1) You are sick of receiving an invoice every time you want to make a little change on your website

Whether it be adding an image, or amending text, if you are being charged by a web company, it might be time to look for an alternative.

2) You spend hours trying to work out how to add a new deal to your home page and STILL can't work it out!

3) You wish you could monitor how well your website is performing

5) You are being charged when adding another couple of pages to your website

6) Your website is not SEO-friendly

7) You want to easily send out newsletters and target specific groups of customers

8) Your website is hacked

9) You wish your blog was on your own website

10) You have a problem with your website and noone to turn to

Everywhere you look at the moment, there are articles about New Year's Resolutions telling us now is the time to be planning for the year ahead.  Of course, everyone wants their business to achieve big things in 2011 and everyone is full of good intentions.  But where do you even start?  Here's some suggestions (just don't call them resolutions!) to jump-start your business in 2011.

Seasons Greetings!

We've come to the end of Pomegranate Marketing's very first year in business, and would like to give a big thank you for your support throughout 2010.

Renewable energy business Planet Power have helped the community garden group ‘Veggie Village’ in Peregian Beach get ready for summer by donating a solar powered water pump that will enable the gardeners to water their veggie patches more easily and sustainably.  Planet Power teamed up with students from the Advanced Diploma of Renewable Energies course at the Sunshine Coast TAFE and installed the pump at the Di Hurst Oval at Peregian Beach last week.

The Veggie Village gardeners have used a hand-operated bore pump since the group was set up in 2007 and have been wanting a solar pump for some time as the bore pump can be difficult for the elderly and less able gardeners to operate.  When Sam Smith, store manager at Planet Power Noosa, joined Veggie Village to get her own vegetable plot up and running, the desire to get a solar pump at the community gardens became a reality.

"Not only will the gardeners have the ability to more easily water their veggie patches but they will now be able to tap into the incredible power of the sun.  The solar used for the pump system will also be able to provide energy to power a laptop and projector for when workshops or movie nights want to be held at the gardens” says Sam Smith, store manager.

Working alongside the Planet Power installation team, the TAFE students gained first-hand experience and the opportunity to learn from the experts.  The solar pump has been installed just in time for the summer months where the plants will need watering on a regular basis.

"We are very grateful to Planet Power for donating the pump to Veggie Village and are excited about the difference it will make this summer and beyond. We are also thrilled that the system will enable us to plug in some audio-visual equipment for our workshops that anyone from the community can attend.  One of our core values is to promote environmental sustainability using permaculture principles so it is fantastic Planet Power have enabled us to add another sustainable aspect to our gardens”, says Andrew Maitland, President of Veggie Village.

"We use an all-encompassing approach when providing solutions for our customers, and Veggie Village was no different.  We help people make the right choices, and at the same time minimise their personal carbon footprint, which is why we have customers who return to us time and time again”, says Sam.

Planet Power: www.planetpower.com.au
Veggie Village: www.veggievillage.com.au

Click here to view Photo Library.

So you've decided you would like a new website and you're probably in the process of collecting quotes from a number of web designers/developers. In all the excitement of designing the new site, remember not to overlook web hosting - an important part of the planning stage.

All websites need a hosting service of some description.  It allows individuals and businesses to make their own website accessible via the world wide web.  Companies that offer web hosting typically provide space on a server that they own or lease for use by their clients as well as providing internet connectivity, typically in a data centre. 

In a nutshell, hosting affects the performance of your website. A slow website is just like vehicles who are stuck crawling along a highway - visitors to your site are likely to become impatient and frustrated while waiting for the conditions to speed up!  Worse yet, if your website is slow visitors are more likely to click the 'back' button on their browser and head elsewhere to seek information and/or make a purchase. 

Whilst the most basic (single) web page hosting is usually sufficient for personal web pages, a more complex site for a business requires a more comprehensive package.   For instance, database support and application development platforms provide the ability to write or install scripts for applications like forums and content management systems.   The hosting package may also include an interface or control panel for managing the web server and installing scripts as well as other services like email.

From a shared server in Delhi that costs just $100 a year to a dedicated server in Brisbane, there are plenty of hosting options available. But which type of hosting is the most appropriate for your business?

Shared Hosting

The data for a number of websites - sometimes a few, sometimes thousands - is stored in a partitioned, shared server so it is one of the most common and affordable forms of hosting. Unfortunately, whilst more affordable, it presents risks. Security can be compromised in shared hosting, as it doesn’t support secure sites. Also, because the data for a number of sites rely heavily on the central processing unit (the brains!) and memory of a single server, they can end up vying for resources, which can occasionally affect performance.

Virtual Hosting

Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting is when a number of websites share a machine, but the server is set up to perform as though each has it’s own individual server. So essentially, your website operates off a virtual server that is itself hosted on a 'physical' server.

Virtual hosting can be a good option for small businesses, as it works on the assumption that small business websites aren’t constantly busy. So when one website’s data isn’t being used, its capability is stepped down so it can better enable the other sites hosted on that machine. And vice versa. VPS brings benefits for small businesses, such as better data transfer and higher storage limits. Whilst the cost is higher than shared hosting, it is usually less than dedicated hosting.

