The annual conference and technology showcase is designed to help Realtors stay on top of the latest advances in technology and how to leverage technology for success.  There will be guest speakers presenting on a variety of topics at all levels of techie-ness.

If you’re a Realtor and you want to have a successful online presence, come out to the Tech Tune Up and see us!

WHEN:
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
9:00am – 3:00pm

LOCATION:
Polo Grill Ballroom
10670 Boardwalk Loop
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
(map it)

For more information on the Tech Tune Up event, please contact:
Manatee Association of REALTORS, Inc.
10920 Technology Terrace
Bradenton, Florida 34211
(941) 747-1818
www.manateerealtors.org

The post Manatee Association of Realtors Tech Tune Up appeared first on Webtivity Internet Marketing Blog.

Popularity of VoIP Phones for Business Continues to Rise

VoIP phones have become a staple of the modern business.  Phone Solutions Inc. has been in the industry for over 10 years and has been at the forefront of the ever-evolving industry.  Phone Solutions is an ESI business phone system certified reseller and also offers Fusion VoIP and PBX systems for companies that want to take advantage of internet-powered phone systems.

Phone Solutions manages over six thousand ESI business phones for the School District of Manatee County, and has installed and programmed sixty five ESI 600 Communication Servers for the district.  Not only do they have enterprise products and capabilities, but they also have products and services for small to medium sized businesses.

In the near future Phone Solutions plans on expanding their website in order to offer ecommerce capabilities.  This will allow local customers to conveniently purchase products directly from the website.  It will also allow Phone Solutions to reach customers outside of their physical area.

For more information on Phone Solutions Inc. please visit their website:
www.phonesolutionsinc.com

The post Website Launched for Phone Solutions Inc appeared first on Webtivity Internet Marketing Blog.

Since Webtivity has long valued all that DNN has to offer, I was excited to provide acclimation for the other developers in the group and to answer questions throughout the day. I also had a great time planning the visual impression of the site including layout, graphics and styling. There is still much to be done but it was a great day of collaboration with great minds from the Bradenton-Sarasota area, and I can’t wait until the launch of this incredible tool for the Bradenton community!

The post Spark Growth’s Coding for Non-Profit Bradenton Riverwalk Website appeared first on Webtivity Internet Marketing Blog.

Fortunately the partners at Vapin Lizards had a well thought out Business Plan in the first place, which makes marketing their products a little easier.  For example, their eLiquids use no fillers or additives, are USA tested, and USA made and bottled.  Only the highest quality food-grade flavors from companies like LorAnn Oils® and Capella Flavor Drops® are used.  Vapin Lizards also has unique DIY kits where customers can create unique and flavorful eliquids to their own tastes without having to dilute concentrated nicotine solutions.  This means the possibilities are safe, endless and tailored to everyone’s taste buds!

Corporations have already approached Vapin Lizards to supply their employees with vaping products to reduce smoking and promote a healthier workplace.  Keep an eye on this lounge of lizards, you’re about to see a lot more of them!

To learn more about Vapin Lizards visit their website:
www.vapinlizards.com

The post eCommerce Website Launched for Vapin Lizards appeared first on Webtivity Internet Marketing Blog.

On Tuesday the world experienced the amount of havoc a hacked account can cause.  A pro-Assad Syrian group took credit for hacking the Associated Press Twitter account and sending a Tweet that there was an explosion at the White House.  Within minutes the Dow plunged about 145 points, erasing almost $200B from the stock market.  How did it happen?  The AP’s employees broke a cardinal rule that led to the hack: They clicked on a link in an email and tried to log into an account.  It seems the hackers sent a phishing email that looked like it was from Twitter prompting the recipients to log into the account to resolve an issue.  At least one recipient clicked the link in the email, was taken to a website that was made to look like Twitter and tried to login.  Of course as soon as they did that the hackers captured the user name and password to the account.  They promptly logged in and posted the fake Tweet. 

Lesson learned:  Never, ever, ever click on a link in an email in order to go to a website and login!  If you get an email that says “click here to login”, simply open your web browser, go to that website directly, and THEN login. 

But even with that safe practice in mind, if you have spyware on your computer hackers can still get login information to your accounts.  That’s why it is crucial to have trusted virus and malware protection on your computer.  I can’t tell you how often I hear people say they don’t have any anti-virus software on their computer.  And the reason I most often hear:  “It costs money.”  Really?  Paying  between $45 – $75 a year for virus and malware protection (which usually can be installed on more than one computer) is too much to protect your identity, bank accounts, retirement accounts, credit card accounts, and all of your other personal information?  Did you also know if your computer is infected with malware it can be used to proliferate spam across the internet?  With all that in mind, that’s too much money to pay?  Sorry if I look at you like you have a 3rd arm growing out of the side of your head. 

And if you’re a business owner who allows your employees to bring their own devices to the office and connect them to your network:  think about all the potential risk you’re exposing your company to each and every day.

If any of this makes sense to you, go find trustworthy virus and malware protection for your computer posthaste.  Finally, don’t forget if you use “free” anti-virus , you will definitely get what you pay for.

The post @AP Twitter Account Hacked appeared first on Webtivity Internet Marketing Blog.

1. Be realistic
If you intend to have a successful ecommerce website, you will need to make a proper investment in it.  Time and again I speak with people who think they can make a paltry investment and earn millions in no time flat.  I once had a conversation with someone who said he was sure he would make $100,000 in his first year of having his website online.  And he was only willing to spend $1000 to have his website developed.  Really?  He expected to have a 9900% ROI on his investment in the first year?  Wow, sign me up!

