Alta Vista Business Services Blog

My entrepreneurial spirit is just a nag. It haunts me in my sleep. Apparently, "it" has always wanted me to have my own eCommerce site. "What should I sell?" I ask my entrepreneurial me. Some things inspired me, but not enough to take the plunge. Also, most things I thought people would want, are things I make myself. But honestly, I really don't really have time for that. I also know there are a lot of talented people out there. I just needed to see something that inspired me. also, I only want to represent products that I can believe in. So, for more than three years this "idea" was wiggling around my brain, nagging.

But recently, a new turn of events began to round out my plan.

When John and I moved back to Colorado in 2010, I reconnected with an old friend who had started her own business designing handbags in the Colorado Western style for horse lovers like herself. Her name is Lynn Gerber and her handbag company is called Eternal Perspective. She makes the purses from buffalo leather that she acquires from her friend, Julie Littlefield, famed organic buffalo rancher from Hotchkiss, Colorado. Well, let me tell you, the bags are absolutely gorgeous! She embellishes them with fringe, studs and stones. I was hooked. This is definitely a product I can get behind! I decided to branch out my business and apply all the e-marketing skill I had learned over the years and sell the bags online. Lynn created an exclusive line for me so I can sell them on my site. 

So, without further adieu, allow me to introduce to you to the new online store, featuring exclusive handbags made of pure, organic buffalo hide: Buffalo Trails Boutique! Click here to visit www.buffalotrailsbtq.com

My niece, Angela, modeling one of the bags. A buffalo leather bag embroidered with tattoo inspired art. 

When you hire a Web designer, how do you know they are going to optimize your site for Search Engine Optimization (SEO)? Sure, you can ask, "Do you optimize for SEO?" And they'll say, "Oh yes! Of course we do!" But how do you know they're going to do it, that they know how, if they know the latest SEO methods? What are the questions you should ask to be sure?

Below is a basic description of how SEO works. Ask your designer to explain to you what they're going to do for ORGANIC search results in search engines, such as Google and Yahoo. Get their description in writing, cross-check it against this description and see how close they come. If your Web Designer doesn't follow these general guidelines, find someone who does. There's more of course, such as how many keywords are optimal, proper alt tags for images, etc. but the following is just a guide for you to know if they know what they're doing.

SEO starts with choosing your target market, and the keywords your target would use in a search engine to find your products or services, a set of keywords for each page. After selecting those keywords, they must be built into the actual page name, which is the link, a.k.a URL, that shows up in the address bar, which matches closely to the Page Title (encoded on the back in the 'Title' tag), and also matches the properly tagged first header 'H1' on the page (The H1 is should be clearly visible at the top of the page contents as a heading to anyone looking at your page). And then further, the content of the page must contain, multiple times, the chosen keywords. They should be in sentences, detailed descriptions, and/or bullet points, and in various formats on your page. These keywords are then placed in a meta tag on the back side called “keywords.” If any of these items do not match one another, or are missing, then search engines will either lower the grade, or simply not index them.

So hopefully this explains how a Web site is built from the beginning with search optimization in mind. SEO should not be an afterthought. Whomever you choose to work on your project, they should work closely with you to make sure to get the right content, keywords, tags, headers, etc. so when searchers enter those terms, your site will be found in the search results for your target market.

Announcing NEAT (New England Athletic Team) Photos brand new Web site!

Andy and Suzi Moore, owners of NEAT Photos, require more than a simple Web brochure. They want a fully functional eCommerce site for their photography business. The ability to collect custom order information, like player, team, and league names, is key to successfully filling orders. The new site provides this, plus the ability to direct customers to the correct catalog for their league. Furthermore, the Moores can get pre-orders before a photo event occurs.

The site, www.neatphotosne.com is built on Adobe's Business Catalyst, which allows them access to make changes, generate reports on all activity on the site from sales to visitors, and ultimately be in complete control of their online business.

Congratulations, NEAT Photos!

