Your company has probably had a website for a while now, but is it time for you to redesign? In the jungle that is the world wide web, only a very few websites rise above the tangled masses. Keeping viewers on a site for just a few seconds more can make all the difference.

The nature of corporate websites have changed, and it starts with a blog. Having a blog on your new site is necessary when looking to increase SEO, or search engine optimization. You can write about relevant topics, upcoming company events, and really anything that you want your potential clientele to see. A blog is a seamless, easy way to integrate all of your news in one place.

Second, people are now looking for website on their mobile devices on a regular basis. And your website could be the determining factor when the mobile user is deciding where to take his or her business. Ideally, your company will also have a mobile-friendly site that lends itself well to the mobile consumer. Websites have become a part of the decision-making process, and having a site that has all of your important information right in the customer’s hands is essential to driving business into your store.

Aside from a mobile site, your traditional site should also be aesthetically pleasing and be consistent with the branding of your company. It should be a digital ambassador to your company. A warm and inviting interface can reinforce positive feelings towards your company. Also, integrate the capabilities of interaction on your site. Let your audience submit their email, or comment, or provide a way for you to aggregate a data base for eNewsletters.

Having a social media platform is designed to drive traffic to your site. You don’t want a nicely laid out Facebook page that links to a cluttered, poorly-designed website. That is detrimental to your business, and will ultimately drive traffic away from your site.

So consider an overhaul of your website. It may be a venture worth investing in.

It is always nice to hear the wonderful things our clients say about us, but it is really cool when one of our client's friend or customer says cool things about us. We recently received an email from Casa Yoga and this is what their customer had to say about the Casa Yoga website... "Your web-site is award winning! A soft tone that is consistent and delivers information that is easy to identify and move about the site. Who designed it?"

We did! Thank you very much for the kind words!

Do you know that small businesses who offer online appointment scheduling get higher conversion rates on their website traffic than those who don’t? The reason is very simple: most customers choose to do business with companies who care about their customers, and who offer a convenient way of doing business.  What’s more convenient for a customer who is looking for an oil change than being able to choose the time for the appointment and book it online, right away, with a few easy clicks.

Want an Appointment Scheduler on your website? BaseChamber has it built right in. Check it out here... BaseChamber

It happens now with ever increasing frequency. A company or a person in the spotlight gets caught behaving inappropriately or committing a crime. The next steps could lead to certain disaster or lead to a turnaround that can result in a repaired and strengthened public image.

Contrary to the old saying “Any PR is good PR,” you and your company can’t afford to appear before the public with a black eye without a good explanation. A little pre-crisis planning can help you be prepared should the unthinkable occur.

1. The Ostrich Approach Is Guaranteed To Fail
The strategy of thinking that, “This will blow over, people will forget when the next big news story comes along,” is usually dead wrong. A company must get involved as deeply and as soon as possible. By being open and accessible, you will have the opportunity to shape the unfolding of the story and quite possibly pre-empt further bad news from being released.  If you don’t tell the story – someone else will and they will not have your company’s best interests at heart.

A head in the sand approach is tempting when you feel overwhelmed with negative press. But avoiding and delaying the inevitable lets the situation grow worse. If an apology is due, make it as soon as possible – to wait only makes it seem less genuine.

2. You’ll Never Beat The Press.
As appealing as it is to duke it out with the press, that is another strategy that is doomed to failure. There are far more members of the Fourth Estate and outlets through which the story is spread than you can possibly face off with. Additionally, doing so is not really addressing the underlying problem.

It is far better to deal with the situation that caused the storm of opinion than to try to deflect it by engaging in a no-win battle with the press. The blogosphere may be making a mountain out of a molehill, but turning on the press will create volcano that is sure to erupt.

The lesson is simple: it never pays to shoot the messenger.

3. Address the Real Issue
Often, negative press reports indicate a larger underlying problem with the company.

For example: not only does the company make products that can possibly injure users, they don’t know how to respond when something bad does happen.

The customer comes first. Especially in times of crisis. A company must express genuine concern for the well being of its customers.

4. Step Up And Do The Right Thing
Here’s a simple outline of action items.

•     Acknowledge the mistake.
•     Admit any misconduct.
•     Apologize to the individual and the community as a whole.
•     Take actions to ensure that it won’t happen again.
•     Communicate those actions to the public.

Building a business can be exhausting especially during the first year. If you’re working a full time job and starting a small business, the risk of burn out is doubled. Time management is crucial to your success! Now is the perfect time to establish healthy work habits that promote maximum productivity. Here are a few tips…

Schedule your work time – Just as you likely have a set schedule for your primary job, figure out a work schedule for your own small business. This will help you to stay on track while also allowing you to schedule yourself some breaks so you don’t feel like you’re always working.

Prioritize – What are the most important things on your to do list? If I have several orders of cupcakes or cookies that I need to bake, you better believe that that week I will not be updating my website or developing a new marketing plan.

Change your scenery – Are you tired of working from home? Is the local coffee shop starting to feel like your living room? Change it up! Try working outside if it’s possible or even try spending some time at a co-working space.

Network with other small biz professionals – In the mood to chatter about your business? Need some inspiration or someone to bounce ideas off of? Try joining an online community like PartnerUp or get in contact with your local Small Business Administration office and find out when if they have any networking events coming up.

Keep your eye on the prize – I mean this literally. One of the reasons I’m sure you started this venture was to earn a little extra cash. Why not reward yourself for all your hard work? Set a goal for yourself/your business and then attach a prize at the completion of the goal. If I were going to do this (and I think I shall), my goal would be to earn $1,000 in profit. My prize would be a brand new Kitchen Aid Artisan Series Stand Mixer in Aqua Sky which is in my opinion the holy grail of stand mixers. Now that I think about, that’s enough to motivate me for a whole year. Find your Holy Grail and work towards it.

Lastly, remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day…your business will not be either. Odds are it will take months, possibly even years, for you to successfully establish a small business and (if you’d like to) quit your day job. So stay positive, productive, and if you’re ever feeling discouraged have a little piece of cake. It’ll make you feel better.