Small Investment – Big Return

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Posted on 19th November 2011 by suem in In Your Business

When having my morning cup of joe, there’s nothing I like better than looking out of the kitchen window and watching the activity around my birdfeeders. For whatever reason, it seems to ground me and help me prepare for yet another chaotic day. What can I say? Sometimes it’s the little things in life.

Last weekend, as I was hauling my usual economy bag of feed into my shopping cart, I began wondering if I would get a better assortment of critters if I spent a bit more for a better feed. Times are tough and pricey birdseed is not exactly a necessity, but spending those ten silent minutes sipping coffee and watching the little community around the feeder is priceless to me. Needless to say, they got the good stuff. Within a couple of days, several new breeds of birds, and even a couple of red squirrels had joined the party. That seed was worth every penny.

The truth is, in all aspects of life, you have to give a little to get a little.  If your lucky, you can get allot. Here at Insight Designs studios, we create help small businesses create their online brand and the central piece is their business website. With Tina at the helm, they have to have just the right mix of function and design. This is no easy task and something most people shouldn’t attempt to do on their own. As I’ve said, time and time again, your business website is your most important marketing tool and your only employee that works 24-7 365 days a week. It is not the place to cut corners.

So if your website is hard to find in internet searches, is outdated, navigates as slow as a sloth on downers, or just plain ugly, it’s time for a new one. Be willing to spend the money needed to better promote your products and services. It’s a small investment that yields a big return.

Controlling Your Online Brand

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Posted on 10th July 2011 by suem in In Your Business

When designing or re-designing a business website I’m always amazed at how many smart business people do not realize the importance of controlling their domain name. Your domain name is as an important part of your branding as your logo and company name. Many web design or hosting companies will offer you a free domain name with their hosting service. Just keep in mind; the person that registers and pays for a domain name owns it. If they suddenly go out of business, you have no way to access your information to change name servers. If you have a falling out, or you are just ready to move your business in a different direction, you are at the mercy of them to release it. It what other area of your business would you allow an outside party that much control?

Register your domain name with an accredited register. If you allow your web design company to register it for you, make sure you have access through a control panel to be able to change servers and make payments. Registration should be in the companies’ name, not in a single employee’s and all information regarding such as renewal notices should be sent to a company email that can be accessed by more than one person.

Like so many other areas of your business, keep a file of all pertinent information regarding your website. Hosting companies will come and go, as will employees. Don’t let your domain name go with them