It's that time of year again

How do you keep in touch with clients at the holiday season? Gift baskets? Plants? Complimentary invitations to seasonal social gatherings? Chocolates? Traditional greeting cards? Maybe even a bottle of festive spirit?

However you choose to do it, most companies like to use the holiday season to show customers they still care about them. Although your clients may be getting showered with gifts from everyone, including your competitors, at this time of year, they'll be sure to remember you if you forget to send anything at all. To stand out from the crowd this year, why not try something a little different that's still cost effective.

Globi's eCards are one of the ways you can ensure that your valued clientele remember you once the frantic holiday season is over. Consider the impact your corporately branded eCard will have on your clients. Fun and friendly, eCards feature a click-through to your website and are also easy to forward on to others. Considerably more cost effective than print, using eCards this December will also greatly reduce your seasonal postage expenditure.

Virtually invisible

It's a virtual world these days, isn't it? Everybody who has a computer searches the internet for what they want.

Your website is second to none and is getting great response, but neglecting traditional media isn't a good idea. While the internet may be your latest and greatest marketing tool, it's not going to help if no one knows your website exists. You may have replaced print advertising or even color brochures with your website, but you still need to ensure that your URL is visible so people know where to find you. We may be operating in an increasingly virtual universe, but your company may become virtually invisible if no one knows where to find your website. Now that you've got it - flaunt it!

Make sure that you put your www address on every piece of paper you ever send to clients. Include it in your email signature, have it visible in your premises, and tell people about it. Add your site to as many search engines and web directories as possible.

Don't discontinue print advertising you've found effective in the past, but make sure to include your URL in any display or classified ads you purchase in trade journals, newspapers and other media. Look at your website as an integral part of your marketing efforts. Aim to capture the readers' attention with your ad, then refer them to a URL where they can obtain more information and perhaps place an order.

Take a closer look at small display or classified ads in the back of magazines or trade periodicals that cater to a specific audience. Often, these can be more targeted, more effective, and less expensive than online advertising. You should also consider other traditional media which may help drive web traffic, such as direct mail post cards or even television. Stay visible and your customers will know where they can find you.

The tortoise and the hare

We've all been to websites that take too long to load. Web pages traditionally should take no more than ten seconds to appear fully. Any more than that and boredom sets in. No matter how much the visitor wanted to find out more about you, he or she has moved on.

While it's not always a bad thing to have a slower site, if you do have something that you know will take a while to appear, make sure you tell the viewer at the outset. You should then give them something to read while it is happening, which will make the wait less obvious. A few 'did you know' captions are a good way to hold their attention and make sure they're still watching when the key message appears on screen.

Hey - Free stuff!

You have a web presence, you're happy with your site and are comfortable telling people to "visit us on the web at www …". However, people still want that little something extra, something that may help set your site apart from the multitude of companies offering similar products and services on line.

For example, let's say you are an interior design company. Don't just say "come to our site and learn about our business." Lots of companies do that. Instead why not invite your visitors to "use the free home remodeling calculator available exclusively on our website."

While there is an initial investment of time or money on your part to develop free resources, it can be very rewarding in terms of increased traffic to your site. However, make sure that your free service is closely related to what you're selling. This ensures that the visitors you attract will be good prospects for your business. You should also give visitors multiple opportunities and links to cross over to the sales part of your site. Everyone likes free stuff, so why not use it as a hook, then reel your customers in?

Lost in the crowd

A website is your window onto the world, so you need the world to know everything about your company and what it has to offer. However, as tempting as it is to throw everything you have into your website, it isn't a good idea to have crowded pages. This is particularly true about your home page, the first point of contact for all visitors.

In previous newsletters, we've talked about the difference between traditional copy in magazines, newspapers or brochures and that on the Internet. It takes approximately 20% longer to read something on a computer screen than it does on paper. It's therefore essential that your pages are uncluttered, enabling people to read things comfortably. You also shouldn't pack the page so that your viewers have to search around wondering what to look at first. Keep it simple, and you'll keep their interest too.

"All the staff at Globi Web Solutions have always been efficient, friendly and willing to be of service. Since our new 'upgrade', we have already received a new customer! We appreciate all your great work and your efforts. "

Jonn and Moneca Renay
CelebratingChange.com
The Experts in Coaching Personal Potential

Have a question or comment? Email us: feedback@globi.ca
We're always happy to hear from you!

Hark! Is that the sound of Jingle Bells approaching?

Globi has your Season's Holiday eCards!

To View…
Click Here

Consider the impact your corporately branded eCard will have on your clients:
- Fun and impactual,
- Easy to forward on to others,
- Incorporates a Click-Through to your Website,
- Considerably more cost effective than Print,
- and besides, why give your hard earned money to the Post Office!

Don't delay! Order your personalized Corporate eCards for only $89.

Hey - share the Wealth!

People you care about could be benefiting from the wealth of information on new and solutions on the Web. So help them by forwarding this issue of Globi Web Solutions Newsletter!

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Until next month, we remain your humble messenger to the internet.

Globi Web Solutions
1023 - 12th Ave SW
Calgary, Alberta, T2R 0J5
Phone: (403) 229-3800
E-mail: admin@globi.ca
Web Site: http://www.globi.ca

Copyright © 2010 Globi Web Solutions. All Rights Reserved. No part of this newsletter may be reproduced in whole or in part without the inclusion of Globi Web Solutions' Reprint Permission below.

Reprint Permission

Although this material is subject to copyright, please feel free to reprint this publication, in whole or in part, in your company publication, in training, presentations, or wherever you feel this would be of benefit. This also holds true for members of the media. All we ask (actually, we insist) is that you use the following credit line:

Reprinted with permission from Globi Web Solutions, a leading Website Design and Development Company based in Calgary. For further resources and information, go to globi.ca. Copyright © 2010 Globi Web Solutions.