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Website Design and Development Services

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:52:25 GMT

Website Design and Development Services

A website that looks fine but loads slowly, confuses visitors, or breaks on mobile is not doing its job. For many small and mid-sized companies, website design and development services are not just about having an online presence. They are about turning a website into a business tool that supports lead generation, sales, credibility, and day-to-day operations.

That distinction matters. Business owners in South Jersey are not looking for a flashy site that wins compliments and then sits idle. They need a website that reflects their brand, works properly on every device, gives customers clear next steps, and can be supported by a team that is available when something goes wrong. That is where the right provider makes a real difference.

## What website design and development services should actually deliver

A lot of companies use the phrase broadly, but design and development are not the same thing. Design focuses on how the site looks, feels, and guides the user. Development handles how the site functions behind the scenes, from page speed and mobile responsiveness to forms, integrations, security, and content management.

Strong website design and development services bring both sides together. A good-looking homepage means very little if the contact form stops sending messages. In the same way, a technically sound site can still under-perform if the layout is cluttered, the messaging is weak, or visitors cannot quickly figure out what the business does.

For most businesses, the goal is simple. The website should help people take action. That could mean requesting a quote, scheduling service, calling the office, making a purchase, or trusting the company enough to reach out. Every design choice and technical decision should support that outcome.

## Why businesses often outgrow their current site

Many websites are built to get launched, not to support growth. A company starts with a basic site, adds a few pages over time, and eventually ends up with something that no longer matches the business. Services change, branding evolves, and customer expectations rise. The website stays behind.

Sometimes the issue is visual. The site looks dated and creates the wrong first impression. In other cases, the deeper problem is functionality. It may be difficult to update, vulnerable to security issues, poorly optimized for mobile users, or disconnected from marketing efforts. A site can also become a burden internally if staff cannot make simple edits without outside help.

This is where a [professional evaluation](https://www.tbcusa.com/it-consulting-and-evaluation) is useful. Not every business needs a full rebuild. Some need better structure, stronger calls to action, improved performance, or refreshed content. Others are dealing with larger issues that require redesign and redevelopment together. It depends on the age of the site, the platform, the business goals, and how critical the website is to revenue.

## The business case for professional website services

When companies think about web projects, they sometimes focus first on cost. That is understandable, but the better question is what the site needs to do for the business over the next few years. A low-cost website that does not convert, cannot scale, or requires constant patchwork fixes often becomes more expensive over time.

Professional website services create value in several ways. They improve credibility the moment a prospect lands on the site. They make it easier for customers to contact the business. They support search visibility with cleaner structure and stronger technical performance. They also reduce internal friction by giving staff a manageable system and dependable support.

There is also a practical advantage in working with a provider that understands both web services and business technology. Websites do not operate in isolation. They connect to email, hosting, security tools, backups, analytics, e-commerce systems, and internal workflows. If one part fails, the impact is bigger than a design issue. It becomes an operations issue.

## What to expect from a well-built process

A reliable web project should begin with discovery, not mock-ups. Before anyone talks about colors or layout, the provider should understand the business, the target customer, the services offered, and the actions the website needs to drive. A local contractor, medical practice, retailer, law office, or professional services firm will not need the same site structure, even if all of them want more leads.

From there, strategy should guide the build. That includes page hierarchy, navigation, messaging priorities, mobile behavior, conversion points, and content needs. Design should support clarity and trust. Development should support speed, security, usability, and future updates.

Testing is another area where quality providers stand apart. Pages should be reviewed across devices and browsers. Forms should be tested. Load times should be checked. If the site includes e-commerce, the full purchase path should be validated. If it includes integrations with scheduling, CRM, or marketing systems, those connections need to work reliably from day one.

Launch is not the finish line, either. Websites need [updates, monitoring](https://www.tbcusa.com/managed-it-services), content changes, and ongoing refinement. Businesses that rely on their websites for leads or sales should not be left chasing different vendors every time an issue appears.

## Design matters, but clarity matters more

Many business websites try to impress visitors before they inform them. The result is often oversized banners, vague headlines, and pages that look polished but say very little. That approach wastes valuable attention.

A more effective website leads with clarity. It tells visitors what the company does, who it serves, and what to do next. It makes contact information easy to find. It organizes services in a way that matches how customers think. It removes friction instead of adding it.

That does not mean design should be plain. Good design builds confidence. It supports the brand, improves readability, and helps users move through the site naturally. But for service-based businesses especially, design should never get in the way of action.

## Development affects performance more than most businesses realize

The technical side of a website often stays invisible until something breaks. A slow page, a failed plugin update, poor mobile behavior, or an unsecured form can hurt lead flow quickly. Development quality directly affects user experience, search performance, and long-term maintenance.

This is especially important for businesses that need dependable uptime and support. If a website is tied to inquiries, orders, bookings, or customer communication, it needs the same level of attention as other business systems. Security updates, backups, hosting quality, and platform maintenance are not extras. They are part of responsible website management.

That is one reason many companies prefer to work with a provider that can support both the website and the surrounding technology environment. When the same team understands infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud services, and web performance, troubleshooting is faster and accountability is clearer.

## Local support still matters

There is no shortage of remote web providers, and some businesses do well with that model. But for many South Jersey companies, local support brings real advantages. Communication is easier. Response times are often better. The provider is more likely to understand the market, the customer base, and the operational pressures local businesses face.

That local relationship can be especially valuable when website needs overlap with broader technology needs. A business may need website updates, email troubleshooting, new workstations, network support, cloud backup, and security guidance at the same time. Working with separate vendors for each issue creates delays and finger-pointing. Working with one trusted [technology partner](https://www.tbcusa.com/on-site-and-remote-services) creates continuity.

This is where a company like Today's Business Computers, Inc. fits naturally. Businesses that want practical support, responsive service, and a provider that can handle both web projects and core IT needs often benefit from having one experienced team involved.

## Choosing the right website design and development services

The best fit is not always the biggest agency or the cheapest quote. It is the provider that understands your business goals, communicates clearly, and can support the site after launch. Ask how they approach strategy, what platform they recommend, how they handle updates, and what happens if something fails six months later.

It also helps to look for realism. A trustworthy provider will talk about trade-offs. Custom builds offer flexibility but may require more budget and maintenance. Template-based solutions can be efficient, but they are not ideal for every business. E-commerce adds complexity. SEO can improve over time, but it depends on content quality, competition, and technical setup. Good partners do not promise everything. They build the right solution for the situation.

For small and mid-sized businesses, the right website is not the one with the most features. It is the one that supports growth without creating headaches. It should be clear, fast, secure, manageable, and aligned with how the business actually operates.

A strong website should make your business easier to trust and easier to contact. If it is doing less than that, it may be time to expect more from the team behind it.