The downside of virtual hosting is occasionally the sites do sometimes need to compete for the provider’s service in times of high traffic.  Also, your business’s site might need to share an IP address with a site that doesn’t complement yours very well, which can sometimes affect your search ranking.

Cloud Hosting

This is a new type of hosting platform that allows for powerful, scalable and reliable hosting based on a number of servers that similar to a virtual private server, are able to manage the load plus the utility billing.  Cloud hosting removes the risk of single-point failures and allows customers to pay for only what they use versus what they could use.

Dedicated Hosting

This form of hosting gives your website its own physical server, so allows for the greatest degree of control and flexibility with which to operate your website, plus the highest level of security. This is the most expensive form of third party hosting, but the cost is still much less than setting up and maintaining your own server. If you opt for dedicated hosting, look into what kind of service and maintenance will be provided.  If you are thinking of spending a significant amount on hosting, it is reasonable to expect both phone and email support in case your website were to crash for some reason.  Typically, dedicated hosting is best suited to content-rich sites that have very high levels of traffic.

For more information, read about the websites we design, and the various website hosting and ongoing web support packages Pomegranate Marketing provides.

There is no doubt that a business using the right marketing mix will get results, no matter how big the business is.  However, small businesses often leave online marketing out of their marketing mix, not realising it can provide a number of excellent opportunities that are missing in traditional marketing endeavours.  Here, we explain why you will grow to love online marketing!

Results Are Instantaneous

When you run your first pay per click advertising campaign or press send on your first email blast, you will see almost instant results.  Waiting for snail mail to be received and then for the potential customer to react is a thing of the past.  As soon as you act, you will see results.

New Levels of Customer Interaction

A whole new level of customer relationships are possible because you can interact and socialise on behalf of your business - both actual, and potential, online.  Facebook, Twitter and the latest and greatest mobile applications take on a whole new meaning when you consider them as a marketing tool that could get results for your business.

Flexible

Online marketing works in well with more traditional areas of marketing.  Campaigns are flexible and able to accommodate core brand values so online marketing can be used in conjunction with traditional direct marketing and awareness campaigns, but also works well on its own. 

Instant Global Access

From the restrictions of having one location, your reach expands to include the whole world overnight!  Imagine how powerful having access to customers on the opposite side of the world at the click of a button could be.   Your business might be unsuitable for a global market but if it is suitable, the world is now your oyster!

Unlimited Opportunities

There are new opportunities everyday.  Creative thinkers are finding new ways to take their products and services to markets that are completely untapped.  This means taking a risk and being brave enough to embrace a new approach, even if it hasn't been proven to be viable yet.  The speed at which you embrace new ideas can influence how successful your campaigns will be.

As you can see, online marketing is an important part of a small business's marketing mix, and there are many reasons why you will love it.  So, what are you waiting for...?! 

"How much will my new web site cost?" is one of the most common questions any web developer or designer gets asked, and rightly so.  But I wonder how many businesses really feel like asking "How much SHOULD my new web site cost?".  We've all heard the stories of companies offering small businesses a new website for 'only' $500, only to find once they have signed a contract, that in fact to put together a website that will actually get results for their business will cost more like $4,000.

Understandably businesses often opt for a 'cheap' website and get a few pages up and running but then realise they have to pay for any add-ons such as a blog, email templates and setting up emails.  Not to mention the additional fees the website provider can charge for each and every little change the business wishes to make to their site because they don't have a content management system or access to do it themselves.

How to get a New Website that Works for Your Small Business
When you approach a web developer/designer, be sure you know what you are getting into.  Don't be afraid to go in with a brief and armed with a list of questions.

There are some key questions the web developer/designer should be asking, in order to quote based on YOUR needs and depending on whether your website will work with their existing software or if you need a completely customised solution.  Typically, a company worth it's salt should be asking you the following types of questions:

• What is the purpose of your project?
• Are you wanting to re-design/develop your old site?
• Would you like to sell your product/service online?
• Do you want the site to assist with converting leads into sales?
• Do you want the site to generate new leads?
• What items would you like to include (eg enquiry forms, google maps with directions, a link to facebook etc)
• What design style would you like (do you have a company logo and/or colour scheme)?
• How much assistance do you need with writing the copy?
• How much priority do you place on Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)?

So How much Should a New Website (that actually gets results) Cost? 
It is safe to say you get what you pay for when it comes to websites.  If you pay only $500 for the set-up of a small website, be wary of high hosting fees and maintenance charges along the way.  If you invest a little more (around the $2,000 - 4,000 mark) to begin with, it is more likely you will have a content management system that you can access (enabling you to make changes to the website yourself) and as a small business with a limited budget, this is probably what you are after.  For a completely customised solution, $7,000 plus would be common.

To read more tips about how much a website should really cost, view our table on what makes our websites different which clearly demonstrates the differences between a full business website which gets results and a generic 3-pager.

