January 4th, 2010
Every website that’s out on the internet is hosted somewhere. But what is web hosting? “A business providing hardware and services to store, maintain, and present Web sites and provide Internet connection to those sites” is the definition given on Dictionary.com. So basically, web hosting is providing a place on a server where the information needed to see your website is stored. But is all web hosting the same?
The quick answer is no. There are differences in reliability, professionalism, speed, and, of course, price. Reliability in web hosting comes down to the quality of the servers, cables, and the speed at which necessary maintenance is achieved. Servers themselves are not cheap so “free” hosting usually involves allowing advertisements to be placed on your website, which distracts from attention going to you and your business. Additionally, speed may be compromised both in the sense of how quickly your web page loads on the computers of potential customers as well as how fast any problems are addressed. Slow attention to problematic servers can mean that you website is not even available online. That would mean you are not saving money, you are losing it.
The speed of your website and the functions on it, such as flash, a shopping cart, or anything else is determined by the cables used to access it. Since this is an important factor, GoWebDog uses state-of-the-art fiber optic ethernet web hosting. Additionally, since all of GoWebDog’s servers are onsite (along with our whole staff) anytime something needs to be checked, we are right here to give it immediate attention. Our reliable, affordable web hosting will ensure that your website is available for visitors.
Tags: business hosting, small business website, web hosting, website, website hosting
Posted in General, Website Design | 8 Comments »
December 15th, 2009
Template websites are extremely convenient – you can choose the layout that best fits your needs, change colors, pictures and text and you have a website that works for your company for much cheaper than a custom website. Then, with either a template or custom website, you can add to the appearance or functionality with different modules. But what are some of those modules? What situations would they fit well in?
First, let’s talk about the Basic Logo Design module. New businesses are created all the time, for different reasons. For many industries, the financially logical way to set up shop is online. An online business has much lower start-up costs than a typical storefront. Further, as the business is formed, so is its image. Part of that image is the logo. With GoWebDog, you can discuss what you have in mind for your logo, a concept, color, etc and then our experienced graphic designers will design three drafts for you to consider and choose. Even if you don’t have any direction in mind with the logo, our creative designers will produce a unique logo for you.
Next, our Basic Slideshow module is pretty self-explanatory. You choose a handful of pictures that then change on your website every few seconds. This simple concept is fitting for almost every industry. A well-placed picture slideshow can showcase your past work or a few featured products. The pictures in the slideshow can be photographs that you provide or you can choose images for GoWebDog’s extensive library of stock photographs.
Then, the Website Blog module allows you to write about your industry, connect with your visitors and customers, and keep fresh content on your website. You can personally control the blog or give access to someone else in your business or even have GoWebDog update it for you. Blogs can be quite useful for optimization purposes as well.
Finally, let’s discuss the three content management system packages. The Simple CMS allows you to edit pages and includes a Paypal link so customers can purchase via Paypal. The Basic CMS package is a bit more extensive and is fitting for retail and wholesale stores with a secure shopping cart. Then the Pro CMS allows for more products, more changes, more control.
These are just a few of the many modules that will add flavor to your website and create extra control and extra interest for your visitor. If you don’t know what would work best for your business, call GoWebDog and we will set up a free consultation where you can tell us about your business and we can see what will be most fitting for you.
Tags: module, small business website, website design
Posted in Website Design | 15 Comments »
December 10th, 2009
Twenty-one billion three hundred ninety million. That’s the number of websites that came up for the search ‘com’. That is an astronomical number of websites to be competing with! Some of those websites are very useful and interesting whereas some are just there, nobody really finds them and even those who do manage to come across them move on very quickly. But what are some factors that are common to that first group – the websites that are regularly visited and lingered on?
Informative – The focus of your website should be information, no matter what your final goal is. Why? Because search engines love to see information. So if your website has lots of original (not duplicated) information, more people will find you. Another reason is that people like information. Pictures are great but words inform, explain, instruct and entertain as well. So aim to have a good balance of both pictures and text on your website.
Interactive – Great websites give people something to do. This can take a variety of forms but think in terms of action words: search, buy, play, comment, vote. So think about your website. What can people do while they are there? Would you benefit from a search feature so visitors can quickly find what they want? Do you have a functional shopping cart? Can visitors comment on a blog or in a forum? Could you add a poll? Whatever the case may be, encourage interaction to keep users engaged.
Inviting – Another factor in a great website is the design. People like to look at things that are aesthetically appealing. So layout comes into play. It should not be too empty or too busy. Once again, balance is key. Then consider colors and color combinations. A good understanding of the color wheel helps in this aspect. Additionally, navigation can affect how inviting a website seems to visitors. Illogical, confusing organization of information will repel users. In contrast, content organized in a manner that is easy to follow will encourage people to keep exploring your website.
