We've all heard about Google's Zero Moment of Truth. It's the moment before the traditional customer journey when a consumer decides to research online about a product or service that they are interested in. 

The Zero Moment of Truth is absolutely real! And if marketers don't take it seriously, it is at their peril.  

However, just because someone at Google created a new "term" for research before the purchase, does NOT mean that the old rules of marketing no longer exist! 

In fact, they are probably more valuable today than ever before.  

Let’s talk about marketing and advertising! If you are selling marketing solutions for your clients, this is for you! (By the way, if you are not, this is still a great concept for your own company and your marketing.)

No matter what your job title, your ultimate job is to provide marketing solutions for your clients. For decades, we've been trained to be consultants to help our clients solve a challenge through advertising/marketing programs that will generate new customers and revenue for their business. If the goal is to provide a good ROI on their advertising, we better become the marketing pros that we've been telling people that we are for years. 

Today, let's talk about branding. 

When you speak to marketing people, branding is one of the first things they mention. What's your brand? 

And I say, forget branding!  

In an age where we’re all spending 12+ hours a day staring a screen, where nearly everything is automated, people crave the human element. They crave relationship. The need for human connection is why social media is so popular—in spite of the fact that it’s also elusive on online platforms.

Today we have a guest post from Max Emelianov. Max started HostForWeb in 2001. In his role as HostForWeb’s CEO, he focuses on teamwork and providing the best support for his customers while delivering cutting-edge web hosting services. 

First impressions are everything, especially online. But is your website making the right one for your brand?