by Mikal E. Belicove

Mothers can be big business. Take for instance the results of the Mother’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, which showed that the average person buying a Mother’s Day gift this year was projected to spend around $127. On top of that, the National Retail Federation said Mother’s Day is the second largest holiday in terms of U.S. consumer spending behind the combination of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza.

Even better information for online retailers: Internet Retailer reported last April that “shoppers are more likely to use the web to shop for Mother’s Day than Father’s Day,” according to a Javelin Strategy & Research study on behalf of online payment processor eBillme.com.

So, what can you — the small or independent online retailer — do to tap the shopping frenzy that’s expected between now and May 8? Here are six tips to consider:

1. Optimize the entry: Keep in mind that shoppers will reach your website from lots of different angles, not just your homepage. As a result, each page should be optimized with Mother’s Day-related offers and calls to action.

2. Incorporate video: Consumers generally appreciate video, and nowadays you don’t need to be an Academy award-winning director to produce a great video.

3. Spread the word. If you own or operate a restaurant, Mother’s Day is prime promoting time for you, also. Now’s the time to put the word out on line that you’re accepting Mother’s Day reservations, and while you’re at it, offer to reserve a seat for dad in June.

4. Promote Father’s Day: Chances are that not everyone will find what they want while visiting your online store. But don’t let them leave empty-handed. Even though Father’s Day is still two months away, ask your customers for email address and suggestions for what they’d like to see you carry for Father’s Day. Let them know that if they give you this info, you’ll send them a discount code for when they come back to shop for Father’s day.

5. Bundle items for Mom and Dad: Offering bundled items — one for the gift giver to give to mom in May, and one for Dad in June — can save your customers a significant amount of time, and money and create a memorable shopping experience along the way.

6. Offer insurance: If you’re handling shipping instead of drop-shipping, offer to insure the items you sell. This will help give your customers some piece of mind, and they’ll most likely appreciate and remember your gesture

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Systemtek is proud to announce the release of a new, innovative property appraisal website, whatsthehouseworth.com, that allows property owners to receive unbiased property appraisals by way of internet or in-person appraisal.

While most online appraisal sites provide values based on Automated Valuation Models, Stillwater Appraisal Service’s new website offers a more thorough analysis of property worth and refuses to give out customer information to third party realtors and mortgage brokers.  After filling out the in-depth online appraisal form, customers can choose from three unique appraisal products ranging from a prompt online appraisal to a full appraisal completed in-person at the customer’s property–all promising speed and accuracy.  With this website’s unique products, customers can enjoy having their individual needs met while receiving a reliable appraisal.

This simple, yet effective website design joins Systemtek’s growing portfolio of custom built professional websites.  To see more website ideas, visit the Systemtek online portfolio.

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It’s not every day that the closing down of a web design company makes headlines, but the case of HIT Web Design involved the stranding of both thousands of customers and hundreds of employees—including some waiting on substantial backpay.

Until fairly recently, Provo, Utah-based HIT ranked as high as No. 22 on the Inc. 500, which indexes fast-growing private companies. The company’s success could largely be attributed to a marketing strategy that involved offering impossibly inexpensive web design packages that would later “hit” contracted clients with large and largely inescapable additional fees, all buried in the terms of service.

Some were not surprised to hear of HIT’s liquidation. Particularly in the last year, the company’s reputation has been riddled with complaints, with almost 1000 grievances filed at the Utah Better Business Bureau; that said, it is unclear whether customer dissatisfaction directly contributed to HIT’s shutting down. Regardless, reports indicate that the stranded web design customers have been relegated to hosting company Fibernet, which has posted a Q&A (with contact information) for these transferred clients.

In light of this situation, if you are a former HIT Web Design customer, Systemtek is now offering to transfer your website to another hosting provider at no charge. Please give us a call at (630)701-6163 or contact us through our website if you have any questions.

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We are proud to announce the new website design for Syntonics International, Ltd., which specializes in hair care products that use natural organic ingredients and renewable formulas.

Some of the items that they offer include conditioning “relaxers” for hair, a variety of therapeutic shampoos and conditioners, a line of anti-thinning products, and even a section for styling.

The homepage design includes a central image that features some of the company’s main products on a backdrop of botanical leaves and an appealing hair model picture. The products, broken down into four different pages, are listed on a banner. Within these pages, visitors can view each product with its ingredients, images, and detailed features.

Finally, the website design contains some other great features including a store listing, a submission form for stylists to register to receive more information, and also a shopping cart function.

Systemtek has more new website designs coming soon; we hope you will visit again soon!

