HIT Web Design News

Smartphone Ownership Continues to Rise in 2010

2010-04-08T10:41:00.000-07:00

The ranks of smartphone owners in the United States continue to swell, findings from a recently released report indicate.

According to digital information provider comScore, “45.4 million people in the U.S. owned smartphones in an average month during the December to February [of 2010], up 21 percent for the three months ending in November 2009.”

This report comes amid other statistics that indicate that smartphones and mobile devices are, and are going to be, primary tools for a large amount of the U.S. population. Mobile advertising giant AdMob reported that smartphone penetration is now at 19 percent in the United States , while still other experts project that number to rise to 49 percent by late 2011.

Across the pond, mobile devices appear to be taking root in Europeans' hearts.

One study conducted by the European Interactive Advertising Association (EIAA) found that Europeans spend more time browsing the Internet with their mobile devices than they do reading newspapers and magazines. Around 71 million of Europeans turn to their mobile devices weekly to search the Web, the report stated.

“Indeed, new age patterns of media consumption indicate that marketers should be looking to develop multi-platform strategies that reach and connect with consumers more effectively and increase ROI,” Alison Fennah, Executive Director of the EIAA, was quoted as saying. “This is opposed to making media decisions based on an ‘either or’ basis if they want to reach all demographics.”

Basically put, businesses are being urged to utilize multiple advertising platforms, and for small businesses trying to make their presence online, increasing compatibility among mobile users appears to be a crucial step.

Other data the ComScore's report provided: activities such as text messaging, gaming, and listening to music all increased from the November-December in 2010 versus the same three-month period in 2009. Of all mobile subscribers, 61 percent used their smartphones to send text messages, up from 62.1 percent in 2009; game playing rose to 21.9 percent in 2010 from 21.4 percent in 2009; and listening to music was up to 13.1 percent in 2010 from 11.8 percent in 2009.

ComScore also reported that 18 percent of mobile subscribers use their devices to access social networking sites, an increase of 2.8 percentage points.

For small businesses hoping to enhance their online advertising, this provides further evidence that mobile devices are entrenching themselves as a primary way people access the Internet now and in the future.

Smart businesses should prepare for smartphones and the rise of the mobile marketing platform.

More Americans (45 million) are using smartphones than ever before. Why your small business should be prepared for mobile users.

HIT Web Design now Offers a Branding Package

2010-03-23T18:29:00.000-07:00

When customers hear your company’s name, what thought comes to their mind? Do they think of your friendly staff? Maybe a great price on a product? Free shipping? Excellent technical support?

If you are a budding entrepreneur with a great idea for a product or service and you’re ready to build a website to launch your online business, then add branding to your list of things to do for starting an online business. If you already have an online business and it isn’t succeeding like you want it to, then it’s time to start branding.

What is a Brand?
A Brand is more than a logo. A logo is a symbol. A brand is a promise. Your logo doesn’t mean much if you don’t have a solid brand. A brand is used to create trust between your company and your customer. When they think about your company, you want an automatic impression to come to their mind.

A campaign can have a brand. A company can have a brand. An individual can have a brand. Logos, advertising campaigns, and websites are used to create a brand. Some well-known brands include BMW, Coke, McDonalds, and Ferrari.

Why Should you Care about Branding?
Branding can help make your online business successful. How? A brand will help build trust between you and your customers. This trust leads to loyalty. Loyal customers become raving fans of a product or service and start to advertise for you—t-shirts, hats, bumper stickers, and the all important word of mouth.

Are you willing to pay more for a product if it was created by a brand you trust? Look at the clothes you wear, the car you drive, the food you purchase. Why did you purchase those items? In part at least, your purchase was based off of the brand name— you trust the makers of those products.

Can your customers trust your company? Do they feel like they know your company? A strong brand introduces your company to your customers. The customer can relate with your company on an emotional level if you’ve got a strong brand.

To build a brand you’ve got to create a brand. After you’ve created a brand, you’ve got to market it to your employees first, and then the rest of the world. In order to keep your brand intact, you’ve got to keep the promise(s) of your brand. So, what is Your Company’s Brand? If you’re not sure, don’t worry. This series of articles will help you determine your company’s brand and how to market it.

Don’t let your company get swallowed up in the Internet wasteland. Bring it to the forefront with branding.

What words listed below best describe your company or your products/services?
• Customer service
• Established
• Community service
• Great deals
• A name you can trust
• Industry Expert
• Reliability
• Free Shipping
• Unique products
• Innovative
• Experienced
• Products that last

The list above is nowhere complete. Use it as a starting point. Really think about what you want your company to be known for. Identifying what sets your company a part from others is an important step in identifying your brand.

Many companies make these claims “the best customer service in the industry,” “over 50-years of experience,” etc. For your branding to be effective, you’ve got so do what you say. Some of the claims listed above are easy to back up. You offer free shipping, or you don’t. Others are more difficult to back up, but have a lasting positive effect if you do. Let’s take a look at Ben & Jerry’s as an example. As you visit their website you will notice one of their page names is “Activism.” Click on the link to the page and you find out how they’re involved with everything from supporting family farmers to reducing CO2 emissions. Read Ben & Jerry’s mission statement and notice how it is part of their branding effort.

After you know what makes your company unique, it’s helpful to see how your completion is branding themselves. First of all, you need to identify your competition. After you have identified them, take a look at their site and see how they are branding themselves. Finding out what you do better than your competition can help you establish your brand.

I looked at some websites to see if I could identify a company’s brand. I Googled “lawn care company” and looked at the page descriptions for the first 2 pages of web results for examples.

World's largest landscaping and lawn care company. Describes residential services, presents special offers, and features extensive lawn care and landscaping ...

We are St. Louis' premier lawn maintenance company. Beautiful Lawns in the St. Louis, MO area. Missouri, Lawn Mowing company, Total lawn maintenance service ...

Industry-leading lawn care & gardening advice. Indoor & outdoor lawn and garden products and services. Great tips on gardening, yard care, landscaping, ...

The Tree Expert Company is one of the oldest and most prestigious tree, shrub, and lawn care companies in North America, we provide a number of ...

Compare these with HIT Web Design’s page description.

HitWebDesign.com
HIT Web Design creates innovative custom web design starting at $199. Providing small to medium businesses with affordable website design and management ...
What are these companies saying about themselves? They are saying “we’re affordable,” “we’re experienced,” “we’re specialists,” “we’re innovative,” “we’re a leader in our industry.”

After you know what you want to say about your company, it’s time to think about how you want to say it.

In previous branding articles, we’ve talked about what a brand is and why you should have one. We also talked about identifying your company’s brand. Once you know how you’re going to brand your company, you need to start thinking about how you’re going to share your brand with your customers.

Branding your organization is an important step in promoting your competitive advantage, distinguishing your business, and establishing a strong customer base.
Advertising your brand begins with your organization’s name and includes your logo, the central message, motto, or point you are emphasizing, and your customer service efforts.

