We get compliments all the time about our website and our new FlicK logo is fantastic!
Karen and Randy Purves
Anchor Imports
Red Flags of Web Design Companies
So after my years in business I have come across some interesting methods of business practice from various web designers and SEO "experts". Many times I am on the other end trying to retain ownership of my future client's website. After seeing this time and time again I have decided that it maybe fitting to write down a few big red flags to watch out for when hiring a developer or designer to work on your website.
My hope is that these few red flags will help in assisting you to pick the right developer or designer for your project.
1) Control of domain: Many web design companies will use the domain registration as a means to control their clients. They will give free domain registration as part of the service. Always ask to register the domain yourself. A web design company that tries to control the domain is a major red flag.
2) Control of ftp: Another form of control is ftp access. There are rare cases where web design company can’t provide this but for the most part ftp access should always be made available to the client. So ask for FTP access and see what the design company’s answer is.
3) Control of content: Many design companies want to control the content because it’s a means of repeat business for them. If you are hiring the design to manage your content it is fine, but are they are flexible to you making content changes or having another designer make changes. Some design companies make it virtually impossible to edit content without using their service. It is in these cases you should be very weary.
Please tell me what you think…if you are a designer or work for a web design company tell me about your company’s policies or best practices. If you are currently in this situation we would love to hear from you!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR, Jaimie Murphy
Owner and Operator of Murphy Designs - a local web and graphic company in Falmouth, NS. She helps small business owners leverage the web, and social media to increase awareness about their products and services.
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Facebook ‘Likes’ Not a Good Indicator of Success
Organizations looking for the secret formula for success on Facebook shouldn’t get caught up only on the number of likes or followers they have. Rather, it is all about properly engaging those users, new research has found.
That’s because this research, which examined the interaction of millennials on Facebook, found that although 75 percent of respondents liked the Facebook page of an organization, nearly 70 percent of those users rarely or never returned to the page. Additionally, just 15 percent of users checked an organization's page weekly.
"We wanted to find out what the younger generation, those 18- to 29-year-olds, are doing on those sites," Tina McCorkindale, an assistant professor in Appalachian State University’s Department of Communication and social media expert, said. "They are the Facebook generation. With so many companies spending so much time and money on social media, we need to understand not only social media tools, but the strategies of how to use it."
According to McCorkindale and fellow researchers Marcia DiStaso from Pennsylvania State University and Hilary Fussell-Sisco from Quinnipiac University, companies can fix their social media problems by offering incentives for people to follow them.
"It’s fairly consistent in the research that millennials like organizations that give something back to them," McCorkindale said. "Instead of organizations trying to superficially push these relationships and superficially push 'likes,' they really need to understand the audience, build the relationship and engage the audience."
That relationship can be built by finding the right mix of discount coupons, samples, or exclusive information. However, McCorkindale warns that overdoing it with these incentives will turn off customers from continuing to follow the page. According to the research, 42 percent of the respondents said they left a page when they were overwhelmed with communication.
"If you are going to be out there in the social media sphere, you need to be listening, you have to answer the questions people ask of you through social media," McCorkindale said. "If issues or questions go unanswered, that breaks the relationship. If they can’t manage the space, they really shouldn’t be using the space."
The information in this survey was based on the responses of 414 people between the ages of 18 and 29.
Reach BusinessNewsDaily staff writer David Mielach at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @D_M89.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR, Jaimie Murphy
Owner and Operator of Murphy Designs - a local web and graphic company in Falmouth, NS. She helps small business owners leverage the web, and social media to increase awareness about their products and services.
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Dine With A Dragon II – Robert Herjavec
Following a short retirement, Robert launched, The Herjavec Group, now recognized as Canada’s leading cyber security provider and one of the fastest growing companies in Canada. In a few short years, it grew from $400,000 in sales and three employees, to a run rate of over $80 million and over 100 employees. Robert’s celebrity has expanded with leading roles on Dragon’s Den (now in its 7th Season), the Number 1 television show on CBC, and the American hit show Shark Tank (now in its 2nd Season, produced by Mark Burnett Productions, Sony, Disney and ABC).
