Mavik Web Design

SALE OF THE WEEK!!

2010-02-22T09:05:00.002-08:00

$112.70 for 1,000 post card, 4x6, full color both sides.

Did you know...

2010-02-22T09:05:00.001-08:00

2009 is behind us, but it provided plenty of online retailing trends to keep an eye on this year! One of the 2009's most popular movements was the use of e-mail marketing, and companies are expected to place greater importance on this method of advertising in the months ahead!

According to Internet Retailer's Guide to E-Commerce Technology for 2010, e-mail marketing was a major asset to many businesses, as it allowed them to reach customers during the lagging economy. In fact, IR's Bill Siwicki found that 51.6% of retailers surveyed planned to increase e-mail marketing campaigns to connect with consumers and clients!

1,000 Post Card for $112.70!!!

2010-02-11T10:19:00.000-08:00

1,000 Post Card, 4x6, Full Color 2 Sided for only

$112.70

Did You Know....

2010-02-11T10:14:00.000-08:00

The latest research from the National Association of Retail Marketing Services! This new study shows that for every one complaining customer, a business may lose ten more!

Kristina Knight at BizReport says this means "many more consumers are experiencing problems than are reporting them."

But it's not all bad news! The NARMS study also found that 95% of lost customers will return if a problem is resolved "in a timely manner."

If your client receives occasional complaints about their business, it's important for them to know how to resolve and prevent these issues! To that end, Knight provided several suggestions, such as asking customers about their overall experience and offering "an easy outlet" for them to communicate. The complete Web solution is perfect for that! It allows site visitors to provide feedback, testimonials and reviews! Your prospects can use this information to ensure they're providing the best customer experience possible. With the help of the web solution, they'll keep more customers coming back!

Joke of the day!

2010-02-11T10:13:00.001-08:00

Tech Support: "I need you to right-click on the Open Desktop."
Customer: "Ok."
Tech Support: "Did you get a pop-up menu?"Customer: "No."
Tech Support: "Ok. Right click again. Do you see a pop-up menu?"
Customer: "No."
Tech Support: "Ok, sir. Can you tell me what you have done up until this point?"
Customer: "Sure, you told me to write 'click' and I wrote click'."

5,000 business cards

2010-02-10T08:21:00.000-08:00

High quality full color offset printing on multiple paper options. UV Coating will apply to both sides, on 14pt Gloss Coated Cover with color both sides, unless No UV Coating on Back is selected.

ONLY $112.00

Joke of the day!

2010-02-10T08:20:00.000-08:00

The economy is so bad that:If the bank returns your check marked "Insufficient Funds," you call them and ask if they meant you or them.

Did you know…

2008-05-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

According to IDC’s Small Business Internet Forecast Survey, 4.4 million small businesses had sites by the end of 2007—that’s only 53% of all small businesses in the United States!

Did you know…

2008-05-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

According to eMarketer, a recent survey by iCongo and Harris Interactive shows that 33% of surveyed US adult Internet users are more likely to shop online because of high gasoline prices.

Online shopping offers convenience that brick-and-mortar stores just don’t have. And while gas prices continue to climb—particularly during the upcoming summer months—more and more consumers are expected to use the Internet for their retail needs or to look up information about businesses!

Did you know…

2008-05-05T08:55:00.000-07:00

According to a recent ICOM survey, 67% of shoppers said they are much more or somewhat more likely to use coupons during a recession. Shoppers’ ages were also a factor in coupon use, with 71% of consumers in the 18-34 age bracket saying they were more likely to use coupons and 68% in the 35-54 year-old age bracket and 63% of those 55 years and older.

The best news is that 58% of consumers responding in the survey said they would increase their coupon use if they had access to coupons electronically! Business owners have the ability to reign in these spenders during trying economic times—help them make it possible!

Did you know…

2008-05-05T08:52:00.000-07:00

According to research released this month by Harris Interactive, half of respondents said they made an online purchase in the previous year as a result of permission-based e-mail marketing. And, as eMarketer points out, “e-mail was second only to customer reviews on Web sites for influencing online purchases” according to a study conducted in February by DoubleClick Performics. When it comes to influencing online purchases, e-mail was nearly equal to search methods, according to the study.

