June 2009 - E-marketing Minute - Marketing--Beyond Your Web Site

Are you relying on your Web site to do all your work for you? If that’s the case, you are probably pretty disappointed.

Some people have the idea that once a Web site is up, all they have to do is wait for the orders to roll in or the word-of-mouth to catch on. And then the Web site just sits there. And sits there.

And sits there.

April 2009 - E-marketing Minute - Does Your Site Work on All Browsers?

Have you ever noticed how your company or organization's Web site looks on different computers? What comes up on your neighbor's computer may appear quite different from how it looks on yours. That's because he could be using a different browser from yours.

Web site developers have absolutely no control over the software that will end up viewing their Web site. As a Web site owner, you need to be aware of the complications involved in viewing your site. As an Internet user, you need to be aware of the hidden issues brought on by not updating your browser regularly.

There's a good chance that you yourself are using either Microsoft's Internet Explorer 7 or 6, but there are many other options out there. As it stands, Mozilla's Firefox is a strong third in the browser wars, with Google Chrome, Safari, Opera, and now Internet Explorer 8 filling in the minor ranks and nine more that are too insignificant to list. Not including the smart phone market, that leaves you with 16 different ways to view the same site.

March 2009 - E-marketing Minute - Who Owns Your Web Site?

Recently a small retailer approached us about taking over her Web site hosting and improving the site. She had paid the designer to develop her site a year ago. Her hosting contract was up for renewal.

Much to her dismay, she discovered the Web site did not belong to her business. There it was on the contract: “The developer maintains the rights to the Web site’s design.”

She wanted out. She wanted a divorce from her Web site hosting and design company—but unfortunately she was locked into this relationship. Redesigning the site would cost too much. The retailer had learned a costly lesson.

This is not your usual and customary way that Web site ownership is handled. Usually the site belongs to you, the client. But it happens often enough that I thought it was worth a column.

December 2008 - E-marketing Minute - Picking a Domain Name

They say availability is the mother of invention... or is it necessity? Whichever it is, when you’re choosing a domain name, you may not get your first choice. What’s the next best thing? It’s time to get creative.

Your domain name should mirror the image you want your company to project. The URL you choose can have an impact on brand identity and help with keyword ranking. Choose carefully.