In recent years  customers have come to expect more from their online browsing experience.   This has caused a change  in the standard for company websites.  A dynamic web site contains content that is continuously updated,  a design that is eye catching and inspiring which will give the consumer  a new online experience with every visit.

Maintaining Dynamic Web Page With Content

Maintaining a web sites content can be time consuming and can cost you money.   However, with our content management systems and Web Maintenance Plans,  even the least technical users have the ability and functionality to maintain dynamic web site content .

Content management systems give you the freedom to create dynamic web page content “in-house” rather than needing a third party.   You will easily be able to :

• Create  content schedules that automatically adds or deletes items.
• Update your events calendar, company news, or job openings.
• Add Pictures to your content to keep your website dynamic in appearance.
• Add dynamic data to all of your pages and keep your website fresh and inviting.

Our content management systems put you in control and give you the ability to maintain a dynamic web site.

Don’t have the time to do it yourself?  Ask us about our Web Maintenance Plan and Search Engine Optimization Plan!  Our trained and experienced staff can do it all for you.   Maintaining a dynamic website through design and data can be very time consuming.  Our staff is experts in many fields and we have created a team that can work to ensure your dynamic website stays attractive to all of your consumers.  Central Mass Web Design has helped many clients to maintain dynamic websites throughout Massachusetts and beyond, including Fitchburg, Leominster, Worcester, Cambridge, and Boston.

Want to view some of our recent works?  Check out our online portfolio to see our many designs, and request a website design estimate today.

In a recent story, published by Financial Times, Microsoft is considering paying Print Media Outlets for use of their content on their newest search engine Bing.  This move would force the Print Media Outlets that take the offer to remove their content from Google.  If Microsoft is successfull in this move, assuming that they do in fact move forward with it, Google may be forced to pay similar media outlets for their content, creating a content war within the Print Media.  You could see some high values paid for the content from the major news sources.  While Rupert Murdoch’s New Corp seems to be a part lead in this against Google…..I wouldn’t count them out for taking the money if Google made them a higher offer than Microsoft and Bing.
 

Microsoft is on this for one reason, and one reason only….they want to hurt the deep pockets of Google.  Google is claiming that their news results bring in little revenue.  I doubt that.  That is just postering to make it seem like this move isn’t going to effect them.

If Microsoft can court the top 5 Print Media Outlets in the country, then I think the Google News section could be doomed, as well as how the income they bring in from the search matches for the content.

Not sure where Yahoo fits in all this.  It seems like that are taking a back seat right now to see how this plays out before they jump in with their thoughts.

With so many newspapers struggling in the current economy, it seems that this might actually breath some life into that industry.  Keep your eye out for a bidding war…this could get interesting.

Central Mass Web Design recently debuted our custom trade show booth at the New England Business Expo on Thursday October 29, 2009. The Expo provided a great opportunity to showcase our work to the general business community and some of our valued partners. We would like to thank everyone who stopped by with their kind words regarding our booth during the show.

Here is a photo of our new trade show booth!

Central Mass Web Design Trade Show Booth

By now, you’ve heard that Facebook and Twitter are almost essential when marketing your business online. Not only has Central Mass Web Design encouraged the idea, but it’s on news websites everywhere. Social Media is a bandwagon that you don’t want to fall off of. It’s helping businesses everywhere with their online marketing and strengthening relationships with their customers.

For those of us who are currently utilizing the free services of Facebook and Twitter, we’ve got some big news! (And for those of you who are not on these social media sites, read on. You might find yourself registering by the end of this article). Both Bing and Google have recently announced that they are joining forces with the social media craze. A few days ago, Bing publicized their decision to take your tweets and status updates and pull them into their SERPS (Search Engines Results Pages). Shortly after, Google proclaimed a similar deal with Twitter. They too will pull your tweets into their SERPS.

So, what does all of this mean? Well, first of all, if you are not currently using social media to expand on your business horizon, it means you are clearly missing out, go register! And secondly, it means we owe big congratulations to those who ARE using social media. If you are keeping your status updates and tweets fresh, you should start seeing an increase in traffic to your website (that is, if you are linking back to it within your updates – which is a must!)

If you are not taking advantage of the social media sites out there, please feel free to give us a call! We currently assist our Search Engine Marketing clients with their social media and we can help you too. Call 978-632-5300 or email us at Info@CentralMassWebDesign.com.

Why is this relevant to Web Design and Website Pricing?

