After reading the title, some of you reading this may be wondering, “What is an app?” App is really just an informal way to say “computer application.” An app can be a phone or tablet application, such as Facebook, which many of us are addicted to these days. An app can also be an application that resides on your laptop or desktop computer, such as Microsoft Word. I feel mobile apps are a great way to expand a business and provide convenience for an end-user. Paying my cell phone bill through my cell phone provider’s mobile app has provided me a convenience I really appreciate. I not only can pay my bill, but I can also change the services I want (texting, different minutes plan, etc.). Convenience makes me happy and I’m sure it does the same for many of you too. Now that you know what an app is, why might you need one for your business?
Many businesses these days are looking to, if they haven’t already, get into the mobile app market. This is a great marketing tactic for your business, but you don’t want to build an app just so you can say that your business has one. You need to make sure that the app is built around the goals of your business. The key to mobile marketing is communicating with consumers in an organized way. You should look to focus on content, utility, or entertainment, but not all three. If you don’t feel you can decide on one of these three areas, then a mobile app probably isn’t the best way to achieve your business goals.
One piece of information you should be aware of is that mobile apps only work on the devices they are designed for. So they work best when targeting a niche market. If you’re looking to target a mass market, then you may be better off building a mobile website. Mobile websites will work on any device with a web browser. From an end-user perspective, mobile apps do provide more feature-rich functionality then a mobile website. The reason behind this is because the mobile app works in connection with the native applications on the mobile device, such as GPS navigation. A mobile website is best when you’re trying to provide search-based content.
You also need to consider costs when deciding whether or not your business needs an app. With a mobile app you could turn into an ATM, constantly dishing out money. Since a mobile app is only compatible with the device you build it for, more development would be required in order to make the app compatible with other devices you wish to target. You would also deal with additional app store approval. If your goal is to mass market, then building a mobile website may be the cheaper route since your costs get offset by the lower cost it takes to maintain the site.
In the end, you need to answer a few simple (or not so simple) questions about your business. What is the focus of your business? Who are you trying to reach (niche market or mass market)? What content and/or information are you trying to relay the consumer? These are just a few questions to answer and consider when deciding on a mobile app or mobile website.
Good luck!
Joshua W.
DotTrend, Inc.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Online? But not really!
I’m sure this has happened to you or to some one you know. Judging by the anxiety of people these days wanting to have their business online is not that easy as they think it is.
So, you have successfully spent hours upon hours building and creating your business website on the easy tools such as Microsoft Live or Godaddy Website Tonight. It’s fairly simple and it only took days out of your time. You figure its sweat equity and part of making your business being online successful.
Unfortunately you’re only half way there. Having your website being completed is not necessary is available or be viewed by people who doesn’t know about your business. At this point, your business website is just as good as you would mentioned it to the people you already knew. Which it doesn’t do you any good for your business because they most likely offer you only praises. This is not the kind of investment you would like in return.
There are so many avenues these days that you can get the word out on your website without having to break your wallet. Social Media has made it possible along with a little bit of Search Engine Marketing. If you are brave, try to attend local business network functions and start networking your business. For the shy, Social Media is the best way to go. Although, you still need to be constantly engaging in conversation with others online. It’s not all that bad since you are behind the computer versus seeing them face to face.
Offline is a little bit rougher and it does drain a lot of your time and energy. You can do this by start printing flyers or create signage from your printer. You then go to the busiest location you feel that fit your demographics and start handing them out. I called this Marketing 101 or back to basics.
In the end, you should pursue what’s comfortable for you to make your business website successful. There are no easy or right answers. I tend to live by this saying, “Action creates motion, and motion create results.”
Josephine
DotTrend, Inc.
So, you have successfully spent hours upon hours building and creating your business website on the easy tools such as Microsoft Live or Godaddy Website Tonight. It’s fairly simple and it only took days out of your time. You figure its sweat equity and part of making your business being online successful.
Unfortunately you’re only half way there. Having your website being completed is not necessary is available or be viewed by people who doesn’t know about your business. At this point, your business website is just as good as you would mentioned it to the people you already knew. Which it doesn’t do you any good for your business because they most likely offer you only praises. This is not the kind of investment you would like in return.
There are so many avenues these days that you can get the word out on your website without having to break your wallet. Social Media has made it possible along with a little bit of Search Engine Marketing. If you are brave, try to attend local business network functions and start networking your business. For the shy, Social Media is the best way to go. Although, you still need to be constantly engaging in conversation with others online. It’s not all that bad since you are behind the computer versus seeing them face to face.
