Blogs are the newest and best thing when it comes to helping you grow and get traffic for your site on the net. How does this work
exactly? What is the process?
What the most important item that you need for your real estate blog to work with your business is the following:
1) Time- you need the dedication to post a new blog at least 3 times a week, every other day. Search engines LOVE new
content, and reward you with new content. However, do not post everyday, or it can ruin you.
2) Keywords- do not place a blog with no important keywords. Keywords are what a search engine lives off of. If you provide
the right keywords, and it is in your blog, then the search engine will be your friend.
3) Connect your blog to your website- Outside blogs are cool and the biggest and best thing going, but for your business,
you need to have a blog either attached to your website or within your website. When this is done, the search engines will
help you and get you noticed and found.
4) Use RSS feeds- People like content, and new content makes people happy. It is like getting the mail, it is a lot of fun to
go to the mailbox and find a new package. The same goes for RSS feeds. RSS feeds let people know you are still around
and its an invitation to let them know you have just submitted some new information.
I hope this gives you all some information about the power of blogs. Blogs can really help you with your real estate business,
mortgage business or insurance business. If you have any questions about blogging, please feel free to contact me.
Chris Guerrette is an Account Manager for ImageWorks, LLC in Vernon, CT. His company offers many SEO services including
keyword analysis, linking, blogging for hire, and social network marketing. If you have any needs for these services, please
contact Chris at 860-647-7725 x 202. You may also visit his company website at www.imagesites.com
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
10 Things Your Web Developer Doesn't Want You to Know.
1. There’s more than one way to build a Web site. Some Web developers are hand-tied to single options, like re-sellers of certain software products or constrained to by a “Microsoft Partner” business relationship. You’re then stuck with only the choices they can sell. Your Web partner should have the flexibility to look at your specific business challenges – and give you an array of choices to fit your needs.
2. There are very affordable Web site solutions for all businesses today – even those in start-up mode. Don’t let a Web developer try to run up the bill just because you need e-commerce or other business capabilities.
3. Watch out when a Web company offers to register a domain name for you. To control your asset, they may register the domain name to themselves. Always make sure your company is listed as the domain name “registrant”.
4. Be wary when a Web developer suggests incorporating Flash or other “bells and whistles” into your site. These techniques may look pretty, but will increase the load times and hamper your site’s findability in the search engines. Don’t let a Web developer line their pocket and pump up their portfolio -- at the expense of your business. Today’s savvy Web users appreciate professional looking sites that provide answers to their needs – fast.
5. Third-party hosting solutions usually end up costing time and money. Look to Web developers that eliminate the middleman, giving you direct control over your site.
6. Search Engine Optimization should be done when your site is being designed and built. Your Web developer should not charge you an additional fee after the fact, because they’re the ones who built your site in the first place.
7. A Web site is an extension of your company's total branding and marketing. Make sure your Web developer tightly integrates every communication dimension -- graphics, tone, business positioning, etc. – so your site accentuates your overall marketing strategy.
8. Your Web developer should provide options that compel Web visitors to interact with your company (not just a "Contact Us" page). It’s critical to establish a two-way dialog quickly -- to build long-lasting customers and relationships.
9. Web site "tracking" should be more than a simple Web stats page. Your Web developer should offer tools that give you in-depth knowledge of your visitors and their behaviors on your site -- so you can determine your real return-on-investment.
10. A Web maintenance plan should be included in the price tag. This assures that your site content is always fresh. It also assures that you won’t be “nickel and dimed” for simple changes (that’s where many developers look to make extra money). In addition, your Web developer should include Web-based tools that will allow you and your staff to make Web changes without the need to know any programming.
Please visit http://www.imagesites.com for more information on learing more about your website design and marketing needs.
2. There are very affordable Web site solutions for all businesses today – even those in start-up mode. Don’t let a Web developer try to run up the bill just because you need e-commerce or other business capabilities.
3. Watch out when a Web company offers to register a domain name for you. To control your asset, they may register the domain name to themselves. Always make sure your company is listed as the domain name “registrant”.
4. Be wary when a Web developer suggests incorporating Flash or other “bells and whistles” into your site. These techniques may look pretty, but will increase the load times and hamper your site’s findability in the search engines. Don’t let a Web developer line their pocket and pump up their portfolio -- at the expense of your business. Today’s savvy Web users appreciate professional looking sites that provide answers to their needs – fast.
5. Third-party hosting solutions usually end up costing time and money. Look to Web developers that eliminate the middleman, giving you direct control over your site.
6. Search Engine Optimization should be done when your site is being designed and built. Your Web developer should not charge you an additional fee after the fact, because they’re the ones who built your site in the first place.
7. A Web site is an extension of your company's total branding and marketing. Make sure your Web developer tightly integrates every communication dimension -- graphics, tone, business positioning, etc. – so your site accentuates your overall marketing strategy.
