Renting vs. Owning a Website

22
Apr
0

Deciding whether you should rent or own a website. We believe one should own a website rather than paying to rent one. There are several disadvantages to consider when you are dealing with CMS-Content Management Systems. Some of these disadvantages can make you rethink about the strategies for a new website. We’re not trying to scare anyone into never using a CMS product. We offer those services to our clients when it’s the right solution. Sometimes it is not the right tool.

1. The most obvious disadvantage is that you are paying for the service and not just the product. The prices can become very high if you are renting the CMS site rather than buying it. The price can add up when you rent because you continue to pay over time. It’s not really a deal if the payments never end.

2. You are responsible for your online presence. How it shows in different browsers, plug-in support, missing image and more. You will need to know how to manage the website from all angles. Is your SEO getting traction? Do you have Social Networking integrated into your site? Who handles updates and maintenance? Sometimes CMS requires advanced understanding of HTML, CSS, and web technologies. If you’re not use to working on a website, you can get in over your head quickly.

3. CMS sites primarily use templates for the design. You are confined within this type of template with limited flexibility and uniqueness of that design. To alter that template, it usually requires PHP programming and design skills to brand the template.

4. The web pages of CMS sites are generated with URLS of long strings that contain words, numbers and symbols. This makes it difficult for search engines to spider these types of pages. Most of the time meta tags are left out which are necessary for obtaining higher rankings. While you can change to permalinks, you may not know that fact until your site is already built. Sometimes changing that settings effects links and you are in charge of fixing them.

5. Additional cost can occur with CMS sites with updates, support and bandwidth. Testing for errors, browser compatibility and screen resolution are required. If errors occur or database server fail, the cost of maintenance can become burdensome.

The point here is while some CMS products offer a great web solution, it’s important to understand the pros and cons before you build. We can help you make the right decision toward owning that custom designed website. Contact Studio490 for your next website project.

TJ and Dana Todd
Studio490

Reasons for Social Networking

4
Nov
1

In today’s time, small businesses should include social media into their marketing strategies. In order not to be lagged behind in these social trends, businesses should invest in a low cost marketing channel. Social medias have its value and is relevant to the customers of today.

Customers are using social networks and expect businesses to use it too. If Americans are spending most of their time social networking, shouldn’t companies want to be a part of that world as well. Customers believe that companies should incorporate social networking into their regular marketing strategies.

Back in time, most businesses didn’t have a website to promote their product or service. Now, the majority of businesses have at least a basic web presence. The website is considered to be part of their standard business. So, it will become with social marketing. Social marketing will be a part of the standard way to do business.

Social marketing doesn’t require lots of time. If the company implements the social networking as a part of its marketing strategy, social marketing can be an easy marketing activity to achieve on a daily basis. By integrating the company’s website and social networks, time spent on social networking can be minimize.

By using social marketing,  the company is able to reach thousands of viewers daily. Your business is not just waiting to be found by its website. Now your company can promote your business through other social networks, which brings awareness to your target audience.

With the use of social networking, businesses are able to connect and communicate with its customers and potential customers. It improves the company’s web visibility and increases search engine rankings.

Now is the time to incorporate social networks into your marketing plan. This will not only enhance your online presence, but reach new prospects and meet your current customers’ expectations.

Contact Studio490 today to discuss your social marketing strategies.

TJ and Dana Todd

Studio490

Why Your Company Needs A Website

4
Aug
2

If you have a business, you need a website. It doesn’t matter the size of your corporation, small or large, a website presents a presence of your company in the internet world. You are losing business because other companies do have a website that is promoting or selling their products/services. The purpose of having a website is so that anyone who may be interested in your products/services may find you quickly and easily and to learn more about your business.

With that being said, it isn’t enough just to have a website. You will be given only one chance to make that first impression and it best be a good one. With a well designed website, you can compete with other companies regardless of their size. You must have a professional looking website so that your potential customers will want to purchase from you. If your site looks like it was designed by a 13 year old with no experience, your chance of making that first impression a good one is lost. Customers come to the web world seeking information about product before purchasing anything. Make sure they find you on the web.

Other reasons you must have a website:
You are open for business 24/7. Customers can contact you via your website at any time during the day/night. This, in turn, increases your business’ revenues through the website. Your customers will increase in volume as well.

You can reach customers from all over the globe. You are not confined to just local businesses. Your products/services can be offered to anyone who interested in your products/services in the global market.

Having a website is an inexpensive way to advertise your business. A website offers good value to money spent. And you can launch promotions easily and costs less than the traditional methods of advertising.

As you can see, there are lots of pros for having a website. The most important reason being making your presence known in the web world!

Next up: Your website and SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

Tj and Dana Todd

Studio490