The Pagosa Springs Community Development Corporation (PSCDC) contacted MTECH Internet Marketing to help them establish a new website/ brand that focuses on promoting local business and relocation opportunities in Pagosa Springs Colorado. MTECH created a custom WordPress site that features several local business owners in slideshows.

The site is expected to expand in the future with more data and can be edited by PSCDC staff at will. Check it out at: http://pagosaspringscdc.org

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WordPress.com is a hosted solution and does not allow you to have access to the server, stylesheet, plugins or change the titles, descriptions, and page names. Without this access, you can’t do very much in terms of SEO or customization. WordPress.com is great for a small business owner who just wants a basic web presence and is just getting started. It is free hosting with WordPress.com and easy to set up.

Alternatively, WordPress.org is installed on a hosting account, so you need to purchase hosting, which averages $10/month.

On the first project, we thought we would simply export the existing WordPress information and then import it into WordPress.org.  This proved a bit more difficult than originally planned. Some of the content did not migrate nor did many of the photos. So, even though we were switching from a general WordPress theme, this proved to take hours instead of minutes.

The second project set up new hosting (through MTECH) and we started from scratch. We just needed to import a few posts, so that was fairly simple. Here is a screenshot of the original site:

Although it was a nice, clean site, the client wanted it to feel more like a website than a blog. He also wanted more control over the content and look/feel. By installing WordPress.org, we were able to access great form plugins, rotating text plugins and others to give his site more functionality.

We also were able to name pages and put in better search engine optimization with unique title, description and keywords on every page.

Here is a screenshot of the new site:

So, what should an owner do? It depends on your goals. If you want a simple blog or website and aren’t concerned with “getting found” on search engines or maintaining your brand, then start with WordPress.com. However, if you want more flexibility, search engine optimization and access to the thousands of plugins available, then you should start with WordPress.org.  For a cost of little more than $100/year (plus custom design fees if you want that feature), it is worth it.

If you need further assistance or are interested in having MTECH develop a quote for a custom WordPress CMS site, please contact us at 970-731-6325.

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Speaking at the Colorado Entrepreneurship Marketplace, MTECH Owner Marcy Mitchell helps the audience decide which type of website format to choose. In this short excerpt from her talk, she gives a few options from CMS sites, template sites, etc…

For more details on your web options, please contact Marcy Mitchell at 970-731-6325.

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1. Simplify your website with compelling offers – Many small business owners have outdated websites with old information or information that is cobbled together in different spots. Figure out your brand and message and make sure it is clear throughout the site. Furthermore, utilize compelling offers for whitepapers, videos and other items to gather leads and engage your clients.

2. Invest in customer loyalty  - Offer local discounts or extras without having them ask for it. Don’t just offer new deals for “new customers” only. Remember, it takes more effort to get a new customer than keep an existing one.

3. Be their customer service partner – Be proactive in helping your customers solve their problems and/or needs. If you see issues with one customer and create a solution, then perhaps other customers could also use that advice or help. Don’t just be the “expert” but instead help empower your clients to succeed.

4. Be responsible – Make sure you and your employees own problems and work to find solutions. Be persistent and passionate about caring for your customers. Also, whenever possible, the person who speaks to a customer first should “own” that customer instead of passing them from person to person. If your clients have to call you back repeatedly to solve a problem, then you are not serious about customer service.

5. Fix the big issues bothering your customers – Many owners ask their customers “How can we improve?” But how many really listen and act on what they hear?

With new technology and business moving at a rapid pace, many people are looking for those small businesses that can come along side them and help. Where is your focus? Is it on helping those around you or just getting a new client? Is it on holding onto your knowledge so that customers HAVE to come to you or is it an attitude of sharing your knowledge to help them?

MTECH Internet Marketing helps small business owners and companies develop Internet marketing strategies, train staff, provides monthly reports, creates optimized websites, and educates owners on how to use social media and search to increase revenue and customer service. For a free evaluation, please contact us at 970-731-6325 or visit our website: http://mtechbd.com.

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Pagosa Springs preschool and child care provider, Seeds of Learning, approached MTECH to revise their existing site into an easier CMS tool. Although staff had been able to make text changes with Adobe Contribute, the software had gotten old and was limited to one computer. WordPress CMS system offered them the ability to add pages, update their menu bar, add slideshow galleries and make site-wide changes without software. Since the software lives in the “cloud”, anyone on staff can make changes on any computer that has Internet access.

In addition, the new site integrated their social media and Email marketing efforts and also added a blog. MTECH provided staff training and is now available on an “as needed” basis. Check out the new site at: http://growingseeds.org

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1. Do you currently have web tracking in place (i.e. Google analytics) so you can see how much web traffic your social media posts are giving your site?

2. Do you have a blog installed on your website? Websites that have blogs and that link to blog articles from their various social media channels bring in a much higher percentage of website visitors and/or leads.

3. Do you have a targeted landing page strategy to effectively compare different marketing campaigns and channels and increase the number of leads?

4. Do you have a customer relationship manager (CRM) tool in place so you know how to follow up on leads and conversations you get from your various social media channels?

5. Is your website/blog optimized for search engines? Search is still a major source of business for most small business owners.

6. Do you know what keywords your audience might be searching for to find your product/service? Not only is this important for your website/blog to be optimized, but you should also have these keywords on your social media profiles.

