Every web site is trying to sell something – whether it is an opinion, fact, product or service. How effective is your web content? How many people actually look? How many of these actually “get” what you are trying to communicate? How many complete a transaction? Is your website profitable or a waste of time ...
Further Reading, In DepthWe’ve all seen the ads claiming some service can raise your site to the very first position in a Google search. The skeptical among us instantly smell something fishy. Who can HONESTLY make such a claim? Google recently discovered a fairly common practice used by some Internet service providers to raise client site visibility to ...
Further Reading, In Depth…build a business. Advertising content isn’t consumed in a vacuum. Nothing you say or think about your business will make any difference to the bottom line unless you can influence potential customers to make a purchase decision. Target the market – sell to the people who are likely to WANT what you have to sell. ...
Tell Me MoreTo those of us who have been using the post office’s bulk mail services, it might seem that the bulk e-mail process would be pretty much the same. Build a mailing list database from contacts & attendees (the opt-in) Obtain a bulk mail permit Prepare a periodic bulk mailing (artwork, printing, label printing, assembly, state, ...
Tell Me MoreBuddypress transforms a WordPress site into a self contained social media experience. Perfect for small business employee interactions, customer service forums and clubs. Unlike a highly public social networking service (Facebook, Linked-In, Google+, etc.) the Buddypress plugin can be setup with a high degree of privacy and security.
Further ReadingSmall business owners in the local community have relied on what are now considered “traditional” forms of advertising to draw in customers. The oldest of these is the storefront. People pass by – some come in and shop – others never do (but they know where your store is and might be a referral source). ...
Tell Me MoreIn recent years, the purpose of Internet related crime has shifted from vandalism, bragging or revenge to that of income producing activities. Theft of credit card information, private financial or medical information, hostage taking, blackmail, extortion, fraud and similar activities have become common criminal activities. As a business owner you would never give out your ...
Further ReadingIt is important to distinguish between a Shopping Cart and a Payment Gateway. Shopping Cart Systems may be self contained with their own gateway, tie into an external online payment gateway or just provide data that must be manually processed by a staff member. Commonly used Shopping Cart Systems include: Paypal 1ShoppingCart QuickPayPro UltraCart WP-eCommerce and many more Payment Gateways are ...
Tell Me MoreChange is usually evolutionary, though something occasionally comes along that is best classified as revolutionary. That kind of disruptive change affects society as a whole – in totally unexpected ways. For example: Retail bookstores are closing left and right as large chains go bankrupt. Only specialty stores survive – in airports and other impulse buy ...
Further ReadingOffhand, I’d say people watching and saying hi are the oldest forms of social media. When I was growing up most social media involved face to face interactions. Exceptions were: Newspapers & magazines, Mail, TV, Telegraph, Telephone and Short Wave Radio. All these are still in use – they’ve just been expanded and updated. Email, ...
Further Reading