Original Article from IntelliSites, the smart choice for web design (and SEO!)
Last week I told you a bit about web applications and how they can save you money, time, and manpower. I want to give you a little more detail over the next few weeks about the way web applications work, and how they can work for you.
Managing the Details
Web applications are great at automating repetitive tasks. Events like conferences and trade shows run much smoother when supported by client facing systems.
For instance, say your non-profit organization is holding a golf classic. You’ll need a way for golf foursomes to reserve tee times, a way to collect payments and logos from sponsors, and a way to take lunch or cocktail hour reservations, etc. Here’s how a web application can do all of that for you.
Taking Foursome Reservations
Scheduling a golf outing can take a lot of time and effort. Someone needs to call golfers, ask for details, find out when they’d like to tee off, and cross fingers that a suitable time is available.
But it can be done much more simply with a web application. We can build an application that works like a day planner. Golfers could look at the schedule for themselves, find out what times are available, and book one right from their desk. They could even find out who’s teeing off at which slots. Maybe they want to talk about a business deal with another foursome. A web application would make it easy for them to tee off right before the people they want to run into.
And all this happens while your staff does other work.
Collecting From Sponsors
Dealing with event sponsors is a lot of work too. You’ve got to figure out who’s sponsoring at what level, collect checks, collect logos from companies, and make sure you come through on your promises to your sponsors. For big enough events, this kind of thing can take up every moment of a person’s day. Doesn’t it make more sense to automate it?
A web application can do all this for you. We can build functionality right into your website that guides sponsors through every step of the process. We can even work with outside services like paypal so that you can accept credit card payments. Sponsors can go to your website, pick a sponsorship level, send you a payment and upload their logo. Heck, you can even allow them to print their tickets!
All that saves you time. But just as importantly, it saves time for your sponsors. And that makes you look good. Next year, when they’re inundated with sponsorship requests, they’ll remember that yours wasn’t just a great event, it was easy to participate in.
Taking Reservations for a meal or cocktail hour
There’s a reason why golf is the unofficial sport of businesspeople. It’s the only sport that leaves lots of time for conversation. When businessmen go out on the course, it’s not just for the sport of it. It’s to make deals.
Why not help them facilitate those deals? In the same way you can use a web application to let golfers choose who they want to golf near, you can use another one to let them choose tables at the luncheon. Show them the floor plan, along with who’s booked which tables, and let them browse around the room before they even get there. It’s just one more way you can make your event memorable. And all while saving you time.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Your Project Management Toolkit
Original Article from IntelliSites, the smart choice for web design (and SEO!)
Ever tried to change your own oil? Unless you're a contortionist, you've probably discovered that getting your oil filter off is damn near impossible. You need to squeeze your hand into a tiny little area, grab a hold of that greasy round sonofagun, and twist with enough force to break a three month old seal.
It's kind of like trying to pry that piece of food out from between your rear molar and the space left when you had your wisdom teeth pulled. Your tongue can't grab it, and it's too slippery to snag with your fingers. Plus, you look nuts trying to stick your whole hand way back there to grab it.
The solution to each of these situations is a specialized tool. Yanking your oil filter out becomes a lot simpler when you use one of these. And you can fish that hunk of barbecued ribs out of your teeth much easier using one of these jobbies. In each case, the specialized tool makes the job quick and easy.
Today's web application focus is on Project Management. A complex job involving all kinds of measurables that need to be weighed, managed and communicated to the right people at the right time. A job that gets much easier if you have a few specialized tools.
And a web application can provide those tools. Tools that help you increase client satisfaction and save time.
Meet Marsha. She's a project manager at fictional company Big Idea Marketing and relies on all kinds of people to make her projects run smoothly. She needs writers, designers, printers and web developers to get her projects delivered. She also needs to keep her clients informed of steps along the way, and gather input from them.
It's a lot to keep on her plate. She leaves work late every day, feeling exhausted. She used to enjoy her job, but keeping all the pieces straight have burned her out, and she's thinking of finding a job with fewer moving pieces to keep track of.
