Old City Web Services

3 Reasons to Host Email At Your Domain

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What does it mean to host your email at your domain?

Hosting your email at your domain means that instead of an @Gmail or @yahoo address you have an email address with your domain in it. For example, if your domain is www.windowtreatments.com, your email address would look something like john@windowtreatments.com.

You may be asking, “Well, why is this so important?” The honest answer is that clients perceive businesses that host their email at their domain as more professional. Although it may seem like a small detail, the bigger picture makes this a worthwhile marketing investment for your company.

Image contains a graphic of a laptop sending several emails.

3 Reasons to Host Email At Your Domain

We can’t think of one single reason not to host your email at your domain. On the flip side, there are many pros to taking this step. Below we’ve broken down what we think are the three biggest motivators to host your email at your domain.

It’s an integral part of your branding.

Image contains two road signs that say "email marketing strategy".

Your email address is part of your brand because its a method of communication between you and customers. In today’s world, fewer people are making phone calls and more people are doing business online. So, if most business interactions happen online versus offline, businesses have to find a practical way to communicate with customers and email is the solution. Since your email address is often incorporated on your business cards, press releases, and website, it becomes a great opportunity to expose your business name and brand to customers.

Hot tip: If you’re interested in email marketing, having an email at your domain is twice as important for branding.

It’s more professional.

Image contains a woman saying "Welcome".

Businesses that host their email at their domain are more professional. Think of it like this: A business that answers their phone with nothing but “Hello,” will result in the caller questioning if they have the right number. On the flip side, when a business answers with “Hello, this is [business name here]. How can we help you?” the caller can assume that the business is somewhat organized and has some procedures in place. In the same respect, an email address that doesn’t have a business’ domain in it can seem unprofessional and cause confusion.

Clients won’t second guess you as a sender.

Image contains warning signs that say 'spam'.

Nowadays, people receive as many spam emails as they do legitimate ones. This means they won’t look twice at an @Gmail or @yahoo address – they’ll send your message right to the Spam Folder. However this is preventable when you host your email at your domain. In fact, it’s the best way to guarantee your message will be read by your sender and that they aren’t second-guessing who the message came from.

But those aren’t the only perks when you host email at your domain.

The reasons above are persuasive from a monetary standpoint. However, when you host your email and domain with us, there are also a few benefits for you:

  • You can host up to ten email addresses at your domain for free.
  • You have more control over your business’ email. If an employee leaves, you can have their emails forwarded to you or delete their address altogether.
  • You can set up an alias email address so that your main business address isn’t available to just anyone.
  • You have a direct line to contact us if something goes wrong.

Ready to get started?

Hosting your email at your domain is inexpensive and one of the easiest steps to gaining the trust of your customers. If you’re ready to take the way your business communicates to the next level, we can help. Call us at 904-867-4112 or fill out our form by clicking the button below and selecting “Web/Email Hosting”. One of our team members will contact you to help get you started.

Press for Success

Mission Statement

The mission at Old City Web Services is to navigate the world of web design, web development, and advertising for our clients so that they can focus on what they do best – running their business! Our business intentions go beyond the metrics of graphics, coding, and SEO. Located on Florida’s First Coast, we run a personable home front service and consider our relationship with our clients as a partnership in their success.

Please share and re-post this blog.  Disclaimer: Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on Old City Web Services Blog.

Top 5 Website Myths Busted

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Website myths lead people to make wrong decisions for their website.

Like most myths, the misinformation spread in website myths can misguide a person into making wrong decisions. Now, we’ve all heard it before, “You shouldn’t believe everything you read on the internet or see on TV.” Yet, we’re all guilty of doing this, especially when we aren’t experts on the topic. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. We’ve debunked the following five website myths so that you can make decisions for your website based on facts rather than myths.

Image contains a graphic chalkboard with text that reads "Myth or Fact?"
Image contains one dollar bills in a pile.

