Posts Tagged website maintenance

WordPress Website Hosting and Maintenance for 2023

On November 30, 2022   /   Uncategorized   /   Leave a comment
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WordPress Website hosting and maintenance for 2023

For Connection Group Hosting Customers with WordPress Websites:

It’s that time of year when we talk about WordPress website maintenance plans and WordPress and website hosting. 

WordPress is a popular solution for small business websites for a few key reasons:

1. Ease in website content updates – editing or adding new text, photos, etc.

2. Multitudes of free/inexpensive plains that allow for custom features.

3. Availability of security and functionality updates for WordPress, themes, and plugins

Now…. the cons of WordPress. 

1. WordPress CMS and themes have a shelf life. Code becomes outdated. Decreased functionality and increased vulnerabilities occur. 

2.. Adding more features, and functionality can make updates more complicated for the novice user.

3. Due to its popularity, frequent updates are required to keep websites safe from nefarious hackers.

Definitions:

Website hosting is the storage of your website pages and content on servers that are accessible to the World Wide Web.

We offer website hosting specifically optimized for WordPress.  

Website Maintenance is the upkeep of those files. 

The WordPress hosting plans we offer do not include any form of maintenance, otherwise, we could not keep them at $20 per month. The fee covers the space on the server so your customers and prospects can access your website from anywhere in the world. We do offer optional WordPress website maintenance plans for our website hosting customers.  Please also see a previous blog entry ‘What’s the Difference Between Website Hosting and Website Maintenance” for more detailed comparisons. 

There are two kinds of website maintenance that we offer.

1. Backend Website Maintenance – this includes regular (monthly updates to themes, WordPress versions, theme updates, updates for plug-ins, and backup of your website.

2. Content Updates – this includes adding new copy, photos, pages, blog entries, or other information to your website. 

Although both types of maintenance are recommended the most important for your website’s health is number 1, to maintain the backend.  Although not critical for security, regular content updates help you score extra points with search engines. You also score with customers who are looking for the most current information. 

We receive desperate calls throughout the year from customers who have not updated their plugins and they discover:

  1. Their website is completely down and has an error when visitors go to it. (100% of these calls happen right after sending out an important proposal or new campaign.)
  2. There are photos or text on their website that they did not add (they have been hacked.)
  3. Features stop working because the code is outdated and will no longer feed/communicate with other features.

This happens most frequently with websites that are three years or older. However, it occurs anytime there are security compromises on plugins or themes – no matter the age. When WordPress, plugins, or themes have not updated for a couple of versions (say you are on WordPress version 5 and the current version is WordPress 8.2) there is a higher likelihood of incompatibility issues with add-on plug-ins, etc. when you get around to making updates. Updating regularly can avoid this. 

If your website is older than 3 years you want to start budgeting for a refresh.

Consider how many system updates your phone or computer has had over three years. Code gets outdated whether you’re watching or not. Maintaining the back end monthly will help extend its life. However, at some point, a refresh will be in order. Websites three years or older should get a refresh. Websites older than 5 years likely require a complete revamp. Design style and features also become dated quickly. Using a 3-5 years timeline will help keep everything current.

DIY WordPress Website Maintenance: 

Updating WordPress website elements is not hard. Often it is a click of a button. Make sure you cross your fingers though! Sometimes a quick click and you’re done. Other times one update affects other features and disables them, or the entire site. This is another reason why we do not recommend automatic updates. If you want to do your own updates please schedule a time to do them every month and put it on your calendar. Following are some resources for DIY WordPress website maintenance. Google more if you encounter issues.

Update WordPress Versions: WordPress Versions don’t happen frequently, they will be noted on the backend of your site when you log in. We also recommend holding off a week or so before your do a major WordPress version update. This will give the WordPress plug-ins time to update to the most recent version. Allowing the plug-ins to update will ensure they continue to be compatible.

Update WordPress Themes: (look for the name of the theme creator in the backend of your website. Going to your original theme creator’s website can make this even easier.) 

Update WordPress Plugins

Plug-ins need to be updated most often. Make sure you check the live site once you update one. Look at everything. You may not realize the interrelationship between plugins and how one plug-in update can disable another one. 