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In the last few weeks, several large corporations—J.C. Penney, Forbes, and Overstock.com—have discovered that when it comes to trying to improve your website’s search engine ranking, Google has an astute sense for sniffing out what it qualifies as “cheating.” They’ve also found out that Google has a pretty mean bite when it comes to penalizing these cheating strategies, and it usually comes in the form of a significantly lowered page ranking.

The unintended benefit that the rest of us have received from these big-corp crackdowns is a solid lesson in how not to improve your website’s ranking on sites like Google and Bing, which is normally a both legitimate and encouraged practice also known as Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

Better yet, each of these companies provoked Google’s wrath in a somewhat different way; that is, Google confronted each for using one or more distinct strategies to artificially boost their website ranking.

J. C. Penney

The case of J. C. Penney was prominently documented by The New York Times, which explained that for a number of months (including the most recent holiday season), a link scheme involving thousands of bogus links pointing to the J. C. Penney website successfully boosted the retailer’s web search rankings for a wide range of terms, such as “bedding,” “dresses,” “area rugs,” or even “Samsonite carry on luggage.”

Links from other websites are one way for Google to measure how popular your website is, but those links should come from legitimate web pages—and they weren’t. While the J. C. Penney spokesperson denied authorization or involvement of this search scheme, the company became subject to “corrective action” from Google as a result. Within days, the retailer’s website sunk from No. 1 in search results for terms like “living room furniture” to being buried at No. 68.

J. C. Penney quickly fired its search engine consulting firm, SearchDex, and is back to slowly repairing its search rapport using legitimate methods, also known as “organic” or “white-hat” SEO.

Forbes

Publishing and media company Forbes was caught doing a related but somewhat different Google-wrong last week, when the search engine giant found a section of their website containing links to other websites that most likely purchased the space in order to boost their search ranking (this is all understandably confusing). This practice, also called “link spamming,” essentially capitalizes on the fact that being linked to by a big website like Forbes boosts the search reputation of your website, which is kind of an inverse of the J. C. Penney case.

Selling links is definitely a Google no-no (though none of these “black-hat” SEO techniques are actually illegal), and accordingly, Forbes was the recipient of some “corrective action.”

Overstock.com Inc.

Our final example is that of online retailer Overstock.com Inc., which encouraged university and college websites to post specific links to Overstock pages that advertised a special discount for faculty and student users. Much like how links from large websites are more valuable than those from small ones, .edu links are also extra effective, and this program managed to very effectively boost Overstock’s search results for phrases like “vacuum cleaners” and “laptop computers.” Needless to say, this is no longer the case (go ahead and give it a try); Overstock’s rankings have been quietly knocked down.

What We Can Learn From All This

Our goal in this article is not to suggest that one should not try to boost your website’s rankings with Google—by no means! Rather, each of these corporations was reprimanded for misappropriating the system that search engines have in place in order to help users find what they’re looking for. If you can boost your website for search terms such that this is the case, then Google is more than happy to legitimately increase your rankings for those keywords. It’s that simple.

Of course, there a lot of specific ways in which website owners can help search engines “read” or index their websites. For example, being linked to from other sites is wonderfully beneficial for search ranking if it is done right, through the creation of quality content (such as through a blog), and by helping the world know that that content exists (e.g. using social media or a newsletter). Google calls this organic link building.

Interestingly enough, Google is often portrayed as a cryptic entity that declines to comment on the fundamentals of how its search engine works. However, it actually provides a variety of tools to help webmasters understand how best to cooperate with Google search, such as the SEO Starter Guide that they offer. Some of the recommended practices are really simple, such as offering quality content, promotions, and services.  By consistently treating your website as a long-term investment, putting time and thought into creating excellent content, you can personally make your website shine more among readers and search engines alike.

Others are more complex, and require a little bit of techie know-how, whether it’s effective meta work, optimizing images and site structure, or making sure you know how to deal with site crawling “robots.” For example, simply by converting embedded flash links to plain text links, you can make it much easier for Google to navigate your website and understand what kind of information you have to share with the world. Don’t get caught with “black-hat” SEO techniques, or in any of those other artificial link schemes. Let the cautionary tales of the last few weeks show that when it comes to search, short-term gain doesn’t pay.

Systemtek Technologies is your personal source for tech news and web development advice. If you think you might be interested in learning more about good Search Engine Optimization and how we can use “white-hat” techniques to benefit your website’s search rankings, don’t hesitate to contact us and see what our team of professionals can do for you.

