April, 2009

Effective Websites Newsletter

This month's lead article is about how you can save money by promoting your business through your website. And learn more reasons why the web is a good investment during a down economy in 13 quick bullet points at the Embrace the Web site. Finally, learn how a blog can benefit your business in the Manta article 5 Benefits of Having a Blog for Your Business.

Trouble reading this newsletter? Read it on our website.

Dave Salahi

Back to top

Cost-Effective Marketing on the Internet

During an economic slowdown you want to make the most of your marketing dollars so you need to choose carefully where you invest them. The good news is that your website is one of the most cost-effective marketing vehicles available. For most small businesses radio and TV are not realistic options as they're too expensive and not targeted narrowly enough. That generally leaves direct mail and print ads in local media—and, of course, your website.

With direct mail you've got the cost of printing and postage and possibly the cost of buying a list of names and addresses. A single direct mail campaign can cost as much as creating a new website. Advertising in local print media can be cost-effective but it's easy for your ad to get lost in the flood of flyers and other printed media we all receive.

However, you can create a website relatively inexpensively and it can serve your business for years for little more than the cost of hosting which is around $100/year. A simple custom website typically starts at around $1000 but if price is an issue there are alternatives that are much less expensive. For example, some web designers offer template-based sites which are often priced around $500. A template-based site can also be created very quickly since most of the design work is already done. With a template-based site you'd have the ability to change colors and provide your own photo or logo but otherwise the design of your site would be just like the sample that your designer would show you.

And if the economic crunch is pinching your pocketbook too tightly for even a template-based site, there are do-it-yourself options that can provide your business with a web presence for very little money. For example, some web hosts offer wizards like Site Builder and SiteStudio that walk you through creating your own site in a series of simple steps. Typically, you can choose a color theme and upload a couple of photos but that's about the limit of customization. Of course, you provide all the text as you would for any site. These do-it-yourself sites are often included with web hosting so you can get a site for next to nothing. Other site builders are available that may offer additional features or inclusion in a directory of businesses in your industry. These other site builders often charge a monthly fee that increases your cost but they can still be quite cost effective if they provide features you need or if they help you target your customers.

Finally, you can save money on updates by getting a site that includes a solution for doing the updates yourself. Not only do you save money but it's also easier to keep your site up to date. And, by keeping your content fresh, you increase your search engine rankings.

In future newsletters, we'll explore other aspects of internet marketing including search engine optimization, pay-per-click campaigns, email newsletters, and getting listed in local business directories. In the meantime, if you'd like more information on a new website, a redesign, or any of these other alternatives, please call me at 949-362-0842 or email me at dave@artistic-webdesign.com.

Back to top

5 Benefits of Having a Blog for Your Business

This short article discusses how a blog can help you to communicate better with clients & prospects while building a positive reputation for your business. Read The Five Benefits of Having a Blog for Your Business on the Manta website.

And if you have questions about starting a blog, please contact Dave at Artistic Web Design: 949-362-0842 or dave@artistic-webdesign.com.

Back to top

What Are Your Questions?

What are your burning questions about internet marketing? Call me at 949-362-0842 or email me at dave@artistic-webdesign.com with your questions. Or fill out a one-minute survey on our website. Then watch for the answers in an upcoming issue of this newsletter.