Website Myth 1: They sell themselves.

Unfortunately, this is simply untrue. While websites are critical for businesses to have, they can’t reach your ideal customers on their own. They need a strategic marketing strategy to accomplish that. Typically, enhancing a website with SEO and user-friendly design can help a website gain more traction. Furthermore, by distributing print materials like a rack card or business card that includes your website URL, your site will get more visibility. It also helps to push users to your site through social media and online ads.

Image contains a man hammering a nail in wood.

Website Myth 1: They sell themselves.

This isn’t entirely a myth. While “You can build your own website,” is a true statement, the following sentence is more accurate, “It is difficult to build your own website.” Although DIY website platforms are built for nonprofessionals, many users still face hardships. In fact, a DIY website can eat up hours of your valuable time simply by updating it. Additionally, they often have hidden costs as well as limited capabilities. In the end, the few pennies that you save aren’t always worth the challenges and wasted time.

Read more about the differences between DIY and professional websites here.

Image contains a pink piggy bank.

Website Myth 3: You don’t need to budget for design, photography, or content.

Design, photography, and content are the main contributors to a successful website. In fact, even if you have an excellent SEO strategy that places you in the top results of a Google search, it’s likely that bad design, photography, and/or content will deter users from staying on your website for long. In addition to that, your website speaks volumes to how valuable your business is. Having professional photography and optimized content will keep users on your site longer instead of having them go to your competitor’s site.

Image contains a website with a price tag.

Website Myth 4: They are expensive.

This is a total myth! In fact, websites eventually pay for themselves. Think of a website as an employee that is always working for you and never goes home. Whether it’s before your business opens or after it closes, your website is there to answer your clients’ questions. Since you control the text and imagery content for your website, no misinformation is spread and your business’ message is always conveyed clearly.

Image contains a graphic of a man changing oil on a truck.

Website Myth 5: They don’t need ongoing maintenance.

Just as your website needs an SSL certificate for security reasons, it also always needs ongoing maintenance. Ongoing maintenance for a website includes regularly updating plugins, themes, and code to avoid hackers, glitches, and broken websites. For example, you wouldn’t ignore a recall notice for your vehicle because it could potentially cause damage to your car. This is exactly how you should look at ongoing maintenance; without it, your website has the potential to break and not function normally.

Have a myth you need debunked?

Think of us as your website myth busters. We uncomplicate the web world for you so that you can make the best decisions for your website. If you have a myth you need busted, we’d like to hear about it. We’ve heard it all before, so don’t hesitate to reach out with your questions and concerns. Call us at 904 829-2772 or contact us by clicking the button below.

We Want to Hear From You

Have a myth you need debunked?

The mission at Old City Web Services is to navigate the world of web design, web development, and advertising for our clients so that they can focus on what they do best – running their business! Our business intentions go beyond the metrics of graphics, coding, and SEO. Located on Florida’s First Coast, we run a personable home front service and consider our relationship with our clients as a partnership in their success.

Please share and re-post this blog.  Disclaimer: Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on Old City Web Services Blog.

5 Differences Between DIY and Professional Websites

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The Five Differences Between DIY and Professional Websites

It isn’t a surprise that there is a challenge or two to face when taking on a DIY project. So when does the challenge outweigh the perks of saving money by doing it yourself? In this blog, we’ll run down the five differences between DIY and professional websites and let you decide whether they are a worthwhile investment. We’re sure you’ll agree that sticking with the professionals is the best route for success.

Image contains a man hammering a nail in wood.

Wait, what is a DIY website?

A DIY website is a website that individuals create themselves without the assistance of a professional; a few examples of site builders are Wix, Weebly, and Shopify. The characteristic that makes the sites so likeable is how easy they are to use. Their software incorporates the drag and drop method along with other similar methods that allow users to easily design their site. This eliminates the need to have a website built by professional developers and designers. But they aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.

