Ditch What Doesn’t Work, Embrace What Does, and Simplify

Big Changes ComingI have to share a really awesome secret with you.

For the past six months, Brian and I have been working like crazy on our business.

We’ve been evaluating our services and programs, pouring over our analytics data, and getting crystal clear.

Clear about exactly what we want to do, what we love to do, who we want to work with, how we want to help people, and where we want to go.

We’ve also been evaluating why you should care, how we can help you, what the benefits are to you, and what you need to accelerate your online success… And all of the behind the scenes work is just about done!

I am so excited to unveil everything we have been working on and share it with you. Every time I think about it, my stomach starts to do flip flops!

[Read more...]

Good Design Is Not Optional

Good Web DesignA study I recently read stated that an average person only gives a website 10 seconds before deciding if a site is worth their time, which means you have less than ten seconds to:

1. Attract the viewer
2. Declare your message
3. Get them to take action

With so much noise on the web today, and the natural ADD nature of most web surfers, your worst enemy is the browser back button. After someone lands on your website from a search engine, status update, marketing promotion, Tweet, or email link, you have a very short window of opportunity to keep them on your site, so let’s cover each step.

[Read more...]

What Different Types of Websites can I Choose From?

Website ChoicesWith so many different companies offering website design and website development services, and each one calling their product something different or using different services and tools, the entire idea of creating your company website can seem a little daunting at times.

Don’t worry!

There is no need to waste time worrying about what type of website you need or what type of website is best for your business, because there are really only two different types of websites:

[Read more...]

How Can a Website or Blog Help My Business?

Website and BlogYour website, or even better your blogsite (a website and blog combination) is the absolute best marketing tool you have for your business. It is the perfect online marketing platform to reach your prospects, customers, and partners/vendors and provide them:

  • More information about you, your business, your products and services, and special programs
  • Education about why your services and products are needed
  • Samples of how your products and services have helped other people
  • Opportunities to interact with you and your business
  • News about your industry, business, products, services, etc. that affect them
  • Increased customer services and added benefits

[Read more...]

What is a Website and Does My Business Need a Website?

Small Business WebsiteA website is basically a collection of web pages, documents, images, audio files, and video files, that are accessible from the same URL and typically residing on the same server and maintained by a person, group, or organization. A server is just the “place” online where your website files reside.

The main page of a website is called a website home page and the other pages inside the website are sub pages. Each page is hyperlinked (linked) together so the visitor can travel from page to page.

Websites are created using a combination of programming languages. The top three are Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML), Extensible HyperText Markup Language (XHTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). These languages and style sheets tell the web browsers what information to display on your website and how it should look.

[Read more...]

Increase Marketing Results by Investing in Your First Impression

business first impression

When a consumer visits your website you only have a few seconds to capture attention and interest. If your website fails to hook them and they leave your website, they may never come back! This could potentially cause you to loose prospects, lose customers, and lose profits.

Here are five things to remember when creating or upgrading your business website to make sure you present your business professionally and credibly, and make a great first impression:

  • Just as you need to dress appropriately for a business meeting and put your best foot forward, your business website needs to also put its best foot forward with a clean, polished, professional appearance.
  • [Read more...]

SEO TIPS: 5 Business Website Must Haves When it Comes to Optimization

seo tips for business websites

Search engine optimization or SEO is one of the top three most important components of your business website success. You can read about the other two components of successful business websites, good design and quality content, in the blog post Search Engine Optimization: The Two Most Important Things Your Website Needs.

The web design, website content, and SEO make up a trifecta of search engine results page power.

Search engine optimization is a process not a single event. With that fact in mind, your search engine optimization or SEO efforts should begin before the design and content development of your website and continue for the life of your website.

[Read more...]

When Anchor Text Fails: Simple Solutions to Better Business Websites

using anchor text links

If you have a link anywhere on your website that says nothing more than “click here,” this post is written especially for you.

This about this, what information of value does the link “click here” provide your visitor?

The answer is ZERO value. The words “click here” mean nothing to the reader and are basically useless. The only thing the “click here” link tells the reader is that they can click the link to go to another web page.

Instead your link should use keywords or key phrases that give the reader a hint of what information they will find or access when they click the link. You can learn more by reading the post Using Links for Search Engine Optimization.

[Read more...]

Web Design Tips: Nickelodeon’s iCarly Says .net Domains Are For Losers

Nickeloeon iCarly Talks Domain NamesMy six year old daughter loves the sitcom iCarly on Nickelodeon. It’s a show about three kids – Carly, Sam and Freddie – who run a web show called iCarly. So, the entire show is centered around their web show and publishing online content.

I have to admit that as far as kid shows are concerned, I am totally hooked. I even found myself (yes, I am admitting this) watching it the other day when I was home alone!

A couple days ago we were snuggled up watching iCarly before bed and I almost wet my pants! In the episode, Carly and Sam were filming the intro to their live web show and when they were driving people to the iCarly website, they said…

[Read more...]

Website Design Tips: 10 Pages Every Small Business Website Should Have

web pages every small business website must have

The one part of website development that every entrepreneur and business owner gets stuck in is the content development and what pages they need to include in their website.

Some of the questions that are repeated over and over are:

  • Do I need a testimonials page and do I have to call it that?
  • What if I don’t have any testimonials right now?
  • How do I know what to include on each page?
  • Do I say about us, or about me, or just about?
  • What pages do I need to include on my business website

[Read more...]