportunity out there to reach target audiences by being where the intended audience is hanging out. Not to mention that when you combine Television and Digital Advertising, you’re more likely to increase your ads impact.

Internet advertising will not replace traditional media, it will compliment them. – Jeff I. Richards

This type of advertising allows for more specifically targeting geographic and demographic areas, meaning you’re spending your advertising dollars on reaching your most likely customers.

Ready to invest in Traditional Advertising?

Contact Advertising Is Simple today! We help small to mid-sized business owners who are too busy running their businesses to focus on their marketing and advertising efforts. We specialize in traditional advertising as well as digital marketing with a strong focus on Search Engine Optimization, website design, mobile website design, pay-per-click campaigns, and original content management.

AdvertisingIsSimple | 302.407.0431 | info@AdvertisingIsSimple.com

A Guide to Small Business Loans Available Through The Cares Act

April 8, 2020 by Advertising

If you’re a business owner who is currently trying to figure out how to survive amid the spread of COVID-19, we’re here for you. As you probably already know, the U.S. Government put together the Cares Act that is offering solutions and small business loans to help navigate these difficult times.

To help you better understand all options available out there, we put together this infographic that explains some small business loans that you might want to consider.

Here at Advertising Is Simple, we’ve been working nonstop to help our clients weather this storm and come out on the other end even stronger than before. As a small business, we understand the value of community support and we know that by coming together, we can overcome anything.

Got more questions about small business loans?

Here are some other helpful resources to check out:

FAQ: CARES Act Relief From Employer Payroll Taxes

Which Loan Program Is Right for My Business?

Small Business Development Center – Disaster Assistance

10 Commonly Asked Coronavirus Small Business Loan Questions

5 Things Small Business Owners Can Do

A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan

Emergency Small Business Loan Guide

[Printable] COVID-19 Customizable Flyer: Health First

[Printable] Delaware Emergency Order for Open Shops (Out-of-State Residents)

If you have more questions or would like to find out how Advertising Is Simple can help your business, contact us today!

Call 302-407-0431