Web Based Strategy

Will Your Website Redesign Generate Traffic and Leads?

Friday, March 19, 2010 by Brandon Coppernoll

A website redesign may be a part of your web based strategy, but is it in your strategy for the right reason? Search engine optimization, inbound marketing and lead generation should be the purpose of a website redesign. Before you employ a website design company, think to yourself, "Will the new look be able to help me generate leads?"

Search engine optimization is one of the most cost effective ways to generate traffic and leads. A website design full of flash elements, graphics and with little to no content will not assist you in these goals. I'm not condoning ugly websites because there must be something pleasing to the eye, but when a customer goes to a search engine looking for information about a product, service or vital information on your industry, you want your business to be found.

Fusework Studios can help you form a plan structured to create leads through inbound marketing and SEO value. Give us a call, and let's talk.

Importance of Search Engine Marketing in a Full Web Based Strategy

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Brandon Coppernoll

A complete web based strategy can be an excellent forefront to a solid Internet marketing strategy. The goal should be to be able to reach all of your customers through different "vehicles" to promote your products, services and even your customers. The focus the past year has been on social media marketing, and the year before that there was a great increase in email marketing. This year, the focus has shifted to search engine marketing, and it is important to include this in your strategy.

Here are benefits to good search engine marketing:

Search engines are the number one resource for people to find websites
Targeted search engine marketing can have a high conversion rate
Search engine marketing can be completely free (do not have to use pay per click)
You win search by writing about what people are looking for

If your website is not winning the traffic through search that you're looking for, contact Fusework Studios about putting together an Internet marketing strategy including search engine optimization.

Sign Up Now - Muncie Lunch and Learn - March 5th

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 by Bruce McClain

Do you ever wonder about search engine optimization and how to improve your Web site's ranking? Have you heard about Pay-Per-Click campaigns, but are not sure how they work? Are you you unsure what people are talking about when they mention organic search? Well, join us next week at our Muncie office for an informative "Lunch and Learn."

After we have some lunch, I will try and answer all those questions for you plus many more. We will talk a little about Business Blogging, SEO, and how to incorporate winning search into your web based strategy.

We have made it very easy to sign up. Just click on the link below, fill out a few questions and you are good to go.

We look forward to seeing you next Friday, March 5 at the Rutter Communications building in Muncie from 11:30am-1:00pm.

It's Not the CMS That Counts; It's How You Use It!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 by Brandon Coppernoll

Inevitably in this business, I get pulled into the never-ending debate on what is the best content management system (CMS). I get asked which are best for search engine opimization, social media community integration and flexibility. Every website design or website development company has their preferred CMS they design and implement for. Some of these are proprietary, but most are likely third-party provided. At Fusework Studios, we have a proprietary software, but there are some cases in which we go with third-party integration.

Almost all content management systems now have tools for search engine optimization and other tools to complement your web based strategy. A company can spend from nearly no money to thousands of dollars for the top-of-the-line CMS. Unfortunately, all that money will do no good without a keyword and search marketing strategy behind your content.

Tips to utilize your CMS' capabilities:

Title your pages with keywords in mind
Use keywords in your links
Use keywords early in your content (first or second paragraph)
Use keywords in header tags
Create inbound marketing by generating buzz or links to your content (preferrably with keywords) by utilizing your social media community tools
Utilize business blogging to drive traffic to your site

For a successful web based strategy, you cannot rely solely on one marketing medium. All of the tools around the web, including your CMS, play an integral role in Internet marketing.

Contact Fusework Studios for tips or if you have questions regarding search engine optimization and your content management system.

The Place to Be - Good SEO in Indianapolis

Friday, February 19, 2010 by James Hueston

SpringHill Suites - Indianapolis Downtown

This week, you may have heard about three new Marriott Hotels that White Lodging Services opened in downtown Indianapolis. The area is dubbed as "The Place to Be," and the Merrillville Hotel Development company created not only some good looking buildings, but also a strong web based strategy at: www.ThePlaceToBeIndy.com. I'm sure you'll have a chance to learn all about the scene in their press releases, on TV, and in the IndyStar.