I was recently awarded a ticket to "Dine with A Dragon II" with Robert Herjavec. Thanks to a recommendation from, Helen Abel I was awarded a VIP Pass to meet Robert Herjavec at Brussels in Halifax. It was an awesome opportunity of networking, and having a once in a lifetime opportunity.
It was wonderful to be around like minded individials who were all interested in one thing, "Growing their business". It is amazing to feel the energy and enthusiam at these events!
After the tradeshow was over we made our way over to Brussels for the VIP event, where we spent some time connecting with Speedpro Imaging (Mary-Jane and Charlie Aubie), Anchor Imports (Karen Purves), among others. After some time networking Robert Herjavec arrived, and the frenzy commenced 
People from the left and right were talking to Robert, trying to catch that 2 minute moment with him. I was able to sneak in and have my photo taken with him, and told him what I did. This was pretty cool...and a pretty awesome opportunity
Following the VIP event we went to the dinner, this was very well attended. We were positioned very close to the main table. So I was able to get quite a few pictures which I will be posting along with a video clip.
All in all I really enjoyed attending this event, and travelling down with amazing two of Annapolis Valley business movers and shakers, Helen Abel of Appreciative Coaching and Training, and Karen Purves of Anchor Imports.
Make sure you watch out for the next Halifax Entrepreneurship Expo! I will definately be attending again next year! Be sure to tune into Robert's newest show, "Shark Tank"!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR, Jaimie Murphy
Owner and Operator of Murphy Designs - a local web and graphic company in Falmouth, NS. She helps small business owners leverage the web, and social media to increase awareness about their products and services.
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Facebook Timeline FAQs
With Facebook launching the new Facebook Page Timeline format, clients have been asking me what they should use as their page’s Facebook profile picture and new cover image, and what size the pictures need to be.
What Image to Use for Facebook Page Profile Pictures?
For your Facebook Page (Business or Company Page), it usually makes the most sense to use your company’s logo, possibly incorporated with your company’s name. There are situations in which it may make sense to change your profile picture, perhaps because your company released a new product you’d like to highlight, or you’d like to promote an event by changing your profile picture to this events’ flyer.
Profile Picture Size
With the onset of the new Facebook Timeline for Pages format, Facebook will no longer support the 180 x 540 pixels profile image after March 30, 2012.
The new Facebook Page Timeline Profile Image is 180 x 180 pixels. Keep in mind that a 15 pixel radius around your thumbnail will prevent your logo, or whatever you choose to use, from getting cut off in in a news feed or wall, where your comments and posts matter most.
Cover Image Size and Guidelines
The cover image allows 850 x 315 pixels, giving you a lot of space to communicate a message. However, that message has to creatively be communicated as no contact info, no website address, no pricing and no calls to action are allowed.
Hopefully these new Facebook Page Timeline format image specs will help you improve your Page’s Timeline format aesthetic and professionalism. We would love to see your creative designs, please share them below!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR, Jaimie Murphy
Owner and Operator of Murphy Designs - a local web and graphic company in Falmouth, NS. She helps small business owners leverage the web, and social media to increase awareness about their products and services.
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Digital vs. Offset
Digital vs. Offset
Depending on the scope of work, offset printing may or may not be the best technology for your project. The table below will provide you with information on which is right for you. Please contact us if you have further questions!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR, Jaimie Murphy
Owner and Operator of Murphy Designs - a local web and graphic company in Falmouth, NS. She helps small business owners leverage the web, and social media to increase awareness about their products and services.
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5 Small Business Social Media Marketing Tips
In this blog post I will offer 10 suggestions for how small businesses can supercharge their marketing efforts by leveraging social media. For each suggestion, I will discuss a basic strategy – for those who simply want to get their toes wet, as well as an advanced strategy – for those who want to spend a bit more time and go a bit deeper in their social media marketing efforts. These tips are based on my experience leveraging social media marketing for my company, Murphy Designs. Continue reading
ABOUT THE AUTHOR, Jaimie Murphy
Owner and Operator of Murphy Designs - a local web and graphic company in Falmouth, NS. She helps small business owners leverage the web, and social media to increase awareness about their products and services.
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