Trends for 2008 and Beyond: Compete by Boosting Your Web Presence
Small businesses are moving from simply developing a web site to developing a web presence. For these businesses, a web presence will become the most important factor in acquiring new customers. Keep reading for more on what this can mean for your business.
To create a web presence that drives customers, your site must make an impact. Smart small businesses are no longer using web sites simply as billboards or online brochures for their companies. They realize the value of doing much more. Visitors are coming to sites with a purpose. They’re coming for specific information about your company and what you offer. Maybe they’re looking for special promotions or new product or service offerings. Web wise organizations are using their sites to give prospects and existing customers the data they need to make a purchasing decision.
It’s clear that customers are much more internet savvy than they were just a few years ago. They have high expectations for web sites. The businesses that don’t meet these expectations stand to be left behind. And they risk losing what no small business can afford to lose—valuable opportunities and customers.
Follow the Money
Small business leaders who know they can’t afford to be left behind are spending more on developing a web presence. Web spending continues to be a larger percentage of budgets year after year. Research firm IDC projects a steady increase in small businesses using their web sites to support online sales. The number of small and mid-sized retailers selling online has increased from 21% to 32% in recent years. By 2009, ICD predicts that over 83% of small businesses will have a web presence. The companies we work with at MDA Technologies are investing more in informational and interactive sites, as well as ecommerce sites.
The big news here is that small companies are trending away from simply creating a web site. They’re building sites that empower them to compete with much larger players. Online shoppers will venture away from well-known ecommerce sites such as Amazon.com, but only if a lesser known site appears trustworthy, current and viable. To grow their business and be competitive, many smaller firms are actively developing sites that appear to belong to larger firms.
It’s a new year. If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to make your web site a top priority—for your business’ sake. Chances are, you can’t afford not to. Your web site is leaving an impression on the business it supports. The kind of impression is up to you.
Whether your objective is to project a presence that makes you look like a big business, provide ecommerce, improve customer service, automate workflow, or any other web-related challenges, MDA Technologies can help. Contact us at info@mdatech.com.
We help businesses and non-profits of all sizes achieve their web goals. Here are some samples of MDA Technologies work:
Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
American Benefits Planning
Sizeitup.com
Organic Fred
Potomac Hospital
New for 2008!
MDA Technologies has developed over 150 web sites for businesses, associations and non profits. Now we’re bringing that same graphic design expertise to print. This year, MDA Technologies is introducing full service print services for our clients. These services include identity packages including logos, brochures, envelopes, letterhead, business cards and other stationery. We’re even offering tabletop and floor displays for tradeshows. Contact us at info@mdatech.com to learn how we can help you.
Employee Spotlight: Michelle (McDonald) Wolfarth, Lead Graphic Designer & Multimedia Specialist
Michelle has been with MDA Technologies since 2006 as the lead web, multimedia and graphic designer. She’s been responsible for many of the web sites MDA Technologies has brought to life.
What’s the most exciting thing about your job?
I love being able to create something. It’s exciting. I also really enjoy listening to our clients’ needs and helping them translate their messages and themes into a visually appealing web site.
How is working at MDA Technologies different from other places you’ve worked?
I worked at huge companies before, including General Dynamics and Unisys. It wasn’t about creativity there. It was about making the information neat and clean. At MDA Technologies, I have free reign over my creativity and can try new things and ideas.
I’m also able to be more interactive with our clients. Our clients are passionate people. Many of them represent smaller businesses that are growing, and I can see our work is helping them. I want them to be successful. These people are more open minded than the people I worked with in very large organizations. The relationships are more intimate. There are no big boardrooms and there aren’t too many opinions to limit our work.
What are some things people may not know about you?
I enjoy fine art. Acrylic painting is my passion. I love to knit and I made blankets for family members for Christmas. Also, I’m a crossword geek. I love fast classic cars, especially Mustangs. I love the sound they make when you turn them on. But the car I drive—a MAZDA6—is boring. One day, after I retire, I’d like to be a museum curator.
MDA WebWise—Best Value Web Sites for Small Biz and Starts Ups!
MDA Technologies has created MDA WebWise, the cost-effective solution to deliver great web sites to our small business and start-up clients. This entry level web site will grow with your business. MDA WebWise will meet your needs at a price you can afford! Learn more about MDA Technologies’ small business web site design. Not sure where to start? We’ll point you in the best direction for your business. Contact us at 703-730-9444 or info@mdawebwise.com for more information.
Events
Thanks to all who came out to our annual Holiday Party in December. We raised nearly $1,000 for the American Red Cross and took in 60 gifts for Toys for Tots. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Stop by Booth #324 at National Association of Healthcare Access Management 34th Annual Meeting May 3-6, 2008 in Dallas where we’ll be demoing MDA TransQuest and other healthcare solutions. Learn more at NAHAM.org.
MDA Technologies in the News
The MDA TransQuest wireless patient transport dispatch system was featured in the December/January issue of Acuity Care Technology. Read Emergency Departments Can Save Time, Money With Instant Communications.
MDA Technologies Projects
We’ve completed another project for Comcast, a long standing MDA Technologies’ client. The system will extract data from Comcast’s phone system and create custom reports allowing management to better judge their call center’s effectiveness. These reports provide important data on service, such as how long calls take to be completed and wait times. This system includes SQL Server, Crystal Reports and Siosio phones.
MDA Technologies performed a database conversion and building a web interface for Compton & Duling, another longtime client. This Woodbridge, VA law firm was one of MDA Technologies first clients, and we’ve provided a variety of IT services for them ever since.
We’re integrating the internal database, FileMaker®, for the Finance and Administration Roundtable with their public web site. We’ll also be adding an ecommerce component to the site where users can register for tradeshows and conferences. MDA Technologies has performed site maintenance for this association for years.
The new web site for American Benefits Planning has launched. The American Benefits Planning project was a referral from another MDA Technologies client.
As with the projects highlighted above, much of our business comes from referrals and existing clients. Thanks to all who think of MDA Technologies for web sites, custom applications and database development. This means the world to us.
From local businesses, to government contractors, to regional and national non-profits, MDA Technologies can build your organization a first-class web presence. Call us at 703-730-9444 or Email Us to learn more.
About MDA Technologies
MDA Technologies helps bring the innovative ideas of our customers to life—through custom applications, databases and web development. Our mission is to help organizations like yours manage information, improve workflow, share data more effectively and make the most of their web sites. Learn more at mdatech.com or call 703-730-9444.
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