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Monday, November 21, 2011
They Got Me…I Opened It
Not an internet related post, but a very good, yet sneaky, marketing tactic (or trick).
What looks like an important package is cleverly disguised as merely a sales letter.
 Not Important at All I will usually open junk mail because:
- It may actually be legitimate (i.e. my new credit card or a check)
- I’m in marketing and I am just that curious
I could conclude this is good marketing, but I’m not a fan of any junk mail (online or offline). I’m a fan of permission marketing. This is not. It’s as bad as a telemarketer calling me in the middle of the night.
This example is truly deceptive. I really thought for a moment this was an ‘extremetly important’ package. It was not. NOTE: More often than not, when it says ‘extremely important’, it’s not.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 4:07 pm
Comments: None | Filed under: Business, Email Newsletters
Friday, June 10, 2011
Domain Name Research Tools
Choosing a domain name for your business can be quite tough these days. Nearly every domain with any known combination of words is already taken. Note that I said ‘nearly every domain‘.
You’d be surprised what is still available if you’re creative in your search.
To help with your domain search, I’ve compiled a few domain name research tools that we’ve used with success.
BustAName
Our favorite, bustaname.com, where you can enter in many different word combinations and they’ll compile a list of available domain names. Or let Bustaname generate domain names for you with Domain Maker.
 BustaName Panabee
Enter two words into Panabee and it will give you variations and related terms on your search which can be very helpful. Just like in a keyword search, you may spot other words you never thought of.
 Panadee KnowEm
KnowEm goes one giant step further, by checking social network and trademark names.
 Knowem Check out these other domain name search resources.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 2:08 pm
Comments: None | Filed under: Business, Web General
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
5 Lessons Learned From Running My Own Business
 I’ve owned my business now for a number of years and through those years I’ve learned a lot. Some of the more important things I’ve learned running my own business are:
- Be Persistent
I changed careers early on from manufacturing to technology. I spent nearly 6 months following up for an informational interview for Bank of America. Then one day, I got a call to come in for a job interview. I got the job. My boss said he hired me because of my persistence. Don’t give up. Persistence through the ups and downs has kept my business alive.
- Follow Up
Don’t wait for them to call you back. The most important feedback I can give is to always follow up. The majority of our sales are completed because we’ve followed up with our customers. Did you receive a referral? Don’t wait…follow up.
- Be Personable
I have been told that the reason why a customer has selected our firm is because they found us personable and trustworthy. How can I be personable over the phone? Grab a mirror and smile. You’ll be amazed how you’re perceived on the other end of the line.
- Solve the Problem
Business is about problems. Learn and listen to your customer. What problems are they having? Each customer has a different problem and it’s up to your business to figure out a solution.
- Make an Offer
If you don’t make an offer, they’ll never say yes. Sure they may say no, but ‘no’ is a response and you can always negotiate the offer presented.
What have you learned in your career or business? What has made you a success? I’d be happy to hear.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 1:55 pm
Comments: None | Filed under: Business
Friday, January 14, 2011
Year of the Smartphone and Mobile Web Design
 Many analysts are predicting 2011 to be the year of the smartphone. I would agree. I just purchased my first smartphone this month. If I’m adopting, I guarantee others will in masses.
Market research firm Asymco predicts that 50 percent of the US population will be using smartphones by the end of this year.
I predict the market will only increase.
So what does that mean for you, the website owner?
It means you’ll have to be thinking about the smartphone user and whether your customers will be visiting your site on one.
- The first step is to inspect your website statistics. Google Analytics will show you if users are on an iPhone or even an iPad.
- Take a survey or poll of your current client base and ask them if they are using or plan on purchasing a smartphone. Ask them will they browse the internet on one?
- Next, test. Check out your current website on a smartphone. How does it look? Is it difficult to navigate, read, etc. Most likely you’ll need to convert your website into a more compatible view.
What does that mean for us web development companies?
We’ll have to begin offering mobile website design services. Good thing MJS Web Solutions has already started. We can take your existing website and create a slimmed down version that will be compatible with all the popular smartphones.
Contact us to find out how we can help your website become a smartphone friendly tool.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 3:47 pm
Comments: None | Filed under: Business, Web Design, Web General
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Create Opportunities For Your Customers
 Our client, Gallagher & Lindsey, a local real estate agency, recently setup their own Facebook page and asked us to help promote it.
We added an announcement section and a Facebook ‘Follow’ icon to their homepage.
During our ongoing discussions, I mentioned promoting their Facebook page with a Welcome splash page. I emailed them an article on 40 Highly Effective Facebook Business Pages for inspiration.
Opportunity Knocks
Later, while speaking on the phone, it hit me. Why not display their listings and open homes on Facebook? They were a little reluctant at first until we saw another real estate agency doing it. I was onto something.
They liked the idea, so we came up with a solution to automatically connect to the MLS database and display their Featured Listings and Open Homes on their Facebook fan page.
There are many added benefits to this solution:
- Extending customer outreach through Facebook while offering more than the Wall tab.
- Creating higher website traffic from listings that link back to their website for more information.
