Website Design: Template or Custom (Part I)?

I recently sent out a proposal for branding the company of a small business owner. For illustrative purposes we will call the client Joan.

Joan was on a very tight budget as all start-ups are.  I mentioned to Joan that instead of a custom website we could cut cost and time considerably if we customize a template for her. I told Joan a website is like building a house from the ground up or purchasing a ready-made new home. Here is what I shared with Joan to help her decide.

Template Web Design Pros

• Customizable
• Wide selection of premade and turnkey templates
• Quick turnaround time
• Very low cost

Template Web Design Cons

• Design not unique
• Customization may be limited
• Coding errors that prevent SEO (reducing chances that visitors can easily find you)
• Generic look of design (not branded)

With templates, the graphic design part of the work has already been done; you pay a licensing fee to use that template, as long as you comply with the terms of the license. Website templates are cheap, but like everything else you will get exactly what you pay for.

If you are a client looking to save money and time, we suggest going with a website template and finding a professional web designer that will customize a pre-made template design for you. Beware of web design scams from designers who sell premade templates as unique custom designs!

Next week I will share the pros and cons of custom website designs.

Client Perception is Everything: Avoid Bad Sales Collateral

Making a good impression is the top secret weapon of choice for salespeople. Sales collateral is a major part of a salesperson’s “good impression” toolkit.  Sales collateral include business card, brochure, promotion gift, sell sheet, and anything designed for a salesperson to increase his/her client base.

Have you ever looked at a business card, flyer, website or postcard and immediately said I would never do business with this company or you simply dismissed the company and said next? That is your client perception working.

Some companies use collateral that hurt sales. According to Alexander Hiam, author of Marketing For Dummies, in choosing your sales collateral, avoid the following:

Plastic: cheap plastic folders, clear plastic page protectors, or big, ugly plastic sample cases all say tacky and cheap to prospects. Use high-quality papers and favor cloth or leather cases and bindings, if at all possible.

Amateur designs and layouts: Sure, anyone can design sales and marketing materials in this era of high-quality laser printers, but most people shouldn’t. Amateurs often create poor-looking, confusing layouts. Their work just doesn’t have that special look that characterizes fine design —and the better prospects notice.

Errors: An amazing number of factual and spelling errors exist in sales collateral. Salespeople perpetually have to make corrections or explain errors in front of prospects, which is like saying, “Please use our business. Of course, we can’t even type a spec sheet accurately, but we can muddle through your order somehow.” Right.

Omissions: Most salespeople go on calls without all the collateral materials and information they need to do a great job. They don’t have a good brochure. Their business cards don’t have the current address or the company’s fax number and website. The price list is out of date. Their order form is a cheap pad bought at the local stationery store.

As you send your salespeople out in the field, arm them with good collateral. Help them to be sucessful so that your company can inturn be succesful as well.

“Guerilla Marketing” In The Bronx

Guerrilla Marketing is defined by Jay Conrad Levinson in his book Guerrilla Marketing.  The objective of guerrilla marketing is to create a unique, engaging and thought-provoking concept to generate buzz, and consequently turn viral. The term has since entered the popular vocabulary and marketing books.

Guerrilla marketing involves unusual approaches such as encounters in public places, street giveaways of products, PR stunts, any unconventional marketing intended to get maximum results from minimal resources. Evidenced by my recent blog post on one of the things Blossom Flower is doing to increase profits.

Travis Bowens owner of a tax franchise, Instant Tax Service, located at 646D Neried Avenue (Bronx, NY) wowed the neighborhood with his grand opening stunt.  Travis worked with AARROWADS.COM to create a buzz in the town.  For 8 or 10 blocks from Travis’ office we could see men wearing bright red shirts and twirling signs with the name and logo of Instant Tax Service.

Take a look at the posted video featuring Erwin Pacheco (1-888-5-AARROW) and tell me what you’ve done in your neighborhood to earn the name “Guerrilla Marketer” or share what others are doing to maximize profits.

 

 

Building Your Marketing Collateral In 2010

 

New Year—New decade—Optimism is in the air. I predict 2010 will be your most productive year ever if you take action today!

Begin by taking stock of your current marketing collateral and determine what worked for you in 2009. Marketing collateral — or printed pieces that support your marketing efforts include but are not limited to:

• Brochures
• Business Cards
• Catalogs
• Newsletters
• Note Cards
• Pocket Folders
• Postcards
• Reports/Whitepapers
• Sales Sheets

2010 Action Plan

• Review current marketing collateral.
• Remove outdated or non-producing pieces.
• Post reports, whitepapers on your website and provide an easy way for prospects to view them.
• Keep extra brochures, mailers and business cards with you.
• Write thank-you notes, follow-up letters, reminder cards and more on your note cards.
• Be sure to give out brochures and business cards to people and businesses that not only want them, but can use or recommend your services.

Keep your marketing collateral current as different styles, colors, even words change from the “in” to the “out” list and a smart business stays on top of these changes and responds to them.

Here’s looking towards 2010 and beyond…put your action plan in place today!

Maria’s Insightful Solutions. Lasting Results.