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Systemtek is pleased to spotlight the recent design we completed for Fausett Miles P.C., a Carol Stream-based law firm whose focus is to provide legal solutions to clients throughout the greater Chicago area. As a full-service law firm, their practice areas include civil litigation, wills, estates, business law, consumer fraud, and more. Check out their homepage, which features a fade in-and-out javascript banner. You’ll also find some of their latest news posts listed right on the front page.

The cascading dropdown boxes on the menu bar provide navigation to individual pages for the company’s attorneys, practice areas, and other resources. Each page, as organized by our design team, is pleasantly informational and cleanly readable. You’ll also notice the addition of a 3D flashxml carousel which provides access to the company’s Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

This attractive and clean-cut website, complete with WordPress blog access, is just one of Systemtek’s latest offerings in professional website design.

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The beauty and awe of the internet lies in its amazing ability to decrease the gap in knowledge between industry specialists and laypeople. The informational content available in videos, blogs, and content-driven websites can be a terror to consultants whose knowledge was once considered exceptional. However, we at Systemtek believe that increasing understanding—particularly when one is purchasing a service—is something that is wonderful and ultimately beneficial to progress in our world.

As such, our Chicago-area web development company seeks not only to provide you with powerful IT, design, and website solutions, but also to help you understand what is going on behind the scenes. One of these scenes is the world of Search Engine Optimization (SEO, also related to Search Engine Marketing or SEM), which is, simply, the process of improving the ranking of a website in search engine results. A website that has good SEO is more likely to show up on the first page of a Google or Bing search, usually due to a combination of factors such as the keywords found on the site, the way the webpage is labeled, or even the age of the website.

That said, there really is an entire “world” of Search Engine Optimization. Web design and e-commerce consultants are endlessly increasing their own understanding of how to maximize website rankings, and business owners are increasingly recognizing the business value of good SEO. Studies show that the market for SEO has seen double-digit growth in the last year, even despite a turbulent world economy. Companies are now realizing that harnessing the power of search and social media markets is important to industries across the board.

The SEO universe gets even bigger when you consider the human side of search algorithms, which are the nuts and bolts that spin each time a user submits a search engine query. For example, and as this article from CNET News explains, a team of Google staff (numbering in the “hundreds”) is constantly at work improving the functionality of their search engine. The updates they make—adding up to some 400 per year—battle spam, help searchers find what they really want, and work towards keeping Google a dominant web information provider over contestants like Bing or Yahoo.

Unfortunately, each major update means that the formula for good SEO has changed, in some big or small way. Well-optimized websites that were in the top 10 results can suddenly find themselves way off the map, which can have serious consequences for the amount of web traffic they receive. In ways, this sounds dreadful, but algorithm tweaks happen for a reason: just look at the case of online eyeglass retailer which exploited a loophole in Google’s search engine to drive up its results ranking.

Yes, achieving good Search Engine Optimization is complicated and intricate work, but it doesn’t have to be completely shrouded in mystery. Keeping up with search engine algorithm changes can also be frustrating, but it’s nothing that internet savvy and attentive site traffic monitoring can’t work with. With the right approach, the world of SEO can be seen as a dance, and as playing in harmony with the ebb and flow of the internet.

For more information, watch this short video by Google on its search algorithms.

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We are proud to showcase the new website of Goodship International, which offers fast, reliable, and affordable freight forwarding both by air and sea, as well as provides customs brokerage services. The crisp layout features a sizeable flash banner spotlighting their main services, and the home page provides convenient access to Goodship’s online tracking software, which can also be discovered on the company’s Technology page.

The entire site is put together with clean code, characteristic of our website design, and includes a page with informative documents, forms, and links commonly useful to importers and exporters. Finally, readers can learn more about the company’s “Good Together” program, which invites customers to participate in Goodship’s efforts to give back to the community.

This professional and streamlined website can be found along with several others that Systemtek has custom-built for Professional Service companies at our Web Design Portfolios page.

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With the holidays just around the corner, this is a great time of year to really captivate customers. Virtually every business has some type of holiday promotion going on, but not all of them are equally effective at creating customer loyalty. Here are 8 unique, memorable ways to show you care about your customers.

1. Decorate  your website with holiday pictures

Decorate your website and change some pictures on it to holiday related topics, like a Christmas tree, Santa, gift packages and other holiday related images. You can promote your products and offer a deal at the same time. It is a great way to greet your clients and prospects, and also to promote your products and services through holiday season.