Note: DIY websites may be easy to use, but professional websites can be too. In fact, websites built on a WordPress platform are easy for the everday business owner to manage – just like they would on a DIY website.

So are DIY websites worth the work?

Just like you wouldn’t want a DIY logo, a DIY website isn’t in your best interest. Sure, they are easy to use; the fact that you don’t need the skills of a developer is appealing to many people. However, this luxury is a double-edged sword – and has five major pitfalls. In fact, if you aren’t convinced yet, we’ve got more proof for you. Check out our blog where we compare WordPress (an open-source CMS) and Squarespace, another DIY website.

Websites are confusing and that’s why we’re to help. If you already feel in over your head from this DIY website talk, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re a web firm that delivers and are glad to take the worries of your website off your shoulders.

If you are convinced that DIY websites aren’t worth the hassle, contact us today to talk about getting your professional website built.

Call us at 904-867-4112 to schedule an appointment or contact us by clicking the button below.

Let’s Get Started on Your Professional Website

Mission Statement

The mission at Old City Web Services is to navigate the world of web design, web development, and advertising for our clients so that they can focus on what they do best – running their business! Our business intentions go beyond the metrics of graphics, coding, and SEO. Located on Florida’s First Coast, we run a personable home front service and consider our relationship with our clients as a partnership in their success.

Please share and re-post this blog.  Disclaimer: Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on Old City Web Services Blog.

Free Tools for Content Writing

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Wait a minute… What is content?

Content is the text, images, video, graphics, as well as every additional element that isn’t part of a design. So, if you have a website, brochure, business card, social media platform, etc., then content writing should be important to you. After all, websites, pamphlets, and other marketing materials tend to have more written content than the other types of content.

We offer content writing services and can help you cross off tasks on your to-do list by creating your social media posts, weekly blogs, marketing emails, or the content for your site. Don’t hesitate to ask us if you have questions about our content writing services or the free tools for content writing below! Schedule a free consultation by clicking the button below or call us at 904-867-4112.

Schedule A Free Consultation

Free Tools for Content Writing on A Budget

We understand that small businesses have a long list of expenses. While one year, written content might be at the forefront of your mind, the next year your budget may not permit it. Therefore, we’ve comprised a list of free tools for content writing. This way your content won’t suffer if you can’t hire a professional just yet.

content-writing

You really should hire a professional.

The whole idea of marketing materials is to persuade a consumer to do business with your company. So, your content should be persuasive and convey a message. The best way to guarantee this is to hire a firm like Old City Web Services to create your website, social media posts, online blogs, etc.

A content writer ensures your content speaks to your business’ audience. The writer will make sure your content is purposeful, relevant, and structurally sound so that your reader easily flows through the text. You know how your business functions and may just not be able to put it into words.

When we design websites we encourage our clients to hire us for content writing as well. The last thing we want is for our clients to be stressed about misspellings or if their writing sounds good. In fact, sometimes when clients write their own content it delays the launch of their website because they don’t have enough time to write it or they have a difficult time putting the words on paper. Since we want our clients to have a stress-free experience with their new website, we figure it’s easier for us to write their content for them! After all, we’re sure you’d rather be running your business and doing what you love than writing content.

You really should hire a professional.

If you aren’t ready to hire a content writer, the tools above will help you write your best content yet! But when you are ready, we can help you! We use tools like these and others to write and format content for our clients. You can get in touch with us by clicking the button below or calling us at 904-867-4112.

Schedule A Free Consultation

Mission Statement

The mission at Old City Web Services is to navigate the world of web design, web development, and advertising for our clients so that they can focus on what they do best – running their business! Our business intentions go beyond the metrics of graphics, coding, and SEO. Located on Florida’s First Coast, we run a personable home front service and consider our relationship with our clients as a partnership in their success.

Please share and re-post this blog. Disclaimer: Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on Old City Web Services Blog.

