I'm thinking about using WordPress... What are your thoughts?

There are many tech professional and business owners who use and/or are fans of WordPress. I am NOT one of them. I'd like to address my concerns as a tech professional AND a business owner.

TECH PERSPECTIVE:

1. It is COMPLEX. Mind you, I am not adverse to complex. I was coding computer programs in the 70's so believe me I started pretty early on in the tech field. I've seen SO MANY advances where it does not have to be that hard anymore. It takes longer to develop a W/P site than by using a website builder with a better interface. So I can charge less for a website by using better tools.
2. It is COMPLEX because it is RETROFITED. It started out as a blogging platform and can be retrofitted to include all sorts of functionality. However, I prefer to start with a platform that has 90% of the functionality I need and add widgets and plug-ins as needed for the missing 10% (not the other way around). 
3. SUPPORT is sporatic. Because the plug-ins often come from several different sources, support is inconsistent and fingers can get pointing... Also, much time is needed to ensure you have the latest WordPress version, plug-in and theme versions which can have a adverse effect on your website that might take hours to unravel.

USER PERSPECTIVE:

1. It is often HACKED. This often requires more tech involvement: to upgrade versions, monitor issues, etc. I've helped with 5 WordPress sites in my career and three were hacked. The estimate to fix (and maintain) was more than to rebuild on a different platform.
2. It is COMPLEX. When I train a user on updating their website, I want to feel confident they can manage (most of) the changes themselves. I find it daunting and again, I've been "techy" for 40 years... Even if they want me to maintain it, it takes less time in a better (less complex) platform.
3. It can be COSTLY. Hacked websites can cost you business as well as the time to fix the problem.

CLICK HERE to read an article by an industry expert (and the developer of my go-to platform... it address many of my concerns above.

CLICK HERE to see a side-by-side comparison of the two options. (Frankly, I think they are being generous about WordPress)

I offer a FREE Digital Diagnostic so if you want a personalized side-by-side comparison, CLICK HERE. Happy to see how we can "Get YOUR 'net in Gear!"

Is Invoicing YOUR Achilles Heal? (it was mine!)

I love my business of helping businesses and organizations create an effective web presence with websites and expanding their digital footprint. I offer FREE initial consultations, flat-rate projects as well as hourly billing. Tracking all this AND sending out detailed invoices in a timely manner was a challenge/nightmare! It was the weakest link of my business... AND vital!

I found one software company that was pretty comprehensive in what it could do to help me manage clients but what it was AWFUL at generating invoices for hourly billing. After investing hours of training and hundreds of dollars in fees I googled "Alternatives to ____".I

I found Freshbooks. I have determined it to be:

1. EASY to track my time: with a timer I can turn on and off as I go from task to task. I assign it to a client and it logs the time and my notes.
2. QUICK to generate an invoice as all I have to do is click GENERATE and it puts detailed information about the tasks I logged, the time I spent and the billing rate (if applicable) for me. Calculations are done and client details included. It's usually a one-minute process!
3. TIME-SAVING to use. I can create an ESTIMATE or PROPOSAL that can be converted to an invoice once the doc is signed (all included)
4. FLEXIBLE in billing: I can set up a payment schedules for my clients and they can pay by credit card or I log a check when it arrives.
5. MINDFUL of to-dos. It takes care of recurring billing for me AND sends reminders to clients when payment is not received within a specified period of time.

I still have to REMEMBER to check my unbilled hours report but I have now set up a task in my task management system to remind me of that so I am well on my way of working smarter and staying on top of my cash flow.

If this is something you need, please use this link to check it out. NOTE: you can try it FREE for 30 days...



Affiliate disclosure: This product has served me so well these past few years, I decided to become an affiliate (which means if you decide to sign up through my link, they we pay me a stipend as a referral "thank you") I am an affilate for several software solutions that you can find at https://www.getyournetingear.com/resources. But know that I ONLY recommend tools that I use myself. 

Do YOU have a "Back Pocket Topic"?

Let's say you are given time to speak at some event, unexpectedly and with no prep time!!