Take a look at what we did for one of our clients: www.shopforgood.net

2. Appreciate your Friends and Followers

Social network sites such as Facebook and Twitter have become a popular way for any size business to communicate with their customers. A company’s Facebook and Twitter account are important in generating sales year-round, however, these accounts can be utilized more significantly during the holiday season. A good example may be creating exclusive offers or specials to your followers on Twitter; this is a way to turn new customers into potential returning customers.

3. Send a warm newsletter

Every business should have a newsletter that is sent out to an email list. Offer exclusive discounts to people who sign up for your mailing list. Many companies do this by offering customers 10% off their first online order.

Other ways to show you care in a Newsletter:

• Promote your best customer
• Promote your best employee
• Highlight past years’ accomplishments
• Highlight future company goals

4. Live Web Person

Say thank you to your customers in style with a live web person. A live web person appears on your website and speaks to your visitors about anything you want to say. Through a simple thank you or happy holidays, a live web person can give a personal touch to everyone that visits your website.

5. Holiday Video

Sending  a personalized holiday video is a very entertaining way to get a customer’s attention. Keep it short and simple but make it memorable. The video is a long lasting way to increase customer reach. You can post the video on YouTube, the company newsletter, or on your website for everyone to see.

6. E-cards

E-cards are making a comeback as virtual gifts are becoming more popular. JibJab and other companies that offer interactive greeting cards like “Elf yourself” are creating great opportunities for people to spread some Christmas cheer.

7. Virtual gifts

Send some flowers or candy or maybe a car! It can get expensive for companies to send out gift baskets or other holiday packages to their customers. Virtual gifts are becoming the low-cost yet sentimental way of giving gifts this year. With virtual gifts you can send it to multiple people and can be customized to make the gift personal for each recipient.

8. Virtual Holiday Party

Did you ever think that you could host a corporate party or conference online? The virtual meeting sites open up a new world to businesses that want to add a new twist to interacting with customers and employers. You can create an online meeting place where people can create characters and attend. It is a simple way of attending a company gathering without really being there.

9. Share Your Knowledge

The Holidays are a time for giving and sharing. Figure out how your business can be helpful to people during the holiday season and advertise it online. Offer free tips and techniques to your customers about your line of work. Use your website, company newsletter, or Facebook account to highlight your free tips. Another great source for giving tips is through online article submissions. Article directory site will help improve your search ranking as well as offer valuable information for other internet users.

For any help writing articles, adding new design features to your website, or promoting your company online, let us know and we would be happy to discuss what is best for your company. Visit our services page to get your business the web presence it needs.

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Preparing for the holiday season can be stressful on small businesses. As a small business owner it can be tough to keep up with the competition when working with a small budget. Morebusiness.com offers several tips to help boost your sales during the holidays. By using these tips we were able to create 3 low-cost ways that will help you market, advertise, and promote your business online in order to boost your sales during the holiday season.

Exclusive Discounts

Social network sites such as, Facebook and Twitter, has become a popular way for any size business to communicate with their customers. A company’s Facebook and Twitter account are important in generating sales year-round, however, these accounts can be utilized more significantly during the holiday season. A good example may be creating exclusive offers or specials to your followers on Twitter; this is a way to turn new customers into potential returning customers. Your contacts can also work as a focus group, so don’t be afraid to ask questions about your products or services. This is a way to focus on the company’s future and improve your business for next year. Don’t forget to thank your customers for their support during the past year. For more information on how to offer deals on Facebook and Twitter visit: Facebook Places or Twitter Coupons.

Sign Up promotions

Every business should have a newsletter that is sent out to an email list. Whether you send out a newsletter once a week or several times a week, the goal of a newsletter is to entice your customers to buy your product. Offer exclusive discounts to people who sign up for your mailing list. Many companies do this by offering customers 10% off their first online order. This is an excellent way to increase holiday sales and continue sales throughout the coming year. Another great newsletter promotion is to attach printable coupons to your newsletters. People are always looking to save time and money during the holiday season so offering them discounts for being on your mailing list is more enticing during the holidays then it is any other time of the year.

Be Useful

The Holidays are a time to for giving and helping. Figure out how your business can be helpful to people during the holiday season and advertise it. Give out free advice to your customers, or help participate in a holiday program. Make sure customers are aware that you are there and that your business is active in the community. Use your company newsletter or Facebook account to highlight your participation in the community. Another great way to increase your online presence is through writing online press releases about the company’s involvement in the community. To find out the proper format for writing a press release go to PRWeb.com.

Online marketing is an essential low-cost method for small businesses to grow. These 3 ways to increase your sales can make the most of you’re online holiday selling season. Click here to find out other ways to use social media marketing to grow your business.

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