For whatever reason, vanilla ice cream is wildly popular compared to any other flavor, even the 2nd-most-popular, by quite a margin.  However, looking at the statistics you’ll see that not even a third of the world claims it as their favorite.  I’m a fan of coffee ice cream, but when I walk into some stores I know I won’t find it.  Disappointing.  The person that made the first batch of coffee ice cream, I’m sure, was convinced that theirs is the Better Way.  It only proves that variety is the spice of life… there isn’t always a “best” way.

Which brings me to my point; it’s the same with Web browsers.  Two browsers stand out as the most popular Web browsers in use today.  Web developers need to bear this in mind as we build Web sites.  We also need to consider the other browsers on the list, not to mention the different versions of Internet Explorer.  But at some point we have to count the time, effort, and cost involved.  There’s a philosophical issue as well: as the world becomes more Web-standards compliance, we are compelled to support that compliance to the degree we’re able.

At Sandstone Digital we accommodate everyone we can, so we build sites that are compatible for the current versions of these major browsers:

• Internet Explorer
• Firefox
• Safari (on Mac OS X)

If your favorite browser doesn’t appear here, don’t despair; one of our services is to make your site appear the same way on your browser of choice as it does on the more popular browsers… just let us know and we’ll make it work.

Folks, the key to getting more people through your virtual doors is
promotion.  One of the most effective methods is search engine
optimization, which I can say with no small amount of braggadocio, we
do quite well.  Just type in “heated windshield wipers” into Google
and the first Web site listed is by no coincidence one of our clients,
Everblades.com – which, coincidentally, sells heated windshield
wipers.

But there are numerous other effective methods to attract people to
your Web site.   A simple one is to make sure it’s on all your
business cards and flyers.  Another is to put it on your company
vehicles.  And for heaven’s sake, if you are doing a radio, television
or billboard ad campaign, MAKE SURE your Web site is listed at least
once, if not several times.

To that end, if you should tune into a home broadcast of any Michigan
Tech men’s or women’s basketball game this season, you’ll hear my
dulcet tones providing in-depth analysis to Mitch Lake’s play-by-play.
What you’ll also hear is our company’s Web site,
SandstoneDigital.com, plugged with each Halftime Statistics update.

It’s no coincidence I’ve had several people tell me that they heard
about our company through these radio broadcasts.  Because promotion,
if done right, works.

-Brad Salmen

Putting aside how much we love Mac and the secure OS (Operating System) it offers everyone, our short answer is yes.

One of my favorite sites is www.CNET.com. To me it’s the consumer report of unbiased IT reviews. You get an in-depth detailed look at just about anything you can think of. Check out their review of Windows 7 here. CNET REVIEW.

I also spoke with colleague, good friend and owner of Computer Doctors (www.TheComputerDocs.com), Eric Ritter, and his quote to me was…

“I’ve been using it for months and already know that it has been a much more stable and compatible OS than Vista.  We’re pretty excited about it.”

So if you’ve been waiting for the nightmare that is Vista to end, cheer up and go grab Windows 7.

If not… WHY?

A Web site without traffic is a waste. Many businesses can build a Web site, but not all can place you where you need to be in the search engines. It takes time and expertise, something you can’t do with “template” designs. If you have the same template as thousands of other businesses, what makes you unique? Your HTML/CSS code is the same, except for a few text and picture differences.

How will you generate the business that’s necessary to compete in today’s marketplace when your template site isn’t performing (or out-performing anyone else) in the search engines?

Search Engine Optimization is a process of naturally improving your Web sites rankings in your targeted industry and targeted coverage area. The process begins before any code is laid down. What is the target? Who or what market are you persuing online? How will your design achieve that?

Success isn’t magic. It’s good old fashioned hard work and planning. No template design can achieve this.

Search Engine Marketing is the most effective and pro-active marketing technique today with results you can measure. It allows your customers to connect with relevant and local businesses at the right time.

We will help you identify and target your potential customers, then deliver on every performance objective.

For more information contact our senior consultants today.

