10 Ways to Make Sure Your Website is Caught Up to the 21st Century

Sure, you probably have a website.  Almost everyone does.  have you looked at it lately?  I mean really looked at it.

Many companies will focus their advertising/marketing dollars on popular mainstream media (television, newspapers, etc...).  BUT what happens when someone who sees your great ad on TV decides to visit your website and all they see is an antiquated, lifeless site?  They're not going to view you as the high-tech facility you pride yourself to be.

It is important when branding to make sure you take a look at ALL aspects of your public persona:  TV and newspaper ads; signage at your facility and other events; letterhead and envelopes used by all departments of the facility; promotional products handed out at recruiting events and to employees; and last, but most certainly not least, your website.

Below are 10 ways to clean up and breathe some new life into your old website:

1. Graphics - Make sure images you use are clean and sharp.  High resolution photos of your facility, grounds, staff and even current customers can help give a more personal feeling to your site.
2. Opt-in Box - Use something that will capture the visitor's information to keep them on your mailing list and give you a reason to keep in touch on a regular basis.  This can easily be accomplished with a service like Constant Contact or Swiftpage.  These are both easy-to-use programs with pre-made templates to help the author quickly turn out a very professional piece of literature (like a newsletter) on a regular basis.
3. Offer sufficient information on each page to help your visitor make an informed decision.  Nothing is more frustrating than being directed to a certain page on a website and not being able to find what you're looking for.  Make sure all information listed is current and correct and all links are "live" and go to where they promise.
4. Directions, Physical Address, Email Address, Contact Us - It can be on one page or multiple pages, but make sure it's clear how and where your potential customers can get to you.
5. Home Page - This page will define you, your company and your brand.  Make sure you capture your visitor's attention with the first look.  Better to keep it simple, use high-quality graphics and don't use a lot of text.  visitors want something easy to look at (so don't use yellow color text) and want to be able to find what they're looking for.
6. Easy Navigation - A website that is easily navigated is more user-friendly...so...your visitors will stay longer!
7. Articles - Keep your visitors informed with timely, current articles.  Also include these in your newsletter to hold your target market's interest.  Visitors want information - they thrive on it!  Give them what they want with well-written, well-researched articles.  Also, the spider bots love new content on a regular basis - this is a good way to keep them active.
8. Look Before You Leap - Take a look at your successful competitor's websites.  They are successful for a reason, so don't recreate the wheel, just take a few pointers from them.  I'm not suggesting you copy their site or layout, but take a look at the ease in navigation, the graphics, the home page, and the depth of information they're offering.  They're obviously doing something right.
9. Testimonials from satisfied customers help lend credibility to you and your brand.  What type of advertising works best?  Word of mouth.  By posting testimonials of REAL customers, your visitors will easily identify with them and will be more likely to use your service and/or product.
10. Have a purpose for every web page and make sure that purpose is easily identified!  Don't have full staff bios on the Contact Us page.  That page has a purpose - to show your visitor how to contact you - don't muddy it up with other information that isn't pertinent.  You can always create another page called Meet the Staff.

It's so important in this high-tech culture we live in to make the right impression and give sufficient information to the people who visit your site.  If you don't, they'll find someone who will.

Custom Chocolate Gift Box

A Mortgage Company felt that its gifts were not making the impact they wanted for the Holidays and that the gift was not getting to everyone they intended. That is when they decided to switch to our TR16 and use chocolate houses and dollar signs as the chocolates surrounding their logo. This gift not only made an impact because of the fact that the pieces in it pertained to their industry but, also because there was enough pieces in the box for the entire office to share. Also the gift was not something someone already had received. Everybody enjoyed it, from the President of the company right down to the Administrative Staff.

Courtesy Chocolate Inn ASI 44900

Twister Mug

A call center in Missouri wanted a mug that could be used at the desk by their personnel. They wanted vibrant colors to promote awareness and help to prevent spills onto paperwork and keyboards in the work area.

The #4000 Twister Mug was a great fit. It is unique looking, has a spill-resistant lid, keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. Also, the square shaped bottom has been found to be less likely to tip over than a round bottom mug.

The mugs were imprinted with the call center’s name, “Try a New Twist” tagline, & company motto.

The employees loved their mugs and the call center even sold the extras on hand to employees who wanted these to use in their vehicles and homes.

Courtesy Evans ASI 52840

Car Advertising

This is an old tried but true way to advertise a local business. Vinyl static cling stickers for windows and car size magnets are very inexpensive and provide a world of potential advertising for your business right in your area.

Make sure you give the lookers the pertinent information. Are you a painter? Make sure the audience knows what it is that you do and how to get a hold of you:

Example: Joe's Interior Painting - we are the best! 804-555-5634

Are you a cleaning service that has a great list of basic services? Don't put all of that on the magnet. Put your phone number and your website so they can go there and find out exactly what you offer for what price:

Example: We Clean 4 U - Outshine our competition every time. 804-555-8888. Visit weclean4u.com for a list of our services and pricing.