Thankfully, the brass at Big Idea Marketing has taken note of how stressed Marsha is, and have hired IntelliSites to build them a custom Web Application. We've asked Marsha all kinds of questions, and have figured out ways to solve many of her problems. We're building an application that does all kinds of things for her. Her new web application will:
1. Track all the pieces of her projects We've built it so she can assign tasks and deadlines to each of her team members individually, view current drafts of documents, and leave comments. Her designers can upload new designs, her writers can add new drafts of copy, and her developers and printers have access to files so they can work on implementations and samples. Having all of this flexibility in one place makes Marsha more efficient, freeing her to manage more projects and still have time for a much needed coffee break.
2. Get Clients Involved The beautiful thing about a web application is that anyone with Internet access can use it at any time. We've built a special portal into the Big Idea Application that clients can use at their convenience. When Marsha sees something she'd like to show to the client, she simply marks it as "shared" and her clients get an email asking for their input. Clients leave feedback directly in the application, and Marsha's team can review it as soon as they have a moment. The team is more efficient, and Marsha's clients are happier knowing where the project stands.
3. No Learning Curve Marsha was skeptical about a web application at first. She'd used project management programs before, but found them so hard to learn and use that keeping them up to date actually cost her time. But when we built their custom application, we only added the things that Marsha needed. We didn't build any extraneous pieces, or force her to jump through any unnecessary hoops just to get things done. We built exactly what she needed in exactly the way she needed it. Now she just hops in, finds the info she needs, and moves on to something else. Instead of wasting time working on the software, she lets the software do the work for her.
That's the name of the game for the Big Idea web application. It frees up Marsha to get more done with less effort. And it gives clients a window into the process, helping to calm their nerves and avoiding big surprises along the path.
Next week, I'll show you how you can use a web application as a kind of personal assistant, keeping your dates, contacts and messages organized.
Ever tried to change your own oil? Unless you're a contortionist, you've probably discovered that getting your oil filter off is damn near impossible. You need to squeeze your hand into a tiny little area, grab a hold of that greasy round sonofagun, and twist with enough force to break a three month old seal.
It's kind of like trying to pry that piece of food out from between your rear molar and the space left when you had your wisdom teeth pulled. Your tongue can't grab it, and it's too slippery to snag with your fingers. Plus, you look nuts trying to stick your whole hand way back there to grab it.
The solution to each of these situations is a specialized tool. Yanking your oil filter out becomes a lot simpler when you use one of these. And you can fish that hunk of barbecued ribs out of your teeth much easier using one of these jobbies. In each case, the specialized tool makes the job quick and easy.
Project Management - Only for the Organized
Today's web application focus is on Project Management. A complex job involving all kinds of measurables that need to be weighed, managed and communicated to the right people at the right time. A job that gets much easier if you have a few specialized tools.
And a web application can provide those tools. Tools that help you increase client satisfaction and save time.
Marsha the Marketer
Meet Marsha. She's a project manager at fictional company Big Idea Marketing and relies on all kinds of people to make her projects run smoothly. She needs writers, designers, printers and web developers to get her projects delivered. She also needs to keep her clients informed of steps along the way, and gather input from them.
It's a lot to keep on her plate. She leaves work late every day, feeling exhausted. She used to enjoy her job, but keeping all the pieces straight have burned her out, and she's thinking of finding a job with fewer moving pieces to keep track of.
The Web App That Saved My Life
Thankfully, the brass at Big Idea Marketing has taken note of how stressed Marsha is, and have hired IntelliSites to build them a custom Web Application. We've asked Marsha all kinds of questions, and have figured out ways to solve many of her problems. We're building an application that does all kinds of things for her. Her new web application will:
1. Track all the pieces of her projects We've built it so she can assign tasks and deadlines to each of her team members individually, view current drafts of documents, and leave comments. Her designers can upload new designs, her writers can add new drafts of copy, and her developers and printers have access to files so they can work on implementations and samples. Having all of this flexibility in one place makes Marsha more efficient, freeing her to manage more projects and still have time for a much needed coffee break.