These numbers show that opt-in e-mail (not spam!) is an extremely effective way for the clients to influence their customers into making a purchase. Mavik Web Solution provides the tools necessary for you to create e-mail lists and track customers so you can take advantage of this successful marketing approach!
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Get a Web site, get global exposure!

2008-05-05T08:48:00.000-07:00

Remember what we always say about the many benefits of a Web presence for a small business? A business that leverages the Internet has the potential to reach millions of new customers all over the world! A recent article in USA Today gives plenty of weight to the argument that every business needs a Web site for global exposure!

“The timing has never been better for small businesses to get out of their backyards and become global players,” said small business consultant Laurel Delaney of GlobalTrade.com.
The article states that more and more US small businesses “selling hundreds of billions of dollars in goods and services to Asia, Canada, Latin America, Europe and Africa.” In fact, from 1992 through last year, US small business exports rose almost fourfold to $400 billion, according to the Small Business Administration. USA Today counts the Internet among the key reasons for this booming globalization.

2008-03-26T09:10:00.000-07:00

Netflare, a marketing strategy firm in the UK, recently completed a survey of small businesses in multiple sectors. The results show that SMBs still aren’t leveraging the Internet as a convenient way to simultaneously increase revenue and decrease spending.

In some cases, the businesses had a Web site, but didn’t keep it up-to-date! In fact, 23% of the small business Web sites in the survey hadn’t been updated since their launch, meaning much of the content was obsolete or inaccurate. The average age of a Web site was 4 years—that’s a lot of time for a business to change inventory, focus and pricing!

The survey also found that only 8% of respondents had e-commerce technology on their Web sites. Here’s what Netflare’s Jon Beal had to say about those results:

“We were completely staggered by the tiny percentage of small business owners who were actively using their Web sites to generate sales.”

A majority of the small business owners indicated they wanted to use their Web site to increase sales. Beal said, “It is beyond comprehension that small business owners are ignoring one of the fastest growing sales opportunities there has ever been…the fact that small businesses are neglecting this huge and growing marketplace is astonishing.”

So what’s keeping businesses from doing more with their sites? “It seems that once small business owners have a Web site, they do not really know what to do with it so they ignore it,” Beal said.

With the help of our web solution, business owners can see the value of a well-designed, up-to-date Web presence. From those crucial e-commerce solutions to site promotion tools, the Web site we provide will be equipped with everything required to reach that ‘huge and growing marketplace’ Beal is talking about!

2008-03-26T09:09:00.001-07:00

Did you know…

According to research by Harris Interactive and eMarketer, people aged 13-21 have a growing impact on purchasing decisions in their parents’ households!

As a matter of fact, teens as young as age 14 said they have debit cards or were using their parents’ credit cards to make online purchases. Kids said they had particular influence in business categories such as travel, clothing, movies/video games and books.

Do you have any prospects working in these business categories or others that would appeal to this demographic? If so, they need e-commerce solutions to keep up with the competition!

2008-03-26T09:06:00.000-07:00

Did you know…

A recent Power Review Survey of retailers and merchants shows that 59% of respondents cited ‘customer experience’ as the most important factor in adding reviews to their site.

Moreover, 79% of those surveyed said their “Products” page is an effective place to show customer testimonials and reviews.

Finally, many of the merchants surveyed said they found that reviews answered questions that would otherwise be directed to customer service.

The business owner have the opportunity to create a site with a products page featuring testimonials! Doing so will improve your customers’ experience and cut back on the time and effort they invest in customer service! It’s just another example of what a Web site can do for your business!

2008-03-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

Did you know…

Recent findings from eMarketer and Media Audit indicate that cities with universities or colleges have higher populations of Internet users than cities without learning institutions.

“College towns topped (Media Audit’s) list of places with the highest number of Internet users,” according to the article.

Ann Arbor, Michigan, which is home to the University of Michigan, came in first place with 86% of adults online. Washington, D.C., which also hosts a number of major universities, is in second place with 84% and Colorado Springs, Colo., home of the US Air Force Academy and the University of Colorado, came in third with 83.7%.

