Google Analytics can provide you with the information you need to better connect with your audience. The data is easy to collect, the question is: Are you using it?

How many people visited your site last month?

What page was the most visited?

How long did the average person spend on your website ?

How many pages did your visitors look?

What page were your site visitors on when they left your site?

What type of browser or what screen resolution are your visitors using?

What sites referred the most visitors to your website?

and MUCH MUCH MORE!

We will be showing you over the coming weeks how to get the most out of Google Analytics. First though, an introduction for those of us that may not be familiar with Google Analytics.

What is Google Analytics?

Google Analytics is the enterprise-class web analytics solution that gives you rich insights into your website traffic and marketing effectiveness. Powerful, flexible and easy-to-use features now let you see and analyze your traffic data in an entirely new way. With Google Analytics, you're more prepared to write better-targeted ads, strengthen your marketing initiatives and create higher converting websites.  (http://www.google.com/analytics)

Click on this image for a guided tour.

Have a question about how to use Google Analytics to connect with your audience? This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone at 616-457-0300

My newphew can do it for me and I'll save money.

The infamous words of many a small business owner and a few brides. Do you know someone who trusted their nephew and lived to regret it?

• 10 years ago they trusted their nephew to design the business cards and brochure for their business.  Nephew was good at using computers.  Nephew said he knew what to do and would work for pizza.

• 5 years ago they trusted their nephew to design the website for their business.  Nephew was good at using computers, no one complained about the brochure or the business cards - not counting your significant other. Nephew would work for pizza.

• Today they trust their nephew to design and manage their social media marketing.  Nephew knows more about Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and YouTube. Nephew still works for pizza.

Unfortunately trusting your nephew to manage one of the key aspects of your organizations growth is, at a minimum, short sighted.

Who do you know who is "trusting" their nephew to grow their business? Your website and social media marketing are some of the most important marketing investments you will make this year. Invest wisely, choose a professional organization such as MMJ Technology to assist you in expanding your business.

And lest I forget - if you are a bride, remember that your nephew (or uncle for that matter) probably is not a great choice as your photographer either. Would you trust something that important to this guy?

Leave a comment and tell us a "nephew horror story."

Have you seen MTV's show "Pimp Your Ride?"  On the show they take a vehicle and customize it, often beyond the dreams of the owner, and create a vehicle that really gets noticed!

You can do the same thing with your Facebook Fan page.  How?  We'll walk you through it . . .

1 - Go to Facebook.com and after signing in to your personal profile create a Fan Page (if you are simply interested in pimping your personal Facebook page you can skip this step)

2 - Use your favorite graphics program, I use Photoshop Elements, and create a banner image to use as your Fan Page profile picture.

• the image should be approximately 200 x 600 (pixels)
• use your picture(s), logo and text to create a banner image that shares valuable information with your potential fans
• save the banner image as a web optimzed JPG or PNG image

3 - Return to your newly created Facebook Fan page and move your mouse over your existing profile picture.  You should see a button appear in the upper right hand corner of your profile image that says "Change Picture."  Click on this button, choose UPLOAD A PICTURE and upload the image you just created.

4 - After the image is uploaded and set as your new profile picture, move your mouse back over the image and click on "Change Picture" again and choose EDIT THUMBNAIL from the menu that pops up.

5 - In the window that comes up, drag the banner image to the desired location to set your thumbnail picture.  The thumbnail picture will be displayed next to your posts and updates.

Congratulations!  You have just completed the first phase of pimping your Facebook profile.  We will talk about how to set up your own personalized Welcome page for fans in an upcoming blog post.  Stay tuned!

Need some assistance?  Call us at 616.457.0300 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Face it - there is no reason to get  involved in social media unless it will do something positive for your organization. How are you (or your team) going to use social media outlets like Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and blogging to enhance your existing brand and enhance your marketing efforts.  How would you answer the question?

In order to answer the question, "How will my social media campaign enhance my existing brand and marketing efforts?" let's begin with identifying your brand.

Your brand determines how the market perceives your company. A brand is a holistic way customers view your company.

What does all this mean to you?  Ask yourself:

1 - Who is in control of your social media presence?

2 - Who is going to approve the content put in place by our organization?

3 - Who is going to make sure our social media presence complements our existing marketing and branding efforts?

You need to get involved in social media.  Determining who is going to be responsible for your content and how they will ensure that your content enhances your existing brand and marketing is a first step.

Tell me about your answer.