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Local Businesses Getting It Right on Social Media

March 24, 2017 by anoadmin Leave a Comment

There's no doubt that social media plays a big role in marketing of businesses of all sizes. Social media not only helps you reach those in your community but all around the world. It's a diverse tool which can have mass advantages if done properly.

For this blog, we thought we'd recognize some of the businesses within our community who are doing an amazing job at using social media to their advantage.

The Kookaburra

kookaburra 2The Kookaburra, an Aussie-American espresso bar and pie shop, has been a St. Augustine staple since 2012. When you visit one of their now four locations, it's easy to tell that as a business they believe in creating an experience for their customers. They definitely have a knack for making everyone feel welcome, from first-time visitors to the regulars. Their business is thriving, and it's no wonder that they keep people coming back time and time again. But it's not just the impression they make in person that keeps them on the minds of their customers. They're also rock stars at the social media game.

Where you can find them: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat

What they're doing right:

  • They post quality photos daily. They promote their products in a way that is so enticing, you get the urge to hop on over and grab a hot latte or fresh donut.
  • They interact with their customers and make it a community experience.
  • They show behind-the-scenes pictures of the shops and introduce their staff.

Crave Food Truck

crave 2Crave Food Truck is a local food truck that has been dedicated to serving St. Augustinians the healthiest and freshest local ingredients since opening four years ago. You can often find locals at their beautiful outdoor downtown location or the beach location they share with The Kookaburra. Each day, they serve up fresh wraps, salads, smoothies, bowls, cookies, and much more. The mixture of healthy food and fun experience turns visitors into repeat customers.

Where you can find them: Facebook and Instagram

What they're doing right:

  • They share photos of their delicious, fresh food daily. They use social media to share specials, new meals, and food they want to feature that day.
  • They utilize Instagram stories to their advantage by giving their customers a constant behind-the-scenes glance at what really goes into keeping a food truck running. They also show the staff having a blast while serving the community.

Declaration & Co.

declarationWhat started out in 2010 as a 700 sq. ft. shop selling gift items and wedding invitations has evolved into a 3500 sq. ft. space featuring the shop owner, Lara's, own brand. As you walk through the light and airy space known as The Marketplace, you'll see her designs on apparel, jewelry, cards, pins, candles, and much more. There's even a part of Declaration & Co. that acts as a unique candy shop. This is the perfect place to find the gift you've been looking for (for yourself or someone else).

Where you can find them: Facebook and Instagram

What they're doing right:

  • They utilize their account to showcase their own brand amongst other products they carry.
  • Their photos have a uniform look and theme. If you follow Declaration & Co.'s account, you start to recognize which pictures are theirs without having to look at their name. It's great to develop an identity on social media.
  • In between shop and merchandise photos, you'll find photos of the shop owner's family. This allows customers to get to know the people behind one of their favorite stores. This is a unique and useful way to promote small business and connect with the community.

What can we learn from these local businesses?

  • Social media takes effort. It's more than just setting up an account, posting here and there, and hoping people follow and interact with you.
  • These companies all post often and with intent.
  • They take the time to take quality photos.
  • They highlight their staff and behind-the-scenes moments.
  • They get personal and interact with the community.

Could your social media use an upgrade or makeover? We know social media can be time-consuming for any company. That's why we offer social media marketing services. Contact us today and we can create a marketing plan unique to your business.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Advertising, Community, Social Media Marketing

6 Quick Tips About Emails

March 21, 2017 by anoadmin Leave a Comment

Adobe Spark(62)

Email blasts are an effective way of communicating with customers, but it can be a challenge to get someone's attention when their inbox is being flooded on a daily basis.

Strategic planning can make the difference between someone opening, reading, and responding to your email and someone deleting it.

Whether you send email blasts once in a blue moon or weekly, it's important to have a plan and take the guesswork out of emails. Not sure where to start? Not to worry. We're here to help.

Here are 6 quick tips to make your email marketing more effective.

