website

08/02/2022 By Jason Bean Leave a Comment

Uncover the Internet Returns to the Web!

I can't remember exactly when it started, but somewhere around August 1st of 2005 I started writing for a blog that was part of the b5media network at the time. It was one of a few different sites I ended up writing for regularly and it was called the "Uncover the Internet", we found some interesting stuff over the years. The purpose of the site was to just find and share interesting websites that we found around the web with our readers and hopefully provide something to them that filled a gap that needed to be filled. It may have been a resourceful site, an encouraging site, something educational, something amazing that you had to see for yourself.

After finding some helpful websites again recently for myself, I've decided to bring back the effort of Uncover the Internet. I've decided to add some options like "tools", or software, or even places or services in the real world that you should take advantage of and there's a website for you to introduce yourself to that thing or place. I'm also a sucker for "live" talent shows like "America's Got Talent", "The Voice" and "American Idol" (which was another blog I used to write for on the network called "IdolStalker.com")

So, to open the relaunch of the effort, my first item I'm sharing is a video performance of Avery Dixon, a young saxophonist that won a golden buzzer on this year's auditions for "America's Got Talent".

What did you think about Avery's performance? Let us know in the comments. Was it worthy of restarting the Uncover the Internet effort? I'd really love to get some conversation started again around the blog as much as possible. Do you have something interesting you've found online that you'd like to share? If you've got something, feel free to use my contact form to let me know about it and I'll see about featuring it on one of my posts.

06/27/2017 By Jason Bean 2 Comments

Small Business Tips: Easy Ways to Look More Professional

As a small business, appearance is everything. Sure, customer service and the product provided is integral to succeeding, but first impressions count – as it does in life in general.

With that in mind, you should be searching for all of the ways that will make your business look as professional and smart as possible. You might already have an attractive logo and optimized social media accounts, but there is much more that can be done. Also, don’t think that looking more professional is all about aesthetics, either.

So, with all that considered, read on for some top tips to take your small business to the next level.

Use a dedicated phone and PO Box

Even though businesses are going further and further towards being based on primarily on the internet, this doesn’t mean you should dismiss the option of using a dedicated phone line. Plus, some people still like to chat the old-fashioned way, and this also means you don’t have to hand out your home phone number!

In a similar vein, looking into a PO Box is also something you should contemplate if you are expecting product returns and such.

Get your own domain and email

It might seem apparent, but a noticeable amount of small businesses simply rely on social media as their online presence. Well, that’s not exactly the ideal first port of call for those searching for your company – especially if said potential customers do not have any social media accounts for themselves.

As a result, you should definitely look towards investing in your own domain/website. This will also provide you with your own business email, which helps make you look more professional when contacting others.

Make your website look the part

15 years ago, you could have been forgiven for producing a website that was little more than a wall of text with a gradient background. These days, however, you have all the tools to craft a fancy-looking website without the need of a specialist web developer.

In terms of creating your own website, WordPress is the ideal starter kit for beginners. Not only is it easy to use; it comes along with essentially an endless amount of customizable options, and – thanks in part to it being the most popular web development tool on the market – there is also a wealth of helpful guides out there should you get stuck at any point.

Top tip: make sure to use high-quality images. Your site could have a responsive and fresh framework, but pictures will draw people in more than any efficient functionality could.

Smarten up your packaging

Although it might be overlooked as something that is not too important, the packaging for your products – should you be selling physical goods of course – leaves an impression on your customers.

Obviously, the packaging should keep all products sufficiently protected during transit, but its appearance also has plenty of scope for improvement. Address labels via a label maker is highly recommended, with LabelCity.com being one place that offers a wide range of such useful devices. Additional embellishments to your packaging include your logo via a stamp and supplying a leaflet with discount codes.

Planning for the Future

If you're a small business owner, you're probably always thinking about the future. Whether that's tomorrow, next week or 5 years down the road. Tony Robbins just released a 2020 Business Owner Mindset Report that shows most business owners believe they'll figure out what it's going to take to weather the future storms being faced, even if they don't have all the answers right now. I believe that's the key to successful business leadership. A positive mindset and understanding the need to be flexible and agile in both finding solutions and then implementing those solutions once you've identified the ones that are going to work for you and your organization.

08/06/2015 By Jason Bean Leave a Comment

Should Your Business Have a Mobile App, a Mobile Friendly Site, or Both?

The importance of being able to access websites comfortably from a mobile device has been really highlighted of late, ever since Google caused what is now jauntily referred to as 'Mobilegeddon' back in April. If you are not familiar with the term, this essentially was when Google released an update to its search algorithm that meant that if a site wasn't responsive or optimized for mobile, it wouldn't show up in search results on mobile devices.

Mobilegeddon Was Not the Only Reason to Act

Of course, even before that change to Google, which undoubtedly forced the hands of some late adopters, responsive or mobile friendly design was important if you wanted to give the best possible user experience to the widest possible audience. But then, when a lot of your users are on mobile devices, there is also the option of having your own mobile app. Whether you build it in house or have a third party do it, there are plenty of firms now offering custom mobile apps. So which should you do?

Where a Mobile App Can Benefit Your Business

Having an app people can install on their phone or tablet means they always have a simple way to access a portal to your services, or simply a fun feature you use for marketing purposes like a branded game. If you are the kind of company that really thrives on repeat business, or which provides services to subscribed customers, an app by UK app developers can be the perfect way to make it easier for customers to connect with you and buy or manage their accounts. If you rely more on passing trade or one off sales, then an app may not be so helpful, and you may be better focusing your budget on improving SEO so more people will discover your site (on mobile and their computers). You can find a top SEO companies directory you can use to find a good agency to help you at https://www.wordpressdesignservices.com/company-service-type/seo/.

Mobile Friendly Design is No Longer a Choice!

If you think an app could be a good way to strengthen your brand, improve customer engagement and drive repeat business, then this is probably something well worth doing. However, an app is never truly a replacement for a good mobile site. Remember that most apps don't offer all of the services or content of a site, and so even existing customers will sometimes need to use the proper website rather than their copy of the app. Also think about new business people who don't already have the app or use your company will still need a good mobile friendly website to discover.

The answer to the question posed at the start of this article then, is that it is never a case of mobile friendly site, app, or both. The question you need to answer for your business, is whether you need both, or just a mobile friendly site.