This doesn't happen a LOT but CAN happen. Everyone should have a "Back Pocket Topic" or maybe even 2 or 3. This should be something:

1. You are passionate about 
2. That you have something of value or unique to share 
3. That you know backwards and forwards so you can expand or compress the presentation into the allocated time

Understand and utilize the M.A.G.I.C. Marketing formula:

1. Think about who will be at the event (the A.udience) so that you can finetune the M.essage. 
2. Asking a question at the beginning is a great and quick way to G.rab their Attention. Asking for that show of hands will also engage them.
3. Know the emotional "hot button" of your A.udience means you can know what question to ask that might I.nvolve their Emotions
4. What's your C.all to Action? Give them something to do or think about after you are done talking...
5. "Tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, and then tell them what you told them."(Best advice I got from Toastmasters). Nothing is more frustrating than listening to someone without an hints on the purpose of the presentation. Hard to do in 30 seconds but this is where the M.A.G.I.C. formula and the tips below REALLY comes in handy!

Practice, practice, practice... 

1. The more you do, the easier it becomes! (No one EVER gets worse with practice!)
2. Master communicator Jim Rohn says it well:
   "Take advantage of every opportunity to practice your communication skills so that when important occasions arise, you will have the gift, the style, the sharpness, the clarity, and the emotions to affect other people."

Other tips:

1. Memorize some good, relevant quotes. It demonstrate you are well-versed in your topic AND connects with people in ways your own words cannot... (Quoting yourself doesn't work as well..)
2. Use analogies. You don't have to explain much for people to "get it" because we already understand the story behind the analogy you use. I'll post some videos of examples.
3. Have a printed introduction with you or have it on your phone. No more than 3 sentences or so. Comes in handy if you are to be introduced.

In summary, having that "Back Pocket Topic" will take Planning, Preparation, and Practice but boy, howdy will you be glad you did when you are put on the spot!

Blogging can Change your LIFE!

What's more, it can change the lives of others... Will it? No telling for sure BUT it's always a POSSIBILITY! There are many benefits to your business (and your prospective clients)*.

However there are many personal benefits as well. Let's examine how:

1. It can be a part of our journaling process. Documenting our thoughts, opinions and perspectives is one way we can leave a "paper trail" of our journey through life to understand where we were back "when" and gauge where we are going.
2. It can be part of your personal brand. We all have a totally unique perspective and therefore our "voice" is unique, valuable, and rare. Keeping that voice hidden is like keeping our light under that bushel basket. Plus that voice (and light) will surely outlast us as long as the Internet lasts.
3. It helps keep us accountable. The more people that know about our goals and ambitions, the more likely we are to do what it takes to achieve it. 

Did you see the 2009 movie "Julie & Julie"? According to Wikipedia: "The film contrasts the life of chef Julia Child in the early years of her culinary career with the life of young New Yorker Julie Powell, who aspires to cook all 524 recipes in Child's cookbook in 365 days, a challenge she described on her blog that made her a published author" and was the source of the screenplay for the movie. It was nominated for and won dozens of awards. I enjoyed it because it describes the journey we are capable of if we make a decision. 

Here are some decisions for you to consider:

1. Watch (or re-watch) "Julie & Julie"
2. Write something that you think might be of value or interest to yourself and/or others
3. Post it
4. Share it to your family & friends in Facebook or other social platforms
5. Schedule a time and repeat 
6. See what happens (you might want to write about THAT sometime!)
7. Enjoy the experience... it is as UNIQUE as you are!

*Check out blogging benefits for your business:

• To Blog or NOT To BLOG (that is the question...)
• I Blog, Therefore I Am
• CLICK to access my webinar "To Blog or Not to Blog" recorded Aug. 17, 2018. $5 fee.

EXPAND your on-line Presence so Searches can FIND you!

To be found you need to be seen. REALLY TRUE on the internet where finding information about you and your business definitely falls into the "needle in a haystack" scenario.

So how do you increase the size of your "digital footprint" to improve your chances of being seen? Here are just a few suggestions:

1. PLEASE-PLEASE claim your "Google My Business" account. Since Google still commands the majority of searches, claiming and updating the information about your business is imperative to maximizing your exposure on this platform.
2. Expand your listings on other search engines and directories. There are dozens of places where you can list you information to increase the likelihood that searches will display your information. Besides Google, there is Bing, Yahoo, and social media platforms to consider.
3. Correct the misinformation about your business. Some of these search engines and directories have garnered your information and posted what it found. Unfortunately, often this information may be incorrect if you move, change a phone number, or even may be incorrect from the start. Also, anyone can "suggest" a change which means your business can get shanghaied by your competition!

To accomplish all this can take hours and hours to login, claim and update all the information.

GOOD NEWS! We can provide your business a "Digital Dashboard" that will allow you to update your information simultaneously in over 70 search engines and directories including:

• Your NAP (Name, Address and Phone number) 
• Business descriptions of your products and/or services
• Your business categories
• Your business hours
• Menus for restaurants
• Special events
• Photos & videos
• Staff bios
• and SO MUCH MORE

Now you can have an easy, affordable way to manage and update much of the content about your business throughout the internet. Never have we seen a tool that allows you to claim and manage your BUSINESS BRAND on the largest marketing platform available: the World Wide Web! And the investment starts at only $197.

