Inbound Marketing Primer Part 2: Tools You Can Use

(Note, this is Inbound Marketing Primer Part 2 of 2. Click here for part 1).

Here are some tools you should be implementing in order to increase traffic, extend views and visit time, and convert site visits into leads:

1. “Follow me” widgets: your website should include easily identifiable links to your open communities such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.

2. “Share This” gadgets that allow you to tell others about a really cool post you read simply by clicking on an icon (for Facebook, Digg, StumbleUpon, etc) and posting the link.

3. Tag clouds are fun tools that capture your keywords and present them in a consolidated form. I like them because they establish immediate context; if I like the tag cloud it means that the blog I’m looking at is probably on-topic with my interests. My tag cloud rotates, to bring the subtle dimension of movement to my site. I like that.

4. Pictures. Use them. Don’t get too carried away (or your page will take too long to load) and be sure to use smaller, bandwidth friendly images. But livening up the site is another good way to keep visitors engaged.

5. Website Grader is a great free utility from HubSpot. This tool takes only a few seconds to calculate your standing in several important criteria including inbound links, on-page and off-page SEO and conversions.

I’ll bet that once you use website grader you are going to want to sign up for an entire Inbound Marketing program with HubSpot. The tool is that revealing. Since I have a login to their backend system (via my client) I can also tell you that the platform is extremely intuitive and their service is top notch. They’ve done a great job of building to their customer’s level of expertise.

Let me know how you are doing as you continue to build and extend your platform. If you come across any great ideas along the way shout them out!

(Note: Technorati S8cw4bt5uq).