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.

Calling all Entrepreneurs!

Do you know about all of the truly amazing support that is available to you at the SBA?

Recently I attended a Women's Business Expo that was sponsored by my local SBDC (Small Business Development Center), and was reminded of the crazy amount of help they provide to Small Businesses.

• Got a great idea for a new business?  
• Need help drafting a plan? 
• What about financing?  
• Need to learn or brush up on basic management skills?  
• Know what to do for a successful launch? 
• Are there any special opportunities for minority or women-owned companies?  
• Need a Mentor to help you along?  
• Want to know more about Government Contracting?
• Need support after a disaster?

Consider the fact that a little over 50% of SMBs fail in the first four years and only 3% make it five years!  And while there are so very many factors that come together to kill any startup, the tools and support provided by the SBA can be a real lifeline.

Take some time to explore the Resources available to you here.

 

 

Ugh..... Who has time to do all those things necessary for a new Website?

 

You have enough to do!

There are a tremendous amount of things you can do to promote your website that are of no additional cost.  We have all seen those lists.  

"50 Free marketing ideas!" 

"101 simple ideas to boost your traffic!"

That is all well and good, but WHO has time!  Many of the FREE ideas can cost you so much more than $$!  They can cost you your time (and sometimes sanity!) when you have to learn how to get your site in directories, launch business pages in LinkedIn and Facebook, set up your MailChimp account.  There is more!

 

We can help you get started with a bang.  And keep you going!  Included are ideas for promotions, templates for ideas and and starter topics for blogs.

Take a look here to see Jump Start today! 

Flash to Flicker Out

Are you still using Flash on your website?

Did you know that it is being retired by Adobe in 2020?

What browsers will do and what it means:

Mozilla updated its plugin roadmap for Firefox and adjusted it based on Adobe's end of support announcement.

• 2018 Second Half -- Firefox users have to enable Flash on each session they want to use Flash.
• 2019 Early -- Firefox will display a visible warning to users if a site uses Flash.
• 2019 -- Flash is disabled by default. Users won't be prompted anymore to enable Flash, but Flash may still be activated on certain sites by users.
• 2020-- Flash support is removed from Firefox. Firefox ESR continues to support Flash until the end of 2020.
• 2021 -- Firefox won't load the Flash plugin anymore when Adobe stops shipping security updates for Flash in December 2020

Microsoft announced on the Microsoft Edge development blog how it plans to retire Adobe Flash in company products

• 2018 -- Microsoft Edge requires users to enable Flash for each session individually. Internet Explorer continues to allow Flash.
• 2019 mid to late -- Flash is disabled by default in Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer. Users have options to re-enable Flash.
• 2020 end -- Adobe Flash is removed from Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer. Flash cannot be run anymore.

There are myriad reasons that this step is to be taken.  Just a couple: Flash is vulnerable to hacks and can impact the security of the website on which it is used.  More recent technology (HTML5, etc.) can more efficiently display video and 3D technology.

For more information check out this article from Reuters.