Importance of Hiring Sunshine Coast Graphic Designers for Businesses

Micro Softly / / Web Design

Businesses and industries in the Sunshine Coast gain a big advantage when they hire Sunshine Coast, graphic designers. This is because the various eye-catching visuals Sunshine Coast graphic designers create quickly convey product information, message, and services offered by any kind of business.

The strategic combination of images, text, and art created by Sunshine Coast graphic designers easily and effectively catch the attention of digital consumers.

The best yardstick to measure the value graphic designers bring to a business is to take a look around. For instance, the attractive packaging of a favourite bag of chips was the single thing that caught your eye even before you tasted it.

The ads posted on Instagram and Facebook are also cleverly designed by graphic designers to entice and persuade people to find out more. All manner of marketing strategies is used by graphic designers. Not only are they creative, they know how symbols, images, and text can help a business achieve its goals.

The varied ways a graphic designer can help to promote your business include:

  • Provide information about your brand or services and products
  • Use different sorts of texts, visuals, or images to persuade people to find out more about what your business has to offer
  • Plan and organise the brand, products, or services offered by your business
  • Creatively use visuals or a logo or brand to catch the attention of digital consumers
  • Effectively combine texts and images to entertain your targeted audience while helping them to understand your products and services
  • Create a unique logo or brand design to provide your business with a unified and consistent look to your targeted audience
  • Investing in quality business cards is still relevant. A beautifully designed business card conveys the best impression of your business.
  • Promotional items such as tote bags, t-shirts, and more are also services handled by graphic designers.
  • Updating the look of your website can be helped by a graphic designer. Any change of services or products offered by your business needs help from a graphic designer.
  • Edit, sharpen, or remove colours and images to convey the best visuals of your business
  • A good graphic designer effectively translates the message your business wants to put across. Their use of the latest design software enhances your company above the rest of the competition.
  • Potential online customers are quickly lured in with the effective combination of illustrations, design, colours, and photography used by a graphic designer.
  • The best professional to have when it comes to the promotion of your business either in print or digitally.
  • Graphic design companies will help define the agenda of your company with the excellent use of images, visuals, and texts.

The excellent artwork created by graphic designers serves multiple purposes. For instance, food packaging produced by a graphic designer would not only be eye-catching; it will also provide nutritional value.

The use of visuals in digital marketing has proven to be very effective in luring in consumers. This is because humans are visually-oriented. A beautifully-packaged food is viewed as delicious, or a delightful design of clothing is perceived as flattering. An attractive image will always win hands down when it comes to enticing people.

Why you should consider hiring a SEO agency in Auckland

Micro Softly / / Web Design

Potential clients would only know about your business if it shows up in the top results for search engines. If it doesn’t, chances are they wouldn’t even know that your businesses exists. Even if you have a business which is strictly offline, having an online presence is a necessity. These days’ people search for everything on the internet. Before they hire a service or look for a product, they want to know more about it. It helps them make an informed choice. This is why the right SEO agency in Auckland can help your business website get productive leads.

The following are a few important questions which you should ask before hiring the services of a SEO agency in Auckland:

  • Get to know who their previous and current clients are. These are references which would help you know whether you are hiring the right agency or not. This is also an ideal way of verifying the firm. These are the people who would be able to tell you whether they saw a positive impact on the search ranking or not. It would help you gauge all the efforts made by the agency to garner a clientele.
  • What methods they would be employing to help improve your search engine rankings. Be on the lookout for agencies who may not be too open about their methods and policies. They should be able to make their clients understand the strategies which they use are legitimate and in keeping with the guideline issued by the authorities.
  • Get them to review the technicalities of your website and listen to what they have to say about improving your ranking in the search engines. They would be able to brief you on things like page titles, headings and HTML tags. They should also be willing to provide off page SEO service. This is doesn’t to raise awareness about your services on another website using social media as a platform.
  • They should adhere to the search engine webmaster guidelines. There are twelve common SEO tricks which have been strictly prohibited these include generating spam filled content , using hidden or bogus text etc. if your agency fails to comply to these rules it could become a problem for you in the future. Google can easily ban your website from the search engines. O make sure you hire the right people for handling your SEO needs.
  • Beware of bogus guarantee. If a company suggests that they would be able to make your website show up in the top rankings you need to asses them. This is because it’s a slow process and one which results aren’t apparent immediately. So make sure that you take the right decision.
  • If you own a small business you should definitely consider their success in helping smaller businesses for ranking in the local search pages. They should have full expertise when it comes to local SEO.