The Importance of Email Marketing

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Email marketing is likely the right choice for your company…

But you may be thinking “Am I the right person to execute it?” While email marketing is very effective, it can be difficult to implement if you’re unfamiliar with the process.

Luckily, we’re here to help.

We know everything there is to know about the best email marketing platforms such as Constant Contact and MailChimp. For example, if you don’t utilize these platforms it’s possible your emails will be marked as spam and never reach the sender. Of course, we’re also here to help with the design of the email; you can count on us to create a structure that is mobile responsive, reflective of your brand, and includes at least one prominent call to action.

Let’s Grow Your Business

So, why email marketing?

Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to keep the attention of your clients. In fact, an informative message sent to the inbox of your clients will likely lead to better revenue generation than that of other outlets. However, revenue generations aren’t the only perks of email marketing.

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It won’t burn a hole in your pocket because it’s affordable!

Compared to advertising or having a website, email marketing is inexpensive to maintain. This is because it allows companies to reach a large pool of clients with a low cost per message. Particularly for small businesses, this is a way more feasible route than advertising on a billboard, TV, radio, and even through direct mail. Additionally, there will be no word counting or shortening of your message since you don’t have to stick to the parameters of your advertisement contract!

An animated girl sitting in front of a laptop with social media logos on it crying.

(Source: McKinsey)

It’s more effective than social media. Hint: no algorithms.

This headline is self-explanatory but let us break it down for you. Social media is not the end-all-be-all of marketing. Although purchasing ads is a great way to advertise, it’s important to remember that the algorithms are in charge on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and platforms alike. On the other hand, YOU are in charge when you use email marketing.

Did you know: Email is almost 40 times more effective than Facebook and Twitter combined in acquiring new customers.

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(Source: Campaign Monitor)

You’ll reach more clients on their mobile phone.

Let’s face it, we’re all glued to our phones and while this may not be good for our mental health it is great for email marketing. Unlike other methods, email marketing gets your message right in the mailbox of a phone which is in the hand of your client!

Did you know: Mobile opens accounted for 46% of all email opens in 2018. (Source: Litmus.com). [And] 23% of users who open an email on a mobile device open it again later.

Image contains one dollar bills in a pile.

(Source: MarketingSherpa)

It’s a great way to communicate with clients.

Emailing your client is like knocking on their door and saying “Hi, we’re still here and we’re still the great company that you enjoy doing business with.” By emailing them and putting that thought in their head, you are one step closer to a sale! In fact, “91% of U.S. adults like to receive promotional emails from companies they do business with.”

Mission Statement

Our mission at Old City Web Services is to navigate the world of web design, web development, and advertising for our clients so that they can focus on what they do best – running their business! Our business intentions go beyond the metrics of graphics, coding, and SEO. Located on Florida’s First Coast, we run a personable homefront service and consider our relationship with our clients as a partnership in their success.

Please share and re-post this blog. Disclaimer: Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on Old City Web Services Blog.

Taking Inventory of Marketing Materials

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Taking inventory of your marketing materials is a two-step process.

The first step in taking inventory of your marketing materials is to pinpoint your marketing budget. Consider last year’s budget. Then answer this question: Was this enough to make your marketing strategy successful?

Step two is assessing how valuable your marketing materials are by determining which of them have proven successful and which have not. Specifically, consider your website, text on your website, social media outlets, print materials, and online ads.

1: Pinpoint your marketing budget.

Download and print our Marketing Budget Quiz to easily determine if you should increase your budget or keep it the same.

Marketing Budget Quiz

Marketing budgets vary from company to company depending on different variables. For example, if you own an older company you may have older marketing materials and will have to account for that in your budget. On the other hand, if your company has been in business for over five years, you are likely to have a lower budget than a newer company because you have established brand recognition.

