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The true cost of chasing cheap leads

The true costs of chasing “cheap” leadsOn paper, the numbers looked impressive.Visualize a campaign that delivers 200 leads at a fraction of their usual cost. The sales team, however, isn’t celebrating. Out of those 200 leads, only two convert. The rest are dead ends,...

The ROI of Trust

In the world of online business, where competition is fierce and trust is a fleeting commodity, your business's credibility is one of your most valuable assets. You can have the best website, the most compelling product, and a perfectly optimised marketing strategy,...

9 Social media trends to watch in 2025

By 2025, social media has evolved from a platform for simple updates to a complex space where brands can deeply engage, entertain, and earn the trust of their audience. With the rise of immersive content formats and a growing emphasis on values like authenticity and...

Design trends that (thankfully) didn’t survive the 90s

Ah, the 90s—a time of dial-up internet, Tamagotchis, and the wild west of web design. If you were around during the early days of the internet, you’ll remember the excitement of creating a personal website or stumbling upon a new one, only to be greeted by flashing...

If websites could talk: A day in the life of your homepage

Ever wondered what your website’s homepage might say if it could talk? After all, it’s the digital front door to your business, the first impression for potential clients, and the hardworking hero behind the scenes. But what if it had a voice? It could sound something...

Why social media is important in marketing your SME

In the digital age, social media has become an indispensable tool for small businesses looking to connect with their audience, build brand awareness, and drive sales. With billions of users active on various social media platforms, small businesses have an...

Diversifying your digital strategy

Why PPC isn't enoughIn today's fast-paced, highly competitive digital landscape, companies, especially in the B2B sector, are constantly searching for ways to generate leads and drive growth. Pay-per-click (PPC) through Google advertising has long been a favourite...

In Celebration with Signarama

July 2024 is HUGE milestone for the Cape Business Online team – we celebrate a very happy and successful 5-year anniversary with Signarama as their national digital marketing service providers.  We take a nostalgic stroll down memory lane and the shared journey of the...

Is Your Website Mobile-Ready for Google’s 2024 Deadline?

The shift towards Google’s mobile-first indexing has been significant, and now it's more critical than ever. Google has announced a crucial deadline that could impact the visibility of your website. From July 5, 2024, Google will no longer index websites that do not...

How To Demonstrate Your Value to Google

Hey, Google!Millions of people search on Google every second, which means there’s a vast audience that could potentially have exposure to your business. But how do you secure that spotlight? While competing with your competitors online is one element in the mix,...

The Rise of AI: Google or Chat GPT?

AI Is On The Rise!The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been nothing short of revolutionary. From the early days of simple machine learning algorithms to today’s sophisticated AI models, the trajectory of AI development has altered how we interact with...

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Google Updates

Adapting to Google Algorithm UpdatesGoogle’s core updates are infamous for disrupting the SEO playing field overnight. With the recent unveiling of Google’s latest core update, ripples have been, once again, through the industry, casting a spotlight on the inherent...

10 Years of Successful SEO

April 2024 is a milestone for the Cape Business Online team, we are delighted to be celebrating 10 years as digital marketers for Magnador - South African market leader in security barriers. In existence since 1992, the Magnador brand is synonymous with...

Who Are You Taking Digital Marketing Advice From?

As a business owner, one tries to navigate digital waters carefully… With trends shifting with the wind and algorithms changing overnight, you may find yourself inundated with advice on how to upgrade or change your digital strategy. However, not all advice is good,...

Why Content Is A Must For Successful SEO

Why Quality Content MattersMost of us can agree that quality always surpasses quantity, and it’s no different for your website’s content! Content isn’t just about filling a website with words. It’s about providing helpful information that strives to answer search...

To Retarget or Not to Retarget

Have You Heard About Retargeting?Reaching and engaging with your target audience and then converting that audience into a paying customer is essential for the success of any business. With so many marketing strategies and tactics available to business owners, it can...

The Silent Killer of SA’s SMEs

The Silent Killer of SA’s SMEsSmall and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the South African economy. This business sector is considered the catalyst in reducing unemployment in the country, driving innovation, and contributing significantly to our...

