There are three main parts to setting up your website. 1) Secure a Domain Name (the name you intend to call your site). For example: http://www.yourdomainname.ca. For a small fee (anywhere from $12 – $20/year), you can secure a domain name. There are numerous online companies providing this service. Tip: Choosing the right domain nameRead more about I need a website: What do I do?[…]
So you’ve let your website lapse and now you want to bring it back to life. Well, I hope you’ve kept all the important information related to the site, such as the access and control of your domain name control panel and hosting account. When you set up your domain name you should have receivedRead more about Your Website, Your Domain: Don’t Lose Control[…]
Clients frequently tell me they need their website online by a specific date. I don’t have a problem with tight deadlines and quick turnarounds. I’m always willing to work with clients to meet their needs, even if that means having to shift other projects and priorities around. If I don’t think a certain timeframe isRead more about Help Me Help You “I Need a Website and I Need it Yesterday.”[…]
As a small business owner, marketing can be overwhelming and downright frustrating. You need to attract people so your business is viable and you can do cool things, like pay bills and eat. But sometimes, you don’t have a lot of money to attract those clients you need. It’s the old chicken or the egg.Read more about Is Marketing Your Business Hard?[…]
‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the town, some businesses were a-whirling while others, well, they were busy bringing their customers down. Yes, tis the season that brings out the best in customer service for some, while others seem bound and determined to give the Grinch a run for his money. I’d likeRead more about Naughty and Nice List[…]
We’re a wired society with all the latest tools to help us communicate quickly and easily. We can send emails to anyone even at 3 a.m. if we want, but maybe don’t expect an immediate response. We can tweet out event photos to people half-way around the globe, in real time as it happens. WeRead more about Technology: A Communication Barrier?[…]
I’m seeing more and more businesses, especially small businesses, bypassing traditional websites in favour of Facebook pages only. But is that a good idea? Personally, I think there’s room for both, but in the name of self-disclosure I do make a living creating websites for others. So what’s a budding entrepreneur to do? Think ofRead more about Does Your Business Really Need a Website?[…]
When it comes to advertising, are you more likely to believe the glossy, expensive ad in a magazine or your next-door neighbour who can’t stop raving about the great product or customer service she recently received? Whenever I need to try a new product or hire a contractor or other service provider, I always startRead more about Beware of Fake Clients.[…]
Ever received an email and scratched your head, wondering why you received it or what you’re supposed to do with it. It sucks, right? When I receive these, I often wonder if the sender really understands who they’re communicating with in the first place and wonder what they were hoping to accomplish? When you wantRead more about Got Goals or Are You Just “Spreading Awareness?”[…]
Clip art can be acceptable for internal materials and school book reports, but nothing screams “unprofessional” like clip art on company posters, brochures and other public documents. And poor images on a website are the equivalent of giving a speech on the importance of professional appearance while wearing your pajamas. It detracts from your message.Read more about Are Your Images Helping or Hurting?[…]
When clients contact me, they’re usually looking for help communicating specific messages in a visually appealing way that cuts through the clutter and gets them noticed. But there’s a question that can lead to sweaty palms and confusion: “What are your key messages?” This is really just a fancy way of saying, “What are theRead more about Key Messages: 5 Tips for Reaching the People Who Matter Most[…]
I’ve been using various website hosting services for many years and have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. Great customer service is what helps top-notch companies stand out from the rest. Here are some tips to help you find the great ones and steer clear of the not-so-great. If your company, organization orRead more about Choosing The Right Web Host[…]
When it comes to making decisions, are you more Spock (logical and objective) or more Miss Piggy (passionate and emotional)? I’m betting most people, especially leaders, would strive to be more Vulcan and base key decisions on evidence and facts. But what if I told you that even when you think you’re being objective andRead more about Are You a Vulcan or a Muppet?[…]
In business, meetings can be a great way to exchange ideas and create solutions to common problems. But have you ever attended a meeting, only to walk out wondering what the heck just happened, why you were there or what was accomplished? Too often, people are pulled together without clarity around why or what they’reRead more about Create Meetings That Get Results[…]
O.k… I hear this all the time. “I need a website I can manage myself.” Sure, you can have a website you can manage yourself but you must be prepared to do a lot of reading and learning. It’s not as easy as 1-2-3 go, which is why most people choose to have someone elseRead more about The Cost of Managing Your Own Website[…]
So you’re thinking of creating a website. Good for you. In this digital age, a website is not just a nice-to-have, it’s a must. Today’s tech-savvy consumers and service seekers expect it. They like to do a little research before making a decision. Putting yourself out there is a definitely a smart move with manyRead more about Website Design & Setup Tips[…]
There’s a big myth out there about how to boost your website ranking within search engines. Maybe you’ve heard it: Find the right combination of keywords, include them as part of your SEO Optimization, and this will propel you into the coveted top spot of most website searches. And here’s another: Include every single keywordRead more about Website Ranking: The Keyword Myth[…]
When it comes to product development, it’s surprising how many people are willing to hand over the keys to the kingdom, hoping their designer will spin straw into gold. In other words, providing your designer with limited content or information about your business but hoping he’ll create something that aligns with your brand and vision.Read more about Content is King (Own it)[…]
