Jump in Consumer Confidence Today.

We have had a lot of requests for new web sites in the past few months. I think this may be part of it. Today’s news about the dramatic jump in consumer confidence has the stock market off and running but it is also bringing into play a small business axiom I reference all the time.

Since we work with small businesses, we often are the last ones to see any economic trouble and we are the first ones to see new surges. It is pretty clear we are in a new surge and I am wondering if it is because most of you are experiencing some of this new boost in consumer confidence, both on the giving and receiving end. The timing seems pretty spot on for what we are seeing right now.

In this new ramp up, we are seeing a very consistent response. Our clients are seeing their web sites as the focal point of their marketing strategies which means some serious makeovers are underway. It is time to remember that your web site is your first chance to be convincing, not just informative. We are seeing smarter and sharper SEO strategies, more people enrolling in my coaching program to make sure that no stones are left unturned and more people interested in Pay Per Click strategies. The NET/NET is that the stronger players are starting to assert themselves on the web.

The ones who fought through the slow time are out to a lead but there is still time to stake out a stronger, more convincing position on the web. In this new shakedown, the classic elements of a makeover are in play. Emphasize and embellish your strengths, de-emphasize your weaknesses and pull it all together with an improved presentation. It is all about first impressions and your web site is your first impression. Just like you are making over a patient, it very well might be time to make over your web site.

If you have been wondering if your online look and feel has been holding you back, now is the time to start fixing it. If you are interested in redesigning your web site in Flash, HTML or both, please contact me at donald@dogstarmedia.com.

New Web Site - HTML Unlimited

So, how good can we make a content managed web site look? Here is a good example, the new web site for Reactive Nutrition.

This is one of our new HTML Unlimited sites. With a custom design by Dog Star Media, this new content managed format allows unlimited changes which the client can make themselves, including navigational additions and adjustments. Most content managed sites have a certain amount of structure that is built in. It is this structure that enables the content management so it is there. However with a custom design by Dog Star Media, we are able to disguise those qualities and produce a content managed site that is just as beautiful and compelling as if we had designed it in HTML or Flash from scratch.

Our new HTML Unlimited package offer you the best of both worlds, an excellent high-end design from one of the leading designers in cosmetic dentistry and cosmetic surgery and the ability to manage the site on your own if you choose. HTML Unlimited can be augmented with one Flash module or header just like you see on Reactivenutrition.com, so if you are considering HTML for the format for your site, why not choose the best design and the most control. Our new HTML Unlimited package offers just that.

For more information on HTML Unlimited and our other custom web site design options, please email me today at donald@dogstarmedia.com.

Content Managed Web Sites

Last week, we launched a content managed site for The Texas Cosmetic Surgery Society. The degree to which we can customize the design is a little limited, but not much and many people ask for sites they can manage themselves. So, Dog Star Media has designed a new package for content managed HTML web sites. This new package is available now.

We call it: HTML Web Site Unlimited.
This package offers an HTML web site to which you can add/delete/rearrange pages, make photo and content changes and manage yourself following the launch. We can make a custom HTML design just like we do with our other sites however, with the content management properties allow us to offer an unlimited number of pages. The package comes with a one-hour phone support lesson on how to use the content manager.

We still offer our 15-page HTML custom designed site package and our 30-page Flash/HTML web site package. Price wise, we have fit HTML Web Site Unlimited right in the middle price wise. And, as always, DSM web site design package prices are usually a lower cost than our competitors when you compare apples to apples.

If you are interested in a content managed HTML web site, please email me at donald@dogstarmedia.com.

How many calls did you get from your web site this month?

Dog Star Media clients with call tracking accurately tracked 648 calls in April using tracking phone numbers. Reports were reviewed and posted today.

As more clients begin using our tracking number service, we can see some trends appear as we look at the big picture. Many of our clients use different overall strategies and, of course, behavior vary from market to market. Market size varies, too. However, one trend is very clear. Web site calls outperform all other mediums being tracked. Usually, out-pacing them by a large and surprising amount.

What does this tell us? That Internet strategies should be the priority and that most offline visibility is probably pushing people onto your web site. This should put a premium on how you are presenting yourself on the web. This might explain why we have had a rush on web sites over the past month or so.

Today’s first bit of advice while all this is top of mind: If you are not tracking your calls, you really are missing out on vital marketing information. And, secondly, if your site is not making the sort of impression you need to convert traffic into calls and contacts, it is probably hamstringing all your other efforts.

If you are interested in upgrading your presentation on the Internet and/or tracking your calls, please contact me today at donald@dogstarmedia.com.