Month: August 2023

Business Website, Google Ads, Lead Generation, online marketing

How Can Artificial Intelligence (AI) Be Utilized to Help Businesses?

Dipa Gandhi

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used more frequently across all types of businesses nationwide in a variety of ways. In this blog, we’ll describe how AI can offer numerous benefits to large and small businesses, helping them improve efficiency, reduce costs, enhance customer experiences, and make more informed decisions through a variety of tools. 

Here are a few of the ways in which AI can assist small businesses:

Chatbots: Many websites that offer services or goods have recently started using AI powered chatbots to provide 24/7 customer support, answer basic, frequently asked questions, and handle routine inquiries, saving time and resources. An example is our 99 Calls’ company website, https://99calls. In the bottom right corner of the website, you’ll see this:

In this example, you’re prompted to answer a few questions, to help us determine how best to help.  Other businesses like to manage a live chatbot that serves as an interactive bot that’ll answer the most frequently asked questions. 

Data Analysis: AI powered tools such as Statistical Analysis Systems (SAS) can analyze previously collected data to predict future trends, helping businesses make informed decisions about inventory, sales, and marketing strategies. An example of this would be when a retail company implements AI to predict future sales trends based on historical data on sales, customer behavior, pricing, and marketing campaigns. The AI algorithms forecast upcoming sales patterns for specific products and time periods. This helps the company optimize inventory, plan marketing strategies, and make data-driven decisions to increase sales and profitability.

Workflow Automation: Small businesses can use AI to automate repetitive tasks such as data entry, invoicing, sending routine emails, and appointment scheduling, freeing up employees to focus on more strategic work. An example of this is the customer onboarding process. When a business signs a customer up for a service, AI-powered software can be set to automatically generate and send personalized welcome emails or emails laying out the next steps. This automation streamlines the onboarding process, reducing manual administrative tasks, and ensuring a consistent and efficient experience for new clients.

Marketing | Advertising | Search Engine Optimization (SEO): AI tools can help small businesses in marketing and SEO through keyword analysis, performance tracking, and content recommendations. Through tools like Google Search Console and Google Analytics, AI can analyze large amounts of data to identify relevant keywords for your industry, recommend content topics based on the keyword, and generate content based on the target keywords. AI can also analyze the existing content to ensure keywords are being used appropriately and effectively for SEO purposes. From Google Search Console, AI can process data to track impressions, clicks, and click-through rates for specific keywords or pages. From Google Analytics, AI can be used to identify patterns and trends to determine which pages are performing well.

Content Generation: Through Open AI-powered tools, content such as Google and Facebook Ad campaigns, social media posts, blogs, and email marketing, and logo design can be easily created, or at least initiated, saving time and maintaining a consistent online presence to enhance your SEO. 

  • ChatGPT / Bard / Jasper / Caktus AI

These four tools are designed to help with generating human-like content, ChatGPT being the most prevalent, and advanced because of its conversational manner. You can learn more about how it can be in SEO from this blog previously written, https://blog.99calls.com/2023/02/07/how-chatgpt-can-enhance-your-seo/

  • DALL-E

This tool specializes in generating images from textual descriptions. For example, it can be used to create a logo for a business based on a description provided by the user.

Lead Vetting: AI-powered Natural Language Processing (NLP) software, can be used to screen all the qualified leads from various sources, reducing the mundane task of manually screening all the leads.  

E-commerce Optimization: AI-driven recommendation systems can boost e-commerce sales by suggesting relevant products to customers. An example of this would be an online retailer such as Amazon. The AI system analyzes customer browsing and purchase history, as well as real-time data on website traffic and user behavior. Using this information, it generates personalized product recommendations for each visitor, such as suggesting clothing items that complement their recent purchases or browsing history. Additionally, the AI system dynamically adjusts pricing based on factors like demand, competitor pricing, and inventory levels to maximize sales and profits. This AI-driven e-commerce optimization strategy enhances the shopping experience, increases customer engagement, and ultimately boosts sales revenue for the online store.