What you'll only hear from Indianapolis Web Development Firm Fusework Studios is an evaluation of their Search Engine Optimization tactics. In short, I anticipate searches in Google for "The Place to Be" soon to show the new site at the top of the results for the following eight reasons:

The phrase "The Place To Be" is in their domain name: www.ThePlaceToBeIndy.com, which is one of Google's factors in SEO ranking. Notice they did not choose www.ThePlaceToBe.com, because is already owned by someone else. If you have a business or idea for a business, secure the domain name right away for future use!
All pages are titled with keyword-friendly phrases, including "The Place to Be in Indy" in every one.
Their URLs are short and meaningful. Google rewards you for telling them what a page is about in the filename before it scours the page for content, ie. http://theplacetobeindy.com/attractions.asp?s=walking-distance will tell visitors about the walking distance to attractions.
The Site Architecture (code on the back-end) is pretty solid. They separate the functional code of their site from the design by using Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), which makes the site easy for search engines to find, and effectively adds to your search engine optimization.
They use DIV Tags instead of Tables, which enables Search Engine spiders to crawl the site easier.
Heading Tags ie, H1, H2, H3, are used appropriately and hierarchically, which will tell search engines what content is most important to index.
They use the Keyword Metatag on every page and the Description Metatag on the homepage.
They generated an XML Sitemap, which will help Search engines index the content on the site faster.

These eight tactics are sure to help White Lodging Services in their Search Engine Optimization in Indianapolis. We implement all of these tactics and more in our web based strategies. If you need a boost in search engines, give Fusework Studios a call!

Fusework Studios Launches Web Site for IU Kokomo

Thursday, January 21, 2010 by Nellie Stout

Original article by Indiana University Kokomo: http://www.iuk.edu/news/?naid=19&ncid=.

Kokomo, Ind. - Indiana University Kokomo has launched a new and improved Web site, www.iuk.edu, featuring easier navigation, online video, vibrant flash images, and socia media integration.

"The new site will allow us to share IU Kokomo in a more engaging and dynamic way. It brings with it a content management system that allows us to better manage updates and changes, as well as the ability to implement analytics that measure site usage and give us the tools to make constant improvements that better serve our users," said Katrina Janes, director of the Office of Communications and Marketing at IU Kokomo. "The redesign and launch of a new university Web site is a huge undertaking, and we are very excited to unveil this new Web presence to the students, campus and community that we serve."

The site, developed by Indianapolis-based Fusework Studios, provides easier navigation for the user, improved search functions, and a consistent look, design, and feel. The first step in the redesign was an audit of the old Web site that included an evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses. This evaluation enforced the need for IU Kokomo to clearly indentify and match target audiences with specific marketing objectives, as well as the need to transform the site from a static information source to a dynamic and engaging marketing tool.

This direction is supported by a recent TeensTALK®survey of high school sophomores which found that 74 percent of the respondents conducted general college research on the Web, and 67 percent visited a specific college Web site. It is clear that higher education institutions are positioning their Web sites as a primary marketing tool and relying more on electronic communication tools. The average Web user today is highly skilled and able to communicate through many technological formats, from text messaging to IM to Twitter. This is particularly true for prospective and current college students.

"This was a huge project and encompassed two years from vendor selection to launch. Every unit on campus participated," said Paul Nowak, vice chancellor for external relations. "A special recognition is due to our marketing and IT departments, and especially Rudy Kizer, our campus Web manager, and Katrina Janes."

Indiana University Kokomo serves a seven county, primary service area in north central Indiana. The campus offers more than 40 academic programs including four graduate degrees.
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Fusework Studios provides service in Business Blogging, IT Services, SEO Indianapolis, Indiana Website Design, Indiana Website Development, Web Based Strategy, Social Media Marketing, Indiana Video Production, Email Marketing Strategy, Corporate Blog, Internet Marketing Indianapolis, and much more.