If you ‘hope’ to do the updates yourself and by March you realize you haven’t done any, reach out. We want to help our customers keep their websites functioning optimally. When we get your desperate call asking why your website is down and we’re booked out for two weeks we want to cry for you! Seriously! Don’t do that to us – or yourself! Keep your site optimized. If you know you’re never going to get around to the updates, ease your mind and save us stress! If we host your WordPress website get your monthly maintenance locked in today.  Complete the form and indicate if you need backend maintenance or both backend and content updates. We’ll send you the current pricing and get you started once we receive your order.

Good luck and maintain.

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What’s the Difference Between Website Hosting and Website Maintenance?

On January 7, 2022   /   Graphic Design and Web design, Web Hosting Web Security   /   Leave a comment
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Difference in Website Hosting and Website Maintenance

Each year when we send out annual invoices to our WordPress website hosting customers we get the same questions. In most cases, customers are curious about the difference between website hosting and website maintenance. I understand why there is confusion and I hope to offer clarity on what website hosting includes and what is meant by website maintenance in this blog.  Most of the information to follow is applicable for all types of websites. However, we specialize in WordPress website design, development, hosting, and maintenance and I will cover WordPress websites mostly. The rules also apply to all geographical areas too. It’s not limited to Michigan or even the United States. We are located in Michigan however we design, develop, host and, maintain websites from all over the United States. Let’s get started with the frequently asked questions.

Hosting vs Website Maintenance

Simply put website hosting is the storage of your website data, all of your website files. Website maintenance services are tactics to help keep your website updated and functioning properly. There are various levels and types of website updates from back-end code updates to front-facing content updates. We’ll get into that more in-depth later.

To answer the question on website hosting and website management more clearly it will be helpful to explain what website hosting is. I intend to simplify explanations and resist using highly technical terms. I believe explaining this in layman’s terms will help those users who need to hear it most. If you want more technical information please reach out to a web technologist and take notes!

What is Website Hosting:

All live websites are accessible because they are connected to the internet. The www in URLs -www.yourwebsite.com- stands for the world wide web – mind blown yet? The worldwide web also referred to as the web, is the pages you see when you are online, pages are pieces of a website.

All websites and web pages must be stored on a server that is connected to the internet for people around the world or around your town to access it while online. The internet is a network of these servers (or computers) that are connected (networked). The web works on the internet which is made up of all these servers. You are able to access these sites by paying an internet provider or (ISP) then connects to this network of servers.

An analogy could be that your web page, for example, the About Us page, is a page in a book. Your website is the book. The www/web is the bookshelf you see your book is stored on and the internet is the library (or bookstore) people visit to search for your book. Your internet service provider (ISP) is the library card that allows you to access that book.

All that to say, website hosting is when your website files are stored on a server that is connected and part of the internet.

website-www-server-internet

Why Does Web Hosting Cost Money?

Although your website files are not physical they take up digital space. Digital space is costly. Anyone who pays for cloud services or large computer hard drives knows the more files you store the higher the cost. Servers are actual physical hardware. The servers used for storing websites and connecting to the internet are costly to build, purchase, and maintain.

Some businesses have in-house servers. This is a smaller server for your internal company communications and file storage. These personal servers range from $1000-$3000 depending on your needs.  These are puppies compared to the big dog web servers used by most web hosting firms. Beyond the cost of the hardware, there is the expense of software, continuous maintenance, security, and all of the human brainiacs making sure everything is flowing smoothly to the internet.

At the beginning of website development, they were simpler (until we website designers got added in the mix…. but that’s another story the coders and engineers still have nightmares about.) Suffice it to say, making websites pretty, adding cool functionality, e-commerce, and content management capability, etc. adds – you guessed it – more space on servers.

Why is There a Large Range in Cost for Website Hosting?

A big differentiator with hosting is whether you are on a shared server or a dedicated server. Shared servers can have 100s to 1000s of websites on one server. This can cause bottlenecks because all of those websites are sharing the same CPU, RAM, etc.

As well, WordPress websites perform best on dedicated WordPress servers that include optimized features for WordPress.