Human Resources / Recruitment: AI tools such as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can help screen and shortlist job applicants, saving time in the hiring process. When job applications are submitted, the AI tool automatically scans and evaluates resumes, identifying candidates whose qualifications closely match the job requirements. It then conducts initial candidate screenings through video interviews, assessing factors like communication skills and cultural fit. This AI-driven recruitment process significantly reduces the time and effort required for initial candidate screening, allowing HR teams to focus on interviewing and selecting the best-fit candidates.


While AI can offer numerous advantages to businesses, it’s important to carefully assess your business’s specific needs and capabilities before implementing AI solutions. Start with small, manageable projects, and gradually expand your AI usage as you become more comfortable with the technology and its impact on your business operations.

Uncategorized

The Impact of Running Promotions

kristen99calls

How to Use Special Offers to Gain More Business

by Danielle Bugle

Discounts and promotions are an effective way to attract new customers and encourage existing customers to hire you again. By offering customers special discounts, it helps your business stand out from the competition and increase visibility in search engine results. Promotions provide an incentive for customers to hire your particular business, which helps to increase revenue.

Benefits of Offering Promotions and Special Deals

When customers are online searching for a service they need and come across a business that is offering it at a discounted price, it helps create a sense of urgency and excitement. Customers are more likely to take action when they know they are getting a great deal. What’s more, by running promotions, your business can also gain valuable insights into customer preferences and behaviors. Businesses have a great opportunity to reward loyal customers and generate positive word-of-mouth by providing these incentives to their customers.


Some benefits of running a successful promotion include:

  • Increased Customer Engagement
  • Increased Brand Awareness
  • Increased Sales
  • Improved Customer Loyalty
  • Increased Profits
  • Improved Customer Service
  • Increased Online Traffic
  • Improved Performance
  • Improved Business Image
  • Increased Customer Satisfaction

Types of Promotions You Can Offer

Businesses can use a variety of different types of promotions to reach their target audience. Each type of promotion has its own advantages and can be used to reach different types of customers.

  • Discounts: Offering discounts on products and services is one of the most common types of promotions businesses can offer. Discounts can be applied to a single item, a bundle of items, or even the entire purchase.
  • Coupons: Coupons are a great way to entice customers to make a purchase. They can be distributed through online or print channels, and customers can redeem them for discounts.
  • Freebies: Offering free samples, trials, or gifts can be a great way to attract new customers and reward loyal ones.
  • Contests and Giveaways: Contests and giveaways can be a great way to engage customers and promote your brand. Customers can enter to win prizes or discounts, and the winners can be chosen randomly or based on criteria set by the business.
  • Loyalty Programs: Loyalty programs reward customers for their continued patronage. Customers can earn points or rewards for purchases, which can then be redeemed for discounts or other offers.
  • Referral Programs: Referral programs are a great way to reward customers for referring new customers to your business. Customers can be rewarded with discounts or other offers for referring friends and family.
  • Social Media Promotions: Social media is a great way to promote your business and engage customers. Businesses can offer discounts, contests, and other promotions through social media channels to attract new customers and reward existing ones.

Strategies for Running Promotions

When planning a promotion, it’s important to consider your target audience, your budget, and your desired outcome. Businesses should also consider the type of promotion that will be most effective for their target audience. For example, discounts may be more effective for attracting new customers, while a “buy one get one free” offer may be more effective for encouraging existing customers to hire you again for more.


Some effective strategies to consider when running promotions include:

  1. Establish clear goals for your promotion before you begin. Consider what you want to achieve, such as increasing sales, driving more website traffic, or expanding your customer base.
  2. Choose the right platform for your promotion. For example, Google Ads is a great choice for targeting a wide range of audiences. Posting on a social media platform can be beneficial if you have a large following.
  3. Create an ad that will capture your audience’s attention. Focus on a strong headline, compelling visuals, and an offer that will entice your target market.
  4. Optimize your campaign for the best results. Use A/B testing to determine which ad copy and visuals work best, and adjust your budget accordingly.
  5. Monitor your campaign’s performance and make adjustments as needed. Track key metrics such as impressions, clicks, and conversions to ensure you’re getting the most out of your promotion.