Recently, I discovered a template that referred to the term "cufon." in the css and Javascript and was both mystified and intrigued. I did a definition search on Google and found nothing. A query to the linkedin.com group CSS Linked, to which I belong, and the answer was soon presented. In short, it is way to use Javascript to embed custom fonts in Web pages so you don't have to render text to images. I have to thank my fellow CSS Linked member, David Shuford, for providing the definition. David is an Independent Internet Professional in Boston area.

I read a while ago that the ability to expand your font options beyond the ridiculously limited Web-system font options was on the horizon. Well here it is. There are few terms that clearly define this process, but it is more commonly becoming known as "Cufon"-- or more correctly "Cufón."

References describing how this actually works, are pretty technical and acronym ridden. In an attempt to break it down in its simplist form, below are specific references to the documentation and process for use.

According to Github developer Simo Kinnunen (a.k.a. Sorccu) (https://github.com/sorccu/cufon/wiki/About), due to the complexity of achieving embedded fonts on Web pages, a generator is recommended and a Javascript must be rendered. Through Github.com, Sorccu not only provides the generator, but allows users to use the form and offers troubleshooting guidelines.

Another source for generating the appropriate code is http://typeface.neocracy.org/ which, ironically uses text rendered as images for headings.

CSS and Javascript

It is the Javascript that does the embedding, but using CSS to render the font stylishly that makes all this so appealing from a designer's perspective. The time it saves to allow the CSS to do the work across the site, rather than tediously create type and apply styles and save them as images saves time (I know, understatement!). Plus it looks amazing, professional, and consistent.

Things to be aware of

Not all fonts are free.

Font foundries are making more and more Web fonts available-- which is very cool, but like any other resource, if you don't own it, you have to make sure you get permission to use it. You can purchase fonts for the Web and pay as little as $10 for the right to use on Web sites. Myfonts.com has over 9000 Web fonts from which to choose.

Supporting Browsers.

Not every browser supports Webfonts. But here is a list of browsers that do: Firefox 3.5+, IE 5+, Opera 10+, Chrome 4+, Safari 3.1+, iOS Mobile Safari, Andriod 2.2+ and BlackBerry OS 6.

This is just the tip of the proverbial iceburg. I would love feedback on this topic from seasoned designers. Please use the comment form below.

There's something about designing for the Web that irritates me. You may have noticed, many Websites have HUGE headers. I'm the first to admit, I've created many a site with chunky headers. We've all heard the rule Form Follows Function. And I totally agree with that! Yet we (the design community) continue to design sites that might look smashing because they have huge, graphic headers, but the main content of each page is at and below the fold, which forces users to scroll down to read content. How functional is that?! Call me lazy, but I really don't like to scroll. Do I have to assume it is just a necessary evil and everyone just has to deal with it? Can we rethink this dilemma? As designers and content developers, I know we can do better.

The fact of the matter is it is really difficult to design for a horizontal layout. Maybe for a few reasons. Maybe we have looked at and designed for vertical pages on paper so long, that we can't get our heads around the horizontal screen we are now designing for. Now don't get me wrong, I don't think we need to be scrolling horizontally either. I'm talking about limiting the size of the header, and keeping content in smaller chunks to minimize scrolling. Is it better to click or to scroll?

I have noticed that sites developed in Flash tend to keep things in screen-size chunks. This is probably more difficult to achieve because it requires more links, and more condensed, less verbose content. In spite of all that, this might be the way to go for the future of more usable sites. I, for one, am going to attempt to develop HTML/CSS sites that follow this same rule. (I know... wish me luck!)

I would love some commentary from other designers on this subject.  Do you think it is important? Do you think we tend to over-design sites? Is it time to start thinking of better ways to use the screen space? If you have already achieved this, I'd love to see some examples. Please tell me your experiences and thoughts on this issue.