In fact, marketing firms often encourage older companies to spend 6 to 12 percent of last year’s gross revenue on marketing. In the same respect, if you have been in business for fewer than five years, you should spend anywhere from 12 to 20 percent.
(Source: Entrepreneur)

Step 2: Assess the value of your materials.

Download and print our Marketing Materials Checklist to easily determine which of your marketing materials need to be updated.

Marketing Materials Checklist

So, what should you look for when assessing your materials? That’s easy! The goal is to determine which materials accurately represent your business, generate leads, and answer the FAQ questions of your customers. Additionally, each material should have a clear way to contact you.

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Taking Inventory of Your Marketing Materials

Now that you know your budget and have assessed your materials, you’re ready to to take inventory of your marketing materials.

Create two lists. Title your first list “Inventory” and your second list “Needs to be Updated”. Next, sort your materials into either list.

  • Needs to be Updated: Marketing materials that have met two or fewer requirements on our Marketing Materials Checklist.
  • Inventory: Marketing materials that have met at least three requirements. These items are ready to add to your marketing strategy.

Congratulations, you’ve completed taking inventory of your marketing materials!

Don’t worry if you have a long list of materials that need to be updated. That’s what we’re here for! We can help you get your inventory stocked up and ready to use. The best part is that the process is quick and stress-free! Contact us at (904) 829-2272 or by clicking the button below.

We Want to Hear From You

Mission Statement

Our mission at Old City Web Services is to navigate the world of web design, web development, and advertising for our clients so that they can focus on what they do best – running their business! Our business intentions go beyond the metrics of graphics, coding, and SEO. Located on Florida’s First Coast, we run a personable homefront service and consider our relationship with our clients as a partnership in their success.

Please share and re-post this blog. Disclaimer: Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on Old City Web Services Blog.

Grow Your Business: Get the Message Out

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There are many ways to grow your business but one of the most effective ways is by getting your message out. If you’re having a sale, changing your business hours, or have a new product, how will your customers find out if you don’t inform them? Who else will let them know? Having the line of communication open between you and customers is vital when growing your business. An image of text that reads "How will you get the message out to customers?"

Contrary to popular belief, a complicated marketing strategy or time-consuming plan isn’t necessary to stay in touch with existing or potential customers. In fact, advertisements, emails, site updates, and social media posts are straight-forward cost-effective methods of communication. Better yet, we can ensure the process stays simple by doing the work for you. You provide the content and we’ll get your message out!

Advertising

Just think. If online ads weren’t a fantastic way to convey a message, would renowned brands like Hershey’s and Marriott still do it?

Since many online advertising contracts last for months or even years, they are a popular approach for businesses that want to stay in touch with customers on a long-term basis. Additionally, most ads on OldCity.com allow for a few lines of text as well as images, unlike the standard image-only ads. This allows for ample opportunity for you to share information with your customers.

Read: FAQ About Advertising on OldCity.com

What We Do

  • Design and optimize your advertisement with your message
  • Optimize the placement of your advertisement
  • Send you monthly statistics

Your message will reach:

  • Potential Customers
  • Users browsing that Page

Email Marketing

Sending an email to a customer is like knocking on their door and saying, “Hello, we thought it was important that you know…”

Get your message out in a timely fashion and make a statement by sending the message right to their inbox. Similar to advertising, emails allow you to share a few lines of text along with images without overwhelming customers.  All in all, a friendly email is a positive experience for both the sender and the receiver – especially if it contains critical information. However, if you’re looking to relay a more complicated message like describing a product, a site update is a better option.

Read: 6 Quick Tips About Emails

What We Do

  • Design and optimize your message
  • Manage your campaigns and contacts
  • Send you statistics

Your message will reach:

  • Existing Customers
  • People who have signed up to receive emails

Site Updates

Customers are going to your site to find out more about your business. Get the message out and update it with news.

Site updates are one of the most effective ways to get your message out especially for businesses that already have a strong customer base. Repeat customers and even ideal customers are more likely to travel to your website than to come across an advertisement by chance, signup to receive emails, or follow you on social media.

