To Plan Ahead wished to have a website with better functionality that illustrated their commitment and understanding of technology. Burst Marketing designed them a site that is devoted to providing current and future customers easy-to-find information and answers to their questions.

To Plan Ahead wasn’t getting new business through leads coming to their site. In order to grow their business and be more strategic, Burst Marketing developed a clean, crisp, professional website for To Plan Ahead. The new site is informational and easy to navigate, and will help the company to attract new customers and grow their successful business.

Filed under: Articles & News, Design, Web Design

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Magsoft Corporation had an outdated website that was difficult to make updates to internally. They wanted a site that is dynamic and that is able to be expanded to include items such as a mobile website and QR codes.

Burst Marketing developed a new site for Magsoft Corporation that is completely in WordPress to allow for ease of expandability, function, and updates, as well to be able to tie easily into 3rd party social media tools. Because Magsoft mostly got its business through ‘word of mouth’ until now, the new site will increase business through a better website that people are already being driven to see.

Magsoft Corporation was founded in February 1986, and is a top 5 world leader in marketing Computer Aided Engineering [CAE] simulation tools for computing physical phenomena.

Filed under: Articles & News, Design, General News, Web Design

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Maple Leaf Childcare Center in Upstate New York needed a new website developed in an easy-to-navigate format that highlights their caring staff and child-friendly facilities.

Burst Marketing created their brand new site in WordPress to allow for easier management of the website. Maple Leaf’s goals were to attract new students to the center and to be able to provide information to parents of existing students. The site draws attention to Maple Leaf Childcare Center’s strengths of encouraging children to grow in an active play-oriented environment. Since 1988 Maple Leaf Childcare has been giving children ages six weeks through twelve years the foundation they need to become life-long learners.

Filed under: Articles & News, Web Design

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It’s a tall order — get thousands of small businesses online and help them all succeed.

Today, hundreds of small business owners and representatives from across New York are getting together for the first of two trainings in the state aimed at helping them break into the online world.

Almost all Americans search for local products and services online, but more than half of small businesses in New York don’t have a website, according to Google.

The company is teaming up with Intuit Websites and a couple dozen business development groups from around the state to offer companies a three-page website, domain name and website hosting free for a year (along with free email support for 30 days).

Companies will also get a walk-through for claiming their Google Places listing as part of New York Get Your Business Online.

If it’s free, how do you calculate ROI?

Here at IntelliSites, we think this a great idea. But if you attended this event (or even if you missed it) there are some things you might want to think about down the road, if not much sooner, for improving your “free” Google website.

Unlike a brochure that’s printed and can’t change, the best part about a website is that it can. Most of the people who set up their site through this Google program will never touch it again once it’s live. Just like having a store, no one will come back if things don’t change from time to time. Additional products and improvements incentivize people to return to your site.

You need a plan for your site and beyond.

Here at IntelliSites, a division of Burst Marketing, we have created a unique Blueprint process that allows us to know the client and brainstorm the best ways to cultivate leads and bring in business.

Your site needs to have a clear strategy so someone coming to your site knows exactly what to do when they get there.

Speaking of getting there, how will anyone know you exist on the web? Google is not promising to highly rank your site just for using their service. Just ask our search engine marketing clients about our proven results.

Taking the free route

If you do decide to take the free route, even for now, here is some advice: Think about your audience.

The typical business does not spend enough time thinking from the perspective of their customers. You start this process by asking who your customers are. How does your website (and other marketing materials while you’re at it) help turn members of those specific groups into leads and sales?

If you’re not sure, perhaps you’d like to have a conversation?

Sure, template sites allow you to claim real estate on the web, but when it comes to return on your investment, remember you usually get what you pay for.

The program’s advice that “getting online is now easy, free, and fast” is great for now, but when you’re ready to step up your online presence with proven results, let the experts at IntelliSites and Burst Marketing help.

Filed under: Lead Capture, Marketing Your Site, Web Design
Tags: Google, marketing your website, new york businesses, promoting your website, troy, websites
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In the world of web design it seems like it’s often the brightest, flashiest and most visually complex sites that win attention.

While there is no doubt that these creative websites certainly deserve their time in the spotlight, they are not meant for everyone. Which brings up the question – what do you do when your target audience isn’t the tech savvy, computer literate 20–something?

The great thing about the Internet is that it is a powerful resource for anyone, young or old. And if your business caters to a much older or much younger generation, there’s no reason why your website shouldn’t do that, too!

Senior citizens are slowly becoming more comfortable using the Internet. Older Baby Boomers may have resisted new technology toward the end of their careers but studies show they are now finding time to learn in retirement. Between 2004 and 2010, active Internet users age 65 and older increased by more than six million. Seniors are eager to learn and stay active, which is why the Internet is so appealing.

Today’s children and young adults (Millennials) have grown up with new technology and 50 years down the road will be a much more competent generation of senior Internet users. Right now though, it’s crucial for companies targeting seniors to make sure their sites are accessible to all.

Here are a few simple ways to translate web design for an older generation:

• Keep the fancy web lingo to a minimum. URL, HTML, FTP and HTTP can all start to look the same if you’re new to the Internet.
• Make sure everything is easy to find and easy to click – with aging comes a decline in motor skills.
• Light-colored font on light-colored backgrounds and small buttons that move and change can be difficult to navigate. (Adidas is a great company but one glance at their homepage makes it clear exactly who they have designed for. No 80-year-old should have to figure this one out!)

Giving users the option to change their font size is also a common practice these days. Most browsers allow for the capability, but giving users the option right on the page is more likely to keep them on the page longer.

Most importantly, not everything needs to be written in 72 point bold font, but keeping pages clean and maintaining a basic and logical sense of navigation is a must. Don’t forget to mention to your favorite web designers at IntelliSites if you have a specific age target in mind for your next project!

Filed under: Experiencing the Web, Usability, Web Design
Tags: organization, Web Design, website visitors
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