Newest Web Site Launch

After working so hard on a web site, usually for weeks or sometimes months, it feels strange to launch a site and actually let it go. But, what a sense of accomplishment.

My newest launch, Kingdom Kids Childcare of Erie, PA, went live on Monday. It's a site I really enjoyed working on. Annie, Valissa and Shawn are the nicest people to work with and really care about kids.

Here's to small businesses working together, especially in these rough times.

Emphasizing Your Customer

I can't tell you how many web sites or printed advertising materials I have seen that completely miss the point of advertising in the first place. We see a picture of the building, the company owner, read a history of the business, etc. But very little time is spent the most important aspect - letting the customer know the benefits they will receive by using the company product or service.

Most people have very little time these days. You have a few seconds at best to capture their attention and let them know how you can solve a problem for them. For example, see the differences in the following:

First: "Our company has been making energy efficient windows for over 25 years."

Second: "Save money by replacing your old windows with new energy efficient windows."

The second catches the reader's attention by letting them know exactly why they benefit from buying energy efficient windows from you.

When designing any kind of advertising material, be sure to emphasize the benefit to the customer first.

How NOT To Gain Trust Through Your Web Site

I came across an interesting web design company web site this morning. I won't give the name or url, but this company has a web site that raises all kinds of red flags, were I looking for a web development company. The home page is attractive, albeit not designed for search engine optimization. There is not a lot of information on the home page so I clicked on a link at the bottom of the page that was entitled "CMS Web Design". That page however, is a form, asking for your name and email. In return you get free information about the "secrets" of web site design. OK, not what I wanted to know, so I go back to the home page and click on the "Professional Web Design" link. And, guess what? It takes you to the same form. I go back to the home page and click on all the links at the bottom. They all go to the same form. Whoa! This is a huge problem. This company has given very little information about itself but asks that you provide them with a name and email address? Not to mention the fact that the home page was obviously designed to trick search engines into listing it higher.

The point is, you have to give information to your web site visitors and potential customers that will make you seem real to them. Be honest. Do not "hard sell" or demand contact information. Trust is something that should be built upon from the first.

Remember Who Got You Here

Every business has a group of select customers who were there from the beginning and helped the business get where it is today. It is easy to overlook these faithful clients while we pursue new ones.

But, stop and think. These loyal customers already buy from you. You don't have to spend a lot of money advertising to them, trying to win them over. So, why not target your best customers and keep them coming back? Have a "Current Customers Only" private sale or give them a discount. Let them know you appreciate them. Even if they don't need what you have at the moment, they have friends and family. Special treatment creates good will and people talk about that. And they will remember it when they do need what you offer.

Being Busy and Having a Cold Don't Mix!

When my husband brought home his second cold in 8 weeks I thought, "No way am I going to avoid getting this one!" I was right. He gets colds more easily than I do, but I get them harder.

Imagine trying to work on a web site project while coughing, sneezing and generally feeling out of it! OK, enough of that. We have all been through it. Having to work when it would have been better for our bodies if we had stayed in bed.

Finally feeling more like myself, I decided I had better post something on this blog so everyone knows I am not dead. I just felt like it for a few days.

Maybe next week, things will be back to normal.

A Computer Virus Review

What with all the attention that the Conficker worm received the last few days, now is a good time to review safe computer practices.

Install a reputable antivirus software program and keep it updated. The best way is to let the program automatically update.

Invest in either a software or hardware firewall.

If you use Windows, make sure automatic updates are turned on. You will get fixes as soon as they are released this way.

Never open an attachment unless you are expecting it.

Run any downloaded file through your anti-virus program before installing or opening it.

Run a full system scan of your computer system using your anti-virus software at least once a week.

Keep your fingers crossed at all times.

Starting a Business Now

We have talked about it before. Starting a business during economical down times is an opportunity if you just reach out for it.

According to a recent CNN Commentary, No Job? Create Your Own by Peter Bregman:

"And this is the perfect time to start a new business. Marketing costs are way down because of the Internet and less competition. And as I wrote in a recent article about the new economy, small companies are replacing big ones because we trust people more than companies."

Figure out what you love and get going!