Author Archives: Scott Lamlein

Is your website safe?

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Image courtesy of Master Isolated Images / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Have you noticed that you’ve gotten more spam in recent months?  Or that not only is spam coming directly to your email address, but also through that contact form on your website, or from other sources – even text messages? It’s important to protect your computer and your website from spammers and hackers.

One thing we overlook often is that spammers and hackers are business owners like many of us. Just as we look for new and different ways to reach our clients, those people that use the internet maliciously have the same goals and the same tools at their disposal. Hackers and spammers find early access to new technology, and use that knowledge to search out and cause trouble – everything from mostly-harmless advertising, to installing software in your website that sends out thousands of spam emails, all the way up to spreading viruses that destroy visitors’ computers. Scary.

How do you keep yourself safe?

  • The #1 thing to do is change your passwords periodically.  Password guessing is the most common way hackers access websites.  Nobody likes to do this, because passwords are hard enough to remember as it is!  It is important though, so keep a list safe somewhere and do it.
  • Back up your website. If you have a WordPress site, you can work through your web person to set up a back up plan, either that you do on your own, or they perform for you.  If your site gets attacked, often the only remedy is to reinstall the whole thing. Having a backup is the best protection you can have.
  • Update to the latest software. WordPress updates include the latest security patches.  This keeps the software safer from the new technology that hackers develop regularly.  Talk to your web person about updating, however, because some applications within WordPress cannot be updated without professional help. The same is true on your computer – keep doing those annoying updates!
  • When in doubt, don’t click! Say “no” to installing new software or toolbars when you upgrade or download new software for your computer, don’t click the link in that weird email from Aunt Betsy, etc. If you don’t know what it is, it’s probably not good for you!

This article has some more detail about website hacking: read on.

Common sense reigns when it comes to protection, but when technology changes so quickly it is important to work with someone you can trust for both your own computer and your website.  Contact us today to talk about protecting your website, and I can also help you connect with someone to help with your computer or network.

Image courtesy of Master Isolated Images / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

3 Reasons Why You NEED Video On Your Website

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YouTube Logoby Mike Liebensohn, Guest Blogger

Is your website working hard for you? Here are three reasons why using video can dramatically increase your online presence and authority, and make the most of the web.

#1: Video Helps You Rank Higher In The Search Engines

      • Google loves video! In a search result showing both plain text websites and videos, more people click videos
      • Having video on your website makes it 50x’s more likely to show up on page 1 of Google
      • TIP: Host your videos on YouTube to get even more exposure from this #2 search engine (4 billion views per day!)

#2: Video Increase Conversions

      • If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video is worth a million.
      • Video helps to “slow down” and engage your visitors so they stay on your website longer
      • We’ve all been trained to believe that people on a screen are the experts – that they’re “important”. Video gives you an edge and elevates your status in your prospects’ subconscious minds =)

 #3: Video Serves Your Customers

      • A welcome video can help new visitors know what to do on your website
      • Having FAQ videos can better serve your customers and cut down on customer service calls. (these days people would rather look online vs picking up the phone!)
      • Make educational videos so prospects can more easily (and more quickly) make a buying decision.

Next Steps:

About Mike Liebensohn:

Mike’s specialty is helping business owners, professionals, and experts get more people to know, like, and trust them – leading to increased sales, repeat business, and referrals. Mike owns CT Local Marketing, a Shelton CT based company that offers Video Production, Video SEO, Email Marketing, and Strategic Consulting. Your questions are welcomed!

New Site Release: ABRN Development

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www.abrndevelopment.com

North Forty Road is proud to release a new website for ABRN Development, a high-end contractor and homebuilder in MetroWest Boston.  We’ve worked with ABRN on a number of projects over the years, and now was the time to replace their older Flash-designed website – it looked great, but was totally invisible in iPhone/iPad.

Here’s what Alicia Nardo, co-owner of ABRN, had to say:

Our new website provides a fresh and updated view of our company and services.  We were looking for something clean and image driven and that is exactly what our new site is.  I love having the administration tool at my command so updates are easy to make and announcements can be made timely to our industry and clientele.  Our new project inquiry form allows us to capture very important information at the first point of contact which will allow us to better serve potential new customers.

Thank you for a job well done!

Check out the new ABRN Development site today, and contact us if you’d like to discuss a similar new web presence for your business!

Coach to Success

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Owning a business can be a lonely thing. How often to you get stuck in a rut because you are doing the same things over and over again?  Or, start the day without any idea what the “next thing” is going to be to move your business forward?

Consider getting a coach! My business stayed in the same spot for several years until I got serious about moving forward.  I worked with two different business coaches, worked through several exercises designed to move North Forty Road forward, and the results were simply amazing.  Triple-the-revenue kind of amazing, actually. I’m a believer!

