1.  Be your own editor.  Read through your site.  Does it contain statements that are outdated?  Is your sales pitch lackluster?  Are your product descriptions descriptive enough?  How about the Copyright date… at the very least, that should changed [.....]]]> Want more business?  Of course you do.  What better time to focus on taking your business to a new level than a new year – and a new decade?  Read on, and make it your resolution to follow these tips in 2010:

1.  Be your own editor.  Read through your site.  Does it contain statements that are outdated?  Is your sales pitch lackluster?  Are your product descriptions descriptive enough?  How about the Copyright date… at the very least, that should changed to 2010.  It shows your visitors that you’re on top of your online presence.

2. NEW NEW NEW! New banner graphics, promotional boxes, and details on your website will show your audience that you’re investing back into your business, and it will keep them coming back for more!

3.  Start (or ramp up) your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) efforts.  At Durrani we say that having a great website without SEO is like throwing a huge party and not inviting anyone.  The goal of Search Engine Optimization is to capture your target market and lead them to your site – SEO gets people to your party.   In 2010, invite more people to your party.

4. Put your email account to work.  Email campaigns are one of the most effective and inexpensive marketing methods out there.  With a professional, branded design and targeted, concise messaging, an email campaign can create a sustained connection to your audience, and get the word out about important news, offers and promotions.

5. Here, take my card…  Even in an era dominated by all things digital, there’s still something to be said for strong print marketing.  Consider business cards – being able to hand out a well-designed, branded business card adds credibility and makes a good impression.  And print collateral – including brochures, one-sheets, and postcards – gives your target market something tangible that will remind them of your services.

6. Everyone loves a “deal.” You know it’s true, we all love a good promotion.  Getting something for free is even better.  We encourage our clients to offer incentive, especially for e-commerce business.  Promo codes in an email campaign, free shipping, or even a referral incentive program can go very far in getting that business that’s been sitting “on the fence”.  

7. Blogging: not just for the young folks anymore.  When a blog is built and maintained properly (read: often, but not too often), it can be instrumental in Search Engine Optimization efforts as well as steady viewership.  It can also give your business an easy and quick outlet for your press releases, news, and promotions – one that you can update yourself.  Durrani can create a blog that is fully integrated with your existing website design, so that it looks professional and thoughtful – and we can be as hands-on or hands-off as you’d like in your blogging adventures. 

8. Get social with your media.  Whether you love them or hate them, social media outlets are here to stay.  LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Tumblr… they can be used to your advantage in business, if they’re done specifically and surgically.  We can help you assess which of these avenues would work for you, and help you get started.  At the very least, one media outlet that every business should utilize is press releases.  Press Releases help with SEO as well as public perception, and we can handle the writing and release for you… no-hassle PR!

9. Educate yourself.  What’s new in your industry?  Are you keeping up with the metaphorical “Joneses” or are your website, your branding, and your marketing falling behind the times?  It’s always a good idea to keep a finger on the pulse of your business in relation to your competition – and to know when to make changes or additions.

10. Give your brand a facelift.  Every company needs a good makeover once in awhile.  Is 2010 time for yours?

Overwhelmed?  Don’t be… Durrani is here to help!  We want to assist our clients in growing and expanding their businesses.  That could mean designing a new marketing piece, launching an SEO campaign, or re-branding… it could also mean sitting down and creating an effective marketing plan involving many of these pieces.  We want to make 2010 the best year ever for our clients!

Twitter 101 takes you on a guided tour from “What is Twitter?” to the lingo and best practices.

From Twitter 101:

Twitter is a communications platform that helps businesses and their customers do a number of useful things. As a business, you can use [.....]]]> The team at Twitter has published a new online guide to help businesses wade through all of the chatter and confusion over how Twitter can be a useful resource for a business.

Twitter 101 takes you on a guided tour from “What is Twitter?” to the lingo and best practices.

From Twitter 101:

So what does Twitter do for businesses?

Twitter is a communications platform that helps businesses and their customers do a number of useful things. As a business, you can use it to quickly share information with people interested in your company, gather real-time market intelligence and feedback, and build relationships with customers, partners and other people who care about your company. As an individual user, you can use Twitter to tell a company (or anyone else) that you’ve had a great–or disappointing–experience with their business, offer product ideas, and learn about great offers.

Here at Durrani Design, we have many conversations with many clients about how to best implement a social media strategy for their company and we are always available to help in person to fill in the gaps where the online guides, such as Twitter 101, leave off. Many business owners and managers can be overwhelmed or even intimidated at the prospect of tackling social media but the key is to just start off slow with small manageable pieces. Don’t try to become the social media king or queen overnight. Setup your Twitter account or Facebook accounts and just build them over time. Take the time to make your online identity credible, trustworthy and personable. If you are constantly pushing marketing or sales pitches without engaging in the online community, your followers will become bored and disengaged about you and your business. You need to participate and contribute to the community at large.

I know it’s hard to find the time. We are all maxed out with busy schedules and floods of information on a daily basis, but a methodical and consistent approach to social media will eventually be a rewarding investment for any business. Just a post here and a tweet there is all you need to do to eventually become a fully fledged social media guru that even your 13 year old will be proud of. Remember to be patient; there are no get popular overnight gimmicks. Be yourself online and your customers will follow.

I always tell people, building a social media campaign for your business is much like giving someone who is in trouble CPR, you don’t always know what you’re doing, but doing something… doing anything, is better then doing nothing at all.

Click here to read the Twitter 101 Guide For Business.

