The SBA and SCORE

Do you know about all the great resources available to you?

There are amazing resources available to Small Business that can help you build and grow your business.  Many of them are even free! 

The Small Business Development Center features a myriad of services that include the following and so much more!

• Consulting
• Training
• Research
• Growth Acceleration
• Capital Access
• Organizational Development

There are three offices on the Treasure Coast:  Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Ft. Pierce

Have a visit to their "Services" page and see what might help you! 

SCORE Treasure Coasts has a terrific lineup of online resources crafted just for you:

• Online Marketing for Small Business Owners
• Simple Steps for Starting Your Business
• Startup Basics
• Marketing Basics
• Finance Basics
• Management Basics

At the core of their efforts is a Mentoring program that pairs you with highly successful and experienced business professionals and entrepreneurs, that deliver valuable, timely, and practical advice. Whether you are a start-up or an existing business, their mentors will help you and your business open new markets, reach new customers, and achieve new goals.

Internet Insights Guide for Small Business

Get our new Free Guide for Small Business.

We are pleased to offer a brief guide for Small Business that covers many of the things business owners must think about when considering an entry to the internet.  The internet has been something of the Wild West from the beginning and only continues to grow.  And while it is tough to sort through all of the constant changes, this guide can help you with a few of the important issues.

Topics include:  

• Why be Online
• Branding
• Budgets
• URL Selection
• SEO
• More...

Before you launch, or even if you already have, you will be better informed on important considerations for your website.

Get your copy today:

http://tiny.cc/InternetInsights

Small Business and the Internet

Where are we now?

Wow!  What a transformation we have had over the last few years.  The growth of, and dependency on, the internet has been nothing short of astounding.  Currently over 90% of US adults use the internet.  And that is only adults!  Imaging the numbers for kids!

The advances in mobile technology have driven huge increases in website traffic conducted on a mobile device.  Consider that nearly 70% of web traffic happens on a mobile device.  Not surprising given how many noses we can see around us buried in a cell phone!

Important notes for your Business:

• 57% of users will not recommend a business with a poorly designed mobile site.
• 80% of B2B buyers report that mobile played a significant role in a recent purchase.
• 53% of mobile website visits are abandoned if a site takes longer than three seconds to load.
• 3 in 4 smartphone owners turn to mobile search first to address immediate needs.
• Google drives 96% of mobile search traffic.

Having a website gives you a powerful marketing and sales tool that is as dynamic and flexible as you need and want.  You can answer potential customer questions and concerns through an easy to edit blog featured on your website.  You can build a database of folk to whom you can market your products and services by collecting email addresses with a simple form.  You can offer easy access to any forms, brochures or other printed materials via downloads.  You can allow visitors to schedule appointments and/or meetings right on your site.  The list goes on…..

Take a moment to think about how YOU find products and services!  I’ll bet the answer is right in your hand!

Why is the SSL Certificate  important??

There are several reasons this security step is important to you and your customers.

1. SSL provides protection for information on your site.
2. Websites without protection are now flagged as in the example right.
3. Search results could be negatively impacted for websites not protected.

SSL protects your website from being hijacked and lead to some nefarious places!

Your first impression with potential customers arriving at your site could be spoiled by a "Not Secure" image by your web address.  

SeaShell Digital provides SSL Certificates to each and every website we build.  So you are protected from the start.

For more information take a look at this super description from SEO Expert:  Here.

Reviews aren't the end of the story.......

So.  Let’s talk about reviews and how they demonstrate the importance of having a SMB website.  Hate them or love them they are having a big impact on consumers searching online for products and services.  Notably, restaurants top the list of reviews consumers want to see.

While it is tempting think that the consumer's journey to you is ending there; it is not.  A recent BrightLocal survey shows that once reviews have been seen, the next step is to go to the business' website.  And, this is where you can truly differentiate yourself and compel consumers to take the next step.  

Your website is an important step in the consumer's journey!

Your website can answer specific questions and needs of YOUR customer.  Take an example of a Day Care.  Say a parent searches for a facility near home and/or work and finds several reviews that speak to their needs.  Next, they want to go to your very own website to understand more and get a general feeling about the place.  Is the Day Care presented well on the website?  Do they seem organized?  Kid focused? Are they safe for my child, are they able to be flexible to my schedule?   

These "personality" traits give prospective clients a good picture and will help feed users to next steps that may include a visit, more questions or even enrollment.  Focusing your website to answer the concerns and needs of your customer is a natural extension to the reviews consumers are reading and will serve to boost you in Lead/Client generation because not every concern is covered on a review.  And you are uniquely qualified to answer ALL of potential client needs.

The key to success is to know your customer and all of their needs and concerns.  Keep an eye on all of your reviews and respond to them as necessary.  Never leave a bad review out there without a resolution or explanation.  

Local Search Association Study: 79% Say Digital Channels
 'Most Helpful' for Finding Local Business Information

Do you know how your customers are finding you?  

A recent survey found that 33% are finding you via Search Engines, 24% via a company website, 10% via word of mouth.

So, in order of importance, you need to be findable via Search Engines, you need a website and, you MUST wow your customers so they pass it on!

There are loads of ways for your company to get found online.  Consider these quick and easy options:

• Get listed in Directories (YelloPages, Manta, CitySearch) asap!
• Review sites are extremely important:  Yelp, Tripadvisor and others can get you started.  But, remember, you MUST stay on top of your reviews and respond appropriately.  Even a bad review can be turned around.
• Make sure your website is Search Engine Ready (Friendly).  Tags, content and even photos are important points to review.

SeaShell Digital has a fabulous program for new websites that will definately give any business a head start.  Check out SeaShell's JumpStart program for more information.