Benefits of Using Digital Platforms

Digital platforms such as social media, email, and websites can be used to promote discounts and promotions. Digital platforms have a much wider reach than traditional print marketing channels, such as fliers and door hangers making it easier to reach more customers and potential customers. By utilizing social media or email marketing campaigns, you’re able to offer promotions at a significantly lower cost than traditional marketing channels, making it more affordable to reach a wider audience. Digital platforms allow businesses to engage with customers more directly, allowing them to build relationships and create loyalty.

Running a Promotion on Your Google Ad Campaign
Being found first on Google is gold. When you’re found, you want to give customers every reason to click on your ad over the competition. Promotions can also help you generate more conversions. By offering a discount or special offer, customers may be more likely to buy your product or service.
Running a promotion on your Google Ad campaign will boost your visibility and increase your chances of being seen by potential customers. Promotions can help draw attention to your ad, making it more likely to be clicked on.
Promotions can also increase your click-through rate, meaning more people will click on your ad and visit your website. This can help you generate more leads and potentially convert more customers.

How to Measure the Success of a Promotion

  • Track Revenue: Track the revenue generated from the promotional offer to measure the success of the offer.
  • Monitor Sales: Monitor the number of sales during the promotional period to determine the effectiveness of the offer.
  • Monitor Customer Engagement: Track customer engagement with the offer, such as the number of clicks, views, and shares, to measure the reach of the offer.
  • Analyze Customer Feedback: Analyze customer feedback to measure customer satisfaction with the offer.
  • Track Return on Investment: Track the return on investment (ROI) of the promotional offer to measure its success.

Conclusion

Running promotions can be an effective way for businesses to attract new customers, increase sales, and build loyalty. Promotions can also help businesses stand out from their competitors and increase their brand awareness. When planning a promotion, it’s important to consider the target audience, the budget, and the desired outcome. By tracking the performance of their promotions, businesses can measure the success and adjust their strategy if needed.
Promotions are an effective way to boost customer engagement as well as increase brand awareness. With the right strategy, businesses can use promotions to increase their customer base, encourage repeat purchases, and generate more revenue.

Business Website, digital marketing, Lead Generation for Contractors, Online Appointment Booking

SMS Compliance Rules

Devon Osborne

Benefits of Adopting & Consequences of Noncompliance

A2P 10DLC Registration

There have always been rules and regulations regarding sending SMS marketing messages, but there are some new important requirements you may not be aware of. In order to cut down on the number of spam messages, U.S. wireless carriers, the Federal Communications and Commission (FCC), and the Mobile Marketing Association (MMC) are requiring businesses to register their numbers with The Campaign Registry (TCR). Local and toll-free numbers used by businesses to text end users for everything from notifications and surveys to marketing and promotions must be registered. 

What Information Do I Need for A2P 10 DLC Registration?

In order to successfully register your business properly, there are several key pieces of information, including:

  • Business Information: Businesses need to provide the legal name, physical address, contact information, and any relevant identifiers or registration numbers associated with the business entity.
  • Campaign Use Information: Businesses must also specify the purpose and intended use of their A2P messaging campaigns. You will need to outline the types of messages that will be sent, whether promotional, informational, transactional, or for any other specific purposes.
  • Opt-In and Opt-Out: Regardless of whether the business intends to use opt-in messaging, they are still required to provide a clear opt-out mechanism for recipients. This means including opt-out keywords such as “STOP,” “UNSUBSCRIBE,” or any other standard keywords that allow recipients to stop receiving messages.