In addition to website design, we often assist our clients with marketing and publicity throughout the year. When we work with a client, we become as knowledgeable and [.....]]]> Encinitas Foreign and Domestic Auto Repair (EFADAR), located right down the street from us in Encinitas, CA has been a Durrani Client since last summer. We recently re-designed and launched their website, converting an old constrained Flash site to a dynamic, graphic rich site where customers can make appointments instantly online.

In addition to website design, we often assist our clients with marketing and publicity throughout the year. When we work with a client, we become as knowledgeable and intimate with their products and services as possible, so naturally it becomes easy for us to promote and brag about them in an informed way when needed. Our staff can be called upon to draft press releases and send them out to media contacts and outlets nationwide.

We recently wrote and issued the following press release on behalf of EFADAR to announce their certification as one of the first environmentally “Green Stations” in California.

If you are in North County San Diego and need automotive repair services, EFADAR is your place to go.

Read the full press release below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Julie Macaluso

Tel: (760) 632-0830

Email: service@efadar.com

“ENCINITAS’ FIRST GREEN STATION”

Encinitas Foreign and Domestic Auto Repair Receives New Environmental Status.

ENCINITAS, Calif. – May 12, 2009 – Encinitas Foreign and Domestic Auto Repair (EFADAR) has announced that they are now one of the first certified “Green Stations” in the State of California. The Department of Toxic Substances Control, in conjunction with the Bureau of Automotive Repair, awarded the certification on April 15, 2009. Since 1988, Encinitas Foreign and Domestic Auto Repair has been dedicated to the service of its customers, its community, and its planet.

In a time when consumers are demanding that businesses seek earth-friendly alternatives, EFADAR is maintaining its steady commitment to practices that are environmentally sound and financially sound. Proving that they always have their customers’ best interests at heart, they have found a way to make both possible. So what is the cost associated with maintaining a Green Station? “Zero,” says owner Julie Macaluso, “Although we have been recycling most common things for a long time, it just took a little more thought and a re-working of our processes to educate ourselves to recycle almost everything. Now it’s like clockwork.”

So much like clockwork, in fact, that EFADAR has done away with the dumpster for their facility. They simply use recycling bins and standard household trash cans. This is quite the feat for an auto repair facility their size. They may look small from the street, but don’t let their looks deceive you. They house 14 repair bays, 20 full-time employees, and 15,000 square feet. “All of us at EFADAR are committed to this program,” says Julie, “We know it’s an ongoing effort and we will continue to do our best. [Being environmentally responsible] has been in our Mission Statement since the early days.”

Just what does this new “Green” certification mean? The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), which regulates the use and disposal of hazardous waste products, has partnered with the Bureau of Automotive Repair (a part of California’s Department of Consumer Affairs) to promote its “Green Station Recognition Program.” Participation in the program is completely voluntary for automotive repair facilities, and in order to be recognized as a “Green Station” a facility must undergo a rigorous application process, including a number of inspections and an auditing of the environmental impact of the facility. It’s an incredible honor, especially since Encinitas Foreign & Domestic Auto Repair is one of the first and one of the few to receive this certificate in the state of California.

EFADAR isn’t new to recycling and being environmentally friendly, though. Far from it, they’ve been at this for awhile. In 2001, EFADAR received a Corporate Leadership Award from Solana Recyclers and was recognized by then-governor Gray Davis with a Certificate of Commendation for their commitment to excellence in recycling. They are a certified recycling center for oil, oil filters, batteries, anti-freeze, lead wheel weights, Freon, and other toxic substances. Beyond all that, EFADAR employs factory-certified hybrid technicians, so they can quickly, effectively, and efficiently service hybrid vehicles. Encinitas Foreign and Domestic Auto Repair is a “Green Station” through and through.

Encinitas Foreign and Domestic Auto Repair is a facility that is dedicated to 100% customer satisfaction, dedicated to being involved in the community, and dedicated to protecting the environment… a winning combination for everyone they serve! Encinitas Foreign and Domestic Auto Repair has also been approved by AAA, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, and the BBB as an ethical and reputable business.

Encinitas Foreign and Domestic Auto Repair is located just off the Coast Highway 101 at the corner of 2nd & H Streets, and provides all types of vehicle maintenance and repair services. Learn more and book appointments online at www.RunCarRun.com.

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For more information about this topic, please contact Encinitas Foreign and Domestic Auto Repair at (760) 632-0830, or email service@efadar.com

Perfect Fit USA is a new local personal training studio located in Carlsbad, CA. With their grand opening scheduled for May 2009, they are gearing up with a new website, new marketing materials and new promotional products.

The website is completely custom made from the design to the PHP programming. Our team designed the look and feel as well as all of the logos, [.....]]]> Durrani Design is excited to announce the launch of the new website for Perfect Fit USA at www.perfectfitshop.com.

Perfect Fit USA is a new local personal training studio located in Carlsbad, CA. With their grand opening scheduled for May 2009, they are gearing up with a new website, new marketing materials and new promotional products.

The website is completely custom made from the design to the PHP programming. Our team designed the look and feel as well as all of the logos, artwork and branding. In addition to their websites, we has also created their entire business collateral package including business cards, brochures, mailers and even custom screen printed T-shirts (through our promotional tees division at www.teecompressed.com).

Along with the PerfectFitShop.com website, we are also in the process of designing several other online sites for them including an e-commerce storefront. Their future store, Kettlebells for Mommies (www.kettlebellsformommies.com) is currently under construction and is built using MIVA Merchant 5.5.