Some Advantages of Dedicated WordPress Website Hosting:
  • Increased security
  • Predictable server usage
  • Ease in updating – plug-ins and themes
  • East of Set up
  • Optimized speed from shared hosting

Does Website Hosting include Website Maintenance?

By now you understand the difference between website hosting and website maintenance. In most cases when you purchase website hosting you are just paying for hosting. Website maintenance is an add-on service you can choose.

This is a critical differentiation to understand. If you purchase website hosting only and nobody is updating or maintaining it, you are leaving your website at risk. Be sure to determine if you will handle the maintenance required to keep your website fresh and safe or if you need help. When you choose which hosting company to use ask about hosting and website maintenance. Be honest with yourself and your vendor about your comfort level and the likelihood of you or your staff making updates.

What to ask when pricing website maintenance and hosting:
  • Will your website be hosted on a shared server or a dedicated WordPress server
  • Are plugin updates included – how frequently and at what cost
  • Are theme updates included – how frequently and at what cost
  • What level of security is included
  • Does maintenance include content updates
  • Other additional services included (design, SEO, blog writing, etc.)
  • Is email included, how many email addresses,
  • Is email set-up support included

Ask for pricing and the tactics they will use and the frequency each will be done.

What is WordPress Website Maintenance?

All websites rely on shared code, languages such as php and sql, etc. These languages are constantly evolving and code gets outdated. If you are a website owner who doesn’t add new content such as text or photos, etc., and you never look at the back end of your site you can be prey to issues.

Sometimes there are major updates to this code. In 2021 PHP had a major update and many older websites became disabled or had sections that no longer functioned properly.

Often times it is a minor update. These smaller updates are in response to security vulnerabilities. So although small, they are important to pay attention to.

What we encounter most often are WordPress plug-in updates.

Plugins are pieces of software/code that work with your WordPress website and add functionality. A plug-in allows a user to perform a specific set of actions easily. For example, a donation plug-in builds in the capability for users to donate money by clicking a donate button. The plugin automates the action behind the scenes and allows the user to just click a button while performing multiple steps behind the scenes.

WordPress plugins require maintenance regularly. This can be a very simple task even for novices. we suggest logging into the back end of your website monthly to check the status. When you log on you will see an alert if there are any plugins that need updating. Go to the plug-in page and click update. Save yourself from features being disabled and protect your website from hackers and malware.

Updating one plug-in can sometimes affect another plug-in. When there are major updates to your WordPress theme it may be wise not to update instantly. That is because some plug-ins you use may not have updated to the new version and may no longer work.

It’s important to keep this in mind when you or your website developer is building your WordPress website. Automated features are included in your website development with the use of WordPress plug-ins. However, the more bells and whistles you add, the more often you need to check to be sure they are all current and functioning optimally.

The more complex the features on your website the more time-consuming keeping it updated and optimized will be.

What is included in Website Maintenance Packages?

Website development and website design firms offer a variety of options for website maintenance. Some website design firms only offer plans for keeping your front-facing website content updated.

Types of Website Content Maintenance:
  • Updating your office hours and other page content
  • Adding important time-sensitive announcements
  • Adding a new product or service, etc.
  • Blog writing and optimization
  • Adding new photos or videos
  • Adding client testimonials, etc.
  • On page SEO
Website Design and Development Maintenance Plan
  • Updating data / content (as above)
  • Adding additional sections and pages
  • Updating themes and plugins
  • Troubleshooting issues
  • Security updates, etc.

We offer a variety of website care packages to suit.  If you do not update your website or log in to your WordPress website backend monthly we recommend at minimum hiring us or another firm to monitor and update your website plug-ins. Plug-in update service is only available to our web hosting customers. Save hundreds or thousands of dollars in missed sales inexpensively by making sure your website is not compromised.

I hope I answered the questions about Website hosting and Website Maintenance clearly. Be sure to connect or call if you have any other questions. It has always been our mission to stomp out ugly websites and we also want to help keep websites secure from hackers and optimized for search engines. Keeping your website current and fresh is your best means of defense from hackers. It is also your best practice for keeping your site optimized for search engines.