Draw them in with a catchy subject line

The hardest part of writing an email is writing the subject line. If it doesn't stick out to someone scrolling through their inbox, it will blend in and get overlooked in a heartbeat. So, how do you stand out? Break up the monotony of subject lines by taking chances, being creative and figuring out what entices people to want to know more.

  • Add a list
  • Say something funny
  • Keep it short and sweet
  • Use an emoji

Make sure you use a mobile-friendly template

In a time when people are becoming dependent on their smartphones and tablets for internet use, it's important to make sure the email you're sending is compatible with all devices. If your email is difficult to navigate and not formatted to someone's device, they're more likely to get frustrated and delete it. Email campaign programs such as Constant Contact and MailChimp have ready-to-use mobile-friendly templates.

Keep your content short, sweet, and to the point

The last thing people want when they open up an email is a novel of text. People spend just seconds on each email they open, giving you minimal time to get their attention and get your point across. Keep your information concise and easy to read and only include the necessary details.

Make sure there is a clear call to action

If someone takes the time to open your email, you need to make it easy for them to navigate. An email that doesn't seem to have a purpose will leave readers confused and likely to send it to the trash. So, before you write your email, make sure you have a specific reason for sending it, whether it be to highlight your new blog, promote an upcoming event, or give them a business update.

Keep contact information current

It's important to put your essential contact information in a footer of your email template. But it's even more important to make sure that information is accurate. If you've changed locations, phone numbers, or websites, be sure to update them in your email. This way, your customers don't have to do an internet search to find out how to get in touch with you.

Make sure you're sending at the right time

Timing makes all the difference when it comes to open rates. If you knew that none of your clients read emails at 3 p.m. on a Saturday, you wouldn't send them then, would you? Finding insights into your clients' habits and activity might help you when figuring out the best time to send emails. A big part of getting timing right is about your demographic and audience. When are they most active? Constant Contact has a chart which tells the best time to send based on your industry which can come in handy for scheduling purposes.

Email marketing can be tough to get the hang of, which is why we are here to help. Let our team manage your email blasts from start to finish and successfully reach your audience. Contact us today so we can help you with all your email marketing needs!

Filed Under: email marketing

Make an Impact with Your Rack Card

March 14, 2017 by anoadmin Leave a Comment

Adobe Spark(60)

Our rack card designed for Animal Emergency Hospital of St. JohnsRack cards have been around for years and have become a staple of hotel lobbies, visitors centers, and, generally, anywhere there is a lot of foot traffic. Remember your last vacation to a new place? Sure, you may have planned out some spots you wanted to visit ahead of time, but as you checked in the hotel, it was probably hard not to stop at the display of brightly colored cards sporting attractions, restaurants, shops, and everything in between.

Here's the question: How did you decide which cards to pick up and which ones to ignore?

As a business, competition is everywhere. But in the case of rack cards, your competition is literally inches away. It's easy to get lost and looked over if you make a misstep in the design process.

So, how do you make your card stand out and get picked up?

We're here to help.

Just like with any other way of advertising your business, rack cards can be a useful marketing tool if done right and taken seriously. People make their choices in seconds of what they like and don't like - that's how long you have to make an impact.

pearlofthesea-rackcard

Our rack card designed for Pearl of the Sea Luxury Bed & Breakfast

Here are our top qualities for an eye-catching rack card:

Make a good first impression

Most of the time in a rack card display, very little of the card is actually visible upon first glance. That's great to keep in mind when you are in the design process. If you only have about a 2 in. by 4 in. space to get someone's attention, how are you going to do it? A good rule of thumb is to instantly let someone know who you are. Typically, putting your logo at the top is a good choice. Sometimes, business owners put pictures at the top, but it can get confusing. Let's say you own a kayaking company and put pictures of people kayaking. Sure, customers instantly recognize kayaks, but that still doesn't tell who you are.