Benefits of A2P 10DLC Registration

A2P 10DLC registration is helping to create a more reliable communication ecosystem and offers many benefits for businesses, including:

  • Improved Message Delivery: Registered numbers receive favorable treatment from mobile carriers meaning messages being sent from registered numbers aren’t as likely to be flagged as spam, resulting in higher deliverability rates. With better delivery rates, businesses can effectively reach their target audience and ensure their messages are received in a timely manner.
  • Enhanced Credibility: A2P 10 DLC registration signifies that a business has undergone the verification process and complied with the requirements at hand. This enhances the trustworthiness of the business in the eyes of customers.
  • Streamlined Opt-In and Opt-Out Process: A2P 10 DLC registration requires businesses to establish a clear opt-in and opt-out mechanism for recipients. This helps build a positive user experience by allowing users who wish to stop receiving messages to easily opt-out, promoting customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Business Identity Protection: Registration also helps businesses safeguard their reputation and protect themselves from potential misuse or unauthorized use of their brand or identity. 

What Are The Consequences of Not Completing A2P 10DLC Registration?

 Failure to complete A2P 10DLC registration will result in significant consequences and penalties. The Participating Carrier Requirements strictly prohibit the sending of Unregistered and/or Non-Migrated traffic, and the 10DLC delivery hub retains the right to take action to ensure compliance, including:

  • Suspension: If your number is not properly registered with the Campaign Registry,  the 10DLC delivery hub could take action against you including suspension, termination, or blocking non-sanctioned messages to maintain compliance with carrier requirements.
  • Ban: Mobile carriers have the right to ban businesses that use unregistered A2P 10DLC numbers. If you are banned, it will affect your ability to communicate via SMS with customers and impact your brand reputation.
  • Message Delivery Block: Messages that are sent from unregistered numbers may also be blocked by mobile carriers. This results in your intended recipients likely not receiving the messages resulting in your SMS campaigns being ineffective and missing out on potential business opportunities.
  • Financial Penalties: Mobile carriers and the campaign registry have the power to impose fines on those who fail to comply with A2P 10DLC registration requirements. These fines may be as high as $10 per message as well as additional monthly fees. If you’re running large SMS campaigns, this could lead to heavy fines. 
Uncategorized

5 Ways to Crush Your Small Business 2023 EOY Goals

Jordan Evans

by Jordan Evans

As a small business owner, you know how important it is to finish the year strong. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, those end-of-year goals can feel like a distant dream. Fear not! With over a decade of experience working with small businesses to achieve their EOY goals, we compiled a simple checklist for you to easily boost leads before year’s end. After mastering these five steps for success, you’ll feel unstoppable.

1. Define Your Goals

First things first, it’s time to define or even redefine your goals. Often, people fail to define their goals precisely, leading to confusion and lack of direction. Using the SMART method, you can set objectives that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based. 

For example, if your goal this year was to purchase more equipment, the SMART goal version would offer a simple framework to get you started. Your goal would easily transform from “I want to purchase new equipment this year” into “I will buy two new $4,000 carpet extractors by EOY through gaining 5-6 recurring commercial cleaning clients and saving a total of $8,000 from September to December.” 
Our free SMART Goals spreadsheet will help you keep your goals organized and achievable.

2. Get Referrals

We all know how challenging, frustrating, and time-consuming acquiring new clients can be. Having satisfied clients refer others to you produces the most valuable leads. Establishing a flow of these valuable leads can make your life much easier. All you need to do is ask! With the help of happy customers, you can gain new clients who already know and trust your services.

Try using one of these three easy referral scripts to get started:

  1. “If you’ve had a positive experience with our product/service, would you be willing to recommend us to someone you know who might benefit from it?”
  2. “We’re offering a 10% discount to any customer who refers a friend to us. If you know someone who might be interested, please let them know and have them mention your name when they sign up.”
  3. Hey there (name)! I hope you’ve been enjoying our [product/service] as much as we love providing it. If you know anyone who could benefit from it, we’d be thrilled if you could send them our way. We’re passionate about our work and always want to help more people.

