website
How To Have A Great Website
11/10/20 22:04
Simple Design Tips For A Great Website
People find your website, and that's it isn't it? Your great content will let them know what you do and they'll buy your service or product? Not always!!! Can people actually see past the design? Is it obvious what you're saying and what your company does?
Your website should be a great "shop-window" for your equine or canine business. Creating a website can take a lot of time. But unfortunately this can be time spent on choosing elaborate fonts. Or a very bold or clashing colour scheme. So your potential customers, can't find out if what you're offering is what they need. Why? Because they can't read it well!
Here are a couple of top tips to help you audit your website. With a critical eye, see if your website is ok, or needs some amendment.
Tip 1 - Fonts
Are the fonts on your website clear? Are they decorative or elaborate? Can anyone, including people who may have any visual impairment read what you're saying? Or does it take a lot of effort to see past the font?
Tip 2 - Colour Scheme
Bold colours can look great and be eye-catching. But be careful to choose colours that don't detract from your website's purpose..... You want to present professional information about yourself. And get people to get in contact with you! So make sure your anyone can read your website. And aren't distracted by the colours.
Choose a background colour that contrasts well with the font, so that the writing can be clearly seen..... Black writing on white background may seem not to be very exciting to some. But it's usually clear to read. (That's not to say of course that's the only colour scheme to use!)
In conclusion.
Remember people will often look initially at your website for a short period of time. Sometimes seconds. If they decide that it's going to be too difficult to find what they need to know. They'll leave the site and find another one to look at.
Action Point
- Review your website, and imagine you're someone who knows nothing about your business. Is it easy to read? Would you carry on looking at it? If you're not sure, ask someone you trust to give their honest opinion to have a look!
How to Get Confidence Running Your Equine or Canine Business
Click here for more information on consultancy. Or email me at info @ taranet.co.uk for info on coaching opportunities with me.
About The Author
Suzanne Harris is an equestrian and canine entrepreneurial coach and consultant to veterinarians who want to help prevent animals being affected by domestic abuse.
PS: You can find more equestrian and pet care themed business articles over at my Linkedin, see more here https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-harris-mcmi/detail/recent-activity/posts/
How To Keep Your Customers Connected With Great Newsletters
30/09/20 12:58
Content Creation For Your Business Newsletters
You may know that I love newsletters. They're a great way for you to keep connected with your customers. (Read my blog post here for some ideas on why they're such a great idea!).
A question often raised by clients is though, what to talk about? How on earth to come up with ideas for newsletters?
In this post, find 5 great content ideas for your newsletters for your equine or canine business
- Why is your work with horses and dogs useful? Let your subscribers, know different reasons why you can help their horses or dogs. Don't try and give all reasons at once though! A newsletter doesn't need to be long. Give a different reason over a series of editions. Focus on the why and the how. Include case studies if you can.
- Case studies of your work with horses or dogs. This can be over a series of newsletters, looking at different breeds or types of horses or dogs. And different ailments. The possibilities are endless. Include photo's and video's if you can.
- Product recommendations. You may even sell some products alongside your business. But there are probably products you do use. For instance if you're a canine hydrotherapist you may use special towels to help dry your dogs. Give your subscribers recommendations. And let them know how they can buy.
- General health tips. Give your subscribers advice on healthcare tips for horses or dogs. This could be seasonal. Or a specific ailment. Or even grooming.
- Any CPD you've completed. Provide reassurance that you do complete CPD. Don't be shy about telling people about a course you've attended. Your qualifications are hard earned. But be sure to share why they will make a difference to your business. And importantly how they'll help your equine or canine customers.
A general point is be consistent. Send a newsletter regularly. Whether that's every week, or every month. Be consistent.
Action Point
- Use these content ideas to get your newsletters created and published.
- Review my previous blog posts about mailing lists and also more content ideas.
How to Get Confidence Running Your Equine or Canine Business
Click here for more information on consultancy. Or email me at info @ taranet.co.uk for info on coaching opportunities with me.
About The Author
Suzanne Harris is an equestrian and canine entrepreneurial coach and consultant to veterinarians who want to help prevent animals being affected by domestic abuse.
PS: You can find more equestrian and pet care themed business articles over at my Linkedin, see more here https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-harris-mcmi/detail/recent-activity/posts/
How To Get Your Customers To Love Your Website
19/09/20 12:36
You've got your website, so all should be ok?
It may be "selling" your service, so customers know what you do. Where you do it. And how you can help their horse or dog. You maybe proud of it. And hopefully you are!
But can people find it easily?
Without stating the obvious. Your customers won't be able to love your website if they can't find it!