Online marketing can be defined as all promotional activity taking place on the internet, including email.  It comes in many forms including online advertising, search engine marketing, email marketing, social media and so on. 

Why is Online Marketing So Important?

If you've ever tried marketing a product or service in the past, there's a good chance you would have heard about the four P's.  Traditionally, the four P's represent the core considerations of any marketing mix:

1) Product: the actual item for sale, whether it's a physical product or a service
2) Price: the amount charged for your product or service - not necessarily a monetary value
3) Place: where the product or service is available to be purchased
4) Promotion: how people will find out about the product or service eg advertising

However, the four P's are missing one very important element that will determine and influence all other aspects of your marketing mix and that is 'People'.

People will decide if they like your product or service.. or not!  People will assess whether they feel it offers value for money.  So if we have people in mind, we can start to understand why online marketing is such a valuable tool in what we can call a 'modern marketing mix'. 

Gone are the days when the web was only for 'geeks'.  The market has been gradually changing the way it chooses to consume products or services and absorb information and there is no doubt we are now at the stage where the mainstream market is open to the online world, and hungry for more. 

• TV took 13 years to reach 50 million users
• The Internet took 4 years to reach 50 million users
• Facebook added 100 million users in less than 9 months!*

As a result, businesses are finding they have to adapt their approach to marketing and embrace the online world in order to keep a step ahead of both their customers and competitors.

Does your business have a strong online presence?  How does your business stand out from the rest?

*Social Media Revolution, Socialnomics July 2009

 

 

This clever little advertisement for the Pomegranate Phone, Nova Scotia's fictional multi-tasking smart phone is a great concept and an excellent example of how a social media can work wonders to even promote a totally unrelated product - in this case, a destination.

The Pomegranate NS08, Nova Scotia’s fictional multi-tasking smart phone, has made several 'best of' lists for marketing and advertising campaigns.  The Pomegranate Phone viral campaign for the Province of Nova Scotia in Canada was one of Marketing Magazine’s picks for the year’s best campaigns in 2008 and hailed as 'the best Internet spoof' and 'most popular post' by several blog writers.

Other commentators have focused on the campaign itself.  “The campaign is a brilliant use of social media,” says Luis Carranza, digital strategist and writer of the Adcentered blog.

The phone has been dubbed the 'iPhone killer' by bloggers world-wide, Twittered by Digg founder Kevin Rose, and the pomegranate phone website has logged more than 2.8 million visits from 213 countries and territories worldwide.

Eat Your Garden - Press Release

Known as a pioneer in the development of edible gardens, local Leonie Shanahan will be exchanging her clunky work boots and wide-brimmed hat for smarter attire as she gets ready to attend the launch of her first book “Eat Your Garden” in a few weeks time.  

Leonie has been helping children on the Sunshine Coast understand the importance of eating real, nutritional food straight from the garden since 2001.  Sixteen schools have now participated in her Edible School Gardens Program and she regularly runs Permakids garden workshops across the Sunshine Coast.  

Leonie explains her goal was simple.  “I realised early on that if children grow it, they will eat it!  I believe there is an urgent need to spread this gardening knowledge in order to improve the health of our kids – the next generation, and that is why I have written this book”.  ‘Eat Your Garden’ has been a labour of love for Leonie and is the culmination of years of questions from children, parents, teachers and other gardening professionals, and those answers put down on paper for all to read and learn from.


Well known organic gardener, Jerry Coleby-Williams recently praised the book.  He said “If you’re a beginner gardener or parent and you and your child would like to learn about gardening, ‘Eat Your Garden’ is for you.  This book successfully merges permaculture with organic gardening, and years of personal, practical advice from a gardener who has been involved in every aspect of school and home food growing.  This is not just a ‘how to do it’ guide, it’s a Shanahan synthesis of ‘how to do it well’ and ‘understanding why it matters’ guide.  A valuable and refreshing read.”

Focused heavily on using local produce in their menu, Blue Angel Restaurant situated across from the banks of the Noosa river is the ideal venue to host the book launch on Thursday 16th September.  Blue Angel will be putting on a delicious 2 course spread with a menu showcasing a variety of ways to use and eat fresh produce from your garden plus a glass of champagne for $50 per person and Leonie will be signing copies of her book.

Bookings are essential to avoid disappointment.  Blue Angel Restaurant, 235 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville QLD 4566  Phone: 07 5473 0800  www.blueangelrestaurant.com.au

‘Eat Your Garden’, from Edible School Gardens www.EdibleSchoolGardens.com.au

Ends.

Click here to view Photo Library.

*Jerry Coleby-Williams: Dip. Hort. (Kew), RHS, NEBSM, MAIH; Horticultural Editor, 'The Organic Gardener' magazine; Director, Seed Savers' Foundation; Executive Member, Queensland Conservation; Patron, Queensland Early Childhood Sustainability Network; Patron, Householder's Options for Protecting the Environment Inc.; co-founder, 'Bellis', Brisbane's award-winning Sustainable House & Garden