Indiana Video Production is not dead

Tuesday, January 12, 2010 by Laurie Buschmann

Indiana video production is alive and well, and there are many production houses in central Indiana that do a fine job at it.

In this age of social media marketing, business blogging and email newsletters, it's important to remember the viability of video in your Internet marketing efforts.

You've heard it before, "Video tells a story." But more than that, it's a necessary tool that can impact your bottom line in a variety of ways. Through visuals and sound, your customers can:

Learn more about your business (history, products, process, etc.)
Hear testimonials from your customers about how great your product/service is
See step-by step how your product works, so customers will buy it themselves
Follow how-to instructions for accomplishing a certain task
Be inspired and empowered to donate to your cause
Be entertained by a different type of advertising
Advertise for you by sharing your video across their social media networks
And the list goes on....

Doing video is a no-brainer, so let us show you how easy it can be. Just think of all that content that's just waiting to be put out into the world.

Add video production to your web based strategy for 2010, and contact Fusework Studios today to get started.

The next phase in Indianapolis Web development: Part 1

Thursday, January 7, 2010 by Brandon Coppernoll

The year 2010 brings on new opportunities for businesses across the country including Indianapolis. The economy is slowly on the mend. Jobs are starting to come back. Businesses are strategizing on how to attack their marketing plans and grow. Indianapolis, in my opinion, is no different from this trend.

When I first came onto the web development scene, it was primarily about having a website. Your website was more of a brochure. There was little thought to a full web based strategy or social media community involvement for businesses. The primary focus was having a great looking web design and plenty of content for people to read.

Then came the next phase which was to measure the analytical data provided for your website. Soon, it was found that people often didn't spend more than 1-2 minutes on the site. This didn't help support the theory to have more than twenty pages of content. The next step was to find a way to convert those visits into money by creating calls-to-action. These calls-to-action were provided as forms, buttons and/or videos.

The most recent trend is how to use social media marketing and business blogging to benefit your business. Search engine marketing is taking the forefront, and more businesses are implementing corporate blogs and social media as a part of their web strategy. I believe this trend is going to add a new twist to how websites will be developed beginning in 2010.

With Google Live Search and the rise of blogging as the premiere method in getting recent and relevant content, the next trend is all about flexibility and the process of getting search content out to the masses. It will be about monitoring what people are looking for and providing that information. Businesses will be taking an ever-more increased role in talking WITH their customers (not just TO their customers). Websites and strategies will be taking on a new look to feed how people will find out about their business(es), goods and services.

I will be touching on how to take advantage of this new trend in my upcoming post. For now, I wanted to get you thinking about how sites will be developed differently with this in mind. I'd be interested in hearing some thoughts from you on what you see coming in the next year.

Practicing discipline in a Web based strategy

Monday, January 4, 2010 by Brandon Coppernoll

Discipline.

For most people it's an ugly word. It makes you think of a dog that misbehaves, an athlete making wrong choices during a sporting event or sometimes even more frustrating of a child that just won't listen and needs...discipline.

Discipline is an important intangible in your Web strategy.

Throughout 2009, I spoke of many different ways to utilize tools and third-party programs to enhance your web based strategy, and I spoke in many ways how Fusework Studios is a great Indianapolis web development company that can help touch all facets of an effective strategy. In 2010, I want to focus on things that are a little more intangible.

By now, most of you know about the tangible objects that go into a web based strategy such as business blogging, web development, website design, social media communities, search engine optimization and an email marketing strategy. When used correctly, all of these tools work, but there are things that are never seen that go into a successful strategy.

Discipline is accepting a challenge and having the fortitude to see it through. When embarking on a new marketing strategy, whether it's television, radio, print or the web, you will never know the true extent of its results until you see it through.

What are ways you can practice discipline in your web based strategy?