8. Your Web developer should provide options that compel Web visitors to interact with your company (not just a "Contact Us" page). It’s critical to establish a two-way dialog quickly -- to build long-lasting customers and relationships.
9. Web site "tracking" should be more than a simple Web stats page. Your Web developer should offer tools that give you in-depth knowledge of your visitors and their behaviors on your site -- so you can determine your real return-on-investment.
10. A Web maintenance plan should be included in the price tag. This assures that your site content is always fresh. It also assures that you won’t be “nickel and dimed” for simple changes (that’s where many developers look to make extra money). In addition, your Web developer should include Web-based tools that will allow you and your staff to make Web changes without the need to know any programming.
Please visit http://www.imagesites.com for more information on learing more about your website design and marketing needs.
Friday, April 20, 2007
5 startup tips for ecommerce businesses
If you're trying to put together an e-commerce site, whether you are selling products, services, or information on-line, and are overwhelmed by the choices, challenges, and piles of information (and in some cases mis-information, then this section of our web site is for you. Here, we will talk about the key components necessary to build an effective e-commerce solution, the challenges facing the e-commerce entrepreneur, a list of our most frequently asked questions, and provide you with a checklist to guide your efforts before you get you started.
The minimum components required for an e-commerce system are as follows:
1) A product maintainable web site. This can be maintained by you or your staff, or by your web company. As a rule of thumb, ImageWorks suggests that you keep as much autonomy as possible and choose a web package that allows you to maintain your own product information. Do you really want to be at your web developers mercy every time you need to change a price?
2) A hosting company. There are many solutions available from many companies at many levels. The most important pieces of advice that we can give you are, 1) because of the complex nature of hosting, It's best if the web development company either does their own hosting or has a strong relationship with a hosting company, and if you can work with someone local you are probably going to be better off, especially in a dedicated server environment. This allows you to actually see, feel, touch, and administer your server in person if you feel the need to. As the size of your site increases, these issues become more apparent.
3) Some way to collect your customers money. The importance of a good realtime on-line credit card authorization service for the small startup company may be overrated, and care should be taken so that you do not buy something you don't need. Again, it is important to make sure that your developer has relationships with different banks and processors so that they can offer you a variety of solutions. This way you will be sure to get what you need and solutions that you are comfortable with.
4) A way to enter web orders into your accounting system. This feature runs the gambit from manually re-entering your order data from a web purchase into your traditional order entry system to automatically checking inventory before the on-line order is placed. It all depends on how much you want or need to automate, and how big your budget is. ImageWorks is there to help you understand the pitfalls of certain types of systems, and available to help you build what you need.
5)Marketing solutions. OK. You've built your dream website. The next step is to make sure there are orders. Many marketing solutions exist to help produce the cash flow that you need to survive. Whoever you choose to work with, it is essential that they have experience in on-line marketing with PROVEN results and examples of their work.
As you work through the guidelines, some of the challenges you are likely to face include:
Choosing the correct shopping cart software for your particular need
Selecting a cost-effective credit card authorization system
Inputting on-line orders into your company's accounting system
Settling on a firm to set up your on-line store
Finding a Web hosting service you can rely on
Implementing security to protect both your customers and your own database
Retaining independence from proprietary solutions
Training your people to perform updates to products and prices
Marketing your on-line store wisely to focus on your best potential customers
Every one of these is a challenge in itself. Each takes research. But where do you find answers you can trust? Whom can you rely on to give you straight talk that isn't slanted to capturing your business at any cost? We've made it our business to help you make these decisions. We can serve either as consultants to your in-house efforts, or as integrated solution providers who can bring you a turn-key retail store. We want to serve you -- from the largest corporations to the smallest entrepreneurs. Please feel free to call our office (860) 647-7725 x 202, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm Eastern time. Or you may contact us via e-mail to chris@imagesites.com
Check us out at
The minimum components required for an e-commerce system are as follows:
1) A product maintainable web site. This can be maintained by you or your staff, or by your web company. As a rule of thumb, ImageWorks suggests that you keep as much autonomy as possible and choose a web package that allows you to maintain your own product information. Do you really want to be at your web developers mercy every time you need to change a price?
2) A hosting company. There are many solutions available from many companies at many levels. The most important pieces of advice that we can give you are, 1) because of the complex nature of hosting, It's best if the web development company either does their own hosting or has a strong relationship with a hosting company, and if you can work with someone local you are probably going to be better off, especially in a dedicated server environment. This allows you to actually see, feel, touch, and administer your server in person if you feel the need to. As the size of your site increases, these issues become more apparent.
