Free Advice (Where do I start?)
I am a small business owner, just like you. Some of the best advice I have received was free advice from my fellow business owners. It is now my turn to return the favor. Whether you use 425 Media for your Internet Marketing/Information Technology (or IT for short) needs or someone else, the information below is extremely valuable when making decisions regarding using technology.
So where do you start? Below is some FREE information that will get you on the right track. There are 4 different stages that we suggest our clients to go through when it comes to web services. Take a look at this information before you go with ANY vendor. Understand the components below and why they are NEEDED in today’s business.
1. Website
Not everyone uses the internet. However, MOST people do. Today more people use the internet than use newspapers or even the yellow pages. That being said, your potential customers are searching every day looking for services. So at least HAVING a presents on the internet is a good idea. So DO you need a website and web services? To answer that question just go to GOOGLE.com and type in type of business you own.. we bet your competition is already out there.
When deciding on a website, first understand what you want that site to do. Most small businesses use their website to do two things; drive sales and provide information about your business. Of course we can develop a website to whatever you want… but 90% of the time, simple, well designed web services is all your need. We do not suggest services you do not need.
2. Email
Someone once said: “Perception is reality”. and it’s TRUE! When you give a potential customer an email address that doesn’t support your website or brand, such as bob93@comcast.net or ladybugg23@yahoo.com. It is very important in today’s aggressive business environment to provide consistent branding to all customers. Having an email address of info@mybusiness.com or sales@mybusiness.com reinforces your brand and your professionalism.
Someone once said: “Perception is reality”. and it’s TRUE! When you give a potential customer an email address that doesn’t support your website or brand, such as bob93@comcast.net or ladybugg23@yahoo.com. It is very important in today’s aggressive business environment to provide consistent branding to all customers. Having an email address of info@mybusiness.com or sales@mybusiness.com reinforces your brand and your professionalism.
Email marketing can be effective as well as inexpensive. Once your email brand is created, using your email to provide cost effective email campaigns to your customers is easy and provides results. Normally, we create a way for customers to sign up for “Newsletters” with their email addresses. We then suggest taking those email addresses and sending monthly updates to your customers, informing them of special offers or new items about your business. When selecting a way to market via email, it is important find a tool that can inform you if your customers: Open the email, click on the email or delete the email. This is very valuable information. Of course 425 Media’s email marketing solution provides this information and even more.
3. Print Marketing Material
Logos, colors and fonts. All of these together is your personal BRAND. We suggest that you actively work on keeping a consistent brand message across all areas of your business. From your business card, to your store front, to your website, to your emails; EVERY form of communication should have the same colors, fonts and logos. Whomever you choose to provide your web services (website, email and internet marketing) should make sure your online brand matches your “bricks and mortar” brand message. 425 Media can absolutely help with all the aspects of your business marketing.
Logos, colors and fonts. All of these together is your personal BRAND. We suggest that you actively work on keeping a consistent brand message across all areas of your business. From your business card, to your store front, to your website, to your emails; EVERY form of communication should have the same colors, fonts and logos. Whomever you choose to provide your web services (website, email and internet marketing) should make sure your online brand matches your “bricks and mortar” brand message. 425 Media can absolutely help with all the aspects of your business marketing.
4. Website Promotion
Once you have a website, you must promote it. Having a great website is only valuable if people can see it. It is much like having a nice home. If there is no traffic going by, no one knows about it. Websites need to be promoted and updated to be useful. When 425 Media develops a website, we build in the ability for search engines to “index” the website, which helps people find your site on Google, Yahoo! and BING.
Once you have a website, you must promote it. Having a great website is only valuable if people can see it. It is much like having a nice home. If there is no traffic going by, no one knows about it. Websites need to be promoted and updated to be useful. When 425 Media develops a website, we build in the ability for search engines to “index” the website, which helps people find your site on Google, Yahoo! and BING.
There are MANY other things we do to promote your site and to drive traffic to your website. These steps are trade secrets that we only share with our customers. After we deliver your website, you will be able to promote and administer your site YOURSELF! 425 Media can create a website/email/marketing plan that YOU can administer without being a web developer.