2. Get Clients Involved The beautiful thing about a web application is that anyone with Internet access can use it at any time. We've built a special portal into the Big Idea Application that clients can use at their convenience. When Marsha sees something she'd like to show to the client, she simply marks it as "shared" and her clients get an email asking for their input. Clients leave feedback directly in the application, and Marsha's team can review it as soon as they have a moment. The team is more efficient, and Marsha's clients are happier knowing where the project stands.
3. No Learning Curve Marsha was skeptical about a web application at first. She'd used project management programs before, but found them so hard to learn and use that keeping them up to date actually cost her time. But when we built their custom application, we only added the things that Marsha needed. We didn't build any extraneous pieces, or force her to jump through any unnecessary hoops just to get things done. We built exactly what she needed in exactly the way she needed it. Now she just hops in, finds the info she needs, and moves on to something else. Instead of wasting time working on the software, she lets the software do the work for her.
Saving Time and Increasing Customer Satisfaction
That's the name of the game for the Big Idea web application. It frees up Marsha to get more done with less effort. And it gives clients a window into the process, helping to calm their nerves and avoiding big surprises along the path.
Next week, I'll show you how you can use a web application as a kind of personal assistant, keeping your dates, contacts and messages organized.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Using Web Applications to Solve Business Problems
Original Article from IntelliSites, the smart choice for web design (and SEO!)
This week I’m starting a mini-series of blog entries about web applications. I want to start things off by telling you the difference between a web site and a web application.
We all know what web sites are. As an obvious example, you’re on a website right now. It’s our website, and it’s a collection of information about us: what we do, who we help, and how we could help someone like you. It’s largely static, meaning that it doesn’t change based on who’s looking at it.
A web application is different. Much more like a piece of software you might buy for your computer, a web application helps you do something. A good example of a web application is Google Maps. Instead of presenting you with a static set of information, Google Maps takes information from you and helps you figure out how to get somewhere.
The Tip of the Iceberg
Google maps is just one of a huge number of web applications. Others you may be familiar with are Basecamp, Salesforce, and eBay. Each one of these uses your input to help you accomplish something (or things).
Guess What. We Build Web Applications
Yep, we know how to do that stuff. We’ve got a super talented team of developers that know how to build custom web applications.
Who cares? You do. Wanna know why?
Because having your own custom web applications can save you time, money and manpower.
One of our clients, The New York Rural Water Association, puts on an annual conference. Their staff used to work countless hours taking reservations, answering questions, and putting together the layout of the conference floor.
But then we built them a custom application that allowed conference participants to do all that work themselves. They can see which booths are open, which have been reserved, and who is in which booth.
Once they find a booth they like, they can register for it, pay for it, and even print their conference name tags from it. All without picking up the phone. All without help from the NYRWA staff.
All told, the new system saves The NYRWA time, money and effort. This year alone, the new system:
See what I mean?
The Slightly Larger Tip of the Iceberg
And that’s just one example of how web applications can help increase your productivity, your participation, or your profits.
Pretty appealing, eh?
This week I’m starting a mini-series of blog entries about web applications. I want to start things off by telling you the difference between a web site and a web application.
We all know what web sites are. As an obvious example, you’re on a website right now. It’s our website, and it’s a collection of information about us: what we do, who we help, and how we could help someone like you. It’s largely static, meaning that it doesn’t change based on who’s looking at it.
A web application is different. Much more like a piece of software you might buy for your computer, a web application helps you do something. A good example of a web application is Google Maps. Instead of presenting you with a static set of information, Google Maps takes information from you and helps you figure out how to get somewhere.
The Tip of the Iceberg
Google maps is just one of a huge number of web applications. Others you may be familiar with are Basecamp, Salesforce, and eBay. Each one of these uses your input to help you accomplish something (or things).