Use strong pictures

People are visual creatures. Striking photos have a better chance of getting their attention in a matter of seconds than words. So, think about that when designing your card. Your main image needs to feel strong and make an impact while also conveying what your business is all about. It doesn't matter how beautiful your picture is if it is irrelevant to your business. Pictures are worth a thousand words, and if you get it right, that means less words you have to use to get your point across. For example, if you own a restaurant known for its amazing dishes, it would make more sense to showcase your best food than to show the dining room for your main image.

Display your company name prominently

If you're going to make the effort of designing, printing, and distributing a rack card, it's important to make sure people know who you are immediately. Don't make them search for your logo or company name. While this may seem like common sense, it can also be a common mistake. It's easy to get caught up in the pictures, text, and bright colors and forget that your name isn't front and center. Don't bury it in the text or at the bottom of the card. If people see pictures and paragraphs but no company name, it can lead to confusion and too much work for a customer.

Keep it clear and concise

When it comes to rack cards, less is more. Just as your picture and logo need to quickly relay who you are, so do the words you choose to use. Flooding people with text will turn them off quickly from reading your card. Give them the main things they need to know about you. And remember, you have two sides to the card, so don't feel like you have to fit everything on one side.

Important things to include:

  • Short phrase supporting your mission
  • Phone number
  • Website
  • Address
  • Photos that express who you are
  • Something you want to feature as one of the top assets of your business
  • Coupons can also be a great addition to attract new customers

Make sure it is up to date

If you've updated your brand or website, it is important to make sure all of your marketing materials are current as well. This prevents confusion, keeps things uniform, and gives you a chance to highlight new fun things about your business!

Other uses for rack cards

  • Hand them out if you are at a convention promoting your business
  • Use them to hand out if you sponsor events
  • Give them to new clients when they visit you for the first time

Before you print

  • Make sure you know how you will be using your cards. This will give you a good idea of the quantity you will want. Also, be sure if you plan on putting your cards in other businesses or visitors centers that you go through the proper protocols beforehand. Each place of business has a different set of rules for allowing people to display their cards.

Rack cards don't have to be complicated. Let us help you! At Old City Web Services, we concentrate on putting together stunning designs that convey who you are. We work with you throughout the design process to stay true to your mission and vision. Visit our Work page to see other rack cards we've designed for our clients. Contact us for a free consultation to get started!

Filed Under: Design, Marketing, Print Design

Tips for an Eye-Catching Business Card

March 7, 2017 by anoadmin Leave a Comment

Adobe Spark(57)

Business cards - every professional has one, but how many of them actually make an impression? Having business cards is common sense as a professional, but if you're not putting thought into them, you're missing the point.

Instead of thinking about a business card as just another thing you have to do in business, think of it this way: Your business card is a visual representation of your company and an extension of your brand.

cards 2So, answer this question: When you hand someone your card, what reaction will they have?

If your card is like all the other ones they've received, it's likely to end up in the trash instead of in their wallet.

A business card isn't just a means of giving someone your contact information. If they keep it, they'll likely see it again in the future which will keep you on their mind.

So, how do you stand out and utilize your business card as an extension of your company's marketing?

Here are our top tips for an eye-catching business card:

Think outside of the rectangle

The standard business card is a horizontal rectangle. It makes sense. It fits easily into a wallet. But it's become so commonplace, that it can easily get lost among others. An easy fix for this is to play around with different shapes and sizes of cards. A small change in shape can make a big difference. Recently gaining popularity is the square business card - some of which have rounded edges. If you think about it, it's not really that much of a change. But the shape will catch someone's attention. What if you made a card half the usual size? While you might not be able to fit as much information as a typical card, you'll probably make a bigger impact.

It's all in the details

Cardstock is one of the most common types of materials used to make business cards. While there's nothing wrong with using cardstock, people are used to it. It's the norm. This gives you another opportunity to stand out. During the design process, think about texture and thickness of the card. Giving someone a card that feels different and has more weight to it will help increase the chance that they will actually examine the card. This way, you're playing into two of a person's senses instead of one. Even a change as simple as making your card vertical as opposed to horizontal will cause you to stand out.