7. Do you have a lead nurturing strategy in place so you can maximize on any social media activity?

8. Are you coordinating your website, blog and social media leads into an Email marketing campaign?

9. Have you identified key staff and personas who will “own” consistent blog and social media posts?

10. Are you evaluating your social media and web stats on a monthly basis to see where you are winning and where you need to increase/decrease activity?

11. Have you identified your clear brand message and unique positioning so you have a content strategy moving forward and consistent messaging across all your posts?

12. Have you determined your social media goals so you can measure your effectiveness?

13. How much time will you or your staff dedicated to social media posting, connecting, and viewing each week?

These are just a few of the basics to consider whether you have already started working in social media or are considering getting started. Social media is a media channel…not a marketing strategy. Even though it is “free”, your time is not. So, you want to make sure your time investment gives you the best ROI possible.

MTECH Internet Marketing helps small business owners and companies develop Internet marketing strategies, train staff, provides monthly reports, creates optimized websites, and educates owners on how to use social media and search to increase revenue and customer service. For a free evaluation, please contact us at 970-731-6325 or visit our website: http://mtechbd.com.

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“Today we introduce a new version of Twitter. We’ve simplified the design to make it easier than ever to follow what you care about, connect with others and discover something new. You’ll see this new design both on Twitter.com and mobile phones, so that you’ll have a familiar experience any time, anywhere.  We’ve also updated TweetDeck to be consistent with this new version. Four new tabs bring you instantly closer to everything you care about. Visit fly.twitter.com to learn more about the changes.
More news: Read about enhanced profile pages, on the advertising blog, and embeddable Tweets, on the dev blog.”

So, what does this mean for a small business owner? If you haven’t jumped into Twitter, you might want to take a second look. If do have a Twitter profile, you might keep an eye on how you can upgrade it in the near future to gain more traction on your page. Marketing is a consistent activitiy in business and these new social media tools keep reminding owners of the need to stay engaged! They are also allowing you to enhance your brand image and integrate your website and social media tools even closer.

If you are looking to personalize your Facebook, Twitter and Mobile web presence more in 2012 and integrate your brand, contact MTECH Internet Marketing for a consultation. We are helping small business use these new marketing tools to maximize their results and marketing dollars.

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On the flip side, however, if you continue to do things that you could outsource, you will always stay small. There are only 168 hours in the week. So, you are limited to the size of your business if you are the only one producing.

What activities can you outsource that cost you less than your own hourly rate? These could include bookkeeping, basic functions in your business or activities that you are not talented in or you hate to do. What services could you partner with other business owners that could help expand your service offerings? What activities are you doing that drain your energy and prevent you from being the best you can be? Conversely, what activities are you talented in and things you enjoy doing?

Here is another article from Coloradobiz.org that covers the “Reluctant Entrepreneur”:

http://www.cobizmag.com/articles/the-reluctant-entrepreneur/?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ColoradoBiz&utm_content=

MTECH Internet Marketing provides assistance in equipping small business owners to understand and implement successful Internet marketing strategies. If you would like a free consultation, please call us at 970-731-6325 for more details.

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One of the largest and most visited websites in Pagosa Springs, Colorado just received a facelift. MTECH was proud to work with the Pagosa.com team to create a new look for Pagosa.com. We converted the site from a static HTML site to a WordPress CMS site so all staff will be able to login and make changes. In addition, we created a new home page slideshow, set up a new business directory that allows Pagosa Springs businesses to add/edit their own listings (pending approval) and purchase upgraded listings online. CHECK IT OUT!

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Marketing is shifting at an unprecedented rate.  Many small business owners and consultants are struggling to implement and understand these new tools with limited staff, resources and budget. Traditional forms of “interruption” marketing, such as television, radio, and print are becoming less effective. Whereas, new forms of “attraction” marketing, such as social and search, are increasing in reach. Marketers are starting to think like socializers and publishers and less like advertisers.

One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is the foundations of a company’s marketing – message, positioning, audience, and branding.  Social media is not a marketing strategy, it is a marketing channel. Owners first need to understand their unique positioning to determine the types of articles and content to promote across their websites and social media channels. Owners also need to research and listen to their customers and find out where their specific audience gets their information (Youtube, Linked-In, Facebook, Google Search, Twitter, etc…).

One of the first questions owners face is if their website is still relevant and how it works with social and search. First of all, it is not an either/or situation. A company’s website, search, Email, and social media profiles work in conjunction with each other. In most cases, a company website is the hub of their marketing activity. Social media and search direct traffic to a website and the website itself converts the “suspects” into potential prospects, leads and then sales. Social media requires consistency and the content posted is short-lived. Furthermore, social media channels popularity can change and a company does not “own” the vehicle, so the company’s content and branding can be diminished. Finally, most social media profiles can enhance branding concepts, but it is just the beginning of the brand story.

Social Media also affects search engine ranking. A company blog is an integral part of social media strategy. Blog article links on your social media profiles help direct people to a company’s website. Search engines are also starting to display more personalized results. Search engines are beginning to show you results based on your social media connections, “likes”, and geographical location. Overall, new marketing is about attracting clients through valuable content and interactivity published primarily through blogs and social media tools.

When evaluating social media, small business owners should understand the importance of consistency, message and how to combine it with their existing marketing activities. Tracking is increasingly important so an owner can determine which activities are receiving the best return. Company’s should evaluate campaigns instead of just channels and learn how to convert people into leads through compelling offers.

MTECH Internet Marketing provides assistance in equipping small business owners to understand and implement successful Internet marketing strategies. If you would like a free consultation, please call us at 970-731-6325 for more details.

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