These are just three of many factors that result in an impressive website. If you are getting little results from your website, contact GoWebDog for a free SEO analysis.
Tags: better website, website
Posted in Website Design | 30 Comments »
December 9th, 2009
As so many Americans struggle through this recession, people are looking to the future to see what will come next. Worldwide professionals from different fields are analyzing present conditions and comparing them with past recessions to try to understand what the next few years will hold.
In general, the American public is very cautious or even pessimistic about economic recovery. CNNMoney.com reports “In a poll of more than 1,000 Americans conducted late last week by CNN/Opinion Research Corporation, 84% of those surveyed believe that the economy is still in recession” in an article written earlier this month. With millions of Americans unemployed and saving accounts nationwide dwindling, a lack of optimism is certainly understandable. Even for those who currently have jobs, times are tough since many employers are not only cutting workers but also the hours and benefits of those they keep on staff.
What is the outlook for jobs as we go into the new year? Reports are somewhat mixed. The employment services company Manpower projects a 6% hiring rate for the first quarter of 2010 which would be an improvement over the negative 2% in the last quarter of 2009. However, according to Bloomberg.com, “A poll by the Institute for Supply Management found service companies, which account for almost 90 percent of the economy, forecast additional job cuts in 2010.” So, while we may experience an increase in job opportunities that could continue the decrease in the unemployment rate we are currently seeing, many groups caution that the recovery may be slow, especially from the perception of the middle-class American family.
There may be room for some optimism, though. It has been noted that following the recessions in the 1970s and 1980s some forecasters were too pessimistic about the rate of recovery and the actual rebound turned out to be faster than expected. Most economists feel that the worst is over, that we have reached the lowest point in the recession. Now the economy can begin to climb out of the hole into which it has fallen.
Tags: business, economy, jobs
Posted in Business/ Economy | 3 Comments »
December 8th, 2009
As a business man, you have a lot of decisions to make. One section of your company you must consider is marketing. How would your advertising money best be spent? By doing a mailing campaign? By getting a website? By hiring a telemarketer? By optimizing the website you have? If you have an established business, you may be able to afford all of those options. However, if your business is just blossoming, then you are faced with quite a choice. Let’s analyze each of these four options.
First, we will consider a mailing campaign. In a mailing campaign, you have the cost of design the flyer or postcard, the paper, the list, the printing, the postage, and possible envelopes. Then there is the time to label and stamp all of the items or the cost of paying someone else to do it. Your audience is by geographic area. You might choose to canvas a local region or pursue the entire nation. Either way, a large percentage of those who receive that mailer will immediately discard it. As for those who do not throw it away without a second glance, they may consider it but most will not take action. Also, once the item is printed there is no way to correct anything.
The next option is getting a website. The costs here are just building the website and hosting it. You can logically present all the information you want to convey to your customers without space limitations. You are able to target your audience since your website will be subject focused. People who search for that subject are the ones who will find your website so you know that people who see you already have somewhat of an interest in what you have to offer. By making your professional website engaging and inviting, you will be able to capture the attention of visitors. A website allows you the freedom of updates and changes as they are necessary. If you see the need for frequent modifications, you might consider incorporating a content management system into your website.
You may also be considering hiring a telemarketer or a telemarketing firm. Depending on your field and goals, the success here can be varied. Most people have a deep aversion to telemarketers and quickly end the conversation, often before even waiting to hear what the call is regarding. In this setting you must also provide lists which you will likely have to purchase. Then there is the variable of the quality of the person you are using – will they be enthusiastic and truly try to bring you business? Even for those conversations that do go well may not be acted upon or even remembered when the customer is ready to take action.
Finally, if you already have a website, you may invest in search engine optimization (SEO) so that more potential customers find your website. The cost here is either the time of doing it yourself or hiring a professional company to implement search engine optimization for you. While pay per click campaigns may have a place when you are first beginning, SEO has much better long term effects. SEO is a process so results are not immediate but they are lasting.
These are just a few of the marketing options that business owners may weigh as they strategize for the success of their company. Internet presence definitely has marked advantages over print media and telemarketing. Another way that a professional website is superior to printed materials is that it caters to the “have-it-now” attitude in society today. If you speak with someone that has a question about your company or wants to know more about what you offer that interest can cool if they must wait anywhere from two to five days to receive your catalog in the mail. Whereas, with a website you can strike while the iron is hot and give them immediate gratification.
