Diana is a senior graduating from college and entering into a prestigious law program, studying intellectual property.  As a young person who is constantly online I thought it would be interesting to discuss some of her online habits to build awareness about the importance of establishing your business online and targeting the next generation of consumers.                                  read on...

Opt2Web believes strongly in both community involvement and promoting business for your neighbors.  So, we invite everyone viewing our site to attend a 3 day event in our hometown of, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL.  It's a beautiful little town footsteps away from the gorgeous Atlantic coast just minutes outside of Ft. Lauderdale.  This quaint, beach side location offers great shopping, restaurants and attractions.  So visit us online and come by for some awesome entertainment in February!  www.lbtsevents.com We'll be updating you on all things LBTS (Lauderdale-by-the-Sea). read on...

The other day I was at a networking event and someone asked the group if they read her company newsletter.  Quickly another attendant replied, “I never read those things, no one ever does.”  Well, I beg to differ.  Yes we get inundated with spam emails and monthly promotions from every company that has ever picked up our business card.  Regardless, think about the one time you do read something you find interesting or open a promotion email to find a great discount on a service/product you are in need of.  Once an article or author catches your attention, you’re likely to look through the next publication you receive from them.
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More and more these days we are getting requests for projects with a quick turnaround time and unrealistic budget.  These circumstances are less than ideal to speak graciously.  However, we here at Opt2Web feel some web presence is better than no web presence.  So, if you are on a tighter budget these days, which many companies are, we would encourage you to consider one of our premade templates.  Templates are not the route creative people, marketers and advertisers would prefer to take but in these times you have to cater to the market.  So, I thought I would take the opportunity to discuss the importance of prioritizing your online checklist.  What is vital, timeframe? Budget? Customization? Control?  When you work with a template it can often times cut both your budget and your timeframe in half.  As far as design customization, you are limited.  The most inconvenient thing about a template is it only allows you so much creative control.  If you’re not looking to have control over your website and really want a basic design, a template can be an option.    read on...

There are many reasons why your website is worth investing in.  Consider this; your website is an extension of your sales team.  It is your 24/7 salesperson to your online customers.  What’s the first thing you do when looking for a new restaurant to visit, plumber to hire, a new dentist in your area?  You go online and Google, or Yelp, or Browse.  It is so important that your website is a proper representation of your business.  It should look, feel and portray your company as accurately as possible.  Display pictures of your merchandise, your storefront, and your projects.   Add client testimonials or customer logos to create credibility.   So many times I have visited a place and been extremely impressed with the venue.  Let’s use a recent example of a fitness center in my area.  Inside it was beautiful, updated and fun, almost inspiring.  Sadly, when I went to their website to review their class schedule and check out the availability I was so disappointed in their online image.  It was a template that didn’t incorporate any of the exciting colors or schemes of the gym interior.  The pictures were stock and didn’t depict any of the personal aspects that made the place feel warm and welcoming.  Imagine I didn’t have the opportunity to visit the gym beforehand and my first impression was that of the website, cookie cutter, unimpressive and underwhelming.  I probably would have never made a stop in to check the place out.   read on...

Certainly you’ve seen them on email signatures, stickers, business cards even billboards.  They almost look like a bar code, and in many ways functions like one. QR Codes are the latest trend in Social Media, and of course they’re free.  The main difference between a barcode and a QR Code is the amount of information they hold.  QR Codes can be easily downloaded and customized.  These tiny squares make relevant information easily accessible.  Basically you download an App that allows you to scan the code with your iPhone or Android mobile phone.  Hold your phone or iPad over the QR Code, snap a picture and instantly the information embedded in the QR Code is downloaded into your device. read on...

As if we all didn’t have enough passwords to remember, websites to access, and communications to check, now we have update our ‘status.’  Who has time?  The harsh reality is Social Media isn’t going away so I’m going to tell you what I tell all my clients, IT’S FREE, USE IT!  I know it seems like a lot of work but what’s a few minutes of posting if it could lead to a few clients?    read on...

This morning Opt2Web attended an 8am class at the Galleria Mall for Business Tips on using the iPad/iPad2. Technology can truly be an asset in expanding your business. However, the flip side is if you don't know how to use it correctly, it can become just another piece of equipment that will soon be considered out dated. The apps (applications we learned about in this class can definitely make working on the road much easier. It was very interesting but very early, so here is what you missed.  read on...

We finally got Comcast in to install a local number, 954-533-0283 in our office this week.  We registered a toll free number about 12 months ago, 1-877-Ya-Needa, which makes it easy for clients and passer-bys to remember, but realizing the importance of creating a local image in South Florida we opted to also utilize our home area code.  It was also important for us to change our Google Places page to reflect a Broward number since we are located in Broward. We do get a good amount of calls via our toll free number from Toll Forwarding but we feel you need to have both.   read on...