Welcome To BeareWare's e-NEWS - Summer Edition 2009 G'Day! The heat and humidity are here in full force - Summer in Middle Tennessee! In our Summer e-NEWS edition we welcome new clients in the first and second quarter of 2009. We also have a rescheduling taking place with our upcoming Web Content Management Classes (Class is in the process of being rescheduled - but will not take place as planned this Friday July 17, 2009).... We also have some featured articles - Is Your Website A Part of Your Team? AND Empower Yourself with Web Jargon. We are also including our hosting and support plans as an outline to clients about the services they are receiving. Our e-NEWS is provided to keep you up to date with website trends, technologies, and services that BeareWare provides. We hope you enjoy this edition! Cheers, Peter Beare, CEO |
Tips From The Beare - What is Opensource? Opensource is software developed under a set of principles & practices with source code available to users. BeareWare uses JOOMLA as its core opensource product for all of its web developments. |
1. BeareWare Announces Web Content Management Class - Click Here |
Welcome, New BeareWare Clients - 1st and 2nd Quarter 2009
To see our recent launches portfolio - CLICK HERE |
BeareWare Announces Web Class & Internet Marketing Seminar
BeareWare is excited to be offering our next Web Content Management Class that will be held on Friday July 17, 2009 at the Lebanon / Wilson County Chamber of Commerce on beautiful Lebanon Square. We will be offering one class - Introduction to Web Content Management on Friday Morning. This is a great opportunity to improve productivity as well as quality of website content while getting the latest information about hot topics such as Search Engine Optimization, Domain Name Strategy, Blogging & e-NEWS. The class & seminar will cover:
The Web Content Management Class will include:
* Class will not be supplying Computer. Friday July 17, 2009: Morning Class - 9:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. BeareWare is a proud member of the Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce Introduction to Web Content Management: 9:00 – 9:45 a.m. – Session I – Understanding Your Website Structure To effectively manage your website you must have a base understanding of the structure of the website. This includes where the website actually resides, your domain name, the composition of your website (programs) and the actual structure that your website is made up. This includes an overview of your administration panel and website support. 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. – Session II - Managing Your Website Content Managing your websites content starts with a strong understanding of what good content is and why it is so important for your website. We will look at each area of your website that contains “updatable” content and how to update your website. This includes updating text, images, multi-media, and documents in static content and content management. 11:00 – 11:45 a.m. – Session III - Managing Add On Components Session covers your website structure including associated products (Virtuemart, Calendar, Photo Gallery, e-NEWS and 3rd party software such as IDX-Pro, Travel Planners, Booking Systems). This session examines web hosting, domain management, and the composition and structure of your website. |
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Is Your Website A Part of Your Team? Over the last year in particular I have really become aware of the important connection between a website owner and their website. The arrival of Content Management Systems have provided website owners with the opportunity to update their websites directly and in my opinion (and most important) allowing the website owner to be an active participant in the process. And I might add not every website owner understands or view the website from this point of view. At least not initially but make no mistakee about your website - it is a part of the team and it is going to play an active role in your company's success. In the old days (first generation - or Web 1.0) websites were seen as electonic brochures to a large extent. You were really taking the marketing and sales brochure of your organization and placing it online. Based on past experience and also the process of which websites were primarily managed back then - creating and launching a website was a "one time" event with the website going live and then "great - I don't have deal with that for another few years". Further your connection to any updates to that website were thru your webmaster (usually your remote webmaster). Generally to pay a webmaster to update your website was costly - so this reinforced the one time setup process of a website... Roll forward to Web 2.0 and websites have now become a much more active part of the operations of a company (including the marketing, sales, and operations). The basis of a glorified brochure sitting online is really become a thing of the past and content management systems are becoming the norm. Here is just a few roles websites now play: 1. First impression of your company for a prospective customer (Marketing) The above items not only play important roles for prospects but also provide existing customers with reference information that may be used to extend or introduce a new relationship. Today websites participate in many operational tasks including: 6. Online Content, blogs, e-NEWS, photos and multimedia (Operational) These items should really highlight the level of activity that a website is capable of and also reinforce the need for your website to be viewed as a key part of your team. And like any other team member the website and its results should be actively included in periodical staff meetings. For every organization to be able to agressively use their website this team member must have other active staff