2. Market your website
One of the biggest mistakes I see is people launching an ecommerce website and then not marketing it (SEO, PPC, Social Media, etc.)  Sorry, but just launching a website and expecting people to serendipitously find it is a pipe dream.  It’s like opening a business on Main Street and not putting a sign out front.  There are somewhere around 650,000,000 websites on the internet so you are only a flea on the buttocks of the internet.  If you don’t actively and relentlessly market it you are going to fail.

3. Stick-to-itiveness is key
Building a loyal following is something that takes time and effort.  Then more effort and more time.  You are going to have to spend countless hours blogging, working social media, finding other websites and blogs who may be interested in telling their audiences about you, participating in forum discussions, and much more.  It’s a thankless job, and rarely will you see an immediate payoff.  But it is crucial to stick to it and continue to evangelize about your products.

4. Give people a reason to return
Hopefully you have a product that people need to buy more than once (and not because it breaks easily!)  Finds ways to incentivize customers to return and purchase from you in the future.  Or just as well to tell their friends about you.  It’s always easier to get current customers to buy from you than to constantly have to find new ones.

5. Be accessible for your customers
Simple things like having a  customer service phone # can significantly increase conversions on your website.  The idea of sleeping on the beach while your website is churning out orders is the stuff of whimsy. Customers are going to have questions and problems and complaints.  You need to be there to help or you’re going to get a bad reputation online, which is a killer.  Besides that, your customers are going to have something critical to your success:  feedback.  They will tell you what they like and dislike about your products, and what they would like to see from you in the future.  If you want to be around for the long haul, taking this type of feedback into consideration is going to be crucial.

The post 5 Tips for a Successful eCommerce Website appeared first on Webtivity Internet Marketing Blog.

Dr. Sedillo built beautiful offices just as impressive as his background and career but his website did not adequately convey his skill and expertise.  His team hired Webtivity to develop a website that is just as warm and inviting as his offices, and as comforting as his smile.  Being a new practice, he also needed to be found.  So in conjunction with his new website he partnered with Webtivity on an SEO campaign to help him begin gaining the online exposure he needs to grow his practice.

To learn more about the CardioVascular Solutions Institute please visit their website:
www.cardiovascularsolutionsinstitute.com

The post CardioVascular Solutions Institute Launches New Website appeared first on Webtivity Internet Marketing Blog.

Humor is not only risky in the workplace, but it can also be a risk to your brand.  Not everyone has the same sense of humor.  (Heck some people don’t have a sense of humor at all!)  Social media can make something you say take off like wildfire, so you have to be especially calculated if you’re going to pull a prank on your loyal customers.  When April Fools Day rolls around, it’s always interesting to see if major brands play it safe or bold.  For the most part there don’t seem to be any kerfuffles this year so we may conclude everyone played it safe?

One of the interesting (albeit minor) backlashes we’ve seen involves Scope.  They announced they are launching a new bacon-flavored mouthwash as a prank on their followers.  Interestingly when some people realized it was a joke they actually expressed disappointment that it wasn’t a real product!  Who knows what the future holds for bacon-flavored Scope.  Perhaps what started as a simple April Fools joke with turn into an international sensation that will cause Scope stocks to soar!  Then again, maybe not.

 Scope Bacon YouTube Commercial

The post Scope Bacon – Hit or Backfire? appeared first on Webtivity Internet Marketing Blog.

Marketing Consultant
Trisha Gaffney has been hired as a Marketing Consultant at Webtivity.  Trisha previously worked as a Digital Media Consultant with a global multimedia corporation.  In 2011 she won multiple company awards and was recognized for being one of the top Digital Media Consultants corporation-wide. 

Trisha has vast experience in helping businesses grow by leveraging search engine optimization, search engine marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, text marketing, direct mail and mobile marketing.   Trisha is Google AdWords Certified and received her Yahoo Strategic Ambassador designation.  She is also a member of the American Advertising Federation (AAF).

Trisha’s role with Webtivity will include analyzing clients’ current marketing strategies, recommending new strategies, and developing marketing budgets that support a positive Return On Investment.  Her background will greatly support the Design and Internet Marketing staff by contributing to marketing planning and execution.

 Trisha was raised in St. Louis, MO and her parents worked in television and radio.  When asked about why she chose a career in marketing she said, “I grew up with a passion for media and marketing.  It’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”

Marketing/Design Assistant
Webtivity has also added Patricia Sennhauser as Marketing/Design Assistant to support our growth.  This hire supports the company’s growth

and assists with the continued expansion of online and traditional marketing services offered by Webtivity.  Patricia’s role with Webtivity will include supporting the Design and Internet Marketing staff by contributing valuable input and support and assisting with client communications.

Patricia earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Business with a directed focus in the areas of both Marketing and Management from the University of South Florida. Supplementing her formal education in International Business, Patricia has also had extensive training and experience in foreign language, most notably in Spanish and Portuguese.

She has further studied Latin American culture and business through hands-on experience, having traveled to Brazil and Paraguay and through her acceptance to a study abroad internship in Argentina. These experiences have given her valuable insight into diverse markets and important cultural considerations in marketing. Furthermore, her academic career was uniquely enriched by her involvement as a member of the Bulls Business Network, Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity, and also as a graduate of the Honors College at USF.

 
Welcome to the team Trisha and Patricia!

The post Webtivity Expands Talent appeared first on Webtivity Internet Marketing Blog.

Co-host of The Wrecking Crew Sherman Baldwin has invited Troy to be on the show to discuss the importance for businesses to market themselves effectively across digital media.  He adds, “It’ll be fun, irreverent, sometimes sophomoric but all pertinent and applicable to those that are listening.”

The segment will be aired live on Tuesday, March 26th at 8:40 AM.  You can listen and watch the live video stream on the WTMY website: www.wtmy.com

The post Webtivity to be Featured on Local Radio Show appeared first on Webtivity Internet Marketing Blog.