My first question when I hear this statement is usually, “What do your statistics look like?” The most common answer, “I don’t know, I don’t look at statistics”. Every website should have Google Analytics – it’s free and will show you exactly how many visitors you are getting, what pages they are going to, where they are coming from, etc. It takes us 15 minutes to install on your website. Statistics are a roadmap for you to use in making adjustments to your website or marketing activities. Statistics not your thing? One of our services is Quarterly Stats Review and Recommendations. Many of you find this to be valuable in planning your marketing and advertising strategies – both on and offline.
Hey I’m Not Getting ANY Business From My Website
November 3rd, 2010
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What if a Website is Illegal, Unethical or Posts Bad Things About Me?
October 27th, 2010
What if a Website is Illegal, Unethical or Posts Bad Things About Me?
In the 11 years we’ve been in business, this question has come up only a handful of times. I hope it never happens to you or someone you know, but if it does, here are some guidelines. I recommend calling and speaking to someone directly to get the fastest response.
1. Contact Google – they are pretty quick to address your concerns:
Google Inc.
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, CA 94043
Phone: +1 650-253-0000
Fax: +1 650-253-000
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Catchy Headlines
October 20th, 2010
Here’s a free tool to help you come up with that catchy title for an article or blog post. LinkBaitGenerator.com
Just type in a word or two and you’ll get all sorts of headlines. I typed in “Web Marketing” and got these titles: 8 Reasons to Fear Web Marketing, The 10 Commandments of Web Marketing and 10 Common Misconceptions About Web Marketing. It can be used in a couple of ways. I like to use it AFTER I’ve written an article to come up with a catchy title for it. OR you can use it BEFORE as an idea generator for an article you’d like to write. After you try it, send me a link to your article or blog post and I’ll print it in the next Muse News.
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Everybody’s Nuts
October 13th, 2010
I was eating a bag of pistachios and started laughing out loud when I read this: Everybody’s Nuts guarantees that 100% of our nuts will be open. If you find a closed nut do not attempt to negotiate with it. Simply return it for a free bag of nuts! Go to our website at www.everybodysnuts.com
Their website is awesome! It’s simple and interactive. Check out the section that says Create Your Own Stach Comic. And by the way, their nuts are really good and addicting.
I think they’ve done an ingenious job of marketing. Is there some way you can add this type of humor into what you are doing? Their name is very catchy and memorable. The navigation on the website is funny too. They just recently added an online store where you can buy nuts by the case. I can think of several people who would get a real laugh out of getting these as a gift. Have some fun playing around their site and maybe it will spark some ideas for your own web site!
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Conscientious – Can You Download That?
October 6th, 2010
The dictionary uses these words to describe “conscientious” – honest, responsible, reliable and straightforward. In a nutshell, that sums up our work ethic. We respond to all emails and phone calls within minutes or hours. Completing requested tasks in a prompt, efficient manner is standard operating procedure. While this sounds like Basic Business 101 – it apparently is uncommon.
We work well with a variety of professionals throughout any given day. Whether they are Domain Registrars, Hosting, SEO, Pay Per Click, Adwords, Marketing, Public Relations, Printers, Web Companies, Programmers, Virtual or Administrative Assistants and more. I was appalled when I phoned a web company to fix a scripting error on their client’s site for us. (We’re doing some updates on that client’s site). I was told they couldn’t take my request over the phone, I would need to email it to support@ – what the heck? I received an automated email response assigning a case # and saying if it took longer than 72 hours a rep would call me. Well, that didn’t happen, so I emailed again, a new case # was assigned and again no response. I then emailed the person I spoke with initially on the phone. To make a long story short – my request was totally ignored and to this date, the problem still exists on their site. How do they sleep at night?
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Is WordPress a Content Management System?
September 29th, 2010
I would say YES and it’s so much more. There are over 6,500 “plug-ins” or features and more being added. Our clients that are using WordPress are just delighted at how easy it is to update their own sites, add images or upload videos. If you don’t have a WordPress site yet, then we can install links via www.cushycms.com for you to update pages in your site.
Why is it important to Validate Code?
It is our standard practice to validate code on sites we design. The reason we do this is to ensure your web pages are interpreted in the same way (the way you want) by various machines, search engines, as well as users and visitors to your webpage.
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Three Things Every Website Owner Must Know
September 22nd, 2010
1. Know where your domain is registered, your login, password and when your domain expires. Make sure that your domain is registered in YOUR company name (not your webmaster’s, employee or volunteer) and that you receive the renewal notices. If your web company has your domain in their name, ask them to transfer it to you. Your domain name is valuable so make sure you are in control of it.
2. Know where your website is hosted. This is sometimes different than where the domain is registered. It can be the same place if you’ve registered your domain at the same place you host the site. Find out if they have an 800 number to call 24/7 if your site is down or has been hacked.
3. Know the passwords for each email address associated with your website.
Contact your web company today if you do not have the above three things and make sure you keep this information in a safe place.
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Collaboration and Connection
September 15th, 2010
In today’s world it is more important than ever to be collaborating and connecting with new people every day. Being a connector is one of my greatest strengths and I want to help you make some new connections today. Do you know at least six people that you would highly recommend their services? Of course you do! Every person reading this knows at least six people and that’s a lot of new people you could meet. First, you have to know the specific type of collaboration or connection you are looking for. Here are some examples:
Collaboration – This is something The Web Muse & Co. does every day. We are in communications with Printers, Public Relations Firms, Marketing Companies, Virtual Assistants, Graphic Designers, Search Engine Optimization, Pay-Per-Click, Social Media experts and many more. These are all people we “collaborate” with – meaning that we work on a project together. We refer business back and forth. Think about all the different people you interact with on a daily basis and make a list of those types of businesses.
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If Your Life Were a Quote – What Would It Be?
December 23rd, 2009
This is such a fascinating question. There are so many good quotes. My favorite quote this year has been “It’s All Good!”
Now that doesn’t mean that nothing adverse has happened. We’ve certainly had a most unsettling year that has caused concern in all parts of the world. What the quote means to me is that I’ll make the best of what happens. I’ll learn from mistakes and get through the hard times. I also like the phrase, “Learn and Move On”. Having a positive attitude and outlook on life is the way I choose to live. It sure beats getting caught up in negativity, drama and worry.
You can make things happen! If you believe and focus all your intentions on what you want to happen – it will happen. It may not be in the time frame YOU want (like right now!) but it will happen. Whatever your thoughts and dreams and goals are – continue to believe. Doubtful thoughts and negativity will delay the process.
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Does My Site Need a Web Makeover?
December 9th, 2009
Have you noticed all the makeover shows lately? Total home and room makeovers, body makeovers from losing weight to plastic surgery, wardrobe makeovers, cosmetic makeovers from new hair to new teeth. We seem to be fascinated with improvements and making things better. Below are top five questions to ask yourself and you’ll know for certain when your website needs a makeover.
- If it was designed more than 3 years ago, it most likely needs a new look. Technology has changed with programs, coding and search engines. Also, people want instant gratification so text-heavy, slow-loading sites are a thing of the past.
- If you had a friend or relative design your site. There is much more to designing an effective website than creating a Word document or Illustrator drawing. Friends or relatives most likely will not have extensive knowledge and experience with html coding, search engines and usability. Also, they may not have the time to devote and your website becomes a low priority. Read the rest of this entry »
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