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Start The New 2012 Year Off Right By Knowing Your Past

Welcome to the new year. 2012 has so many awesome revelations for us all and so many exciting paths to walk. The Mayan calendar ends, the world is also ‘supposed’ to end and it’s our time to put our mistakes behind us and improve our businesses. The past though, should not be forgotten. It holds the keys to future because it’s what shapes us and determines our decisions.

So let’s see where we are and where we need to be. Let us help you put the pieces together to get a full map of your specific arena. You’re treasure map will help shape your goals and really help you get there. Then the question becomes, how to we make such a treasure map? To answer that, we first have to figure out where you are.

By  ‘where you are’ we mean, how has you business been doing and what you have been doing online? Here are some questions that will help setup a good foundation for the map:

  • Do you have a website?
  • Is it professionally designed?
  • Are you using the website to sell and/or market your products and business?
  • Have you been marketing your business online? How about promoting your website?
  • Is your business found in local searches?
  • Do you send our regular e-mail blasts, or e-mail collect e-mails addresses and contact information?

This is the year 2012, not 1990. If you do not have a website, even with just your companies name on it, then you are far behind on the current trends and most likely not making enough money that you could be.

Clients in this day-in-age go online first to check out a business. A quality website conveys the image of power, presence and prestige. Without one, let’s face the hard facts, your prospects can’t even find you!

What do most people go online for? Only one reason: to get something! The question is what are they trying to get? If you’re a local business, then most likely people will be searching for reviews about your customer service and your services (or product) and, more importantly your location. So if you are a local business, then it’s crucial people can find you and get info about your special offerings. Do you offer something better than anyone else? Are you running a special promo? Is your location super convenient? Family owned? There are so many great things you could showcase on your website that people love!

So you already have a website? Perfect! Does it look like it was designed by a 10 year old in the ’90’s or by a award winning professional in 2012? This is a tough question because ego’s can get in the way sometimes. Other times, it’s “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it!” Right? Sometimes that’s the case, but in 2012 you not only have to act the part of a professional business, you also have to look it. In an article back in 2009, the author in a Smashing Magazine post showed us how new and unique textures can enhance a design: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/01/07/textures-in-modern-web-design/.

Every website and company listed there is profitable and getting more and more clients, simply because they look beautiful (and of course provide a good product and service). Would you buy a brand new 2013 model car if it look absolutely horrible, was a literally a box on wheels? No way. We all would go for the pretty, sleek, aerodynamic and technology happy car. You’re website is no different. More often than not, if you put two companies side by side who offer the same/similar service and all things being equal except Company A has a modern website and Company B hasn’t changed theirs since they first built it in 2001, then 99% of the time Company A will get more clients, more leads and thus be more profitable.

Like it or not looks matter. Your customers and clients will appreciate the pleasant look.

And if you’re selling your products and service online, are you capturing names and e-mail addresses? It’s much easier to resell to past clients than to get new ones. E-mail can promote private deals, sell to prospects who wouldn’t buy at first, but might after a few e-mails. Don’t underestimate the power of e-mail. E-mail marketing is alive and still an extremely powerful tactic.

So, is your website up to date? If not, why not? You’re loosing money and clients if it’s not! Are you capture contact information? You should be! Can people find your business?

Chykalophia Group is leading the way in business innovation, design and online strategy. Let us help you figure our where you have been, where you need to be and we’ll offer you some great suggestions and insights on how to improve what you have.

Contact us before January 30th for a free consultation and idea sessions. We’ll give you real answers, and real insights into improving your business. No BS. Just juicy details.

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