members involved in its use and operations. This connect of the client to the website is one of the biggest area BeareWare is now working actively with our clients. To view your website as distant object (managed only by your web hosting or management company is generally not a good plan.) No matter how good your web company may be that - they will never understand your business like you do and more to the point they will never drive it. (YOU and YOUR COMPANY WILL ALWAYS DRIVE YOUR WEBSITE) A good website hosting and management company should be focused on client educational and operational development. The key to a successful website actively requires the website owner to play the game as well! So take the time to consider your website's role within your organization. Starting with the education of staff members that learn how to update and manage content. Expand your knowledge of website statistics (so you can track and measure your success) - and make these results a part of your corporate reviews and analsys. Call your website "Wilbur" if you have to - but be sure to create a culture where your website is an absolute part of your team! |
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Empower Yourself - Learn The Web Jargon Teaching a Web Content Management class recently I included a “jargon” take home test that was handed to our attendees at the end of the class. I have always been very sensitive to computer jargon since my college days – where I studied computer science. I actually have always been uncomfortable with using it – in particular when you know the jargon to be confusing to the person that is not an actual computer geek. Isn’t Web Jargon just a continuation of Computer Jargon? Definitely a byproduct started by the smartest guys in the room (the computer geek – not the former Enron Directors)… The computer industry is around 30-40 years in age and with technology changing rapidly jargon has always been a big part of its culture. But I must say with the web world (around 10 years old) appears to have taken jargon to a new dimension. And being in complete sync with the web – every new process that is established opens up the door for a new term of jargon. This new jargon will quite often appear in sales and marketing of online products which is really an issue from my point. So Jargon is Used Deliberately in Online Selling? I think it is – and it is definitely used to increase sales. Being the sales person responsible for selling web services for BeareWare I am very aware of the confusing aspects that the most computer literate folks have in some of the key areas of web design, web development, domain management, web hosting and web content management. But I have to admit this could not be exemplified more than buying a domain name which on some registrars is at the point of absurd in terms of what you are offered (or asked to buy) – as part of the domain registration process. Quite a lot of the jargon has simply been created to give validity to “questionable add-on” sales products and to cash in on the lack of knowledge of the person making the domain registeration. Do you Want Fries With That? I was recently buying domains for a client on a registrar (for this article lets call the registrar Stop Momma). My client maintains a domain account with Stop Mommy and I logged in ready to acquire the new domain names we needed. I was buying 2 groups of domains so I typed in the names of each domain I wanted. All were available except one – which came up with our first piece of jargon – It was a “Premium Domain” that was being sold thru the registrar. So first question – what is a “Premium Domain” name. Interestingly enough each domain was costing $8.90 each but this “Premium Domain” name was selling for $3,195.00. (that’s right – over three thousand dollars). In this case the phrase “Premium Domain” name is used by all registrars and also domain brokers (companies that broker the sale of domain names). Premium “implies” some significant value in the domain which may OR may not actually be the case. So it was a BIG NO to the Premium Domain. (I had passed the first “JARGON TEST”). I have to say the screens were so totally confusing (at the very bottom of the screen) is the actual “proceed” to checkout. The main screen is full of options and suggestions (all with cost attached to them). One option asks would you like to make your registration “private”. A private registration is where you get to “hide” the actual owner of the domain name from public view. For the life of me I do not know why you want to do this – and to be frank I don’t know why ICAAN allows for this. The claim is that the spammers will be able to access your name and e-mail address and will bombard you consistently with spam. From BeareWare’s point of view it simply makes our job harder when a client calls needing help with their domain name (and of course they don’t know who the actual registrant is as their registering is a private registration). Next at our Stop Momma Registrar we are offered the entire gamut of web services ranging from “Web Hosting” to “Custom Web Design”. Of course the whole purpose for my visit to Stop Momma was to register domain names (and only register domain names) – but you could imagine the small business person at this point in time – do we need private registration – do we need web hosting – (and of course there is reinforcing marketing behind every question – quite often laced with the some fear overtone if you don’t. select the choice). Already you should be seeing the importance of arming yourself with Jargon knowledge – you will pay for it if you don’t… So after I get thru the Web Services offers I finish up with a page listing every “similar” domain name on the market that may be available including other extensions such as .net., .org, biz, etc). The funny thing about this offer is the web page states “You have