Keeping the above mentioned things in mind and asking the right kind of questions would help you find the right SEO agency in Auckland.

What Makes a Great SEO Agency?

Micro Softly / / Web Design

You may have a great deal about how a great SEO agency can help businesses garner a formidable online presence. But the question which often arises is how do you go about finding one which is the right fit for your own small business? There are several things which go into making a great SEO agency. When searching for one, make sure to keep the following things in mind.

An SEO agency comprises of group of individuals who specialize in helping business rank their webpages in the top results for keyword searches. The main aim of the agency is to make sure that their clients always show up in the top results for webpages like Google. Research has proved that people normally only look or click on the website of businesses who show up in the top three results.

Being in the top search results helps businesses gain higher visibility and result in business opportunities. The more people visit a business website the better re their chances of making a sale for their product or services.

So what entails a great SEO agency?

The following are a few things which a great SEO agency should possess:

  • The technical skills possessed by the people who run the agency. These are the skills which would help them asses the website of your business. They make use of SEO tools which would ensure that the website gets a higher ranking. They perform a complete SEO audit which helps them understand the current online status of your website. They would check the website for any technical issues. They would also check for broken links or duplicated content which could prove problematic for the website.
  • The programming skills, they make sure they have complete knowledge regarding how particular website has been code. This allows them to make the necessary changes and improvement in the website thus making it more user friendly. Choose an agency which provides programing options and solutions. An agency with an in house technical staff who does audits as well as programming should be your first choice.
  • Make sure they have good copy writing skills. This would help them write good blog articles and service pages. Sometimes the company might outsource this task to another writer, however this is something which they should let you know when asked. This leads us to our next point which is transparency.
  • Transparency is an important aspect which a SEO agency should possess. While a company can’t house all the talent in one place but the fact that they are open about their work and their contractors is proof enough of their reliability. Choose an agency which is willing to answer all your queries regarding how they work and what kind of efforts they would make to help your business gain online visibility.

Advanced Marketing are an award winning SEO Agency. They can help you have a strong online presence that would be beneficial for your business.

 

Managed IT Services Melbourne

Micro Softly / / IT

It is common knowledge that in the modern technological era, a reliable IT department is a must for any business that wishes to succeed. This narrows it down to all businesses. Whether you run a small business or a large international corporation or franchise, the need for a digital presence is inevitable. During the growth of the company, it reaches a point where running your own IT department is no longer the best option. This could be due to the stretch of your HR department, lack of skilled expertise to handle the more demanding IT services or increase in the cost of running the IT department. In such a predicament, you should look for the services of a managed IT services provider.

When do you need a managed IT service provider?

You should perform a total cost analysis to determine how much you are already paying for your IT services. In this calculation, you should include the low productivity that is as a result of the inadequate in-house IT services and cost of downtimes that comes along with such personnel.

You should add the amount you pay your IT staff and the loss of revenue you incur over a period – let’s say a month, and compare with the fees you would pay a managed IT services provider. The efficiency and effectiveness of the services of a managed IT service provider always favours them in comparison to in-house IT staff.

It should not get to the point when your resources are all stretched out for you to look managed IT services. Whether your business is new, in the process of growing or have any growth plans in place, you should incorporate the services of managed IT providers as early as possible. There are a lot of benefits which managed IT services providers offer to businesses that want to fast track their growth.