In reality, your site should be updated with any message you share through a different outlet. Most of the time, an advertisement, email, or social media post is created with the intention of funneling the customer back to the website; in these cases, the business’ website is often linked to the marketing piece.

Read: 5 Seasonal Updates Your Website Needs

What We Do

  • Quickly and efficiently add your message to your website

Your message will reach:

  • Existing Customers
  • Potential Customers
  • Users browsing your site

Social Media

The cool thing about social media? Millions of your potential customers use it every day.

Social media posts are great for sending frequent updates. Sharing blogs via a link, talking about products, and even a simple brand awareness message is great content for social media. However, similar to advertisements and emails, complicated messages aren’t great for this outlet. Long and in-depth posts might get ignored since most people on social media scroll down the page and only stop when they see a post of interest.

Read: Free Social Media Tips

What We Do

  • Optimize an appealing post with your message
  • Add searchable keywords
  • Optional: define the audience for maximum exposure
  • Send you statistics

Your message will reach:

  • Existing Customers
  • Hundreds of Potential Customers

Advertisements, emails, site updates, and social media posts are easy and cost-effective ways to get your message out! It’s never too late to initiate effective communication between you and your customers. Let’s schedule a time to get your message out, call us at 904-867-4112 or fill out the form below.

Click Here to Fill Out Our Form

Mission Statement

Our mission at Old City Web Services is to navigate the world of web design, web development, and advertising for our clients so that they can focus on what they do best – running their business! Our business intentions go beyond the metrics of graphics, coding, and SEO. Located on Florida’s First Coast, we run a personable homefront service and consider our relationship with our clients as a partnership in their success.

Please share and re-post this blog. Disclaimer: Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on Old City Web Services Blog.

Use Listings and Online Reviews to Boost Your SEO

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Why Do Listings & Reviews Boost My SEO?

More times than not, people research a business before making a purchase. A huge part of that research is checking their listings and online reviews. In fact, online reviews have been proven to affect 67.5% of purchasing decisions. Furthermore, search engines understand that consumers take online reviews seriously and therefore consider it when deciding where your website should end up in the search engine result pages. As a result, having business listings on multiple sites should be part of your SEO strategy.

So how can you optimize where you end up in the search engine results with your listings and reviews? That's easy! Use the following websites to set up your business listing: Google, Angie’s List, Yelp, Yellow Pages, White Pages, and Super Pages. After all, having your listing on multiple sites is similar to having multiple trustworthy people recommend your business. Additionally, listings on these sites are usually free of charge and are helpful with SEO in two ways. The first is that Google trusts sites with reviews; the second is that it's another way to backlink to your site.

But, it's important that your listings and reviews are helping your SEO and not hurting it. Don't know where to start? Don't worry, we've got you covered.

Online Sales

Tips on Getting the Most Out of Your Listings and Reviews

  • First things first, add your business listing to multiple outlets. The sites listed above are a great place to start. Remember, more business listings means more backlinks to credible sites, resulting in more effective search engine optimization.
  • Secondly, be sure that your business listings display the same information across the board. For example, if you write out the word street on your Google listing, be sure to write it out on every listing instead of the abbreviation.
  • It's extremely important to reply to every review whether it be with a thank you or an apology for a bad experience.
  • Encourage your repeat and ideal customers to write online reviews about your business.
  • Not all your reviews need to be five-stars. In fact, too many five-star reviews may lead customers to think the reviews are fake, causing them to become skeptical of your business.
  • You'll need five five-star reviews to counteract what a one-star review does to your overall rating average. So, although a one-star review isn't the end of the world, it should be taken seriously.
  • Google and other search engines alike know the difference between organic reviews and paid for reviews. Be sure that your reviews are organic and NEVER pay for reviews.

If you have questions about business listings, how to respond to reviews or your SEO strategy, don't hesitate to contact us!

