Create user resources that keep your company top of mind

Create user resources that keep your company top of mind. For example, you can publish a printable calendar of local events that includes your logo and phone number. And if you own a heating and air-conditioning business, you can include a to-do list on the calendar that reminds customers to call you when they need seasonal maintenance services.

Use interactive features that provide practical information. If you own a house painting company, for example, you can provide a calculator on your site that estimates the cost of interior or exterior painting services. Whenever you help your customers figure something out or make decisions, you’re adding value to the mix . . . and they’ll remember you the next time they’re planning a remodeling project.

Distribute opt-in email messages that share timely information about your products or services. If you sell computers and software programs, for example, you can alert your customers when you have new components or versions available. That way, you keep your customers in the loop about your expanded offerings, without having to hire extra people to answer the phones or make sales calls.

Whenever you take the time to upgrade your site, or just give it a little spring cleaning, you have a chance to pull ahead of your competitors, who may not understand the importance of looking sharp and up-to-date in the online world.

Company information. Are your phone number and copyright information up-to-date?

Company information. Are your phone number and copyright information up-to-date? Have you added a new fax line recently? Is your site using any slang or buzzwords that may not be current? Are there any new terms or product descriptions that you need to add to be relevant to your customers? Are you selling additional products or services since you last updated your website?

Social media icons. If you have a presence in social media—such as on Facebook or Twitter—make sure that you place the related icon on your site and link to your profile. If you’re not yet participating in the social space, you might want to consider tapping into this opportunity to connect with your customers and prospects online.

One of the greatest benefits of a frequently updated website is that it encourages people to keep coming back. Here are a few ways you can accomplish that:

Offer printable coupons for seasonal specials or monthly promotions. That way, you create value for your customers, and you encourage them to make return visits. Plus, you can do so for far less than you’d pay for a magazine or newspaper ad.

Here are a few things to consider when you’re upgrading your website

Here are a few things to consider when you’re upgrading your website:

Fonts. If the body copy on your site is rendering in Times New Roman, you may want to consider switching to Verdana or Arial, which are sans serif fonts that provide better readability on the Web. And if you want your site to be taken seriously, you may want to avoid using Comic Sans. Make sure you consider your audience when you’re choosing your fonts. If you have customers who are older, for example, they may want an easily readable font as well as a larger font size.

Background color. Although dark-colored backgrounds can be used effectively, you may want to consider colors that aren’t too “off the wall” for your customer base. When in doubt, a white background is always a good choice.

Pictures and logos. When it comes to images, it’s important to consider size, quality, and relevance. It’s helpful to compress your images so that they look good while your site is loading (fast, hopefully). Web pictures that are processed with older image software may look grainy or a bit odd on newer monitors. In addition, you’ll want to make sure that the subject of each picture isn’t too “retro.” As far as your logo, check to see that you’re using the latest and greatest version.

Many small business owners still abide by the “set it and forget” philosophy of website design.

Many small business owners still abide by the “set it and forget” philosophy of website design. As a result, their sites can begin to look stale or outdated compared to ones that are newer or frequently updated.

Information on a website can become outdated for a number of reasons. You might be offering new services, or discontinuing old ones. You might have shifted gears to deal with the effects of the recession. You might be dealing with new advertising rules (federal, state, or local) that have come into play.

Nonetheless, the importance of a fresh-looking website can’t be underestimated. Visitors are less likely to trust a site that appears outdated or amateurish, and yesterday’s professional site design might make your site look out-of-touch today. Making periodic “spot changes” to your site can help you keep up with popular online trends as well as improve its usability and visual appeal.

Percentage Discount

Percentage Discounts

Percentage discounts are one of the most popular forms of promotion. By offering a flat 10%, 20%, or more off one item or a total purchase, you’re appealing to shoppers who are looking to save on the specific items on their list.

Coupon Websites

Coupon websites offer a great way to put your coupons in front of a large group of consumers who are searching for discounts. Services like RetailMeNot.com and CouponCabin.com offer free submission into their databases with just a few clicks. RetailMeNot.com also offers the ability to post printable coupons for local shoppers.

What promotions are you using this holiday season? Have any success stories you’d like to share? Please leave us a comment.

and not for high volume shredding. If you are a private sector user

The Formax FD 8400HS is a National
Security Agency approved shredder, offering the highest level security
on the market, along with some other nice features. Here is a closer
look at some of the strengths and weaknesses of the Formax FD 8400HS.

