Remodeling an existing site needs to be approached in a similar way to the initial build out with solid pre-production meetings, research and review your visitor stats to make sure the next gen site meets your goals and can stand on its own for the next 3-5 years. Sometimes the remodel is just a facelift while others scrap everything and start over.
Let's discuss what is the best plan for your current website.
Take a look at some successful remodel projects:
mwalliance.org
ronaldknox.org
otrassn.org
Give us a call 773-665-2552 to discuss your website remodel needs.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
2010 Online marketing plan
Despite what the calendar says, it isn't too early to start detailing your 2010 online marketing plan!
Consider important dates you need your site to be current. Or what about adding new social networking options? Sending out enewsletters - make sure all your communications are coordinated.
Now this online marketing plan doesn't have to be written in stone. We all know these types of due dates should be written in pencil so marketing yourself doesn't interrupt your work for your clients. BUT... it is good to have a plan, even if it is monthly reminders to keep things going. Otherwise you could end up at a prime marketing moment and not have all your ducks in a row.
We use Google Calendar as our marketing reminder tool. You can set up a calendar that just you or your team can see. Set up email reminders a few weeks before you need to finish something to help nudge your task list. You can use the existing major holidays calendar, add in your special events/conference/vacations.
And then add in when you are going to update things like: website, send enewsletter, facebook group postings, linked in profile updates or referrals, tweets, blogs etc. This will help organize your online marketing and keep your information current and moving forward to your prospective clients. Let Google be your trusty assistant. It takes a little time to set up and create the reminders now, but in June 2010 you will be happy you did :)
And let Your Plan B Company help update your website, enewsletters, social networks or print pieces to market your company or organization! We can even create or consult on your online marketing plan. Call 773-665-2552
Consider important dates you need your site to be current. Or what about adding new social networking options? Sending out enewsletters - make sure all your communications are coordinated.
Now this online marketing plan doesn't have to be written in stone. We all know these types of due dates should be written in pencil so marketing yourself doesn't interrupt your work for your clients. BUT... it is good to have a plan, even if it is monthly reminders to keep things going. Otherwise you could end up at a prime marketing moment and not have all your ducks in a row.
We use Google Calendar as our marketing reminder tool. You can set up a calendar that just you or your team can see. Set up email reminders a few weeks before you need to finish something to help nudge your task list. You can use the existing major holidays calendar, add in your special events/conference/vacations.
And then add in when you are going to update things like: website, send enewsletter, facebook group postings, linked in profile updates or referrals, tweets, blogs etc. This will help organize your online marketing and keep your information current and moving forward to your prospective clients. Let Google be your trusty assistant. It takes a little time to set up and create the reminders now, but in June 2010 you will be happy you did :)
And let Your Plan B Company help update your website, enewsletters, social networks or print pieces to market your company or organization! We can even create or consult on your online marketing plan. Call 773-665-2552
Monday, December 21, 2009
YPBCO Office is closed for the holidays!
Holiday Hours at Your Plan B Company!
Wishing you and yours a delightful holiday season!
YPBCo office will be closed Wednesday, December 23, 2008 - Friday, January 1, 2010
However we will be monitoring the voicemail and email once a day, so feel free to call 773-665-2552 and leave a message OR send an email to jameyb@yourplanb.com
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
See you in 2010 :)
(caption: great minds think alike - we all wore stripes!)
Wishing you and yours a delightful holiday season!
YPBCo office will be closed Wednesday, December 23, 2008 - Friday, January 1, 2010
However we will be monitoring the voicemail and email once a day, so feel free to call 773-665-2552 and leave a message OR send an email to jameyb@yourplanb.com
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
See you in 2010 :)
(caption: great minds think alike - we all wore stripes!)Monday, December 14, 2009
NEW SITE LAUNCH! LATEBARCHICAGO.COM
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Late Bar is located at 3534 W Belmont in Chicago's Avondale neighborhood. Fine wine, beer, and spirits are served until 4am every Tuesday through Friday (5am Saturday). At Late Bar, you can dance to music drawn from a variety of genres while our gracious bartenders pay close attention to the art of the cocktail.Your Plan B Company is proud to announce our latest project! latebarchicago.com A Joomla CMS, custom logo, design and print rounds out this launch. This has been a fun creative project with a great enthusiastic team - we look forward to working together more!
If you are in the Chicago area, stop by and see the bar - we will be there opening night for sure! Saturday, December 26, 2009 And be sure to sign up for the mailing list (we hear there will be some great specials for you!).
Monday, December 7, 2009
Can't open files? Stuck in an older version of Office?
Can't open files? Stuck in an older version of Office?