Our Mission Statement

Our mission at Old City Web Services is to navigate the world of web design, web development, and advertising for our clients so that they can focus on what they do best – running their business! Our business intentions go beyond the metrics of graphics, coding, and SEO. Located on Florida’s First Coast, we run a personable home front service and consider our relationship with our clients as a partnership in their success.

Please share and re-post this blog.  Disclaimer: Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information on Old City Web Services Blog.

The Importance of an SSL Certificate

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Image contains a map and a laptop with a picture of a lock on it.

The Importance of an SSL certificate.

An SSL certificate is a technology that encrypts information traveling from a website’s server to a visitors browser and vice versa. Nowadays, it isn’t unusual for people to choose to manage their finances or keep sensitive information saved on their computer. The heightened popularity of sending this type of information through emails, online forms, and online purchases has set in motion the need for a higher level of cybersecurity. As a business owner, the best way to protect the data of your website’s visitors is by purchasing an SSL certificate.

It adds security to your website.

First and foremost, the greatest importance of an SSL certificate is that it protects the information transmitted to and from your computer. It does this by encrypting the information. In other words,  it turns it into a code that hackers can't read it. The result is that all information provided through online signup forms, logins, addresses, and payments is private.

It helps with SEO.

Of course, an SSL certificate isn't the be-all-end-all as far as SEO (search engine optimization) strategies go, but it does help. In fact, it was Google (one of the top search engines) that advocated the importance of an SSL certificate. Similar to how responsive websites became vital a few years ago, SSL certificates are now the new standard.

It provides a sense of security to users.

Image contains screenshots of a secure address bar and not secure address bar.

Most search engines now mark websites without an SSL certificate as not secure.

At first, online users may not have noticed the difference between secure and not secure websites. The cosmetic difference was only a small tweak; an 's' was added to the URL of each secure page. This changed the HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) found in a URL to HTTPs (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure).  However, Google and search engines alike rapidly informed users through added imagery to address bars. Now users know that an icon of a lock in their address bar signifies a secure site.

How do I get an SSL certificate?

The easiest way to add an SSL certificate to your website is through a web firm such as Old City Web Services. Since there are an array of types of certificates, we are your best bet at purchasing and installing the correct SSL certificate for your website. Once you've decided to pull the trigger, your web firm will install the certificate to protect your pages, forms, images, videos, and any other content on your website.

Don't push off securing your website for another day. Contact us for more information.

Mission Statement

Our mission at Old City Web Services is to navigate the world of web design, web development, and advertising for our clients so that they can focus on what they do best – running their business! Our business intentions go beyond the metrics of graphics, coding, and SEO. Located on Florida’s First Coast, we run a personable home front service and consider our relationship with our clients as a partnership in their success. If you are looking to increase your business’ visibility give us a call at 904-867-4112 or contact us today.

Please share and re-post this blog.  Disclaimer: Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information on Old City Web Services Blog.

Preparing Your Business For the New Year

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Preparing Your Business for the New Year

The New Year often prompts businesses to reflect on the past fiscal year. On the other hand, it’s also an opportune time to prepare for the months to come. Use January to realign your marketing, security, and customer service strategies. Below is a general outline of questions to ask yourself in order to succeed in preparing your business for the New Year!

Online MarketingImage contains a man pointing at papers and a laptop.

Online Advertising

What does every business have in common? That's right, advertising. Consider your online advertising strategy for the previous year. Are you happy with the results? If you aren’t, it may be time to switch up your method.

  • Where and how did you advertise? Have you met your goals?
  • Did you overspend or underspend?
  • Was the outlet you chose to advertise through the best option for your business?

If you're looking for a new outlet to advertise through, you may want to consider advertising on OldCity.com.

Website Maintenance

Don’t forget, your website is a form of online advertising too; it serves as your online storefront. Your website should be clean, welcoming, and up to date - just like your physical storefront.

