Make a website look good on any mobile device.

Mobile technology is everywhere. Smartphones and tablets have become common features of everyday life. Your business is losing customers if your website isn’t optimized for mobile browsers. When frustrated by a bad mobile experience, most consumers have very little patience, and they will quickly migrate to a competing website.

Today, there are over 120 million internet-enabled iPhone and Droid users in the the United States. The popularity of iPads and other tablets continues to grow exponentially. Many of your customers now make critical purchasing decisions based on what they see on your mobile website. Businesses who ignore this fact of life are losing market share to their more tech savvy competitors.

Google research has shown that 68 percent of mobile users will visit a business online or in person after conducting a search, and 53 percent will make a purchase. But these sophisticated consumers expect a high quality experience. According to statistics compiled by Limelight Networks, 80 percent of smartphone or tablet owners will abandon a mobile site due to frustration or poor functionality.

A service is offered by Allegra San Diego, an innovative marketing solutions company, that will optimize your website and make it more accessible and friendly to the mobile user.

This essential service:

1. Renders your website’s content in narrower columns for easier viewing on smartphone screens.

2. Streamlines your website, making commonly used content like maps and menus extremely easy to navigate.

3. Optimizes your website automatically. Your improved website will distinguish between regular and mobile browsers, providing an optimized screen for every viewer.

4. Provides advanced tools for your website, including a contact form with emailed leads, on-page Search Engine Optimization (SEO), integrated Google Analytics, a navigational site map, and an intuitive content management system for easy updates.

For more information, please contact Jen Smith at 619.295.8307, or email Jen@allegrasandiego.com.

Allegra San Diego has helped companies large and small with their marketing needs for over 50 years. Our friendly professionals will be pleased to help you.

Free marketing resource for small businesses.

Facebook can be a valuable source of practical information. One San Diego company has transformed their Facebook page into a free, convenient marketing resource for small businesses.

“Like” this Facebook page and you’ll receive frequent articles and in-depth information concerning a variety of topics. These include: using social media to promote your business, email marketing, how to effectively use direct mail, tips for trade shows, how to create buzz, successfully building your unique brand, standing apart from competitors, and much more.

This free, valuable information will be delivered to your Facebook “home page” on an ongoing basis.

Take a tour of your local print shop!

Here’s a great idea. Ask for a tour of your local print shop! Printers are usually happy to show prospective or existing customers the workings of their facility.

Exposure to every aspect of printing–from graphic design, to the offset printing presses and digital copy machines, to cutting, drilling, scoring, folding, collating, inserting, padding, punching, stitching, coiling, book and booklet making, and the many other processes in bindery–will provide you with a better understanding of the options available for your business or for your product.

Asking pertinent questions during your tour might uncover a path or process that would be otherwise unconsidered. New ideas to improve your company’s messaging or product might emerge. You might discover an unexpected way to reduce costs. Artists, writers and potential self-publishers shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to expand their knowledge.

And as with any behind-the-scenes tour, it’s just plain fascinating to learn something new!

A tour is a great way to get to know your printer better. It will likely result in better service and mutual understanding, which is a benefit to everyone involved!

Small businesses succeed using microloans.

According to a survey reported here, San Diego small businesses are succeeding with the help of microloans.

About half of the surveyed microloan recipients have had revenues that exceed expectations. All of those surveyed have remained in business two years later, with an average 60 percent increase in revenue.

Microlending helps businesses that have difficulty getting a small loan from a traditional bank. According to San Diego microlender Accion, these microloans range from $300 to $50,000. The average is $11,500.

San Diego biotech featured on CNBC.

Brian Sullivan of CNBC’s popular business news program “Street Signs” visited San Diego and reports here that America’s Finest City might be considered the new Silicon Valley of biotechnology.

Sullivan spoke on Wednesday to Kevin Gorman of Neurocrine Biosciences and Jack Lief of Arena Pharmaceuticals. Both leaders in San Diego’s technology sector are extremely positive about the local biotech industry.

The difference between flyers, handbills, leaflets, brochures and pamphlets.

One interesting aspect of the modern English language is its abundant vocabulary. Often several different words can be found to express one idea or thing. But this can create confusion.

What exactly is the difference between flyers, handbills, leaflets, brochures and pamphlets?

Flyers, handbills and leaflets are generally the same thing. They are single printed sheets of information. They are either hung or handed out to provide basic information about an event, person, material thing or service. Inexpensive to produce but limited in their reach, they are easily distributed anywhere a targeted audience can be found: in stores, at events, at trade shows and elsewhere. The word “leaflet” usually implies higher quality: leaflets are printed in color on sturdier paper. They’re often used as glossy inserts in other publications, such as local newspapers.

Brochures and pamphlets are nearly the same thing. A brochure is usually one printed sheet that is folded lengthwise two or three times to create multiple page-like panels. A pamphlet usually uses two or more printed sheets, folded together lengthwise and often stapled at the crease.

Both brochures and pamphlets are intended to be kept by the recipient. They present detailed information in a way that is structured, useful and attractive. They are more expensive to produce than a simple single sheet, but information is transmitted much more convincingly and effectively.

Fun ideas for your company newsletter.

No one likes a boring newsletter. So add fun, flavor, and something unexpected!

Of course, everyone must read the latest about your terrific products or services, outstanding employees, exciting upcoming events, important company news and announcements… But an occasional smile, laugh, or blink of surprise will make the reading much easier and more enjoyable.

Fun ideas you might consider for the company newsletter include:

–Odd trivia about your business.

–Monthly contests. For example: the most horrible shirt worn by a coworker on bad shirt day; or the best submitted joke or funny photo; or crazy workplace challenges.

–Humorous graphics or cartoons drawn by an employee who is a gifted artist or just a great doodler.

–Outrageously funny (but inoffensive) “spoof” articles that concern your business or industry.

–Crosswords, word finds, anagrams and other puzzles.

–Something wildly creative and unexpected. For example: a diagram of how to fold the newsletter into an origami swan, or paper airplane.

–A surprise coupon that will be widely enjoyed.

A good newsletter should always be cheerful. When eagerly read, it should make employees feel like they are part of a team. When you inject humor, make sure nobody’s feelings are hurt. And if you have contests, make certain that everyone has a good chance to win!