Wedding Industry Statistics

What's happening in the wedding industry? Is the recession (err... "economic downturn") having an impact on your business? Have you taken a look at the most recent wedding industry statistics?

Almost all of my clients are having their best year ever. Don't get me wrong, marketing to brides is tougher than ever before, but with the right Internet strategy people are reaching into their marketplace, finding online brides, getting them to their website, and getting inquiries and booking weddings.

If you're not already subscribed to my free Internet Marketing Tips for Wedding Professionals newsletter subscribe today. It's absolutely free.

Getting Your Website Ready For The 2008 Wedding Planning Rush

It's hard to believe 2008 is less than 60 days away.

And with the average cost of a wedding now above $25,000.00... more is at stake then ever before.

With that in mind, here are some "big picture" things to be thinking about when you look at your website and ask "Are We Ready for 2008?"

1) Right Look

Does the look of your website communicate professionalism, expertise, knowledge, and that a bride came to the right website? Or does it look like something "home-grown." How does it look compared to your four biggest competitors?

2) Communicate Your Services

Does it clearly and quickly communicate your services? I mean CLEARLY. Do your images and words match? Are your graphics crisp and clean? How well does it do communicating what you do compared to your four biggest competitors?

3) Establish Credibility

Testimonials from happy customers, lots of them, is one of the most effective ways to communicate credibility. No bride wants to choose someone who looks like they just started their business last week.

4) Expertise & Leadership Position

When you establish yourself as an expert in your field, and your geographic marketplace, and you effectively communicate that at your website (#2), you'll get better results form your website and get more inquiries.

5) UVP: Unique Value Proposition

What makes you different than the last 5 websites a bride/groom just visited? Do you make that clear at the top of your website?

6) Value/Benefit

Do you clearly communicate and state your value and the benefits associated with choosing YOU (vs. a competitor). Here's another opportunity to look at your competitor's websites and capitalize on their weaknesses.

7) Showcase Your Services and Products

Testimonials, Testimonials, Testimonials !!! If you have pictures to use with them even better!

8) Optimize For Search Engines

Last, but not least, optimize your pages for search engines. Getting a top ranked position with Google is like having a money tree in your backyard (and marketing to online brides just got a whole lot easier!).


Chris Jaeger
Book More Weddings
http://www.bookmoreweddings.com/

Get the ADVANTAGE for your website. More traffic, more brides, more inquiries, more sales.

Google Is Watching You...

Have you ever gone to a website and next thing you know you've picked up a virus or something has changed your browser settings?

These things are called "drive-by" viruses or spyware.

It's not a good way to leave a good impression on a bride and can pretty much ruin your effort marketing to brides online.

Google is watching your website and if you have one of these at your website Google is going to tell the world.

What you need to do: Make sure your webmaster is running clean code, make sure your hosting server is secure, avoid cheap or "free" hosting services, and keep an eye on your listings at Google.

Chris Jaeger
Book More Weddings
http://www.bookmoreweddings.com/

Get the ADVANTAGE for your website. More traffic, more brides, more inquiries, more sales.

Getting Your Wedding Business Website Top Ranked At Google

10 Things You Need To Know (and What To Do Today) or You Don't Stand A Chance of Getting a Top Position at the World's Most Popular Search Engine

Introduction

Getting top ranking with Google, and staying there, is just like having a money tree in your back yard.

Web site owners that I've helped to get top ranked have cut back on other advertising and traditional marketing costs - and still achieved an increase in their sales.

More sales + less cost = more PROFIT.

Other Web site owners who once got four or five inquiries a month are now getting four or five inquiries, sometimes MORE, in a single day!

Why, you ask?

Because statistics show that 80% who start an Internet session are "looking for something" and their search begins with a search engine.

The Internet is the ultimate research tool. It is virtually free, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Old, young, business executives, artists, research scientists, doctors, lawyers, just about everyone knows the Internet is the quickest and easiest way to find information.

Google is the #1 search engine and more than 70% of all the searches performed each month are performed using Google.

We're talking BILLIONS of searches each month - just at Google.

Google is the place to be top ranked. To ignore the value of a top ranked position for your website is a mistake that your competition will be glad you made.

Here is the good news. When you optimize for Google and get top ranking with them your efforts will probably deliver similar positioning at Yahoo! and MSN.

The bad news is that there is a lot of competition for these top positions which makes it more difficult to achieve. All the more reason to know what to do.

This complete report is available for members of my ADVANTAGE program at Book More Weddings.


Chris Jaeger
Book More Weddings
http://www.bookmoreweddings.com/

Get the ADVANTAGE for your website. More traffic, more brides, more inquiries, more sales.

Average Cost of A Wedding

My good friend Shane McMurray over at The Wedding Report has updated his research. If you're in the Wedding Industry and marketing to brides you'll find his information and research valuable.

http://www.theweddingreport.com

Highlights...

The average wedding cost for wedding is $28,800.00

Typically included in calculating the average cost of wedding?

Attendant Gifts, Boutonnieres/Corsages, Bride Accessories, Bride Bouquet, Bride/Groom Hotel, Bridesmaid Bouquets, Ceremony Accessories, Ceremony Location, Ceremony Site Decorations, Decorations/Centerpieces, Flower Girl Flowers, Gifts for Each Other, Groom Accessories, Groom Tux/Suit, Guestbook, Hair & Makeup, Headpiece/Veil, Her Ring, His Ring, Invitations & Reply Cards, Limo Rental, Officiate/Pastor or Priest, Parent Gifts, Photographer, Reception Beverages/Bartender, Reception DJ, Reception Food Service, Reception Venue/Rentals, Rehearsal Dinner, Thank You Cards, Wedding Cake & Cutting Fee, Wedding Dress, and Wedding Favors

The question is: Are you getting your piece of the (wedding) cake?

:)

Chris Jaeger
Book More Weddings
http://www.bookmoreweddings.com