Offline is a little bit rougher and it does drain a lot of your time and energy. You can do this by start printing flyers or create signage from your printer. You then go to the busiest location you feel that fit your demographics and start handing them out. I called this Marketing 101 or back to basics.
In the end, you should pursue what’s comfortable for you to make your business website successful. There are no easy or right answers. I tend to live by this saying, “Action creates motion, and motion create results.”
Josephine
DotTrend, Inc.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Web Trends for Websites in 2011
We’re so used to beautiful website designs for the past decade that we almost forgot why websites were developed in the first place. We now expect more! These days, people are seeking into more functionality which means greater value than just looks. Just almost 5 years ago, the transition started when Social Media websites has already arrived. If you are a web designer and looking to impress your clients on just your creative design, you might want to brush yourself up with some development skill. Please keep in mind that “Design” and “Development” are 2 different things when we are approaching a new era.
There are many elements come into play when having a website. Of course the main goal is to be most compatible to all of the devices being used today. Now, there’s mobile, netbooks, tablets & even more platforms you can even image.
Below are some of the trends you will be seeing in 2011:
- Compact Designs, but still can fill up your “Wide” screen.
This allows thumbnail previewing in search engines such as Google & Bing. - Eye-Easy Color Scheme
The colors are light and easy to view on any monitors or devices. Gradient shades are very popular. - More Function Development
This means more CSS3 and HTML 5! HTML 5 is on the rising! - Touch Screen Friendly
You can NOT use drop down menus or even have your link lights up when hovering. These shall not sit well with touch screens. - Design Depth
As 3-D movies are becoming more popular, so should your website. Need to create some sort of gradient depth perception so in part, it looks 3-D. - Secured Websites
If you are selling, make sure to display your SSL certificate where it’s visible. This gives the consumer a safe comfort feeling of shopping on your website. - Background Image
Yep, this was popular in the 90’s. Although, there’s no background looping! Just a simple but elegant background photo would be sufficed. - Social Media Connections
Show visitors how popular or evolving your website is. Display social media widgets such as Facebook, Twitter and among other popular social websites.
Hope these tips help you in the process of re-designing/developing your website for the year 2011.
Andrew
DotTrend, Inc.
Friday, September 10, 2010
What is Google Instant?
Apparently, we need to search the web much faster than ever! Google decided to increase speed of the search results by 20%. Basically it saves you 2-5 seconds per search query. So what exactly is Google Instant and how it can truly benefit you in productivity?
According to Google website, Google Instant is a new enhancement that shows the results as you type in the search box. Unfortunately, it only works on the latest browser. For some of you who did not see this in action, Newsflash! You’re not crazy! You may have the old browser and that’s why it is not working.
Is it that beneficial to be this much faster?
Well honestly, I believe it’s not the speed we’re after. As you are typing the words in the search box, Google Instant shows the preview of what the search results are. This is a very good tool to have. We don’t always know exactly what to search for when doing research however; we don’t mind peeping through the curtain every now and then. For other Googlers, they just like it due to the simple fact that it saves them time. It’s faster because Google Instant almost does the thinking for them.
With all these advancements in modern technology; there’s always the age-old question we all ask, “Will Google Instant slow my Internet connection”? Google replied, we anticipated not doing so and it would automatically turn off for slow connections.
You decide!
Jenny
DotTrend, Inc.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Recharge Yourself Offline from Social Medias
We often easily get hooked by these popular Social Media websites such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube & LinkedIn. Mainly because, it seems like everyone you talked to is doing it! Just when you think you’re done from signing up for these popular Social websites, there’s more! Let’s not forget Meetup, Plaxo, Digg, Wordpress, Bebo, Friendster, MySpace, Faves and the list goes on.
It can be addicting and it can consume most of your day. You’re going into it for the right reasons, to get more leads and free advertising for your business! In the economy like this, you tend to be where marketing for your company is free. It’s not a bad thing however the old saying, “Too much of some thing, can hurt you” is true in this case. You should always do things in moderation to give the fullest effect of marketing yourself. I have met people that have Twitter & Facebook synced into their Blackberry or iPhone. They are so attached that they would have to stop their conversation with me and read their Facebook updates because someone had posted on their wall. Or they have to text on their Twitter that they are at the networking group talking to me.
This is nuts! Reboot! & Recharge! When you have reached this point, please ask yourself if it’s worth it?