Can't open those files with an x on the end? For example: .xlsx or .docx
If you have old MS Office and cannot open them - now you can!
Just Google the Office 2007 Compatibility Pack and install it, since it has been available for a couple of years. I did, and things are much easier now.
NOTE: Users of the Microsoft Office XP and 2003 programs Word, Excel, or PowerPoint - please install all High-Priority updates from Microsoft Update before downloading the Compatibility Pack.
Send me your tips to share with us and our readers!
Can't open those files with an x on the end? For example: .xlsx or .docx
If you have old MS Office and cannot open them - now you can!
Just Google the Office 2007 Compatibility Pack and install it, since it has been available for a couple of years. I did, and things are much easier now.
NOTE: Users of the Microsoft Office XP and 2003 programs Word, Excel, or PowerPoint - please install all High-Priority updates from Microsoft Update before downloading the Compatibility Pack.
Send me your tips to share with us and our readers!
Monday, November 30, 2009
NEW SITE LAUNCH MWALLIANCE.ORG
Midwestern Imperative: Smart and Efficient Energy Usage
Midwestern businesses, consumers and governments are spending tens of billions of dollars each year on energy imported from other states and countries. As our supplies deplete, prices continue to rise. To make an impact, we must extend our dwindling carbon-based energy resources such as oil, coal and natural gas by adopting more efficient technologies. The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) is the leading source and champion for advancing sound energy efficiency policies, programs and priorities to stretch these essential resources. MEEA balances the interests of our diverse members, creating a common ground to affect positive change. Through MEEA, utilities, local and state governments, non-profits, manufacturers, retailers, consultants and others all work together toward a shared vision for energy efficiency in the Midwest.
We helped the team at MEEA create a new look and a new CMS using Drupal.
Now everything can be easily updated by different team members, the board has their own password area and soon members will too!
Check it out! We love it, hope you do too! mwalliance.org
Midwestern businesses, consumers and governments are spending tens of billions of dollars each year on energy imported from other states and countries. As our supplies deplete, prices continue to rise. To make an impact, we must extend our dwindling carbon-based energy resources such as oil, coal and natural gas by adopting more efficient technologies. The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) is the leading source and champion for advancing sound energy efficiency policies, programs and priorities to stretch these essential resources. MEEA balances the interests of our diverse members, creating a common ground to affect positive change. Through MEEA, utilities, local and state governments, non-profits, manufacturers, retailers, consultants and others all work together toward a shared vision for energy efficiency in the Midwest.We helped the team at MEEA create a new look and a new CMS using Drupal.
Now everything can be easily updated by different team members, the board has their own password area and soon members will too!
Check it out! We love it, hope you do too! mwalliance.org
Monday, November 23, 2009
Digital Cameras (Hints for Shopping!)
We are asked quite frequently from clients and friends about which camera is good or for shopping suggestions. So we put our most recent advice here for you because we know that shopping season is in full swing and you are probably hoping to purchase a new camera either for you or someone on your list!
Digital cameras have become a household item but choosing one can be overwhelming. They seem to come out with new models every month with new bells and whistles. Which one to choose depends greatly on what you want to use a camera for, and what is important to you.
Some people like to start by talking to a person by going into a store like Best Buy and telling them what you are looking for. In person you can get a feel for the weight and size you of the camera are interested in.
If you want to further compare cameras before making your purchase, hop online and start doing some more detailed research.
You may want to visit the manufacturer's web site first, to read the advertising of what they are offering in the latest and greatest in cameras. From there, you want to dig into less biased opinions and reviews.
Amazon.com is a very informative place to see what cameras cost, and to read reviews for a good idea of what actual users think of a particular model. Many reviewers will actually recommend a similar camera that they preferred more.
A fantastic resource for more in depth unbiased reviews is DP Review. Not only do they review every camera and lens on the market, as well as older models, they also give you sample photos and let you compare models. DP Review also allows you to search for cameras using a long list of Features (eg: compact or SLR? SLR, aperture priority? etc).
Keep in mind with any online review, there may be biased reviews, company employees posing as consumers, or people who just dislike a certain company for no particular reason. Some reviews may be about a feature that the camera offers but you are not interested in using. It is a good idea to keep a list of what features you find important in a camera (eg: fits in purse, has a long zoom lens, can shoot HD movies, uses XD not SD cards etc) Remember, what someone may find gimmicky, you may find invaluable (eg face detection, red-eye reduction etc)!
Once you have narrowed down your choices to 2-3 cameras, DavidB likes to return to the store in person to see which feels better in your hand. Remember, you may be carrying this camera around all day - is it too heavy? Is it too small or too big in your hand? Do you need to carry it in one hand? Do you need to capture fast action or are you going to just use it for snapshots?
