Today many Internet websites are joining together to protest laws that the Federal government is seeking to enact. These laws are drafted to stop piracy of copyrighted material through web censorship  Some of the largest content providers like Google and Wikipedia are protesting this legislation. These sites provide information– anyone can post an article or update an article on Wikipedia and Google picks up content from millions of website making it available to any searcher through their search engine.  At times you may not like these companies — maybe you’ve found incorrect information on Wikipedia or Google has become “big business” and you don’t like the big guys.  But they have worked to keep information available online and have spent a lot of their own money to make legal precdence in a new technology age that has not precedence. Check out Google’s page that explains their position on these laws and offers a petition to sign.  (go to Google)

I’m a WordPress user and many of my clients use WordPress to publish their ideas online. Blogging has become the town square, the marketplace, the world’s library of periodicals. I looked at blogger.com and didn’t see a protest (by the way they are part of Google). However, WordPress.org has posted their protest for today. As a blogger and WordPress user I’m happy that they defend our right to be seen and heard.

Blogging is freedom of speech.

©2012 Design to Spec. All Rights Reserved.

To test how easily they could be found online I did a Google search and searched for them in Facebook. Google turned up several results, however although they had a lively personal profile in Facebook, I couldn’t find them.  The search for what they DO was the most disappointing in Facebook because my search got results for their local competition, not my client.

It’s easy to miss, but the one thing that wasn’t on the client’s personal  Facebook profile was what they DO. What you do should appear at the top of your profile under your name.  Here are 3 things to do to make a fix to your profile that will have big impact on getting found.

1. Click on Edit Profile and then select Education and Work to add your employment info.
2. If you are a small business owner, you need your own Facebook page so you can link to it when completing this portion of your profile.
3. If you work 2 or more jobs, be selective. Pick the job you really want to promote online because even if you add multiple jobs only one will appear on your profile.

Making the right choice when you first set up your Facebook profile or making a tiny fix now will help people find your business on Facebook.

©2012 Design to Spec. All Rights Reserved.

Many smart phone users are familiar with apps. I use an iPhone and am continually amazed by the expanding number of apps and how there really is an app for just about everything. It seems that every time I look at WordPress Plugins that the number of Plugins grows as fast.  

While a user may upload a new Plugin expecting a hieghtened web experience , alas, not all WordPress Plugins are safe nor sane. I hear from clients who have installed a new Plugin only to find they have shut down their website, resulting in just a white error screen.  There are numerous independent developers of different talents, strengths and attention spans who are creating these Plugins. Some developers are quite diligent about updating, while others haven’t updated for years (usually stopping after a major WordPress update). Some Plugins are quirky and fail to work well with other Plugins right from the start. And some Plugins are new and working fabulously and stir up a lot of buzz online because they do their job and work successfully with other Plugins.

The safest way to select and install a Plugin is to first be aware of which version of the WordPress software you’re running on your site. Then when looking for a Plugin, read the right-hand column to see if the Plugin is compatible with the version of WordPress you use.

The bottom of the right-hand column will also reveal the current “chatter” about the Plugin. Under the words “See what others are saying…” are the latest questions and comments that have been posted to the WordPress users’ forum. Some Plugins with known glitches have very telling comments in this area that should ward off any user.

Doing this little bit of research when selecting WordPress Plugins will save you time, money, and aggravation for your small business website.

©2012 Design to Spec. All Rights Reserved.

If you have a storefront business you can’t ignore the power of Google.  A Google search can bring a customer right to your door! Now Google has added more definition to their search results.  When you claim your local business listing in Google Places (www.google.com/places) web users will see a red landmark “pin” on Google maps and at the top of the search results. If you haven’t claimed your business listing then put it on your “must-do” list.  You can bet that your competitors are in Google Places and are already being seen in the search results.

Not only can you claim your Place, but Google has now made it easier to climb in ranking in the search results.  Create a Google ad for your business and when it’s found in a Google search, web users will now see a Google blue pin on the map. The Google blue pin is now another way to move your business into a more visible position in the search results and reach more web users.

©2012 Design to Spec. All Rights Reserved.

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

©2012 Design to Spec. All Rights Reserved.

If you are a small business who has a website created exclusively in Flash, it means your site will continue to be invisible on smart phones, pads and other mobile devices. (see my 2008 post “Flash: Is It the Web’s Invisibility Cloak?”).  All the hot smartphones like the iPhone and Blackberry and all the new pads do not have a Flash player and it looks like with Adobe’s announcement they will never have one.  If a small business has a Flash site and wants to be seen on the growing number of mobile devices, they must convert their site to HTML or HTML5.

Yes, Flash will live on because it still has useful applications. It’s a good program for building games. It can handle complex web functions: Steve Shankland on the CNET.com news blog pointed out that Flash is used to upload multiple file attachments in Gmail. Games and advanced functions are seldom part of a small business website.

My advice remains the same as in the past: whether starting a new small business website or to reclaim your visibility on the web—limit the use of Flash and be seen online!

©2012 Design to Spec. All Rights Reserved.