This branding package gives you everything you need to begin creating a distinct identity for your organization, both online and offline.
Your branding should include:

• Custom logo design
• Branded organization letterhead
• Branded business card
• Branded envelope template
• Watermarked background image
• Custom branded e-mail template
• Custom branded electronic newsletter template
• Branded e-mail signature
• A website

All of these and more are available through HIT Web Design. Ask about our branding package, which includes free information on how to brand your business.

For more information about our branding package, call us at 866-211-0743.

Google Buzz and Your Business

2010-02-15T14:52:00.000-08:00

If you use Gmail, you've probably been invited to use, or have already started using, Google Buzz. This new feature piggybacks on Gmail users' already-established contacts and allows them to share comments, pictures, video, etc., for your Buzz followers to see—similar to status updates on Facebook. Google Buzz's capabilities for mobile users are so popular that reviewers have already created a buzz of their own. Here's what some tech writers are saying about it so far.

Mike Elgan of Computerworld notes the powerful way Google Buzz can be used to promote business among mobile users. Utilizing mobile devices' GPS capabilities and Google Maps, Buzz allows mobile users to see Buzz posts made by those in their near geographic area. What's more, anyone in the area can see the posts—they don't need to be following you, as they do using Facebook or Twitter.

“If you own a small business that relies on foot traffic, embrace Buzz immediately,” writes Elgan. “You can broadcast the availability of specials or sales. You can even use the real-time nature of Buzz to implement flex pricing. Too many loaves of bread, empty theater seats or other perishable items? Cut the price and broadcast the sale. People nearby will see it and come running. In addition to selling to existing customers, you'll win new ones.”

Kevin Getch, president of Portland, Oregon-based web design and SEO firm Evolve 24/7, speculates on the potential for businesses to gain attention from mobile users Buzzing about them. “You can Buzz about a business you like, you don't like, etc.,” he writes. “This is an area where Google is leagues a head of Facebook or Twitter as people who are using Google Maps to search for local businesses will be able to see what other people are saying about this business, much like a review.”

Mashable's Ben Parr called Buzz a “nuclear bomb whose fallout will permanently alter the social media landscape.” He noted that the ease of getting started with the feature—a click of a button for all Gmail users—has contributed to its already strong popularity. Google launched Buzz to an already huge user base and utilizes already-developed social media features that can be integrated into the Buzz experience.

HIT Web Design provides custom web design and a variety of other products and services to get your business humming online. Learn more at www.hitwebdesign.com or by calling 1-866-211-0743.

Security Breach Potential from Social Networking Worries Businesses

2010-02-11T12:05:00.000-08:00

A new report published by Sophos, a security research firm, raises concern about Facebook's role in doing business, calling the social networking site “the worst offender” in a list of threats to online security, according to Richard Adhikari from TechNewsWorld.

This finding puts businesses who want to capitalize on the power of social networking in an awkward position, and they aren't getting any sympathy from Facebook's company co-founder Mark Zuckerberg, who, according to Adhikari, “recently stated that he thinks the desire for privacy online is fading.”

Adhikari continues, “Like just about everything else, social networking sites are a mix of bad and good elements. Although they can constitute a threat to security, they also provide valuable outlets for business to connect with their customers ... [A]ccording to the Sophos report, over 2009, companies widely adopted social networking techniques such as blogs and social networks like Facebook and MySpace to connect with customers and spread the latest company news or product offerings to the public.”

If businesses don't use social networking sites, they may lose business. As Adkikari puts it, “Social networks have become so woven into the fabric of our lives that many businesses now face a distinct disadvantage if they turn a blind eye to them or forbid staff to access them. 'Not only will your workers circumvent your block and participate surreptitiously, but also your competitors will sneak an advantage and get closer to your customers,' Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos, told TechNewsWorld.” Yet, Adkikari continues, “The number of businesses hit by malware and spam attacks through social networks rose by 70 percent in 2009, the report found. More than 72 percent of businesses believe employees' behavior on social networking sites could endanger security.”

One of the dangers businesses face is the ease with which users can be duped by hackers. As reported by Adkikari, “Sixty-one percent of respondents to a survey Sophos conducted in December 2009 believe that Facebook is the worst security threat of all the social networking sites. More than 72 percent of the respondents to Sophos' survey believe that employees' behavior on social networking sites could endanger the security of their business.” Security breaches where hackers pose as friends and ask for money is one of the most widely used schemes.

Facebook Teams with McAfee to Allay Security Worries

2010-02-05T12:09:00.000-08:00

Social networking giant Facebook recently reacted to critical outcries over its privacy policies—not to mention its reputation as the “worst offender” in online security threats—by teaming up with McAfee, the well-known provider of spam-swatting, malware-marauding personal computer protection packages. This deal, according to an article by Caroline McCarthy from CNET News, is a “move to show its 350 million members that it's serious about their safety.”

McCarthy explains that the move is designed to hit concern and criticism head on, saying, “The partnership comes at a time when viruses and scams on Facebook have drummed up pages' worth of bad press for the social network...The company is in need of some image repair in addition to legitimate battle plans.” Sarah Jacobsson, writing for PCWorld, calls the move “a great start,” but cautions it is “only one of many steps Facebook users will need to take to protect themselves from the myriad of tricks and traps that inhabit Facebook, including 419 ploys, phishing scams, and ID crooks.”

The immediate benefit for consumers from the Facebook and McAfee partnership includes a free six month subscription to the McAfee Internet Security Suite, and a discounted rate thereafter. Additionally, according to Jacobsson, “Back in July, Facebook created a custom service that detects if your account has been compromised by a malicious third-party via a phishing attack. Now, if that security trigger is set off, McAfee jumps into action and will prompt you to use a free McAfee Scan and Repair program...the next time you log into your Facebook account. The assumption is (that) if your Facebook account has been compromised, your PC may also be infected with malware.”

McAfee maintains its own Facebook presence and is currently celebrating its partnership with Facebook by offering a sweepstakes contest called “Rhyme Time Sweepstakes.” The grand prize is a Dell laptop computer.

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Apple iPad Could Be Small Business Boost

2010-01-29T10:37:00.000-08:00

Steve Jobs promised that Apple's recently announced iPad will make computing and Web surfing “much more intimate, intuitive and fun” than ever before. But, while Apple boasts about its “magical” new device, how will it really help small businesses?

A Price for the Times
In the latest culture of cutting excess expense and streamlining processes, the iPad's unexpectedly low price of $499 makes this product affordable for many businesses.

Apps on Steroids
A new version of the productivity suite iWorks, will be available to create presentations, spreadsheets, and documents. And with a larger screen and more processing power, the iPad can build from a large base of apps already developed and used in the business environment.

More Powerful, More Mobile
Because of it's size and computing power, the iPad also promises to make doing business on the go more convenient. Tech blog VentureBeat quoted MeLLmo owner Quniton Alsbury: “[The iPad] is poised to change how mobile workers conduct business. It’s more mobile than a laptop, more powerful than a smartphone.”

Better Marketing Tool
If this product catches on like the iPhone, then the iPad can reach a wide audience by providing a smarter and more graphically powerful tool for small business marketing. It's powerful processor and larger screen could make interactive business promotion more powerful and user-friendly than ever before.

