Inbound Marketing Blog

Recently we had an issue with a new client. The old website provider decided that they were not happy we took over web marketing for this client and sent us a nice letter telling us that we needed to remove the website under the DMCA.

Before we had a chance to even think about responding we got a notification from our hosting provider that they were going to take it down because of failure to comply with the DMCA.

The problem was that all the brand elements on the site were brand elements of the client (taken from their artwork). All the images on the site were stock photos... pretty sure that this web builder doesn't own those images. And the content was so bad that we changed it this week anyway as part of the new contract.

The best part is that the bottom of the old website said, very specifically, that the copyright was our client's. So, it was reasonable to assume that our client owned the copyright.

You'd think that, too, if it was yours, right?

A number of years ago I was traveling in upstate New York and went to a Friendly’s restaurant. For those who don’t know the chain, it’s a family restaurant. You wouldn’t necessarily expect the service and food to be stellar but you would still have an expectation that someone says hi, comes and takes your order in a timely manner and gives you food that is halfway decent.

That particular evening as I was sitting in this restaurant it became pretty clear that they didn’t care about me, my money or my experience. I sat in this mostly empty restaurant for nearly 20 minutes before I even got my glass of water and gave my order. I then waited nearly 30 minutes for my fairly simple meal to find it’s way to me. This meal was mediocre at best.

It is a digital world, and showing competence on social media is necessary for credibility. Facebook is one of the most commonly used social media platforms, and you need to be there to be relevant. Make sure that you categorize your business correctly and setup the page properly; no one will take you seriously if you are categorized under Banks and you actually sell puppies. So how do you set up your company Facebook page?

Where do you fit?

Most business owners will utilize the first two main categories, which are “Local Business or Place” and “Company, Organization or Institution.” The third choice of “Brand or Product” can also come into play when setting up a page, but this is for a much more specific types of pages, focused around a specific brand or individual product.

Narrow down the search

If you own a small business, then “Local Business or Place” will be the way to go. It lets you include information like your business hours, location and other custom information. You can narrow down your company page even further by using a category like the ones below:

If you have done any research on SEO (Search Engine Optimization) then you have heard over and over again that fresh, relevant content is the way to go. But most business owners are not writers nor proficient in blogging, and the thought of asking those business owners to write a weekly blog is like asking them to cut off their own pinky toe.  However, writing a blog is not at all complex. Below are a few guidelines that should be respected as much as possible.

I am curious as to what device you are reading this on? Could it be on a laptop? Maybe you’re at work on a desk? Or – perhaps you have a smartphone in your hand and you’re thumbing through this page.

Are you looking to rebuild your website? If so, then you should consider a mobile-first approach. In today’s digital age, most people use their smartphones to browse the internet. A mobile-first website is designed to prioritize the user experience on smaller screens, making it easier to navigate and find what they need. By creating a mobile-first website, you can attract more visitors to your site, increase engagement, and ultimately, boost your conversions.

At some point or another when browsing the internet, a site will come up that makes you want to stand on the top of Mount Everest and shout "What idiot designed that site?"

I can't believe that in 2015 this is a post that has to be written.

Not too long ago, I was sitting in a meeting of a local non-profit organization talking about their website. I was brought in as an outside consultant. Their web developer was in the room at the same time.

Now, I use the term web developer loosely. They are really a video group that programs in Flash. They develop websites in Flash along with presentations and other things that they do.

At one point during the conversation I realized how threatened they were by my presence when I asked about their mobile strategy.

“You mean about the Flash, right?” was the terse questioning.

The technological age has really pushed products to the limit when it comes to their life cycle. With new products and software replacing older versions faster than they can even be marketed, the speed of technology is still increasing at an exponential rate. It can sometimes very difficult to stay on top of these trends as a consumer, let a lone a business operating in the industry.

What is a SWOT analysis? It is a fundamental concept in a start-up company and directly affects the marketing plan and demographics being targeted. SWOT is simply the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats to your specific business.

/The average person browsing the Internet sees links, content, and graphics. A digital marketing team sees people. Individuals who have put in the time and energy to make sure everything flows nicely, the content is of high quality, links work, and every search engine has been used to its fullest. In digital marketing, your team is crucial to your success. In order to build a successful team, several positions need to be filled.