Marketing and Small Business Blog

You’ve got a website that looks good, tells your company’s story and appeals to potential customers.  But are they are seeing what you think they’re seeing?  What will they notice if they browse your website on a mobile device?  Your website may be hard to read or it may even look terrible if it’s not optimized for their mobile experience.  On the other hand, a mobile optimized website can put critical information in front of your customers and remove sales barriers.

Mobile Optimized Websites
Mobile optimized websites are explicitly designed to be viewed on portable devices with small displays.  They can also take advantage of contact management and mapping software that may also reside on your customers’ mobile devices.  Your properly set up website can even allow your customers to navigate right to your business location using the GPS features on their phone.  Here are some other good reasons why you should consider upgrading to a mobile-friendly website:

Professionalism
A mobile-ready website says to the world that you are a professional and pay attention to details.  To potential clients with mobile devices, your website says to them that their technology choices are valued, and they will be valued as a customer.  If your competition is not paying attention to this aspect of the market, a mobile site gives you a competitive advantage.  If your competition already has a mobile enabled site you should upgrade your own site to stay competitive.

It’s convenient for potential clients, customers and vendors
Many professionals lug around personal computers, but laptops are a hassle to carry, unpack and boot up.  Many busy people would rather just pull a smart phone out of their pocket to get some quick information or place an order.  The easier you make it for your clients, customers and vendors to browse your website, the more likely it is that they will do business with you.

People that get things done use mobile devices.
Identifying mobile device users can be used as part of your customer pre-qualification process.  They are technologically savvy and are likely to be leaders or be able to influence leaders in purchase decisions. Their embrace of new technology can be an indicator that they will survive in business to become your long term customers.

It’s Easy
Developing a mobile friendly website is not complicated.  Any competent web developer should be able to get your mobile site up and running to show the world your new, upgraded and more professional image.

Creating engaging content is one of the most important things that any business can do for search engine optimization (SEO).  Businesses that blog have 55% more traffic to their websites than businesses that don't blog.  WordPress is blogging software that builds websites.

Designing a website can be a tricky thing.  Redesigning a website can be even more challenging.  It’s important to know what adds value to your website design or a website redesign for your business.  Below are 10 key features to have for your business website.

The St. Charles Community College held its first Tweet Up this fall during a weeklong event open to students, faculty and the public in the St. Louis area.  There were several events and discussions held on campus that week ranging from movie discussions, panel discussions, and presentations.

Ever wonder what content really is on your website?  When you create a lot of content, it's easy to forget what's on your site, and which words you use.

Changescape Web, Bogey Hills Country Club, and the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce participated in this presentation on a closer look at Facebook Marketing as a part of the St. Charles County Chambers of Commerce Technology Committee monthly meeting. This session provided updates on recent changes in Facebook, as well as a look at two local organizations who are effectively using Facebook for their businesses.

In Part 1, Ken Tucker of Changescape Web served as the facilitator and discussed why should businesses care about Facebook.

Here's a great update on Social Media and it's impact.  There are some pretty amazing stats in this, so check it out!

Websites are the tangible thing that every business thinks of when it comes to getting their business on the web.  It’s what every client asks for.  The old adage “If you build it they will come” doesn’t apply to websites.  It’s important to realize that the website is just the tip of the iceberg in building an effective online presence.

1)  Increased Brand Awareness  Not only does Foursquare offer another means of being found by your potential customers, but many Foursquare users share their check-ins on Facebook and/or Twitter, exposing your brand to their entire social networks.

1. Business owners, particularly of the small- and medium-sized variety, don’t have time to create and manage these types of offers on multiple platforms.  They will be willing to market their business through one or perhaps two of these services, but not all of them.    
2. Consumers don’t want to receive several emails every day from these group coupon services.  Their in-boxes are already cluttered enough as it is...do they really need to receive four “$10 for $20 worth of food” offers each morning?