6 Key Social Media Trends for 2024

Social Media Management for 2024: Prioritizing Platforms and Leveraging User-Generated ContentIf you're wondering which platforms to prioritize for your social media strategy in 2024, you're not alone. In this rapidly progressing landscape, it's important to be ahead...

Pay-Per-Click: Golden Ticket or Fad?

Positioning Yourself in the Online MarketAnyone breaking into the digital world will know that the quest for visibility is relentless. Businesses are constantly researching how to outshine competitors whilst reaching their ideal audience, which has led to the surge of...

All About Core Updates…

Understanding Google's Core…Have you ever been baffled by a sudden drop in your website's traffic? The culprit behind these mysterious dips is often none other than Google's core updates. Google's core updates are changes made to its ranking algorithm designed to...

DMs Are On The Rise!

Getting Personal With DMs…When we need to know something about a business, whether it be their trading hours, current specials, or the cost of specific products or services, we turn to our phones. Should you not find what you need from a search, the next step is...

The Pros and Cons of AI for SEO Content

Redefining The Future of Content (Almost)A pivotal part of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is making your content visible to the masses. While Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools have achieved significant strides in streamlining the SEO content writing process, are...

Market Your Business on a Budget

Stretching Your Marketing RandsYou may have the best product or service amongst your competitors, but, unfortunately, this does not guarantee that you will win the business. Even the most innovative products or quality services can get lost in competitive...

Business Website: Yay or Nay?

To Website or Not to WebsiteA new restaurant to try for date night? Google. An emergency electrician? Google. A new kitchen appliance? Google. The chances are that when you need something, you turn to the internet. And, if you are doing it, so are your potential...

Are you safe online?

Rising Threats…We have come a long way in securing our online activity. With the ever-rising popularity of online spaces and digital marketing, more people are entering the virtual world each year, leading to a significant rise in cyber threats!Is Your Business Safe...

The Social Sink or Swim

Is Your Business Sinking?We’ve reached the point where it’s weird if you meet someone in the wild who doesn’t have social media! It’s like we can’t stop the thoughts from rolling in… “How are they not on Facebook? Or Instagram? Or even LinkedIn?”And it’s this very...

The Tetris of Marketing

An L-block in a world of Z-blocksWe're constantly trying to fit different pieces together to create a seamless and effective digital marketing strategy for our business. And just like Tetris, there's no one-size-fits-all solution... It requires skill, strategy, and a...

Understanding Helpful Content

What is Helpful Content?Have you ever searched for something online and been served with irrelevant or unhelpful answers? We’ve all been there, which is why helpful content has become so important for search engine giants like Google. Helpful content keeps readers...

Using WhatsApp for Business: What You Need to Know

Business has Entered the WhatsApp ChatWhatsApp has ditched its casual Friday attire and slipped into a sleek business suit. This little green app is no longer just for sending “LOLs” and “OMGs” to your friends and family. It’s grown up, polished its shoes, and is...

Knock on Wood: How SEO Brought M&A Timbers to #1

Rooted in SuccessM&A Timbers, a prominent supplier and manufacturer of both local and imported timbers, has become an essential source for several construction, furniture-making, and woodworking projects in Cape Town. Boasting an extensive inventory of wood in...

Digital VS Traditional: The Marketing Wars

The Marketing WarsGone are the days of sending out pamphlets, flyers and posters in hopes of getting your message across. With the invention of e-commerce and online platforms, businesses have shifted their gaze from traditional marketing methods to a more tech-savvy...

Is ChatGPT taking over the world?

Is ChatGPT taking over the world?When ChatGPT burst onto the scene a few weeks ago, we weren’t surprised to see it making headline after headline. But is this really something we should be worried about? In an age of technology and automation, it’s only natural to be...

2023 Social Media Trends

Stretching Your Social WingsThe balance of algorithm changes, consumer and online behaviour shifts, and an entirely new generation finding themselves online can make social media management a nightmarish juggle – without the proper insight and experience, that is…...

Check for Mobile Friendliness!