3. Invest in High-Quality Leads

Here at 99 Calls, we believe you shouldn’t have to pay for leads that aren’t a good fit for your business. That’s why our Organic SEO clients are only charged for leads that are looking for services you provide in the area you serve. But even great leads can need a little convincing, which is where a few tips on how to close your leads can help.

4. Frequently and Consistently Add Content

Updating your website with valuable content is another must-do for reaching your EOY goals. We can’t stress this enough – high-value content like photos of your work, positive customer reviews, and updated specials will help you build trust with your customers and improve your rankings on Google. Trust us, the more we can put on your website, the better! (And don’t worry, we’ll be here to help.)

5. Evaluate Your Online Presence for SEO

Finally, we recommend getting an account review. If you’re using our Organic Lead Generation services, you’ve likely already received a few of these in-depth evaluations of your online presence and reputation. But even if you haven’t received yours yet, feel free to schedule a review at any time. It’s a free opportunity to go over your organic stats and hear expert recommendations to ensure that you’re on track to meet your EOY goals.

So there you have it – 5 easy steps to help you reach your small business EOY goals. With a little effort and a lot of determination, we’re confident that you’ll finish the year strong.

Business Website, digital marketing, Lead Generation, Lead Generation for Contractors, Lead Management, Uncategorized

The Benefits of Conducting Customer Satisfaction Surveys for Your Business

Diane Lovine

A Case Study

by Devon Osborne

Understanding and meeting the needs of your customers is crucial for success in the highly competitive landscape of businesses today. One of the most effective ways to gauge customer satisfaction is via surveys. Customer satisfaction surveys provide valuable insights into your customer’s experiences with your business.
The major benefit of surveying customers on their satisfaction with your business is that you are able to gauge where different aspects of your business are lacking or excelling. Identifying these areas will help to develop a game plan to make improvements where necessary. Making adjustments based on the feedback you’ve received lets customers know that you are truly listening to them and respecting their time and opinions. When customers feel heard and respected, they’re more likely to remain loyal customers.

Since early 2022, 99 Calls has been surveying customers to learn more about their satisfaction with our lead generation services. Throughout the year last year, 271 customers participated in the survey. Here are our results.

Effective Customer Service

According to the data we collected, the majority of our customers were satisfied with the level of customer service we provided. When asked how well 99 Calls representatives answered their questions, respondents gave an impressive rating of 4.57 out of 5. Over 70% of participants gave 99 Calls a perfect 5/5 score.

Responsiveness

How quickly a business responds to customer inquiries has an impact on customer satisfaction. Over 68% of survey takers rated 99 Calls customer service reps a perfect 5/5 score when it came to responsiveness. By continually monitoring response times, businesses are able to improve,  demonstrating their commitment to efficient customer support, and fostering positive customer experiences and loyalty.

Tailoring Lead Generation Efforts

In our survey, we also wanted to shed light on our customers’ satisfaction in regard to the lead volume they receive each month. Over 28% of respondents expressed being very satisfied with the lead volume they received, while over 24% indicated satisfaction and another 22% were neutral. Fewer than 25% of respondents desired a higher lead volume. However, it is important to note that a significant portion of them had not provided the necessary content for successful search engine optimization (SEO).  By addressing these concerns and aligning lead volume with customer expectations, we are better able to enhance overall marketing effectiveness and drive better results.

Identifying Additional Service Opportunities

Suppose you are looking for ways to expand your business but aren’t sure which path to choose. In that case, customer satisfaction surveys can serve as a valuable source of information for identifying additional services that customers desire. By leveraging customer feedback, businesses are able to better understand their customers’ evolving needs and develop new services or features to meet those demands, driving growth and staying ahead of the competition.

Conclusion

Customer satisfaction surveys provide businesses with crucial insights into customer experiences, preferences, and areas for improvement. The data that 99 Calls have received via their own surveys demonstrates the positive impact they have on enhancing customer service, improving responsiveness, tailoring lead generation efforts, and identifying additional service opportunities. Businesses can create lasting, meaningful relationships and drive long-term success with their clients by actively listening and acting upon customer feedback.