But Do People Want It?
The Associated Press asked the question of whether consumers really want (or need) the tablet device.
“Forrester Research analyst James McQuivey said he doesn't believe the iPad added enough for consumers to justify buying yet another gadget, or to call this a new category of devices,” according to AP reporters Jessica Mintz and Rachel Metz. “In an e-mail, he criticized its lack of social features such as ways to share photos and home video and recommend books.”

We'll wait and see if the iPad fills a need in evolving digital media, but no matter what, the iPad indicates the direction that business and marketing are moving—mobile.

To learn more about how HIT Web Design can help your business prepare for the future, visit www.hitwebdesign.com or call 1-866-211-0743.

Starting an Online Business -- From Business Plan to Web Design

2010-01-29T07:34:00.000-08:00

Do you have a great idea for an online business but you’re not sure where to start? This article provides a step-by-step guide from concept to reality, taking the mystery out of starting an online business and putting you in control of the details that make a difference.

Before you officially “open the doors” of your e-business, you need to create a business plan. Turn your business idea into a plan that will help you succeed (or you may find while going through this process that it is better to scrap the idea and come up with something better).

Putting a business plan together may seem like a daunting task. I will take you step by step through the process of creating a business plan, making the process a little easier for you.

Putting a business plan together will include completing a market analysis, a competitive analysis, an advertising plan, pricing, branding, a sales strategy, and much more. This article will go over some of the basics.

You will want to consider marketing, financing, your target market, distribution of your product, finding out who your competition is, etc. In addition to considering these factors, you will want to set realistic goals for your small business.

Ask yourself the following questions: What is the purpose of your e-business? To make money, right? That’s one purpose. What are some others? Perhaps you have created or found a product that the world just can’t live without and you want to share it. Maybe you offer a service that will help others. You might have a hobby that you want to turn into a profession. Write down your purpose, whatever it is.

After you know what your purpose is, answer the following questions:

Why am I committing my time and resources to this endeavor?
How will I be helping others?
What needs will this business meet?
How will I be helping myself (owner), or ourselves (owners)?
What “greater good” will be served with this business?

Once you have answered these questions, you can form your company’s mission statement. Your mission statement identifies your company. Keep your mission statement to a few sentences. You can adjust your mission statement as your company grows and changes, but the core values included in your mission statement should remain the same.

What is your Company’s Purpose?

What is the purpose of your e-business? To make money, right? That’s one purpose. What are some others? Perhaps you have created or found a product that the world just can’t live without and you want to share it. Maybe you offer a service that will help others. You might have a hobby that you want to turn into a profession. Write down your purpose, whatever it is.

After you know what your purpose is, answer the following questions:

Preparing to Launch Your Online Business—Strengths and Weaknesses

As you go through the process of planning your online business, you may not have the answer to every question we ask. Don't worry if you don't have all of the answers now, because that is the whole point of doing this plan—to help you find and discover the areas that might sneak up and get you in the future. Having gone through the process of putting this plan in place, however, you will be better prepared to face unexpected turns and situations. Answer the questions you can and think about the ones you can’t. There are a lot of details that will come together as you go through this process.

Part of making your online business successful is knowing your strengths and your weaknesses, along with the (potential) strengths and weaknesses of your company. What are you good at? What is your company good at?

What are the strengths of your products? Price? Selection? Variety? Quality? Brand association?

What are the strengths of you and your partners or team?

What are your strengths with respect to reaching customers and telling them about your product?

What are your leadership or organizational strengths?

What is the vision of your company and how is that a strength?

The answers to the above questions may be the reasons you want to start an online business in the first place. You must also look at your weaknesses. Good business owners strive to identify areas of weakness so they can turn them around and make them areas of strength. It's better for you to discover weaknesses than your competitors or customers to discover them for you!

How will the business run from start to finish?

Do we need to hire people?

Where will our products come from?

How will we get the word out about our company?

Do we have enough money to survive the start-up phase?

Do we have a good system in place to track orders and make sure our customers are happy?

Preparing to Launch Your Online Business …Make Opportunities & Prepare for Unfortunate Circumstances

Successful online businesses take advantage of opportunities, whether they be changes in customer tastes or preferences, unmet market needs, or market niches that have never been addressed. What opportunities do you see that make you excited about your online business opportunity? Before you start an online business, consider:

Do you see an unmet need?
Is this a frustration you have experienced yourself?
Is there a common feeling that something is missing among people you know or have talked to?
Have there been changes economically, politically, or otherwise that have set a good stage for your online business?

Now it's time to play devil's advocate and imagine what elements or factors could potentially harm your online business. It is important to identify such things that could adversely affect your business in order to prepare for such circumstances. Preparation is sometimes the best defense. Consider:

How will competition affect you?
Are you able to meet anticipated demand?
What if UPS goes on strike?
Is your business seasonal, and will that adversely affect your cash flow?

If you plan on starting an online business, consider writing down your business description and strategy. By now you know your company’s purpose and your strengths and weaknesses. Use that information as you work out your business strategy.

The key element in your business description is to address how your business will meet the needs of your customers. In other words, how are you uniquely positioned to get your needed product to the right people and make money in the process?

Now let's discuss the strategy behind your business. Consider:
What type of business are you (retail, manufacturing, consulting, etc.)?
Will you need employees?
Where is your business located?
What are your hours of operation?
How do you plan to make money?
What costs will be involved?
How much money do you need to start, and how will that money be spent?

Now is the time to tout you and your team. Your confidence, enthusiasm, and vision are incredibly important to the success of your business, and to gain the confidence of investors. They are ultimately investing in YOU, so sell yourself and your team! Consider:

Who are your team members, managers, or partners? What is their level of education? Do you or they have any experience in similar ventures or businesses? Are you particularly passionate about your products? Why? Who will be in charge of what? Who has final decision-making authority?

Every business can potentially be faced with challenges. What risks might you face in your business, and how will you be prepared to face them? Consider:

Have you in the past, or are you currently facing litigation? Do you have access to an attorney? Do you have adequate insurance coverage for your business? Who is in charge of record keeping, and how are those records stored and protected? Do you use an accountant?

Once you have a plan for your online business, you need a website. When conceiving your website, before you think about colors, pictures, or even format, take into consideration the answers to the questions above and come up with the purpose of your website. That will make your web design process a lot easier.

Learn more at http://www.hitwebdesign.com/

Google Weighs Retaliatory Response After Discovering China Hack

2010-01-13T14:47:00.000-08:00

Internet giant Google's concern over censorship boiled over this week after it uncovered a series of security breaches allegedly originating from China and blatantly targeting human rights activists as reported by Google. The search engine giant said the investigation of a breach occurring in December revealed a series of previous intrusions, and Google believes that the extent and nature of these violations warrants potentially closing its operations in China.

The December breach, according to a blog post by Senior Vice President David Drummond of Google, was a “highly sophisticated and targeted attack on our corporate infrastructure originating from China...[We] have evidence to suggest that a primary goal of the attackers was accessing the Gmail accounts of Chinese human right activists.”