3) Some way to collect your customers money. The importance of a good realtime on-line credit card authorization service for the small startup company may be overrated, and care should be taken so that you do not buy something you don't need. Again, it is important to make sure that your developer has relationships with different banks and processors so that they can offer you a variety of solutions. This way you will be sure to get what you need and solutions that you are comfortable with.
4) A way to enter web orders into your accounting system. This feature runs the gambit from manually re-entering your order data from a web purchase into your traditional order entry system to automatically checking inventory before the on-line order is placed. It all depends on how much you want or need to automate, and how big your budget is. ImageWorks is there to help you understand the pitfalls of certain types of systems, and available to help you build what you need.
5)Marketing solutions. OK. You've built your dream website. The next step is to make sure there are orders. Many marketing solutions exist to help produce the cash flow that you need to survive. Whoever you choose to work with, it is essential that they have experience in on-line marketing with PROVEN results and examples of their work.
As you work through the guidelines, some of the challenges you are likely to face include:
Choosing the correct shopping cart software for your particular need
Selecting a cost-effective credit card authorization system
Inputting on-line orders into your company's accounting system
Settling on a firm to set up your on-line store
Finding a Web hosting service you can rely on
Implementing security to protect both your customers and your own database
Retaining independence from proprietary solutions
Training your people to perform updates to products and prices
Marketing your on-line store wisely to focus on your best potential customers
Every one of these is a challenge in itself. Each takes research. But where do you find answers you can trust? Whom can you rely on to give you straight talk that isn't slanted to capturing your business at any cost? We've made it our business to help you make these decisions. We can serve either as consultants to your in-house efforts, or as integrated solution providers who can bring you a turn-key retail store. We want to serve you -- from the largest corporations to the smallest entrepreneurs. Please feel free to call our office (860) 647-7725 x 202, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm Eastern time. Or you may contact us via e-mail to chris@imagesites.com
Check us out at
Thursday, April 19, 2007
An e-commerce store building checklist:
Here are the things you will want to be aware of when working on your business plan for your e-business. This is not intended to be done alone by someone with no e-experience, so fill it out to the best of your ability, and then give us call so that we may help.
Store Name:
Platform:
Type of Sale:
___Retail (sale to end user)
___Wholesale, business-to-business (to resellers or manufacturers)
___ Desire to do both
Products
Type of Products:
How many products (separate SKU numbers) do you plan for your store? _____.
Do these SKU numbers represent different colors or sizes for the same product? Yes___ No___
Options (color, size, etc. in a drop-down menu).
This number of products ______ has an average of ___ options each.
Did you count each of the options as a different product above?___Yes ___No
Product Photos
A substantial part of the cost of developing a store is in preparing the product photos. But, of course, they are often what motivate people to purchase.
Number of product photos ________
Format: ___Prints ___Transparencies ___Digitized (scanned)
___Web Ready (digitized, sized, optional border, JPEG or GIF format)
Product Information Format
Typical product information needed (depending upon the complexity of your site): SKU, Product Name, Product Description, Weight, Price, Picture File Name, Category, Subcategory, Related product SKUs for cross-selling, color/size option of SKU, other descriptive fields (such as ISBN for books), etc. These will usually be fields in a spreadsheet or database.
Database Format
__Not currently in database or spreadsheet __Excel __FileMaker Pro __Access __Foxpro __Sybase __Oracle __Other_________________
Categories of Products
The larger the store, the more categories you'll need. Site menus and search engines use these categories to group products so shoppers can find them quickly. We'll need a list of these from you. You'll also need to put the category and subcategory(ies) in fields in your database.
Number of Main Categories or "Departments" ______
Total number of Subcategories in all "departments _____
Sketch Your Preferred Product Page Layout(s)
on the other side of this form. Show preferred placement of: (1) product photo, (2) product name, (3) product SKU, (4) product description, (5) price, and (6) order button.
Shipping
Shipping Options Offered
___Ground ___2nd Day ___Overnight
Carrier:
___UPS ___FedEx ___Airborne ___Postal Service __Other
Shipping Calculation Method __________________
___Disable shipping calculation
Sales Tax
States or Counties where collection is required
Percent Sales Tax
Payment Transaction
Payment Methods Allowed
___Visa ___MasterCard ___American Express ___Discover___
COD ___Purchase Order ___Reseller Account No. ___
Other:___________________________________
Credit Card Authorization
___Real-time on-line credit card authorization
___Desktop credit card processing after order is received (begin here if you have an existing Merchant Credit Card Account)
Secure Order Reception
Digital Certificate of Site Security
SSL Secure Servers use a Digital Certificate signed by a recognized authority (which tells the shopper's Web browser that the store is what it purports to be. The configuration of a dedictated server requires each store to have its own Digital Certificate (at a cost of several hundred dollars per year). Our shared environment allows users to use the server's digital certificate. If you need a separate Digital Certificate, for an additional fee, we will interface with VeriSign for you, saving you a considerable hassle.