Have fun with it

If there ever were a time to take risks, it would be with your business card. Creative risks can pay off big time, especially if those you hand your cards to receive stacks of them per week. If you give them something they haven't seen before, you're going to stand out in the best way.

Ultimately, your card should represent who you are. Your business is unique, and your card should be as well. Design should be a fun process. If you're a photographer, use one side of your card to showcase your photography. If you own a painting company, make one side look like a paint swatch. If you are a writer, you could make your card look like a typewriter. The options are endless.

The perks of hiring a designer to craft your card:

  • You get a unique design.
  • They can take your ideas and turn them into reality.
  • You will end up with a quality product you'll be proud to hand out.

Here at Old City Web Services, we focus on creating unique designs that reflect who you are and make an impact. Contact us to schedule a free consultation and let us help you come up with a timeless design today.

Filed Under: Design, Print Design

How to Compete with Large Companies

February 28, 2017 by anoadmin

Adobe Spark(54)

If you own a small business, you may think that your only competition is fellow small businesses. That couldn't be further from the truth. These days, there are so many options for consumers. This means customers can afford to be picky and shop around. Chances are, there are other businesses doing what you do within a short drive. Customers will most likely read reviews and check out your website or social media before stepping foot in your store.

If people are going to give you their business, they want to know that they're making the best choice. And with large corporations out there who obviously have a great marketing plan and national and international followings, this can be intimidating. But it doesn't have to be.

So, how do you stand out and prove you're their best choice?

Design and Branding

You don't have to have a multi-million dollar budget to make a big impact. It isn't about how much money you spend but how you spend it. It's about making your budget work for you and working with the right team to help guide you to success. Investing in a quality logo and clean website can put you on the same level as the sizeable companies you're competing with. When it comes to who to give their business to, first impressions could not matter more. A professional looking brand builds trust with a consumer. They make the correlation between quality of brand and quality of product or service. If your brand isn't quite up to the level of your competition, they might associate that feeling with what you have to offer.

Advertising

So, maybe you don't have a nationwide following - that's ok. Once again, it's not about how much money you spend but about where and how you spend it. Effective advertising is all about knowing who your target audience is and investing in ways that will get their attention. Are you a hotspot for tourists? Then it might be a great idea to place advertisements in city maps and hotel rack cards. Facebook advertising is also a handy tool that allows you to set your own budget, how long you'd like your ad to run, and the exact audience you'd like to target. There is no concrete way to advertise. It all depends on your business and your mission.

Social Media

Social media is one of the easiest ways to get on top of your game with your customers. While you can do paid advertising on social media, there are many ways to utilize the free services available to your advantage. Social media really allows you to be involved in your community, connect and build relationships. Anyone can advertise a business, but it takes effort to do it effectively. Today's consumers are focused on connections and authenticity.

  • Show some behind-the-scenes shots of what it takes to make your business run.
  • Introduce customers to your team members.
  • Do a customer appreciation spotlight.
  • Ask for your customer's input on products and services.

As a small business, you have the advantage of knowing your customers and being involved on a daily basis. Use that to your full advantage.

Involvement with community/target audience

One of the best ways to market your business in your community is to partner up with other businesses. If you have a chocolate shop, maybe pair up with a wine bar for a chocolate and wine tasting event. If you have a bakery, talk to local coffee shops to see if you can sell some of your baked goods at their shop and, in return, sell their coffee at your shop. Partnering with area businesses is a great way to get your name out there, network with other entrepreneurs, and have customers associate your name with other reputable companies. It's a win-win.

At Old City Web Services, our mission is to help our clients succeed and stand out. We offer comprehensive design and development services that allow our customers' businesses to live up to their full potential. Once we've helped build your brand, we offer marketing services as well. We can put together a unique marketing plan just for your business. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us show you how we can help your business succeed!

Filed Under: Advertising, Design, Marketing, Social Media, Social Media Marketing

4 Reasons To Hire A Graphic Designer

February 21, 2017 by anoadmin Leave a Comment

Adobe Spark(51)

DIY - you hear it all the time. Whether it's on home improvement shows or starting up a business or even building a website. When you have your own business, money is a top priority, so it can make sense to go the "do it yourself" route. The more work you can do yourself saves you money and, in turn, makes you a bigger profit, right? Well, not always.