Furthermore, the attack penetrated 20 other companies, according to Drummand. He said Google's investigation indicated dozens of Gmail accounts of human rights advocates “appear to have been routinely accessed by third parties via phishing scams or malware.”

Drummond clarified that the December attack only compromised two accounts, and only basic information about the accounts was stolen. The content of e-mails was not accessed.

Nevertheless, the gravity of the intrusion and its implications on human rights is propelling Google to take a stand. Long troubled by concession granted to China over censorship in exchange for market penetration, Google now “will be discussing with the Chinese government the basis on which we could operate an unfiltered search engine within the law if at all. We recognize that his may well mean having to shut down Google.cn, and potentially our offices in China,” according to the blog.

According to an AP report from Joe McDonald and Michael Liedtke, “Visitors left flowers and lit candles outside Google's offices in Beijing's high-tech Haidian district. Notes on bunches of flowers said, 'Thank You Google' and 'Google Bye-bye.' Other visitors bowed in a traditional gesture of respect.” The story quoted one businessperson saying, “I'm here to pay my respects to Google because they did not lose their dignity and they stayed true to their company's beliefs.”

In a BusinessWeek article by Brian Womack and Ari Levy , the authors report, “The move signals Google is hewing closer to its 'Don’t be evil' motto, said Heath Terry, an analyst at FBR Capital Markets in New York. Still, Google is still a 'long way away from getting out of China,' Terry said. The company can threaten to leave the country because China accounts for such a small piece of Google’s sales, he said.”

Adopted Haitian Orphanage in Need of Help

2010-01-13T13:33:00.001-08:00

Provo, Utah – January 13, 2010 – In the wake of the worst earthquake to strike Haiti in two centuries, the need for assistance has never been greater for the Hope for Little Angels of Hait i orphanage.

Hope for Little Angels of Haiti, the orphanage adopted by Utah-based HIT Web Design in January 2009, is located in Carrefour, which is the epicenter of the 7.0 magnitude quake that struck Haiti on Tuesday.

So far, HIT Web Design has been unable to establish any communications with the orphanage.

The International Red Cross estimates up to three million people may have been affected by the disaster. The United Nations reports electricity has been cut off and communication with island residents is difficult. In addition, many bridges have collapsed and hospitals and other care facilities have been damaged or destroyed.

The death toll could eventually reach into the thousands.

HIT Web Design is extremely anxious for the safety and well-being of its orphans. Especially in the coming days, the greatest concerns will be for food and protection against communicable diseases such as diarrhea and respiratory infections.

Most orphanages in Haiti are supported primarily by private donations, and Hope for Little Angels of Haiti is no exception. HIT Web Design urges anyone who can to make contributions that will go towards assisting the Hope for Little Angels of Haiti orphanage in recovering from this tragedy.

100 percent of all funds donated through HIT will go directly to the orphanage. Those wishing to become involved in humanitarian efforts supported by HIT may do so by visiting HITHumanitarian.com.

Heritage Internet Technologies is a Provo, Utah-based company specializing in designing and hosting affordable websites and online marketing pieces for small and medium-size businesses.

Contact:
Brad Stone
Co-Owner/Public Relations Manager
Heritage Internet Technologies
1460 North Moonriver Drive
Provo, Utah 84604
Phone: 801-655-1600 ext. 1600
E-mail: media@hitwebdesign.com
Visit HIT Humanitarian at http://hithumanitarian.com
Visit Hope for Little Orphans of Haiti at http://hopeforlittleangelsofhaiti.org

VP Biden Kick Starts National Broadband Plan

2009-12-30T07:58:00.000-08:00

Vice President Joe Biden, speaking to industry leaders in Georgia in mid-December, announced that $183 million in government economic recovery funds have been awarded to 17 states to kick start President Obama's National Broadband plan, which hopes to provide every American with affordable broadband Internet access.

The money announced by the Vice President is part of a package totaling over $7 billion. The National Broadband plan aims to bolster the broadband network in under-served and remote areas, and in public facilities and schools. The Obama Administration believes that the “science, technology and innovation the Administration is making through the Recovery Act (will) lay a new foundation for economic growth,” according to a press release from the United States Department of Agriculture.

According to the press release, Vice President Biden said, “New broadband access means more capacity and better reliability in rural areas and [under-served] urban communities around the country. Businesses will be able to improve their customer service and better compete around the world … This is what the Recovery Act is all about—sparking new growth, tapping into the ingenuity of the American people and giving folks the tools they need to help build a new economy in the 21st-century."

Since the announcement of the National Broadband Plan, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been scrambling to develop strategies to implement the plan, but they are struggling with ways to overcome the main roadblocks to broadband growth.

According to Marguerite Reardon, a CNET reporter specializing in high-tech news, hurdles to growth include—

1.) the redirect of funds from the Universal Service Plan (USF) from voice networks to broadband networks;

2.) the attitude among what few service providers there are who refuse (or find it economically infeasible) to service smaller markets, or who only provide limited options in areas where the average income is lower;

3.) the lack of spectrum available for use to expand the broadband market; and,

4.) the lack of innovation (due to lack of competition) from TV setbox suppliers.

The National Broadband plan visionaries hope to see broadband available on everyone's TV eventually. According to Reardon, in order to boost competition and spur innovation, “the FCC is considering requiring paid TV providers, such as Comcast, Time Warner Cable, AT&T, and Verizon Communications to supply a low-cost network interface device that would allow people to access the Internet on their TVs and to access cable TV without using a cable box.”

The FCC plans to present its strategy to Congress in February, 2010.

Ustream Broadcaster app: Yet another example of how mobile devices are changing the web.

2009-12-22T13:18:00.000-08:00

Ustream, a live video broadcasting platform, for iPhone, Android, and Nokia phones on December 9, 2009, and further strengthened the role mobile devices will play in the future of the Internet.

This free app will allow live streaming over 3G and Wifi. Ustream users are also able to chat with your viewers through Ustream's Social Stream, which incorporates live feeds from Facebook, MySpace, AIM, and Twitter. The ability to share with family and friends special moments as they happen should have mass appeal.

Mobile devices have begun to play an increasingly important role in how we access and use the Internet, and the new broadcaster app is no exception. People everywhere will be able to broadcast anything, including breaking news as it happens.

Just like Twitter brought the rest of the world news of the Iranian protests back in June, the potential for Ustream has to provide real-time access to similar events is profound. Authoritarian countries will be limited in their ability to censor the flow of information as it will be broadcast in real-time.

Google's Favorite Places provides a window of opportunity for local businesses

2009-12-16T10:52:00.001-08:00

Google continues to provide increasingly relevant local search information through their new feature Favorite Places.

As part of this new feature over 100,000 local businesses throughout the US will be receiving a sticker they can place in their window that states “We're a Favorite place on Google,” along with a unique bar code that window shoppers can scan with their mobile devices, like the iPhone or Blackberry, which will immediately take them to that business's Places Page, which is part of the Google's Local Business Center.

