Alta Vista Business Services (AVBS) Blog

Alta Vista Business Services is pleased to announce the new Web site for  Paychecks of New Hampshire.
President, Fran Maineri, whose business is located in Laconia, provides payroll services for companies across New England, and even as far away as Colorado. Fran required a new, redesigned site that allows his clients to log in and submit specific information to help him serve them better.

AVBS used the Business Catalyst online business system to help him achieve his business goals. Business Catalyst has built in modules for secure login areas for special subscribers. Fran also wanted announcements, a calendar, blog, and eNewsletter features to communicate important tax and payroll information in a timely and highly visible fashion to his clients and anyone visiting his site for information.

We at Alta Vista Business Services wish to thank Mr. Maineri for the opportunity to serve his online business needs!

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 he 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.

Or maybe I should say “Wake up Internet Professionals!”

When I started my business last year with very little start-up money, my first main focus became "What can I do to get my name out there for little or no cost?"

I would search the Internet for information, just like anyone would and found lots of opportunities if I pay money, but not much for free or almost free. One day I was conducting a "local search" for a nearby restaurant and it suddenly occurred to me, that my business should probably be listed on Google. I didn't think it was, since I have a home office. But just for grins I looked. Of course it wasn't there. BUT, I noticed a small link: Can't find what you're looking for? * Add a place to the map.

So I did. I was a little nervous about it since, who am I to change things on Google? But Google actually allowed me to do it. Creating my own listing on Google was easier than setting up phone service through the phone company! Google simply required that I verify my business location and information.

One thing leads to another. So, I say to myself, if I can do it on Google, can I do it on Yahoo? I soon discovered, Yes, I can! Similar process: Search..., not found, okay  login to (or create) account, then create listing, wait for verification letter, logon and verify with pin. Voila!

It is clear that many small businesses have not taken advantage of this free marketing opportunity. Much of the info among the many business listings is incorrect. Some owners may not be aware that their listing is not even there! I'm talking established, local restaurants, here. Search engines use spiders or bots to crawl the Web to get information for their databases. So, it is likely that some of the information is incomplete. We, as business owners, have every opportunity to rectify this, but it can be time consuming. So on to my next point.

Later, on one of my favorite sites, websitemagazine.com, I discovered an article posted that was all about taking advantage of free listings on search engines. They were highlighting a resource called getlisted.org which allows you to locate or create, and claim your business listings for four major search engines, all from one dashboard. That allows you to go back later and check on the progress of those listings, add or change information as needed, and best of all, take advantage of the great tools the search engines offer that let you add value to your listing. But I don't want to get ahead of myself, there will be more on that in part 3...

So for now, go ahead and logon to getlisted.org and see if you can find any listings for your business (or your Uncle Joe's pizzeria-- ya never know!). Go ahead. Why not? it's FREE!

According to getlisted.org, there are well over 10 billion unique searches done each month, and that's just in the United States! Of those searches, 40% of queries have Local intent.

What is "local intent?" Local intent means the entered search criteria specifies a locale in some manner.

Now this is where it can get confusing. Local search doesn't necessarily mean that you are searching in your own locale! It simply means that in your search you have specified A locale, any locale by using a zip code, city, state, neighborhood, country or any other criteria to narrow your results to a place in this world. (A note for those who cater to visitors or tourists.)

Why should you know this? Why should anyone care? Well, for a business owner, if you live and work in a location and want to attract people to your locale, you want to use all the necessary tools to do that. And if you are a Search Engine user, you may not be completely aware of how useful local search can be to help you choose the right company to give your business.

Most of the big search engines have a network, or for lack of a better term, sub-feature, called LOCAL. Google has it, it's called Google Maps (maps.google.com). Yahoo!'s is called Local. Bing has a local search category too.

How do you know which results are one of these networks? When  a person performs a local search in any of the above search engines, your first indication is that a map appears in the results. The map displays circles or balloons, and alongside this map are the referring circle/balloon business names. Click on this map and you suddenly have many opportunities to drill down and get lots of information about these businesses. This helps you decide who you want to do business with.

From the other perspective, if you are a business owner, how can you capitalize on this feature? Business owners can create a free account with any of the three aforementioned search engines and "claim" a business listing. Once they claim it, and go through the verification process, they have the opportunity to change or upgrade the data the search engine keeps for that business.

Features vary from search engine to search engine. For example, some allow you to list your business hours, leave a link to your Web site, post photos, create coupons, and they also have a review feature for customers to rate and leave comments on the quality of products and services.

To see if your business data is found in a search engines local network. There are instructions in our previous blog.

In the next installment  of this three part series, we will address ways to manage your listings with various search engines in one place.