I welcome Maria Marsala as a new contributor to our blog. Maria is a Business Strategist, Coach, Speaker and former Wall Street trader. You will find her articles insightful and I urge you to visit her website at www.coachmaria.com.

The One-Hour Marketing Solution
Summary: If you hate the thought of marketing, this article is for you. There are people who have found ways to market with integrity and have lots of fun, too. If this describes you, then skip this article! Other people would rather be doing anything else – even getting a tooth pulled (well almost) – instead of marketing. If that describes you, then start marketing 60-minutes each day.

Now, I’m not talking about creating forms, business cards, etc. Instead, take 1 hour each day and “really” market. First use that time to design a marketing plan (review your business plan for some ideas). Make sure that your plan includes many enjoyable ways to market or ways you think you’d enjoy. Do I hear lunch? Next, spend one hour per day conducting any type of marketing! Or spend the equivalent of that time – 2 afternoons per week or whatever way works for you – as long as it equals 5 hours per week.

Over time, you too will realize that marketing is fun. Without realizing, your marketing time will automatically begin to increase. Remember, if you get stuck… go to the web or your local bookstore and check out all the marketing information. There are rows upon rows of “how to market” books. So, keep in mind, you can market your way, market with integrity, and have fun, too.

Use the books below to investigate fun ways to market:

• “Guerrilla Marketing Handbook” (or any guerrilla book) by Jay Levinson and Seth Godin Lots of inexpensive and great ideas to build a marketing foundation and see what enjoyable methods you can add to your marketing plan.
• “Selling The Invisible: A Field Guide To Modern Marketing” by Harry Beckwith Especially good if you market a service vs. a product.
• “The Portable Coach: 28 Surefire Strategies for Business and Personal Success” by Thomas Leonard Marketing using the 28 principals of attracting people and business to you.
• “Permission Marketing: Turning Strangers Into Friends, and Friends into Customers” by Seth Godin and Don Peppers.
• “Integrity Selling: How to Succeed in Selling in the Competitive Years Ahead” by Ron Willingham.
• Visit our recommended business foundation books, at www.TheResourceQueen.com/books.

Contributor: Maria Marsala
© 2009 Chief Business Collaborator Maria Marsala has been publishing MORE BUSINESS ezine since 1999. If you’re ready to make more money, kick-start your marketing and live a high quality life, get your FREE tips now at www.ElevatingYourBusiness.com.

 

What One Business Owner Did To Increase Sales?

The key to promoting any business in hard times isn’t to reduce your marketing but to switch to low-budget or no cost marketing activities.

While driving in my neighborhood last weekend a sign caught my eye. Although small, and seemingly inexpensive, it was a fantastic marketing idea:

 “If your name is Frederick?
Come in to receive your FREE GIFT”

 I was excited because my brother-in-law’s name is Frederick. I told the kids we should tell Fred to stop by for his free gift. This little inexpensive sign made me stop the car and enter the shop to see what was going on inside.  The shop was full of holiday cheer, beautiful flower arrangements and best of all helpful store associates. I made a note to myself that this shop is a must stop next time I am on the block.

A young lady at the register greeted me with a smile and I asked her for the manager.  I then met Christine Price (order coordinator and graphic designer at large). I asked Christine about the sign and this is what she said. “We have been using it for a few years. This was thought up by the owner to get “window shoppers” into the store.  They might not buy anything at the time they come in to get their free prize. Our hope is that they remember what they got and also what they saw while waiting. We have a lot more to offer in the store that they can’t see from the street. So when people come in they can browse around while they anxiously await their prize. Also it’s nice to meet people in the neighborhood. People like to win things; it is a small price to pay for a new customer!”

Are your marketing and promotional ideas stopping customers in their tracks? Share your ideas by leaving a comment below. 

Photo and marketing idea was posted with permission from
Blossom Flower: The Kegan family established its floral business in the Fordham area of the Bronx, NY, in 1925. Now in our fourth generation of continuous family service, we have grown in orderly manner to a central distribution facility in Yonkers, NY (just 15 minutes north of Manhattan) and 1 additional shop in White Plains, NY. Visit our Blog: www.blossomflowerblog.com and Website:  www.blossomflower.com.

 

 

6 Ways to Spruce-Up Your Brand

1. Press Releases
   Press releases as part of a marketing program can be a powerful lead generator for your business. So announce a product or service. Duct Tape Marketing offers a free online press release creator. Once it produces your nicely formatted press release, you can send it out by using an online press service such as PRWeb.
2. Corporate Website
   A good website designer already knows how to code their website’s HTML so that it will present the same no matter what browser your visitors are using (Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Mac or Windows). But search engines like Google don’t care what your website looks like; they care that they can easily sift through your code and images to find the actual searchable text in the content on your website. They also can’t index graphic images or Flash elements, so keep that in mind when designing your website. If you’re home page is just one big Flash graphic, you’re not helping your search results at all.
3. Research
   Know where you are today by conducting quantitative research with your target audience, Benchmark your most important audiences annually and your less important audiences every three years. Put it on your marketing schedule.
4. Marketing Plan
   A marketing plan will assist you in defining your business mission and values, competitors, financial and non-financial goals, as well as provide the opportunity to assess your strengths and weaknesses. A marketing calendar allows you to not only budget for campaigns, but execute and monitor their progress as well.
5. Email Marketing Template
   Excite and thrill your current and potential customers, by sending a professionally designed email message. Display your logo right in the inbox. With a template, your email appears more professional and can draw attention with nicely designed graphics that not only look great, but also promote your business.
6. Postcard
   Update current or former customers about what your business is up to. If you have a new product or service that you are promoting, no one will know about it unless you inform them of your updates. A branded postcard is an excellent way to show off your identity and bring in more business by making sure your clients know of your new ideas. Not only will a postcard enforce your branded identity, it can be an affordable sales and promotional tool.