As an Internet professional, I wear many hats. I design sites that meet the needs of small businesses. Those needs comprise many functions and finding the right solution for each need is a daunting task. Recently, two clients required eCommerce solutions. Caviat? Affordable eCommerce solutions! That cuts down the options quite a bit. After working for large corporations for 10 years, I learned about budget constraints, but there are no budgets smaller than those of small business owners.

I did my best to fit customer needs into current open source applications—within their budgets. But, design and development time really ads up. The dilemma? Finding quality open source solutions that give options for professional looking and functioning stores without breaking their budgets and putting me in the poorhouse. Let’s just say, this is no easy task!

While struggling through an open source solution, that required seventeen (literally-- no kidding) backend code changes just to update to the latest version, I’d had enough. In my reluctant search for something better, I happened to stumble upon a SaaS (Software as a Service) solution called Goodbarry. I gave it a glance and thought it couldn’t possibly allow me the design complexity I required as seasoned Web designer. But I signed up for the 30 day trial anyway.

Shortly thereafter, through their email communications, I discovered that GoodBarry, aka Business Catalyst, was purchased by Adobe AND they were offering partnerships to Web designers who want usable, modular systems for clients' sites. This really piqued my interest. You see, I am a (‘scuse the cliché) dyed in the wool Adobe fan. There is no better way to put it. I have been using Adobe products since I was a production artist baby – and I am quite loyal. Not loyal typically, but to Adobe I am. Without Adobe products, I would be hard-pressed to do my job. For that reason, I took a closer look.

For about two months, me and my business partner—unfoolable, detail oriented, skeptic, and spouse, John—pored over the Business Catalyst offering. Yep, they had cool stuff to offer. It could be the wake-up call for my programming nightmares.

During this time, I had a wonderful client I’d been trying to provide an OS solution for eCommerce. But because of my current OS-venture faux pas, I was losing money. I couldn’t afford to hire a programmer now. Was I stuck? We decided to bite the proverbial bullet. I partnered with Business Catalyst and called my client. I explained the issue and said I believe I found a solution that would allow her to do all the things she wanted on her online shop: manage it herself, upload and manage her products, keep a customer database, integrate with Quickbooks, conduct secure online business, and expand it as needed with a blog and an integrated newsletter. To my delight, she agreed to give it a try.

Cut to now, I launched her site on BC and I found that the product has more than delivered. I went through extensive training to implement the online tools they offer and am now competently selling and delivering exceptional Web sites for small businesses. I’m a proud Business Catalyst partner! When a client requires more than they can really afford, I can now say with pride “I can do that!” And then, I do!

http://altavistabizservices.com/RSSRetrieve.aspx?ID=609&Type=RSS20

Over the holidays, John and I had an opportunity to go to New York City for a three day weekend.

You might ask which show we took in, or if we did any shopping at Times Square. Well, it was none of that actually. 

Along with a group of 15 others, we piled into a couple of vans and headed to NYC. Our goal was to reach out to those on the fringes of society and share with them a hug, a prayer, a sandwich or hot soup, some needed supplies like a warm blanket, coat, or personal necessities.

As you might guess, there are a lot of people in need in NYC. The economy has taken its toll and has left many folks in some pretty dire situations. On Saturday, during our visit to a ministry called "The Father's Heart", we, along with dozens of volunteers, served 632 people a hot, all-you-can-eat breakfast and gave them a hug, a smile, and a bag of groceries when they left. A few were homeless, many were elderly, some were sick or disabled, and others were refugees and immigrants trying to make their way. They're all people loved by God, no matter what their circumstances.

That evening, during the height of the storm, we drove around looking in those places where homeless folks seek shelter. Our search revealed people huddled up, trying to stay warm underground at Penn Station. Some of the vendors cheerfully offered muffins and other goods from the day's business to subsidize the sandwiches and juice we were handing out. The Christmas spirit was alive and well in Penn Station that night.