1. If only the highest security level available will do for
   your organization, the FD 8400HS may be the shredder you are looking
   for. Offering NSA/CSS specified, level 6 document shredding
   capabilities, the FD 8400HS completely destroys the average sheet of
   paper, turning it into tiny particles measuring 1/32" x 3/16." Long
   story short, we can say with complete confidence that any document you
   place in this shredder will be absolutely impossible to piece back
   together. This makes the FD 8400HS a great fit for research
   organizations, government agencies, and even the military. Though this
   kind of security might be much more than a private sector business
   might ever need, those businesses that contract with such organizations
   may be required to have a shredder like the FD8400HS on hand.
2. 
   We really like a machine that is easy to use, and the FD 8400HS fits
   the bill impressively well. The control panel is bone-simple to
   understand and features automatic on and off with its paper-sensing
   optical system. We also really appreciated the green and red lit load
   indicator that helps keep the user from feeding too much paper into the
   machine at once. If there is an overfeed, the FD 8400HS will
   automatically switch into reverse in order to prevent a paper jam.
3. 
   Safety and maintenance are features we always keep an eye out for, and
   the FD8400HS excels here as well. The FD 8400HS will shut itself off if
   the cabinet door is open and when the waste box is full, and a self
   contained circuit breaker ensures electrical safety. As far as
   maintenance, there is an auto reverse function you can use to clean out
   the cutting heads, and an indicator light that lets you know when the
   heads need oiling (the optional oiling system can make this simpler
   still).
4. The FD 8400HS seems to be a nicely
   powered machine with an AC geared motor that operates at a speed of
   twenty three feet per minute. The solid steel cutting heads are heat
   treated and guaranteed for a year from purchase. The 10-plus inch feed
   opening will accommodate all the most common paper sizes.

Weaknesses:

1. The FD 8400HS is meant to be purchased for its high
   security, and not for high volume shredding. If you are a private
   sector user, you will really have to ask yourself if you need this
   level of security at the expense of productivity. There are many
   shredders in the Formax line (such as the FD 8400CC) that offer cross
   cut patterns that meet federal FACTA regulations and can offer higher
   sheet capacities and throughput.
2. Though the FD
   8400HS offers thermal protection for its motor, what that really means
   is that the machine will turn itself off when it is in danger of
   overheating. It's a nice function, but you should be aware that the FD
   8400HS is not a machine that is meant for continuous use. Still, for
   most users and use scenarios the thermal protection should never kick
   in.

a wide blade

Intimus makes some high-quality paper cutters
that are great for heavy-duty use. One such device is the Powerline
PL265, a cutter that's automatic and programmable. Here's some
information about its capabilities and features. Look it over so you
can find out if it's the right machine for you.

• The PL265 has a 2.875-inch cutting capacity. That
  basically means it's capable of cutting over 700 sheets at once, which
  is more than an entire ream of paper. Cutting capacities don't come
  much larger than this.
• This machine has a blade that's 26
  inches wide. (Plus, there's a whopping 16 inches of space in front of
  the blade.) Since the blade is so large you'll be able to trim both
  large and small pieces of paper including legal- and letter-sized
  sheets, which are the two most common types of paper. If you want to
  trim really thin paper such as carbonless sheets, you can use a false
  clamp to get the job done. All together, this is a very versatile
  trimmer that should fulfill your cutting needs.
• The PL265 has
  a backgauge that can advance automatically, making it easy to do
  repeated cuts. You can control the position of the backgauge digitally
  which is really convenient.
• If you use this device a lot,
  you're going to appreciate its ability to store five different cutting
  programs. If you use this feature, you won't have to keep entering the
  same commands into the machine which will help you save time.
• The
  PL265 can display instructions on English, Italian, Spanish, French,
  and German. The machine is also equipped with a diagnostic system that
  can help you solve any problems that might pop up.
• This
  device has a couple of really handy safety features including a keylock
  that restricts usage. Also, two buttons must be pressed simultaneously
  for the machine to start working. This ensures your hands won't be
  anywhere near the blade and that you'll stay safe.
• You can order optional side tables for this cutter if you'd like to have more space in which to work.
• The
  PL265 is, to put it bluntly, huge. It measures 39” x 50” x 49.5” and
  it weighs over 800 pounds so it's not a good choice if your workspace
  is really limited.
• Finally, this cutter comes with a generous one-year warranty just like the company's other products.

The
Intimus Powerline PL265 is a really terrific electric paper cutter. It
would be a great choice for businesses and organizations that need a
heavy-duty trimmer, so long as they have enough space for it. This
cutter has everything you need to get the results you need including an
adjustable backgauge, a wide blade, and the incredible cutting
capacity. Also, the safety features are very good and ensure that every
cutting experience will be a safe one. Basically, the PL265 is an
excellent cutter so if it sounds like it's right for you, be sure to
take a look at it today.

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Intimus Powerline