Make a plan. A web based strategy is a plan to achieve a goal. Put it on paper and keep it where you can see it.
Make a habit. Practice working on your strategy every day until that goal is achieved.
Do it when you don't want to do it. Some days it feels like too much work to participate in a social media community for your business, but those days are probably the most important to do the work.
Have a coach. Even professional athletes have a coach to help set goals and achieve them.
Form a team. Don't try to do this alone. Find skill sets that are needed to accomplish your goals, and find the people with similar discipline and passion to achieve your goals.

Find the intangibles that make your web based strategy great. I certainly hope this can energize you when you embark on 2010.

Need a coach or a team? Contact Fusework Studios today to discuss your goals and ambitions in 2010 and to create a web based strategy to work for your business.

Web Based Strategy: Spreading joy in the holidays

Thursday, December 17, 2009 by Brandon Coppernoll

There's only a week between Christmas Eve and today, and everybody is finishing up their Christmas shopping, planning their breaks and starting to think about those neatly wrapped boxes under the tree. As a part of your Web based strategy, have you thanked your customers and business partners for doing business with you? Have you incorporated holiday wishes as a part of your email marketing strategy? Have you said "Merry Christmas" to your social media community?

Companies are becoming more transparent due to social media, email marketing and as they take on more and more of a personal role in their customers' lives. Your fans and followers on Facebook and Twitter are following you to keep in touch and learn more about your business. Make it a part of your social media strategy to wish everyone well this holiday season. Your followers would like to hear from you.

From everyone at Fusework Studios, have a happy and safe holiday season.

Indiana Website Development: When to use a professional

Monday, December 7, 2009 by Brandon Coppernoll

There are various tools that you can use to build your own website. This would be a very long post if I tried to list all of them. Indiana website development has taken on many different faces during the economic downturn as individuals and other businesses have taken use of the many content management systems (CMS), social media tools and most likely one of the many Google tools available. There are some good results, but then there are some very bad results.

Field of Dreams with Kevin Costner spoiled us with the notion "If you build it, they will come." There is still a common misconception of Indiana website development that as long as you have a website you will experience a boom in traffic and knowledge of your online brand presence. This is hardly the case. Here are common pieces of a web based strategy that are often overlooked:

Search Engine Optimization through keywords and content
Social media community awareness
Conversion funneling
Analytical data and marketing decisions based on that data

As we approach 2010, I urge everyone to look at their online brand presence and future plans for website development. Talk with Fusework Studios about your future plans. We can help answer your questions and advise you on some steps to take with your web based strategy.

Web Based Strategy for the Indianapolis Prize

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 by Nellie Stout

As the Indiana website development provider for the Indianapolis Zoo, we have had the pleasure of taking on a complete web re-design of the Indianapolis Prize, the visible component of the internationally recognized conservation efforts being undertaken by the Indianapolis Zoo.

The Indianapolis Prize is the largest individual monetary award for animal species conservation in the world and is given as an unrestricted gift to the chosen honoree. The Prize is given every other year to an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to conservation efforts involving a single animal species or multiple species.

For many nonprofits and small businesses in Indianapolis, online marketing is becoming increasingly competitive, so the Indianapolis Prize web based strategy was focused on embracing the social media community, creating a clean and direct design, and engaging users through video production.

Fusework Studios is proud to be a part of this project, both for the impact the Prize has on conservation and for adding to the great examples of Indianapolis web development.

Stay tuned for information on the 2010 Indianapolis Prize Gala that is scheduled for September 25 at the Westin Hotel in downtown Indianapolis. Visit the new site at www.indianapolisprize.org.

Three Easy Steps to Objectively Approach Any Web Based Strategy

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 by Brandon Coppernoll

As Director of Internet Services at Fusework Studios, I have the pleasure of working with many different parties on any given project: project managers, designers, clients, executive staff and other developers. Whenever you have many different intelligent people working on any given project, there are tendencies in which opinions can cloud an objective web based strategy. The goal of any project should be what needs the project addresses and the long-term plan after completion to carry on the goals.

My colleague, Jim Switzer, approached the sometimes difficult task of designing by committee with a great article. Many of the steps are no different.