We’re here to help

If you need help keeping your website current and safe, check out our Website Care packages. We can customize plans if there are additional features you would like to add or items you are already handling. If you still have questions about website hosting or what types of maintenance services your specific business will do best with, give us a call, we’re happy to help you.

Good luck, and stay connected!

 

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Get Website Security In Place or Get Penalized by Google

On October 5, 2016   /   Entrepreneurs - Small Business, General, Graphic Design and Web design   /   1 Comment
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website security for small business michigan

As of January, 2017 website security for member log in websites and all websites that accept and/or store credit card information must be secure (HTTPS). Google will begin to penalize e-commerce and member-based websites if they are not secure.

Main difference between HTTP and HTTPS

HTTP is the protocol that allows the web server to communicate with a web browser. HTTP web data is transferred as plain text. Credit card numbers, passwords and social security numbers can be mined by hackers. Alternatively, HTTPS is not text based. Instead, HTTPS uses SSL (secure socket layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security), data is encrypted and is impenetrable to the outside world. Another benefit of website security is faster page loads.

Website Security Increases Online Sales and Business Credibility

A 2014 survey by Global Sign indicated 85% of people who buy items online will only buy from websites they know are secure. Chrome and Firefox web browsers show a lock in the title bar on secure websites. The lock graphic assures the website is secure and the company is credible.

 eventual-google-red-triangleGoogle will begin flagging non secure websites that gather log in and or financial data with a red triangle “Not secure” warning. By adding the red triangle to non-secure websites, Google will effectively shut your website traffic off.
Have you seen a Google warning to stay out or “harm may come to your computer” on a website? As web developers, we know that these sites have been hacked. Even though they may already be cleaned, we still respect the warning and stay away. Often, if a site is hacked once, it will be targeted again. Similarly, the red triangle will be a digital stop sign.

Will Your Company Website be Affected?

Eventually all HTTP pages will be labeled as non-secure. Even if your small business website doesn’t collect member or financial data you’ll need to have website security. Hackers are becoming more sophisticated and even small websites with low traffic are targets.
Google has not released the date in which they will be marking all non HTTPS compliant websites as insecure. They have set January, 2017 as the date they will begin rolling out the penalties to websites that gather personal or financial information. We will share critical dates in emails.

How do you know if your website is part of this first phase?

Organizations and small business websites that accept payments online and websites with membership portals, are required to have website security.

Types of Member-Based Websites:

Trade association websites, non-profit organization websites, website directories, web forums, all websites that ask for a log in. This includes small business websites that may not receive payments. For instance, if you have a website that sells yarn or fabric and all of your sales go to Paypal you wouldn’t need HTTP right away. That same website can be aa member-based website if it requires a member account for free access to pattern downloads. You will need HTTPS designation for your small business website.

E-Commerce Websites or Web Shops

An e-Commerce website is any website that offers products or services for purchase on the website. Selling products online such as photos, handmade art, hunting supplies, and any product available for purchase online falls under e-Commerce. In addition, services like our individual brand consultation and our monthly website maintenance are also. If a website maintenance customer chose to pay online through our website and not through snail mail or Paypal, our site would need website security.
As you can see, it doesn’t matter what items you offer. Your items for sale can be a products or services, as large as an RV or as small as a brand consultation. If customers log in to your site or if they can send payment through your website you need a secure website. If you do not have website security, call and  connect with us today. Don’t wait until your customers get scared away.
 

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How Websites Are Like Hairstyles [or…]

On May 19, 2016   /   Graphic Design and Web design   /   Leave a comment
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… understanding the importance of updating websites

I often joke that outdated websites are like hairstyles, one glimpse and you know from which decade they came.

