websites

  1. New Year’s Resolutions to Consider for Your Business in 2023

    If you are finding it difficult to believe that a new year is rapidly approaching, then you are not alone. For many people, the year has flown by, while for others it might have felt like an eternity But, regardless of your opinion on 2022, it is now time to start thinking about 2023 and what you would like to accomplish. From long-range goals to short-term action items, having plans for the year ahead is important. And, as a business owner, having goals and plans is a must. But what should those goals be?

    While the goals will vary, some action items can benefit nearly any business. While not all companies are the same (though they share a common goal of turning a profit!) there are some basic goals and resolutions that will make a difference whether you are a small start-up or a large corporation.

  2. Does Your Website Need a Facelift? 8 Signs Your Website is Outdated

    While the calendar year begins in January, for the business world, it is often July that indicates a new fiscal year. With that in mind, now is the time to think about how you want to do things over the next 12 months. There may be expected changes to the budget, advertising, marketing, and other facets of business but one area that companies overlook – their website.

    Your company website is one of the most important investments you can make to boost your business’s bottom line. After all, numerous studies show that consumers check out a company online before they ever call or visit the location. So, if your website needs a redesign to remain effective, then chances are that potential customers will find another place to work with.

    Sadly, many businesses overlook the value of updating their website. It is like the picture that is always hanging crooked. Sure, you know it should be corrected, but you are so used to seeing it off-kilter that you don’t put any effort into fixing it. A crooked picture is easy to spot. But, it can be difficult to identify when a website needs to be corrected.

  3. 10 Signs Your Website Needs Work

    Fact: There is no such thing as a website that never needs to be updated.

    Fact: People will leave your website if it is difficult to use.

    Fact: Your website is your strongest marketing tool.

    With consideration given to these facts and many others regarding your website, it is safe to say that many websites on the web need to be updated. The bigger question is – Is your website one of them?

  4. SEO, websites, Raleigh, NC

    SEO Success: 7 Elements That Help Search Engines Work for You

    Anyone creating a business website has probably wondered: If I build it, will ‘they’ come? (like the question made famous in the movie Field of Dreams). Getting targeted traffic to your site is an essential for success of any online endeavor — and SEO (search engine optimization) is a primary means of accomplishing it.

    According to the Wikipedia entry for SEO, the concept has been around since the mid-1990s. (The history of SEO on this page makes an interesting read!) Over the years, both website development and SEO have increased in complexity. But the goal of search engines and the process that drives them remain the same: to provide the most relevant and useful results to a searcher’s query.

  5. eCommerce webites, raleigh, nc

    WooCommerce improves speed with “Dashing Dolphin” upgrade

    WooCommerce released its latest upgrade, version 2.5 – dubbed the “Dashing Dolphin,” in January.

    Here’s how the WooThemes product release announcement describes the new features:

    This latest version focuses on getting the store itself to run quickly and is aptly named Dashing Dolphin.

    We made several changes under the hood that improve the speed of your store.

    First, we improved how WooCommerce knows who is on the site and what they have in the cart, known as a session handler. … We’re now storing less temporary data in the database, which speeds up every page load.

    Several pages in the backend were improved, such as the tax settings screen. For store owners that collect taxes in a lot of regions, this screen will both save and load much faster.

  6. internet marketing, Raleigh, N.C.

    7 Key Components of Strategic Internet Marketing

    Are your customers and prospects finding you online? Nine out of 10 consumers will research products and services online before making a purchase, phone call or reservation. And three out of five will complete their shopping online.

    Businesses are increasingly depending on their web presence for both marketing and sales. Those who are most successful have a strategic plan, identifying their target markets, specifying the online channels to reach them, setting goals, etc.

    Consistent with the ever-changing landscape of the internet, new tools and tactics for marketing and sales can seem to pop up overnight. For those operating a small business, it can be overwhelming to stay informed of the latest best practices. So we’ve compiled this list of key components for consideration in your 2016 internet marketing plan.

  7. ecommerce websites, Raleigh NC

    Selling Subscriptions? Check out the WooCommerce Tool Upgrade

    Subscriptions have gone digital, extending the term well beyond traditional newspapers and magazines. Many businesses are finding the ‘subscription’ model lends itself well to generating recurring sales and revenue.

    Businesses like Birchbox (beauty products), Blue Apron (make-at-home meals), and Dollar Shave Club (men’s razors) serve hundreds of thousands of customers per month through subscriptions, according to an Inc. Magazine article. But success is not a shoo-in.

    “You can’t just convert to a subscription business and expect your revenue to grow,” Michael Dubin, CEO of Dollar Shave Club, tells the magazine’s reporter. “Is the subscription an enhancement for your customer? If not, then don’t do it.”

  8. Websites, DIY, Dangers

    6 Dangers of “Do It Yourself” Websites

    Gone are the days when building a website required knowing or learning HTML code. Now there are options galore including Content Management System (CMS) choices such as WordPress and Joomla and free ‘builders’ such as Squarespace, Weebly and Wix.

    Given this landscape, when creating a new site, how do you decide between ‘do it yourself’ (DIY) options and hiring a professional? Both are valid methods that should be weighed based on your particular situation and budget. When deciding, consider these dangers of the DIY route: