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9 Things Every Small Business Website Should Have

3月

19日

image source: pixabay.com

As a business, you want to make sure your office or storefront looks professional. You may apply a new coat of paint, add lighting and signage where it’s needed. You do this because you know your appearance has an effect on people’s opinion of your business. Well, the same concept applies to your online business.

Below, we share 9 elements that every website needs to put its best foot forward.

A Clear Description

When someone visits your website, they shouldn’t have to dig through pages to learn who you are and what your business does. State your business name clearly and sum up your products or services on the homepage. Don’t put everything on your homepage, just enough to give visitors adequate information about your business so they can decide if they’re on the right site.

Easy Website Address

When choosing a web address, note two things: Make it memorable and keep it short. If your web address is complex and long, your visitors might forget what to type in or misspell it. Keep it simple and try to avoid dashes, if possible.

Simple Navigation

So you don’t know how to code or anything about web design. Great! Keep your website simple and easy to navigate. Worry less about how pretty your website looks; instead make it easy to navigate and chock-full of great information about your business.

Clear Contact Information

It sounds silly, but you’d be surprised how many websites don’t have a clear description of the business or any way to be contacted. Contact information should be one of the top priorities when building a website. A clear and obvious section that contains your phone number, address, business hours, and email info can make a huge difference.

If you can, add a contact form on your website to make it even easier for visitors to contact you.

Customer Testimonials

Establish trust and legitimacy with new visitors by adding testimonials to your website. People love to hear from other people about their stories and experiences with a company. If you don’t have any testimonials, start asking your current or past customers to leave one on Google or Yelp. In exchange, you can offer to link to their businesses website from the testimonial they give you.

Call to Action

Each page on your website should serve a purpose and that purpose should have a ‘call to action’. What is the purpose of your homepage? It might be to inform visitors about your business and give them a way to learn more about your products/service. So in this case, you should have a call to action that leads visitors to your product/service information.

If the purpose of your product page is to lead customers to your contact page, have a call to action that links them to the contact page.

Fresh Content

Updating your website with new quality content frequently will not only help your SEO, it will also give visitors the most up-to-date information. Websites that have old and outdated information reflect poorly on the business.

Links to Social

Your business should be on social media as another means to reach potential customers online. A great way to grow your social channels is to include icons on your website that link to your social pages.

Secure Hosting

Often overlooked, a secure hosting platform can make a huge difference when it comes to your website. Small businesses that collect user information need to protect themselves and their customers. It’s important to find a trustworthy hosting company that will keep your websites protected from hacker attacks.

Dreamersi is a product of PSPinc and offers secure hosting packages and SSL certificates that ensure your site is protected at all times.

#ENnews #PSPinc #Blog #Marketing #Advertising #B2B #SmallBusiness #OfficeTips #SEO #SearchEngineOptimization #Website #WebHosting #OnlineMarketing #DigitalMarketing

Step out of your Business Comfort Zone

3月

14日

image source: pixabay.com

Doing the same thing the same way might be comfortable, but is it helping your business progress? That’s the question of the day.

The formula for success is simple: you make a profit by earning more revenue than your cost. So we often focus on ways to increase our revenue, but what if we could also cut costs? And remember, time is costly too.

One of our clients needed help making their process more efficient, cutting back on the time, energy, and especially manpower to make their operation work…

The company has a very data-entry driven process, which includes multiple steps, such as data collection, compiling, confirming and entering the data into multiple places. We discovered they not only spent a lot of time entering the same thing over and over, but during that process, mistakes were being made.

They had at least three to four people touching the data; first on paper, next on the whiteboard, into Excel, and finally onto their server database. For every touch point, there was a new person involved.

PSP came up with a solution. First, we spent a good amount of time analyzing the flow of data entry and understanding each person’s job. Then we created a single point of data entry via browser, where multiple people can view the forms. Not only did we eliminate the need to enter the data multiple times, but we helped improve the client's overall business process, making it more efficient, accurate and secure. Our new system also gave them access to the data from multiple locations.

This business bravely stepped out of their comfort zone and look what it got them – an entirely upgraded process that will same them time, effort and money.

#ENnews #PSPinc #Blog #Marketing #Advertising #B2B #SmallBusiness #OfficeTips #BusinessGoals #WebTools #WebHosting #TimeManagement

Digitizing your Business Operations

3月

12日

image source: pixabay.com

Today we want to share another example of a company that stepped outside the box to improve its business operations.

Vantaggio Suites is a specialty extended-stay hotel chain, located in San Diego and San Francisco, serving mainly business travelers on assignment and students studying abroad. Because their customers stay with them for longer periods of time, extra paperwork is required. And when we say paperwork, we mean good old-fashioned hard copies. This was costing them a lot of time and resources producing copies, filing, and searching for documents.

Think about it. How much extra time would it take to simply file every piece of paperwork and then search for it when needed? Then tack on the cost of paper and printing, and the space it would take to keep all of those documents securely tucked away.

Vantaggio wanted to shorten its 15 to 20-minute check-in process and be able to pull up documents immediately rather than dig through filing cabinets. If they have 20 guests to check in, and each one takes 15 minutes, that’s a solid 5-hours just to check in guests. What happens if 4 guests arrive at the same time?

PSP to the rescue. First, we learned all about their check-in process. We went through each step and every document, making it all digital. We even took it a step further by making the process mobile and tablet-friendly. Now, customers can check-in on tablets, read the rules, waivers, watch the video, and then the information is filed electronically. We also created a set of search functions so office staff can find and pull customer information quickly.

This may not be your business model, but perhaps it’ll get you thinking about ways you can make your business operations run more efficiently. After all, time is money!

#ENnews #PSPinc #Blog #Marketing #Advertising #B2B #SmallBusiness #OfficeTips #BusinessGoals #WebTools #WebHosting #TimeManagement

Using Web Tools to Simplify your Business Operation

3月

7日

image source: pixabay.com

As a current business owner, let’s say you’ve imagined opening another storefront, however this may prove difficult with higher operation costs. But what if you designed your new storefront to be a self-serving option for customers, avoiding the overhead?

One of our clients did just that, and it worked out really well for them.

For custom sign printing, our client’s business model requires its staff to spend time explaining signage options to customers, as well as designing their graphics. They provide quite a bit of customer service up front, even before a sign gets printed and shipped.

PSP helped this client construct and design a new online store, which included web tools that allow visitors to choose sign options and design their own graphics. We provided a set of drawing tools and a file manager to empower customers to upload or create their own designs and logos. Typically, those who are exploring purchasing options online are savvy enough to dive in and take charge of their own experiences.

The new tools eliminate the need for staff to consult with customers before a purchase is made, saving the business time and money. The storefront was given its own brand and identity, differentiating the online store to be more user-friendly with a different pricing structure.

You don’t need to brand your online store the same as your brick and mortar store. You just need to compare the cost of opening and operating the two, and make decisions to price the products and services accordingly. You also want to be aware that people who shop at your physical location will mostly likely have different expectations from people who shop at your online store.

#ENnews #PSPinc #Blog #Marketing #Advertising #B2B #SmallBusiness #OfficeTips #BusinessGoals #WebTools #WebHosting

Don’t Limit your Business Dreams

3月

5日

image source: pixabay.com

In the 1990s, owning your domain name became a growing business trend. If you had an email address with your business domain name, such as @PSPinc.com instead of @AOL.com or @CompuServe.com, it made your business look professional.

In the 2010s, online business became even easier with content management web tools, such as Dreamersi WebdeXpress, that help you build your own website. You no longer need HTML coding skills to build a professional-looking site for your company.

So here we are at the end of the 2010s, and what’s next?

In March, let’s talk about growing and going beyond the basic tools to envision bigger possibilities for your online business. Years ago, you wouldn’t have thought it possible to build your own website, unless you had the technical training to do so. But now it’s possible!

So what are you dreaming up next for your online business? It might not be just a dream anymore. With the extensive web tools available in this age, we can probably do the things you’ve imagined, but haven’t sought out due to limitations in budget or time, or something else.

Before we dive into some specific examples, here are some things to think about:

- Don’t be limited to what you see on your computer screen.
- Think of your goals, not your means.
- Stop worrying about what you don’t have, but rather, where you want to go.

#ENnews #PSPinc #Blog #Marketing #Advertising #B2B #SmallBusiness #OfficeTips #BusinessGoals #WebTools #WebHosting

Your Guide to Social Media Image Sizes

2月

28日

image source: pixabay.com

You're already an expert on taking photos, optimizing them for your website, and you know how to upload them to WebdeXpress. Now it’s time to make sure your images are the optimal size for all your social media channels. Below is a guide to help you navigate the optimal image sizes required by each social media channel.

Facebook:

Profile picture: 180 x 180 pixels
Cover photo: 820 x 312 pixels (minimum size 400 x 150)
Shared pictures: 1,200 x 630 pixels
Event picture: 1,920 x 1080 pixels

Instagram:

Profile picture: 110 x 110 pixels
Photo thumbnails: 161 x 161 pixels
Photo in feed: 1,080 x 1,080 pixels
Instagram stories: 1,080 x 1,920 pixels

Twitter:

Profile picture: 400 x 400 pixels
Header picture: 1,500 x 500 pixels
Post picture: 1,024 x 512 pixels (minimum of 440 x 220)

LinkedIn:

Personal profile picture: 400 x 400 pixels
Personal background image: 1,584 x 396 pixels
Company logo: 300 x 300 pixels
Square logo: 60 x 60 pixels
Company cover image: 1,536 x 768 pixels
Banner picture for company page: 646 x 220 pixels
Post picture: 1,200 x 628 pixels

Pinterest:

Profile picture: 165 x 165 pixels
Pin size: 236 pixels – 600 pixels
Board display: 222 x 150 pixels (large) 55 x 55 pixels (small)

#ENnews #PSPinc #Blog #Marketing #Advertising #B2B #SmallBusiness #OfficeTips #SocialMedia #Facebook #LinkedIn #Pinterest #Instagram #Twitter #ProfilePic

How to Upload Pictures to WebdeXpress

2月

26日

image source: dreamersi.com

If you’ve read our last two blogs, you now have great pictures and are ready to upload them! If you haven’t read them, here they are:

How to Take Better Pictures for your Business

Make your Pictures SEO Friendly

Now that your pictures are ready to go, let’s get them uploaded.

First, you need to login to your Dreamersi account, then click on WebdeXpress in the “Content Management System” menu on the top of the page. Once you’re on the WebdeXpress dashboard you’ll want to look at the grey menu on the left of the screen.

Click on the files tab, which should be fourth from the top. From here, a dropdown menu will appear with two tabs for “List Files” and “Upload Files.” Click on the “Upload Files” tab.

A new page will appear that will tell you which files are supported and give further instructions on how to upload them. To upload files click on the “Add files…” button in the middle of the page. If you have large files or if you want to further compress files, make sure you check the box that reads “Compress images upon upload.”

#ENnews #PSPinc #Blog #Marketing #Advertising #B2B #SmallBusiness #OfficeTips #SEO #WebDesign #WebsiteBuilder #WebDev #WebTools #WebdeXpress

Make your Pictures SEO Friendly

2月

21日

image source: pixabay.com

Name your Image Correctly

Use the name of your image to accurately depict what is going on in the picture and try to use correlating keywords. If you don’t know what keywords are, or if you need a refresher, read our blog on keywords here. Think of words and phrases that people are searching for that might pertain to the image. Remember, images are just as searchable as websites and they can lead people to your website.

Use Alt-Text

When images don’t load on a screen the alt-text is there to replace the picture. Use the alt-text to be descriptive about what is happening in the image. And again, make sure you use your keywords in the description. The alt-text isn’t just important for images that won’t load; it’s also there for web accessibility. If you hover over images, and depending on your browser settings, it will show the alt-text.

Add Images to Sitemap

Similarly to indexing your web pages, you can index your images with Google. Add images to your XML sitemap to help Google identify and map your website. This includes adding any internal or external links to images to help guide visitors through your website.

Decrease File Size

When we browse the web we expect everything to load quickly. How many websites have you left because things aren’t loading? There are two different ways to decrease the file size of your image so it will load faster on your website, which will help your SEO.

The first is to decrease the image size. You can do this in applications like Photoshop using websites like this one: https://www.picmonkey.com. The second way is to decrease the image quality, which will decrease the amount of pixels in a given image, making it load faster.

Choose the Right File Type

There are a myriad of file types to choose from, so how do you know which one is right for you? When looking at photo compression there are two main types: lossy and lossless. Lossy means an image will decrease in size and quality. Lossless means that it will decrease in size without compromising quality.