Window shoppers will be able to read reviews, find information about the business, or simply mark it as a point of interest through their mobile device immediately after scanning the bar code. Businesses can even offer coupons through their Places Page. Favorite Places is likely to increase the amount of information that is shared by consumers about local businesses when they see how their opinion can help others make informed decisions.

Businesses are determined to be a Favorite Place if they receive a high amount of searches through Google maps and Google.com, and have high activity on their places page—through customer comments and reviews. Local business will need to increase their online presence as well of their use of Google's Local Business Center to achieve the prestige of being one of Google's Favorite Places.

With Google's purchase of AdMob and the increasing emphasis of making the Internet more accessible through mobile devices, Google's Favorite Places could be just another step towards the future of the Internet.

Mobile devices will need a camera and an application to read the QR code on the decal. Google suggest searching for “QR reader” in your devices application marketplace.

Twitter Joins Forces With Bing and Google

2009-12-04T10:40:00.000-08:00

Both Bing and Google have made deals with Twitter to start integrating search with Twitter tweets. Although both search engines have a different approach as to how Twitter is integrated, each is attempting to change how we search on the Internet.

Bing's approach is to provide a way to search through the tweets for a given search phrase. Bing displays the Hottest Topics related to your search based upon the amount of people on Twitter linking to it. Bing also provides a real time tweetstream based upon your search.

Google takes a slightly different approach through their Google Social Search. Google takes your search and then searches your social circle for relevant information. If you are searching for local entertainment, it can search what your circle has tweeted about.

Bing's purpose it to provide real-time search information while Google's purpose is to try to provide more relevant search results to the user based upon their social circle. Both provide solutions to very different needs based upon the same technology provided by Twitter.

Money Spent On Search Engine Marketing Expected to Double by 2013

2009-12-01T07:38:00.000-08:00

In a report released February of 2009, Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO) predicts that expenditures on Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is predicted to almost double by 2013 to over $26 billion in North America alone. This is based on the $13.5 billion spent on SEM in 2008.

This report, conducted by Radar Research, attributes this to:

• Increased use of SEM within small and mid-sized businesses.

• SEM's ability to reach target markets.

• Continued increase in consumers using search utilities.

• An increased focus on accountability and ROI by advertisers.

Paid placement was the top area in which companies spent most of their 2008 SEM budgets, however most of the companies that participated in the report expected to only moderately increase their spending on paid placement in 2009. Organic SEO, which attempts to achieve top placement in search engines through keyword rich text and quality links, came in second.

The report also showed that close to 30% of the companies surveyed are diverted spending from print magazines towards SEM. TV, newspapers, and direct mail advertising are also areas that companies are spending less on in favor of SEM.

Google Bets on Mobile Devices as Future of Advertising

2009-11-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

Google's purchase of mobile-phone advertising giant AdMob showed that they're willing to place a big bet on a major source for future advertising—mobile technology.

Purchasing the mobile advertising platform for $750 million in stock seemed like a risky move by some. But Google defended the move.

“We've written in the past about how mobile phones are becoming an increasingly indispensable part of our daily lives,” Google posted on a November 9 blog, “and we continue to see how great devices with full Internet browsers and vibrant app marketplaces are driving an explosion of usage.”

Google went on to list some interesting statistics: iPhone and Android devices are the most common means of browsing the Internet, while one quarter of these users spend around 90 minutes online per day.

Google's choice to get into the mobile advertising industry while it is “still in its early stages,” indicates how mobile technology is proliferating online culture and becoming, or will become if it hasn't already, a major area of focus for Internet businesses. As the ability to access the Internet through mobile technology evolves, marketing and consumer purchasing will likely follow in its path. Businesses that take time to establish an online presence now may reap large benefits as the technology becomes a standard platform in the not-too-distant future.

Online Advertising Revenues Stabilizing: a Sign of the Times?

2009-11-20T07:38:00.000-08:00

Online advertising has decreased during 2009, but Tech Crunch reported on November 11th that revenue for the four largest online advertisers is growing after two consecutive shrinking quarters.

According to the popular tech blog, Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, and AOL had a modest gain of 1.22 percent in the third quarter this year. The first and second quarters of 2009 saw losses of 4.63 percent and 5.76 percent, respectively. Tech Crunch writer Erick Schonfeld suggests that the new data show the industry is stabilizing.

This could also be an indicator that small businesses are coming out of troubled economic times. And as the economy seems to be slowly recovering, online advertising is overtaking traditional advertising, marking a shift in how the advertising and consumer cultures are evolving. A study released late summer found that small businesses now turn to digital and online resources to advertise more than they do traditional media.

The rise of online advertising could result from the cost-effectiveness and broad reach provided by the Internet. Small businesses can reach farther and target audiences more effectively while spending less money. Google, the leader in the online advertising industry, made around $22 billion in revenue in 2008, and Reuters reported that 97 percent of that came from advertising. Online advertising allows small businesses to continually hone their advertising as providers such as Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and other industry leaders provide analytical information regarding their sites and advertising campaigns.

MSN Revamped

2009-11-13T14:59:00.000-08:00

PROVO—In early November, the “most uninspired addresses on the internet,” according to Peter Burrows, happily underwent cosmetic surgery and emerged with a more streamlined look for some viewers. MSN.com has been reborn. The “home page will see a less cluttered site that for the first time lets users access Twitter and Facebook feeds without having to leave the page. A section called MSN Local Edition provides news of local doings such as concerts, restaurant reviews, and weather and traffic reports which vary based on the user's location,” reported Burrows. (See Overdue Face-lift.)

The change was prompted by Microsoft's desire to enhance its new search engine, Bing. According to the Burrows article, MSN's executive producer, Scott Moore, said, “Our No. 1 priority is to drive search market share." Google beware. “The search engine has drawn praise for the relevance of its responses and for the inviting National Geographic-style photographs on its home page. Bing also led the way in serving up access to a feed of Twitter status updates known as tweets,” said Burrows.

Many of the 600 million MSN users are still unaware of Bing and what it does. The new direction of MSN is intended to change that. “To give Bing greater prominence, Microsoft will generate lists of popular topics based on what individual users have been searching for. Even the graphic design of the site takes its cues from the cleaner look and feel of the Bing site,” wrote Burrows. The new MSN will also capitalize on the social networking craze.

Censorship of Internet Needs Scrutiny

2009-11-06T14:38:00.000-08:00

PROVO—The practice of censoring the internet may soon be challenged by the World Trade Organization. At issue is the obstruction or restriction of services to internet users worldwide. According to a report released by Reuters, “a WTO ruling could set limits on blanket censorship and compel states instead to use more selective filtering.”
(See WTO Challenge.)

Many countries censor the internet on political or moral grounds, including the United States and China. For example, “China has developed one of the most pervasive systems, in Cuba all unauthorized surfing is illegal, and many Western countries limit access to child porn sites,” according to the report.

Since internet censorship has a significant impact on business, the WTO challenge is welcomed. For instance, in China, it is suspected that Google searches are being rerouted under the direction of Chinese officials en mass to the Chinese search engine Baidu, stealing billions of dollars of search revenue in the process. (Compare www.google.com to www.baidu.com and take note of the design similarities.) In Japan, 90% of the search engine market has been usurped by foreign-owned entities.