Connection Group started offering website design for businesses and organizations in 1998.  Sadly, some of the cutting-edge companies and organizations who jumped into the internet then are still working with the same, but now very outdated, website! Others who didn’t understand the importance of updating websites have long since closed their doors. Take a look at these outdated websites from a web design and developers eye.  We’re going to poke fun at ourselves… so as not to offend anyone…(truthfully the first screencap doesn’t follow the ‘crew cut type’ that it is linked to … we never had a crew cut type website… we’re designers with many fonts… we must rebel…)

The Crew Cut of Pixie – All buttoned up and Proper

outdated website design from 2001This website follows all the corporate rules. The company name is in the upper left corner, as text in helvetica, arial or times. The navigation is straight across the top with no drop downs, colors are pristine, and web fonts are clean and clear. There is no guessing where the content you are seeking is, just keep reading through the pages of copy and, if you stay awake long enough, you will get the answers you seek. There are no photos or graphics to add interest or break up the mountains of copy. Because ‘no truly serious business person wants artwork to distract them from their task.’ Internal staff can not touch these site, updates that are required must go through the code nerds in IT only.

The Spiked Out Punk – Loud, creative and difficult

screen cap of Connection Group Adobe Flash websiteOnce the cool-kid website that was all flash and no content. Once launched graphics thrust toward you accompanied by swooshing sounds or music as each bursting circle or star thrashed to the next. The creative animation software that was Flash and made these site designs so popular in the millennium was considered difficult to deal with from the beginning. Mobile developers have further ostracized the use of Flash websites and now refuse to support them. Calling one up on your mobile device just brings conflict and remorse. Those that survived are underground, hidden from all attempts of search engine results.

The Mullet – Business in the front and party in the back

Connection Group Lansing website design old home pageWe’ve all seen this one. The website with all the right elements on the home page but once you get in deeper all you see is code or you have to jump through multiple pages to get a short answer on the question you had way back on the home page. Appearances are everything with these websites. The owners believe nobody really buys on the web, a website is just to help appear credible.

The 80’s hairband – All fluff and no substance

Connection Group home pages 2009You’ve seen them, laden with dark colors, embossed buttons, every graphic and photo has multiple drop shadows and effects. Moving gifs are dancing erratically across the screen screaming for attention. The site navigation is strung out here and there with no sense of purpose or reasoning. Mobile responsive website? Not even close.

Ombre Hair – Trendy and Independent

connection graphics responsive website design.psdThese website designs are trendy and work hard to stand out from the crowd. With splashy artwork, handwritten fonts, scrolling themes, and social linking they’re ready to take on the world. Every mommy-blogger or small business can create a free Weebly or WordPress website, make their own changes and updates, post blogs and photos and be individually unique. But wait… didn’t I just see that same site theme used for the local art gallery website or was it the online fabric or yarn shop website or the Lansing, Michigan cannabis caretaker dispensary website? There’s no shock value or envy of cutting edge creativity, everyone’s doing it. The straight off the shelf free website themes are everywhere and they are all beginning to look the same. Plus the novelty wares off all too quickly. Once trendy small business websites are off on their own away from the original stylist, roots start to show up as broken links that take you nowhere and the last posted blog from two years ago starts with “Sorry it’s been so long… I’ve been so busy I don’t have time to update my own website… ”

Buzzcut with Shaved Design – You’ve been hacked

These websites may have started out fine with a few fancy plug-ins with extra features or added interests were included. It looked and sent the desired message so there was not need to change it or look at it again. The only problem is hackers love to attack websites that do not get updated regularly. These are the sites that you land on that automatically come up with a Google caution that says, “Go back – we have detected malware that may harm your computer… proceed at your own risk. Even you are not adding new photos or text or regular blogs, website maintenance and updates are important for security reasons as well as the benefit of increased SEO.

What decade or style do you find your company website in?

 Technology and websites are ever changing and it can be hard to keep up. Now that you understand the importance of updating websites, you need a completely new website design or just need help updating your website, connect with us today. New website designs and website updating is 15% off through June 15. Hurry and get on our schedule today.

If you are interested in seeing throwback from websites-gone-by, visit archive.org. This website has chronicled website crawls since the year 1990s.

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Regular WordPress Website Maintenance

On January 5, 2016   /   Entrepreneurs - Small Business, General, Graphic Design and Web design   /   Leave a comment
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regular wordpresswebsite maintenance-no-hackers!