Benefits of managed IT services

  • Get access to highly trained and experienced professionals. Managed IT services for Melbourne business by IT Grade are specialised in their field and gain experience over the years because they provide IT solutions for numerous businesses. When you hire a managed IT provider, you get access to a full team of experts who can handle any IT problem that may arise. You get access to a virtual CIO, an IT manager who takes care of your customer support services and other dedicated support staff.
  • Focus on other aspects of your business. One of the reasons your business is not doing so well could be a problem in your IT department. Lack of a specialised IT department should not hinder you from opening or expanding your business. Therefore, you should leave these services to IT specialists while you divert your time and resources to other aspects of the company that you are best suited for.
  • Managed IT services help with long-term strategic planning of your IT department. Excellent managed IT service providers align their services with the goals of their clients. They not only prevent, reduce and solve the IT problems of your business; they also help you to plan ahead. When you share your company’s growth plan with the managed IT services providers, they can advise you on what infrastructure, software and other IT resources would work best for you. They will suggest on which IT security features are relevant in your field to ensure that your infrastructure is always updated to avoid any system downtimes, viruses or malware attacks.

Reasons to go for Managed IT Support Melbourne

Micro Softly / / IT

Managed IT Services has been around. Yet, many organizations and businesses in Australia, particularly Melbourne solely entrust their technology to their in-house IT teams.

That scenario seems to be changing, based on a recent research study. Trending right now are businesses that have seen the value of outsourcing their IT needs.

Some of the popular technical services being outsourced to Managed IT Support in Melbourne include:

  • Maintaining HIPAA compliance
  • Networks monitoring
  • Email hosting
  • CRM applications and data storage
  • Recovery and backup

Benefits gained from Managed IT Support in Melbourne

The power of MSP or managed services provider should be harnessed if you’re an administrator or business owner. The success of your organization is maximised with the following benefits MSP, to include:

Reduction of employee downtime

One of the serious productivity problems that almost all companies have experienced is system downtime. IT issues or internet failure results in employee downtime as well. This gives them all the time to wander around while being paid. That’s lost income that any business can’t manage to spend.

Outsourcing the services of Managed IT Support means 365/24/7 network monitoring. Downtime is avoided with the proactive and constant monitoring of the company’s network.

Efficient management of business

Email issues and server crashes restrict the efficient running of a business. Technical work involved in network maintenance, web and email hosting, server, and data storage can bog down your business from day to day.

Outsourcing these technical issues to Managed IT Support prevents glitches from happening to the business. Smooth and efficient business operations become the norm rather than the form in the presence of an excellent IT provider.

Gain the expertise of established Managed IT Service

A larger team of expert Managed IT Service brings numerous benefits. Help with all the technical issues will always be there any time of the day. It also means big savings for the business when adding in-house IT personnel is avoided.

Cost-saving

Business budgets can be ruined when unexpected costs such as system failure and computer breaks happen. A regular contract with Managed IT Service means regular maintenance of the systems of the business. This avoids service costs that can unexpectedly pop up when you least expect it.

Advice about future system upgrades is also part of the deal with Managed IT Service. This means making smart decisions about future technology rather than being surprised about unexpected expenditures.

Business security

Sensitive data is part of any business. This includes customer records, personnel files, and financial data. Cybercriminals and hackers are threats to the sensitive files of business. Natural disasters, hardware failure, and human error also compromise a company’s security data.

One way to stay a step ahead of all these threats is to utilize the services of Managed IT professionals. They will serve as your watchdogs for any security threats and breaches.

Expert Managed IT professionals are there to customise the security plans specific to the needs of the business.

 

Does your business need the services of managed IT professionals? Do you think that your company has lately been experiencing system downtime and spend too much on troubleshooting technical glitches? Is the security data of your company compromised or threatened? If you are now convinced why you need managed IT support, it is now time to search for the best IT company in your area.

web design

Web Design Tips that Improve Usability

Micro Softly / / Web Design

Web designers often have to juggle usability with design, making sure that one doesn’t suffer for the
other. Though usability is quite a broad term, in regards to web design North Queensland, it can be narrowed down to a few key facets i.e. consistency, simplicity, relevance, familiarity as well as the accessibility of your website. Though usability should be of the utmost importance to the designers, they commonly fail to design such websites causing inconvenience to the users.

