When website changes don't appear as expected

In order to speed up web browsing, web browsers are designed to download web pages and store them locally on your computer's hard drive in an area called "cache". Browser cache (also know as Internet cache) contains records of every item you have viewed or downloaded while Internet surfing. So when you visit the same page for a second time, the browser speeds up display time by loading the page locally from cache instead of downloading everything again. (from http://refreshyourcache.com/en/cache/)

Hitting the refresh button on your browser will cause the page from the internet, therefore showing any recent changes. Each browser (Chrome, Firefox, Explorer) has the button near the URL bar and it looks like a "recycle" icon. 

PICK the Video to SUIT your Purpose!

Videos are a great way to share information on the WWW. And each type of video has its strengths based on the purpose of the video.

Here are just a few examples...

ASK a Question... GET RESULTS!

Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of Chicken Soup for the Soul, said that the simplest way to get results is to ASK: ask for the sale, a referral, the contract... And if you are not there yet, you can start by asking a question!

I have often used this analogy:

The adage is "If you build a better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door". Not true!! First they have to know you have a better mousetrap and second, sometimes you have to educate them that they have mice!"

A survey is a great way to ask the right question to demonstrate they have a "mice problem". And it's far more effective when the prospect has the "aha" moment of "I have a problem!" than if you were to tell them that...

The question is not "Do you need a new (widget)?" 

The questions are:

1. Does your (widget) do A, B, and C? 
2. No? Might that be costing you time, money, customers, or all of the above?
3. Would you like a demo, consultation, or more information about this potential problem?

Before a sale, a survey serves several purposes:

1. It ENGAGES the prospect. It lets them feel like they are involved in the process instead of simply reading a marketing message. 
2. The best survey will RESPOND to their answers: display information or the next question based on their response. This intensifies engagement because it is personalized.
3. The CALL TO ACTION at the end of the survey will be customized based on their feedback. 

After a sale, a survey:

1. Lets our new customer know that their opinion is important and that their feedback has value. People like to be HEARD. It gives them an opportunity to vent if they had an issue (better to you than directly to Yelp) AND reminds them to post a review on Yelp, Google+, etc. if they like you!
2. Gives you  a chance to FIX a problem: whether for that specific customer or in your business process. 
3. If the feedback was positive: now you can ADD a positive testimonial or success story to your website.
4. Provides an(other) opportunity to ask for a REFERRAL, reminds them of additional SERVICES you provide, and INTRODUCES* them to other businesses that might be of service to them: "Oh, by the way..." (OBTW)
5. Occasional NEWSLETTERS or FOLLOWUPS will keep you top-of-mind for future referrals, repeat business and OBTW opportunities. 

NOTE: Business introductions demonstrates your "value-add" to services beyond your scope of expertise. PLUS, the marketing benefit to you is that YOU are introduced to prospects you don't know yet in the other business' surveys, followups, and newsletters.

Intrigued? (good cause to be). CLICK HERE to take OUR survey for a demonstration of just what a well-crafted survey can accomplish. It's the GET (answers) that keeps on GIVING! 

How to set up a Google account and why it's a good idea

If you have a Gmail account, you already have a Google account but many of you might not be using Google features that might serve useful in building your on-line presence. A few of these I use are:

• Google Apps that syncs my domain name with my Google email, calendar, and contacts. Seemless synchronization between my smartphone, desktop and the "cloud" so I can access anywhere
• YouTube to post video introductions, how to guides, and more. (example below!)
• Blogger to post blogs about tips, what's new, testimonials, FAQ's and more. 
• Picasaweb and Photos to upload photos to my account directly from my phone or desktop. Widget let me share updated images directly on my website (example bbrn.biz
• Google Drive and Docs to share files with my team and clients. 
• goo.gl shortens your URL for a simpler QR code and tracks how often it is scanned
• Google Analytics give you traffic stats for your website 
• Google Keywords tells what keyword traffic is

Here's a short video on how to set it up and some examples of the above reasons. 

Building & Leveraging your Network

"I'd rather have 1 percent of the efforts of 100 people, than 100 percent of my own efforts."
- By J. Paul Getty (also attributed to John D. Rockefeller - either way, good reliable sources!)

Right-On-Target Marketing Done RIGHT!