How can you proceed on a web development project with an objective mind set?

1. Follow the leader.
Much like picking a leader in design, you must be willing to follow the direction and leadership of a project manager or head. They have to make the tough decisions, but their goal should be to ensure all parties are working to the final objective.

2. Know the full web based strategy.
No matter what your role is, you must be aware of what the team is trying to accomplish. Every cog in a clock is working to keep time. Each cog has a specific role, both small and large, to reach success.

3. Communicate.
This can be the most difficult task of any team environment. The left hand must know what the right is doing. Lay out a to-do list for everyone. Set some milestones and make sure everyone is aware. This is similar to creating a site map, but you are creating a map for a successful web based strategy and team.

Each member of the team must be committed. When hiring a company to assist you, be sure they are as completely vested in the project as you are. Contact Fusework Studios for an expert team of web consultants to develop a solid website strategy for your business.

The Eight-Minute Website Strategy Workout

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 by James Hueston

I woke up today tired and late. There are several things I could have done, but exercise was the only thing that I needed to do. With forces against me, I mustered up the strength to push play on the VCR.

A slow march ensues, and soon my eyes are opening. Stretching begins rejuvenation, and with only seven minutes left, the program takes flight. Several exercises with kicking and punching and other sweat producing moves bring me to full awakening. The instructor's rhythmic tone and encouraging energy move us through multiple sets of rapid exercises. Before I know it, the time's up, and I enjoy a cool down and some water.

After the workout, I'm glad I spent the time and notice that I'm more ready to start the day than I would have been. I recognize my need to work out different muscle groups for longer periods, and I'm now more engaged to push for a stronger routine.

So, why did I throw "website" in the title today? I wanted to encourage you who may be tired with your online presence and know it's not living up to its potential. You don't have time to adequately address your entire web based strategy from stem to stern in one sitting, and I agree. But, I contend that you can make progress on a fresh web based strategy in the next eight minutes, and here's how:

1. Copy the four questions and text below between the lines and paste them in a new email.
2. Answer the questions in short responses, and
3. Send the email to two or three people that can provide valuable feedback.

Suggested Body for Email:

I was just thinking today about our web based strategy, and I've outlined a few thoughts below. Please tell me what you think:

1. What is (or should be) the purpose of our website?
ie. Increased Revenue, Reduced Costs, or Improved Customer Satisfaction or Loyalty

2. Is our website accomplishing its purpose?

3. What is frustrating with our website?

4. What do we like about our website?

I know we're all busy right now, but I just wanted to send some quick ideas to see what you think.

Thanks,

YourNameHere

Send the email, and you're done!

Resist the temptation to write a book or expound because you have a lot going on today. Keep it simple and just start the conversation. You're on your way to rejuvenating your website strategy -- how does that feel? I'd say pretty good!

In fact, I'd love it if you would post a comment below after you send the email just saying "I did it!" and we can celebrate your eight-minute website strategy workout with you.

Photo Sources:http://www.flickr.com/photos/elpatojo/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 http://web.mit.edu/ryangray/Public/Gnus/thumbs_up.jpg

Indiana Website Development Trends

Friday, November 13, 2009 by Brandon Coppernoll

Since I graduated in 2005, I immediately found a home as a database programmer for a local Indiana website development company. The company's primary focus was to build new websites using their proprietary CMS, and everything had to revolve around this software. The problem with this tactic and approach is that rarely does one piece of software accomplish everything you can dream about.

We live in an age where SEO, social media communities and Internet marketing reign as kings, and website development becomes only a part of the overall web based strategy. To some, this may seem as a threat to the existence of traditional website development, but I do not feel any personal fear that this is the case. The role has changed, but the need is still very real.

More and more now the "custom development" tag and approach is becoming less prominent. Most ideas have been put to code before. The trick is how do you utilize or critique these tools from several third-parties and create something spectacular. One of the easiest examples of this trend is the inclusion of social media communities with corporate websites and corporate blogging. Unless your need is so specific, you're likely going to be using a third-party application already created for your corporate blogging needs.