I recommend recharging yourself offline from Social Media websites. Remember, the goal is to get more sales and leads not taking up time. By recharging yourself; you can visit local community functions, networking groups or even contact your existing clients. Contacting your existing clients is a very good thing and you would be surprised how much of a sales increased by doing this. Local community functions and networking groups are the traditional marketing strategy that still works till this day. Some are free to attend and its fun meeting people at these events. There’s nothing more than selling yourself and gain possible business alliance for your company.
As always, it’s best to allocate your time with the Social Media world and offline traditional marketing.
Enjoy!
Jenny
DotTrend, Inc.
It can be addicting and it can consume most of your day. You’re going into it for the right reasons, to get more leads and free advertising for your business! In the economy like this, you tend to be where marketing for your company is free. It’s not a bad thing however the old saying, “Too much of some thing, can hurt you” is true in this case. You should always do things in moderation to give the fullest effect of marketing yourself. I have met people that have Twitter & Facebook synced into their Blackberry or iPhone. They are so attached that they would have to stop their conversation with me and read their Facebook updates because someone had posted on their wall. Or they have to text on their Twitter that they are at the networking group talking to me.
This is nuts! Reboot! & Recharge! When you have reached this point, please ask yourself if it’s worth it?
I recommend recharging yourself offline from Social Media websites. Remember, the goal is to get more sales and leads not taking up time. By recharging yourself; you can visit local community functions, networking groups or even contact your existing clients. Contacting your existing clients is a very good thing and you would be surprised how much of a sales increased by doing this. Local community functions and networking groups are the traditional marketing strategy that still works till this day. Some are free to attend and its fun meeting people at these events. There’s nothing more than selling yourself and gain possible business alliance for your company.
As always, it’s best to allocate your time with the Social Media world and offline traditional marketing.
Enjoy!
Jenny
DotTrend, Inc.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Cheap Shots in Business
Do you think the economy is getting better? No, Not really and especially you hear job layoff every day on the news. It’s the time to cut cost and have better money management when cash flow is low. With that being said, there are some things you can not let go during this economy. Marketing and Advertisements is the last thing you should cut out of your monthly budgets. Why? It’s important to continue to showcase that your business is alive and well.
That’s why here at DotTrend; we believed it should not be a big overhead on your business budget when it comes to your website and Internet marketing. It should be seamless and affordable.
Starting immediately, we are the only technology company in Louisville, Kentucky offering monthly financing for website design and development, online marketing, & print design. With zero percent interests being added to your monthly bill, your business can rest easy and this will allow you to survive and stay up float during this bad economy.
How does this come about? It all started when a brand new church in Los Angeles, California wanted to have a web presence so that the church members could attend Wednesday and Sunday services. Along with that, they can give church updates and upcoming events. Of course the price tag was affordable compared to the competitions, the client wanted to finance it for 6 months.
Needless to say, the client landed up completing the payments faster than agreed upon because we’ve allows them to grow and build.
We call these Cheap Shots in Business! Offering affordable payments over a period of time, we believe it’s great for those who need to build and grow their business.
Jenny
DotTrend, Inc.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Just a Sales Pitch!
Recently, we were asked to speak at a local networking group to discuss a topic that basically would help many business website owners. We talked about Internet marketing companies that would do the classic sales pitch on Search Engine Optimization/Search Engine Top Ranking.
Here are a few popular pitches:
- “We guarantee your website will be on the first page!”
- “Improve sales by getting top rankings in major search engines within weeks!”
I’m sure there are other pitches, but here’s the truth; like any advertising venue; there are no guarantees! Most internet companies would charge you great amount of money and many promises that comes with it, but in the end; they usually cheat by placing you on the Sponsored Links area (which is Pay per Clicks) in the search engines. Oh yes! They did get you on the first page alright. They are banking on the bid of clicks owed don’t out weigh what they had already charged you.
Remember, they are pitching you a guaranteed on behalf of Google, Bing, or even Yahoo! As always, try to be aware of what you are buying into. Ask questions such as “Can you give me references on the performance of your SEO program?” Or even ask “What search engine(s) are you submitting my website to?” These are good main questions to ask simply because when dealing with variety of search engines, they all have different search criteria.
I am not trying to say Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a useless program, in fact I believe it is a much needed service as part of the online marketing for your business website. It is very vital to have a constant online marketing venue if you are interested in having your business exposed to the world.
Wayne
DotTrend, Inc.
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