What Are Google Sponsored Ads — And Why Your Business Needs Them

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 19:12:14 GMT

�� What Are Google Sponsored Ads — And Why Your Business Needs Them

In today’s digital world, visibility is everything. If your business isn’t showing up when potential customers search online, you’re missing out. That’s where Google Sponsored Ads come in — a powerful way to get your business in front of the right people at the right time.

�� What Are Google Sponsored Ads?

Google Sponsored Ads, also known as Google Search Ads , are paid advertisements that appear at the top of Google search results. These ads are triggered by specific keywords, meaning your business shows up when someone is actively searching for what you offer.

For example, if someone searches for “computer repair near me,” and you’ve set up a Google Sponsored Ad targeting that phrase, your business could appear at the very top of the results — ahead of your competitors.

�� Why They Work

Immediate Visibility : Your business appears on page one of Google instantly.
Targeted Reach : Ads are shown to users based on location, interests, and search intent.
Budget Control : You set your budget and only pay when someone clicks.
Measurable Results : Track clicks, conversions, and ROI in real time.

��️ How We Can Help

At Today's Business Computers , we now offer Google Ads Management Services to help you get the most out of your ad spend. We handle everything:

Keyword research
Ad creation
Campaign setup
Ongoing optimization
Performance reporting

Whether you're new to Google Ads or looking to improve your current campaigns, we’ll build a strategy that drives results.

�� Ready to Get Started?

Don’t let your competitors take the spotlight.
⏳ Spots are limited — call us today at (609) 645-5132 to schedule a free consultation and start growing your business with Google Sponsored Ads.

Google Business Profile Websites Will Ee Shut Down in March 2024

matt.vilardo@tbcusa.com (Louis Vilardo) — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 18:54:34 GMT

Google Business Profile websites will be shut down in March 2024, impacting over 20 million users. Businesses must act now to migrate to alternative platforms to maintain their online presence.

Starting in March, websites created using Google Business Profiles will be deactivated, requiring immediate action from business owners to ensure their online visibility isn't compromised.

Businesses that have used Google Business Profiles for their websites will see these sites become inaccessible from March. Google will redirect customers to the business's profile page until June 10, after which a "page not found" error will appear.

This change emphasizes the need for businesses to find alternative solutions to keep their online presence intact. Websites with domains ending in business.site or negocio.site will need to update their Google Business

Profile with a new website address.

The discontinuation of Google Business Profile websites underscores the importance of having a standalone website for credibility, brand visibility, and providing detailed information about products or services. Without a functioning website, businesses risk decreased customer engagement and potential revenue loss.

Having a dedicated website remains crucial for businesses despite the features of Google Business Profiles. Websites boost SEO rankings, enhance online visibility and credibility, and play a critical role in local SEO and customer reassurance.

Businesses running ad campaigns linked to their Google Business Profile websites must change the link before March 1 to avoid disruptions or temporarily pause campaigns. Those with custom domains directing traffic to their Google Business Profile website should manage the transition before June 10.

Google advises updating the Business Profile to link to a new website, especially as domains ending with business.site and negocio.site will be removed from the website field in March.

After transitioning to a new website platform, optimizing for local SEO is crucial. Plugins like All-in-One SEO (AIOSEO) for WordPress simplify this process, enhancing your website's visibility and credibility.

The shutdown of Google Business Profile websites is a reminder for businesses to explore new avenues for maintaining their online presence. By selecting the right tools and focusing on SEO optimization, businesses can transition smoothly and continue thriving in the digital landscape.

Please contact us at 609-645-51432 or email us at marketing@tbcusa.com for more information on our comprehensive services to replace your free Google website!

SEO vs. SEM: Unraveling the Key Differences and Choosing the Right Strategy for Your Business

matt.vilardo@tbcusa.com (Louis Vilardo) — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 15:50:12 GMT

SEO vs. SEM: Unraveling the Key Differences and Choosing the Right Strategy for Your Business

In the vast and ever-evolving world of digital marketing, understanding the difference between Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is crucial for devising an effective online marketing strategy. Both SEO and SEM are aimed at increasing a website's visibility in search engine results, but they employ distinct approaches and offer unique benefits. In this blog post, we'll delve into the fundamentals of SEO and SEM, exploring how each can elevate your business's online presence and drive success.

SEO - What You Need to Know:

Keywords: The Foundation of SEO Keywords are the heart and soul of SEO. These are the words and phrases that users enter into search engines when looking for products, services, or information. Effective keyword research helps identify the most relevant and frequently searched terms in your industry. By strategically incorporating these keywords into your website's content, meta tags, and headings, you can improve your site's organic rankings and attract targeted organic traffic.

The Benefits of SEO:

Organic Traffic: SEO drives organic, non-paid traffic to your website, helping you establish a sustainable source of leads and potential customers.
Credibility and Trust: High organic rankings are associated with authority and trustworthiness, instilling confidence in your brand among users.
Cost-Effectiveness: Compared to paid advertising, SEO offers a cost-effective way to generate consistent traffic and increase conversions over time.

SEM - What You Need to Know:

Paid Advertising and Instant Visibility: Unlike SEO, SEM involves paid advertising to gain immediate visibility in search engine results. The most common form of SEM is Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising, where businesses bid on specific keywords. When a user searches for a keyword you've bid on, your ad appears in the sponsored section of the search results.

The Pros and Cons of SEM:

Pros:

Instant Visibility: SEM delivers quick results, putting your ads in front of potential customers almost instantly.
Precise Targeting: SEM allows you to target specific demographics, locations, and search queries, ensuring your ads reach the right audience.
Measurable Results: SEM platforms provide detailed analytics, enabling you to track the performance of your ads and optimize them for better results.

Cons:

Costly: SEM can be expensive, particularly for competitive keywords or industries, and requires a budget for ongoing ad campaigns.
Dependency on Budget: Once your budget is depleted, your ads stop running, potentially impacting your website traffic and conversions.

Choosing the Right Strategy for Your Business Needs:

The decision between SEO and SEM depends on your business goals, budget, and timeline. If you're looking for a sustainable, long-term strategy that builds organic traffic and boosts your website's authority, SEO is the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you seek instant visibility and are prepared to allocate a budget for paid advertising, SEM can yield immediate results.

Conclusion:

SEO and SEM are essential components of a comprehensive digital marketing strategy. While SEO focuses on organic growth and long-term benefits, SEM provides instant visibility and targeting capabilities through paid advertising. By understanding the nuances of each approach and evaluating your business's specific requirements, you can determine the most suitable path to enhance your online presence and achieve your marketing objectives. A well-balanced combination of both SEO and SEM can work wonders for driving success and maximizing your business's potential in the competitive digital landscape.