Talk to Fusework Studios about website development and about creating a winning web based strategy. We would love to help your business be on the cutting edge of your online web presence.

Five Ways to Work in a Committee With a Website Design Company Without Compromising Design

Thursday, November 12, 2009 by Jim Switzer

As a website design company, we encounter many different types of projects...from simple projects like a blog redesign all the way to a total rebranding of a company with new collateral and a new web based strategy. Each project can present its own set of challenges, but one of the most challenging approaches to a project can be working in a committee. How do we make a decision on a design? Who is responsible for what? Where do we start?!

It's simple. Follow the five simple rules below when working with a website design company to develop your next web based strategy, and your project will go a little easier.

1. The Odd Man Is Not Out.
When choosing a team for a committee, remember to keep the number of people odd. This way if a decision needs to be reached on an aspect of the project, a majority vote can be made. Also, try to keep the number of people as small as possible (3-5 team members).

2. Pick A Leader.
Every Committee needs a Chair. This is someone to delegate parts of the project to members, as well as a mediator for meetings. Ideally, this person will have power within your company to make final approvals on the project, so it can continue to move forward.

3. Listen To The Experts.
When working with a website design company, such as Fusework Studios, treat them as an extension of your team. Keep all of their suggestions to the forefront in the design and development phases of your project. Remember, we're the experts, and you hired us to come up with ideas that will best meet your project goals.

4. It's Not Personal.
As you and your team work through the design process, try not to let your personal preferences effect the design. Purple may not be your favorite color, but it might be the best choice for your target market. Always keep the overall goals and target audience in mind throughout the entire project.

5. Watch The Calendar.
In any project, the calendar is key. Make sure that deadlines are being met, and team members are meeting their goals. Obviously, if a deadline is missed, the schedule will need to be adjusted accordingly. It's always best to schedule a little buffer room just in case this happens. Meet weekly, if possible, and celebrate milestones when they are met.

If you keep these five steps in mind throughout your project, you and your team will have a web based strategy that won't be compromised by opinions. You'll have a great product that will help your business grow.

Web Development - The Forgotten Focus

Thursday, November 5, 2009 by Bruce McClain

With all the talk these days about social media here in Indianapolis, web development often has become the forgotten focus. I go to conferences or seminars, and all I hear about is social media marketing and the social media community.

I agree that this is an emerging trend. I agree that it is here to stay in one form on another, but while everyone's focus has been distracted by the "shiny new coin," companies have been forgetting about web development and their web based strategy.

I always like to use the example with my clients of the grocery store. Grocery store chains spend millions of dollars researching where to place each and every item. They have a plan when a customer walks in the doors. They know exactly how they want you to walk through their aisles. Do you think it is a coincidence that the milk is always in the back of the store? Of course not. The strategists want you to walk past all the other more profitable merchandise before you can get your milk. This whole process has become a science. Sure they run ads in the paper, on TV, and with their Web marketing, but when they finally get you to their store, they have a plan.

This is the type of thought that should go into your web development and strategy. What do you want your customers to do when they reach your site? What makes you money? What do you want your visitors to make sure to do before they can get their "milk?"

Social Media is fun. It is the big thing right now, but please don't forget what your business is really all about. Use these other tools to drive traffic to your site, but don't forget about what you want them to do when they get there.

Don't Miss Out On a Creative Web Based Strategy for "Coming Soon" Pages

Wednesday, October 14, 2009 by Brandon Coppernoll

You are launching your new business. You have done all the right things. Now you need to at least get something on the internet letting the world know about your brand, and you'll be coming soon while you put together a winning web business strategy. You have joined nearly every social media community and have invited everyone you know (and some you don't) to follow you as you embark on an amazing journey.

There have been several articles in the blogosphere that have been circulating recently that ended up getting my gears turning again. How to make a great "Coming Soon" page is a great tip sheet that will help you develop a winning "splash page" for your business. The final tip, "Offer links to social networks," I feel is unfinished and can be improved.