In Antiqua, United States laws related to online gambling were recently challenged and decided in favor of Antiqua. (See Online Gambling Dispute.) As a retaliatory measure, the WTO decision suspended intellectual property rights of firms in the United States, setting the stage for increased clout for smaller countries grappling with restrictions from larger ones.

FCC Seeks New Rules for Internet Providers

2009-10-26T13:45:00.000-07:00

Congress has enabled the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish rules designed to keep Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from barring content and applications of rival providers in their service areas.

One of the issues at debate is whether government regulation will help or hurt the industry.

Proponents of government rule-making in the industry argue that large telecommunications companies currently have monopolies in the areas they provide service. Laws that would force them to allow competitors to use their broadband networks would bring in competition and innovation by offering alternatives services than those offered by the area's major ISP, they argue.

Those opposed to regulation argue that government involvement in the market will thwart market forces, hurting industry's ability to stay competitive and benefit from innovation through free market enterprise.

One opponent is Arizona Sentator John McCain. Soon after the FCC's intentions were announced, Senator McCain introduced legislation, called the Internet Freedom Act, in effort to stop the FCC from putting rules into effect.

If rules are made and enforced, this could mean changes to the quality and price of Internet service as well as the availability of alternative services currently being blocked by large telecommunications companies. The Atlantic's Daniel Indiviglio asked whether these rules, which many say are geared toward “network neutrality” might lead to usage-based fees rather than the flat rate currently charged by ISPs.

FTC Requires More Disclosure for Websites

2009-10-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

PROVO—Ever vigilant in its mission to “prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them,” the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on October 5 clarified interpretations of the Federal Trade Commission Act (read the Law) aimed at persuading website owners and advertisers—at the risk of a potential lawsuit—to provide disclosure about material relationships and to clearly identify non-typical advertised results from using products (see FTC Press Release).

For business owners who manage websites and other advertising mediums, the new guidelines serve as a wake-up call to provide legitimate, quality products and services instead of peddling false hope and ill-founded expectations. Otherwise, they may find themselves facing sanctions or lawsuits.

Bloggers Beware
To explain, if a blogger is given cash or free products in return for writing a blog endorsement, the specifics of that relationship now must be disclosed by the website owner and the blogger. Through this clarification of guidelines, consumers are better protected from falling into traps where they might not expect such a relationship to exist, and would otherwise place unwarranted trust on a claim that is insincere. Traditional journalists have long upheld the standard of returning or otherwise refusing gifts, but web writers or bloggers have not lived up to, or been held liable to, the same standard. These new guidelines help level the playing field.

Product Claims
Additionally, with the new guidelines in place, advertisers who play up unusual or atypical results of using a product—when the majority of people using it wouldn't experience the same result—must now clearly identify what the “norm” is. Thus, consumer expectations cannot be as easily manipulated to facilitate or encourage the sale of a product that will eventually disappoint.

Celebrity Endorsements
Finally, both advertisers and celebrities must now disclose material relationships and both may be liable for false or unsubstantiated claims should a lawsuit materialize. Thus, celebrities now have a duty to disclose relationships when they discuss products on talks shows or other publicly viewed mediums like social networking sites or blogs.

Introducing HIT Counter Advanced

2009-10-12T10:25:00.000-07:00

“Going live” with your website is a huge milestone, but it is only the first step in taking your business online. As with any new business venture, regular assessment is critical. By gaging how customers are using your site, you can work out the kinks and optimize your marketing effectiveness.

HIT Counter, a powerful new product offered by HIT Web Design, can become your resource to understanding and adapting to your customers. This feature does not just count how many visits your site has had, it also provides a wealth of statistics and data all about your visitors.

What It Can Do for You
The HIT Counter creates an array of custom reports—such as where visitors are going on your site, where they are located, how they used search engines to find your site—providing it all in a user-friendly, easy-access format.

HIT Counter can be a key tool to capitalize on strengths and evaluate weaknesses on your site. For example, the HIT Counter map shows where each visitor is located, allowing you to determine where best to devote your marketing resources.

You can also find out exactly what key words visitors are typing into search engines to find your site. This can help you adjust your own content to increase your search engine optimization and bring in more traffic. You also have the ability to track movements of users to learn what areas of your site are more popular and if navigation problems exist. You can learn how long visitors stays in one area, giving you an idea of how effectively your content is drawing them in.

Additionally, HIT Counter tells you what Internet browsers your visitors are using and what operating systems they are using. This can be a fruitful source of information to determine how best to maximize functionality and the convenience your visitors experience.

A Tool for the Long Term
Making a website a productive business tool is not an event—it is a process that requires evaluation and adjustments long after the site is created. A website begins as a blunt instrument, and HIT Counter can help you sharpen it until it becomes an effective and profitable business portal.

For more information, please visit http://www.hitwebdesign.com or call 1-866-211-0743.

Introducing HIT Translator

2009-08-31T14:29:00.001-07:00

As of March 2009, there were an estimated 1.6 billion Internet users worldwide and English was the primary language for only 29% of them. Adding support to your store for additional languages allows you to increase your appeal to even more Internet users and take greater advantage of shoppers worldwide.

HIT now offers an incredibly innovative translation tool that can:

Translate All Product Information: Includes every product title and description
Translate Product Information (Changed in last 5 days): Includes only recent product title and description changes
Translate Site Content: Includes all site content including buttons, site text, defined pages)
Incorporate any language supported by Google translators and a shopping cart language pack.

HIT Web Design’s translation tool can translate from English into nearly 30 other languages. If you are ready to increase your customer base, contact HIT at 866-211-0743.

HIT Now Writes Your Blog Articles For You

2009-08-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

HIT now writes blog articles. Research has shown that as you are establishing your blog, you will want to write an article a day, or at least every other day. Once your blog attracts visitors, two or three blog posts or articles a week should be sufficient. Blog articles will help bring customers to your site. Blog articles and blog posts will keep them coming back.

Why does your business need a blog? Blogs are an affordable way to market your business or a specific product or service. By adding keywords as well as engaging and unique text, you bring people to your site and keep them coming back.

Blogging is a great way to build relationships with companies in similar industries. You link to their blog, and they link to yours. This usually increases traffic on your blog. If you have a blog that is updated on a regular basis, you start to become an expert in your industry. People begin to trust you and your opinion.

Blogging helps put a face on your business. It’s hard to build trust with online companies—especially small online businesses. A blog with regular posts and comments from users is a great way to help potential customers become familiar with your company, increasing trust and sales.

In addition to writing blog articles, for only $170 HIT Web Design will install RSS. This feature creates a link to a visitor's address bar and to your website that allows visitors to, in essence, "subscribe" to the Blog. The RSS Feed will automatically send them updates whenever a new Blog entry is posted. This is a great way to market your company and its products or services.

For more information, please visit http://www.hitwebdesign.com or call 1-866-211-0743.