Before you go down the SEO (search engine optimisation) route. Start at the beginning and what is your domain name?
Your domain name is the website address. So here, my website domain name is taranet.co.uk. Is your website domain long? Is it your own? Or does it include a suffix like wix.com or wordpress?
Not that there's anything wrong in itself with having a suffix. But the longer the domain name, the more likely it is someone will forget it. Or not be able to clearly tell their friends or relatives about your service, and your contact details.
Remember, your website may not just be seen by your direct customers. But by people who can refer others to you.
Potential customers will love your website if it's easy to find and remember. A long domain name will put people off. Or they could mistype and end up somewhere else entirely.
Over many years, consumer research suggests simplicity is preferred. It may cost you more to have your own domain name. But not having a clear easy to remember name, may cost you more in lost sales!
There are a huge range of suffixes you can have to your business name as a domain. It's no longer just .com or co.uk or .org. There are dozens! So you're bound to find one that will work for you.
In auditing websites for my customers, the first thing I look at is the name. It's surprising how often it's overlooked! And is a fairly easy to thing to fix. And is an easy way for you to start getting your customers loving your website!
Your Action Point
Click here for more information on consultancy. Or email me at info @ taranet.co.uk for info on coaching opportunities with me.
About The Author
Suzanne Harris is an equestrian and canine entrepreneurial coach and consultant to veterinarians who want to help prevent animals being affected by domestic abuse.
It may be "selling" your service, so customers know what you do. Where you do it. And how you can help their horse or dog. You maybe proud of it. And hopefully you are!
But can people find it easily?
Without stating the obvious. Your customers won't be able to love your website if they can't find it!
Before you go down the SEO (search engine optimisation) route. Start at the beginning and what is your domain name?
Your domain name is the website address. So here, my website domain name is taranet.co.uk. Is your website domain long? Is it your own? Or does it include a suffix like wix.com or wordpress?
Not that there's anything wrong in itself with having a suffix. But the longer the domain name, the more likely it is someone will forget it. Or not be able to clearly tell their friends or relatives about your service, and your contact details.
Remember, your website may not just be seen by your direct customers. But by people who can refer others to you.
Potential customers will love your website if it's easy to find and remember. A long domain name will put people off. Or they could mistype and end up somewhere else entirely.
Over many years, consumer research suggests simplicity is preferred. It may cost you more to have your own domain name. But not having a clear easy to remember name, may cost you more in lost sales!
There are a huge range of suffixes you can have to your business name as a domain. It's no longer just .com or co.uk or .org. There are dozens! So you're bound to find one that will work for you.
In auditing websites for my customers, the first thing I look at is the name. It's surprising how often it's overlooked! And is a fairly easy to thing to fix. And is an easy way for you to start getting your customers loving your website!
Your Action Point
- Review your website domain name. Is it clearly describing your service?
- Is it long? Does it have a suffix that is yours or is it hosted on another platform?
- Can you change the website name, and can you find a suffix that means the website is yours?
- Consider your website name on any of your marketing materials. Does it look easy to remember and is clear? If you do change your website domain name, update your marketing materials or advertising!
How to Get Confidence Running Your Equine or Canine Business
Click here for more information on consultancy. Or email me at info @ taranet.co.uk for info on coaching opportunities with me.
About The Author
Suzanne Harris is an equestrian and canine entrepreneurial coach and consultant to veterinarians who want to help prevent animals being affected by domestic abuse.
Top Tip To Avoid Losing Customers At Your Website
12/08/20 20:47
Do you have a website for your equestrian, canine or veterinary care business?
Do you know if the website works on all devices? Your customers, (and potential customers). Will be looking at your website on their phones, tablets, laptops. And desktop computers. So that's quite a mix. And it can mean without some planning, a website won't work.
It's important you do have a website which is what's known as "responsive". In short, this means that your website works, on whatever device it's viewed on.
Otherwise, some pages may not appear. Some links won't work. Or a page will 'spill off the screen'. Generally it won't look great, and could lose you a customer!
But you can fix this.
There's two options.
- Have 2 websites. One which is computer viewable. And one which is for mobile devices. I do not recommend this. It means duplicating work. Who's got time for that?!
- Have a website that's designed using software which has responsive functionality. I designed this website here at Taranet, with responsive software. During the design process I also could check what it looked like. By pressing a button to replicate the different screen sizes.
Personally if I'm looking at a website which doesn't work. I'll 9 times out of 10 leave, and find another company to look at.
Don’t let your business down with a simple website issue.
Action Points..