CLICK to request a FREE Digital Report on how your business is listed and to get more information about our services.

PS - Stay turned for our next post on how voice-controlled virtual assistants like Siri and Cortana should affect your strategy of achieving digital visibility.

On the Internet, Being Brief may not be Best

It can be said than when you post text on your website or blog, you are writing for TWO audiences: your potential customers and the search engines.

• Readers want you to be BRIEF and to the POINT
• Search Engines want to measure you on the relevancy of a keyword search and therefore, MORE matches is BETTER 

Seems like a "catch-22", yes?

Addressing what the potential customer wants.

• In Google, there are two kinds of searches: shopper searches and buyer searches. 
• Shopper searches are by people just looking around. They use generally use 3 words or less in the search. Example: “folsom chiropractor”
• Buyer searches are 3 words or more and are more specific. Example: “folsom sports chiropractor”. A person doing a buyer search is far more likely to be a buyer than the first
• Include keywords within your text that are likely included in searches by your target market
• Start the page with a 350-ish word summary of a longer article to follow (they can then choose to read the lengthy article or not)
• Have a "call to action" just below the summary or in a column to the right so they know what to do if they are interested in your products or services

Addressing what the search engines want:

• The truth is Google is that they don't score pages well with less than 350 to 500 words. 
• If you look at the first page results on Google for 3+ key word searches for many keyword types and averaged across the country, they come out on average at just under 1900 words of text as measured by Google on the page. Might as well aim a little high – 2000+ ish words.

What you need to do:

• Write a good (educational, relevant) article of 1200 to 1400 words around a keyword phrase topic. It is far more effective when you write this even if  you hire someone to do all the rest. 
• Don't be too broad in the topic as it will "water down" the relevancy of the page. Stick to the point in the article, but elaborate.
• Use headers / titles (header tags are best structurally) for the parts of the article
• Find pictures that illustrate your article (use you own images whenever possible as it put a "face to your name"). Rename the images using keywords and include descriptions in their meta info.
• Rewrite the text replacing pronouns with keywords wherever possible. You may need to rewrite the text to flow smoothly once you've changed the words.

Things you need to know:

• Decide what your goals are in writing for the Internet. Do you want to attract customers, searches or both
• Good writers are generally available for a nickle to a dime a word depending on how good the initial article is and how technical the subject. Make sure they understand your goals.
• You need to understand the current criteria for search results if that's your goal or hire someone who does. Google changes the rules all the time and each search engine has a different formula. 
• Be aware that THEY do NOT control the ranking results (Google does)  so be sure to track your return-on-investment.

Is your Website Leaking Business??

They do, you know... Most websites have holes where potential business and customers fall between the gaps and cracks. No website is leak-proof but there are a few things that will do the most to minimize the lost potential.

1. Be Phone-Friendly. At least 20-25% of website traffic is mobile (maybe more depending your industry). And if you have every visited a website that is hard to see or confusing to use on your phone, you most likely left it, possibly never to return.  The solution is to DESIGN a phone-friendly website that is concise (likely a subset of your main website) and clear (with prominent CLICK-TO-CALL, CLICK-FOR-MAP or other buttons that will make it easy for them to connect with you).
2. Be People-Friendly. Websites have evolved from simple on-line brochures. With slideshows, videos, on-line chat, and links to social networks, websites can now be designed to ENGAGE your audience which will keep them on your website longer. What's more, you want to look different (and better) than your competition. You want your visitors to say "Holy Cow", not "Ho-Hum".
3. Be Business-Friendly. The CLICK buttons on a mobile website is just one example of making it EASY to do business with you. Create a simple (and prominent) button to buy, register, schedule, book, call, email... You can make it even more compelling by providing a sense of urgency (limited time offer). You can also personalize how your website appears depending on the time of day (is it Happy Hour yet?), location of the visitor (where is your office nearest to them?) or time of year (are you open late for the Holidays?)

These are just a few of the myriad of strategies to get you more business from your website. We offer a FREE Digital Diagnostic (limited time offer!) where we will look at your website and make suggestions based on your business. There is no obligation and to buy anything and we GUARANTEE we will find a hole (or two) you can patch and will offer suggestions on how to patch it/them!

CLICK to schedule today!

Susan, Web Ninja