Choosing the Right Website Designer f...

by VENDIREX on 03/25/2015 - 11:26 am |

Tag: Internet Marketing

Choosing the Right Website Designer for Your Company
 
Having a website in today’s world is not an option, at least not if you want to attract customers who don’t just happen to live down the block. When people want a product or service, they don’t open the phone book anymore. They jump on the Internet and search for a supplier who is either close in proximity, or who can ship to their door. So, the fact that you must have a website is a given. The next step is to have your site constructed properly.
 
Website design is a popular field, and there’s an ‘expert’ around every corner. There are even dozens of do-it-yourself platforms in which they entice you in with an offer to create the site free (with their builder) using video tutorials. Generally the hitch is that you end up having that same ‘free website’ company hosting the site for premium prices, and they will probably pitch you for SEO (search engine optimization) as well as other services you probably don’t need (but they will convince you they are vital).
 
Sound like a little too much information? Well, you’re correct. If you’re running a business, adding website designer and ‘expert on all things Internet’ to your job description is going to be less of a help and more of a hindrance. Best to do what you do, and allow a professional web designer to create the right site at the best value for your needs.
 
Ask to not only see examples of a web designer’s recently completed sites, but also for references you may contact. Keep in mind that you will be given the best sites, and the most satisfied clients. That’s okay. If you don’t see something favorable amongst their finest work, then you’ll know pretty quickly to move on to another company. As far as speaking to happy customers, you can find out a lot from them on how they were able to work with the vendor toward a successful website design: What were the design firm’s response times, was the customer’s vision realized or did they have to compromise on elements they truly wanted?
 
Questions the Website Designer Should Ask You
 
What do you want the site to do?
What functionality do you need from your site?
Do you need a store on your site (e-commerce)?
Would you like to add a blog on your website?
What is your budget for the site?
What is your timeline for site completion, and is your deadline flexible?
How often will you need to update the information on your site?
Do you know what your customers need from your website?
How much participation do you want to have in the layout and design?
Will your company be providing content, or is that something you want handled for you?
Who do you feel are your strongest competitors on the Internet?
Do your competitors have features on their pages that you would like to have as well?
Can you assign one point person who can make deci ...

Read More »

The Benefits of Modular Office Systems

by VENDIREX on 03/02/2015 - 02:20 pm |

Tag: Equipment Leasing

Office Cubicles and Systems, first created back in the 1960s, are almost as commonly used today as standard desks. They are a great choice when you have a large open office, allowing you to create multiple ‘mini’ private spaces for your employees. Not as noisy as they may seem, cubicles have panels which provide enough separation to keep noise and distraction to a minimum.
 
Not only can you choose from several styles and colors, but added features can also be configured to provide cabinets, extra storage and work surfaces - and the panels create built-in ‘wall space’ to post up notes or photos. To create groupings for employees who collaborate, you can choose from semi-private cubicles (with work areas in between which allow interaction), or designs which have lower partition walls.  
 
Generally speaking, employees enjoy working in a cubicle environment because they can personalize their own space to suit their job tasks and personality; all while easily communicating with others in the office. Additionally, a supervisor can work with several staff members at a time, observing and jumping in as needed. It is easy to pool staff members together in one area of the office who have similar talents, which can help to improve productivity.
 
Another advantage of open cubicles can be utilized when you want to hold staff meetings. If you do not have a conference or meeting room, the open office systems allow a manager to address everyone at once - without having to purchase separate tables and seating.
You may be surprised to learn that cubicle systems were introduced to bring back a modicum of privacy, which was taken from workers in the early 20th century. Early modernist architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright, first designed open-plan spaces. The intent was to break down physical walls in order to eliminate ‘social walls’ which separated workers. Unfortunately, instead of liberating employees, the concept instead encouraged corporations to pack as many workers into a space as possible. Partition systems were actually later designed to put some ‘soul’ back into the workplace.
 