Are you and your prospects located in a college town? If so, you’re surrounded by people who access the Internet for information—a Web site is mandatory for a small- or medium-sized business to survive!

Check out what recently appeared in USA Today’s Ask an Expert Monday!

2008-03-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

A reader named Phil wrote:

I know, I know, I am supposed to have a Web site. That said, as I have no plans to sell online, I just don't see the need for a site. My business has been around forever and we have done just fine without one. Am I wrong?

The expert—small-business author and lawyer Steve Strauss—responded with an anecdote that sounds like hundreds of thousands of others:

A few days ago on a busy school night, my wife called and asked me to pick up some dinner on the way home. She mentioned a restaurant we like…and asked me to look up their menu online so we could figure out what to get.

Yet try as I might, I couldn't find their Web site. It finally dawned on me that they did not have one. But since we had not been there in quite a while and could not remember everything on their menu, we decided to get dinner from another place.

This could be the case for any small- or medium-sized business whose owners have opted not to have a Web presence. Plenty of SMBs have lost business to a competitor without even knowing it!

Strauss continued:

Can you do e-commerce if you are not online? Nope. Can customers who hear about you check you out later on the Net if you don't have a site? No again. Can current customers (like I was) find out what your new offerings are if you lack a site? Not easily.

No matter what a business’ size, status or goals, there’s no way your Web solution won’t help it prosper!

2008-03-26T08:28:00.000-07:00

eMarketer reports that there will be 193.9 million Internet users in the US this year—that’s 2/3 of the population! The massive total of Web surfers is forecasted to continue climbing for the next four years (at least), so tell your prospective customers not to let anymore business slip through their fingers!

Gas Prices Affect Consumer Behavior!

2008-02-05T07:56:00.000-08:00

Forty-nine percent of US consumers are reducing their spending to compensate for rising gas prices, according to the Center for Media Research and Nielsen Research. The article reports 70% of consumers are combining shopping trips and errands, 41% are eating out less and 39% are staying home more often.

“Our research shows a jump in consumers shopping on the Internet as a way to deal with high gas prices…a wake-up call for manufacturers and retailers alike to step up their ‘direct-to-consumer’ efforts to utilize the Internet to communicate directly with consumers in 2008…”

2008-01-29T07:36:00.001-08:00

According to a new Microsoft survey out of the UK, 92% of respondents said they check a company’s Web site before they make a purchase.

Why Small Businesses Need to Embrace the Internet!

2008-01-29T07:34:00.000-08:00

One business writer at The Scotsman newspaper recently hailed the use of the Internet exclusively for holiday shopping after a successful experience.

“Would I do it again? Yes, and I can see the Internet becoming my new best shopping friend.”

In fact, the Scotsman’s writer pointed out, “Recent statistics show that online sales are set to quadruple (in the UK) over the next decade and I can totally understand why. To succeed in such highly competitive markets, small retailers need to be offering consumers something different to bring people through the front door. Small, independent retailers need to see the Internet as an opportunity not a threat, becoming e-tailers and creating Web sites that allow purchases to be made online.”

So why do small businesses need to leverage the Internet? Because consumers are expecting more online information, as The Scotsman explains:

“For consumers, the Internet has added a welcome new dimension to competition, as well as providing convenience for shoppers and new opportunities to compare prices and find new products.”

And any consumer appreciates the advantages of e-commerce:

“As a new devotee of online shopping, the huge benefits are easy to see, and it is not just because it can save time and money. The old fears about online security have been largely allayed, so peace of mind is greater than ever before.”

This true-to-life testimony just goes to show what kind of online experience consumers are seeking.

Forrester Research

2008-01-23T08:44:00.000-08:00

Forrester Research reports that over ¼ of all retail sales are either directly or indirectly influenced by the Internet. Additionally, offline sales that are somehow influenced by the Internet will hit $1 trillion in 2011, accounting for nearly ½ of all retail sales!

E-Commerce spending is up this season!