While cutting corners and being frugal are admirable endeavors, there are some scenarios in which hiring a professional will save you from a major headache down the road. One of the scenarios when it's best to leave it to the professionals is when doing graphic design for your business.

Why Should You Hire A Graphic Designer?

Time is of the essence

As a business owner, you know that time has value. While your mind is going in a million directions trying to run your business, it can be hard to give any one area 100 percent of your undivided attention. A lot of business owners who are crafty try to design their logo or website themselves. But what ends up happening is you spend your whole day running your business and then try to work on it a little in your very rare spare time. Running your business is obviously what takes precedence and makes it easy to put your branding on the back burner. Your logo, website, and graphics represent who you are. This is how your business makes its first impression. A graphic designer does this for a living. This is their area of expertise. They have the time to give your project all of their energy to make it the best that it can be. The way your business comes across online can positively or negatively impact your potential customers' view of you.

Saving money up front could cost you later

There are many website builders and people offering low-cost logo design services out there. For many, this can seem like just the answer they've been looking for. Why pay more if you can get it done super cheap and easy, right? Well, this is a good time to remember the saying,"If it seems too good to be true, it probably is." Website builder sites make building a website look so simple you could do it in your sleep. With easy-to-navigate templates and simple, appealing design, you could have your site up in a day. But with this quick fix comes some downfalls to be aware of. With sites like Wix, you can't take your website with you. They own your domain. So, if you want to leave Wix later on, you're not taking your website with you. This essentially means starting over. As for your logo design, outsourcing to a low-cost designer could mean a smaller bill upfront but trouble later. That designer might be just turning out designs from templates with slight variations, meaning that your logo isn't truly unique. Original design has a much longer lifespan than something that was done halfheartedly which means fewer redesigns for you to worry about.

When you hire a designer, you're also hiring their experience

A seasoned designer might be able to come up with your logo after just one meeting. This doesn't mean that their services are worth any less because they did it quicker. That means that their years of experience have led them to the moment of creating your brand. Think about it. Designers create and hone their craft daily. Design is their life's work and passion. A good designer is constantly learning and trying new things. They are on top of the latest trends and know the do's and don'ts of the industry. Many people can use design programs, but it takes a professional to have the experience and knowledge to create something timeless and meaningful with them. When a designer creates your brand, they get to know your business and your target audience. They take your mission and vision and turn it into an icon people will recognize for years.

Your design will be as unique as you are

By going with templates and pre-made designs, you might find something close to what you're going for but you might not ever be able to truly express your business' vision. A designer can set you apart by custom-creating your look. Your website can be specific to your needs instead of you having to fit your business to a template. It is built from the ground up with you in mind the whole time. Yes, this takes time. But if you are building a custom house with specific measurements, wouldn't you rather it take more time to get exactly what you want than a quick job that leaves something to be desired? Designers can combine your vision with their knowledge to create something truly unique which will make you stand out from your competition.

At Old City Web Services, our mission is to help our clients be as successful as possible. We meet, discuss their current situation, and give suggestions as to help make their brand be the best it can be. We know deciding to build a website or revamp a logo is a big decision, so we stand with our clients every step of the way. We never try to give our clients more than they can handle - we give them what they need. When you decide to do business with us, you are not just a customer but part of our family. We promise to take care of you and give you a result you can be proud of. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you stand out!

Filed Under: Content Management System, Design, Website Design

What Your Website Says About You

February 14, 2017 by anoadmin Leave a Comment

Adobe Spark(4)

You may think your business makes its first impression when people step foot through your door.

Think again.

Your website is your first impression

In the day of smartphones and ever-changing technology, people often form their opinion of you without even leaving their couch. Think about it - whenever you want to go out to eat, you pull out your phone or laptop and search your options.

How do you decide where to go?

