Resist the Urge to Save

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We’re a nation of contrarians, we don’t like to be told what to do. So if the government says spend because of generous tax breaks, we shout “Save!” But maybe we’re shouting save and thinking…SPEND!

Tax deductions are always attractive and this year the carrot is shiny and sweet, so if you’ve got spending on the mind then consider these technology investments:

1. Upgraded Point of Sale units – if you have POS cash registers connected to the internet then there is always a risk of viruses but most importantly, just like upgrading a laptop you need to consider the main point of receipting cash and credit cards and then consider an upgrade today. We’re big fans of – Ordermate they just get customers and on the plus side your eCommerce website integrates directly to the POS for seamless ordering and monitoring of your profits.

2. Tablet – Your kid has one, so why shouldn’t you start using the ultimate in flexible technology that acts as a fantastic sales tool? Why wait to show your customer your goods when you can hand over your new, pixel perfect tablet and they can scroll through themselves. As a aside, how is your website looking on the tablet these days?

3. Mobile – Tablets are sales tools, mobiles are the productive-you tool. Tech changes so quickly in this space so don’t wait any longer to change out to a mobile phone that can act as a mini-office in your pocket. The statistics for users viewing your website only through mobile phone browsing are approaching 50% of the browsing public and will only continue to grow, how is that site looking on your phone?

Ok so we violated the “Don’t Tell Us What to Do!” rule but even though we don’t think Gerry Harvey needs more money we do like the focus on technology to sharpen your business model so think about it, but not for too long.

One Simple, Effective Way to Connect with Your Customers

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Applying the personal touch when selling online can be challenging – especially when most businesses sell online to spend less time on the phone. But there is one surefire way to connect with your shoppers in a way that benefits them and you and that’s by adding a live chat feature to your website.

Three awesome reasons to seriously consider live chat on your website:

1. Multi-tasking – In the era of multi-tasking your customers will be ever so grateful that they can type out a question, grab a cuppa, pay a bill and then come back for the answer. And that question might just be what’s been holding them back from purchasing. You can also multi-task, keeping multiple chats open at the same time – no annoying hold music for anyone!

2. Information – Just by reaching out to you the live chat tool can tell you where the customer is, what Internet browser they are using and other information useful for helping them shop and checkout. Live chat can help you answer all those questions without even having to ask, and its the kind of information your website technician might need to fix a site issue.

3. Trust – A tool like live chat can be personalised with names, images and information that helps your customers comfortable that they are speaking directly to you. It helps build trust between a person who needs help and the person who can provide that help. Trust easily leads to loyal and repeat customers.

We think businesses can easily extend a personal approach to their online shoppers in many ways, but live chat is certainly at the top of that list. Our eCommerce solutions are live-chat enabled and even allow you to shop on the customers behalf if they need some help after chatting with you.

Get in touch if you are interested in more information – info@wkdigital.com.au.

3 Reasons for Monkey Marketing

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If you are struggling with how to reach out to your current and future customers we recommend sitting down with our monkey friend Mailchimp.

What can a monkey possibly offer you? Heaps as it turns out. If you follow us on social media you know we love technology, our own and others, and in this case we strongly recommend using Mailchimp to manage your email marketing campaigns.

There are so many reasons to choose Mailchimp, but here are the top three:

1. Its Easy & Free – Once you signup you realise that Mailchimp helps take you each step of the way, creating a list of people to send to, designing a newsletter, recommending the best Subject Line to get people’s attention – its all there and if you have a list of under 2000 subscribers then you can send newsletters regularly for $0.

2. Tracking & Feedback – Are you still investing in marketing that can’t tell you whether it was worth the money? Mailchimp tells you everything about exactly who opened the email, who clicked on a link (and which one). It allows for automatic unsubscribe so you keep everyone happy and if the email did not reach certain users the monkey tells you why. It gives you the tools to see for yourself if its worth it (and it is because its easy and its free :-)

3. It Talks to So Many Other Software Programs – In other words, it integrates to the tools you already use in house so that programs like your CRM shows you marketing responses on a client by client basis, your Google Website Analytics is linked to your email marketing and most importantly your website sign ups can sync directly to your Mailchimp account. You always have the latest customer list when you are ready to send out that next awesome newsletter.

These days customers are researching you as much as you research them. Build trust by sharing your successes and knowledge with them through tools like Mailchimp so when it comes to choosing your company you already have it in the bag! All of our websites have the option to integrate to Mailchimp and other great tools – check out our Integration Services.

Its Your Day – Take Time for Yourself!

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And no, we do not mean a sneaky 5 minute (and became 30) session checking out your friends antics on Facebook – that’s just tuning out!  Take time, that is professional development time, for yourself.

This is easier said then done, we are all busy solving operational issues and the phone doesn’t stop. But carve out 30 minutes a day, or 2 hours a week and make sure you work on your business instead of in it.

Taking that time can help you craft lasting solutions to those fires you put out again and again.