Why Your Business Needs a Website: The Decline of Word of Mouth Marketing

matt.vilardo@tbcusa.com (Louis Vilardo) — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 15:57:44 GMT

How an Online Presence Can Help You Reach a Wider Audience, Establish Credibility, and Stay Ahead of the Competition

For decades, word of mouth has been a powerful marketing tool for businesses. People trust recommendations from friends and family, and positive word of mouth can help businesses attract new customers. However, in today's digital age, word of mouth alone is no longer enough. Businesses need a website to thrive, and here's why:

Limited reach: Word of mouth marketing is limited to the people within your customers' personal networks. This means that the reach is limited, and businesses are missing out on a vast audience that they could attract through an online presence.

Lack of credibility: Without a website, businesses may appear unprofessional and outdated in the eyes of potential customers. A website provides an opportunity to establish credibility and showcase expertise.

Inability to showcase products and services: Word of mouth can only go so far in describing a business's products and services. A website provides a platform to showcase products and services with high-quality images, detailed descriptions, and customer reviews.

Limited availability: Word of mouth is limited by availability. It relies on customers to recommend the business during conversations or when asked for suggestions. With a website, customers can access the business 24/7, increasing the chance of attracting new customers.

Lack of data and analytics: Word of mouth doesn't provide businesses with the data and analytics they need to make informed decisions about their marketing strategies. A website can provide valuable insights into customer behavior, website traffic, and other important metrics.

In conclusion, word of mouth may still have some value, but it's no longer enough to sustain a business in today's digital age. A website provides a platform to showcase products and services, establish credibility, increase reach, and provide valuable data and analytics. Without a website, businesses risk missing out on potential customers and falling behind their competitors.

The Importance of Upgrading Your Hardware and Software for Data Protection

matt.vilardo@tbcusa.com (Louis Vilardo) — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 15:17:33 GMT

Key Reasons Why Your Business Needs to Keep Up with Technology

In today's digital world, data is the lifeblood of businesses. From financial data to customer information, businesses of all sizes store and manage sensitive data that is critical to their operations. As cyber threats continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, it's more important than ever for businesses to take steps to protect their data. One of the most important things businesses can do is to upgrade their hardware and software on a regular basis.

Here are some of the key reasons why businesses with sensitive data information should upgrade their hardware and software every few years:

Protect against security threats: Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and hackers are always finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities in hardware and software. By upgrading your hardware and software, you can ensure that you have the latest security patches and updates to protect your data.

Meet compliance requirements: Many industries have strict regulations around data privacy and security, and failing to comply with these regulations can result in hefty fines or legal action. Upgrading your hardware and software is one way to ensure that you're meeting these compliance requirements.

Improve performance: New hardware and software often come with performance improvements that can help your business run more efficiently. This can result in cost savings and improved productivity over time.

Ensure compatibility: As technology evolves, older hardware and software may become incompatible with newer systems or applications. By upgrading your hardware and software on a regular basis, you can ensure that everything is compatible and working together seamlessly.

Reduce downtime: Outdated hardware and software are more prone to crashes and other issues that can cause downtime and disrupt your business operations. By upgrading your hardware and software, you can minimize the risk of these issues and keep your business running smoothly.

In summary, upgrading your hardware and software every few years is essential for businesses that rely on technology to store and manage sensitive information. By protecting against security threats, meeting compliance requirements, improving performance, ensuring compatibility, and reducing downtime, businesses can safeguard their data and ensure their long-term success.

Unleashing the Power of Social Media: A Guide to Effective Marketing for Local Businesses

matt.vilardo@tbcusa.com (Louis Vilardo) — Sat, 03 Jun 2023 14:56:30 GMT

Discover How to Boost Your Online Presence, Engage with Your Local Community, and Drive More Sales Using Social Media Strategies Tailored to Your Business

As the world becomes more digital, social media has become an increasingly important part of our lives. In fact, the average person spends nearly two and a half hours per day on social media platforms. This presents a huge opportunity for local businesses to reach new customers and build their brand through social media advertising.

Here are some of the key benefits and purposes of Facebook and social media advertising for local businesses:

Increased brand awareness: By advertising on social media platforms like Facebook, you can reach a wider audience and increase your brand's visibility. This can lead to increased brand recognition and awareness, which can translate into more business in the long run.

Targeted advertising: Social media advertising allows you to target specific demographics, interests, and behaviors, making it easier to reach the people who are most likely to be interested in your products or services. This helps you get more bang for your advertising buck and can result in higher conversion rates.

Cost-effective: Compared to traditional advertising methods like television and radio, social media advertising can be much more cost-effective. You can set your own budget and only pay for the clicks or impressions your ads receive, which means you can get more advertising for your money.

Increased website traffic: By advertising on social media, you can drive more traffic to your website. This can be especially beneficial for local businesses that rely on foot traffic or online sales to generate revenue.

Engagement and loyalty: Social media advertising can also help you build stronger relationships with your customers. By creating engaging content and responding to customer inquiries and feedback, you can foster a sense of loyalty and trust with your audience.

Overall, social media advertising offers a wide range of benefits and purposes for local businesses. Whether you're looking to increase brand awareness, drive website traffic, or build stronger customer relationships, Facebook and other social media platforms can be powerful tools for achieving your business goals.

if You Build It, They Wont Come - A Cautionary Website Tale

matt.vilardo@tbcusa.com (Louis Vilardo) — Mon, 15 May 2023 18:13:34 GMT

If You Build It, They Won't Come - A Cautionary Website Tale

“If you build it, he will come” is a famous line from the 1989 movie “Field of Dreams.” Will the same hold true for your website? In the movie, a whispy whispering voice whispered in Kevin Costner’s ear convincing him to spend a great deal of money, time, and sanity in creating a baseball field in a field of corn. This was in hopes that some expired baseball players will show up and play a game or two.

Good news for Kevin. The baseball players showed up.

Then, James Earl Jones convinces Kevin that people will show up to watch the baseball players.

Great news for Kevin. The fans showed up, too.

Traffic doesn’t just “show up” at your website.

Alas, in the business of websites and online marketing, traffic does not just simply “show up” at your website.

Dreams and Hope do not drive traffic. The digital landscape is littered with hundreds of thousands (millions, really) of well-intentioned websites that are ghost-towns. No one goes to them. At all. Sad.

Sadder still is the business who has gone through an amazing website rebuild, only to discover that after the excitement of day 1 of the website launch, there isn’t really any more traffic coming to their website than there was last week.

If you build your website right, some of them *may* come.

Using the power of organic search and inbound marketing, you *can* actually make some traffic come to your website by building it. Properly, that is.

When built properly, a website becomes known as a “thought leader” and search engines will display your URL when someone searches for keywords that are related to products/services you offer. Organic search a.k.a. “SEO” Search Engine Optimization.

To be successful in SEO, your website must have 2 things:

1. Ongoing content your customers love

2. Technical efficiency so that the rest of the internet (e.g. search engines) can understand what it is you do.

SEO that drives organic search traffic is just 1 of 7 ways people can come to your website. To really drive exponential traffic, you’ll need to consider the other 6 during ongoing digital marketing management after you launch your site.