- Time saving. They don’t have to update or manage the listings on Facebook. The data is pulled dynamically from the MLS system. G&L only has to update one time…the MLS system.
Create opportunities for you customers. It’s a win/win.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 2:04 pm
Comments: None | Filed under: Business, Web Marketing
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
MJS Web Solutions Announces Contract With Giant Creative Services
MJS Web Solutions is happy to announce we’ll be working with Giant Creative Services, West Advertising and the City of Alameda to develop a new event campaign.
Giant Creative Services specializes in event planning and has contracted with MJS Web Solutions to design and develop an event campaign website. West Advertising will be designing all the collateral (banners, postcards, posters, etc.) for the project.
We are excited to be working with two well respected companies and eager to help promote a wonderful event that will benefit the citizens and businesses in the city of Alameda.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 9:58 am
Comments: None | Filed under: Business, News
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Marketing 101: How Did You Hear About Us?
 It’s something, I know, most businesses do not do. And it is the simplest gauge to find out how people are finding your business.
All businesses are in the marketing business. Make this a part of your everyday tasks.
How Did You Hear About Us?
Always ask – over the phone, email, or from your website – “How did you hear about us?” or “How did you find out about our company?”
Know where your business is coming from. Use your findings to determine if your advertising dollars are working or if your referrals are the best source.
Remember, it never hurts to ask.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 10:30 am
Comments: None | Filed under: Business, Web Marketing
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Response to Rebranding My Town, Alameda, California
In dismay to Alameda Sun’s article, Brand Name City, I felt compelled to write a letter to the editor detailing my views on re-branding Alameda. Here it is:
Money, meet mouth
As a local business owner, resident of Alameda for more than 30 years, and active member in my local community, I was shocked and outraged to read that the city of Alameda, which supposedly promotes “buy/shop local,” has contracted with design companies outside of our local business community to re-brand Alameda. It was also alarming to learn that local businesses were not even given a chance or an opportunity to bid on the project.
Whether or not the initial bid came in under the $75,000 threshold ($200 less), local businesses still should have been considered to participate in the bidding process. If an out-of-town company, after the bidding process was complete, won the job, fine, at least local companies would have received the common courtesy to compete.
I understand — to a degree —the need to re-brand our city and update the website to attract businesses, but again, local businesses, who know the town of Alameda, were not even considered. It’s also disheartening to know that our city government will be using our tax dollars to work with companies outside of our town. What is even more surprising is that our city can spend up to $75,000 without having to go through a formal bidding process.
From my own research, a number of marketing and web design firms in Alameda were never contacted. Heck, these firms didn’t even know the city was entertaining the idea of rebranding. The city says they wanted to find a company with experience building city websites and building a green identify. Just because a firm doesn’t build city websites doesn’t mean they wouldn’t do a good job. And who would know more about Alameda than its local businesses? I believe Alameda does have the resources to provide our city with a quality functioning website and brand identity. For instance, Jiva Creative or West Advertising, I’m sure, would have been honored to have been elected to re-brand our city.
I own and operate MJS Web Solutions, a local web development firm, and I am passionate about this town and buying and doing things locally. We are proud to work with many local firms and have helped organizations, including the Alameda Boys and Girls Club and the Alameda Midway Shelter, get online.
I always ask myself before going out of Alameda to do business, is there someone who can help me locally? And usually there is. You can see why I’m frustrated. What kind of example is our city government setting for the local business community and the businesses they are trying to attract?
Alameda may or may not need a new image, but was this the right thing to do?
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I hope this issue doesn’t get swept under the table and forgotten about. It’s too important.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 10:52 am
Comments: None | Filed under: Business, Personal
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Design Your New Website in 3 Simple Steps
 So you need to get your website up and running fast or you just want to know how it’s done?
A website can usually be broken down into 3 simple steps.
- Get a Domain Name
- Setup Web Hosting
- Design Your Site
1. Get a Domain Name
Whether you use your business as the domain name or choose a vanity domain name (i.e. ilovesushi.com), you will need to have it registered. A fun and useful tool for researching a variety of domain name ideas is BustaName.com. After you decide on a domain name, register it at GoDaddy.
2. Setup Web Hosting
Hosting is fairly straightforward. Two important considerations are web server uptime and customer service. It’s hard to find out if the company you’re choosing will keep your site up, but contacting customer service shouldn’t be a problem. Two companies I trust and work with exclusively are Westhost & Alentus.
3. Design Your Site
Whether you choose to design it yourself, go with a pre-designed website or hire a professional, you will need to have something available online (A one page website can be sufficient). There are many do-it-yourself choices: GoDaddy Website Tonight, Homestead, etc. You can also purchase a pre-designed website and have a web company or web designer set it up for you. Or you can hire a professional web design company and get the exact website for your business. Hiring a professional should offer you a completely customized website design, giving you a design that showcases your business and is well represented by your customers.
In our experience, a website will usually consists of these 3 steps.
If you have any questions or you would like assistance on setting up your own website, please contact MJS Web Solutions. We’re here to help.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 5:32 pm
Comments: None | Filed under: Business, Web Design
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: 1 Comment | Filed under: Business, Computer, Personal
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