Guess What. We Build Web Applications
Yep, we know how to do that stuff. We’ve got a super talented team of developers that know how to build custom web applications.
Who cares? You do. Wanna know why?
Because having your own custom web applications can save you time, money and manpower.
One of our clients, The New York Rural Water Association, puts on an annual conference. Their staff used to work countless hours taking reservations, answering questions, and putting together the layout of the conference floor.
But then we built them a custom application that allowed conference participants to do all that work themselves. They can see which booths are open, which have been reserved, and who is in which booth.
Once they find a booth they like, they can register for it, pay for it, and even print their conference name tags from it. All without picking up the phone. All without help from the NYRWA staff.
All told, the new system saves The NYRWA time, money and effort. This year alone, the new system:
- Saved the yearly work time of 1/2 of a person
- Created a 25% increase in vendor registration
- Increased customer satisfaction
- Helped to sell out the conference for the first time
See what I mean?
The Slightly Larger Tip of the Iceberg
And that’s just one example of how web applications can help increase your productivity, your participation, or your profits.
Pretty appealing, eh?
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Where are the Socks?
Original Article from IntelliSites, the smart choice for web design (and SEO!)
Know what I like most about specialized clothing stores like J. Crew? They're focused.
They know what their customers are looking for, so they don't need to worry about having every conceivable style of shirt.
With what you might call "retail whitespace" built in, it makes it very easy for your first time visitor to scan the store, find the section they want, and get there quickly.
Does your website provide that kind of experience? (I bet you can tell what I'm going to say next. Ready? Here it comes...)
IT SHOULD.
I've compared websites to retail stores before. In talking about brand and page design, I've mentioned that your site needs to be consistent, clean and well presented.
But it needs to be scannable too.
For the purposes of this discussion, we can divide your site's visitors into two categories: First-time visitors, and return visitors.
Your first-time visitors may need a bit of guidance. And the layout of your site is just the way to give it to them. There are loads of different ways to do it. Ways like making your home page copy engaging and entertaining, or offering first time visitors something for free. These ensure that you're delighting your visitors right from the get-go, thus making yourself memorable and encouraging return visits.
Your repeat visitors need some guidance to. Just not to the same places. If they've already taken advantage of your freebie offer, it's time to pull them in a little deeper. Make sure there's something on your homepage that their eye will naturally fall on. Maybe a 'get a free quote' button. Maybe a "get to know us better" button that leads into a gallery of your work. There are loads of different options, but you need to make sure you're giving these visitors an easy path to engage with you.
In the same way that nice retail clothing stores make it easy to find what you need, so should you make it easy for your visitors.
Know what I like most about specialized clothing stores like J. Crew? They're focused.
They know what their customers are looking for, so they don't need to worry about having every conceivable style of shirt.
With what you might call "retail whitespace" built in, it makes it very easy for your first time visitor to scan the store, find the section they want, and get there quickly.
Does your website provide that kind of experience? (I bet you can tell what I'm going to say next. Ready? Here it comes...)
IT SHOULD.
I've compared websites to retail stores before. In talking about brand and page design, I've mentioned that your site needs to be consistent, clean and well presented.
But it needs to be scannable too.
For the purposes of this discussion, we can divide your site's visitors into two categories: First-time visitors, and return visitors.
Your first-time visitors may need a bit of guidance. And the layout of your site is just the way to give it to them. There are loads of different ways to do it. Ways like making your home page copy engaging and entertaining, or offering first time visitors something for free. These ensure that you're delighting your visitors right from the get-go, thus making yourself memorable and encouraging return visits.
Your repeat visitors need some guidance to. Just not to the same places. If they've already taken advantage of your freebie offer, it's time to pull them in a little deeper. Make sure there's something on your homepage that their eye will naturally fall on. Maybe a 'get a free quote' button. Maybe a "get to know us better" button that leads into a gallery of your work. There are loads of different options, but you need to make sure you're giving these visitors an easy path to engage with you.
In the same way that nice retail clothing stores make it easy to find what you need, so should you make it easy for your visitors.
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