13th August 2008 - Business in Berkshire News: www.businessinberkshire.co.uk/130808.html

Business News

   

How to retain customers

The easiest time to acquire new customers is when the economy is doing well. The hardest time is NOW. In these difficult economic times your main strategy needs to be retaining your existing customers and getting them to spend more with you. The big question is HOW?

Here's your chance to find out. Complete the survey...

How to retain customers

   

Windsor Castle from the Thames

Wednesday afternoon and we decided to go bobbing about on the water!

"Let's take a boat out on the river, dad" suggested Charlie. "Forget it!" exclaimed Chloe not mad keen on water but today she was out voted... the Thames, here we come.

Windsor Castle from the Thames

   

Promotional Micro Sites - What are they and how do they work?

When we set up an online promotional micro site to promote our online business, we weren't sure what to expect in the way of results. At the time we saw it as just another marketing exercise but now, 2 years on, we're realising the promotional micro site is one of the most effective ways to help you up the Google rankings ladder. Here's how...

When we launched Minimoonsailors, an online shop specialising in children's travel gear, we decided to try out a wide range of marketing methods initially, with a view to gradually fine-tuning our efforts once we figured out what was working best.

Promotional Micro Sites - What are they and how do they work?

   

Good morning <07 Name>

The summer is in full swing but the weather is pants! Are we in with a spot of luck today? keep on trying Mr Sunshine!! We're taking a half day to day, it being Wednesday and all... not sure what we're going to do yet, the weather will dictate.

Yesterday afternoon we took a trip into Windsor again. Chloe was off with her pals and granddad was playing golf so we went to Alexandra Gardens and had a go on the crazy golf. It must have been designed in the 80's, very minimalistic, concrete with metal obstacles. Charlie won the day after allowing for his handicap of 21 and off we went for an ice cream by the river. The area was very quiet. The weather keeping everyone close to home I guess.

Go check out Hugh's testimonial, it shows what a leap of faith and a steady stream of articles can do for your business. For anyone to take action when they visit a website you need lots of visitors and there needs to be a call to action. A website is like a retail outlet with no assistant in the shop. In a normal shop there is a human to say "Hi, give me a nudge if you need some help." And that's enough for most people. On a website there is no-one to say Hi. So people are left to their own devices and most are looking for a quick exit to the next thing.

So realistically you really need 1000 visitors a month to your site to get a few emailing, phoning up or referring a friend. For most websites this is a big ask as they don't have the energy or momentum built up, they are just there, waiting for someone to look at them. Like a model, they may look pretty but they are not on the catwalk at a couture fashion show, they're off some dingy street, desperate for attention.

I'm not saying that we can create a couture site, more of a Gok website. Our promotional micro sites offer excellent value for money and get you noticed in your market place. We create some space that is yours, all about you, carries your signature. We then turn on the traffic by regularly feeding the search engine spiders with content. Because they recognise us as a "Michelin Star restaurant" in a spider food web sense, then they are always at the door waiting for us to prepare the next dish.

Hugh's story is not alone. I am asking those who have made the most of their space to send in a couple of hundred words that we can share with the world. This has the added benefit of providing them with even more traffic, like a magic circle! If you've had success from your space, let us know... if you haven't the answer is very simple... add more content on a regular basis.

Enjoy the sunshine... and when it's raining, add some content to your space.

NEW POLICY
If you know your site is overdue for renewal please help us by paying online without the need for us to chase you up. We don't have the time or resources to keep hassling and to be honest, we'd rather be talking to folk who want to join the party willingly!  From here on, 13th August 2008, we will leave it up to you to decide if you continue with your web space on BinB. The annual fee is only £99 + Vat and the power it gives you IS second to none. If you would like to discuss how to get the best out of BinB then we'd be delighted to have a chat, however if you choose not to use it and prefer to spend money on other media then we think you're mad, but then that's your choice!

   

Today's Featured News

 
 
   

Low emissions Mini Coopers

Low emissions Mini Coopers
Help the environment as you help your bank balance by leasing one of the greenest cars available: the Mini Cooper. This super-cool small car will beat the heat at the pumps this summer. The team at Cooperlease are committed to making it easy for you to lease the greenest small cars and are delighted to offer you two Minis:...