Tags: internet presence, search engine optimization, SEO, small business website, website
Posted in Business/ Economy, General | 2 Comments »
December 7th, 2009
Imagine owning a store: it’s very nice with professional displays, many customers visit – both new and returning, regular product turnover. Everything is going well. But there’s a problem – you are not allowed to touch anything in your store. You can’t update the displays or signs, you can’t even communicate with the customers. What a nightmare! Unfortunately, that’s the reality for retail websites or websites which are meant to be dynamic that lack a content management system. What is a content management system?? When it comes to websites, a content management system (CMS) involves programming a website so that with a username and password, one can edit, revise, and modify existing web pages. Anyone with administrative access can determine the extent of access for other users. So what does this mean for your website?
- Freedom to change pictures – You able to keep your website current by modifying the pictures whenever you want to. This would compare to changing the product displays in the opening example. Any storefront wants to advertise an appealing representation of what you will find inside. With CMS on your website, you can do something similar by keeping the visuals fresh for new and returning visitors. So whether you are changing product pictures or providing new visual representations of the services you provide, CMS allows you to make those changes whenever you want, without waiting for a web designer to do it for you.
- Keep Your Inventory and Content Updated – No matter what your goal is with your website, content is key, especially for search engine recognition. Regularly updating the text on your website will give search engines a reason to keep checking your website for new information. Content is also what keeps human visitors on your site. It can also keep them returning. If what your site discusses is interesting enough for a person to take the time to read what you have to say, they will need something new to read next time they return. And when it comes to retail, keeping an accurate up-to-date inventory is vital. Nothing is more frustrating as a consumer than to order something only to be told that it is out of stock. Personally, I usually don’t find another product from the same company – I go on to shop elsewhere. Don’t lose customers because your catalog is not accurate. Content management allows you to stay current.
- You Have Control of the Site – CMS means that you change what you want to change when you want to change it. This is the best way for you to truly take the reins on your website, your business. You can change promotions or coupons, keep a schedule of special events, change pricing, add information – it’s all up to you or whoever you want to make responsible for it. The point is, you have the power.
So, as you consider what you want to accomplish with your website, the needs of your customers or visitors, and the amount of freedom you want to have with your site, the benefits of a content managements system that fits you emerge as more and more important.
Tags: cms, content management system, small business website
Posted in Website Development | 5 Comments »
December 6th, 2009
There are a few things that every successful business needs – a good product or service to sell, a solid business plan, an accountant to keep everything balanced. Something is missing though: a professional website. Back in the 1990’s people would say that the internet is the future. But guess what? The future has arrived. The internet is now and if you are not part of it, you will be left behind.
So how does a professional website help you?
- Inexpensive Way to Grow Your Business – Most businesses are trying to grow, which can be quite the feat in this economy. Growing any business requires time and effort. With a website, you can relieve some of that workload. Especially if you decide to sell online – which is highly recommended – you can be making money any time day or night. Even if you haven’t decided to include a shopping cart on your website (yet), a website gives you constant representation to a worldwide audience. No matter how many customers you get, your website costs don’t change. Plus, just like your business, you can start small and add things as your business grows. Or you can build your website with the works and give your customers and your competitors the impression that you are large and thriving already.
- Constant Advertising – When you have a business, you know that in order to grow you must get more customers. So how do you do that? Advertise. Think about ‘traditional’ modes of advertising. An ad in a phonebook or local newsletter, a flyer, a postcard mailing, radio, television – do you know what the problem is with all of those? They are either extremely temporary and therefore, easily forgotten, eventually discarded, completely disregarded in the first place, or eventually go out of date. That’s where a professional website has all the advantages. It lasts as long as you want it to, you can easily keep the information current, people can bookmark your website so they can find you again and again. Instead of spending money in print advertisements to get your business in front of people who may not have any interest in what you are offering, use that money wisely and position yourself so that people who are looking for your services can find you effectively and quickly online.
- Stay Connected with Your Customers – Through your website, you can let your customers know what’s going on with your business and learn what they want from you, whether that’s through personal feedback like purchases, comments, and testimonials or you can deduce it through what pages and sections of your website are visited the most. By letting your current and future customers get to know your business and your products in the convenience of their own home, you encourage confidence in your business and loyalty to your company.
These are just a few reasons to make sure that you are part of the internet community. Let us know what you think, tell us how you have benefited from your website.
Tags: benefits of website, small business website, website
Posted in General | 10 Comments »
December 3rd, 2009
Cooking – some people love it, some people hate it. Certain meals involve intricate and detailed preparation, which the latter group may consider completely dreadful even to contemplate. Well, catering to that audience, many years ago General Foods created “shake ‘n bake” – simple and quick entree preparation with satisfying results. Well, template websites can offer similar ease.