So, you’ll need to think about those as you build your website. A new website is a powerful marketing tool when done properly.

Life After Launch.

3 Things You Need To Realize About Online Marketing For Your Business

1. You’ll never finish building your website. A website is not a project. A website is not a brochure. A website is the digital front-office of your business; one that is constantly evolving, one that is constantly interesting and engaging. The internet changes rapidly. People’s buying behavior changes. Google/Bing search engine rules change. New hacks arise daily. New technologies and platform changes occur frequently. Website development never ends.

2. People can come to your website in 7 ways. There are only 7 ways for people to get to your website. Here’s the “7 Sacred Channels of Great Google Traffic” and what Google thinks about them:

1. Direct traffic: Sessions in which the user typed the name of your website URL into the browser or came to your site via a bookmark (i.e., source=” (direct)” and medium=” (not set)” or “(none)”).

2. Search: Traffic from unpaid search on any search engine (i.e., medium=” organic”).

3. Paid Ads: Traffic from the AdWords Search Network or other search engines, with a medium of “cpc”

or “ppc”.

4. Display Ads: Interactions with a medium of “display” or “cpm”. Also includes AdWords interactions with ad distribution network set to “content”

5. Social: Traffic from any of approximately 400 social networks (that are not tagged as ads).

6. Email: Sessions that are tagged with a medium of “email”.

7. Referral Links: Traffic from websites that are not social networks.

8. Other: Sessions that are tagged with a medium of “cpc”, “ppc”, “cpm”, “cpv”, “cpa”, “cpp”, “affiliate” (excluding Paid Search).

3. Online marketing isn’t just about a single campaign or two. It’s about maximizing those 7 channels of traffic 24/7/365 using sustained digital marketing tactics. It’s about weekly agile marketing scrums that help you improve using data. Think of it as a marathon, with pacing ’cause you’re in it for the long run, not a frantic hamster in a cage.

In virtually every single industry today, there is intense online competition to get the attention of a buying public.

To consistently beat your competition … to build an online marketing engine that delivers leads frequently … you need a comprehensive ongoing strategy of agile marketing to master all 7 ways people come to your website.

The Importance of Having a Secondary Internet Service Provider for Businesses Relying on Cloud-Based Services

matt.vilardo@tbcusa.com (Louis Vilardo) — Wed, 10 May 2023 18:59:54 GMT

The Importance Of Having A Secondary Internet Service Provider For Businesses Relying On Cloud-Based Services! Ooma For Business Is A Great Choice!

In today's business landscape, relying on cloud-based services is becoming increasingly common. These services offer businesses a number of benefits, including increased flexibility, scalability, and cost savings. However, it is also important to consider the importance of having a secondary ISP to ensure that the business can continue to access these critical services, even in the event of a network interruption or other issue. By taking steps to ensure a reliable and robust communication infrastructure, businesses can help ensure their continued success and competitiveness in an ever-changing digital landscape.

As more and more businesses adopt cloud computing and store their critical data in the cloud, access to the internet has become essential for the smooth functioning of their day-to-day operations. This has led to an increased dependence on internet service providers (ISPs) for providing reliable and fast internet connectivity. However, what happens when the primary ISP experiences an outage or other disruptions? This could result in a loss of critical data, lost productivity, and potential revenue. To mitigate these risks, businesses whose networks and applications depend on access to the cloud should have a secondary internet service provider.

The cloud offers businesses a range of benefits, including scalability, cost savings, and increased collaboration. It is imperative that businesses have a backup plan in case their primary internet service provider experiences any disruptions. The secondary internet service provider acts as a backup solution and ensures that businesses continue to operate normally, even in the event of a primary ISP outage.

Another important consideration is the cost of an ISP outage. The cost of an hour of downtime can be significant, with some studies estimating it to be as high as thousands of dollars per hour. Having a secondary internet service provider can help to minimize the financial impact of an outage, as businesses can continue to operate normally even if the primary ISP experiences a disruption.

Having a secondary Internet Service Provider (ISP) is important for businesses that rely on cloud-based services for several reasons:

Redundancy: Having a secondary ISP provides a backup option in case the primary ISP experiences an outage or other issues. This helps ensure that the business can continue to access critical cloud-based services, even in the event of an interruption.
Improved reliability: With two ISPs, businesses can achieve a higher level of network reliability by balancing the load between the two providers. This can reduce downtime and improve overall network performance.
Increased bandwidth: Having a secondary ISP can also provide businesses with additional bandwidth, which can be useful for handling increased traffic during peak usage times.
Cost savings: In some cases, having a secondary ISP can also help businesses save money by allowing them to negotiate better pricing and terms with both providers.

Ooma for business:

Ooma is a cloud-based business phone system that provides businesses with a range of communication features, including virtual faxing, virtual receptionist, and call forwarding. While Ooma is not an Internet Service Provider (ISP), it can complement a business's existing ISP and serve as a secondary option in case of an outage or other issues with the primary ISP.

Here are a few reasons why Ooma might be a good choice as a secondary ISP for businesses relying on cloud-based services:

Reliability: Ooma is a cloud-based solution, which means that it is less susceptible to issues related to local hardware or network infrastructure. This can help ensure that businesses can continue to access critical communication services even in the event of an issue with their primary ISP.
Scalability: Ooma can be easily scaled up or down to meet the changing needs of the business, which can be useful for businesses that experience fluctuations in their communication needs.
Flexibility: Ooma allows businesses to access their phone system from anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection. This can be useful for businesses with remote workers or those that need to be able to access their communication services from multiple locations.
Cost-effective: Ooma offers a cost-effective solution for businesses looking to improve their communication infrastructure. With competitive pricing and a range of features, Ooma can be a cost-effective alternative to traditional business phone systems.

Today's Business Computers, Inc. is a certified reseller of Ooma. We are authorized to sell Ooma's cloud-based business phone system to businesses in their area. As a certified reseller, Today's Business Computers can provide businesses with the necessary technical support and expertise to help them implement Ooma and make the most of its features and benefits!

By working with a certified reseller like Today's Business Computers, Inc., businesses can ensure that they are getting a high-quality solution that is specifically designed to meet their communication needs. Whether they are looking to improve the reliability of their communication infrastructure, increase flexibility, or reduce costs, Ooma combined with the expertise of Today's Business Computers, Inc. can help businesses achieve their goals and improve their overall communication efficiency and productivity!

See how Ooma can help your business going forward at:

www.tbcusa.com/ooma-office-and-home

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Should Your Small Business Use Managed IT Services?

matt.vilardo@tbcusa.com (Louis Vilardo) — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 20:02:27 GMT

Should Your Small Business Use Managed IT Services?