made a premium domain name purchase” – why you should now secure other domain name extensions. This is a classic – I was offered a “premium domain’ for over $3,000.00 in one of the initial sales screens – but now for just $8.90 I own a “premium domain” – and should registered every extension and any remotely similar domain to protect my investment. I finally pay my account at Stop Momma and then end up on an another sales page (that has my payment receipt embedded in it). To honest I am thankful I am finished. Although this is just a small example of the jargon that is used in the web industry – I think the message is clear that may vendors on the web will sell with deliberate jargon to bolster sales – lets face it - isn't their job as is any business to make money – so the best way to help empower yourself is to spend some time understanding the language… Here are a few jargon items from BeareWare’s Online Webtips just to get you going: Website Hits Terminology: What is a Registrar? Who Governs Registrars? What is Search Engine Optimization? Search Engine Positioning: What is Opensource? Technique on Website Research! What does URL mean? What is a Keyword Domain? What is a Title Tag? What is a BLOG? |
Web Hosting - $30.00 per month (Semi-annual or Annual Billing) BeareWare’s web hosting provides clients with a permanent solution to housing their website on the Internet. Our support services give clients the assurance that the company that designed and fully understands your website needs is the same company that ensures that your website is operating at an optimum 24/7 with technical support. This support plan provides clients with full hosting services, and is ideal for clients that fully maintain their own website and/or have minimal additional add-on systems. This plan also suits clients that have very fixed content based websites. BeareWare’s Web Hosting plan includes:
Web Support Plus - $50.00 per month (Semi-annual or Annual Billing) Web Support Plus provides a small business with the benefits of an in-house web coach focused on supporting, educating and developing the client’s Web Content Manager(s). Services are focused on supporting the client’s CMS system and Add-On systems such as e-NEWS, Online Shop, Events Calendar, Photo Gallery as well as 3rd party tools such as IDX-Pro, Authorize.NET & Paypal. BeareWare’s Web Support Plus plan includes:
Web Management – Starting at $125.00 per month (Monthly Billing *) Web Management provides a small business with the benefits of an in-house webmaster focused directly on the client’s website. Services are focused on web content management in the client’s CMS system and Add-On systems such as e-NEWS, Online Shop, Events Calendar, Photo Gallery as well as 3rd party tools such as IDX-Pro, Authorize.NET & Paypal. This plan provides a small business with the benefits of an in-house webmaster tailored to the clients’ requirements and budget. Services include website & user support, content & image updates, e-news, e-mail & domain management and periodical website statistic reviews and adjustments. BeareWare’s Web Management plan includes:
e-NEWS Management – Starting at $50.00 per e-NEWS (Monthly Billing) BeareWare's e-NEWS Marketing provides you with the complete set of tools necessary to market your goods & services to your current client/community base while attracting potential clients. An e-NEWS is an electronic newsletter, but can also be a special announcement, a press release, or an invitation. This plan provides a small business with the benefits of an in-house webmaster that can assist in setup, design and implementation of periodical e-NEWS. We can also create custom designs for special occasion e-NEWS. BeareWare’s e-NEWS Management plan includes:
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About BeareWare BeareWare is a Website Design and Development firm that has been providing web-based solutions to small businesses since May, 2000. We provide web services in the areas of custom web design and development, online shops & e-commerce, and custom web applications, with a complement of support services including web hosting & management, e-news marketing, domain management, search engine optimization (SEO), web advertising, and client education & training. Founder Peter Beare has been a systems developer, business analyst and professional services manager who has worked with companies ranging from small businesses to international corporations over the last 25 years. Peter’s expertise is in strategic website planning, design and development, website marketing and sales, with a strong background in database application programming & project management. Design and Development Director Vicki Payne has an extensive background in graphical drawing & design. Vicki previously worked with Dell Computer Company for six years before joining BeareWare in 2005. Vicki’s expertise is in graphical web design and web programming. Vicki creates our client designs and then implements those designs into our client websites - producing stunning looking websites that provide superb functionality. BeareWare has delivered more than 100 websites and web applications since its inception. We utilize state of the art design and content management systems, with our designs being directed by our clients’ business and marketing models, their target demographics, and desired outcomes. Our support services focus on technical website and customer support, online marketing campaigns, and ongoing client education and development. To discuss your organization's website needs, contact us or call us at (615) 443-9050. |
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CLASS RESCHEDULED - Due to an upgrade to the Wi-Fi System at the Chamber of Commerce this class will be rescheduled. As soon as the Wi-Fi upgrade is complete we will release our new date for the class.
Cost is $50.00 per class (