Accounting and Inventory
Accounting Program Used
___QuickBooks ___Peachtree ___Mail Order Manager ___Other
Do you want to integrate Web orders with accounting program? (special programming probably required) ___Yes ___Maybe Later ___No
Do you want to integrate Web orders with an inventory program? ___Yes ___No
Special Order Form Instructions
___Gift wrapping
___Gift card inscription
___Shipping instructions
___Other
if yu have any other questions, please call Chris at 860-647-7725 x 202.
Please visit our Website at http://www.imagesites.com
Store Name:
Platform:
Type of Sale:
___Retail (sale to end user)
___Wholesale, business-to-business (to resellers or manufacturers)
___ Desire to do both
Products
Type of Products:
How many products (separate SKU numbers) do you plan for your store? _____.
Do these SKU numbers represent different colors or sizes for the same product? Yes___ No___
Options (color, size, etc. in a drop-down menu).
This number of products ______ has an average of ___ options each.
Did you count each of the options as a different product above?___Yes ___No
Product Photos
A substantial part of the cost of developing a store is in preparing the product photos. But, of course, they are often what motivate people to purchase.
Number of product photos ________
Format: ___Prints ___Transparencies ___Digitized (scanned)
___Web Ready (digitized, sized, optional border, JPEG or GIF format)
Product Information Format
Typical product information needed (depending upon the complexity of your site): SKU, Product Name, Product Description, Weight, Price, Picture File Name, Category, Subcategory, Related product SKUs for cross-selling, color/size option of SKU, other descriptive fields (such as ISBN for books), etc. These will usually be fields in a spreadsheet or database.
Database Format
__Not currently in database or spreadsheet __Excel __FileMaker Pro __Access __Foxpro __Sybase __Oracle __Other_________________
Categories of Products
The larger the store, the more categories you'll need. Site menus and search engines use these categories to group products so shoppers can find them quickly. We'll need a list of these from you. You'll also need to put the category and subcategory(ies) in fields in your database.
Number of Main Categories or "Departments" ______
Total number of Subcategories in all "departments _____
Sketch Your Preferred Product Page Layout(s)
on the other side of this form. Show preferred placement of: (1) product photo, (2) product name, (3) product SKU, (4) product description, (5) price, and (6) order button.
Shipping
Shipping Options Offered
___Ground ___2nd Day ___Overnight
Carrier:
___UPS ___FedEx ___Airborne ___Postal Service __Other
Shipping Calculation Method __________________
___Disable shipping calculation
Sales Tax
States or Counties where collection is required
Percent Sales Tax
Payment Transaction
Payment Methods Allowed
___Visa ___MasterCard ___American Express ___Discover___
COD ___Purchase Order ___Reseller Account No. ___
Other:___________________________________
Credit Card Authorization
___Real-time on-line credit card authorization
___Desktop credit card processing after order is received (begin here if you have an existing Merchant Credit Card Account)
Secure Order Reception
Digital Certificate of Site Security
SSL Secure Servers use a Digital Certificate signed by a recognized authority (which tells the shopper's Web browser that the store is what it purports to be. The configuration of a dedictated server requires each store to have its own Digital Certificate (at a cost of several hundred dollars per year). Our shared environment allows users to use the server's digital certificate. If you need a separate Digital Certificate, for an additional fee, we will interface with VeriSign for you, saving you a considerable hassle.
Accounting and Inventory
Accounting Program Used
___QuickBooks ___Peachtree ___Mail Order Manager ___Other
Do you want to integrate Web orders with accounting program? (special programming probably required) ___Yes ___Maybe Later ___No
Do you want to integrate Web orders with an inventory program? ___Yes ___No
Special Order Form Instructions
___Gift wrapping
___Gift card inscription
___Shipping instructions
___Other
if yu have any other questions, please call Chris at 860-647-7725 x 202.
Please visit our Website at http://www.imagesites.com
About this blog....
Thank you for visiting our blog. We are a Website Design, Development, and Website Traffic Service. We are going to offer to our readers great information on how business on the web is affecting everyone, how to develope business the right way on the web, and also we will talk about your website traffic.
There is many ways to be a winner when it comes to business on the web, but there is also a lot od scams. You have to be very careful what is presented to you on the web. Anything can be sold to you, and therefore, anything can be taken from you also.
Visit us at http://www.imagesites.com for much more info thatis available for our visitors. If you are interested in our services, please contact Chris at 860-647-7725, extention 202.
There is many ways to be a winner when it comes to business on the web, but there is also a lot od scams. You have to be very careful what is presented to you on the web. Anything can be sold to you, and therefore, anything can be taken from you also.
Visit us at http://www.imagesites.com for much more info thatis available for our visitors. If you are interested in our services, please contact Chris at 860-647-7725, extention 202.
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