Good Promotion or Tired Trick?

I saw this on AOL Shopping. 10 weeks of sweepstakes to help you with all your holiday shopping! They are giving away the hottest holiday gifts of the year! There will be a new sweepstakes every Monday from now through January 4, 2010. Readers are urged to come back every week for a chance to win a new prize!

Good ploy to drive sales or unnecessary giveaways to people that shop anyway? Does this type of giveaway have an impact on consumers who are used to ridiculous black Friday deals?

What does your small business do in terms of freebies and giveaways?

Benefits of Business Cards

There are many steps involved in starting a business, but an important one that is often overlooked, is business cards. Although business cards are common, they add a personal touch and can make a statement on those looking for your business. They are a small part of your company that you can leave behind wherever you go. You never know just who may be seeking your services.

All Types of Businesses Can Benefit From Business Cards

Business cards are more important for a small business than for a larger corporation. Specific skilled trades such as, graphic designers, consultants, or housecleaning services, don’t always rely on a large body of customers, but depend more on a few local clients. These clients provide references to friends and other contacts to allow your business to grow.

The other business type that benefits the most from business cards is Internet-based businesses. It’s important to remember that when people leave your website, they generally forget that you exist, so your responsibility is to remind them. Having a business card can keep you, your business, products, and services in the minds of your future clients. You have a better chance of having them use your services or passing your information on to someone else, if they have a convenient way of contacting you.

Highlight Your Company’s Best Attributes

A clean slate is sometimes the best way to introduce yourself. With a business card, you can accentuate all of your best qualities, similar to a tiny resumé or personal advertisement. Business cards allow you to present yourself or business in a more formal and credible light. The traditions of business easily recognize business cards like an identity.

Business cards come in all different forms and can be very simple or full of creativity, but since business cards are so common, creativity is important. It’s better to set yourself apart from your competition and a creative business card is a great way to do so. Business cards are meant to leave an impression, so that later, your company will be thought of when products or services are needed. The more creative your business card is, the more likely it is that you will be remembered. 

Promoting Your Business With Ease

If you would want to promote your business and perhaps establish your name in the local area, drop off your business cards in stores and boutiques where your clientele is accessible. This is a small gesture that easily links you to a potential network. You can be up-to-date with the new trends and business activities.

Many stores also offer discounts and freebies to those people who give them their business cards. Other companies use collected business cards to survey the audience that they attract. Knowing this information, it is easier to appeal to specific target markets. You can use this tactic for your business as well.

Business cards should be handy at all times so you can share them with people who might be interested in your products or services. As an entrepreneur, you should never leave home without one!

 

Contributor: Joe Witte

5 Quick Ways to Improve Your Company’s Identity

Add a spark to your corporate identity and boost your online presence.  

1. Add a Blog to your website
   Have an open discussion online about your company and the products and services you provide. Blogging is a fun and affordable way to have direct involvement with your clients. It allows you to offer advice, news, or promotions about your company on a regular basis. A blog also exhibits you and your business as the expert in your field, boosting your credibility and confidence with potential and existing customers. Blogging can open the door for feedback and discussion between you and your clients. By providing an open forum, you can gauge your company’s performance and your customer’s wants or needs.  
2. Email Signature
   Let your clients know who you are and what company you represent. Sign all of your outgoing email messages with your name and company logo. A graphic signature will immediately be attached and included inside all of your outgoing emails. Ditch your boring text signature, and send a visual reminder about your brand with every outgoing message.  
3. Email Marketing Template
   Impress current and potential customers, by sending a professionally designed email message. By establishing your brand in the valuable real estate of your customer’s inbox, you can cheaply and effectively advertise your business and build brand awareness to already pre-qualified customers. Unlike a blog, your customers don’t need to search to find out about your company, the news comes right to them!  
4. Post Card
   Update current or former clients of what your business is up to. If you have a new product or service that you are promoting, no one will know about it unless you inform them of your updates. A branded post card is an excellent way to show off your identity and bring in more business by making sure your clients know of your new ideas. Not only will a postcard enforce your branded identity, it can be an affordable sales and promotional tool.  
5. Electronic Brochure
   An electronic brochure is a great way to grab a client’s attention. Sending your clients an electronic version of your print brochure reminds them of your business’ unique services or products. It’s a great informational tool, which can also contain hyperlinks right to your webpage. This way, customers will always know how to find you.  

 

Contributor: Joe Witte

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