When it comes to email marketing campaigns, there is nothing worse than sending out a thoughtfully crafted email, only to discover that it was promptly deleted or put in the spam file. To help keep your emails in the inbox and your business in front of your customers’ eyes, there are several strategies that you can employ. Simple Layout – Last month I discussed the importance of creating a simple, and easy to follow, website. This same principle is true for email marketing campaigns. Studies show that a simple layout has a direct correlation to increased visibility. However, simple doesn’t have to mean boring. So, keep those images, graphics, and fun text options; just make sure that you can grasp the email’s main message in 30 seconds or less. Catchy Subject Line – At one point or another, we have all been on Craigslist.org. Whether it is looking for an apartment, applying to a job, or posting a listing, we all try to make sure that our ad is viewed first by creating catchy titles. When it comes to email marketing, the subject line is a place to grab the reader’s attention through one keyword or phrase. Short, to the point, and enticing are the three crucial ingredients. And, if you need a little inspiration, simply checkout Craigslist aka “the Mecca of clickable titles.” Mobile Compatibility – Thanks to the popular Indie artist, Lorde, the phrase, “You can call me Queen Bee” has once more resurfaced and is the perfect description for everything mobile. Mobile is the Queen Bee. Email marketing campaigns must be targeted for smartphone compatibility. If it isn’t easy to load, read, and respond from a mobile device, then your email will be immediately discarded. No matter the type of email marketing strategy that is used, it…
Throughout 2013 the first question on any company’s mind has been how do I make a website and is it helping me attract customers? To answer this question, let’s turn to the most recent statistics on Internet usage. 85 percent of American adults age 18 years or older access the Internet on a daily basis. 63 percent of American adult cell phone owners primarily use their phones to search the Internet, while, 34 percent only use their phone to access the web. The latter statistics accompanied with the affects of Google’s latest algorithm, Hummingbird, has increased the importance of a company’s mobile website. But what type of website will best benefit your company? Responsive Web Design (RWD) RWD websites are designed to create the optimal user viewing experience across a multitude of both desktop and mobile devices. Easy reading, minimum resizing, scrolling, and simple navigation are the most prominent features. Most importantly, a responsive website is a singular site, which has the capability to simultaneously adjust to any device without any help from the user. In short, say hello to a responsive site and goodbye to the following prompt, “do you want to view our mobile or desktop site?” PROS Only conduct website updates once (i.e. you don’t have to pay to update a desktop and mobile website). Reduced costs (development dollars and hours are only spent on one site vs. desktop and mobile website). Increased compatibility (as website developmental knowledge increases, RWD websites offer increased compatibility for multiple viewing platforms, such as Blackberry, iPhone, iPad, Samsung, tablets, PCs, Macs, etc.) CONS Potentially longer download times (due to the actual manner, i.e. code, with which a RWD website is built). Reduced ability to focus content (this is a particular downfall for e-commerce sites, who’s desktop versions may choose to focus on…