Usually, the websites highest up on the list are more apt to get your attention. So you go to the potential restaurant's website. If it looks inviting and up-to-date, you're more willing to take it seriously as an option than if the website looks like it was built in 2007 and never updated, right? That's because your website is the face of your business. You may think that a website is just something you have to have as a business owner, but the truth is that an impressive website has the ability to build your customer base and make you stand out among the competition.

"Having a well-designed site is just as important as having a well-kept brick and mortar store."

- Bobby Jones, Art & Design Director at Old City Web Services

Up-to-date websites build consumer trust

When a customer visits your website, they equate the quality of your website with the quality of your products. Although you may provide excellent service and amazing products, if your website doesn't reflect it, you'll have a difficult time convincing prospective customers otherwise. For instance, if you run an e-commerce site and the check out page is out of date and difficult to navigate, how many online transactions do you think you would miss out on? Potential customers might not feel secure entering their card information. It is important to present a professional and efficient website so customers feel safe.

Modern websites help you compete with large companies

If you are a small, local business, you might think your only competition is other small businesses. But really, all businesses in your industry are your competition. If you run a local coffee shop,  you are not only competing with other small coffee shops and cafes but also large corporations who have nationwide and international followings. Customers will compare your service to theirs. What do they gain by going to you? Is it better service or quality? Maybe a better price? You may not have the same budget as a large corporation, but you can still create a website that can compete with them. If you present something modern and updated, potential customers will give you more attention and think of you as a more legitimate company.

So you need a new or updated site? Let us help.

We are in the business of helping businesses succeed. We are constantly developing, updating, and maintaining websites for our clients to ensure that their online presence is the best it can be. We offer free consultations which allow us to get to know you, your business, and how you would like to present your company online. Contact us today so we can help you stand out among the competition!

Filed Under: Content Management System, Design, Website Design

How to Block Pesky Emails

February 7, 2017 by anoadmin Leave a Comment

Adobe Spark(45)

Does it seem like every time you check your email, you have to wade through the sea of bogus or spam emails to get to the legitimate ones? You’re not alone. Spam can not only be annoying but dangerous as well. One wrong click, and you put yourself at risk for a virus.

A good bit of the time, a spam email is coming from a reputable domain. A domain name is the naming system for giving addresses to web servers and web pages. For example, The New York Times domain name is nytimes.com. Hackers can spoof legitimate email accounts by using a server and the right mailing software. Certain servers allow hackers to create messages, and input the "to" and "from" addresses, thus resulting in an email that appears as though it is actually from a legitimate address.

So, what do you do when this happens?

If you get a suspicious-looking email from a friend, family member, or company you normally do business with, you could simply delete that email. Remember, never open anything or click on anything that looks skeptical. It is a good idea to verify with the supposed sender first.

If you start receiving unwanted emails from an email address you do not wish to have contact you, you can block it from your email account. And it’s a lot easier than you might think.

Follow these step-by-step instructions to block those nuisance email accounts once and for all:

  • Log into the website to get Webmail: http://mail.oldcity.com/
    • Webmail is a great resource if you are having an issue with your email. Think of Webmail as your backup plan.
  • Perform maintenance if prompted
  • Click Mailbox Filters (funnel icon) at the top
  • Click Blacklist (X icon)
  • In the text box where it says “Enter each address on a new line:”, add the name of the address in all lowercase with an asterisk and @ symbol before it and click Save. Example: If the name of the spam domain is “brown”, you would enter *@brown.
    • The asterisk before @ tells your email account to block any username at that domain, and these filters apply to all mail coming in, whether or not it’s received through Webmail.

* Reminder: If you have accidentally Blacklisted an email account and wish to undo that action, simply go back to the Mailbox Filters and click Whitelist.*

By following these simple instructions, you can take the stress out of email and be on your way to a simpler, more streamlined email experience. We at Old City Web Services are always here to make our clients' lives easier. That's one reason our team came up with the Help Desk on our website. Here, you can go and watch easy-to-follow tutorials that take the guesswork out of figuring out email services.