2007-12-10T09:39:00.000-08:00

comScore is reporting that holiday e-commerce spending has increased 17% since last year! Its survey covers the first 32 days of the holiday shopping season (from November 1-December 2). Over $14 billion has been spent online, according to comScore, and the number continues to increase. Businesses without an online presence are missing out on huge profits!

Online Shopping Gains Popularity for the Holidays!

2007-12-03T12:06:00.000-08:00

We all know Cyber Monday (the first Monday after Thanksgiving) is huge for e-commerce, but Black Friday was also a big day for online shopping! According to comScore, online spending hit $531 million on Black Friday, a 22% increase over the total last year. InformationWeek reported comScore’s chairman saying:

“The Friday after Thanksgiving is known for heavy spending in retail stores, but it’s clear that consumers are increasingly turning to the Internet to make their holiday purchases…Online spending on Black Friday has historically represented an early indicator of how the rest of the season will shake out.”

Overall, consumers are expected to continue using online shopping in years to come as an alternative to braving the crowds as the holidays approach. The prospects you approach this season may not be able to activate the site before the holiday, but it’s still a great time to share these statistics with them so they’re ready for next year, when online spending is anticipated to climb even higher!

Cyber Monday

2007-11-29T11:53:00.000-08:00

Cyber Monday was a hit! If you missed out on this year’s Cyber Monday, they weren’t able to profit from the $733 million spent online—that’s a 21% increase over last year’s total! E-Commerce is still growing, so find out how you can be a part of the action by contacting Mavik Web Design!

2007-11-27T10:16:00.003-08:00

Here’s some advice to online retailers from eMarketer.com.

In an article titled “Online Retailers Take Stock” writers note that 48% of people surveyed said they’d go to a competing Web site if the product they wanted was out of stock on the first site they tried. In second place, 31% surveyed said they’d check back later to see if the product was back on the “e-shelves.”

“Respondents to a Retail Systems Alert Group survey cited efficient inventory allocation as among the key opportunities for creating customer satisfaction,” according to the article. In fact, in December of last year, 56% of respondents said ensuring accurate, consistent product information was the most important business initiative, according to a survey by the same group in February of this year.

You Can Cash in using Direct Mail and E-mail Marketing

2007-11-27T10:16:00.001-08:00

This week, eMarketer.com reported that last year direct mail and e-mail marketing brought in the highest return on investment than any other target marketing method. Return on investment (ROI) numbers can be difficult to track and interpret, but analysts agree mail and e-mail are more lucrative methods of communicating directly with customers compared to other mediums like television ads or signs, according to the article.

Pet Products are Big Business!

2007-11-27T10:15:00.001-08:00

Last week, eMarketer.com published an article about the thriving pet industry citing reports by Packaged Data and the American Pet Products Manufacturing Association (APPMA). Here are a few facts and predictions from the article:
American pet owners will spend $52 billion on their pets in 2009.
Pet care is the second-fastest growing retail industry, following consumer electronics.
The health and well-being of our furry friends is also a booming business. The APPMA writes that 77% of dogs and 52% of cats were medicated in the past year.
According to the article, vet services are a $9.8 billion industry, and that number doesn’t include over-the-counter drugs and other supplies, which tacks on another estimated $9.9 billion.
The authors put it in perspective for us: Americans spend more now on their pets than they do on movies, video games and music—combined.

2007-11-27T10:14:00.002-08:00

Why should I pay you $50 for Web hosting when I can get it for less than $10 a month with XYZ Company?”

It’s a fair question, and one you may hear from prospects. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of reasons why cheap Web hosting may actually cost more in the long run with things like hidden fees and unauthorized content. You can share these answers with your prospective customer so they see the value of your product and you can move the appointment forward.

