Audio Version

It used to be that extreme functionality was only for ‘big players’ online. Small companies really didn’t think they could do much with their websites, they basically represented an online address and that was about it.

With WordPress and iThemes, that couldn’t be further from the truth. About two years ago, we decided to exclusively build WordPress websites – and our clients are some of the most independently capable business owners out there.

It’s a good thing. The most frequently asked question we get from a new prospect is, “How can I get more control of my website, without destroying it?”   

Two words – iThemes and plugins.

We use a professional design framework developed by iThemes for all our our WordPress sites. It’s the framework, more commonly referred to as a ‘theme’ that allows a business website to be completely customized page-by-page. Plugins take your website to the next level by adding functionality – making it possible for business owners and management to do things with a website that used to only be done by talented web developers.

When we build your website, we teach you how to do what you want to do safely, so you won’t break your site or negatively affect your search engine visibility. Not everything you want to do is necessarily wise to do.

We do the build, and teach you how to manage what you want to manage. If you don’t want to manage something or are not comfortable with your skill level, we manage everything or fill in the gaps.

See, plug and play would be a little too overstated. WordPress websites accept development from independent builders who come up with some pretty neat stuff, and plugin functionality is what it’s all about. But as a web designer, you need to know what you’re doing so you don’t inadvertently disrupt the theme you’re working on. Not everything works together, even when the intention is there. Some versions of original ideas need to be vetted with time and reviews.

But the good stuff? Oh, yeah. Definitely progressive thinking.

Great plugin groups enable your theme to do anything from dramatically changing the way your images display, to backing up databases and embedding shortcodes for video. They can pull information from Flickr and Picasa and make every containment box exactly the right size for what you’re trying to do.

Plugins offer:

• Data analysis
• Anti-virus protection
• Social media buttons
• SEO enhancement
• Comment spam filters
• Security scans
• Redirection
• Billboards
• Rotating text
• Comment back-linking to sites meeting your approval, and more

If you want your website to do it, just ask. If it can be done, we’ll find the app for that.

Your business website will be looking good and running easily when Zero To Sixty Marketing hosts, develops and unveils your new site. Try to stump us: What would you like to see your website do?

Exact Target reports that Twitter users are more likely to post regularly to blogs, more likely to post product and service reviews, and more likely to share coupons on coupon sites. We’re also more likely to write articles, post videos, contribute to wiki’s, and comment on other people’s blogs. This rings true for me, because as a Twitter user, I like to find interesting or educational tidbits that I can share with my readers. 

I found the statistics above on Andy Beal’s Marketing Pilgrim, a site I follow in Google Reader. They could have just as easily come from a short post and link on Twitter. Either way, I’m sharing with you here, and I’ll share this information on Twitter and our Zero To Sixty Marketing Facebook page, and a variety of other sites. Other people do the same thing, and that’s how online content gains wings.

What does this have to do with your local business? Give us something to talk about! Post your in-store specials to Twitter, offer recipes, how-to articles, tip sheets, etc. If it relates to your product or service or offers something of value, share it on Twitter, Facebook, and directly on your blog. Doing so multiplies your message and provides more opportunity for your readers to expand your reach. Get it right, and it’s free viral promotion for your business.

Are you on Twitter? Let’s connect! Just click the link or look for @ShariV. Please include your Twitter address in your comments, below.

Why should your small business be blogging? Your interaction with viewers, or lack thereof, may be the only thing holding you back from more sales. While the importance of a website is crucial in our tech-crazy era, a website that has the ability to update information through blogging will outperform in sales when compared to a company website that doesn’t. There are other ways to add updated material continually to your site, and many have value, but a blog adds something more.  

Your blog allows your viewers to get to know you. Over time, if they like what they’re reading, they’ll continue to return to the blog posts and begin to comment and share your material, most likely online. The more frequently your company name and message are mentioned online, the better. And when someone decides to link back to you, you’re rewarded with a level of authority from Google that will start to move you up the page. Good stuff, right?

Read more about why your small business should be blogging on The Richardson Copywriter.

Image Credit: svilen001 on stock.xchng

What one company learned the hard way

Did you post photos on your Google Places listing? If you haven’t, consider this: one company didn’t, and the photo that was included was a poorly shot photo of the home of a customer who posted a review.

The review was favorable, the photo was not. Many times, these details seem insignificant until they are seen from the outside looking in. When you’re filling out the details of your business listing, the photos, videos, and reviews play a big part of your overall appearance, but may not seem like they need to be added now. Problem is, if you put it off for another day, another day comes and goes without your listing being completely finished. Images help your viewers understand where you are, who you are, and what products you offer. When you connect with the public on line in this way, you become a reality. You cease to be only a link on a page and become something they can identify with.

The same thing holds true for video. A brief video, a commercial or a tutorial piece is a nice way to connect with your viewers while letting them know you’re interested in offering what they want. Make it funny, and you’ll find it uploaded to YouTube.com, FunnyorDie.com, or a several other video streaming services. People love to share video content. When you’ve properly linked up your website to your small business listing, and posted a video that others want to share, you’ve made positive changes to your online presence that will increase your website visibility. It’s a great strategy.

No one wants their business to look less appealing than it should. These small details put you in the driver’s seat when it comes to your company’s appearance. Most listings require that your photo be no larger than 1MB, but generally you are allowed to add more than one. We suggest using the maximum number of pictures that represent you favorably. Remember that a picture’s worth a thousand words. A video – well, that’s a whole other story!

Do you have an image on your listing? Why or Why not?

Related Post:

Case Study: Small Business Listing