If you haven’t read my previous posts, you might want to check them out. There’s one on Email Marketing, Affiliate Marketing, Search Marketing and Social Media Marketing

1. Website

It is estimated that 70% of SMEs don’t have a business website, despite the fact that over 60% of high street purchases are first researched online. As a small business owner, a website is probably the singular most important thing you can own for your business. It’s not just about being in with the crowd, but owning a business website could save you £££’s whilst earning you some new ones as well.

Why do you need a business website?  Read more...

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Make some noise online by giving your sites a well-considered refresh. Craig Grannell finds out how to clear away the cobwebs

As the global economy continues to stutter its way through 2009, companies are increasingly fighting to be heard. In recent months, investment has shifted abruptly from traditional media and ‘real world’ environments to the internet, which provides the means to reach the largest possible audience in a relatively cost-effective manner.

In theory, this is great news, but in practice the picture isn’t entirely rosy. As Clearleft’s managing director Andy Budd explains: “Many people view a website as a one-off project, rather than an ongoing concern. Organisations often go through a big redesign and then let a website fall into disrepair.” Instead, he recommends training yourself and your clients to think of a website as a staged process, which should be updated every three to six months: “That way, it’ll always be up to date and will last longer, rather than spending the majority of its life underperforming.”

Instead of tearing a site down and rebuilding it from scratch, figure out ways to make the existing site work harder. “Breathing new life into a site through a design refresh is one such option,” suggests Budd. “Smart companies also explore usability improvements to help conversion rates – small tweaks to registration and checkout processes can see conversions skyrocket and pay for themselves in no time.” The trick is in knowing the difference between an expense and an investment. While some sites are too outdated to make do with subtle tweaks and need a radical revamp, you can often do a lot with a little, thereby finding yourself in tune with companies cutting back on large capital expenditures.  Read more...

content, Craig Grannell, Design, Marketing, Online Business, Opportunity, Press, Re-Design, Twitter, video, Web 2.0, Web Design Hide

I have been providing advertising services to online businesses since 2000. I have helped many people become successful online through the use of my services.

Too often, I only hear from people on the phone after they have lost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to launch their new online business ventures. They call me when they have just a few dollars left. I sometimes wish people would have found me first, so that I could have helped them find real success, instead of heartache.

Beware Of The Charlatans

Before you consider spending any large chunk of cash, please be aware of those who are preying upon the Internet newcomers.

I know companies selling cookie-cutter websites for tens of thousands of dollars, and those cookie-cutter websites have never helped anyone achieve any kind of success online.  Read more...

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