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Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Test Everything
 Whoops!
I almost sent out a confirmation email without seeing if I could login to their application or not. Well, I can’t. Good thing I didn’t send that email.
Test Everything
I learned that early in my career. There are so many things you have to check before launching a website, application or a simple web form.
What I learned was:
- Make one change
- Test it
- If it works, move on. If not, test again
If you test each change individually, you’ll always know what did or didn’t work. You’ll never figure out what isn’t working if you make too many changes at one time.
“Test, test and test again”. You can never be too careful.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 4:58 pm
Comments: None | Filed under: Computer, Personal, Business
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Business is All About Problems
 Business is all about problems…hell, life is about problems.
It’s the businesses or individuals to be business or life troubleshooters. We’re choice making machines…us humans.
So successful businesses correct the problems.
In web terms…
Q: What is the problem you want to solve with your website?
Answer this question and you’re half way there.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 8:43 pm
Comments: None | Filed under: Business
Monday, February 23, 2009
MJS Web Solutions Now Offering Pre-Designed Website Templates
MJS Web Solutions is now offering pre-designed website template packages starting at only $499.
MJS Web Solutions continues to provide quality customized website services, yet we’ve recognized a growing number of start-up businesses are looking for a more affordable website solution.
Pre-designed website templates provide a quick, simple and affordable way to get a professional looking website. Choose from thousands of different industry website templates: Auto, Architecture, Business, Sports and many others.
In only 3 simple steps, you can have a completed website.
- Choose a website template that fits your organization.
- Fill out our Quote Request form
- MJS will contact you with a quote to get started.
All you have to do is provide us with copy and images for all pages. We’ll do the rest.
Mike Swartz says, “Check it out”.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 2:40 pm
Comments: 2 Comments | Filed under: Web Design, News, Business
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
It Pays To Have a Website
 Hello.
Been awhile, I know. But I have a good excuse.
I was on vacation in Ireland. Great country. Beautiful people too.
We lodged at the Croan Cottages. A very nice place to stay. The owners of the cottage live on the property with a farm and peaceful landscapes.
I asked my Father in Law how he found the place and he said the internet. I asked another guest on the property the same question. He said, he found out about the cottages on the internet. He said he typed in some keywords into Google and wah la.
The owner is now telling other businesses in the area to get a website because of the increase in business he’s receiving from marketing on the internet.
My Point
Even if your website is just one page, that’s fine, just put something up. If nothing else, get one domain and one web page.
On this page, simply list your business name, logo, picture of product(s)/service(s), something about the company and services, and how to contact.
There is no good reason why your business is not online.
Photo: An actual picture we took while visiting the Woodstock Gardens.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 5:38 pm
Comments: None | Filed under: SEO, Web Marketing, Business
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Focus on Your Customers, Not Your Competition
I just read some great business and marketing advice in Investors Business Daily (IBD).
Focus on your customers, not your competition.
Forget the competition. Doesn’t that make perfect sense? Don’t worry about what they’re doing, worry about what you’re doing.
I would say, “focus on your customer, but be aware of the competition”.
Your customer pays the bills, not the competition. Appreciate them, not your competition.
Have a great week.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 4:50 pm
Comments: 1 Comment | Filed under: Business
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Business is About Getting Things Done
Business is about getting things done or accomplished…finished.
If you don’t complete your projects you won’t make any money and there won’t be any reason why someone would use your services or want to work with you.
I do a lot of web and seo maintenance for my clients. They expect my company to deliver. I do and that’s why we continue to work together.
People hire you or pay you to do a job. It’s your job to get it done.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 12:24 pm
Comments: None | Filed under: Business
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Constant Contact Doesn’t Know What RSS Feed Means
 Constant Contact support didn’t know what an RSS feed was.
‘O boy.
I called Constant Contact support to find out if they archived the email newsletters in an RSS/XML feed. The support guy didn’t know what I was talking about. He didn’t know what an RSS feed was. Holy Mackerel! I figure anyone who has a web business these days would know about RSS technology. If you don’t, shame on you.
What Does RSS Feed Mean?
With an RSS feed you can ‘feed’ data into any source. A pda, smartphone, mp3 player, and in my case a website.
I wanted to ‘feed’ my client’s archived newsletters from Constant Contact into my client’s website.
So, I put a request into Constant Contact to have them provide a way to archive email newsletters via an RSS feed. The competition is doing it.
I hope he passes along my suggestion.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 3:43 pm
Comments: 2 Comments | Filed under: Web General, Business
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Flag Emails in Outlook for Follow Up
What do I write about when I’m so busy?
I could write about how to save time or how to get things done faster. Or I could write about why I’m so busy.
I’ll do both…
I’ve been busy with multiple projects, including two website redesigns and many SEO and website maintenance projects and haven’t had enough quality time to devote to my blog.
To help me manage all my projects and keep me on track I’ve upgraded my customer database to ACT! and I’ve also integrated Outlook 2003 into it. I’m also using Basecamp.
Flag Emails in Outlook for Follow Up
A cool feature of Outlook 2003 is the ability to flag email messages for follow up.
When you flag an email, a colored flag - in this case red - appears next to the email message and gets added to the Follow Up message folder. By doing this I can keep track of the main items I need to take care of first as well as keeping my Inbox clean.
Mike Swartz says, “Check it out”.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 10:57 am
Comments: 4 Comments | Filed under: Computer, Business
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
The Power of Facebook and Twitter
My wife told me she wanted to send The Better World Shopping Guide website to all her Facebook contacts.
I then realized the power of Facebook.
We the people are becoming the influentials now.
It’s happening with Twitter as well. Just telling people your immediate thoughts, desires, interests, and so forth. A word-of-mouth marketers dream come true.
Now instead of the few influentials, everyone is becoming the influencer.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 11:07 pm
Comments: None | Filed under: Business
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Completing Tasks With Basecamp
 Getting it done. Doesn’t it feel good to cross off items on your To Do list or finish that project or just get something accomplished and taken care of?
Well, I’m using a new To Do list program. I didn’t use a program before, I just had a piece of paper to keep track of my to do’s. Now I use the To List in Basecamp. Basecamp is an online project management service. It includes, Milestones, Whiteboards, Notes/Messages, Project Lists, Contacts, Calendar, and To Do Lists.
To Do Lists in Basecamp are my favorite feature.
You can create many types or categories of to do lists. And after you’ve completed the task, Basecamp records it and adds a strikethrough, just like you would do with your pen.
So far Basecamp has really met my needs. Easy to learn, setup and use. I may just toss out my current project management software and go with Basecamp.
Mike Swartz says, “Check it out”
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 10:51 pm
Comments: None | Filed under: Web General, Personal, Business
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