Two new “Postcard” web sites

6 November 2009 by realcom

Two new client web sites launched this week – both what I’d call “postcard” web sites- a single page with a brief description of what they do, where they do it and how to contact them: “We’re having fun, see the picture, wish you were here!”

One is KDF Driving of Belton near Loughborough. Keith runs a driving school and wants a simple way of showing clients his qualifications and affiliations and how to make contact with him. Once the prospective client is talking on the phone Keith can assess their needs and make the sale. He advertises in local directories and on his cars (picture on the web site). A web address is easier to remember than a phone number and conveys a lot more. See KDF Driving at www.kdfdriving.co.uk

The second one-page postcard is The MDC a bar and disco in Moseley, Birmingham. This market is extremely competitive and working on small margins so marketing costs have to be kept low. But the message only needs to be simple – the name of the bar, the location, the type of music and opening times – so a single page and a link to a map is all that’s needed. See www.themdc.co.uk

Once you have a web site you can use it in many ways as part of your marketing strategy. You don’t need to spend so much on large box ads or expensive brochures. Keep the message short and simple with a link to a web site that explains all.

The next step is to do some internet marketing, get listed in on-line local directories, Google, Bing and Yahoo of course. Customers won’t beat a path to your door – unless you beat a path to them first.

Domain renewal scam

21 October 2009 by realcom

I received a couple of emails from an American outfit demanding immediate payment to renew .org domains. Since I manage the domains of all the Realcom sites and the sites of most of my clients I knew very well that these domains are not due and in any case I use 123-reg (part of Pipex) to manage and renew domains. So beware! Don’t take any notice of any emails or letters that don’t come from your hosting provider or web site company. Your web site company should let you know when your domain is due and will likely renew as part of your annual hosting and support contract (you do have a support contract don’t you?).