Web technology also dies and is replaced by newer and more innovative technology. This point had clarity recently when I got a call from a client who had left their website for about four years – four years without any review. When they finally turned their attention to their website, hoping to stimulate business, they found that technology had moved forward, leaving them and their website at the curb.

So, what are the top 3 things to ignore that can make your website look and act like a relic?

1. Failing to Act When Notified. Do you have a shopping cart or an online payment method? If you ignore emails from these companies that urge you to renew or update the underlying code, your cart and payment buttons may become non-functional, failing to act when notified can make your ability to handle online sales disappear.

2. Ignoring the Trends. Everyone talks about blogs. There’s good reason to be excited about blogging as it’s a sure-fire way to increase your online content and attract more visitors to your website. If you think blogging isn’t for you, you’re missing out on a nifty technology that can benefit your website and in turn benefit your business.

3. Forgetting Social Media. So you’ve adopted one or several forms of social media, but do your website visitors have a way to find your social media accounts? It’s important to connect your website and your social media accounts so your visitors can stay engaged with you and your products. When links to your social media profiles are missing from your website… it’s like an aerial pointing at the need of a website update!

I hope this post inspires you to review your website. I’m also happy to do a website review to make suggestion on how to freshen your website. Don’t forget to like Design to Spec on Facebook to get more posts with our web tips.

©2012 Design to Spec. All Rights Reserved.

Last week I was at a networking group meeting. They’re a terrific bunch of people, but more on that at another time.  One person stood up to talk about their business and apologized for not having all they offer on their business card.  I looked at their card which described three diverse and clear services. I understood what they did—anything more would be overkill.

There’s an old saying, “Jack of All Trades, master of none.” I thought of that when I took this photo of a business sign in California.  I wondered “what business?” Is this a donut shop? Is it a hamburger joint? Is it an ice cream parlor? OH NO, MR. BILL! Seeing an overdone list is a great way to comprehend the need for a good edit. When you try to be too many things it dilutes what you do and confuses your customer or clients… they have no idea what you really do best.

My advice is to get a visual of your services, a written list.  When you can see it in print you’re on the road to understanding how to can see yourself the way others will see it.  Get out the red pen and don’t be afraid to edit.

Would you like to read more blog posts by Vanessa Wood from Design to Spec? “Like” the Facebook page to keep up with my blog posts.

©2012 Design to Spec. All Rights Reserved.

I love a great recommendation (and The Estate Sisters came with one), however I always like to check out a company online to see what they do and how well they do it. They had a fabulous website but where were they on Facebook? That’s how it came about that I worked with The Estate Sisters to get them on Facebook (see their FB page). They have a perfect business for Facebook. Their business is to delve into all the unusual goodies people have stashed away in closets and cupboards. When organizing the consummate collector or prepping a giant estate sale; they work with tangible objects d’ art, fascinating collectibles, and household items that beg to be merchandized. Every day these new Facebook users run into something that begs to be photographed and shared with their fans online.

When you post a photo on your Facebook business page, everyone who likes your page will see it in their “feed”. Posting a photo is a reminder that your business is still there and it’s interesting—it’s ALIVE! Not every business has tangible products or items they can post on Facebook, so it takes some work to come up with creative photo ops. Here’s 10 ideas for creating photos for your Facebook page.

1. Group Events. Ramp up your networking by taking photos whenever you are at an even. At a BNI meeting?—grab a different member each week to have your photo taken with them. Attending a trade show?—don’t leave the booth without taking a photo.

2. What’s That? Take a photo each week of a different product and see if your “fans” can identify it. Think your products are too ho-hum and too easy to identify?—then take a photo of just a small section of a product and see just how good people are at identifying it.

3. Before and After. My clients know I’m all for showing before and after photos! A few weeks ago I got a new haircut, I’m surprised the stylist didn’t ask to do before and after photos. Nothing shows how your work transforms like capturing it in a picture.

4. Show the Everyday. It’s everyday only because you do it every day—it’s not so mundane to everyone else! Plumbers can take photos of what they pull out of the drains or their most common call outs. Insurance agents can photo handshake with new clients (and of course “friend” them on Facebook), car dealers are missing the boat if they aren’t taking a photo of every customer with every car they deliver. Sure you do it every day… but showing others keeps their interests and builds your credibility.

5. When You’re Out – Take Pictures. This strategy is one of my favorites. I take photos of conversation-worthy signs, civic events, and even new products (I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw lederhosen in a trendy women’s store!). If you find something that aligns with your business or business philosophy all the better.

©2012 Design to Spec. All Rights Reserved.

Sales tax has been 6% for CT businesses. The increase moves CT sales tax to 6.35%. The DRS has a nifty form online if you want to calculate sales tax.  http://www.ct.gov/drs/lib/drs/forms/2011forms/salesandusetax/or-149.pdf  But if you are collecting payments online, the brilliance of your shopping cart makes this calculation for you.  

To update your shopping cart for the new tax or to set up a payment method on your website, Design to Spec can help!

©2012 Design to Spec. All Rights Reserved.