Unauthorized Advertising. Cheap Web hosts have a reputation for placing distracting advertising banners and pop-up ads on their clients’ sites without the client’s permission. On the other hand, Mavik Web Design gives you 100% control of your site’s content.
Long Contracts and Full Upfront Payments. Instead, with Mavik Web Design, you pay from month to month and can cancel anytime with just a 30-day notice.
Hidden Costs. Cheap hosts will sometimes charge hidden fees for things like additional storage and higher traffic capacity. Meanwhile, with Mavik Web Design, the customer is always charged the same $50 every month. Additionally, we provide plenty of storage to each site for thousands of images and volumes of text, and we also provide unlimited hits/bandwidth, no matter how popular the site becomes.
No Technical Support. Many Cheap Hosting services won’t have a hotline customers can call if technical problems arise. But Mavik Web Design gives customers free, unlimited access to our experienced Technical Support staff. Contact the staff via Chatlink or at 1-866-WEB-HELP on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (All times Pacific)

2007-11-27T10:14:00.001-08:00

In an effort to “Go Green,” many people are seeking to discontinue the delivery of their Yellow Pages and similar telephone directories. Experts attribute this movement to an emerging generation that prefers to use online and mobile resources when searching for businesses.

“Yellow Page usage among people say, below (age) 50, will drop to zero or near zero over the next five years,” Bill Gates said at a summit in May of this year. Researchers at the Kelsey Group have found similar results, stating as younger generations begin making larger purchases, they will move away from traditional search methods like phone books and “use online resources at the expense of traditional media.” They add that businesses will have to adapt to these new online methods as the phone book becomes obsolete.

This method is “faster and more efficient and helps preserve the planet’s resources,” according to Geoff Wilson at Pseudofish.com.And how much of the planet’s resources could be saved in this effort? Environmentalist Larry West writes that, according to Green Valley Recycling in Los Gatos, Calif., and Modesto’s Parks and Recreation Department, if every American recycled their phone books for a year:
We would save up to 650,000 tons of paper
Free up to 2 million cubic yards of landfill space
And, for every 500 phone books recycled, we could save:
7,000 gallons of water
17-31 trees
4,100 kilowatts of electricity—enough to power an average home for six months.

E-commerce is still growing!

2007-11-27T10:12:00.000-08:00

According to eMarketer.com, U.S. e-commerce spending is expected to grow 18% this year to $259 billion. The article attributes the increase in spending to “increased consumer comfort with online shopping.”

The online population isn’t slowing down! Be sure to tell your prospective customers that if they don’t have a Web site with e-commerce capabilities, they’re missing a huge opportunity for increased profit!

Commerce still has room to grow!

2007-11-27T10:11:00.000-08:00

According to ComScore, retail e-commerce spending for the third quarter of 2007 has increased 23% since last year—reaching $28.4 billion! Experts project that at this rate, that number will hit $200 billion. Spread the word to those prospects who are reluctant to believe their revenue will increase with e-commerce capabilities!

Free shipping pays off!

2007-11-27T10:10:00.002-08:00

According to the National Retail Federation, 78.6% of retailers surveyed will offer free shipping during the rapidly-approaching holiday season. Scott Silverman of Shop.org said, “Free shipping offers drive online sales more than any other promotion, which is why they remain popular with retailers.”

Clients can leverage the Internet this season with offers for free shipping based on a minimum dollar amount spent or a minimum number of products purchased by their customers.

2007-11-27T10:10:00.001-08:00

According to DM News, 72% of major online retailers regularly sent out welcome e-mails to customers who opt-in to be on a subscription list. Citing this year’s Retail Welcome Benchmark Study, the article adds that 32% of welcome e-mails included a discount, reward or incentive. With the solution you offer, your prospects can send e-mails that draw more customers to their Web site and into their brick-and-mortar store!

Make Money while you Shop this Holiday Season!

2007-11-27T10:00:00.000-08:00

Don’t let the season slow down your sales! This is a great time to generate some cash while you’re already out and about. If you have lots of shopping to do this year (and who doesn’t?), odds are you’ll be visiting plenty of businesses. Why not capitalize on the opportunity to set up an appointment with the Decision Maker?

You can help your favorite businesses establish a Web presence before the holidays! You’re out there anyway, so no excuses!
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Did you know…

According to eMarketer researchers, online holiday sales in the U.S. will reach $31 billion this season, up 18.5% from last year! In the face of some predictions for decreasing revenue for brick-and-mortar establishments, this information is going to be immensely beneficial when you approach a business owner about purchasing a Web site this season!