Responsive WordPress website designs are an affordable, versatile  solution for small businesses seeking a new or updated website they can update themselves. Those who already have a WordPress website know that WordPress works great on many levels. The biggest concern with choosing a WordPress website and managing it yourself  is that the regular WordPress website maintenance is often neglected.

wordpress feature random falling snowWordPress software is updated by WordPress programmers regularly. As any software, some updates are minor and you may not detect a difference on your site. Other updates are more robust. Some WordPress website updates offer new web functionality or a couple just-for-fun features, like falling snow in Winter. You can choose to implement all the new features or just  a few. What is most important in each WordPress update is the added security. Security updates protect from hackers and malware that can take down your website or infect others systems.

Installing WordPress updates is a necessity for keeping your website safe

WordPress is the top content management website platform across the world. It offers great benefits, especially to small businesses. For all of the benefits to choosing WordPress there is a drawback. Hackers love to target it. (Then again it’s not just WordPress that has this concern. Hackers target Joomla websites, Blogger websites and custom built content management systems also…) To avoid issues, Wordpress website maintenance is a critical practice to keeping your WordPress website or WordPress blog in optimal working order. wordpress update alert screen capture

WordPress programmers are proactive in protecting customers against these attacks.  New walls of code are built to keep predators out when vulnerabilities are detected. Once the code is developed a free update is available to all WordPress users. When a new WordPress update is available, there is an alert posted clearly at the top of the administrative area at log in. The date when it was first available is noted as well.

When should the WordPress software be updated?

We will often wait a day or so after a new WordPress version is posted before we select to update. This is because many of the responsive WordPress websites we design include 3rd party plug-ins.  Wordpress plug-in developers may need a little extra time to unsure their plug-in code is compatible with the latest WordPress version. If the plug-ins haven’t updated yet some may not function correctly. Within a few days most plug-ins have caught up. At that point we’ll update to the latest WordPress and plug-in versions. If plug-ins are not updated within a few days of the release of a new WordPress version, install the update but check your website very closely and make sure all plug-ins are working correctly.

Caution: plug-ins are also susceptible to hackers. New versions are made available and alerts are posted in the administrative area of the WordPress websites for plug-ins also. Plug-in developers may offer a new version with increased features and functionality in addition to added security protection.

We recommend updating plug-ins one at a time. After you update each one, check your website to make sure the update is compatible and all functionality is in place. If you choose to update your plug-ins all at once and there is a conflict, it can be difficult to pinpoint which plug-in is causing the conflict.

What happens if I don’t update WordPress regularly?

  • hackers can invade it
  • malware can be installed on your site
  • Google is alerted and will black mark your website
  • your website is rendered harmful to visitors
  • prospective clients and visitors will get a scary alert stating your website may be harmful to their system

What do you do if your website was hacked?

You send a frantic call to your website hosting service or website design firm that your website was hacked, it’s not live and clients can’t reach you and… worst… you don’t have a current back up. Your website will need to be taken down. Once removed from viewers, a temporary screen is posted, and clean-up begins.

What does it cost to fix a website that has been hacked?

  • your website is removed from view from all prospective and current clients
  • you will now be paying hourly website developments fees to comb through each file to find all corrupt code
  • developers clean / remove bad code
  • the cleaned website is uploaded as a  temporary page
  • website is tested
  • website is tested again… again… and again
  • once clear the new files can be uploaded
  • your web host is alerted that your website is safe to go live again
  • submission requests are sent to Google and other SERPs to remove the blocks that have been put in place for your website
  • requests are sent again… again… and sometimes a third time before alerts are completely removed and your website gets the all clear

 This whole procedure can take days or even months to resolve, it depends on how quickly you are alerted of your compromised site and the size of your website.

What is the best way to help keep websites safe from hackers?

By practicing regular WordPress website maintenance. Log in to the administrative area of your WordPress website frequently and make sure everything is up to date. Consider changing your admin password regularly also. Do not assume your web hosting company or your website design firm is maintaining your website. Web maintenance is usually an additional feature because of the time commitment. Look at your plan or agreement, or send your web hosting or design firm an email of phone call to be sure.