Reading this on a mobile phone?The chances are incredibly high that you are reading this on a mobile phone. With 77.6% of all internet browsing in South Africa happening via a mobile device, it’s not hard to see how mobile SEO has become not only important but a...

SEO Expectations VS Reality

Measuring Up Your ExpectationsSearch engine optimisation (SEO) is an essential aspect of digital marketing that helps improve online visibility and attract more traffic to your website. However, there are several misconceptions that can lead to unrealistic...

3 Golden Rules for Email Marketing

Mastering Email MarketingEmail has the means to span all interests and age groups, making it a powerful tool for building up an audience exactly right for your business. But, as with all things, there are certain golden rules to follow to ensure it meets your...

How to jet to Page #1 on Google

All Engines GO!Are you strapped in? It’s time to start your engines and check your lights because we’re about to jet off to that sweet number-one spot in Google search. We have the know-how to balance the wings of your business’s digital marketing efforts to give you...

Phishing Scams: What they are & how to avoid them

Hook, line, sinker.Have you received emails from a foreign prince asking for your immediate (and incredibly urgent) assistance? In it, they swear that if you help them acquire a large sum of money, they will reward you with a stake in it… Yes? Yep, that was a phishing...

The route to SEO gone wrong

Don’t risk your SEO!We’ll get to the point: SEO is a bit temperamental… Getting your balance of SEO services right largely depends on the partner you choose (since they are the ones who make the magic happen), which means there are a few key points to remember to...

Does email marketing have a future

In 2021, roughly 309.6 billion emails were sent and received daily across the globe, and that figure is anticipated to exceed 333 billion in 2022. We cannot conduct business without communication, which is one of the many reasons email marketing continues to hold a...

Whatsapp is a-changing

Change is coming!Our beloved instant messaging platform, the one that completely took over standard SMSing in South Africa, is changing! But only for the better… This Meta-owned social media platform has introduced several new updates trialling privacy settings and...

The Mechanics of Email Branding

Email Branding ExplainedWe are seeing extraordinary click-through rates of close to 20% on e-banners contained in clients’ outbound emails! These statistics validate that email branding, which includes e-banners and signatures, can help improve your website’s traffic...

The Ugly Truth About Stopping SEO

Stopping my SEO can’t be that bad, right?We often find that businesses look to stop and start their search engine optimisation services where they feel it suits their budget because taking a break shouldn’t do any harm, right? But unfortunately, the truth is that once...

Why Google Adwords need active management

Why SEM is not “set and forget”Google Adwords (Ads) is a Search Engine Marketing (SEM) or paid media strategy, proven to deliver instant results.  Financed on a pay-per-click basis, costs trigger upon each ad click.  Often compared to (and confused with) SEO, it...

Using Google Analytics to improve website user experience

Creating a great user experience (UX) for people who visit your site is important because it enhances accessibility and increases engagement. A good UX also helps you to get visitors invested in what they see, which means that these individuals are more likely to...

Plagued by fake Facebook reviews?

Are you being plagued by fake Facebook reviews?Much to our dismay, even Facebook is susceptible to spam! While social media platforms have advanced incredibly in the last few years, we still find corners of these spaces in our social media management processes quite...

PHP 8.0 Upgrade coming soon

PHP 8.0 Upgrade Incoming!Have you recently received an email regarding your website’s upcoming PHP 8.0 upgrade? We are here to spread the good news! All clients hosted with Cape Business Online can rest assured that their website will soon be upgraded to PHP 8.0...

Stunning fonts define stunning graphic designs

Serving Stunning Designs!At the heart of each stunning graphic design is an equally stunning font! New font design trends emerge each year, prepped to overtake the scene and help us create impactful visuals for compelling campaigns and lasting brand messages. With a...

SEO: Cost or Investment?

Investing for SuccessEvery investment in your business should be determined based on its ability to promote the growth of your business, right?  Well, we think so, at least.  This is why it is always baffling to see that so many businesses, across almost every...

Do Facebook ads really work?

The Wonderful World of Facebook AdvertisingWe all see Facebook adverts. Sometimes, we feel like we drown in them. Other times we wonder why we’re being targeted for certain products. A lot of the time, we wonder if anyone else was a sucker for the same ad we just...