Social media optimization is a tricky term and can be used loosely by many people. My interpretation is to optimize your social media community by providing avenues to interact with your brand and company. Here are various ways to interact with social media and provide interaction with your "Coming Soon" page:

Send updates to your fans and followers on news about your company
Create an email marketing campaign offering discounted services or products upon launch
Offer a code to be entered on your "Coming Soon" page to receive special discounts
Get feedback from your community on ideas about your new Web site
Offer an email registration on your "Coming Soon" page to keep updated
Advertise and talk about your social media plans with your company site
Offer "Refer a Friend" promotions to grow your base

Incorporating some or all of these ideas can make a big impact on your business when you officially launch your site and continue to market your business.

Web Based Strategy: Create Custom Facebook Page Tabs

Thursday, October 1, 2009 by Brandon Coppernoll

By now, you've likely created a Facebook page promoting your business as a part of your web based strategy. You are also likely running several promotions for your business. You've been making countless posts on your site and your social media community of choice, trying to turn your latest promotion into a revenue generating machine. The problem is that, as you develop fresh new content, sometimes creating your promotion gets lost in the multitude of posts.

The good news is there are easier ways to make your promotion more promininent that should yield higher longterm results during the lifespan of your latest goal. Facebook has an application that utilizes Facebook Markup Language (FBML) which allows you to create custom HTML-based code and place it in tabs and boxes to feature on your Facebook page. I don't want to lose you in the details, so here's an example.

Fusework Studios' Scotty's Gift Card Promotion Example

Creating a custom tab has many benefits, including:

Constant exposure to your clients and fans
A marketable item on one of the most widely used social communities
Creating a call-to-action on your Facebook page
Capturing your audience in effective social media marketing

As with any web business strategy, I suggest planning what you want your custom tab to look like, what will be the call-to-action and how you will track the success rate.

One Thing Is Constant - Things Will Change Tomorrow

Tuesday, September 22, 2009 by Bruce McClain

When I started in this business over 12 years ago, I learned one thing very quickly. The cool new thing today will be a thing of the past tomorrow.

Think about it. Back in the day, Netscape was the web's only real browser, and it was a few

years before a search engine named Yahoo dominated the web. Most people connected to the World Wide Web through a little company called AOL. Remember all those free disks?

I recall actually having heated debates with my tech friends about how AOL would become the most powerful company in the world. (I know, sounds like a nerdy conversation, right?) However, look how things changed.

Over the years, technology has evolved and become better and more complex, but the one thing that has remained constant is that things continue to change faster and faster when it pertains to the Internet. This includes the world of web marketing.

As you plan a web based strategy for your company, keep this in mind. Right now, there are boutique businesses popping up everywhere telling you to tweet, tweet, tweet. There are frequent seminars on how to run your business by just being "social."

Be very careful when you partner with a company who has one particular area they specialize in, because they will have a very short life span.

A great example are the new crop of Social Media Advertising companies that are coming on the scene. Do I believe social media works? Yes, but I also know this area will change faster than the speed of sound. We have already seen it. Myspace has given way to Facebook; Jaiku has given way to Twitter. These two will give way to the next big things, and so on and so on.

Mark my words, when I write a blog post two years from today, Facebook and Twitter will be on their way down the technology cycle. How do I know this? That is the way technology works, especially on the Internet.

Do you need a web based strategy? Of course you do. Do you need to be involved with social media? Absolutely. However, I would encourage you to look for an Internet partner who understands marketing in general and doesn't just specialize in one particular "hot trend."

The Internet is here to stay and your Internet strategy needs to be the biggest part of your marketing budget. However, it will continue to evolve and change and do it faster and faster. Make sure to spread out your efforts and your web based strategy. Make sure you don't only get caught up in just one social media outlet right now, because one thing is for sure....

The next big marketing trend on the Internet hasn't even been thought of yet.