Screen Shot 2013-03-07 at 10.54.08 AMIn addition to working directly with a business coach, I discovered a great daily podcast.  JB Glossinger is the voice and mind behind www.morningcoach.com.  In his own words, his daily 15-minute message is designed to “keep you moving forward, living the life you want to live, and just having some fun.”  What else do we need, really? Each day’s message is filled with great tips and inspiring stories that help keep me on track with my attitude, my finances, and business. And, JB’s energy is just plain infectious.  I can’t wait to listen, first thing every day!  Morning Coach is highly recommended.

The reality is, you are never alone in business – there are like-minded individuals ready to help, through formal coaching, podcasts, and even in your networking and among your clients. And, you may have noticed – they love to talk! Listen, learn, and grow.

Why Custom?

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With the thousands of pre-designed websites and free design tools available, I often get the question: “Why should I invest in a custom design?” There are basic reasons that the custom WordPress website continues to be our best-seller:

  • iStock_000004715911LargeWe take the time to learn about you. No free tool or design is going to capture your business goals, your unique tastes, your “look.”  Your logo, business cards, website and more need to reflect the “you” of your business.
  • What we learn about you is the real deal. The internet is chock-full of websites that are impersonal, generic, and lack vision. Your website can stand out from the crowd simply because it is genuine and sincere. People spot that personal touch immediately, and respond.
  • You’ll be proud of your site, and of your business. Because you have taken the time to work with us on a custom design that truly expresses the “you” of your business, you’ll use it more, you’ll promote it more, and your business will grow from the inside out.

I’m glad to talk through the exciting process of designing a custom website.  Contact us any time for advice, for an evaluation of your current site, or to hear success stories from our happy clients. We’re here to help!

Are you good at email?

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Courtesy Renjith Krishnan/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Courtesy Renjith Krishnan/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Texting, Tweeting, Facebook-ing, Chatting, IM-ing….  We have so many ways to connect without actually talking, and good ol’ email is still the #1 standby.  Are you a good emailer?

Here are two helpful articles on the topic – I learned a few things in reading them:

The most important things that I look for in good email communication are:

  • Write in sentences. Email is like letter-writing, so use punctuation, good sentence structure, capitalizations, paragraphs, etc.
  • Be brief, but be clear. People have little time to get bogged down in your backstory (unless they’ve asked for it), so get to the point, or start your email with some headline ideas.
  • Answer all questions. Ever ask someone three questions via email and only receive an answer to one of them? Enough said.
  • When in doubt, call or meet. There’s only so much you can get across electronically. In business people trust you, not your email skill. So, when things get confusing or unclear, especially when several back-and-forth attempts are still baffling, pick up the phone or schedule a meeting.

Email can be a necessary evil, or it can be a huge benefit for your business if done well.  Take the time to email effectively!

New Site Release: Tom Ingrassia Productions

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Screen Shot 2013-03-03 at 7.44.19 AMWe’re thrilled to release a new template-based WordPress site, for Tom Ingrassia Productions.  Tom is a long-time friend and client, and this new site is his fourth brand revision.  We were able to create a new logo that truly speaks to his business and image, and incorporate it into a responsive pre-existing WordPress theme. Check out www.ingrassiaproductions.com!

Tom says: “Working in partnership with North Forty Road, I was able to develop a dynamic new image for my company–one that reflects the high quality programs that I offer. Scott and Shane listened to my needs/wants, captured what I wanted to achieve, and involved me in every step of the process. I have a site that I am very proud of!”

We’re happy to discuss your needs for branding and image, and to truly get to the heart of your business with the latest internet tools.  Contact us today for your free consultation.

Apps and Gadgets!

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trello_dev_boardSometimes it seems impossible to keep up with the always-expanding number of new apps that are available for our computers, tablets,and phones… and I admit to being behind-the-times on occasion.  I do, however, love running into a fellow geek and comparing notes on the latest and greatest!

I’m not really a gamer (though Ruzzle has created some family fun lately!), so sifting through all of the mindlessness to find good new apps for business and productivity can be a challenge.  This article from the Huffington Post lists loads of great suggestions.

Being a recent Mac convert and a long-time iPhone user, I get excited about gadgets that save time.  One Mac application that I highly recommend is aText. (An alternative for Windows users is Text Expander.) Set to run on start-up, aText replaces abbreviations with long text blocks that you can set up.  This is a must for people that send the same email message repeatedly to different people.  When I welcome a new client to a hosting account, I type in hoSt (the odd capitalization sets it apart from anything else I might type) and aText automatically replaces it with my standard “Welcome to your new hosting account” email message.  A great time saver!

Project management is a big challenge in my business, with many projects going on simultaneously.  I use Trello religiously to keep track of each client and what stage they are in. Trello’s ingenious use of cards and lists make it possible to see my whole business on one screen, as well as set up checklists, reminders, and store important info. It also is a web-based tool that I can access anywhere through a great iPhone app. Best of all, it is free. I’d be lost without it!

I’m always on the lookout for a new toy, especially a toy that makes work more efficient and more fun.  Comment below and share your favorites!