We’re very excited to be expanding our operations and look forward to adding to our local presence for our Northeast Wisconsin clients.  More information will be coming soon!  For now, please continue to contact us using our toll-free number 1-877-700-SAND or contact Gary directly on his cell phone at 906-369-7874.

We’re not quite ready to root for the Packers…well Brad is…but we’ll be happy to help you build your Foundational Web Site. :)

It’s easy in an economic downturn to start chopping marketing budgets; however we believe the Web is a solution to counter economic hard times, not a budget item to cut.  Simply put, the Web is more important now than at any other time.

Here are some reasons why:

• The Web is cost effective

A Web site can cost roughly the same as a large advertisement in a daily newspaper. A newspaper has a limited lifetime, whereas a website is longer term.

• The Web works whilst you sleep

The Web is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Your office or shop isn’t. Why should you stop selling or marketing when you go home at the end of the day?

• The Web adapts and grows with you

Using a Content Management System, you can build content over time. A Web site is organic in growth, not one shot like other traditional media.

• The Web is timely

You can keep a Web site updated far more frequently than traditional media. You can test and adapt your message daily, if need be.

• The Web is measurable

Using traffic analysis, you can get a clear idea of visitor activity on your Web site. No other medium shows you such results based detail.

• The Web is improved communication

Using the Web, you can engage in direct conversations with your customers and build a stronger, more loyal following.

• The Web is now expected

More and more consumers and businesses are using the Web to find suppliers or products. Not having a Web site in this age is akin to not having a telephone.

• The Web improves systems

From downloadable forms, to internal and external communications, to streamlining payment and other systems, the Web costs less than paper shuffling and telephone calls.

• The Web reduces customer service costs

How much of your staff time is taken up answering typical questions? Your Web site can answer these in more depth and with better results, over and over without the costs.

• The Web builds brand awareness

People use the Web to speak about products or services. Using the Web, you can join and engage the community.

• The Web is global

You can sell to your town or city, or you can use the Web to sell globally.

• The Web is faster

Using blogs, email newsletters and campaigns means instant communication, not time lagged direct mail or traditional advertising.

• Your competition is already here

If you don’t have a Web site, we can assure you, your competition does. Why let them have the advantage?

It’s not that our old site was bad.  It was just, well, old.  Five years old, to be exact, which in Internet years is ancient history.   Not only has the online marketplace undergone vast changes in five years, but so have we here at Sandstone Digital.  For instance, you might be surprised to learn that we are the largest Web development firm in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin, with a full staff of professional programmers, designers, and writers.  You might also be surprised to learn that we’ve completed nearly 400 projects in five years – by far and away the highest number of successful projects of any regional company.

Five years in the business has also taught us to focus on what we’re good at, and what we’re good at is this: Foundational Web Design.  Think of it like building a house.  You develop a plan, and then execute each step of that plan to perfection before moving on to the next.   From developing a site map and creating and laying out content, to graphic design and programming, and finishing with ongoing promotional efforts such as email marketing and search engine optimization, Sandstone Digital can build you the house (site) your dreams.

Simply put, we can get you exactly where you need to be.

Our new Web site reflects these tenets of what a strong Foundational Web presence should look like.

Sharp, eye-popping graphic design? Check.

Content laid out intuitively, in a user-friendly fashion? Check.

Clean HTML programming code, customized for maximum load time speed and browser compatibility? Check.

Ongoing marketing efforts?  Well, that’s why I’m writing this blog, and why periodically you will see new ideas and information in this spot designed to help our clients attract more customers through their virtual doors.

For those of you who have been to our old site, surf around our new one to see what I’m talking about.  For those of you who have never visited our site before, take a look at our portfolio page to see what a well-built Web site should look like.  It’s no coincidence we use a lot of construction-type terms for our marketing language – we’ve built over 50 Web sites for contractors and manufacturers.  But also be sure to check out the schools, medical and automotive sites we’ve designed as well.

And if you like what you see, drop us a line to find out how we can help your business or organization take the next step to achieve success online.

–Brad Salmen