It can be an actual training course OR you could just Google it and go deep. Pick a weekly topic, leadership, finances, technology, marketing or any other old thing that’s been on your mind and really put some time into:

• Understanding what it is
• Figuring out if it can help you
• Lining up any questions you still have
• Making a plan for addressing the lingering questions (if any)

In 30 minutes you can definitely get through each of these steps, and if its something that needs further investigation to bring to a conclusion then rank it on the list of other things and come back to it. Or even better – delegate that task to someone else in your business.

Remember – its your day – you didn’t start a business to have someone else set your schedule. So take time to develop yourself – you will feel so much better for doing so.

Make Customers Come to You

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An Australian customer of ours just had beautiful wedding in the middle of Central Park. It was just for them, tailor-made to suit what they had in mind for their special day. And that reminds us of what people are looking for in a website…equal parts unique and special but definitely a statement about the person or business it represents.

 

The wow factor for a website can easily be a splashy or unique design but in our experience what people are looking for on your website is that unique representation that you think makes you stand out from your competitors.

 

Is your business selling tyres? How about building a website that allows people to take their research process further and see if you have exactly the tyre they are looking for with prices confirmed so that all you have to do is book in an installation time? And the best part is, its a give to get, they get their information easily, and you get a qualified and specific lead generated directly into your database. That’s a whole marketplace coming to your door because you get that they just want the information now with a minimum of fuss.

 

Sexy web design is good, efficient and speedy information delivery is something every business owner should lust after and then ask for from their website provider.

 

Your dreams can be built online and we get a kick out listening to those big dreams and then making them happen – you should expect nothing less!

Does Your Business Need an App?

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To App or Not to App, That is the Question

We love technology at White Knight and are always amazed at the beautiful, powerful things that are possible through innovation in our industry. But we have a stubborn practical streak too, and that practical streak makes us question whether building an app for your business is necessary.

What is an app? Google says its a self-contained program or piece of software designed to fulfill a particular purpose; an application, especially as downloaded by a user to a mobile device.

When it comes to building an app for your business the cost (in time and money) are often not worth it. There are three key things that you need to strongly consider when it comes to your app decision-making process.

1. People are lazy – you could build the most amazing app that no one ever bothers to download to their phone. And if by chance they do, it should be so easy to use it practically does its thing by itself. There is a whole segment of the technology industry that focuses completely on user experience. They are smart, knowledgeable and usually charge more than $100/hour.

2. Apple & Android App stores have a set of procedures you have to follow to get that app into the marketplace – They are the ultimate store front for your app and they want the final say on quality control, as they should. And every time you update your app you have to jump through these hoops to reach your audience. Think more developer time, and more money.

3. Everyone Just Googles It Anyway – It is pretty common knowledge that if a client can remember your business name they are going to Google it, go to your website and then get what they need from there. Then you only have to have a great website, not a great website and an a great app. Less development time = less money.

But what about your website, it looks terrible on mobile, so hard to read and you get lots of people leaving your website. This is so easy to fix and you only need to invest in a great, mobile responsive website to kill two birds with one stone.

What the heck is mobile responsive? In normal terms the website will adjust the way it displays based on the size of the screen being used so that it gives best most readable display.

If your website looks the same no matter where you look at it then it might be time for a new website. Mobile responsive design should be a key part of what you get in this new website so make sure to ask about it.

So, to app or not to app? We think in most cases, not. There are amazing apps out there being built and enhanced by companies with corporate sized marketing budgets and we are better for their hard work. So we think its ok to say thank you to the big guys and no thank you to building our own.

Happy New Financial Year!

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Last week was about tidying up, this week is about opportunity. You don’t have to wait for the end of the calendar year to reflect & revise your business strategy. Take today, take 30 minutes, 3 hours, whatever it takes to assess the best of what you have achieved so far this year and what you want to improve on.

We are pretty sure your sales and marketing plan will come up in the things to improve on, who doesn’t strive for more customers? We believe an effective online marketing strategy centred around your own professional website is the most cost-effective place to put your money and energy.

Most of you have a website already, but if you don’t its kind of like having a phone number for your business that is not public. Websites come in all shapes, sizes & prices but there are three important things to consider for an existing or a new website.

Does your site get traffic?

Google provides an incredibly simple tool to add to your site to tell you all sorts of great information about your business website, who is coming, how long they stay, if they convert to being customers and its FREE!

How are people getting to you?

Has someone been bothering you about getting an app for all those users that don’t like looking at your site on their mobile phone? Maybe you need an app and maybe you don’t, but you need that Google traffic tool to figure that out. Did we mention that Google tool is FREE?

Are you making money from your website?

Lead generation is an important reason for having a website but we are equally passionate about the opportunities for making money with online ordering. If you want to extend your reach to customers inside or outside your local area then you should strongly consider a website where people can purchase your products or services directly without the need to pick up the phone.

These three things are a great place to start evaluating how to best use your own website as a launch pad for an informed online marketing plan. So start today, grab some time, just for you and your team to think about the future, dream big and start the second half of the year the way you have always intended.

Interested in our newly revamped WebPOS online ordering solution? Click here for more details.