Make the phone number and website (whatever information is most important) large and legible from a distance.

Tip of the day: Do you have a business that targets children? Have you seen all of the cars and SUVs riding around with large soccer ball magnets advertising a local soccer association or bumper stickers advertising that their child made the honor roll for a particular school? What better way to get the word out than to use the vehicles of the proud parents of those kids? Think about it, for less than $1.00, your business name, website and phone number can be seen by thousands of people over a few days span. Not a bad return on your investment.

Stay in Front of the Competition - 9 Marketing Strategies to Help Keep You 1 Step Ahead

Competition is tough out there.  With this economic climate, we are all scrounging to beat out fierce competitors for our customer's business.

What are you doing to stay on top?  Haven't given it much thought?  I guarantee that your competitors have!

Below is a strategic roadmap for you to keep one step ahead of the others.

1. Make sure your website is clean, up-to-date and informative. - Make sure your home page is clean and uncluttered.  Your navigational system needs to be easy to use and allow the visitor to find what they're looking for.  Make sure all of the contact information is current and all of your hyperlinks are active.
2. Build a mailing list to keep in contact with customers. - Communication is key!  Monthly newsletters are easier to publish than ever before.  Inexpensive services like Constant Contact or Swiftpage provide easy to use templates.  All you need is a sign-up box on your website (the service builds the code for you) and you're ready to start rolling!
3. Consistently produce press releases. - Get the word out!  Have you hired a new CEO?  Is your new branch opening next month?  Has your Foundation raised more money this year than in the last 3 years combined?  These are all newsworthy items that help keep your name and brand out there.  Develop a list of local media to submit to.  With time and consistency, you will also develop a good rapport with those contacts.
4. Frequent blogging habits - Fresh content on your website keeps the spiders crawling in the search engines!  Blogging 2 to 3 times per week can help keep the traffic up on your website.  Don't blog for the sake of blogging.  Make sure your blogs have information pertaining to your target market.
5. Publish articles (on your website) and in article directories on the internet. - Publishing articles is a way for you to become an expert in your field.  There are many article directories that will accept submissions for free.  This is a great way to help brand your name and company in a positive light.
6. Keep your image clean and consistent. - Whatever your message is, say it often and use it on every piece of collateral material you publish.  Make sure the image is consistent from business cards to brochures to banners at trade shows to all of the promotional items you give away.  Your target market needs a clear, concise message that they are exposed to often.
7. Go the extra mile to recognize your current clients. - It can cost up to five times more to land a new customer as it does to retain a current customer.  With a reduction in marketing funds, you may consider doing something special for your current clients, like sending a Happy Birthday card every year.  It's a small gesture that can really go a long way in building that long-lasting relationship.
8. Offer expanded services. - How late do your competitor's stay open?  Do they have office hours on Saturdays or evenings?  Consider expanding your hours to accommodate your customer's needs.  Take a look at what your customer is asking for and fulfill that need if at all possible.
9. Pay special attention to the customer's overall experience. - Put yourself in your customer's shoes for one moment.  For brick and mortar companies - drive into the parking lot and notice any ruts or holes.  Is the walk to the building lengthy?  Is the staff friendly and willing to help you out?  For web only companies - check the ease of navigation on your website.  Can your customer find what they're looking for easily?  All of the factors involved from beginning to end will build the framework for if this person will return again for your services.  Make sure that you pay attention to these factors and make the overall experience enjoyable.

Remember, it's all about the customer.  If they're not happy with their experience, they won't be back and they'll tell all of their friends, family and co-workers not to go.

The strategies laid out above will help you give the customer what your competitors are not - a pleasant, informative experience.  Follow these guidelines and you'll have the "brand" that all of your competitors will be striving to attain.

Podcast & Internet Radio Advertising/Sponsorship

Don't know what a podcast is? Below is a definition from the internet's largest free encyclopedia - Wikipedia. Note: this is a direct copy, complete with other linked references.

A podcast is a collection of digital media files which is distributed over the Internet, often using syndication feeds, for playback on portable media players and personal computers. The term podcast, like "broadcast", can refer either to the series of content itself or to the method by which it is syndicated; the latter is also termed podcasting. The term podcast should not be used to describe individual files. The host or author of a podcast is often called a podcaster.

Podcasts and Internet Radio can offer a unique way to reach a tight target market - this can give you more than just the visuals of a web advertisement. Costs for this type of advertising are considerably lower than traditional radio advertising, PLUS you normally get a "bundle" package with on site and list advertising (you'll be listed as a sponsor with a link to your website from their website and possibly newsletter or solo emailings to their large lists).