Pocket point-and-shoot cameras have improved a great deal over the last few years, and have become very easy to use. And they offer more and more ways to share photos easily. Personally, I have always had the best luck with Fuji FinePix F-Series in the small pocket cameras, though I hear the Canon point-and-shoots are also very lightweight, versatile and easy to use. The Olympus has a line of durable cameras called the Stylus Tough.
Check out this Fugi!
Or how about this Stylus!
With an SLR, you usually trade the light weight and small size for a much faster reaction time (shutter lag). An SLR also allows you to change lenses if you get more advanced later down the line.
DavidB has used Nikon and Canon and would recommend them both. If you have some old Nikon lenses in the basement, I'd stick with a Nikon body as they will usually work with a new Nikon digital camera - same with Canon or Pentax etc.
For a fast, versatile yet lightweight SLR, DavidB recommends the Canon Rebel series.
They will allow you to control everything manually or choose the many automatic and preset modes.
He found them to have many benefits of the point-and-shoot within the faster and more versatile SLR body.
DavidB suggests taking a look at what's out there, and really taking the time to think about what do want the camera for, and what do you expect it to do. This will help you narrow down what camera is best for you. Choose "The right tool for the job"!
When you do decide, he likes to purchase from small local camera stores, though a larger chain, or even Amazon, can prove to be the best for you and your needs. And don't forget to get the extended warranty as you will hopefully be actually using this camera! Happy hunting!
Digital cameras have become a household item but choosing one can be overwhelming. They seem to come out with new models every month with new bells and whistles. Which one to choose depends greatly on what you want to use a camera for, and what is important to you.
Some people like to start by talking to a person by going into a store like Best Buy and telling them what you are looking for. In person you can get a feel for the weight and size you of the camera are interested in.
If you want to further compare cameras before making your purchase, hop online and start doing some more detailed research.
You may want to visit the manufacturer's web site first, to read the advertising of what they are offering in the latest and greatest in cameras. From there, you want to dig into less biased opinions and reviews.
Amazon.com is a very informative place to see what cameras cost, and to read reviews for a good idea of what actual users think of a particular model. Many reviewers will actually recommend a similar camera that they preferred more.
A fantastic resource for more in depth unbiased reviews is DP Review. Not only do they review every camera and lens on the market, as well as older models, they also give you sample photos and let you compare models. DP Review also allows you to search for cameras using a long list of Features (eg: compact or SLR? SLR, aperture priority? etc).
Keep in mind with any online review, there may be biased reviews, company employees posing as consumers, or people who just dislike a certain company for no particular reason. Some reviews may be about a feature that the camera offers but you are not interested in using. It is a good idea to keep a list of what features you find important in a camera (eg: fits in purse, has a long zoom lens, can shoot HD movies, uses XD not SD cards etc) Remember, what someone may find gimmicky, you may find invaluable (eg face detection, red-eye reduction etc)!
Once you have narrowed down your choices to 2-3 cameras, DavidB likes to return to the store in person to see which feels better in your hand. Remember, you may be carrying this camera around all day - is it too heavy? Is it too small or too big in your hand? Do you need to carry it in one hand? Do you need to capture fast action or are you going to just use it for snapshots?
Pocket point-and-shoot cameras have improved a great deal over the last few years, and have become very easy to use. And they offer more and more ways to share photos easily. Personally, I have always had the best luck with Fuji FinePix F-Series in the small pocket cameras, though I hear the Canon point-and-shoots are also very lightweight, versatile and easy to use. The Olympus has a line of durable cameras called the Stylus Tough.
Check out this Fugi!
Or how about this Stylus!
With an SLR, you usually trade the light weight and small size for a much faster reaction time (shutter lag). An SLR also allows you to change lenses if you get more advanced later down the line.
DavidB has used Nikon and Canon and would recommend them both. If you have some old Nikon lenses in the basement, I'd stick with a Nikon body as they will usually work with a new Nikon digital camera - same with Canon or Pentax etc.
For a fast, versatile yet lightweight SLR, DavidB recommends the Canon Rebel series.
They will allow you to control everything manually or choose the many automatic and preset modes.
He found them to have many benefits of the point-and-shoot within the faster and more versatile SLR body.
DavidB suggests taking a look at what's out there, and really taking the time to think about what do want the camera for, and what do you expect it to do. This will help you narrow down what camera is best for you. Choose "The right tool for the job"!
When you do decide, he likes to purchase from small local camera stores, though a larger chain, or even Amazon, can prove to be the best for you and your needs. And don't forget to get the extended warranty as you will hopefully be actually using this camera! Happy hunting!
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