Organizations with no IT staff, or that want personnel to be free for other duties, can turn to managed services to monitor their IT infrastructure.

Outsourcing IT tasks to managed service providers helps companies focus on running the business instead of troubleshooting tech problems.
Managed service providers maintain networks and perform necessary updates to keep the system running smoothly. They also make recommendations to optimize the network.
Managed services are costly but may save a business money because they help you avoid serious tech issues.

Your employees can’t work if your technology isn’t working. Many small businesses hire a dedicated IT manager , but that’s not always the best answer. Managed service providers (MSPs) are an increasingly popular option for small businesses. Considering outsourcing your IT tasks? Here’s everything you should know about MSPs.

What Are Managed Services?

Managed services are available for small businesses looking into outsourcing options for their IT needs. Managed service providers support your company’s technology for a monthly flat fee. They proactively monitor a business’s network, minimize IT problems, and troubleshoot any issues that come up on the network.

With advancements in cloud computing, most IT work is available for outsourcing. The managed service provider remotely accesses networks and deploys solutions for any computing issues without being in-house.

Managed service providers present contracts to clients to detail what services they include. Contracts also list service start and end dates. Outsourcing solutions available through vendors could include:

Mobile device management
Software as a service (SaaS)
Platform as a service
Help desk services
Implementing the best cloud backup and storage solutions

Most managed service providers promote all-inclusive packages with unlimited IT resources while hired, including day-to-day network management.

Why Does A Business Need Managed IT Services?

Businesses need managed service providers because they negate risks. Instead of outsourcing IT when a problem occurs, managed services allow consistent network monitoring. Also, a managed service provider handles all updating and maintenance tasks. This allows managers to focus on their businesses instead of worrying about the company’s IT functionality.

A prospective managed service provider should also evaluate current and future IT needs. The MSP advises on what products and services a business should implement over the next year.

Benefits of using an MSP include the following:

An MSP is a proactive solution. If an MSP operates effectively, it should prevent technical issues from occurring. It constantly monitors IT elements like hardware, applications, security, technology trends , and the internet and notifies you when there’s an issue or abnormality. The MSP may recommend that you upgrade technology to boost productivity . Ultimately, you’re paying for someone to keep your business from having issues instead of fixing them.
An MSP may provide technology. With certain plans, the MSP provides all the technology for your business, such as workstations, servers, and software. While this service is expensive, it means you won’t have capital expenditures for the technology, allowing your business to focus its capital in other areas, which is always beneficial.
MSPs provide tech expertise. If a business uses one computer person for all things IT, chances are they’re not an expert in all areas. They may be good at troubleshooting Microsoft Word, but what happens when your router stops functioning? In contrast, MSPs usually have skilled personnel dedicated to every IT function. This usually means they’re better equipped all around.
MSPs offer business continuity. As a business owner, do you ponder how you would go about restoring all your systems and data in the event of a disaster? If not, you should. This is an area where an MSP can help you tremendously. A good MSP can create an efficient disaster recovery plan that will help you sleep at night, knowing that if disaster strikes, your business can endure it. This is particularly important as cybersecurity risks, such as ransomware attacks , become more prevalent.

Deciding if you need an MSP

Small business owners must weigh several factors when deciding to work with an MSP. For some, an MSP’s costs may be prohibitive. Similarly, bringing on an MSP may be unnecessary if the business already has a fleshed-out IT team.

However, if you find your business frequently leaning on IT support or you’re spending too much time trying to fix technical issues yourself, an MSP may be an ideal solution.

What Is Disaster Recovery? - Acronis Disaster Recovery Solution

matt.vilardo@tbcusa.com (Louis Vilardo) — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 15:58:31 GMT

What Is Disaster Recovery? - Acronis Disaster Recovery Solution

In this article, we will define disaster recovery and discuss why it is important, the types of disaster recovery solutions available, disaster recovery best practices, and how to calculate disaster recovery return on investment (ROI), and why it is important to have a Business Continuity Plan and Disaster Recovery Strategy.

What is Disaster Recovery?

Disaster recovery refers to the process that companies follow to recover their systems and data after a man-made or natural disaster. Disaster recovery relies upon replicated production data that is backed up to an offsite location, be it a different data center, office, or in a private or public cloud. When a disaster strikes, the organization can recover its data from these backups. In some cases, the organization will use the offsite location as its production site until the original site is back up and running.

Why is Disaster Recovery Important?

Any business that collects data needs to have a secure and well-structured disaster recovery strategy. Failure to do so not only results in massive data loss but also can also seriously damage a business’ credibility and reputation in the market. Businesses without a disaster recovery strategy put themselves at serious risk of going out of business. However, even businesses that have disaster recovery strategies in place can often find themselves unprotected during a natural or man-made disaster because the plan was never tested or exercised.

In today’s world, data is a valuable commodity. Organizations that fail to secure the integrity and safety of their data risk the future of their business. Downtime can have a disastrous impact on your customers and your revenue. To stay protected, organizations need to have localized and cloud-based disaster recovery solutions to cover all eventualities. Depending upon the type of disaster recovery solution you choose, it can be incredibly complex to protect and recover data while keeping costs low.

Types of Disaster Recovery

While most will tell you that there are three types of disaster recovery–cold, warm, and hot–there are also some variations on those alternatives, which are discussed below.

Back up to a remote site. While some SMBs back up their data to an offsite system, or back up to magnetic tape or a drive that is shipped to an offsite location, backup is not considered a true disaster recovery solution because it does not address recovery in terms of Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs) and Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs).

Backup as a Service. Backup as a service is the same as backing up your data to a remote location except the service is offered by a third party.

Point-in-time snapshots. A point-in-time snapshot or point-in-time copy is a copy of the database as it appears at a given point in time. For disaster recovery purposes, the snapshot must be stored offsite. Depending on the timing of the snapshot, some data loss will occur.

Cold sites. A cold disaster recovery site is an office or data center–located away from the primary site– that has power, heat, air conditioning, etc. but no running IT systems. When a disaster happens, employees can work at this site to maintain business continuity and keep operations running but there is no technology installed. Depending on the length of the disaster, an organization may install the necessary systems after the disaster hits. This type of site is the least expensive option when compared to warm and hot sites.

Warm sites. A warm disaster recovery site offers office space and a technology infrastructure that is used when a disaster hits the primary site. A warm site has power, heat, air conditioning, etc. but also has network connectivity and redundant hardware/software already up and running. Backups from the primary to the warm site are performed on a daily or weekly basis, which can result in some data loss. This type of site is the second most expensive option next to a hot site.

Hot sites. A hot disaster recovery site offers office space and a complete replica of the primary site’s IT infrastructure, systems, applications, and up-to-date data. A hot site is expensive but is the best option to reduce downtime.

Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS). DRaaS is a service where an organization backs-up their systems and data to a public cloud that is managed by a third-party cloud provider. The provider charges a pay-as-you-go fee, which is billed on a monthly or annual basis. To be considered a true disaster recovery option, the DRaaS infrastructure must be located away from the primary site.

Virtual Disaster Recovery. With a virtual DR solution, you create a replica of your entire IT infrastructure and run it on an offsite Virtual Machine (VM). Since VMs are hardware independent, you easily load your backup and recover from a disaster in just a few minutes.

Instant recovery. With instant recovery, you can take a snapshot of an entire virtual machine (VM) and run another VM from that backup. The secondary VM must be in a location that is not affected by the disaster.

Disaster Recovery Best Practices

Place production and DR data centers in different regions. To make sure your backups are secure, it is important that you store them in one or more locations that are not near your primary location. Generally, you are looking to keep your data backups in a location at least 150 miles away from the primary site. This minimizes the chances of your data being impacted by a single disaster. Ideally, these data centers will be located on separate power grids to minimize any power outages.

Test your Disaster Recovery Strategy. For your disaster recovery strategy to be effective, you need to run regular tests and exercise your plan. Untested plans are unlikely to work in the event of an emergency, particularly if your plan revolves around multiple staff members following special procedures. To test a plan effectively, you need to test all systems and processes to check for weaknesses. Writing up a checklist and taking your staff through a recovery walk-through is a great way to make sure you are prepared in the event of a disaster. Next, come up with mock scenarios to look for weaknesses in your plan. This can be as simple as anticipating the failure of a power generator. Ask “If this fails, what else could we do?"

Make sure staff are trained to follow through on the Disaster Recovery Strategy. Rather than leaving the responsibility of the disaster recovery strategy in the hands of a few specialists, it is much better to train several staff in the event that some individuals are unavailable during a disaster. It’s also a good idea to train a team outside of your primary data center region.

Disaster Recovery ROI

The ROI calculation for disaster recovery is:

ROI = (Avoided Loss – DR Solution Costs) / DR Solution Costs x 100%

Here are the numbers you need for the calculation. First let’s calculate avoided loss.

Avoided Loss = Unprotected Downtime Loss – Protected Downtime Loss

Unprotected downtime. This is the time it will take you to restore company operations without a DR solution.

Protected downtime. This is the time it will take you to restore company operations with a DR solution in place.

Hourly revenue realized. Divide your company’s annual revenue by the number of working hours in a calendar year.

To determine unprotected downtime loss and protected downtime losses. Multiply both downtimes by the hourly revenue.

Avoided loss. Subtract protected downtime loss from unprotected downtime loss.

This is the first component of your ROI calculation.

The second component of ROI is the cost of your DR solution. You can contact Acronis to find out what the DR costs are for your specific environment. Then you will have all the components you need to calculate ROI. Before presenting your ROI calculation to your management team, you should ask your CFO for some guidelines on what they consider a good ROI.

Business Continuity vs. Disaster Recovery

When it comes to being fully prepared for any disaster, your company should develop plans to address both business continuity and disaster recovery. The difference between business continuity and disaster recovery is that the former talks to recovering business operations, while the ladder talks to recovering the company’s IT infrastructure.

A business continuity planning (BCP) is the “process involved in creating a system of prevention and recovery from potential threats to a company. The plan ensures that personnel and assets are protected and are able to function quickly in the event of a disaster.” A BCP comes into play during times of disaster and other unforeseen events such as a major security breach, illness or death of a company executive, pandemic, civil unrest, etc.

An IT disaster recovery strategy is a major sub-component of your BCP. It is a roadmap that defines the steps to resume IT operations and recover IT systems, including the network, servers, desktops, databases, applications, and any other IT component.

How to find the best disaster recovery solution

At its core, disaster recovery is an insurance policy. But just as you have to select insurance coverage that fits your needs and budget, the DR strategy and solution you deploy should be carefully chosen. Large organizations that have extensive IT resources and expertise may be ready to manage their disaster recovery directly using a comprehensive solution like Acronis Cyber Disaster Recovery . Easy to deploy and manage, it ensures all workloads – whether they are on-premises or cloud-based – are instantly available when disaster strikes. It also includes an isolated testing environment so IT teams can ensure the system will keep the business running no matter what happens.

While small and medium-size businesses may not have the resources needed to maintain their own disaster recovery program, but they still face the same risks of disruption and the cost of unplanned downtime can be even more fatal to their operations. That’s why many SMBs rely on managed service providers (MSPs) for their IT needs, including managed disaster recovery services. With a cyber protection platform such as Acronis Cyber Cloud, MSPs can provide multiple layers of protection, including backup and disaster recovery as a service to ensure the data, applications, and systems these smaller companies use are always available and protected.

That flexibility means that any organization, regardless of its size, can deploy an appropriate disaster recovery strategy so they can weather whatever challenges they face.

Additional Reading Acronis. ROI of Disaster Recovery .

How To Choose The Best Cloud Backup

matt.vilardo@tbcusa.com (Louis Vilardo) — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 16:34:17 GMT

How To Choose The Best Cloud Backup

Choosing the best cloud backup service for your needs can be a daunting experience. Whether you’re shopping for a cloud backup for your own personal use, your business, or the clients of your service provider organization, choosing the right one is an important step toward protecting all the data that makes up your digital world.

Finding the best cloud backup service for your needs is going to depend largely on the volume and variety of data that you’re looking to protect. A college student won’t need the same kind of protection that a small-to-medium business will. Similarly, a business won’t need the same kind of protection that a service provider does.

Whatever your cloud backup needs, read this guide to find the best cloud backup for you.

Good, Better, Best Practices of Backup

Having the right tool for the job is important, but the best hammer in the world won’t help you if you don’t know how to swing it. Before choosing the best cloud backup service for your situation, make sure you understand how you should be using these solutions to ensure the highest level of data protection.

Good: Traditional Backup Solutions

Traditional backups allow you to make a full image backup of your system disk that you store locally on a network share located on a server, NAS, or an external device, like a USB drive.

Better: Cloud Backup Solutions

Cloud backups allow you to create a mirror image backup that is uploaded via the internet to a network of servers, providing secure, off-site storage.

Best: Hybrid Cloud Backup

For the most reliable data protection at-home, in the office, or among your business’ clients, maintain three copies of your data, in at least two different locations with one off-site.

Best Personal Cloud Backup

The best personal cloud backup services are easy-to-use, easy-to-install, and affordable. These solutions are ideal for home users looking to protect a relatively small volume of data – between one-five devices and anywhere from 100 GB to five TB of cloud storage . While there’s a variety of personal cloud backup options, the best cloud backup for pictures, videos, music, personal files, and mobile devices offer more than basic backup capabilities.

The Best Personal Cloud Backup Solution Offers:

Increased accessibility through cloud-based sync and share. This feature makes it easy to share family photos, videos, etc. while keeping all of your files protected from accidental edits or deletion.