Introducing HIT Search

2009-08-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

Heritage Internet Technologies introduces a search tool that can increase your company’s revenue. How? What if you knew what your visitors were searching for? How valuable is that information? Visitors to your site use HIT Search to look for a product, service, or information on your website. If the search is successful, your customer is one step closer to purchasing a product. If there are no results for the search, the customer will leave your site. But, they will leave with them a list of everything they searched for.

This search tool is placed at the top of your site, so that it is easily seen by visitors. The visitor types in what they are searching for and, within seconds, a list of possibilities appears without navigating the customer away from the page they are on.

In addition to being a great search tool, HIT Search provides you with valuable search reports that let you know which words and phrases your potential customers are searching for. If your visitors are searching for products or services that you don’t provide, add those products and services and watch your profits take off.

Click Here to learn more about HIT Search.

HIT Web Design Helps Non-Profit Organizations Through the HIT Heart Program

2009-08-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

Heritage Internet Technologies strongly believes in the importance of supporting humanitarian efforts and in taking an active role in improving the communities in which we live and work.

As CEO David Aitken explains, "The Internet is so often used for negative purposes. We want to harness the power of the net to effect good change in the world. And we're willing to sacrifice our resources and revenue to help make it happen."

Since the program's inception at the end of April 2009, HIT Heart had already benefited a dozen deserving non-profit organizations. Every site created under the HIT Heart program still benefits from Heritage's proven expertise in website design and programming.

To be accepted to the HIT Heart program, non-profit organizations must complete a simple application form.

Quick Facts:

* Program designed for non-profit organizations with proven ability or solid concept for effecting positive change in a community
* Discounts of 40% to 100% off costs related to website design and programming, hosting, and other services
* Specific discounts applied on a case-by-case basis

HIT Officially Adopts the Hope for Little Angels of Haiti Orphanage

2009-08-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

The power of the Internet is in communication. With a few keystrokes, information and ideas can be sent all over the world. As a leading web site design and hosting company, HIT Web Design is proud of the role it plays online. But HIT Web Design believes it also has a role to play in bringing hope to communities of the world. In fact, one of the company’s core values is to take an active role in improving communities and strengthening society.

By adopting an orphanage in Haiti, HIT Web Design reaffirms its humanitarian commitments. And the need has never been greater.

One recent visitor to Port-au-Prince painted a vivid picture of the desperate need in Haiti. “I witnessed people that were living in the most desperate conditions, where food and water are a constant battle. Children are dying from starvation and people constantly get sick from something as simple as a glass of water that is often filled from filthy gutters.”

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) calls Haiti a nation in turmoil. This island nation has not had a stable government since a dictatorship collapsed in 1986. An AIDS crisis has devastated much of the country’s social structure. The devastating effects of hurricanes and mudslides have prompted thousands of poor, homeless families to flood into Haiti’s struggling, overcrowded slums.

More than half of the country’s population earns less than $1.25 per day. A 2003 UN report said 15 percent of all children in Haiti are orphans, and some 40 percent of those orphans may be infected with AIDS. A 2006 UNICEF report said, “Haiti is the most dangerous place in the Western hemisphere for children.”

That’s a sentiment reaffirmed by a visitor to one of Haiti’s orphanages.

“I personally will never forget the feeling of holding children that were literally dying in my arms, it simply broke my heart.”

In this chaotic environment, the Haitian government says there are 200 registered homes for orphaned or abandoned children. But, it readily admits, the actual number of orphanages in operation may be much higher. And, since there is virtually no government funding available, almost all orphanages are supported entirely through private donations.

Providing food, water, medicine, and shelter for one child for an entire month at the orphanage adopted by Heritage Internet Technologies costs a mere $90.00. And with 100 percent of donated money going to the orphanage, the impact is immediate and lasting. Taking care of an orphan’s basic necessities allows the orphanage to focus on education, nurturing, and preparing the children in its care to make the most of life.

Company leaders say their motivation is simple, “Our main goal as a business is different than most in that we see it as our responsibility to build an organization that is focused on making a difference in the lives of those who have little to no opportunity to help themselves… Love is found in service and opening our arms and hearts to people who are less fortunate than we are.”

Bettering Lives in Puranokot, Nepal

2009-07-28T09:56:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the support of Heritage Internet Technologies employees, many great things are happening in Nepal. The children below live in the village of Puranokot and because of the donations received, they have been given academic scholarships. These children were hand selected because of their high marks in school. Education is the first step in these children's lives to carve out a better future for themselves, their families and their community.

Bishnu, the Nepal In-Country Director, is a perfect example of the power of education. He has become a leader in Nepal and a catalyst for change only because years ago someone saw his talent and offered him the opportunity of a great education. You can imagine how excited he is to witness other children experience the same opportunity.


Ramesh Gurung, eleven years old, used to skip school when his widowed mother could not manage the school's fee.	Rasmita Gurung willingly walks one and a half hours each way to attend school. She has an interest in writing poems and songs.

Dambar Gurung is a very intelligent student. His parents value education but struggle sending all 5 of their children to school.	Ek Bahadur, twelve years old, is at the top of his class and has secured the 1st position in the third grade.

Product Release: Shopping Cart Translator

2009-07-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

English is the primary language of only 29% of Internet users. However, the Internet makes it possible for shoppers all over the world to access an online store. The Translator Tool takes almost all of the content in an online store and translates it into another language. That includes product categories and titles, product descriptions, navigational buttons and links, and other shopping cart menu items.

With the Translator Tool, maintaining a store in multiple languages is easier than ever. Store owners can add categories, cub-categories, change product descriptions, and make any other desired changes. When finished, a store owner only needs to click a few buttons and the Translator Tool applies the changes to every language installed on the store.

For more information, please visit http://hitenhancements.com/ecom-translation.shtml or call 1-866-211-0743.

Product Release: HIT Ad Space

2009-07-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

Selling ad space is simpler than ever

HIT Ad Space makes it a snap for advertisers to place banner ads on a site. HIT Ad Space gives websites the ability to designate up to five specific advertising areas on their site, complete with different price points.

Advertisers wishing to place an ad on a site with HIT Ad Space can easily register, upload, and pay for their advertisement in a few simple steps. All the website owner needs to do is give the final approval and HIT Ad Space will automatically insert the new ad into the site's banner ad rotation. Best of all, HIT Ad Space automatically removes ads once their paid time expires.

For more information, please visit http://hitenhancements.com/hit-adspace.shtml or call 1-866-211-0743.

HIT Web Design TWEETS on Twitter

2009-07-15T18:03:00.000-07:00

Are you one of the over 3,400 people currently following HIT Web Design on Twitter? If not you are missing out! HIT Web Design for the past couple months has been proudly tweeting away on twitter, sharing tips, tricks, employment opportunities, and special offers!

Twitter is a micro blogging site that in real time allows you to engage, share, and inform what is going on in your world! HIT Web Design is always looking for new and exciting ways to connect with it's future and current clients!

So come join the conversation and tweet away with us at http://twitter.com/Hit_Web or you can check back here on our blogs for all the latest and great news about HIT Web Design... but remember special offers on HIT products and services are going to be made available only through Twitter!