In our business, we provide quality services at a fair price.  In most development businesses, there can be adjustments to the final invoice due to the client’s desires.  It seems of late, with the economy the way it is, that businesses who approach companies in our line of work seem to think that it is standard for us to negotiate our rates.  Unfortunately, that is not the case.  Our business model is developed on an understanding of what it takes to be successful and profitable while at the same time providing good customer service and a quality product.

Remember to put yourself in the shoes of this Chef in the video, or the DVD Clerk, then ask yourself if you would ask them to lower their price. When the economy gets tough, people seem to ask for more discounts to save money, but are they really saving money?   Think about the question you ask before you ask it as you might actually offend the person to whom you are asking this question.

When recession hits, one of the first things companies do is cut their advertising budget. Why? Why would companies get rid of the only thing that is keeping them in front of people? If your company is feeling the recession crunch, your competitors are likely feeling it as well.  If you have the urge to cut, so do your competitors, which means good things for you if you’re the one holding steady to your marketing plan (See Tip #3). It means that your company is the one that people are going to call when they are in need of your products and/or services. The reason they are going to call is that your company was on the top of their minds (TOMA – See Tip #4) when they needed you, and your competitors were not. Why is this? You held steady with your marketing plan. I am a firm believer that the company that makes the most noise wins. It’s a fact. Companies that advertised during the 1981 – 82 recession had sales of 256% higher than those who cut their budgets. That’s amazing, 256% higher! Wouldn’t you like your sales to improve by 256%?   Here are a couple of tips to make sure you are getting the most out of your marketing dollar:

Tip #1 – *If you’re not getting results, stop! I always ask people how they are advertising and if it is working for them. So many people tell me they are using different avenues of marketing, like “X”, “Y” and “Z”, but “Z” isn’t working, but they are still investing their marketing dollars into it. Get rid of “Z” and find one that works. Do not keep investing in something that isn’t getting results.  This is such a basic philosophy that it is often overlooked.

Tip #2 – *Who is your customer?  When choosing a place to advertise find out whom they target. Does this target fit the target for your company? If your customer is mostly women 25 – 54, why advertise with someone who attracts mostly men 54 and up. Find out who is a perfect fit for you and establish a great relationship with this vendor.  Maintain focus on effectiveness of the campaign!

Tip #3 – *Create a Marketing Plan! If you don’t have one, how can you focus on where to spend your marketing dollars?  This plan is an effective tool for distributing your overall marketing dollars and guiding you long term approach to marketing effectively. Constantly reevaluate your plan every 90 days.  This will allow you the flexibility to make adjustments and cancel any campaigns that are not effective.

Tip #4  – *TOMA.  Top Of Mind Awareness!  Look for opportunities that consistently put your company name in front of your prospective buyers.  Things like Social Media, Networking Events, the Chamber, Email Blasts, Phone Calls, Direct Mail Post Cards and Letters all serve this purpose.  When it’s time for your prospect to call, your logo will have been seen about 20 times already, which certainly will give you the upper hand.

Tip #5 – *Track It! – Just because you thought you found the perfect fit doesn’t mean it will always work for you.  You must track your advertising.  If you find that your marketing isn’t working, take the long term approach and maintain it for an additional 6 weeks.  During this time, scrutinize it closely to really understand what is going on.  If after 6 weeks you are still not happy, move on!

In Summary, do your homework, don’t cut your marketing budget and keep advertising.

Lisa March
Account Representative
Central Mass Web Design Inc.

The SB2 small and home-based businesses support group will be holdings its first workshop of 2009 on Wednesday, May 6th at the Chamber offices from 6-8pm.

This month’s topic will be Internet Marketing, facilitated by Matt Ward of Central Mass Web Design, Inc.

Topics discussed this evening will include:
o Identify and refine your market using the internet
o Identify your competitor and their price points
o Search Engine basics
o Web-based Marketing Strategies
o Social Networking Basics
o Effective Email Campaigns
o Pay-per-click

About our presenter:
Mr. Ward founded Central Mass Web Design in 2002 and has since directed the operations of the company and its growth. Ward has continued to direct a team of seasoned professionals in the design and development of countless websites. From small business sites and non-profit organizations to larger-scale projects that enable companies to establish a corporate presence, Ward and his team have a proven track record of delivering high-quality work. He brings to each and every client the knowledge and expertise of his work with industry icons as well as his skills honed in working on hundreds of internet based projects

The event is FREE and open to EVERYONE. We do ask that you just pre-register by clicking here.

This NCM (North Central Mass) Chamber program is available to both members and non members interested in benefiting their business.

NHL is having a Tweet Up?

Whats that you ask?  Well, Twitter is coming to town.   Well, not completely..  But with the start of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs , the NHL is stepping it up and taking it to the next level…. web 2.0!