Practical Social Media: How to Create Killer Websites with Little to No Budget

In today's connected world, most everyone will come to your website prior to deciding whether or not to purchase from your business. 40% of all consumer spending and 85% of all B2B transactions begin today with a web search. Your website experience will either accelerate the purchase process or end it on the spot. Today, you can't afford to have a static website that acts like an online brochure. You need a site that looks like you hired a team of graphic designers. A site that has the ability to stimulate interaction and participation. A site that gives you complete control to make changes instantly. A site that is prepared for the world of social media.

In the past, a website that could do all this would have cost thousands of dollars and taken skilled programmers months to build. But those days are behind us. Thanks to "open source" software called WordPress and the efforts of a huge community of programmers and website users, you can have all this with little to no budget. WordPress websites are indistinguishable from traditional websites, except by their exceptional new capabilities. The power to have a website that you would be proud to attach to your company and reputation has now been placed into the hands of every business. Come and receive a step-by-step introduction with screen shots and specific directions that you can take home that night to create your own WordPress website. The results will stun both you and your customers alike.

The number and complexity of marketing options available online can be overwhelming: traditional website solutions like FrontPage, Dreamweaver and Contribute, new "CMS" (content management system) -based websites and blogging services like Blogger.com, WordPress.com, and "self-hosted" WordPress websites—how do you know which format is best for you?

We have looked at all the options and evaluated them based on our combined 30+ years of experience in marketing and online media, and we will give this knowledge to you. And the best part is that it doesn't have to be that complicated!

Once you select a website platform, there are even more things to consider: the question of whether or not to use a blog—or the more basic question: What is the difference between a website and a blog? Widgets, plugins, RSS, search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising, integration with other forms of social media like Twitter, Flickr and YouTube. Are all these just "Web 2.0" fads that traditional businesses should take with a grain of salt?

At the very least, you want to be able to judge the potential marketing value of these new features and services and see examples of how they are being used. But our experience has shown that there are valuable ways to use these technologies today that will bring more traffic to your website, present your brand in a compelling, professional manner, and accelerate the purchase of your product or service. This seminar will show you the best place to start and give you the tools you need.

No discussion on social media or website development would be complete without also creating the right brand foundation. Otherwise your new website would be like having a gorgeous five-bedroom family home without the family. Come prepared to learn the secret to creating a brand promise that engages with your customers at levels beyond where your competition has ever even thought to venture. Based on decades of branding experience and working with Fortune 500 companies, your brand promise is absolutely step one in your new success.

About the Presenters

Steven MacDonald is the founder of StudioHDV, the Practical Social Media Newsletter and the e-commerce site, The Designer Jean Company. As a marketing consultant and retailer, Mr. MacDonald uses every method of branding and social media that he recommends for his clients. His first hand knowledge and Fortune 500 marketing background with companies like Coca Cola, VISA, Nike, P&G and more provides a unique backdrop to help companies wade through the new world of marketing opportunities and social media tools. Spanning more than two decades, he has been the VP of Strategic Planning for Mazda, EVP of a regional marketing firm, partner in a successful advertising agency and CEO of a dot.com. He is on the Thought Leadership Board of a national marketing group, spoken at companies like US Airways, and been published in business journals.

Mark McLaren is owner of McBuzz Communications LLC, a company he founded in 2005 specializing in online marketing services, including WordPress website development, social media marketing strategy, search engine optimization, and business blogging. Past Biznik presentations include Introducing Web 2.0 and Introducing Twitter. He is also creator of a popular series of online video tutorials for WordPress called Business Blogging 101.