PNG – We keep the background of your image transparent and it is lossless.
GIF – Is similar to PNG because it’s lossless and can have transparency, but it can also have animation.
JPEG – This file type is lossy but is really good for large images, photography, and color gradients.

#ENnews #PSPinc #Blog #Marketing #Advertising #B2B #SmallBusiness #OfficeTips #SEO #SearchEngineOptimization #Photography #PhotographyTips #WDXnews

How To Take Better Pictures For Your Business

2月

19日

image source: pixabay.com

Rule of Thirds / Use the Grid

A super easy way to improve any pictures you’re taking is to use the gridlines on your DSLR camera or phone. The gridlines split the screen into nine boxes, which follow a principle of composition called the “rule of thirds.” This principle states that an image is more balanced and easier for people to view if it’s split into thirds. By aligning points of interest on the lines and intersections you can create an image that is easy on the eyes.

Choose One Subject

Before you begin taking pictures of products, people, or your office space, you need to decide on one subject. A big mistake people make is focusing on more than one subject, which makes it hard for people to differentiate what to look at. Make your subject clear, obvious, and easy to discern. Simplifying your pictures makes it easier to choose one subject.

Negative Space / Symmetry

Choosing a background for your images can be daunting, but embracing negative space can not only make for better pictures, but also make your job easier. Negative space refers to blank or open space within a picture. This style of photography has become extremely popular. When you leave negative space in your photo you will make the subject even more powerful.

If your subject doesn’t have a background, you might try looking for patterns and symmetry. It can give a sense of harmony to your pictures that will make it more pleasing to the eye.

Leading Lines

Leading lines draw attention to your subjects and tell the viewers eyes where to look in a picture. You can find lines all over and there aren’t any specific rules for how to use them. The more comfortable you get using the grids on your camera the easier it will be to see lines in everyday life.

When using leading lines, you want to have your image at the intersection of the lines. Leading lines don’t always have to be straight, they can be circular and even wavy, it’s up to you to frame the lines to direct viewers eyes.

#ENnews #PSPinc #Blog #Marketing #Advertising #B2B #SmallBusiness #OfficeTips #SEO #SearchEngineOptimization #PhotographyTips #CameraTips #Photography #TakeBetterPictures #WDXnews

Business Communication: Be Simple and Consistent

2月

14日

image source: pixabay.com

Albert Einstein said, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” That’s great advice, especially when it comes to business communication. The only thing I would add – in respect to business – is to keep repeating a consistent message if you want it to stick with people.

With all the distractions around us, and all the information and advertisements circulating for other brands, it’s easy for even the simplest message to escape our minds. If you want your business’ message to stand out, three things need to happen. 1) Your message must be simple and the same every time. 2) You have to get it out there in front of people over and over again. 3) You have to be an authority on what your message is conveying.

Let’s use some big brand slogans as an example. Can you match the message with the brand?

Just do it.
Think different.
What’s in your wallet?
I’m lovin’ it.
There are some things money can’t buy. For everything else, there’s …
Because you’re worth it.
For life.
A diamond is forever.

These big corporations have nailed down simple slogans that are easy to repeat over and over again. Because of that, I’m betting you knew most of the answers. But they aren’t the only ones who can succeed in this type of marketing. Regardless of your size, keep repeating your message until it becomes a part of your internal business culture and a part of your public identity.

Finally, back up your message with authority and action. Your marketing message should be genuine and authentic and represent your business accurately, otherwise you risk driving people away.

So, did you guess most of them? Check your answers:

Just do it. - Nike
Think different. - Apple
What’s in your wallet? - Capital One Credit Card
I’m lovin’ it. - McDonalds
There are some things money can’t buy. For everything else, there’s MasterCard. - MasterCard
Because you’re worth it. - L’Oreal
For life. - Volvo
A diamond is forever. - De Beers

#ENnews #PSPinc #Blog #Marketing #Advertising #B2B #SmallBusiness #OfficeTips #Communication #Branding

PSPinc Official Company Blog

フリースペース

9 Things Every Small Business Website Should Have

Step out of your Business Comfort Zone

Digitizing your Business Operations

Using Web Tools to Simplify your Business Operation

Don’t Limit your Business Dreams

Your Guide to Social Media Image Sizes

How to Upload Pictures to WebdeXpress

Make your Pictures SEO Friendly

How To Take Better Pictures For Your Business

Business Communication: Be Simple and Consistent

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