Internet Marketing - Why You Need It

by VENDIREX on 02/26/2015 - 02:30 pm |

Tag: Internet Marketing

Whether you run your company from your home or the road, or occupy a physical brick office or store, doing business without a website and Internet Marketing Services is like lighting a candle in the wind. Consumers are savvy and the first thing they go for is the web, to find the nearest Mexican restaurant, shop for everything from a book to a plane ticket, or to check the credibility of someone they plan to deal with.

You may think that your business ‘speaks for itself’ and that you’re doing just fine with client referrals and drop-in customers. Think again. If you believe for a minute that your existing clientele is never going to compare notes with another supplier, or that walk-in consumers are loyal, you’re fooling yourself. Your competitors are on the web (even if they aren’t as great as you are) and they are going to scoop up prospects that would have rather done business with you - because you couldn’t be found when they went searching.
 
There’s a lot of meandering and musings about what to do and not to do when taking your business to the world-wide-web. Sure, some things are true, but unless you’re in the SEO/Media Marketing industry you’ll never really know. Statistics can always support opposing theories, depending on the direction you’re taking with them. Bottom line, Internet marketing (just like print or direct mail advertising) takes careful planning, time, and a good sense of your company’s ultimate vision.
 
Website Creation
 
Many people think that opting for a freebie site that walks you through a meager template will suffice - and heck, it’s free, right? Nothing’s free in this life. A free site that is a cheap image of your company isn’t doing you any favors - and in fact, it’s losing you money.
 
Freelance designers, as well as a myriad of online Internet Marketing Services, are capable of designing a site that fits your budget and needs. Look around, and compare apples to apples. Ask what is included and make sure those perks are things you really need. The right web partner should help guide you through content creation, and also know just how to shine a light on your services or products.
 
Local Online Marketing
 
Once you have a website live is not the time to pull the plug on other services that maybe don’t make a lot of sense to you right now. That would be tantamount to creating a really great billboard sign and hiding it in the forest. Just because you now have a domain name and a website, don’t make the mistake of allowing your newly found digital identity to flail in the wind.
 
Distribution is everything - from your products to your services, right? Well, it’s the same with your website. Getting the right exposure and delivering it to potential customers is the point of the whole process. Without online marketing it would be like putting a sign up i ...

Read More »

ATM Machines - Are They Good for Busi...

by VENDIREX on 02/26/2015 - 02:21 pm |

Tag: ATM Machines

Not too many years ago, a bank lobby or drive through was the only place an ATM could be found. Gas stations and convenience stores were next, and grocery stores soon followed. These days ATM Machines can be found in many retail stores, office buildings, hotels and motels, bars and restaurants, and government departments. Just about any facility that takes payments will have an ATM handy.
 
One plus for setting up an ATM inside of your business is that it precludes your having to keep more cash on hand to dispense when customers want change back from their card transactions. They are also said to increase the yearly sales of a store located in close proximity to one by up to twenty-five percent.
 
In restaurants and bars, people will tend to stay longer if they realize they can access more cash if needed. Some ATM vendors also pay rental to occupy a space within your establishment.

The History of ATMs
 
The automated teller machine (ATM) is a blend of innovations by a few different inventors. American businessman Luther Simjian developed the Bankograph - first used in 1960 at a few NYC banks - which accepted checks and cash 24/7 and contained a camera which gave customers a copy of their picture instead of a receipt.
 
Not until 1967, when John Shepherd-Barron installed the first cash dispensing machine at Barclays bank in London, did the idea catch on (though paper vouchers were used instead of cards). The first U.S. automated banking machine using plastic cards with magnetic strips was installed in 1969 at a Long Island Chemical Bank, and were created by former pro baseball player Donald Wetzel (also an engineer).
 
Considerations to Buying an ATM
 
Carefully review upfront costs as well as ongoing expenses. The initial price of these automated tellers can run from $1500 to $15k. There are other costs as well, such as supplies maintenance and upkeep to make sure the machine is always operating properly, to avoid losing money from downtime.
 
As an ATM owner, you must also stay updated on all regulatory compliance to avoid any penalty. There is always the risk of theft; however placement and bolting down the machine can affect this possible outcome. Investigate the profit potential vs. accepting payments by credit card. The owner of the machine will make a profit in fees charged per transaction, for providing cash as a convenience to customers.