  • Does it need a redesign? Is it responsive and easy to navigate?
  • Is the content (text, images, videos) up to date and accurate?
  • How old is your website and its content? Since technology and SEO requirements are always evolving, content and websites should never go longer than two or three years without being tweaked.

Print Materials

Now, review your print materials! This includes business cards, brochures, letterheads, billboards, rack cards, and all printed materials.

  • Did you rebrand last year? If so, your print materials must be modified to reflect your new brand.
  • Did your business move locations or expand to an additional location? Do your print materials have accurate business information such as addresses, phone numbers, and emails?
  • Do you have an overabundance or very few print materials left? If so, perhaps your print materials weren’t persuasive or distributed effectively.

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Backup your Files

Every business should routinely backup their files. If you don’t backup files to an offline outlet, your information is susceptible to hackers, viruses, weather, and even the old age of your device. What better time than the new year to put a plan in motion or reevaluate your current strategy?

  • Are your business emails backed up?
  • Is the important information relevant to your business backed up? This can be employee information, client records, tax data, and sensitive files.
  • Is your website backed up?

The best way to protect your website and email files are by hosting them on a secure server. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to hire a huge corporation to stay secure. Our servers are in a secure facility, have backups, and can survive a category five hurricane.

Phishing Emails

In 2018, we saw a huge leap in the number of phishing emails going out. Currently, 135 million phishing emails are sent per day. It’s important that you and your staff are educated on how to avoid being tricked by a phishing email.

  • Do both you and your employees know to never click on suspicious URLs?
  • Are you aware to check for poor grammar and illegitimate email domains?
  • Do you know what to do if you come across a phishing email?
  • Are your email files on a secure server?

Read more about how to prevent being hacked and what to do if you were hacked.

Send us an email to get started on securing your email and website files.

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Listen to Feedback

The best way to grow and nurture your business is by listening to feedback from both potential and repeat customers. Check your online reviews, social media engagements, reread customer emails, and ask your employees if they’ve received feedback from customers.

  • Overall, is the feedback positive or negative?
  • Are customers responding to products, prices, or staff?
  • Have you taken the steps to correct negative feedback and reinforce positive feedback?

Check Your Mission Statement

Businesses often evolve by growing, changing their line of products or services, or in the methods of which they conduct business. Therefore, the beginning of the year is a perfect time to reevaluate your mission statement and make changes that reflect the evolution of your business.

  • Does your mission reflect your business’ goal? Would your clients agree?
  • Have you changed the way you conduct business?
  • Is your client base different?
  • What is the “why” behind your business? Have your underlying philosophies changed?

To Sum it All Up

In conclusion, consider your business' successes and failures from the previous year. With the list above in mind, are there any changes you need to make to your business plan? Remember, preparing your business for the New Year can only help you prosper. Don't worry if you don't know where to start, we've got you covered and can help you solve any of the issues presented above.

Take the first step in preparing your business for the New Year and send us an email.

Mission Statement

Our mission at Old City Web Services is to navigate the world of web design, web development, and advertising for our clients so that they can focus on what they do best – running their business! Our business intentions go beyond the metrics of graphics, coding, and SEO. Located on Florida’s First Coast, we run a personable home front service and consider our relationship with our clients as a partnership in their success. If you are looking to increase your business’ visibility give us a call at 904-867-4112 or contact us today.

Sharing and re-posting this blog is encouraged. Please credit Old City Web Services when sharing. Photo credits: OldCityWebServices, Canva. Disclaimer: Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information on Old City Web Services Blog.

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We are Old City Web Services. We make it easy for small businesses to thrive online. Whether you need a professional website, help attracting more customers, or a fresh new look for your brand, we’ve got you covered. With over 20 years of experience, we specialize in simple, affordable solutions that work for businesses like yours. Let us handle the tech so you can focus on what you do best—running your business.

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