Directory Listings in Error

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Many of my clients are emailing with concern when they receive a message like this:

You have claimed your listing on Google, but I noticed your business information is incorrect on a number of sites online. Click here to get a free report detailing how your business info appears on Yahoo!, MapQuest, Yelp and 30 more sites.

Most of you have, or will receive the message from one or more sources.  Many companies are offering to correct your listings.

 These are sent even if most of the information accurate.  There are so many variables, perhaps a directory changed and now allows you to post photos, or expand your listing.  You may have been in business a long time, moved, or used tracking numbers you no longer use, there are a lot of factors which can make one listing be incorrect.  Directory listings have evolved. If you haven’t updated in 2 years, you’ll see dramatic changes with new opportunities to expand your listing.

Website Design Colors

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When it comes to designing your website color is the first decision. If you have a logo you have already established a branding, perhaps.  You can still work a new color theme around your logo for a new look.

Here a simple easy to understand article on color use for your website.  You may change the colors of your walls at home, too!

Here we added splashes of vibrant color, for effect without overpowering the visitor’s eyes.
veterinarian website

Web Design

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Contemplating a website?  Most websites begin with copy, graphics and photographs.  Later you may add slide shows, a bit of Flash, video, audio, a blog and more.

Your page copy will be one of the more challenging aspects.  The idea is to be unique in an Internet full of competitors.  How do you write something which hasn’t already been written?  Use your own voice.  Think about how you run your business: quality of your product/service, training, retraining, even community involvement – all of these speak to the ethics of your business.

Write as you would talk to a potential client.  If you are animated – let your words reflect that online.  Do you use meaningful quote in speaking?  Give credit – include your source.

Read your competitors’ websites.  Find things you don’t like on websites – then mull over how you would turn that into a positive.

Once you begin your copy – you’ll find it isn’t so daunting.

Website Design

Online Reviews

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People can now talk about your business in a variety of public forums.  Most of us welcome this.  It does have its downside – that one unhappy customer.  The one you tried exhaustingly to satisfy.  If you’ve been in business long enough – it either already has happened, or will happen.

Manage your online reputation by ackowledging those who have reviewed your business. This is an extension of how you appreciate your clients.  AND that one unhappy client.

Etiquette is simple – thank those positive reviewers for taking time to post and engage the unhappy one – calmly.   Avoid tit for tat.  You can admit a mistake, if that happened, and apologize.  If you have an offering to make amends, do so.

Your response doesn’t have to be extensive.  Potential clients will read how you responded.  Consumers know there are some people who are very hard to please, but a step toward addressing any negative review goes a long way.   More is telling in HOW you handle the unhappy client; and can speak well to potential clients.

Don’t avoid a bad review.

Why Have a Website?

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Businesses choose to have an online presence for multiple reasons.

Connecting with new clients is typically a motivating reason for moving online.

Tired of paying phone book directories which seem to be archaic means a business has to be somewhere in order to compete.

Some of my clients wanted an online brochure.  Presenting your past workmanship is a breeze, with the ability to show more content than hauling portfolios to prospective clients.

A wesbite can serve to give basic information from your phone number to hours of operation for a past client who lost your phone number.  It’s a time saver for businesses answering phone calls to give this basic info – everyone is happy.  A website is your 24/7 contact point.

Here is the one which the Internet has taught us: a website adds legitimacy to any business.  When considering doing hiring a company their website is just the place to research them before picking up the phone. While they have built the website and control the message – it’s a beginning.

I recently needed a product which was “difficult” to find.  The online community  buzzed with resources to find this item.  A simple Google search on the company name and I found they are located 3 miles from me.  Despite the location not being a typical retail store, they do sell at this facility.  A huge time saver for me.

Not having a website is no longer an option.

http://www.brendasimon.com/website-design.html

Online Advertising Marketers

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With online advertising marketers soliciting your ad dollars things get confusing quickly.  It’s a lot of information to absorb and digest.  My biggest concern is ad campaigns including a “new”, “second” or “mirror” website.  Your website is the cornerstone of your business online.  It has never been more critical to know the value of your website, your domain name.  All marketing needs to point to this very website-your domain name.  Everything pointing to it helps drive traffic to your site, and that’s the goal.  All your advertising needs to be directed to your website.  You are then in control. 

This second website benefits the advertiser seller, typically giving them a tracking phone number – so they can report to you, which sounds good.  But the same can be accomplished by pointing to your website with your phone number, (Google AdWords do this very thing).  They simply give code to you to place on your website.  This hands the control back to you.

 As I’ve mentioned before, having a duplicate website (“mirror”, “second”) is NOT a good thing.  Google made this clear a year ago when it began penalizing and banning duplicate content.  Even if the content is not exactly duplicated the more one site looks similar to another – the less Google gives weight to it, thus effecting how it returns your site in searches.  Currently one client has a second website and both this mirrored site and his true website are suffering in Google’s ranking.

 Perhaps the simplest way to view advertising online is to ask: Is it strengthening YOUR website?

Webmaster Services

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As a response to many recent inquiries, I am now offering a new monthly program for Webmaster Services. 

Every second, over 4,500 searches are performed across the Internet.  With that in mind, it’s critical that you are able to be found by those customers seeking your expertise. 

This is not a lock-you-in 12 month program as many large companies are offering.  It does not include a new website, to which these large companies direct these organic services and any new traffic (and not your existing “true” website) – which means once you cancel – it all goes away.  My program directs everything to your website.  If you decide to cancel – what you have paid for stays in place supporting your website.  This is a critical difference.  For large companies it is about their control over your product.  My offer is to support and drive your website – keeping YOU in control of your online presence.

I’ve priced my package at a competitive rate and I will continue to give you the same personal service I offered when we created your website.

I’ve outlined some of the components of Webmaster Services on my website to help you understand their relevance.  Please call me with any questions.  I look forward to working with you to build a stronger online presence.

Victory Baptist Church, NH

Pinterest

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Reading the fine print – does matter.   It’s time consuming to read the “I Accept” these terms for every online transaction, or conversation.  But this one sheds light on the importance of taking a bit of time.  Read this article to see what you’re agreeing to using Pinterest.

As an artist and musician copyright is of great meaning and value to me and my created work.

Facebook Timeline

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If you have a Facebook business page it will get a face-lift March 30th.  The opinions continue to fly on this latest change, but it becomes mandatory and you’ll see a drastic change in your web page.

Now you have a profile photo and a “cover” photo.  The Facebook rules are – your cover cannot look like a real website banner.  No phone numbers – no sales pitch.

The simplest way to be creative is to create an image 851 pixels X 317 pixels.   Make a montage of your logo, photos, graphics of any kind.  It’s a great size to work with.  Have fun and enjoy this one piece of the Timeline change you CAN control.

Or use a big photo:
DouglasSimonPhotography