Let’s explore a some tips and tricks to help you design highly functional websites, which will keep your customers coming back over and over again.

Focus on the core purpose

Nothing is more frustrating for a user when the website they visit doesn’t meet their requirements. Therefore, it is imperative that your step into the shoes of your customers, and view your website from their perspective. Make sure that you are focusing on the core purpose you built the site in an accessible and easy to use way.

Keep the navigation simple

navigation

The navigation structure of your website should be simple enough to let your users search and get to what they want. A well-designed website should be able to accommodate new links and any other change without much updates to the code.

Use a clean layout

The content of your website should be laid out to keep the user’s focus on your content, where it should be. A clean layout utilizes a lot of white space to enhance the looks and readability.

Design responsive

Most of the websites contain long pages filled with essential content. While it may be doing good on computers with large resolution screens, it would be foolish not to cater for mobile devices. If your website doesn’t display well on their tablet, they will leave. Designing responsive for all devices will ensure that your visitors will get the same experience through and through.

Design for readability

Websites that are easy to scan and get the required information play a significant role in engaging customers. A majority of users don’t read through the whole page, they scan it looking for titles, headings and emphasized text. So, keep this in mind while creating web pages.

Highlight important sections

Having a section with the salient features of your products and services is a quick way to allow your users to gather relevant information quickly. Many sites employ icons to help make their such sections stand out, maybe you can too.

Minimize the load times

Take a minimal approach with the graphics and optimize your code to make to sure that your web page loads quickly. It will help your visitors get to the required information efficiently, without requiring much effort.

Chiropractic Marketing Strategies

Micro Softly / / Marketing

It would be really nice to think that simply being a great chiropractor and offering terrific services was all you needed to bring in a flock of dedicated patients to your office.  Thanks to modern technology and some effort, there are great ways to market your practice.

Establish an Online Presence 

It’s very important to establish an online presence. There are several easy ways to do so.  Here are some suggestions:

●      Chiropractic Web Sites.  You’ll probably note that there are many.  You don’t want to waste a lot of time listing yourself on all of them and you really don’t have to do so.  The most popular ones are those that pop-up first on a search.  Place yourself on those.

●      Your Own Website.  Make sure you have your own website.  It’s worth paying a professional to create one.  List your education and all the treatments you offer.  Create a slogan and post lots of photos.

●      Yelp.  This is a good site on which to be.  Plus, it’s free.  You can include photos, educational information, and perhaps a slogan, should you wish. 

●      Facebook.  A Facebook page is so simple and it’s the easiest social media site on which to post updates about your methods of treatment and advice, such as stretching techniques, nutrition, and follow-up.  You can even provide links to interesting articles.  Ask friends and patients to also post referrals and positive remarks.

●      Twitter.  As with Facebook, you can tweet advice and updates.

●      LinkedIn.  The perfect place on which to list to yourself professionally and connect with associates.

●      Blog.  Keep an updated blog that details certain conditions and treatments.  Many people research their pain and issues.  If they find your blog, they’ll learn how your services can help them. 

●      Emails.  Collect current patients’ emails.  Send out promotions, newsletters, updates, advice, and tips.  Ask for feedback, too.  You might want to limit the emails to once or twice a month, just so you won’t annoy your patients. 

Host Events and Seminars

Offer events and seminars that bring potential patients into your office, at which time you can introduce yourself and your practice.  Provide links to your website, offer refreshments and hand out brochures that describe your services and include lots of photos. You can even offer specials.  You can advertise and promote such events as follows:

●      Through Social Media.  Use Facebook, Twitter, and emails to announce that you will be holding an event or seminar. 