- Check your website, to see if it works on different devices.. Or ask a friend or relative to help you by looking on their phones or laptops.
- If your website doesn't look right. Get the design changed. This may mean choosing different software. Or get a different developer.
- Have a look through my previous blog posts for more business tips
- Do you want coaching support to help your business flourish? Please email me to discuss!
About The Author
Suzanne Harris is an equestrian and canine entrepreneurial coach and consultant to veterinarians who want to help prevent animals being affected by domestic abuse.
How To Help Your Business With a Mailing List
04/11/19 15:36
Hello,
How do you feel when you receive an email from an organisation 'out of the blue'? I don't mean spam emails. But emails from companies whose mailing list you've signed up to, but you only hear from them once or twice a year?
I received an email from a company recently who I signed up to their mailing list ages ago. But they'd not sent anything for what must've been a year. My first thought was it's spam. Then I remembered it wasn't because I'd wanted to hear from them albeit a long time ago! It made me think. That they're not committed to developing a positive relationship with their customers. As it did seem like 'spam'. This isn't what any reputable business wants!
As someone operating your own business. When was the last time you contacted your mailing list? Do you even have one?
Why Bother With A Mailing List?
Although social media is great for building relationships with potential and existing customers. The social media platforms aren't owned by us. We don't set the parameters for our posts visibility. For instance. You're likely to be aware if you have a Facebook business page. That without paying to promote your posts you're unlikely to have them seen by many people.
Cultivating your own mailing list so people sign up to receive your updates. Means you can send emails to them when you want. Of course there's no guarantee they'll open them. But you've a greater chance of your subscribers seeing your emails. Unlike with social media. Where it's possible your posts are 'competing' against a multitude of other posts.
There's many email marketing management systems you can use. And which enable you to collect email addresses, (under data protection legislation). And automate and create and send emails. These include Constant Contact, Mailchimp, Hubspot and Infusionsoft, amongst others. Some of these offer free plans as well as paid. So do "try before you buy".
As part of your marketing strategy it's a good idea to decide on how often you'll send emails to your subscribers. You can test out what fits best for you and your audience, but try and be consistent. Whether that's weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
Action Point 1 - If you've not got a mailing list, start one now!
Action Point 2 - If you already have, when did you last send an email? Have you got a schedule?
How to Get Confidence Running Your Equine or Canine Business
Visit https://animal-star-social-media.teachable.com or email me at info @ taranet.co.uk to learn more.
About The Author
Suzanne Harris is an equestrian and canine entrepreneurial coach and consultant to veterinarians who want to help prevent animals being affected by domestic abuse.
How do you feel when you receive an email from an organisation 'out of the blue'? I don't mean spam emails. But emails from companies whose mailing list you've signed up to, but you only hear from them once or twice a year?
I received an email from a company recently who I signed up to their mailing list ages ago. But they'd not sent anything for what must've been a year. My first thought was it's spam. Then I remembered it wasn't because I'd wanted to hear from them albeit a long time ago! It made me think. That they're not committed to developing a positive relationship with their customers. As it did seem like 'spam'. This isn't what any reputable business wants!
As someone operating your own business. When was the last time you contacted your mailing list? Do you even have one?
Why Bother With A Mailing List?
Although social media is great for building relationships with potential and existing customers. The social media platforms aren't owned by us. We don't set the parameters for our posts visibility. For instance. You're likely to be aware if you have a Facebook business page. That without paying to promote your posts you're unlikely to have them seen by many people.
Cultivating your own mailing list so people sign up to receive your updates. Means you can send emails to them when you want. Of course there's no guarantee they'll open them. But you've a greater chance of your subscribers seeing your emails. Unlike with social media. Where it's possible your posts are 'competing' against a multitude of other posts.
There's many email marketing management systems you can use. And which enable you to collect email addresses, (under data protection legislation). And automate and create and send emails. These include Constant Contact, Mailchimp, Hubspot and Infusionsoft, amongst others. Some of these offer free plans as well as paid. So do "try before you buy".
As part of your marketing strategy it's a good idea to decide on how often you'll send emails to your subscribers. You can test out what fits best for you and your audience, but try and be consistent. Whether that's weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
Action Point 1 - If you've not got a mailing list, start one now!
Action Point 2 - If you already have, when did you last send an email? Have you got a schedule?
How to Get Confidence Running Your Equine or Canine Business
Visit https://animal-star-social-media.teachable.com or email me at info @ taranet.co.uk to learn more.
About The Author
Suzanne Harris is an equestrian and canine entrepreneurial coach and consultant to veterinarians who want to help prevent animals being affected by domestic abuse.