Posts By: Nick Pauley

Tearing down barriers

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There’s no doubt that email marketing does work – we’ve got many customers who will testify to this. But apart from using our awesome email broadcaster ‘Shortburst’ what else can you do to tear down the barriers of resistance and improve chances of marketing success?

Make sure you use a sensible email address for a start. One prominent business advisory organisation I know sends out emails from “Information” others use “info” or variations thereof – a sure way to have them consigned to the spam bin!Read More

If you’re thinking about it, don’t

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Have you ever contemplated reproducing a magazine or brochure in its entirety on the internet.

I’m talking about a replica of the actual print version, complete with very clever zooming and page turning technology. Well, if you’re thinking about it, don’t just dive straight in. Such things are usually impossible to read properly and serve just to annoy rather than aid the viewer. There are many ways to present information on the internet in this format and we have experience of the ways that actually work.

Just call +44 (0) 1908 671 707 us and we’ll happily show you how.

Blogsworth

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In the old days we used to say that you needed to give something away. If you were going to make any impression on the world wide web. The same’s still true when it comes to blogging. Each blog must contain at least one item of value – a useful link, a relevant shared thought, a joke perhaps, or some advice which the majority will think worthwhile. If there’s nothing of value readers will be lost. If you get it right, then… the world’s your limit.

Useful stuff #2. In Safe Keeping

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In Milton Keynes we have the Open University, of which we’re very proud. The Faculty of Maths, Computing and Technology runs a very useful safe computing alert service. You can sign up and receive the free security bulletins about nasty viruses and program updates. You’ll find it here – oh, and there’s no charge.

Can’t Manage Site

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Content management is great but if the person nominated to update the web site, can’t, won’t or doesn’t, you’re in big trouble.

Don’t just assume that because someone has a link and a web browser they’re going to make a good job of it.

Any half-decent web developer should have a proper training programme and ongoing support, because of staff changes and the fact that people forget things, even if they have been trained.Read More

Useful stuff #1 – Seize the day

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It’s all very well blogging, emailing or twittering for the sake of it. But if it’s just banal space-filling nonsense your followers will quickly melt away.

One of the best ways to find relevant topics is to set up a daily Google Alert so that you get the latest online news about your markets to write about.

And of course it’s utterly free. How do you use yours?

* Google,
* Alerts,
* Content,

IE 6 No More

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The premise is simple: Internet Explorer 6 is antiquated, doesn’t support key web standards, and should be phased out. This isn’t about being anti-Microsoft, it’s about making sure that we encourage people to move to modern browsers such as IE8, Firefox, Chrome, Safari and Opera. IE6 accounts for up to 20% of web usage, primarily via business users. Clients pressure designers to ’force’ sites to work in IE6, and designers, not wanting to lose business, comply, using hacks and workarounds. This wastes time and money. While Microsoft is encouraging companies and developers to move on from IE6, designers need to unite, and we all need to move on.Read More