Imagine if someone invited you to enter a darts tournament. There was BIG prize money available so this piqued your interest, even though you don't consider yourself a darts expert. You would certainly ask these questions:

1. What's the target?
2. What do I get if I hit it?
3. What does it cost to enter?

No brainer questions, right? 

Well I know many businesses that invest LOTS of money NOT knowing the answers to these basic questions which also apply to marketing. If done RIGHT, you will know the answers before you even get started.

1. What's the target? Knowing exactly what your target looks like helps you know what you are aiming at and your chances of hitting it. Also knowing the odds of hitting a bullseye, how many attempts you will need to make before you get a hit, and if there are any wins beside a bullseye.
2. What do I get if I hit it? Here's a definition of a bullseye in marketing: you acquire a new "ideal client". What's an "ideal client"? Well, it depends on your business but would be one that you can provide the maximum amount of service for with the most profit. You will want to know the "average lifetime value" of that client: how much they spend (on average) each year, how long (on average) they remain a client, how many new clients (on average) they refer. All clients might not be a "bullseye" but at least you will know what each "ideal client" will put in your pocket.
3. What does it cost to enter? Once you evaluate the return-on-investment, you know how much you might be willing to spend to enter the marketing game. We don't engage in marketing for the sport, we engage for the WIN. So know the RETURN so you will know how much to INVEST.

So let's look at an example and "do the math".

Let's say a bullseye is worth $1000. It costs $100 to get 10 darts. You are pretty good and can usually hit two bullseyes for every 10 tries. If you enter and do your "average" you would profit $2000+ for a $100 investment. Would you enter?

Here's the politically correct response: "Duh!" 

Truth be told, you could hit one out of 30 and still do well enough to justify the investment. 

Marketing works the SAME WAY. Understand your target, evaluate your odds, and do the math! If you need help for YOUR business, contact us at GetYourNetInGear.com for a FREE Digital Diagnostic (we focus on the Internet but will explore ALL forms for marketing options).

What is a Responsive Website and Why do I NEED one?

It is 2015 and most businesses understand the importance of a website in their marketing strategy and how cost effective is it in acquiring new customers. However, many have not yet converted to the mobilized platform. Right now, 25-30% of traffic to your website is likely mobile and most small business websites have not yet addressed this need.

On top of that, Google changed its search algorithm to "demote" website searched for on mobile devices because Google deems them less relevant. Watch this 6-minute video on what the difference is and why it is important.

In summary, here are the top 5 reasons to mobilize your website:

1. Your website visitors will like you better. They can now read your site more easily and find the information they are seeking. And stats generally indicate one out of four of your visitors are on a mobile device. 25% is a large amount of traffic to lose if you are not mobile-friendly.
2. You will like it better. The conversion rates (click to call, click to map, and page views) are higher than for the average "old school" website. I think because the action is so easy and so immediate: instant gratification!
3. You can exponentialize all your marketing material. Add a QR code to your signage, business cards, brochures, flyers, etc. It's the best use of a square inch in marketing and will direct visitors to your mobile-friendly website with a simple click!
4. It likely puts you ahead of your competition. Check out to see if their site is responsive. Likely not. Woody Allen said that to succeed you don't have to be light years ahead of your competition, only 43 seconds!
5. Google will like you better. Your ranking will not suffer because you've addressed Google's criteria that responsiveness is relevant!

To determine if your website is mobile-friendly:

1. Visit your website on your smartphone 
2. Visit this website to see your website on mobile: www.mobilephoneemulator.com
3. CLICK HERE to schedule your FREE Digital Diagnostic. 

We recommend #3 because we can provide you a solution! Conversion start at $350 for current clients and $550 for new clients. How many new clients out of the 25%+ that you salvage with a mobile friendly website would it take to have this conversion pay for itself? Let's do the math!!

Systems that can DRIVE your BUSINESS (so you don't have to!)

A Driving Force Coming to a Future Near You

Auto makers are building and testing cars that drive themselves. When they are perfected, IMAGINE how that would FREE up our* TIME!! It would be like having a personal chauffeur to take us where we need to go so we focus on other tasks (no texting and driving problems!)

Automaters are building SYSTEMS that can drive your BUSINESS!! IMAGINE how that would FREE up our* TIME!! It would be like having a personal assistant that would do all the humdrum tasks so we can focus on what is important and profitable!!