Rapid recovery times in the event of data loss. The ability to quickly and reliably recover files when (not if) they’re damaged or lost is perhaps the most crucial aspect of the cloud backups.

Ability to restore to dissimilar hardware . You deserve flexibility from your backup solution, including the ability to restore and recover any file you need to whatever device you choose.

End-to-end data encryption. Whether you choose a public or private cloud service, keeping your data protected and private should be a top priority. With end-to-end encryption , you know that whatever you store and backup is safe.

Keep in Mind:

The best cloud backup for a Windows machine may not be the best cloud backup for Mac or mobile devices. Ensure that your backup solution will protect all the sources of data you use before making your decision.

Versatility is key. The best personal cloud backup gives you as much choice as possible. Look for solutions that allow for back up of your full image, specific folders and files, active disk cloning , event-based scheduling , non-stop backups, and a boot media builder . Not all services can offer all of these benefits.

Acronis True Image for Personal Use

Compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android operating systems, a subscription to Acronis True Image offers you a way to backup all of your devices and data with integrated cloud storage. You control where your data is stored – from external hard drives and local network folders to NAS devices and off-site in the cloud, or on any combination of these locations.

Best of all, Acronis True Image creates a simple user experience with a wizard-style interface that makes navigating, scheduling, tracking, and recovering your backups so easy that anyone can feel confident that their files are safe and secure.

Best Cloud Backup Service for Businesses

In the business world, scale is always a point of emphasis. When it comes to cloud backup, it’s the main point of differentiation between the best cloud backup service for small businesses and the best enterprise cloud backup services. Whatever your organization size, however, there are some universal indications of quality in business-grade cloud backups that will help ensure all your IT needs are met and your business is always up-and-running.

The Best Cloud Backup Service for Businesses Offers:

High levels of customization. With an array of options for backup scheduling, destination selections, and cutting-edge AI- and ML-based protection capabilities, you can help minimize downtime and ensure business continuity by keeping your most vital components up-and-running 24/7/365.

Scalable backup and restore options. The size of your business and the kind of data you collect/employ will be a major component in your choice of backup. The best cloud backup for Windows servers , virtual hosts, individual workstations , and/or applications like Microsoft 365 will vary. The very best cloud backup service for your organization’s needs will be based entirely on your IT stack and add-on components.

Platform- and system-agnostic protection . As your business continues to grow, in terms of headcount, global coverage, and technology, what you demand from your backup solution will as well. The best cloud backup service needs to protect virtual, physical, cloud, and mobile platforms as well as Windows, Linux, Apple, iOS, and Android technology. This helps ensure that however you grow, your protection can keep pace.

Keep in Mind:

Data protection regulations are constantly evolving. Even with the best cloud backup solution, there may be some data sovereignty concerns, particularly for larger, global organizations. Many of the best enterprise cloud backup services — and even some of the best cloud backup services for small businesses — now account for this with integrated regulation compliance capabilities. Investing in solutions like these may prove invaluable as digital regulations continue to become stricter.

“Recovery” isn’t the same as “back in business”. When data loss occurs, almost every backup service on the market will help you recover what you lost. How long that process takes (and therefore how costly the downtime is) will vary, though. The best cloud backup will include disaster recovery functionality that allows for rapid recovery time objectives (RTOs) by temporarily running your systems in the cloud to get your business back up and running in mere minutes.

Acronis Backup for Business

Acronis Backup is the most reliable and easy-to-use backup for businesses of all sizes. You can protect all of your organization’s data wherever it lives – on local devices, remote devices, servers, and in the cloud — all from a centralized, unified control interface. Today this protection extends to 21 separate platforms, from individual mobile devices and endpoints to physical servers, virtual servers, and cloud storage from Acronis, Microsoft, and Amazon.

From all these platforms, Acronis Backup users can access a wealth of backup options including file and folder backup, incremental backup, differential backup , disk cloning, and full image backup. These backup files can be stored, cloned, and restored at any time, to any protected platform – with your most crucial business processes operational in just minutes.

Best Cloud Backup Service for Service Providers

As a service provider, you need to stay at the forefront of technology to stay competitive in your field. That means you need to offer the best cloud backup service available to your clients. The trouble is, there’s now an ever-growing number of use cases that your clients will be expecting from their cloud storage solution. And with a growing number of clients and the increased complexity of their IT infrastructures, you have to find a solution that has all the capabilities needed for the best enterprise cloud backup, while retaining the reliability, flexibility, and scalability your client requires.

The Best Cloud Backup Service for Service Providers Offers:

Flexible management options. You need to meet a wide variety of client needs and infrastructures, so every step of your cloud backup offering – from deployment and storage to licensing and billing – should be adaptable. To ensure clients are protected, the best cloud backup for service providers integrates with key services, such as Odin, HostBill, Flexiant, WHMCS, ConnectWise, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Autotask, and Kaseya.

Seamless, global scalability opportunities . As your organization grows and acquires clients around the world, the ability to adapt your cloud backup service is key. This extends to everything from multi-tenant, multi-tier cloud architecture adjustments to 24/7 support in multiple languages.

Keep in Mind:

Your branding should be your own . When searching for a cloud backup service, look for a solution that can blend with your existing brand . Some of the best cloud backup-as-a-service solutions give you total control – from client account feature access and data quotas to complete customization for branding.

Upfront costs can be prohibitive. Even the best cloud backup service with the most opportunity for a positive return on investment (ROI) can bring your growth to a halt if there are substantial day-one costs. This is especially true of cloud backup services that require both hardware and software installations. Be sure to factor these payments into your strategy. Better still, search for solutions that have minimal upfront costs, which will help deliver a quicker ROI.

Acronis Cyber Backup Cloud for Service Providers

Acronis Cyber Backup Cloud protects any virtual, physical, and cloud environment, and can help you realize incremental revenues faster with zero upfront costs and its pay-as-you-go business model. Service providers can experience even faster backup and recovery times and meet compliance and business requirements with greater ease. Plus Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure are built-in as native backup destinations options.

No additional deployment is required and Google, Microsoft, and Acronis cloud storage solutions are equally priced for optimal choice. With Microsoft 365 protection, disaster recovery services , an integrated anti-ransomware defense powered by artificial intelligence, and blockchain-based data notarization and authentication – Acronis Cyber Backup Cloud allows service providers to deliver features that represent the very best cloud backup service available.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re looking to protect your home PC, your company’s infrastructure, or business clients around the world, your data protection needs are constantly evolving. With a thorough backup system in place, you can ensure that your data and business continuity is maintained. Today, that’s simply not enough, however. For modern protection that’s the best, cloud backup services offer the most comprehensive defense possible, with more accessibility and less downtime.