Low emissions Mini Coopers

   

Passion Test Workshop

"If you cannot see your life's journey clearly, then you need a Passion Test map!"
Marina Duškov

"The Passion Test" is the road map to your passionate life.

So are you ready to find out?

Investment £47
BRING A PARTNER/FRIEND £37 each

Passion Test Workshop

   

Cross-selling products and services

Why does a customer buy one thing but not another? I find it fascinating and enjoy searching out their purchasing patterns. Have you wondered why a customer purchases one product but not another? Why would a company buy a product but not a service?

Cross-selling products and services

   

Berkshire journalist swims English Channel a second time

Berkshire-based freelance journalist and copywriter Nicola Joyce has successfully swum the English Channel for the second time.

Nicola (who swims under her married name of Nicola Millichip) became the 83rd person to swim the Channel two times when she stood up on Wissant beach on Wednesday 6 August after 14 hours 27 minutes of swimming.

Berkshire journalist swims English Channel a second time

   

One for Ladies ONLY

Ladies who Latte is going from strength to strength and I am proud to be running the meeting in Maidenhead. We are coming up to our first year at the Holiday Inn. Meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of each month, 10am - 12 noon. We run an honesty coffee bar, with tea or coffee for £3. Special coffee's can be ordered at the bar.

One for Ladies ONLY

   

Using local council play areas

On Sunday we decided that we should try and finish work each day a little earlier... since we work into the evenings it would hardly be a crime!!

So 4pm yesterday, 11th August 2008, we decided to go and have a knock around on the tennis courts beside Alexander Gardens. We had thought of going to Windsor Tennis club but we'd need to wear proper kit, have proper "bats" and pay for the privilege... which we wouldn't mind if we were enthusiasts but since we are just a family looking to have a bit of fun on a summer afternoon, makes sense to use the council facilities. No rules, any old kit, just bring yourselves and your balls...

Using local council play areas

   

Body and Soul Fair 2008

Body & Soul Fair 2008
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Sat 23rd & Sun 24th August 2008
11am - 5.30pm
Entry £3.50 (£2.50conc) Wkend £5 (£4conc)
Tel 01368 862717 www.bodyandsoulevents.com

Body and Soul Fair 2008

   

Nicole Cooke wins Gold

Did you see the smile on Nicole Cooke's face as she received her Gold medal for the 126.4 km road race... Why 126.4 km? A question for another day...

She was grinning from ear to ear with happiness, with relief, with jubilation at being the best of the best in her chosen specialism. Brilliant for her and the Welsh amongst us, watch as all the 1/16th welsh people come out of the woodwork!

Nicole Cooke wins Gold

   

PGA Academy in Spain

The new Roda clubhouse has recently opened with the launch of the 1st PGA Academy outside of the UK.

Use the latest high tech facilities on the practise range. Enjoy the luxurious confines of the bar and restaurant to watch over the glamorous views of the golf course.

Roda Golf Course features extensive and undulating greens, strategically-placed bunkers and three large lakes that create an exciting course - designed for the Golf Player by Dave Thomas.

PGA Academy in Spain

   

Heated Seats

Heated Arc Shaped Seat Cushion

Arc-shaped front for perfect fit to seat
Water resistant
Cover: 100% Polyester Fibre
Wadding: 100% Polyurethane
Size: (d25-31cm x h6cm x w35.5cm)
FIR heating element
Li-ion battery pack (LBP-742B) built into cushion
Shoulder carry handle
Mains battery re-charger
Washing: Wipe with a damp towel...

Heated Seats

   

Managing Your Content Management System

We have produced 4 video's that give you a short introduction into the key areas of the website CMS. Please download and review as required. They have been made in house, enjoy!

If you need a higher resolution version for perfect viewing then please let us know and we'll send you a CD.

Managing Your Content Management System

   

Thanks for reading today's News

Jon DaveyHave you considered promoting your news and events via Business in Berkshire?

June 2008 saw over 120,000 visitors to more than 500,000 pages on Business in Berkshire and partner websites.

Enjoy today's news...

Jon Davey

Editor
01753 852904
www.liaiseonline.co.uk
Producers of www.businessinberkshire.co.uk

Portrait by John Welburn

   

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