Besides being one of our very first clients, Dan's Backyard BBQ is also an extreme example of how successful Search Engine Optimization can really turn around a small business website and provide a tremendous influx of new sales.

Just the facts

If you've ever been shocked by a terrible small or local business website - guess what, you're not alone! In fact, according to a recent study on Mashable, only 54% of small businesses with under 1,000 employees even have an online presence. That's a shocking 46% which don't have a website at all!

Where does your business stack up, and what does bad web design say (or unfortunately, scream) about your small business?

1. You're Small - Sure, proud small businesses make up the fabric of America, but that doesn't mean you have to look like you're still a start-up or a Mom & Pop shop. A poorly designed website reflects negatively on your business, and is a sure-fire way to let virtual customers know just how small you really are. Customers like to deal with reputable, established businesses, and a professional website can make your small-business look like a Fortune 500 without diluting your service or product offerings.
2. You're Cheap - No, we didn't say 'inexpensive'. A bad website means you probably don't spend enough attention/money on your marketing strategies. To consumers, this raises a warning - asking "Where else are they cutting corners?". Smart businesses (even small ones!) harness the power of the virtual storefront and understand how important it is to generating leads and making sales for their companies.
3. You're Old Fashioned - Everyone likes good ol' fashioned know-how, that's probably what has helped you succeed to begin with. But an outdated web design, however, tells customers you're still living in the stone age. Get with the times! (their words, not ours). A refreshed web design keeps your content exciting and new, and will give your brand the face-lift it deserves and needs to make sales in 2011 and beyond.

Well, it's time to say 'goodbye' to a successful 2010 and bring on the New Year. For businesses, this is the time of year where we take time to thank our employees and vendors, and chart the course for the upcoming months ahead.

Magazines and tabloids come up with their own quirky "2011 Prediction" lists this time of year, and we thought that Web Design should be no exception! With out further adieu, Nektonic is proud to present our educated predictions (recommendations?) for successful marketing and web design in 2011:

1. Integrated Social Media. More business owners will understand the benefit of integrating social media onto their website platforms, connecting brand and audience in new and more exciting ways than ever before. This will include the integration of Facebook and Twitter automated feeds for cross-channel promotion, the ability to comment on your website article or blog with a Facebook login instead of an individual registration to your site, and the ability for visitors to 'Like', 'Share' and 'Retweet' your content with their networks with the click of a button. A static website is a dead website, in 2011 smart marketers and business owners will learn to take advantage of dynamic, live content.
2. Blogging As a Strategy, Not a Hobby. Your website will become more Search Engine friendly when you take on the commitment to regularly publish a blog on your site. Not just any old blog, a blog that is polished and filled with information and opinions that matter to your audience and make your Company the expert in your field. Clients don't just want products or services, they want knowledge. By publishing and maintaining a corporate blog, you'll sell your experience. With Integrated Social Media (#1 above), you'll cross-promote your interesting and thought-provoking articles via social media and with the click of a button. 
3. Your Branding New Years Resolution. Time to take a look in the mirror. How's that corporate logo holding up? Does it still portray the strengths of your Company? Is it modern or totally out-dated? How does it compare to competitors in your field? This is the time to spend the investment in updated corporate identity. It isn't expensive, and the investment is well worth it. Don't just stop at logo design, though. Use a new logo design as a diving board for other projects including web design, business cards, collateral items, giveaways, and email templates. Your brand is the most important thing you have, and your identity is one you've spent years developing - don't let it become stagnant in 2011.
4. Talk About Your Clients. Too many of us are shy or afraid of spreading the word about our business relationships and successes. Why?! In instances where possible, don't be afraid to list your client relationships on your website or as part of your printed sales collateral. Invest in creating case studies that potential website visitors or sales staff can use to showcase your Company's solutions for other, well-known brands. Ask your best clients for testimonials, and post these clearly and prominently on your website. Utilize an automated testimonial form on your site to get even more positive recommendations without lifting a finger. When visitors see your association with other familiar brands, it indirectly reinforces your Company's reputation and makes it more trustworthy. 
5. Track What's Working and What's Not. How can you possibly determine if your marketing efforts are working if you don't track your ROI (return on investment)? Never spend another dollar without being able to justify to your stakeholders why the expense was worth it. Nektonic can help you gain tremendous insight from your digital strategies (website, Google advertising, etc.) utilizing Google Analytics suite, an easy-to-use dashboard which provides deep profiling information about your website visitors. Don't stop there! In 2011, smarter businesses everywhere will begin tracking ROI from print advertising using dynamic phone call tracking and dynamic URL redirection. Never again will you come up empty-handed when asked about the effectiveness of your advertising materials. Closing the sales loop is the single most important thing you can do in 2011.

Business owners understand the value of a professional website: a good web design can act as a virtual storefront or office, literally selling your goods or services to global clients 24 hours a day without utilizing any additional resources. And now, thanks to research by GrowBiz Media, we learn how more small businesses are focusing their spending on website development and improvements.

According to the study, 27% of small businesses have spent at least 30% of their budget on web design and development in 2010. Not surprisingly, email marketing took second place with 18% of small businesses claiming they will spend at least 30% of their budget on email campaigns and promotions.

Small and medium sized businesses don't have an awful lot of spare change laying around for marketing development. Creating powerful and compelling messaging is hard enough - but delivering that message to potential and existing clients shouldn't leave your wallet empty. Now, with email marketing, it doesn't have to - here's why we love it...

What's not to love about marketing your message via email? It is affordable, easy, quick, measurable, and, yes, highly effective.The comparable costs of printing and mailing direct mail make email a complete no-brainer, and a win-win solution for businesses of all sizes.