Do your homework! Google your niche market along with the word "podcasts" and start researching. Many of these podcasts are weekly or even daily and can have a large following. If your company name and website info are continually bombarded at these people, they'll take a look!

Tip of the day: Go to iTunes and search podcasts in your target market. Subscribe to and download a few (many of them are free or a low costs to subscribe to). You can even participate live, many ask for callers - they LOVE experts to come online and give their audience some free advice. You can start a following even before you decide to spend any money!

Networking as Advertising?

Networking has been a big buzz word for the last few years. Networking is the ability to make connections with other people in business and build relationships that can help your business grow.

Here are some bullet points to think about when considering using networking in your advertising mix:

• Low-cost - Many networking and referral groups have minimal annual dues. Make sure you shop around though. Get referrals from other people and visit the group (many groups will let you visit a few times to see if you and your business will be a good fit for the group). This minimal outlay of cash can earn you back many more times than you invested!
• Great way to jumpstart your business - Finding people who think and do business the same way you do will help give your business a boost during a down economic time.
• Look for specific networking groups - There are always specific groups to fit your needs like: women's business groups; referral clubs; local and regional chamber of commerce (these are really great to get your business name out locally); only lunchtime and only breakfast time groups. Start asking around or get on the internet and research your local city websites for more information.
• When you join...JOIN - If you make the commitment to join the group, give it 100% effort: Attend the meetings regularly; Participate on a regular basis (which is often required that you provide a 30-60 sec commercial about yourself to the group); and answer questions and get involved in the discussions so as to establish yourself an expert and trusted name in your niche.
• Honesty is the best policy - Don't make up or "pad" your bio. If you're honest, people will trust you and that's what will help your business in the long run.
• LISTEN! - As I always tell my kids, "God gave you 2 ears and 1 mouth - that means you should listen twice as much as you talk." These are definitely words to live by. If you LISTEN and don't interupt or impose your opinion on others, you will learn so much more and be able to give an informed response :)
• Be unique - I have a friend who always wears interesting buttons to meetings. Inevitably someone makes a comment about the button and he gives it to them right then and there. He's the button-man. Some people have a "catch phrase" that they always use when closing their brief commercial. People always remember them when they attend the same meetings. Some people hand out a uniquely shaped business card - something with rounded corners or printed vertically instead of horizontally. Find something that will help people remember you!

Tip of the day: When getting into networking groups, always remember the GOLDEN RULE! Make sure you treat the other members with respect and conduct business the way you want them to conduct business with you. This true business ethic will give back to you a hundred fold!

Advertising with Business Cards

One of the most effective forms of Traditional Advertising is the use of business cards. Business cards can be as simple or as elaborate as you want them to be. No matter what theme, color or style you choose, be sure to include the following list of "must-have" information:

• Name
• Title
• Company Name
• Address (including city, state and zip code)
• email address
• Phone number (include cell phone number if appropriate)
• Fax number
• Website URL

Now that you have designed your card and included all of the pertinent information, you are ready to start giving them out. But HOW?...and WHERE? Here are some ideas to help you get the word out that you are in business:

1. Leave them on tables in public places - Places where people gather are where your cards will be most visible (ex: coffee shops; public meeting rooms; lounges in upscale hotels; restaurants and bars; and libraries). Just lay a couple down on the table as you're leaving; the next person to pick it up might be your next customer!
2. Strategically place them in books in your local libraries and bookstores - Don't just randomly choose books, but take your time and find books that relate to your business. For instance, if you are a personal trainer, place the cards in books that pertain to fitness and weight loss.
3. Hand out at meetings and social events - If you're just starting out, you will probably be attending quite a few networking type functions. Take a stack of cards with you everywhere you go and start handing them out!
4. Put a card in the mail - Literally, put a business card in every piece of mail that leaves your home and office. Someone on the other end of that electric bill is in charge of opening the mail and they are potential customers. You can also recruit your family and friends to put your cards in their outgoing mail...they'll be happy to help you out.

Tip of the Day: If you printed only a one-sided business card, take advantage of the blank backside to jot down a special offer, coupon, or more detailed information about your product or service.

Advertising 101 - Where Do You Begin?

There are many forms of advertising, and even doubly more if you have a website and want to create a presence online! It can all be very overwhelming.

We'll break it down into some broad categories and expand on them over the next several days.

Traditional Forms of Advertising:

• Business Cards
• Car Advertising
• Direct Mail
• Print (Newspapers and Magazines)
• Promotional Products
• Radio
• Television
• Tips Booklet or Cards
• PR (this is a free one that many people don't take advantage of)
• Networking

Online Advertising:

• Building Relationships (Making Friends)
• Ezine Advertising
• Free Website Traffic
• Social Networks, Forums and Groups
• Pay Per Click
• Podcast & Internet Radio Sponsorships
• Website Ads

Tip of the Day: Slow down before you spend that money. Take the time to research your options and make an informed decision!