Why did we do all of this? It's simple really. We believe it is necessary for all people to take as many opportunities they can to help their fellow person. Christmas is a great time to do that. It's pretty cold outside and definitely snowy, but it sure gave us a  real life view of the suffering a homeless person has to endure.

Sure, it makes us feel good to do these kinds of things. But that's not why we do it. We follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. All throughout His ministry he taught of loving your neighbor, taking care of the hungry, clothing the naked, tending to the sick. The word "Christian" means Christ-like. If we don't do what He did and taught, we can't really call ourselves Christians. He loved us first, so we love Him back by taking care of the weak. Jesus said, if we do it for them, we do it for Him as well. That is our real purpose for going to NY. Maybe another time we'll take in some sites in the beautiful Big Apple, but we'll definitely be back!

Alta Vista Business Services is pleased to announce the launching of a new eCommerce site for Beadorable.com.

 
Beadorable is a jewelry company based in Concord, NH. Molly Brandt, the owner and designer of Beadorable Custom Belts and Jewelry, required a site with enhanced eCommerce capabilities with a highly customized look and feel.

Primarily, Molly was looking for a site that she can maintain herself going forward. Molly's inventory changes a lot, since creates original pieces and therefore needs to be able to manage the products and catalogs on the fly. AVBS is able to provide that and much more! Beadorable also publishes an eNewsletter and has an extensive customer database that can now be managed entirely from a single dashboard.

Visit beadorable.com to see the beautiful jewelry Molly creates and the Website that is making her business life so much easier!

This week AV Business Services launched a brand new Web site for Central New Hampshire Employment Services, (CNHES, Inc.). CNHES, Inc. has been providing employment services for the Lakes Region and Concord since 1979. The biggest improvement to the site is the look and feel that better represents the company brand. New search technology was implemented so that the site will appear higher in local SERPs (searhc engine Results Pages). CNHES, Inc. will enjoy the benefit of regular reports on site traffic so that they can better manage their marketing efforts.
Another service AVBS provides for clients is registering or claiming listings on the four major search engines from improved findability in local markets, plus the ability to control the content on those listings. CNHES, Inc. received this service as part of their redesign package.

I wish to thank Chris St. Cyr, the company president, for the opportunity to redesign their site and provide Web marketing services.

Marketing is probably the most complex subject for any entrepreneur. If you use the many hats metaphor, we business owners wear many throughout our work-week. But the marketing hat has to be the one that converts from a rain-hat to a designer hat and still to a winter hat. There is so much planning and so many tasks, that I often feel overwhelmed. So, when the invitation to attend the WIW Marketing Inspirations workshop landed in my Facebook wall, I jumped on it.

In addition to building my marketing skills, I was thrilled about the chance to hob-knob with local business owners and other women entrepreneurs and meet local gurus like Link Moser, and Allen and Lani Voivod, Catherine Blake, and others. 

The information shared during the Women Inspiring Women Marketing Inspirations Workshop, covered subjects like “How to put sizzle into your brand”, how to leverage the power of the press in your business, to the big buzz-word of the day-- Social Marketing, and still Search Engine Optimizations (SEO) tactics for your business Web site. 

Everyone goes into a workshop with varying degrees of understanding of the material, but I was really surprised at how much I learned in every area—even areas where I would consider myself highly knowledgeable. For example, I use the top four social media platforms presented, but I didn’t know some of the tools available to make them work even harder for me. 

It was especially enjoyable to experience the other attendees’ exclamations of revelation, or sometimes confusion with the information presented. Most of the attendees were women, and at an event with mostly women you experience so much more than in a mixed group. Women connect and have fun when learning together. We drop our inhibitions about questions, which really raises the level of experience for everyone. 

I must say, I learned so much about all these subjects and truly enjoyed the personality of each presenter. It was a full-on, 10 hour day, but I was completely drawn in the entire time. It wasn’t until I sat behind the wheel did I realize how exhausted I was. 

Women Inspiring Women event Marketing Inspirations was held at SERESC in Concord, NH, Friday, November 13th, 2009.