Small business owners need a web presence but not an elaborate custom website. And, with so many other things to worry about, spending loads of time determining the layout for each page may not even be an option. This leads us to the convenient template websites – the layouts are already put together for you and arranged by industry (although you can choose a layout from any industry). Then it’s as easy as changing the pictures, text, and colors to make the website fit you and your business. And since the layout is predetermined, you will be up on the net quickly so new customers can be using you instead of the competition.
Another thing that’s easy about template websites is the price. Template websites are much cheaper than custom websites so that you have an affordable way to get the exposure and customers you need. You choose the size that you need – three page, five page, or seven page. Then you can use the money you save on the basic pages to add modules that will keep potential customers who visit your website more engaged – like a blog, a slideshow, or even an appointment scheduler.
Want to see how great a template website can look? Check out the website for this Gainesville Steakhouse that was made from a template. You can also browse through GoWebDog’s portfolio by clicking the link at the bottom of this page.
Tags: small business website, template website, Web Design, websites
Posted in Website Design | 1 Comment »
November 24th, 2009
What can we expect from the internet in the future? There is a lot of uncertainty about what changes we will see on the web as time progresses. A few things, however, are fairly grounded. First of all, the internet is not going anywhere. It is continuing to grow every week with more and more websites and web pages being added. You can find almost anything you need online, from instructions to historical facts to an endless list of products and services.
Another clear trend that is emerging is mobile devices being used to access the internet. Most internet experts agree that mobile users will continue to increase. It makes sense with so many phones being released that feature convenient internet access. There is even discussion and expectation of many other things working through the internet, such as refrigerators and remote controls.
A majority of experts expect that certain people who are opposed to progressive technology will attempt to hinder the progress of the internet. This is not unheard of as new technology becomes established and wipes away certain jobs.
Another topic that arises as one ponders the future of the internet is the presence or lack of regulation. There are many who expect that as the internet continues to grow, there will be those who try to monitor and control, either directly, as a government might intervene, or indirectly, possibly through internet providers giving advantage to those that give them the most money. Even now the matter of network neutrality has arisen in the politics of the United States.
The reality is that we can only know for a certainty where the internet is going once it gets there.
Tags: Future of Internet, Internet
Posted in Business/ Economy, General | 1 Comment »
November 23rd, 2009
FACT: Adults ask less questions than kids. There are many factors that may contribute to the general loss of curiosity as we get older but that’s not what I want to talk about. I want to talk about the question I just asked you. The reason you need SEO is truly worth considering, especially if you are concerned about having a profitable and successful website. The answer is intrinsic to what SEO actually is: Search Engine Optimization is defined as “the process of choosing targeted keywords and keyword phrases related to a Web site so the site will rank high when those terms are part of a Web search” by Dictionary.com’s 21st Century Lexicon. So what does that mean? It means working with and exposing your website in such a way that you come up higher in relevant search engine searches so that you can get more targeted traffic and therefore, more customers. So, to answer my original question, you need SEO because without optimization potential customers will likely not find your website which means that your business will struggle.
So, now that we know why you need it there are a few other things you should know before you hire someone to search engine optimize your website or try to do it yourself. First, there are two types of SEO: white hat optimization and black hat optimization. What’s the difference? Which one is better? This is not a case of ok vs. better. This is one of those situations where one is good and will help you and the other is bad and could possibly get your website rejected from search engines. You’ve probably guessed which one is which by now but just for confirmation. White hat optimization is the good one and black hat optimization can cause big problems.
Let’s discuss the bad news first. Black hat optimization uses unscrupulous methods to get almost overnight results. But those tactics have been outlawed by major search engines like Google so once they see what you’ve done – they don’t care if someone else typed it – they will likely ban your website and you will stop getting traffic which means you will stop getting results. Methods included in this type of SEO are hidden text and a landing page that is only for search engine spiders.
Now, on to the good stuff. White hat search engine optimizing uses ethical and professional methods that are approved by major search engines to improve your rank and get you more customers. In reality, SEO begins with the design and structure of your website. Everything in the background of the website needs to be properly coded and complete. Additionally, the information on your website must be logically presented and easy to navigate. The website should have relevant content, not just loads of pictures. Link building and social marketing are also part of white hat SEO.
Don’t just trust anyone with doing link building, though. Some people have made programs that computer generate some unusually large number of links and they want to charge you x amount of money for those links. These computer generated links actually have the potential to hurt you more than help you. The best links are submitted manually by a person. GoWebDog does not use automated links for its websites.
So now you know what SEO is, you know that it will help you get the results you want from your website, you know the difference between white hat optimization and black hat optimization – you are well equipped. One another thing to brush up on are your blog skills because blogs are one of the best ways to optimize your website. Check out our October blogs on blogging for some tips in that department.
Tags: optimizing, search engine optimization, search engine optimize, SEO, website
Posted in SEO | 7 Comments »