●      Local Businesses.  Reach out to local businesses and suggest on-site seminars.  Offer to speak to people who sit at their desks all day, whose posture and computer use may be causing them pain.  But, don’t overlook hair salons and retail shops, where employees must stand and bend all day.  Or gyms, where employees and members constantly strain backs, necks, and muscles.

Utilise Current Patients

Once you have patients, utilise them to make new ones.  They’re your greatest asset and your best resource. Ways in which you can utilise their assistance include:

●      Referrals.  Ask current patients to refer friends and family.  Offer a discount or free product or appointment should a new patient be established as a result of their referral. 

●      Discount Deals.  Offer a discount or certain service for a certain amount of appointments, for example, every tenth.

Offer to Educate

Offer to speak professionally at an office, business, gym, church, health store, anywhere, really, about yourself and your practice.  Discuss your treatment and all the benefits it offers.  Such talks can be done during lunch and you can hand out brochures and offer specials. 

Within a short time, you should have a good amount of patients and your practice should be thriving. If you have any questions please do not hesiate to contact a chiropractic marketing company in Australia or New Zealand.

Brisbane Digital Agency

Micro Softly / / Marketing

The Benefits of Letting a Digital Agency Handle Your Web Presence

Have you found yourself thinking about improving the web presence of your business? Despite the fact that your business is exclusively offline, it’s just as important to have a web presence. It’s one way to get ahead of your competitors and gain a loyal clientele. Look for a good digital agency in Brisbane who will look after all digital marketing elements and could help you improve your website and achieve a commendable web presence.

The following are a few benefits of letting a digital agency handle your SEO and SMM.

Allows you to focus on the more important aspects of your business

Let’s face it, as a new business you may have to look at a number of thing. The major concern for you would be to look at areas which need your special expertise. If you lone have to manage your web presence as well, it could only become too stressful for you. In this case handing over your SEO requirements to a digital marketing agency could help lighten your burden.

You have an entire team working for you

When you hire a digital marketing agency you don’t only sign up a single individual but the whole team to work on your brand awareness. Perhaps your website needs to be made more user friendly, the content needs to be looked into and you need to send e mail on a consistent basis. A digital marketing agency could help you do that and more.

Relatively cheaper when compared to outbound advertising methods

SEO and SMM are inbound marketing strategies which allows you to target the right kind of audience. The proper use of hash tags and the right keywords allows more people to access your website and know about your services and products. Plus the cost of it is a great deal less when compared to other forms of marketing.

Helps you build a loyal clientele

Research has proved that good content can actually help people come back for more. Imagine your website has a blog which regularly updates interesting idea and articles. People might simply visit the blog to read about it. In doing so they may get to know more about your services and decide to do business with you as well. Plus good content can help you rank in the top search results. Companies and businesses which have a good ranking are considered as being more trust worthy and reliable.

Regular updates regarding all marketing strategies

Business owners need to know how things are progressing. Whether it’s related to the technical side or is completely web based, a digital marketing agency would keep you updated. They submit reports every six months or so which helps you evaluate how far your business has progressed and whether you are getting genuine leads or not. Every time someone reads about your business or product, they are bound to get curious and research about it. The digital marketing experts keep this in mind and use the right strategies to boost your business revenue.

For more information on digital marketing agencies in Brisbane contact a specialised team.

Welcome to MS Communities

Micro Softly / / IT

MS Communities (MSC) was established to promote Microsoft technologies and grow skills within the community of Microsoft users and practitioners.  MSC’s primary role is to help members create personal and business growth through the improved use of Microsoft technologies.

It is a voluntary organisation, resourced entirely by passionate members of the wider Microsoft user community and funded through sponsorship from Microsoft and other organisations.

MS Communities AGM

A date has been set for the MS Communities summit and AGM – it will be held on Saturday 8th September in the Microsoft Office at Level 5/22 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, starting at lunchtime (exact time to be decided).

Ever wanted to become a world class public speaker?