Filed Under: Cyber Security, email marketing

Are Your Passwords Safe?

January 31, 2017 by anoadmin Leave a Comment

Adobe Spark(43)

It’s a new year, and for many that means New Year’s resolutions. Out with the old, in with the new they say. While this can apply to undertaking a new diet or exercise plan, it also applies to updating passwords. While changing passwords might seem inconvenient, it can save you a big headache down the road.

Having a simple password or keeping the same password for any account for an extended period leaves you vulnerable for someone to hack into your account.

According to a recent article by Forbe’s, SplashData, a password management security company, finds the world’s most common (and dangerous) passwords each year. This year's list includes some of the tried and true passwords that come up year after year, as well as some new additions.

At the top of the list are ’123456′ and ‘password.’ All but one of the numeric patterns were in last year’s top 25 oft-repeated passwords, including ’12345,’ ’12345678,’ ’1234567890,’ ’1234567,’ and ’1234.’ New this year was ’121212.’

This year’s list included ‘Password’ and variations ‘passw0rd’ and the new but predictable ‘password1.’ It also had some pretty obvious words: ‘qwerty,’ ‘login,’ ‘welcome,’ and ‘admin,’ another new one this year. Old favorites include ‘football,’ ‘princess,’ ‘solo,’ ‘abc123,’ ‘dragon,’ and ‘master.’

Other new words this year: ‘hottie,’ ‘loveme,’ ‘sunshine,’ and ‘flower.’ Oh, and ‘zaq1zaq1,’ which is what you get when you type up on the left column on a standard keyboard. (Yes, other people can figure that out.)

Staying on top of password changes protects your accounts and private information. But it’s important to remember that not all passwords are created equal. There are certain guidelines you should follow to make sure you have the most secure password possible.

So, without further ado, here are our top do’s and don’ts of creating a password:

Do:

  • Change passwords every 90 days.
  • Use different password for each of your accounts
  • Make sure password has a variation of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols
  • Make your password lengthy. The more intricate the password, the more difficult it is to guess.
  • Keep passwords stored in a safe place.

Don’t:

  • Use your personal information in passwords. (Your college, name, pet's name etc.)
  • Use the same password for each of your accounts.
  • Keep your passwords stored on an electronic device you could lose.
  • Use variations of the same password each time you change it.

So when it comes to passwords, it never hurts to change things up every once in a while and put some thought into the process. A little work right now can help give you peace of mind in protecting your online assets.

Filed Under: Cyber Security

When To Break Up With Your Web Developer

January 24, 2017 by anoadmin

fresh start breakup (2)In any relationship, it's important to make sure it remains healthy. That doesn't just apply to romantic relationships - it applies to your business relationships as well.

Look at your partnership with your web development company. How does one decide if their relationship is ultimately healthy or unhealthy? It could seem like an overwhelming task. Maybe you haven't thought about it. Maybe you've gotten complacent or have just been going on a feeling.

To make things easier, we've made a chart with some characteristics of healthy vs. unhealthy relationships.

Healthy vs. Unhealthy

Which side do you identify most with? If the relationship you have with your web development company is mostly in the unhealthy category, it might be time to reevaluate your partnership. The healthiness of a relationship can have a serious impact on your business.

The Old City Web Services difference

Our motivation at Old City Web Services is the happiness and success of our clients.

We believe communication is key to any healthy relationship. We're here for you. How many web development companies do you know that are just a quick phone call or drive away? With us, you'll always talk to a real person. Have a quick question or a serious issue needing immediate attention? We're here to help. We work hard to stay on top of your account to prevent issues from arising.

We want to help you build a bright future for your business. We're always here to offer suggestions about how to improve your branding, advertising, and marketing. We listen to your needs and turn those needs into a plan of action to get your business' name out there.

We respect you. We will listen to you. Our team will never make a decision without your input. You have the final say as to what happens with your business.

If you feel like it's time to move on to greater things, we're here to help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation today. Our team will be there for you each step of the way.

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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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