Watch for Signs to Update Your Website

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Vanessa Wood

What’s wrong with this photo? You don’t have to stare it for a long time to conclude that a TV antenna is a sign of old technology. It’s a sign of something that is no more. Aerial TV is a dying service replaced by cable, satellite, and TV delivered online. Drive down a street and spot an aerial and you know that you’ve found a relic.

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.

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Edit to Explain Your Online Services or Web Products

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Vanessa Wood

How much is just right and how much is over the top? I’m often asked that by clients who are describing their business’ products or their online services for the first time. This question comes up even when someone is rethinking their internet marketing approach.  Do you tell them everything you do? Do you know when to edit the list of your products or services to make it feel just right?

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.

 

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You Think You Don’t Have Photos to Post on Facebook? Photo Ideas for Your Facebook Page

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Vanessa Wood

 I met The Estate Sisters in CA when it was time to deal with a stock-pile of household items, collectibles, and really odd stuff that added up to about 170 years of collecting (add my parents ages to get the grand total of years!).

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.

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