“C” is for Credibility…

Credibility in the Online WorldCommunicating with your potential clients, and the way you communicate, has a direct bearing on how that client perceives the credibility of your business. Now, we’ve used a bunch of important ‘C’ words here, but the most important one,...

10 Benefits of SEO for Businesses in 2022

We’re always floored to hear when businesses are not using modern digital marketing tools at their disposal. With the distinctive impact of online marketing and the sheer volume of potential clients prowling the ends of the internet, there is zero doubt: If your...

Graphic Design: The Apple to your Business’s Eye

Consumers want to be wowed by brands with new and exciting marketing. This is why visual elements are at the top of the list for successful entities. Well-known brand names like Checkers, Nandos even Discovery Health may all be in different industries, but they have...

Win R25k in Vehicle Branding with Signarama

Signage like no otherWhether you are off to work or out to run errands, there is one thing we can guarantee you’ll see: vehicles! From owning them to utilising public transport, cars, busses, trucks and everything in between make it into our eye line every day. This...

The Four R’s for Reducing Facebook Ad Spend

Spending money on paid advertising can be beneficial to your business, but without the right guidance and no notable return, it can also become a significant burden. Luckily, there are ways to handle your marketing for social media to reduce your advertising budget...

How does Google search work?

There’s no way to deny our online habits, and Google takes up a large part of it…From checking the weather forecast and what’s in the news to figuring out why you dreamt of someone you haven’t thought about for five years, Google search results is our wingman to...

Ecommerce: The importance of connecting with consumers

Social media innovations and the ease of online shopping has led to a massive shift in consumer mindsets and modern lead generation . With ecommerce enabling 24/7 transactions and accessibility, consumers have become accustomed to instantly fulfilling their needs....

From open roads to open browsers

A passion for the open road…Embracing an adventurous spirit is what Makani is all about. As enthusiastic motorcyclists, the desire to combine this passion with a new sense of adventure is what led the team at Makani on their journey to offering Harley Davidson rentals...

How to use Google reviews to improve SEO

Online consumer behaviour has significantly evolved in the wake of the pandemic. As many as 54% of South African consumers are now shopping online. Aligned with this, there is a growing trend in the trust gained from reviews of other customers, those that have tried...

Digital vs Print for your Marketing

In today’s ever-evolving world, most businesses prefer digital over print, but we think the platform you choose should depend on the context it is used for. Both avenues of marketing have pros and cons, but we have found that the cost savings of digital over print,...

Why content matters in SEO?

We like to think we have what it takes to be considered the best SEO Company Cape Town has to offer! Our monthly blog posts aim to take the guess work out of which agency to trust with your lead generation and online footprint. Our posts aim to educate our clients on...

Email marketing is still relevant

There has been some discussion in digital circles about how effective email marketing is in today’s digital age. Some say email marketing is dead and others disagree. All stats indicate that email branding and marketing is indeed very much alive, although more on...

Start-ups and Gmail Accounts

There has been a lot of debate online in recent years on whether or not a business should utilise Gmail for their email addresses. There are arguments for and against this, depending on the type of industry you are in and whether you have a business domain.In our...

Why agencies cannot utilise images sent over Whatsapp

Although WhatsApp has made our work lives easier by being able to contact clients quicker as well as communicate messages to a group at once, it is also a graphic designer’s worst nightmare! Many clients who deal with us ask for urgent communications to be designed...

Covid-19 forces consumers online

The popularity of online shopping during pandemic situations is nothing new, there was an increase in ecommerce activity when the SARS crisis took place in 2002 and 2003. The current global trend being observed, indicates that businesses that adapt their workflow to...

Facebook 2020 Snapshot

In January 2020, there were 36.54 million internet users in South Africa, and according to NapoleonCat, 21.28 million of that number are active Facebook users. The majority of South African users on Facebook are women – yet only slightly. The biggest age group of...

What is Lead Generation?

Lead generation has become a really popular buzzword in the marketing industry, but many people still don’t understand the term. Simply put, a lead is a prospective customer who has shown interest in your service, product or promotion by providing their contact...

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