To find the best cloud backup for your unique needs, compare your specific set-up and tech demands with the capabilities in the market today. With so many individuals and companies moving their data to the cloud, you have a wide choice in cloud backup services – but not all are created equal. Review your options in accordance with the offer details listed above to ensure the solution you choose is the best cloud backup service for you.

5 Reasons Why Every Small Business Needs A Website

matt.vilardo@tbcusa.com (Louis Vilardo) — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 21:27:12 GMT

5 Reasons Why Every Small Business Needs A Website...

I wanted to reach out to you today to discuss why all businesses should have a website these days. Yes, ALL of them.

The Internet has made it pretty obvious that a website can be an asset to any business. An asset maybe, but a necessity? Well, maybe not. At least I believed that until one day when I needed to research a local retailer and they didn’t have a website.

I was visiting a pet food manufacturer’s website to find a local retailer. I wanted to purchase their pet food locally instead of ordering it online from the manufacturer. I was so excited to find a store within a mile from me on the manufacturer’s site. I immediately searched for the local store but found that they didn’t have a website. So how could I check their hours or make sure they still carried that brand or if they were still in business? Talk about total disappointment!

Immediately I thought, “Now what? Don’t they want customers?” I could call them, but I didn’t feel like it since I was on my computer. How much easier it would have been for me (a potential customer) to learn about that store if that retailer had a website.

Instead of calling, I decided to look up the next nearest store (which I think many consumers would do.) They had a website with the information I needed and more! They had their hours, location and the best part of their website was that they had photos of their store (so I knew what it looked like) plus they noted that they had “onsite parking”! What a great idea to provide this helpful information for new customers like me . That’s when I realized having a website was an important tool in the small business owner’s arsenal and it is a necessity.

That brings me to several reasons to have a website for your small business:

1) Competition. This is one of the strongest reasons to have a website. You know your competitors have a website. I mean not only your local retailers but also manufacturers and online sellers use websites as a way to communicate with existing and potential customers. It doesn’t mean that all of your competitors have a web presence but probably at least one nearby has a website! Don’t lose customers to them! If you are local, adding a printable map showing your location is a great convenience for your customer.

2) Convenience. If you have printed business cards and have a stack of them sitting on your counter, think of a website as your new digital business card. If a customer misplaces your printed business card then they can conveniently find you when you have a web presence. They will be able to get even more information about you and your business that could never fit on your paper business card. Just imagine if someone asks one of your customers for a recommendation. Don’t you want to be the one who is recommended? It would be great if your customer said, “I don’t have their business card but you can visit their website!”

3) Credibility. I’m sure you’ve heard a professional looking website provides you with your first chance at making a good impression on a customer. A website shows that you are committed to your business and the customer is important to you. You might find that customers are more willing to do business with you because you have a website. Think of it as making that website investment for THEM!

4) Build Relationships. You can find value in having an online presence by building relationships with customers via your website by sending them monthly emails or newsletters to stay in touch. It is easier to get people to visit your website and understand about your business. It is also a great customer service tool where customers can reach you 24 hours a day, any day of the week, by e-mail. Replying to their emails is a great way to develop a relationship with them! Building relationships in business through a website gives you a strong advantage .

5) Advertising. Now this is a good one with which to end my list. A website can be a very inexpensive form of advertising. You can offer your customers much more information about your products or services on a website than other forms of advertising. You can make changes —seasonal or monthly changes reflected with photos or prices or have weekend specials. The sky is the limit! You can send emails and publicize sales and special offers. What about an online limited offer? What a fantastic way of showcasing your business and keeping customers!

My experience provided me with some insights on the value and importance of a business having a website. What a great way to be able to communicate important information to your customers. It’s like a silent partner, providing an easy way for your customers to learn about you and your business. If you want more customers, I hope these reasons demonstrate how customers and websites can produce amazing results together. A website provides a great opportunity to expand your business. I hope you will consider creating one today.

I Already Have A Facebook Page. I Don't Need A Website...

matt.vilardo@tbcusa.com (Louis Vilardo) — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 21:20:44 GMT

I Already Have A Facebook Page. I Don't Need A Website...

I am always amazed when clients or prospects tell me "I already have a Facebook page, I don’t need a website".

Facebook is a terrific entry level way for start-up or established businesses to generate interest in their products or services. You can make connections with potential clients and help expand your business network with the potential to reach a massive audience (depending on your timeframe and budget). In fact, most of the major social media sites offer some type of ‘business portal’ including, but not limited to, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest, as well as video sharing sites Youtube and Vimeo. Plus, they are all super quick to set up and can be free depending on the site and the service.

So that’s it, deal done, case closed. Facebook is the be all and end all… well not quite.

Despite all the positives that accompany having a strong Facebook presence, there is one important element that all social media lacks -- your control of the environment. Facebook doesn’t let you display your company the way you want and, ultimately, need to establish a unique online brand. Sure, you can change the company header and your profile picture but the static template layout that Facebook provides always remains the same.

A website, on the other hand, enables you to:

Control the look and feel, adding a much needed hit of character and brand personality.
Direct people to particular areas of your business, perhaps to a certain product or particular service.
Meticulously plan and control the content and where it is displayed.
Differentiate your business from its competitors with a customized, responsive design.

So while Facebook and other social media sites are useful tools, a custom website creates an important point of difference and uniqueness. Used together, this online presence is a great strategy to, firstly, gain interest from a crowd of almost infinite people and, secondly, point them to a professional site that accurately represents your business.

Keep In Touch With Site Visitors And Boost Loyalty

matt.vilardo@tbcusa.com (Louis Vilardo) — Sat, 10 Dec 2022 20:47:41 GMT

Keep In Touch With Site Visitors And Boost Loyalty!

There are so many good reasons to communicate with site visitors. Tell them about sales and new products or update them with tips and information.

Here are some reasons to make blogging part of your regular routine.

Blogging is an easy way to engage with site visitors

Writing a blog post is easy once you get the hang of it. Posts don’t need to be long or complicated. Just write about what you know, and do your best to write well.

Show customers your personality
When you write a blog post, you can really let your personality shine through. This can be a great tool for showing your distinct personality.

Blogging is a terrific form of communication
Blogs are a great communication tool. They tend to be longer than social media posts, which gives you plenty of space for sharing insights, handy tips and more.

It’s a great way to support and boost SEO
Search engines like sites that regularly post fresh content, and a blog is a great way of doing this. With relevant metadata for every post so search engines can find your content.

Drive traffic to your site
Every time you add a new post, people who have subscribed to it will have a reason to come back to your site. If the post is a good read, they’ll share it with others, bringing even more traffic!

Blogging is free
Maintaining a blog on your site is absolutely free. You can hire bloggers if you like or assign regularly blogging tasks to everyone in your company.

A natural way to build your brand
A blog is a wonderful way to build your brand’s distinct voice. Write about issues that are related to your industry and your customers.