We understand staying current with WordPress and 3rd Party plug-in versions can eat up a lot of time. We also feel horrible getting the call “My website’s been hacked, what do I do?” from a small business. Before that happens, set a weekly or monthly timer to log in to your admin panel and keep your software updated. If you don’t have time or the due diligence to do this, you’ll want to look into website maintenance options for small businesses.. Our basic web maintenance package is a perfect entry point for most small business WordPress  websites.

wordpress website maintenance packageBasic WordPress Website Maintenance Package includes:

  • updating all WordPress, Theme and plugins
  • techies handle the technical stuff
  • website protection -security protection from Securi,
  • scheduled back-ups,
  • included Maintenance time / Email support,
  • 1/2 hour of styling and updates.
  • peace of mind

Knowing your site is protected  from potential hackers and will not be a concern to visitors or scare clients and prospects away from working with you is the best return.

Call us today to discuss which package is best suited to you or sign up for a website maintenance package..

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Master the Art of Marketing for Small Business in 2015

On December 16, 2014   /   Branding - Marketing, Entrepreneurs - Small Business, General   /   Leave a comment
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Mastering the Art of Marketing for Small Businesses ebook coverBegin 2015 with a clear direction of marketing for small business. Mastering the Art of Marketing is a compilation of marketing and design strategies your small business can implement right away. Explore the workbook on your own or with your team.
Mastering the Art of Marketing is a resource for start-ups and small businesses ready to go to the next level. Each month learn new steps to connect with your target audience.

January: Set Your Course

5 step master plan for your 2015 Small Business marketing –Production, brand manufacturing, service firms, wholesale e-commerce businesses, brick and mortar retail, local bars and restaurants, increase growth opportunity when you have a plan.

February: Practice Kindness

People Helping People: Social Media Connections Transform Your Business – Coaches, authors, professional speakers, real estate agents and service firms begin building on your fan base.
Master the Art of Marketing e-workbook is a 12 step monthly marketing for small business strategy. Start the new year with all the information you need to get the 2015 small business marketing results you want.

Sample Workbook Topics:download button - marekting for small business

• internet marketing for small business
• marketing plans and editorial calendars
• brand marketing and development
• internet advertising

worksheet-page-marekting-for-small-business-mastering-teh-art-fof-marketing

Sample monthly marketing worksheet

The exercises in this e-book have been laid out in the form of a calendar year. We chose this formatting so small businesses or solo-preneurs with limited staff and time may be able to take on business branding and marketing in bite size chunks. We don’t want you to feel overwhelmed and abandon the effort part way through by attempting to complete it all in one day!
We also recognize entrepreneurs are a different breed of animal – which is why we love working with growing small businesses – our jobs are NEVER boring! Because of the unique personality traits and individual style of each business owner we also recognize some of you are not going to follow a designated path. We encourage you to skip around the book and choose the practices that are most important to your small business right now. All of the worksheets relate to marketing for small business, branding and advertising for business growth. There is no set order in which you must follow. Some of you may choose to begin at the end with the worksheet on branding. If you have not already defined your brand promise I would encourage you to do so.
Our hope is that this ebook will help you to begin the new year with goals and plans in place to build your business by delivering the very best product and service in the way your ideal customers want to receive it.
Whether you choose to take it all on at once and begin the new year with plans in place or whether you choose to tackle a worksheet each month throughout the year it is up to you. We have designed the content so you may use this ebook outlining marketing for small business for years to come. Social media platforms and resource links may change but the essence of mastering your marketing for small business will remain the same.
If you find some of the tasks to be burdensome or difficult to complete, please contact us. Connection Group provides all of the services contained in this packet. If you are part way through and just need a nudge of support or if you have decided your efforts are best directed to run your company. Outsourcing the tasks of marketing for small business and all the items involvedis a smarter use of your energy, connect with us today. Connection Group can help you with your corporate branding, graphic design, marketing, web design, and web maintenance.
Download today and attract what you desire for your business in 2015. Be inspired to create relevant marketing for small business that will captivate your ideal customers. All of the best to you as you move forward with the process of your small business marketing.
May 2015 bring peace and prosperity personally and professionally.
Stay connected!

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