You know you need broadband internet for your business - it's no longer a luxury, but a necessity. With so many options available today, which is the best one for you? PC Magazine explains your options so you can make an informed decision!
According to Microsoft, the popular website design program FrontPage will be faded out beginning in 2007. In its place, Microsoft is introducing SharePoint Designer and Expression Web Designer. Check out more information in this article from
Smallbiztechnology.com.
Are you security savvy? What kind of firewalls do you have? Is your wireless network secure? Are your passwords? Get tips on these security issues and more from PC Magazine: Maximum Security: 94 Essential Tips for Staying Safe
How does your website stack up when it comes to link popularity on the major search engines? MarketLeap has a great tool that will tell you how your site compares to other similar ones. Check it out!
http://www.marketleap.com
A great article by Joe Balestrino on what you need to think about when building your website:
Owning a website is more than just having it built
Keep the Content Coming!
Your website is finally built. It’s professionally designed, has compelling content, and it has vast amounts of helpful information about your products or services. But, and this is an important but…is your website working for you?
Your offline tools and advertisements may get your customers and prospects to go to your website home page once. But you want them to return many times. Here are some things to improve your website’s sales power:
1. Update Your Portfolio: If you have a portfolio of your work (photographers, architects, landscapers, designers, writers, etc.), keep your "latest and greatest" work current. Send an enthusiastic e-mail to your customers to let them know it’s been updated.
2. Write Articles: You are an expert in your field. Customers are hungry for the information only you can provide. Give them helpful advice and tips. On your homepage, let website visitors know about this section.
3. Add a Discussion Forum: Your website designer can help you add a discussion forum. This allows visitors to communicate with each other, and your staff can provide helpful answers.
4. Create a "Links" Page: Customers like being able to find out more information regarding their purchasing decisions. With a links page, you can map the way for them to visit other related websites.
5. Publish an Ezine: Publishing an ezine will help position your business as an expert in your field. In addition, you will be providing tips to your customers that will help them. It sets you apart from your competitors and instills confidence and trust in your readers, making it easier for them to do business with you. Archive your articles on your website on an ongoing basis to refresh your content for business.
6. Ask Your Site Visitors: Is there something in your business you are considering? Do you want some feedback on a service? Why not ask for your customers’ opinion? You can post an online opinion poll and down the road, post customers’ responses.
7. Start a Blog: If you are committed to posting regularly, a blog can be a great way to build relationships with your customers and leads. You can give them advice about services or products, you can offer them helpful advices, and you can give business updates. Best of all, a blog is easy to set up and update!
ACTION ITEM: This week, look at your website. Would a visitor want to come back? If not, write down several things you can add to your site that will entice people to return. Take the necessary steps to get it in place. Then, update your site!
Copyright 2005 Kinesis, Inc.
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Wendy Maynard, your friendly marketing maven writes Kinetic Ideas: A Marketing Blog at http://www.wendy.kinesisinc.com.
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