HIT Web Design Keeps Fans Updated on Facebook

2009-07-14T10:29:00.000-07:00

HIT Web Design has been connecting with it's clients, employees, and fans on the Social Networking Site Facebook! Since creating a profile on Facebook, HIT Web Design has been able to in real time connect, answer and engage with it's clients in a way that was never before available. Now clients, fans and employees can get all the HIT Web Design news and information in one spot. Whether you like the just watching the HIT Web Design videos, or you need to ask questions HIT Web Design's facebook profile is the one stop location for all things HIT Web Design!

To become a fan of HIT Web Design on Facebook or to just check out the page on HIT Web Design please click here!

HIT Good Works Committee Cleans Up the Provo River Trail

2009-06-22T07:48:00.000-07:00

Heritage Internet Technologies' Good Works committee recently cleaned up the Provo River Trail in Provo, Utah. You can watch a short video below of the fun time they had team building, and cleaning up our community!

For more information on HIT Web Design's community involvement and philanthropic efforts please visit http://www.hitwebdesign.com/good_works.html

How to Know if Animation is Right for Your Site!

2009-06-10T08:33:00.000-07:00

Using Animation on your website is a great way to get your site to pop! It is extremely important for you to consult with a design professional to ensure that animation is appropriate for your site, and that it is done in a way that adds to your site! Boubacar in Technical Support and Customer Service at HIT Web Design shares a few tips on how to do this!

Tip 1: Is animation appropriate for your site? This is your first step! Make sure that it fits your site, look and industry!

Tip 2: Keep your animation simple! This is key as animation that is too complex can be slow to load and take the momentum away from the rest of your site!

Tip 3: Restrict your animation to only one location on your site! Remember you want the eye to flow down your page, and to your call to action. Animation in more than one location can be distracting and can ruin the effectiveness of your site!

For more information please visit us at hitwebdesign

Let Your Users Be In Control

2009-06-09T07:50:00.000-07:00

When designing a website you want your site users to feel like they are in control of their experience.

Boubacar a Technical Support & Customer Service agent at HIT Web Design shares some great tips on how to let your users be in control!

Tip 1: Make sure your site is user friendly. What do your visitors want to see, and what can you do to make their experience as simple as possible!

Tip 2: Interact with your clients. Engage them, let them be able to engage with you.

Tip 3: Give your users options, allow them to make choices, but at the same time do not overwhelm them with too many options! Find the balance!

For more information please visit http://www.hitwebdesign.com

Design Tips for Your Website - Direction

2009-06-02T16:57:00.000-07:00

Boubacar, a customer service and technical support agent at HIT Web Design, shares some great tips on how to give your website direction to make sure that your site visitors are staying an exploring!

Tip 1: Make sure that your site is visually engaging! Site visitors should instantly know what your website is about and what you are trying to say!

Tip 2: Clear Navigation. When visitors first come to your site your navigation should be clear and easy to understand. Exploring your site should be a no-brainer.

Tip 3: Clean Page Flow. Your site visitors read from left to right. Make sure that the most important information is in the upper left hand corner of your website.

For more information please feel free to visit hit web design at http://www.hitwebdesign.com or call us at 866-211-0743

Learn How to Use Social Media with HIT Web Design

2009-06-01T10:05:00.000-07:00

HIT Web Design's Matt in Technical Support shows you how to properly engage and use social media with your website!

Tip 1: Know the Social Networks, Facebook, Youtube, Myspace, Twitter ect...

Tip 2: Know where your audience is engaging! Where do they hang out? Where are they talking?

Tip 3: Consitancy! When you start doing social networking you need to make sure that you are consitanty engaging with the community!

For more information give us a call at 866-211-0743

Learn How to Pick Your Keywords with Matt of HIT Web Design

2009-05-28T14:25:00.000-07:00

Matt of HIT Web Design's tech support team gives you a few quick tips on how to make sure that you are choosing your keywords correctly!

1. Know your site - Be able to describe your site in 3 words or less.
2. Know your audience - What are they looking for, where are they, what demographic do they belong to.
3. Know you competition - Who are they, where are they, and can you emulate them.

Making Your Content Work for You

2009-05-27T11:52:00.000-07:00

Matthew in the Technical Support Department at HIT Web Design shares some great tips on how to make sure that your content is working for you on your site, and how to be a bit more effective so that you can rank higher on the search engines.

Tip 1: Write Articles - Demonstrate to your audience and to search engines that you are going to provide the most complete and comprehensive coverage of your products and services by having lenghty articles about what you do.

Tip 2: Updates - As you write those articles you update your site. Demonstrating to search engines and to yoru site visitors that you are a site that needs to constantly be revisited as it is adding new and unique content all the time!

Tip 3: Blogs - You built your website because you are passionate and you love what you do. Share your passion for your industry, give tips, tricks and assist people! Establish yourself as an industry leader!

How to Better Engage with Your Site Visitors

2009-05-21T10:38:00.000-07:00

Account Manager Chelsea with HIT Web Design is back to share some great tips and tools on how to engage with your site visitors! Making sure that you are making the best out of each site visitor is key! Take a look at this video, and please leave a comment below sharing your thoughts!

Tip 1: Put your physical address on your home page and contact page, so that people see that you are the real deal!

Tip 2: Have a Contact Form on EVERY Page! Make is as easy as possible for your clients to reach out to you!

Tool 1: The Stay-N-Touch Marketing tool helps you easily and inexpensively market your products to your site visitors who have filled out that contact form.

Tool 2: Add a Blog to your site, that way you can establish yourself as an industry leader, and engage with your visitors!

For more information visit http://www.hitwebdesign.com

Tips on Optimizing Your Home Page by HIT Web Design

2009-05-18T11:38:00.000-07:00

Chelsea, an Account Manager with HIT Web Design, is back and sharing some great tips and tricks on how to make sure that your home page is optimized! Watch the video and leave a comment!

To make sure you home page is as effective as possible follow the next three tips!

Tip 1: Keep it simple! Less is more in this case! You want to make sure that people truly understand what your site is about the moment they log on to our homepage!

Tip 2: You home page should only contain critical information. Save your company bio for the About Us page!

Tip 3: Make sure you have a call to action! A big red phone number, a contact form. Make sure you are making it as easy as possible so that your site visitors can reach out and contact you!

Logo Tips and Tricks by Chelsea an Account Manager with Hit Web Design

2009-05-14T10:54:00.000-07:00

Chelsea, an Account Manager who has been at HIT Web Design for over a year, shares some tips and tricks on how to better incorporate and optimize your website with your logo! Checkout the video below.

For more information on a great Logo Design check out HIT Web Design at www.HitWebDesign.com

HIT Web Design Featured on The Economic Report!

2009-05-04T08:21:00.000-07:00

Recently HIT Web Design was Featured on the Economic Report staring Greg Gumble. HIT Web Design is thrilled to share with you this report on our company! Click below to view the video! Please comment below and let us know what you think!

Heritage Internet Technologies (HIT Web Design) is located in Provo, Utah!